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eunuch, how is it that this fisherman cometh in his hour of need and thou fulfillest not his desire? Dost thou not know him, O chief of the eunuchs?’ ‘No,’ answered Sendel, and Jaafer said, ‘This is the master and partner of the Commander of the Faithful, and our lord the Khalif hath arisen this morning, strait of breast and heavy of heart, nor is there aught will lighten his breast like this fisherman. So let him not go, till I take the Khalif’s pleasure concerning him and bring him before him; peradventure God will relieve him of his oppression and distract him from the loss of Cout el Culoub, by means of the fisherman’s presence, and he will give him wherewithal to better himself; and thou wilt be the cause of this.’ ‘O my lord,’ replied Sendel, ‘do as thou wilt, and may God the Most High long continue thee a pillar of the dynasty of the Commander of the Faithful, whose shadow God perpetuate and prosper it, root and branch!’
Then the vizier went in to the Khalif and Sendel ordered the attendants not to leave the fisherman; whereupon, ‘How goodly is thy bounty, O Rosy-cheeks!’ cried Khelifeh. ‘The seeker is become the sought. I come to seek my due, and they imprison me for arrears!’ When Jaafer came in to the presence of the Khalif, he found him sitting with his head bowed down, sick at heart and absorbed in melancholy thought, chanting the verses of the poet:
My censors bid me be consoled for her: what power, I pray, Over my heart have I, if it my hest will not obey?
How from a tender maiden’s love shall one endure? In me My love’s estrangement to support I find no patience aye.
I can’t forget her nor the time the cup ’twixt us went round And for her glances’ wine, o’er me did drunkenness hold sway.
Quoth Jaafer, ‘Peace be upon thee, O Commander of
