How, then, can I go hence when the going
means that I must part from her for ever?"
"How can you stay here, Prince, when the staying means that you must
bring her to shame and death, and yourself with her? Say now, are you
prepared, for the sake of this maiden, to abandon the worship of your
fathers and to become the servant of El and Baaltis?"
"You know well that I am not so prepared, Sakon. For nothing that the
world could give me would I do this sin."
"Then, Prince, it is best that you should go, for that and no other is
the price you must pay if you would win my daughter Elissa. Should you
seek to do so by other means, I tell you that neither your high rank nor
the power of my rule and friendship, nor pity for your youth and hers,
can save you both from death, since to forgive you then would be to
bring down the wrath of its outraged gods upon Zimboe. Oh! Prince, for
your own sake and for the sake of her whom both you and I love thus
dearly, linger no longer in temptation, but turn your back upon it as a
brave man should, for so shall my blessing follow you to the grave and
your years be filled with honour."
Aziel covered his eyes with his hand, and thought a while; then he
answered:--
"Be it as you will, friend. I go, but I go broken-hearted."
CHAPTER XI
METEM SELLS IMAGES
Upon reaching the palace, Aziel went to the apartments of Issachar.
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