A certain day It chanced that Bidasari said: "O King, Why goest thou no more within the gates Of that thine other palace? Of a truth Queen Lila Sari will be vexed, because Thou hast abandoned her so long a time. She'll think that I have kept thee from her side Unwilling thou shouldst go." So, with all sorts Of words, fair Bidasari strove to urge The King to visit Lila Sari. "I Will go to-morrow," finally he said. He went, when morning came, and met the Queen. She turned him back, and with sharp, bitter words Reproached him. "Wretched one, I will not see Thy face. I love thee not. I hate thee. Go! Lila Djouhara's son-in-law, thou'rt not To me an equal. Thy new wife's an ape, Who liveth in the woods." But when the King Heard these vociferations of the Queen, He said: "Branch of my heart, light of my eyes, Oh, be not vexed, my dear. It was not I Who wrong began, but thou didst cause it all. For thou didst hide thy deed from me, and drive Me on to this extremity. Oh, why Art thou now angry with me? If thou wilt But love her, and attach thy heart to hers, She'll pardon thee, and take thee as a friend." As more and more enraged the Queen became, Her wrath with strong reproaches overflowed. "Depart from here, accursed of God! Thou art No longer husband mine. Go live with her Whom God hath struck, but whom thou dost delight To honor. Formerly of noble blood Thou wert, but now no more than broken straw. Thou needst not further try to flatter me. Though thou shouldst purify thyself seven times, false one, I'd not permit thee to approach my side." The King grew angry and replied: "Tis thou Who art despicable. Thy cunning tricks Are worthless now. Thy jealousy insane Was without cause, and common were thy acts. Thy wit is much below thy beauty. Will follow thee, should I protection cease." "Have I forgot my noble birth?" she asked. "But thou hast erred, to lower thine high estate To people of such base extraction. Here And everywhere thy shame is known, that thou Art wedded to a gadabout. Is it For princes thus to wed a merchant's child? She ought far in the woods to dwell, and know Most evil destiny." The King but smiled And said: "If this event is noised abroad, 'Tis thou who wilt receive an evil name. For who in all the land would dare prevent The King from marrying? I ought to take From thee all I have given. But before The people I've no wish to humble thee. Is it because I met thy every wish That thou art grown so bad? Most evil hath Thy conduct been, and I with thee am wroth," And in hot anger rushed the King away, And straight repaired to Bidasari's side. SONG IV