ared before us, with much splendour, and completely adorned;
and the throne of the king [of the fairies] remounted thence. I then
embraced the fairy with fond eagerness, and repeated this verse:--

'Why should not she of the arched eyebrows come [to my house],
She for whose sake I have fasted for forty days.'

In that state of felicity we resided together in the garden. I
dreaded through fear to think of other joys; I only tasted the
superficial pleasure [of her roseate lips], and constantly gazed
upon her charms. The lovely fairy, seeing me so true to my oath, was
surprised within herself, and used sometimes to say, 'O my beloved,
you are indeed strictly faithful to your promise; but I will give you,
by the way of friendship, a piece of advice; take care of your mystical
book; for the _jinns_, seeing you off your guard, will purloin it
some day or other.' I replied, 'I guard this book as I would my life.'

"It so happened, that one night Satan led me astray; in a fit of
overpowering passion, I said to myself, 'Let happen what will, how long
can I restrain myself?' I clasped the [lovely fairy] to my bosom, and
attempted to revel in ecstatic joys. Instantly, a voice came forth,
saying, 'Give me the book, for the great name of God is written in
it; do not profane it.' In that fervour of passion, I was insensible
[to every other consideration]; I took the book from my bosom and
delivered it, without knowing to whom I gave it, and plunged myself
into the fervid joys of love. The beautiful fairy, seeing my foolish
conduct, said, 'Alas! selfish man, thou hast at last transgressed,
and forgotten my admonition.'

"On saying this, she became senseless, and I perceived a _jinn_
standing at the head of the bed, who held the magical book in his
hand; I attempted to seize him, and beat him severely, and snatch
away the book, when in the meantime another appeared, took the book
from his hand, and ran off. I began to repeat the incantations I had
learnt. The _jinn_, who was still standing near me, became a bull; but,
alas! the lovely fairy had not in the least recovered her senses, and
that same state of stupor continued. Then my mind became distracted,
and all my joys were turned into bitterness. From that day, man became
my aversion. I live in a corner of this garden; and for the sake of
agreeably occupying my mind, I made this emerald vase, ornamented
with flowers, and every month I go to the plain, mounted on that