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I rede thee beware of her glance, for, lo, ’tis a wizard, I ween! None ’scapeth unscathed of the shafts of her eyes, that has gazed on their sheen.
For, trust me, black eyes, that are armed with the grace of a languorous look, Are swifter and sharper to wound than scimitars, tempered and keen.
And let not thy mind be beguiled by the sweet and the soft of her words; For the fever that springs from her speech o’ermasters the senses, demesne.
Soft-sided, were silk but to press on her skin, it would cause it to bleed, So delicate-bodied she is and so nesh, as forsooth thou hast seen.
Right chary she is of the charms ’twixt her neck and her anklets that lie, And what is the sweetest of scents to the fragrance that breathes from my queen!
Then he gave a sob and swooned away a second time. When Taj el Mulouk saw him thus, he was perplexed about his case and went up to him. So when he came to himself and saw the prince standing by him, he sprang to his feet and kissed the earth before him; and Taj el Mulouk said to him, ‘Why didst thou not show us thy merchandise?’ ‘O my lord,’ answered the young merchant, ‘there is nought among my stock worthy of thine august highness.’ ‘It matters not,’ said the prince, ‘thou must show me what thou hast and acquaint me with thy case; for I see thee weeping-eyed and mournful-hearted. If thou hast been wronged, we will do away thine oppression, and if thou be in debt, we will discharge thy debt; for my heart aches for thee, since I first set eyes on thee.’ Then he called for seats and they set him a chair of ebony and ivory, netted with gold and silk, and spread him a silken carpet. So he sat down on the chair and bidding the young merchant seat himself on the carpet, again commanded him to show him his merchandise. ‘O my lord,’ said he, ‘do not name this to me; for I have nought worthy of thee.’ ‘I will have it so,’ rejoined Taj el Mulouk and bade some of the servants fetch the goods. So they brought them in spite of the merchant; and when he
