Then he began to lead the son of Na'amah toward the river where the Queen Parysatis was listening to her daughter's tale; but Bagoas paused before the apple-tree and looked into the eyes of the great serpent. "It is the will of the gods," he said, with his ironical smile. "I am but their minister, the mere instrument of their designs; so what part shall I claim in this adventure?" The snake watched him fixedly. "The boy is like a son to me," said Bagoas. "He was born to be fortunate." And then he followed them toward the river, leaving the wise snake wreathed in the branches of the fruitless tree. On the journey back to Uruk the three royal elephants walked abreast. Adamaharon rode with Merodach, Bagoas with the Princess Candace, and the Queen Parysatis with her attendant poet. And Adamaharon made delicate songs for his beloved. "The old look upon the stars," he sang; "but I look into the eyes of my beloved. What stars are like her eyes? What wisdom can compare with the wisdom of love?" "He is a true poet," said Parysatis to Mekerah. "What spirit, what fire!" "I have said the same thing an hundred times," said Mekerah crossly. "Precisely," said Parysatis; "he has said it once, perfectly." "The kisses of her mouth are sweeter than honey," sang Adamaharon; "more fragrant than apples. She has filled me with the joy of morning, and gladdened my soul as with wine." Bagoas leaned toward the Queen's elephant. "Adam said of love that----" But the Queen put a finger on her lips. "I do not believe that Adam ever existed," she said. Bagoas, looking at Candace, smiled. * * * * * But many years afterwards a woman sitting by the door of a hut in the desert, watching the quiet stars quicken as the day died, drew two young boys toward her, and told them the story of the garden. Her face was tranquil, like the face of one who has grief for a companion; and the boys were clothed in goat-skins. "And," she said, looking into the embers of the fire, "the man counselled me to eat, saying, if ye eat of the fruit ye shall know." Adam suddenly appeared in the firelight. He had heard the last words. "It was the serpent," he said suspiciously. "You always told me it was the serpent." And Eve answered quickly, drawing her children closer to her. "Yea, it was the serpent! I forgot. It was the serpent!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _TO MRS SHAKESPEARE_ II AT THE HOUSE OF EURIPIDES ------------------------------------------------------------------------ II AT THE HOUSE OF EURIPIDES