Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/34

22 all I have taken from thee.’ ‘O my lady,’ answered he, ‘I acquit thee of that whereof thou speakest, though thou hadst been false to the oath we swore to each other, thou and I; for I will go and become a Muslim.’ Then said Huboub to her, ‘O my lady, thou art young of years and knowest many things, and I claim the intercession of God the Most High with thee, for, except thou do my bidding and heal my heart, I will not lie the night with thee in the house.’ ‘O Huboub,’ replied her mistress, ‘it shall be as thou wilt: so rise and make us ready another room.’

So she rose and made ready another room and adorned and perfumed it after the goodliest fashion, on such wise as her mistress loved and preferred, after which she set on fresh food and wine, and the cup went round between them and their hearts were glad. Presently quoth Zein el Mewasif to Mesrour, ‘O Mesrour, the time of union and favour is come; so, as thou studiest for my love, recite us some verses, surpassing of fashion.’ So he recited the following ode:

I am ta’en captive; in my heart a fire flames up amain, Over a bond of love-delight by sev’rance shorn in twain; Ay, and for love of a fair maid, whose shape hath rent my heart, Whose cheeks so soft and delicate my reason do enchain. Joined brows and arched and melting eyes of liquid black hath she And teeth that like the lightning flash, when she to smile doth deign. Her years of life are ten and four; my tears, for love of her, Resemble drops of dragon’s blood, as from mine eyes they rain. ’Twixt stream and garden first mine eyes beheld her, as she sat, With face the full moon that outshone in heaven’s high domain. I stood to her, on captive wise, for awe, and said, ‘The peace Of God for ever light on thee, O dweller in the fane!’ Then she, with sweet and dulcet speech, like pearls in order strung, My salutation graciously returned to me again;