Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/315

286 He replied, "I wished his death, in order that the money might be mine."

Then said the first man, "Verily, O Commander of the Faithful! I make a free gift to him thereof because. that he has caused me to stand before thee, and has brought me into the presence of thy Council. And I give him another five hundred dinârs by reason of the words thou hast spoken to me."

So el-Mansûr praised his deed, and extolled him, and sent him back to his country highly honoured. And el-Mansûr always said, "I never in my life saw any one like this old man, nor one possessing greater firmness of mind, nor one who could overcome me in argument as did he; nor have I ever seen clemency and generosity equal to his.