Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 3.djvu/262

234 In sooth for love I'm wet with railing tears, ○ That rail mine eyelids blood thou mightest say: No marvel what I bear for love, 'tis marvel ○ That any know my "me" while thou'rt away: Unlawful were our union did I doubt ○ Thy love, or heart incline to other May.

And eke these words:—

When Maymunah heard these lines from the Ifrit, she said, "Thou hast done well, O Dahnash! But say thou which of the two is the handsomer?" And he answered, "My mistress Budur is handsomer than thy beloved!" Cried Maymunah, "Thou liest, O accursed. Nay, my beloved is more beautiful than shine!" But Dahnash persisted, "Mine is the fairer." And they ceased not to wrangle and challenge each other's words till Maymunah cried out at Dahnash and would have laid violent hands on him, but he humbled himself to her and, softening his speech, said, "Let not the truth be a grief to thee, and cease we this talk, for all we say is to testify in favour of our lovers; rather let each of us with-