Jemshíd found it impossible to resist the damsel's incessant entreaties and persuasive tenderness, mingled as they were with tears of sorrow. Vanquished thus by the warmth of her affections, he told her his name, and the history of his misfortunes. She then ardently seized his hand, overjoyed at the disclosure, and taking him privately to her own chamber, they were married according to the customs of her country. Him to the secret bower with blushing cheek Exultingly she led, and mutual bliss, Springing from mutual tenderness and love, Entranced their souls. When Gúreng the king found that his daughter's visits to him became less frequent than usual, he set his spies to work, and was not long in ascertaining the cause of her continued absence. She had married without his permission, and he was in great wrath. It happened, too, at this time that the bride was pale and in delicate health. The mystery soon was manifest, And thus the king his child addrest, Whilst anger darkened o'er his brow:-- "What hast thou done, ungrateful, now? Why hast thou flung, in evil day, The veil of modesty away? That cheek the bloom of spring displayed, Now all is withered, all decayed; But daughters, as the wise declare, Are ever false, if they be fair." Incensed at words so sharp and strong, The damsel thus repelled the wrong:-- "Me, father, canst thou justly blame? I never, never, brought thee shame; With me can sin and crime accord, When Jemshíd is my wedded lord?" After this precipitate avowal, the Kábul nurse, of many spells, instantly took up her defence, and informed the king that the prophecy she had formerly communicated to him was on the point of fulfilment, and that the Almighty having, in the course of destiny, brought Jemshíd into his kingdom, the princess, according to the same planetary influence, would shortly become a mother. And now the damsel grovels on the ground Before King Gúreng. "Well thou know'st," she cries, "From me no evil comes. Whether in arms, Or at the banquet, honour guides me still: And well thou know'st thy royal will pronounced That I should be unfettered in my choice, And free to take the husband I preferred. This I have done; and to the greatest king The world can boast, my fortunes are united, To Jemshíd, the most perfect of mankind." With this explanation the king expressed abundant and unusual satisfaction. His satisfaction, however, did not arise from the circumstance of the marriage, and the new connection it established, but from the opportunity it afforded him of betraying Jemshíd, and treacherously sending him bound to Zohák, which he intended to do, in the hopes of being magnificently rewarded. Exulting with this anticipation, he said to her smiling:--