ONE of the kings of Balsora proved unfortunate in the choice of his queen, whose temper was as disgustful and as her person was lovely and beautiful. Discontented with every one around her, she made her own life , and did all she could to interrupt the happiness of others.
They had an only son, and his father began very early to turn his thoughts, in what manner he should secure the young prince, when he came of age, from forming a connection in matrimony so disagreeable as his own. "If it should please Heaven," said he, "to spare my life till my son shall the years of , I then shall be able properly to direct him in the search of a wife; but, as there is no certainty in human life, and as I may be taken from him in his early days, before he can be capable of comprehending my admonitions, I will leave proper instructions with my executors, who, I hope, will fulfil my requests, when I shall be at rest in my peaceful grave."
In consequence of this resolution, the king took every precaution he thought necessary in so important a business; and scarcely had he finished his regulations, when the unrelenting decree of death summoned him from this world to take up his eternal in the ever-blooming regions of felicity.
No sooner was the king dead than his will was examined. By this it was directed, that his son Achmet should be instructed in all the principles of , and in every scientific necessary to form the mind of a wise and good prince. It was also directed, that at the age of eighteen years he should be put in possession of all his wealth, which was deposited in under the palace. The will, however, strongly directed that these vaults were not to be opened, under any whatever, before the appointed time, on pain of Achmet losing the whole contents of them.
It may easily be supposed what were the anxieties of a youthful mind, while he waited with for the arrival of that day, which was to make him master of so many hidden treasures. At length the day arrived, the vaults were opened, and the heart of Achmet leaped within his at the sight of such unbounded riches.
Amidst all this glare of wealth, in one particular apartment of the , the eye of Achmet was caught by the dazzling view of nine pedestals of massy gold, on eight of which stood as many beautiful adamantine statues.
Achmet could not help expressing his , where his father could collect such and valuable curiosities. The ninth pedestal, however, increased his surprise, and he could not conceive why that alone should be without a statue on it. On going nearer to it, he found it covered with a piece of satin, upon which were written these words: "My dear Achmet, the acquisition of these statues has cost your father much; yet, beautiful as they are, you see there is one wanting, which is far more brilliant than either of those which now present themselves to your view. This, however, must be sought for in a remote quarter of the world, and, if you wish to be of it, you must depart for Cairo, in the kingdom of Egypt. You will there find one Alibeg, one of my slaves. Inform him who you are, and what is144 your business. He will properly direct your pursuits after this incomparable statue, the possession of which will make you one of the happiest and greatest of the East."
As soon as Achmet had appointed proper persons to govern his kingdom in his absence, he set out in quest of this grand object. He pursued his journey without any thing particular happening; and, on his arrival at Cairo, he soon found out the house of Alibeg, who was supposed to be one of the richest persons in that city.
As Alibeg knew the time was nearly advanced, in which he was to expect a visit from Achmet, the arrival of the latter at Cairo did not at all surprise him. However, he appeared ignorant of the business; of him what brought him to that city, his name, and his profession. To all these questions Achmet gave the most satisfactory answers; and informed him, that it was a statue he was engaged in the pursuit of.
This declaration of Achmet seemed at once to convince Alibeg, that he was talking with the son of the late king; and he blessed the great prophet for permitting him so an interview. "My dear and honoured prince," said Alibeg, "your father bought me as a slave, and never made me free; consequently I am a slave still, and all my property is yours."—"From this moment," replied Achmet, "you are a free145 man, and I for ever any future claim on your person or possessions."
Alibeg then assured the young king, that he would do every thing in his power to him the ninth statue he was so in the pursuit of; but advised him, after so a journey, to take a few weeks rest. The next day, however, the king told Alibeg, that he was rested; that he came not there for pleasure, and therefore wished immediately to enter on the pursuit of his grand object.
Alibeg told him, that he should certainly obtain his wish; but reminded him, that he must encounter much and before he could accomplish that desirable end. "I fear neither nor fatigues," replied the young king, "I am equal to the task, and by the of the great prophet I will undertake any thing, however difficult it may appear. I you only to let me know what part I am to act."
Alibeg, after a short pause, thus addressed his youthful sovereign: "You must swear to me by the holy prophet, that, when you set out from hence, you will immediately return to your own . As soon as you arrive on the borders of it, you will immediately proceed on the search of what I am going to direct you to. Your search must be to find out a youthful female, whose age must not exceed sixteen years, nor be less than fifteen. She must be the offspring146 of parents, and who has never been the dupe to a previous passion of love. She must be as lovely as Venus, as as Diana, and a native of your own kingdom. You must, therefore, traverse every part of your extensive dominions; and as soon as you shall be so fortunate to find one who corresponds with this description, you must bring her to me, and I will soon after put you in possession of the statue you sigh for. Remember, however, that should your pursuits be attended with success, you must have the most rigorous command over your passions while you are conducting the fair one hither, and not have even the least conversation with her. If this last condition be not punctually fulfilled, you will lose all claim to what you are now in pursuit of. Consider within yourself, whether the possession of the statue has so many charms in it, as to enable you to all these obstacles, so difficult to one of your age."
The young king, with an ardour natural to a youth of his years, was going to reply, when Alibeg, stopped him, by saying, that he had not yet done, but had still something further to say on the subject.
"You may idly imagine," continued Alibeg, "that should you be fortunate enough to find such a as I have described to you, and your youthful ideas should lead you astray, you147 may imagine they will not be discovered; but herein you will be mistaken, for the great prophet will reveal your deceit, and you will infallibly lose all to the statue. I must tell you still further, that, in order to give a sanction to your search for so virtuous a maiden, you must cause it to be reported, that you mean to make her the partner of your throne."
Achmet listened with attention to every word that dropt from the mouth of Alibeg, and in proportion as difficulties were mentioned to him, the more did his youthful bosom burn to show how much he was above them. He eagerly took the oath prescribed to him, grew more and more impatient to become possessed of the statue, and thought every hour an age that his departure in pursuit of his favourite object.
The next morning, Alibeg, being to the ardour of the young prince, presented him with a looking-glass. "I here give you," said he to Achmet, "an present. In the course of your pursuit, you will meet with many beautiful damsels, fair to external appearance as herself; but outward forms may deceive you, and what your eye may applaud, your heart, on a more intimate acquaintance, may despise. Believe me, royal youth, the beauties of the person and those of the mind are very different. A and wicked heart may be under the most lovely external appearances. Whenever, therefore, you meet with a beautiful female, whose charms may dazzle your eye, tell her to breathe upon this mirror. If she be chaste, her breath will not long remain upon the glass; but, if her pretensions are not founded in truth, her breath will long remain on the mirror, as a of the falsehood she has advanced."
These useful lessons, which Alibeg gave his royal pupil, were not the result of thoughts of his own, but were the consequence of the wise plan the late king of Balsora had prescribed for his son. He well knew that little of this nature seldom failed of succeeding with youthful minds naturally fond of mystery.
The young prince took an affectionate leave of A............