the roof as before. Then he crept down stealthily and, finding
the eunuch asleep, as of wont, raised the curtain and went on
little by little, till he came to the door of the Princess's
alcove-[FN#21]chamber and stopped to listen; when lo! he heard
her shedding plenteous tears and reciting verses, whilst her
women slept round her. Presently, overhearing her weeping and
wailing quoth they, "O our mistress, why wilt thou mourn for one
who mourneth not for thee?" Quoth she, "O ye little of wit, is he
for whom I mourn of those who forget or who are forgotten?" And
she fell again to wailing and weeping, till sleep overcame her.
Hereat the Prince's heart melted for her and his gall-bladder was
like to burst, so he entered and, seeing her lying asleep without
covering,[FN#22] touched her with his hand; whereupon she opened
her eyes and espied him standing by her. Said he, "Why all this
crying and mourning?" And when she knew him, she threw herself
upon him, and took him around the neck and kissed him and
answered, "For thy sake and because of my separation from thee."
Said he, "O my lady, I have been made desolate by thee all this
long time!" But she replied, "'Tis thou who hast desolated me;
and hadst thou tarried longer, I had surely died!" Rejoined he,
"O my lady, what thinkest thou of my case with thy father and how
he dealt with me? Were it not for my love of thee, O temptation
and seduction of the Three Worlds, I had certainly slain him and
made him a warning to all beholders; but, even as I love thee, so
I love him for thy sake." Quoth she, "How couldst thou leave me:
can my life be sweet to me after thee?" Quoth he, "Let what hath
happened suffice: I am now hungry, and thirsty." So she bade her
maidens make ready meat and drink, and they sat eating and
drinking and conversing till night was well nigh ended; and when
day broke he rose to take leave of her and depart, ere the eunuch