第179页 / 共1116页

I would not do this thing, save to serve thee, and soon shalt

thou sight that it is right; and if thou accept my advice thou

shalt be saved, otherwise thou shalt be destroyed even as a

certain Wazir who acted treacherously by the young Prince." Asked

the King, "How was that?" and the Minister thus began

The Tale of the Prince and the Ogress.

A certain King, who had a son over much given to hunting and

coursing, ordered one of his Wazirs to be in attendance upon him

whithersoever he might wend. One day the youth set out for the

chase accompanied by his father's Minister; and, as they jogged

on together, a big wild beast came in sight. Cried the Wazir to

the King's son, "Up and at yon noble quarry!" So the Prince

followed it until he was lost to every eye and the chase got away

from him in the waste; whereby he was confused and he knew not

which way to turn, when lo! a damsel appeared ahead and she was

in tears.