Page 331 - Bulbul Hezar
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hereabouts, by any means whatsoever, I apprehend that it is
foreign, as well as the singing tree.
Sir, replied the princess, it is as your majesty says; and to let you
know that this water has no communication with any spring, I
must tell you that the bason is one entire stone, hewed out in
that form: But what your majesty may think most wonderful is,
that all this water proceeded but from one flaggon-full, which I
threw into this bason, which increased of itself to the quantity
you see, (a particular quality of this water,) and formed this
fountain. Well, said the sultan, going from the fountain, this is
enough for one time; I promise myself the pleasure to come and
visit it very often: but now let us go and see the talking bird.
Going towards the hall, the sultan perceived a prodigious
number of singing birds on the trees thereabouts, and asked
why there were so many there, and none on the other trees in
the garden? The reason, sir, answered the princess, is, because
they come from all parts about, to keep the talking bird
company, which your majesty may perceive in a cage just by the
window of the hall we are going into; and if you do but mind,
you will perceive that his notes are sweeter than all the other
birds, even the nightingale's.
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