Now when it was the Three Hundred and Twenty-fourth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Queen begged forgiveness of Allah (be He extolled and exalted!), and said, “Haply He will vouchsafe me speedy reunion with my beloved Ali Shar for He can do what He willeth and to His servants showeth grace, ever mindful of their case!” Then she praised Allah and again besought forgiveness of Him, submitting herself to the decrees of destiny, assured that each beginning hath his end, and repeating the saying of the poet:—
Take all things easy; for all worldly things ✿ In Allah’s hand are ruled by Destiny:
Ne’er shall befal thee aught of things forbidden, ✿ Nor what is bidden e’er shall fail to thee!
And what another saith:—
Roll up thy days[[314]] and easy shall they roll ✿ Through life, nor haunt the house of grief and dole:
Full many a thing, which is o’er hard to find, ✿ Next hour shall bring thee to delight thy soul.
And what a third saith[[315]]:—
Be mild what time thou ‘rt ta’en with anger and despite ✿ And patient, if there fall misfortune on thy head.
Indeed, the nights are quick and great with child by Time ✿ And of all wondrous things are hourly brought to bed.