Andoneeveninghecametothegateofastrong-walledcitythatstoodbyariver, and, wearyandfootsorethoughhewas, , andsaidroughlytohim, “Whatisthybusinessinthecity?”
“Iamseekingformymother,” heanswered, “andIprayyetosuffermetopass, foritmaybethatsheisinthiscity.”
Buttheymockedathim, andoneofthemwaggedablackbeard, andsetdownhisshieldandcried, “Ofatruth, thymotherwillnotbemerrywhensheseesthee, forthouartmoreill-favouredthanthetoadofthemarsh,.”
Andanother, whoheldayellowbannerinhishand, saidtohim, “Whoisthymother, andwhereforeartthouseekingforher?”
Andheanswered, “MymotherisabeggarevenasIam, andIhavetreatedherevilly, andIprayyetosuffermetopassthatshemaygivemeherforgiveness, ifitbethatshetarriethinthiscity.” Buttheywouldnot, , asheturnedawayweeping, onewhosearmourwasinlaidwithgiltflowers, andonwhosehelmetcouchedalionthathadwings, , “Itisabeggarandthechildofabeggar, andwehavedrivenhimaway.”
“Nay,” hecried, laughing, “butwewillsellthefoulthingforaslave, andhispriceshallbethepriceofabowlofsweetwine.”
