The Caliph then took a sheet of paper, and wrote the following letter, at the top of which he put in very small characters this formula to show that he must be implicitly obeyed:—­“In the name of the Most Merciful God.

“Letter of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid to the King of Balsora.

“Haroun-al-Raschid, son of Mahdi, sends this letter to Mohammed Zinebi, his cousin.  As soon as Noureddin, son of the Vizir Khacan, bearer of this letter, has given it to thee, and thou hast read it, take off thy royal mantle, put it on his shoulders, and seat him in thy place without fail.  Farewell.”

The Caliph then gave this letter to Noureddin, who immediately set off, with only what little money he possessed when Sangiar came to his assistance.  The beautiful Persian, inconsolable at his departure, sank on a sofa bathed in tears.

When Noureddin had left the room, Scheih Ibrahim, who had hitherto kept silence, said:  “Kerim, for two miserable fish thou hast received a purse and a slave.  I tell thee I will take the slave, and as to the purse, if it contains silver thou mayst keep one piece, if gold then I will take all and give thee what copper pieces I have in my purse.”

Now here it must be related that when the Caliph went upstairs with the plate of fish he ordered the vizir to hasten to the palace and bring back four slaves bearing a change of raiment, who should wait outside the pavilion till the Caliph should clap his hands.

Still personating the fisherman, the Caliph answered:  “Scheih Ibrahim, whatever is in the purse I will share equally with you, but as to the slave I will keep her for myself.  If you do not agree to these conditions you shall have nothing.”

The old man, furious at this insolence as he considered it, took a cup and threw it at the Caliph, who easily avoided a missile from the hand of a drunken man.  It hit against the wall, and broke into a thousand pieces.  Scheih Ibrahim, still more enraged, then went out to fetch a stick.  The Caliph at that moment clapped his hands, and the vizir and the four slaves entering took off the fisherman’s dress and put on him that which they had brought.

When Scheih Ibrahim returned, a thick stick in his hand, the Caliph was seated on his throne, and nothing remained of the fisherman but his clothes in the middle of the room.  Throwing himself on the ground at the Caliph’s feet, he said:  “Commander of the Faithful, your miserable slave has offended you, and craves forgiveness.”

The Caliph came down from his throne, and said:  “Rise, I forgive thee.”  Then turning to the Persian he said:  “Fair lady, now you know who I am; learn also that I have sent Noureddin to Balsora to be king, and as soon as all necessary preparations are made I will send you there to be queen.  Meanwhile I will give you an apartment in my palace, where you will be treated with all honour.”

At this the beautiful Persian took courage, and the Caliph was as good as his word, recommending her to the care of his wife Zobeida.