Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/228

Rh the winds were whispering among the trees, and rustling the leaves, and bowing the branches. And I said, "Peace be upon thee, O Prince! and the mercy of God and His blessing!" And he was lost in thought; but he raised his head on hearing my voice, and remarked, "O Abu-Zeid! art thou come at such a time as this to make thy peace with us?"

So I exclaimed, "God save the Prince! Has the Day of Resurrection arrived that thou art so preoccupied?"

He replied, "Yes, for those who love." Then he looked down, and was silent awhile.

Presently he raised his head, and asked, "O Abu-Zeid! what would improve such an existence as this?"

"May Allâh strengthen the Prince!" I cried. "Red wine in white cups, served by one slender as a reed, but with rounded limbs. I would drink it from the palm of her hand, and wipe my lips on her cheek."

At this, Sulaimân turned away his head, and uttered no sound nor gave any response, but silent tears stole from his eyes. And when the slave-girls saw this, they retired to a distance. Then he raised his head and said, "O Abu-Zeid! thou hast reached the day