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THE TAKJUMAN AL-ASHWAQ (X X X ) 111

S. O thoughts that fled and dispersed in pursuit of tliein like
the bands of Saba '
0. I hailed every wind that blows, ciying, ‘ 0 North wind
Q South wind ! 0 East wind !
10. Have ye anj'^ knowledge of what I feel ? Anguish hath
befallen me on account of their de2iarture.’
11. The East wind gave me its news delivered by the shih
jjlants which received it from the hill-flowers,
12. Saying, ‘ Whosoever is sick of the maladj^ of passion, let
him be diverted by^he tales of love.’
13. Then it said, ‘ 0 North wind, tell him the like of what
r have told him, or something more wonderful.
14. Then do thou, O South wind, relate the like of what
I have related to him or something more sweet.’
15. The North wind said, ‘ I have a joy which the North
wind shares with the South wind :
16. Every evil is good in the passion which they ins^jire, and
my torment is sweetened by their approval.’
17. To what end, therefore, and on what ground and for what
cause dost thou complain of the sorrow and sickness ?
18. And when they promise j'^ou aught, j'^ou see that its
lightning giv'es a false promise of rain.
19. The Invisible fashioned on the sleeve of the cloud
a golden embroidery of the lightning’s splendour,
20. And its tears poured from it upon the middle of its
cheek-balls and kindled a fierce flame.
21. She is a rose that springs up from tears, a narcissus that
22. And when thou wouldst fain gather her, she lets down,
sheds a marvellous shower.

to conceal herself, a scorpion-like tress on each side
of her tcmf)les.
23. The sun rises when she smiles. 0 Lord, how bright are
the.se bubbles on her teeth !
24. Night ajijjears when she lots fall her black, lu.Kuriant,
and tangled hair.
25. The bees compete with one another whenever she .si^its.
O Lord, how sweet is that coolnes.s !