be to the Creating King, Al-Khallák!' And when we hear their crying, we know that the sun is risen. In like manner, at sundown, the heads set up the same cry, 'Wak! Wak! Glory to Al-Khallak!' and so we know that the sun hath set. No man may abide with us or reach to us or tread our earth; and betwixt us and the abiding-place of the Queen who ruleth over us is a month's journey from this shore, all the lieges whereof are under her hand, as are also the tribes of the Jinn, Marids and Satans, while of the warlocks none kenneth the number save He who created them. Wherefore, an thou be afraid, I will send with thee one who will convey thee to the coast and there bring one who will embark thee on board a ship that bear thee to thine own land. But an thou be content to tarry with us, I will not forbid thee and thou shalt be with me in mine eye,[FN#128] till thou win thy wish, Inshallah!" Quoth he, "O my lady, I will never quit thee till I foregather with my wife or lose my life!"; and quoth she, "This is a light matter; be of good heart, for soon shalt thou come to thy desire, Allah willing; and there is no help but that I let the Queen know of thee, that she may help thee to attain thine aim." Hasan blessed her and kissed her head and hands, thanking her for her good deed and exceeding kindness and firm will. Then he set out with her, pondering the issue of his case and the horrors of his strangerhood; wherefore he fell a-weeping and a-wailing and recited these couplets, "A Zephyr bloweth from the lover's site; * And thou canst view me in the saddest plight: The Night of Union is as brilliant morn; * And black the Severance-day as blackest night: Farewelling friend is sorrow sorest sore * Parting from lover's merest undelight. I will not blame her harshness save to her, * And 'mid mankind nor friend nor fere I sight: How can I be consoled for loss of you? * Base censor's blame shall not console my sprite! O thou in charms unique, unique's my love; * O peerless thou, my heart hath peerless might! Who maketh semblance that he loveth you * And dreadeth blame is most blame-worthy wight."