Seite 427 von 1116

When I saw her weeping I said, "By Allah I will never open that

fortieth door, never and no wise!" and I bade her farewell.

Thereupon all departed flying away like birds; signalling with

their hands farewells as they went and leaving me alone in the

palace. When evening drew near I opened the door of the first

chamber and entering it found myself in a place like one of the

pleasaunces of Paradise. It was a garden with trees of freshest

green and ripe fruits of yellow sheen; and its birds were singing

clear and keen and rills ran wimpling through the fair terrene.

The sight and sounds brought solace to my sprite; and I walked

among the trees, and I smelt the breath of the flowers on the

breeze; and heard the birdies sing their melodies hymning the

One, the Almighty in sweetest litanies; and I looked upon the

apple whose hue is parcel red and parcel yellow; as said the

poet:-

Apple whose hue combines in union mellow * My fair's red cheek,

her hapless lover's yellow.