256 THE PATTERNS
and very well learned, called Apollonius, arriued in the coast, and comming vnto the citie of Antiochia, was brought into the kings presence. And when he had saluted him, the king demanded of him the cause of his coming thither. Then saide the yoong prince, Sir, I require to haue your daughter in marriage. The king hearing that which he was vnwilling to heare, looking fiercely vpon him, saide vnto him : Doest thou know the conditions of the marriage. Yea sir king, said Apollonius, and I see it standing vpon the gate. Then the king being sharply moued, and disdaining at him, said, Heare then the question which thou must resolue, or else die: lam carried with mischiefe> I eate my mothers fleshe: I seeke my brother my mothers husband and 2 can not finde him. Apollonius hauing receiued the question, withdrew himselfe a while out of the kinges presence, and being desirous to vnderstand what it meant, he found out the solution thereof in short space through the help of God, and returned againe to the king, saying; Your grace proposed a question vnto me, I pray you heare the solution thereof. And whereas you said in your probleme, I am carried with ?nischiefe: you haue not lied, for looke vnto your owne selfe. But whereas you say further, I eate my mothers flesh^ looke vpon your daughter.
Now the king, as soone as he perceiued that Apollonius had resolued his problems, fearing lest his wickednesse should be discovered, he looked vpon him with a wrathful countenance, saying; Thou art farre wide from the solution of my demand, and hast hit no part of the meaning thereof: wherefore thou hast deserued to be beheaded. Howbeit, I will shew thee this courtesie, as to giue thee thirtie daies respite to bethinke thy selfe of this matter. Wherefore returne home into thine owne countrey, and if thou canst find out the solution of my probleme,