" Then she said to the damsel, "O Num, dost
thou love thy lord Nimeh?" And she replied, "O my lady, it is
the love of him that has wasted my body and brought me to evil
case." "By Allah," rejoined the princess, "since ye love each
other thus, may he not live who would sunder you! Take heart and
be of good cheer." At this they both rejoiced, and Num, calling
for a lute, tuned it and preluded enchantingly, then sang the
following verses:
Whenas, content with nothing less, the spies our sev'rance
sought, Allbe no debt of blood they had 'gainst me or thee
in aught,
Whenas they poured upon our ears the hurtling din of war, Whilst
helpers and protectors failed and succour came there nought,
I fought the railers with my tears, my spirit and thine eyes;
Yea, with the torrent, fire and sword, to fend them off I
wrought.
Then she gave the lute to Nimeh, saying, "Sing thou to us." So
he took it and playing a lively measure, sang these verses:
The moon were like thee at its full, were it of freckles free,
And did it never brook eclipse, the sun would favour thee.
Indeed, I marvel, (but in love how many a marvel is! Therein are
passion and desire and cares and ecstasy,)
Short seems the distance, when I fare towards my love's abode;
But when I journey from her sight, the way is long to me.
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