Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made
no better use of it. He fell into a profound melancholy, and
nothing could comfort him. One night he saw in a dream a
venerable old man coming towards him, who with a smiling
countenance said, "Know, Zeyn, that there is no sorrow but what
is followed by mirth, no misfortune but what in the end brings
some happiness. If you desire to see the end of your affliction,
set out for Egypt, go to Grand Cairo, where great prosperity
awaits you."

The young sultan was struck with his dream, and spoke of it very
seriously to his mother, who only laughed at it. "My son," said
she to him, "would you go into Egypt on the faith of an illusive
dream?" "Why not, madam," answered Zeyn, "do you imagine all
dreams are chimerical? No, no, some of them are mysterious. My
preceptors have told me a thousand incidents, which will not
permit me to doubt of it. Besides, though I were not otherwise
convinced, I could not forbear giving some credit to my dreams.
The old man who appeared to me had something supernatural, he was
not one of those men whom nothing but age makes venerable; there
appeared a divine air about his person. In short, he was such a
one as our great prophet is represented; and if you will have me
tell you what I think, I believe it was he, who, pitying my
affliction, designs to relieve it. I rely on the confidence he
has inspired me with. I am full of his promises, and have
resolved to follow his advice." The queen endeavoured to
dissuade him, but in vain. The sultan committed to her the
government of the kingdom, set out one night very privately from
his palace, and took the road to Cairo, without suffering any
person to attend him.