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1101. "My husband, Usen, is the leader of the great merchants, I lead their wives; I need none to invite me; rich or poor, we give presents to the queen; we entertain ourselves agreeably at court, we come home merry.
1102. "New Year's Day was come, we gave our gifts to the queen; we gave to them, they gave to us, we filled them, we were filled. After a time we went forth merry, at our will;[1] again we sat down to rejoice, we were not of their company.[2]
1103. "At eventide I went into the garden to sport; I took the ladies with me, it behoved me to entertain[3] them; I brought with me minstrels, they discoursed sweet song; I played and gambolled like a child, I changed veil and hair.
1104. "There in the garden were fair mansions beautifully[4] built, lofty, with a prospect on every side, overhanging the sea. Thither I led the ladies, them that were with me; anew we made a banquet, we sat pleasantly, joyously.
1105. "Merry, I entertained the merchants' wives, pleasantly, in a sisterly way.[5] While drinking, without any cause a distaste came upon me. When they perceived me thus, they separated, all that sat at meat.[6] I was left alone; some sadness fell on my heart like soot.
1106. "I opened the window and turned my face to the sea, I looked out, I shook off the sadness growing within me. Far away I saw something small, it floated in the sea, methought a bird or beast; to what else could I liken it?
1107. "From afar I could not recognize it; when it came near it was a boat; two men clad in black,[7] and black also of visage, on either side stood close; only a (? woman's) head[8] appeared; they came ashore, that strange sight astonished me.
- ↑ Nebit'ha chvenit'ha, ? released from attendance.
- ↑ Muneburni, from mun "there" = ikaurni. Car. suggests uneburni. In Ch. text, viqeenith for viqvenith, from qvna, to do, make.
- ↑ Dehmeva, feed.
- ↑ Natip'hi, P., 204, 1312.
- ↑ Durad from da, sister.
- ↑ Purad, at bread.
- ↑ "With black bodies."
- ↑ T'havi; also "prow." Cf, 1021.
