Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: To His Favourite Mistress, by Saif Addaulet, Sultan of Aleppo

TO HIS FAVOURITE MISTRESS. BY SAIF ADDAULET, SULTAN OF ALEPPO. I SAW their jealous eyeballs roll, I saw them mark each glance of mine; I saw thy terrors, and my soul Shared every pang that tortured thine. In vain, to wean my constant heart, Or quench my glowing flame, they strove: Each deep-laid scheme, each envious art, But waked my fears for her I love. ’Twas this compelled the stern decree That forced thee to those distant towers, And left me nought but love for thee, To cheer my solitary hours. Yet let not Abla sink depressed, Nor separation's pangs deplore: We meet not—’tis to meet more blest; We parted—’tis to part no more.