Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/63

 and whatsoever else thou demandest. Nay, though it were my soul I would not deny it." But he answered her, "My mind is changed about the mare, nor would I now take her, for I fear lest they seeking and not finding her should suspect thee, O Alia, and trouble should come to thee of thy father. And have we not the grey mare of Diab with us, the Shohba, whom we may give to the lady, nor run this great risk for her sake?" But Alia insisting said, "Nay, that shall not be, nor care I what may come, not though I should taste of the cup of evil things. But if thou wilt not take the mare, then will I kill her and myself with her, and on thy head be it for her and for me." And Abu Zeyd consented, saying: "I will do what thee seemeth good. So may God prosper thy designing."

And the Narrator returned to his singing of that which happened between the Princess Alia and the Prince Abu Zeyd.

Saith the hero, Abu Zeyd Salame Helali:

Thus was our meeting made, mine with the Princess Alia.

The cause in the beginning of all was a mother bereaved,

A mother who came in her need where I sat with the chiefs assembled,

And told us her desire, the mare of Agheyli Jaber.

And I pledged my soul to her prayer I would bring the mare, and straightway

Went I forth nor tarried, seeking his tent the Agheyli.