Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/61

32 to succeed him in the government, I would return to el-Islám."

So I promised him the marriage, but I could not promise him the succession to the government.

And after we had been thus talking for a while, he motioned to a servant standing near him, who went out quickly, and lo! a train of servants came in bearing boxes containing refreshments. These were set down, and tables of gold and platters of silver were laid out. And Jábalah said to me, "Eat." But I drew back my hand, and said, "The messenger of God has prohibited from eating off vessels of gold and silver." He said, "Yes. He has prohibited. May God bless and grant salvation to him. Therefore let your heart be pure, and eat off whatever you like." So he ate off gold, while I ate off Khalanj. And after we had done eating, he called for lavers of gold and ewers of silver. And he washed his hands in the gold, but I washed mine in yellow brass.

Presently he made a sign to a servant in front of him, who went out quickly. And soon I heard a slight noise, and lo! a train of servants appeared