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SEPTEMBER, 1885.)
THE SHIPWRECKED PRINCE.
243
"The king's delight, those bouquets rare
Did his own skilful hands prepare ; And then in sweet unselfish wise He bade me gladden the royal eyes. "Thus through his skill we honours gained
And countless riches we obtained, Until we feared he would depart
And leave us ignorant of his art. "Hence was he married to our blood, With gifts of coin and clothes and food : We thought he now would surely rest,
Choosing such fortune as the best. “And now to you I have frankly shown
All that of this strange man is known : Go tell the king and beg that he
Will of his mercy pardon me. “But who he is, or whence he came, Or even of the stranger's namo I cannot tell, for never he
Hath told his fortune unto me." On bearing this strange tale from the messenger, the king, desiring to know more concerning this underling, summoned the headgardener. With much fear and trembling the head-gardener entered the royal presence.
"Now tell me," said his Majesty, "Who is this man P Whence came he? What is his business here? How didst thou find him? What does he in thy house? And tell me, too, of his behaviour and attainments. What is thy own opinion of this man?"
The gardener then again told all he knew about his son-in-law-how he met with bim, had pity upon him, and married him to his only daughter because he made bouquets which delighted the king; how wise and skilful he was in all manner of conversation and work; and how gentle, good, and kind he was. Not one thing did the head-gardener keep back of all that he knew about his son-in-law. Then the king dismissed him, bidding him not to fear, as no harm, but rather good, would happen to him as the result of these inquiries.
As soon as the head-gardener had departed the king sent a special servant to see really how this under-gardener behaved himself, and to bring him word again. He bade him be very careful in his observations, as it was his (the king's) intention, if possible, to marry this man to his own daughter. The servant left and thoroughly inquired into all matters.
“It was quite true," he said to the king, “ what the gardener told you. But may it please your Majesty to call for the man and see him."
The king was pleased to do so, and soon the under-gardener stood before him. A little conversation and observation served to convince the king that this man was no ordinary personage; and so he informed him of his daughter's wish, and added that he, too, was of similar mind. “Will you agree and become the king's son-in-law ?"
"I will," he replied, “but only on the condition that you allow me to leave the country whenever I wish."
The king promised, and at once gave orders for a certain house adjoining the palace to be prepared for him and for clothes and jewels and the richest food to be provided for him, so that in every way he might be as the king's son-in-law, and every cause for reproach removed. It was so; and soon all the people, even the wazírs, began to acknowledge him as one great and wise in the land, and the 'accepted son-in-law of their king.
In course of time the marriage took place. There were great rejoicings, such as had never been known in the city before. The air was filled with gladness, and everybody was arrayed in his gayest and his best--the poor, also, were well-clothed, well-fed, and loaded with presents. The praises of the king and the queen and the bride and bridegroom were in the mouths of everyone; and never did there appear such a glad and happy city.
And so matters continued. The king had no reason to regret the union, for his son-in-law increased in knowledge, wisdom, and popularity. He knew all languages, could solve the most difficult questions, and was most holy and good, giving alms to the people and attending to the cries of the sick and the distressed. Only one thing seemed against him, and that was his refusal to attend the darbár (or hall of audience).
One day his wife asked him the reason of his not doing so. “It is not meet," she added, “that you, the king's son-in-law, should always be absent from the great assembly. You should certainly go sometimes, and manifest, at all events, a little interest in the government of the country, whose king is your wife's
