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weeping and wailing, but for foregathering and gladness; rejoice, therefore, and make merry and weep no more.’ Then Shemsennehar signed to a damsel, who went out and returned with handmaids bearing a table, whereon were silver dishes, full of all manner rich meats. They set the table before them, and Shemsennehar began to eat and to feed Ali ben Bekkar, till they were satisfied, when the table was removed and they washed their hands. Presently the waiting-women brought censors and casting bottles and sprinkled them with rose-water and incensed them with aloes and ambergris and other perfumes; after which they set on dishes of graven gold, containing all manner of sherbets, besides fruits and confections, all that the heart can desire or the eye delight in, and one brought a flagon of carnelian, full of wine. Then Shemsennehar chose out ten handmaids and ten singing-women to attend on them and dismissing the rest to their apartments, bade some of those who remained smite the lute. They did as she bade them and one of them sang the following verses:
My soul be a ransom for him who returned my salute with a smile And revived in my breast the longing for union after despair!
The hands of passion have brought my secret thoughts to the light And that which is in my bosom unto my censors laid bare.
The very tears of my eyes press betwixt me and him, As though they, even as I, enamoured of him were.
When she had finished, Shemsennehar rose and filling a cup, drank it off, then filled it again and gave it to Ali ben Bekkar; Night cliv.after which she bade another damsel sing; and she sang the following verses:
My tears, as they flow, are alike to my wine, as I brim it up; For my eyes pour forth of their lids the like of what froths in my cup.[1]
By Allah, I know not, for sure, whether my eyelids it is Run over with wine or else of my tears it is that I sup!
- ↑ i.e. blood, like wine in colour.
