Читать книгу 1001 Nights - Richard Francis Burton - Страница 183

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She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nuzhat Al–Zaman related to her husband the sad case of the widow of her brother, Zau al-Makan, the Chamberlain said, “Entreat her honourably and enrich her poverty.” Thus far concerning Nuzhat al-Zaman and her consort and the relict of Zau al-Makan; but as regards Kanmakan and his cousin Kuzia Fakan, they grew up and flourished till they waxed like unto two fruit-laden boughs or two shining moons; and they reached the age of fifteen. And she was indeed the fairest of maids who are modestly veiled, lovely faced with smooth cheeks graced, and slender waist on heavy hips based; and her shape was the shaft’s thin line and her lips were sweeter than old wine and the nectar of her mouth as it were the fountain Salsabíl1299; even as saith the poet in these two couplets describing one like her,

“As though ptisane of wine on her lips honey dew

Dropt from the ripened grapes her mouth in clusters grew

And, when her frame thou doublest, and low bends her vine,

Praise her Creator’s might no creature ever knew.”

Of a truth Allah had united in her every charm: her shape would shame the branch of waving tree and the rose before her cheeks craved lenity; and the honey dew of her lips of wine made jeer, however old and clear, and she gladdened heart and beholder with joyous cheer, even as saith of her the poet,

“Goodly of gifts is she, and charm those perfect eyes,

With lashes shaming Kohl and all the fair ones Kohl’d1300 And from those eyne the glances pierce the lover’s heart, Like sword in Mír al-Muminína Ali’s hold.”

And (the relator continueth) as for Kanmakan, he became unique in loveliness and excelling in perfection no less; none could even him in qualities as in seemliness and the sheen of velour between his eyes was espied, testifying for him while against him it never testified. The hardest hearts inclined to his side; his eyelids bore lashes black as by Kohl; and he was of surpassing worth in body and soul. And when the down of lips and cheeks began to sprout bards and poets sang for him far and near,

“Appeared not my excuse till hair had clothed his cheek,

And gloom o’ercrept that side-face (sight to stagger!)

A fawn, when eyes would batten on his charms,

Each glance deals thrust like point of Khanjar-dagger.”

And saith another,

“His lovers’ souls have drawn upon his cheek

An ant that perfected its rosy light:

I marvel at such martyrs Lazá-pent

Who yet with greeny robes of Heaven are dight.’’1301

Now it chanced one holiday, that Kuzia Fakan fared forth to make festival with certain kindred of the court, and she went surrounded by her handmaids. And indeed beauty encompassed her, the roses of her cheeks dealt envy to their mole; from out her smiling lips levee flashed white, gleaming like the chamomile1302; and Kanmakan began to turn about her and devour her with his sight, for she was the moon of resplendent light. Then he took heart and giving his tongue a start began to improvise,

“When shall the disappointed heart be healed of severance,

And lips of Union smile at ceasing of our hard mischance?

Would Heaven I knew shall come some night, and with it surely bring

Meeting with friend who like myself endureth sufferance.”1303

When Kuzia Fakan heard these couplets, she showed vexation and disapproval and, putting on a haughty and angry air, said to him, “Dost thou name me in thy verse, to shame me amongst folk? By Allah, if thou turn not from this talk, I will assuredly complain of thee to the Grand Chamberlain, Sultan of Khorasan and Baghdad and lord of justice and equity; that disgrace and punishment may befal thee!” Kanmakan made no reply for anger but he returned to Baghdad; and Kuzia Fakan also returned to her palace and complained of her cousin to her mother, who said to her, “O my daughter, haply he meant thee no harm, and is he aught but an orphan? Withal, he said nought of reproach to thee; so beware thou tell none of this, lest perchance it come to e Sultan’s ears and he cut short his life and blot out his name and make it even as yesterday, whose memory hath passed away.” However, Kanmakan’s love for Kuzia Fakan spread abroad in Baghdad, so that the women talked of it. Moreover, his breast became straitened and his patience waned and he knew not what to do, yet he could not hide his condition from the world. Then longed he to give vent to the pangs he endured, by reason of the lowe of separation; but he feared her rebuke and her wrath; so he began improvising,

“Now is my dread to incur reproaches, which

Disturb her temper and her mind obscure,

Patient I’ll bear them; e’en as generous youth his case to cure.’’

Beareth the burn of brand his case to cure.”1304

And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.