Then he began to lead the son of Na'amah toward the river where the Queen Parysatis was listening to her daughter's tale; but Bagoas paused before the apple-tree and looked into the eyes of the great serpent.
"It is the will of the gods," he said, with his ironical smile. "I am but their minister, the mere instrument of their designs; so what part shall I claim in this adventure?"
The snake watched him fixedly.
"The boy is like a son to me," said Bagoas. "He was born to be fortunate."
And then he followed them toward the river, leaving the wise snake wreathed in the branches of the fruitless tree.
On the journey back to Uruk the three royal elephants walked abreast. Adamaharon rode with Merodach, Bagoas with the Princess Candace, and the Queen Parysatis with her attendant poet. And Adamaharon made delicate songs for his beloved.
"The old look upon the stars," he sang; "but I look into the eyes of my beloved. What stars are like her eyes? What wisdom can compare with the wisdom of love?"
"He is a true poet," said Parysatis to Mekerah. "What spirit, what fire!"
"I have said the same thing an hundred times," said Mekerah crossly.
"Precisely," said Parysatis; "he has said it once, perfectly."