Al-Abbás from the side of Akíl is come; ✿ Caravans and steeds he hath plunderèd: Yea; horses he brought of pure blood, whose necks ✿ Ring with collars like anklets wher’er they are led. With domèd hoofs they pour torrent-like, ✿ As they prance through dust on the level stead: And bestriding their saddles come men of war, ✿ Whose fingers play on the kettle-drum’s head: And couched are their lances that bear the points ✿ Keen grided, which fill every soul with dread: Who wi’ them would fence draweth down his death ✿ For one deadly lunge soon shall do him dead: Charge, comrades, charge ye and give me joy, ✿ Saying, “Welcome to thee, O our dear comràde!” And who joys at his meeting shall ’joy delight ✿ Of large gifts when he from his steed shall ’light. When the troops entered Baghdad, each of them alighted in his tent, whilst Al-Abbas encamped apart on a place near the Tigris and issued orders to slaughter for the soldiers, each day, that which should suffice them of oxen and sheep and to bake them bread and spread the tables: so the folk ceased not to come to him and eat of his banquet. Furthermore, all the country-people flocked to him with presents and rarities and he requited them many times the like of their gifts, so that the lands were filled with his renown and the fame of him was bruited abroad among the habitants of wold and town. Then, as soon as he rode to the house he had bought, the shopkeeper and his wife came to him and gave him joy of his safety; whereupon he ordered them three head of swift steeds and thoroughbred and ten dromedaries and an hundred head of sheep and clad them both in costly robes of honour. Presently he chose out ten slave-girls and ten negro slaves and fifty mares and the like number of she-camels and three hundred of sheep, together with twenty ounces of musk and as many of camphor, and sent all this to the King of Baghdad. When the present came to Ins bin Kays, his wit fled for joy and he was perplexed wherewith to requite him. Al-Abbas also gave gifts and largesse and bestowed robes of honour upon noble and simple, each after the measure of his degree, save only Mariyah; for to her indeed he sent nothing. This was grievous to the Princess and it irked her sore that he should not remember her; so she called her slave-girl Shafikah and said to her, “Hie thee to Al-Abbas and salute him and say to him:—What hindereth thee from sending my lady Mariyah her part of thy booty?” So Shafikah betook herself to him and when she came to his door, the chamberlains refused her admission, until they should have got for her leave and permission. When she entered, Al-Abbas knew her and knew that she had somewhat of speech with him; so he dismissed his Mamelukes and asked her, “What is thine errand, O hand-maid of good?” Answered she, “O my lord, I am a slave-girl of the Princess Mariyah, who kisseth thy hands and offereth her salutation to thee. Indeed, she rejoiceth in thy