loved her in his cups because of her accomplishments and fine
manners. Now it was the King's custom yearly to gather together
all the nobles of his realm and play with the ball.[FN#32] So
when the day came round whereon the folk assembled for ballplay,
the Minister's daughter seated herself at her lattice, to divert
herself by looking on at the game; and, as they were at play, her
glance fell upon a youth among the guards than whom never was
seen a comelier face nor a goodlier form; for he was bright of
favour showing white teeth when he smiled, tall-statured and
broad-shouldered. She looked at him again and again and could not
take her fill of gazing; and presently said to her nurse, "What
is the name of yonder handsome young man among the troops?"
Replied the nurse, "O my daughter, the dear fellows are all
handsome. Which of them dost thou mean?" Said Rose-in-Hood, "Wait
till he come past and I will point him out to thee." So she took
an apple and as he rode by dropped it on him, whereupon he raised
his head, to see who did this, and espied the Wazir's daughter at
the window, as she were the moon of fullest light in the darkness
of the night; nor did he withdraw his eyes, till his heart was
utterly lost to her, and he recited these lines,

"Was't archer shot me, or was't thine eyes *
Ruined lover's heart that thy charms espies?
Was the notched shaft[FN#33] from a host outshot, *
Or from latticed window in sudden guise?"

When the game was at an end, and all had left the ground, she
asked her nurse, "What is the name of that youth I showed thee?";
and the good woman answered, "His name is Uns al-Wujud;" whereat
Rose-in-Hood shook her head and lay down on her couch, with