I fear when I fall into straits and fare ✿ Abroad, no comrade in thee to gain:
I fear when lain on my couch and long ✿ My sickness, thou prove thee nor fond nor fain:
I fear me that time groweth scant my good ✿ And my hand be strait thou shalt work me bane:
A helpmate I want shall do what do I ✿ And bear patient the pasture of barren plain.”[[102]]
Presently the handmaid answered his verse with the following couplets:—
“Forfend me, Allah, from all thou say’st ✿ Though my left with my right thou shalt hew in twain
A husband’s honour my works shall keep ✿ And I’ll wone content with his smallest gain:
Didst know me well and my nature weet ✿ Thou hadst found me mate of the meekest strain.
Nor all of women are like to sight ✿ Nor all of men are of similar grain.
The charge of a mate to the good belongs ✿ Let this oath by Allah belief obtain.”