Brought pregnant lasses and negro-lads, ✿ Blood steeds and arms and gear rich and rare;—
Brought us raiment of silk and of sendal sheen, ✿ And came courting us but no bride he bare:
Nor could win his wish, for I ’bode content ✿ To part with far parting and love forswear;
So for me greed not, O thou stranger wight ✿ Lest thou come to ruin and dire despair!
When she had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and delivered it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Al-Abbas. He broke it open and read it and comprehended its contents; then took ink-case and paper and wrote these improvised couplets:—
Thou hast told me the tale of the Kings, and of them ✿ Each was rending lion, a furious foe:
And thou stolest the wits of me, all of them ✿ And shotst me with shaft of thy magic bow:
Thou hast boasted of slaves and of steeds and wealth; ✿ And of beauteous lasses ne’er man did know;
How presents in mighty store didst spurn, ✿ And disdainedst lovers both high and low:
Then I followed their tracks in desire for thee, ✿ With naught save my scymitar keen of blow;