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Khatoun said to her, ‘Know, O princess, that this is Seif el Mulouk, to whom, by the ordinance of God the Most High, I owe my deliverance, and he it is who hath endured all manner of afflictions on thine account: wherefore I would have thee look on him with favour.’ With this Bediya laughed and said, ‘And who keeps faith, that this youth should do so? For there is no [true] love in men.’ ‘O princess,’ answered Seif, ‘never shall lack of faith be in me, and all men are not created alike.’ And he wept before her and recited these verses:
Harkye, Bediya el Jemal, have ruth upon a wight, Whom thine enchanting, wicked eye hath brought to parlous plight.
By the fair colours in thy cheeks so featly that combine, The colour of the anemone, rose-ruddy, ay, and white,
Afflict not with abandonment one who is sick to death; For long estrangement, see, my frame is worn away outright.
This is the utmost of my wish, the end of my desire, Though unto union should I strive to win, if but I might.
Then he wept sore and love and longing got the mastery over him and he greeted her with the following verses:
Peace from a lover be on thee, a slave of love in vain, Still do the generous the approof of [God] the Generous gain.
Peace be upon thee! Never fail thine image to my dreams Nor hall nor chamber ever cease thy presence to contain!
Indeed, I’m jealous over thee; I may not name thy name. Surely belovéd, come what may, to lover should be fain.
Cut thou not off thy kindnesses from him who loves thee dear; For grief destroys him; yea, he is for suffering all forslain.
I watch the shining stars, and they affright me; ay, my night, For stress of yearning and desire, is long on heart and brain.
What words of asking shall I speak, to help me to my wish? Resource nor patience any dele doth unto me remain.
Upon thee be the peace of God, in time of rigour; peace Be on thee from the lover sad, long-suffering, ’spite his pain!
