Vis and Ramin

VIS FREES THE NURSE BY A TRICK 155
shouting of Moabad, so that I have lost my wits at his
shouting, and am become so angry that I will go down from
this mud, I will cut off his head, and rid the land of this
hateful person. It is easier for me to shed the blood of such
a brother |
than the blood of a cat."
Vis answered him thus :
" Be calm, and use not unreason for reason. When thy
luck assists thee, thou wilt fulfil thy desire without blood-
shed."
Immediately she ran hastily down the roof. The wine
had not yet been cleared from Shahinshah's (brain). Vis
sat down
"
forthwith by the nurse and said : Thou hast
hurt this hand of mine by holding it too tight, hold this
other hand a moment so that this hand can rest a little,
and lead me away wherever thou wilt ;
I will not run away."
When Shahinshah heard Vis's voice he rejoiced. He
knew not her knavery l and cunning. 2 He loosed the nurse's
hand from his two hands, and the hateful nurse was freed
from the net. Then Shahinshah said :
"
Vis, ravisher of my soul ! Why wert thou silent until
now ? When I called thee, why didst thou not answer me,
so that thou hast angered me and made my heart to burn
thus?"
The nurse was completely loosed from the snare. Vis
took heart and cried out thus :
44 Woe is me that I am always fettered by
bloodthirsty person
such a foe and
! For I am like a crooked 3
-crawling
serpent! However much I go, my trace seems crooked. 3
May God give none on earth such a husband, for a suspicious
husband is a net and seeker of mischance. My
husband will not believe that I am lying at his side, and
wishes to break and disgrace me."
| Moabad, entreating forgiveness, spoke thus :
44
Think not, moon, I love thee not. Thou art more
beloved than my soul, and thou art my joy
1 Sibidcht, 127, 184.
Afrudt, 128, 202.
' Ilat'hi, 97, 198.
! I have done
177