Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 4.djvu/226

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Then, returning to his palace, he summoned his Vizier and causing pack him up countless treasure, bade him carry it to King Shamikh and say to him, ‘The King is minded to ally himself with thee by marrying Uns el Wujoud, thine officer, to his daughter. So needs must thou send him with me, that the marriage may be solemnized in her father’s kingdom.’ And he wrote a letter to King Shamikh, to this effect, and gave it to the Vizier, charging him without fail bring back Uns el Wujoud, on pain of deposition from his office. ‘I hear and obey,’ answered the Vizier and setting out forthright, in due course arrived at the court of King Shamikh, to whom he delivered the letter and presents, saluting him in the name of King Dirbas. When Shamikh read the letter and saw the name of Uns el Wujoud, he burst into tears and said to the Vizier, ‘And where is Uns el Wujoud? He went away, and we know not his place of abiding. Bring him to me, and I will give thee the sum of the presents thou hast brought me, twice told.’ And he wept and sighed and groaned, reciting the following verses:

Him whom I loved to me restore; By gold and gifts I set no store. Nor do I crave largesse, indeed, Of pearls and gems and precious ore. As ’twere a moon at full, for us, In beauty’s heaven he did soar. Passing in wit and grace, gazelles With him comparison gave o’er.