More than one, besides, with his mouth watering to look at them, would say sorrowfully: “Must it be that such sweet maids as these should dedicate themselves to God, who has eleven thousand or more in his Paradise already.”
“But none so fair,” answered an old wheezing merchant behind them, who was drinking in the fragrance of their dresses.
And going off on his way, if the old man saw any young fellow loafing by the roadside, or lying on his belly in the grass to warm his back in the sun, he would give him a kick in the ribs, saying: “Well now, dost thou care nothing to see the finest flowers of beauty that were ever blowing?”
II. How a prince of Araby was taken with love for the youngest sister, and what came of it.
Not a few young men tried to win them in marriage, but failing in this endeavour, turned moody and pined visibly away.
Among them was a certain prince of Araby, who had himself baptized with great ceremony. And this for the sake of the youngest sister solely.
But, failing to attain his end, either by pleading or by force, set himself one morning before her door, and there let himself fall on his sword.
The maid, hearing this fair lord cry out, came down in haste and had him carried in and laid on her own bed; whereat (for he was not quite dead) he found great solace.
And when she bent over him to bathe and dress his wound, he roused what force he had left in him, kissed her on her red mouth, sighed like a man delivered from torment, and so gave up his soul happily.