Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 26, 1915.djvu/76

66 that it is fitting he should cut the flesh himself, since this flesh takes the place of the money.' The assembly agreed to this saying. The creditor took off his coat and turned up his shirt-sleeves, and took a knife and approached the debtor, saying, 'Sit down properly, for I wish to take my money,' and his neighbour said, 'Very well, sir.' Now he put out his hand and seized his leg, but the lady (disguised as a) man (Bibi mume) said, 'Sir, are you going to cut him?' The rich man answered, 'Yes.' The lady again said, 'Did you agree as to flesh, or what?' The rich man said, 'As to flesh only.' The lady said, 'Do you not know of any other thing?' He said, 'I do not.' She said, 'Well, then, cut.' He lifted up the knife and was going to cut, when she said, 'But understand that you are to take flesh only, no blood, for you know yourself that flesh and blood are not the same thing.' The rich man said, 'What is the good of your cleverness? do you not know that flesh is (always found) together with blood?' She answered, 'Yes! but you did not make an agreement concerning flesh and blood, but only as to flesh.' The whole court assented to these words and said, 'Yes, truly, flesh and blood are not the same thing, but blood is greater.' The man was unbound and given leave to go his way, but he took off his ring and the sash (he was wearing) round his waist and his leather belt, and gave them to the clever (pleader).

"The wife returned home in haste and resumed her own clothes. The husband also returned, with great joy beyond all comparison, and the lady saluted him with all courtesy, and said, 'What are the news, master? for I have been doubting in my heart whether you would return or not,