When the king found Hatim resolute, he appointed two of his people to accompany him, and ordered them to shew him the way to Katan. They, therefore, set out; and after some days’ travelling, his guides told him that their orders permitted them to go no further. They then gave him directions as to his route, and took leave. When Hatim arrived within the territories of Katan, the people asked him whence he had come. He told them the object of his journey and the dangers he had experienced. When they heard from him that the griffins of the forest of brambles, with the dragons of the brazen desert, were extirpated, they rejoiced exceedingly.
At length Hatim reached the city of Katan, and took up his residence for some days in a caravanseraï. After he had reposed for a few days he wished to present himself before the king. Selecting two pearls, two rubies, and two diamonds of immense value, he went to the palace gate. The janitors informed his Majesty that a stranger wished to be admitted, and at the same time presented the jewels. The king ordered them to procure his name, and ask of him the nature of his business. They returned to Hatim, and examined him according to the king’s command. “I am a native of Yemen,” replied Hatim, “and have journeyed hither from the city of Shahabad; if further explanation be necessary, I will detail my whole history to his Majesty, should he honor me with an interview.”
The janitors returned to the royal presence, and stated, “Sire, the stranger is a merchant of Yemen, lately come from the city of Shahabad, and anxious to have an interview with your Majesty.” Hatim was immediately admitted, and the king said to him, “Tell me, stranger merchant, where is your caravan, and what merchandise have you to dispose of?”—“Sire,” said Hatim, “it is now some time since I have left off traffic, and adopted the profession of a soldier. I happened to pass this way, and longed to pay my respects to your Majesty.”
The king greatly admired Hatim’s courtesy, and treated him with the highest respect. After various conversation, Hatim took his leave, and the king said to him at withdrawing, “Brave stranger, I trust you will gladden my heart by residing some time at my court.” Hatim remained six months in the capital, and every day went to pay his respects to the king, with whom he became a great favorite. He one day, observing the king in good humor, took the opportunity of presenting to him a casket of most valuable jewels. The king received the jewels with great satisfaction, and having made Hatim sit by him, said, “Noble stranger, you have now resided with us for months, but never have I had the pleasure of doing you the least service. I am ashamed when I look upon the numerous gifts you have bestowed upon me, and when I consider that you have never asked of me any favor in return.”—“May your Highness live long,” rejoined Hatim; “there are few things earthly which I desire; but, if I may be allowed to express my wish, there is one boon I will venture to ask of you.”—“It is already granted,” replied the king; “therefore, speak your wish and it shall be satisfied.”
Hatim availed himself of this favorable opportunity, and said to the king, “I have an ardent desire to explore the bath of Badgard; I humbly crave your Majesty’s permission, therefore, that I may satisfy my curiosity.” The king for a long time held down his head in silent meditation, while Hatim stood by anxiously waiting the result. At length his Highness broke silence, saying, “Stranger, your request has caused me much concern, for various reasons: in the first place, I have made a vow never to let mortal man visit the bath of Badgard; secondly, if you go, you must inevitably perish in the prime of youth; thirdly, I esteem you so highly, that I should forever regret having permitted you to throw away your life; and, fourthly, I cannot endure the idea of parting with you, on any account. Consider, then, my dear friend, how painful it is for me to grant the fatal boon you ask.”
To this Hatim replied, “Sire, I have experienced many dangers, and I have every hope of returning safe from the bath of Badgard.” He then related the whole of his past adventures in behalf of the Assyrian prince Munir, the lover of Husn Banu, and stated in conclusion, that his seventh and last labor was to explore the bath of Badgard. The king listened to Hatim’s narrative, and after he had finished, said to him, “Generous man! heaven will assuredly protect you in what remains of your task; for there lives not, as I conceive, a more worthy object of the care of Providence than you. Let me, however, once more remind you, that multitudes of people have hitherto entered that mysterious bath, and none has returned; but I hope you will be more fortunate. Meanwhile tell me truly your name and rank, for you are not what you seem.”—“My name is Hatim, and my father is king of Yemen,” was the reply.
When the king heard this, he arose from his seat, clasped Hatim in his arms, and said, “You speak the truth, brave prince of Yemen; your brow is stamped with the seal of royalty; and your name is destined to be proverbial in the world for everything that is noble and generous.” Having thus spoken, the king commanded a passport to be written for Hatim, to be presented to the keeper and guardian of the bath of Badgard. When the order for admittance to the bath was ready and impressed by the royal seal, the king delivered it to Hatim, and appointed a few of his people to accompany him.
Hatim took an affectionate leave of the king, and attended by his guides, betook himself to the road. Fifteen days after, the top of a mountain became visible. Hatim asked his guides, “What mountain is this before us, whose lofty peak pierces the vault of heaven?”—“It is the mountain of Badgard,” they replied, “and the entrance into the bath is on the side of it; but near as it may seem, it is still seven days’ journey hence.” When they arrived at the base of the mountain, Hatim was surprised to see it begirt with legions of armed men. He asked his guides whose were the troops, and was told in reply that they were under the command of the keeper of the bath, which no one could approach without an order from the king of Katan. At length they reached the outposts of the sentinels, who asked Hatim who he was, and what was his business. The guides replied, “This is the prince of Yemen, who has received the royal permission for admittance within the bath.”
The sentinels immediately conducted Hatim before the keeper, to whom he presented his passport. The keeper opened and inspected the royal firman, which ran thus: “Know that it is our will that you admit the prince of Yemen into the bath of Badgard. Let him not meet with the least interruption on account of our late vow; and if it is in your power to prevail upon him to return ere it be too late, fail not to do so, and your reward shall be great.” The keeper folded up the passport, conducted Hatim to his house, and entertained him for three days in the most hospitable manner. He then began to advise him earnestly not to proceed further; but on no account would Hatim listen to his friendly counsel.
The keeper of Badgard, finding all his entreaties of no avail, at length wrote to the king that the prince of Yemen was resolute in his design. The king reluctantly answered, “If it must be so, grant him admittance into the bath.” Once more the keeper endeavored to dissuade him from his rash design, but Hatim’s resolution was fixed as a rock. “Follow me, then, desperate man,” said the keeper, “and the blame be yours.” Hatim followed the keeper till they came to the door of the bath. Its size was immense, such as he had never seen during his whole life. High on the wall was written the following words, “These are the enchantments of King Kaiumarath, which are destined to last for a time; whosoever enters shall not return. Here he shall remain without hunger or thirst.”