He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused Zeyn to be educated with the greatest care, appointing him able masters as soon as he was of age to receive their instructions.  In short, he proposed to make him an accomplished prince, when on a sudden this good sultan fell sick of a disorder, which all the skill of his physicians could not cure.  Perceiving his disease was mortal, he sent for his son, and among other things advised him rather to endeavour to be loved, than to be feared by his people; not to give ear to flatterers; to be as slow in rewarding as in punishing, because it often happens that monarchs misled by false appearances, load wicked men with favours, and oppress the innocent.

As soon as the sultan was dead, prince Zeyn went into mourning, which he wore seven days, and on the eighth he ascended the throne, taking his father’s seal off the royal treasury, and putting on his own, beginning thus to taste the sweets of ruling, the pleasure of seeing all his courtiers bow down before him, and make it their whole study to shew their zeal and obedience.  In a word, the sovereign power was too agreeable to him.  He only regarded what his subjects owed to him, without considering what was his duty towards them, and consequently took little care to govern them well.  He revelled in all sorts of debauchery among the voluptuous youth, on whom he conferred the prime employments in the kingdom.  He lost all command of his power.  Being naturally prodigal, he set no bounds to his grants, so that his women and his favourites insensibly drained his treasury.

The queen his mother was still living, a discreet, wise princess.  She had several times unsuccessfully tried to check her son’s prodigality and debauchery, giving him to understand, that, if he did not soon take another course, he would not only squander his wealth, but also alienate the minds of his people, and occasion some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and his life.  What she had predicted had nearly happened:  the people began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs had certainly been followed by a general revolt, had not the queen had the address to prevent it.  That princess being acquainted with the ill posture of affairs, informed the sultan, who at last suffered himself to be prevailed upon.  He committed the government to discreet aged men, who knew how to keep the people within the bounds of duty.

Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made no better use of it.  He fell into a profound melancholy, and nothing could comfort him.  One night he saw in a dream a venerable old man coming towards him, who with a smiling countenance said, “Know, Zeyn, that there is no sorrow but what is followed by mirth, no misfortune but what in the end brings some happiness.  If you desire to see the end of your affliction, set out for Egypt, go to Grand Cairo, where great prosperity awaits you.”