The soul that triumphs must shine like steel in the sun, and cut if need be; not merely be beauteous and shed perfume like a lily in the shade.

Yet she is very wise and fair," here he looked at me, "perchance of her might come children such as were their forefathers, who again would wield the sceptre of the dominion of the earth." I made no answer, wondering what he meant exactly and thinking it wisest to be silent.
"You are of the short-lived races," he went on, "yet very much a man, not without intelligence, and by the arts I have I can so strengthen your frame that it will endure the shocks of time for three such lives as yours, or perchance for more, and then--" Again he paused and went on: "The Daughter of kings likes you also, perhaps because you resemble--" here he fixed me with his piercing eyes, "a certain kinglet of base blood whom once she also liked, but whom it was my duty to destroy.
Well, I must think.

I must study this world of yours also and therein you may help me.

Perhaps afterwards I will tell you how.

Now sleep." In another moment he was gone, but notwithstanding his powerful command, for a while I could not sleep.