If a man, When each one is against his fellow, rule, Or unmolested dwell, or unreproved, Because, for size and strength, he standeth first, He will thereof be glad; and if he say, 'I will to wife choose me a stately maid, And leave a goodly offspring'; 'sooth, I think, He sinneth not; for good to him and his He would be strong and great.

Thy people's fault Was, that for ill to others, they did plot To make them weak and small." "But yet they steal Or take in war the strongest maids, and such As are of highest stature; ay, and oft They fight among themselves for that same cause.
And they are proud against the King of heaven: They hope in course of ages they shall come To be as strong as He." The Master said, "I will not hear thee talk thereof; my heart Is sick for all this wicked world.

Fair wife, I am right weary.

Call thy slaves to thee, And bid that they prepare the sleeping place.
O would that I might rest! I fain would rest, And, no more wandering, tell a thankless world My never-heeded tale!" With that she called.
The moon was up, and some few stars were out, While heavy at the heart he walked abroad To meditate before his sleep.

And yet Niloiya pondered, "Shall my master go?
And will my master go?
What 'vaileth it, That he doth spend himself, over the waste A wandering, till he reach outlandish folk, That mock his warning?
O, what 'vaileth it, That he doth lavish wealth to build yon ark, Whereat the daughters, when they eat with me, Laugh?
O my heart! I would the Voice were stilled.
Is not he happy?
Who, of all the earth, Obeyed like to me?
Have not I learned From his dear mouth to utter seemly words, And lay the powers my mother gave me by?
Have I made offerings to the dragon?
Nay, And I am faithful, when he leaveth me Lonely betwixt the peaked mountain tops In this long valley, where no stranger foot Can come without my will.