On seeing this sight, I determined to proceed with it; those I met dissuaded me from it, but I would not hear them.  Pushing forward, the young man went towards a grand mansion; I also went along with him.  He looked back, and perceiving me, he wished to give me a blow and cut me in two; I swore to him that this was the very thing I wished, saying, “I forgive you my blood; relieve me by some means or other from the misery of life, for I am grievously afflicted; I have knowingly and voluntarily put myself in your way; do not delay [my execution].”  Setting me determined to die, God infused compassion into his heart, and his anger cooled, and he asked me with much kindness and gentleness, “Who art thou and why art thou tired of life?”

I replied, “Sit down awhile that I may tell you; my story is very long and tedious.  I am caught in the claws of love, for which reason I am desperate.”  On hearing this, he unfastened his waist band, and having washed his hands and face, he took some food and gave me some likewise.  When he finished his meal, he said, “Say what has befallen thee?” I related all the adventures of the old man and the princess, and the cause of my going there, [i. e. to Europe].  On hearing them he wept at first, and then said, “What numbers of homes this unfortunate [princess] has ruined!  Well, thy cure is in my hands; it is probable that through the means of this guilty being thou wilt attain thy wishes; do not give way to anxiety; be confident.”  He then ordered the barber to shave me, and to apply to me the bath; [375] his slave brought me a suit of clothes and dressed me:  then the young man said to me, “This bier which thou seest is that of the late young prince, who was confined in the iron cage; another wazir murdered him at last through treachery; he indeed has obtained release though he has been wrongfully slain.  I am his foster brother; I put that wazir to death with a blow of my sword, and made the attempt to kill the king; but he entreated mercy, and swore that he was innocent; I having spurned him as a coward, allowed him to escape.  Since then, my occupation has been this, to carry the bier, in this manner, through the city, on the first Thursday of every moon, and to mourn for the [murdered prince].”

On hearing these circumstances, from his mouth, I attained some consolation, saying, “If he should wish it, then my desires will be accomplished; God has favoured me greatly, since he has made such a mad man well inclined towards me; so true is it, that if God is favourable, all goes well.”  When the evening came, and the sun set, the young man took up the bier, and instead of one of the slaves, he put it on my head and took me along with him.  He said, “I am going to the princess, and will plead for thee as much as I am able; do not thou open thy lips, but remain silent and listen.”  I replied, “Whatever you advise, I will strictly do; God preserve you, for you feel pity on my case.”