"It happed one day a hawk pounced on a bird, * A wildling sparrow driven by destiny; And held in pounces spake the sparrow thus, * E'en as the hawk rose ready home to hie:-- 'Scant flesh have I to fill the maw of thee * And for thy lordly food poor morsel I. Then smiled the hawk in flattered vanity * And pride, so set the sparrow free to fly.
At this Hisham smiled and said, "By the truth of my kinship to the Apostle of Allah (whom Allah bless and keep!), had he spoken this speech at first and asked for aught except the Caliphase, verily I would have given it to him. Stuff his mouth with jewels,[FN#147] O eunuch and entreat him courteously;" so they did as he bade them and the Arab went his way. And amongst pleasant tales is that of
IBRAHIM BIN AL-MAHDI AND THE BARBER- SURGEON.
They rela
