For we are friends henceforth."
She says to the negress, "Go open wide the door that he may come."
The negress admits him, and ties up his horse. On the third day he sees the
negress laughing.
"Why do you laugh, negress?"
"You have not said your prayers for three days."
POEMS OF THE MAGHREB
[_Translated by M.C. Sonneck and Chauncey C. Starkweather_]
ALI'S ANSWER
[ARGUMENT.--It is related that a young man named Aly ben Bou Fayd, falling
in love with a young woman, begged his father to ask her in marriage for
him. His father refused. Angered, Aly procured a gun, engraved his name
upon it, and betook himself to the chase. His father having claimed this
gun he answered:]
You ask the gun I have that bears my name.
I will not give it, save against my will.
How comes it, father, that you treat me thus?
You say, "Bring back the gun to put in pledge."
Now, may God pardon you for acting thus!
I leave you in your land, and, all for you,
I swear by God I never shall return.
Your conduct is unwise. Our enemies
Insult me, O my father.
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