Now because thou didst despise me and pour contempt upon my name, I smite thee with my strength and lay a curse upon thee.

It is that thou shalt love and desire this man who but now hath kissed thy feet, ever longing till the world's end to kiss his lips in payment, although thou art as far above him as the moon thou servest is above the Nile.

Think not that thou shalt escape my doom, for know that however strong the spirit, here upon the earth the flesh is stronger still and of all flesh I am the queen.' "Then she laughed softly and smiting me across the eyes with a lock of her scented hair, was gone.
"Allan, I awoke from my sleep and a great trouble fell upon me, for I who had never loved before now was rent with a rage of love and for this man who till that moment had been naught to me but as some beauteous image of gold and ivory.

I longed for him, my heart was racked with jealousy because of the Egyptian who favoured him, an eating flame possessed my breast.

I grew mad.