Troops of horsemen in white woollen cloaks, sheikhs and Bedouins with flowing robes and huge turbans, religious chiefs of the great sects, imperturbable and statuesque, were in strange contrast to the shouting dervishes and camel-drivers and eager pilgrims.
At last the great camel with its sacred burden stopped in front of Kaid for his prayer and blessing.

As he held the tassels, lifted the gold-fringed curtain, and invoked Allah's blessing, a half-naked sheikh ran forward, and, raising his hand high above his head, cried shrilly: "Kaid, Kaid, hearken!" Rough hands caught him away, but Kaid commanded them to desist; and the man called a blessing on him; and cried aloud: "Listen, O Kaid, son of the stars and the light of day.

God hath exalted thee.

Thou art the Egyptian of all the Egyptians.

In thy hand is power.
But thou art mortal even as I.Behold, O Kaid, in the hour that I was born thou wast born, I in the dust without thy Palace wall, thou amid the splendid things.