Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights

Produce by Wendy Crockett and JC Byers
Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights. First Series.
Edited by E. Dixon
Note.
The text of the present selection from the Arabian Nights is that of Galland, 1821, slightly abridged and edited. The edition is designed virginibus puerisque.
E. DIXON. Cambridge, Xmas, 1893.
The King of Persia and the Princess of the Sea Prince Beder and the Princess Giauhara (A Sequel to the Foregoing) The Three Princes and Princess Nouronnihar Prince Ahmed and the Fairy (A Sequel to the Foregoing) Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess of China The Loss of the Talisman (A Sequel to the Foregoing) The Story of Zobeide The Story of the King's Son The First Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Second Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Third Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Fourth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Fifth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Sixth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
There once was a king of Persia, who at the beginning of his reign had distinguished himself by many glorious and successful conquests, and had afterwards enjoyed such profound peace and tranquillity as rendered him the happiest of monarchs. His only occasion for regret was that he had no heir to succeed him in the kingdom after his death. One day, according to the custom of his royal predecessors during their residence in the capital, he held an assembly of his courtiers, at which all the ambassadors and strangers of renown at his court were present. Among these there appeared a merchant from a far-distant country, who sent a message to the king craving an audience, as he wished to speak to him about a very important matter. The king gave orders for the merchant to be instantly admitted; and when the assembly was over, and all the rest of the company had retired, the king inquired what was the business which had brought him to the palace.
'Sire,' replied the merchant, 'I have with me, and beg your majesty to behold, the most beautiful and charming slave it would be possible to find if you searched every corner of the earth; if you will but see her, you will surely wish to make her your wife.'