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son Taj el Mulouk, knowing that all who alight in their dominions are in peace and safety; and we have with us precious stuffs, that we have brought for the prince.’ The messenger returned with this news to the prince, who said, ‘I will not depart hence till I see what they have brought for me.’ Then he mounted and rode to the caravan, followed by his servants. The merchants rose to receive him and invoked on him the aid and favour of God, with continuance of glory and virtues; after which they pitched him a pavilion of red satin, emblazoned with pearls and jewels, in which they spread him a royal divan, upon a silken carpet embroidered at the upper end with emeralds. The prince seated himself on the divan, whilst his servants stood in attendance upon him, and bade the merchants bring out all that they had with them. Accordingly, they produced all their merchandise, and he viewed it and took of it what liked him, paying them the price. Then he remounted and was about to ride onward, when his eyes fell on a handsome young man, well dressed and elegantly made, with flower-white forehead and face brilliant as the moon, save that his beauty was wasted and that pallor had invaded his cheeks by reason of separation from those he loved: Night cxi.sighing and lamentation were grievous upon him and the tears streamed from his eyelids, as he repeated the following verses:
Absence is long and care and fear are heavy on my soul, Whilst from mine eyes the tears, O friend, without cessation roll.
Alas, I left my heart behind upon the parting day, And now sans heart, sans hope, abide all lonely in my dole.
Pause with me, O my friend, what while I take my leave of one By whose sweet speech diseases all and sorrows are made whole.
Having said this, he wept awhile and fell down in a swoon, whilst Taj el Mulouk looked at him wonderingly then coming to himself, he stared fixedly before him, with distracted air, and repeated these other verses:
