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what I have confessed; for I have no story other than that I entered these folk’s house and stole what I could lay hands on, and they caught me and took the stuff from me and carried me before thee.’ Then Khalid bade clap him in prison and commanded a crier to make proclamation throughout Bassora, saying, ‘Ho, whoso is minded to look upon the punishment of such an one, the thief, and the cutting off of his hand, let him be present to-morrow morning at such a place!’
When the youth found himself in prison, with irons on his feet, he sighed heavily and repeated the following verses, whilst the tears streamed from his eyes:
Khalid doth threaten me with cutting off my hand, Except I do reveal to him my mistress’ case.
But, “God forbid,” quoth I, “that I should e’er reveal That which of love for her my bosom doth embrace!”
The cutting-off my hand, for that I have confessed Unto, less grievous were to me than her disgrace.
The warders heard him and went and told Khalid, who sent for the youth after nightfall and conversed with him. He found him well-bred and intelligent and of a pleasant and vivacious wit; so he ordered him food and he ate. Then said Khalid, ‘I know thou hast a story to tell that is no thief’s; so, when the Cadi comes to-morrow morning and questions thee before the folk, do thou deny the charge of theft and avouch what may avert the cutting-off of thy hand; for the Prophet (whom God bless and preserve) saith, Night ccxcviii.“In cases of doubt, eschew [or defer] punishment.”’ Then he sent him back to the prison, where he passed the night.
On the morrow, the folk assembled to see his hand cut off, nor was there man or woman in Bassora but came forth to look upon his punishment. Then Khalid mounted in company of the notables of the city and others and summoning the Cadi, sent for the young man, who came,
