"If that is the case," said my husband, "to-morrow morning, before sunrise, the grand vizier Giafar shall be informed of this insolence, and cause all the camel drivers to be put to death."
"Pray, sir," said I, "let me beg of you to pardon them, for they are not guilty."
"How, madam," he demanded, "what, then, am I to believe? Speak; for I am resolved to know the truth from your own mouth."
"Sir," I replied, "I 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."