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6
275-324

  • When the mistress heard these words, next day she went to the slave. 275
  • Then the dame combed his head very fondly with many endearments and signs of friendliness.
  • In the fashion of fond mothers she soothed him until he began to explain,
  • Saying, “I did not expect this from you—that you would give your daughter to a cross-grained stranger.
  • She is my master's child, and I am heart-sick: is it not a shame that she should go elsewhere (as a bride)?”
  • The mistress, (impelled) by the anger that rose in her, was about to strike him and hurl him down from the roof, 280
  • Saying (to herself), “Who is he, a whoreson Hindú, that he should desire a Khwája's daughter?”
  • (But) she said, “Patience is best,” and restrained herself; (afterwards) she said to the Khwája, “Listen to this wonderful thing!
  • Such a wretched slave a traitor! (And) we thought he could be trusted!”
  • How the Khwája bade the girl's mother be patient, saying, “Don't scold the slave: without scolding him I will make him abandon this desire in such a way that neither will the spit be burnt nor the meat be left uncooked.
  • “Have patience,” said the Khwája: “tell him, ‘We will break off (the match) with him (the prospective bridegroom) and give her to you,’
  • That perchance I may banish this (hope) from his mind: watch and see how I will thwart him. 285
  • Gladden his heart and say, ‘Know for sure that our daughter is really your (destined) spouse.
  • O goodly wooer, we didn't know (that you desired her): (now), since we know (that), you are the most worthy.
  • Our fire is in our own hearth: Laylá (the bride) is ours, and you are our Majnún (bridegroom).’
  • (Tell him this) in order that happy fancies and thoughts may affect him: sweet thoughts make a man fat.
  • An animal is made fat, but (only) by fodder; man is fattened by honour and eminence. 290
  • Man is fattened through his ear; an animal is fattened through its gullet and by eating and drinking.”
  • The mistress said, “Such a vile disgrace! How indeed shall my lips move in this matter?
  • Why should I talk drivel like this for his sake? Let the devilish traitor die!”
  • “Nay,” replied the Khwája, “have no fear, but wheedle him, in order that his illness may depart from him by virtue of this sweet flattery.
  • Charge me with the task of thwarting him, O beloved, and let that spinner of fine yarns regain his health.” 295
  • When the mistress had spoken in this strain to the invalid, on account of his swagger there was no room for him on the earth.
  • He grew stout and fat and red(-cheeked), and bloomed like a red rose and gave a thousand thanks.
  • Now and again he would say, “O my mistress, (I am afraid) lest this may be a deception and trick.”
  • The Khwája gave a party and a feast, saying (to his guests), “I am making a match for Faraj,”
  • So that the company chaffed and quizzed (him) and said, “May your marriage be blessed, O Faraj!” 300
  • With the result that the promise seemed to Faraj more sure, and his illness vanished entirely and radically.
  • Afterwards, on the wedding-night, he (the Khwája) artfully dyed (the hands and feet of) a youth with henna, like (those of) a woman.
  • He decorated his fore-arms like (those of) a bride: then he displayed to him (Faraj) a hen, but (actually) he gave him a cock;
  • (For) he dressed the sturdy youth in the veil and robes of beautiful brides.
  • Quo tempore mos est sponsam cum conjuge in thalamo relinquere, (paterfamilias) candelam statim exstinxit: manebat Indus coram tali adulescente robusto et aspero. [He (the Khwája) immediately extinguished the candle (at) the time of (conjugal) privacy: the Hindu was left (alone) with such a rough and strong-bodied (young) man.] 305
  • Indulus clamorem et ululatum tollebat, (sed) tympanistarum causa nemo extra (thalamum) audiebat. [The little Hindú was screaming and crying out, (but) no one heard from without (the bedchamber) because of (the noise of) the tambourine-players.]
  • Tympana pulsata, manus complosae, virorum et feminarum clamores clamorem illius (pueri) clamitantis celabant. [The pounding of tambourines, (clapping of) hands, and the loud shouts of men and women masked the screams of that screamer.]
  • (Adulescens) istum Indulum comprimebat usque ad diluculum: coram cane quid fiat sacco farinae?) [He (the youth) squeezed the little Hindú until the (break of) day: how is a bag of flour (to remain untorn) before a (hungry) dog?]
  • At morning they brought the wash-basin and a big package (of clothes, etc.), and according to the custom of bridegrooms Faraj went to the bath.
  • He went to the bath, sorely troubled in soul, laceratus culum tanquam panni fornacatorum (bath-stokers). [He went to the bath, sorely troubled in soul, (his) anus torn like the rags of bath-stokers.] 310
  • From the bath he returned to the bridal chamber, a laughing-stock (to all): beside him sat the (Khwája's) daughter (dressed) like a bride.
  • Her mother (too) was sitting there to keep watch, lest he should make any attempt in the daytime.
  • He eyed her sulkily for awhile: then with both hands (spread) he gave her the ten (fingers).
  • “May no one,” he exclaimed, “live in wedlock with a nasty evil-doing bride like thee!
  • By day thy face is the face of fresh young ladies; noctu penis tuus turpis pejor est quam veretrum asini.” [By day thy face is the face of fresh young ladies; by night, your ugly penis (is) worse than the penis of an ass.”] 315
  • Even so all the pleasures of this world are very delightful (when viewed) from a distance before the (actual) test.
  • Seen from a distance they appear (like refreshing) water, (but) when you approach (them) they are a mirage.
  • She (the World) is a stinking hag, though by reason of her great blandishments she displays herself like a young bride.
  • Hark! Do not be deceived by her rouge, do not taste her sherbet which is mixed with poison!
  • Have patience (self-restraint), for patience is the key to joy, lest like Faraj you fall into a hundred (grievous) straits. 320
  • Her (the World's) bait is visible, (but) her trap is hidden: at first (sight) her favours seem sweet to you.
  • Explaining that this self-delusion was not (peculiar) to that Hindú alone; on the contrary, every human being is afflicted with a similar self-delusion at every stage (of the journey), except those whom God has preserved.
  • Since you are attached to those (worldly goods), oh, beware! How often (afterwards) will you sob piteously in repentance!
  • The names “princehood,” “vizierate,” and “kingship” (are enticing, but) hidden beneath them is death and pain and giving up the ghost.
  • Be a slave (of God) and walk on the earth like a horse (under the rider), not like a bier which is carried on the necks (of the bearers).