Page 697 sur 1116

By Allah, from the day I saw thee sleep hath not been sweet to me

nor hath food been pleasant." Quoth I, "Such hath also been my

case: and I am thy slave, thy negro slave." Then we sat down to

converse and I hung my head earthwards in bashfulness, but she

delayed not long ere she set before me a tray of the most

exquisite viands, marinated meats, fritters soaked in

bee's[FN#536] honeys and chickens stuffed with sugar and

pistachio nuts, whereof we ate till we were satisfied. Then they

brought basin and ewer and I washed my hands and we scented

ourselves with rose water musk'd and sat down again to converse.

So she began repeating these couplets[FN#537]:

"Had we wist of thy coming, thy way had been strown With the

blood of our heart and the balls of our sight: Our cheek as a

foot cloth to greet thee been thrown, That thy step on our

eyelids should softly alight."