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there stood a canopy[1] adorned with choice rubies[2] where sat she whose face was like the sun flashing, her eyes, like inky lakes,[3] looked beautifully at me.
381. "A long time I stood, and she spoke no word to me whom she yearned for; she only looked at me sweetly as at an intimate. She called Asmat'h, they spoke together; the maid came and whispered in my ear: 'Now go; she cannot say anything to thee.' Again the flame reduced me to soot.
382. "Asmat'h led me forth, I went out, I passed the curtain. I said: 'O Fate, who not long ago didst heal my heart, thou gavest me hope then; why hast thou scattered my joy? My heart is still more devastated again by the pain of parting.'
383. "Asmat'h promised me comfort. We walked through the garden; she said to me: 'Let not the brand be thus seen upon thy heart because of thy going; shut the terrace[4] of sorrows, open the door of joy. She is ashamed to speak; therefore she behaves with dignity.
384. "I said: O sister, I think[5] this heart-balm is from thee. I adjure thee, part me not from life, extinguish this flame with tidings, cut me not off from letters, send them ceaselessly; if thou learnest something for me I think[6] thou wilt not keep it hidden from me.'
385. "I mounted (my Horse), I went thence, a stream flowed from the channel[7] of tears. I went to bed; maddened, I had no power to sleep. I, the crystal and ruby, became bluest indigo.[8] I preferred night; I wished not for the dawn of day.
386. "Denizens of Khatavet'hi came—it was time for them to come—they brought a proud and insolent message: 'We are no cowards, neither are our keeps unfortified. Who is your monarch? What lord is he over me?'
