A.D. 658]
ʿALĪ LOSES EGPYT
279
A.H. 38.
With difficulty two thousand men were got together, but after so long delay that they had hardly marched before news of the defeat made it necessary to return. ʿAlī thereupon ascended the pulpit, and upbraided the people for their spiritless and disloyal attitude. For fifty days he had been urging them to go forth, to avenge their fallen brethren, and help those still struggling in the field. Like a restive, wayward camel, casting its burden, they had held back. "And now," he said, in grief and bitterness of spirit, "the son of Abu Bekr is fallen a martyr, and Egypt hath departed from us."
