SECOND MAN. I think she is one of the gods. I think she comes from
Nubia.
FIRST MAN. I am sure she is the daughter of the Emperor. Her nails
are stained with henna. They are like the petals of a rose. She
has come here to weep for Adonis.
SECOND MAN. She is one of the gods. I do not know why she has left
her temple. The gods should not leave their temples. If she speaks
to us let us not answer, and she will pass by.
FIRST MAN. She will not speak to us. She is the daughter of the
Emperor.
MYRRHINA. Dwells he not here, the beautiful young hermit, he who
will not look on the face of woman?
FIRST MAN. Of a truth it is here the hermit dwells.
MYRRHINA. Why will he not look on the face of woman?
SECOND MAN. We do not know.
MYRRHINA. Why do ye yourselves not look at me?
FIRST MAN. You are covered with bright stones, and you dazzle our
eyes.
SECOND MAN. He who looks at the sun becomes blind. You are too
bright to look at. It is not wise to look at things that are very
bright. Many of the priests in the temples are blind, and have
slaves to lead them.
MYRRHINA. Where does he dwell, the beautiful young hermit who will
not look on the face of woman? Has he a house of reeds or a house
of burnt clay or does he lie on the hillside? Or does he make his
bed in the rushes?
FIRST MAN. He dwells in that cavern yonder.
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