government, had been taken care
of in every way; that I had heard such accounts of her highness's
generosity and munificence, as had raised in me an ardent desire
to see her, and that I had found those qualities four-fold greater
than they had been represented. Your nobles now tell me to set forth
before you whatever wants or wishes I may have; for this reason I
beg to represent to you without ceremony the wishes of my heart. I
am not in want of the riches of this world. I am also the king of
my own country; my sole reason for coming so far and undergoing such
fatigues, was the ardent desire I had to see you, which motive only
has conducted me here in this manner quite alone. I now hope through
your benevolence to attain the wishes of my heart; I shall then be
satisfied. Any further favours will rest with your pleasure; but if the
request of this wretch is not granted, then he will wander about in
this same manner, encountering hardships, and sacrifice his restless
life to the passion he feels for you. Like _Majnun_ and _Farhad_,
[214] he will end his life in some forest or mountain."

Having written my wishes, I gave the note to the eunuch; he carried
it to the princess. After a short while, he returned and called me,
and conducted me to the door of the seraglio. On arriving there,
I saw an elderly and respectable woman dressed in jewels, sitting on
a golden stool, and many eunuchs and other servants richly clothed,
were standing before her with arms across. I imagining her to be the
superintendent of affairs, and regarding her as a venerable [person],
made her my obeisance; the old lady returned my salute with much
civility, and said, "Come and sit down, you are welcome; it is you
who wrote an affectionate note to the princess." I feeling ashamed,
hung down my head and remained sitting silent.

After a short pause, she said, "O, young man, the princess has sent
you her _salam_, [215] and said thus, 'There is nothing wrong in my
taking a husband; you have solicited me [in marriage]; but to speak
of your kingdom, and to conceive yourself a king in this mendicant
state, and to be proud of it, is quite out of place; for this reason,
that all men among each other are certainly equal; although superior
consideration ought to be due to those who are of the religion of
_Muhammad_. I also have wished for a long while to marry, and as you
are indifferent to worldly riches, to me likewise God has given such
wealth as cannot b