forward and tuning the strings of her harp, which was of balass
ruby,[FN#128] warbled a plaintive air and improvising, sang the
following verses;

The absent ones' harbinger came us unto With tidings of those
who[FN#129] had caused us to rue.
"My soul be thy ransom,"quoth I,"for thy grace! Indeed, to the
oath that thou swor'st thou wast true."
On the dear nights of union, in you was our joy, But afflicted
were we since ye bade us adieu.
You swore you'd be faithful to us and our love, And true to your
oath and your troth-plight were you;
And I to you swore that a lover I was; God forbid that with
treason mine oath I ensue!
Yea, "Welcome! Fair welcome to those who draw near!" I called out
aloud, as to meet you I flew.
The dwellings, indeed, one and all, I adorned, Bewildered and
dazed with delight at your view;
For death in your absence to us was decreed; But, when ye came
back, we were quickened anew.

When she had made an end of her verses, El Abbas bade the third
damsel, who came from Samarcand of the Persians and whose name
was Rummaneh, sing, and she answered with "Hearkening and
obedience." Then she took the psaltery and crying out from the
midst of her bead[FN#130] improvised and sang the following
verses:

My watering lips, that cull the rose of thy soft cheek, declare
My basil,[FN#131] lily mine, to be the myrtles of thy hair.