awaiteth you!'; and I rode with them both to the gate, where I entered and they also. Now when the master of the house saw me with them he doubted not but I was their friend; so he welcomed me and seated me in the highest stead. Then they brought the table of food and I said in myself, 'Allah hath granted me my desire of the food; and now there remain the hand and the wrist.' After awhile, we removed for carousel to another room, which I found tricked out with all manner of rarities; and the host paid me particular attention, addressing his talk to me, for that he took me to be a guest of his guests; whilst in like manner these two made much of me, taking me for a friend of their friend the house-master. Thus I was the object of politest attentions till we had drunk several cups of wine and there came into us a damsel as she were a willow wand of the utmost beauty and elegance, who took a lute and playing a lively measure, sang these couplets,
'Is it not strange one house us two contain * And still thou draw'st not near, or talk we twain? Only our eyes tell secrets of our souls, * And broken hearts by lovers' fiery pain; Winks with the eyelids, signs the eyebrow knows; * Languishing looks and hand saluting fain.'
When I heard these words my vitals were stirred, O Commander of the
