death;"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the Eight Hundred and First Night, She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that after handing the scroll to Hasan, Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus told him what would befal him and said, "Whoso self imperilleth doeth himself to death; but also who ventureth naught advantageth naught. However an thou fear for thy life, cast it not into danger of destruction; but, an thou fear not, up and do thy will, for I have expounded to thee the whole case. Yet shouldest thou be minded to return to thy friends the elephant is still here and he will carry thee to my nieces, who will restore thee to thy country and return thee to thy home, and Allah will vouchsafe thee a better than this girl, of whom thou art enamoured." Hasan answered the Shaykh, saying, "And how shall life be sweet to me, except I win my wish? By Allah, I will never turn back, till I regain my beloved or my death overtake me!" And he wept and recited these couplets, "For loss of lover mine and stress of love I dree, * I stood bewailing self in deep despondency. Longing for him, the Spring-camp's dust I kissed and kissed, * But this bred more of grief and galling reverie. God guard the gone, who in our hearts must e'er abide * With nearing woes and joys which still the farther flee. They say me, 'Patience!' But they bore it all away: * On parting-day, and left me naught save tormentry. And naught affrighted me except the word he said, * 'Forget me not when gone nor drive from memory.' To whom shall turn I? hope in whom when you are lost? * Who were my only hopes and joys and woes of me? But ah, the pang of home-return when parting thus! * How joyed at seeing me return mine enemy. Then well-away! this 'twas I guarded me against! * And ah, thou lowe of Love double thine ardency![FN#111] An fled for aye my friends I'll not survive the flight; * Yet an they deign return, Oh joy! Oh ecstacy! Never, by Allah tears and weeping I'll contain * For loss of you, but tears on tears and tears will rain."