Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 4.djvu/317

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When she finished, Abou Isa said, “O Commander of the Faithful, we will be at peace, though we be dishonoured. Dost thou give me leave to reply to her?” “Yes,” answered the Khalif. “Say what thou wilt to her.” So he swallowed his tears and sang these verses:

Then Curret el Ain took the lute and rejoined with the following:

When Abou Isa heard this, he fell a-weeping and lamenting and discovered the trouble and anguish of his soul. Then he raised his eyes to her and sighing, repeated the following:

Under my wede there is a wasted body And in my soul an all-absorbing thought. I have a heart, whose suffering is eternal, And eyes with tears like torrents ever fraught.