do is first to see the horse and assure myself of its condition.
If it be whole and sound, all will be well and end well; but, if
its motor-works be destroyed, I must find some other way of
delivering my beloved." Thereupon he turned to the King and said
to him, "O King, I must see the horse in question: haply I may
find in it somewhat that will serve me for the recovery of the
damsel." "With all my heart," replied the King, and taking him by
the hand, showed him into the place where the horse was. The
Prince went round about it, examining its condition, and found it
whole and sound, whereat he rejoiced greatly and said to the
King, "Allah save and exalt the King! I would fain go in to the
damsel, that I may see how it is with her; for I hope in Allah to
heal her by my healing hand through means of the horse." Then he
bade them take care of the horse and the King carried him to the
Princess's apartment where her lover found her wringing her hands
and writhing and beating herself against the ground, and tearing
her garments to tatters as was her wont; but there was no madness
of Jinn in her, and she did this but that none might approach
her. When the Prince saw her thus, he said to her, "No harm shall
betide thee, O ravishment of the three worlds;" and went on to
soothe her and speak her fair, till he managed to whisper, "I am
Kamar al-Akmar;" whereupon she cried out with a loud cry and fell
down fainting for excess of joy; but the King thought this was
epilepsy[FN#28] brought on by her fear of him, and by her
suddenly being startled. Then the Prince put his mouth to her ear
and said to her, "O Shams al-Nahar, O seduction of the universe,
have a care for thy life and mine and be patient and constant;
for this our position needeth sufferance and skilful contrivance
to make shift for our delivery from the tyrannical King. My first
move will be now to go out to him and tell him that thou art