HATIM Tat 69 The messenger departed, and in the course of seven days arrived at the fairy court, and having received an audience, thus delivered his message: “Sire, your subjects, who guard the shores of the sea of Kulzum,* have there taken captive one of the human race, and I have been despatched hither to know your pleasure respecting him.” Mahpari ordered the man to be carefully conveyed to his presence, in order that he might himself examine him with regard to his journey tofairy-land, ‘The messenger immediately returned, and after an absence of two weeks arrived at his own residence, and stated that it was his majesty’s pleasure to have Hatim brought into his presence. On hearing this, the fairies without delay made preparations for conveying their prisoner to court. Meanwhile the report was rapidly spread through the country, that one of the human race was being brought-to the capital. One of his majesty’s grandees, by name Masnapari, had a beautiful daughter called Husnapari, whose heart was restless and full of curiosity. ‘This fairy damsel said to her companions: “I hear that a man has somehow entered our king’s dominions, and is now on his way to the capital ; I wish it were possible for me to see what he is like: they tell me that mankind are beautiful in countenance and graceful in form.” ‘The attendants of Husnapari expressed their readiness to aid her in gratifying her wish ; and at the same time observed to her, “Fair lady, you must take your station by the way side as this man passes, for after he is brought before the king it will be impossible to see him.”—«But,” said Husnapari, “how can I leave my father’s house, and on what pretence shall I get out ?” After some consideration, her youthful companions suggested that she should ask leave of her parents to be allowed to walk in the gardens for some days. Husnapari, delighted with this stratagem, went to her mother, and said, “My dear mother, give me your permission to go out and enjoy for some days the fragrance of the fields and the delights of the garden.”—« Receive your father’s permission, my child,” replied the mother, “and I am satisfied.” Inshort, Husnapari was indulged with her father’s leave, and attended by her fair and youthful companions, went to the garden, where she was allowed, as usual, to remain for forty days. On her way thither, she further consulted her friends as to the speediest means of seeing Hatim, the main object of her jour- ney. ‘They told her that those who guarded the sea of Kulzum were conducting the man from that quarter. On hearing this, Husnapari and her companions, instead of proceeding to the garden, swiftly transported themselves to the shores of Kulzum, where they arrived in the space of three days, just at the moment when the fairies were about todepart with Hatim. ‘Husnapari, observing the numerous assemblage on the sea-shore, halted with her train at some distance, and sent one of her attendants to inquire who they were. * According to Muntakhib-ul-Loghat, Kulzum is a name given to part of the Red Sea.