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ruleth over us is a month’s journey from this shore, all the people whereof are under her hand, as are also the tribes of the Jinn, Marids and Satans and warlocks, whose number none knoweth save He who created them. Wherefore, if thou be afraid, I will send with thee one who will bring thee to the coast and embark thee on board a ship that shall carry thee to thine own country. But if thou be content to abide with us, I will not forbid thee and thou shalt be with me [as thou wert] in mine eye, till thou accomplish thy desire, so it please God the Most High.’
‘O my lady,’ answered Hassan, ‘I will never leave thee till I foregather with my wife or lose my life!’ ‘This is a light matter,’ rejoined she; ‘be of good heart, for thou shalt come to thy desire, God willing; and needs must I let the queen know of thee, that she may help thee to attain thine object.’ Hassan blessed her and kissed her head and hands, thanking her for her exceeding kindness. Then he set out with her, pondering the issue of his case and the horrors of his strangerhood; wherefore he fell a-weeping and groaning and recited the following verses:
From out my loved one’s land a zephyr blows; for stress Of love thou seest me dazed and passion’s sheer excess.
The night of love-delight is as a brilliant moon And separation’s day a sombre night no less.
The parting from the loved a heavy sorrow is And eke the taking leave of friends a sore distress.
There’s not a faithful friend ’mongst men; I’ll not complain To any but herself of her unrighteousness.
I cannot be consoled for you; no censor base To solace can enforce my heart itself address.
O thou unique in charms, my love’s unique: O thou That fail’st of match, my heart fails also for duresse.
Whoso pretends to love of thee and feareth blame, Blameworthy sure is he and merits not success.
Then the old woman bade beat the drums for departure
