human
I cannot slay him, for he hath done me no injury. The Efrite answered her not, but, taking up the sword, handed it to me.
gpt
Strike off her head, he said,
human
I took the sword, and arose to do the deed; but, while my arm was raised to strike, love spoke again from her eyes. My hand trembled, my heart melted. I flung the sword from me.
gpt
Wherefore should I slay this woman, who hath done me no injury, and whom I have never seen before? I said to the Efrite.
human
Never before God can I commit this crime. The Efrite took the sword, and saying,
gpt
It is clear there is love between you, he cut off one of the lady's hands, then the other, and then both her feet. And, in her pain, her eyes were turned on me, and the words of love were in them. The Efrite saw her look, and cried,
human
Is it not enough? Wilt thou still commit the crime of unfaithfulness with thine eye?
gpt
O man, he said, turning to me,
human
Since he had shewn me this clemency, I thought by pleading to melt him further, so that perchance he would pardon me altogether. Therefore, I recited many instances of kindness and generosity shewn by Efrites to mortals, some of which I had gleaned from books, while others I invented then and there, with a ready wit. But, though the Efrite listened, his bearing changed not towards me one hair's breadth.
gpt
Thou hast been misinformed, he said at last.
human
The Efrite knows neither kindness nor generosity: he is only constrained by the justice of those who have sovereignty over him. Wherefore, hold thy peace, and neither fear that I shall slay thee, nor hope that I shall pardon thee. Thou shalt be punished by the power of enchantment, and thou knowest not how to prevent it.
gpt
Change thy form, O Man! Retain thy form, O Ape!