Document 297; Page 296
away what has kept you so long. He approached and said-
Love that so every heart brings joy
To me brings only sad annoy
Affection preys upon my heart
And all its mead is thrilling smart
While promises bring no relief
But swell with baffled hopes my grief.
The princess replied
Ah never with [hasty?] hand remove
The pearly drops that spring from love
Ere yet congealed at beautys shine
Like jewels on thy vest they shine
Melech Mahommed answered
The slave which these dear [ringlets?] bend
Why is he felon like confined
The felon sure should mercy prove
Whose only crim is fondest love
Or think when when [Mercy’s?] claims would fail
That begging [Takers?] oft prevail
Lest wandering for and wide they name
The miser to his lasting shame
The heart of Gheti afroz was [melled?]
and she desired him to take courage for in due time he should his thirst in the pure stream of affection and drink copious droughts of the wine of love; but above