18 The people therefore said
Without doubt Joseph and Mary,
and that boy are Gods, for they do
not look like mortals.
19 And when they were making
ready to go away, the girl, who
had been troubled with the leprosy,
came and desired they would
permit her to go along with them;
so they consented and the girl went
with them till they came to a city
in which was the palace of a great
king, and whose house was not far
from the inn.
20 Here they staid, and when
the girl went one day to the
prince's wife, and found her in a
sorrowful and mournful condition,
she asked her the reason of her
tears.
21 She replied, wonder not at
my groans, for I am under a great
misfortune, of which I dare not
tell any one.
22 But, says the, girl, if you
will entrust me with your private
grievance, perhaps I may find you
a remedy for it.
23 Thou, therefore, says the
prince's wife, shall keep the
secret, and not discover it to
any one alive.
24 I have been married to this
prince, who rules as king over
large dominions, and lived long
with him before he had any child
by me.
25 At length I conceived by
him, but alas! I brought forth a
leprous son; which, when he saw
him would not own to be his, but
said to me,
26 Either do thou kill him, or
send him to some nurse in such a
place, that he may be never heard
of; and now take care of yourself;
I will never see you more.
27 So here I pine, lamenting
my wretched and miserable
circumstances. Alas, my son! alas,
my husband; Have I disclosed it
to you?