Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/146

Rh el Kúsary, was governor of el-Básrah, I went to that place seeking the Bedawîn of the Benu-Saʾad. And one day when I went into Khâlid's presence, I found people surrounding a young man of prepossessing appearance, and evidently possessed of elegance and polite manners. He was well made, and of a graceful figure; his odour was fragrant, his countenance striking, and his mien calm and dignified. And Khâlid inquired his history of those who had brought him in. Whereupon they affirmed, "This is a robber whom we found yesterday in our abode."

So Khâlid looked at him; and the comeliness of his appearance, and his cleanliness, astonished him. And he said to the people, "Loose him." Then he caused him to be brought near, and asked him concerning his story; to which the young man replied, "Verily it occurred as they have said; and the affair took place as they have related."