In those times dwelt in Gulistan a youth, Lovely and silver-bright and kind in mien. He was a letter-carrier fast and safe, And stood as messenger before the queen. This youthful letter-carrier, silver-bright, Whose manners were as radiant as his face, Skilful and sure in bearing a despatch, Held ever in his hand a written roll. The jasmine’s starry radiance was his, The ardor and the stature of a tree, His elegance adorned the garden glade, And Sandbach is the name they gave to him. The Nightingale his orders gave to him And poured his secret in a faithful breast, And said to him, “O generous friend of mine, May the Most High have mercy on thy soul! Why shouldst thou not bring tidings to the queen Of all her slave has dreamt about her charms? If thou this letter wilt convey for me, All that I have in future shall be thine, Since yonder distant loveliness through thee May show itself propitious to my prayer.” The Sandbach the commission undertook, And said: “’Tis well; cheer up. I only hope Thy letter that is written by thy hand May carry no misfortune to the queen.” He took the folded missive in his hand, And his foot followed on his hand’s despatch. Low bowed he when he reached the Rose’s seat, And gave the love-letter into her hand. The Rose received from him the _billet-doux_, And read the running letters of its page. And when she understood the note’s intent, And how the wistful bird in torture pined, Then said she: “Tell me how the poor man fares. Does he still mourn, and for compassion cry? Does separation still his bosom tear? Does his heart bleed, as bleeds the tulip’s heart? Give my heart’s greeting to the wretched one, And wish him healing of his misery. May he no longer mourn if fate permit, And be his heart no more consumed in woe. I will henceforth be faithful unto him, And bend myself to succor his distress; Since he has separated been from me, Consumed within the furnace of his pain, I will henceforth with greater tenderness Assuage the fiery ardor of the wight. And for a proof I feel in honor bound To send an answer to these words of love.” Then straight she took into her hands a pen, And wrote an answer to the Nightingale. XXXII THE DAINTY ROSE SENDS THROUGH THE TALL JASMINE SANDBACH AN ANSWER TO THE LETTER OF THE DISTRACTED NIGHTINGALE