At last he came to the place in his story where the king asked him if he had ever seen a woman fairer than the dancers, and went on thus: "O Prince, I told the Great King that I had; that there dwelt in Egypt a lady of royal blood with eyes like stars, with hair like silk and long as an unbridled horse's tail, with a shape like to that of a goddess, with breath like flowers, with skin like milk, with a voice like honey, with learning like to that of the god Thoth, with wit like a razor's edge, with teeth like pearls, with majesty of bearing like to that of the king himself, with fingers like rosebuds set in pink seashells, with motion like that of an antelope, with grace like that of a swan floating upon water, and--I don't remember the rest, O Prince." "Perhaps it is as well," exclaimed Peroa.

"But what did the King say then ?" "He asked her name, O Prince." "And what name did you give to this wondrous lady who surpasses all the goddesses in loveliness and charm, O dwarf Bes ?" inquired Amada much amused.
"What name, O High-born One?
Is it needful to ask?
Why, what name could I give but your own, for is there any other in the world of whom a man whose heart is filled with truth could speak such things ?" Now hearing this I gasped, but before I could speak Amada leapt up, crying, "Wretch! You dared to speak my name to this king! Surely you should be scourged till your bones are bare." "And why not, Lady?
Would you have had me sit still and hear those fat trollops of the East exalted above you?
Would you have had me so disloyal to your royal loveliness ?" "You should be scourged," repeated Amada stamping her foot.

"My Uncle, I pray you cause this knave to be scourged." "Nay, nay," said Peroa moodily.

"Poor simple man, he knew no better and thought only to sing your praises in a far land.

Be not angry with the dwarf, Niece.