Who can deny the charge, when so bewrayed are they ✿ That e’en by daylight shows the dung upon their dress?
What contrast wi’ the man, who slept a gladsome night ✿ By Houri-maid for glance a mere enchantress,
He rises off her borrowing wholesome bonny scent; ✿ That fills the house with whiffs of perfumed goodliness.
No boy deserved place by side of her to hold; ✿ Canst even aloes-wood with what fills pool of cess![[249]]
Then said she, “O folk ye have made me to break the bounds of modesty and the circle of free-born women and indulge in idle talk of chambering and wantonness, which beseemeth not people of learning. But the breasts of free-borns are the sepulchres of secrets, and such conversations are in confidence. Moreover, actions are according to intentions,[[250]] and I crave pardon of Allah for myself and you and all Moslems, seeing that He is the Pardoner and the Compassionate.” Then she held her peace and thereafter would answer us of naught; so we went our way, rejoicing in that we had profited by her contention and yet sorrowing to part from her. And among the tales they tell is one of
[229]. Lady of Shaykhs, elders in the faith and men of learning.
[230]. = A.D. 1166.
[231]. Koran iv. 38. I have before noted what the advantages are.
[232]. Koran ii. 282, “of those whom ye shall choose for witnesses.”