Two things there are, for which if eyes wept tear on tear ✿ Of blood, till they were like indeed to disappear, They never could fulfil the Tithe of all their due: ✿ And these are prime of youth and loss of loveling dear.

Then he wept again with bitter tears and recited these also:—

A Plain and Literal Translation of The Arabian Nights Entertainments, Now Entitled The Book Of The Thousand Nights and A — Part 162

Alack and Alas! Patience taketh flight; ✿ And from parting of friend to sore death I’m dight: O how woeful this farness from dear one, and oh ✿ How my heart is rent by mine own unright! Would Heaven my secret I erst had kept ✿ Nor had told the pangs and my liver-blight: I lived in all solace and joyance of life ✿ Till she left and left me in piteous plight: O Zayn al-Mawasif, I would there were ✿ No parting departing my frame and sprite: I repent me for troth-breach and blame my guilt ✿ Of unruth to her whereon hopes I built.

A Plain and Literal Translation of The Arabian Nights Entertainments, Now Entitled The Book Of The Thousand Nights and A — Part 162

When he had made an end of this verse, he wept and groaned and lamented till he fell down a-swoon, whereupon Hubub made haste to drag him to the grave and throw him in, whilst he was insensible yet quick withal. Then she stopped up the grave on him and returning to her mistress acquainted her with what had passed, whereat she rejoiced with exceeding joy and recited these two couplets:—

A Plain and Literal Translation of The Arabian Nights Entertainments, Now Entitled The Book Of The Thousand Nights and A — Part 162

The world sware that for ever ’twould gar me grieve: ✿ ’Tis false, O world, so thine oath retrieve[374]! The blamer is dead and my love’s in my arms: ✿ Rise to herald of joys and tuck high thy sleeve[375]!

Then she and Masrur abode each with other in eating and drinking and sport and pleasure and good cheer, till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and Sunderer of societies and Slayer of sons and daughters. And I have also heard tell the following tale of

_i.e._ “Adornment of (good) Qualities.” See the name punned on in Night dcccli. Lane omits this tale because it contains the illicit “Amours of a Christian and a Jewess who dupes her husband in various abominable ways.” The text has been taken from the Mac. and the Bresl. Edits. x. 72 etc. In many parts the former is a mere Epitome.

_i.e._ with the sight of the garden and its mistress—purposely left vague.

Arab. “Dádat.” Night dcclxxvi. vol. vii. p. 372.

Meaning respectively “Awaking” (or blowing hard), “Affairs” (or Misfortunes) and “Flowing” (blood or water). They are evidently intended for the names of Jewish slave-girls.