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.