His horse likewise, at the same
moment, underwent the same change.
From the time of Prince Bahman's departure, the Princess Perie-zadeh
always wore the knife and sheath in her girdle, and pulled it out
several times a day, to know whether her brother was yet alive. She
had the consolation to find he was in perfect health, and to talk of
him frequently with Prince Perviz.
On the fatal day that Prince Bahman was transformed into a stone, as
Prince Perviz and the princess were talking together in the evening,
as usual, the prince desired his sister to pull out the knife to know
how their brother did. The princess readily complied, and seeing the
blood run down the point, was seized with so much horror that she
threw it down.
"Ah! my dear brother," cried she, "woe's me! I have been the cause of
your death, and shall never see you more! Why did I tell you of the
speaking-bird, the singing-tree, and yellow-water! Why did I allow my
peace to be disturbed by the idle tales of a silly old woman!"
Prince Perviz was as much afflicted at the death of Prince Bahman as
the princess; but as he knew that she still passionately desired
possession of the speaking-bird, the singing-tree, and the
golden-water, he interrupted her, saying, "Sister, our regret for our
brother is vain and useless; our grief and lamentations cannot restore
him to life. It is the will of God. We must submit to it, and adore
the decrees of the Almighty without searching into them.
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