id he to him, "I have reflected enough to punish you
for your crime. May your death, if it be possible, make me forget you
for ever!"

"Sire," replied Aladin, with respect and firmness, "I receive with
submission the sentence of my crime. It is dictated by circumstances;
and were it not, I feel that the misery of having fallen under your
disgrace would be worse to me. The sacrifice once made, I can repent
of it no more. But the day will come, when your Majesty, regretting
your unjust precipitation, will repent that you did not sufficiently
consult the rules of prudence, as it happened to Bhazad, the son of
Cyrus, founder of the Syrian empire."

HISTORY OF BHAZAD THE IMPATIENT.

Bhazad was a Prince possessed of every external accomplishment. His
beauty, celebrated by the poets, was become proverbial among all
nations. He was the delight of every company, and scarcely anything
was noticed in it but himself. One day, while he was unperceived, his
beauty became the subject of conversation. After it had been much
praised, one who was present, and had till then been silent, added,

"Prince Bhazad is doubtless one of the most beautiful men in the
world; but I know a woman who in this respect is much more superior to
her own sex than he is to his."

This discourse roused the curiosity of Bhazad more than his pride;
and, addressing himself in private to the man who spoke thus:

"Might one know from you," said he to him, "the name of this beauty,
in whose praise you have just now spoken?"

"Prince," replied this man, "she is the daughter of one of the most
illustrious vassals of the Syrian throne; and if she enchants every
eye by her external charms, the virtues of her heart and of her mind
contribute still more to make her perfect."

Those few words made a lively impression upon the heart of Bhazad. He
could think of nothing but of the object whose praises he had heard,
and he endeavoured to make a conquest of her. The love which consumed
him injured his health, rendered him thoughtful and solitary; and the
King his father, being surprised at this change, upon inquiring of
him, was informed of its cause.

Bhazad, after having made a confession of his passion to Cyrus,
suffered from him some reproaches for his reserve.

"Why have you concealed from me the state of your heart?" said he to
him. "Are you ignorant that I have all power over the Prince whose
daughter you are desirous to marry? Are you afraid that he wi