“O, joy of my heart! light of my eyes! my lord! Sad news have I to tell. The youth of mean condition went to the home of the jinns and returned with the mirror you described. I knew of nothing to do, except to beg my father for another night in which to think upon the matter. How shall we punish this presumptuous fellow?”
“Aha! then he was able to procure the mirror! But do not let that vex your soul, my princess! We will ask of him something of which no human being is capable. In another place, under the charge of the giants, is a rare and costly diamond. None so large ever has been seen by human eyes. Request this youth to procure the diamond for you, and when he has failed you will be free to marry me.” This he said without the slightest intention of marrying anyone.
During all this, the other princess was listening without. She could see that the one who had been [[116]]a bird was not in real earnest. And she was all the more determined to rescue the maiden who had won her heart unconsciously.
A little later, as the time came when persons were admitted to the presence of the king, the scarlet princess approached him and said: “My father, since this youth who asks my hand has no fortune to offer me, let him procure something which is very precious. There is, in a certain place under the charge of the giants, a diamond, the like of which has never been possessed by mortals. Command that he go forth and secure that. Then will it not seem strange that he should ask the hand of one who is the daughter of a king.”
Her father’s judgment was affected by the specious reasoning. He sent for the supposed youth, and, after receiving his obeisance, said to him: “My son, the giants have a wonderful diamond in charge, of which my daughter is very desirous. It is fitting that you bring it to her, before you receive her hand in marriage.”
With a low bow, “Your orders shall be obeyed, my lord, or I will lose my life in the attempt,” answered the one who had been summoned. She then turned and quickly left the palace.
After having gone beyond the sight of any, she took the hairs from her bosom and rubbed them together; [[117]]whereupon the beautiful horse appeared and listened to the request that had been made.
“I will do all that I can,” he made answer. “The real accomplishment of the undertaking lies with you.”
After the maiden had mounted him, the coal-black creature became like a fire in the image of Asdar. As he started off, a mighty cloud of dust arose.
In a little while he had reached the foot of a high mountain, where he stopped and signified to the princess that she must dismount; after which he said: “Follow this crooked path until you reach the cave of the giants. If all is quiet and you see no great eyes gleaming in the darkness, enter. In the middle of the cave you will see a large stone. Touch this lightly with the little finger of your left hand, and it will open so that you will discover the diamond, shining in a great space within the very center. Put the precious gem in your bosom and return to me, without stopping. Should you but pause, this will be the last day of your life. Also, be careful not to waken the giants; for whatever curse they call down upon you will come true.”