Upon the side o' the north, where green the field Lies every season through, and where the dews Of heaven are wholesome, shall thy children reign; I part it to them, for the earth is mine; The Highest gave it me: I make it theirs. Moreover, for thy marriage gift, behold The cedars where thou sleepedst! There are vines; And up the rise is growing wheat. I give (For all, alas! is mine),--I give thee both For dowry, and my blessing." And he said, "Sir, you are good, and therefore the Most High Shall bless me also. Sir, I love you well." BOOK V. And when two days were over, Japhet said, "Mother, so please you, get a wife for me." The mother answered, "Dost thou mock me, son? 'Tis not the manner of our kin to wed So young. Thou knowest it; art thou not ashamed? Thou carest not for a wife." And the youth blushed, And made for answer: "This, my father, saith The doom is nigh; now therefore find a maid, Or else shall I be wifeless all my days. And as for me, I care not; but the lands Are parted, and the goodliest share is mine. And lo! my brethren are betrothed; their maids Are with thee in the house. Then why not mine? Didst thou not diligently search for these Among the noblest born of all the earth, And bring them up? My sisters, dwell they not With women that bespake them for their sons? Now, therefore, let a wife be found for me, Fair as the day, and gentle to my will As thou art to my father's." When she heard, Niloiya sighed, and answered, "It is well." And Japhet went out from her presence. Then Quoth the great Master: "Wherefore sought ye not, Woman, these many days, nor tired at all, Till ye had found, a maiden for my son? In this ye have done ill." Niloiya said: "Let not my lord be angry. All my soul Is sad: my lord hath walked afar so long, That some despise thee; yea, our servants fail Lately to bring their stint of corn and wood. And, sir, thy household slaves do steal away To thy great father, and our lands lie waste,-- None till them: therefore think the women scorn To give me,--whatsoever gems I send, And goodly raiment,--(yea, I seek afar, And sue with all desire and humbleness Through every master's house, but no one gives)-- A daughter for my son." With that she ceased.