Kebra Nagast

How the Merchant Returned to Ethiopia He had glory, and riches, which God had in great abundance, namely, gold, and unto him, given silver, and precious stones, and rich apparel, and cattle, and sheep, and goats innumerable. Now in the days of Solomon the King gold was as common as bronze, and silver as lead, and bronze and lead and iron were as abundant as the grass of the fields and the reeds of the and cedarwood was also abundant. And God desert had given unto him glory, and riches, and wisdom, and grace in such abundance that there was none like unto impartial). ; him among his predecessors, and among those who came after him there was none like unto him. 23. How THE MERCHANT RETURNED TO ETHIOPIA And it came to pass that the merchant Tamrin wished to return to his own country, and he went to Solomon and bowed low before him, and embraced " Peace be to thy majesty him, and said unto him, Send me away and let me depart to my country to ! my Lady, for I have tarried long in beholding thy and thy wisdom, and the abundance of dainty meats wherewith thou hast regaled me. And now I would to Would I that could abide my Lady. depart with thee, even as one of the very least of thy servants, for blessed are they who hear thy voice and perform Would that I could abide here and thy commands never leave thee but thou must send me away to my because of what hath been committed to my Lady I so that charge, may give unto her her property. And as for myself, I am her servant." And Solomon went into his house and gave unto him whatever valuable thing he desired for the country of Ethiopia, and he sent him away in peace. And Tamrin bade glory, ! ! him farewell, and went forth, and journeyed along his road, and came to his Lady, and delivered over to her all the And he repossessions which he had brought. lated unto her how he had arrived in the country of B 2 19