to Fire-worshipping in lieu of the Omnipotent King.”  Then he enquired of the City of Ebony and they answered, “Of a truth it is a year’s journey thither by land and six months by sea:  it was governed erst by a King called Armanus; but he took to son-in-law and made King in his stead a Prince called Kamar al-Zaman distinguished for justice and munificence, equity and benevolence.”  When Amjad heard tell of his father, he groaned and wept and lamented and knew not whither to go.  However, he bought a something of food and carried it to a retired spot where he sat down thinking to eat; but, recalling his brother, he fell a-weeping and swallowed but a morsel to keep breath and body together, and that against his will.  Then he rose and walked about the city, seeking news of his brother, till he saw a Moslem tailor sitting in his shop so he sat down by him and told him his story; whereupon quoth the tailor, “If he have fallen into the hands of the Magians, thou shalt hardly see him again:  yet it may be Allah will reunite you twain.  But thou, O my brother,” he continued wilt thou lodge with me?” Amjad answered, “Yes”; and the tailor rejoiced at this.  So he abode with him many days, what while the tailor comforted him and exhorted him to patience and taught him tailoring, till he became expert in the craft.  Now one day he went forth to the sea-shore and washed his clothes; after which he entered the bath and put on clean raiment; then he walked about the city, to divert himself with its sights and presently there met him on the way a woman of passing beauty and loveliness, without peer for grace and comeliness.  When she saw him she raised her face-veil and signed to him by moving her eyebrows and her eyes with luring glances, and versified these couplets,

“I drooped my glance when seen thee on the way *
     As though, O slim-waist! felled by Sol’s hot ray: 
Thou art the fairest fair that e’er appeared, *
     Fairer to-day than fair of yesterday:[FN#384]
Were Beauty parted, a fifth part of it *
     With Joseph or a part of fifth would stay;
The rest would fly to thee, shine ownest own; *
     Be every soul thy sacrifice, I pray!”

When Amjad heard these her words, they gladdened his heart which inclined to her and his bowels yearned towards her and the hands of love sported with him; so he sighed to her in reply and spoke these couplets,

“Above the rose of cheek is thorn of lance;[FN#385] *
     Who dareth pluck it, rashest chevisance? 
Stretch not thy hand towards it, for night long *
     Those lances marred because we snatched a glance! 
Say her, who tyrant is and tempter too *
     (Though justice might her tempting power enhance):—­
Thy face would add to errors were it veiled; *
     Unveiled I see its guard hath best of chance! 
Eye cannot look upon Sol’s naked face; *
     But can, when mist-cloud dims his countenance: 
The honey-hive is held by honey-bee;[FN#386] *