When the assembly was over, and all the company had retired, the merchant, who was the only person left, fell prostrate before the king’s throne, with his face to the earth, wishing his majesty an accomplishment of all his desires As soon as he arose, the king asked him if the report of his having brought a slave for him was true, and whether she were handsome.

“Sire,” replied the merchant, “I doubt not but your majesty has many very beautiful women, since you search every corner of the earth for them; but I may boldly affirm, without overvaluing my merchandise, that you never yet saw a woman that could stand in competition with her for shape and beauty, agreeable qualifications, and all the perfections that she is mistress of.”  “Where is she?” demanded the king; “bring her to me instantly.”  “Sire,” replied the merchant, “I have delivered her into the hands of one of your chief eunuchs; and your majesty may send for her at your pleasure.”

The fair slave was immediately brought in; and no sooner had the king cast his eyes on her, but he was charmed with her beautiful and easy shape.  He went directly into a closet, and was followed by the merchant and a few eunuchs.  The fair slave wore, over her face, a red satin veil striped with gold; and when the merchant had taken it off, the king of Persia beheld a female that surpassed in beauty, not only his present ladies, but all that he had ever had before.  He immediately fell passionately in love with her, and desired the merchant to name his price.

“Sire,” said he, “I gave a thousand pieces of gold to the person of whom I bought her; and in my three years’ journey to your court, I reckon I have spent as much more:  but I shall forbear setting any price to so great a monarch; and therefore, if your majesty likes her, I humbly beg you would accept of her as a present.”  “I am highly obliged to you,” replied the king; “but it is never my custom to treat merchants, who come hither for my pleasure, in so ungenerous a manner; I am going to order thee ten thousand pieces of gold; will that be sufficient?” “Sire,” answered the merchant, “I should have esteemed myself happy in your majesty’s acceptance of her; yet I dare not refuse so generous an offer.  I will not fail to publish your liberality in my own country, and in every place through which I may pass.”  The money was paid; and before he departed, the king made him put on a rich suit of cloth of gold.

The king caused the fair slave to be lodged in the apartment next his own, and gave particular orders to the matrons, and the female slaves appointed to attend her, that after bathing they should dress her in the richest habit they could find, and carry her the finest pearl necklaces, the brightest diamonds, and other richest precious stones, that she might choose those she liked best.

The officious matrons, whose only care was to please the king, were astonished at her beauty; and being good judges, they told his majesty, that if he would allow them but three days, they would engage to make her so much handsomer than she was at present, that he would scarcely know her again.  The king could hardly prevail with himself to delay so long the pleasure of seeing her, but at last he consented.