So is he able to advise ye of the coming danger,--so is he able to save ye from the foe.

Thus are your huntsmen swift and your warriors bold; and thus do your cattle bring forth their young, and the earth its fruits.

What think ye, and what do ye ask to hear?
Listen, men of Oestrich!--they have laid snares for my life; and there are amongst you those who have whetted the sword against the bosom that is only filled with love for you all.

Therefore have the stern lords of heaven loosened the chains of the river; therefore doth this evil menace ye.

Neither will it pass away until they who dug the pit for the servant of the stars are buried in the same." Then, by the red torches, the faces of the men looked fierce and threatening; and ten thousand voices shouted forth, "Name them who conspired against thy life, O holy prophet, and surely they shall be torn limb from limb." And Morven turned aside, and they saw that he wept bitterly; and he said,-- "Ye have asked me, and I have answered: but now scarce will ye believe the foe that I have provoked against me; and by the heavens themselves I swear, that if my death would satisfy their fury, nor bring down upon yourselves and your children's children the anger of the throned stars, gladly would I give my bosom to the knife.