, I should be in the highest degree
culpable. Therefore I voluntarily give up my good fortune."

All the persuasions and urgings of Kadga Singa were useless. The
councillors also, and the Grand Vizier and the Governors of the
provinces, begged him to continue in the land, and to take still more
share in the government. He remained firm in his resolution. He
promised the Princess, who was astonished at his honourable spirit,
that as soon as he had seen and comforted his father, he would demand
information of Prince Mundian Oppu from all the sages and magicians of
his native land, and that he would try all means to restore him to his
former condition. As he was determined to set out, the King gave him
costly presents, besides many precious stones from his treasury, and
provided him with a ship, and all necessaries for the voyage. He took
leave, and the good wishes of all who knew him accompanied him.

CHAPTER VII.

THE RETURN TO HIS FATHER.

The heavens seemed to favour the resolution of the returning son: the
warmest weather and most favourable winds seconded his journey, and
the ship anchored in the harbour without accident. He took some
servants; bought some camels, which he loaded with the King's
presents, and so went through Balsora along the river to Bagdad.

One beautiful evening he came near the city to the place where he had
lain at the feet of his father and Saad, and listened to their
discourses: their last discourse there returned to his memory.

"Well," said he to himself, "it is true that it is easy for a man to
be seduced from virtue into one false step, if he is not watchful, but
relies on his own power: so it happened to me. I thought that my heart
was always right, and neglected to try if what I did was just. In this
manner have I so much forgotten my love for my father, and had nearly
committed a great wrong; whilst I, in the intoxication of good
fortune, was about to sacrifice to my vanity the happiness of the
Princess and her betrothed. And you, my dearest father, were also
right when you maintained that a heart accustomed to virtue from early
years would only for a short time wander from the right road. I have
myself experienced the truth of these words, and I therefore thank you
with tears that you always accustomed me to what was good."

Whilst he spoke, he lifted up his eyes, and saw a single hut where the
palm-trees used to stand. A venerable old man, much marked by sorrow,
appeared a