added: "O Asraf-el-Kaum, perhaps, as with the prophet Zachariah (upon whom
be blessings!), her prayer has been answered and she has entered this tree."
Then he offered this prayer to God the most high and worthy, of all praise: "O
God, if thou wilt permit that this woman be united to thy servant, then grant her
to him."
The prayer of the King Chah Djouhou was heard, and a woman of dazzling
beauty appeared before his eyes. He desired to seize her, but the princess
Djouher-Manikam pronounced these words: "Beware of touching me, for I am a
true believer." Hearing these words the King Chah Djouhou drew back, a little
ashamed. Then he said:
"Woman, what is your country? Whose child are you, and what is your name?"
The princess answered: "For a long time I have dwelt here, and I have no father
nor mother. My name is Djouher-Manikam."
The King, hearing these words of the princess Djouher-Manikam, took off his
cloak and gave it to the princess, who covered all her body with it. Then she got
up and descended to the ground. Then King Chah Djouhou, dismounting from
his horse, received her, put her on his horse, and took her to the country of
Damas.
Asraf-el-Kaum then said to the King: "O my lord, sovereign of the world, you
made a promise to your servant. Be not careless nor forgetful, my lord."
"Asraf-el-Kaum, be not disturbed. I will fulfil my promise to you. If it pleases
God, when I have arrived in our own country, I shall certainly give you all that I
promised you."
King Chah Djouhou set out for the country of Damas.
After a certain time on the way, the prince came to the city of Damas and
entered his palace. He commanded one of his pages to summon the cadi, and a
page went promptly to call him. The latter, in all haste, entered the presence of
the King. Chah Djouhou said: "O cadi, marry me to the princess Djouher-
Manikam." And the cadi married them. After the celebration of the marriage the
prince Chah Djouhou gave to Asraf-el- Kaum 1,000 dinars and some of his
slaves, both men and women. King Djouhou and Princess Djouher-Manikam