Then he wept with violent weeping; and love and longing got the mastery over him and he greeted her with these couplets:—
Peace be to you from lover’s wasted love, ✿ All noble hearts to noble favour show:
Peace be to you! Ne’er fail your form my dreams; ✿ Nor hall nor chamber the fair sight forego!
Of you I’m jealous: none may name your name: ✿ Lovers to lovers aye should bend thee low:
So cut not off your grace from him who loves ✿ While sickness wastes and sorrows overthrow.
I watch the flowery stars which frighten me; ✿ While cark and care mine every night foreslow.
Nor Patience bides with me nor plan appears: ✿ What shall I say when questioned of my foe?
God’s peace be with you in the hour of need, ✿ Peace sent by lover patient bearing woe!
Then for the excess of his desire and ecstasy he repeated these couplets also:—
If I to aught save you, O lords of me, incline; ✿ Ne’er may I win of you my wish, my sole design!