Forget not the plight in the garth-shade pledged ✿ When we set enveiléd in privacy:
Then she presented herself before her husband, who lifted her into the litter he had let make for her; and, when she found herself on the camel’s back, she recited these couplets:—
The Lord, empty House! to thee peace decree ✿ Long we bore therein growth of misery:
Would my life-thread were shorn in that safe abode ✿ And o’ night I had died in mine ecstasy!
Home-sickness I mourn, and my strangerhood ✿ Irks my soul, nor the riddle of future I ree.
Would I wot shall I ever that house resee ✿ And find it, as erst, home of joy and glee!
Said her husband, “O Zayn al-Mawasif grieve not for thy departure from thy dwelling; for thou shalt return to it ere long Inshallah!” And he went on to comfort her heart and soothe her sorrow. Then all set out and fared on till they came without the town and struck into the high road, whereupon she knew that separation was certain and this was very grievous to her. And while such things happened Masrur sat in his quarters, pondering his case and that of his mistress, and his heart forewarned him of severance. So he rose without stay and delay and repairing to her house, found the outer door padlocked and read the couplets she had written thereon; upon which he fell down in a fainting fit. When he came to himself, he opened the first door and entering, read what was written upon the second and likewise upon the third doors; wherefore passion and love-longing and distraction grew on him. So he went forth and hastened in her track, till he came up with the light caravan[[353]] and found her at the rear, whilst her husband rode in the van, because of his merchandise. When he saw her, he clung to the litter, weeping and wailing for the anguish of parting, and recited these couplets:—
Would I wot for what crime shot and pierced are we ✿ Thro’ the days with Estrangement’s archery!
O my heart’s desire, to thy door I came ✿ One day, when high waxt mine expectancy:
But I found the home waste as the wold and void ✿ And I ’plained my pine and groaned wretchedly: