At last the fair slave thus addressed herself to the king:  “Sire, I have so many things to say to your majesty, that, having once broken silence, I know not where to begin.  However, in the first place, I think myself bound to thank you for all the favours and honours you have been pleased to confer upon me, and to implore heaven to bless and prosper you, to prevent the wicked designs of your enemies, and not suffer you to die after hearing me speak, but to grant you a long life.  After this, sire, I cannot give you greater satisfaction than by acquainting you that I am with child; and I wish, as you do, it may be a son.  Had it never been my fortune to be pregnant, I was resolved (I beg your majesty to pardon the sincerity of my intention) never to have loved you, and to have kept an eternal silence; but now I love you as I ought to do.”

The king of Persia, ravished to hear the fair slave not only speak, but tell him tidings in which he was so nearly concerned, embraced her tenderly.  “Staining light of my eyes,” said he, “it is impossible for me to receive greater delight than you have now given me:  you have spoken to me, and you have declared your being with child, which I did not expect.  After these two occasions of joy I am transported out of myself.”

The king of Persia, in the transport of his feelings, said no more to the fair slave.  He left her, but in such a manner as made her perceive his intention was speedily to return:  and being willing that the occasion of his joys should be made public, he declared it to his officers, and sent for the grand vizier.  As soon as he came, he ordered him to distribute a thousand pieces of gold among the holy men of his religion, who made vows of poverty; as also among the hospitals and the poor, by way of returning thanks to heaven:  and his will was obeyed by the direction of that minister.

After the king of Persia had given this order, he returned to the fair slave again.  “Madam,” said he, “pardon me for leaving you so abruptly, since you have been the occasion of it; but I hope you will indulge me with some conversation, since I am desirous to know of you several things of much greater consequence.  Tell me, my dearest soul, what were the powerful reasons that induced you to persist in that obstinate silence for a whole year together, though every day you saw me, heard me talk to you, ate and drank with me, and every night slept with me?  I shall pass by your not speaking; but how you could carry yourself so as that I could never discover whether you were sensible of what I said to you or no, I confess, surpasses my understanding; and I cannot yet comprehend how you could contain yourself so long; therefore I must conclude the occasion of it to be very extraordinary.”

“To satisfy the king of Persia’s curiosity,” replied the lady, “think whether or no to be a slave, far from my own country, without any hopes of ever seeing it again, to have a heart torn with grief, at being separated forever from my mother, my brother, my friends, and my acquaintance, are not these sufficient reasons for the silence your majesty has thought so strange and unaccountable?