His fragrance wafted happy news of footstep coming nigh, * And to him like a bird uncaged I flew in straightest line: I spread my cheek upon his path, beneath his sandal-shoon, * And lo! the stibium [1] of their dust healed all my hurt of eyne. With one embrace again I bound the banner of our loves [2] * And loosed the knot of my delight that bound in bonds malign: Then bade I make high festival, and straight came flocking in * Pure joys that know not grizzled age [3] nor aught of pain and pine: The full moon dotted with the stars the lips and pearly teeth * That dance right joyously upon the bubbling face of wine: So in the prayer-niche of their joys I yielded me to what * Would make the humblest penitent of sinner most indign. I swear by all the signs [4] of those glories in his face * I'll ne'er forget the Chapter entituled Al-Ikhlas." [5]
Then Queen Budur told Kamar al-Zaman all that had befallen her from beginning to end and he did likewise; after which he began to upbraid her, saying, "What moved thee to deal with me as thou hast done this night?" She replied, "Pardon me! for I did this by way of jest, and that pleasure and gladness might be increased." And when dawned the morn and day arose with its sheen and shone, she sent to King Armanus, sire of the Lady Hayat al-Nufus, and acquainted him with the truth of the case and that she was wife to Kamar al-Zaman. Moreover, she told him their tale and the cause of their separation, and how his daughter was a virgin, pure as when she was born. He marvelled at their story with exceeding marvel and bade them chronicle it in letters of gold. Then he turned to Kamar al-Zaman and said, "O King's son, art thou minded to become my son-in-law by marrying my daughter?" Replied he, "I must consult the Queen
- ↑ Arab. "Ismid," the eye-powder before noticed.
- ↑ When the Caliph (e.g. Al-Tái lillah) bound a banner to a spear and handed it to an officer, he thereby appointed him Sultan or Viceregent.
- ↑ Arab. "Sháib al-ingház"=lit. a gray beard who shakes head in disapproval.
- ↑ Arab. "Ayát" = the Hebr. "Ototh," signs, wonders or Koranic verses.
- ↑ The Chapter "Al-Ikhlás" i.e. clearing (oneself from any faith but that of Unity) is No. cxii. and runs thus:--
Say, He is the One God!
The sempiternal God,
He begetteth not, nor is He begot,
And unto Him the like is not.
It is held to be equal in value to one-third of the Koran, and is daily used in prayer. Mr. Rodwell makes it the tenth.
