God help the days that sped as branches lopt ✿ I spent in Garden of Eternity.[[246]]
And I of you make much and of your love ✿ By rights of you, while dearest dear be ye:[[247]]
May Allah save you, parted though we be, ✿ While bide I parted all unwillingly:
Then, O my lord, an come thou not right soon ✿ The tomb shall home me for the love of thee.”
And when she had written her reply, she largessed Ibn Ibrahim with an hundred dinars, after which he returned[[248]] to the capital of Sind, where he found Yusuf issuing forth to hunt; so he handed to him the letter, and the Prince returning citywards set apart for him a fair apartment and spent the livelong night asking anent Al-Hayfa. And when it was morning he called for pen-case and paper whereupon he wrote these improvised couplets:—
“You dealt to us a slender dole our love mote satisfy, ✿ Yet nor my gratitude therefor nor laud of me shalt gain:
I’m none of those console their hearts by couplets or by verse ✿ For breach of inner faith by one who liefly breaks the chain:
When so it fortunes she I love a partner gives to me ✿ I wone in single bliss and let my lover love again:
Take, then, what youth your soul desires; with him forgather, for ✿ I aim not at your inner gifts nor woo your charms I deign:
You set for me a mighty check of parting and ill-will ✿ In public fashion and a-morn you dealt me bale and bane: