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him to the Prince’s Chamber, who was leaning upon a Sopha, with his Head upon a Cuſhion. As ſoon as the Prince ſaw him, he roſe up to receive him, ſaid he was welcome, and entreated him to ſit down; ask’d him if he could ſerve him in any thing, or if he came to tell him anything concerning himſelt. Prince, anſwers the Jeweler, though I have not the Honour to be particularly acquainted with you, yet the Deſire of teſtitying my Zeal, has made me take the Liberty to come to your Houſe, to impart to you ſome News that concerns you. I hope you will pardon my Boldneſs, becauſe of my good Intention.
After this Introduction, the Jeweller enter’d upon the Matter, and purſu’d it thus: Prince, I ſhall have the Honour to tell you, that it’s a long time, ſince the Conſormity of Humour, and ſeveral Afſairs we had together, united Ebn Thaher, and me in ſtrict Friendſhip, I know you are acquainted with him, and that he has been employed in obliging you in all that he could, I am inform’d of this from himſelf, for he keeps nothing ſecret from me, nor I from him. I went juſt now to his Shop, and was ſurprized to find it ſhut, I addreſs’d my ſelf to one of his Neighbours to ask the Reaſon; he anſwer’d me, that two Days ago Ebn Thaher took his Leave of him, and other Neighbours, offering them bis Service at Balſora, whither he is gone, ſaid he, about an Affair of great Importance. Not being ſatisfied with this Anſwer, the Concern that I have for whatever belongs to him, determined me to come and ask, if you knew any thing particularly concerning this his ſudden Departure.
At this Diſcourſe, which the Jeweler accommodated, to the Subject, that he might come the better to his Deſign, the Prince of Perſia changed Colour, and look’d ſo, as made the Jeweller ſenſible that he was afflicted with the News. I am ſurpriz’d at what you inform me, ſays he, there could not a greater Misfortune befal me: Ah! ſays he, with Tears in his Eyes, I am undone, if what you tell me be true! Has Ebn Thaher, who was all my Comfort, in whom I put all my Confidence, left me! I cannot think of living after ſo cruel a Blow.
The
