Strona 835 z 1116

Quoth she "Remaineth now only one other thing to be done; thou

must shave his beard and make him a smooth o' face."[FN#646] So

the maiden went back and told him what her mistress had bidden

her do; and my brother (the blockhead!) said to her, "How shall I

do what will disgrace me before the folk?" But the old woman

said, "She would do on this wise only that thou mayst be as a

beardless youth and that no hair be left on thy face to scratch

and prick her delicate cheeks; for indeed she is passionately in

love with thee. So be patient and thou shalt attain thine

object." My brother was patient and did her bidding and let shave

off his beard and, when he was brought back to the lady, lo! he

appeared dyed red as to his eyebrows, plucked of both mustachios,

shorn of his beard, rouged on both cheeks.