so the potter gave him beautiful raiment and ornaments, and the prince went to the palace. at night he was conducted to the apartment of the princess. "dread hour!" thought he; "am i to die like the scores of young men before me?" he clenched his sword with firm grip, and lay down on his bed, intending to keep awake all the night and see what would happen. in the middle of the night he saw two shahmars come out from the nostrils of the princess. they stole over towards him, intending to kill him, like the others who had been before him: but he was ready for them. he laid hold of his sword, and when the snakes reached his bed he struck at them and killed them. in the morning the king came as usual to inquire, and was surprised to hear his daughter and the prince talking gaily together. "surely," said he, "this man must be her husband, as he only can live with her."