Document 239; Page 238

stood his friend and it came into the head of one of them to say Poor little dove let it go my lads for the love of our master who has not been seen these many a day. Then they let him go, but he overheard one of them say to another Our master’s uncle Danish Bait the King’s vizir of this city has been enquiring after him and I told him that Melech Mahommed had not been seen since he set out for the place of the Peries. For the place of the Peries said he, that cursed race can in a single moment turn a man into a beast. If he come look let me know and do not let him return to them.” When the dove heard this he thanked his stars and immediately flew to the house of Danish Bait. The Vizir was sitting on his seat of dignity surrounded by mew of business and engaged in the discussion of some important matters. The dove flew round the chamber and perched on the lap of his uncle. Danish Bait thought a mere bird would not have been so familiar with him and immediately conjectured this to be his nephew metamorphosed by the Perizadis in the shape of a dove. He called Cafoor an eunuch of the Seraglia to bring him a box of medicine and having inserted

[a]