Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/163

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When he had made an end of these verses, the princess fetched inkhorn and paper and wrote the following letter. ‘In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful! The peace of God be upon thee and His mercy and blessings! Thy slave-girl Meryem salutes thee, who longeth sore for thee; and this is her message to thee. As soon as this letter falls into thy hands, do thou arise and apply thyself with all diligence to that she would have of thee, and beware with all wariness of transgressing her commandment and of sleeping. When the first watch of the night is past, (for that hour is of the most favourable of times,) saddle the two horses [that the vizier had of the king] and go forth with them to the Sultan’s Gate, [where do thou await me]. If any ask thee whither thou goest, answer, “I am going to exercise them,” and none will hinder thee; for the folk of this city trust to the locking of the gates.’

Then she folded the letter in a silken handkerchief and threw it out of the window to Noureddin, who took it and reading it, knew it for the handwriting of the Lady Meryem. So he kissed the letter and laid it between his eyes; then, calling to mind that which had betided him with her of the sweets of love-delight, he recited the following verses, whilst the tears streamed from his eyes: