Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/215

193 Think not in anywise I’ve ceased from loving you; indeed, The love of you hath brought the wretch to sick and sorry plight. Ye went away and with you went my gladness, and for me Serenity became the worst of trouble and despite. Yea, ye have left me here alone, to watch the stars for pain And weep with tears that pour and pour, like rain from heaven’s height. O night, thou’rt long, indeed, on him who passes thee on wake, Watching the visage of the moon, a love-distracted wight. Wind, if thou pass the camp where they have lighted down, to them My farewell greeting bear, for life is spent and ended quite; And tell them somewhat of the pangs I suffer; for indeed They know not what’s to do with me nor that which ails my spright.

Then he wept till he swooned away; and when he came to himself, Abdulcuddous said to him, ‘O my son, thou hast a mother; make her not taste [the bitterness of] thy loss.’ ‘By Allah, O my lord,’ replied he, ‘I will never return except with my wife or my death overtake me.’ And he wept and lamented and recited the following verses:

With this the old man knew that he would not turn from his purpose, though it cost him his life: so he gave him the letter and prayed for him and enjoined him how he should do, saying, ‘I have in this letter given a strait charge concerning thee to Abourruweish, son of Belkis, daughter of Muïn, for he is my master and teacher, and all, men and Jinn, humble themselves to him and stand in awe of him. Now go with the blessing of God.’

VOL. VII.