SPRING born
to
them
LOVER
AUTUMN
AND
only daughter,who
one
GreatlyDesired,the Fairest of It is true that eightymen and
hand.
her
seek
deities.
from far.
Princes
They
Across
came
the Sea Path
the
was
the Fair.
of
name
and
theywere, from
xxiv
near
and
theycame
to
came
warriors,
theycame in great brave and
white sails or creakingoars, with ships, lustysailors. Through the forestsdark and dangerous made their the to Princess,the they way Desired ; or lightly, theydescended lightly Greatly by way of the FloatingBridge in garments of glamour and silver-shod. They broughttheir gifts with them gold,fair jewelsupon a string, light of feathers, singingbirds,sweet thingsto garments eat, silk cocoons, oranges in a basket. They brought and dancers and tellersof tales minstrels and singers "
to
the Greatly entertain the Princess, Desired. she sat still in her white As for the Princess,
bower
with
wood,
and
her
maidens
about
her.
Passingrich her robe,and ever and anon her maidens spread was the mats, set out her deep sleeves, it afresh over or her long hair with a goldencomb. combed about the bower was of white Round a gallery here the
presence of their
suitors
came
and
knelt
in the
liegelady.
and
Many many a time the carp leaptin the gardenfish-pond. Many and many a time a scarlet pomegranate flower flutteredand droppedfrom the tree. Many and many a time the ladyshook her head and Now went
to
his way, sad and sorry. it happened that the God of Autumn
a
lover went
try his fortune with i86
the
Princess.
He