Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 3.djvu/99

81 eyes met those of the princess, whereupon his wit departed and he was like to swoon away, whilst his colour changed and he said, “Verily, we are God’s and to Him we return!” But he feared for himself lest estrangement betide him; so he concealed his secret and discovered not his case to any of the creatures of God the Most High. When he reached his house, his servant Aamir said to him, “O my lord, I seek refuge for thee with God from change of colour! Hath there betided thee a pain from God the Most High or hath aught of vexation befallen thee? Verily, sickness hath an end and patience doth away vexation.” But the prince returned him no answer. Then he brought out inkhorn [and pen] and paper and wrote the following verses:

Quoth I (and mine a body is of passion all forslain, Ay, and a heart that’s all athirst for love and longing pain And eye that knoweth not the sweet of sleep; yet she, who caused My dole, may Fortune’s perfidies for aye from her abstain! Yea, for the perfidies of Fate and sev’rance I’m become Even as was Bishr of old time with Hind, a fearful swain; A talking-stock among the folk for ever I abide; Life and the days pass by, yet ne’er my wishes I attain), “Knoweth my loved one when I see her at the lattice high Shine as the sun that flameth forth in heaven’s blue demesne?” Her eye is sharper than a sword; the soul with ecstasy It takes and longing leaves behind, that nothing may assain. As at the casement high she sat, her charms I might espy, For from her cheeks the envious veil that hid them she had ta’en.

VOL. III.