Then they ate and the tables were removed and they washed their hands; after which Iblis the Accursed came up to Tuhfeh and said to her, ’O my lady Tuhfeh, thou gladdenest the place and with thy presence enlightenest and embellishest it; but now fain would these kings hear somewhat of thy singing, for the night hath spread its wings for departure and there abideth thereof but a little.’  Quoth she, ‘Hearkening and obedience.’  So she took the lute and touching its strings on rare wise, played thereon after a wondrous fashion, so that it seemed to those who were present as if the palace stirred with them for the music.  Then she fell a-singing and chanted the following verses: 

Peace on you, people of my troth!  With peace I do you greet.  Said
     ye not truly, aforetime, that we should live and meet? 
Ah, then will I begin on you with chiding than the breeze More
     soft, ay pleasanter than clear cold water and more sweet. 
Indeed, mine eyelids still with tears are ulcered and to you My
     bowels yearn to be made whole of all their pain and heat. 
Parting hath sundered us, belov’d; indeed, I stood in dread Of
     this, whilst yet our happiness in union was complete. 
To God of all the woes I’ve borne I plain me, for I pine For
     longing and lament, and Him for solace I entreat

The kings of the Jinn were moved to delight by that fair singing and fluent speech and praised Tuhfeh; and Queen Kemeriyeh rose to her and embraced her and kissed her between the eyes, saying, ’By Allah, it is good, O my sister and solace of mine eyes and darling of my heart!’ Then said she, ’I conjure thee by Allah, give us more of this lovely singing.’  And Tuhfeh answered with ‘Hearkening and obedience.’  So she took the lute and playing thereon after a different fashion from the former one, sang the following verses: 

Oft as my yearning waxeth, my heart consoleth me With hopes of
     thine enjoyment in all security. 
Sure God shall yet, in pity, reknit our severed lives, Even as He
     did afflict me with loneness after thee. 
Thou whose desire possesseth my soul, the love of whom Hold on my
     reins hath gotten and will not let me free,
Compared with thine enjoyment, the hardest things are light To
     win and all things distant draw near and easy be. 
God to a tristful lover be light!  A man of wit, Yet perishing for
     yearning and body-worn is he. 
Were I cut off, beloved, from hope of thy return, Slumber,
     indeed, for ever my wakeful lids would flee. 
For nought of worldly fortune I weep! my only joy In seeing thee
     consisteth and in thy seeing me.

At this the accursed Iblis was moved to delight and put his finger to his arse, whilst Meimoun danced and said, ’O Tuhfet es Sudour, soften the mode;[FN#201] for, as delight, entereth into my heart, it bewildereth my vital spirits.’  So she took the lute and changing the mode, played a third air; then she returned to the first and sang the following verses: