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of Alexandrian cloth of gold and bearing on their breasts flagons of crystal, full of rose-water mingled with musk. El Mamoun marvelled exceedingly at all this and said, “Harkye, Aboulhusn!”[1] Whereupon Ali sprang to the carpet [on which the Khalif was seated] and kissing it, said, “At thy service, O Commander of the Faithful!” and stood before him. Quoth El Mamoun, “Let us hear some pleasant songs.” “I hear and obey, O Commander of the Faithful,” replied Ali and said to one of his servants, “Fetch the singing-women.”
So he went out and returned in a moment, followed by ten eunuchs, bearing ten golden stools, which they set down; and these in their turn were followed by ten damsels, as they were shining full moons or flowerful gardens, clad in black brocade, with crowns of gold on their heads. They sat down on the stools and sang various songs. Then El Mamoun looked at one of them and captivated by her elegance and the beauty of her aspect, said to her, “What is thy name, O damsel?” “My name is Sejahi, O Commander of the Faithful,” answered she; and he said, “Sing to us, O Sejahi!” So she took the lute and playing a lively measure, sang the following verses:
Right stealthily, for fearfulness, I fare, the weakling’s gait, Who sees unto the watering-place two lion-whelps draw near,
With cloak, instead of sword, begirt and bosom love-distraught And heart for eyes of enemies and spies fulfilled of fear,
Till in to one at last I come, a loveling delicate, Like to a desert antelope, that’s lost its younglings dear.
“Well done, O damsel!” said the Khalif. “Whose is this song?” “The words are by Amr ben Madi Kerib ez Zubeidi,”[2] answered she, “and the air is Mabid’s.”[3] Then
