The History of Codadad and His Brothers - Part II

They all sat down at table; and after having eaten and
drunk plentifully, took with them the rest of the provisions, and
set out for the sultan of Harran's court. They travelled several
days, encamping in the pleasantest places they could find, and
were within one day's journey of Harran, when Codadad, direct-
ing his discourse to all his company, said: "Princes, I have too
long concealed from you who I am. Behold your brother Co-
dadad! I, as well as you, received my being from the sultan
of Harran, the prince of Samaria brought me up, and the Princess
Pirouze is my mother. Madam," added he, addressing himself
to the princess of Deryabar, "do you also forgive me for having
concealed my birth from you ? Perhaps, by discovering it
sooner, I might have prevented some disagreeable reflections,
which may have been occasioned by a match you may have
thought unequal." *'No, sir," answered the princess *'the
opinion I at first conceived of you heightened every moment and
you did not stand in need of the extraction you now discover to
make me happy."

The princes congratulated Codadad on his birth, and ex-
pressed much satisfaction at being made acquainted with it.
But in reality, instead of rejoicing, their hatred of so amiable
a brother was increased. They met together at night, and for-
getting that had it not been for the brave son of Pirouze they must
have been devoured by the black, agreed among themselves to
murder him. '*We have no other course to choose," said one
of them, "for the moment our father shall come to understand
that this stranger, of whom he is already so fond, is our brother,
he will declare him his heir, and we shall all be obliged to obey
and fall down before him." He added much more, which made
such an impression on their unnatural minds, that they imme-
diately repaired to Codadad, then asleep, stabbed him repeatedly,
and leaving him for dead in the arms of the princess of Deryabar,
proceeded on their journey to the city of Harran, where they
arrived the next day.

The sultan their father conceived the greater joy at their
return, because he had despaired of ever seeing them again:
he asked what had been the occasion of their stay. But they
took care not to acquaint him with it, making no mention either
of the black or of Codadad; and only said, that being curious
to see different countries, they had spent some time in the neigh-
bouring cities.

In the meantime Codadad lay in his tent weltering in his blood
and little differing from a dead man, with the princess his wife,
who seemed to be in not much better condition than himself.
She rent the air with her dismal shrieks, tore her hair, and bathing
her husband's body with her tears, "Alas! Codadad, my dear
Codadad," cried she, "is it you whom I behold just departing
this life ? Can I believe these are your brothers who have
treated you so unmercifully, those brothers whom thy valour
had saved ? O Heaven ! which has condemned me to lead a
life of calamities, if you will not permit me to have a consort, why
did you permit me to find one ? Behold, you have now robbed
me of two, just as I began to be attached to them."

By these and other moving expressions the afflicted princess
of Deryabar vented her sorrow, fixing her eyes on the unfortunate
Codadad, who could not hear her; but he was not dead, and his
consort, observing that he still breathed, ran to a large town she
espied in the plain, to inquire for a surgeon. She was directed
to one, who went immediately with her; but when they came to
the tent, they could not find Codadad, which made them conclude
he had been dragged away by some wild beast to be devoured.
The princess renewed her complaints and lamentations in a most
affecting manner. The surgeon was moved, and being unwilling
to leave her in so distressed a condition, proposed to her to return
to the town, offering her his house and service.

She suffered herself to be prevailed upon. The surgeon con-
ducted her to his house, and without knowing, as yet, who she
was, treated her with all imaginable courtesy and respect. He
used all his endeavours to comfort her, but it was vain to think
of removing her sorrow. "Madam," said he to her one day,
"be pleased to recount to me your misfortunes; tell me your
country and your condition. Perhaps I may give you some good
advice, when I am acquainted with all the circumstances of your
calamity."

The surgeon's words were so efficacious, that they wrought
on the princess, who recounted to him all her adventures; and
when she had done, the surgeon directed his discourse to her:
"Madam," said he, "you ought not thus to give way to your
sorrow; you ought rather to arm yourself with resolution, and
perform what the duty of a wife requires of you. You are bound
to avenge your husband. If you please, I will wait on you as
your attendant. Let us go to the sultan of Harran's court;
he is a good and a just prince. You need only represent to him
in lively colours, how Prince Codadad has been treated by his
brothers. I am persuaded he will do you justice." "I submit
to your reasoning," answered the princess; "it is my duty to en-
deavour to avenge Codadad ; and since you are so generous as to
offer to attend me, I am ready to set out." No sooner had she
fixed this resolution, than the surgeon ordered two camels to be
made ready, on which the princess and he mounted, and repaired
to Harran.

They alighted at the first caravanserai they found, and
inquired of the host the news at court. "Deryabar," said he,
"is in very great perplexity. The sultan had a son, who lived
long with him as a stranger, and none can tell w^hat is become of
the young prince. One of the sultan's wives, named Pirouze,
is his mother; she has made all possible inquiry, but to no pur-
pose. The sultan has forty-nine other sons, all by different
mothers, but not one of them has virtue enough to comfort him
for the death of Codadad ; I say, his death, because it is impossi-
ble he should be still alive, since no intelligence has been heard
of him, notwithstanding so much search has been made."

The surgeon, having heard this account from the host, con-
cluded that the best course the princess of Deryabar could take
was to wait upon Pirouze; but that step required much precau-
tion: for it was to be feared that if the sultan of Harran's sons
should happen to hear of the arrival of their sister-in-law and
her design, they might cause her to be conveyed away before she
could discover herself. The surgeon weighed all these circum-
stances, and therefore, that he might manage matters with dis-
cretion, desired the princess to remain in the caravanserai, whilst
he repaired to the palace, to observe which might be the safest
way to conduct her to Pirouze.

He went accordingly into the city, and was walking toward
the palace, when he beheld a lady mounted on a mule richly
accoutred. She was followed by several ladies mounted also on
mules, with a great number of guards and black slaves. All the
people formed a lane to see her pass along, and saluted her by
prostrating themselves on the ground. The surgeon paid her the
same respect, and then asked a calendar, who happened to stand
by him, whether that lady was one of the sultan's wives. "Yes,
brother," answered the calendar, "she is, and the most honoured
and beloved by the people, because she is the mother of Prince
Codadad, of whom you must have heard."

The surgeon asked no more questions, but followed Pirouze
to a mosque, into which she went to distribute alms, and assist
at the public prayers which the sultan had ordered to be offered
up for the safe return of Codadad. The surgeon broke through
the throng and advanced to Pirouze's guards. He waited the
conclusion of the prayers, and when the princess went out,
stepped up to one of her slaves, and whispered him in the ear:
"Brother, I have a secret of moment to impart to the Princess
Pirouze: may not I be introduced into her apartment.^" "If
that secret," answered the slave, "relates to Prince Codadad I
dare promise you shall have audience of her ; but if it concern not
him, it is needless for you to be introduced; for her thoughts
are all engrossed by her son." "It is only about that dear son,"
replied the surgeon, "that I wish to speak to her." "If so,"
said the slave, "you need but follow us to the palace, and you
shall soon have the opportunity."

Accordingly, as soon as Pirouze was returned to her apart-
ment, the slave acquainted her that a person unknown had some
important information to communicate to her, and that it related
to Prince Codadad. No sooner had he uttered these words,
than Pirouze expressed her impatience to see the stranger. The
slave immediately conducted him into the princess's closet
who ordered all her women to withdraw, except two, from whom
she concealed nothing. As soon as she saw the surgeon, she
asked him eagerly what news he had to tell her of Codadad.
*'jMadam," answered the surgeon, after having prostrated him-
self on the ground, "I have a long account to give you, and such
as will surprise you." He then related all the particulars of
what had passed between Codadad and his brothers, which she
listened to with eager attention; but when he came to speak of
the murder, the tender mother fainted away on her sofa, as if
she had herself been stabbed like her son. Her two women
soon brought her to herself and the surgeon continued his rela-
tion; and when he had concluded, Pirouze said to him: "Go
back to the princess of Deryabar, and assure her from me that
the sultan shall soon own her for his daughter-in-law ; and as for
yourself, your services shall be rewarded as liberally as they
deserve."

When the surgeon was gone, Pirouze remained on the sofa
in such a state of affliction as may easily be imagined; and
yielding to her tenderness at the recollection of Codadad, "O
my son!" said she, "I must never then expect to see you more!
Unfortunate Codadad, why did you leave me.?" ^Miile she
uttered these words, she wept bitterly, and her two attendants,
moved by her grief, mingled their tears with hers.

WTiilst they were all three in this manner vying in affliction,
the sultan came into the closet, and seeing them in this condition,
asked Pirouze whether she had received any bad news concerning
Codadad. "Alas! sir," said she, "all is over, my son has lost
his life, and to add to my sorrow, I cannot pay him the funeral
rites; for, in all probability, wild beasts have devoured him."
She then told him all she had heard from the surgeon, and did
not fail to enlarge on the inhuman manner in which Codadad
had been murdered by his brothers.

The sultan did not give Pirouze time to finish her relation,
but transported with anger, and giving way to his passion,
*' Madam," said he to the princess, "those perfidious wretches
who cause you to shed these tears, and are the occasion of mortal
grief to their father, shall soon feel the punishment due to their
guilt." The sultan, having spoken these words, Avith indignation
in his countenance, went directly to the presence-chamber,
where all his courtiers attended, and such of the people as had
petitions to present to him. They were alarmed to see him in
passion, and thought his anger had been kindled against them.
He ascended the throne, and causing his grand vizier to ap-
proach, "Hassan," said he, "go immediately, take a thousand
of my guards, and seize all the princes, my sons ; shut them up in
the tower used as a prison for murderers, and let this be done in
a moment." All who were present trembled at this extraordinary
command; and the grand vizier, without uttering a word, laid
his hand on his head, to express his obedience, and hastened from
the hall to execute his orders. In the meantime the sultan dis-
missed those who attended for audience, and declared he would
not hear of any business for a month to come. He was still in
the hall when the vizier returned. "Are all my sons," demanded
he, "in the tower.?" "They are, sir," answered the vizier; "I
have obeyed your orders." "This is not all," replied the sultan,
"I have farther commands for you"; and so saying he went
out of the hall of audience, and returned to Pirouze's apartment,
the vizier following him. He asked the princess where Coda-
dad's widow had taken up her lodging. Pirouze's women told
him, for the surgeon had not forgotten that in his relation. The
sultan then turning to his minister, *'Go," said he, '*to this
caravanserai, and conduct a young princess who lodges there,
with all the respect due to her quality, to my palace."

The vizier was not long in performing what he was ordered.
He mounted on horseback with all the emirs and courtiers, and
repaired to the caravanserai, where the princess of Deryabar
was lodged, whom he acquainted with his orders; and presented
her, from the sultan, with a fine white mule, whose saddle and
bridle were adorned with gold, rubies, and diamonds. She
mounted, and proceeded to the palace. The surgeon attended
her, mounted on a beautiful Tartar horse which the vizier had
provided for him. All the people were at their windows, or in
the streets, to see the cavalcade; and it being given out that the
princess, whom they conducted in such state to court, was
Codadad's wife, the city resounded with acclamations, the air
rung with shouts of joy, which would have been turned into
lamentations had that prince's fatal adventure been known, so
much was he beloved by all.

The princess of Deryabar found the sultan at the palace
gate waiting to receive her: he took her by the hand and led
her to Pirouze's apartment, where a very moving scene took
place. Codadad's wife found her affliction redouble at the sight
of her husband's father and mother; as, on the other hand, those
parents could not look on their son's wife without being much
affected. She cast herself at the sultan's feet, and having bathed
them with tears, was so overcome with grief that she was not
able to speak. Pirouze was in no better state, and the sultan,
moved by these affecting objects, gave way to his own feelings
and wept. At length the princess of Deiyabar, being somewhat
recovered, recounted the adventure of the castle and Codadad's
disaster. Then she demanded justice for the treachery of the
princes. "Yes, madam," said the sultan, "those ungrateful
wretches shall perish; but Codadad's death must be first made
public, that the punishment of his brothers may not cause my
subjects to rebel; and though we have not my son's body, we
will not omit paying him the last duties." This said, he directed
his discourse to the vizier, and ordered him to cause to be erected
a dome of white marble, in a delightful plain, in the midst of
which the city of Harran stands. Then he appointed the princess
of Deryabar a suitable apartment in his palace, acknowledging
her for his daughter-in-law

Hassan caused the work to be carried on with such diligence,
and employed so many workmen, that the dome was soon
finished. Within it was erected a tomb, which was covered with
gold brocade. When all was completed, the sultan ordered
prayers to be said, and appointed a day for the obsequies of
his son.

On that day all the inhabitants of the city went out upon the
plain to see the ceremony performed. The gate of the dome was
then closed, and all the people returned to the city. Next day
there were public prayers in all the mosques, and the same was
continued for eight days successively. On the ninth the king
resolved to cause the princes his sons to be beheaded. The
people, incensed at their cruelty toward Codadad, impatiently
expected to see them executed. The scaffolds were erecting, but
the execution was respited, because, on a sudden, intelligence
was brought that the neighbouring princes who had before made
war on the sultan of Harran, were advancing with more numerous
forces than on the first invasion, and were then not far from the
city. This news gave new cause to lament the loss of Codadad,
who had signalised himself in the former war against the same
enemies. The sultan, nothing dismayed, formed a considerable
army, and being too brave to await the enemies' attack within his
walls, marched out to meet them. They, on their side, being
informed that the sultan of Harran was marching to engage them,
halted in the plain, and formed their army.

As soon as the sultan discovered them, he also drew up his
forces, and ranged them in order of battle. The signal was
given, and he attacked them with extraordinary vigour; nor was
the opposition inferior. Much blood was shed on both sides,
and the victory long remained dubious; but at length it seemed
to incline to the sultan of Ilarran's enemies, who, being more
numerous, were upon the point of surrounding him, when a great
body of cavalry appeared on the plain, and approached the two
armies. The sight of this fresh party daunted both sides, neither
knowing what to think of them; but their doubts were soon
cleared; for they fell upon the flank of the sultan of Harran's
enemies with such a furious charge, that they soon broke and
routed them. Nor did they stop here; they pursued them, and
cut most of them in pieces.

The sultan of Harran, who had attentively observed all that
passed, admired the bravery of this strange body of cavalry,
whose unexpected arrival had given the victory to his army.
But, above all, he was charmed with their chief, whom he had
seen fighting with a more than ordinary valour. He longed to
know the name of the generous hero. Impatient to see and thank
him, he advanced toward him, but perceived he was coming to
prevent him. The two princes drew near, and the sultan of
Harran, discovering Codadad in the brave v^^arrior who had just
defeated his enemies, became motionless with joy and surprise.
"Father," said Codadad to him, "you have sufficient cause to be
astonished at the sudden appearance of a man whom perhaps you
concluded to be dead. I should have been so, had not Heaven
preserved me still to serve you against your enemies." "O my
son," cried the sultan, "is it possible that you are restored to me ?
Alas! I despaired of seeing you more." So saying, he stretched
out his arms to the young prince, who flew to such a tender
embrace.

"I know all, my son," said'the sultan again, after having long
held him in his arms. " I know what return your brothers have
made you for delivering them out of the hands of the black; but
you shall be revenged to-morrow Let us now go to the palace
where your mother, who has shed so many tears on your account,
expects to rejoice with us on the defeat of our enemies. Yhat
a joy will it be to her to be informed that my victory is your w^ork ! "
"Sir," said Codadad, "give me leave to ask how you could know
the adventure of the castle ? Have any of my brothers, repenting,
owned it to you.?" "No," answered the sultan; "the princess
of Deryabar has given us an account of everything, for she is in
my palace, and came thither to demand justice against your
brothers." Codadad was transported with joy, to learn that
the princess his wife was at the court. "Let us go, sir," cried
he to his father in rapture, "let us go to my mother, who waits
for us. I am impatient to dry her tears, as well as those of the
princess of Deryabar."

The sultan immediately returned to the city with his army,
and re-entered his palace victorious, amidst the acclamations of
the people, who followed him in crowds, praying to Heaven to
prolong his life, and extolling Codadad to the skies. They found
Pirouze and her daughter-in-law waiting to congratulate the
sultan; but words cannot express the transports of joy they felt
when they saw the young prince with him : their embraces were
mingled with tears of a very different kind from those they had
before shed for him. When they had sufficiently yielded to all
the emotions that the ties of blood and love inspired, they asked
Codadad by what miracle he came to be still alive.

He answered that a peasant mounted on a mule happening
accidentally to come into the tent where he lay senseless, and
perceiving him alone and stabbed in several places, had made
him fast on his mule, and carried him to his house, where he
applied to his wounds certain herbs, which recovered him.
"When I found myself well," added he, "I returned thanks to
the peasant, and gave him all the diamonds I had. I then made
for the city of Harran ; but being informed by the way that some
neighbouring princes had gathered forces, and were on their
march against the sultan's subjects, I made myself known to the
villagers, and stirred them up to undertake his defence. I armed
a great number of young men, and heading them, happened to
arrive at the time when the two armies were engaged."

When he had done speaking, the sultan said: **Let us return
thanks to God for having preserved Codadad ; but it is requisite
that the traitors who would have destroyed him should perish."
*'Sir," answered the generous prince, "though they are wicked
and ungrateful, consider they are your own flesh and blood : they
are my brothers; I forgive their offence, and beg you to pardon
them." This generosity drew tears from the sultan, who caused
the people to be assembled, and declared Codadad his heir.
He then ordered the princes, who were prisoners, to be brought
out loaded with irons. Pirouze's son struck off their chains, and
embraced them all successively with as much sincerity and
affection as he had done in the black's castle. The people were
charmed with Codadad's generosity, and loaded him with
applause. The surgeon was next nobly rewarded in requital
of the services he had done the princess of Deryabar and the
court of Harran remained thereafter in perfect joy and felicity.