— 88 — Zubeir in Andalusia. Oh God, who didst create the world and lay its foundations, grant speedy release ere my burden become too great for me to bear.

Grant me to experience my former power, and, out of Thy bounty, Oh generous God, let it be not less than aforetime."

I said too : "Oh Night, I am not of small r.ccount, nor I am held in light respect among" Christians : as for the Mohammedans my name is well known to them, and among my people too my house is conspicuous. To the traveller and to the inhabitant my dish is not dry (i), to a neighbour or a friend am I most hospitable, and to my relatives by blood or marriage do I give liberally. I pray Thee to grant me success, O great and bountiful God, from whom all good things do obviously proceed."

Thus too sang El Hazga Bint Meseimis, a well known poetess, after I had gone to Cairo.

"At Khartoum he journeyed by the steamer: at Berber he stopped what time his followers went with coffee. They brought him camels on which he rode and set his face for the desert. To Egypt he went and said to the people 'Dastur' (i). In the land of the Christians how many were the journeyings thou didst make by steamers, or driving each morn in a (i) My table is always ready.

(2) " Stand at ease," i.e. he commanded respect, or, accordin;' to another explanation "with your permission" a form of greeting exchanged with a visitor on entering a strange house.