Just then the Tsar's daughter, the fair Princess Miliheria, fell on
her knees before her father and said: "My gracious lord and father, do
not let Bova be hung, but allow me to speak; his death will not bring
either my brother or your army to life again. Rather grant him his
life, turn him to our faith, and make him the successor to your
throne. Then will he be a defence in war to your old age."
The Tsar answered: "My dear daughter, Miliheria, you comfort me with
your tender words and wise advice; I give Bova into your hands, and if
he embraces our faith he shall be my successor and your husband, and I
will resign to him all my cities and villages, my treasures of gold
and jewels."
The Tsar's daughter made her obeisance to her father, left the hall,
and ordered Bova to be brought before her. Then she endeavoured with
gentle speech to persuade him to adopt her faith; but Bova answered
that neither for the whole kingdom, nor all the treasures of gold and
jewels, would he consent to change his faith.
Then Miliheria commanded Bova to be led to prison, and the entrance to
be stopped up with sand, and that he should have no food nor drink for
five days. At the end of this time she put on a gold-embroidered
dress, adorned with jewels, and went to the prison. Then she ordered
the sand to be removed, and the door to be opened, and, going in, she
said to Bova: "Now, young fellow, have you considered the matter? Will
you change your faith, and live, and rule over my father's kingdom,
or have you not yet overcome your obstinacy and will rather end your
life on gallows?"
"Never, as long as I live, will I deny my faith," answered Bova, "nor
abandon it for yours. Tempt me not in vain with cunning words and
promises; I will rather suffer death than be a despicable man."
The Princess Miliheria was very angry at Bova's answer; she went
instantly to her father and said: "My lord and father, I confess to
you my wrong in having interceded for the life of this unbelieving
prisoner, in the hope of converting him to our faith, and making him a
good subject of your Majesty. But now I see his obstinacy and hard
heart, I no longer plead for him, but give him back into your hands;
do with him as you will." And so saying she went out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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