But when she had finished, Abu Isa said, "O Commander of the Faithful," --And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the Four Hundred and Eighteenth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Kurrat al-Ayn had finished her verse, Abu Isa said, "O Commander of the Faithful, though we endure disgrace, we shall be at ease.[FN#223] Dost thou give me leave to reply to her?" Quoth the Caliph, "Yes, say what thou wilt to her." So he swallowed his tears and sang these two distichs,
"Silent I woned and never owned my love; * But from my heart I hid love's blissful boon; Yet, if my eyes should manifest my love, * 'Tis for my nearness to the shining moon."
Then Kurrat al-Ayn took the lute and played a lively tune and rejoined wi
