Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/80

har and the Prince have been capable to abandon themſelves to ſuch a violent Amour; what Inclination ſoever they may have for one another, inſtead of yielding to it, they ought to reſiſt it, and make a better uſe of their Reaſon. Is it poſſible they can be inſenſible of the dangerous Conſequences of their Correſpondence? How deplorable is their Blindneſs? I perceive all the Conſequences of it as well as you, but you are wiſe and prudent, and I approve your Reſolution, that’s the only way to deliver your ſelf from the fatal Events which you have Reaſon to fear. After this, the Jeweller roſe up, and took his Leave of Ebn Thaher.

The Sultaneſs ſtopp’d here, and continu’d the Story next Night as follows.

BEfore the Jeweller retir’d, Ebn Thaher conjur’d him, by the Friendſhip betwixt them, to ſpeak nothing of this to any Body. Be not afraid, ſays the Jeweller, I will keep this Secret on Peril of my Lite.

Two Days after, the Jeweller went to Ebn Thaher’s Shop, and ſeeing it ſhut, he doubted not but he had executed the Deſign he ſpoke of; but to be ſure, he ask’d a Neighbour, if he knew why it was ſhut? The Neighbour, anſwer’d, that he knew not, unleſs Ebn Thaher was gone a Journey. There was no need of his enquiring further, and immediately he thought upon the Prince of Perſia, unhappy Prince, ſays he to himſelf, what Grief will this be to you when you hear this News? By what Means will you now entertain your Correſpondence with Schemſelnihar? I fear you will die of Deſpair, I have Compaſſion on you, I muſt make up the Lots that you have of a too fearful Confidant.

The Buſineſs that obliged him to come Abroad; was of no Conſequence; ſo that he neglected it: And though he had no Knowledge of the Prince of Perſia, but only by having ſold him ſome Jewels, he went ſtraight to his Houſe; he addreſs’d himſelf to one of his Servants, and pray’d him to tell his Maſter, that he deſired to ſpeak with him about a Buſineſs of very great Importance, The Servant return’d immediately to the Jeweller, and introduc’d