Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/321

292 I said, "By Allâh! it is admirable. Let us hear more of it." To which he replied, "O young man! I perceive that each time I have recited verses, thou hast said, 'Let us hear more of it;' and this can only be because thou hast parted from a lover or a devoted friend." Then he added, "I believe in my heart that thou art Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs, el-Mubárrad. By Allâh! thou art he!"

I said, "I am he. But where hast thou known me?"

"Can the moon be hidden?" he asked; and then said, "O Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs! recite to me some of thy poetry, that my soul may be lifted out of its misery."

So I recited to him, saying:

I wept till the dew fell from Heaven for pity of me,

And my eyes wept for grief as the travellers departed.

O halting-place of the tribe! where has the tribe halted?

Whither the camels are driven, thither is driven my soul.

Rise, O Dawn! may Allâh water thee with dew,

And cause to descend upon thee heavy showers,

And for their sakes refresh thee! May the home be united!

May the re-union be complete and the cord rejoined!

Long lasted the pleasure, and her lover was near her

When times were propitious and busybodies asleep.

But times have changed from what I knew them,

For Time is a ruler, he has the power of change over men.