Butthemerchantsmockedathim, andsaid, “Ofwhatuseisaman’ssoultous? , andwewillclothetheeinsea-purple, andputaringuponthyfinger, , fortousitisnought, norhasitanyvalueforourservice.”
AndtheyoungFishermansaidtohimself: “Howstrangeathingthisis! ThePriesttellethmethatthesoulisworthallthegoldintheworld, andthemerchantssaythatitisnotworthaclippedpieceofsilver.” Andhepassedoutofthemarket-place, andwentdowntotheshoreofthesea, , whowasagathererofsamphire, , soeagerwashetogetridofhissoul, , , shestoodattheopeningofthecave, andinherhandshehadasprayofwildhemlockthatwasblossoming.“Whatd’yelack? Whatd’yelack?” shecried, ashecamepantingupthesteep, andbentdownbeforeher.“Fishforthynet, whenthewindisfoul? Ihavealittlereed-pipe, , prettyboy, ’yelack? Whatd’yelack? Astormtowrecktheships, andwashthechestsofrichtreasureashore? Ihavemorestormsthanthewindhas, forIserveonewhoisstrongerthanthewind, , prettyboy, ’yelack? Whatd’yelack? Iknowaflowerthatgrowsinthevalley, , andastarinitsheart, , , , prettyboy, ’yelack? Whatd’yelack? Icanpoundatoadinamortar, andmakebrothofit, andstirthebrothwithadeadman’, andhewillturnintoablackviper, , ’yelack? Whatd’yelack? Tellmethydesire, andIwillgiveitthee, andthoushaltpaymeaprice, prettyboy, thoushaltpaymeaprice.”
“Mydesireisbutforalittlething,” saidtheyoungFisherman, “yethaththePriestbeenwrothwithme, , andthemerchantshavemockedatme, , thoughmencalltheeevil, andwhateverbethypriceIshallpayit.”
