Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
The king of Samarcand had not let king Saleh go on so long after this
rate, had not the rage he put him in deprived him of all power of speech.
He was moreover some time longer before he could find his tongue, so much
was he transported with passion. At length, however, he broke out into
outrageous and injurious expressions, unworthy of a king. Dog, says he
aloud, dare you talk to me after this manner, and so much as once to
mention my daughter’s name in my presence? Can you think the son of your
sister Gulnare worthy to come in competition with my daughter? Who are
you? who was your father? who is your sister? and who your nephew? Was
not his father a dog, and a son of a dog, like thee? Guards, seize the
insolent wretch, and immediately cut off his head.
The few officers that were about the king of Samarcand were immediately
going to obey his orders, when king Saleh, who was in the flower of his
age, nimble and vigorous, got from them before they could draw their
sabres; and, having reached the palace gate, he there found a thousand
men of his relations and friends, well armed and equipped, who were but
just arrived. The queen his mother having considered the small number of
attendants he took with him, and moreover foreseeing the bad reception he
would probably have from the king of Samarcand, had sent these troops to
protect and defend him, in case of danger. Those of his relations who
were at the head of this troop immediately saw how seasonably they were
arrived, when they beheld him and his companions come running in great
disorder, and a small number of officers at their heels in pursuit of
them. My lord, cried out his friends, at the moment he joined them, what
is the matter? We are ready to revenge you; you need only command us.
King Saleh related his case to them in as few words as he could; and
afterwards putting himself at the head of a large troop, he, whilst some
seized on the gates, re-entered the palace as before. The few officers
and guards who had pursued him being soon dispersed, he re-entered the
king of Samarcand’s apartment, who, being abandoned by his attendants,
was soon seized. King Saleh left sufficient guards to secure his person,
and then went from apartment to apartment, to search after the princess
Giahaure. But that princess, on the first noise of this alarm, had,
together with her women, flung herself on the surface of the sea, and
escaped to a desert island.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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