Page:Man in the Panther's Skin.djvu/102

 Khvarazmsha rejoiced with great joy; he said: 'From God has befallen us that which we desired; what other child like unto her could we take to our arms?'

500. "Again they sent other men to bring the bridegroom; they entreated him: 'Tarry not, come at our demand.' I was wearied after exercise at ball-playing, and went to my chamber to rest; sadness entered into my heart, I began to endure woes.

501. "Excessive melancholy approached my heart as if to strike with a knife, (but when) Asmat'h's slave entered I sat proud and strong. He gave me a letter; in it was written: 'She who is like an aloe-tree in form commands thee to come hither soon without putting off time.'

502. "I mounted, went forth, entered the little garden, as thou canst imagine, with a full measure of joy; I passed through the little garden and arrived at the tower ; I saw Asmat'h standing at the foot; I looked and saw that she had been weeping, tear stains could be seen on her cheeks; I was sad, and did not ask; she was troubled by desire for my coming.

503. "I saw her frowning; this oppressed me exceedingly. She no longer smiled on me as she had formerly smiled; she said no word to me, only her tears showered down; thereby she wounded me the more, she healed not my wounds.

504. "She carried my thoughts very far away. She led me into the tower and raised the curtain. I went in, I saw that moon, every woe forsook me, the ray fell on my heart, but my heart was not melted.

505. "The light falling upon the curtain was not light ; her golden face was carelessly covered by the veil I had given her; the peerless one, apparelled in that same green garment, was seated in a reclining position on the couch; a shower of tears fell on her face flashing with radiance.

506. "She crouched, like a panther on the edge of a rock, her face flashing fury; no longer was she like the sun, the