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who had made a sudden irruption from his den。 All agreed that no
mere ordinary mortal could have wrought such wonders； or unhorsed such
accomplished and stalwart Christian warriors。
The owl flew forth at night and hovered about the dusky city；
perching on the roofs and chimneys。 He then wheeled his flight up to
the royal palace； which stood on a rocky summit of Toledo； and went
prowling about its terraces and battlements； eavesdropping at every
cranny； and glaring in with his big goggling eyes at every window
where there was a light； so as to throw two or three maids of honor
into fits。 It was not until the gray dawn began to peer above the
mountains that he returned from his mousing expedition； and related to
the prince what he had seen。
〃As I was prying about one of the loftiest towers of the palace；〃
said he； 〃I beheld through a casement a beautiful princess。 She was
reclining on a couch with attendants and physicians around her； but
she would none of their ministry and relief When they retired I beheld
her draw forth a letter from her bosom； and read and kiss it； and give
way to loud lamentations； at which； philosopher as I am； I could but
be greatly moved。〃
The tender heart of Ahmed was distressed at these tidings。 〃Too true
were thy words； O sage Eben Bonabben；〃 cried he； 〃care and sorrow
and sleepless nights are the lot of lovers。 Allah preserve the
princess from the blighting influence of this thing called love！〃
Further intelligence from Toledo corroborated the report of the owl。
The city was a prey to uneasiness and alarm。 The princess was conveyed
to the highest tower of the palace； every avenue to which was strongly
guarded。 In the mean time a devouring melancholy had seized upon
her； of which no one could divine the cause… she refused food and
turned a deaf ear to every consolation。 The most skilful physicians
had essayed their art in vain； it was thought some magic spell had
been practised upon her； and the king made proclamation； declaring
that whoever should effect her cure should receive the richest jewel
in the royal treasury。
When the owl； who was dozing in a corner； heard of this
proclamation； he rolled his large eyes and looked more mysterious than
ever。
〃Allah Akbar！〃 exclaimed he； 〃happy the man that shall effect that
cure； should he but know what to choose from the royal treasury。〃
〃What mean you； most reverend owl？〃 said Ahmed。
〃Hearken； O prince； to what I shall relate。 We owls； you must
know； are a learned body； and much given to dark and dusty research。
During my late prowling at night about the domes and turrets of
Toledo； I discovered a college of antiquarian owls； who hold their
meetings in a great vaulted tower where the royal treasury is
deposited。 Here they were discussing the forms and inscriptions and
designs of ancient gems and jewels； and of golden and silver
vessels； heaped up in the treasury； the fashion of every country and
age； but mostly they were interested about certain relics and
talismans that have remained in the treasury since the time of
Roderick the Goth。 Among these was a box of sandal…wood secured by
bands of steel of Oriental workmanship； and inscribed with mystic
characters known only to the learned few。 This box and its inscription
had occupied the college for several sessions； and had caused much
long and grave dispute。 At the time of my visit a very ancient owl；
who had recently arrived from Egypt； was seated on the lid of the
box lecturing upon the inscription； and he proved from it that the
coffer contained the silken carpet of the throne of Solomon the
wise； which doubtless had been brought to Toledo by the Jews who
took refuge there after the downfall of Jerusalem。〃
When the owl had concluded his antiquarian harangue the prince
remained for a time absorbed in thought。 〃I have heard；〃 said he；
〃from the sage Eben Bonabben； of the wonderful properties of that
talisman； which disappeared at the fall of Jerusalem； and was supposed
to be lost to mankind。 Doubtless it remains a sealed mystery to the
Christians of Toledo。 If I can get possession of that carpet； my
fortune is secure。〃
The next day the prince laid aside his rich attire； and arrayed
himself in the simple garb of an Arab of the desert。 He dyed his
complexion to a tawny hue； and no one could have recognized in him the
splendid warrior who had caused such admiration and dismay at the
tournament。 With staff in hand； and scrip by his side； and a small
pastoral reed； he repaired to Toledo； and presenting himself at the
gate of the royal palace； announced himself as a candidate for the
reward offered for the cure of the princess。 The guards would have
driven him away with blows。 〃What can a vagrant Arab like thyself
pretend to do；〃 said they； 〃in a case where the most learned of the
land have failed？〃 The king； however； overheard the tumult； and
ordered the Arab to be brought into his presence。
〃Most potent king；〃 said Ahmed； 〃You behold before you a Bedouin
Arab； the greater part of whose life has been passed in the
solitudes of the desert。 These solitudes； it is well known； are the
haunts of demons and evil spirits； who beset us poor shepherds in
our lonely watchings； enter into and possess our flocks and herds； and
sometimes render even the patient camel furious； against these our
counter…charm is music； and we have legendary airs handed down from
generation to generation； that we chant and pipe； to cast forth
these evil spirits。 I am of a gifted line； and possess this power in
its fullest force。 If it be any evil influence of the kind that
holds a spell over thy daughter； I pledge my head to free her from its
sway。〃
The king； who was a man of understanding and knew the wonderful
secrets possessed by the Arabs； was inspired with hope by the
confident language of the prince。 He conducted him immediately to
the lofty tower； secured by several doors； in the summit of which
was the chamber of the princess。 The windows opened upon a terrace
with balustrades； commanding a view over Toledo and all the
surrounding country。 The windows were darkened； for the princess lay
within； a prey to a devouring grief that refused all alleviation。
The prince seated himself on the terrace； and performed several wild
Arabian airs on his pastoral pipe； which he had learnt from his
attendants in the Generalife at Granada。 The princess continued
insensible； and the doctors who were present shook their heads； and
smiled with incredulity and contempt： at length the prince laid
aside the reed； and； to a simple melody； chanted the amatory verses of
the letter which had declared his passion。
The princess recognized the strain… a fluttering joy stole to her
heart； she raised her head and listened； tears rushed to her eyes
and streamed down her cheeks； her bosom rose and fell with a tumult of
emotions。 She would have asked for the minstrel to be brought into her
presence； but maiden coyness held her