The end of the Six Hundred and Eightieth Night.
Then said she:——I have heard, O auspicious King, that the Speaking-Bird replied, “O Princess, trouble not thyself, the thing is easy. Sprinkle some of the Golden-Water from the flagon upon the black stones lying round about, and by virtue thereof each and every shall come to life again, thy two brothers as well as the others.” So Princess Perizadah’s heart was set at rest and taking the three prizes with her she fared forth and scattered a few drops from the silver flagon upon each black stone as she passed it when, lo and behold! they came to life as men and horses. Amongst them were her brothers whom she at once knew and falling on their necks she embraced them, and asked in tones of surprise, “O my brothers, what do ye here?” To this they answered, “We lay fast asleep.” Quoth she, “Strange indeed that ye take delight in slumber away from me and ye forget the purpose wherefor ye left me; to wit, the winning of the Speaking-Bird and the Singing-Tree and the Golden-Water. Did ye not see this place all bestrown with dark hued rocks? Look now and say if there be aught left of them. These men and horses now standing around us were all black stones as ye yourselves also were; but, by the boon of Almighty Allah, all have come to life again and await the signal to depart. And if now ye wish to learn by what strange miracle both ye and they have recovered human shape, know ye that it hath been wrought by virtue of a water contained in this flagon which I sprinkled on the rocks with leave of the Lord of all Living. When I had gained possession of this cage and its Speaking-Bird, and also of the Singing-Tree, a wand whereof ye see in my hand, and lastly of the Golden-Water, I would not take them home with me unless ye twain could also bear me company; so I asked of this Bird the means whereby ye could be brought to life again. He made me drop some drops of the Golden-Water on the boulders and when I had done this ye two like all the others returned to life and to your proper forms.” Hearing these her words the Princes Bahman and Parwez thanked and praised their sister Perizadah; and all the others she had saved showered thanks and blessings on her head saying with one accord, “O our lady, we are now thy slaves; nor can a life-long service repay the debt of gratitude we owe thee for this favour thou hast shown us. Command and we are ready to obey thee with our hearts and our souls.” Quoth Perizadah, “The bringing back to life of these my brothers were my aim and purpose, and in so doing ye too have profited thereby; and I accept your acknowledgments as another pleasure. But now do ye mount each and every man his horse and ride back by the way ye came to your homes in Allah’s peace.” On this wise the Princess dismissed them and made herself also ready to depart; but, as she was about to bestride her steed, Prince Bahman asked permission of her that he might hold in hand the cage and ride in front of her. She answered, “Not so, O brother mine; this Bird is now my slave and I will carry him myself. An thou wilt, take thou this twig with thee, but hold the cage only till I am seated in saddle.” She then mounted her hackney and, placing the cage before her on the pommel, bade her brother Parwez take charge of the Golden-Water in the silver flagon and carry it with all care and the Prince did her bidding without gainsaying. And when they all were ready to ride forth, including the knights and the squires whom Perizadah had brought to life by sprinkling the Water the Princess turned to them and said, “Why delay we our departure and how is it that none offereth to lead us?” But as all hesitated she gave command, “Now let him amongst your number whose noblesse and high degree entitle him to such distinction fare before us and show us the way.” Then all with one accord replied, “O Princess of fair ones, there be none amongst us worthy of such honour, nor may any wight dare to ride before thee.” So when she saw that none amongst them claimed pre-eminence or right of guidance, and none desired to take precedence of the rest, she made excuse and said, “O my lords, ’tis not for me by right to lead the way, but since ye order I must needs obey.” Accordingly she pushed on to the front, and after came her brothers and behind them the rest.