Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/148

Rh that I did enter the house of these people, and stole therefrom of their property; and they followed me, took it from me, and brought me before thee."

So Khâlid ordered him to prison, and commanded the herald to proclaim in el-Básrah:—Let all who desire to witness the punishment of So-and-so the robber, and the cutting off of his hand, be present to-morrow.

And when the young man had been cast into prison with fetters fastened to his feet, he sighed deeply, and recited, saying:

And the gaolers happening to overhear him, came and reported the same to Khâlid. And when night fell, the latter ordered him into his presence, and when he was brought in, entered into conversation