The Khalif Hisham ben Abdulmelik, Hunting one day, through some unusual freak Rode, parted from his retinue, and gave Chase to an antelope. Without a slave, Vizier or amir to a pasture place Of sheep he came, where dark, in tattered grace, Watched one, an Arab youth. And as it came The antelope drew off, with words of flame, On fire with rage, unto the youth he turned, Shouting, "Thou slave! ho, hast thou not discerned The antelope escapes me? Up, dog, run! Head him back this way!"
Rising in the sun, The Arab flamed, "O ignorant of worth! Unworthy of respect!--though high thy birth,-- In that thou look'st upon me,--vile of heart!-- As one fit for contempt, thou lack'st no part Of my disdain!--Allah! I would not own A dog of thine for friend, no other known! Poor though I be, thou tyrant mixed with ass!" And flung him, rags and rage, into the grass.
Incensed, astonished, frowning furiously, Said Hisham, "Slave! thou know'st me not, I see!" Calmly the youth, "Aye, verily I know!-- O mannerless! _who_ would command me so, _Except thyself_, ere he said 'Peace to thee'? 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 In drifts of dust and, lo! the Khalif's troops Around them rode.--As when a merlin stoops Some stranger quarry, prey that swims the wind, Heron or eagle; kenning not its kind There, whence 'tis cast, until it, towering, feels An eagle's tearing talons, and still deals Blow upon blow, though hopeless;--so the youth,-- An Arab, fearless as the face of Truth, Of all that made him certain of his death,-- Waited with eyes indifferent, equal breath.
The palace reached, "Bring me the prisoner," Commanded Hisham. And he came as were He in no wise concerned; with eyes intent On some far thing; and on the floor a bent Dark gaze of scornful freedom unafraid, Till at the Khalif's throne his steps were stayed: And, unsaluting, standing head held down, An armed attendant blazed him with a frown, "Dog of a Bedouin! may thy eyes rot out! Insulter! art thou blind? and must I shout 'Thou stand'st before the Sultan! bend thy knee'?" To him the Arab, sneering, "Verily, Packsaddle of an ass! it well may be! I kneel to none but God."