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the commandment of God is a foreordained decree:[1] indeed, I have more reason than thou to fear falling into error; and well-inspired was he who said:
My pintle is big and the little one said unto me, “Tilt boldly therewith at my inwards and quit thee thy need.”
Quoth I, “’Tis unlawful;” but he, “It is lawful with me;” So to it I fell, supporting myself by his rede.’
When Kemerezzeman heard these words, the light in his eyes became darkness and he said, ‘O King, thou hast in thy palace women and female slaves, that have not their like in this age: may not these suffice thee without me? Do thy will with them and leave me.’ ‘Thou speakest truth,’ answered she; ‘but it is not with them that one who loves thee can heal himself of torment and fever; for when tastes and inclinations are corrupted, they hearken to other than good counsel. So leave arguing and hear what the poet says:
And what another says:
Full many an one, whose ankle-rings are dumb, her girdle sounds; So this one is content and that a tale of need must tell.
Thou’dst have me, foolwise, in her charms forget thee. God forfend I, that a true believer am, should turn an infidel!
No, by a whisker that makes mock of all her curls, I swear, Nor maid nor strumpet from thy side shall me by guile compel!
And a third:
O pearl of loveliness, to love thee is my faith; Yea, and my choice of all the faiths that have been aye.
Women I have forsworn, indeed, for thy sweet sake, So that the folk avouch I’m grown a monk to-day
And a fourth:
Compare not a wench with a boy and to the spy, Who says to thee, “This is wrong,” pay thou no heed.
