Page:The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare.djvu/41

One to thy ear hath been and told the fame of her
Covetous-sick of the mare, in longing night and morning,
Till thou didst rise and spread thy cunning nets for her taking,
Hoping to win renown and hie thee home to thy people.
These three things thou hast shewn, the quenching of thy heart- flames,
These three things, and the fourth to fire the wrath of her owner ;
Thus read I thy riddle, thy idle words I interpret.
Now therefore take this counsel, get thee gone from our dwellings.
Fly for the life thou hast nor linger here for its losing ;
Fly ere I send thee forth to death's unjoyful dwellings ;
Fly ere I spread the word and bring the Arabs upon thee,
Mounted on steeds of speed to question me of thy doings ;
And I shall tell them truth, and yield thee to the spearpoints,
Nor shalt thou succour find nor any to show thee pity."
And Abu Zeyd was grieved for what he had said to the damsel,
Yet took he courage and cried, " Enough of this fool's talking.
Never may fate befriend me if it have sense or meaning.