Strona 756 z 1116

I sat up and tried to arouse the damsel; but when I shook her by

the shoulders my hand became crimson with blood and her head

rolled off the pillow. Thereupon my senses fled and I cried

aloud, saying, "O All powerful Protector, grant me Thy

protection!" Then finding her neck had been severed, I sprung up

and the world waxed black before my eyes, and I looked for the

lady, my former love, but could not find her. So I knew that it

was she who had murdered the damsel in her jealousy,[FN#590] and

said, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah,

the Glorious, the Great! What is to be done now?" I considered

awhile then, doffing my clothes, dug a hole in the middle of the

court yard, wherein I laid the murdered girl with her jewellery

and golden ornaments; and, throwing back the earth on her,

replaced the slabs of the marble[FN#591] pavement.