Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/32

16 O skinker of the wine of woe, turn from a love-sick maid, Who drinks her tears still, night and morn, thy bitter-flavoured bowl. I had not left you, had I known that severance would prove My death; but what is past is past, Fate stoops to no control.

As they were thus in the enjoyment of all that in most delicious of easance and delight, and indeed the wine was sweet to them and the talk pleasant, behold, there came a knocking at the door. So the master of the house went out, that he might see what was to do, and found ten men of the Khalif’s eunuchs at the door. When he saw this, he was amazed and said to them, “What is to do?” Quoth they, “The Commander of the Faithful saluteth thee and requireth of thee the slave-girl whom thou hast for sale and whose name is Sitt el Milah.” “By Allah,” answered the other, “I have sold her.” And they said, “Swear by the head of the Commander of the Faithful that she is not in thy dwelling.” He made oath that he had sold her and that she was no longer at his disposal; but they paid no needheed [sic] to his word and forcing their way into the house, found the damsel and the young Damascene in the sitting-chamber. So they laid hands upon her, and the youth said, “This is my slave-girl, whom I have bought with my money.” But they hearkened not to his speech and taking her, carried her off to the Commander of the Faithful.

Therewithal Noureddin’s life was troubled; so he arose and donned his clothes, and his host said, “Whither away this night, O my lord?” Quoth Noureddin, “I mean to go to my lodging, and to-morrow I will betake