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Then he wrote a letter in answer and gave it to Huboub； who returned with it to her mistress and fell to extolling his charms to her and expatiating on his generosity and good qualities； for she was bee a helper to him； to bring about his union with her。 'O Huboub；' said Zein el Mewasif； 'indeed he tarrieth to e to us。' And Huboub answered； 'He will certainly e speedily。' Hardly had she made an end of speaking when he knocked at the door； and she opened to him and brought him in to her mistress； who saluted him and bade him wele and seated him by her side。
Then she said to Huboub； 'Bring me a suit of the goodliest of apparel；' so she brought a dress embroidered with gold and Zein el Mewasif threw it over him； whilst she herself donned one of the richest of dresses and covered her head with a of pearls of the finest water。 About this she bound a fillet of brocade； embroidered with pearls and rubies and other jewels； from beneath which fell down two tresses ＇of plaited silk＇； each looped with a pendant of ruby； charactered with glittering gold； and she let down her hair； as it were the sombre night。 Moreover she incensed herself with aloeswood and scented herself with musk and ambergris； and Huboub said to her； 'God guard thee from the ＇evil＇ eye！' Then she began to walk； with a graceful swimming gait； whilst Huboub； who excelled in versemaking； recited the following in her honour：
She shames the cassiabranches with every step she tries And sore besets her lovers with glances from her eyes。
A moon from out the darkness appearing of her hair； It is as from her browlocks the very sun did rise。
Happy by whom the night long with all her charms she lies And happy he who； swearing by her life； for her dies！
Zein el Mewasif thanked her and went up to Mesrour； as she were the full moon all displayed。 When he saw her； he rose to his feet and exclaimed； 'Except my thought deceive me； she is no mortal； but one of the brides of Paradise！' Then she called for food and they brought a table； about whose marge were written the following verses：
Dip thou with spoons in saucers four and gladden heart and eye With many a various kind of stew and fricassee and fry。
Thereon fat quails （ne'er shall I cease to love and tender them） And rails and fowls and dainty birds of all the kinds that fly。
Glory to God for the kabobs； for redness all aglow； And potherbs steeped in vinegar； in porringers thereby！
Fair fall the rice with sweet milk dressed； wherein the hands did plungeAnd eke the forearms of the fair were buried； bracelethigh！
How my heart yearh with regret over two plates of fish That by two manchetcakes of bread of Tewarij （8） did lie！
Then they ate and drank and made merry； after which the servants removed the table of food and set on the wine service。 The cup and the bowl passed round between them and their hearts were gladdened。 Then Mesrour filled the cup and saying； 'To her whose I am and who is my mistress！' chanted the following verses：
I marvel at mine eyes that feed their fill upon the charms Of a fair maid whose beauty bright enlightens every place。
In all her time she hath no like nor any may pare With her for very goodliness and sweet harmonious grace。
The willow sapling envies her the slimness of her shape； When； in her symmetry arrayed； she fares with stately pace。
The crown of her； for radiance； is as the crescent moon； Ay； and the full moon of the dark she shames with shining face。
Whenas she walks upon the earth； her fragrance wafts abroad A breeze that scents her every hill and every level space。
'O Mesrour；' said she； 'whoso keepeth his faith and hath eaten our bread and salt； it behoveth us to give him his due； so put away from thee the thought of what hath passed and I will restore thee thy lands and houses and all I have taken from thee。' 'O my lady；' answered he； 'I acquit thee of that whereof thou speakest； though thou hadst been false to the oath we swore to each other； thou and I； for I will go and bee a Muslim。' （9） Then said Huboub to her； 'O my lady； thou art young of years and knowest many things； and I claim the intercession of God the Most High with thee； for； except thou do my bidding and heal my heart； I will not lie the night with thee in the house。' 'O Huboub；' replied her mistress； 'it shall be as thou wilt： so rise and make us ready another room。'
So she rose and made ready another room and adorned and perfumed it after the goodliest fashion； on such wise as her mistress loved and preferred； after which she set on fresh food and wine； and the cup went round between them and their hearts ewasif to Mesrour； 'O Mesrour； the time of union and favour is e； so； as thou studiest for my love； recite us some verses； surpassing of fashion。' So he recited the following ode：
I am ta'en captive； in my heart a fire flames up amain； Over a bond of lovedelight by sev'rance shorn in twain；
Ay； and for love of a fair maid； whose shape hath rent my heart； Whose cheeks so soft and delicate my reason do enchain。
Joined brows and arched and melting eyes of liquid black hath she And teeth that like the lightning flash； when she to smile doth deign。
Her years of life are ten and four； my tears； for love of her； Resemble drops of dragon's blood； as from mine eyes they rain。
'Twixt stream and garden first mine eyes beheld her； as she sat； With face the full moon that outshone in heaven's high domain。
I stood to her； on captive wise； for awe； and said； 'The peace Of God for ever light on thee； O dweller in the fane！'
Then she； with sweet and dulcet speech； like pearls in order strung； My salutation graciously returned to me again；
And when she heard my speech to her； she knew for sure what I Desired； and therewithal her heart was hardened 'gainst her swain。
'Is not this idle talk？' quoth she； and I made answer； 'Spare the longing lover to upbraid； who doth of love plain。'
If thou vouchsafe me thy consent this day； the thing were light； Thy like belovéd is and mine still slaves of love in vain。'
And when she knew my wish； she smiled and answered； 'By the Lord Him who created heaven and earth and all that they contain；
＇I am＇ a Jewess； born and bred in Jewry's straitest sect And thou unto the Nazarenes as surely doth pertain。
How think'st thou to enjoy me； then； and art not of my faith？ Tomorrow； sure； thou wilt repent； if thou this thing obtain。
Is't lawful with two faiths to jest in love？ The like of me Were blamed of all and looked upon with flouting and disdain。
Wilt thou thus mock at all belief and all religious rites And doubly guilty； this my faith and eke thine own profane？
An if thou lov'dst me； thou'dst bee a Jew for love of me； And； save my favours； all to thee forbidden would remain；
And by th' Evangel thou wouldst swear a strait and binding oath To keep the secret of the love that is betwixt us twain。'
So by the Pentateuch I swear； a true and certain oath； That； in the time that's past and gone and ne'er will be again；
I swore to her upon my faith； upon my law and creed； And her unto a solemn oath on like wise did constrain。
Quoth I； 'O term of all desire； what is thy name？' And she； 'Zein el Mewasif am I call