Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 03.djvu/125

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THE FISHERMAN AND HIS SOUL. 99

flew past, they struck the bells with their wings and made them tinkle. "In front of the temple was a pool of clear water paved with veined onyx. I lay down beside it, and with my pale fingers I touched the broad leaves. One of the priests came towards me and stood behind me. He had sandals on his feet, one of soft serpent-skin and the other of birds' plumage. On his head was a mitre of black felt decorated with silver crescents. Seven yellows were woven into his robe, and his frizzed hair was stained with antimony. "After a little while he spake to me, and asked me my desire. "I told him that my desire was to see the god. ""The god is hunting,' said the priest, look- ing strangely at me with his small slanting eyes. 'Tell me in what forest, and I will ride with him,' I answered. 666 "He combed out the soft fringes of his tunic with his long pointed nails. 'The god is asleep,' he murmured. " "Tell me on what couch, and I will watch by him,' I answered. ""The god is at the feast,' he cried. 66 'If the wine be sweet I will drink it with

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