Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/137

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ÎSÛN, the daughter of Báhdal, was married to Muʾâwiyah, and he brought her from amongst the wandering Arabs into Damascus. But she sorrowed exceedingly for her people, and at the remembrance of her home; and one day, whilst he was listening to her, he heard her reciting, and saying:

A hut that the winds make tremble

Is dearer to me than a noble palace;

And a dish of crumbs on the floor of my home

Is dearer to me than a varied feast;

And the soughing of the breeze thro' every crevice

Is dearer to me than the beating of drums;

And a camel's-wool Abâh which gladdens my eye

Is dearer to me than filmy robes;

And a dog barking around my path

Is dearer to me than a coaxing cat;