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From the religion of thy love I have not strayed, I swear; Nay, wakeful-lidded aye am I, a love distracted wight.
Though that I hope be hard to win and languor waste me sore And patience after thee to live and helpers fail me quite,
Yet will I constantly await till God our loves unite And mortify the foe and bring to nought the enviers’ spite.
Then he swooned away and the Vizier sprinkled rose-water on him, till he came to himself, when he said to him, ‘O king’s son, possess thy soul in patience; for the issue of patience is solace, and behold, thou art on the way to that thou desirest.’ And he ceased not to speak him fair and comfort him, till his trouble subsided and they continued their journey with all diligence. Presently, the prince again became impatient of the length of the way and bethought him of his beloved and recited these verses:
Absence is long and restlessness and care upon me weigh; Yea, and my heart in flames of fire consumeth night and day.
Mine eyes stream still with floods of tears and for the burning stress Of longing that afflicteth me, my very head’s grown gray.
O thou my hope, my wishes’ term, I swear by Him who made Both branch and leaf and every thing and moulded man of clay,
A load of passion for thy sake, O my desire, I bear; None else amongst the folk of love to bear it might essay.
Question the night of me and it will tell thee if therein, Through all the watches of the dark, my lids in sleep close aye.
Then he wept sore and complained of that which he suffered for stress of passion and love-longing; but the Vizier comforted him and spoke him fair, promising him the attainment of his desire; after which they fared on again, till, in a few days, they came in sight of the White City, [the capital of King Abdulcadir,] soon after sunrise. Then said the Vizier to the prince, ‘Rejoice, O king’s son, in all good; for see, yonder is the White City, that which thou seekest.’ Whereat the prince rejoiced with an exceeding joy and recited the following verses:
