Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/94

 wood and lighted coals to burn her withal, that she might presently taste of the cup of death. And at his word they fell upon her, and bound her; and they kindled a fire, and brought her to it, and it remained only that they should cast her thereon. And Alia beheld this that was prepared for her, and her heart fainted with fear.

This, then, is what happened to Alia, and between her and her father. And the Narrator once more singeth:

Lament the men of Agheyl, the men of Helal ibn Amer:

Lo, there is nought of good in the world, and nought of pleasure,

If that children deceive their sires, and be of the wicked.

And, as they talked, behold a wise man spoke to Fadel:

"Lo, the thing thy daughter hath done is known to the people,

Tet is the cause of it hid. Now therefore send for thy daughter,

That thou mayest know thy foeman. Let her his name discover,

Since that she knoweth him thus, and thou shalt find assuagement."

And Fadel heard him speak, and all his wrath was kindled,

And his mind was shaken sore, and his soul set in confusion.

Yet sent he forth for Alia, and bade her appear before him.