ll know the
reason; but if all the proofs of affection I have already given you be
not sufficient to convince you of my sincerity, I am ready to give you
others more decisive: you need but command me, you know my power; I
will, if you desire it, before sunrise convert this great city, and this
superb palace, into frightful ruins, inhabited only by wolves, owls, and
ravens. If you would have me transport all the stones of those walls so
solidly built, beyond Mount Caucasus, the bounds of the habitable world,
speak but the word, and all shall be changed.'

"As the queen finished this speech she and her companion came to the end
of the walk, turned to enter another, and passed before me. I had
already drawn my cimeter, and the man being next me, I struck him on the
neck, and brought him to the ground. I concluded I had killed him, and
therefore retired speedily without making myself known to the queen,
whom I chose to spare, because she was my kinswoman.

"The wound I had given her companion was mortal; but by her enchantments
she preserved him in an existence in which he could not be said to be
either dead or alive. As I crossed the garden to return to the palace, I
heard the queen loudly lamenting, and judging by her cries how much she
was grieved, I was pleased that I had spared her life.

"As soon as I had reached my apartment, I went to bed, and being
satisfied with having punished the villain who had injured me, fell
asleep.

"Next morning I arose, went to my closet, and dressed myself. I
afterward held my council. At my return, the queen, clad in mourning,
her hair dishevelled, and part of it torn off, presented herself before
me, and said: 'I come to beg your majesty not to be surprised to see me
in this condition. My heavy affliction is occasioned by intelligence of
three distressing events which I have just received.' 'Alas! what are
they, madam?' said I. 'The death of the queen, my dear mother,' she
replied, 'that of the king, my father, killed in battle, and of one of
my brothers, who has fallen down a precipice.'

"I was not displeased that she used these pretexts to conceal the true
cause of her grief. 'Madam,' said I, 'so far from blaming, I assure you
I heartily commiserate your sorrow. I should feel surprise if you were
insensible to such heavy calamities: weep on; your tears are so many
proofs of your tenderness; but I hope that time and reflection will
moderate your grief.'

"She retired into her