Scheherazade Tells....: Fantastic stories. Volume II (Paperback)

PreambleThe chronicles of the Sassanians, ancient kings of Persia, who had extended their empire in the Indies, in the large and small islands which depend on it, and far beyond the Ganges as far as China, report that there was once a king of that powerful house who was the most excellent prince of his time. He won the love of his subjects for his wisdom and prudence as much as he had made himself formidable to his neighbors by the noise of his valor and by the reputation of his bellicose and well-disciplined troops. He had two sons: the eldest, called Schahriar, worthy heir of his father, possessed all the virtues; and the younger, named Schahzenan, had no less merit than his brother.After a reign as long as it was glorious, this king died, and Shahriar ascended the throne. Schahzenan, excluded from all sharing by the laws of the empire, and obliged to live as an individual, instead of impatiently suffering the happiness of his elder brother, put all his attention to pleasing.He had little difficulty in succeeding. Schahriar, who naturally had an inclination for this prince, was charmed by his complacency; and, by an excess of friendship, wishing to share his dominions with him, he gave him the kingdom of Great Tartary. Schahzenan soon went to take possession of it, and he established his stay in Samarkand, which was its capital.These two kings had already been separated for ten years, when Schahriar, passionately wishing to see his brother again, resolved to send him an ambassador to invite him to come and see him.He chose his first vizier for this embassy, who left with a retinue in keeping with his dignity, and did all possible diligence. When he was near Samarkand, Schahzenan, warned of his arrival, went to meet him with the principal lords of his court, who, to do more honor to the minister of the sultan, had all dressed splendidly.The King of Tartary received him with great demonstrations of joy, and first asked him for news of the Sultan his brother. The vizier satisfied his curiosity, after which he exposed the subject of his embassy. Schahzenan was touched by it. "Wise vizier," he said, "the Sultan (1) my brother does me too much honor, and he could not offer me anything more pleasing to me. If he wants to see me, I am in a hurry with the same desire. Time, which has not diminished his friendship, has not weakened mine. My kingdom is quiet, and I only want ten days to prepare myself to go with you. So it is not necessary for you to enter the city for such a short time. Please stop here and have your tents pitched.........