Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/103

 "Well, because, you command me," the guilty and malicious woman told him, "you should know Sire, that faith in anybody in this world is no longer possible. I will tell you momentarily about a grave misdeed, but God knows that I had resolved to forever remain silent about it out of respect for your honor and mine. But after you have ordered me to reveal my great misfortune to you, you should know that for several days I have been gravely molested by your perfidious and disloyal son. I had to consent to his dishonest desires and many times I had to fiercely fight with him. And yesterday when I entered the garden alone to comfort myself, I was attacked by the wicked young man who was hiding there behind a bush and God knows how difficult it was to escape from his hands. So, you should not be surprised that I am living a miserable and sorrowful life in constant anguish and bitter tears well up in me.”

Now, the Sultan had ascertained himself of the accusation by his counselor against the innocent young man through the words spoken by his malicious wife. He consoled her with many words and promised her that she would not be molested any more by his son for whatever reason.

And after he left her, he called for his counselor and ordered him that early the following morning his son should be beheaded.