She seemed to him lovelier than a dream and more beautiful than desire.
“My lord,” and Sembobitis spoke under his breath, “remember to conclude a good commercial treaty with the queen.”
“Have a care, my lord,” Menkera added. “It is said she employs magic with which to gain the love of men.”
Then, having prostrated themselves, the mage and the eunuch retired.
Balthasar, left alone with Balkis, tried to speak; he opened his mouth but he could not utter a word. He said to himself, “The queen will be angered at my silence.”
But the queen still smiled and looked not at all angry. She was the first to speak with a voice sweeter than the sweetest music.
“Be welcome, and sit down at my side.” And with a slender finger like a ray of white light she pointed to the purple cushions on the ground. Balthasar sat down, gave a great sigh, and grasping a cushion in each hand he cried hastily:
“Madam, I would these two cushions were two giants, your enemies; I would wring their necks.”
And as he spoke he clutched the cushions with such violence in his hands that the delicate stuff cracked and out flew a cloud of snow-white down. One of the tiny feathers swayed a moment in the air and then alighted on the bosom of the queen.
“My lord Balthasar,” Balkis said, blushing; “why do you wish to kill giants?”