and have slipped away to the king’s land—a band of reckless youths who have forsaken their people’s faith without adopting yours. They have introduced a newfangled religion that neither we nor you recognize. Their people's nobles have sent us to the king concerning them so that we may return them to their people. When we speak to the king about them, advise him to hand them over to us without granting them an audience, for their own people see more clearly what they have done and know better the faults for which they are blamed.’

The courtiers replied, ‘Indeed.’

The two men then presented their gifts to the Negus, and he accepted them. After that they addressed him, saying:

‘Your Majesty, some headstrong youths from among us have indeed abandoned their people’s religion and taken refuge in your realm. They have not embraced your religion, but have brought with them an invented creed unknown to either us or you. The most eminent members of their own community—their fathers, uncles, and clansmen—have sent us to you concerning them so that you may return them to their people, for those relatives have the sharpest eye on their case and know best the charges leveled against them and the censure they deserve.’

She said, ‘Nothing was more hateful to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Abī Rabīʿah and ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ than for the Negus to listen to our words.’