Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
These words of the king of Persia troubled king Saleh very much: he gave
him to understand how difficult it was to give him the satisfaction he
desired, and that he could not well do it without carrying him along with
him; which might be of dangerous consequences, since his presence was so
absolutely necessary in his kingdom, that the least absence might
occasion his subjects to revolt. He conjured him, therefore, to moderate
his passion till such time as he had put things into a better posture;
assuring him he would use his utmost diligence to content him, and, when
he had brought matters to bear, he would come to acquaint him. But these
reasons were not sufficient to satisfy the king of Persia. Cruel uncle,
said he, I find you do not love me so much as you pretended, and that you
had rather see me die than grant the first request that ever I made you.
I am ready to convince your majesty, replied king Saleh, that I would do
any thing to serve you in reason; but as for carrying you along with me,
I cannot do that till I have spoken to the queen your mother. What would
she say if I should do this? If she consents, I am ready to do all you
would have me. You cannot be ignorant, replied the king of Persia, that
the queen my mother would never willingly part with me; and therefore
this excuse of yours does but yet farther convince me of the hardness of
your heart. If you do really love me, as you would have me to believe you
do, you must return to your kingdom immediately, and carry me along with
you.
King Saleh, finding himself in a manner obliged to yield to his nephew’s
importunity, drew a ring off his finger, which was engraved with the same
mysterious names of God that were upon Solomon’s seal, that had wrought
so many wonders by their virtue. Here, take this ring, said he, put it
upon your finger, and fear neither the waters of the sea, nor their
depth. The king of Persia took the ring, and when he had put it on his
finger, king Saleh said unto him, Follow me; when, at the same time, they
both mounted leisurely up into the air, and made towards the sea, which
was not far off, whereinto they jointly plunged.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account