بخش 159 - وصیت کردن پدر دختر را کی خود را نگهدار تا حامله نشوی از شوهرت

There was a Khwája who had a daughter with cheeks like (those of) Venus, a face like the moon, and a breast (white) as silver.

(When) she reached maturity, he gave his daughter to a husband: as regards social rank the husband was not a (good) match for her.

When a melon is ripe it becomes watery and goes to waste and ruin unless you slice it.

Since it was (a case of) necessity, he gave his daughter to one who was not (socially) her match, in fear of the evil (that might ensue).

He said to his daughter, “Guard thyself from this new bridegroom, do not become with child;

For thy marriage to this beggar was (dictated) by necessity; there is no constancy in this vagabond fellow.

Of a sudden he will jump off and leave all behind: his child will remain on thy hands as a wrong (for which there is no redress).”

The daughter replied, “O father, I will do service (to thee): thy counsel is acceptable and prized.”

Every two or three days the father would enjoin his daughter to take precautions;

(Nevertheless) she suddenly became with child by him (her husband): how should it be (otherwise when) both the wife and the husband are young?.

She kept it (the child) hidden from her father, (till) the child was five or six months old.

(Then) the discovery was made. “What is this?” asked her father; “did not I tell thee to adopt (the practice of) withdrawal from him?

These injunctions of mine were (mere) wind, forsooth! My counsel and exhortations have been of no use to thee.”

“Father,” said she, “how should I guard myself? Man and wife, beyond doubt, are (as) fire and cotton.

What means has the cotton of guarding itself from the fire, or when is there (any) carefulness and caution in the fire?”

He replied, “I said, ‘noli te viro admovere, noli semen ejus recipere.

Tempore summae voluptatis et emissionis et deliciarum te corpus ab eo retrahere oportet.’”

She said, “Quando sit ejus emissio quomodo intelligam? hoc enim occultum et valde difficile est.”

He replied, “Cum res eo redierit ut oculi ejus volvantur, intellige id esse tempus emissionis.”

She said, “Eo usque donec oculi ejus volvantur, hi mei oculi caeci occaecati sunt.”

Not every despicable understanding remains steadfast in the hour of desire and anger and combat.