I
seek one unknown but immaculate beauty, the original of this
picture; and I beseech thee, most potent raven, if it be within the
scope of thy knowledge or the reach of thy art, inform me where she
may be found."
The gray-headed raven was rebuked by the gravity of the prince.
"What know I," replied he, dryly, "of youth and beauty? my visits
are to the old and withered, not the fresh and fair: the harbinger
of fate am I; who croak bodings of death from the chimney top, and
flap my wings at the sick man's window. You must seek elsewhere for
tidings of your unknown beauty."
"And where can I seek if not among the sons of wisdom, versed in the
book of destiny? Know that I am a royal prince, fated by the stars,
and sent on a mysterious enterprise on which may hang the destiny of
empires."
When the raven heard that it was a matter of vast moment, in which
the stars took interest, he changed his tone and manner, and
listened with profound attention to the story of the prince. When it
was concluded, he replied, "Touching this princess, I can give thee no
information of myself, for my flight is not among gardens, or around
ladies' bowers; but hie thee to Cordova, seek the palm-tree of the
great Abderahman, which stands in the court of the principal mosque:
at the foot of it thou wilt find a great traveller who has visited all
countries and courts, and been a favorite with queens and
princesses.
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