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When the Khalif heard these verses, he was moved to exceeding delight, and I also was moved to delight in my hiding-place, and but for the bounty of God the Most High, I had cried out and we had been discovered. Then she sang these also:
I clip him close and still my soul doth yearn for him full fain: Can aught of straiter union be than clips for lovers twain?
I kiss his mouth, to do away my heat; but every kiss, Alack! doth only aggravate the transport of my pain;
As ’twere, indeed, until my heart our souls commingled saw, Nought could it of its thirst for him on anywise assain.
The Khalif was delighted and said, “O Shejeret ed Durr, ask a boon of me.” “O Commander of the Faithful,” answered she, “I ask of thee my freedom, for the sake of the reward that is therein.”[1] “Thou art free for the love of God,” said he; whereupon she kissed the earth before him. Quoth he, “Take the lute and sing me somewhat on the subject of my slave-girl, of whom I am enamoured: the folk seek my approof and I seek hers.” So she took the lute and sang as follows:
Lady of beauty, that hast done away my piety,[2] I cannot brook, whate’er betide, to live withouten thee;
So, or with humbleness, that best befitteth love, I’ll gain Thy favours, or with might, that best befitteth kings like me.
The Khalif was charmed with these verses and said, “Now sing me somewhat setting out my case with three damsels, who hold the reins of my heart and hinder my repose; and they are thyself and this froward one and another I will not name, who hath not like her.”[3] So she
