Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/67

 And I said, " Now listen, Alia, to that which I would tell thee : Love is a building fair, broad based on sure foundations. And the builders built it high as was no other dwelling." And she said, " Thou speakest truth. And love is of three conditions. And to men of understanding each hath a sign to know it. The first compelleth thee to kiss the hand thou lovest. This is a moment's love. The next is more enduring, Which kisseth thee on the cheek. But there is yet the latest. Love which shall kiss thy forehead. This is a love for ever. Mine is of all the three. And for my soul's consoling. Come thou to our camp." But I said to her, " O Alia, In this thou art to blame. I dare not on such venture, Being a seeker still of that which was my questing." But she said, " The mare is mine. My own hand shall unloose her. With me are her hobbles' keys, by night will I unlock them. The keys lie in a goatskin, a goatskin filled with water. And that deep in a well. There lieth our secret hidden. And all are mine to deal with, goatskin and keys and hobbles.