Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/178

154 We will heal the sweet princess. Now let us see Her Imperial Highness, if it please your Majesty; otherwise of course we cannot cure her."

"Let the princess be brought before us at once,&quot; cried the Emperor.

After a few minutes had passed, she was brought before her father and the Rabbis. She was deadly pale and seemed to be terribly frightened. Her eyes were staring at the two strangers. Then she stretched out her hands towards Rabbi Simeon and in an excited voice cried aloud: &quot;Happy am I to see thee at last, O my beloved! Of thee did I dream last night. Come quickly and save me, for I am nigh unto death's door.&quot;

"Hush! my beloved child,&quot; said the distressed Emperor with deep emotion. "Come to me and take my hand.&quot;

&quot;Go away, I know thee not, O stranger!&quot;

"I am thy father.&quot;

&quot;I say I know thee not. Never have I seen thee before.&quot;

&quot;Speak not thus, dearest child.&quot;

&quot;I want to go to my beloved yonder. He is mine and I am his.&quot;

Rabbi Simeon gave the Emperor a knowing wink and went close to the princess. He laid his hand very gently on her arm and whispered in her ear the magic name &quot;Ben Temalion.&quot; The spell was broken. She was once again the smiling princess.