Page 49 - Bulbul Hezar
P. 49

but will take a higher flight; and, since we are upon wishing,
             I wish to be the sultan's wife: I would make him father of a

             prince, whose hair shall be gold on the one side of his head,
             and silver on the other; when he cries, the tears that fall
             from his eyes shall be pearls; and when he smiles, his
             vermillion lips shall look like a rose-bud fresh blown.
             The three sisters' wishes, particularly the youngest's, seemed
             so singular to the sultan Khosrouschah, that he resolved to
             gratify them in their desires; and, without communicating

             this his design to his grand visier, he charged him only to
             take notice of the house, and bring the three sisters before
             him the next day. The grand visier, in executing the sultan's
             orders, would but just give the three sisters time to dress
             themselves, and brought them to the palace, and presented
             them to the sultan, who said to them,
             - Do you remember the wishes you made last night, when
             you were all in so pleasant a mood? Come, speak the truth; I
             must know what they were.

             At this discourse the three sisters were very much
             confounded: they cast down their eyes, and blushed; and the
             colour which rose in the cheeks of the youngest quite
             captivated the sultan's heart; and out of modesty, and for
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