Thousand & One Nights: 197th Night: The Wealthy Man & The Slave Girl -27

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said:

When I told Ali ibn Bakkar about the money that Shams al-Nahar had given me, he said, "What a wonderful woman and what perfect generosity! I will replace all the utensils and other goods you lost."

He turned to his steward and gave him an order, and the steward brought carpets, drapes, and utensils of gold and silver, which were more than what I had lost.  And steward ordered his servants to carry them into my house.  I felt embarassed and thanked Ali ibn Bakkar for his generosity. I said, "Making the two of you happy is dessert to me than all the goods you have given me.  Out of my love for you I will even throw myself into peril for your sake."

I stayed with him for the rest of that day and night.  He lay weak and wan and kept sighing and weeping.  When the day began to break, he said to me, "You should know that there is an end to everything and the end of love is death or enjoyment. I am nearing death which is easier better than this.  I wish that I had found fulfillment, relief and rest of my sorrow had put an end to my miserable life.  This is our second meeting, and if we meet again, it will be the end of mine.  How can I bear this agony for the third time, particularly since I have no excuse before anyone.  I am at loss and I do not not find a way out of this predicament, and were it not that I fear God, I would hasten my death, knowing that both she and I are doomed to perish, although not before our appointed hour." Then he wept bitterly and recited the following verses:

What can I do, but weep, I yearn to 

Let you know my love, and mourn, 

And wake all night, as if the night 

Has said, 'O stars, stay fixed and do 

Not heed the morn.

I said to him, "O my lord, steel yourself and bear calmly both joy and sorrow alike, be patient."

He looked at me and recited the following verses:

Have his eyes accustomed to tears

Or his patience undone by sorrow 

He used to keep to himself 

But his sore eyes broadcast to all 

He tries to check his Tears. 

But the world checks him

And interferes with love.

I said to him, "I would like to go to the house.  It may be that the maid will bring some news."

"Very well, please come back," said he, "for you see in what condition I am."

I went to the house and hardly sat down, when the maid came trembling, crying and she looked disconcerted.

I asked, "What is the matter with you?"

"What we feared has fallen on us suddenly. Our lady had  bade to beat one of the maids. The beaten maid ran away, and escaped. But one of the gatekeepers, appointed to guard the concubines, stopped her and gave her shelter.  Then he questioned her, and she let drop some hints about what we did on previous nights.  He took her at once to the Commander of the Faithful, who interrogated her until she confessed.

Then the Caliph ordered that my lady be removed to his own quarters, and set over her twenty eunuchs to guard her, and since then he had not visited her or let her know the reason for her removal.  At last, as one thing led to another, I succeeded in finding a way to come out.  But I do not know what to do or how to help her or help myself, for she has none trustier than me or worthier of her trust.

But morning overtook, and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.