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84 Hamilton Laileh O Allah, your white dove is in my breast but to mix in the world is the ultimate test: how can I dare when I might meet the man who in truth could tell them that I lay with him? O miracle! The wall is fading and wearing away and look, it is the early morning on the green hill that has cast off its cover and there’s Kaddour, smiling, drunk with love. His flock of sheep surrounds him bleating as one by one they rise into the cirrus heaven. And he, my earth-brown shepherd, holds his hands toward the Lord and stretches up. He stands for prayer at dawn, extending his whole body which lengthens into the branches of a tree. Divine Exalt the name of Allah! Praise his kindness! Scriptures He is the one who gives true happiness. For in this tragedy where man revolves, his is the only pardon which absolves. At the Palace of Rosalcazar en Route to Mecca Mustapha O Lalla Maghnia, accept my thanks for coming el Kéébir all this way to the domain of Ouarhan and especially for not remembering Mustapha el Kéébir’s past indiscretion. Laïïleh The long route leading to these ancient ramparts became for me the sky traversed by birds. Mustapha And here, at the Palace of Rosalcazar, el Kéébir more beautiful than all the praise I’ve heard, you are the loveliest rose amongst my roses. Laïïleh These gorgeous women are worthy of your joy.
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Hamilton 85 Mustapha’s White Rose of Allah, we honour you with Wives dances to express our happiness. Please enjoy. Mustapha And these old walls – which are as dull and el Kéébir gloomy as Spanish roumis – will brighten instantly. Laïïleh That mountain’s proud Moudjardjo isn’t it – there – opposite – crowned with a huge fortress? Mustapha Which was the tiara of their warrior-priest. Laïïleh But now our Crescent has replaced their Cross. Mustapha Glory to Allah! The mountain they called Santa el Kéébir Cruz has reclaimed its rightful name Moudjardjo. Laïïleh And the tiara’s now your turban of glory. Mustapha’s If our lord permits it, Fatimeh – Wives our sweetest voice – will tell the age-old story of a saint who lived there moons and moons ago. Fatimeh My sisters make fun of me. I don’t know how I must speak to tell a convincing tale. Mustapha But Shahrazad will light her lamp to show el Kéébir you and she’ll help you to convey it well. Fatimeh Long ago there lived a saint who in previous times had been a great sultan like our Bey. He preferred that rock to his luxurious palace and asked for miracles: the rock obeyed. For the thirsty it sprang the waters of life; it gave forgiveness to the man who cried in his remorse; a child to the sterile wife. He was so happy he never wanted to die! And then, well, he died for even so he wasn’t Allah. But he comes each day to bless us and of course we never know him since he’s horse, pilgrim, bird of prey . . . Laïïleh O Fatimeh, you have the lamp and voice. Thank you for telling the lovely legend to us.

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Hamilton

Laileh O Allah, your white dove is in my breast but to mix in the world is the ultimate test: how can I dare when I might meet the man who in truth could tell them that I lay with him?

O miracle! The wall is fading and wearing away and look, it is the early morning on the green hill that has cast off its cover and there’s Kaddour, smiling, drunk with love. His flock of sheep surrounds him bleating as one by one they rise into the cirrus heaven. And he, my earth-brown shepherd, holds his hands toward the Lord and stretches up. He stands for prayer at dawn, extending his whole body which lengthens into the branches of a tree. Divine Exalt the name of Allah! Praise his kindness! Scriptures He is the one who gives true happiness. For in this tragedy where man revolves, his is the only pardon which absolves.

At the Palace of Rosalcazar en Route to Mecca

Mustapha O Lalla Maghnia, accept my thanks for coming el Kéébir all this way to the domain of Ouarhan and especially for not remembering Mustapha el Kéébir’s past indiscretion. Laïïleh The long route leading to these ancient ramparts became for me the sky traversed by birds. Mustapha And here, at the Palace of Rosalcazar, el Kéébir more beautiful than all the praise I’ve heard, you are the loveliest rose amongst my roses. Laïïleh These gorgeous women are worthy of your joy.

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