318 CONQUESTS OF THE SARACENS. 



willing, like the reluctant Caesar, to refuse the kingly 

 crown, as having " no occasion for the place." — 

 " But," repHed the other, " the place has need of 

 you." The title of Caliph of the Caliph of the Apostle 

 of God being deemed tautological, and likely to in- 

 crease to an inconvenient length, was exchanged for 

 that of Emir el Mumenin, or Emperor of the Faith- 

 ful. His first measures were to follow up the mili- 

 tary operations of his predecessor ; and after a. short 

 expedition into Irak, with indifferent success, Obei- 

 dah continued to prosecute the war in Syria. 



The Damascene exiles had been four days and 

 nights on their march, and might have retired un- 

 molested, bat for the imprudence or passion of a 

 youthful lover. A noble citizen, named Jonas, was 

 betrothed to a wealthy maiden— but her parents, on 

 some slight pretext, delayed the consummation of 

 their nuptials. During the pressure of the siege tlie 

 danger of their situation induced them to attempt 

 their escape. Having bribed the nightly watch at 

 the gate Keisan, Jonas rode forward to lead the 

 way, but was surrounded and seized by a squadron 

 of the patrol under Derar. Another horseman fol- 

 lowed (it was the lady) ; but the signal in Greek, 

 which the Arabs did not understa"!ad, — " The bird is 

 taken!" admonished his* adventurous mistress to 

 hasten her return. He was brought before Khaled, 

 who promised him his wife, when the city was taken, 

 on condition of his embracing the religion of the 

 Koran ; if not, he must die on the spot. The lover 

 chose apostacy — professed his belief in Moliammed, 

 and continued in the enemy's camp to perform the 

 duties of a brave and sincere Mussulman. The lady, 

 whom the tragic muse has named Eudocia, in despair 

 and detestation of her apostate lover, shut herself 

 up in a nunnery.* 



* On the fate of these lovers, whom he calls Phocyas and 

 Eudocia, Mr. Hughes has constructed his tragedy, the Siego 

 of Damascus. 



