There came one day to Khalid ibn Abdallah el Kesri
governor of Bassoraa company of men dragging a youth of exceeding beauty and lofty bearingwhose aspect expressed good breeding and dignity and abundant wit They brought him before the governorwho asked what was to do with himand they replied，'This fellow is a thiefwhom we caught last night in our dwelling.'Khalid looked at him and was struck with wonder at his well-favouredness and elegance；so he said to the others'Loose him，'and going up to the young manasked what he had to say for himself. 'The folk have spoken truly，'answered he；'and the case is as they have said.'And what moved thee to this，'asked Khalid'and thou so noble and comely of aspect？'The lust after worldly good，'replied the other'and the ordinance of Godglorified and exalted be He！'May thy mother be bereaved of thee！'rejoined Khalid. 'Hadst thou notin thy fair face and sound sense and good breedingwhat should restrain thee from thieving？'O Amir，'answered the young man'leave this talk and proceed to what God the Most High hath ordained；this is what my hands have earnedand God is no oppressor of His creatures.'Khalid was silent awhileconsidering the matter；then he said to the young man'Verilythy confession before witnesses perplexes mefor I cannot believe thee to be a thief. Surely thou hast some story that is other than one of theft. Tell it me'. 'O Amir，'replied the youth'deem thou nought save what I have confessed；for I have no story other than that I entered these folk's house and stole what I could lay hands onand they caught me and took the stuff from me and carried me before thee.'Then Khalid bade clap him in prison and commanded a crier to make proclamation throughout Bassora，saying'Howhoso is minded to look upon the punishment of such an onethe thiefand the cutting off of his handlet him be present tomorrow morning at such a place！'
When the youth found himself in prisonwith irons on his feet，he sighed heavily and repeated the following verseswhilst the tears streamed from his eyes：
Khalid doth threaten me with cutting off my handExcept I do reveal to him my mistress'case.
But'God forbid，'quoth I'that I should e'er reveal That which of love for her my bosom doth embrace！'
The cutting-off my handfor that I have confessed Untoless grievous were to me than her disgrace.
The warders heard him and went and told Khalidwho sent for the youth after nightfall and conversed with him. He found him well-bred and intelligent and of a pleasant and vivacious wit；so he ordered him food and he ate. Then said Khalid'I know thou hast a story to tell that is no thief's；sowhen the Cadi comes to-morrow morning and questions thee before the folkdo thou deny the charge of theft and avouch what may avert the cutting-off of thy hand；for the Prophet（whom God bless and preserve）saith，'In cases of doubteschew [or defer] punishment.'Then he sent him back to the prisonwhere he passed the night.
