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none awake but myself, asked me who it was recited the verses. I told him it was some passer-by; so he went away and God delivered me from him; else had he killed me. But first he said to me, ‘If thou hear him again, bring him to us.’” When Zoulmekan heard this, he wept and said, “Who is it would forbid me to recite? I will surely do so, come what may; for I am near my own country and care for no one.” “Dost thou wish to destroy thyself?” asked the stoker; and Zoulmekan answered, “I cannot help reciting verses.” “Verily,” said the stoker, “I see this will bring about a parting between us here though I had promised myself not to leave thee, till I had brought thee to thy native city and re-united thee with thy mother and father. Thou hast now been with me a year and a half, and I have never baulked thee or harmed thee in aught. What ails thee then, that thou must needs recite, seeing that we are exceeding weary with travel and watching and all the folk are asleep, for they need sleep to rest them of their fatigue.” But Zoulmekan answered, “I will not be turned from my purpose.” Then grief moved him and he threw off disguise and began to repeat the following verses:
Halt by the camp and hail the ruined steads by the brake, And call on her name aloud; mayhap she will answer make.
And if for her absence the night of sadness darken on thee, Light in its gloom a fire with longings for her sake.
Though the snake of the sand-hills hiss, small matter is it to me If it sting me, so I the fair with the lips of crimson take.
O Paradise, left perforce of the spirit, but that I hope For ease in the mansions of bliss, my heart would surely break!
And these also:
