صفحة 287 من 1116

I cannot keep silence or be at rest till I learn the truth of her

condition and the story of this other maiden and the secret of

the two black bitches." But Ja'afar answered, "O our lord, they

made it a condition with us that we speak not of what concerneth

us not, lest we come to hear what pleaseth us not." Then said the

portress "By Allah, O my sister, come to me and complete this

service for me." Replied the procuratrix, "With joy and goodly

gree;" so she took the lute; and leaned it against her breasts

and swept the strings with her finger tips, and began singing:-