highly approve of your
conduct, and hope you will have the same deference and attachment to my
person, if I have ever so little share in your friendship." The princes,
confounded at the emperor's goodness, returned no other answer but a low
obeisance.

The emperor, contrary to his usual custom, did not hunt long that day.
Presuming that the princes possessed wit equal to their courage and
bravery, he longed with impatience to converse with them more at
liberty. He made them ride on each side of him, an honour which was
envied by the grand vizier, who was much mortified to see them preferred
before him.

When the emperor entered his capital, the eyes of the people, who stood
in crowds in the streets, were fixed upon the two Princes Bahman and
Perviz; and they were earnest to know who they might be.

All, however, agreed in wishing that the emperor had been blessed with
two such handsome princes, and said that his children would have been
about the same age, if the queen had not been so unfortunate as to lose
them.

The first thing the emperor did when he arrived at his palace was to
conduct the princes into the principal apartments, who praised without
affectation the beauty and symmetry of the rooms, and the richness of
the furniture and ornaments. Afterward a magnificent repast was served
up, and the emperor made them sit with him, which they at first refused;
but finding it was his pleasure, they obeyed.

The emperor, who had himself much learning, particularly in history,
foresaw that the princes, out of modesty and respect, would not take the
liberty of beginning any conversation. Therefore, to give them an
opportunity, he furnished them with subjects all dinner-time. But
whatever subject he introduced, they shewed so much wit, judgment, and
discernment, that he was struck with admiration. "Were these my own
children," said he to himself, "and I had improved their talents by
suitable education, they could not have been more accomplished or better
informed." In short, he took such great pleasure in their conversation,
that, after having sat longer than usual, he led them into his closet,
where he pursued his conversation with them, and at last said: "I never
supposed that there were among my subjects in the country youths so well
brought up, so lively, so capable; and I never was better pleased with
any conversation than yours; but it is time now we should relax our
minds with some diversion; and as nothing is