Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/362

334 its strings and played upon it, till all present were transported for excess of delight; after which she improvised and sang the following verses:

When the Khalif heard this, he could not contain himself, but rent his clothes and fell down in a swoon; whereupon all who were present hastened to pull off their apparel and throw it over him, whilst Cout el Culoub beckoned to Khelif and said to him, ‘Go to yonder chest and bring what is therein;’ for she had made ready therein a suit of the Khalif’s apparel against the like of this time. So Khelif brought it to her and she threw it over the Commander of the Faithful, who came to himself and knowing her for Cout el Culoub, said, ‘Is this the day of Resurrection and hath God called up those who are in the tombs; or am I asleep and is this an illusion of dreams?’ Quoth Cout el Culoub, ‘We are awake, not asleep, and I am alive, nor have I tasted the cup of death.’

Then she told him all that had befallen her, and indeed, since he lost her, life had not been easy to him nor sleep sweet, and he abode now wondering, now weeping and anon afire for longing. When she had made an end of her story, the Khalif rose and took her by the hand, intending for her palace, after he had kissed her lips and strained her to his bosom; whereupon Khelif rose and said, ‘By Allah, it is good, O Commander of the Faithful! Thou hast already wronged me once, and now thou