promised his assistance in all difficulties."

The princess sent for the cage, and after she had related the
circumstances to the bird in the presence of her brothers, asked him
what they should do in this perplexity.

The bird answered,[40] "The princes, your brothers, must conform to
the emperor's pleasure, and in their turn invite him to come and see
your house."

[Footnote 40: To understand the language of birds was peculiarly one
of the boasted sciences of the Arabians, who pretend that many of
their countrymen have been skilled in the knowledge of the language of
birds ever since the time of King Solomon. Their writers relate that
Balkis, the Queen of Sheba, had a bird called Hudhud, that is,
lapwing, which was her trusty messenger to King Solomon. D'Herbelot
tells this story of Athejaj, a famous Arabian commander: While he and
a camel driver were talking together, a bird flew over their heads,
making, at the same time, an unusual sort of noise, which the camel
driver hearing, looked steadfastly on Athejaj, and demanded who he
was. Athejaj, not choosing to answer, desired to know the reason of
that question. "Because," replied the camel driver, "this bird assured
me that a company of people is coming this way, and that you are the
chief of them." While he was speaking, Athejaj's attendants
arrived.--_Warton's History of Poetry_, Vol. II, p. 182. Ed. 1840.]

Next morning the princes met the emperor again, who called and asked
them, while they were yet afar off, if they had remembered to speak to
their sister. Prince Bahman approached, and answered, "Sire, your
majesty may dispose of us as you please. We are ready to obey you; for
we have not only obtained our sister's consent with great ease, but
she took it amiss that we should pay her that deference in a matter
wherein our duty to your majesty was concerned. But if we have
offended, we hope you will pardon us."

"Do not be uneasy on that account," replied the emperor. "So far from
taking amiss what you have done, I highly approve of your conduct, and
hope you will have the same deference and attachment to my person, if
I have ever so little share in your friendship."

The princes, confounded at the emperor's goodness, returned no other
answer but a low obeisance, to show the great respect with which they
received it.

The emperor gave orders to return at once to his palace. He made the
princes ride one on each side of him, an honor which grieved the gra