A.D. 1190. THE EMPEROR'S ANSWER TO HIS DAUGHTER. 1S9 however, Alphonso, king of Castille, arose against the eaid king of Saint Jago, and compelled him to relinquish his wife, the daughter of the king of Portugal, and by thè persuasion of pope Celestinus, for the sake of peace, gave him his own daughter to wife. In process of time, the daughter of Boyac El Emir Amimoli, emperor of Africa, having heard from common report of the, prowess of Sancho, king of Navarre, brother of Berengaria, queen of England, fell in love with him to such a degree, that she greatly longed to have him as her husband. "When she was unable any longer to conceal her designs, she told her father, the emperor, that she would hang herself unless Sancho, king of Navarre, would have her for his wife ; on which her father made answer, " How can that be effected, seeing that you are a pagan' and he a Christian ?" To this his daughter made answer, " Indeed I am quite ready to embrace the Christian faith, and to live conformably to their laws, if I only have the king of Navarre for my husband, a thing which, my dear father, can easily be brought about by you. Por all stand in awe of you, and extend their arms to you; still, there is need of blandishment ; away with all fury and intimidation ; send entreaties and gifts to this man, that by such means you may gain him for me. ' Believe me, 'tis a noble thing to give.'1 0 Send also to his mother and sister, and the rest of his family, bounteous presents, in order that they may allow him to assent to your proposals. ' The prey that's sought by many hands is speedily obtained.' " " On this, her father made answer : " ' "While you were guileless, I loved your body and your mind ; now, is your beauty blemished by the vices of your disposition.'12 What to do I know not, for I am in difficulties on every side. Por if the king of Navarre shall fail to return your passion, then you will hang yourself. I will therefore attempt to prevail upon him by entreaties and various presents, that so I may gain him in some way or other as a husband for you. Still, I would much rather that you would take a husband of our own nation." The » " Follower of Mahomet," he would be more likelv to say. 1 0 " Crede mihi res est ingeniosa dare." A singular thing, for a Mahomedan lady to quote Ovid. 1 1 A quotation from Ovid— " Fit cito per mnltas prseda petita manus." 1 2 From Ovid— " Donee eras simplex, animum cum corpore amavi, Nunc mentis vitio liEsa figura tua est."