Listen now to the words of Hokosa that he has set between my lips to deliver to you"-- and she repeated to him all the message without fault or fail.
"Say it again," he said, and she obeyed.
Then he answered:-- "Truly the skill of Hokosa is great, and well he knows how to set a snare; but I think that if by his counsel I should springe the bird, he will be too clever a man to keep upon the threshold of my throne.

He who sets one snare may set twain, and he who sits by the threshold may desire to enter the house of kings wherein there is no space for two to dwell." "Is this the answer that I am to take back to Hokosa ?" asked Noma.

"It will scarcely bind him to your cause, Prince, and I wonder that you dare to speak it to me who am his wife." "I dare to speak it to you, Noma, because, although you be his wife, all wives do not love their lords; and I think that, perchance in days to come, you would choose rather to hold the hand of a young king than that of a witch-doctor sinking into eld.

Thus shall you answer Hokosa: You shall say to him that I have heard his words and that I find them very good, and will walk along the path which he has made.

Here before you I swear by the oath that may not be broken--the sacred oath, calling down ruin upon my head should I break one word of it--that if by his aid I succeed in this great venture, I will pay him the price he asks.