THE STORY OF THE THREE EDUCATED
YOUNG MEN.
IT is related that el-Hajjâj commanded the captain of his guard to patrol during the night, and to behead any one whom he might find abroad after supper. So one night he patrolled, and found three young men reeling about, and bearing traces of wine. And he surrounded them, and asked, "Who are ye that thus disobey the Amîr?"
Then answered the first,
His son am I to whom indebted are
All who 'midst maimed or wounded may be found
Before him low his slaves themselves abase,
He takes their means, he takes their blood.
And the captain of the guard, who had seized hold of him to kill him, said, "Perhaps he is of kin to the Commander of the Faithful."
Then said the second young man,
I am his son whose power will never be lowered,
Is it one day lessened?—instantly it returns,
Thou mayst see men in crowds by the glow of his fire,
And amongst them those who stand and those who sit.
