What! this weeping while ye are yet together: then how will it be what time ye are parted and far separated?" And he continued, "Indeed, this is no tide for weeping and wailing, but a season for meeting and merry-making; rejoice, therefore, and take your pleasure and shed no more tears!" Then Shams al-Nahar signed to a slave-girl, who arose and presently returned with handmaids bearing a table, whose dishes of silver were full of various rich viands. They set the table before the pair and Shams al-Nahar began to eat[FN#181] and to place tid-bits in the mouth of Ali bin Bakkar; and they ceased not so doing till they were satisfied, when the table was removed and they washed their hands. Then the waiting-women fetched censers with all manner of incense, aloe-wood and ambergris and mixed scents; and sprinkling-flasks full of rose-water were also brought and they were fumigated and perfumed. After this the slaves set on vessels of graven gold, containing all kinds of sherbets, besides fruits fresh and dried, that heart can desire and eye delight in; and lastly one brought a flagon of carnelion full of old wine. Then Shams al-Nahar chose out ten handmaids to attend on them and ten singing women; and, dismissing the rest to their apartments, bade some of those who remained strike the lute. They did as she bade them and one of them began to sing, "My soul to him who smiled back my salute, * In breast reviving hopes that were no mo'e: The hand o' Love my secret brought to light, * And censor's tongues what lies my ribs below:[FN#182] My tear-drops ever press twixt me and him, * As though my tear-drops showing love would flow." When she had finished her singing, Shams al-Nahar rose and, filling a goblet, drank it off, then crowned it again and handed it to Ali bin Bakkar;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Night, She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Shams al-Nahar filled a goblet and handed it to Ali bin Bakkar; after which she bade another damsel sing; and she began singing these couplets, "My tears thus flowing rival with my wine, * Pouring the like of what fills cup to brink:[FN#183] By Allah wot I not an run these eyne * Wi' wine, or else it is of tears I drink." And when she ended her recitation, Ali bin Bakkar drained his cup and returned it to Shams al-Nahar. She filled it again and gave it to Abu al-Hasan who tossed it off. Then she took the lute, saying, "None shall sing over my cup save myself;" so she screwed up the strings and intoned these verses, "The tears run down his cheeks in double row, * And in his breast high flameth lover-lowe: He weeps when near, a-fearing to be far; * And, whether far or near, his tear-drops flow." And the words of another,