Pagina 230 van 1116

One day, however, I went in to her unawares; and I found her

weeping and beating her face and crying:-Why art thou absent from

my sight, O my heart's delight? Speak to me, O my life; talk with

me, O my love? Then she recited these verses:-

For your love my patience fails and albeit you forget * I may

not, nor to other love my heart can make reply: Bear my body,

bear my soul wheresoever you may fare * And where you pitch the

camp let my body buried lie: Cry my name above my grave, and an

answer shall return * The moaning of my bones responsive to your

cry.[FN#127]

Then she recited, weeping bitterly the while:-

The day of my delight is the day when draw you near * And the day

of mine affright is the day you turn away: Though I tremble

through the night in my bitter dread of death * When I hold you

in my arms I am free from all affray

Once more she began reciting:-