Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/38

 And I said to her, "Ay, truly, thy mind will I enlighten."

And she said, " Speak truth and tell, Art thou an honest walker,

Or one that prowleth around ? " And I told her my condition,

As one a stringer of gems, a necklace-maker for damsels.

And she went and came again, and "Thus," she said, " saith Alia,

Wouldst thou rejoice her heart, then weave her a chain of value."

And I, "Then bring the wool, the first shorn of the camel."

And she brought me all I desired, and I wove the necklace fairly,

Linking it like a chain. And I laid the threads together

And ended all with a knot, and I strung it thick with rubies,

Reciting still as I wove new texts from the Holy Scripture.

And I charged her that her mistress should wear it night and morning.

And she went and she returned. And " Thus/' said she, " saith Alia :

Since that the night is at hand do thou remain in our dwellings.

Meat is for thee and raiment." And I, ct As thy queen desireth.