Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/243

214 to him, beg that thou mayst be alone with him. If he grants this, then thou shalt say to him, 'This was hardly the return which Jâbir-ʾAtharât-el-Kirâm deserved from thee! Thou hast recompensed him with prison, and pain, and iron.'"

So the girl did this, and when Khuzaimah had heard her words, he cried with a loud voice, "Ah! what a mischance! and is it really he?" She said, "Yes."

Then he ordered his steed immediately; and they saddled it; and he sent to fetch the chief men of the city, who assembled themselves before him, and they came with him to the gate of the prison. And it was opened, and Khuzaimah entered, and they that were with him. And they beheld ʾIkrimah sitting in the courtyard of the prison, changed in appearance, and reduced by his misfortune and suffering, and the weight of his chains and fetters. And when he saw Khuzaimah and the people with him, he blushed for shame, and hung down his head. But Khuzaimah drew near until he bent over him and kissed his brow. Then ʾIkrimah turned towards him and said, "What has given rise to this on thy part?" "Thy noble deed," said Khuzaimah, "and my ill requital." "May