[JA’FAR SON OF ’ULBAH, OF THE BANU-L-HÂRITH. The Poet, with two companions, went forth to plunder the herds of ’Ukail, a neighbour-tribe, and was beset on his way back by detached parties of that tribe in the valley of Sahbal, whom he overcame and reached home safely. That even when under Sahbal’s twin peaks upon us drave the horsemen troop after troop, and the foemen pressed us sore— They said to us—“Two things lie before you: now must ye choose— the points of the spears couched at you, or, if ye will not, chains”. We answered them—“Yea, this thing may fall to you after fight, when men shall be left on ground, and none shall arise again; But we know not, if we quail before the assault of Death, how much may be left of life: the goal is too dim to see”. We strode to the strait of battle: there cleared us a space around the white swords in our right hands which the smiths had furbished fair. To them fell the edge of my blade on that day of Sahbal dale, and mine was the share thereof whereover my fingers closed. ED.] THE DUKE AND THE TAXING-MAN.[27] Whilome there liv’d in fair Englonde A Duke of peerless wealth, And mickle care he took of her Old Constitution’s health. Full fifty thousand pounds and more To him his vassals paid, But ne to King, ne Countree, he Would yield th’ assessment made. The taxing-man, with grim viságe Came pricking on the way; The taxing-man, with wrothful words, Thus to the Duke did say: “Lord Duke, Lord Duke, thou’st hid from me, As sure as I’m alive, Of goodly palfreys _seventeen_, Of varlets _twenty-five_”. Then out he drew his gray goose quill, Ydipp’d in ink so black, And sorely to SURCHARGE the Duke, I trowe, he was ne slack. Then ’gan the Duke to looken pale, And stared as one astound, Twaie coneynge Clerks[28] eftsoons he spies Sitting their board around. “O woe is me,” then cried the Duke, “Ne mortal wight but errs! I’ll hie to yon twaie coneynge Clerks, Yclept Commissioners.” The Duke he hied him to the board, And straight ’gan for to say, “A seely[29] wight I am, God wot, Ne ken I the right way. “These varlets twenty-five were ne’er _Liveried in white and red_; Withouten this, what signifie Wages, and board, and bed? “And by St. George, that stout horseman, My palfreys _seventeen_, For two years, or perchance for three,