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bore witness of him that he was the most valiant of the folk of the age and said, “It is not just that other than he should be King over us; but the throne of his grandfather shall revert to him as it was.” Meanwhile King Sasan went in to his wife Nuzhet ez Zeman, who said to him, “I hear that the folk talk of nothing but Kanmakan and attribute to him such qualities as beggar description.” “Hearing is not like seeing,” replied the King; “I have seen him, but have noted in him not one of the attributes of perfection. Not all that is heard is said; but the folk ape one another in extolling and cherishing him, and God makes his praise to run on the lips of men, so that there incline to him the hearts of the people of Baghdad and of the perfidious traitor the Vizier Dendan, who has levied troops from all countries and arrogates to himself the right of naming a king of the country and chooses that it shall be under the hand of a worthless orphan.” “What then dost thou purpose to do?” asked Nuzhet ez Zeman. “I mean to kill him,” replied the King, “that the Vizier may be baulked of his intent and return to his allegiance to me, seeing nothing for it but my service.” Quoth she, “Perfidy is a foul thing with strangers, and how much more with kinsfolk? Thou wouldst do better to marry him to thy daughter Kuzia Fekan and give heed to what was said of old time:
If Fate set over thee a man, though thou than he Be worthier and this be grievous unto thee,
Yield him the honour due to his estate; thou’lt find He will advantage thee, though near or far thou be.
Speak not thy thought of him; else wilt thou be of those Who of their own accord the way of weal do flee.
Many in the harem oft are brighter than the bride; But time is on her side, and opportunity.”
When Sasan heard this, he rose in anger and said to her, “Were it not that to kill thee would bring disgrace
