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reover she incensed herself with aloeswood and scented herself with musk and ambergris； and Huboub said to her； 'God guard thee from the ＇evil＇ eye！' Then she began to walk； with a graceful swimming gait； whilst Huboub； who excelled in versemaking； recited the following in her honour：
She shames the cassiabranches with every step she tries And sore besets her lovers with glances from her eyes。
A moon from out the darkness appearing of her hair； It is as from her browlocks the very sun did rise。
Happy by whom the night long with all her charms she lies And happy he who； swearing by her life； for her dies！
Zein el Mewasif thanked her and went up to Mesrour； as she were the full moon all displayed。 When he saw her； he rose to his feet and exclaimed； 'Except my thought deceive me； she is no mortal； but one of the brides of Paradise！' Then she called for food and they brought a table； about whose marge were written the following verses：
Dip thou with spoons in saucers four and gladden heart and eye With many a various kind of stew and fricassee and fry。
Thereon fat quails （ne'er shall I cease to love and tender them） And rails and fowls and dainty birds of all the kinds that fly。
Glory to God for the kabobs； for redness all aglow； And potherbs steeped in vinegar； in porringers thereby！
Fair fall the rice with sweet milk dressed； wherein the hands did plungeAnd eke the forearms of the fair were buried； bracelethigh！
How my heart yearh with regret over two plates of fish That by two manchetcakes of bread of Tewarij （8） did lie！
Then they ate and drank and made merry； after which the servants removed the table of food and set on the wine service。 The cup and the bowl passed round between them and their hearts were gladdened。 Then Mesrour filled the cup and saying； 'To her whose I am and who is my mistress！' chanted the following verses：
I marvel at mine eyes that feed their fill upon the charms Of a fair maid whose beauty bright enlightens every place。
In all her time she hath no like nor any may pare With her for very goodliness and sweet harmonious grace。
The willow sapling envies her the slimness of her shape； When； in her symmetry arrayed； she fares with stately pace。
The crown of her； for radiance； is as the crescent moon； Ay； and the full moon of the dark she shames with shining face。
Whenas she walks upon the earth； her fragrance wafts abroad A breeze that scents her every hill and every level space。
'O Mesrour；' said she； 'whoso keepeth his faith and hath eaten our bread and salt； it behoveth us to give him his due； so put away from thee the thought of what hath passed and I will restore thee thy lands and houses and all I have taken from thee。' 'O my lady；' answered he； 'I acquit thee of that whereof thou speakest； though thou hadst been false to the oath we swore to each other； thou and I； for I will go and bee a Muslim。' （9） Then said Huboub to her； 'O my lady； thou art young of years and knowest many things； and I claim the intercession of God the Most High with thee； for； except thou do my bidding and heal my heart； I will not lie the night with thee in the house。' 'O Huboub；' replied her mistress； 'it shall be as thou wilt： so rise and make us ready another room。'
So she rose and made ready another room and adorned and perfumed it after the goodliest fashion； on such wise as her mistress loved and preferred； after which she set on fresh food and wine； and the cup went round between them and their hearts ewasif to Mesrour； 'O Mesrour； the time of union and favour is e； so； as thou studiest for my love； recite us some verses； surpassing of fashion。' So he recited the following ode：
I am ta'en captive； in my heart a fire flames up amain； Over a bond of lovedelight by sev'rance shorn in twain；
Ay； and for love of a fair maid； whose shape hath rent my heart； Whose cheeks so soft and delicate my reason do enchain。
Joined brows and arched and melting eyes of liquid black hath she And teeth that like the lightning flash； when she to smile doth deign。
Her years of life are ten and four； my tears； for love of her； Resemble drops of dragon's blood； as from mine eyes they rain。
'Twixt stream and garden first mine eyes beheld her； as she sat； With face the full moon that outshone in heaven's high domain。
I stood to her； on captive wise； for awe； and said； 'The peace Of God for ever light on thee； O dweller in the fane！'
Then she； with sweet and dulcet speech； like pearls in order strung； My salutation graciously returned to me again；
And when she heard my speech to her； she knew for sure what I Desired； and therewithal her heart was hardened 'gainst her swain。
'Is not this idle talk？' quoth she； and I made answer； 'Spare the longing lover to upbraid； who doth of love plain。'
If thou vouchsafe me thy consent this day； the thing were light； Thy like belovéd is and mine still slaves of love in vain。'
And when she knew my wish； she smiled and answered； 'By the Lord Him who created heaven and earth and all that they contain；
＇I am＇ a Jewess； born and bred in Jewry's straitest sect And thou unto the Nazarenes as surely doth pertain。
How think'st thou to enjoy me； then； and art not of my faith？ Tomorrow； sure； thou wilt repent； if thou this thing obtain。
Is't lawful with two faiths to jest in love？ The like of me Were blamed of all and looked upon with flouting and disdain。
Wilt thou thus mock at all belief and all religious rites And doubly guilty； this my faith and eke thine own profane？
An if thou lov'dst me； thou'dst bee a Jew for love of me； And； save my favours； all to thee forbidden would remain；
And by th' Evangel thou wouldst swear a strait and binding oath To keep the secret of the love that is betwixt us twain。'
So by the Pentateuch I swear； a true and certain oath； That； in the time that's past and gone and ne'er will be again；
I swore to her upon my faith； upon my law and creed； And her unto a solemn oath on like wise did constrain。
Quoth I； 'O term of all desire； what is thy name？' And she； 'Zein el Mewasif am I called in this my own demesne。'
'Zein el Mewasif；' then cried I； 'my entrails are enthralled For love of thee； thou hast indeed enslaved me； heart and brain。'
I saw her beauty underneath the chinveil and became Afflicted sore at heart； distraught for love and longing pain；
Nor neath the curtain did I cease to humble me and eke Of the much passion to make moan that in my heart did reign；
Till； when she saw my plight and all the transport of my love； A smiling visage she unveiled； that did me straight assain。
The wind of amorous delight blew full on us and she Scented of musk her neck and wrists； till all the house had ta'en
Perfume from her and every place； whilst I her lips did kiss And from her sweet and smiling mouth its wine of balm did drain。
Under her robes she swayed； as sways the willow； and delight And union did permit； till then forbidden to the swain。
We lay the night together and with many a clip and kiss And sucking lips； was union perfected for us twain。
There's no adornment of the world； excepting she thou lov st Be near thee； so thou mayst of her the wished delight obtain。
Whenas day broke； she rose to say farewell； with lovely face Excelling far the moon that shines in heaven's spreading plain；
And at her leavetaking； this verse she chanted； whilst the tears Ran down her cheeks； now one by one； now linked in many a chain；
'By the Great Oath and by the nights so fair； I'll ne'er fet The pact of Allah 'twixt us two； whilst I on life remain！'
Zein el Mewasif was charmed with these verses and said to him； 'O Mesrour； how goodly are thy parts！ May he live not who would harm thee！' Then she entered a privy chamber and called him。 So he went in to her and taking her in his arms； embraced her and kissed her and got of her that which he had deemed impossible and rejoiced in the attainment of the sweet of amorous delight。 Then said she； 'O Mesrour； now we are bee lovers； thy good is forbidden to me and is lawfully thine again。' So she restored to him all she had won of him and said to him； 'Hast thou a garden； whither we may go and take our pleasure therein？' 'Yes； O my lady；' answered he； 'I have a garden that hath not its like。'
Then he returned to his house and bade his slavegirls make ready a handsome room and provide a splendid banquet； after which he summoned Zein el Mewasif； who came with her damsels； and they ate and drank and made merry； whilst the cup passed round between them and their hearts were glad。 Then the lovers withdrew to privy chamber and Zein el Mewasif said to Mesrour； 'I have bethought me of some pleasant verses； which I would fain sing to the lute。' And he answered； 'Do so。' So she took the lute and tuning it； sang the following to pleasant air：
Mirth from the smitten strings o'ereth me and cheer； Sweet is our morningdraught； when daybreak draweth near。
Love still its bondman's heart uncovereth and in The tearing down of veils doth lovelonging appear；
With wine strained bright； so pure and goodly that it seems The sun in hands of moons （10） unveiled and shining clear。
It bringeth us anights its gladness and with joy Obliterates the