Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/70

 this he praised God. And he needed sleep, so she said to him, "Sleep here in peace, for I am mindful of the covenant made before God between thee and me." And he slept. And this was after that he had eaten and drunk, and refreshed himself. And behold the dawn lightened. And Alia brought him water, and he prayed. And she brought him something of food, and he praised the Lord of all creatures. And she set him in the seat of honour, and she hung around him curtains of silk, and he slept. Then she left him and went to the Assembly.

And the Narrator once more singeth:

Saith the hero Abu Zeyd, the Helali Salame:

Of that which befell, O people in wait for information,

Hear and list to my words, " O Alia, daughter of Jaber,

Leave me here and go thy way to thy tribe and people.

Leave me here. With the rising sun shalt thou see me coming."

But she, " O Abu Zeyd, thy life with mine is knitted.

Thy soul is as my soul. Be not for me in trouble."

And she set her hand on my neck, and held me and implored me.

And I, for all I feared, went home with her unwilling.

And she led me within to a couch, a couch spread soft with cushions,

Four-square with curtains round and netted thick with jewels,