while the tailor comforted him and exhorted him to patience and taught him tailoring, till he became expert in the craft. Now one day he went forth to the sea-shore and washed his clothes; after which he entered the bath and put on clean raiment; then he walked about the city, to divert himself with its sights and presently there met him on the way a woman of passing beauty and loveliness, without peer for grace and comeliness. When she saw him she raised her face-veil and signed to him by moving her eyebrows and her eyes with luring glances, and versified these couplets:—
I drooped my glance when seen thee on the way ○ As though, O slim-waist! felled by Sol's hot ray:
Thou art the fairest fair that e'er appeared, ○ Fairer to-day than fair of yesterday:[1]
Were Beauty parted, a fifth part of it ○ With Joseph or a part of fifth would stay;
The rest would fly to thee, shine ownest own; ○ Be every soul thy sacrifice, I pray!
When Amjad heard these her words, they gladdened his heart which inclined to her and his bowels yearned towards her and the hands of love sported with him; so he sighed to her in reply and spoke these couplets,
Above the rose of cheek is thorn of lance;[2] ○ Who dareth pluck it, rashest chevisance?
Stretch not thy hand towards it, for night long ○ Those lances marred because we snatched a glance!
Say her, who tyrant is and tempter too ○ (Though justice might her tempting power enhance):—
Thy face would add to errors were it veiled; ○ Unveiled I see its guard hath best of chance!
Eye cannot look upon Sol's naked face; ○ But can, when mist-cloud dims his countenance:
The honey-hive is held by honey-bee; [3] ○ Ask the tribe-guards what wants their vigilance?
An they would slay me, let them end their ire ○ Rancorous, and grant us freely to advance:
They're not more murderous, an charge the whole ○ Than charging glance of her who wears the mole.
