`` Son , '' answered the Sultan of the Indies , `` I can not refuse you the leave you ask me ; but I should much rather you would resolve to stay with me ; at least tell me where I may send to you if you should fail to come , or when I may think your presence necessary . '' `` Sir , '' replied Prince Ahmed , `` what your Majesty asks of me is part of the mystery I spoke to your Majesty of . I beg of you to give me leave to remain silent on this head , for I shall come so frequently that I am afraid that I shall sooner be thought troublesome than be accused of negligence in my duty . '' The Sultan of the Indies pressed Prince Ahmed no more , but said to him : `` Son , I penetrate no farther into your secrets , but leave you at your liberty ; but can tell you that you could not do me a greater pleasure than to come , and by your presence restore to me the joy I have not felt this long time , and that you shall always be welcome when you come , without interrupting your business or pleasure . '' Prince Ahmed stayed but three days at the Sultan his father 's Court , and the fourth returned to the Fairy Paribanou , who did not expect him so soon . A month after Prince Ahmed 's return from paying a visit to his father , as the Fairy Paribanou had observed that the Prince , since the time that he gave her an account of his journey , his discourse with his father , and the leave he asked to go and see him often , had never talked of the Sultan , as if there had been no such person in the world , whereas before he was always speaking of him , she thought he forebore on her account ; therefore she took an opportunity to say to him one day : `` Prince , tell me , have you forgot the Sultan your father ? Do n't you remember the promise you made to go and see him often ? For my part I have not forgot what you told me at your return , and so put you in mind of it , that you may not be long before you acquit yourself of your promise . '' So Prince Ahmed went the next morning with the same attendance as before , but much finer , and himself more magnificently mounted , equipped , and dressed , and was received by the Sultan with the same joy and satisfaction . For several months he constantly paid his visits , always in a richer and finer equipage . At last some viziers , the Sultan 's favorites , who judged of Prince Ahmed 's grandeur and power by the figure he cut , made the Sultan jealous of his son , saying it was to be feared he might inveigle himself into the people 's favor and dethrone him . The Sultan of the Indies was so far from thinking that Prince Ahmed could be capable of so pernicious a design as his favorites would make him believe that he said to them : `` You are mistaken ; my son loves me , and I am certain of his tenderness and fidelity , as I have given him no reason to be disgusted . '' But the favorites went on abusing Prince Ahmed till the Sultan said : `` Be it as it will , I do n't believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would persuade me he is ; how ever , I am obliged to you for your good advice , and do n't dispute but that it proceeds from your good intentions . '' The Sultan of the Indies said this that his favorites might not know the impressions their discourse had made on his mind ; which had so alarmed him that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed watched unknown to his grand vizier . So he sent for a female magician , who was introduced by a back door into his apartment . `` Go immediately , '' he said , `` and follow my son , and watch him so well as to find out where he retires , and bring me word . '' The magician left the Sultan , and , knowing the place where Prince Ahmed found his arrow , went immediately thither , and hid herself near the rocks , so that nobody could see her . The next morning Prince Ahmed set out by daybreak , without taking leave either of the Sultan or any of his Court , according to custom . The magician , seeing him coming , followed him with her eyes , till on a sudden she lost sight of him and his attendants . As the rocks were very steep and craggy , they were an insurmountable barrier , so that the magician judged that there were but two things for it : either that the Prince retired into some cavern , or an abode of genies or fairies .
Thereupon she came out of the place where she was hid and went directly to the hollow way , which she traced till she came to the farther end , looking carefully about on all sides ; but , notwithstanding all her diligence , could perceive no opening , not so much as the iron gate which Prince Ahmed discovered , which was to be seen and opened to none but men , and only to such whose presence was agreeable to the Fairy XXXXX .
Ahmed Paribanou Prince Sultan day equipage fourth left vizier viziers