Then the damsel took the lute and touching itknew that it was other than as she had left it and said'Who hath touched my lute？'Quoth they'None of us hath touched it.'Nayby Allah，'rejoined she'some one hath touched itand he a past master in the craft；for he hath ordered the strings and tuned them after the fashion of one who is right skilled in the art.'
Quoth I'It was I tuned it.'ThenGod on thee，'answered she'take it and play on it！'So I took it and playing a rare and difficult measurethat came nigh to deaden the live and raise the deadsang thereto the following verses：
I had a heartwherewith of yore I lived： 'Twas seared with fire and all consumed indeed.
Her lovealack I was not vouchsafed to me；Unto the slave'twas not of Heaven decreed.
If what I taste be passion's very foodThen all who love upon its like must feed.
When I had finishedthere was not one of the company but sprang from his place and sat down before mesaying'God on theeO our lordsing us another song.'With all my heart，'said I and playing another measure in masterly fashion，sang thereto the following：
O thou whose heartfor fortune's blowsis all consumed and spedSorrows with whom from every side have taken up their stead，Unlawful unto hermy heart who pierces with her shaftsIs that my blood whichbreast-bones 'twixt and vitalsshe hath shed.