Then he sealed the letter and gave it to me. So I took it and, repairing to Budur’s house, raised the door-curtain little by little, as before, and looking in behold, I saw ten damsels, high-bosomed virgins, like moons, and the Lady Budur as she were the full moon among the stars, sitting in their midst, or the sun, when it is clear of clouds and mist; nor was there on her any trace of pain or care. And as I looked and marvelled at her case, she turned her glance upon me and, seeing me standing at the door, said to me, “Well come, and welcome and all hail to thee, O Ibn Mansur! Come in.” So I entered and saluting her gave her the letter; and she read it and when she understood it, she said laughingly to me, “O Ibn Mansur,” the poet lied not when he sang:—
Indeed I’ll bear my love for thee with firmest soul, ✿ Until from thee to me shall come a messenger.
“Look’ye, O Ibn Mansur, I will write thee an answer, that he may give thee what he promised thee.” And I answered, “Allah requite thee with good!” So she called out to a handmaid, “Bring inkcase and paper,” and wrote these couplets:—
How comes it I fulfilled my vow the while that vow broke you? ✿ And, seen me lean to equity, iniquity wrought you?
‘Twas you initiated wrongous dealing and despite: ✿ You were the treachetour and treason came from only you!
I never ceased to cherish mid the sons of men my troth; ✿ And keep your honour brightest bright and swear by name of you,
Until I saw with eyes of me what evil you had done; ✿ Until I heard with ears of me what foul report spread you.
Shall I bring low my proper worth while raising yours so high? ✿ By Allah, had you honoured me eke I had honoured you!
But now uprooting severance I will fain console my heart, ✿ And wring my fingers clean of you for evermore to part!
Quoth I, “By Allah, O my lady, between him and death there is but the reading of this letter!” So I tore it in pieces and said to her, “Write him other than these lines.” “I hear and obey,” answered she and wrote the following couplets—