"Ply me and also my mate be plied * With pure wine prest in the olden tide.[FN#303] Daughter of nobles[FN#304] they lead her forth[FN#305] * In raiment of goblets beautified. They belt her round with the brightest gems, * And pearls and unions, the Ocean's pride; So I by these signs and signets know * Wherefore the Wine is entitled 'Bride.'[FN#306]" And round about these vessels were confections and flowers, such as may not be surpassed. When Al-Rashid saw this from Khalif, he inclined to him and smiled upon him and invested him with an office; so Khalif wished him continuance of honour and endurance of days and said, "Will the Commander of the Faithful deign give me leave to bring him a singer, a lute-player her like was never heard among mortals ever?" Quoth the Caliph, "Thou art permitted!" So he kissed ground before him and going to a secret closet, called Kut al-Kulub, who came after she had disguised and falsed and veiled herself, tripping in her robes and trinkets; and she kissed ground before the Commander of the Faithful. Then she sat down and tuning the lute, touched its strings and played upon it, till all present were like to faint for excess of delight; after which she improvised these verses, "Would Heaven I wot, will ever Time bring our beloveds back again? * And, ah! will Union and its bliss to bless two lovers deign? Will Time assure to us united days and joinčd joy, * While from the storms and stowres of life in safety we remain? Then O Who bade this pleasure be, our parting past and gone, * And made one house our meeting-stead throughout the Nights contain; By him, draw near me, love, and closest cling to side of me * Else were my wearied wasted life, a vanity, a bane."