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not what happened to me after this nor did I awake till the sun’s heat burnt me, for that I had not tasted sleep for days. When I awoke, I found myself lying on the naked marble, with a piece of salt and another of charcoal on my stomach; so I stood up and shook my clothes and turned right and left, but could see no one. At this I was perplexed and afflicted; the tears ran down my cheeks and I mourned grievously for myself. Then I returned home, and when I entered, I found my cousin beating her bosom and weeping like the rain-clouds, as she repeated the following verses:
From out my loved one’s land a breeze blows cool and sweet: The fragrance of its wafts stirs up the ancient heat.
Blow, zephyr of the East! Each lover hath his lot, His heaven-appointed doom of fortune or defeat.
Lo, if we might, we would embrace thee for desire, Even as a lover clips his mistress, when they meet.
Whenas my cousin’s face is absent, God forbids All pleasance [unto me] and all life has of sweet.
Ah, would I knew his heart was even as is mine, All wasted and consumed by passion’s flaming feet!
When she saw me, she rose in haste and wiping away her tears, accosted me with her soft speech, saying, “O my cousin, verily God hath been gracious to thee in thy love, in that she whom thou lovest loves thee, whilst I pass my time in weeping and lamenting my separation from thee that blamest and chidest me; but may God not reproach thee for my sake!” Then she smiled in my face, a sad smile, and caressed me; then taking off my outer clothes, she spread them out and said, “By Allah, this is not the scent of one who hath enjoyed his mistress! Tell me what has befallen thee, O my cousin.” So I told her all that had passed, and she smiled again, a sad smile, and said, “Verily, my heart is full of pain; but may he not live who would hurt thy heart! Indeed, this woman makes herself extravagantly difficult to thee, and by Allah, I fear for thee
