' So she made for the
light and found that it came from the saloon, at whose door she
found the eunuch sleeping. She entered and saw a man Iying
asleep upon the couch, with the lantern burning at his feet and
the candle at his head; at which she wondered and going softly
up to him, folded her wings and drawing back the coverlid,
discovered his face. The lustre of his visage outshone that of
the candle, and the Afriteh abode awhile, astounded at his beauty
and grace; for his face beamed with light, his cheeks were
rose-red and his eyelids languorous; his brows were arched like
bows and his whole person exhaled a scent of musk, even as saith
of him the poet:
I kissed him and his cheeks forthwith grew red, and black and
bright The pupils grew that are my soul's seduction and
delight.
O heart, if slanderers avouch that there exists his like For
goodliness, say thou to them, "Produce him to my sight."
When Maimouneh saw him, she glorified God and said, 'Blessed be
Allah, the best of Creators!' For she was of the true-believing
Jinn. She stood awhile, gazing on his face, proclaiming the
unity of God and envying the youth his beauty and grace. And she
said in herself, 'By Allah, I will do him no hurt nor let any
harm him, but will ransom him from all ill, for this fair face
deserves not but that folk should look upon it and glorify God.
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