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either I shall compass my desire, in spite of the envious, or God will determine for me, and He is the best of those that determine.”
When I knew his case, O Commander of the Faithful, I was concerned for him and perplexed by reason of [my] jealousy [for his welfare]; so I said to him, “O my cousin, wilt thou that I counsel thee a plan, wherein, if it please God, thou shalt find a source of amendment and the way of advisement and success and whereby God shall do away from thee that thou dreadest?” “Say on, O my cousin,” answered he. Quoth I, “When it is night and the girl cometh, set her on my camel; for she is swift of going, and mount thou thy courser, whilst I mount one of these she-camels. So will we fare on with her all night and by the morrow, we shall have traversed deserts and plains, and thou wilt have attained thy desire and won the beloved of thy heart. God’s earth is wide, and by Allah, I will succour thee with heart and wealth and sword, as long as I live!” Night dcxci.“O cousin,” answered he, “wait till I take counsel with her, for she is prudent and quick-witted and hath insight into affairs.”
When the night darkened and the hour of her coming arrived, and he awaiting her at the appointed season, she delayed beyond her usual time, and I saw him go forth the door of the tent and opening his mouth, inhale the wafts of air that came from her quarter, as if to snuff her odour, and he repeated the following verses:
Wind of the East, thou waftest a gentle air to me, From out the loved one’s country, the place where sojourns she.
O wind, thou bear’st a token from her I hold so dear: Canst thou not give me tidings when will her coming be?
Then he entered the tent and sat awhile, weeping; after which he said to me, “O my cousin, some mischance must have betided the daughter of my uncle, to hinder her from coming to me this night. But abide where thou art, till I bring thee news.” And he took his sword and buckler
