Abdallah, before he answered the queen, threw himself on the ground, and rising again, said, “Madam, he is my nephew, son of a brother, who has not long been dead.  Having no children, I look upon him as my son, and sent for him to come and comfort me, intending to leave him what I have when I die.”

Queen Labe, who had never yet seen any one to compare with King Beder, began to conceive a passion for him, and thought immediately of getting the old man to abandon him to her.  “Father,” said she, “will you not oblige me so far as to make me a present of this young man?  Do not refuse me, I conjure you; and I swear by the fire and the light, I will make him so great and powerful, that no individual in the world ever arrived at such good fortune.  Although my purpose be to do evil to all mankind, he shall be an exception.  I trust you will grant me what I desire, more on account of the friendship I am assured you have for me, than for the esteem you know I always had, and shall ever have for you.”

“Madam,” replied the good Abdallah, “I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for all the kind- ness you have for me, and the honours you propose to do my nephew.  He is not worthy to approach so great a queen, and I humbly beseech your majesty to excuse him.”

“Abdallah,” replied the queen, “I all along flattered myself you loved me, and I could never have thought you would have shewn me so much disrespect as to slight my request.  But I here swear once more by the fire and light, and even by whatsoever is most sacred in my religion, that I will pass on no farther till I have conquered your obstinacy.  I understand well what raises your apprehensions; but I promise, you shall never have any occasion to repent having obliged me in so sensible a manner.”

Old Abdallah was exceeding grieved, both on his own account and King Beder’s, at being in a manner forced to obey the queen.  “Madam,” replied he, “I would not willingly have your majesty entertain an ill opinion of the respect I have for you, and my zeal always to contribute whatever I can to oblige you.  I put entire confidence in your royal word, and I do not in the least doubt you will keep it.  I only beg of your majesty, to delay doing this great honour to my nephew till you shall again pass this way.”  “That shall be to-morrow,” said the queen; who inclined her head, as a token of her being pleased, and so went forward towards her palace.

When queen Labe and all her attendants were out of sight, the good Abdallah said to King Beder, “Son” (for so he was wont to call him, for fear of some time or other discovering him when he spoke of him in public), “it has not been in my power, as you may have observed, to refuse the queen what she demanded of me with so much earnestness, to the end I might not force her to employ her magic against both you and myself openly or secretly, and treat you as much from resentment to you as to me with more signal cruelty than all those she has had in her power, as I have already told you.  But I have some reason to believe she will use you well, as she promised me, on account of that particular esteem she professes for me.  This you may have seen by the respect shewn, and the honours paid, me by all her court.  She would be a vile creature indeed, if she should deceive me; but she shall not deceive me unpunished, for I know how to revenge myself.”