L'Elfi is free! No wife has ever stood at
his side; he has no harem, as many others have. He has never, like
others, reclined on soft cushions gazing at the dancing of the
voluptuous almehs--has loved naught but his sword and ataghan; but
his heart is now inclined in love and humility toward you, the only
woman it owns as its mistress; and I now entreat you, O Sitta
Nefysseh, queen of my heart, become also queen of my house and
harem."
"As he entreats, so do I entreat also!" cried Osman Bey, in angry
tones, thrusting L'Elfi aside, and falling on his knee before her.
"Be mine, Nefysseh! True, I have loved others, and have also looked
with pleasure at the dancing of the female slaves in the harem, yet
I have hitherto adored no woman. Military glory, my adoration
heretofore, grows pale when Sitta Nefysseh appears, and all else
that I have loved and hoped for is as nothing in her presence. For
your sake, I will sacrifice not only life, but renown. Command, and
I will be your slave; at your feet will I lay my sword and dagger.
With my head bowed down, and my beard shorn, will I follow you into
the desert, blessing each day and hour in which I am permitted to
look upon my queen. Now, O Sitta Nefysseh, you know what Osman Bey
Bardissi feels, and that he can boast of a greater love than L'Elfi;
he even offers to sacrifice renown for you! Decide whom you will
bless, Nefysseh! One thing more I will say to you: if you select the
hand of my rival, and command me to love him, I cannot promise to do
so! Yet this I swear, that I will be contented with your choice, and
that I will never seek to take or shorten his life.
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