Solomon or Shebaf 



nating gaze. And since I alone had been the 

 cause of his unsettleraent, he began to treat me 

 with a caustic beak. In a snug shelter beneath 

 the bed or bureau he lay in ambush for me. If 

 I walked through my room, forgetful of my 

 peril, there would be a sudden sally. And lucky 

 was I if I won the bath-tub as a safe retreat. 



Yet never once did I hit upon the cause of 

 his disturbance. It was, I thought, a mood to 

 be put to flight by trickery; and with jester's 

 bells, I sought to win a chuckle and a return to 

 his old care-free ways. With music I sought to 

 break in upon his meditations, much as his own 

 father had attempted to let in a gleaming ray 

 upon the darkened mind of Saul. I even danced 

 before him. I danced with psalter and stringed 

 instruments. Of no avail. Nor could the Court 

 Physician whom I called in consultation, give 

 diagnosis of the ailment. With professional pat- 

 ter, he prescribed a tonic and a rest to nerves. 

 And since our royal patient had grown delirious 

 and wandering at night time, my brother must 

 play night-nurse and keep him safe in bed. 



Then, just when our temper had turned brittle 



[125] 



