Pagina 480 van 1116

Furthermore, he ordered one of them to pinion my elbows and squat

upon my head; and a second to sit upon my knees and secure my

feet; and drawing his sword he gave it to a third and said,

"Strike her, O Sa'ad, and cut her in twain and let each one take

half and cast it into the Tigris[FN#346] that the fish may eat

her; for such is the retribution due to those who violate their

vows and are unfaithful to their love." And he redoubled in wrath

and recited these couplets:-

"An there be one who shares with me her love, * I'd strangle Love

tho' life by Love were slain Saying, O Soul, Death were the

nobler choice, * For ill is Love when shared 'twixt partners

twain."