own house, and from that time bred them up with
him in the studies of knowledge and virtue. The young princes loved and
respected Helim as their father, and made such improvements under him,
that by the age of one-and-twenty they were instructed in all the
learning of the East.

6. The name of the eldest was Ibrahim, and of the youngest Abdallah.
They lived together in such a perfect friendship, that to this day it is
said of intimate friends, that they live together like Ibrahim and
Abdallah. Helim had an only child, who was a girl of a fine soul, and a
most beautiful person. Her father omitted nothing in her education, that
might make her the most accomplished woman of her age.

7. As the young princes were in a manner excluded from the rest of the
world, they frequently conversed with this lovely virgin, who had been
brought up by her father in the same course of knowledge and of virtue.

8. Abdallah, whose mind was of a softer turn than tint of his brother,
grew by degrees so enamoured of her conversation, that he did not think
he lived, when he was not in company with his beloved Balsora, for that
was the name of the maid. The fame of her beauty was so great, that at
length it came to the ears of the king, who, pretending to visit the
young princes his sons, demanded of Helim the sight of Balsora his fair
daughter.

9. The king was so enflamed with her beauty and behaviour, that he sent
for Helim the next morning, and told him it was now his design to
recompence him for all his faithful services; and that in order to it,
he intended to make his daughter queen of Persia.

10. Helim, who knew very well the fate of all those unhappy women who
had been thus advanced, and could not but be privy to the secret love
which Abdallah bore his daughter; 'Far be it,' says he, 'from the king
of Persia to contaminate the blood of the Caliphs, and join himself in
marriage with the daughter of his physcian.'

11. The king, however, was so impatient for such a bride, that without
hearing any excuses, he immediately ordered Balsora to be sent for into
his presence, keeping the father with him in order to make her sensible
of the honour which he designed. Balsora, who was too modest and humble
to think her beauty had made such an impression on the king, was a few
moments after brought into his presence as he had commanded.

12. She appeared in the king's eye as one of the virgins of paradise.
But upon hearing the honour which