Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/77

48 I stood on the right of the camel, and he stood on her left.

"And the people approached us, and behold! they were three persons, two young men, and one very old man. And the latter was the father of the damsel, and the two young men were her brethren. And they saluted us, and we returned the salutation.

"Then said the old man, 'Give up the girl, O son of my brother!' But Hârith replied, 'I will not give her up; nor was it for this that I took her away.'

"Then said the old man to one of his sons, 'Do battle with him.' And he went out towards him dragging his spear. But Hârith bore down upon him, and said:

"Then with his spear he struck the old man's son a violent blow, which pierced his spine, and he fell dead.

"Then said the old man to his other son, 'Do battle with him, for there is no worth in life with ignominy.'