"
The princess at first returned no answer to these inquiries; but on
being pressed by her brothers, thus replied: "I always believed that
this house which our father built us was so complete that nothing was
wanting. But this day I have learned that it wants three rarities, the
speaking-bird, the singing-tree, and the yellow-water. If it had
these, no country seat in the world could be compared with it." Then
she informed them wherein consisted the excellency of these rarities,
and requested her brothers to send some trustworthy person in search
of these three curiosities.
"Sister," replied Prince Bahman, "it is enough that you have an
earnest desire for the things you mention to oblige us to try to
obtain them. I will take that charge upon myself; only tell me the
place, and the way to it, and I will set out to-morrow. You, brother,
shall stay at home with our sister, and I commend her to your care."
Prince Bahman spent the remainder of the day in making preparations
for his journey, and informing himself from the princess of the
directions which the devout woman had left her. The next morning he
mounted his horse, and Perviz and the princess embraced him and wished
him a good journey. But in the midst of their adieus, the princess
recollected what she had not thought of before.
"Brother," said she, "I had quite forgotten the perils to which you
may be exposed. Who knows whether I shall ever see you again! Alight,
I beseech you, and give up this journey.
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