45
Not of iron were her anklets, were she justly used, I trow: Gold, indeed, alone were worthy of that loveling fair and sweet.
If the Cadi of the Cadis saw her charms, he’d pity her And upon the highest places in her glory would her seat.
Now it chanced that the Chief Cadi passed by the smith’s house and heard him repeat these lines; so he sent for him and said to him, ‘O blacksmith, who is she on whom thou callest so instantly and with whose love thy heart is occupied?’ The smith rose to his feet and kissing the Cadi’s hand, answered, ‘May God prolong the days of our lord the Cadi and give him ease of his life!’ Then he set forth to him Zein el Mewasif’s beauty and grace and symmetry and elegance and perfection and how she had a lovely face and a slender waist and heavy buttocks and acquainted him with the sorry plight in which she was for abasement and duresse and lack of victual.
When the Cadi heard this, he said, ‘O blacksmith, send her to us, that we may do her justice, for thou art become accountable for her, and except thou guide her to us, God will punish thee at the Day of Resurrection.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ replied the smith and betook himself forthright to Zein el Mewasif’s lodging, but found the door locked and heard her reciting the following verses, in a plaintive voice, that came from a sorrowful heart:
In mine own land I was, conjoined with those I hold most dear, And my belovéd filled me cups of gladness bright and clear.
They passed ’twixt us with what we would of solace and of mirth; Nor knew we, morn or even, aught of dreariment or fear.
Indeed, a time we did fulfil, that gladdened us whilere With cup and lute and dulcimer and festival and cheer,
Till fortune and its shifts dissolved our fellowship; my love Departed and the time of peace with him evanished sheer.
Would that the crow of parting might be caused forbear our stead And would the dawn of my delight in passion might appear!
