And the old man set before him some mouldy bread on a trencher and said:“Eat.” and some brackish water in a cup and said:“Drink.” and when he had eaten and drunk,the old man went out,locking the door behind him and fastening it with an iron chain.
And on the morrow the old man,who was indeed the subtlest of the magicians of Libya and had learned his art from one who dwelt in the tombs of the Nile,came in to him and frowned at him,and said:“In a wood that is nigh to the gate of this city of Giaours there are three pieces of gold.One is of white gold,and another is of yellow gold,and the gold of the third one is red.Today thou shalt bring me the piece of white gold,and if thou bringest it not back,I will beat thee with a hundred stripes.Get thee away quickly,and at sunset I will be waiting for thee at the door of the garden.See that thou bringest the white gold,or it shall go ill with thee,for thou art my slave,and I have bought thee for the price of a bowl of sweet wine.” And he bound the eyes of the Star-Child with the scarf of figured silk,and led him through the house,and through the garden of poppies,and up the five steps of brass.And having opened the little door with his ring he set him in the street.