Part 48

The emir expected the princess would have said or done some extravagant thing, and was not a little disappointed when he heard her talk so calmly and rationally; for then he knew her disease was nothing but a violent and deep-rooted love-passion. He dared not explain himself to the king, who would not have suffered the princess to give her hand to any other than the person to whom he wished to give her with his own hand. He therefore threw himself at his majesty’s feet, and said, After what I have heard and observed, sir, it will be to no purpose for me to think of curing the princess, since I have no remedies proper for her malady; for which reason I humbly submit my life to your majesty’s pleasure. The king, enraged at his incapacity, and the trouble he had given him, caused him immediately to be beheaded.

Some days after, his majesty, unwilling to have it said that he had neglected his daughter’s cure, put forth a proclamation in his capital, importing, that if there were any physician, astrologer, or magician, who would undertake to restore the princess to her senses, he need only come, and he should be employed, on condition of losing his head if he miscarried. He had the same published in the other principal cities and towns of his dominions, and in the courts of the princes his neighbours.

The first that presented himself was an astrologer and magician, whom the king caused to be conducted to the princess’s prison by a eunuch. The astrologer drew forth, out of a bag he carried under his arm, an astrolabe, a small sphere, a chafing-dish, several sorts of drugs proper for fumigations, a brass pot, with many other things, and desired he might have a fire lighted.

The princess demanded what all these preparations were for. Madam, answered the eunuch, they are to exorcise the evil spirit that possesses you, to shut him up in this pot, and throw him into the sea.

Foolish astrologer, replied the princess, I have no occasion for any of your preparations, but am in my perfect senses, and you alone are mad. If your art can bring him I love to me, I shall be obliged to you; otherwise you may go about your business, for I have nothing to do with you. Madam, said the astrologer, if your case be so, I shall desist from all endeavours, believing the king your father can only remedy your disaster in this particular. So putting up his trinkets again, he marched away, very much concerned that he had so easily undertaken to cure an imaginary malady.

Coming to give an account to the king of what he had done, he would not wait for the eunuch to speak for him, but began thus boldly: According to what your majesty published in your proclamation, and what you were pleased to confirm to me yourself, I thought the princess was distracted, and depended on being able to recover her by the secrets I have long been acquainted with; but I soon found she had no other disease than that of love, over which my art had no power: your majesty alone is the physician that can cure her, by giving her in marriage to the person whom she desires.

The king was very much enraged at the astrologer, and had his head cut off upon the spot. But his fate did not deter others from making a similar attempt, so that in a short time, a hundred and fifty astrologers, physicians, and magicians, who came upon this account, all underwent the same fate; and their heads were set upon poles on every gate of the city.

The Story of Marzavan, with the sequel of that of the Prince Camaralzaman.

The princess of China’s nurse had a son, whose name was Marzavan, and who had been foster-brother to the princess, and brought up with her. Their friendship was so great during their childhood, and all the time they had been together, that they treated each other as brother and sister, as they grew up, even some time after their separation.

This Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret arts, wherein he became exceeding skilful. Not content with what he had learned from masters, he travelled as soon as he was able to bear the fatigue; and there was hardly any person of note in any science of art, but he sought him in the most remote cities, and kept company with him long enough to obtain all the information he desired, so great was his thirst after knowledge.

After several years absence in foreign parts on this account, he returned to the capital city of his native country, China; where seeing so many heads on the gate by which he entered, he was exceedingly surprised; and coming home, demanded for what reason they had been placed there; but more especially he informed himself of the condition of the princess his foster-sister, whom he had not forgotten. As he could not receive an answer to one inquiry without the other, he heard at length the general account with much sorrow, waiting till he could learn more from his mother, the princess’s nurse.

Although the nurse, mother to Marzavan, was very much employed about the princess, yet she no sooner heard her dear son was returned, but she found time to come out, embrace him, and converse with him a little. Having told him, with tears in her eyes, what a sad condition the princess was in; and for what reason the king, her father, had confined her, he desired to know of his mother, if she could not procure him a private sight of her royal mistress, without the king knowing it. After some pause, she told him she could say nothing to him for the present, but if he would meet her next day at the same hour, she would give him an answer.

The nurse knowing none could approach the princess, but herself, without leave of the eunuch who commanded the guard at the gate, addressed herself to him, who she knew was so lately appointed, that he could know nothing of what had before passed at the court of China. You know, said she to him, I have brought up and suckled the princess, and you may likewise have heard that I had a daughter whom I brought up along with her. This daughter has been since married; yet the princess still does her the honour to love her, and would fain see her, but she would do it without any body’s perceiving her coming in or out.

The nurse would have gone on; but the eunuch cried, Say no more; I will with pleasure do any thing to oblige the princess: go and fetch your daughter, or send for her about midnight, and the gate shall be open to you.

As soon as night came, the nurse went to look for her son, Marzavan, and having found him, dressed him so artificially in women’s clothes, that nobody could know he was a man. She carried him along with her, and the eunuch verily believing it was her daughter, admitted them together.

The nurse, before she presented Marzavan went to the princess, and said, Madam, this is not a woman I have brought to you; it is my son, Marzavan, in disguise, newly arrived from his travels, who having a great desire to kiss your hand, I hope your highness will admit him to that honour.

What! my brother Marzavan, said the princess, with great joy; come hither, cried she, and take off that veil; for it is not unreasonable sure that a brother and a sister should see each other without covering their faces.

Marzavan saluted her with profound respect; when she, without giving him time to speak, cried out, I am rejoiced to see you returned in good health after so many years’ absence, and without sending the least account all the while of your welfare, even to your good mother.

Madam, replied Marzavan, I am infinitely obliged to your highness for your goodness in rejoicing at my health: I hoped to have heard a better account of yours than what, to my great affliction, I am now witness of; nevertheless, I cannot but rejoice that I am come seasonably enough to bring your highness that remedy which you stand so much in need of; and though I should reap no other fruit of my studies and long voyage, I should think myself fully recompensed.

Speaking these words, Marzavan drew forth out of his pocket a book and other things, which he judged necessary to be used, according to the account he had had from his mother of the princess’s distemper. The princess seeing him make all these preparations, cried out, What! brother, are you then one of those that believe me mad? Undeceive yourself, and hear me.

The princess then began to relate to Marzavan all the particulars of her story, without omitting the least circumstance, even to the ring which was exchanged for hers, and which she showed him. I have not concealed the least matter from you, quoth she; yet it is true, there is something that I cannot comprehend, which has given occasion for some persons to think me mad; but this is for want of attending to the rest, which is literally as I tell you.

After the princess had done speaking, Marzavan, filled with wonder and astonishment, continued for some time with his eyes fixed on the ground, without speaking a word; but at length he lifted up his head, and said, If it be as your highness says, and which I do not in the least doubt, I do not despair to procure you the satisfaction you desire; but I must first entreat your highness to arm yourself with patience for some time longer, till I shall return; till I have travelled over kingdoms which I have not yet visited; and when you hear of my return, be assured the object of your wishes is not far off. So saying, Marzavan took leave of the princess, and set out next morning on his intended voyage.

He travelled from city to city, from province to province, and from island to island; and in every place he passed through, he could hear of nothing but the princess Badoura, which was the princess of China’s name, and her history.

About four months after, our traveller arrived at Torf, a seaport town, great and populous, where he no more heard of the princess Badoura, but all the talk was of prince Camaralzaman, who was sick, and whose history very much resembled hers. Marzavan was extremely delighted to hear this, and informed himself of the place where the prince was to be found. There were two ways to it; one by land and sea, the other by sea only, which was the shortest way.

Marzavan chose the latter, and embarking on board a merchant ship, he arrived safe in sight of king Schahzaman’s capital; but just before it entered the port, the ship struck against a rock, by the unskilfulness of the pilot, and foundered. It went down in sight of prince Camaralzaman’s castle, where were at that time the king and his grand vizier.

Marzavan could swim very well, and immediately upon the ship’s sinking, cast himself into the sea, and got safe on shore under the castle, where he was soon relieved by the grand vizier’s order. After he had changed his clothes, and been well treated, and was recovered, he was introduced to the grand vizier, who had sent for him.

Marzavan being a young man of good air and address, this minister received him very civilly; and when he heard him give such just and pertinent answers to what was asked of him, conceived a great esteem for him. He also gradually perceived he possessed a great deal of knowledge; therefore said to him, From what I can understand, I perceive you are no common man; you have travelled a great way; would to God, you had learned any secret for curing a certain sick person, who has greatly afflicted this court for a long while.

Marzavan replied, If he knew what malady that was, he might perhaps find a remedy for it.

Then the grand vizier related to him the whole story of prince Carmaralzaman, from its origin, and concealed nothing; of his birth so earnestly desired, his education, the inclination the king, his father, had to see him early married, his resistance, and extraordinary aversion to marriage, his disobeying his father in full council, his imprisonment, his pretended extravagancies in prison, which were afterwards changed into a violent passion for a certain unknown lady, who, he pretended, had exchanged a ring with him, though, for his part, he verily believed there was no such person in the world.

Marzavan gave great attention to all the grand vizier said, and was infinitely rejoiced to find, that by means of his shipwreck, he had so fortunately lighted on the person he was looking after. He saw no reason to doubt that prince Camaralzaman was the man the princess of China was so violently in love with, and that this princess was equally the object of his passion; therefore, without explaining himself farther to the vizier, he desired to see him, that he might be better able to judge of his distemper and its cure. Follow me, said the grand vizier, and you will find the king with him, who has already desired I should introduce you to him.

The first thing that struck Marzavan on entering the prince’s chamber, was to find him upon his bed languishing, and with his eyes shut. Although he saw them in that condition, and although the king, his father was sitting by him, he could not help crying out, Heavens! was there ever a greater resemblance! He meant to the princess of China; for it seems the princess and prince were much alike.

The words of Marzavan excited the prince’s curiosity so far, that he opened his eyes and looked upon him. Marzavan, who had a ready wit, laid hold of that opportunity, and made his compliment in verse extempore, but in such a disguised manner, that neither the king nor grand vizier understood any thing of the matter. However, he represented so nicely what had happened to him with the princess of China, that the prince had no reason to doubt he knew her, and could give him tidings of her. This made him so joyful, that the effects of it showed themselves in his eyes and looks.

After Marzavan had finished his compliments in verse, which surprised prince Camaralzaman so agreeably, his highness took the liberty to make a sign to the king, his father, to go from the place where he was, and let Marzavan sit by him.

The king, overjoyed at this alteration, which gave him hopes of his son’s speedy recovery, quitted his place, and taking Marzavan by the hand, led him to it, obliging him to sit in it. Then his majesty demanded of him who he was, and whence he came; and upon Marzavan’s answering he was a subject of China, and came from that kingdom, the king cried out, Heaven grant you may be able to recover my son from this profound melancholy, and I shall be eternally obliged to you; all the world shall see now handsomely I will reward you. --Having said thus, he left the prince to converse at full liberty with the stranger, whilst he went and rejoiced with the grand vizier upon this happy rencontre.

Marzavan, leaning down to the prince, spoke low in his ear thus: Prince, said he, it is time you should cease to grieve. The lady for whom you suffer is the princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour, king of China. This I can assure your highness from what she has told me of her adventure, and what I have learned of yours. She has suffered no less on your account, than you have on hers. Here he began to relate all that he knew of the princess’s story, from the fatal night of their extraordinary interview.

He omitted not to acquaint him, how the king had treated those who had failed in their pretensions to cure the princess of her indisposition. But your highness is the only person, added he, that can cure her effectually, and may present yourself without fear. However, before you undertake so great a voyage, I would have you perfectly recovered, and then we will take such measures as are necessary. Think then, immediately, of the recovery of your health.

This discourse had a marvellous effect on the prince: he found so great relief by the hopes he conceived of speedily fulfilling his desires, that he felt he had strength sufficient to rise, and begged leave of his father to dress himself with such an air, as gave the old king incredible pleasure.

King Schahzaman could not refrain from embracing Marzavan, without inquiring into the means he had used to produce this wonderful effect; and soon after went out of the prince’s chamber with the grand vizier, to publish this agreeable news. He ordered public rejoicings for several days together, and gave great largesses to his officers and the people, alms to the poor, and caused the prisoners to be set at liberty throughout his kingdom. The joy was soon general in the capital, and in every corner of his dominions.

Prince Camaralzaman, though extremely weakened by almost continual want of sleep, and long abstinence from almost all food, soon recovered his health. When he found himself in a condition to undertake the voyage, he took Marzavan aside, and said, Dear Marzavan, it is now time to perform the promise you have made me. I burn with impatience to see the charming princess; and if you do not speedily give me an opportunity to put an end to her torments and my own, by setting out on our journey immediately, I shall soon relapse into my former condition. One thing still afflicts me, continued he, and that is the difficulty I shall meet with in getting leave of my father to go. This would be a cruel disappointment to me, if you do not contrive a way to prevent it. You see he scarce ever leaves me.

At these words the prince fell to weeping; and Marzavan said, I foresaw this difficulty; let not your highness be grieved at that, for I will undertake to prevent it. My principal design in this voyage was to deliver the princess of China from her malady, and this from all the reasons of mutual affection which we have borne to each other from our birth, besides the zeal and affection I otherwise owe her; and I should be wanting in my duty to her, if I did not do my best endeavour to effect her cure and yours, and exert my utmost skill. This is then the means I have contrived to obtain your liberty: you have not stirred abroad for some time, therefore let the king, your father, understand you have a mind to take the air, and ask his leave to go out on a hunting party two or three days with me. No doubt he will grant your request; which when he has done, order two good horses to be got ready, one to mount, the other to change, and leave the rest to me.

Next day, prince Camaralzaman took his opportunity. He acquainted the king, he was desirous to take the air, and if he pleased, would go and hunt two or three days with Marzavan. The king gave his consent, but bid him be sure not to lie out above one night, since too much exercise at first might impair his health, and too long absence create his majesty uneasiness. He then ordered him to choose the best horses in his stable, and himself took particular care that nothing should be wanting. When all was ready, his majesty embraced the prince, and having recommended to Marzavan the care of him, he let him go. Prince Camaralzaman and Marzavan were soon mounted; when, to amuse the two grooms that led the fresh horses, they made as if they would hunt, and so got as far off the city and out of the road as was possible. When night began to approach, they alighted at a caravansera or inn, where they supped, and slept till about midnight, when Marzavan awaked the prince, without awaking the grooms, and desired his highness to let him have his suit, and to take another for himself, which was brought in his baggage. Thus equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and after Marzavan had taken one of the groom’s horses by the bridle, they set out as hard as their horses could go.

At daybreak, they were got into a forest, where, coming to the meeting of four roads, Marzavan desired the prince to wait for him a little, and went into the forest. He then cut the groom’s horse’s throat, and after having torn the prince’s suit, which he had put off, besmearing it with blood, he threw it into the highway.

The prince demanded his reason for what he had done. He told his highness he was sure the king, his father, would no sooner find that he did not return, and come to know that he was departed without the grooms, but he would suspect something, and immediately send people in quest of them. They that come to this place, said he, and find this bloody habit, will conclude you are devoured by wild beasts, and that I have escaped to avoid the king’s anger. The king, persuading himself you are dead, will stop farther pursuit, and we may have leisure to continue our journey without fear of being followed. I must confess, continued Marzavan, this is a violent way of proceeding, to alarm an old father with the death of his son, whom he loves so passionately; but his joy will be the greater when he shall hear you are alive and happy. --Brave Marzavan, replied the prince, I cannot but approve such an ingenious stratagem, or sufficiently admire your conduct; I have fresh obligations to you for it.

The prince and Marzavan, well provided with cash for their expenses, continued their journey both by land and sea, and found no other obstacle, but the length of the time which it necessarily took up. They, however, arrived at length at the capital of China, where Marzavan, instead of going to his lodging, carried the prince to a public inn. They tarried there incognito three days, to rest themselves after the fatigue of the voyage; during which time, Marzavan caused an astrologer’s habit to be made for the prince. The three days being expired, they went together to the bath, where the prince put on his astrologer’s habit; and from thence Marzavan conducted him in sight of the king of China’s palace, where he left him, to go and acquaint his mother, the princess Badoura’s nurse, of his arrival, to the end she might inform the princess.

Prince Camaralzaman, instructed by Marzavan what he was to do, and provided with all he wanted as an astrologer, came next morning to the gate of the king’s palace, before the guards and porters, and cried aloud, I am an astrologer, and am come to effect a cure on the respectable princess Badoura, daughter of the most high and mighty monarch Gaiour, king of China, on the conditions proposed by his majesty, to marry her if I succeed, or else to lose my life for my fruitless and presumptuous attempt.

Besides the guards and porters at the gate, this novelty drew together a great number of people about prince Camaralzaman. There had no physician, astrologer, nor magician appeared for a long time on this account, deterred by the many tragical examples of ill success that appeared before their eyes; it was therefore thought there were no more of these professions in the world, or that there were none so mad as those that had gone before them.

The prince’s good mien, noble air, and blooming youth, made every body that saw him pity him. What mean you, sir, said some that were nearest to him, thus to expose a life of such promising expectations to certain death? Cannot the heads you see on all the gates of this city deter you from such an undertaking? In the name of God, consider what you do; abandon this rash attempt, and begone.

The prince continued firm, notwithstanding all these remonstrances; and as he saw nobody come to introduce him, he repeated the same cry with a boldness that made every body tremble. They all then cried, Let him alone, he is resolved to die; God have mercy upon his youth and his soul! --He then proceeded to cry out a third time in the same manner, when the grand vizier came in person, and introduced him to the king of China.