Instead of accepting the queen’s proposal, Temim began to weep, and said to the queen: ‘Your majesty overwhelms me with favours and I am grateful for all your kindnesses, but I beg you not to be angry with me if I refuse the offer you make me of the hand of one of your slaves; as long as I live no other woman but Repsima can occupy my thoughts. My dear Repsima is ever present in my mind. I cannot console myself for having lost her, and I am resolved to go and spend the rest of my days in lamentation on the spot where she has been so unjustly buried alive.’

Repsima was enchanted to find her husband so faithful, and, charmed at his refusal of the young slave, she said: ‘If I prayed the Almighty to bring back to life the woman whose loss grieves you so, would you be very glad to see her again, and if you saw her would you recognise her?’ Thus saying she lifted her veil and Temim recognised Repsima.

His joy at meeting his wife could only be equalled by the astonishment of the other strangers at recognising in the queen the features of the person they had insulted. The princess embraced Temim, and related her adventures in the presence of all the lords of her court, who wondered at them. Then she had ten thousand ducats, with a rich brocade vest and a magnificent robe for his wife, given to the Arab robber; a thousand ducats to the captain, and as many to the young man who had sold her. After that she rose from her throne, took Temim by the hand and led him into her cabinet, where they both commenced to thank Heaven for having brought them together again. Then Repsima said to her husband: ‘Since the laws of the kingdom do not permit of my despoiling myself of the royal authority to vest you with it, you will, at least, remain in my palace, and will share with me a pleasant life, and we will make your brother as happy as he could wish.’

Revendeh soon became prime minister, and acquitted himself so well of his task that he gained the esteem and friendship of all the inhabitants of the island.