And with these twain onward paced she, and seated them royally

On splendour-gleaming couches—nought passing the truth tell I—

With imagery fair-fashioned with the red gold threads entwined:

Of a truth, in that bower of ladies fair pleasure might they find!

Flashes of swift love-lightning and of yearning of the heart,

From the eyes of each unto other, well might they ofttimes dart!

For shrined in his soul he bare her; she was more unto him than life,

And ere long by noble service he won her to be his wife.

Then spake that goodly war-king: “Belovèd sister mine,

Our desire may be nowise accomplished saving with help of thine.