Vis and Ramin

THE NURSE'S SECOND VISIT TO RAMIN 85
for, and when they are fulfilled they no longer return. The
1
soul, indeed, is lovable and rare j
why
is it so dishonoured
of thee and hated ? None is steeped 2 in grief for love like
thee, and no one wounds himself continually in melancholy.
If thou always grievest after this fashion since thou art
oppressed for thy lover thou greatly lovest thy soul. Why
dost thou hate him ? Ramin resembles thy soul ; he loves
thee, and thou hatest him. Do not so, be more pleasant
with thy friends; be like a fruitful tree in a vineyard.
Have pity on that unhappy |
youth ; do not make him to 95
melt, and rob not thy body continually of joy. Be not
merciless to that peerless hero. Cherish his love, who
cherishes love for thee. If in thee none rejoices, thy face
is
3
like pitch."
When Vis heard these words she was perturbed, insulted;
sulkily she answered the nurse with ill words and spoke
thus:
"
disgusting and cursed by God !
No
more, neither
of Vis nor of Ramin ! May Khuzistan, whence thou art,
be utterly laid waste no ; more of thy most shrewish and
4
ill-starred face. From thy land may none but go-betweens
come forth, and from thy kin may none but sorcerers be
born. If from thy family a thousand children come forth,
may they all be whores, witches, and followers of deceit.
May God let none of them believe, so that their daughters
may be given to a nurse to rear, to be suckled at bad and
foul breasts ; so that the pure race and honourable child
may be blotted with dishonour, and their children be
spoiled. If even a child of the sun sucks thy breast, to
expect light from him is a mistake. May God punish my
mother, for my pure race has been blemished by thy nur-
ture, and she has given me into the shameless hands of a
sorceress like thee, who hast neither reason nor shame.
Thou art mine enemy not my nurse. Now certainly thou
hast lost thine own, and thou wouldst deprive me of the
* Azizi excellent Daabamt.
1 Cupri. 191.