With her eyes streaming like fountains, she went to her father and said: “O, my king and father! thou who hast granted all my requests thus far, something more would I ask of your love.”
“It is granted thee, O, my child!” answered the king, sadly, for he feared that a time of separation had come.
“Then let me ask for a ship that shall be studded with diamonds without and whose inner rooms shall be set with precious stones—with rubies gleaming in the pillars thereof. Forty white slaves, all very young, handsome, and wearing gorgeous apparel, must care for it. If this cannot be granted, I fear that my soul must leave the body!”
“Very well, my daughter,” replied the king. “Whose desire but thine should thy father grant? Let the ship be made as you request.”
The princess knelt before him and kissed both of his hands three times. Then the king summoned his ship carpenters and jewelers, who set at work that very day. [[214]]
In two years’ time the strange order was fulfilled. The ship, with its before unheard of magnificence, was delivered to the king, who, in turn, delivered it to his daughter.
“Ai, my father!” said she. “Since you have been so gracious, will you grant that, with my maidens, I should go for a voyage? If Allah grant his favor, my return shall not long be delayed.”
“Thou knowest, my daughter, that thou art the most precious possession of my whole life. Although it grieves me greatly to part with thee, I cannot refuse anything thou askest of me. But do not keep my eyes long watching the restless roadways of the sea. And may Allah give you safe guidance!”
The two then embraced and kissed each other upon the eyes. After which the princess, taking with her forty white boy slaves and forty maidens, with all the necessary furnishing, went aboard the diamond ship and remained there that night.
When morning came the captain commanded a salute, ordered the flag hoisted, and set sail in the glorious light; while all of the people who crowded the shore exclaimed, “What a clever princess we have!” And they sent a hundred thousand bravos after her. [[215]]