I've spent my life for love of thee；ahwould to God I might receive return for that which I have spent！
'BravoO Fatin！'exclaimed the Khalifwhen she had finished.
'Whose song is that？'The words are by Adi ben Zeid，'answered she'and the tune is an old one.'Then they drankwhilst the damsels retired and were succeeded by other tenas they were sparkling starsclad in flowered silkembroidered with gold，and girt with jewelled zones. They sat down and sang various airs；and the Khalif said to one of themwho was like a willow-wand'What is thy nameO damsel！'My name is Reshaa，O Commander of the Faithful，'answered she. 'Sing to usO Reshaa，'said he. So she played a lively measure and sang the following verses：
There's a houri healing passion [with her kiss]Like a sapling or a wild gazelle at gaze.
Wine I quaff unto the vision of her cheeks And dispute the goblet with hertill she sways.
Then she lies and sleeps the night long in my armsAnd I say，'This is the wish of all my days.'
'Well doneO damsel！'said the Khalif. 'More.'So she rose and kissing the ground before himsang the following verse：
She came out to gaze on the bridal at leisureIn a tunic with ambergris smearedworth a treasure.
The Khalif was much pleased with this versewhich when Reshaa sawshe repeated it several times. Then said El Mamoun'Bring up the barge，'being minded to embark and depart： but Ali said to him'O Commander of the FaithfulI have a slave-girlwhom I bought for ten thousand dinars；she hath taken my whole heartand I would fain show her to the Commander of the Faithful. If she please him and he will accept of hershe is his： and if notlet him hear something from her.'Bring her to me，'said the Khalif；and there came forth a damselas she were a willow-wandwith heart-seducing eyes and eyebrows like a double bow. On her head she wore a crown of red goldset with pearls and jewelsunder which was a filletwrought in letters of chrysolite with the following words：
Beholda Jinniyeh this is；and Jinn hath she alsoI trowWho teach her men's hearts to transfixby means of a stringless bow.
She walkedwith a gait like that of a fleeing gazelletill she came to a chairon which she seated herself. The Khalif marvelled at her beauty and grace；but when Abou Isa saw her，his colour changed and he was in ill case. 'O Abou Isa，'said the Khalif'what ails theeto change colour thus？'O Commander of the Faithful，'answered he'it is because of pain that seizes me bytimes.'Hast thou known yonder damsel before to-day？'asked El Mamoun. 'YesO Commander of the Faithful，'answered he. 'Can the moon be hidden？'Then said El Mamoun to her'What is thy nameO damsel？'My name is Curret el AinO Commander of the Faithful，'replied she；and he said'Sing to usO Curret el Ain.'So she sang the following verses：
The loved ones passed from thee in middle midnight's shade And fared forth in the dawnwith the pilgrims'cavalcade.
The tents of pride they pitched round their pavilions And veiled themselves about with hangings of brocade.
Quoth the Khalif'BravoO Curret el Ain！ Whose song is that？'
'The words are by Dibil el Khuzai，'answered she'and the air by Zourzour es Seghir.'Abou Isa looked at her and his tears choked him；so that the company marvelled at him. Then she turned to El Mamoun and said to him'O Commander of the Faithfulwilt thou give me leave to change the words？'Sing what thou wilt，'answered the Khalif. So she played a lively measure and sang the following verses：
If thou please me and he please thee in publiclook thou hide And keep in secret straiter watch o'er lovelest ill betide.
And disregard and put away the tales of slanderers；For seldom seeks the sland'rer aught but lovers to divide.
They say that when a lover's nearhe wearies of his love And that by absence passion's cured. 'Tis false；for I have tried Both remediesbut am not cured of that which is with me，Withal that nearness easier is than distance to abide.
Yet nearness of abodeforsoothmay nowise profit theeAn If the grace of him thou lov'st be unto thee denied.
When she finishedAbou Isa said'O Commander of the Faithful，we will be at peacethough we be dishonoured. Dost thou give me leave to reply to her？'Yes，'answered the Khalif. 'Say what thou wilt to her.'So he swallowed his tears and sang these verses：
I held my peace nor said'I am in love；'and eke The passion that I felt even from my heart hid I：
And nathelessif my eyes do manifest my loveIt is because they are the shining moon anigh.
Then Curret el Ain took the lute and rejoined with the following：
If what thou dost pretend were very truthThou woulst not with mere wishing rest content，Nor couldst endure to live without a girlIn charms and beauty wonder excellent.
But there is nought in that thou dost avouchSave only idle talk and compliment.
When Abou Isa heard thishe fell a-weeping and lamenting and discovered the trouble and anguish of his soul. Then he raised his eyes to her and sighingrepeated the following：
Under my wede there is a wasted body And in my soul an all-absorbing thought.
I have a heartwhose suffering is eternaland eyes with tears like torrents ever fraught.
When a wise man meets mehe rebukes meChiding the love that thou in me hath wrought.
LordI've no strength all this my dole to suffer；Prithee，come Death or quick relief be brought！
When he had endedAli ben Hisham sprang up and kissing his feetsaid'O my lordGod hath heard thy prayer and answered thy supplicationand consenteth to thy taking her with all her gearso the Commander of the Faithful have no mind to her.'
'Had we a mind to her，'answered the Khalif'we would prefer Abou Isa before ourselves and help him to his desire.'So sayinghe rose and embarkingwent awaywhilst Abou Isa tarried for Curret al Ainwhom he took and carried to his own housewith a breast dilated for gladness. See then the generosity of Ali ben Hisham.
