may not change their favours and we are hight Ghúls: mortals summon us to their presence, but we cannot present ourselves before them without leave. As for me, I have gotten leave of the Shaykh Abu al-Tawaif to appear before thee and I desire of thy favour that thou sing me a song, so I may go to thy palace and question its Haunters[203] concerning the plight of thy lord after thee and return to thee; and know, O Tohfat al-Sudur, that between thee and thy lord be a distance of fifty years’ journey for the _bonâ-fide_ traveller.” She rejoined, “Indeed, thou grievest me anent him between whom and me is fifty years’ journey;” but the Head[204] cried to her, “Be of good cheer and of eyes cool and clear, for the sovrans of the Jann will restore thee to him in less than the twinkling of an eye.” Quoth she, “I will sing thee an hundred songs, so thou wilt bring me news of my lord and that which betided him after me.” And quoth the Head, “Do thou favour me and sing me a song, so I may go to thy lord and fetch thee tidings of him, for that I desire, before I go, to hear thy voice, so haply my thirst[205] may be quenched.” So she took the lute and tuning it, sang these couplets:— They have marched, yet no empty stead left they: ✿ They are gone, nor heart grieves me that fled be they: My heart forebode the bereaval of friends; ✿ Allah ne’er bereave steads wherefrom sped be they! Though they hid the stations where led were they, ✿ I’ll follow till stars fall in disarray! Ye slumber, but wake shall ne’er fly these lids; ✿ ’Tis I bear what ye never bore—well-away! It had irked them not to farewell who fares ✿ With the parting-fires that my heart waylay. My friends,[206] your meeting to me is much ✿ But more is the parting befel us tway: You’re my heart’s delight, or you present be ✿ Or absent, with you is my soul for aye!