My light’s uprist (and what light it shows!) ✿ Is a silvern zone on the waist of Night.
Then she changed the measure and improvised these couplets:—
I’m the gem of herbs, and in seasons twain ✿ My tryst I keep with my lovers-train:
I stint not union for length of time ✿ Nor visits, though some be of severance fain;
The true one am I and my troth I keep, ✿ And, easy of plucking, no hand disdain.
Then, changing measure and the mode, she played so that she bewildered the wits of those who were present, and Queen Al-Shahba, moved to mirth and merriment, cried, “Brava, O queen of delight!” Presently she returned to the first mode and improvised these couplets on Nenuphar:—
I fear me lest freke espy me, ✿ In air when I fain deny me;
So I root me beneath the wave, ✿ And my stalks to bow down apply me.
Hereat Queen Al-Shahba rejoiced with exceeding joy, and cried, “Brava, O Tohfah! Let me hear more of thy chant.” Accordingly, she smote the lute and changing the mode, recited on the Moss-rose these couplets:
Look on Nasrín[[232]] those branchy shoots surround; ✿ With greenest leafery ’tis deckt and crowned: