Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/128

Rh, and it is thy duty to bow before a proposal of fruition, so henceforward cease from denial and coyness, for the commandment of Allah is a decree foreordained: indeed, I have more reason than thou to fear falling and by sin to be misled; and well-inspired was he who said:—

My prickle is big and the little one said, Thrust boldly in vitals 'with lion-like stroke Then I, 'Tis a sin!'; and he, 'No sin to me!'  So I had him at once with a counterfeit poke."

When Kamar al-Zaman heard these words, the light became darkness in his sight and he said:

"O King, thou hast in thy household fair women and female slaves, who have not their like in this age: shall not these suffice thee without me? Do thy will with them and let me go!"

She replied:

"Thou sayest sooth, but it is not with them that one who loveth thee can heal himself of torment and can abate his fever; for, when tastes and inclinations are corrupted by vice, they hear and obey other than good advice. So leave arguing and listen to what the poet saith:—

''Seest not the bazaar with its fruit in rows? These men are for figs and for sycamore those!''

"And what another saith:—

''O beauty's Union! love for thee's my creed; free choice of Faith and eke my best desire:''