“O wisest of mortals,” replied Ashmodai, “dost thou not really know that the Shamir has not been placed in my charge? Why then hast thou brought me here?”
“Where is it?” thundered Solomon; “speak, slave! and speak truly.”
Ashmodai with a trembling voice replied,—
“Mighty master! Since the days of Moses, who employed the Shamir when writing on the tablets of stone, the worm has been entrusted to the care of the Prince of the Sea who has given it into the charge of the wood-cock. The latter has sworn to the Prince of the Sea to carry the Shamir with him at all times. The wood-cock lives in a big nest built on the top of a very lofty pinnacle in a mountain range. He has employed the Shamir to split the hard rock so as to plant seed in the clefts. The new vegetation which grows there is used for food by the wood-cock. Whenever he goes from his nest he takes the Shamir with him, carrying [[14]]it beneath his wing, mindful of his oath to the Prince of the Sea.”
“Enough,” cried Solomon; “thou shalt abide with me till the Temple is built.”
Once again King Solomon summoned his trusty captain Benaiah, telling him to discover the nest of the wood-cock and to obtain the Shamir and to bring it back to the Holy City.
“Take with thee,” said the King, “a glass cover, a little wool and a small leaden box. May thy journey be as successful this time as thy former one.”
Benaiah obeyed with a glad heart all the instructions which King Solomon had given. He set out on his journey, crossing hill and dale, stream and desert. At last he discovered the nest of the bird he sought. The wood-cock was away on one of his expeditions. In the nest were the fledgelings. Benaiah now covered the nest with the glass cover which he had brought with him for this purpose. He then concealed himself and awaited events.
When the wood-cock returned he attempted to enter his nest, but found himself foiled, for the glass was very hard and strong. He saw through the glass his helpless young; and flapping his wings and screeching loudly tried [[15]]to break the glass. All his efforts were in vain. The young birds frightened by the noise also began to screech.
“What is to be done?” cried the wood-cock in the language of the birds.