Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/84

 And a sword from the land of Yemen, its blade was sharp and shining, And girt it to my left side. And I loosed it from its fastening, And drew the blade from its sheath, and stood like the King of Terrors. And I went to the grey mare's side, and took her rein in silence While Alia w^ept aloud and her tears ran down in streamlets. And I named the name of God and sprang into the saddle, And touched the mare with my heel. But Alia still delaying Put in my hand a spear (its point would split a pebble. And it shone in the night like a star) and I bore it on my shoulder. And my heart leapt high with valour, and I longed to meet the tribesmen And charge them one and all, alone, I without helper. And fain was I they should wake that I might give them battle, And drive them with my sword, their mightiest men of valour. And she brought me dates in a skin, and made me all provision. And thus was I. And she, still clinging to my stirrup, Cried, ** Let me go with thee, astride the mare, behind thee.