"Give me to drink. I am thirsty."
She lifted her eyes with astonishment and looked at the strong, dark man. To him it seemed as though heaven looked at him, so deep blue, so clear and pure were her eyes. The long weary road, the fierce struggles, ay, even the goal that he would reach, vanished from his memory as he looked at this impressive beauty.
"Are you Truth?" he asked, at last. "If so I will worship you."
The rosy child-mouth opened.
"No, Truth is my mother; I am called Innocence. Do you wish to go to her?"
"Yes—no, no longer; I will stay with you, for you are more beautiful than all."
"Am I beautiful?" asked the girl with surprise; "my mother has never told me that. But you, you are beautiful, and you look so good, therefore you shall drink out of my pitcher."
When he had drunk the draught he was quite beside himself. He had only one thought, to win charming Innocence unto himself.
"Come, play with me, thou heavenly child," he said; "I can teach you quite new games, here, on this fair meadow."