Presently, the Princess turned to her hand-maid and bade her fetch them somewhat of food, sweetmeats, and fruits, fresh and dry. So Shafikah brought what she desired and they ate and drank and abode on this wise without lewdness, till night went and light came. Then said Al-Abbas, “Indeed, the morn breaketh. Shall I hie to my sire and bid him go to thy father and seek thee of him in wedlock for me, in accordance with the book of Allah Almighty and the practice of His Apostle (whom may He save and assain!) so we may not enter into transgression?” And Mariyah answered, saying, “By Allah, ’tis well counselled of thee!” So he went away to his lodging and naught befel between them; and when the day lightened, she recited these couplets:— O friends, morn-breeze with Morn draws on amain: ✿ A Voice[418] bespeaks us, Up to the convent where our friend we’ll sight ✿ And wine more subtile than the dust[419] we’ll drain; Whereon our friend spent all the coin he owned ✿ And made the nursling in his cloak contain;[420] And, when we oped the jar, light opalline ✿ Struck down the singers in its search waylain. From all sides flocking came the convent-monks ✿ Crying at top o’ voices, “Welcome fain!” And we carousing sat, and cups went round, ✿ Till rose the Venus-star o’er Eastern plain. No shame in drinking wine, which means good cheer ✿ And love and promise of prophetic strain![421] Ho thou, the Morn, our union sundering, ✿ These joyous hours to fine thou dost constrain. Show grace to us until our pleasures end, ✿ And latest drop of joy fro’ friends we gain: You have affection candid and sincere ✿ And Love and Joy are best of Faiths for men. Such was the case with Mariyah; but as regards Al-Abbas, he betook himself to his father’s camp, which was pitched on the Green Meadow, by the Tigris-side, and none might thread his way between the tents, for the dense network of the tent-ropes. When the Prince reached the first of the pavilions, the guards and servants came out to meet him from all sides and walked in his service till he drew near the sitting-place of his sire, who knew of his approach. So he issued forth his marquee and coming to meet his son, kissed him and made much of him. Then they returned together to the royal pavilion and when they had seated themselves therein and the guards had taken up their station in attendance on them, the King said to Al-Abbas, “O my son, get ready thine affair, so we may go to our own land, for that the lieges in our absence are become as they were sheep lacking shepherd.” Al-Abbas looked at his father and wept till he fainted, and when he recovered from his fit, he improvised and recited these couplets:—