Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/204

On Love and Youth

It is related that the royal prince, who was the object of his affection, had been informed to the effect that a good-natured and sweet-spoken youth was constantly attending on the plain, uttering graceful words; and strange tales having been heard of him, it appeared that his heart was inflamed, and that he had a touch of insanity in his head. The boy knew that his heart had become attached to him, and that he had raised this dust of calamity; accordingly he galloped towards him. When the youth perceived the prince approaching him, he wept and said:

"He who has slain me has come back again. It seems his heart burns for him whom he has slain."

Although he accosted the youth graciously, asking him whence he came, and what his occupation was, he was so plunged in the depths of the ocean of love that he could not breathe.

If thou recitest the seven portions of the lesson by heart, when thou art demented by love thou knowest not the A, B, C.

The prince said: "Why speakest thou not to me? I also belong to the circle of Dervishes; nay, I am even in their service."

In consequence of the force of the friendly advances of his beloved, he raised his head from the dashing waves of love and said: "It is a marvel that with thy existence mine remains, that when thou speakest, words to me remain."

Saying these words, he uttered a shout and surrendered his life.