The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman 10

She then returned to her private apartments, where she told the Princess Haiatelnefous all that had happened, as well as her plans for the future, and begged her assistance, which her friend readily promised. 

 

Next morning she ordered the prince to be taken to the bath and clothed in a manner suitable to an emir or governor of a province. He was then introduced to the council, where his good looks and grand air drew the attention of all on him. 

 

Princess Badoura, delighted to see him looking himself once more, turned to the other emirs, saying: 

 

"My lords, I introduce to you a new colleague, Camaralzaman, whom I have known on my travels and who, I can assure you, you will find well deserves your regard and admiration¹." 

 

Camaralzaman was much surprised at hearing the king--whom he never suspected of being a woman in disguise--asserting their acquaintance, for he felt sure he had never seen her before. However he received all the praises bestowed² on him with becoming modesty³, and prostrating⁴ himself, said: 

 

"Sire, I cannot find words in which to thank your Majesty⁵ for the great honour conferred on me. I can but assure you that I will do all in my power to prove myself worthy⁶ of it." 

 

On leaving the council the prince was conducted to a splendid house which had been prepared for him, where he found a full establishment and well-filled stables at his orders. On entering his study his steward⁷（管家，乘务员） presented him with a coffer filled with gold pieces for his current expenses. He felt more and more puzzled by such good fortune, and little guessed that the Princess of China was the cause of it. 

 

After a few days the Princess Badoura promoted Camaralzaman to the post of grand treasurer⁸, an office which he filled with so much integrity and benevolence⁹（仁慈） as to win universal esteem¹⁰. 

 

He would now have thought himself the happiest of men had it not been for that separation which he never ceased to bewail. He had no clue to the mystery of his present position, for the princess, out of compliment to the old king, had taken his name, and was generally known as King Armanos the younger, few people remembering that on her first arrival she went by another name. 

 

At length the princess felt that the time had come to put an end to her own and the prince's suspense¹¹, and having arranged all her plans with the Princess Haiatelnefous, she informed Camaralzaman that she wished his advice on some important business, and, to avoid being disturbed, desired him to come to the palace that evening. 

 

The prince was punctual, and was received in the private apartment, when, having ordered her attendants to withdraw, the princess took from a small box the talisman¹², and, handing it to Camaralzaman, said: "Not long ago an astrologer（占星家） gave me this talisman. As you are universally well informed, you can perhaps tell me what is its use." 

 

Camaralzaman took the talisman and, holding it to the light, cried with surprise, "Sire, you ask me the use of this talisman. Alas¹³! hitherto it has been only a source of misfortune to me, being the cause of my separation from the one I love best on earth. The story is so sad and strange that I am sure your Majesty will be touched by it if you will permit me to tell it you." 

 

"I will hear it some other time," replied the princess. "Meanwhile I fancy it is not quite unknown to me. Wait here for me. I will return shortly." 

 

So saying she retired¹⁴ to another room, where she hastily changed her masculine attire¹⁵ for that of a woman, and, after putting on the girdle she wore the day they parted, returned to Camaralzaman. 

 

The prince recognised her at once, and, embracing her with the utmost tenderness, cried, "Ah, how can I thank the king for this delightful¹⁶ surprise?" 

 

"Do not expect ever to see the king again," said the princess, as she wiped the tears of joy from her eyes, "in me you see the king. Let us sit down, and I will tell you all about it." 

 

She then gave a full account of all her adventures since their parting, and dwelt much on the charms and noble disposition¹⁷ of the Princess Haiatelnefous, to whose friendly assistance she owed so much. When she had done she asked to hear the prince's story, and in this manner they spent most of the night. 

 

Next morning the princess resumed her woman's clothes, and as soon as she was ready she desired the chief eunuch to beg King Armanos to come to her apartments. 

 

When the king arrived great was his surprise at finding a strange lady in company of the grand treasurer who had no actual right to enter the private apartment. Seating himself he asked for the king. 

 

"Sire," said the princess, "yesterday I was the king, to-day I am only the Princess of China and wife to the real Prince Camaralzaman, son of King Schahzaman, and I trust that when your Majesty shall have heard our story you will not condemn¹⁸ the innocent deception¹⁹（欺骗） I have been obliged to practise." 

 

The king consented to listen, and did so with marked surprise. 

 

At the close of her narrative²⁰ the princess said, "Sire, as our religion allows a man to have more than one wife, I would beg your Majesty to give your daughter, the Princess Haiatelnefous, in marriage to Prince Camaralzaman. I gladly yield to her the precedence（优先） and title of Queen in recognition of the debt of gratitude²¹ which I owe her." 

 

King Armanos heard the princess with surprise and admiration, then, turning to Camaralzaman, he said, "My son, as your wife, the Princess Badoura (whom I have hitherto looked on as my son-in-law), consents to share your hand and affections with my daughter, I have only to ask if this marriage is agreeable to you, and if you will consent to accept the crown which the Princess Badoura deserves to wear all her life, but which she prefers to resign for love of you." 

 

"Sire," replied Camaralzaman, "I can refuse your Majesty nothing." 

 

Accordingly Camaralzaman was duly proclaimed king, and as duly married with all pomp to the Princess Haiatelnefous, with whose beauty, talents, and affections he had every reason to be pleased. 

 

The two queens lived in true sisterly harmony together, and after a time each presented King Camaralzaman with a son, whose births were celebrated²² throughout the kingdom with the utmost rejoicing.

分享到：