Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/272

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ÁSAN-IBN-EL-HUSEIN relates, that when the Khalîfate came into the hands of the Benu-Abbâs, amongst the numbers who concealed themselves was Ibrahîm-ibn-Sulaimân-ibn-ʾAbd-el-Málik. And he remained in hiding until he was weakened and exhausted by it; and then a safety-warrant was taken to him from es-Saffâh. And Ibrahîm, who was a well-educated, eloquent man, and agreeable in conversation, was highly esteemed by es-Saffâh. And the latter said to him, "Verily thou didst remain a long while in hiding; tell me therefore the most wonderful thing thou sawest during thy concealment, for of a truth those were troubled times."

He replied, "O Commander of the Faithful! was ever anything heard more marvellous than this my tale? Verily, I was hiding in a house which looked out upon the plain; and whilst there, behold! I