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Furthermore, it was as the two brothers had said; for their two

wives became pregnant by them on the same night and both were

brought to bed on the same day; the wife of Shams al-Din, Wazir

of Egypt, of a daughter, never in Cairo was seen a fairer; and

the wife of Nur al-Din of a son, none more beautiful was ever

seen in his time, as one of the poets said concerning the like of

him:-

That jetty hair, that glossy brow, My slender-waisted youth, of

thine, Can darkness round creation throw, Or make it brightly

shine. The dusky mole that faintly shows Upon his cheek, ah!

blame it not: The tulip-flower never blows Undarkened by its spot

[FN#383]

And as another also said:-

His scent was musk and his cheek was rose; * His teeth are pearls

and his lips drop wine; His form is a brand and his hips a hill;

* His hair is night and his face moon-shine.