The wife and the man
who had espoused her also came to the King to make complaint. When they
arrived the wife went alone that night to the palace. The prince sent for
the four _tolba_ to pass the night with him until morning. During the;
night he spied upon them to see who they were. One of them said to the
others, "Since sleep comes not upon us, let each one make known who he is."
One said: "My father was a king. He had much money and four sons whose
names were like yours."
Another said: "My father was a king. My case is like yours."
Another said: "My father was a king. My case is like yours."
The fourth said in his turn: "My father, too, was a king. My case is like
that of your three. You are my brothers."
Their mother overheard them and took to weeping until day.
They took her to the prince, who said, "Why do you weep?"
She answered: "I was formerly the wife of a king and we had four sons. We
set sail, he, our children, and I. The ship which bore us was wrecked. Each
one was borne away alone, until yesterday when they spoke before me during
the night and showed me what had happened to them, to their father, and to
their mother.
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