the children of the Emir Risk and Khadra. Abu-Zaid is one of the great heroes in the exodus of the Beni-Helal from Naj'd to Tunis, passing by Palestine.
The legend is sung by the bards on their one-stringed fiddle (ربابه) Rababy, during whole nights after weddings or any other public rejoicing (see Quarterly Statement, April 1894, p. 137).
The Emir Risk had a daughter, named Shiha, شيحه, by his wife Khadra, خدره, who then remained seven years barren, to the great sorrow of Risk. One day when Khadra went to a fountain to wash, she saw a black bird pounce on other birds, killing some, and scattering the rest. She prayed to God, "Oh, my Lord, hear my petition, make me conceive and bear a son, who shall drive the knights before him as does this bird the other birds; and let him be as black as this bird." Her prayer was fulfilled, and she had a black son.
Now Ser'han, سرحان, the father of Sultan Hassan, visits Risk and says:—
| Bring the new-born, let us give him gifts! | هات المولود لمننا اننقته |
| And may we not decrease for a day of need. | ولا نقتع العدد الى يوم هشل |
When Risk brings in the child; Ghanem, the father of Thiab, says:—
| Oh Risk, this child is not from our ranks, | يارزق هل ولد ماهو صفتنا |
| But from the rank of the bought slaves. | الا صفت العبيد الجلايب |
| Upon my conscience, oh Risk, this is not born. | على دمتي يارزق انه مولد |
| He resembles greatly our negro Murjan. | ولا يشبه الا لعبدنا مرجان |
And Risk says:—
| Ho, all ye present, witness his mother is divorced. | على ماتشهدوا يا حدور امه امطلقه |
| And none shall bring her back, no judge, nor learned Sheikh. | ولا يرودها لاقادي ولاشيخ عالم |
Then, turning to Khadra, he continues:—
| Oh Khadra, break down, and load, and tie fast, | ياخدره هدي وشدي وحملي |
| And take thy servants and thy goods. | خدي سرايركي وكل الغنام |
