Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/49

 The King, my father, his memory be blessed, left me the rule of such a great kingdom, and among the many admonitions he gave me before he passed away, said to me, "Daughter, because you will inherit the rule of the kingdom after my death, I will be certain that many princes and great lords will with all means attempt to acquire it by marrying you. But because kingdoms usually grow and are preserved not just with prudence, but also with strength, I command you that you should not accept someone as your husband, if he is unable to divine one of two things, which I will now mention to you. But if you find someone who can elucidate one of these to you, you must take him as your husband."

Whereas I judged that the three young men, who are brothers, by their noble bearing must be the sons of a great prince, one of you should oblige them under oath reveal their lineage. Since I am inclined to believe that they are of noble origin, the one of them who can elucidate one of two things my father, the King, told me, I will try to take as my husband." I believe that this will happen, for it seems to me that they are endowed with much prudence and great intelligence. And therefore, if one of them will remain together with me as the head of my kingdom, we will not have to be afraid that at some time or another the Hand will bring harm to our people.