Pagina 651 de 1116

The Sultan smiled and signed to him to sit down. So he took a

seat close to his uncle, Shams al-Din, and the King asked him his

name. Quoth Badr al-Din Hasan, "The meanest of thy slaves is

known as Hasan the Bassorite, who is instant in prayer for thee

day and night." The Sultan was pleased at his words and, being

minded to test his learning and prove his good breeding, asked

him, "Dost thou remember any verses in praise of the mole on the

cheek?" He answered, "I do," and began reciting:-

"When I think of my love and our parting-smart, * My groans go

forth and my tears upstart: He's a mole that reminds me in colour

and charms * O' the black o' the eye and the grain [FN#485] of

the heart."

The King admired and praised the two couplets and said to him,

"Quote something else; Allah bless thy sire and may thy tongue

never tire!" So he began:-