Haply Allah will solace my sorrow, for He ✿ Neath the ribs of unease maketh ease at end.
Said the Wazir’s daughter, “O Princess, let not thy breast be straitened, but come with me straightway to the lattice; for there is with us in the stable[[555]] a comely young man, slender of shape and sweet of speech, and meseemeth he is a parted lover.” Miriam asked, “And by what sign knowest thou that he is a parted lover?”; and she answered, “O Queen, I know it by his improvising odes and verses all watches of the night and tides of the day.” Quoth the Princess in herself, “If what the Wazir’s daughter says be true, these are assuredly the traits of the baffled, the wretched Ali Nur al-Din. Would I knew if indeed he be the youth of whom she speaketh?” At this thought, love-longing and distraction of passion redoubled on her and she rose at once and walking with the maiden to the lattice, looked down upon the stables, where she saw her love and lord Nur al-Din and fixing her eyes steadfastly upon him, knew him with the bestest knowledge of love, albeit he was sick, of the greatness of his affection for her and of the fire of passion, and the anguish of separation and yearning and distraction. Sore upon him was emaciation and he was improvising and saying:—
My heart is a thrall; my tears ne’er abate ✿ And their rains the railing of clouds amate;
’Twixt my weeping and watching and wanting love; ✿ And whining and pining for dearest mate.
Ah my burning heat, my desire, my lowe! ✿ For the plagues that torture my heart are eight;
And five upon five are in suite of them; ✿ So stand and listen to all I state:
Mem’ry, madding thoughts, moaning languishment, ✿ Stress of longing love, plight disconsolate;
In travail, affliction and strangerhood, ✿ And annoy and joy when on her I wait.
Fail me patience and stay for engrossing care ✿ And sorrows my suffering soul regrate.
On my heart the possession of passion grows ✿ O who ask of what fire in my heart’s create,