Though in appearance my looks were greatly altered, and my face was such that whoever had seen me formerly would not have recognised me to be the same person; yet the eunuch, hearing the sounds of grief, looked at me, and regarding me with attention, pitied me, and with much kindness addressed me, saying, “At last to this State thou hast brought thyself.”  I replied, what was to occur has now happened; I devoted my property to her welfare, and I have sacrificed my life likewise; such has been her pleasure; then what shall I do?

On hearing this, he left a servant with me, and went into the mosque; when he finished his prayers, and [heard] the Khutba, [160] he returned to me, and putting me into a miyana [161] had me carried along to the house of that indifferent fair, and placed me outside the chik [of her apartment].  Though no trace of my former self remained, yet as I had been for a long while constantly with the lovely fair one, [she must have recognised me]; however, though knowing me perfectly, she acted as a stranger, and asked the eunuch who I was.  That excellent man replied, “This is that unfortunate, ill-fated wretch who has fallen under the displeasure and reprehension of your highness; for this reason his appearance is such; he is burning with the fire of love; how much soever he endeavours to quench the flame with the water of tears, yet it burns with double force.  Nothing is of the least avail; moreover he is dying with the shame of his fault.”  The fair lady jocosely said, “Why dost thou tell lies?  I received from my intelligencers, [162] many days ago, the news of his arrival in his own country; God knows who this is of whom you speak.”  Then the eunuch, putting his hands together, said, “If security be granted to my life, [163] then I will be so bold as to address your highness.”  She answered, “Speak; your life is secure.”  The eunuch said, “Your highness is by nature a judge of merit; for God’s sake lift up the screen from between you, and recognise him, and take pity on his lamentable condition.  Ingratitude is not proper.  Now whatever compassion you may feel for his present condition is amiable and meritorious—­to say more would be [to outstep] the bounds of respect; whatever your highness ordains, that assuredly is best.”

On hearing this speech [of the eunuch], she smiled and said, “Well, let him be who he will, keep him in the hospital; when he gets well, then his situation shall be inquired into.”  The eunuch answered, “If you will condescend to sprinkle rose-water on him with your own royal hands, and say a kind word to him, then there may be hopes of his living; despair is a bad thing; the world exists through hope.”  Even on this, the fair one said nothing [to console me].  Hearing this dialogue, I also continued becoming more and more tired of existence.  I fearlessly said, “I do not wish to live any longer on these terms; my feet are hanging in the grave, and I must soon die; my remedy is in the power of