Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/155

137 Yea, by Allah, my longing for you ne’er waneth nor passeth away; For your like among creatures is rare and sought for in mountain and vale. Ask mine eyes whether slumber hath lit on their lids since the hour of your loss Or if aye on a lover they’ve looked. Nay, an ye believe not their tale, My heart, since the leave-taking day afflicted, will tell of my case, And my body, for love and desire grown wasted and feeble and frail. Could they who reproach me but see my sufferings, their hearts would relent; They’d marvel, indeed, at my case and the loss of my loved ones bewail. Yea, they’d join me in pouring forth tears and help me my woes to lament, And like unto me they’d become all wasted and tortured and pale. How long did the heart for thy love that languished with longing endure A burden of passion, ’neath which e’en mountains might totter and fail! By Allah, what sorrows and woes to my soul for thy sake were decreed! My heart is grown hoar, ere eld’s snows have left on my tresses their trail. The fires in my vitals that rage if I did but discover to view, Their ardour the world to consume, from the East to the West, might avail. But now unto me of my loves accomplished are joyance and cheer And those whom I cherish my soul with the wine of contentment regale. Our Lord, after sev’rance, with them hath conjoined us, for he who doth good Shall ne’er disappointed abide and kindnesses kindness entail.

When King El Aziz heard the damsel’s song, her