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Mirth from the smitten strings o’ercometh me and cheer; Sweet is our morning-draught, when daybreak draweth near.
Love still its bondman’s heart uncovereth and in The tearing down of veils doth love-longing appear;
With wine strained bright, so pure and goodly that it seems The sun in hands of moons[1] unveiled and shining clear.
It bringeth us anights its gladness and with joy Obliterates the stains of dreariment and fear.
Then said she to him, ‘O Mesrour, recite us somewhat of thy verse and favour us with the fruit of thy wit.’ So he recited the following:
In a full moon we do rejoice, that carries round its wine, And in the sweet strains of the lute in gardens fair and fine,
Whose turtles in the dawning-hour sing and whose branches sway And eke their paths the uttermost of all desire enshrine.
When he had finished, she said to him, ‘If thou be occupied with love of me, Night dcccli.make us some verses on that which hath passed between us.’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered he and recited the following ode:
Stay thou and hear what me befell For love of yonder fair gazelle.
A white doe shot me with a shaft And fierce her glances on me fell.
Ravished with love, my every shift Straitened on me for passion’s spell,
I pined for a coquette, enclosed With spear-points inexpugnable.
I saw her midst a garden fair: In symmetry she did excel.
‘Peace be on thee!’ quoth I to her: She answered, ‘And on thee as well.’
‘What is thy name?’ asked I; and she, ‘My name my qualities doth tell.
Zein el Mewasif[2] am I called.’ ‘Pity my case deplorable,’
Quoth I, ‘such longing with me is, No lover is my parallel.’
‘An if thou love and wouldst my charms Enjoy,’ said she, ‘I will not sell
My favours save for wealth galore, Past count and unattainable.
