The Tale of Chanim bin Ayyub. 59 fair youth ; so when she saw him she loved him and said, " O my lord, bring us something to eat." " On my head and mine eyes ! " replied he ; and, going down to the bazar, bought a roasted lamb and a dish of sweetmeats and with these dry fruits and wax- candles, besides wine and whatsoever was required of drinking materials, not forgetting perfumes. With all this gear he returned to the house ; and when the damsel saw him she laughed and kissed him and clasped his neck. Then she began caressing him, which made his love wax hotter till it got the mastery of "his heart. They ate and drank and each had conceived the fondest affection ; for indeed the two were one in age and one in loveli- ness; and when night came on Ghanim bm Ayyub, the Dis- traught, the Thrall o' Love, rose and lit the wax candles and lamps till the place blazed with light ; * after which he produced the wine-service and spread the table. Then both sat down again, he and she, and he kept filling and giving her to drink, and she kept filling and giving him to drink, and they played and toyed and laughed and recited verses; whilst their joy increased and they clove in closer love each to each (glory be to the Uniter of Hearts!). They ceased not to carouse after this fashion till near upon dawn when drowsiness overcame them and they slept where they were, apart each from other, till the morning. 2 Then Ghanim arose and going to the market, bought all they required of meat and vegetables and wine and what not, and brought them to the house ; whereupon both sat down to eat and ate their sufficiency, when he set on wine. They drank and each played with each, till their cheeks flushed red and their eyes took a darker hue and Ghanim's soul longed to kiss the girl and to lie with her and he said, " O my lady, grant me one kiss of that dear mouth : per- chance 't will quench the fire of my heart." " O Ghanim," replied she, " wait till I am drunk and dead to the world ; then steal a kiss of me, secretly and on such wise that I may not know thou hast kissed me." Then she rose and taking off her upper dress sat in a thin shift of fine linen and a silken head-kerchief. 8 At this passion inflamed Ghanim and he said to her, " O my lady, wilt
An Eastern dislikes nothing more than drinking in a dim dingy place : the brightest
lights seem to add to his " drinkitite."
He did not sleep with her because he suspected some palace-mystery which sug-
gested prudence, she also had her reasons.
This is called in Egypt " Aslah" (Lane M. E. chapt. i.)-
