Bride, and the faith of Mary the Mild, and the gracious way of
the Greek woman, and the beauty of lovely Emer, and the
tenderness of heart-sweet Deirdre, and the courage of Maev the
great Queen, and the charm of Mouth-of-Music."
Yes, all that and more, but I feared lest I should see the heaven
of joy through her eyes only and find it mirage as I had found so
much else.
SECOND PART Early in the pure dawn the men came and our boat was
towed up into the Dal Lake through crystal waterways and flowery
banks, the men on the path keeping step and straining at the rope
until the bronze muscles stood out on their legs and backs,
shouting strong rhythmic phrases to mark the pull.
"They shout the Wondrous Names of God - as they are called," said
Vanna when I asked. "They always do that for a timid effort. Bad
shah! The Lord, the Compassionate, and so on. I don't think there
is any religion about it but it is as natural to them as One,
Two, Three, to us. It gives a tremendous lift. Watch and see."
It was part of the delightful strangeness that we should move to
that strong music.
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