Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/227

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BU-SUWAID says: Abu-Zeid, el-Azdy, related to me the following tale.

I went into the presence of Sulaimân-ibn-ʾAbd-el-Málik, who was seated in the hall paved with red marble, and carpeted with green damask, in the middle of the enclosed garden. Verily, the trees were in full bearing, and the fruit was ripe. And behind him stood female slaves each one of whom was more beautiful than her neighbour. And the sun was sinking, and winged creatures were humming around, and