instruments) improvised and sang the following verses:

Your coming to-me-ward, indeed, with "Welcome! fair welcome!" I
hail. Your sight to me gladness doth bring and banisheth
sorrow and bale;
For love with your presence grows sweet, untroubled and life is
serene And the star of our fortune burns bright, that clouds
in your absence did veil.
Yea, by Allah, my longing for you ne'er waneth nor passetb away;
For your like among creatures is rare and sought for in
mountain and vale.
Ask mine eyes whether slumber hath lit on their lids since the
hour of your loss Or if aye on a lover they've looked. Nay,
an ye believe not their tale,
My heart, since the leave-taking day afflicted, will tell of my
case, And my body, for love and desire grown wasted and
feeble and frail.
Could they who reproach me but see my sufferings, their hearts
would relent; They'd marvel, indeed, at my case and the loss
of my loved ones bewail.
Yea, they'd join me in pouring forth tears and help me my woes to
lament, And like unto me they'd become all wasted and
tortured and pale.
How long did the heart for thy love that languished with longing
endure A burden of passion, 'neath which e'en mountains
might totter and fail!
By Allah, what sorrows and woes to my soul for thy sake were
decreed! My heart is grown hoar, ere eld's snows have left
on my tresses their trail.
The fires in my vitals that rage if I did but discover to view,