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and was absent awhile of the night, after which he returned, carrying something, and called to me. So I hastened to him and he said, “O my cousin, knowst thou what hath happened?” “No, by Allah!” answered I. Quoth he, “Verily, I am smitten with mourning for my cousin this night; for she was coming to me, as of wont, when a lion met her in the way and rent her, and there remaineth of her but what thou seest.” So saying, he threw down what he had in his hand, and behold, it was the damsel’s turban and what was left of her bones. Then he wept sore and casting down his shield, took a bag and went forth again, saying, “Stir not hence, till I return to thee, if it please God the Most High.”
He was absent awhile and presently returned, bearing in his hand a lion’s head, which he threw on the ground and called for water. So I brought him water, with which he washed the lion’s mouth and fell to kissing it and weeping: and he mourned for her passing sore and recited the following verses:
O lion, that thyself indeed didst on perdition throw, Perished hast thou and for her loss hast filled my heart with woe.
Thou hast bereaved me of my love and eke the cold earth’s womb Hast made her dwelling till the day that calls up high and low.
To Fate, that with the loss of her afflicteth me, quoth I, “Now God forbid that one to take her place to me thou show!”
Then said he to me, “O cousin, I conjure thee by Allah and the rights of kindred and sympathy betwixt us, keep my charge. Thou wilt presently see me dead before thee, whereupon do thou wash me and shroud me and these that remain of my cousin’s bones in this mantle and bury us both in one grave and write thereon these verses:
Upon the earth a fire we lived of solace and delight; In land and house foregathered we full many a day and night.
But fortune and the shifts of time did rend our loves apart And now within its bosom strait the shroud doth us unite.
