But shortly, "I remember," quoth she, low, With raining down of tears and broken sighs, "That I am Japhet's slave; beseech you, sir, As ye were ever gentle, ay, and sweet Of language to me, be not harder now. Sir, I was yours to take; I knew not, sir, That also ye might give me. Pray you, sir, Be pitiful,--be merciful to me, A slave." He said, "I thought to do thee good, For good hath been thy counsel"; but she cried, "Good master, be you therefore pitiful To me, a slave." And Japhet wondered much At her, and at her beauty, for he thought, "None of the daughters are so fair as this, Nor stand with such a grace majestical; She in her locks is like the travelling sun, Setting, all clad in coifing clouds of gold. And would she die unmatched?" He said to her, "What! wilt thou sail alone in yonder ship, And dwell alone hereafter?" "Ay," she said, "And serve my mistress." "It is well," quoth he, And held his hand to her, as is the way Of masters. Then she kissed it, and she said, "Thanks for benevolence," and turned herself, Adding, "I rest, sir, on your gracious words"; Then stepped into the twilight and was gone. And Japhet, having found his father, said, "Sir, let me also journey when ye go." Who answered, "Hath thy mother done her part?" He said, "Yea, truly, and my damsel sits Before her in the house; and also, sir, She said to me, 'I have not worked, as yet, The garment of betrothal.'" And he said, "'Tis not the manner of our kin to speak Concerning matters that a woman rules; But hath thy mother brought a damsel home, And let her see thy face, then all is one As ye were wed." He answered, "Even so, It matters nothing; therefore hear me, sir: The damsel being mine, I am content To let her do according to her will; And when we shall return, so surely, sir, As I shall find her by my mother's side, Then will I take her"; and he left to speak; His father answering, "Son, thy words are good." BOOK VI.