There was onceof old days and in bygone ages and timesa King of great power and glory and dominionwho had a Vizier named Ibrahimand this Vizier had a daughter of extraordinary beauty and gracegifted with surpassing brilliancy and all perfectionpossessed of abundant wit and perfectly accomplished.
She loved wine and good cheer and fair faces and choice verses and rare stories；and the delicacy of her charms invited all hearts to loveeven as Saith the poetdescribing her：
She shines out like the moon at fullthat midst the stars doth fareAnd for a wrapping-veil she hath the ringlets of her hair.
The Eastern zephyr gives her boughs to drink of all its sweets And like a jointed caneshe sways to every breath of air.
She smiles in passing by. O thou that dost alike accord With red and yellow and arrayed in eachalike art fair，Thou sportest with my wit in loveso that indeed meseems As if a sparrow in the clutch of playful urchin 'twere.
Her name was Rose-in-bud and she was so named for the exceeding delicacy and perfection of her beauty；and the King loved to carouse with herbecause of her wit and good breeding.
Now it was the King's custom yearly to gather together all the nobles of his realm and play with the ball. Sowhen the day came roundon which the folk assembled for ball-playthe Vizier's daughter seated herself at her latticeto divert herself by looking on at the game；and as they were at play，her eyes fell upon a youth among themnever was seen a handsomer than he or a goodlier of favourfor he was bright of facelaughing-teethedtall and broad-shouldered. She looked at him again and again and could not take her fill of gazing on him. Then she said to her nurse'What is the name of yonder handsome young man among the troops？'O my daughter，'replied the nurse'they are all handsome. Which of them dost thou mean？'Wait till he passes，'said Rose-in-bud'and I will point him out to thee.'So she took an apple and waited till he came under her windowwhen she dropped it on himwhereupon he raised his headto see who did thisand saw the Vizier's daughter at the windowas she were the full moon in the darkness of the night；nor did he withdraw his eyestill he had fallen passionately in love with her；and he recited the following verses：