THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 161 



hardened and vicious chap, from whom there was no 

 forcing a tear, even when he was a nursed child. A 

 scornful laugh was the only answer to his tears. 



' Hear me,' said Asamat, with a firm voice : ' My 

 mind is made up for any thing every thing! Shall I 

 steal my sister for you ? How she dances ! How 

 she sings ! and she embroiders in gold, that it is a 

 wonder to see ! The Turkish padisha hardly possesses 

 such a girl Well ! Only say the word. Wait for 

 me to-morrow night in the glen yonder, by the 

 waterfall ; I will take her that way as if to the neigh- 

 bouring hamlet, and she is yours. What say you, is 

 not Bela well worth your courser ?' 



Kasbitch was silent for a long, long while ; at last 

 instead of replying, he began to chant an old ditty, 

 half aloud : 



* Down in our hamlet many are the beauteous maidens 

 Stars are gleaming in the dark heaven of their eyes. 

 Sweet it were to own their love, a lot, indeed, to envy ! 

 But sweeter still than this is young and lusty freedom. 

 For gold you may buy beauties, ay, as many as you will, 

 But a steed of highest mettle is a treasure beyond price, 

 Swift as the wind he flies over the Steppes, 

 And fickleness and falsehood have no place in him.' 



It was to no purpose Asamat importuned him to 

 accept his proposal, and wept, and raved, and swore ; 

 Kasbitch lost patience at last. 



N 2 



