Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 3.djvu/341

Rh Anon I 'plain of sea in heart, anon of fire ○ In vitals, O strange case, dear wish, my fairest fain! O blamer, cease thy blame, and seek thyself to fly ○ From love, which makes these eyne a rill of tears to rain. How oft I cry for absence and desire, Ah grief! ○ But all my crying naught of gain for me shall gain: Thy rigours dealt me sickness passing power to bear, ○ Thou art my only leach, assain me an thou deign! O chider, chide me not in caution, for I doubt ○ That plaguey Love to thee shall also deal a bout.

Then Queen Budur perfumed the letter-paper with a profusion of odoriferous musk and, winding it in her hairstrings which were of Iraki silk, with pendants of oblong emeralds, set with pearls and stones of price, delivered it to the old woman, bidding her carry it to Prince As'ad. She did so in order to pleasure her, and going in to the Prince, straightway and without stay, found him in his own rooms and delivered to him the letter in privacy; after which she stood waiting an hour or so for the answer. When As'ad had read the paper and knew its purport, he wrapped it up again in the ribbons and put it in his bosom-pocket: then (for he was wrath beyond all measure of wrath) he cursed false women and sprang up and drawing his sword, smote the old trot on the neck and cut off her pate. Thereupon he went in to his mother, Queen Hayat al-Nufus, whom he found lying on her bed in feeble case, for that which had betided her with Prince Amjad, and railed at her and cursed her; after which he left her and fore-gathered with his brother, to whom he related all that had befallen him with Queen Budur, adding, "By Allah, O my brother, but that I was ashamed before thee, I had gone in to her forthright and had smitten her head off her shoulders!" Replied Prince Amjad, "By Allah, O my brother, yesterday when I was sitting upon the seat of judgement, the like of what hath befallen thee this day befel me also with thy mother who sent me a letter of similar purport." And he told him all that had passed, adding, "By Allah, O my brother, naught but respect for thee withheld