She was so bewitching that he knew her immediately for a goddess; but all the same he asked her where she lived and what was her name.
"Your lordship has looked on his humble wife; he has known her as a goddess. What is the use of so many questions?"
Little-cypress, satisfied with this reply, invited her to enter the house. She came in; her waist was so small, one would almost have thought that her body was divided in two.
He invited her to sit down; they talked and laughed together a long time.
He asked her to sing, and, with a low voice, which filled her friend with rapture, she sang:
"On the trees the bird pursues his companion; Oppressed slaves free themselves with love. How has my Lord lived alone, Without enjoying all the pleasures of married life?"
The sound vibrated like a thread of silk; it penetrated the ear and troubled the heart. As she finished, she suddenly arose.
"A man is standing near the window, he is listening to us ... he is going round ... he is trying to see."
"Since when does a goddess fear a man?" replied Little-cypress, laughing.
"I am troubled without knowing why; my heart beats. I wish to go."