No. 33.—The Jealous Husband
There was a merchant, great and wealthy, and he had a beautiful wife; he did not let her go out. And he went in a ship on the Danube after merchandise with another merchant. And they were coming home. They hauled their ships to the bank, and moored them to the bank, to pass the night. They fell into discourse. Said one, ‘Has your wife got a lover at home?’
And he said, ‘My wife has not got a lover.’
‘Come, what will you give me if I become her lover?’
‘If you do, I will give you my estate, and my merchandise too, ship and all.’
‘How will you know that I am her lover?’
‘If you tell me her birth-mark, and if you take the gold ring from her finger. But my wife will be like to thrash you, if you but hint such a thing to her. I left a maid with her, to see that my wife does not go out of doors.’
‘I shall succeed, though.’
‘Go home and try; I’ll bring your ship.’
Home he went. What will he do? for he cannot come near her. He found an old wife. ‘Old wife, what am I to do to get the ring from the lady?’