Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/197

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T is related that el-Hajjâj commanded the captain of his guard to patrol during the night, and to behead any one whom he might find abroad after supper. So one night he patrolled, and found three young men reeling about, and bearing traces of wine. And he surrounded them, and asked, "Who are ye that thus disobey the Amîr?"

Then answered the first,

And the captain of the guard, who had seized hold of him to kill him, said, "Perhaps he is of kin to the Commander of the Faithful."

Then said the second young man,