But while she spake with him, sorely he sighed; And she did hang about his neck the robe Of feasting, and she poured upon his hands Clear water, and anointed him, and set Before him bread. And Japhet said to him, "My father, my belovéd, wilt thou yet Be sad because of scorning? Eat this day; For as an angel in their eyes thou art Who stand before thee." But he answered, "Peace! Thy words are wide." And when Niloiya heard, She said, "Is this a time for mirth of heart And wine? Behold, I thought to wed my son, Even this Japhet; but is this a time, When sad is he to whom is my desire, And lying under sorrow as from God?" He answered, "Yea, it is a time of times; Bring in the maid." Niloiya said, "The maid That first I spoke on, shall not Japhet wed; It likes not her, nor yet it likes not me. But I have found another; yea, good sooth, The damsel will not tarry, she will come With all her slaves by sundown." And she said, "Comfort thy heart, and eat: moreover, know How that thy great work even to-day is done. Sir, thy great ship is finished, and the folk (For I, according to thy will, have paid All that was left us to them for their wage,) Have brought, as to a storehouse, flour of wheat, Honey and oil,--much victual; yea, and fruits, Curtains and household gear. And, sir, they say It is thy will to take it for thy hold Our fastness and abode." He answered, "Yea, Else wherefore was it built?" She said, "Good sir, I pray you make us not the whole earth's scorn. And now, to-morrow in thy father's house Is a great feast, and weddings are toward; Let be the ship, till after, for thy words Have ever been, 'If God shall send a flood, There will I dwell'; I pray you therefore wait At least till He DOTH send it." And he turned, And answered nothing. Now the sun was low While yet she spake; and Japhet came to them In goodly raiment, and upon his arm The garment of betrothal. And with that A noise, and then brake in a woman slave And Amarant. This, with folding of her hands, Did say full meekly, "If I do offend, Yet have not I been willing to offend; For now this woman will not be denied Herself to tell her errand." And they sat. Then spoke the woman, "If I do offend, Pray you forgive the bondslave, for her tongue Is for her mistress. 'Lo!' my mistress saith, 'Put off thy bravery, bridegroom; fold away, Mother, thy webs of pride, thy costly robes Woven of many colors. We have heard Thy master. Lo, to-day right evil things He prophesied to us, that were his friends; Therefore, my answer:--God do so to me; Yea, God do so to me, more also, more Than He did threaten, if my damsel's foot Ever draw nigh thy door.'" And when she heard, Niloiya sat amazed, in grief of soul. But Japhet came unto the slave, where low She bowed herself for fear. He said, "Depart; Say to thy mistress, 'It is well.'" With that