But Mobarec, who had been at prayers, and heard all that was said by the muezin, put five hundred pieces of gold into a handkerchief, made up with a parcel of several silks, and went to Boubekir’s house.  The muezin asked him in a harsh tone what he wanted.  “Holy father,” answered Mobarec with an obliging air, and at the same time putting into his hand the gold and the silk, “I am your neighbour and your servant:  I come from prince Zeyn, who lives in this ward:  he has heard of your worth, and has ordered me to come and tell you, that he desires to be acquainted with you, and in the mean time desires you to accept of this small present.”  Boubekir was transported with joy, and answered Mobarec thus:  “Be pleased, sir, to beg the prince’s pardon for me:  I am ashamed I have not yet been to see him, but I will atone for my fault, and wait on him to-morrow.”

Accordingly the next day after morning prayer he said to the people, “You must know from your own experience, brethren, that no man is without some enemies:  envy pursues those chiefly who are very rich.  The stranger I spoke to you about yesterday in the evening is no bad man, as some ill-designing persons would have persuaded me:  he is a young prince, endowed with every virtue.  It behoves us to take care how we give any injurious report of him to the caliph.”

Boubekir having thus wiped off the impression he had the day before given the people concerning Zeyn, returned home, put on his best apparel and went to visit the young prince, who gave him a courteous reception.  After several compliments had passed on both sides, Boubekir said to the prince, “Sir, do you design to stay long at Bagdad?” “I shall stay,” answered Zeyn, “till I can find a maid fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, and so chaste, that she has not only never loved a man, but even never desired to do so.”  “You seek after a great rarity,” replied the muezin; “and I should be apt to fear your search would prove unsuccessful, did I not know where there is a maid of that character.  Her father was formerly vizier; but has left the court, and lived a long time in a lone house, where he applies himself solely to the education of his daughter.  If you please, I will ask her of him for you:  I do not question but he will be overjoyed to have a son-in-law of your quality.”  “Not so fast,” said the prince, “I shall not marry the maid before I know whether I like her.  As for her beauty, I can depend on you; but what assurance can you give me in relation to her virtue?” “What assurance do you require?” said Boubekir.  “I must see her face,” answered Zeyn; “that is enough to determine my resolution.”  “You are skilled then in physiognomy?” replied the muezin, smiling.  “Well, come along with me to her father’s:  I will desire him to let you see her one moment in his presence.”

The muezin conducted the prince to the vizier’s; who, as soon as he was acquainted with the prince’s birth and design, called his daughter, and made her take off her veil.  Never had the young sultan of Bussorah beheld such a perfect and striking beauty.  He stood amazed; and since he could then try whether the maid was as chaste as fair, he pulled out his glass, which remained bright and unsullied.