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 commit so base an action.' In short, we spent thirty-nine days in the pleasantest manner that could be in a place like that underground.

The fortieth day appeared; and in the morning, when the young man awoke, he said to me, with a joy that he could not restrain, 'Prince, this is the fortieth day, and I am not dead, thanks to God and your good company. My father will not fail to be here anon, and shall furnish you with all that is necessary for your return to your kingdom. But in the meantime,' said he, 'I beg you to get ready some water very warm that I may wash my whole body in that portable bath, and change my clothes to receive my father.'

I set the water on the fire, and when it was hot, put it into the bath; the youth got in, and I myself washed and rubbed him. Then he laid himself down in his bed, and I covered him with his bedclothes. After he had slept awhile, he awoke, and said, 'Dear Prince, pray do me the favour to fetch me a melon and some sugar, that I may eat some, and be refreshed.'

Out of several melons that remained I took the best, and laid it on a plate; and because I could not find a knife to cut it with, I asked the young man if he knew where there was one. 'There is one,' said he, 'upon this cornice over my head.' I made so much haste to reach it, that while I had it in my hand, my foot became entangled in the bedclothes, and I fell most unhappily upon the young man, and the knife ran into his heart in a minute.

At this I cried out most hideously; I beat my head, my face and breast; I tore my clothes; I threw myself on the ground with unspeakable sorrow and grief. 'Alas!' I cried, 'there were only some hours wanting to have put him out of that danger from which he sought sanctuary here; and now that I myself thought the danger past, I have become his murderer, and verified the prediction. But, Lord!' said I, lifting up my face and hands to heaven, 'I entreat thy pardon, and if I be guilty of his death, let me not live any longer.'

After this misfortune, I would have embraced death without any reluctance. But what we wish for ourselves, whether good or bad, will not always happen. Nevertheless, considering that