صفحة 705 من 1116

All this happened at the Zuwaylah Gate. Then the Governor ordered

the link bearer to cut off my right hand, and he did so; after

which he would have struck off my left foot also; but the heart

of the soldier softened and he took pity on me and interceded for

me with the Governor that I should not be slain.[FN#545]

Thereupon the Wali left me, and went away and the folk remained

round me and gave me a cup of wine to drink. As for the trooper

he pressed the purse upon me, and said, "Thou art a comely youth

and it befitteth not thou be a thief." So I repeated these

verses:-

"I swear by Allah's name, fair sir! no thief was I, * Nor, O thou

best of men! was I a bandit bred: But Fortune's change and chance

o'erthrew me suddenly, * And cark and care and penury my course

misled: I shot it not, indeed, 'twas Allah shot the shaft * That

rolled in dust the Kingly diadem from my head."[FN#546]