ing and leading captive legitimate princes; thus prejudicing Divine
right in the eyes of the vulgar. The skin of his predecessor Valerian,
curried and stuffed with straw, hangs to this hour in the temple at
Ctesiphon, a pleasing spectacle to the immortal gods. How would my own skin
appear in the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus? This must not be. I will send
an embassy to him, and impress him with my greatness. But how?"

He accordingly convoked his counsellors; the viziers, the warriors, the
magi, the philosophers; and addressed them thus:

"The king deigns to consult ye touching a difficult matter. I would flatter
the pride of Rome, without lowering the pride of Persia. I would propitiate
Aurelian, and at the same time humble him. How shall this be accomplished?"

The viziers, the warriors, and the magi answered not a word. Unbroken
silence reigned in the assembly, until the turn came to the sage Marcobad,
who, prostrating himself, said, "O king, live for ever! In ancient times,
as hath been delivered by our ancestors, Persians were instructed in three
accomplishments--to ride, to draw the bow, and to speak the truth. Persia
still rides and shoots; truth-speaking (praised be Ormuzd!) she hath
discontinued as unbefitting an enlightened nation. Thou needest not,
therefore, scruple to circumvent Aurelian. Offer him that which thou
knowest will not be found in his treasury, seeing that it is unique in
thine own; giving him, at the same time, to understand that it is the
ordinary produce of thy dominions. So, while rejoicing at the gift, shall
he be abashed at his inferiority. I refer to the purple robe of her majesty
the queen, the like of which is not to be found in the whole earth, neither
do any know where the dye that tinges it is produced, save that it proceeds
from the uttermost parts of India."

"I approve thy advice," replied Bahram, "and in return will save thy life
by banishing thee from my dominions. When my august consort shall learn
that thou hast been the means of depriving her of her robe, she will
undoubtedly request that thou mayest be flayed, and thou knowest that I
can deny her nothing. I therefore counsel thee to depart with all possible
swiftness. Repair to the regions where the purple is produced, and if thou
returnest with an adequate supply, I undertake that my royal sceptre shall
be graciously extended to thee."

The philosopher forsook the royal presence with celerity, and his office of
chief ex