Heaven; and he is the weakest of the sons of earth who takes a
pleasure in hearing of the failings of others."

"O Sultan," replied Hemjunah, "your politeness cannot extenuate,
though it may gloss over, my imprudence; and by delaying to unfold my
little history to you, my crime may seem more black while hidden than
when it shall be revealed."

As the Princess uttered these words, a dervish, worn with age and
bowed down by infirmity, appeared among the thickets of the forest.

Horam immediately recollected the features of the good old saint, and
said, "My royal master, yonder is Shemshelnar, the most pious
worshipper of Allah among all the sons of Asia."

"I do not remember his features," answered Misnar: "came he not to the
council of our divan?"

"No, my royal lord," said Horam, "the infirmities of age were upon
him."

By this time Shemshelnar had reached the place where the transformed
company were seated; and, falling prostrate before Misnar, he said,
"Wonder not, O Prince of India, that Shemshelnar, thy slave, doth thus
acknowledge his Prince, though deformed by the enchantments of the
wicked. I knew the evils that surrounded thee; and although I was
unable to attend thy council, yet I prayed in secret to Him who
bestoweth at the noonday, that He would avert from my royal master the
misfortunes which threatened to overpower him. Allah heard my prayer
as I lay prostrate in my cell; and the genius Bahoudi appearing,
commanded me to seek thee in the forest of Tarapajan, whither thy
wayward fortune should lead thee. 'O genius,' replied I, 'how shall
age and infirmity comply with thy commands?'

"'Go,' said Bahoudi, touching me with his finger, 'for strength is
given thee from above. The enchantress Ulin hath transformed thy
Prince into the most hideous reptile of the earth. But wonder not at
the deformity of his appearance, nor at the malice of her who has
overpowered him; for such is the fate of those who are most exalted in
their virtues, that their enemies, whenever an opportunity is afforded
to them, will strive to render them most odious. Thy Prince, before
thou canst arrive in the forest, will be surrounded by three others in
equal affliction: it is permitted thee to rescue the Sultan of India;
but the rest must wear the chains of the enchantress till Ulin is no
more.'

"But ere I restore thee, O Sultan of my heart," continued Shemshelnar,
"such are the words which the genius hath commanded me to utter b