mourned much over his daughter's plight but, for all he could do
to soothe her, love-longing only increased on her. Thus far
concerning the King and Princess Shams al-Nahar; but as regards
Prince Kamar al-Akmar, when he had risen high in air, he turned
his horse's head towards his native land, and being alone mused
upon the beauty of the Princess and her loveliness. Now he had
enquired of the King's people the name of the city and of its
King and his daughter; and men had told him that it was the city
of Sana'a.[FN#19] So he journeyed with all speed, till he drew
near his father's capital and, making an airy circuit about the
city, alighted on the roof of the King's palace, where he left
his horse, whilst he descended into the palace and seeing its
threshold strewn with ashes, though that one of his family was
dead. Then he entered, as of wont, and found his father and
mother and sisters clad in mourning raiment of black, all pale of
faces and lean of frames. When his sire descried him and was
assured that it was indeed his son, he cried out with a great cry
and fell down in a fit, but after a time coming to himself, threw
himself upon him and embraced him, clipping him to his bosom and
rejoicing in him with exceeding joy and extreme gladness. His
mother and sisters heard this; so they came in and seeing the
Prince, fell upon him, kissing him and weeping, and joying with
exceeding joyance. Then they questioned him of his case; so he
told them all that had passed from first to last, and his father
said to him, "Praised be Allah for thy safety, O coolth of my
eyes and core of my heart!" Then the King bade hold high
festival, and the glad tidings flew through the city. So they
beat drums and cymbals and, doffing the weed of mourning, they
donned the gay garb of gladness and decorated the streets and
markets; whilst the folk vied with one another who should be the