Then in came a band of twenty damsels and amongst them the lady, Shams al-Nahar hight, as she were the moon among the stars swaying from side to side, with luring gait and in beauty's pride. And she was veiled to the middle with the luxuriance of her locks, and clad in a robe of azure blue and a mantilla of silk embroidered with gold and gems of price; and her waist was girt with a zone set with various kinds of precious stones. She ceased not to advance with her graceful and coquettish swaying, till she came to the couch that stood at the upper end of the chamber and seated herself thereon. But when Ali bin Bakkar saw her, he versified with these verses, "Source of mine evils, truly, she alone 's, * Of long love-longing and my groans and moans; Near her I find my soul in melting mood, * For love of her and wasting of my bones." And finishing his poetry he said to Abu al-Hasan, "Hadst thou Dealt more kindly with me thou haddest forewarned me of these things ere I came hither, that I might have made up my mind and taken patience to support what hath befallen me." And he wept and groaned and complained. Replied Abu al-Hasan, "O my brother, I meant thee naught but good; but I feared to tell thee this, lest such transport should betide thee as might hinder thee from foregathering with her, and be a stumbling-block between thee and her. But be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear;[FN#177] for she to thee inclineth and to favour thee designeth." Asked Ali bin Bakkar, "What is this young lady's name?" Answered Abu al-Hasan, "She is hight Shams al-Nahar, one of the favourites of the Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid, and this is the palace of the Caliphate." Then Shams al-Nahar sat gazing upon the charms of Ali bin Bakkar and he upon hers, till both were engrossed with love for each other. Presently she commanded the damsels, one and all, to be seated, each in her rank and place, and all sat on a couch before one of the windows, and she bade them sing; whereupon one of them took up the lute and began caroling, "Give thou my message twice * Bring clear reply in trice! To thee, O Prince of Beau * -ty[FN#178] with complaint I rise: My lord, as heart-blood dear * And Life's most precious prize! Give me one kiss in gift * Or loan, if thou devise: And if thou crave for more * Take all that satisfies.[FN#179] Thou donn'st me sickness-dress * Thee with health's weed I bless." Her singing charmed Ali bin Bakkar, and he said to her, "Sing me more of the like of these verses." So she struck the strings and began to chaunt these lines, "By stress of parting, O beloved one, * Thou mad'st these eyelids torment- race to run: Oh gladness of my sight and dear desire, * Goal of my wishes, my religion! Pity the youth whose eyne are drowned in tears * Of lover gone distraught and clean undone."