Brighter and sweeter now are grown his charms, * Since down robes lip and cheek before were bare. And those who blame me for my love of him, * When him they mention say of him, 'Thy Fair'!'
And quoth al-Hariri [FN#238] and quoth excellently well,
'My censors say, 'What means this pine for him? * Seest not the flowing hair on cheeks a flowing?' I say, 'By Allah, an ye deem I dote, * Look at the truth in those fine eyes a-showing! But for the down that veils his cheek and chin, * His brow had dazed all eyes no sight allowing: And whoso sojourns in a growthless land, * How shall he move from land fair growths a-growing?'
And quoth another,
'My blamers say of me, 'He is consoled,' And lie! * No consolation comes to those who pine and sigh. I had no solace when Rose bloomed alone on cheek, * Now Basil blooms thereon and now consoled am I.'
And again,
'Slim waisted one, whose looks with down of cheek * In slaughtering mankind each other hurtle With the Narcissus blade he sheddeth blood, * The baldrick of whose sheath is freshest myrtle.' [FN#239]
And again,
'Not with his must I'm drunk, but verily * Those curls turn manly heads like newest wine [FN#240] Each of his beauties envies each, and all * Would be the silky down on side face li'en.'
