The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman 1

Some twenty days' sail from the coast of Persia lies the isle ¹ of the children of Khaledan. The island is divided into several provinces, in each of which are large flourishing towns, and the whole forms an important kingdom. It was governed in former days by a king named Schahzaman, who, with good right, considered himself one of the most peaceful, prosperous, and fortunate monarchs ² on the earth. In fact, he had but one grievance³（不满 ，委屈）, which was that none of his four wives had given him an heir. , ,This distressed ⁴ him so greatly that one day he confided ⁵ his grief to the grand-vizir, who, being a wise counsellor, said: "Such matters are indeed beyond human aid. Allah alone can grant your desire, and I should advise you, sire, to send large gifts to those holy men who spend their lives in prayer, and to beg for their intercessions（调解
，仲裁）. Who knows whether their petitions may not be answered!" , ,The king took his vizir's advice, and the result of so many prayers for an heir to the throne was that a son was born to him the following year. , , ,Prince Camaralzaman was brought up with extreme care by an excellent governor and all the cleverest teachers, and he did such credit to them that when he was grown up, a more charming and accomplished ⁸ young man was not to be found. Whilst he was still a youth the king, his father, who loved him dearly, had some thoughts of abdicating⁹（退位，放弃） in his favour. As usual he talked over his plans with his grand-vizir, who, though he did not approve the idea, would not state all his objections. , ,"Sire," he replied, "the prince is still very young for the cares of state. Your Majesty ¹⁰ fears his growing idle and careless, and doubtless you are right. But how would it be if he were first to marry? This would attach him to his home, and your Majesty might give him a share in your counsels, so that he might gradually learn how to wear a crown, which you can give up to him whenever you find him capable of wearing it." , ,The boat left for the paradise isle of Bali.小船驶向天堂一般的巴厘岛 。,Monarchs ruled England for centuries. 世袭君主统治英格兰有许多世纪
。