Well art thou known, aye! all too well of me!"

"O dog! I am thy Khalif! by a hair

Thy life hangs raveling."

"Though it dangle there

And rot to nothing, still upon thy head

Would curses shower!—Of thy dwelling place

Would Allah be forgetful!—Go thy ways,

Hisham ben Merwan, king of many words,

Few generosities!"...

A flash of swords