[385]. Arab. “Jufún” (plur. of Jafn) which may mean eyebrows or eyelashes and only the context can determine which.
[386]. Very characteristic of Egyptian manners is the man who loves six girls equally well, who lends them, as it were, to the Caliph; and who takes back the goods as if in no wise damaged by the loan.
HARUN AL-RASHID AND THE DAMSEL AND ABU NOWAS.
The Caliph, Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid, being one night exceedingly restless and thoughtful with sad thought, rose from his couch and walked about the by-ways of his palace, till he came to a chamber, over whose doorway hung a curtain. He raised that curtain and saw, at the upper end of the room, a bedstead whereon lay something black, as it were a man asleep, with a wax taper on his right hand and another on his left; and as the Caliph stood wondering at the sight, behold, he remarked a flagon full of old wine whose mouth was covered by the cup. The Caliph wondered even more at this, saying, “How came this black by such wine-service?” Then, drawing near the bedstead, he found that it was a girl lying asleep there, curtained by her hair; so he uncovered her face and saw that it was like the moon, on the night of his fulness.[[387]] So the Caliph filled himself a cup of wine and drank it to the roses of her cheeks; and, feeling inclined to enjoy her, kissed a mole on her face, whereupon she started up from sleep, and cried out, “O Trusted of Allah,[[388]] what may this be?” Replied he, “A guest who knocketh at thy door, hoping that thou wilt give him hospitality till the dawn;” and she answered; “Even so! I will serve him with my hearing and my sight.” So she brought forward the wine and they drank together, after which she took the lute and tuning the strings, preluded in one-and-twenty modes, then returning to the first, played a lively measure and sang these couplets:—
The tongue of love from heart bespeaks my sprite, ✿ Telling I love thee with love infinite:
I have an eye bears witness to my pain, ✿ And fluttering heart sore hurt by parting-plight.
I cannot hide the love that harms my life; ✿ Tears ever roll and growth of pine I sight:
I knew not what love was ere loving thee; ✿ But Allah’s destiny to all is dight.
And when her verses were ended she said, “O Commander of the Faithful, I have been wronged!”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
Now when it was the Three Hundred and Thirty-ninth Night,