Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 3.djvu/207

Rh and when he saw her, he shook for joy and signed to her, "How doth thy lord?; Allah grant him health and healing!" "He is well," answered she and pulling out the letter gave it to him. He took it and kissing it, opened and read it; after which he handed it to Abu al-Hasan, who found these verses written therein:—

"And afterwards : Without fingers I have written to thee, and without tongue I have spoken to thee ● to resume my case, I have an eye wherefrom sleeplessness departeth not ● and a heart whence sorrowful thought stirreth not ● It is with me as though health I had never known ● nor in sadness ever ceased to wone ● nor spent an hour in pleasant place ● but it is as if I were made up of pine and of the pain of passion and chagrin ● Sickness unceasingly troubleth ● and my yearning ever redoubleth ● desire still groweth ● and longing in my heart still gloweth ● I pray Allah to hasten our union ● and dispel of my mind the confusion ● And I would fain thou favour me ● with some words of thine ● that I may cheer my heart in pain and repine ● Moreover, I would have thee put on a patience lief, until Allah vouchsafe relief ● And His peace be with thee." When Ali bin Bakkar had read this letter he said in weak accents and feeble voice, "With what hand shall I write and with what tongue shall I make moan and lament? Indeed she addeth sickness to my sickness and draweth death upon my death!" Then he sat up and taking