86
of care; so return him an answer and reck thou not.” Accordingly, the princess called for inkhorn and paper and wrote the following verses:
Thou that the dupe of yearning art, how many a melting wight In waiting for the unkept tryst doth watch the weary night!
If in night’s blackness thou hast plunged into the desert’s heart And hast denied thine eyes the taste of sleep and its delight,
If near and far thy toiling feet have trod the ways and thou Devils and Marids hast ensued nor wouldst be led aright,
And dar’dst, O dweller in the tents, to lift thine eyes to me, Hoping by stress to win of me the amorous delight,
Get thee to patience fair, if thou remember thee of that Whose issues (quoth the Merciful) are ever benedight.[1]
How many a king for my sweet sake with other kings hath vied, Still craving union with me and suing for my sight!
Whenas En Nebhan strove to win my grace, himself to me With camel-loads he did commend of musk and camphor white,
And aloes-wood, to boot, he brought and caskets full of pearls And priceless rubies and the like of costly gems and bright;
Yea, and black slaves he proffered me and slave-girls big with child And steeds of price, with splendid arms and trappings rich bedight.
Raiment of silk and sendal, too, he brought to us for gift, And me in marriage sought therewith; yet, all his pains despite,
Of me he got not what he sought and brideless did return, For that estrangement and disdain were pleasing in my sight.
Wherefore, O stranger, dare thou not approach me with desire, Lest ruin quick and pitiless thy hardihood requite.
- ↑ “O ye who believe, seek aid of patience and prayer; verily, God is with the patient.”—Koran ii. 148.
