THE EQUINOX
But one rides fast, for I can hear his hoofs ring the gallop
above all the trampling.
LAYLAH. It is Sliman!
His
horse has silver shoes.
Wait there, child!
I have joy for you to come.
[A horse i: heam’ galloping into the caariyam’, and a
bait/e—cry, La Allah illa Allah, rings aut iii a ὄψ᾽:
clear voice, a mice weary yet suþrerhely haþþy.
[Almost beside herself] Sliman! to me! to your mother!
[Slimah mien, in his right hand his sword 51111 driþ—
ping Haud.
SLIMAN. Splendid fun, mother!
We should have had the
whole city, but those cursed Knights of Malta threatened our
flank.
And father told me I was a betterleader for withdraw-
ing than ifI had gone on and taken the city.
There!
Aha!
little one! you are caged safely, canary.
Thanks, mother!
Don’t kiss me.
I’m all blood.
[She smothers him with his-52:.
LAYLAH.
Oh, you're wounded.
Ledmiya, the kerchief,
quick.
And the Arabian oil, and the balsam.
SLIMAN. Nonsense, mother, it’s nothing.
But think!
I
slew twenty knights—they
haven't the strength of babies.
It was like cracking eggshells.
All except one.
He was as
strong as I, but not so quick.
So I cut him down, and took
his crest for a brooch for you, mother dear.
[He holds out a golden trest.
LAYLAH. The scorpion!
THE CHILD. The scorpion I
[She retires aha’ waicher.
LAYLAH. Boy, you have killed your father.
[She stand: ihuna'ersluch.
SLIMAN. Oh no, mother!
Father and the boys all died in
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