yet this third night, and if he go not in unto thee and do away thy maidenhead, we shall know how to proceed with him and oust him from the throne and banish him the country." And on this wise he agreed with his daughter what course he would take.--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Two Hundred and Tenth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King Armanus had agreed with his daughter on this wise and had determined what course he would take and night came on, Queen Budur arose from the throne of her kingdom and betaking herself to the palace, entered the apartment prepared for her. There she found the wax-candles lighted and the Princess Hayat al-Nufus seated and awaiting her; whereupon she bethought her of her husband and what had betided them both of sorrow and severance in so short a space; she wept and sighed and groaned groan upon groan, and began improvising these couplets,
"News of my love fill all the land, I swear, * As suns on Ghazá [1]-wold rain heat and glare: Speaketh his geste but hard its sense to say; * Thus never cease to grow my cark and care: I hate fair Patience since I loved thee; * E'er sawest lover hate for love to bear? A glance that dealt love-sickness dealt me death, * Glances are deadliest things with torments rare: He shook his love locks down and bared his chin, * Whereby I spied his beauties dark and fair: My care, my cure are in his hands; and he * Who caused their dolour can their dole repair: His belt went daft for softness of his waist; * His hips, for envy, to uprise forbear: His brow curl-diademed is murky night; * Unveil 't and lo! bright Morn shows brightest light."
When she had finished her versifying, she would have risen to
pray, but, lo and behold! Hayat al-Nufus caught her by the skirt and clung to her saying, "O my lord, art thou not ashamed before my
- ↑ I have noticed this notable desert-growth.
