Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/37

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Then said she to him, ‘O Mesrour, recite us somewhat of thy verse and favour us with the fruit of thy wit.’ So he recited the following:

When he had finished, she said to him, ‘If thou be occupied with love of me, make us some verses on that which hath passed between us.’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered he and recited the following ode:

Stay thou and hear what me befell For love of yonder fair gazelle. A white doe shot me with a shaft And fierce her glances on me fell. Ravished with love, my every shift Straitened on me for passion’s spell, I pined for a coquette, enclosed With spear-points inexpugnable. I saw her midst a garden fair: In symmetry she did excel. ‘Peace be on thee!’ quoth I to her: She answered, ‘And on thee as well.’ ‘What is thy name?’ asked I; and she, ‘My name my qualities doth tell. Zein el Mewasif am I called.’ ‘Pity my case deplorable,’ Quoth I, ‘such longing with me is, No lover is my parallel.’ ‘An if thou love and wouldst my charms Enjoy,’ said she, ‘I will not sell My favours save for wealth galore, Past count and unattainable.