Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/56

Rh man retaliate upon you," or words to that effect, Jábalah asked, "And are we upon an equality in this matter?" To which ʾOmar replied, "Certainly; the law of el-Islám is the same for both of you." Then Jábalah said, "Let me wait until to-morrow." And when day dawned he went off to Cæsar, Emperor of Rome, and apostatized. Afterwards he repented, and composed these lines:—

A Prince has apostatized by reason of a blow!

But had I pardoned it, what were the harm?

Obstinacy and pride have hindered me,

And on its account I bartered true vision for one-eyedness.

Would that my mother had never borne me! and would that I

Had hearkened to the words which ʾOmar spake!