Pagina 693 de 1116

My lady is the same who was this day at the shop of such a

merchant." Then I went with her to the Shroff's, where I found

the lady who drew me to her side and said, "O my beloved, thine

image is firmly stamped upon my fancy, and love of thee hath

gotten hold of my heart: from the hour I first saw thee nor sleep

nor food nor drink hath given me aught of pleasure." I replied,

"The double of that suffering is mine and my state dispenseth me

from complaint." Then said she, "O my beloved, at thy house, or

at mine?" "I am a stranger here and have no place of reception

save the Khan, so by thy favour it shall be at thy house." "So be

it; but this is Friday[FN#527] night and nothing can be done till

tomorrow after public prayers; go to the Mosque and pray; then

mount thine ass, and ask for the Habbaniyah[FN#528] quarter; and,

when there, look out for the mansion of Al-Nakib[FN#529] Barakat,

popularly known as Abu Shamah the Syndic; for I live there: so do

not delay as I shall be expecting thee." I rejoiced with still

greater joy at this; and took leave of her and returned to my

Khan, where I passed a sleepless night.