How seemly is thy semblance!  Now may Allah curse her whose inward contrarieth her outward, after the likeness of thy base favour, whose exterior is handsome and its interior fulsome, face fair and deeds foul!  Verily, I mean to make of thee and of yonder ne’er-do-well an example among the lieges, for that thou sentest not thine Eunuch but of intent on his account, so that he took him and brought him into my palace and thou hast trampled[FN#245] my head with him; and this is none other than exceeding boldness; but thou shalt see what I will do with you all.”  So saying, he spat in her face and went out from her; whilst Shah Khatun said nothing, well knowing that, an she spoke at that time, he would not credit her speech.  Then she humbled herself in supplication to Allah Almighty and said, “O God the Great, Thou knowest the things by secrecy ensealed and their outwards revealed and their inwards concealed!  If an advanced life-term be appointed to me, let it not be deferred, and if a deferred one, let it not be advanced!” On this wise she passed some days, whilst the king fell into bewilderment and forsware meat and drink and sleep, and abode knowing not what he should do and saying to himself, “An I slay the Eunuch and the youth, my soul will not be solaced, for they are not to blame, seeing that she sent to fetch him, and my heart careth not to kill them all three.  But I will not be hasty in doing them die, for that I fear repentance.”  Then he left them, so he might look into the affair.  Now he had a nurse, a foster-mother, on whose knees he had been reared, and she was a woman of understanding and suspected him, yet dared not question him.  So she went in to Shah Khatun and finding her in yet sadder plight than he, asked her what was to do; but she refused to answer.  However, the nurse gave not over coaxing and questioning her, till she swore her to concealment.  Accordingly, the old woman made oath that she would keep secret all that she should say to her, whereupon the Queen to her related her history, first and last, and told her that the youth was her son.  With this the old woman prostrated herself before her and said to her, “This is a right easy matter.”  But the Queen replied, “By Allah, O my mother, I prefer my destruction and that of my son to defending myself by a plea which they will not believe; for they will say, ’She pleadeth this only that she may fend off shame from herself.’  And naught will profit me save long-suffering.”  The old woman was moved by her speech and her wisdom and said to her, “Indeed, O my daughter, ’tis as thou sayest, and I hope in Allah that He will show forth the truth.  Have patience and I will presently go in to the king and hear his words and machinate somewhat in this matter, Inshallah!” Thereupon the ancient dame arose and going in to the king, found him with his head between his knees in sore pain of sorrow.  She sat down by him awhile and bespake him with soft words and said to him,[FN#246] “Indeed,