aun-ara. I was at ease in my father's palace, in my
apartment, when suddenly I heard a dreadful noise: news was
immediately brought me, that king Saleh, I know not for what
reason, had forced the palace, seized the king my father, and
murdered all the guards who made any resistance. I had only time
to save myself, and escape hither from his violence."

At these words King Beder began to be concerned that he had quitted
his grandmother so hastily, without staying to hear from her an
explanation of the news that had been brought. But he was, on the
other hand, overjoyed to find that the king his uncle had rendered
himself master of the king of Samandal's person, not doubting but he
would consent to give up the princess for his liberty. "Adorable
princess," continued he, "your concern is most just, but it is easy to
put an end both to that and your father's captivity. You will agree
with me, when I shall tell you that I am Beder, king of Persia, and
King Saleh is my uncle: I assure you, madam, he has no design to seize
the king your father's dominions; his only intention is to obtain your
father's consent, that I may have the honour and happiness of being
his son-in-law. I had already given my heart to you, upon the bare
relation of your beauty and charms; and now, far from repenting, I beg
of you to accept it, and to be assured that I will love you as long as
I live. I dare flatter myself you will not refuse this favour, but be
ready to acknowledge that a king, who quitted his dominions purely on
your account, deserves some acknowledgment. Permit me then, beauteous
princess! to have the honour to present you to the king my uncle; and
the king your father shall no sooner have consented to our marriage,
than King Saleh will leave him sovereign of his dominions as before."

This declaration of King Beder did not produce the effect he
expected. It is true, the princess no sooner saw him, than his
person, air, and the grace wherewith he accosted her, led her to
regard him as one who would not have been disagreeable to her;
but when she heard that he had been the occasion of all the ill
treatment her father had suffered, of the grief and fright she
had endured, and especially the necessity she was reduced to of
flying her country; she looked upon him as an enemy with whom she
ought to have no connection. Whatever inclination she might have
to agree to the marriage which he desired, she determined never
to consent, reflecting