The fortieth day appeared:  and in the morning, when the young man awoke, he said to me with a transport of joy that he could not restrain, “Prince, this is the fortieth day, and I am not dead, thanks to God and your good company.  My father will not fail to make you, very shortly, every acknowledgment of his gratitude for your attentions, and will furnish you with every necessary accommodation for your return to your kingdom:  but,” continued he, “while we are waiting his arrival, I beg you will provide me some warm water in that portable bath, that I may wash my body and change my dress, to receive my father with the more respect.”

I set the water on the fire, and when it was hot poured it into the moveable bath; the youth went in, and I both washed and rubbed him.  At last he came out, and laid himself down in his bed that I had prepared.  After he had slept a while, he awoke, and said, “Dear prince, pray do me the favour to fetch me a melon and some sugar, that I may eat some to refresh me.”

Out of several melons that remained I took the best, and laid it on a plate; and as I could not find a knife to cut it with, I asked the young man if he knew where there was one.  “There is one,” said he, “upon this cornice over my head:”  I accordingly saw it there, and made so much haste to reach it, that, while I had it in my hand, my foot being entangled in the carpet, I fell most unhappily upon the young man, and the knife pierced his heart.

At this spectacle I cried out with agony.  I beat my head, my face, and breast; I tore my clothes; I threw myself on the ground with unspeakable sorrow and grief!  “Alas!” I exclaimed, “there were only some hours wanting to have put him out of that danger from which he sought sanctuary here; and when I thought the danger past, then I became his murderer, and verified the prediction.  But, O Lord!” said I, lifting up my face and my hands to heaven, “I intreat thy pardon, and if I be guilty of his death, let me not live any longer.”

After this misfortune I would have embraced death without any reluctance, had it presented itself to me.  But what we wish, whether it be good or evil, will not always happen according to our desire.  Nevertheless, considering that all my tears and sorrows would not restore the young man to life, and, the forty days being expired, I might be surprised by his father, I quitted the subterranean dwelling, laid down the great stone upon the entrance, and covered it with earth.

I had scarcely done, when, casting my eyes upon the sea towards the main land, I perceived the vessel coming to fetch away the young man.  I began then to consider what I had best do.  I said to myself, “If I am seen by the old man, he will certainly seize me, and perhaps cause me to be massacred by his slaves, when he has discovered that his son is killed:  all that I can allege to justify myself will not convince him of my innocence.  It is better then to withdraw while it is in my power, than to expose myself to his resentment.”