The Khalif Haroun er Reshid was exceeding restless one night；so he rose and walked about his palacetill he happened on a damsel overcome with wine. Now he was greatly enamoured of this damsel；so he toyed with her and pulled her to himwhereupon her girdle fell down and her trousers were unloosed and he besought her of amorous dalliance. But she said to him'O Commander of the Faithfulwait till to-morrow nightfor I am unprepared for theeknowing not of thy coming.'So he left her and went away.
On the morrowhe sent a page to her to announce his visit to her apartment；but she sent back to himsaying'The day obliterates the promise of the night.'So he said to his minions'Make me somewhat of verseintroducing these words，'The day obliterates the promise of the night.''We hear and obey，'answered they；and Er Recashi came forward and recited the following：
By Allahan thou feltst my longing and my painRepose had turned away from thee and taken flight.
A maid hath made me love-distraughtnor visiting Nor being visiteda sad and love-lorn wight.
She promised me her gracethen turned away and said'The day obliterates the promise of the night.'
Then Abou Musab came forward and recited these verses：
When wilt thou put away this dotage from thy spright？ Thy heart is dazed and rest to thee forbidden quite.
Is't not enough for thee to have a weeping eye And vitals still on fire for memory and despite？