Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 03.djvu/144

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118 THE WRITINGS OF OSCAR WILDE.

he smote the child till it wept, and when he had done this they went hurriedly out of the city. And after that they had gone a league from the city the young Fisherman grew wrath, and said to his Soul, "Why did'st thou tell me to smite the child, for it was an evil thing to do?" But his Soul answered him, "Be at peace, be at peace." And on the evening of the third day they came to a city, and the young Fisherman said to his Soul, "Is this the city in which she dances of whom thou did'st speak to me?" And his Soul answered him, "It may be that it is this city, therefore let us enter in."

So they entered in and passed through the streets, but nowhere could the young Fisherman find the river or the inn that stood by its side. And the people of the city looked curiously at him, and he grew afraid and said to his Soul, "Let us go hence, for she who dances with white feet is not here."

But his Soul answered, "Nay, but let us tarry, for the night is dark and there will be robbers on the way."

So he sat him down in the market-place and rested, and after a time there went by a hooded

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