Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/38

22 A moon is my love, in a robe of loveliness proudly arrayed, And the splendours of new-broken day from his cheeks and his forehead shine clear.

Then the Khalif summoned her to his presence a fourth time and said to her, “O Sitt el Milah, sing.” So she improvised and sang the following verses:

When she had made an end of her song, she threw the lute from her hand and wept till she swooned away. So they sprinkled on her rose-water, mingled with musk, and willow-flower water; and when she came to herself, Er Reshid said to her, “O Sitt el Milah, this is not fair dealing in thee. We love thee and thou lovest another.” “O Commander of the Faithful,” answered she, “there is no help for it.” Therewithal he was wroth with her