Most watchfully he guards it from misfortune’s freak.

His wife spends all her days in prayers on his behalf;

Her worship o’er, she adds: “Lord! shield my better half!

Secure our pot of water from all thievish hands!

Send it may prove a pearl in sea of Bagdād’s lands!490

My husband, true, is shrewd; and know’s what he’s about;

But pearls have enemies, we trow, in every rout!

What is a pearl? A drop from fount of life sent down;[314]

A drop from non-existence,—whence all substance known!”

Those prayers’ reward,—as guerdon of her sighs and tears;—