When near, his enjoyment is distant from me: But his image is
near, when afar he doth tread.
'See then, O my brother,' added she, 'how thou mayest aid me in
this my affliction.' Merzewan bowed his head awhile, marvelling
and knowing not what to do, then raised it and said to her, 'I
believe all thou hast said to be true, though the case of the
young man passes my imagination: but I will go round about all
countries and seek for what may heal thee; peradventure God shall
appoint thy deliverance to be at my hand. Meanwhile, take
patience and be not disquieted.' So saying, he took leave of
her, after he had prayed that she might be vouchsafed constancy,
and left her repeating the following verses:
Thine image in my thoughts fares as a pilgrim aye, For all thy
stead and mine are distant many a day.
The wishes of my heart do bring thee near to me For 'gainst the
speed of thought what is the levin's ray?
Depart thou not, that art the lustre of mine eyes; Yea, when
thou'rt far removed, all void of light are they.
He returned to his mother's house, where he passed the night, and
on the morrow, after furnishing himself for his journey, he set
out and travelled from city to city and from island to island for
a whole month.
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