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Tales of the Peries

The History of Azar Shah from the Persie

There is a story which every class of authors are fond of relating, whether they be learned historians or skillful astrologers, whether they record the deeds of ancient times, or collect the grape clusters in the harvest of language, whether they adorn the wonders of reality or display the beauties of fiction.

In the time of the celebrated Sheik Sunian the Emperor Azar Shah reigned in abez, a city in the Western region of the World. Azur[msp] Shah had long been anxious for an heir, but his queen Lullulla[msp] brought him no children. On a day he convened all the Astrologers of the city, and ordered them to examine the tablets of his destiny to see if there was any hope of having a son the astrologers asked a delay, to make their observations and comply with the demands of the Emperor.

When they had finished their observations, they announced the report of the stars, that the Emperor was to have no child unless by Semen Ruh Daughter of the King of the East. In elegance of form this lady surpassed all comparison, the splendour of the full Moon grew dim before her countenance and the sun was darkened by the rays of her beauty