Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/43

14 before the Amîr-el-Muʾmanîn. And when they thus stood in his presence the Amîr looked at the two young men and at the other, and then commanded them to take their hands off him. Upon this they drew near and said: "O Commander of the Faithful! we are brethren, sons of the same mother and father, and are accustomed to speak strictly the truth. Our father was a sheikh advanced in years, excellent in administration, respected among his tribes, free from vice, known by his virtues. When we were children he educated us; when we grew older he treated us with consideration, and amassed for us a large inheritance. As it is said:

This morning he went out into his garden to enjoy himself amongst the trees, and while he there gathered the ripe fruits this youth killed him and turned from the way of righteousness. And we ask from you the retaliatory retribuion for his crime, and the decree