love,
Upon her tulip cheeks, her musky locks,
Breathing the sweetness of a summer garden;
Upon the sparkling brightness of her rings,
Necklace, and bracelets, glittering on her arms.
His mien too was majestic--on his head
He wore a ruby crown, and near his breast
Was seen a belted dagger. Fondly she
With side-long glances marked his noble aspect,
The fine proportions of his graceful limbs,
His strength and beauty. Her enamoured heart
Suffused her cheek with blushes, every glance
Increased the ardent transports of her soul.
So mild was his demeanour, he appeared
A gentle lion toying with his prey.
Long they remained rapt in admiration
Of each other. At length the warrior rose,
And thus addressed her: "It becomes not us
To be forgetful of the path of prudence,
Though love would dictate a more ardent course,
How oft has Sam, my father, counselled me,
Against unseeming thoughts,--unseemly deeds,--
Always to choose the right, and shun the wrong.
How will he burn with anger when he hears
This new adventure; how will Minuchihr
Indignantly reproach me for this dream!
This waking dream of rapture! but I call
High Heaven to witness what I now declare--
Whoever may oppose my sacred vows,
I still am thine, affianced thine, for ever."

And thus Rudabeh: "Thou hast won my heart,
And kings may sue in vain; to thee devoted,
Thou art alone my warrior and my love."
Thus they exclaimed,--then Zal with fond adieus
Softly descended from the balcony,
And hastened to his tent.

As speedily as possible he assembled together his counsellors and Mubids
to obtain their advice on the present extraordinary occasion, and he
represented to them the sacred importance of encouraging matrimonial
alliances.

For marriage is a contract sealed by Heaven--
How happy is the Warrior's lot, amidst
His smiling children; when he dies, his son
Succeeds him, and enjoys his rank and name.
And is it not a glorious thing to say--
This is the son of Zal, or this of Sam,
The heir of his renowned progenitor?

He then related to them the story of his love and affection for the
daughter of Mihrab; but the Mubids, well knowing that the chief of Kabul
was of the family of Zohak, the serpent-king, did not approve the union
desired, which excited the indignation of Zal. They, however,
recommended his writing a letter to Sam, who might, if he thought
proper, refer the matter