I have fought many times at thy side in battle while we both were young; nor did I ever turn my back upon the foe.

The blow that shore the hand from off this arm was aimed at thy head, O King; I stayed it with my naked arm.
It is nothing; at thy will I live, and at thy will I die.

Who am I that I should question the word of the king?
Yet I would ask this, that thou wilt withdraw the kaross from about thee, O King, that for the last time my eyes may feast themselves upon the body of him whom, above all men, I love." "Thou art long-winded," said the king, "what more ?" "This, my father, that I may bid farewell to my son; he is a little child, so high, O King," and he held his hand above his knee.
"Thy first boon is granted," said the king, slipping the kaross from his shoulders and showing the great breast beneath.

"For the second it shall be granted also, for I will not willingly divide the father and the son.
Bring the boy here; thou shalt bid him farewell, then thou shalt slay him with thine own hand ere thou thyself art slain; it will be good sport to see." Now the man turned grey beneath the blackness of his skin, and trembled a little as he murmured, "The king's will is the will of his servant; let the child be brought." But I looked at Chaka and saw that the tears were running down his face, and that he only spoke thus to try the captain who loved him to the last.
"Let the man go," said the king, "him and those with him." So they went glad at heart, and praising the king.
I have told you this, my father, though it has not to do with my story, because then, and then only, did I ever see Chaka show mercy to one whom he had doomed to die.
As the captain and his people left the gate of the kraal, it was spoken in the ear of the king that a man sought audience with him.

He was admitted crawling on his knees.