He shewed so much reluctance to comply with their request, that the grand vizier was forced to take upon himself to say; “Sir, it were needless to represent to your majesty, that it belongs only to women to persist in perpetual mourning.  We doubt not but you are fully convinced of this, and that it is not your intention to follow their example.  Neither our tears nor yours are capable of restoring life to the good king your father, though we should lament him all our days.  He has submitted to the common law of all men, which subjects them to pay the indispensable tribute of death.  Yet we cannot say absolutely that he is dead, since we see in him your sacred person.  He did not himself doubt, when he was dying, but he should revive in you, and to your majesty it belongs to show that he was not deceived.”

King Beder could no longer oppose such pressing instances; he laid aside his mourning; and after he had resumed the royal habit and ornaments, began to provide for the necessities of his kingdom and subjects with the same assiduity as before his father’s death.  He acquitted himself with universal approbation:  and as he was exact in maintaining the ordinances of his predecessor, the people did not perceive they had changed their sovereign.

King Saleh, who was returned to his dominions in the sea with the queen his mother and the princesses, no sooner saw that King Beder had resumed the government, but he at the end of the year came alone to visit him; and King Beder and Queen Gulnare were overjoyed to see him.  One evening, talking of various matters, King Saleh fell insensibly on the praises of the king his nephew, and expressed to the queen his sister how glad he was to see him govern so prudently, as to acquire such high reputation, not only among his neighbours, but more remote princes.  King Beder, who could not bear to hear himself so well spoken of, and not being willing, through good manners, to interrupt the king his uncle, turned on one side, and feigned to be asleep, leaning his head against a cushion that was behind him.

From these commendations, which regarded only the conduct and genius of Beder, King Saleh came to speak of the perfections of his person, which he extolled as prodigies, having nothing equal to them upon earth, or in all the kingdoms under the waters, with which he was acquainted.

“Sister,” said he, “I wonder you have not thought of marrying him:  if I mistake not, he is in his twentieth year; and, at that age, no prince ought to be suffered to be without a wife.  I will think of a match for him myself, since you will not, and marry him to some princess of our lower world that may be worthy of him.”

“Brother,” replied queen Gulnare, “you call to my attention what I must own has never occurred to me.  As he discovered no inclination for marriage, I never thought of mentioning it to him.  I like your proposal of one of our princesses; and I desire you to name one so beautiful and accomplished that the king my son may be obliged to love her.”