5A Life and Writings 
But why in splendid dress, said Roodabah ? 
All my hopes are centred in one, 
My heart is fixed on the son of Saum, 
And why attempt to conceal what is well 
known. 
She approached her father like the rising sun, 
Immersed in a blaze of gold and jewels, 
Resembling some beautiful creature of para- 
dise, 
Or the bright sun in the smiling spring. 
When her father beheld her, he stood fixed 
in astonishment, 
And invoked in his heart the Creator of the 
world : 
O void of wisdom! he exclaimed, 
Should a Peri unite with Aherman ? 
If a serpent-charmer should appear from the 
desert of Kohtan, 
Would it not be lawful to slay him with the 
arrow P 
When Roodabah heard this answer, her heart 
burned within her, 
And her face was crimsoned with shame be- 
fore her father; 
Her eyelids fell over her dark tearful eyes, 
She remained motionless and drew not her 
breath. 
