صفحة 489 من 626

Some time after, three grand embassies came to the old king's

court, with rich gifts of gold and precious stones for his

youngest son; now all these were sent from the three kings to

whom he had lent his sword and loaf of bread, in order to rid

them of their enemy and feed their people. This touched the old

king's heart, and he thought his son might still be guiltless,

and said to his court, 'O that my son were still alive! how it

grieves me that I had him killed!' 'He is still alive,' said the

huntsman; 'and I am glad that I had pity on him, but let him go

in peace, and brought home his royal coat.' At this the king was

overwhelmed with joy, and made it known throughout all his

kingdom, that if his son would come back to his court he would

forgive him.