Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/54

 And she drew the curtain aside and Alia rose to greet her:

Welcome to thee, O Zohwa, welcome, thou daughter of Nasser,

How doth it fare with thee ? Thou comest on what errand ?

Speak, what thou wilt is thine, even all thy heart desireth."

And Zohwa spoke dissembling, cc My duty brought me hither,

This and my love for thee and my great debt of reverence.

I came to-night to thee in thought to do thee service,

For fair discourse of friends is to the soul an unguent."

And Alia bade her welcome, ay, even eighty welcomes,

And made her entertainment, for her heart smiled within her.

And Zohwa clothed her words in garments of affection,

And so talked through the night, two thirds of the night ; but after

Rose she and bade farewell. And Alia pressed her nearly,

" Wilt thou not bide with me, for see, the short night turneth,

Hardly an end is left, thy couch shall be spread quickly."

And she protested, " Nay, of a truth I dare not linger,

None know that I am here, of my own house and people ;

Rather, if there be kindness, come with me thou a little,