Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 4.djvu/219

 are present, and point him out, that I may sell thee to him." So she looked round the ring of merchants, examining one by one their physiognomies, till her glance fell on Ali Shar,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Three Hundred and Eleventh Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the girl's glance fell on Ali Shar, she cast at him a look with longing eyes, which cost her a thousand sighs, and her heart was taken with him; for that he was of favour passing fair and pleasanter than zephyr or northern air; and she said, "O broker, I will be sold to none but to this my lord, owner of the handsome face and slender form whom the poet thus describeth,

'Displaying that fair face * The tempted they assailed Who, had they wished me safe * That lovely face had veiled!'

For none shall own me but he, because his cheek is smooth and the water of his mouth sweet as Salsabil; his spittle is a cure for the sick and his charms daze and dazzle poet and proser, even as saith one of him,

'His honey dew of lips is wine; his breath * Musk and those teeth, smile shown, are camphor's hue: Rizwán hath turned him out o' doors, for fear * The Houris lapse from virtue at the view Men blame his bearing for its pride, but when * In pride the full moon sails, excuse is due.'

Lord of the curling locks and rose red cheeks and ravishing look of whom saith the poet,

'The fawn-like one a meeting promised me * And eye expectant waxed and heart unstirred: His eyelids bade me hold his word as true; * But, in their languish, can he keep his word?'