Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/113

Rh And the author of the work, "The Jewels of the Bride and the Rejoicing of Souls," has added to the above as complement and commentary the two following verses:

Remember that all caresses and all sorts of kisses, as described, are of no account without the introduction of the member. Therefore abstain from them, if you do not want action; they only fan a fire at no purpose. The passion which is getting excited resembles in fact a fire which is being lighted; and just as water only can extinguish the latter, so the emission of the sperm only can calm the lust and appease the heat.

The woman is not more advantaged than the man by caresses without coition.

It is said that Dahama bent Mesedjel appeared before the Governor of the province of Yamama, with her father and her husband, El Adjadje, alleging that the latter was impotent, and did not cohabit with her nor come near her.

Her father, who assisted her in her case, was reproached for mixing himself up with her plaint by the people of Yamama, who said to him, "Are you not ashamed to help your daughter bring a claim for coition?"

To which he answered, "It is my wish that she should have children; if she loses them it will be by God's will; if she brings them up they will be useful to her."

Dahama formulated her claim thus in coming before the Governor: "There stands my husband, and until now he has never touched me." The Governor interposed, saying, "No doubt this will be because you have been unwilling?" "On the contrary," she replied, "it is for him