Part 50

The king of the isle of Ebene’s generous offer to bestow his only daughter in marriage, and with her his kingdom, on the princess Badoura, who could not accept it, because she was a woman, put her into unexpected perplexity. She thought it would not become a princess of her rank to undeceive the king, and to own that she was not prince Camaralzaman, but his wife, when she assured him she was he himself, and whose part she had hitherto acted so well. She was also afraid to refuse the honour he offered her, lest being so much bent upon the conclusion of the marriage, his kindness might turn to aversion and hatred, and he might attempt something even against her life. Besides, she was not sure whether she might not find prince Camaralzaman in the court of king Schahzaman his father.

These considerations, added to the prospect of obtaining a kingdom for the prince her husband, in case she found him again, determined her to accept the proposal of king Armanos, and marry his daughter: so after having stood silent for some minutes, she with blushes, which the king took for a sign of modesty, answered, Sir, I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for your good opinion of me, for the honour you do me, and the great favour you offer me, which I cannot pretend to merit, and dare not refuse.

But, sir, continued she, I cannot accept this great alliance on any other condition, than that your majesty will assist me with your counsels, and that I do nothing without having first your approbation.

The marriage treaty being thus concluded and agreed on, the ceremony was put off till next day. In the mean time princess Badoura gave notice to her officers, who still took her for prince Camaralzaman, what she was about to do, that they might not be surprised at it, assuring them the princess Badoura consented to it. She talked also to her women, and charged them to continue to keep the secret she had entrusted them with.

The king of the isle of Ebene, rejoicing that he had got a son-in-law so much to his satisfaction, next morning summoned his council, and acquainted them with his design of marrying his daughter to prince Camaralzaman, whom he introduced to them; and having made him sit down by him, told them he resigned the crown to him, and required them to acknowledge him for king, and swear fealty to him. Having said this, he descended from his throne, and the princess Badoura, by his order, ascended it. As soon as the council broke up, the new king was proclaimed through the city, rejoicings were appointed for several days, and couriers despatched over all the kingdom to see the same ceremonies observed with the same demonstrations of joy.

At night there were extraordinary feastings at the palace, and the princess Haiatalnefous [86] was led to the princess Badoura, whom every body took for a man, dressed like a royal bride. The wedding was solemnized with the utmost splendour; they were put to bed, and left alone. In the morning, while the princess Badoura went to receive the compliments of the nobility in the hall of audience, where they congratulated her on her marriage and accession to the throne, king Armanos and his queen went to the apartment of the new queen, their daughter, and asked her how she spent the night. Instead of answering them, she held down her head, and by her looks they saw plainly enough she was disappointed.

King Armanos, to comfort the princess. Haiatalnefous, bid her not be troubled. Prince Camaralzaman, said he, when he landed here, might think only of going to his father’s court. Though we have engaged him to stay by arguments with which he ought to be well satisfied, yet it is probable he grieves at being so suddenly deprived of the hopes of seeing either his father or any of his family. You must wait till those first emotions of filial love are over; he will then carry himself towards you as a good husband ought to do.

The princess Badoura, under the name and character of prince Camaralzaman, and the king of Ebene, spent the whole day in receiving the compliments of the courtiers and the nobility of the kingdom who were in and about the city, and in reviewing the regular troops of her household; and entered on the administration of affairs as king with so much dignity and judgment, as gained her the general applause of all who were witnesses of her conduct.

It was evening before she returned to queen Haiatalnefous’ apartment, and she perceived by the reception she gave her, that the bride was not at all pleased with the preceding night. She endeavoured to dissipate her grief by a long conversation, in which she employed all the wit she had (and she possessed a good share of it) to persuade her she loved her entirely: she then gave her time to go to bed, and while she was undressing herself, she went to her devotions: her prayers were so long that queen Haiatalnefous was asleep before they were ended. She then left off, and lay down softly by the new queen, without waking her, and was as much afflicted at her being forced to act a part which did not belong to her, as in the loss of her dear Camaralzaman, for whom she ceased not to sigh. She rose as soon as it was day, before Haiatalnefous was awake; and being dressed in her royal robes as king, went to council.

King Armanos, as he had done the day before, came early to visit the queen his daughter, whom he found in tears: he wanted no more to be informed of the cause of her trouble. Provoked at the contempt, as he thought, put upon his daughter, of which he could not imagine the reason, Daughter, said he, have patience for another night. I raised your husband to the throne, and can pull him down again, and drive him thence with shame, unless he gives you the satisfaction that he ought to do. His usage of you has provoked me so much, I cannot tell to what my resentment may transport me; the affront is as great to me as to you.

It was late again before the princess Badoura came to queen Haiatalnefous: she talked to her as she had done the night before, and after the same manner went to her devotions, desiring the queen to go to bed. But Haiatalnefous would not be so served; she held her back, and obliged her to sit down again: What, said she, you think to deal by me this night as you have done the two last: tell me, I beseech you, what can you dislike in a princess of my youth and beauty, who not only loves but adores you, and thinks herself the happiest of all princesses of her rank in having so amiable a prince for her husband? Any body but me would be not merely offended, but shocked by the slight, or rather the unpardonable affront you have put upon me, and abandon you to your evil destiny. However, though I did not love you so well as I do, yet out of pure good-nature and humanity, which makes me pity the misfortunes of persons for whom I am less concerned, I could not forbear telling you, that the king my father is enraged against you for your carriage towards me, and to-morrow will make you feel the marks of his just anger, if you continue to use me as you have hitherto done. Do not therefore drive to despair a princess, who, notwithstanding all your ill usage, cannot help loving you.

This discourse embarrassed the princess Badoura inexpressibly. She did not doubt of the truth of what Haiatalnefous had said. King Armanos’ coldness to her the day before had given her but too much reason to see he was highly dissatisfied with her. The only way to justify her conduct was, to communicate her sex to the princess Haiatalnefous. But though she had foreseen she should be under a necessity of making such a declaration to her, she was afraid how she would take it: but, considering that if Camaralzaman was alive, he must necessarily touch at the isle of Ebene in his way to king Schahzaman his father’s kingdom, that she ought to preserve herself for his sake; and that it was impossible to do this, if she did not let the princess Haiatalnefous know who and what she was, she resolved to venture the experiment.

The princess Badoura stood as one that was struck dumb, and Haiatalnefous, being impatient to hear what she could say, was about to speak to her again, when she stopped her by these words: Lovely and too charming princess! I own I have been in the wrong, and I condemn myself for it; but I hope you will pardon me, and keep the secret I am going to reveal to you for my justification.

She then opened her bosom, and proceeded thus: See, princess, if a princess, a woman like yourself, does not deserve to be forgiven. I believe you will be so good, at least when you know my story, and the afflicting disaster that forced me to act the part you see.

The princess Badoura having discovered herself entirely to the princess of the isle of Ebene, she again prayed her to keep the secret, and to make as if she really was a husband to her, till the prince Camaralzaman’s arrival, which she hoped would be in a little time.

Princess, replied Haiatalnefous, your fortune is indeed strange, that a marriage, so happy as yours was, should be shortened by so unaccountable an accident, after a passion so reciprocal and full of wonders. Pray Heaven you may meet with your husband again soon, and assure yourself I will keep religiously the secret committed to me. It will be to me the greatest pleasure in the world to be the only person in the great kingdom of the isle of Ebene, who knows what and who you are, while you go on governing the people as happily as you have begun. I only ask of you at present to be your friend. Then the two princesses tenderly embraced each other, and after a thousand expressions of mutual friendship, lay down to rest.

According to the custom of the country, the tokens of the consummation of the marriage were to be produced and seen publicly. The two princesses found out a way to get over that difficulty: Queen Haiatalnefous’ women were deceived themselves next morning, and deceived king Armanos, his queen, and the whole court. From this time princess Badoura rose in king Armanos’ esteem and affection, governing the kingdom peaceably and prosperously to his and his people’s content.

While things passed as already mentioned in the court of the isle of Ebene, prince Camaralzaman staid in the city of idolaters with the gardener, who had offered his house for a retreat till the ship sailed for that island.

One morning when the prince was up early, and as he used to do, was preparing to work in the garden, the gardener prevented him, saying, This day is a great festival among the idolaters, and because they abstain from all work themselves, to spend the time in their assemblies and public rejoicings, they will not let the Mussulmen work, who to gain their favour, generally assist at their shows, which are worth seeing. You will therefore have nothing to do to-day; I leave you here. As the time approaches, in which the ship uses to sail for the isle of Ebene, I will go to see some of my friends, and know when it will depart and secure you a passage in it. The gardener put on his best clothes, and went out.

When prince Camaralzaman was alone, instead of going out to take part in the public joy of the city, the solitude he was in brought to his mind, with more than usual violence, the loss of his dear princess. He walked up and down the garden sighing and groaning, till the noise which two birds made on a neighbouring tree tempted him to lift up his head, and stop to see what was the matter.

Camaralzaman was surprised to behold a furious battle between these two birds, fighting one another with their beaks, and that in a very little while one of them fell down dead at the foot of a tree; the bird that was victorious took wing again, and flew away.

In an instant, two other large birds that had seen the fight at a distance, came from the other side of the garden, and pitched on the ground, one at the feet and the other at the head of the dead bird; they looked upon it some time, shaking their heads in token of grief; after which they dug a grave with their talons and buried it.

When they had filled up the grave with the earth they had turned up to make it, they flew away, and returned in a few minutes, bringing with them the bird that had committed the murder, the one holding one of its wings in its beak, and the other one of its legs; the criminal all the while crying out in a doleful manner, and struggling to escape. They carried it to the grave of the bird which it had lately sacrificed to its rage, and there sacrificed it in just revenge for the murder it had committed. They with their beaks killed the murderer. They then opened the belly, tore out the entrails, left the body on the spot unburied, and flew away.

Camaralzaman remained in great astonishment all the time that he stood beholding this sight. He drew near the tree where this scene had passed, and casting his eyes on the scattered entrails of the bird that was last killed, he spied something red hanging out of the stomach. He took it up, and found it was his beloved princess Badoura’s talisman, which had cost him so much pain and sorrow, and so many sighs since the bird snatched it out of his hand. Ah, cruel, said he to himself, still looking on the bird, thou tookest delight in doing mischief, so I have the less reason to complain of that which thou didst to me; but the greater it was, the more do I wish well to those that revenged my quarrel on thee, in punishing thee for the murder of one of their own kind.

It is impossible to express prince Camaralzaman’s joy: Dear princess, continued he to himself, this happy minute, which restores to me a treasure so precious to thee, is without doubt a presage of our meeting again, and perhaps sooner than I think of. Thank Heaven, who sent me this good fortune, and gives me the hope of the greatest felicity that my heart can desire.

Saying this, he kissed the talisman, wrapped it up in a riband, and tied it carefully about his arm. Till now he had been almost every night a stranger to rest, his trouble always keeping him awake, but next night he slept soundly; he rose somewhat later the next morning than he used to do, put on his working clothes, and went to the gardener for orders. The good man bid him root up an old tree which bore no fruit.

Camaralzaman took an axe, and began his work. In cutting off a branch of the root, he found his axe struck against something that resisted the blow, and made a great noise. He removed the earth, and discovered a broad plate of brass, under which was a staircase of ten steps. He went down, and at the bottom saw a cavity about six yards square, with fifty brass urns placed in order around it, each with a cover over it. He opened them all, one after another, and there was not one of them which was not full of gold dust. He came out of the cave rejoicing that he had found such a vast treasure: he put the brass plate on the staircase, and rooted up the tree against the gardener’s return.

The gardener had learned the day before that the ship which was bound for the isle of Ebene, would sail in a few days, but the certain time was not yet fixed. His friend promised to let him know the day, if he called upon him on the morrow; and while Camaralzaman was rooting up the tree, he went to have his answer. He returned with a joyful countenance, by which the prince guessed he brought him good news. Son, said the old man, (so he always called him, on account of the difference of years between him and the prince,) be joyful, and prepare to embark in three days; the ship will then certainly set sail; I have agreed with the captain for your passage.

In my present situation, replied Camaralzaman, you could not bring me more agreeable news; and in return, I have also tidings that will be as welcome to you; come along with me, and you shall see what good fortune heaven has in store for you.

The prince led the gardener to the place where he had rooted up the tree, made him go down into the cave, and when he was there, showed him what a treasure he had discovered, thanking Providence for rewarding his virtue, and the pains he had been at for so many years. What do you mean? replied the gardener: do you imagine I will take these riches as mine? The property of them is yours. I have no right to them. --For fourscore years since my father’s death, I have done nothing but dig in this garden, and could not discover this treasure, which is a sign it was destined for you, since God has permitted you to find it. It suits a prince like you rather than me; I have one foot in the grave, and am in no want of any thing. Providence has bestowed it upon you just when you are returning to that country, which will one day be your own, where you will make a good use of it.

Prince Camaralzaman would not be outdone in generosity by the gardener; they had a long dispute about it. At last, the prince solemnly protested, that he would have none of it, unless the gardener would divide it with him, and take half. The good man, to please the prince, consented; so they parted it between them, and each had twenty-five urns.

Having thus divided it, Son, said the gardener to the prince, it is not enough that you have got this treasure: we must now contrive how to carry it so privately aboard a ship, that nobody may know any thing of the matter, otherwise you will run the risk of losing it. There are no olives in the isle of Ebene; those that are exported hence are a good commodity there: you know I have plenty of them; take what you will; fill fifty pots, half with the gold dust, and half with olives, and I will get them carried to the ship when you embark.

Camaralzaman followed this good advice, and spent the rest of the day in packing up the gold and the olives in the fifty pots; [87] and fearing the talisman, which he wore on his arm, might be lost again, he carefully put it in one of the pots, marking it with a particular mark, to distinguish it from the other. When they were all ready to be shipped, night coming on, the prince retired with the gardener, and talking together, he related to him the battle of the birds, with the circumstance of that adventure, by which he had found the princess Badoura’s talisman again. The gardener was equally surprised and joyful to hear it, for his sake. Whether the old man was quite worn out with age, or had exhausted himself too much that day, the gardener had a very bad night. He grew worse the next day; and on the third day, when the prince was to embark, was so ill, that it wan plain he was nigh his end. As soon as day broke, the captain of the ship came in person, with several seamen, to the gardener’s; they knocked at the garden-door, and Camaralzaman opened it to them. They asked him where the passenger was that was to go with him. --The prince answered, I am he; the gardener, who agreed with you for my passage is sick, and cannot be spoken with. Come in, and let your men carry those pots of olives and my baggage aboard for me; I will only take leave of the gardener, and follow you.

The seamen took up the pots and the baggage, and the captain bid the prince make haste, the wind being fair, and they staid for nothing but him.

When the captain and his men were gone, Camaralzaman went to the gardener to take his leave of him, and thank him for all his good offices; but he found him in the agonies of death, and had scarce time to bid him rehearse the articles of his faith, which all good Mussulmen do before they die. --The gardener did this, and expired in his presence.

The prince being under the necessity of embarking immediately, hastened to pay the last duty to the deceased. He washed his body, buried him in his own garden, (for the Mahometans had no cemetry in the city of the idolaters, where they were only tolerated), and, having nobody to assist him, it was almost evening before he had put him in the ground. As soon as he had done it, he ran to the water-side, carrying with him the key of the garden, designing, if he had time, to give it to the landlord; otherwise to deposit it in some trusty person’s hand before witnesses, that he might have it after he was gone. When he came to the port, he was told the ship sailed several hours before he came, and was already out of sight. It staid three hours for him, and the wind standing fair, the captain durst not stay longer.

It is easy to imagine that prince Camaralzaman was exceedingly grieved to be forced to stay longer in a country where he neither had nor wished to have any acquaintance; and to think that he must wait another twelvemonth for the opportunity he had lost. But the greatest affliction of all was, his having let go the princess Badoura’s talisman, which he now gave over for lost. The only course that was left for him to take was, to return to the garden from whence he came, to rent it of the landlord, and to continue to cultivate it by himself, deploring his misery and misfortunes. He hired a boy to help him to do some part of the drudgery, that he might not lose the other half of the treasure, which came to him by the death of the gardener, who died without heirs: he put the gold-dust in fifty other pots, which he filled up with olives, to be ready against the time of the ship’s return.

While prince Camaralzaman began another year of labour, sorrow, and impatience, the ship, having a fair wind, continued her voyage to the isle of Ebene, and happily arrived at the capital city.

The palace being by the sea-side, the new king, or rather the princess Badoura, espying the ship as she was entering into the port, with all her flags, asked what vessel it was; she was answered, that it came annually from the city of the idolaters, and generally was richly laden.

The princess, who always had prince Camaralzaman in her mind amidst the glories which surrounded her, imagined that the prince might be aboard, and resolved to go aboard the ship and meet him, without discovering herself to him, (for she doubted whether he would know her again), but to observe him, and take proper measures for their making themselves mutually known. Under pretence of inquiring what merchandize was aboard, and having the first sight of the goods, and choosing the most valuable for herself, she commanded a horse to be brought, which she mounted, and rode to the port, accompanied by several officers in waiting at that time, and arrived at the port just as the captain came ashore. She ordered him to be brought before her, and asked whence he came, how long he had been on his voyage, and what good or bad fortune he had met with in it; if he had no stranger of quality aboard, and particularly with what his ship was laden.

The captain gave a satisfactory answer to all her demands; and as to passengers, assured her there were none but merchants in his ship, who used to come every year, and bring rich stuffs from several parts of the world to trade with, the finest linens, painted and plain, diamonds, musk, ambergris, camphire, civet, spices, drugs, olives, and many other articles.

The princess Badoura loved olives extremely. When she heard the captain speak of them, Land them, said she; I will take them off your hands. As to the other goods, tell the merchants to bring them to me, and let me see them before they dispose of them, or show them to any one.

The captain, taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene, replied, Sire, there are fifty great pots of olives, but they belong to a merchant whom I was forced to leave behind. I gave him notice myself that I staid for him, and waited a long time, but he not coming, and the wind offering, I was afraid of losing it, and so set sail. The princess answered, No matter; bring them ashore; we will make a bargain for them however.