he Underworld, then that
thou, Odysseus, wilt wed me, Meriamun, and be faithful to me for thy
life days."

Now the crafty Odysseus took counsel with his heart, and bethought him
of the words of the Goddess. He saw that it was in the mind of Meriamun
to slay Pharaoh and the Helen. But he cared nothing for the fate of
Pharaoh, and knew well that Helen might not be harmed, and that though
she change eternally, wearing now this shape, and now that, yet she dies
only when the race of men is dead--then to be gathered to the number
of the Gods. This he knew also, that now he must go forth on his last
wandering, for Death should come upon him from the water. Therefore he
answered readily:

"That oath I swear also, Meriamun, and if I break it may I perish in
shame and for ever."

Now Meriamun heard, and knelt beside him, looking upon him with eyes of
love.

"It is well, Odysseus: perchance ere long I shall claim thy oath. Oh,
think not so ill of me: if I have sinned, I have sinned from love of
thee. Long years ago, Odysseus, thy shadow fell upon my heart and I
clasped its emptiness. Now thou art come, and I, who pursued a shadow
from sleep to sleep and dream to dream, saw thee a living man, and loved
thee to my ruin. Then I tamed my pride and came to win thee to my heart,
and the Gods set another shape upon me--so thou sayest--and in that
shape, the shape of her thou seekest, thou didst make me wife to thee.
Perchance she and I are _one_, Odysseus. At the least, not so readily
had _I_ forsaken thee. Oh, when thou didst stand in thy might holding
those dogs at bay till the Sidonian knave cut thy bowstring----"

"What of him? Tell me, what of Kurri? This would I ask thee, Queen, that
he be laid where I lie, and die the death to which I am doomed."

"Gladly would I give thee the boon," she answered, "but thou askest too
late. The False Hathor looked upon him, and he slew himself. Now I will
away--the night wanes and Pharaoh must dream dreams ere dawn. Fare thee
well, Odysseus. Thy bed is hard to-night, but soft is the couch of kings
that waits thee," and she went forth from him.

"Ay, Meriamun," said the Wanderer, looking after her. "Hard is my bed
to-night, and soft is the couch of the kings of Men that waits me in the
realms of Queen Persephone. But it is not thou who shalt share it. Hard
is my bed to-night, harder shall thine be through all the nights
of death that are to come when the Erinnyes work their will on folk
f