Abased[[210]] for the cleansing of palms, ✿ Washing hands with the water of eyes.”
Thereat he considered the ewer and saw inscribed upon it these lines:—
“O rare the Ewer’s form whereon must dote ✿ Our hearts and pupils of our eyes fain gloat:
Seems ferly fair to all admiring orbs ✿ You seemly body wi’ the slender throat.”
And when he had finished washing his hands and had dried them with the napkins he pointed at them and spoke these couplets:—
“Groweth my love a-heart and how to hide ✿ When o’er the plains of cheek tear-torrents glide?
I veil what love these sobs and moans betray ✿ With narrowed heart I spread my patience wide.
O Farer to the fountain,[[211]] flow these eyes ✿ Nor seek from other source to be supplied:
Who loveth, veil of Love his force shall reave, ✿ For tears shall tell his secrets unespied:
I for the love of you ain bye-word grown, ✿ My lords, and driven to the Desert-side;