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Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933

"The Poems of Henry Van Dyke"

]
KHAMMA:
Hush! here comes the fool Shumakim. He is never sober.
SHUMAKIM: [Laughing.]
Are there two of you? I see two, but that is no proof.
I think there is only one, but beautiful enough for
two. What were you talking to yourself about, fairest
one!
KHAMMA:
About the lady Tsarpi, fool, and what she would do if
her husband returned.
SHUMAKIM:
Fie! fie! That is no talk for an innocent fool to hear.
Has she a husband?
NUBTA:
You know very well that she is the wife of Lord Naaman.
SHUMAKIM:
I remember that she used to wear his name and his jewels.
But I thought he had exchanged her,--for a leprosy.
KHAMMA:
You must have heard that he went away to Samaria to look
for healing. Some say that he died on the journey; but
others say he has been cured, and is on his way home
to his wife.
SHUMAKIM:
It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never know
when they are well off,--except us fools. But he must
come soon if he would find his wife as he parted from
her,--or the city where he left it. The Assyrians have
returned with a greater army, and this time they will
make an end of us.


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