should decree. Hereafter," continued he, "you will pay more attention to my words. But now let us not think of what is past: I am your slave, and you are

dearer to me than my own eyes! So saying, he attempted to clasp the daughter of Kāmgār in his arms, when the King, who was concealed behind the hangings, rushed furiously on him, and put him to death. After this he conducted the damsel to his palace, and constantly lamented his precipitancy in having killed her father.

Here Bakhtyar concluded the story; and having requested a further respite, that he might have an opportunity of proving his innocence, he was sent back to prison by order of the King.

CHAPTER VII.

HE Seventh Vizier, on the following day, approached the King, and having told him that

his lenity towards Bakhtyar was made the subject of public conversation, added many arguments to procure an order for the execution of that unfortunate young man. The King, changing colour with anger, sent immediately for the Queen, and asked her advice concerning Bakhtyar. She declared that he deserved death; in consequence of which the King ordered his attendants to bring him from the prison. When he came into the royal presence, he begged for mercy, saying: "My innocence will appear hereafter; and though your Majesty can easily put to death a living man, you cannot restore a dead man to life." -"How," said the King,

can you deny your guilt, since the women of the harem all bear witness against you?"-Bakhtyār re

F*

plied: "Women, for their own purposes, often devise falsehoods, and are very expert in artifice and fraud, as appears from the story of the daughter of the King of 'Irāk and her adventures with the King of Abyssinia, which, if your Majesty permit, I shall briefly relate."-Having obtained permission, he began the story as follows:

STORY OF THE KING OF ABYSSINIA, SHOWING

THE ARTIFICE OF WOMEN.

IT is related that Abyssinia was once governed by a certain monarch, whose armies were very numerous, and his treasury well filled; but not having any enemy to engage him in war, he neglected his troops, and withheld their pay, so that they were reduced to great distress, and began to murmur, and at last made their complaints to the Vizier. He, pitying their situation, promised that he would take measures for their relief, and desired them to be patient for a little while. He then considered within himself what steps he should take; and at length, knowing the King's inclination to women, and understanding that the Princess of 'Irāk was uncommonly beautiful, he resolved to praise her

charms in such extravagant language before the King, as to induce him to demand her from her father, who, from his excessive fondness, would not probably consent to bestow her on him, and thus a war would ensue, in which case the troops should be employed, and their arrears paid off.

Pleased with the ingenuity of this stratagem, the vizier hastened to the King, and after conversing for some time on various subjects, he contrived to mention the King of 'Irak, and immediately described the beauty of his daughter in such glowing colours, that the King became enamoured, and consulted the vizier on the means whereby he might hope to obtain possession of that lovely Princess. The vizier replied, that the first step was to send ambassadors to the King of 'Irak, soliciting his daughter in marriage. In consequence of this advice, some able and discreet persons were despatched as ambassadors to 'Irāk. On their arrival in that country, the King received them courteously; but when they disclosed the object of their mission he became angry, and declared that he would not comply with their demand.

The ambassadors returned to Abyssinia, and having

reported to the King the unsuccessful result of their negotiation, he vowed that he would send an army into 'Irak, and lay that country waste, unless his demands were complied with.

In consequence of this resolution, he ordered the doors of his treasury to be thrown open, and caused so much money to be distributed among the soldiers that they were satisfied. From all quarters the troops assembled, and zealously prepared for war. On the other hand, the King of 'Irāk levied his forces, and sent them to oppose the Abyssinians, who invaded his dominions; but he did not lead them to the field himself, and they were defeated and put to flight. When the account of this disaster reached the King of ‘Irāk, he consulted his vizier, and asked what was next to be done. The vizier candidly declared that he did not think it necessary to prolong the war on account of a woman, and advised his Majesty to send ambassadors with overtures of peace, and an offer of giving the Princess to the King of Abyssinia. This advice the King of 'Irak followed, although reluctantly. Ambassadors were despatched to the enemy with offers of peace, and a declaration of the King's consent to the marriage of his daughter.