"It is winter" answered the Swallow "and the chill snow will soon be here. In Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm-trees and the crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them. My companions are building a nest in the Temple of Baalbec and the pink and white doves are watching them and cooing to each other. Dear Prince I must leave you but I will never forget you and next spring I will bring you back two beautiful jewels in place of those you have given away. The ruby shall be redder than a red rose and the sapphire shall be as blue as the great sea."