` One day he so pressed to know what would pleasure the prince , that the latter said : ' I have only one wish , and that I will name to you in private . ' The king at once commanded every one to withdraw , and then Prince Almas said : ` The desire of my life is to know what the rose did to the cypress , and what meaning there is in the words . ' The king was astounded . ` In God 's name ! if anyone else had said that to me I should have cut off his head instantly . ' The prince heard this in silence , and presently so beguiled the king with pleasant talk that to kill him was impossible . Time flew by , the king again and again begged the prince to ask some gift of him , and always received this same reply : ' I wish for your Majesty 's welfare , what more can I desire ? ` One night there was a banquet , and cupbearers carried round gold and silver cups of sparkling wine , and singers with sweetest voices contended for the prize . The prince drank from the king 's own cup , and when his head was hot with wine he took a lute from one of the musicians and placed himself on the carpet border and sang and sang till he witched away the sense of all who listened . Applause and compliments rang from every side . The king filled his cup and called the prince and gave it him and said : ` Name your wish ! it is yours . ' The prince drained off the wine and answered : ' O king of the world ! learn and know that I have only one aim in life , and this is to know what the rose did to the cypress . ' ` Never yet , ' replied the king , ` has any man come out from that question alive . If this is your only wish , so be it ; I will tell you . But I will do this on one condition only , namely , that when you have heard you will submit yourself to death . ' To this the prince agreed , and said : ' I set my foot firmly on this compact . ' The king then gave an order to an attendant ; a costly carpet overlaid with European velvet was placed near him , and a dog was led in by a golden and jewelled chain and set upon the splendid stuffs . A band of fair girls came in and stood round it in waiting .
Then , with ill words , twelve negroes dragged in a lovely woman , fettered on hands and feet and meanly dressed , and they set her down XXXXX the bare floor .
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