"Oho! I have heard the Khania, the last of the true blood, the first in the land, the proud princess who will not let her robes be soiled by those of the 'ladies of the court' and my wife, my wife, who asked me to marry her--mark that, you strangers--because I was her cousin and a rival ruler, and the richest lord in all the land, and thereby she thought she would increase her power--I have heard her offer herself to a nameless wanderer with a great yellow beard, and I have heard him, who hates and would escape from her"-- here he screamed with laughter--"refuse her in such a fashion as I would not refuse the lowest woman in the palace.
"I have heard also--but that I always knew--that I am mad; for, strangers, I was made mad by a hate-philtre which that old Rat," and he pointed to Simbri, "gave me in my drink--yes, at my marriage feast.

It worked well, for truly there is no one whom I hate more than the Khania Atene.

Why, I cannot bear her touch, it makes me sick.

I loathe to be in the same room with her; she taints the air; there is a smell of sorceries about her.
"It seems that it takes you thus also, Yellow-beard?
Well, if so, ask the old Rat for a love drink; he can mix it, and then you will think her sweet and sound and fair, and spend some few months jollily enough.

Man, don't be a fool, the cup that is thrust into your hands looks goodly.