Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 5.djvu/377

 he was in this case Shaykh Nasr returned from the Parliament of the Fowls and sought for Janshah, that he might send him with them to his native land, but found him not and knew that he had entered the forbidden room. Now he had already said to the birds, 'With me is a young man, a mere youth, whom destiny brought hither from a distant land; and I desire of you that ye take him up and carry him to his own country.' And all answered, 'We hear and we obey.' So he ceased not searching for Janshah till he came to the forbidden door and seeing it open he entered and found the Prince lying a-swoon under a tree. He fetched scented waters and sprinkled them on his face, whereupon he revived and turned."--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Tenth Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that "when Shaykh Nasr saw Janshah lying a-swoon under the tree he fetched him somewhat of scented waters and sprinkled them on his face. Thereupon he revived and turned right and left, but seeing none by him save the Shaykh, sighed heavily and repeated these couplets,

'Like fullest moon she shines on happiest night, * Soft sided fair, with slender shape bedight. Her eye-babes charm the world with gramarye; * Her lips remind of rose and ruby light. Her jetty locks make night upon her hips; * Ware, lovers, ware ye of that curl's despight! Yea, soft her sides are, but in love her heart * Outhardens flint, surpasses syenite: And bows of eyebrows shower glancey shafts * Despite the distance never fail to smite. Then, ah, her beauty! all the fair it passes; * Nor any rival her who see the light.'

When Shaykh Nasr heard these verses, he said, 'O my son, did I not warn thee not to open that door and enter that room? But now, O my son, tell me what thou sawest therein and acquaint me with all that betided thee.' So Janshah related to him all that had passed between him and the three maidens, and Shaykh Nasr, who sat listening in silence said, 'Know, O my son, that