Then he bade Khipil lead the way to the noble gardens of dalliance and pleasure that he had planted and contrived.  And Khipil went in that state described by the poet, when we go draggingly, with remonstrating members,

     Knowing a dreadful strength behind,
      And a dark fate before.

They came to the gardens, and behold, these were full of weeds and nettles, the fountains dry, no tree to be seen—­a desert.  And Shahpesh cried, ’This is indeed of admirable design, O Khipil!  Feelest thou not the coolness of the fountains?—­their refreshingness?  Truly I am grateful to thee!  And these flowers, pluck me now a handful, and tell me of their perfume.’

Khipil plucked a handful of the nettles that were there in the place of flowers, and put his nose to them before Shahpesh, till his nose was reddened; and desire to rub it waxed in him, and possessed him, and became a passion, so that he could scarce refrain from rubbing it even in the King’s presence.  And the King encouraged him to sniff and enjoy their fragrance, repeating the poet’s words: 

     Methinks I am a lover and a child,
      A little child and happy lover, both! 
     When by the breath of flowers I am beguiled
      From sense of pain, and lulled in odorous sloth. 
     So I adore them, that no mistress sweet
      Seems worthier of the love which they awake: 
     In innocence and beauty more complete,
      Was never maiden cheek in morning lake. 
     Oh, while I live, surround me with fresh flowers! 
      Oh, when I die, then bury me in their bowers!

And the King said, ’What sayest thou, O my builder? that is a fair quotation, applicable to thy feelings, one that expresseth them?’

Khipil answered, ’’Tis eloquent, O great King! comprehensiveness would be its portion, but that it alludeth not to the delight of chafing.’

Then Shahpesh laughed, and cried, ’Chafe not! it is an ill thing and a hideous!  This nosegay, O Khipil, it is for thee to present to thy mistress.  Truly she will receive thee well after its presentation!  I will have it now sent in thy name, with word that thou followest quickly.  And for thy nettled nose, surely if the whim seize thee that thou desirest its chafing, to thy neighbour is permitted what to thy hand is refused.’

The King set a guard upon Khipil to see that his orders were executed, and appointed a time for him to return to the gardens.

At the hour indicated Khipil stood before Shahpesh again.  He was pale, saddened; his tongue drooped like the tongue of a heavy bell, that when it soundeth giveth forth mournful sounds only:  he had also the look of one battered with many beatings.  So the King said, ’How of the presentation of the flowers of thy culture, O Khipil?’

He answered, ’Surely, O King, she received me with wrath, and I am shamed by her.’

And the King said, ‘How of my clemency in the matter of the chafing?’