The Story of the GULNARE of the Sea (12)

The Story of the GULNARE of the Sea (12)

  " But had not thy heart loved me, and hadst thou not preferred me above all thy wives, I had not remained with thee one hour ; for I should have cast myself into the sea from this window, and gone to my mother and my people.
  I was ashamed, however, to go to them ; for they would imagine evil of me, and would not believe me, even though I should swear to them, were I to tell them that a King had purchased me with his money, and chosen me in preference to his other wives and all that his right hand possessed.
  This is my story, and peace be on thee  ! "

  And when he heard her words, he thanked her, and kissed hr between the eyes, and said to her : " By Allah, O my mistress, and light of my eyes, I cannot endure separation from thee for one hour ; and if thou quit me, I shall die instantly. How then shall the affair be ? "

  She answered : " O my master, the time of the birth is near, and my family must come. "
 
  " And how, " said the King, " do they walk in the sea without being wetted ? "

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