Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/111

82 revealed, And the Prophet of God himself witnesses the same concerning him."

And for the third time Muʾâwiyah was silenced. But once more he asked, "O ye men! who is greatest in courage and renown among the Arabs, and who bears witness thereof?"

Et-Tarammâh made answer, "We, O Muâwiyah!"

"And how so?" he asked.

"Because ʾAmr-ibn-Maʾady-Kárib, ez-Zabîdy, was of us," replied et-Tarammâh. "He was a warrior in the times of paganism, and a warrior in the times of el-Islám, of which the Prophet is his witness."

"And where wert thou?" asked Muʾâwiyah, "for verily he was brought bound in iron."

"Who brought him?" asked et-Tarammâh.

And when Muʾâwiyah replied, "ʾAly," he continued: "By Allâh! hadst thou known his power, of a truth thou wouldst have submitted the Khalîfate to him, and not have sought it for thyself." Whereupon Muʾâwiyah exclaimed, "Dost thou argue with me, thou old woman of el-Yémen?"

"Yes," replied he, "I do argue with thee, thou old woman of Múdhar! Because the old woman of el