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replied Uns el Wujoud. ‘Tell me what thou wouldst with him, and I will fetch him to thee.’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered the King; ‘but the case calls for privacy.’
So he bade the folk withdraw and, carrying Uns el Wujoud into his closet, told him the whole story; whereupon quoth the youth, ‘Clothe me in rice apparel, and I will eftsoons bring Uns el Wujoud to thee.’ So they brought him a sumptuous dress, and he donned it and said, ‘I am the Delight of the World[1] and the Mortification of the Envious.’ So saying, he transfixed all hearts with his glances and recited the following verses:
My loved one’s memory cheers me still in this my solitude And doth wanhope from me away, as I in absence brood.
I have no helper but my tears; yet, when from out mine eyes They flow, they lighten my despair and ease my drearihood.
Sore is my longing; yea, it hath no like and my affair In love and passion’s marvellous, beyond all likelihood.
I lie the night long, wakeful-eyed,—no sleep is there for me,—And pass, for love, from heaven to hell, according to my mood.
Yea, patience fair some time I had, but have it now no more; And longing and chagrin increase upon me, like a flood.
Indeed, my body’s worn to nought, for severance from her; Yearnings my aspect and my form to change have all subdued.
Mine eyelids ulcerated are with weeping, nor can I Avail to stay the constant tears, wherewith they’re still bedewed.
Indeed, I can no more; my strength, my very vitals fail. How many sorrows have I borne, on sorrows still renewed!
My heart and head are grizzled grown, for loss of a princess In beauty, sure, the fairest maid that ever lover wooed.
In her despite, our parting was, for no desire hath she Save to be joined with me and feed once more on lovers’ food.
I wonder, will my fate to me union vouchsafe with her I cherish, after absence long and stress of lonelihood,
And shut the book of severance up, that now is open wide, And blot out troubles from my thought with love’s supremest good?
Shall my belovéd, in my land, my cup-companion be And sorrow and affliction be by pure delight ensued?
- ↑ Uns el Wujoud.
