was taken with a giddiness, and fell down, and that is the whole matter.”
At these words my husband lost all patience. “I have,” said he, “too long listened to your tales.” As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and in came three slaves. “Strike,” said he; “cut her in two, and then throw her into the Tigris. This is the punishment I inflict on those to whom I have given my heart, when they falsify their promise.”
I had recourse to entreaties and prayers; but I supplicated in vain, when the old woman, who had been his nurse, coming in just at that moment, fell down upon her knees, and endeavored to appease his wrath. “My son,” said she, “since I have been your nurse, and brought you up, let me beg you to consider, ‘he who kills shall be killed,’ and that you will stain your reputation and forfeit the esteem of mankind.” She spoke these words in such an affecting manner, accompanied with tears, that she prevailed upon him at last to abandon his purpose.
“Well, then,” said he to his nurse, “for your sake I will spare her life; but she shall bear about her person some marks to make her remember her offense.” When he had thus spoken, one of the slaves, by his order, gave me upon my sides and breast so many blows with a little cane, that he threw me into a swoon. In this state my husband caused the same slaves, the executioners of his will, to carry me back
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