Then all sail was hoisted, and the ship sped away.
The prince, who was listening for a light footfall, heard the words of the princess-captain. He arose hastily and stood up, in his burial clothes, to see the ship sailing away. When he felt assured that it was making off, he sank down in deep despair.
Arousing himself at last, he was borne to his mother; and when she began to pour forth her indignation he prevented her, saying: “Alas! alas! Now am I enlightened! The fault is my own. I have been loving the same maiden all of the time. You have known, my mother, how I was induced to leave the weeping princess in the crystal kiosk? This is that one, come to avenge herself. Because of my former love, this latter has been intensified. [[229]]Now do I understand why it has so swept away my reason.”
The enlightened prince went to his father, kissed his hand, and asked: “O, king! my most honored father, once more wilt thou grant permission that I go abroad?”
“Most willingly, my son. Only, I pray thee, have a care for thy most precious life! Go, and may happiness attend thee!”
Then the young man returned to the queen and said: “The way has been made plain before me, O, my honored mother! It removes me from the favor of thy presence for a little. Give me thy blessing, I pray!”
The queen kissed both of his eyes, gave him her blessing, and he went, at once, to set sail upon a ship that belonged to the fleet of his father, the king. It is needless to state that its course was directed toward the crystal kiosk. Arriving there, he dressed himself in princely apparel, alighted, and went directly to the radiant dwelling of the maiden.
Now, the princess had seen the approach of his ship, and, when it drew near, she recognized the prince. With her maidens she met him at the outer door of the kiosk and escorted him up the stairs.
When they had entered, he stood before her and [[230]]asked: “Ai, adored princess! was it not grievous of thee to make me do all those useless things?”
“Ai, my prince,” answered she, “was it not grievous in thee to come in thy ship, to make me love thee, and then to sail away with those cruel words? How does that matter stand before Allah? Was it just?”