“Dost forget Nourahmal? But no matter; I admire, and wonder that some roving band of Arabs, with less piety, or more force than we, does not swoop down upon these innocents for seraglio prizes. Perhaps these have the liveried angels about, that are said ever to guard saintly purity.”
“Doubtless; and besides them, with all the practical providence which belongs to the Jew, thou mayst be sure that the groves, not far away, are full of fathers, brothers, lovers.”
“I wish I were a brother to some of them.”
“Then thou’dst be a Jew.”
“I’d forget that in being a lover to the others.”
“Thou wouldst not change thy faith for a woman?”
“Now, I’d swear I would not. If like most men, and in love, I’d swear I would; and then, having gotten my new priestess, in a little while, backslide and drag her with me, or make her heart weep. My comfort in the last estate being my consistency, if not my constancy. What a mad rout it is when religion and love, born twins, cross purposes?”
“That’s a very true, yet bitter speech. I’ll tell the Hebrew maidens to beware.”
“Better tell me to beware, now. It’s the beginning that makes the trouble. No beginning, then no after folly.”
The procession glided past and the pilgrims followed at a distance.