Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/149

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
THE PRINCESS AND BEGGAR
125

"Is it true that thou art married?"

"Of course, dearest father."

"Who is thy husband?

"A noble Jew. God sent him to me. He is the most handsome man in the kingdom. I fell in love with him at first sight. I asked him to have me for his wife. He agreed most kindly and I am glad he was good enough to fulfill my wish. I hope, father dear, that thou art come to bless our darling baby, my husband and me. My husband is a great scholar. He knows the Holy Law by heart. He is a noble and good man."

"I can see, my child, that thou dost love him."

"That indeed I do."

"Call him and let us see one another."

The princess went to fetch him. When he saw the King, he fell on his face to the ground and cried:

"Long live King Solomon!"

"I understand from my daughter here that thou art her husband."

"Even as thou sayest, O lord King."

"Hast thou a marriage contract?"

"Here it is."

"Tell me all about thy family and thy history."

When he had told the King all that he desired to know, Solomon embraced him and blessed him. He saw that this poor youth was the very man destined to be his daughter's husband. After all, marriages are made in Heaven. Solomon rejoiced when he