第10部分(第1/7 页)

and　Shirin　fall　in　love。　One　day　Shirin　embarks　on　a　countryside　outing　with

45

her ladies of the court； when she sees a picture of Hüsrev that Shapur has

secretly hung from the branch of one of the trees beneath which the outing

party　has　stopped　to　rest。　Beholding　this　picture　of　the　handsome　Hüsrev　in

that beautiful garden； Shirin is stricken by love。 Many paintings depict this

moment—or　“scene”　as　the　miniaturists　would　have　it—consisting　of　Shirin’s

look of adoration and bewilderment as she gazes upon the image of Hüsrev。

While Black was working with my father； he’d seen this picture many times

and had twice made exact copies by eyeing the original as he painted。 After

falling　in　love　with　me；　he　made　a　copy　for　himself。　But　this　time　in　place　of

Hüsrev and Shirin； he portrayed himself and me； Black and Shekure。 If it

weren’t　for　the　captions　beneath　the　figures；　only　I　would’ve　known　who　the

man　and　maiden　in　the　picture　were；　because　sometimes　when　we　were　joking

around；　he’d　depict　us　in　the　same　manner　and　color：　I　all　in　blue；　he　all　in

red。 And if this weren’t indication enough； he’d also written our names

beneath　the　figures。　He’d　left　the　painting　where　I　would　find　it　and　run　off。

He　watched　me　to　see　what　my　reaction　to　his　position　would　be。

I was well aware that I wouldn’t be able to love him like a Shirin； so I

feigned　ignorance。　On　the　evening　of　that　summer’s　day　when　Black　gave　me

his painting； during which we’d tried to cool ourselves with sour…cherry

sherbets made with ice