Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 1.djvu/68

48 “Away with him from me! Who is at the door?” “Kutheiyir Azzeh,” replied Adi, and Omar said, “It is he who says in one of his odes. . . . . . .” [And he repeated the following verses:]

“Leave the mention of him. Who is at the door?” Quoth Adi, “El Akhwes el Ansari.” “God the Most High put him away and estrange him from His mercy!” cried Omar. “Is it not he who said, berhyming on a man of Medina his slave-girl, so she might outlive her master. . . . ?” [And he repeated the following line:]

“He shall not come in to me. Who is at the door, other than he?” “Heman ben Ghalib el Ferezdec,” answered