Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 2.djvu/280

256 Abasement, misery and heart-break after those I suffer who endured before me many a year. All through the day its light and when the night grows dark, My grief forsakes me not, no, nor my heavy cheer. My tears flow still, nor aye of bitterness I’m quit, Bewildered as I am betwixten hope and fear.

Therewithal Queen Es Shuhba was moved to exceeding delight and said, ‘Well done, O queen of delight! None can avail to describe thee. Sing to us on the apple,’ Quoth Tuhfeh, ‘Hearkening and obedience.’ Then she improvised and sang the following verses:

Queen Es Shubha rejoiced in this with an exceeding delight and said, ‘Well done! By Allah, there is none surpasseth thee.’ Tuhfeh kissed the earth, then returned to her place and improvised on the tuberose, saying: