As you ask me, O King, he said in a thick, loud
voice, I agree withthe vizier.
Spare me, O King, and she sank to her knees,
stretchingout her arms in supplication.
Such was the fare of this monarchof the earth. Have
you anything to urge uponyour own behalf? Listen, Lady, according to ourlaw you are
now my wife.
When the other business is finished I will speak
with him again.
Nextappeared a litter surrounded by a guard of
soldiers.
But it was not so, forpresently once more I found
myself in my prison where they left mealone.
Isthere no other here who can speak of this matter?
Then he turnedto the king and said,May the King live for ever! Such was the fare of
this monarchof the earth. If he kills me, you cankill him afterwards, and we will
continue our discussion elsewhere. Then, having made sure that we were alone, we sat
down andtalked. Am I ofan age or taste to be in haste to marry again? And if not,
the bread and the cheeseare good and soft, and the country wine not
bad.
Never before have I beheldher, still I say it is
revealed to me.
But it was not so, forpresently once more I found
myself in my prison where they left mealone. Atlength he asked her whether it was
true that her mistress was married.
Also I was forced to this embassy; why I have
learned to-day.
Am I ofan age or taste to be in haste to marry
again?
At first this throne was empty, for Nabonidus had
left it for a while.
And if not, the bread and the cheeseare good and
soft, and the country wine not bad.
Nabonidus lifted his hand and they were
silent.
Listen, Lady, according to ourlaw you are now my
wife. Let officersbe set about my house to watch the fulfilment of my oath.