Now he had a nurse, a foster-mother, on whose knees he had been reared, and she was a woman of understanding and misdoubted of him, but dared not accost him [with questions].  So she went in to Shah Khatoun and finding her in yet sorrier plight than he, asked her what was to do; but she refused to answer.  However, the nurse gave not over coaxing and questioning her, till she exacted of her an oath of secrecy.  So the old woman swore to her that she would keep secret all that she should say to her, whereupon the queen related to her her history from first to last and told her that the youth was her son.  With this the old woman prostrated herself before her and said to her, ‘This is an easy matter.’  But the queen answered, saying, ’By Allah, O my mother, I choose my destruction and that of my son rather than defend myself by avouching a thing whereof they will not credit me; for they will say, “She avoucheth this, but that she may fend off reproach from herself” And nought will avail me but patience.’  The old woman was moved by her speech and her intelligence and said to her, ’Indeed, O my daughter, it is as thou sayst, and I hope in God that He will show forth the truth.  Have patience and I will presently go in to the king and hear what he saith and contrive somewhat in this matter, if it be the will of God the Most High.’

Then she arose and going in to the king, found him with his head between his knees, and he lamenting.  So she sat down by him awhile and bespoke him with soft words and said to him, ’Indeed, O my son, thou consumest mine entrails, for that these [many] days thou hast not mounted to horse, and thou lamentest and I know not what aileth thee.’  ‘O my mother,’ answered he, ’[this my chagrin] is due to yonder accursed woman, of whom I still deemed well and who hath done thus and thus.’  Then he related to her the whole story from first to last, and she said to him, ’This thy concern is on account of a worthless woman.’  Quoth he, ’I was but considering by what death I should slay them, so the folk may [be admonished by their fate and] repent.’  And she said, ’O my son, beware of haste, for it engendereth repentance and the slaying of them will not escape [thee].  When thou art assured of this affair, do what thou wilt.’  ‘O my mother,’ rejoined he; ’there needeth no assurance concerning him for whom she despatched her eunuch and he fetched him.’

But she said, ’There is a thing wherewith we will make her confess, and all that is in her heart shall be discovered to thee.’  ‘What is that?’ asked the king, and she answered, ’I will bring thee a hoopoe’s heart,[FN#138] which, when she sleepeth, do thou lay upon her heart and question her of all thou wilt, and she will discover this unto thee and show forth the truth to thee.”  The king rejoiced in this and said to his nurse, ’Hasten and let none know of thee.’  So she arose and going in to the queen, said to her, ’I have done thine occasion and it is on this wise.  This night the king will come in to thee and do thou feign thyself asleep; and if he ask thee of aught, do thou answer him, as if in thy sleep.’  The queen thanked her and the old woman went away and fetching the hoopoe’s heart, gave it to the king.