no THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



fact that the Moslem mind has not a keen sense of 

 humour, the performer is not a poor creature with a 

 smudged face, limp white hat, and enormous shirt 

 collar ; but a grave, decorous, almost venerable — at 

 any rate, highly picturesque — individual ; and round 

 him is a circle, from one to four deep, according to 

 his merits, of cross-legged listeners, whose demeanour 

 and attitude of respectful attention would make a 

 street-preacher envious. ... In nine cases out of 

 ten the theme of the Arab lyrist is the " Sally of his 

 Alley," her attractions and his affection for her, — a 

 subject which has been rather frequently treated 

 of by lyrical poets. But the mode in which it is 

 administered to a listening public is at least peculiar. 

 The singer (generally a grave gray -bearded old fellow, 

 who ought to know better than sing amatory ditties), 

 io-norinsf his audience, and lookino^ into his tambourine 

 for encouragement, sings : 



" Among the maidens of the tribe there's none like little Sara." 



Here the flutes repeat the notes of the air — if air it 

 can be called — while he beats time on the tambourine. 



" She is the darling of my heart, and she dwells in the Sahara." 



Mutes and tambourine as before. 



" Her mother is a skilful weaver of haiks, 

 Her father makes horseshoes for the warriors of the tribe." 



riutes and tambourine again. 



" But these persons are not really the parents of Sara. 

 I cannot believe it. 

 She is the darling of my heart, and she dwells in the Sahara." 



