"we all know thee to be as wise as beautiful, but now thou art evidently joking about us or mocking us. these simple wares are altogether too plain for thine own use. accept them for thy nurses and maidens for their everyday attire, and these stones send away to the kitchen boys to play with. but if thou wilt listen to me, let me say that on our ship we have very different velvets and brocades; we have also precious stones, far more precious than any one has ever seen; yet we dared not bring them at once lest we might not suit thy temper and thy hearty wish. if thou shouldst decide to come in person and choose anything from among our possessions, they all are thine and we bow to thee gratefully for the bright glance of thy beautiful eyes."