d;
one could have heard a mouse crawl over the hall, so mute and
attentive were all. The hindmost extended their necks, in order to get
a view of the chests, over the heads of those in front. The sultan
spoke: "Open the chests;" and they, which before no violence could
force, now sprang open of their own accord.

In the one which Omar had chosen, lay upon a velvet cushion, a small
golden crown, and a sceptre: in Labakan's, a large needle, and a
little linen thread. The sultan commanded both to bring their caskets
before him: he took the little crown from the cushion in his hand,
and, wonderful to see! it became larger and larger, until it reached
the size of a real crown. Placing it on his son Omar, who kneeled
before him, he kissed his forehead, and bade him sit upon his right
hand. To Labakan, however, he turned and said:--

"There is an old proverb, 'Shoemaker, stick to thy last;' it seems
that thou shouldst stick to thy needle. Thou hast not, indeed, merited
much mercy at my hands, but one has supplicated for thee, whom this
day I can refuse nothing; therefore give I thee thy paltry life; but,
if I may advise, haste thee to leave my land."

Ashamed, ruined as he was, the poor tailor could answer nothing: he
threw himself before the prince, and tears came into his eyes.

"Can you forgive me, prince?" he said.

"To be true to a friend, magnanimous to a foe, is the pride of the
Abassidae!" answered the prince, raising him. "Go in peace!"

"My true son!" cried the old sultan, deeply affected, and sinking upon
Omar's breast. The emirs and bashaws, and all the nobles of the
realm, arose from their seats, to welcome the new prince, and amid
this universal jubilee, Labakan, his chest under his arm, crept out of
the saloon.

He went down into the sultan's stable, bridled his horse Murva, and
rode forth from the gate towards Alexandria. His whole career as
prince recurred to him as a dream, and the splendid chest, richly
adorned with pearls and diamonds, alone convinced him that it was not
all an idle vision. Having at last reached Alexandria, he rode to the
house of his old master, dismounted, and fastening his horse to the
door, walked into the workshop. The master, who did not even know him,
made a low bow and asked what was his pleasure: when, however, he had
a nearer view of his guest, and recognised his old Labakan, he called
to his journeymen and apprentices, and all precipitated themselves,
like mad, upon poo