Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/318

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"Not so," said el-Máhdy; "but I am the Commander of the Faithful himself."

Then the Arab took the bottle and put it away, and said, "By Allâh! wert thou to drink the fourth, thou wouldst declare thyself to be the Messenger of Allâh!"

Then el-Máhdy laughed until he lost his senses. And lo! the horsemen surrounded them, and the princes and nobles dismounted before him, and the heart of the Arab stood still. But el-Máhdy said to him, "Fear not: thou hast done no wrong." And he ordered a robe and a sum of money to be given to him.