King Saleh was hurt at this affronting answer, and could scarcely restrain his resentment; however he replied with all possible moderation, “God reward your majesty as you deserve!  I have the honour to inform you, I do not demand the princess your daughter in marriage for myself; had I done even that, your majesty and the princess, so far from being offended, should have thought it an honour done to both.  Your majesty well knows I am one of the kings of the sea as well as yourself; that my ancestors yield not in antiquity to any royal house; and that the kingdom I inherit is no less potent and flourishing than your own.  If your majesty had not interrupted me, you had soon understood that the favour I asked was not for myself, but for the young king of Persia my nephew, whose power and grandeur, no less than his personal good qualities, cannot be unknown to you.  Everybody acknowledges the Princess Jehaun-ara to be the most beautiful under ocean:  but it is no less true, that the king of Persia is the handsomest and most accomplished prince on earth.  Thus the favour that is asked being likely to redound to the honour both of your majesty and the princess your daughter, you ought not to doubt that your consent to an alliance so equal will be unanimously approved in all the kingdoms of the sea.  The princess is worthy of the king of Persia, and the king of Persia is no less worthy of her.”

The king of Samandal had not permitted King Saleh to speak so long, but that rage deprived him of all power of speech.  At length, however, he broke out into outrageous and insulting expressions, unworthy of a great king.  “Dog,” cried he, “dare you talk to me after this manner, and so much as mention my daughter’s name in my presence Can you think the son of your sister Gulnare worthy to come in competition with my daughter?  Who are you?  Who was your father?  Who is your sister?  And who your nephew?  Was not his father a dog, and the son of a dog, like you?  Guards, seize the insolent wretch, and strike off his head.”

The few officers who were about the king of Samandal were immediately going to obey his orders, when King Saleh, who was in the flower of his age, nimble and vigorous, got from them, before they could draw their sabres; and having reached the palace-gate, found there a thousand men of his relations and friends, well armed and equipped, who were just arrived.  The queen his mother having considered the small number of attendants he had taken with him, and foreseeing the reception he would probably meet from the king of Samandal, had sent these troops to protect and defend him in case of danger, ordering them to make haste.  Those of his relations who were at the head of this troop had reason to rejoice at their seasonable arrival, when they beheld him and his attendants running in great disorder, and pursued.  “Sire,” cried his friends, the moment he joined them, “who has insulted you?  We are ready to revenge you:  you need only command us.”