I said, "By Allâh! it is admirable. Let us hear more of it." To which he replied, "O young man! I perceive that each time I have recited verses, thou hast said, 'Let us hear more of it;' and this can only be because thou hast parted from a lover or a devoted friend." Then he added, "I believe in my heart that thou art Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs, el-Mubárrad. By Allâh! thou art he!"
I said, "I am he. But where hast thou known me?"
"Can the moon be hidden?" he asked; and then said, "O Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs! recite to me some of thy poetry, that my soul may be lifted out of its misery."
So I recited to him, saying:
I wept till the dew fell from Heaven for pity of me,
And my eyes wept for grief as the travellers departed.
O halting-place of the tribe! where has the tribe halted?
Whither the camels are driven, thither is driven my soul.
Rise, O Dawn! may Allâh water thee with dew,
And cause to descend upon thee heavy showers,
And for their sakes refresh thee! May the home be united!
May the re-union be complete and the cord rejoined!
Long lasted the pleasure, and her lover was near her
When times were propitious and busybodies asleep.
But times have changed from what I knew them,
For Time is a ruler, he has the power of change over men.
