The King Chah Djouhou answered: "Know that my wife, who is named the princess Djouher-Manikam, has disappeared far from me. It is for that reason that I have left my kingdom, and that I, dressed as a dervish, have walked from country to country, from plain to plain, from village to village, seeking her whom I have never been able to find. But arriving in your Majesty's country I saw hanging at the baley that portrait, which is of a striking resemblance to my wife. It is for this reason that I wept in contemplating this picture."
The princess smiled, and at the same time her heart was softened at seeing the conduct of her husband. She said to her prime minister: "O my minister, I confide this person to your care. Treat him worthily, give him the best of food and a suite of attendants. He is the King of Damas."
The minister therefore, by command of the princess, departed and conducted the King of Damas to a fine house, furnished and equipped according to the needs of kings.
The minister took all the riches which had been intended as presents for the King Haroun-er-Raschid. The ingots of gold and of silver, the rich garments in fine stuffs of the country of Rouzoungga, as well as the vestments of the princess Djouher-Manikam and of her three children, were transported and sold in the city of Bagdad. But the King Haroun-er-Raschid, seeing that his name and that of his daughter, the princess Djouher-Manikam, were graven on these ingots of gold and silver, seized all these riches.
The minister of the country of Damas said, "These riches are mine."
On his side the King Haroun-er-Raschid said: "These riches are mine, for my name and that of my child are engraved on these ingots of gold and silver."
The minister said, "Since your Majesty declares that these treasures are yours, we must try this case in a court of justice."
The King of Bagdad answered: "It is well. We will go wherever you
wish."
"Very well," said the minister; "let us go then before the King of the country of Roum. That prince has the reputation of being extremely just. Each of us shall plead his cause."
The prince answered: "It is well." The minister replied: "O king of the world, let us start without delay."