by
his gifts. "But," said he, "I present to you this property on these
conditions--you must not give up your occupation--you must go every day,
as usual, to the river-side, and wash clothes; for perhaps in process of
time you may discover another box floating down the stream, containing
another infant!" With these conditions the washerman complied.

Some time afterwards the kingdom was invaded by an Arabian army,
consisting of one hundred thousand men, and commanded by Shaib, a
distinguished warrior. Darab was engaged with this army three days and
three nights, and on the fourth morning the battle terminated, in
consequence of Shaib being slain. The booty was immense, and a vast
number of Arabian horses fell into the hands of the victor; which,
together with the quantity of treasure captured, strengthened greatly
the resources of the state. The success of this campaign enabled Darab
to extend his military operations; and having put his army in order, he
proceeded against Failakus (Philip of Macedon), then king of Rum, whom
he defeated with great loss. Many were put to the sword, and the women
and children carried into captivity. Failakus himself took refuge in the
fortress of Amur, from whence he sent an ambassador to Darab, saying,
that if peace was only granted to him, he would willingly consent to any
terms that might be demanded. When the ambassador arrived, Darab said to
him: "If Failakus will bestow upon me his daughter, Nahid, peace shall
be instantly re-established between us--I require no other terms."
Failakus readily agreed, and sent Nahid with numerous splendid presents
to the king of Persia, who espoused her, and took her with him to his
own country. It so happened that Nahid had an offensive breath, which
was extremely disagreeable to her husband, and in consequence he
directed enquiries to be made everywhere for a remedy. No place was left
unexplored; at length an herb of peculiar efficacy and fragrance was
discovered, which never failed to remove the imperfection complained of;
and it was accordingly administered with confident hopes of success.
Nahid was desired to wash her mouth with the infused herb, and in a few
days her breath became balmy and pure. When she found she was likely to
become a mother she did not communicate the circumstance, but requested
permission to pay a visit to her father. The request was granted; and on
her arrival in Rum she was delivered of a son. Failakus had no male
offspri