noon
`` Alas ! '' answered the voice without , `` the griefs of the beautiful Urad are my griefs ; and the sorrows which afflict her , rend the soul of the wretched Darandu ! '' `` Whatever may be the motive for this charitable visit , Darandu , '' answered Urad , `` let me beseech you to depart ; for ill does it become a forlorn virgin to admit the conversation of the youths that surround her : leave me , therefore , O swain , ere want of decency make you appear odious in the sight of the virgins who inhabit the rocky banks of the rapid Tigris . '' `` To convince the lovely Urad , '' answered Darandu , `` that I came to soothe her cares and condole with her in her losses -LRB- which I heard but this evening -RRB- , I now will quit this dear spot , which contains the treasure of my heart , as , however terrible the parting is to me , I rest satisfied that it pleases the fair conqueror of my heart , whose peace to Darandu is more precious than the pomegranate in the sultry noon , or the silver scales of ten thousand fishes enclosed in the nets of my skilful comrades . '' Darandu then left the door of the cottage , and Urad reclined on the bed , till sleep finished her toils , and for a time released her from the severe afflictions of her unguarded situation . Early in the morning the fair Urad arose , and directed her steps to the rocks of the Tigris , either invited thither by the melancholy reflections which her departed mother occasioned , or willing to take a nearer and more unobserved view of the gentle Darandu . Darandu , who was just about to launch his vessel into the river , perceived the beauteous mourner on the rocks ; but he was too well versed in love affairs to take any notice of her : he rather turned from Urad , and endeavoured by his behaviour to persuade her that he had not observed her , for it was enough for him to know that he was not indifferent to her .