when the King's son heard this, he accosted him in Persian,
saying, "How long will this weeping and wailing last? Say me,
thinkest thou that hath befallen thee that which never befel
other than thou?" Now when the Persian heard this, he made
friends with him and began to complain to him of his case and
misfortunes. And as soon as the morning morrowed, the warders
took the Prince and carried him before their King, informing him
that he had entered the city on the previous night, at a time
when audience was impossible. Quoth the King to the Prince,
"Whence comest thou and what is thy name and trade and why hast
thou travelled hither?" He replied, "As to my name I am called in
Persian Harjah;[FN#26] as to my country I come from the land of
Fars; and I am of the men of art and especially of the art of
medicine and healing the sick and those whom the Jinns drive mad.
For this I go round about all countries and cities, to profit by
adding knowledge to my knowledge, and whenever I see a patient I
heal him and this is my craft."[FN#27] Now when the King heard
this, he rejoiced with exceeding joy and said, "O excellent Sage,
thou hast indeed come to us at a time when we need thee." Then he
acquainted him with the case of the Princess, adding, "If thou
cure her and recover her from her madness, thou shalt have of me
everything thou seekest." Replied the Prince, "Allah save and
favour the King: describe to me all thou hast seen of her
insanity and tell me how long it is since the access attacked
her; also how thou camest by her and the horse and the Sage." So
the King told him the whole story, from first to last, adding,
"The Sage is in goal." Quoth the Prince, "O auspicious King, and
what hast thou done with the horse?" Quoth the King, "O youth, it
is with me yet, laid up in one of my treasure-chambers,"
whereupon said the Prince within himself, "The best thing I can