My joy in this world is to see and sit near thee, ✿ Thy love’s my religion; thy Union my pleasure. Attest it these tears when in memory I speer thee, ✿ And unchecked down my cheeks pours the flood without measure. By Allah, no rival in love hast to fear thee; ✿ I’m thy slave as I sware, and this troth is my treasure. Be not this our last meeting: by Allah I swear thee ✿ Thy severance to me were most bitter displeasure! The young man was moved to delight and cried, “By Allah, thou sayest well, O Sitt al-Milah! Let me hear more.” Then he largessed her with fifty gold pieces and they drank and the cups made circuit among them; and her seller said to her, “O Sitt al-Milah, this is the season of farewelling; so let us hear somewhat thereon.” Accordingly she struck the lute and touching upon that which was in her heart, improvised these couplets:— I thole longing, remembrance and sad repine, ✿ Nor my heart can brook woes in so lengthened line. O my lords think not I forget your love; ✿ My case is sure case and cure shows no sign. If creature could swim in the flood of his tears, ✿ I were first to swim in these floods of brine: O Cup-boy withhold cup and bowl from a wretch ✿ Who ne’er ceaseth to drink of her tears for wine! Had I known that parting would do me die, ✿ I had shirked to part, but—’twas Fate’s design. Now whilst they were thus enjoying whatso is most delicious of ease and delight, and indeed the wine was to them sweet and the talk a treat, behold, there came a knocking at the door. So the house-master went out, that he might see what might be the matter, and found ten head of the Caliph’s eunuchs at the entrance. When he saw this, he was startled and said, “What is to do?” “The Commander of the Faithful saluteth thee and requireth of thee the slave-girl whom thou hast exposed for sale and whose name is Sitt al-Milah.” “By Allah, I have sold her.” “Swear by the head of the Commander of the Faithful that she is not in thy quarters.” The slaver made oath that he had sold her and that she was no longer at his disposal: yet they paid no heed to his word and forcing their way into the house, found the damsel and the young Damascene in the sitting-chamber. So they laid hands upon her, and the youth said, “This is my slave-girl, whom I have bought with my money;” but they hearkened not to his speech and taking her, carried her off to the Prince of True Believers. Therewith Nur al-Din’s pleasure was troubled: he arose and donned his dress, and his host said, “Whither away this night, O my lord?” Said he, “I purpose going to my quarters, and to-morrow I will betake myself to the palace of the Commander of the Faithful and demand my slave-girl.” The other replied, “Sleep till the morning, and fare not forth at the like of this hour.” But he rejoined, “Needs must I go;” and the host said to him, “Go in Allah his safeguard.” So the youth went