Where have you
left him, Sutlememe? and why is he now not here?"
The agitated Caliph still wished to hear more, but she immediately
retired, with all her attendants; the fond monarch pursued her with his
eyes till she was gone out of sight, and then continued like a bewildered
and benighted traveller, from whom the clouds had obscured the
constellation that guided his way; the curtain of night seemed dropped
before him; everything appeared discoloured; the falling waters filled
his soul with dejection, and his tears trickled down the jasmines he had
caught from Nouronihar, and placed in his inflamed bosom; he snatched up
a shining pebble, to remind him of the scene where he felt the first
tumults of love. Two hours were elapsed, and evening drew on before he
could resolve to depart from the place; he often, but in vain, attempted
to go; a soft languor enervated the powers of his mind; extending himself
on the brink of the stream, he turned his eyes towards the blue summits
of the mountain, and exclaimed: "What concealest thou behind thee? what
is passing in thy solitudes? Whither is she gone? O Heaven! perhaps she
is now wandering in thy grottos, with her happy Gulchenrouz!"
In the meantime the damps began to descend, and the Emir, solicitous for
the health of the Caliph, ordered the imperial litter to be brought.
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