Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 4.djvu/289



When the beardless one heard these words, he doffed the white tunic and appeared in the red; and when Abu Nowas saw him he redoubled in expressions of admiration and repeated these couplets,

"He showed in garb anemone-red, * A foeman 'friend' entitulèd: Quoth I in marvel, 'Thou'rt full moon * Whose weed shames rose     however red: Hath thy cheek stained it red, or hast * Dyed it in blood by     lovers bled?' Quoth he, 'Sol gave me this for shirt * When hasting down the     West to bed So garb and wine and hue of cheek * All three are red on red on     red.'"

And when the verses came to an end, the beardless one doffed the red tunic and stood in the black; and, when Abu Nowas saw him, he redoubled in attention to him and versified in these couplets,

"He came in sable-huèd sacque * And shone in dark men's heart to     rack: Quoth I, 'Doss pass and greet me not? * Joying the hateful     envious pack? Thy garment's like thy locks and like * My lot, three blacks on     black on black.'"

Seeing this state of things and understanding the case of Abu Nowas and his love-longing, the Chamberlain returned to the Caliph and acquainted him therewith; so he bade him pouch a thousand dirhams and go and take him out of pawn. Thereupon the Chamberlain returned to Abu Nowas and, paying his score, carried him to the Caliph, who said, "Make me some verses containing the words, O Trusted of Allah, what may this be?" Answered he, "I hear and I obey, O Commander of the Faithful."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Three Hundred and Fortieth Night,

She said, it hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Abu Nowas answered, "I hear and I obey, O Commander of the Faithful!" and forthwith he improvised these couplets,

"Long was my night for sleepless misery; * Weary of body and of     thought ne'er free: I rose and in my palace walked awhile, * Then wandered thro' the     halls of Haremry: Till