Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 3.djvu/205

Rh saying, "O Abu al-Hasan, thou hast desolated me by thine absence this day; for indeed my soul is pledged to thee during the rest of my time." Answered the other, "Leave this talk! Were thy healing at the price of my hand, I would cut it off ere thou couldst ask me; and, could I ransom thee with my life, I had already laid it down for thee. Now this very day, Shams al-Nahar's handmaid hath been with me and told me that what hindered her coming ere this was the Caliph's sojourn with her mistress; and she acquainted me with everything which had betided her." And he went on to repeat to him all that the girl had told him of Shams al-Nahar; at which Ali bin Bakkar lamented sore and wept and said to him, "Allah upon thee, O my brother, help me in this affliction and teach me what course I shall take. Moreover, I beg thee of thy grace to abide with me this night, that I may have the solace of thy society." Abu al-Hasan agreed to this request, replying that he would readily night there; so they talked together till even-tide darkened, when Ali bin Bakkar groaned aloud and lamented and wept copious tears, reciting these couplets:—

And these the words of another:—

She split my casque of courage with eye-swords that sorely smite; ○ She pierced my patience' ring-mail with her shape like cane-spear light: Patched by the musky mole on cheek was to our sight displayed ○ Camphor set round with ambergris, light dawning through the night. Her soul was sorrowed and she bit carnelion stone with pearls ○ Whose unions in a sugared tank ever to lurk unite: Restless she sighed and smote with palm the snows that clothe her breast, ○ And left a mark whereon I looked and ne'er beheld such sight, Pens, fashioned of her coral nails with ambergris for ink, ○ Five lines on crystal page of breast did cruelly indite: