Pagina 450 di 1116

That night th' astrologer a scheme of planets drew, * And lo! a

graceful shape of youth appeared in view: Saturn had stained his

locks with Saturninest jet, * And spots of nut brown musk on rosy

side face blew:[FN#314] Mars tinctured either cheek with tinct of

martial red; * Sagittal shots from eyelids Sagittarius threw:

Dowered him Mercury with bright mercurial wit; * Bore off the

Bear[FN#315] what all man's evil glances grew: Amazed stood

Astrophil to sight the marvel birth * When louted low the Moon at

full to buss the Earth.

And of a truth Allah the Most High had robed him in the raiment

of perfect grace and had purfled and fringed it with a cheek all

beauty and loveliness, even as the poet saith of such an one:-