Kebra Nagast

had separated from King Solomon. And the pains of childbirth laid hold upon her, and she brought forth a man child, and she gave it to the nurse with great pride and delight. And she tarried until the days of her purification were ended, and then she came to her own country with great pomp and ceremony. And her officers who had remained there brought gifts to their mistress, and made obeisance to her, and did homage to her, and all the borders of the country rejoiced at her coming. Those who were nobles among them she arrayed in splendid apparel, and to some she gave gold and silver, and hyacinthine and purple robes and she gave them all manner of things that could be And she ordered her kingdom aright, and desired. none disobeyed her command for she loved wisdom and God strengthened her kingdom. And the child grew and she called his name BaynaLehkem. And the child reached the age of twelve years, and he asked his friends among the boys who were being educated with him, and said unto them, " Who is my father ? " And they said unto him, " Solomon the King." And he went to the Queen his " O Queen, make me to mother, and said unto her, know who is my father." And the Queen spake unto ; ; him angrily, wishing to frighten him so that he might " not desire to go [to his father] saying, Why dost thou ask me about thy father ? I am thy father and seek not to know any more." And the thy mother boy went forth from her presence, and sat down. And a second time, and a third time he asked her, and he importuned her to" tell him. One day, however, she told him, saying, His country is far away, and the road thither is very difficult wouldst thou not rather " be here ? And the youth Bayna-Lehkem was handsome, and his whole body and his members, and the bearing of his shoulders resembled those of King Solo; ; mon his father, and his eyes, and his legs, and his 38