Then, O my Grief when fared afar your retinue ✿ And bore that ship away my sole expectancy.
And Nur al-Din wept and wailed, bemoaned himself and complained, crying out and saying, “O Miriam! O Miriam! Was it but a vision of thee I saw in sleep or in the allusions of dreams?” And by reason of that which grew on him of regrets, he recited these couplets[[505]]:—
Mazed with thy love no more I can feign patience,
This heart of mine has held none dear but thee!
And if mine eye hath gazed on other’s beauty,
Ne’er be it joyed again with sight of thee!
I’ve sworn an oath I’ll ne’er forget to love thee,
And sad’s this breast that pines to meet with thee!
Thou’st made me drink a love-cup full of passion,
Blest time! When I may give the draught to thee!