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anywhere of the beggar…woman who was his mother； though for the
space of three years he wandered over the world； and often seemed
to see her on the road in front of him； and would call to her； and
run after her till the sharp flints made his feet to bleed。 but
overtake her he could not； and those who dwelt by the way did ever
deny that they had seen her； or any like to her； and they made
sport of his sorrow。
for the space of three years he wandered over the world； and in the
world there was neither love nor loving…kindness nor charity for
him； but it was even such a world as he had made for himself in the
days of his great pride。
and one evening he came to the gate of a strong…walled city that
stood by a river； and； weary and footsore though he was； he made to
enter in。 but the soldiers who stood on guard dropped their
halberts across the entrance； and said roughly to him； what is thy
business in the city？
i am seeking for my mother； he answered； and i pray ye to suffer
me to pass； for it may be that she is in this city。
but they mocked at him； and one of them wagged a black beard； and
set down his shield and cried； of a truth； thy mother will not be
merry when she sees thee； for thou art more ill…favoured than the
toad of the marsh； or the adder that crawls in the fen。 get thee
gone。 get thee gone。 thy mother dwells not in this city。
and another； who held a yellow banner in his hand； said to him；
who is thy mother； and wherefore art thou seeking for her？
and he answered； my mother is a beggar even as i am； and i have
treated her evilly； and i pray ye to suffer me to pass that she may
give me her forgiveness； if it be that she tarrieth in this city。
but they would not； and pricked him with their spears。
and； as he turned away weeping； one whose armour was inlaid with
gilt flowers； and on whose helmet couched a lion that had wings；
came up and made inquiry of the soldiers who it was who had sought
entrance。 and they said to him； it is a beggar and the child of a
beggar； and we have driven him away。
nay； he cried； laughing； but we will sell the foul thing for a
slave； and his price shall be the price of a bowl of sweet wine。
and an old and evil…visaged man who was passing by called out； and
said； i will buy him for that price； and； when he had paid the
price； he took the star…child by the hand and led him into the
city。
and after that they had gone through many streets they came to a
little door that was set in a wall that was covered with a
pomegranate tree。 and the old man touched the door with a ring of
graved jasper and it opened； and they went down five steps of brass
into a garden filled with black poppies and green jars of burnt
clay。 and the old man took then from his turban a scarf of figured
silk； and bound with it the eyes of the star…child； and drave him
in front of him。 and when the scarf was taken off his eyes； the
star…child found himself in a dungeon； that was lit by a lantern of
horn。
and the old man set before him some mouldy bread on a trencher and
said； eat； and some brackish water in a cup and said； drink；
and when he had eaten and drunk； the old man went out； locking the
door behind him and fastening it with an iron chain。
and on the morrow the old man； who was indeed the subtlest of the
magicians of libya and had learned his art from one who dwelt in
the tombs of the nile； came in to him and frowned at him； and said；
in a wood that is nigh to the gate of this city of giaours there
are three pieces of gold。 one is of white gold； and another is of
yellow gold； and the gold of the third one is red。 to…day thou
shalt bring me the piece of white gold； and if thou bringest it not
back； i will beat thee with a hundred stripes。 get thee away
quickly； and at sunset i will be waiting for thee at the door of
the garden。 see that thou bringest the white gold； or it shall go
ill with thee； for thou art my slave； and i have bought thee for
the price of a bowl of sweet wine。 and he bound the eyes of the
star…child with the scarf of figured silk； and led him through the
house； and through the garden of poppies； and up the five steps of
brass。 and having opened the little door with his ring he set him
in the street。
and the star…child went out of the gate of the city； and came to
the wood of which the magician had spoken to him。
now this wood was very fair to look at from without； and seemed
full of singing birds and of sweet…scented flowers； and the star…
child entered it gladly。 yet did its beauty profit him little； for
wherever he went harsh briars and thorns shot up from the ground
and enpassed him； and evil nettles stung him； and the thistle
pierced him with her daggers； so that he was in sore distress。 nor
could he anywhere find the piece of white gold of which the
magician had spoken； though he sought for it from morn to noon； and
from noon to sunset。 and at sunset he set his face towards home；
weeping bitterly； for he knew what fate was in store for him。
but when he had reached the outskirts of the wood； he heard from a
thicket a cry as of some one in pain。 and forgetting his own
sorrow he ran back to the place； and saw there a little hare caught
in a trap that some hunter had set for it。
and the star…child had pity on it； and released it； and said to it；
i am myself but a slave； yet may i give thee thy freedom。
and the hare answered him； and said： surely thou hast given me
freedom； and what shall i give thee in return？
and the star…child said to it； i am seeking for a piece of white
gold； nor can i anywhere find it； and if i bring it not to my
master he will beat me。
e thou with me； said the hare； and i will lead thee to it；
for i know where it is hidden； and for what purpose。
so the star…child went with the hare； and lo！ in the cleft of a
great oak…tree he saw the piece of white gold that he was seeking。
and he was filled with joy； and seized it； and said to the hare；
the service that i did to thee thou