In short, after many injunctions, she began the relation [of her life] as follows:—­“The unfortunate wretch before you is the daughter of the King of Damascus; he is a great sovereign among sultans; he never had any child except me.  From the day I was born I was brought up with great delicacy and tenderness, in joy and happiness under the eye of my father and mother.  As I grew up I became attached to handsome and beautiful women; so that I kept near my person the most lovely young girls of noble families, and of my own age; and handsome female servants of the like age, in my service.  I ever enjoyed the amusements of dancing and singing, and never had a care about the good or evil of the world.  Contemplating my own condition thus free from care, except the praises of God, nothing else occupied my thoughts.

“It so happened that my disposition became suddenly of itself so changed, that I lost all relish for the company of others, nor did the gay assembly afford me any pleasure; my temper became melancholic, and my heart sad and confused; no one’s presence was agreeable to me, nor did my heart feel inclined for conversation.  Seeing this sad condition of mine, all the female servants were overwhelmed with sorrow and fell at my feet [begging to know the cause of my gloom].  This faithful eunuch, who has long been in my secrets, and from whom no action of my life is concealed, seeing my melancholy, said, ’If the princess would drink a little of the exhilarating lemonade, [170] it is most probable that her cheerful disposition would be restored; and gladness return to her heart.’  On hearing him say so, I had a desire [to taste it], and ordered some to be prepared immediately.

“The eunuch went out [to make it up], and returned, accompanied by a young boy, who brought a goblet of the lemonade, carefully prepared and cooled in ice.  I drank it, and perceived it produced the good effect ascribed to it; for this piece of service I bestowed on the eunuch a rich khil’at, [171] and desired him to bring me a goblet of the same every day at the same hour.  From that day it became a regular duty, that the eunuch came, accompanied by the boy who brought the lemonade, and I drank it.  When its inebriating quality took effect, I used in the elevation of my spirits to jest and laugh with the boy, and beguile my time.  When his timidity wore off, he began to utter very agreeable speeches, and related many pleasant anecdotes; moreover, he began to heave sighs and sobs.  His face was handsome and worth seeing; I began to like him beyond control.  I, from the affections of my heart, and the relish I felt for his playful humour, every day gave him rewards and gratuities; but the wretch always appeared before me in the same clothes that he had been accustomed to wear, and they even were dirty and soiled.