Then they drave at each other and delivered two cuts, but the youth's stroke devanced that of the rider his adversary and slew him: and thus he went on to kill all who sallied out against him. Now when I saw my comrades slain, I said to myself, "If I go down to fight with him, I shall not be able to prevail against him; and, if I flee, I shall become a byword of shame among the Arabs." But the youth gave me no time to think, for he ran at me and dragged me from my saddle and hurled me to the ground. I fainted at the fall and he raised his sword designing to cut off my head; but I clung to his skirts, and he lifted me in his hand as though I were a sparrow. When the maiden saw this, she rejoiced in her brother's prowess and coming up to him, kissed him between the eyes. Then he delivered me to her, saying, "Take him and look to him and entreat him hospitably, for he is come under our rule." So she took hold of the collar of my hauberk[FN#125] and led me away by it as one would lead a dog. Then she did off her brother's coat of mail and clad him in a robe, and set for him a stool of ivory, on which he sat down; and she said to him, "Allah whiten thy honour and prevent from thee the shifts of fortune!" And he answered her with these couplets, "My sister said, as saw she how I stood * In fight, when sun-rays lit my knightlihood 'Allah assain thee for a Brave of braves * To whom in vale bow lions howso wood!' Quoth I, 'Go ask the champions of my case, * When feared the Lords of war my warrior mood! My name is famed for fortune and for force, * And soared my spirit to such altitude,' Ho thou, Hammád, a lion hast upstirred, * Shall show thee speedy death like viper brood." Now when I heard his verse, I was perplexed as to my case and considering my condition and how I was become a captive, I was lowered in my own esteem. Then I looked at the damsel, his sister, and seeing her beauty I said to myself, "'Tis she who caused all this trouble"; and I fell a-marvelling at her loveliness till the tears streamed from my eyes and I recited these couplets, "Dear friend! ah leave thy loud reproach and blame; * Such blame but irks me yet may not alarm: I'm clean distraught for one whom saw I not * Without her winning me by winsome charm Yestreen her brother crossed me in her love, * A Brave stout-hearted and right long of arm."