year, that nothing might grow thereon. So the queen died. Now the
king sent an attendant every morning to see if anything were growing
upon the grave. And at the end of the seventh year the master
neglected that which he had promised to the queen.

One day the king went to hunt, and he rode to the place of burial to
see the grave, and to know if it were time that he should take a
wife; and the king saw the briar. And when he saw it, the king took
counsel where he should find a wife. Said one of his counsellors, "I
know a wife that will suit thee well, and she is the wife of King
Doged." And they resolved to go to seek her; and they slew the king,
and brought away his wife and one daughter that she had along with
her. And they conquered the king's lands.

On a certain day, as the lady walked abroad, she came to the house of
an old crone that dwelt in the town, and that had no tooth in her
head. And the queen said to her, "Old woman, tell me that which I
shall ask thee, for the love of Heaven. Where are the children of
the man who has carried me away by violence?" Said the crone, "He
has not children." Said the queen, "Woe is me, that I should have
come to one who is childless!" Then said the hag, "Thou needest not
lament on account of that, for there is a prediction he shall have an
heir by thee, and by none other. Moreover, be not sorrowful, for he
has one son."

The lady returned home with joy; and she asked her consort,
"Wherefore hast thou concealed thy children from me?" The king said,
"I will do so no longer." And he sent messengers for his son, and he
was brought to the Court. His stepmother said unto him, "It were
well for thee to have a wife, and I have a daughter who is sought of