Page 259 - Bulbul Hezar

modesty, that the sultan took some time to view them from
head to foot, before he spoke; and after he had admired their

good air and mien, he asked them who they were, and where
they lived?
Sir, said Prince Bahman, we are the sons of your majesty's late
intendant of your gardens; and we live in a house which he built
a little before he died, for us to live in till we should be fit to
serve your majesty.
By what I perceive by you, replied the sultan, you love hunting.

Sir, answered Prince Bahman, it is our common exercise, and
what your majesty's subjects, who intend to bear arms, or serve
in your wars, ought not, according to the custom of the
kingdom, to neglect. The sultan, charmed with so prudent an
answer, said, Since it is so, I should be glad to see you hunt
some wild beast; make choice of which you please.
The princes mounted their horses again, and followed the
sultan, but had not gone far before they saw a great many wild
beasts together. Prince Bahman chose a lion, and Prince Perviz

a bear, and pursued them with so much intrepid courage, that
the sultan was surprised. In short, they darted their javelins
with so much skill and address, that they pierced, the one his
lion, the other his bear, quite through and through, and the
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