Kasim, son of Adi, was wont to relate that a man of the Banu Tamim spoke as follows: "I went out one day in search of a stray animal and, coming to the waters of the Banu Tayy, saw two companies of people near one another. And behold, those of one company were disputing among themselves just as the other was. So I watched them and observed, in one of the companies, a youth wasted with sickness, as if he were a worn-out dried-up waterskin. And as I looked on him, lo! he recited these couplets:

What ails the Beauty she returns not? Is't Beauty's irk or grudging to my lot? I sickened and my friends all came to call; What stayed you calling with the friendly knot? Had you been sick, I had come running fast To you, nor threats had kept me from the spot: Mid them I miss you, and I lie alone; Sweetheart, to lose your love sad loss I know!'

His words were heard by a damsel in the other company who hastened towards him, and when her people followed her, she fought them off. Then the youth caught sight of her and sprang up and ran towards her, while the people of his party ran after him and laid hold of him. But he tore free from them, and she in like manner freed herself. And when they were free, each ran to the other and, meeting between the two parties, embraced and fell dead upon the ground." —

When it was the Four Hundred and Eleventh night

And they tell a tale of