Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/27

 said, "Lengthen not thy words." And the Kadi calling to the others, said, "My mind is that you should prevent him, even if it were by force, from his purpose, nor let him go." But when Abu Zeyd heard that word of the Kadi's his wrath flamed forth, and he said, "How! would ye deal with me in this wise, with me, the Emir Abu Zeyd?"

Now the ears of the tribe were filled with these sayings, and their mouths with the noise of them. But none was able to turn Abu Zeyd from his way. And his sister Rih came to dissuade him. Yet he listened not to her words, but soothed and consoled her only, and bade her farewell. And he departed on his quest, going by the desolate vallies of the desert.

Then once more the Narrator singeth:

Saith the hero, Abu Zeyd Salame Mukheymer: "Needs must I haste abroad to the wide breadths of desert What though I fare afar to death's, unjoyful dwellings? Constrained of my guest I go to do her pleasure's bidding." And speaking thus he turned and went to his pavilion, And clothed himself anew in his most cheerful raiment, Lengthening his kaftan's sleeves and rolling broad his turban, Till in disguise he stood, a singer of the singers, With wallet in his hand and lute for his sole armour, But in his head what store of strategy and cunning!