the Badsam people, were composed of believers and unbelievers.
The inhabitants of the town were astonished to see the face of King Souran, and
his garments they looked upon with astonishment. They conducted him to the
presence of their King, whom they call Agtab-al- Ard (i.e., Bowels of the Earth).
This prince asked, "What man is this?"
"My lord," was the reply, "it is a stranger, who arrived a moment ago."
"Whence does he come?"
"We do not know."
Then the King addressed King Souran himself and said, "Who are you, and
whence do you come?"
King Souran replied: "I come from the world; I am the king of men; my name is
King Souran."
King Agtab-al-Ard was very much astonished on hearing these words.
"There is, then," he said, "another world beside ours?"
"The world," replied King Souran, "contains many races."
"Glory to God almighty," said the King, full of surprise. Then he made
King Souran ascend and sit with him on the royal throne.
Agtab-al-Ard had a daughter, of great beauty, named Princess Mah-tab- al-Bahri
("Moon of the Sea"). He gave her in marriage to King Souran. That prince dwelt
three years with her and had three male children by her. When he thought about
these three children King Souran felt much troubled. He said to himself: "What
will become of them, here, under the earth? Or how shall I withdraw them
hence?"
He went to see Agtab-al-Ard, and said to him: "If my sons grow up, will your
Majesty allow me to see that they are brought into the upper world, in order that
the royal line of Sultan Iskender Dhoul-Quameen may not be broken to the end
of time?"
The King answered, "I shall not hinder you."