When Abd al-Kaddus heard his verse he knew that he would not turn back from his desire nor would words have effect on him, and was certified that naught would serve him but he must imperil himself, though it lose him his life. So he said to him, "Know, O my son, that the Islands of Wak are seven islands, wherein is a mighty host, all virgin girls, and the Inner Isles are peopled by Satans and Marids and warlocks and various tribesmen of the Jinn; and whoso entereth their land never returneth thence; at least none hath done so to this day. So, Allah upon thee, return presently to thy people, for know that she whom thou seekest is the King's daughter of all these islands: and how canst thou attain to her? Hearken to me, O my son, and haply Allah will vouchsafe thee in her stead a better than she." "O my lord," answered Hasan, though for the love of her I were cut in pieces yet should I but redouble in love and transport! There is no help but that I enter the Wak Islands and come to the sight of my wife and children; and Inshallah, I will not return save with her and with them." Said the Shaykh, "Then nothing will serve thee but thou must make the journey?" Hasan replied "Nothing! and I only ask of thee thy prayers for help and aidance; so haply Allah will reunite me with my wife and children right soon." Then he wept for stress of longing and recited these couplets, "You are my wish, of creatures brightest-light * I deem you lief as hearing, fain as sight: You hold my heart which hath become your home * And since you left me, lords, right sore's my plight: Then think not I have yielded up your love, * Your love which set this wretch in fierce affright: You went and went my joy whenas you went; * And waned and wax'ed wan the brightest light: You left me lone to watch the stars in woe: * Railing tears likest rain-drops infinite. Thou'rt longsome to the wight, who pining lies * On wake, moon-gazing through the night, O Night! Wind! an thou pass the tribe where they abide * Give them my greeting, life is fain of flight. And tell them somewhat of the pangs I bear: * The loved one kenneth not my case aright." Then he wept with sore weeping till he fainted away; and when he came to himself, Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus said to him, "O my son, thou hast a mother; make her not taste the torment of thy loss." Hasan replied, "By Allah, O my lord, I will never return except with my wife, or my death shall overtake me." And he wept and wailed and recited these couplets, "By Love's right! naught of farness thy slave can estrange * Nor am I one to fail in my fealty: I suffer such pains did I tell my case * To folk, they'd cry, 'Madness! clean witless is he!' Then ecstasy, love-longing, transport and lowe! * Whose case is such case how shall ever he be?"