whereupon the Caliph cried, "May
Allah show him no favor, neither quicken him! Was it not he who spoke
impiously [in praising his love]?--

'Could I in my clay-bed [the grave] with Ialma repose,
There to me were better than Heaven or Hell!'

Had he not [continued the Caliph] been the enemy of Allah, he had wished
for her in this world; so that he might, after, repent and return to
righteous dealing. By Allah! he shall not come in to me! Who is at the
door other than he?"

Quoth 'Adi, "Jamil bin Ma'mar al-Uzri is at the door." And quoth Omar,
"'Tis he who saith in one of his love-Elegies:--

'Would Heaven, conjoint we lived! and if I die,
Death only grant me a grave within her grave!
For I'd no longer deign to live my life
If told, "Upon her head is laid the pave."'

Quoth Omar, "Away with him from me! Who is at the door?" And quoth 'Adi,
"Kutthayir 'Azzah": whereupon Omar cried, "'Tis he who saith in one of
his [impious] Odes:--

'Some talk of faith and creed and nothing else,
And wait for pains of Hell in prayer-seat;
But did they hear what I from Azzah heard,
They'd make prostration, fearful, at her feet.'

Leave the mention of _him_. Who is at the door?" Quoth 'Adi, "Al-Ahwas
al-Ansari." Cried Omar, "Allah Almighty put him away, and estrange him
from His mercy! Is it not he who said, berhyming on a Medinite's slave
girl, so that she might outlive her master:--

Allah be judge betwixt me and her lord
Whoever flies with her--and I pursue.'

He shall not come in to me! Who is at the door other than he?" 'Adi
replied, "Hammam bin Ghalib al-Farazdak." And Omar said, "Tis he who
glories in wickedness.... He shall not come in to me! Who is at the door
other than he?" 'Adi replied, "Al-Akhtal al-Taghlibi." And Omar said,
"He is the [godless] miscreant who saith in his singing:--

'Ramazan I ne'er fasted in lifetime; nay
I ate flesh in public at undurn day!
Nor chid I the fair, save in word of love.
Nor seek Meccah's plain in salvation-way:
Nor stand I praying, like rest, who cry,
"Hie salvation-wards!" at the dawn's first ray....'

By Allah! he treadeth no carpet of mine. Who is at the door other than
he?" Said 'Adi, "Jarir Ibn al-Khatafah." And Omar cried, "Tis he
who saith:--

'But for ill-spying glances, had our eyes espied
Eyes of the antelope, and ringle