Ebn Thaher, said he, when he had recovered his speech, I may well hinder my tongue from revealing the secrets of my heart, but I have no power over my tears upon such a direful subject as Schemselnihar’s danger!  If that adorable and only object of my desires be no longer in the world.  I shall not be one moment after!  Reject so afflicting an idea, replied Ebn Thaher; Schemselnihar is yet alive; you need not doubt the certainty of it.  If you have heard nothing of her, it is because she could find no occasion to send to you; and I hope you will hear from her to-day.  To this he added several other comfortable things, and then retired.

Ebn Thaher was scarcely at his own house, when Schemselnihar’s confident arrived with a melancholy countenance, which he reckoned a bad omen.  He asked concerning her mistress.  Tell me yours first, said the confident; for I was in great trouble to see the prince of Persia go away in that condition.  Ebn Thaher told her all that she desired to know, and when he had done, the slave began her discourse:  If the prince of Persia, said she, has suffered, and does still suffer, for my mistress, she suffers no less for him.  After I departed from you, continued she, I returned to the saloon, where I found Schemselnihar not yet recovered from her swoon, notwithstanding all the help they endeavoured to give her.  The caliph was sitting near her with all the signs of real grief; he asked the women, and me in particular, if we knew the cause of her distemper; but we all kept secret, and told him we were altogether ignorant of it.  In the mean time, we wept to see her suffer so long, and forgot nothing that might any ways help her.  In a word, it was almost midnight before she recovered.  The caliph, who had the patience to wait, was truly glad at her recovery, and asked Schemselmhar the cause of her distemper.  As soon as she heard him speak, she endeavoured to resume her seat; and, after she had kissed his feet before he could hinder her, Sir, said she, I have reason to complain of Heaven, that it did not allow me to expire at your majesty’s feet, to testify thereby how sensible I am of your favours!

I am persuaded you love me, said the caliph to her, and I command you to preserve yourself for my sake.  You have probably exceeded in something today, which has occasioned this indisposition; take heed, I pray you, abstain from it for the future.  I am glad to see you better; and I advise you to stay here tonight, and not to return to your chamber, lest the motion disturb you.  Upon this he commanded a little wine to be brought her, in order to strengthen her; and then taking his leave, returned to his apartment.