And as her beauty kindled with desire, Her gracious charm was clouded o’er with wrath. Then spoke she: “Wherefore hies the beggar here? He stuns my ear with his unchecked lament. When will this shameless arrogance have end, Which clamors like a tocsin through the night? What will his daring lead him next to do? Perchance he wishes to abide with us. What is the cause for all this loud lament? Who is it with a sword thrust draws his blood? What bird does this poor wanderer call himself? I do not know the language that he speaks. His rhapsody but stuns my ear with pain, And yet the song he sings is kind to me. What does the bird of evil fortune here? There is no room with us for such a fowl. Who is the shameless beggar that is come To take at night a post so near the queen? Since he arrived among us with his din My head is giddy and my sense is gone. He hinders me from slumber all the night, Now tell me how this clamor to chastise. Why does he call upon me day and night, Reckons he not his passion’s hopelessness? Surely this fool and beggar does not hope In the rose garden to approach the Rose? Love has not paled his cheek; unheated iron Is not more dark than are those cheeks of his. Bid him begone, and leave our flowery home, Nor hope to cast his amorous eyes on me. Bid him o’ercome this passionate desire, No further sing in vain his tale of love. The wanderer may not in his mood presume To approach from far the empress of the world.” XXVI THE PRUDENT NARCISSUS REMONSTRATES WITH THE GARRULOUS NIGHTINGALE