Strona 569 z 1116

[FN#412] When Badr al-Din Hasan saw the bridegroom sitting

lonesome in the dark, and all the wedding-guests with their

flambeaux and wax candles crowding around himself, he was

bewildered and marvelled much; but when he looked at his cousin,

the daughter of his uncle, he rejoiced and felt an inward

delight: he longed to greet her and gazed intently on her face

which was radiant with light and brilliancy. Then the tirewomen

took off her veil and displayed her in the first bridal dress

which was of scarlet satin; and Hasan had a view of her which

dazzled his sight and dazed his wits, as she moved to and fro,

swaying with graceful gait; [FN#413] and she turned the heads of

all the guests, women as well as men, for she was even as saith

the surpassing poet:-

A sun on wand in knoll of sand she showed * Clad in her

cramoisy-hued chemisette: Of her lips honey-dew she gave me

drink, * And with her rosy cheeks quencht fire she set.