“It was not proclaimed in this quarter of the town, and therefore you could know nothing of it, that the sultan’s daughter was yesterday to go to the baths.  I heard this as I walked about the town, and an order was issued that all the shops should be shut up in her way thither, and everybody keep within doors, to leave the streets free for her and her attendants.  As I was not then far from the bath, I had a great curiosity to see the princess’s face; and as it occurred to me that the princess, when she came nigh the door of the bath, would pull her veil off, I resolved to conceal myself behind the door.  You know the situation of the door, and may imagine that I must have had a full view of her.  The princess threw off her veil, and I had the happiness of seeing her lovely face with the greatest security.  This, mother, was the cause of my melancholy and silence yesterday; I love the princess with more violence than I can express; and as my passion increases every moment, I cannot live without the possession of the amiable Buddir al Buddoor, and am resolved to ask her in marriage of the sultan her father.”

Alla ad Deen’s mother listened with surprise to what her son told her; but when he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she could not help bursting out into a loud laugh.  Alla ad Deen would have gone on with his rhapsody, but she interrupted him.  “Alas! child,” said she, “what are you thinking of? you must be mad to talk thus.”

“I assure you, mother,” replied Alla ad Deen, “that I am not mad, but in my right senses; I foresaw that you would reproach me with folly and extravagance; but I must tell you once more that I am resolved to demand the princess of the sultan in marriage, and your remonstrances shall not prevent me.”

“Indeed, son,” replied the mother seriously, “I cannot help telling you that you have forgotten yourself; and if you would put this resolution of yours in execution, I do not see whom you can prevail upon to venture to make the proposal for you.”  “You yourself,” replied he immediately.  “I go to the sultan!” answered the mother, amazed and surprised.  “I shall be cautious how I engage in such an errand.  Why, who are you, son,” continued she, “that you can have the assurance to think of your sultan’s daughter?  Have you forgotten that your father was one of the poorest tailors in the capital, and that I am of no better extraction; and do not you know that sultans never marry their daughters but to princes, sons of sovereigns like themselves?”

“Mother,” answered Alla ad Deen, “I have already told you that I foresaw all that you have said, or can say:  and tell you again, that neither your discourse nor your remonstrances shall make me change my mind.  I have told you that you must ask the princess in marriage for me:  it is a favour I desire of you, and I beg of you not to refuse, unless you would rather see me in my grave, than by your compliance give me new life.”