The History of Badoura - Page 24

Author: Laurence Housman

" Friend," answered Camaralzaman, " they had not such science as I have to make them glad: for they could not tell what the end would be, but I know it already, nay, even without entering that door of which thou hast the key I can cure the Princess of her malady."

The eunuch, astonished to be met with so much confidence, ceased from his taunts, and admitted the Prince to the antechamber. " If thou canst do that," he said, " thou art indeed the wonder of the world. Truly were I only permitted to see such a marvel accomplished, I should account myself rich."

Thereupon Camaralzaman seated himself against the curtain which divided the outer from the inner chamber and wrote the following prescription :

" He whom estrangement hath afflicted is cured when the vow of the beloved is accomplished; and the heart of exile findeth restoration in union with that which was lost. Love alone can heal those whom love hath persecuted."

Underneath this prescription he added the following words :

" From the distracted, the passionate, the perplexed, the famished with longing, the captive of transport and ardent desire, Camaralzaman, son of Shahzaman, King of Khaledan, to the peerless one of her age, the pre-eminent among Hooris, the Princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour, King of the Isles of China and lord of the seven Palaces. Behold the slave of the ring who, sleepless and inflamed by love, now awaits the call of his Beloved."

Then, having enclosed the ring which at their first meeting he had exchanged for his own, he sealed the missive, and putting it into the hands of the eunuch bade him carry it to his mistress.

No sooner had the Princess Badoura received the missive and the ring than she knew at once from whom it came. Whereupon joy overthrew her reason, and leaping up in a transport of exultation she pressed her feet against the wall, and breaking the chains which bound her ran forth and threw herself into the arms of Camaralzaman.