Andanoldandevil-visagedmanwhowaspassingbycalledout, andsaid, “Iwillbuyhimforthatprice,” and, whenhehadpaidtheprice, , , andboundwithittheeyesoftheStar-Child, , theStar-Childfoundhimselfinadungeon, , “Eat,” andsomebrackishwaterinacupandsaid, “Drink,” andwhenhehadeatenanddrunk, theoldmanwentout, , whowasindeedthesubtlestofthemagiciansofLibyaandhadlearnedhisartfromonewhodweltinthetombsoftheNile, cameintohimandfrownedathim, andsaid, “, andanotherisofyellowgold, , andifthoubringestitnotback, , , oritshallgoillwiththee, forthouartmyslave, andIhaveboughttheeforthepriceofabowlofsweetwine.” AndheboundtheeyesoftheStar-Childwiththescarfoffiguredsilk, andledhimthroughthehouse, andthroughthegardenofpoppies, -Childwentoutofthegateofthecity, , andseemedfullofsingingbirdsandofsweet-scentedflowers, , forwhereverhewentharshbriarsandthornsshotupfromthegroundandencompassedhim, andevilnettlesstunghim, andthethistlepiercedhimwithherdaggers, , thoughhesoughtforitfrommorntonoon, , weepingbitterly, , , -Childhadpityonit, andreleasedit, andsaidtoit, “Iammyselfbutaslave, yetmayIgivetheethyfreedom.”
AndtheHareansweredhim, andsaid: “Surelythouhastgivenmefreedom, andwhatshallIgivetheeinreturn?”
AndtheStar-Childsaidtoit, “Iamseekingforapieceofwhitegold, norcanIanywherefindit, andifIbringitnottomymasterhewillbeatme.”
“Comethouwithme,” saidtheHare, “andIwillleadtheetoit, forIknowwhereitishidden, andforwhatpurpose.”
