Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/178

Rh a young man, of whom but a shadow remained, rode at my side on a dromedary. And he saluted me, and I returned his salutation and welcomed him. Then he asked, "Dost thou know me?" And upon my replying, "It was not through ill-will that I failed to recognize thee," he said, "I am the writer of those two letters."

So I bowed myself before him, and said, "O my brother! verily thy behaviour has distressed me, and thy concealment of thyself has disquieted me, for I would have given thee thy desire and a hundred dinârs."

"May God recompense thee!" he cried. "Verily I am come to thee confessing the sight. My look was contrary to the laws of the Book and of tradition."