[170]. Arab. Mirt; the dictionaries give a short shift, cloak or breeches of wool or coarse silk.
[171]. Arab. “Mayázíb” plur. of the Pers. Mízáb (orig. Míz-i-áb = channel of water) a spout for roof-rain. That which drains the Ka’abah on the N. W. side is called Mizáb al-Rahmah (Gargoyle of Mercy) and pilgrims stand under it for a douche of holy water. It is supposed to be of gold, but really of silver gold-plated and is described of Burckhardt and myself (Pilgrimage iii. 164). The length is 4 feet 10 in.; width 9 in.; height of sides 8 in.; and slope at mouth 1 foot 6 in. long.
THE LOVERS OF AL-MEDINAH.
Quoth Ibrahim the father of Ishak,[[172]] I was ever a devoted friend to the Barmecide family. And it so happened to me one day, as I sat at home quite alone, a knock was heard at the door; so my servant went out and returned, saying, “A comely youth is at the door, asking admission.” I bade admit him and there came in to me a young man, on whom were signs of sickness, and he said, “I have long wished to meet thee, for I have need of thine aid.” “What is it thou requirest?” asked I. Whereupon he pulled out three hundred dinars and laying them before me, said, “I beseech thee to accept these and compose me an air to two couplets I have made.” Said I, “Repeat them to me;”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
Now when it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-seventh Night,
She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the youth came in to Ibrahim and placed the gold in his hands, saying, “Prithee accept it and compose me an air to two couplets.” He replied, “Recite them to me,” whereupon he recited:—
By Allah, glance of mine! thou hast opprest ✿ My heart, so quench the fire that burns my breast.
Blames me the world because in him[[173]] I live ✿ Yet cannot see him till in shroud I rest.
Accordingly, quoth Ibrahim, I set the verses to an air plaintive as a dirge and sang it to him; whereupon he swooned away and I thought that he was dead. However, after a while, he came to himself, and said to me, “Repeat the air.” But I conjured him by Allah to excuse me, saying, “I fear lest thou die.” “Would Heaven it were so!” replied he and ceased not humbly to importune me, till I had pity on him and repeated it; whereupon he cried out with a grievous cry and fell into a fit worse than before and I doubted not but that he was dead; but I sprinkled rose-water on him till he revived and sat up. I praised Allah for his recovery and laying the ducats before him, said, “Take thy money and depart from me.” Quoth he, “I have no need of the money and thou shalt have the like of it, if thou wilt repeat the air.” My breast broadened at the mention of the money and I said, “I will repeat it, but on three conditions: the first, that thou tarry with me and eat of my victual, till thou regain strength; the second, that thou drink wine enough to hearten thy heart; and the third, that thou tell me thy tale.” He agreed to this and ate and drank; after which he said:—“I am of the citizens of Al-Medinah and I went forth one day a-pleasuring with my friends; and, following the road to Al-Akík,[[174]] saw a company of girls and amongst them a damsel as she were a branch pearled with dew, with eyes whose sidelong glances were never withdrawn till they had stolen away his soul who looked on them. The maidens rested in the shade till the end of the day, when they went away, leaving in my heart wounds slow to heal. I returned next morning to scent out news of her, but found none who could tell me of her; so I sought her in the streets and markets, but could come on no trace of her; wherefore I fell ill of grief and told my case to one of my kinsmen, who said to me, No harm shall befal thee: the days of spring are not yet past and the skies show sign of rain,[[175]] whereupon she will go forth, and I will go out with thee, and do thou thy will. His words comforted my heart and I waited till Al-Akik ran with water, when I went forth with my friends and kinsmen and sat in the very same place where I first saw her.” We had not been seated long before up came the women, like horses running for a wager; and I whispered to a girl of my kindred, “Say to yonder damsel—Quoth this man to thee, He did well who spoke this couplet:—
She shot my heart with shaft, then turned on heel ✿ And flying dealt fresh wound and scarring wheal.”