O Ijim, I am faint and weary, for my knees forbid

“O Ijim, I am faint and weary, for my knees forbid To bear me further. Urge me not, lest I should die with travel. A little rest I crave, a little water from a brook, Or I shall soon discover that I am a mortal man, And thou wilt lose thy once-loved Tiriel. Alas! how faint I am!”

“Impudent fiend!” said Ijim, “hold thy glib and eloquent tongue;— Tiriel is a king, and thou the tempter of dark Ijim. Drink of this running brook, and I will bear thee on my shoulders.”