The woman raised a shout: “O man of simple mind! I will no longer listen to thy words, though kind. 70 Talk not to me of claims, pretensions, and such stuff. I care not one pin’s point for pride and flimsy fluff. Why preach so loud of sentiment and honour’s call? Just look at our condition. Shame upon thee fall! Pride certainly is wrong; much worse in beggars’ camp. The day is cold and snowy; all our clothing’s damp. What nonsense and frivolity thy weak pate doles! And all the while thy tent, like cobweb, ’s full of holes. Where didst thou learn contentment’s rule to make thy pride? Has thy contentment taught thee shame from men to hide? 75 The Prophet has declared: ‘Content a treasure is.’ But what knowest thou of treasure? Suffering’s all thy bliss. Contentment’s but a water-reservoir that leaks. Do hold thy tongue, thou plague; and cease these foolish freaks. Thou namest me thy helpmate; lower, pray, thy tone. I’m fellow unto justice; mate to knavery, none. Since thou equality with lords and princes claimest, Why suck the blood of locusts that by chance thou maimest? Thou fightest for a bone with dogs in this debate. How shall I not complain, with hunger at our gate? 80 Don’t look at me contemptuously, and all askance. Lest I tell all my mind, thy baseness to enhance. Thou holdest thyself much wiser than poor soul like me. Hast ever found me wanting sense to make thee see? Think not to fall upon me, wolf-like, unawares, O thou at whose great wisdom woman’s folly stares! The wisdom thou so holdest superior to all, Not wisdom is; but serpent’s, scorpion’s, deadly gall. A foe may God prove ever to thy drivelling guile! So mayst thou turn out weaker than weak woman’s wile! 85 Thou art both snake and snake-catcher, in one combined. A serpent-charming serpent! Arab’s pride enshrined!