Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 3.djvu/137

117 An if my heart were like to thine, I’d not refuse; alack! ’Tis but my body’s like thy waist, worn thin and wasted quite. Out on him for a moon that’s famed for beauty far and near, That for th’ exemplar of all grace men everywhere do cite! The railers say, “Who’s this for love of whom thou art distressed?” And I reply, “An if ye can, describe the lovely wight.” O learn to yield, hard heart of his, take pattern by his shape! So haply yet he may relent and put away despite. Thou, that my prince in beauty art, a steward hast, whose rule Aggrieves me and a chamberlain that doth me foul upright. He lies who says, “All loveliness in Joseph was comprised.” How many a Joseph is there not within thy beauty bright! The Jinn do fear me, whenas I confront them face to face; But when I meet with thee, my heart doth tremble for affright. I feign aversion unto thee, for fear of slanderous tongues; The more I feign, the more my love to madness I excite. Black hair and smooth and glistening brows, eyes languorous and soft, As of the maids of Paradise, and slender shape and slight!

When Dehnesh heard this, he shook for delight and was filled with admiration and said, ‘Thou hast indeed done well in praise of him whom thou lovest! Needs must I do my endeavour, in my turn, to celebrate my mistress, to the best of my power, and recite somewhat in her honour.’ Then he went up to the lady Budour and kissing her between the eyes, looked at her and at Maimouneh and recited the following verses, for all he had no skill in poetry: