If I were only as young as Paaker! You laugh at the sighs of a man--say at once of an old man! Well, yes, I am old, for the prime of life lies behind me.

And yet Katuti, my friend, wisest of women--explain to me one thing.

When I was young I was loved by many and admired many women, but not one of them--not even my wife, who died young, was more to me than a toy, a plaything; and now when I stretch out my hand for a girl, whose father I might very well be--not for her own sake, but simply to serve my purpose--and she refuses me, I feel as much disturbed, as much a fool as-as that dealer in love-philters, Paaker." "Have you spoken to Bent-Anat ?" asked Katuti.
"And heard again from her own lips the refusal she had sent me through you.

You see my spirit has suffered!" "And on what pretext did she reject your suit ?" asked the widow.
"Pretext!" cried Ani.

"Bent-Anat and pretext! It must be owned that she has kingly pride, and not Ma--[The Goddess of Truth]--herself is more truthful than she.