[266] sent for her foster father, [or nurse’s husband], and fell at his feet and beseeched him greatly, and weeping, said, “I have formed a resolution to wipe off the reproach my mother has cast on me, so that my father may regain his freedom.  If you will be my companion, then I will set out for Niashapur, and having seen the merchant [who has such rubies round his dog’s neck], I will do all in my power [to the end that] I may release my father.”

The man indeed made some excuses at first; at length after much discussion, he agreed [to her request].  Then the wazir-zadi said, “Make the preparations for the Journey in secrecy and silence, and buy some articles of trade fit to be presented as offerings to kings, and procure as many slaves and servants as may be required; but do not let this circumstance be revealed to any one.”  The foster father agreed [to the project], and set about [the necessary] preparations.  When all the materials were got ready, he loaded the camels and mules, and set out; the wazir’s daughter also put on the dress of a man, and joined him.  No one in the house knew anything whatever [of the departure].  When the morning came, it was mentioned in the wazir’s family, that the wazir-zadi, had disappeared, and that it was uncertain where she was gone.

At last, the mother, from fear of scandal, concealed the circumstance of her daughter’s disappearance; and there [on the journey] the wazir-zadi gave herself out as a “young merchant.”  Travelling onwards stage by stage, they arrived at Naishapur; and with great pleasure they went and put up at the caravan-serai and unloaded all their merchandise.  The wazir-zadi I remained there that night; in the morning she went to the bath; and put on a rich dress, according to the costume of the inhabitants of Rum, and went out to ramble through the city.  Proceeding along, she reached the chauk, and stood where the four great streets crossed each other; and a jeweller’s shop appeared on one side, where a great deal of jewels were exposed [for sale], and slaves wearing rich dresses were in waiting, with crossed arms; and a man, who was their chief, of about fifty years [267] of age, dressed like rich persons in a short-sleeved jacket, was seated there, with many elegant companions near him, seated likewise on stools, and conversing among themselves.

The wazir-zadi (who had represented herself as a merchant’s son, [268]) was greatly surprised at seeing the jeweller; and, on reflection, she became pleased in her own heart, saying, “God grant this be no delusion! it is most probable that this is the very merchant, the anecdote of whom my father mentioned to the king.  O, great God, enlighten me as to his circumstances.”  It happened, that on looking around her, she saw a shop, in which two iron cages were suspended, and two men were confined in them.  They looked like majnun in appearance,