There was once a king's son who had a bride whom he loved very much.
And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his
father lay sick unto death, and desired to see him once again before
his end. Then he said to his beloved, I must now go and leave you, I
give you a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am king, I will
return and fetch you.
So he rode away, and when he reached his father, the latter was
dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to him, dear son, I
wished to see you once again before my end, promise me to marry as I
wish, and he named a certain king's daughter who was to be his wife.
The son was in such trouble that he did not think what he was doing,
and said, yes, dear father, your will shall be done, and thereupon
the king shut his eyes, and died.
When therefore the son had been proclaimed king, and the time of
mourning was over, he was forced to keep the promise which he had
given his father, and caused the king's daughter to be asked in
marriage, and she was promised to him. His first betrothed heard of
this, and fretted so much about his faithlessness that she nearly
died. Then her father said to her, dearest child, why are you so
sad. You shall have whatsoever you will. She thought for a moment
and said, dear father, I wish for eleven girls exactly like myself in