Then Uns al-Wujud turned to his companion, the Ispahahi, and said, “What palace is this? Who built it and who abideth in it?” Quoth the eunuch, “The Wazir of a certain King built it to guard his daughter, fearing for her the accidents of Time and the incidents of Fortune, and lodged her herein, her and her attendants; nor do we open it save once in every year, when their provision cometh to them.” And Uns al-Wujud said to himself, “I have gained my end, though I may have long to wait.” Such was his case; but as regards Rose-in-Hood, of a truth she took no pleasure in eating or drinking, sitting or sleeping; but her desire and passion and distraction redoubled on her, and she went wandering about the castle-corners, but could find no issue; wherefore she shed tears and recited these couplets:—
They have cruelly ta’en me from him, my beloved, ✿ And made me taste anguish in prison ta’en:
They have fired my heart with the flames of love, ✿ Barred all sight of him whom to see I’m fain:
In a lofty palace they prisoned me ✿ On a mountain placed in the middle main.
If they’d have me forget him, right vain’s their wish, ✿ For my love is grown of a stronger strain.
How can I forget him whose face was cause ✿ Of all I suffer, of all I ‘plain?
The whole of my days in sorrow’s spent, ✿ And in thought of him through the night I’m lain.
Remembrance of him cheers my solitude, ✿ While I lorn of his presence and lone remain.
Would I knew if, after this all, my fate ✿ To oblige the desire of my heart will deign.
When her verses were ended, she ascended to the terrace-roof of the castle after donning her richest clothes and trinkets and throwing a necklace of jewels around her neck. Then binding together some dresses of Ba’albak[[67]] stuff by way of rope, she tied them to the crenelles and let herself down thereby to the ground. And she fared on over wastes and waterless wilds, till she came to the shore, where she saw a fisherman plying here and there over the sea, for the wind had driven him on to the island. When he saw her, he was affrighted[[68]] and pushed off again, flying from her; but she cried out and made pressing signs to him to return, versifying with these couplets:—