And thus it me befel.

A stranger offered me a price so fair

That I accepted it, and sold the mare.”

“My gift disposed of!” with an angry start,

King Nimrod thundered: “Thou, old man, shalt smart

For this thy avarice. A royal gift,

Thou knowest well, must never owners shift,

As thing of little worth.”

Then Terah raised his trembling hands, and said,

“From thine own mouth, O King, has judgment sped.