Salaman and Absal · 12 of 32

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Now was Salámán in his Prime of Growth, His Cypress Stature risen to high Top, And the new-blooming Garden of his Beauty Began to bear; and Absál long’d to gather; But the Fruit grew upon too high a Bough, To which the Noose of her Desire was short. She too rejoiced in Beauty of her own No whit behind Salámán, whom she now Began enticing with her Sorcery. Now from her Hair would twine a musky Chain, To bind his Heart—now twist it into Curls Nestling innumerable Temptations; Doubled the Darkness of her Eyes with Surma To make him lose his way, and over them Adorn’d the Bows that were to shoot him then; Now to the Rose-leaf of her Cheek would add Fresh Rose, and then a Grain of Musk lay there, The Bird of the Belovéd Heart to snare.

Now with a Laugh would break the Ruby Seal That lockt up Pearl; or busied in the Room Would smite her Hand perhaps—on that pretence To lift and show the Silver in her Sleeve; Or hastily rising clash her Golden Anclets To draw the Crownéd Head under her Feet. Thus by innumerable Bridal wiles She went about soliciting his Eyes, Which she would scarce let lose her for a Moment; For well she knew that mainly by The Eye Love makes his Sign, and by no other Road Enters and takes possession of the Heart.

Burning with Desire Zulaikha Built a Chamber, Wall and Ceiling Blank as an untarnisht Mirror, Spotless as the Heart of Yúsuf. Then she made a cunning Painter Multiply her Image round it; Not an Inch of Wall but echoed With the Reflex of her Beauty. Then amid them all in all her Glory sat she down, and sent for Yúsuf—she began a Tale Of Love—and Lifted up her Veil. From her Look he turn’d, but turning Wheresoever, ever saw her Looking, looking at him still. Then Desire arose within him— He was almost yielding—almost Laying Honey on her Lip— When a Signal out of Darkness Spoke to him—and he withdrew His Hand, and dropt the Skirt of Fortune.