Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/89

60

That dost thou disobey me in what I have written

I will surely make of thee meat for eagles.

Divorce Saida, and send her equipped instantly,

With el-Kamît and Nasr son of Dzabyân.

Then he folded the letter and sealed it, and summoned el-Kamît and Nasr son of Dzabyân, and entrusted this important matter to their care.

So they took the letter and journeyed until they arrived at el-Medînah. Then they went to Marwân son of el-Hákam, and saluted him, and presented the letter to him, and intimated to him the state of affairs. And Marwân read the letter, and he wept. Then he went to Saida and told her. And not daring to disobey Muʾâwiyah, he divorced her in presence of el-Kamît, and Nasr son of Dzabyân. And he equipped them, and Saida accompanied them. And Marwân wrote a letter, saying the following lines:

Then he sealed the letter and made it over to the