the pilgrimage, kept silence and restrained his anger, and then departed and
returned to the palace. Some days after this, by the will of the most high God,
the heart of the prince felt more keenly still the desire to make the pilgrimage.
He gave orders to gather together the interpreters of the law, the wise men, and
the muftis, as well as the officers. When they were all assembled, the prince went
to the audience-chamber, and there before the officers of the court he questioned
one of the doctors. It was the mufti of the city of Bagdad. He, prostrating
himself, said: "The pilgrimage of his Majesty would be an excellent work, but is
it of absolute necessity? For the voyage will be very long, and there is no one,
my lord, who would be capable of ruling in the place of your sublime Majesty."
The prince answered: "He in whom we first of all place our trust is God. We
shall hope then in the blessing of his envoy. We shall leave the cadi here, and if
it pleases God the most high, we shall return promptly as soon as we have
accomplished the pilgrimage."
The King therefore caused to be equipped and provided with all sorts of
provisions, those of his subjects who were going to accompany him, and when,
the favorable moment had arrived he started with the Queen, some of the maids-
of-honor, and his son named Minbah Chahaz. He took his son, but he left
behind, guarded in the palace, his daughter called the Princess Djouher-
Manikam. In those times there was no one in the country of Bagdad who
surpassed in beauty the Princess Djouher-Manikam. Furthermore, she had in her
heart the fear of God the most high and worthy of all praise, and would not cease
her prayers.
After travelling for some time, the prince her father arrived at Mecca, and
fulfilled his duties as a pilgrim. He recited the appropriate prayers. But observing
that there was still a great quantity of provisions, the prince said to his officers:
"It is good for us to wait a year or so, for our provisions are yet considerable."
The officers replied: "It is well, lord of the world! Whatever may be your
Majesty's commands, we place them above our heads." "Since it is thus,"
answered the prince, "it is fitting that we should send a letter thus conceived:
Peace and blessing upon the cadi: I place my trust in God first of all, and in the
cadi, to guard my kingdom, palace, and my child the Princess Djouher-
Manikam. Be a faithful guardian, neglect nothing in the cares to be given to my
kingdom, for I am going to remain another year for the great pilgrimage.'"