The prince has been fascinated by thy sweetness and grace.

He loves thee ardently now, but remember, he is young and handsome, courted by every one, and a Persian.

Give him up that he may not abandon thee!" "But how can I, grandmother?
I have sworn to be faithful to him for ever." "Oh, children! Ye play with eternity as if it were but a passing moment! I could blame thee for thus plighting thy troth, but I rejoice that thou regardest the oath as binding.

I detest the blasphemous proverb: 'Zeus pays no heed to lovers' oaths.' Why should an oath touching the best and holiest feelings of humanity be regarded by the Deity, as inferior in importance to asseverations respecting the trifling questions of mine and thine?
Keep thy promise then,--hold fast thy love, but prepare to renounce thy lover." "Never, grandmother! could I ever have loved Bartja, if I had not trusted him?
Just because he is a Persian and holds truth to be the highest virtue, I may venture to hope that he will remember his oath, and, notwithstanding those evil customs of the Asiatics, will take and keep me as his only wife." "But if he should forget, thy youth will be passed in mourning, and with an embittered heart.

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