Page 131 - Bulbul Hezar

finding her merry and brisk, as she used to be, were amazed to
see her so pensive, and hang down her head, as if something

troubled her.
- Sister, said Prince Bahman, what is become of all your mirth
and pleasantry? What! are you not well; or has some misfortune
befallen you? Have you any reason to be so melancholy? Come,
tell us, that we may do what is becoming us, and give you some
relief: If any body has affronted you, we will revenge it.
The princess Parizade remained in the same posture some time,

but at last lifted up her eyes to look at her brothers, and then
held them down again, telling them nothing disturbed her.
- Ah! sister, said Prince Bahman, you hide the truth from us:
Then I am sure there is something extraordinary makes you so
grave; it is impossible, for the short time we have been absent,
we could observe so sudden a change, if nothing was the matter
with you. You would not have us satisfied with the answer you
have given us: Do not conceal any thing from us, unless you
would have us believe that you renounce our friendship, and the

strict union we have hitherto preserved from our infancy.
The princess, unwilling to break with her brothers, would not
let them long entertain such a thought or suspicion, but said,
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