When Khálid bin Abdallah al-Kasri was Emir of Bassorah, there came to him one day a company of men dragging a youth of exceeding beauty and lofty bearing and perfumed attire; whose aspect expressed good breeding, abundant wit and dignity of the gravest. They brought him before the Governor, who asked what it was and they replied, "This fellow is a thief, whom we caught last night in our dwelling house." Whereupon Khalid looked at him and was pleased with his well favouredness and elegant aspect; so he said to the others, "Loose him," and going up to the young man, asked what he had to say for himself. He replied, "truly the folk have spoken truly and the case is as they have said." Khalid said, "And what moved you to this and you so noble of port and comely of mien?"

the other said,"The lust after worldly goods and the ordinance of Allah (extolled and exalted be He!)." Rejoined Khalid, "Be your mother bereaved of you! Had you not, in your fair face and sound sense and good breeding, what should restrain you from thieving?" Answered the young man, "O Emir, leave this talk and proceed to what Almighty Allah has ordained; this is what my hands have earned, and, 'God is not unjust towards mankind.' " So Khalid was silent awhile considering the matter; then he bade the young man draw near him and said, "truly, your confession before witnesses perplexes me, for I cannot believe you to be a thief: Perhaps you have some story that is other than one of theft; and if so tell it me." Replied the youth, "O Emir, imagine nothing other than what I have confessed to in your presence; for I have no tale to tell save that truly I entered these folks' house and stole what I could lay hands on, and they caught me and took the stuff from me and carried me before you." Then Khalid bade clap him in gaol and commanded a crier to cry throughout Bassorah, "O yes! O yes! Whoever be 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!"

Now when the young man found himself in prison, with irons on his feet, he sighed heavily and with tears streaming from his eyes extemporised these couplets,

"When Khalid menaced off to strike my hand If I refuse to tell him of her case; I said, 'Far, far fro' me that I should tell A love, which ever shall my heart engrace; Loss of my hand for sin I have confessed To me were easier than to shame her face.' "

The warders heard him and went and told Khalid who, when it was dark night, sent for the youth and conversed with him. He found him clever and well bred, intelligent, lively and a pleasant companion; so he ordered him food and he ate. Then after an hour's talk said Khalid, "I know indeed

THE LOVER WHO FEIGNED HIMSELF A THIEF. 157 you have a story to tell that is no thief's; so when the Kazi shall come to morrow morning and shall question you about this robbery, do you deny the charge of theft and avouch what may avert the pain and penalty of cutting off your hand; for the Apostle (whom Allah bless and keep!) says, 'In cases of doubt, eschew punishment.' " Then he sent him back to prison,—

When it was the Two Hundred and Ninety eighth night

he replied, "Nay, I stole that and more." "perhaps," rejoined the Kazi, "you are partner with the folk in some of the goods?" the young said,man; "Not so: it was all theirs, and I had no right in it." At this the Khalid was wroth and rose and smote him on the face with his whip, applying to his own case this couplet,

"Man wills his wish to him accorded be; But Allah nothing accords save what He wills."

Then he called for the butcher to do the work, who came and drew forth his knife and taking the prisoner's hand set the blade to it, when, behold, a damsel pressed through the crowd of women, clad in tattered clothes, and cried out and threw herself on the young man. Then she unveiled and showed a face like the moon whereupon the people raised a mighty clamour and there was like to have been a riot amongst them and a violent scene. But she cried out her loudest, saying, "I conjure you, By God, O Emir, hasten not to cut off this man's hand, till you have read what is in this scroll!" So saying, she gave him a scroll, and Khalid took it and opened it and read within it these couplets,

"Ah Khalid! this one is a slave of love distraught, And these bowed eye lashes sent shaft that caused his grief: Shot him an arrow sped by eyes of mine, for he, Wedded to burning love of ills has no relief: He has avowed a deed he never did, the while Deeming this better than disgrace of lover gladly: Bear then, I pray, with this distracted lover mine Whose noble nature falsely calls himself a thief!"

When Khalid had read these lines he withdrew himself from the people and summoned the girl and questioned her; and she told him that the young man was her lover and she his mistress; and that thinking to visit her he came to the dwelling of her people and threw a stone into the house, to warn her of his coming. Her father and brothers heard the noise of the stone and sallied out on him; but he, hearing them coming, caught up all the household stuff and made himself appear a robber to cover his mistress's honour. "Now when they saw him they seized him (continued she), crying: A thief! And brought him before you, whereupon he confessed to the robbery and persisted in his confession, that he might spare me disgrace; and this he did, making himself a thief, of the exceeding nobility and generosity of his nature." Khalid answered, "He is indeed worthy to have his desire;" and, calling the young man to him, kissed him between the eyes. Then he sent for the girl's father and bespoke him, saying, "O Shaykh, we thought to carry out the law of mutilation in the case of this young man; but Allah (to whom be Honour and Glory!) has preserved us from this, and I now adjudge him the sum of ten thousand dirhams, for that he would have given his hand for the preservation of yours honour and that of your daughter and for the sparing of shame to you both. Moreover, I adjudge other ten thousand dirhams

Ja'afar the Barmecide and the Bean Seller. 159 to your daughter, for that she made known to me the truth of the case; and I ask your leave to marry her to him." Rejoined the old man, "O Emir, you have my consent." So Khalid praised Allah and thanked Him and improved the occasion by preaching a goodly sermon and a prayerful;—

When it was the Two Hundred and Ninety ninth night

"I accept this marriage at your hands," replied the youth; and Khalid bade them carry the money on brass trays in procession to the young man's house, whilst the people dispersed, fully satisfied. "And surely (he who tells the tale said,) never saw I a rarer day than this, for that it began with tears and annoy and it ended with smiles and joy." And in contrast of this story is this piteous tale of