Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/48

36 For parting I am sore concerned and longing for the home I love: I knew not what should hap nor looked for Fate’s despite. Would God I knew if I shall e’er return to it again, And will it ever, as of yore, be pleasant to our spright!

‘O Zein el Mewasif,’ said her husband, ‘grieve not for thy departure from thy dwelling; for, God willing, thou shalt return to it before long.’ And he went on to comfort her heart and soothe her. Then they set out and fared on till they came without the town and struck into the high road, whereupon she knew that separation was assured, and this was grievous to her.

Meanwhile, Mesrour sat in his house, pondering his case and that of his mistress, and his heart forewarned him of separation. So he rose forthright and repairing to her house, found the outer door shut and read the verses she had written thereon; whereupon he fell down in a swoon. When he came to himself, he opened the door and entering, read what was written upon the two other doors; whereupon passion and love-longing and distraction waxed on him. So he went forth and hastened in her track, till he came up with the caravan and found her at the rear, whilst her husband rode in the van, because of his goods. When he saw her, he clung to the litter, weeping and lamenting for the anguish of separation, and recited the following verses: