Upon this obliging offer, the jeweller turned to the prince, and said in his ear, This man, as far as I can perceive, sir, does not know us; therefore we had better go with him, than stay here to be exposed to the sight of somebody that may.  Do as you please, said the prince; I am willing to be guided by your discretion.

The man, observing the prince and jeweller consulting together, thought they made some difficulty to accept his proposition; wherefore he demanded of them if they were resolved what to do.  The jeweller answered, We are ready to follow you whither you please; all that we make a difficulty about is to appear thus naked.

Let not that trouble you, said the man; we shall find wherewithal to clothe you, I warrant you.  They were no sooner got to the house, than he brought forth a very handsome suit for each of them.  Next, as he thought they must be very hungry, and have a mind to go to bed, he had several plates of meat brought out to them by a slave; but they ate little, particularly the prince, who was so dejected and dispirited, as gave the jeweller cause to fear he would die.  They went to bed, and their host left them to their repose; but they had no sooner lain down, than the jeweller was forced to call him again to assist at the death of the prince.  He breathed short, and with difficulty; which gave him reason to fear he had but a few minutes to live.  Coming near him, the prince said, It is done; and I am glad you are by, to be witness of my last words.  I quit this life with a great deal of satisfaction; but I need not tell you the reason, for you know it too well already.  All the regret I have is, that I cannot die in the arms of my dearest mother, who has always loved me with a tenderness not to be expressed, and for whom I had a reciprocal affection.  She will undoubtedly be not a little grieved that she could not close my eyes, and bury me with her own hands.  But let her know how much I was concerned at this; and desire her, in my name, to have my corpse transported to Bagdad, that she may have an opportunity to bedew my tomb with her tears, and assist my departed soul with her prayers.  He then took notice of the master of the house, thanked him for the several favours he had received from him, and desired him to let his body be deposited with him till such time as it should be carried away to Bagdad.  Having said this, he turned aside and expired.

The day after the prince’s death, the jeweller took the opportunity of a numerous caravan that was going to Bagdad, and arrived there some time after in safety.  He first went home to change his clothes, and then hastened to the prince’s palace, where every body was surprised that their lord was not come with him.  He desired them to acquaint the prince’s mother that he must speak to her immediately; and it was not long before he was introduced to her.  She was seated in a hall, with several of her women about her.  Madam, said he to her, with an air that sufficiently denoted his ill news, God preserve your highness, and shower down the choicest of his blessings upon you!  You cannot be ignorant that it is he alone who disposes of us all at his pleasure.