After having fed well, I slept soundly through fatigue.  In that sleep, the noise of weeping and lamentation struck my ears; rubbing my eyes, when I looked round, then neither the old man nor any one else was in that apartment.  I lay alone on the bed, and the room was quite empty.  I began to look with alarm in all directions, and perceived a parda in a corner which was down; going to it, I lifted it up, and saw that a throne was placed there, on which was seated an angelic woman of about fourteen years of age; her face was like the moon, and her ringlets on both sides [of her head] hung loose; she had a smiling countenance; and she was dressed like a European, and with a most charming air; she was seated [on the throne] and looking forward.  The venerable old man lay prostrate before her, with his head on her feet, and he was weeping bitterly, and he seemed to have lost his senses.  On seeing the old man’s condition, and the woman’s beauty and perfection, I was quite lost, and having become lifeless, I fell down like a corpse; the old man seeing my senseless state, brought a bottle of rose water, and began to sprinkle it over my face; when I recovered, I got up, and went up to the angelic woman and saluted her; she did not in the least return my salute, nor did she open her lips.  I said, “O lovely angel, in what religion is it right to be so proud, and not to return a salute.

    “’Although to speak little is becoming, yet not so much so;
    If the lover is dying, even then she would not open her lips.’

For the sake of Him who hath created thee, pray give me an answer; I am come here by chance, and the pleasing of a guest is a requisite duty.”  I talked much to her, but it was of no use; she heard me, and sat silent like a statue.  I then advanced, and laid my hand on her feet; when I touched them, they felt quite hard; at last, I perceived that this beautiful object was formed of stone, and that Azur [366] had formed this statue.  I then said to the idol-worshipping old man, “I struck an arrow in thy deer’s leg, but thou hast with the dart of love pierced my heart through and through; your curse has taken place; now tell me the full particulars of these [strange circumstances]; why hast thou made this talisman, and why, having left [human] habitations, dost thou dwell in woods and mountains?  Tell me all that has happened to thee.”

When I pressed him greatly, he said, “This affair has indeed ruined me; dost thou also wish to perish by hearing it?” I exclaimed, “Hold, thou hast already made too many evasions; answer to the purpose, or else I will kill thee.”  Seeing me very urgent, he said, “O youth, may God the Almighty keep every person safe from the scorching flame of love; see what calamities this love hath produced; for love, the woman burns herself with her husband, and sacrifices her life; [367] and all know the story of Farhad and Majnun; what wilt thou gain by hearing my story?  Wilt thou