So she rose forthright and going to a chestarrayed herself in what was richest and dearest to her of her trinkets of gold and jewels of price. Then he carried her up to the roof of the palace and mounting the horsetook her up behind him and bound her fast to himself；after which he turned the peg of ascent，and the horse rose with him into the air. When her women saw thisthey shrieked aloud and told her father and motherwho rushed up to the roof of the palace and looking upsaw the ebony horse flying away with the prince and princess. At this the King was sore troubled and cried outsaying'O King's sonI conjure theeby Allahhave compassion on me and my wife and bereave us not of our daughter！'The prince made him no replybutthinking that the princess repented of leaving her father and mothersaid to her'O ravishment of the age，wilt thou that I restore thee to thy father and mother？'By AllahO my lordthat is not my desire，'answered she；'my only wish is to be with thee wherever thou art；for I am distracted by the love of thee from all elseeven to my father and mother.'At this the prince rejoiced greatly and made the horse fare softly with themso as not to disquiet the princess；nor did they stay their flight till they came in sight of a green meadowin which was a spring of running water. Here they alighted and ate and drank；after which they took horse again and fared ontill they came in sight of his father's capital. At thisthe prince was filled with joy and bethought himself to show her the seat of his dominion and his father's power and dignity and give her to know that it was greater than that of her father. So he set her down in one of his father's pleasance-gardens [without the city] and carrying her into a pavilion thereprepared for the Kingleft the horse at the door and charged her keep watch over itsaying，'Sit heretill my messenger come to thee；for I go now to my fatherto make ready a palace for thee and show thee my royal estate.'Do as thou wilt，'answered shefor she was glad that she should not enter but with due honour and observanceas became her rank.
Then he left her and betook himself to the palace of the King his fatherwho rejoiced in his return and welcomed him；and the prince said to him'Know that I have brought with me the princess of whom I told thee and have left her without the city in such a garden and come to tell theethat thou mayest make ready and go forth to meet her in state and show her thy royal dignity and troops and guards.'With all my heart，'answered the King and straightway bade decorate the city after the goodliest fashion. Then he took horse and rode out in all state and splendourhe and his troops and household and grandees；whilst the prince made ready for her a litter of green and red and yellow brocadein which he set Indian and Greek and Abyssinian slave-girls. Moreoverhe took forth of his treasuries jewellery and apparel and what else of the things that kings treasure up and made a rare display of wealth and magnificence. Then he left the litter and those who were therein and rode forward to the pavilionwhere he had left the princess；but found both her and the horse gone. When he saw thishe buffeted his face and rent his clothes and went round about the gardenas he had lost his wits；after which he came to his senses and said to himself'How could she have come at the secret of the horseseeing I told her nothing of it？ Maybe the Persian sage who made the horse has chanced upon her and stolen her awayin revenge for my father's treatment of him.'
Then he sought the keepers of the garden and asked them if they had seen any enter the garden.
Quoth they'We have seen none enter but the Persian sagewho came to gather simples.'So the prince was certified that it was indeed he that had taken away the princess and abode confounded and perplexed concerning his case. And he was abashed before the folk and returning to his father[told him what had happened and] said to him'Take the troops and return to the city. As for meI will never return till I have cleared up this affair.'When the King heard thishe wept and beat his breast and said to him'O my soncalm thyself and master thy chagrin and return with us and look what King's daughter thou wouldst fain havethat I may marry thee to her.'But the prince paid no heed to his words and bidding him farewell，departedwhilst the King returned to the city and their joy was changed into mourning.
Nowas Fate would have itwhen the prince left the princess in the pavilion and betook himself to his father's palacefor the ordering of his affairthe Persian entered the garden to pluck simples and scenting the fragrance of musk and essences，that exhaled from the princess's person and perfumed the whole placefollowed it till he came to the pavilion and saw the horse，that he had made with his own handsstanding at the door. At this sighthis heart was filled with joy and gladnessfor he had mourned sore for itsince it had gone out of his hand. So he went up to it and examining its every partfound it safe and sound；whereupon he was about to mount and ride awaywhen he bethought himself and said'Needs must I first look what the prince hath brought and left here with the horse.'So he entered the pavilion and seeing the princess sitting thereas she were the sun shining in the cloudless skyknew her to be some high-born lady and doubted not but the prince had brought her thither on the horse and left her in the pavilionwhilst he went to the cityto make ready for her entry in state.
