Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/60

 Lo, I turn from my sin in thought of the day of judgment." But I, *' Thou art but a heathen. Thou didst refuse the verses. Thou hast denied Our Lord. Thy heart is an unbeliever's. Thou hast done a treacherous deed. Thou hast angered thy Creator Purposing death to souls, and therefore will I slay thee. For were it not for this, thy infidel denial Thus in act of thy God, my hand should spare to smite thee, Since that I love not strife nor is there blood between us." And I put my hand to my sword and drew it from the scabbard. And it flashed as hghtning flasheth, making a flame in the darkness, And I smote him with its edge and his head flew from his shoulders. And turning next on Zohwa I smote her too, while Alia Watched with the eyes of thanks the issue of the sword stroke. And I severed the cord from her wrists, and she rose and took her bracelets. And I bade her go in peace nor speak a word of the doings. When morning light should come, to tribesman or to kinsman,