And if thou show that fairest face which gives me life, ✿ I reck not an diminished heads the Kings go hide.
I seek thy favours only from this ‘versal world: ✿ O thou in whom all beauty doth firm-fixt abide!
The man rejoiced and, emptying his cup, gave the girls to drink. Then he signed to the thin girl and said to her, “O Houri of Paradise, feed thou our ears with sweet words and sounds.” So she took the lute; and, tuning it, preluded and sang these two couplets:—
Say me, on Allah’s path[[350]] hast death not dealt to me, ✿ Turning from me while I to thee turn patiently:
Say me, is there no judge of Love to judge us twain, ✿ And do me justice wronged, mine enemy, by thee?
Their lord rejoiced and, emptying the cup, gave the girls to drink. Then filling another he signed to the yellow girl and said to her, “O sun of the day, let us hear some nice verses.” So she took the lute and, preluding after the goodliest fashion, sang these couplets:—
I have a lover and when drawing him, ✿ He draws on me a sword-blade glancing grim:
Allah avenge some little of his wrongs, ✿ Who holds my heart yet wreaks o’erbearing whim:
Oft though I say, “Renounce him, heart!” yet heart ✿ Will to none other turn excepting him.
He is my wish and will of all men, but ✿ Fate’s envious hand to me’s aye grudging him.