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aright, this is she to whom my father would have married me and I have refused these three years past; but, God willing, as soon as it is day, I will say to him, Night clxxxiv.“Marry me to her that I may enjoy her,” nor will I let half the day pass ere I possess her and take my fill of her beauty and grace.’ Then he bent over Budour, to kiss her, whereat Maimouneh trembled and was confounded and Dehnesh was like to fly for joy. But, as Kemerezzeman was about to kiss her, he was ashamed before God and turned away his head, saying to his heart, ‘Have patience.’ Then he considered awhile and said, ‘I will be patient, lest my father have brought this young lady and made her lie by my side, to try me with her, charging her not to be lightly awakened, whenas I would fain arouse her, and bidding her tell him all that I do to her. Belike, he is hidden somewhere whence he can see all I do with this young lady, himself unseen; and to-morrow he will flout me and say, “How comes it that thou feignest to have no mind to marry and yet didst kiss and clip yonder damsel?” So I will forbear her, lest I be shamed before my father; and it were well that I look not on her nor touch her at this present, except to take from her somewhat to serve as a sign of remembrance and a token between us.’ Then he lifted her hand and took from her little finger a ring worth much money, for that its beazel was of precious jewels and around it were graven the following verses:
Think not that I have forgotten thy sometime promises, Though long thou hast protracted thy cruelty, ywis.
Be generous, O my master, vouchsafe me of thy grace, So it to me be given thy lips and cheeks to kiss.
Never, by Allah, never will I abandon thee, Though thou transgress thy limits in love and go amiss!
Then he put the ring on his own little finger, and turning his back to her, went to sleep. When Maimouneh saw this, she was glad and said, ‘Saw ye how my beloved
