THE PRINCESS DJOUHER-MANIKAM
[Translated by Aristide Marre and Chauncey C. Starkweather]
This is the history of the Princess Djouher-Manikam, whose renown is
celebrated in all lands, windward and leeward.
There was in the city of Bagdad a king named Haroun-er-Raschid, sovereign of a
vast empire. He was a prince who feared God the almighty, and worthy of all
praise, for he was a king descended from the prophet. After having lived for
some time in his kingdom, he desired to start on a pilgrimage. So he addressed
his ministers and his military chiefs and spoke to them as follows:
"O you all, my subjects, my officers, what is your opinion? I would fain make a
pilgrimage to the house of God."
The cadi, prostrating himself, answered: "Sire, King of the world, the will of
your sublime Majesty is very just, but in my opinion your departure would cause
the ruin of the inhabitants of the fields, and those of your subjects who
accompany you will have much to suffer."
The prince, having heard these words, said: "The opinion of the cadi is loyal, and
you, my officers, tell what is your advice."
The officers arose, then they prostrated themselves and spoke as follows: "Sire,
King of the world, we, your servants, beg you a thousand and a thousand times
to cause your forgiveness to descend upon our heads, but how will your Majesty
accomplish the pilgrimage? In whom can you trust to protect the country and
watch over the palace?"
The prince having heard these words of his officers, none of whom approved of