Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/259

230 that one in thy position, and of thy station, O most vile Arab! should bandy words with the Commander of the Faithful?"

The young man instantly replied, "May disappointment attend thee, and woe and destruction smite thee! Hast thou never heard what saith the Most High—'At the coming day, every man will argue concerning his soul.' Therefore, if God may be argued with, pray what is Hishâm that he is not even to be spoken to?"

Upon this Hishâm rose up in a towering rage, and cried, "Ho! executioner! bring me the head of this young man, for verily he has added to his words more than any one would believe possible."

So the executioner came forward, and laid hold of the young man, and made him kneel upon the Nitâ'a of Blood, and unsheathed above his head the Sword of Vengeance, and cried, "O Commander of the Faithful! is it by his own act that thy wretched