i io 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), 

 ignoring his audience, and looking 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." 



Flutes and tambourine as before. 



" Her mother is a skilful weaver of ha'iks, 

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



Flutes 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." 



