Muntakhab al-tawarikh 78.14.7

78.14.7

“O thou true and faithful lover, I am at one with thee, doubt not! The covenant, that first I made with thee, That covenant is the same as long as I live. Rise that we may show a care for ourselves, And may descend again from the roof, That, while it is not yet known, We may steal away before morning.” So they made off from that spot, borrowing swiftness from the wind, and speed from the water, and remained concealed for three days in the house of a trustworthy friend. Meanwhile the relatives of the lady surrounded the house of Sayyid Musa like a ring, and brought claims and litigation. And Sayyid Shahi, the younger brother of the aforesaid Sayyid, who has a sincere friendship for the writer of these pages, and put this story from beginning to end into verse, some of which verses have been quoted above, returned answer to them, and spent the time in ‘Perhapses’ and “Wouldthats.” The lady was informed of that concourse, and her heart being alarmed for Sayyid Musa, lest he should come to any harm at the hands of the Governor, through stress of circumstances parted from that lover, and cheered him with the promise of meeting him again. She herself, through fear of the stain of dishonour, which might cleave to her cheek, returned to her house, and made the following excuse.