Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 4.djvu/290

 chanced I on a blackness, which I found * A white girl hid in hair for napery: Here to her for a moon of brightest sheen! * Like willow-wand and veiled in pudency: I quaffed a cup to her; then drew I near, * And kissed the beauty-spot on cheek had she: She woke astart, and in her sleep's amaze, * Swayed as the swaying branch in rain we see; Then rose and said to me, 'O Trusted One * Of Allah, O Amin, what may this be? Quoth I, 'A guest that cometh to thy tents * And craves till morn thy hospitality.' She answered, 'Gladly I, my lord, will grace * And honour such a     guest with ear and eye.'"

Cried the Caliph, "Allah strike thee dead! it is as if thou hadst been present with us." Then he took him by the hand and carried him to the damsel and, when Abu Nowas saw her clad in a dress and veil of blue, he expressed abundant admiration and improvised these couplets,

"Say to the pretty one in veil of blue, * 'By Allah, O my life,     have ruth on dole! For, when the fair entreats her lover foul, * Sighs rend his     bosom and bespeak his soul By charms of thee and whitest cheek I swear thee, * Pity a heart     for love lost all control Bend to him, be his stay 'gainst stress of love, * Nor aught     accept what saith the ribald fool.'"

Now when he ended his verse, the damsel set wine before the Caliph; and, taking the lute, played a lively measure and sang these couplets,

"Wilt thou be just to others in thy love, and do * Unright, and     put me off, and take new friend in lieu? Had lovers Kazi unto whom I might complain * Of thee, he'd     peradventure grant the due I sue: If thou forbid me pass your door, yet I afar * Will stand, and     viewing you waft my salams to you!"