And to the cry
Moon did make fair the following reply:
'Dotard, be still! for thy desire
Is to embrace consuming fire.'
Then said Boolp, 'O my mistress, the laws of conviviality have till now restrained me; but my coming here was on business, and with me my bags, in good faith. So let us transact this matter of the jewels, and after that the song of—
''Thou and I
A cup will try,''
even as thou wilt.'
Bhanavar threw aside her outer robe and veil, and appeared in a dress of sumptuous blue, spotted with gold bees; her face veiled with a veil of gauzy silver, and she was as the moon in summer heavens, and strode mar jestically forward, saying, 'The jewels? 'tis but one. Behold!'
The lamps were extinguished, and in her hand was the glory of the Serpent Jewel, no other light save it in the vaulted chamber.
So the old miser perked his chin and brows, and cried wondering, 'I know it, this Jewel, O my mistress.'
She turned to the Vizier, and said, lifting the red gloom of the Jewel on him, 'And thou?'
Aswarak ate his under-lip.
Then she cried, 'There's much ye know in common, ye two.'