The Tale of the Doomed Prince Translation & Conclusion By Marianne Luban [Copyright, June 2006] Once upon a time there was a certain king to whom there was born no heir. He importuned the gods for the son he lacked and they ordained one to be born to him. He lay with his wife in the night and, lo, she became pregnant. When the months of being with child had passed, a son and heir was born. Then came the Seven Hathors to foretell his future. They said, “He shall die by the crocodile, the snake, or the dog.” The people near the child heard this and reported it to His Majesty, l.p.h.. Thereupon His Majesty became very heavy in his heart. His Majesty ordered to be built a house of stone in the desert, furnished with people and all sorts of fine things from the palace. The royal child was never to venture outside of it. After awhile, the prince grew older. He went up to the roof of the house and spied a greyhound that was going behind an adult walking upon a way. He said to his servant, who was with him, “What is that following after the grownup on the road?” It was told to him, “That’s a hound.” Then the prince said, “Let one be brought to me just like it.” The servant went to repeat this to His Majesty. His Majesty said, “Procure a small one for him so that he won’t become rebellious in his heart.” Therefore a hound was procured for him. When a considerable time had passed, the child reached an age where his body was grown. He sent to his father, saying, “What is the purpose of my staying here? I am bound by my fate, so let me do as my heart desires. God will deal with me as he pleases, anyway.” So he was released. A chariot equipped with weapons was given to him and a groom to run behind it. One ferried him to the east bank of the river. Someone said to him, “What's this your wandering wherever you please?” That was his hound that was with him! He was taken by water, according to his pleasure, to the wasteland. There he lived off the game of the desert and completed a journey to the lord of the country of Naharin. There were no children of the lord of Naharin except one daughter, now a woman. A house had been built for her, it being seventy cubits up from the road. It was permitted that all the sons of all the princes of the Levant be brought there. It was said to them, “If one of you can reach the top of the tower of my daughter, she shall be his wife.” Click here for next page |
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