"A messenger from thee came bringing union-hope, * But that he erred somehow with me the thought prevailed; So I rejoiced not; rather grew my grief still more; * Weeting my messenger of wits and wit had failed.
"But afterwards: Know, O my lord! that I ken not the reason why our correspondence between thee and me hath been broken off: but, if the cruelty arise from thy part, I will requite it with fidelity, and if thy love have departed, I will remain constant to my love of the parted, for I am with thee even as says the poet,
'Be proud; I'll crouch! Bully; I'll bear! Despise; I'll pray! * Go; I will come! Speak; I will hear! Bid; I'll obey!'"
As he was reading lo! up came the slave-girl, looking right and left, and seeing the paper in the jeweller's hand, said to him, "O my master, this
