Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/48

Being ſuch a Perſon as I have repreſented him, we need not wonder that Ebn Thaher diſtinguiſhed him from all the other young Noblemen of the Court, moſt of whom had Vices contrary to his Virtues. One Day, when the Prince was with Ebn Thaher, there came a Lady mounted on a py-balled Mule, in the midſt of Six Women Slaves who acompanied her on Foot, all very handſome, as far as could be judg’d by their Air, and through the Veil which covered their Faces. The Lady had a Girdle of a Roſe Colour four Inches Broad, embroidered with Pearls and Diamonds of an extraordinary Bigneſs; and as for Beauty it was eaſy to perceive that ſhe ſurpaſſed all her Women, as far as the Full Moon does that of two Days old. She came to buy ſomething, and when ſhe had ſpoken to Ebn Thaher, ſhe entred his Shop, which was very neat and large, and he receiv’d her with all the Marks of the moſt profound Reſpect, entreating her to ſit down and ſhewing with his Hand the moſt Honourable Place.

In the mean time, the Prince of Perſia not being willing to let ſuch an Occaſion paſs, to ſhew his good Breeding and courtly Temper, beat up the Cuſhion of Cloth of Gold, for the Lady to lean on; after which he retired ſpeedily that ſhe might ſit down, and having ſaluted her, by kiſſing the Tapiſtry under her Feet, he roſe and ſtood at the lower End of the Sopha. It being her Cuſtom to be free with Ebn Thaher, ſhe lifted up Yer Veil, and then diſcover’d to the Prince of Perſia ſuch an extraordinary Beauty, that he was ſtruck with it to the Heart. On the other hand the Lady could not contain herſelf from looking upon the Prince, the Sight of whom had made the ſame Impreſſions upon her. My Lord, ſays ſhe to him, with an obliging Air, pray ſit down, The Prince of Perſia obey’d, and ſat down upon the Edge of the Sopha. He had his Eyes conſtantly fix’d upon her, and ſwallow’d down large Draughts of the ſweet Poiſon of Love. She quickly perceiv’d what paſs’d in his Heart, and this Diſcovery ſerv’d to inflame her the more toward him. She roſe up, went to Ebn Maher, and after ſhe had wiſper’d to him the Cauſe of her coming, ſhe ask’d the Name and Country of the Prince. Madam, anſwer’d Ebn Thaher, this young Noble-man’s Name is, Aboulhaſſen Ali Ebn Becar, and he is a Prince of the Blood Royal.