"O Prince, I told the Great King that I had; that there dwelt in Egypt
a lady of royal blood with eyes like stars, with hair like silk and
long as an unbridled horse's tail, with a shape like to that of a
goddess, with breath like flowers, with skin like milk, with a voice
like honey, with learning like to that of the god Thoth, with wit like
a razor's edge, with teeth like pearls, with majesty of bearing like
to that of the king himself, with fingers like rosebuds set in pink
seashells, with motion like that of an antelope, with grace like that
of a swan floating upon water, and--I don't remember the rest, O
Prince."

"Perhaps it is as well," exclaimed Peroa. "But what did the King say
then?"

"He asked her name, O Prince."

"And what name did you give to this wondrous lady who surpasses all
the goddesses in loveliness and charm, O dwarf Bes?" inquired Amada
much amused.

"What name, O High-born One? Is it needful to ask? Why, what name
could I give but your own, for is there any other in the world of whom
a man whose heart is filled with truth could speak such things?"

Now hearing this I gasped, but before I could speak Amada leapt up,
crying,

"Wretch! You dared to speak my name to this king! Surely you should be
scourged till your bones are bare."