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It is told that Di‘bil al-Khuza‘i said: I was sitting at the gate of al-Karkh when a young woman passed me, more beautiful and finely proportioned than any I had ever seen. She swayed as she walked, captivating all who watched her. The moment my eyes fell upon her, I was enchanted; my heart trembled, and I felt it fly from my breast. I recited this verse, intending it for her:

“My eyes let loose their streaming tears; my eyelids draw away from sleep.” She turned her face toward me and promptly answered with this verse: “And that is little enough for one whom languid eyes have summoned with a glance.” Astonished by her ready answer and graceful speech, I recited another verse to her:

“Has my sovereign no tenderness of heart for one whose tears flow freely?” Without a moment’s hesitation she answered: “If you desire affection from us, love between us is a venture shared.” Never had anything sweeter than her words entered my ears, nor had I seen a face more radiant. Marveling at her speech, I changed the rhyme to put her to the test, and recited:

“Will Time, I wonder, gladden us with a meeting, and bring one yearning lover to another?” She smiled, and never had I seen a lovelier mouth or sweeter lips. Without a moment’s hesitation she answered:

“What business has Time deciding between us? You are Time: gladden us with a meeting.” I sprang up and began kissing her hands. “I never thought,” I told her, “that Time would grant me such an opportunity. Follow me—not at my command, nor under any constraint, but out of your own kindness and compassion for me.” Then I set off, with her following behind. At that time I had no lodging that I thought fit to receive her in. But Muslim ibn al-Walid was a friend of mine and had a fine house, so I made for it. When I knocked, he came out, and I greeted him, saying, “It is for moments like these that a man keeps friends.” “With love and honor,” he replied. “Come in.” We entered, but found him short of money. He handed me a kerchief and said, “Take this to the market, sell it, and buy whatever food and other things you need.” I hurried to the market, sold it, and bought the food and other things we needed. When I returned, I found that Muslim had secluded himself with her in a cellar. Hearing me, he sprang up and came to meet me. “May God reward you, Abu ‘Ali,” he said, “for the kindness you have done me. May He grant you its recompense and count it among your good deeds on the Day of Resurrection.” Then he took the food and drink from me and shut the door in my face. His words enraged me, and I did not know what to do, while he stood behind the door, quivering with delight. Seeing the state I was in, he said, “By my life, Abu ‘Ali, who composed this verse:

“‘I spent the night within her shift, while my companion lay with a heart defiled and limbs untouched’?” My anger flared still hotter, and I answered, “The same man who composed this verse: ‘He bears a thousand horns within his belt, towering above the lofty heights of Manaf.’” Then I began cursing and abusing him for his vile conduct and utter lack of honor, while he remained silent and said nothing. When I had exhausted my abuse, he smiled and said, “Damn you, you fool! I have merely entered my own house, sold my own kerchief, and spent my own money. Who are you angry with, you pimp?” Then he left me and went back to her. “By God,” I called after him, “you were right to call me both a fool and a pimp.” I left his door in such misery that I feel its mark upon my heart to this day. I never won her, nor did I ever hear any news of her.