The Prince And The Lions

: The Diamond Fairy Book

From the Persian.





IN an Eastern city there once lived a young Prince named Azgid. He was

virtuous and accomplished, but had one fault--he was a bit of a coward!



Prince Azgid's father had recently died, and he was looking forward to

his coronation. A few days before the day fixed for the ceremony, the

old Vizier called upon the Prince and informed His Royal Highness that

before e could ascend the throne he must in accordance with an ancient

custom, fight a certain huge red lion which was kept in a den within the

precincts of the palace.



The Prince, upon hearing this, was so frightened that he made up his

mind to run away. He rose in the night, dressed himself hastily,

mounted his horse, and left the city. Thus he journeyed for three days.



In the course of the third day, as he rode through a beautiful

thickly-wooded country, he heard the sound of exquisite music, and

presently overtook a handsome youth, who was leading a few sheep, and

playing upon a flute.



The young man having courteously saluted the stranger, Prince Azgid

begged him to go on playing, for never in his life before, said the

Prince, had he listened to such enchanting strains.



The player then told Azgid that he was the slave of the wealthy shepherd

named Oaxus, to whose abode, which was close at hand, he offered to

conduct the traveller.



The Prince gladly accepted this invitation, and in a few moments was

entering the house of Oaxus, who accorded him a hearty welcome, and

placed food and drink before him. When Azgid had finished his meal, he

felt it incumbent upon him to make some sort of explanation to his host.



"Doubtless," said he, "you wonder who I am, and what is my errand in

coming hither? I can tell you this much--that I am a Prince whom trouble

has driven from home. Pardon me if I do not divulge my name; that is a

secret which must be securely locked within my own breast. If convenient

to you, I would gladly remain in this delightsome spot. I have ample

means, and can remunerate you for your kindness."



Oaxus assured his guest that nothing would give him greater pleasure

than to entertain him for as long a period as he cared to stay, and he

begged him not to think of offering any remuneration.



"And now, Isdril," added Oaxus, addressing his slave, "show the Prince

our fountains and waterfalls, our rocks and vales, for I perceive that

he is one who can appreciate Nature's beauties."



The youth took up his flute and went out with the Prince.



After wandering awhile amidst romantic scenery, the two young men sat

down to rest upon a rock in a shady valley. The slave put his flute to

his lips, and began to play. The prince loved music passionately, and

the idea had already occurred to him that, if he ever left this fair

retreat, he would like to purchase from Oaxus his accomplished slave.



Suddenly Isdril broke the spell of the Prince's enjoyment by rising to

his feet, with the words: "It is time for us to be going."



"Wherefore?" queried the Prince. "Why should we quit this delicious spot

so soon?"



"Because," replied the other, "the neighbourhood is infested with lions.

It is well, therefore, to retire early within our abodes, and close the

gates. Upon one occasion I lagged behind, and see the consequence!"



He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a big scar upon his arm. Azgid

turned pale, and upon reaching the house, informed his host that he had

changed his mind and found himself obliged to ride on farther. He

thanked Oaxus, bade farewell to him and to Isdril, and galloped off.



Again he journeyed for three days, and came to a vast desert, in the

midst of which he beheld an Arab encampment.



Thankfully he rode up to the black tents, for both he and his horse were

worn out with hunger and fatigue.



He was received by a dignified Sheik, to whom he made the same speech

that he had addressed to the kindly Oaxus.



Sheik Hajaar, like the shepherd, answered to the effect that he desired

no other remuneration than the pleasure of the Prince's society, and

that he should be delighted to keep his guest for ever, if so it might

be. He introduced Azgid to a large number of his friends, and provided

for his use a magnificent steed.



A week passed. Day by day the Prince accompanied the Sheik in his

antelope-hunting expeditions, which he enjoyed exceedingly. He quite

thought that he was now happily settled for life, when one night, after

he had retired to rest, Sheik Hajaar approached his couch, and said:



"My son, I have come to tell you how pleased my people are with you,

more especially with the spirit you have shown in the chase. But our

life is not wholly taken up in such easy recreations; we frequently

engage in hard fighting with other tribes. All my men are seasoned

warriors, and before they can have perfect confidence in you it is

necessary that they should have some proof of your prowess. Two leagues

to the south is a range of hills infested with lions. Go, then, early in

the morning, mounted upon your horse, and armed with sword and spear.

Slay one of these fierce beasts and bring us his skin; so shall we know

that we may rely upon you in the day of battle."




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When the Sheik had left him, Azgid rose, dressed himself, slipped

quietly out of his tent, and bade a sorrowful, affectionate farewell to

the horse which the Sheik had allowed him to use, now tethered with the

others. Then he mounted his own steed, and rode forth into the night.



By the middle of the next day, he was rejoiced to find that he was

leaving the desert, and entering a fair region of hill and dale, meadows

and streams. Soon he came to a splendid palace, built of porphyry, and

standing in the midst of a magnificent garden.



The owner of the palace, a rich Emir, was sitting in the porch, with his

golden-haired daughter, Perizide.



Here, again, the Prince was most kindly received. The interior of the

building proved to be even more beautiful than the exterior. The rooms

blazed with gold and precious stones; walls and ceilings were covered

with valuable paintings; the windows were of the costliest stained

glass. The Emir set before his guest a collection of delicate viands.



The Prince made his accustomed speech, avowing his rank, but concealing

his name. He added also his customary request, that he might be allowed

to remain for a time in the house of his present entertainer.



The Emir replied politely that the prince was heartily welcome to remain

until the end of his life, if he chose to do so. Then he begged his

guest to excuse him for a few minutes, as he was expecting some friends,

and wished to make preparations for their reception.



Thus Azgid was left alone with Perizide, with whom he was already in

love. She took him into the garden, after exploring the beauties of

which the pair returned to the house.



The palace, now illuminated from top to bottom, was full of company.

The evening passed merrily. Observing a lute which lay upon a couch, the

music-loving young Prince begged Perizide to play to him. In the midst

of his enjoyment, however, he was startled by a strange, loud sound, and

asked his fair companion what it might be.



"Oh!" replied she, with a laugh, "that is only Boulak, our black porter,

indulging in a yawn."



"Good gracious!" exclaimed Azgid; "what uncommonly good lungs he must

have!"



After the other guests had left, and Perizide had gone to bed, the Emir

and the Prince chatted and smoked together for some time. By-and-by, the

former offered to conduct the latter to his sleeping apartment. When

they came to the foot of the grand staircase, which was of white marble,

Azgid, looking up, was horrified to behold an enormous black lion

stretched upon the topmost landing.



"What is that?" faltered he.



"That," returned his host, "is Boulak, our black porter. He is a tame

lion, and will not harm you, if you are not afraid of him. He knows when

any one fears him and then becomes ferocious."



"I fear him greatly!" whispered the Prince.



As he could not be persuaded to mount the stairs, he had to return to

the saloon, and repose upon one of the divans.



After the Emir had left him, Azgid carefully locked the door and

fastened the windows. Then he lay down, but not to sleep. For he could

hear the lion walking about, and once the beast actually came to the

door, and uttering a terrific roar, sprang against it with his forepaws.



The poor Prince made sure that the door would burst open, and that he

should be devoured. Nothing of the kind happened, however. In a few

moments Boulak went upstairs, and came down no more that night.



Azgid lay thinking. Evidently he had flown in the face of Providence

when he had fled from the lion at home. Since then, lions had met him at

every turn. He resolved to submit to what was so clearly his destined

duty--to return home and fulfil the condition required.



In the morning, therefore, he told the Emir the whole truth. The kind

old man had been acquainted with Azgid's father, the King Almamoun. He

highly approved of the young man's resolution, and, with a parting

blessing, sped him on his way. But the Prince had no opportunity of

making his adieux to the fair Perizide.



Then Azgid rode back to the Arab camp, and confessed all to the good

Sheik Hajaar. He also inquired after the beautiful horse.



"He is well," replied the other, "and I should be gratified if you could

stay with us and use him again But it would be wrong to hinder you from

your pious, undertaking. Return to your home, and do your duty like a

man."



Azgid next visited Oaxus, to whom, as to the others, he revealed his

name and parentage, confessed his fault, and expressed his repentance.






"Go, my friend!" said the kindly shepherd, "and may Heaven give you

strength to persevere in your laudable resolution!"



"Farewell!" answered Azgid; "greet Isdril from me, and tell him that I

hope some day to return and listen to his sweet music in spite of the

lions."



Without further interruption, the Prince rode straight home, and

announced to the old Vizier his intention to fight the lion.



The old man wept tears of joy at his Prince's return, and it was

arranged that the combat should take place in a week's time.



When the hour came, and the Prince entered the arena, the lion gave a

loud roar, and approached his opponent slowly, with fierce looks. Azgid

did not quail. With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand. Suddenly the

lion bounded forward, and, with another roar, sprang clean over the

Prince's head. Then he ran joyously up to him, and began licking his

hands with every demonstration of affection.



The Vizier called out to the Prince that he had conquered, and bade him

leave the arena. The lion followed like a dog.



"As you now see, Prince Azgid," said the old Minister, "the lion is a

tame one, and would injure no one. You, however, were ignorant of this

fact, and have satisfactorily proved your courage and valour by your

readiness to fight him. Now all will know that you are worthy to ascend

the throne of your heroic ancestors."



Two men--one old, the other very young--came forward to congratulate the

Prince. They were Oaxus and Isdril.




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"Prince Azgid," said the old shepherd, "as a memento of this happy day,

allow me to make you a present." So saying, he pushed forward his slave,

Isdril.




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"I heartily thank you, Oaxus!" said the Prince, "and you, Isdril, are no

longer a slave. From this moment you are free; but you shall be my

companion, and delight me with your skill upon the flute."



Presently another little group presented itself. It was composed of

Sheik Hajaar, some of his Arabs, and the horse which the Prince had

learned to love.



"Azgid!" said the Sheik, "I congratulate you heartily, and beg your

acceptance of this steed."



The Prince thanked and embraced the Sheik, and kissed the beautiful

creature, who returned his caresses.



The Emir was the next person to appear upon the scene. He was surrounded

by a brilliant retinue, with music and banners.



"I have come to congratulate you," said he to the Prince. "I have

brought you no present, but I and all my belongings are yours."



"I am rejoiced to see you, noble Emir!" replied Azgid. "And how is your

lovely daughter? As soon as I am crowned, I intend to set off at

lightning speed to visit her!"



"That will be needless," said the Emir; "come with me." And he led the

young man to a veiled lady, who sat upon a white horse. It was Perizide!



Then, by order of the Vizier, the whole procession wended its way

towards the palace.



Many thoughts and emotions stirred within the breast of the young

Prince. "When I fled from duty," reflected he, "everything went against

me; now that I have fulfilled it, fresh happiness meets me at every

step."



The coronation--and also a wedding--took place on the same day. Azgid

and Perizide reigned long and happily. By the King's command, his

adventures were recorded in the annals of the kingdom. And over the door

of his palace were inscribed, in golden letters, these words: "Never

run from the lion."