Muntakhab al-tawarikh 160.3

160.3

From that time till the time of writing this hasty memoir a period of full forty years has elapsed, during which time I have observed that his kindness, sympathy, and regard for my friendship have increased daily, although (I could) not (have believed that) there was room for any increase:— Poetry. Enough of love, for that grows less: enough of beauty, for that decays: But my love for thee and thy beauty remain undiminished—nay, have increased. What now follows is a few drops distilled from his musk-diffusing pen, now incorporated by me in this record of friendship. They are as follows:— “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate! We bless his prophet the gracious one, and love for thee has not waned but its strength is increased towards thee, and my desire towards thee is as it is.