Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/189

160 retiring, when he said, "O Khâlid! make over to the young man a mule, and a slave boy and girl, and four thousand dirhems." Whereupon the young man exclaimed, "God save the Prince! the prettiest and most wonderful of my tales yet remains."

So el-Hajjâj resumed his seat, saying, "Relate it." The young man began: "God save the Amîr! My father perished when I was a child of tender years, and I was therefore brought up under the care of my paternal uncle, who had a beautiful daughter. And even in childhood we loved one another, and our love grew most wonderfully until the time came that we both learnt that matchmakers were eagerly seeking her, and offering to dower her with great wealth on account of her beauty and accomplishments. And when I saw this, sickness took possession of me, and I became weak and was laid upon my bed. Then I made ready a huge jar, which I filled with sand and stones, and sealing its mouth, I buried it under my bed. And after the fulfilment of certain days, I went to my uncle, and said, 'O uncle! of a truth I had determined upon travelling; but I have lighted upon a vast treasure, and was afraid lest I might die without any one knowing about it. If therefore my