Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/56

38 I am Solomon, son of David, of blessed memory; I rule all things on earth, in the air and in the sea. I have a magic ring and a magic carpet, and what hast thou?"

"O Solomon! thou wilt one day be the food for the ants; they will feast on thy body in the grave, therefore boast not."

At that same moment Solomon fell upon his face and was put to shame by the truth spoken by the little queen of the ants.

He then commanded Ashmodai to remove all the ants to their former haunts, and calling to the wind to carry his carpet on high he said: "Away!"

The wind began to lift up the magic carpet, and as it was about to fly away into space, Machashamah cried out,— "Farewell, King Solomon, forget not to praise God and to labor for the glory of His Holy Name. Remember all I have told thee and boast no more."

Solomon continued his journey betwixt heaven and earth. On and on he went, over hill and dale, across rivers and mountains. At last he came to a vast desert and noticed a huge mound. Coming nearer he saw that it was a large building almost entirely covered by the sand of the desert. He called to the wind to slacken its speed, saying that he wished to descend to the earth. His magic carpet glided down to the earth and Solomon stepped upon the sand. He at once summoned Ashmodai and bade him fold