第24章

but now，O my lady，words profit nothing；so do thou acquit me of offence against thee.' And the old woman could do no otherwise than shortly answer，'Thou art acquitted.！'Then she went forth the palace of the Caliphate and returned to her own house，where she buffeted her face till she swooned away，When she came to herself，she pined for her daughter-in-law and her grandchildren and for the sight of her son and versified with these couplets；'Your faring on the parting-day drew many a tear fro' me，* Who must your flying from the home long mourn in misery：

And cried I for the parting pang in anguish likest fire * And tear-floods chafed mine eyelids sore that ne'er of tears were free；

'Yes，this is Severance，Ah，shall we e'er oy return of you？ *

For your departure hath deprived my power of privacy！'

Ah，would they had returned to me in covenant of faith * An they return perhaps restore of past these eyne may see.'

Then arising she dug in the house three graves and betook herself to them with weeping all whiles of the day and watches of the night；and when her son's absence was longsome upon her and grief and yearning and unquiet waxed upon her，she recited these couplets；'Deep in mine eye-balls ever dwells the phantom-form of thee * My heart when throbbing or at rest holds fast thy memory：

And love of thee doth never cease to course within my breast，*

As course the juices in the fruits which deck the branchy tree：

And every day I see thee not my bosom straightened is * And even censurers excuse the woes in me they see：

O thou whose love hath gotten hold the foremost in the heart * Of me whose fondness is excelled by mine insanity：

Fear the Compassionate in my case and some compassion show！ *

Love of thee makes me taste of death in bitterest pungency.'

--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-seventh Night； She continued，It hath reached me，O auspicious King，that Hasan's mother bewept through the watches of the night and the whiles of the day her separation from her son and his wife and children.On this wise it fared with her；but as regards Hasan；when he came to the Princesses，they conjured him to tarry with them three months，after which long sojourn they gave him five loads of gold and the like of silver and one load of victual and accompanied him on his homeward way till he conjured them to return，whereupon they farewelled him with an embrace；but the youngest came up to him，to bid him adieu and clasping his neck wept till she fainted.Then she recited these two couplets；'When shall the severance-fire be quenched by union，love，with you？ * When shall I win my wish of you and days that were renew？

The parting-day affrighted me and wrought me dire dismay * And doubleth woe，O master mine，by the sad word'Adieu.'

Anon came forward the second Princess and embraced him and recited these two couplets；'Farewelling thee indeed is like to bidding life farewell * And like the loss of Zephyr[96]'tis to lose thee far our sight：

Thine absence is a flaming fire which burneth up my heart * And in thy presence I enjoy the Gardens of Delight.'[97]

Presently came forward the third and embraced him and recited these two couplets；'We left not taking leave of thee （when bound to other goal） *

From aught of ill intention or from weariness and dole：

Thou art my soul，my very soul，the only soul of me： * And how shall I farewell myself and say，'Adieu my Soul？'[98]

After her came forward the fourth and embraced him and recited these two couplets；'Nought garred me weep save where and when of severance spake he；* Persisting in his cruel will with sore persistency：

Look at this pearl-like ornament I've hung upon mine ear： *'Tis of the tears of me compact，this choicest jewelry！'

In her turn came forward the fifth and embraced him and recited these two couplets；'Ah，fare thee not；for I've no force thy faring to endure，* Nor e'en to say the word farewell before my friend is sped：

Nor any patience to support the days of severance，* Nor any tears on ruined house and wasted home to shed.'

Next came the sixth and embraced him and recited these two couplets；'I cried，as the camels went off with them，* And Love pained my vitals with sorest pain：

Had I a King who would lend me rule * I'd seize every ship that dares sail the Main.'

Lastly came forward the seventh and embraced him and recited these couplets；'When thou seest parting，be patient still，* Nor let foreign parts deal thy soul affright：

But abide，expecting a swift return，* For all hearts hold parting in sore despight.'

And eke these two couplets；'Indeed I'm heartbroken to see thee start，* Nor can I farewell thee ere thou depart；

Allah wotteth I left not to say adieu * Save for fear that saying would melt your heart.'

Hasan also wept for parting from them，till he swooned，and repeated these couplets；'Indeed，ran my tears on the severance-day * Like pearls I

threaded in necklace-way The cameleer drove his camels with song * But I lost heart；patience and strength and stay：

I bade them farewell and retired in grief * From tryst-place and camp where my dearlings lay：

I turned me unknowing the way nor joyed * My soul，but in hopes to return some day.

Oh listen，my friend，to the words of love * God forbid thy heart forget all I say！

O my soul when thou partest wi' them，part too * With all joys of life nor for living pray！'

Then he farewelled them and fared on diligently night and day；till he came to Baghdad，the House of Peace and Sanctuary of the Abbaside Caliphs，unknowing what had passed during his wayfare.