They say me, “Patience!” But they bore it all away: ✿ On parting-day, and left me naught save tormentry.

And naught affrighted me except the word he said, ✿ “Forget me not when gone nor drive from memory.”

To whom shall turn I? hope in whom when you are lost? ✿ Who were my only hopes and joys and woes of me?

But ah, the pang of home-return when parting thus! ✿ How joyed at seeing me return mine enemy.

Then well-away! this ’twas I guarded me against! ✿ And ah, thou lowe of Love double thine ardency![[111]]

An fled for aye my friends I’ll not survive the flight; ✿ Yet an they deign return, Oh joy! Oh ecstacy!

Never, by Allah tears and weeping I’ll contain ✿ For loss of you, but tears on tears and tears will rain.

When Abd al-Kaddus heard his verse he knew that he would not turn back from his desire nor would words have effect on him, and was certified that naught would serve him but he must imperil himself, though it lose him his life. So he said to him, “Know, O my son, that the Islands of Wak are seven islands, wherein is a mighty host, all virgin girls, and the Inner Isles are peopled by Satans and Marids and warlocks and various tribesmen of the Jinn; and whoso entereth their land never returneth thence; at least none hath done so to this day. So, Allah upon thee, return presently to thy people, for know that she whom thou seekest is the King’s daughter of all these islands; and how canst thou attain to her? Hearken to me, O my son, and haply Allah will vouchsafe thee in her stead a better than she.” “O my lord,” answered Hasan, “though for the love of her I were cut in pieces yet should I but redouble in love and transport! There is no help but that I enter the Wak Islands and come to the sight of my wife and children; and Inshallah, I will not return save with her and with them.” Said the Shaykh, “Then nothing will serve thee but thou must make the journey?” Hasan replied, “Nothing! and I only ask of thee thy prayers for help and aidance; so haply Allah will reunite me with my wife and children right soon.” Then he wept for stress of longing and recited these couplets:—

You are my wish, of creatures brightest-light ✿ I deem you lief as hearing, fain as sight:

You hold my heart which hath become your home ✿ And since you left me, lords, right sore’s my plight: