I approached her with reverence, and having expressed my admiration of her good sense, and the propriety of her conduct, I invoked blessings upon her.  On hearing my compliments, she was displeased, and said, “various deeds are done on the part of human beings which it is not the power of angels [to perform]:  what have I done that thou art so much astonished?  Enough, I dislike much talk; but say, what manners is this to leave your guest alone, and amuse yourself by staring about; what will he think of your behaviour? return quickly to the company, and attend to your guest, and send for his mistress, and make her sit by him.”  I instantly returned to the young merchant, and shewed him every friendly attention.  Soon after, two handsome slaves entered with bottles of delicious wine, and cups set with precious stones, and served us the liquor.  In the meantime, I then observed to the young merchant, I am in every way your friend and servant; it were well that your handsome mistress, to whom your heart is attached, should honour us with her presence; it will be perfectly agreeable to me, and if you please, I will send a person to call her.  On hearing this, he was extremely pleased, and said, “Very well, my dear friend, yon have [by your kind offer] spoken the wish of my heart.”  I sent a eunuch [to bring her].  When half the night was past, that foul hag, mounted on an elegant chaudol, [150] arrived like an unexpected evil.

To please my guest I was compelled to advance, and receive her with the utmost kindness, and place her near the young man.  On seeing her, he became as rejoiced as if he had received all the delights of the world.  That hag also clung round the neck of that angelic youth.  The [ludicrous] sight appeared, in plain truth, such as when over the moon of the fourteenth night, an eclipse comes.  As many people as were in the assembly began to put their fore-fingers between their teeth, [151] saying [to themselves] “How could such a hag subdue the affections of this young man!” The eyes of all were turned in that direction.  Disregarding the amusements of the entertainment, they began to attend only to this strange spectacle.  Some apart observed, “O friends, there is an antagonism between love and reason! what judgment cannot conceive, this cursed love will show.  You must behold Laili with the eyes of Majnun. [152] All present exclaimed, “Very true, that is the fact.”

According to the directions of the lady, I devoted myself to attending on my guests; and although the young merchant pressed me to eat and drink equally with himself, yet I refrained from fear of the fair [one’s displeasure], and did not give myself up to eating and drinking, or the pleasures of the entertainment.  I pleaded the duties of hospitality as my excuse for not joining him [in the good cheer].  In this scene of festivity three nights and days passed away.  On the fourth night, [153] the young merchant said to me with extreme fondness, “I now beg