about and wiled a while, then they exchanged strokes. Al-Haris forewent
his foe in smiting and stretched him weltering in his gore; whereupon
Hodhayfah cried out to him, “Gifted of Allah[359] art thou, O Haris!
Call out another of them.” So he cried aloud, “I say, who be a
champion?” But they of Baghdah held back from him; and when it appeared
to Al-Haris that consternation was amongst them, he charged down upon
them and overrolled the first of them upon the last of them and slew of
them twelve men. Then the evening caught him and the Baghdadis began
addressing themselves to flight. No sooner had the morning morrowed than
they found themselves reduced to a fourth part of their number and there
was not one of them had dismounted from his horse. Wherefore they made
sure of destruction and Hodhayfah rushed out between the two lines (now
he was reckoned good for a thousand knights) and cried out, “Harkye, my
masters of Baghdad! Let none come forth to me but your Emir, so I may
talk with him and he with me; and he shall meet me in combat singular
and I will meet him, and may he who is clear of offence come off safe.”
Then he repeated his words and said, “How is it I see your Emir refuse
me a reply?” But Sa’ad, the Emir of the army of Baghdad, answered him
not, and indeed his teeth chattered in his mouth, when he heard him
summon him to the duello. Now when Al-Abbas heard Hodhayfah’s challenge
and saw Sa’ad in this case, he came up to the Emir and asked him, “Wilt
thou suffer me to answer him and I will be thy substitute in replying
him and in monomachy with him and will make my life thy sacrifice?”
Sa’ad looked at him and seeing knighthood shining from between his eyes,
said to him, “O youth, by the virtue of Mustafà the Chosen Prophet (whom
Allah save and assain), tell me who thou art and whence thou comest to
bring us victory.”[360] Quoth the Prince, “This is no place for
questioning;” and quoth Sa’ad to him, “O Knight, up and at Hodhayfah!
Yet, if his Satan prove too strong for thee, afflict not thyself in thy
youth.”[361] Al-Abbas cried, “Allah is He of whom help is to be
sought;”[362] and, taking his arms, fortified his purpose and went down
into the field, as he were a fort of the forts or a mountain’s
contrefort. Thereupon Hodhayfah cried out to him, saying, “Haste thee
not, O youth! Who art thou of the folk?” He replied, “I am Sa’ad ibn
al-Wakidi, commander of the host of King Ins, and but for thy pride in
challenging me, I had not come forth to thee; for thou art no peer for
me to front nor as mine equal dost thou count nor canst thou bear my
brunt. Wherefore get thee ready for the last march[363] seeing that
there abideth but a little of thy life.” When Hodhayfah heard this
speech, he threw himself backwards,[364] as if in mockery of him,
whereat Al-Abbas was wroth and called out to him, saying, “O Hodhayfah,
guard thyself against me.” Then he rushed upon him, as he were a swooper
of the Jinn,[365] and Hodhayfah met him and they wheeled about a long
while. Presently, Al-Abbas cried out at Hodhayfah a cry which astounded
him and struck him a stroke, saying, “Take this from the hand of a brave
who feareth not the like of thee.” Hodhayfah met the sabre-sway with his
shield, thinking to ward it off from him; but the blade shore the target
in sunder and descending upon his shoulder, came forth gleaming from the
tendons of his throat and severed his arm at the armpit; whereupon he
fell down, wallowing in his blood, and Al-Abbas turned upon his host;
nor had the sun departed the dome of the welkin ere Hodhayfah’s army was
in full flight before Al-Abbas and the saddles were empty of men. Quoth
Sa’ad, “By the virtue of Mustafa the Chosen Prophet, whom Allah save and
assain, I saw Al-Abbas with the blood upon his saddle-pads, in clots
like camels’ livers, smiting with the sword right and left, till he
scattered them abroad in every gorge and wold; and when he hied him back
to the camp, the men of Baghdad were fearful of him.” But as soon as
they saw this victory which had betided them over their foes, they
turned back and gathering together the weapons and treasures and horses
of those they had slain, returned to Baghdad, victorious, and all by the
knightly valour of Al-Abbas. As for Sa’ad, he foregathered with his
lord, and they fared on in company till they came to the place where
Al-Abbas had taken horse, whereupon the Prince dismounted from his
charger and Sa’ad said to him, “O youth, wherefore alightest thou in
other than thy place? Indeed, thy rights be incumbent upon us and upon
our Sultan; so go thou with us to the dwellings, that we may ransom thee
with our souls.” Replied Al-Abbas, “O Emir Sa’ad, from this place I took
horse with thee and herein is my lodging. So, Allah upon thee, mention
not me to the king, but make as if thou hadst never seen me because I am
a stranger in the land.” So saying, he turned away from him and Sa’ad
fared on to his palace, where he found all the courtiers in attendance
on the king and recounting to him that which had betided them with
Al-Abbas. Quoth the king, “Where is he?” and quoth they, “He is with the
Emir Sa’ad.” So, when the Emir entered, the king looked, but found none
with him; and Sa’ad, seeing at a glance that he longed to look upon the
youth, cried out to him, saying, “Allah prolong the king’s days! Indeed,
he refuseth to present himself before thee, without order or leave.”
Asked the king, “O Sa’ad, whence cometh this man?” and the Emir
answered, “O my lord, I know not; but he is a youth fair of favour,
amiable of aspect, accomplished in address, ready of repartee, and
valour shineth from between his eyes.” Quoth the king, “O Sa’ad, fetch
him to me, for indeed thou describest to me at full length a mighty
matter.”[366] And he answered, saying, “By Allah, O my lord, hadst thou
but seen our case with Hodhayfah, when he challenged me to the field of
fight and the stead of cut-and-thrust and I held back from doing battle
with him! Then, as I thought to go forth to him, behold, a knight gave
loose to his bridle-rein and called out to me, saying:—O Sa’ad, wilt
thou suffer me to be thy substitute in waging war with him and I will
ransom thee with myself? And quoth I, By Allah, O youth, whence comest
thou? and quoth he, This be no time for thy questions, while Hodhayfah
standeth awaiting thee.” Thereupon he repeated to the king all that had
passed between himself and Al-Abbas from first to last; whereat cried
Ins bin Kays, “Bring him to me in haste, so we may learn his tidings and
question him of his case.” “’Tis well,” replied Sa’ad, and going forth
of the king’s presence, repaired to his own house, where he doffed his
war-harness and took rest for himself. On this wise fared it with the
Emir Sa’ad; but as regards Al-Abbas, when he dismounted from his
destrier, he doffed his war-gear and reposed himself awhile; after which
he brought out a body-dress of Venetian[367] silk and a gown of green
damask and donning them, bound about his head a turband of Damietta
stuff and zoned his waist with a kerchief. Then he went out a-walking in
the highways of Baghdad and fared on till he came to the bazar of the
traders. There he found a merchant, with chess before him; so the Prince
stood watching him, and presently the other looked up at him and asked
him, “O youth, what wilt thou bet upon the game?” He answered, “Be it
thine to decide.” Said the merchant, “Then be it an hundred dinars,” and
Al-Abbas consented to him; whereupon quoth he, “Produce the money, O
youth, so the game may be fairly stablished.” Accordingly Al-Abbas
brought out a satin purse, wherein were a thousand dinars, and laid down
an hundred dinars therefrom on the edge of the carpet, whilst the
merchant produced the like, and indeed his reason fled for joy when he
saw the gold in possession of Al-Abbas. The folk flocked about them, to
divert themselves with watching the play, and they called the bystanders
to witness the wager and after the stakes were duly staked, the twain
fell a-playing. Al-Abbas forebore the merchant, so he might lead him on,
and dallied with him a full hour; and the merchant won and took of him
the hundred dinars. Then said the Prince, “Wilt thou play another
partie?” and the other said, “O youth, I will not play again, save for a
thousand dinars.” Quoth the youth, “Whatsoever thou stakest, I will
match thy stake with its like.” So the merchant brought out a thousand
dinars and the Prince covered them with other thousand. Then the game
began, but Al-Abbas was not long with him ere he beat him in the house
of the elephant,[368] nor did he cease to do thus till he had beaten him
four times and won of him four thousand dinars. This was all the
merchant had of money; so he said, “O youth, I will play thee another
game for the shop.” Now the value of the shop was four thousand dinars;
so they played and Al-Abbas beat him and won his shop, with whatso was
therein; upon which the other arose, shaking his clothes,[369] and said
to him, “Up, O youth, and take thy shop.” Accordingly Al-Abbas arose and
repairing to the shop, took possession thereof, after which he returned
to the place where he had left his servant ’Amir, and found there the
Emir Sa’ad, who was come to bid him to the presence of the king. The
Prince consented to this and accompanied him till they came before King
Ins bin Kays, whereupon he kissed the ground and saluted him and
exaggerated[370] the salutation. So the king asked him, “Whence comest
thou, O youth, and whither goest thou?” and he answered, “I come from
Al-Yaman.” Then said the king, “Hast thou a need we may fulfil to thee;
for indeed thou hast strong claims to our favour after that which thou
didst in the matter of Hodhayfah and his folk?” And he commanded to cast
over him a mantle of Egyptian satin, worth an hundred dinars. He also
bade his treasurer give him a thousand dinars and said to him, “O youth,
take this in part of that which thou deservest of us; and if thou
prolong thy sojourn with us, we will give thee slaves and servants.”
Al-Abbas kissed ground and said, “O king, Allah grant thee abiding weal,
I deserve not all this.” Then he put his hand to his pouch and pulling
out two caskets of gold, in each of which were rubies whose value none
could estimate, gave them to the king, saying, “O king, Allah cause thy
welfare to endure, I conjure thee by that which the Almighty hath
vouchsafed thee, heal my heart by accepting these two caskets, even as I
have accepted thy present.” So the king accepted the two caskets and
Al-Abbas took his leave and went away to the bazar. Now when the
merchants saw him, they accosted him and said, “O youth, wilt thou not
open thy shop?” As they were addressing him, up came a woman, having
with her a boy bare of head, and stood looking at Al-Abbas, till he
turned to her, when she said to him, “O youth, I conjure thee by Allah,
look at this boy and have ruth on him, for that his father hath
forgotten his skull-cap in the shop he lost to thee; so, an thou see fit
to give it him, thy reward be with Allah! For indeed the child maketh
our hearts ache with his excessive weeping, and the Lord be witness for
us that, had they left us aught wherewith to buy him a cap in its stead,
we had not sought it of thee.” Replied Al-Abbas, “O adornment of
womankind,[371] indeed, thou bespeakest me with thy fair speech and
supplicatest me with thy goodly words! But bring me thy husband.” So she
went and fetched the merchant, whilst a crowd collected to see what
Al-Abbas would do. When the man came, he returned him the gold he had
won of him, art and part, and delivered him the keys of the shop,
saying, “Requite us with thy pious prayers.” Therewith the woman came up
to him and kissed his feet, and in like fashion did the merchant her
husband: and all who were present blessed him, and there was no talk but
of Al-Abbas. Thus fared it with him; but as for the merchant, he bought
him a head of sheep[372] and slaughtering it, roasted it and dressed
birds and other meats of various kinds and colours and purchased dessert
and sweetmeats and fresh fruits; then he repaired to Al-Abbas and
conjured him to accept of his hospitality and visit his home and eat of
his provaunt. The Prince consented to his wishes and went with him till
they came to his house, when the merchant bade him enter: so Al-Abbas
went in and saw a goodly house, wherein was a handsome saloon, with a
vaulted ceiling. When he entered the saloon, he found that the merchant
had made ready food and dessert and perfumes, such as may not be
described; and indeed he had adorned the table with sweet-scented
flowers and sprinkled musk and rose-water upon the food; and he had
smeared the saloon walls with ambergris and had burned aloes-wood
therein and Nadd. Presently, Al-Abbas looked out of the window of the
saloon and saw by its side a house of goodly ordinance, tall of base and
wide of space, with rooms manifold and two upper stories crowning the
whole; but therein was no sign of inhabitants. So he said to the
merchant, “Verily, thou exaggeratest in doing us honour; but, by Allah,
I will not eat of thy meat until thou tell me what hath caused the
voidance of yonder house.” Said he, “O my lord, that was Al-Ghitrif’s
house and he passed away to the mercy of the Almighty and left no heir
save myself; whereupon the mansion became mine, and by Allah, an thou
have a mind to sojourn in Baghdad, take up thine abode in this house,
whereby thou mayst be in my neighbourhood; for that verily my heart
inclineth unto thee with affection and I would have thee never absent
from mine eyes, so I may still have my fill of thee and hearken to thy
speech.” Al-Abbas thanked him and said to him, “By Allah, thou art
indeed friendly in thy converse and thou exaggeratest in thy discourse,
and needs must I sojourn in Baghdad. As for the house, if it please thee
to lodge me, I will abide therein; so accept of me its price.” Therewith
he put hand to his pouch and bringing out from it three hundred dinars,
gave them to the merchant, who said in himself, “Unless I take his
dirhams, he will not darken my doors.” So he pocketed the monies and
sold him the mansion, taking witnesses against himself of the sale. Then
he arose and set food before Al-Abbas and they sat down to his good
things; after which he brought him dessert and sweetmeats whereof they
ate their sufficiency, and when the tables were removed they washed
their hands with musked rose-water and willow-water. Then the merchant
brought Al-Abbas a napkin scented with the smoke of aloes-wood, on which
he wiped his right hand, and said to him, “O my lord, the house is
become thy house; so bid thy page transport thither the horses and arms
and stuffs.” The Prince did this and the merchant rejoiced in his
neighbourhood and left him not night nor day,[373] so that Al-Abbas said
to him, “By the Lord, we distract thee from thy livelihood.” He replied,
“Allah upon thee, O my lord, name not to me aught of this, or thou wilt
break my heart, for the best of traffic art thou and the best of
livelihood.” So there befel strait friendship between them and all
ceremony was laid aside. Meanwhile[374] the king said to his Wazir, “How
shall we do in the matter of yonder youth, the Yamáni, on whom we
thought to confer gifts, but he hath gifted us with tenfold our largesse
and more, and we know not an he be a sojourned with us or not?” Then he
went into the Harim and gave the rubies to his wife Afifah, who asked
him, “What is the worth of these with thee and with other of the kings?”
Quoth he, “They are not to be found save with the greatest of sovrans
nor can any price them with monies.” Quoth she, “Whence gottest thou
them?” So he recounted to her the story of Al-Abbas from beginning to
end, and she said, “By Allah, the claims of honour are imperative on us
and the King hath fallen short of his devoir; for that we have not seen
him bid the youth to his assembly, nor hath he seated him on his left
hand.” When the king heard his wife’s words, it was as if he had been
asleep and awoke; so he went forth the Harim and bade kill poultry and
dress meats of every kind and colour. Moreover, he assembled all his
courtiers and let bring sweetmeats and dessert and all that beseemeth
the tables of kings. Then he adorned his palace and despatched after
Al-Abbas a man of the chief officers of his household, who found him
coming forth of the Hammam, clad in a jerkin[375] of fine goats’ hair
and over it a Baghdádi scarf; his waist was girt with a Rustaki[376]
kerchief and on his head he wore a light turband of Damietta[377] stuff.
The messenger wished him joy of the bath and exaggerated in doing him
honour: then he said to him, “The king biddeth thee in weal.”[378] “To
hear is to obey,” quoth Al-Abbas and accompanied the officer to the
king’s palace. Now Afifah and her daughter Mariyah were behind the
curtain, both looking at him; and when he came before the sovran he
saluted him and greeted him with the greeting of kings, whilst all
present gazed at him and at his beauty and loveliness and perfect grace.
The king seated him at the head of the table; and when Afifah saw him
and considered him straitly, she said, “By the virtue of Mohammed,
prince of the Apostles, this youth is of the sons of the kings and
cometh not to these parts save for some noble purpose!” Then she looked
at Mariyah and saw that her favour was changed, and indeed her eyeballs
were as dead in her face and she turned not her gaze from Al-Abbas a
twinkling of the eyes, for that the love of him had sunk deep into her
heart. When the queen saw what had befallen her daughter, she feared for
her from reproach concerning Al-Abbas; so she shut the casement-wicket
that the Princess might not look upon him any more. Now there was a
pavilion set apart for Mariyah, and therein were boudoirs and bowers,
balconies and lattices, and she had with her a nurse, who served her as
is the fashion with the daughters of the Kings. When the banquet was
ended and the folk had dispersed, the King said to Al-Abbas, “I would
fain have thee abide with me and I will buy thee a mansion, so haply we
may requite thee for thy high services; and indeed imperative upon us is
thy due and magnified in our eyes is thy work; and soothly we have
fallen short of thy deserts in the matter of distance.”[379] When the
youth heard the king’s speech, he rose and sat down[380] and kissing
ground, returned thanks for his bounty and said, “I am the King’s
thrall, wheresoever I may be, and under his eye.” Then he told him the
tale of the merchant and the manner of the buying of the house, and the
king said, “In very truth I would fain have had thee in my neighbourhood
and by side of me.” Presently Al-Abbas took leave of the king and went
away to his own house. Now it chanced that he passed under the palace of
Mariyah, the king’s daughter, and she was sitting at a casement. He
happened to look round and his eyes met those of the Princess, whereupon
his wit departed and he was ready to swoon away, whilst his colour
changed, and he said, “Verily, we are Allah’s and unto Him are we
returning!” But he feared for himself lest severance betide him; so he
concealed his secret and discovered not his case to any of the creatures
of Allah Almighty. When he reached his quarters, his page Amir said to
him, “I seek refuge for thee with Allah, O my lord, from change of
colour! Hath there betided thee a pain from the Lord of All-might or
aught of vexation? In good sooth, sickness hath an end and patience
doeth away trouble.” But the Prince returned him no answer. Then he
brought out ink-case[381] and paper and wrote these couplets:—
I cry (and mine’s a frame that pines alwày), ✿ A mind which fires of
passion e’er waylay;
And eyeballs never tasting sweets of sleep; ✿ Yet Fortune spare its
cause I ever pray!
While from world-perfidy and parting I ✿ Like Bishr am with Hind,[382]
that well-loved may;—
Yea, grown a bye-word ’mid the folk but aye ✿ Spend life unwinning wish
or night or day.
“Ah say, wots she my love when her I spied ✿ At the high lattice
shedding sunlike ray?”
Her glances, keener than the brand when bared ✿ Cleave soul of man nor
ever ’scapes her prey:
I looked on her in lattice pierced aloft ✿ When bare her cheat of veil
that slipped away;
And shot me thence a shaft my liver pierced ✿ When thrall to care and
dire despair I lay.
Knowst thou, O Fawn o’ the palace, how for thee ✿ I fared from farness
o’er the lands astray?
Then read my writ, dear friends, and show some ruth ✿ To wight who wones
black-faced, distraught, sans stay!
And when he ended inditing, he folded up the letter. Now the merchant’s
wife aforesaid, who was the nurse of the king’s daughter, was watching
him from a window, unknown of him, and when she saw him writing and
reciting, she knew that some rare tale attached to him; so she went in
to him and said, “Peace be with thee, O afflicted wight, who acquaintest
not leach with thy plight! Verily, thou exposest thy life to grievous
blight. I conjure thee by the virtue of Him who hath afflicted thee and
with the constraint of love-liking hath stricken thee, that thou
acquaint me with thine affair and disclose to me the truth of thy
secret; for that indeed I have heard from thee verses which trouble the
mind and melt the body.” Accordingly he acquainted her with his case and
enjoined her to secrecy, whereof she consented, saying, “What shall be
the recompense of whoso goeth with thy letter and bringeth thee its
reply?” He bowed his head for shame before her and was silent; and she
said to him, “Raise thy head and give me thy writ”: so he gave her the
letter and she hent it and carrying it to the Princess, said to her,
“Take this epistle and give me its answer.” Now the dearest of all
things to Mariyah was the recitation of poesy and verses and linked
rhymes and the twanging of lute-strings, and she was versed in all
tongues; wherefore she took the writ and opening it, read that which was
therein and understood its purport. Then she threw it to the ground and
cried, “O nurse, I have no answer to make to this letter.” Quoth the
nurse, “Indeed, this is weakness in thee and a reproach to thee, for
that the people of the world have heard of thee and commend thee for
keenness of wit and understanding; so do thou return him an answer, such
as shall trick his heart and tire his soul.” Quoth she, “O nurse, who
may be the man who presumeth upon me with this correspondence? Haply
’tis the stranger youth who gave my father the rubies.” The woman said,
“It is himself,” and Mariyah said, “I will answer his letter in such
fashion that thou shalt not bring me other than it.” Cried the nurse,
“So be it.”[383] Thereupon the Princess called for ink-case and paper
and wrote these couplets:—
Thou art bold in the copy thou sentest! May be ✿ ’Twill increase the
dule foreign wight must dree!
Thou hast spied me with glance that bequeaths thee woe ✿ Ah! far is thy
hope, a mere foreigner’s plea!
Who art thou, poor freke, that wouldst win my love ✿ Wi’ thy verse? What
seeks thine insanity?
An thou hope for my favours and greed therefor; ✿ Where find thee a
leach for such foolish gree?
Then rhyme-linking leave and fool-like be not ✿ Hanged to Cross at the
doorway of ignomy!
Deem not that to thee I incline, O youth! ✿ ’Mid the Sons of the
Path[384] is no place for me.
Thou art homeless waif in the wide wide world; ✿ So return thee home
where they keen for thee:[385]
Leave verse-spouting, O thou who a-wold dost wone, ✿ Or minstrel shall
name thee in lay and glee:
How many a friend who would meet his love ✿ Is baulked when the goal is
right clear to see!
So begone and ne’er grieve for what canst not win ✿ Albe time be near,
yet thy grasp ’twill flee.
Now such is my say and the tale I’d tell; ✿ So master my meaning
and—fare thee well!
When Mariyah had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and
delivered it to the nurse, who hent it and went with it to Al-Abbas.
When she gave it to him, he took it and breaking it open, read it and
comprehended its contents; and when he reached the end of it, he swooned
away. After awhile, he came to himself and cried, “Praise be to Allah
who hath caused her return a reply to my writ! Canst thou carry her
another missive, and with Allah Almighty be thy requital?” Said she,
“And what shall letters profit thee, seeing that such is her reply;” but
he said, “Peradventure, she may yet be softened.” Then he took ink-case
and paper and wrote these couplets:—
Reached me the writ and what therein didst write, ✿ Whence grew my pain
and bane and blight:
I read the marvel-lines made wax my love ✿ And wore my body out till
slightest slight.[386]
Would Heaven ye wot the whole I bear for love ✿ Of you, with vitals
clean for you undight!
And all I do t’ outdrive you from my thought ✿ ’Vails naught and ’gainst
th’ obsession loses might:
Couldst for thy lover feel ’twould ease his soul; ✿ E’en thy dear
Phantom would his sprite delight!
Then on my weakness lay not coyness-load ✿ Nor in such breach of troth
be traitor-wight:
And, weet ye well, for this your land I fared ✿ Hoping to ’joy the
union-boon forthright:
How many a stony wold for this I spanned; ✿ How oft I waked when men
kept watch o’ night!
To fare fro’ another land for sight of you ✿ Love bade, while length of
way forbade my sprite:
So by His name[387] who molt my frame, have ruth, ✿ And quench the
flames thy love in me did light:
Thou fillest, arrayed with glory’s robes and rays, ✿ Heaven’s stars with
joy and Luna with despight.
Then who dare chide or blame me for my love ✿ Of one that can all
Beauty’s boons unite?
When Al-Abbas had made an end of his verses, he folded the letter and
delivering it to the nurse, charged her keep the secret. So she took it
and carrying it to Mariyah, gave it to her. The Princess broke it open
and read it and apprehended its purport; then cried she, “By Allah, O
nurse, my heart is chagrined with exceeding chagrin, never knew I a
sorer, because of this correspondence and of these verses.” And the
nurse made answer to her, “O my lady, thou art in thy dwelling and thy
palace and thy heart is void of care; so return him a reply and reck
not.” Accordingly, the Princess called for ink-case and paper and wrote
these couplets:—
Ho thou who wouldst vaunt thee of cark and care; ✿ How many love-molten,
tryst-craving be there?
An hast wandered the wold in the murks of night ✿ Bound afar and anear
on the tracks to fare,
And to eyne hast forbidden the sweets of sleep, ✿ Borne by Devils and
Marids to dangerous lair;
And beggest my boons, O in tribe-land[388] homed ✿ And to urge thy wish
and desire wouldst dare;
Now, woo Patience fair, an thou bear in mind ✿ What The Ruthful promised
to patient prayer![389]
How many a king for my sake hath vied, ✿ Craving love and in marriage
with me to pair.
Al-Nabhán sent, when a-wooing me, ✿ Camels baled with musk and Nadd
scenting air.
They brought camphor in boxes and like thereof ✿ Of pearls and rubies
that countless were;
Brought pregnant lasses and negro-lads, ✿ Blood steeds and arms and gear
rich and rare;—
Brought us raiment of silk and of sendal sheen, ✿ And came courting us
but no bride he bare:
Nor could win his wish, for I ’bode content ✿ To part with far parting
and love forswear;
So for me greed not, O thou stranger wight ✿ Lest thou come to ruin and
dire despair!
When she had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and
delivered it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Al-Abbas. He
broke it open and read it and comprehended its contents; then took
ink-case and paper and wrote these improvised couplets:—
Thou hast told me the tale of the Kings, and of them ✿ Each was rending
lion, a furious foe:
And thou stolest the wits of me, all of them ✿ And shotst me with shaft
of thy magic bow:
Thou hast boasted of slaves and of steeds and wealth; ✿ And of beauteous
lasses ne’er man did know;
How presents in mighty store didst spurn, ✿ And disdainedst lovers both
high and low:
Then I followed their tracks in desire for thee, ✿ With naught save my
scymitar keen of blow;
Nor slaves nor camels that run have I; ✿ Nor slave-girls the litters
enveil, ah, no!
But grant me union and soon shalt sight ✿ My trenchant blade with the
foeman’s woe;
Shalt see the horsemen engird Baghdad ✿ Like clouds that wall the whole
world below,
Obeying behests which to them I deal ✿ And hearing the words to the foes
I throw!
An of negro chattels ten thousand head ✿ Wouldst have, or Kings who be
proud and prow,
Or chargers led for thee day by day ✿ And virgin girls high of bosom,
lo!
Al-Yaman land my command doth bear ✿ And my biting blade to my foes I
show.
I have left this all for the sake o’ thee, ✿ Left Aziz and my kinsmen
for evermo’e;
And made Al-Irák making way to thee ✿ Under nightly murks over rocks
arow;
When the couriers brought me account of thee ✿ Thy beauty, perfection,
and sunny glow,
Then I sent thee verses whose very sound ✿ Burns the heart of shame with
a fiery throe;
Yet the world with falsehood hath falsèd me, ✿ Though Fortune was never
so false as thou,
Who dubbest me stranger and homeless one ✿ A witless fool and a
slave-girl’s son!
Then he folded the letter and committed it to the nurse and gave her
five hundred dinars, saying, “Accept this from me, for by Allah thou
hast indeed wearied thyself between us.” She replied, “By Allah, O my
lord, my aim is to bring about forgathering between you, though I lose
that which my right hand possesseth.” And he said, “May the Lord of
All-might requite thee with good!” Then she carried the letter to
Mariyah and said to her, “Take this letter; haply it may be the end of
the correspondence.” So she took it and breaking it open, read it, and
when she had made an end of it, she turned to the nurse and said to her,
“This one foisteth lies upon me and asserteth unto me that he hath
cities and horsemen and footmen at his command and submitting to his
allegiance; and he wisheth of me that which he shall not win; for thou
knowest, O nurse, that kings’ sons have sought me in marriage, with
presents and rarities; but I have paid no heed unto aught of this; how,
then, shall I accept of this fellow, who is the ignoramus of his time
and possesseth naught save two caskets of rubies, which he gave to my
sire, and indeed he hath taken up his abode in the house of Al-Ghitrif
and abideth without silver or gold? Wherefore, Allah upon thee, O nurse,
return to him and cut off his hope of me.” Accordingly the nurse
rejoined Al-Abbas, without letter or answer; and when she came in to
him, he looked at her and saw that she was troubled, and he noted the
marks of anger on her face; so he said to her, “What is this plight?”
Quoth she, “I cannot set forth to thee that which Mariyah said; for
indeed she charged me return to thee without writ or reply.” Quoth he,
“O nurse of kings, I would have thee carry her this letter and return
not to her without it.” Then he took ink-case and paper and wrote these
couplets:—
My secret now to men is known though hidden well and true ✿ By me:
enough is that I have of love and love of you:
I left familiars, friends, and kin to weep the loss of me ✿ With floods
of tears which like the tide aye flowed and flowed anew:
Then, left my home myself I bore to Baghdad-town one day, ✿ When parting
drave me there his pride and cruelty to rue:
I have indeed drained all the bowl whose draught repression[390] was ✿
Handed by friend who bitter gourd[391] therein for drinking threw.
And, oft as strove I to enjoin the ways of troth and faith, ✿ So often
on refusal’s path he left my soul to sue.
Indeed my body molten is with care I’m doomèd dree; ✿ And yet I hoped
relenting and to win some grace, my due.
But wrong and rigour waxed on me and changed to worse my case; ✿ And
love hath left me weeping-eyed for woes that aye pursue.
How long must I keep watch for you throughout the nightly gloom? ✿ How
many a path of pining pace and garb of grief endue?
And you, what while you joy your sleep, your restful pleasant sleep, ✿
Reck naught of sorrow and of shame that to your friend accrue:
For wakefulness I watched the stars before the peep o’ day, ✿ Praying
that union with my dear in bliss my soul imbrue;
Indeed the throes of long desire laid waste my frame and I ✿ Rise every
morn in weaker plight with hopes e’er fewer few:
“Be not (I say) so hard of heart!” for did you only deign ✿ In phantom
guise to visit me ’twere joy enough to view.
But when ye saw my writ ye grudged to me the smallest boon ✿ And cast
adown the flag of faith though well my troth ye knew;
Nor aught of answer you vouchsafe, albe you wot full well ✿ The words
therein address the heart and pierce the spirit through.
You deemed yourself all too secure for changes of the days ✿ And of the
far and near alike you ever careless grew.
Hadst thou (dear maid) been doomed like me to woes, forsure hadst felt ✿
The lowe of love and Lazá-hell which parting doth enmew;
Yet soon shalt suffer torments such as those from thee I bear ✿ And
storm of palpitation-pangs in vitals thine shall brew:
Yea, thou shalt taste the bitter smack of charges false and foul, ✿ And
public make the privacy best hid from meddling crew;
And he thou lovest shall approve him hard of heart and soul ✿ And
heedless of the shifts of Time thy very life undo.
Then hear the fond Salam I send and wish thee every day ✿ While swayeth
spray and sparkleth star all good thy life ensue!
When Al-Abbas had made an end of his verses, he folded the scroll and
gave it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Mariyah. When she
came into the Princess’s presence, she saluted her; but Mariyah returned
not her salutation and she said, “O my lady, how hard is thy heart that
thou grudgest to return the salam! Accept this letter, because ’tis the
last that shall come to thee from him.” Quoth Mariyah, “Take my warning
and never again enter my palace, or ’twill be the cause of thy
destruction; for I am certified that thou purposest my disgrace. So get
thee gone from me.” And she bade beat the nurse who went forth fleeing
from her presence, changed of colour and ’wildered of wits, and gave not
over going till she came to the house of Al-Abbas. When the Prince saw
her in this plight, he became like a sleeper awakened and cried to her,
“What hath befallen thee? Acquaint me with thy case.” She replied,
“Allah upon thee, nevermore send me to Mariyah, and do thou protect me,
so the Lord protect thee from the fires of Gehenna!” Then she related to
him that which had betided her with Mariyah which when Al-Abbas heard,
there took him the pride and high spirit of the generous and this was
grievous to him. The love of Mariyah fled forth of his heart and he said
to the nurse, “How much hadst thou of Mariyah every month?” Quoth she,
“Ten dinars” and quoth he, “Be not concerned.” Then he put hand to pouch
and bringing out two hundred ducats, gave them to her and said, “Take
this wage for a whole year and turn not again to serve anyone of the
folk. When the twelvemonth shall have passed away, I will give thee a
two years’ wage, for that thou hast wearied thyself with us and on
account of the cutting off the tie which bound thee to Mariyah.” Also he
gifted her with a complete suit of clothes and raising his head to her,
said, “When thou toldest me that which Mariyah had done with thee, Allah
uprooted the love of her from out my heart, and never again will she
occur to my thought; so extolled be He who turneth hearts and eyes!
’Twas she who was the cause of my coming out from Al-Yaman, and now the
time is past for which I engaged with my folk and I fear lest my father
levy his forces and ride forth in quest of me, for that he hath no child
other than myself nor can he brook to be parted from me; and in like way
’tis with my mother.” When the nurse heard his words, she asked him, “O
my lord, and which of the kings is thy sire?” He answered, saying, “My
father is Al-Aziz, lord of Al-Yaman, and Nubia and the Islands[392] of
the Banu Kahtán, and the Two Sanctuaries[393] (Allah of All-might have
them in His keeping!), and whenever he taketh horse, there ride with him
an hundred and twenty and four thousand horsemen, each and every smiters
with the sword, besides attendants and servants and followers, all of
whom give ear to my word and obey my bidding.” Asked the nurse, “Why,
then, O my lord, didst thou conceal the secret of thy rank and lineage
and passedst thyself off for a foreigner and a wayfarer? Alas for our
disgrace before thee by reason of our shortcoming in rendering thee thy
due! What shall be our excuse with thee, and thou of the sons of the
kings?” But he rejoined, “By Allah, thou hast not fallen short! Indeed,
’tis incumbent on me to requite thee, what while I live, though from
thee I be far distant.” Then he called his man Amir and said to him,
“Saddle the steeds.” When the nurse heard his words and indeed she saw
that Amir brought him the horses and they were resolved upon departure,
the tears ran down upon her cheeks and she said to him, “By Allah, thy
separation is saddening to me, O coolth of the eye!” Then quoth she,
“Where is the goal of thine intent, so we may know thy news and solace
ourselves with thy report?” Quoth he, “I go hence to visit ’Akíl, the
son of my paternal uncle, for that he hath his sojourn in the camp of
Kundah bin Hishám, and these twenty years have I not seen him nor hath
he seen me; so I purpose to repair to him and discover his news and
return. Then will I go hence to Al-Yaman, Inshallah!” So saying, he took
leave of the nurse and her husband and set out, intending for Akil, the
son of his father’s brother. Now there was between Baghdad and Akil’s
abiding-place forty days’ journey; so Al-Abbas settled himself on the
back of his steed and his servant Amir mounted also and they fared forth
on their way. Presently, Al-Abbas turned right and left and recited
these couplets:—
I’m the singular knight and my peers I slay! ✿ I lay low the foe and his
whole array:
I fare me to visit my friend Al-Akíl, ✿ And in safety and
Allah-lauds[394] shorten the way;
And roll up the width of the wold while still ✿ Hears ’Amir my word or
in earnest or play.[395]
I spring with the spring of a lynx or a pard ✿ Upon whoso dareth our
course to stay;
O’erthrow him in ruin and abject shame, ✿ Make him drain the death-cup
in fatal fray.
My lance is long with its steely blade; ✿ A brand keen-grided,
thin-edged I sway:
With a stroke an it fell on a towering hill ✿ Of the hardest stone, this
would cleave in tway:
I lead no troops, nor seek aid save God’s, ✿ The creating Lord (to whom
laud alwày!)
On Whom I rely in adventures all ✿ And Who pardoneth lâches of freeman
and thrall.
Then they fell a-faring night and day, and as they went, behold, they
sighted a camp of the camps of the Arabs. So Al-Abbas enquired thereof
and was told that it was the camp of the Banu Zohrah. Now there were
around them herds and flocks, such as filled the earth, and they were
enemies to Al-Akil, the cousin of Al-Abbas, upon whom they made daily
raids and took his cattle, wherefore he used to pay them tribute every
year because he lacked power to cope with them. When Al-Abbas came to
the skirts of the camp, he dismounted from his destrier and his servant
Amir also dismounted; and they set down the provaunt and ate their
sufficiency and rested an hour of the day. Then said the Prince to his
page, “Fetch water from the well and give the horses to drink and draw
up a supply for us in thy bag,[396] by way of provision for the road.”
So Amir took the water-skin and made for the well; but, when he came
there, behold, two young men slaves were leading gazelles, and when they
saw him, they said to him, “Whither wendest thou, O youth, and of which
of the Arabs art thou?” Quoth he, “Harkye, lads, fill me my water-skin,
for that I am a stranger astray and a farer of the way, and I have a
comrade who awaiteth me.” Quoth the thralls, “Thou art no wayfarer, but
a spy from Al-Akil’s camp.” Then they took him and carried him to their
king Zuhayr bin Shabíb; and when he came before him, he said to him, “Of
which of the Arabs art thou?” Quoth Amir, “I am a wayfarer.” So Zuhayr
said, “Whence comest thou and whither wendest thou?” and Amir replied,
“I am on my way to Al-Akil.” When he named Al-Akil, those who were
present were excited; but Zuhayr signed to them with his eyes and asked
him, “What is thine errand with Al-Akil?” and he answered, “We would
fain see him, my friend and I.” As soon as Zuhayr heard his words, he
bade smite his neck;[397] but his Wazir said to him, “Slay him not, till
his friend be present.” So he commanded the two slaves to fetch his
friend; whereupon they repaired to Al-Abbas and called to him, saying,
“O youth, answer the summons of King Zuhayr.” He enquired, “What would
the king with me?” and they replied, “We know not.” Quoth he, “Who gave
the king news of me?” and quoth they, “We went to draw water, and found
a man by the well. So we questioned him of his case, but he would not
acquaint us therewith, wherefore we carried him willy-nilly to King
Zuhayr, who asked him of his adventure and he told him that he was going
to Al-Akil. Now Al-Akil is the king’s enemy and he intendeth to betake
himself to his camp and make prize of his offspring, and cut off his
traces.” Said Al-Abbas, “And what hath Al-Akil done with King Zuhayr?”
They replied, “He engaged for himself that he would bring the King every
year a thousand dinars and a thousand she-camels, besides a thousand
head of thoroughbred steeds and two hundred black slaves and fifty
hand-maids; but it hath reached the king that Al-Akil purposeth to give
naught of this; wherefore he is minded to go to him. So hasten thou with
us, ere the King be wroth with thee and with us.” Then said Al-Abbas to
them, “O youths, sit by my weapons and my stallion till I return.” But
they said, “By Allah, thou prolongest discourse with that which
beseemeth not of words! Make haste, or we will go with thy head, for
indeed the King purposeth to slay thee and to slay thy comrade and take
that which is with you.” When the Prince heard this, his skin bristled
with rage and he cried out at them with a cry which made them tremble.
Then he sprang upon his horse and settling himself in the saddle,
galloped till he came to the King’s assembly, when he shouted at the top
of his voice, saying, “To horse, O horsemen!” and couched his spear at
the pavilion wherein was Zuhayr. Now there were about the King a
thousand smiters with the sword; but Al-Abbas charged home upon them and
dispersed them from around him; and there abode none in the tent save
Zuhayr and his Wazir. Then Al-Abbas came up to the door of the tent
wherein were four-and-twenty golden doves; so he took them, after he had
tumbled them down with the end of his lance. Then he called out saying,
“Ho, Zuhayr! Doth it not suffice thee that thou hast abated Al-Akil’s
repute, but thou art minded to abate that of those who sojourn round
about him? Knowest thou not that he is of the lieutenants of Kundah bin
Hisham of the Banu Shayban, a man renowned for prowess? Indeed, greed of
his gain hath entered into thee and envy of him hath gotten the mastery
of thee. Doth it not suffice thee that thou hast orphaned his
children[398] and slain his men? By the virtue of Mustafa, the Chosen
Prophet, I will make thee drain the cup of death!” So saying, he bared
his brand and smiting Zuhayr on his shoulder-blade caused the steel
issue gleaming from his throat tendons; then he smote the Wazir and
clove his crown asunder. As he was thus, behold, Amir called out to him
and said, “O my lord, come help me, or I be a dead man!” So Al-Abbas
went up to him guided by his voice, and found him cast down on his back
and chained with four chains to four pickets of iron.[399] He loosed his
bonds and said to him, “Go in front of me, O Amir.” So he fared on
before him a little, and presently they looked, and, behold, horsemen
were making to Zuhayr’s succour, and they numbered twelve thousand
riders led by Sahl bin Ka’ab bestriding a coal-black steed. He charged
upon Amir, who fled from him, then upon Al-Abbas, who said, “O Amir,
hold fast to my horse and guard my back.” The page did as he bade him,
whereupon Al-Abbas cried out at the folk and falling upon them,
overthrew their braves and slew of them some two thousand riders, whilst
not one of them knew what was to do nor with whom he fought. Then said
one of them to other, “Verily, the King is slain; so with whom do we
wage war? Indeed ye flee from him; but ’twere better ye enter under his
banners, or not one of you will be saved.” Thereupon all dismounted and
doffing that which was upon them of war-gear, came before Al-Abbas and
proffered him allegiance and sued for his protection. So he withheld his
brand from them and bade them gather together the spoils. Then he took
the riches and the slaves and the camels, and they all became his lieges
and his retainers, to the number (according to that which is reported)
of fifty thousand horse. Furthermore, the folk heard of him and flocked
to him from all sides; whereupon he divided the loot amongst them and
gave largesse and dwelt thus three days, and there came gifts to him.
After this he bade march for Al-Akil’s abiding place; so they fared on
six days and on the seventh they sighted the camp. Al-Abbas bade his man
Amir precede him and give Al-Akil the good news of his cousin’s coming;
so he rode on to the camp and, going in to Al-Akil, acquainted him with
the glad tidings of Zuhayr’s slaughter and the conquest of his
clan.[400] Al-Akil rejoiced in the coming of Al-Abbas and the slaughter
of his enemy and all in his camp rejoiced also and cast robes of honour
upon Amir; while Al-Akil bade go forth to meet Al-Abbas, and commanded
that none, great or small, freeman or slave, should tarry behind. So
they did his bidding and going forth all, met Al-Abbas at three
parasangs’ distance from the camp; and when they met him, they
dismounted from their horses and Al-Akil and he embraced and clapped
palm to palm.[401] Then rejoicing in the coming of Al-Abbas and the
killing of their foeman, they returned to the camp, where tents were
pitched for the new-comers and skin-rugs spread and game slain and
beasts slaughtered and royal guest-meals spread; and after this fashion
they abode twenty days in the enjoyment of all delight of life. On this
wise fared it with Al-Abbas and his cousin Al-Akil; but as regards King
Al-Aziz, when his son left him, he was desolated for him with exceeding
desolation, both he and his mother; and when tidings of him tarried long
and the tryst-time passed without his returning, the king caused public
proclamation to be made, commanding all his troops to get ready to mount
and ride forth in quest of his son Al-Abbas, at the end of three days,
after which no cause of hindrance or excuse would be admitted to any. So
on the fourth day, the king bade muster the troops who numbered
four-and-twenty thousand horse, besides servants and followers.
Accordingly, they reared the standards and the kettle-drums beat; the
general and the king set out with his power intending for Baghdad; nor
did he cease to press forward with all diligence, till he came within
half a day’s journey of the city, when he bade his army encamp on the
Green Meadow. There they pitched the tents, till the lowland was
straitened with them, and set up for the king a pavilion of green
brocade, purfled with pearls and precious stones. When Al-Aziz had sat
awhile, he summoned the Mamelukes of his son Al-Abbas, and they were
five-and-twenty in number besides ten slave-girls, as they were moons,
five of whom the king had brought with him and other five he had left
with the prince’s mother. When the Mamelukes came before him, he cast
over each and every of them a mantle of green brocade and bade them
mount similar horses of one and the same fashion and enter Baghdad and
ask after their lord Al-Abbas. So they rode into the city and passed
through the market-streets and there remained in Baghdad nor old man nor
boy but came forth to gaze on them and divert himself with the sight of
their beauty and loveliness and the seemliness of their semblance and
the goodliness of their garments and horses, for all were even as moons.
They gave not over going till they came to the palace,[402] where they
halted, and the king looked at them and seeing their beauty and the
brilliancy of their apparel and the brightness of their faces, said,
“Would Heaven I knew of which of the tribes these are!” And he bade the
Eunuch bring him news of them. The castrato went out to them and
questioned them of their case, whereto they replied, “Return to thy lord
and enquire of him concerning Prince Al-Abbas, an he have come unto him,
for that he left his sire King Al-Aziz a full-told year ago, and indeed
longing for him troubleth the King and he hath levied a division of his
army and his guards and is come forth in quest of his son, so haply he
may light upon tidings of him.” Quoth the Eunuch, “Is there amongst you
a brother of his or a son?” and quoth they, “Nay, by Allah, but we are
all his Mamelukes and the purchased of his money, and his sire Al-Aziz
hath sent us to make enquiry of him. Do thou go to thy lord and question
him of the Prince and return to us with that which he shall answer
thee.” Asked the Eunuch, “And where is King Al-Aziz?” and they answered,
“He is encamped in the Green Meadow?”[403] The Eunuch returned and told
the king, who said, “Indeed we have been unduly negligent with regard to
Al-Abbas. What shall be our excuse with the King? By Allah, my soul
suggested to me that the youth was of the sons of the kings!” His wife,
the Lady Afifah saw him lamenting for his neglect of Al-Abbas, and said
to him, “O King, what is it thou regrettest with this mighty regret?”
Quoth he, “Thou knowest the stranger youth, who gifted us with the
rubies?” Quoth she, “Assuredly;” and he, “Yonder youths, who have halted
in the palace court, are his Mamelukes, and his father, King Al-Aziz,
lord of Al-Yaman, hath pitched his camp on the Green Meadow; for he is
come with his army to seek him, and the number of his troops is
four-and-twenty thousand horsemen.” Then he went out from her, and when
she heard his words, she wept sore for him and had compassion on his
case and sent after him, counselling him to summon the Mamelukes and
lodge them in the palace and entertain them. The king hearkened to her
rede and despatching the Eunuch for the Mamelukes, assigned unto them a
lodging and said to them, “Have patience, till the King give you tidings
of your lord Al-Abbas.” When they heard his words, their eyes ran over
with a rush of tears, of their mighty longing for the sight of their
lord. Then the King bade the Queen enter the private chamber opening
upon the throne-room and let down the curtain before the door, so she
might see and not be seen. She did this and he summoned them to his
presence; and, when they stood before him, they kissed ground to do him
honour, and showed forth their courtly breeding and magnified his
dignity. He ordered them to sit, but they refused, till he conjured them
by their lord Al-Abbas: accordingly they sat down and he bade set before
them food of various kinds and fruits and sweetmeats. Now within the
Lady Afifah’s palace was a souterrain communicating with the pavilion of
the Princess Mariyah: so the Queen sent after her and she came to her,
whereupon she made her stand behind the curtain and gave her to know
that Al-Abbas was son to the King of Al-Yaman and that these were his
Mamelukes: she also told her that the Prince’s father had levied his
troops and was come with his army in quest of him and that he had
pitched his camp on the Green Meadow and had despatched these Mamelukes
to make enquiry of their lord. Then Mariyah abode looking upon them and
upon their beauty and loveliness and the goodliness of their raiment,
till they had eaten their fill of food and the tables were removed;
whereupon the King recounted to them the story of Al-Abbas and they took
leave of him and went their ways. So fortuned it with the Mamelukes; but
as for the Princess Mariyah, when she returned to her palace, she
bethought herself concerning the affair of Al-Abbas, repenting her of
what she had done; and the love of him took root in her heart. And, when
the night darkened upon her, she dismissed all her women and bringing
out the letters, to wit, those which Al-Abbas had written her, fell to
reading them and weeping. She left not weeping her night long, and when
she arose in the morning, she called a damsel of her slave-girls,
Shafíkah by name, and said to her, “O damsel, I purpose to discover to
thee mine affair and I charge thee keep my secret, which is that thou
betake thyself to the house of the nurse, who used to serve me, and
fetch her to me, for that I have grave need of her.” Accordingly,
Shafikah went out and repairing to the nurse’s house, entered and found
her clad in clothing other and richer than what she had whilome been
wont to wear. So she saluted her and asked her, “Whence hadst thou this
dress, than which there is no goodlier?” Answered the nurse, “O
Shafikah, thou deemest that I have seen no good save of thy mistress;
but, by Allah, had I endeavoured for her destruction, I had acted
righteously, seeing that she did with me what she did and bade the
Eunuch beat me, without offence by me offered: so tell her that he, on
whose behalf I bestirred myself with her, hath made me independent of
her and her humours, for he hath habited me in this habit and given me
two hundred and fifty dinars and promised me the like every year and
charged me to serve none of the folk.” Quoth Shafikah, “My mistress hath
a need for thee; so come thou with me and I will engage to restore thee
to thy dwelling in safety and satisfaction.” But quoth the nurse,
“Indeed her palace is become unlawful and forbidden to me[404] and never
again will I enter therein, for that Allah (extolled and exalted be He!)
of His favour and bounty hath rendered me independent of her.” Presently
Shafikah returned to her mistress and acquainted her with the nurse’s
words and that wherein she was of prosperity; whereupon Mariyah
confessed her unmannerly dealing with her and repented when repentance
profited her not; and she abode in that her case days and nights, whilst
the fire of longing flamed in her heart. On this wise happened it to
her; but as regards Al-Abbas, he tarried with his cousin Al-Akil twenty
days, after which he made ready for the journey to Baghdad and bidding
bring the booty he had taken from King Zuhayr, divided it between
himself and his cousin. Then he sent out a-marching Baghdad-wards and
when he came within two days’ journey of the city, he summoned his
servant Amir and said to him, “Mount thy charger and forego me with the
caravan and the cattle.” So Amir took horse and fared on till he came to
Baghdad, and the season of his entering was the first of the day; nor
was there in the city little child or old greybeard but came forth to
divert himself with gazing on those flocks and herds and upon the beauty
of those slave-girls; and their wits were wildered at what they saw.
Soon afterwards the news reached the king that the young man Al-Abbas,
who had gone forth from him, was come back with booty and rarities and
black slaves and a conquering host and had taken up his sojourn without
the city, whilst his servant Amir was presently come to Baghdad, so he
might get ready for his lord dwelling-places wherein he should take up
his abode. When the King heard these tidings of Amir, he sent for him
and caused bring him before him; and when he entered his presence, he
kissed the ground and saluted with the salam and showed his fine
breeding and greeted him with the goodliest of greetings. The King bade
him raise his head and, this done, questioned him of his lord Al-Abbas;
whereupon he acquainted him with his adventures and told him that which
had betided him with King Zuhayr and of the army that was become at his
command and of the spoil he had secured. He also gave him to know that
Al-Abbas was to arrive on the morrow, and with him more than fifty
thousand cavaliers, obedient to his orders. When the king heard his
words, he bade decorate Baghdad and commanded the citizens to equip
themselves with the richest of their apparel, in honour of the coming of
Al-Abbas. Furthermore, he sent to give King Al-Aziz the glad tidings of
his son’s return and informed him of all which he had heard from the
Prince’s servant. When the news reached King Al-Aziz, he joyed with
exceeding joy in the approach of his son and straightway took horse, he
and all his host, while the trumpets blared and the musicians played, so
that the earth quaked and Baghdad also trembled, and it was a notable
day. When Mariyah beheld all this, she repented in all possible
penitence of that which she had done against Al-Abbas and the fires of
desire raged in her vitals. Meanwhile, the troops[405] sallied forth of
Baghdad and went out to meet those of Al-Abbas, who had halted in a
garth called the Green Island. When he espied the approaching host, he
strained his sight and, seeing horsemen coming and troops and footmen he
knew not, said to those about him, “Among yonder troops are flags and
banners of various kinds; but, as for the great green standard that ye
see, ’tis the standard of my sire, the which is reserved to him and
never displayed save over his head, and thus I know that he himself is
come out in quest of me.” And he was certified of this, he and his
troops. So he fared on towards them and when he drew near them, he knew
them and they knew him; whereupon they lighted down from their horses
and saluting him, gave him joy of his safety and the folk flocked to
him. When he came to his father, they embraced and each greeted other a
long time, whilst neither of them could utter a word, for the greatness
of that which betided them of joy in reunion. Then Al-Abbas bade the
folk take horse; so they mounted and his Mamelukes surrounded him and
they entered Baghdad on the most splendid wise and in the highest honour
and glory. Now the wife of the shopkeeper, that is, the nurse, came out,
with the rest of those who flocked forth, to divert herself with gazing
upon the show, and when she saw Al-Abbas and beheld his beauty and the
beauty of his host and that which he had brought back with him of herds
and slave-girls, Mamelukes and negroes, she improvised and recited these
couplets:—
Al-Abbás from the side of Akíl is come; ✿ Caravans and steeds he hath
plunderèd:
Yea; horses he brought of pure blood, whose necks ✿ Ring with collars
like anklets wher’er they are led.
With domèd hoofs they pour torrent-like, ✿ As they prance through dust
on the level stead:
And bestriding their saddles come men of war, ✿ Whose fingers play on
the kettle-drum’s head:
And couched are their lances that bear the points ✿ Keen grided, which
fill every soul with dread:
Who wi’ them would fence draweth down his death ✿ For one deadly lunge
soon shall do him dead:
Charge, comrades, charge ye and give me joy, ✿ Saying, “Welcome to thee,
O our dear comràde!”
And who joys at his meeting shall ’joy delight ✿ Of large gifts when he
from his steed shall ’light.
When the troops entered Baghdad, each of them alighted in his tent,
whilst Al-Abbas encamped apart on a place near the Tigris and issued
orders to slaughter for the soldiers, each day, that which should
suffice them of oxen and sheep and to bake them bread and spread the
tables: so the folk ceased not to come to him and eat of his banquet.
Furthermore, all the country-people flocked to him with presents and
rarities and he requited them many times the like of their gifts, so
that the lands were filled with his renown and the fame of him was
bruited abroad among the habitants of wold and town. Then, as soon as he
rode to the house he had bought, the shopkeeper and his wife came to him
and gave him joy of his safety; whereupon he ordered them three head of
swift steeds and thoroughbred and ten dromedaries and an hundred head of
sheep and clad them both in costly robes of honour. Presently he chose
out ten slave-girls and ten negro slaves and fifty mares and the like
number of she-camels and three hundred of sheep, together with twenty
ounces of musk and as many of camphor, and sent all this to the King of
Baghdad. When the present came to Ins bin Kays, his wit fled for joy and
he was perplexed wherewith to requite him. Al-Abbas also gave gifts and
largesse and bestowed robes of honour upon noble and simple, each after
the measure of his degree, save only Mariyah; for to her indeed he sent
nothing. This was grievous to the Princess and it irked her sore that he
should not remember her; so she called her slave-girl Shafikah and said
to her, “Hie thee to Al-Abbas and salute him and say to him:—What
hindereth thee from sending my lady Mariyah her part of thy booty?” So
Shafikah betook herself to him and when she came to his door, the
chamberlains refused her admission, until they should have got for her
leave and permission. When she entered, Al-Abbas knew her and knew that
she had somewhat of speech with him; so he dismissed his Mamelukes and
asked her, “What is thine errand, O hand-maid of good?” Answered she, “O
my lord, I am a slave-girl of the Princess Mariyah, who kisseth thy
hands and offereth her salutation to thee. Indeed, she rejoiceth in thy
safety and blameth thee for that thou breakest her heart, alone of all
the folk, because thy largesse embraceth great and small, yet hast thou
not remembered her with anything of thy plunder, as if thou hadst
hardened thy heart against her.” Quoth he, “Extolled be He who turneth
hearts! By Allah, my vitals were consumed with the love of her; and, of
my longing after her I came forth to her from my mother-land and left my
people and my home and my wealth, and it was with her that began the
hardheartedness and the cruelty. Natheless, for all this, I bear her no
malice and there is no help but that I send her somewhat whereby she may
remember me; for that I sojourn in her country but a few days, after
which I set out for the land of Al-Yaman.” Then he called for a chest
and thence bringing out a necklace of Greek workmanship, worth a
thousand dinars, wrapped it in a mantle of Greek silk, set with pearls
and gems and purfled with red gold, and joined thereto a couple of
caskets containing musk and ambergris. He also put off upon the girl a
mantle of Greek silk, striped with gold, wherein were divers figures and
portraitures depictured, never saw eyes its like. Therewithal the girl’s
wit fled for joy and she went forth from his presence and returned to
her mistress. When she came in to her, she acquainted her with that
which she had seen of Al-Abbas and that which was with him of servants
and attendants and set out to her the loftiness of his station and gave
her that which was with her. Mariyah opened the mantle, and when she saw
that necklace (and indeed the place was illumined with the lustre
thereof), she looked at her slave-girl and said to her, “By Allah, O
Shafikah, one look at him were dearer to me than all that my hand
possesseth! Oh, would Heaven I knew what I shall do, when Baghdad is
empty of him and I hear of him no news!” Then she wept and calling for
ink-case and paper and pen of brass, wrote these couplets:
Longsome my sorrows are; my liver’s fired with ecstasy; ✿ And
severance-shaft hath shot me through whence sorest pangs I dree:
And howso could my soul forget the love I bear to you? ✿ You-wards my
will perforce returns nor passion sets me free:
I ’prison all desires I feel for fear of spies thereon ✿ Yet tears that
streak my cheek betray for every eye to see.
No place of rest or joy I find to bring me life-delight; ✿ No wine
tastes well; nor viands please however savoury:
Ah me! to whom shall I complain of case and seek its cure ✿ Save unto
thee whose Phantom deigns to show me sight of thee?
Then name me not or chide for aught I did in passion-stress, ✿ With
vitals gone and frame consumed by yearning-malady!
Secret I keep the fire of love which aye for severance burns; ✿ Sworn
slave[406] to Love who robs my rest and wakes me cruelly:
And ceaseth not my thought to gaze upon your ghost by night, ✿ Which
falsing comes and he I love still, still unloveth me.
Would Heaven ye wist the blight that I for you are doomed to bear ✿ For
love of you, which tortures me with parting agony!
Then read between the lines I wrote, and mark and learn their sense ✿
For such my tale, and Destiny made me an outcast be:
Learn eke the circumstance of Love and lover’s woe nor deign ✿ Divulge
its mysteries to men nor grudge its secrecy.
Then she folded the scroll and giving it to her slave-girl, bade her
bear it to Al-Abbas and bring back his reply. So Shafikah took the
letter and carried it to the Prince, after the doorkeeper had sought
leave of him to admit her. When she came in to him, she found with him
five damsels, as they were moons, clad in rich raiment and ornaments;
and when he saw her, he said to her, “What is thy need, O hand-maid of
good?” Presently she put out her hand to him with the writ, after she
had kissed it, and he bade one of his slave-girls receive it from
her.[407] Then he took it from the girl and breaking the seal, read it
and comprehended its contents; whereupon he cried, “Verily, we be
Allah’s and unto Him we shall return!” and calling for ink-case and
paper, wrote these improvised couplets:—
I wonder seeing how thy love to me ✿ Inclined, while I in heart from
love declined:
Eke wast thou wont to say in verseful writ, ✿ “Son of the Road[408] no
road to me shall find!
How oft kings flocked to me with mighty men ✿ And bales on back of
Bukhti[409] beast they bind:
And noble steeds of purest blood and all ✿ They bore of choicest boons
to me consigned;
Yet won no favour!” Then came I to woo ✿ And the long tale o’ love I had
designed.
I fain set forth in writ of mine, with words ✿ Like strings of pearls in
goodly line aligned:——
Set forth my sev’rance, griefs, tyrannic wrongs, ✿ And ill device
ill-suiting lover-kind.
How oft love-claimant, craving secrecy, ✿ How oft have lovers ’plained
as sore they pined,
“How many a brimming bitter cup I’ve quaffed, ✿ And wept my woes when
speech was vain as wind!”
And thou:—“Be patient, ’tis thy bestest course ✿ And choicest medicine
for mortal mind!”
Then unto patience worthy praise cleave _thou_; ✿ Easy of issue and be
lief resigned:
Nor hope thou aught of me lest ill alloy ✿ Or aught of dross affect my
blood refined:
Such is my speech. Read, mark, and learn my say! ✿ To what thou deemest
ne’er I’ll tread the way.
Then he folded the scroll and sealing it, entrusted it to the damsel,
who took it and bore it to her mistress. When the Princess read the
letter and mastered its meaning, she said, “Meseemeth he recalleth
bygones to me.” Then she called for pens, ink, and paper, and wrote
these couplets:
Love thou didst show me till I learnt its woe ✿ Then to the growth of
grief didst severance show:
I banisht joys of slumber after you ✿ And e’en my pillow garred my wake
to grow.
How long in parting shall I pine with pain ✿ While severance-spies[410]
through night watch every throe?
I’ve left my kingly couch and self withdrew ✿ Therefrom, and taught mine
eyelids sleep t’ unknow:
’Twas thou didst teach me what I ne’er can bear: ✿ Then didst thou waste
my frame with parting-blow.
By oath I swear thee, blame and chide me not: ✿ Be kind to mourner Love
hath stricken low!
For parting-rigours drive him nearer still ✿ To narrow home, ere clad in
shroud for clo’:
Have ruth on me, since Love laid waste my frame, ✿ ’Mid thralls enrolled
me and lit fires that flame.
Mariyah rolled up the letter and gave it to Shafikah, bidding her bear
it to Al-Abbas. Accordingly she took it and going with it to his door,
proceeded to enter; but the chamberlains and serving-men forbade her,
till they had obtained her leave from the Prince. When she went into
him, she found him sitting in the midst of the five damsels before
mentioned, whom his father had brought for him; so she gave him the
letter and he tare it open and read it. Then he bade one of the damsels,
whose name was Khafífah and who came from the land of China, tune her
lute and sing anent separation. Thereupon she came forward and tuning
her lute, played thereon in four-and-twenty modes: after which she
returned to the first and sang these couplets:—
Our friends, when leaving us on parting-day, ✿ Drave us in wolds of
severance-grief to stray:
When bound the camels’ litters bearing them, ✿ And cries of drivers
urged them on the way,
Outrusht my tears, despair gat hold of me ✿ And sleep betrayed mine eyes
to wake a prey.
The day they went I wept, but showed no ruth ✿ The severance-spy and
flared the flames alwày:
Alas for lowe o’ Love that fires me still! ✿ Alack for pine that melts
my heart away!
To whom shall I complain of care, when thou ✿ Art gone, nor fain
a-pillow head I lay?
And day by day Love’s ardours grow on me, ✿ And far’s the tent that
holds my fondest may:
O Breeze o’ Heaven, bear for me a charge ✿ (Nor traitor-like my troth in
love betray!),
Whene’er thou breathest o’er the loved one’s land ✿ Greet him with
choice salam fro’ me, I pray:
Dust him with musk and powdered ambergris ✿ While time endures! Such is
my wish for aye.
When the damsel had made an end of her song, Al-Abbas swooned away and
they sprinkled on him musked rose-water, till he recovered from his
fainting-fit, when he called another damsel (now there was on her of
linen and raiment and ornaments that which undoeth description, and she
was a model of beauty and brightness and loveliness and symmetry and
perfect grace, such as shamed the crescent moon, and she was a Turkish
girl from the land of the Roum and her name was Háfizah) and said to
her, “O Hafizah, close thine eyes and tune thy lute and sing to us upon
the days of severance.” She answered him, “To hear is to obey” and
taking the lute, tightened its strings and cried out from her head,[411]
in a plaintive voice, and sang these couplets:—
My friends! tears flow in painful mockery, ✿ And sick my heart from
parting agony:
My frame is wasted and my vitals wrung ✿ And love-fires grow and eyes
set tear-floods free:
And when the fire burns high beneath my ribs ✿ With tears I quench it as
sad day I see.
Love left me wasted, baffled, pain-begone, ✿ Sore frighted, butt to
spying enemy:
When I recall sweet union wi’ their loves ✿ I chase dear sleep from the
sick frame o’ me.
Long as our parting lasts the rival joys ✿ And spies with fearful
prudence gain their gree.
I fear me for my sickly, langourous frame ✿ Lest dread of parting slay
me incont’nently.
When Hafizah had ended her song, Al-Abbas cried to her, “Brava! Verily,
thou quickenest hearts from griefs.” Then he called another maiden of
the daughters of Daylam, by name Marjánah, and said to her, “O Marjanah,
sing to me upon the days of parting.” She said, “Hearing and obeying,”
and recited these couplets:—
“Cleave to fair Patience! Patience ’gendereth weal”: ✿ Such is the rede
to us all sages deal:
How oft I plained the lowe of grief and love ✿ Mid passions cast my soul
in sore unheal.
How oft I waked and drained the bitter cup ✿ And watched the stars, nor
sleep mine eyes would seal!
Enough it were an deal you grace to me ✿ In writ a-morn and garred no
hope to feel.
But Thoughts which probed its depths would sear my heart ✿ And start
from eye-brows streams that ever steal:
Nor cease I suffering baleful doom and nights ✿ Wakeful, and heart by
sorrows rent piece-meal:
But Allah purged my soul from love of you ✿ When all knew secrets cared
I not reveal.
I march to-morrow from your country and ✿ Haply you’ll speed me nor fear
aught unweal;
And, when in person you be far from us, ✿ Would heaven we knew who shall
your news reveal.
Who kens if home will e’er us two contain ✿ In dearest life with union
naught can stain!
When Marjanah had made an end of her song, the Prince said to her,
“Brava, O damsel! Indeed, thou sayest a thing which had occurred to my
mind and my tongue was near to speaking it.” Then he signed to the
fourth damsel, who was a Cairene, by name Sitt al-Husn, and bade her
tune her lute and sing to him upon the same theme. So the Lady of Beauty
tuned her lute and sang these couplets:—
Patience is blest for weal comes after woe ✿ And all things stated time
and ordinance show;
Haps the Sultan, hight Fortune, prove unjust ✿ Shifting the times, and
man excuse shall know:
Bitter ensueth sweet in law of change ✿ And after crookedness things
straightest grow.
Then guard thine honour, nor to any save ✿ The noble knowledge of the
hid bestow:
These be vicissitudes the Lord commands ✿ Poor men endure, the sinner
and the low.
When Al-Abbas heard her make an end of her verses, they pleased him and
he said to her, “Brava, O Sitt al-Husn! Indeed, thou hast done away
anxiety from my heart and hast banished the things which had occurred to
my thought.” Then he sighed and signing to the fifth damsel, who was
from the land of the Persians and whose name was Marzíyah (now she was
the fairest of them all and the sweetest of speech and she was like unto
a lustrous star, a model of beauty and loveliness and perfection and
brightness and justness of shape and symmetric grace and had a face like
the new moon and eyes as they were gazelle’s eyes) and said to her, “O
Marziyah, come forward and tune thy lute and sing to us on the same
theme, for indeed we are resolved upon faring to the land of Al-Yaman.”
Now this maiden had met many of the monarchs and had foregathered with
the great; so she tuned her lute and sang these couplets:—
Friend of my heart why leave thou lone and desolate these eyne? ✿ Fair
union of our lots ne’er failed this sitting-stead of mine!
And ah! who dwellest singly in the heart and sprite of me, ✿ (Be I thy
ransom!) desolate for loss of friend I pine!
By Allah! O thou richest form in charms and loveliness, ✿ Give alms to
lover who can show of patience ne’er a sign!
Alms of what past between us tway (which ne’er will I divulge) ✿ Of
privacy between us tway that man shall ne’er divine:
Grant me approval of my lord whereby t’ o’erwhelm the foe ✿ And let my
straitness pass away and doubtful thoughts malign:
Approof of thee (an gained the meed) for me high rank shall gain ✿ And
show me robed in richest weed to eyes of envy fain.
When she had ended her song, all who were in the assembly wept for the
daintiness of her delivery and the sweetness of her speech and Al-Abbas
said to her, “Brava, O Marziyah! Indeed, thou bewilderest the wits with
the beauty of thy verse and the polish of thy speech.”[412] All this
while Shafikah abode gazing upon her, and when she beheld the
slave-girls of Al-Abbas and considered the charms of their clothing and
the subtlety of their senses and the delicacy of their delivery her
reason flew from her head. Then she sought leave of Al-Abbas and
returning to her mistress Mariyah, sans letter or reply, acquainted her
with what she had espied of the damsels and described to her the
condition wherein he was of honour and delight, majesty, venerance and
loftiness of rank. Lastly, she enlarged upon what she had seen of the
slave-girls and their case and that which they had said and how they had
incited Al-Abbas anent returning to his own country by the recitation of
songs to the sound of the strings. When the Princess heard this her
slave-girl’s report, she wept and wailed and was like to leave the
world. Then she took to her pillow and said, “O Shafikah, I will inform
thee of a something which is not hidden from Allah the Most High, and
’tis that thou watch over me till the Almighty decree the accomplishment
of His destiny, and when my days are ended, take thou the necklace and
the mantle with which Al-Abbas gifted me and return them to him. I deem
not he will survive me, and if the Lord of All-might determine against
him and his days come to an end, do thou give one charge to shroud us
and entomb us both in one tomb.” Then her case changed and her colour
waxed wan; and when Shafikah saw her mistress in this plight, she
repaired to her mother and told her that the lady Mariyah refused meat
and drink. Asked the Queen, “Since when hath this befallen her?” and
Shafikah answered, “Since yesterday’s date;” whereat the mother was
confounded and betaking herself to her daughter, that she might inquire
into her case, lo and behold! found her as one dying. So she sat down at
her head and Mariyah opened her eyes and seeing her mother sitting by
her, sat up for shame before her. The Queen questioned her of her case
and she said, “I entered the Hammam and it stupefied me and prostrated
me and left in my head an exceeding pain; but I trust in Allah Almighty
that it will cease.” When her mother went out from her, Mariyah took to
chiding the damsel for that which she had done and said to her, “Verily,
death were dearer to me than this; so discover thou not my affair to any
and I charge thee return not to the like of this fashion.” Then she
fainted and lay swooning for a whole hour, and when she came to herself,
she saw Shafikah weeping over her; whereupon she pluckt the necklace
from her neck and the mantle from her body and said to the damsel, “Lay
them in a damask napkin and bear them to Al-Abbas and acquaint him with
that wherein I am for the stress of severance and the strain of
forbiddance.” So Shafikah took them and carried them to Al-Abbas, whom
she found in readiness to depart, being about to take horse for
Al-Yaman. She went in to him and gave him the napkin and that which was
therein, and when he opened it and saw what it contained, namely, the
mantle and the necklace, his chagrin was excessive and his eyes turned
in his head[413] and his rage shot out of them. When Shafikah saw that
which betided him, she came forward and said to him, “O bountiful lord,
verily my mistress returneth not the mantle and the necklace for
despite; but she is about to quit the world and thou hast the best right
to them.” Asked he, “And what is the cause of this?” and Shafikah
answered, “Thou knowest. By Allah, never among the Arabs nor the Ajams
nor among the sons of the kings saw I a harder of heart than thou! Can
it be a slight matter to thee that thou troublest Mariyah’s life and
causest her to mourn for herself and quit the world for the sake of thy
youth?[414] Thou wast the cause of her acquaintance with thee and now
she departeth this life on thine account, she whose like Allah Almighty
hath not created among the daughters of the kings.” When Al-Abbas heard
from the damsel these words, his heart burned for Mariyah and her case
was not light to him; so he said to Shafikah, “Canst thou bring me in
company with her, so haply I may discover her concern and allay whatso
aileth her?” Said she, “Yes, I can do that, and thine will be the bounty
and the favour.” So he arose and followed her, and she preceded him,
till they came to the palace. Then she opened and locked behind them
four-and-twenty doors and made them fast with padlocks; and when he came
to Mariyah, he found her as she were the downing sun, strown upon a Táif
rug of perfumed leather,[415] surrounded by cushions stuffed with
ostrich down, and not a limb of her quivered. When her maid saw her in
this state, she offered to cry out; but Al-Abbas said to her, “Do it
not, but have patience till we discover her affair; and if Allah (be He
extolled and exalted!) have decreed her death, wait till thou have
opened the doors to me and I have gone forth. Then do what seemeth good
to thee.” So saying, he went up to the Princess and laying his hand upon
her bosom, found her heart fluttering like a doveling and the life yet
hanging to her breast.[416] So he placed his hand on her cheek, whereat
she opened her eyes and beckoning to her maid, said to her by signs,
“Who is this that treadeth my carpet and transgresseth against me?”[417]
“O my lady,” cried Shafikah, “this is Prince Al-Abbas, for whose sake
thou forsakest the world.” When Mariyah heard speak of Al-Abbas, she
raised her hand from under the coverlet and laying it upon his neck,
inhaled awhile his scent. Then she sat up and her complexion returned to
her and they abode talking till a third part of the night was past.
Presently, the Princess turned to her hand-maid and bade her fetch them
somewhat of food, sweetmeats, and fruits, fresh and dry. So Shafikah
brought what she desired and they ate and drank and abode on this wise
without lewdness, till night went and light came. Then said Al-Abbas,
“Indeed, the morn breaketh. Shall I hie to my sire and bid him go to thy
father and seek thee of him in wedlock for me, in accordance with the
book of Allah Almighty and the practice of His Apostle (whom may He save
and assain!) so we may not enter into transgression?” And Mariyah
answered, saying, “By Allah, ’tis well counselled of thee!” So he went
away to his lodging and naught befel between them; and when the day
lightened, she recited these couplets:—
O friends, morn-breeze with Morn draws on amain: ✿ A Voice[418] bespeaks
us,
Up to the convent where our friend we’ll sight ✿ And wine more subtile
than the dust[419] we’ll drain;
Whereon our friend spent all the coin he owned ✿ And made the nursling
in his cloak contain;[420]
And, when we oped the jar, light opalline ✿ Struck down the singers in
its search waylain.
From all sides flocking came the convent-monks ✿ Crying at top o’
voices, “Welcome fain!”
And we carousing sat, and cups went round, ✿ Till rose the Venus-star
o’er Eastern plain.
No shame in drinking wine, which means good cheer ✿ And love and promise
of prophetic strain![421]
Ho thou, the Morn, our union sundering, ✿ These joyous hours to fine
thou dost constrain.
Show grace to us until our pleasures end, ✿ And latest drop of joy fro’
friends we gain:
You have affection candid and sincere ✿ And Love and Joy are best of
Faiths for men.
Such was the case with Mariyah; but as regards Al-Abbas, he betook
himself to his father’s camp, which was pitched on the Green Meadow, by
the Tigris-side, and none might thread his way between the tents, for
the dense network of the tent-ropes. When the Prince reached the first
of the pavilions, the guards and servants came out to meet him from all
sides and walked in his service till he drew near the sitting-place of
his sire, who knew of his approach. So he issued forth his marquee and
coming to meet his son, kissed him and made much of him. Then they
returned together to the royal pavilion and when they had seated
themselves therein and the guards had taken up their station in
attendance on them, the King said to Al-Abbas, “O my son, get ready
thine affair, so we may go to our own land, for that the lieges in our
absence are become as they were sheep lacking shepherd.” Al-Abbas looked
at his father and wept till he fainted, and when he recovered from his
fit, he improvised and recited these couplets:—
I embraced him,[422] and straight I waxt drunk wi’ the smell ✿ Of a
fresh young branch wont in wealth to dwell.
Yea, drunken, but not by the wine; nay, ’twas ✿ By draughts from his
lips that like wine-cups well:
For Beauty wrote on his cheek’s fair page ✿ “Oh, his charms! take refuge
fro’ danger fell!”[423]
Mine eyes, be easy, since him ye saw; ✿ Nor mote nor blearness with you
shall mell:
In him Beauty showeth fro’ first to fine ✿ And bindeth on hearts bonds
unfrangible:
An thou kohl thyself with his cheek of light ✿ Thou’ll find but jasper
and or in stelle:[424]
The chiders came to reproach me when ✿ For him longing and pining my
heart befel:
But I fear not, I end not, I turn me not ✿ From his life, let tell-tale
his tale e’en tell:
By Allah, forgetting ne’er crossed my thought ✿ While by life-tie bound,
or when ends my spell:
An I live I will live in his love, an I die ✿ Of love and longing, I’ll
cry, “’Tis well!”
Now when Al-Abbas had ended his verses, his father said to him, “I seek
refuge for thee with Allah, O my son! Hast thou any want thou art
powerless to win, so I may endeavour for thee therein and lavish my
treasures in its quest.” Cried Al-Abbas, “O my papa, I have, indeed, an
urgent need, on whose account I came forth of my mother-land and left my
people and my home and affronted perils and horrors and became an exile,
and I trust in Allah that it may be accomplished by thy magnanimous
endeavour.” Quoth the King, “And what is thy want?” and quoth Al-Abbas,
“I would have thee go and ask for me to wife Mariyah, daughter of the
King of Baghdad, for that my heart is distracted with love of her.” Then
he recounted to his father his adventure from first to last. When the
King heard this from his son, he rose to his feet and calling for his
charger of parade, took horse with four-and-twenty Emirs of the chief
officers of his empire. Then he betook himself to the palace of the King
of Baghdad who, when he saw him coming, bade his chamberlains open the
doors to them and going down himself to meet him, received him with all
honour and hospitality and carried him and his into the palace; then
causing make ready for them carpets and cushions, sat down upon his
golden throne and seated the guest by his side upon a chair of gold,
framed in juniper-wood set with pearls and jewels. Presently he bade
bring sweetmeats and confections and scents and commanded to slaughter
four-and-twenty head of sheep and the like of oxen and make ready geese
and chickens and pigeons stuffed and boiled, and spread the tables; nor
was it long before the meats were served up in vessels of gold and
silver. So they eat their sufficiency and when they had eaten their
fill, the tables were removed and the wine-service set on and the cups
and flagons ranged in ranks, whilst the Mamelukes and the fair
slave-girls sat down, with zones of gold about their waists, studded
with all manner pearls, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and other jewels.
Moreover, the king bade fetch the musicians; so there presented
themselves before him twenty damsels with lutes and psalteries[425] and
viols, and smote upon instruments of music playing and performing on
such wise that they moved the assembly to delight. Then said Al-Aziz to
the King of Baghdad, “I would fain speak a word to thee; but do thou not
exclude from us those who are present. An thou consent unto my wish
thine is ours and on thee shall be whatso is on us;[426] and we will be
to thee a mighty forearm against all unfriends and foes.” Quoth Ins bin
Kays, “Say what thou wilt, O King, for indeed thou excellest in speech
and in whatso thou sayest dost hit the mark.” So Al-Aziz said to him, “I
desire that thou marry thy daughter Mariyah to my son Al-Abbas, for thou
knowest what he hath of beauty and loveliness, brightness and perfect
grace and his frequentation of the valiant and his constancy in the
stead of cut-and-thrust.” Said Ins bin Kays, “By Allah, O King, of my
love for Mariyah, I have appointed her mistress of her own hand;
accordingly, whomsoever she chooseth of the folk, to him will I wed
her.” Then he arose to his feet and going in to his daughter, found her
mother with her; so he set out to them the case and Mariyah said, “O my
papa, my wish followeth thy word and my will ensueth thy will; so
whatsoever thou choosest, I am obedient to thee and under thy dominion.”
Therewith the King knew that Mariyah inclined to Al-Abbas; he therefore
returned forthright to King Al-Aziz and said to him, “May Allah amend
the King! Verily, the wish is won and there is no opposition to that
thou commandest.” Quoth Al-Aziz, “By Allah’s leave are wishes won. How
deemest thou, O King, of fetching Al-Abbas and documenting the
marriage-contract between Mariyah and him?” and quoth Ins bin Kays,
“Thine be the rede.” So Al-Aziz sent after his son and acquainted him
with that which had passed; whereupon Al-Abbas called for
four-and-twenty mules and ten horses and as many camels and loaded the
mules with fathom-long pieces of silk and rugs of leather and boxes of
camphor and musk and the camels and horses with chests of gold and
silver. Eke, he took the richest of the stuffs and wrapping them in
wrappers of gold-purfled silk, laid them on the heads of porters,[427]
and they fared on with the treasures till they reached the King of
Baghdad’s palace, whereupon all who were present dismounted in honour of
Al-Abbas and escorting him in a body to the presence of Ins bin Kays,
displayed to the King all that they had with them of things of price.
The King bade carry all this into the store rooms of the Harim and sent
for the Kazis and the witnesses, who wrote out the contract and married
Mariyah to Al-Abbas, whereupon the Prince commanded slaughter one
thousand head of sheep and five hundred buffaloes. So they spread the
bride-feast and bade thereto all the tribes of the Arabs, men of tents
and men of towns, and the banquet continued for the space of ten days.
Then Al-Abbas went in to Mariyah in a commendable and auspicious hour
and lay with her and found her a pearl unthridden and a goodly filly no
rider had ridden;[428] wherefore he rejoiced and was glad and made
merry, and care and sorrow ceased from him and his life was pleasant and
trouble departed and he ceased not abiding with her in most joyful case
and in the most easeful of life, till seven days were past, when King
Al-Aziz resolved to set out and return to his realm and bade his son
seek leave of his father-in-law to depart with his wife to his own
country. So Al-Abbas spoke of this to King Ins, who granted him the
permission he sought; whereupon he chose out a red camel,[429] taller
and more valuable than the rest of the camels, and loading it with
apparel and ornaments, mounted Mariyah in a litter thereon. Then they
spread the ensigns and the standards, whilst kettle-drums beat and the
trumpets blared, and set out upon the homewards way. The King of Baghdad
rode forth with them and companied them three days’ journey on their
route, after which he farewelled them and returned with his troops to
Baghdad. As for King Al-Aziz and his son, they fared on night and day
and gave not over going till there remained but three days’ journey
between them and Al-Yaman, when they despatched three men of the
couriers to the Prince’s mother to report that they were bringing with
them Mariyah, the King’s daughter of Baghdad, and returning safe and
laden with spoil. When the Queen-mother heard this, her wit took wings
for joy and she adorned the slave-girls of Al-Abbas after the finest
fashion. Now he had ten hand-maids, as they were moons, whereof his
father had carried five with him to Baghdad, as hath erst been set
forth, and the remaining five abode with his mother. When the
dromedary-posts[430] came, they were certified of the approach of
Al-Abbas, and when the sun easted and their flags were seen flaunting,
the Prince’s mother came out to meet her son; nor on that day was there
great or small, boy or greybeard, but went forth to greet the king. Then
the kettle-drums of glad tidings beat and they entered in the utmost of
pomp and the extreme of magnificence; so that the tribes and the
townspeople heard of them and brought them the richest of gifts and the
rarest of presents and the Prince’s mother rejoiced with joy exceeding.
They butchered beasts and spread mighty bride-feasts for the people and
kindled fires,[431] that it might be visible afar to townsman and
tribesman that this was the house of hospitality and the stead of the
wedding-festival, to the intent that, if any passed them by, it should
be of his own sin against himself. So the folk came to them from all
districts and quarters and in this way they abode days and months.
Presently the Prince’s mother bade fetch the five slave-girls to that
assembly; whereupon they came and the ten damsels met. The queen seated
five of them on her son’s right hand and other five on his left and the
folk gathered about them. Then she bade the five who had remained with
her speak forth somewhat of poesy, so they might entertain therewith the
séance and that Al-Abbas might rejoice thereat. Now she had clad them in
the costliest of clothes and adorned them with trinkets and ornaments
and moulded work of gold and silver and collars of gold, wrought with
pearls and gems. So they paced forward, with harps and lutes and zithers
and recorders and other instruments of music before them, and one of
them, a damsel who came from the land of China and whose name was
Bá’úthah, advanced and screwed up the strings of her lute. Then she
cried out from the top of her head and recited these couplets:—
Indeed your land returned, when you returned, ✿ To whilom light which
overgrew its gloom:
Green grew the land that was afore dust-brown, ✿ And fruits that failed
again showed riping bloom:
And clouds rained treasures after rain had lacked, ✿ And plenty poured
from earth’s re-opening womb.
Then ceased the woes, my lords, that garred us weep, ✿ With tears like
dragons’ blood, our severance-doom,
Whose length, by Allah, made me yearn and pine, ✿ Would Heaven, O lady
mine, I were thy groom!
When she had ended her song, all who were present were delighted and
Al-Abbas rejoiced in this. Then he bade the second damsel sing somewhat
on the same theme. So she came forward and tightening the strings of her
harp, which was of balass ruby,[432] raised her voice in a plaintive air
and improvised these couplets:—
Brought the Courier glad news of our absentees,[433] ✿ To please us
through those who had wrought us unease:
Cried I, “My life ransom thee, messenger man, ✿ Thou hast kept thy faith
and thy boons are these.”
An the nightlets of union in you we joyed ✿ When fared you naught would
our grief appease;
You sware that folk would to folk be true, ✿ And you kept your oaths as
good faith decrees.
To you made I oath true lover am I ✿ Heaven guard me when sworn from all
perjuries:
I fared to meet you and loud I cried, ✿ “Aha, fair welcome when come you
please!”
And I joyed to meet you and when you came, ✿ Deckt all the dwelling with
tapestries,
And death in your absence to us was dight, ✿ But your presence bringeth
us life and light.
When she had made an end of her verse, Al-Abbas bade the third damsel
(who came from Samarkand of Ajam-land and whose name was Rummánah) sing,
and she answered, “To hear is to obey.” Then she took the zither and
crying out from the midst of her head, recited and sang these
couplets:[434]—
My watering mouth declares thy myrtle-cheek my food to be ✿ And cull my
lips thy side-face rose, who lily art to me!
And twixt the dune and down there shows the fairest flower that blooms ✿
Whose fruitage is granado’s fruit with all granado’s blee.[435]
Forget my lids of eyne their sleep for magic eyes of him; ✿ Naught since
he fared but drowsy charms and languorous air I see.[436]
He shot me down with shaft of glance from bow of eyebrow sped: ✿ What
Chamberlain[437] betwixt his eyes garred all my pleasure flee?
Haply shall heart of me seduce his heart by weakness’ force ✿ E’en as
his own seductive grace garred me love-ailment dree.
For an by him forgotten be our pact and covenant ✿ I have a King who
never will forget my memory.
His sides bemock the bending charms of waving Tamarisk,[438] ✿ And in
his beauty-pride he walks as drunk with coquetry:
His feet and legs be feather-light whene’er he deigns to run ✿ And say,
did any ride the wind except ’twere Solomon?[439]
Therewith Al-Abbas smiled and her verses pleased him. Then he bade the
fourth damsel come forward and sing, (now she was from the
Sundown-land[440] and her name was Balakhshá); so she came forward and
taking the lute and the zither, tuned the strings and smote them in many
modes; then she returned to the first and improvising, sang these
couplets:—
When to the séance all for pleasure hied ✿ Thy lamping eyes illumined
its every side;
While playing round us o’er the wine-full bowl ✿ Those necklace-pearls
old wine with pleasure plied,[441]
Till wits the wisest drunken by her grace ✿ Betrayed for joyance secrets
sages hide;
And, seen the cup, we bade it circle round ✿ While sun and moon spread
radiance side and wide.
We raised for lover veil of love perforce ✿ And came glad tidings which
new joys applied:
Loud sang the camel-guide; won was our wish ✿ Nor was the secret by the
spy espied:
And, when my days where blest by union-bliss ✿ And to all-parting Time
was aid denied,
Each ’bode with other, clear of meddling spy ✿ Nor feared we hate of foe
or neighbour-pride.
The sky was bright, friends came and severance fared ✿ And Love-in-union
rained boons multiplied:
Saying, “Fulfil fair union, all are gone ✿ Rivals and fears lest shaming
foe deride:”
Friends now conjoinèd are: wrong passed away ✿ And meeting-cup goes
round and joys abide:
On you be Allah’s Peace with every boon ✿ Till end the dooming years and
time and tide.
When Balakhshá had ended her verse, all present were moved to delight
and Al-Abbas said to her, “Brava, O damsel!” Then he bade the fifth
damsel come forward and sing (now she was from the land of Syria and her
name was Rayhánah; she was passing of voice and when she appeared in an
assembly, all eyes were fixed upon her), so she came forward and taking
the viol (for she was used to play upon all instruments) recited and
sang these couplets:—
Your me-wards coming I hail to sight; ✿ Your look is a joy driving woe
from sprite:
With you love is blest, pure and white of soul; ✿ Life’s sweet and my
planet grows green and bright:
By Allah, you-wards my pine ne’er ceased ✿ And your like is rare and
right worthy hight.
Ask my eyes an e’er since the day ye went ✿ They tasted sleep, looked on
loverwight:
My heart by the parting-day was broke ✿ And my wasted body betrays my
plight:
Could my blamers see in what grief am I, ✿ They had wept in wonder my
loss, my blight!
They had joined me in shedding torrential tears ✿ And like me a-morn had
shown thin and slight:
How long for your love shall your lover bear ✿ This weight o’er much for
the hill’s strong height?
By Allah what then for your sake was doomed ✿ To my heart, a heart by
its woes turned white!
An showed I the fires that aye flare in me, ✿ They had ’flamed Eastern
world and earth’s Western site.
But after this is my love fulfilled ✿ With joy and gladness and mere
delight;
And the Lord who scattered hath brought us back ✿ For who doeth good
shall of good ne’er lack.
When King Al-Aziz heard the damsel’s song, both words and verses pleased
him and he said to Al-Abbas, “O my son, verily long versifying hath
tired these damsels, and indeed they make us yearn after the houses and
the homesteads with the beauty of their songs. These five have adorned
our meeting with the charm of their melodies and have done well in that
which they have said before those who are present; so we counsel thee to
free them for the love of Allah Almighty.” Quoth Al-Abbas, “There is no
command but thy command;” and he enfranchised the ten damsels in the
assembly; whereupon they kissed the hands of the King and his son and
prostrated themselves in thanksgiving to the Lord of All-might. Then
they put off that which was upon them of ornaments and laying aside the
lutes and other instruments of music, kept to their houses like modest
women and veiled, and fared not forth.[442] As for King Al-Aziz, he
lived after this seven years and was removed to the mercy of Almighty
Allah; when his son Al-Abbas bore him forth to burial as beseemeth kings
and let make for him perfections and professional recitations of the
Koran. He kept up the mourning for his father during four successive
weeks, and when a full-told month had elapsed he sat down on the throne
of the kingship and judged and did justice and distributed silver and
gold. He also loosed all who were in the jails and abolished grievances
and customs dues and righted the oppressed of the oppressor; so the
lieges prayed for him and loved him and invoked on him endurance of
glory and continuance of kingship and length of life and eternity of
prosperity and happiness. The troops submitted to him, and the hosts
from all parts of the kingdom, and there came to him presents from each
and every land: the kings obeyed him and many were his warriors and his
grandees, and his subjects lived with him the most easeful of lives and
the most delightsome. Meanwhile, he ceased not, he and his beloved,
Queen Mariyah, in the most enjoyable of life and the pleasantest, and he
was vouchsafed by her children; and indeed there befel friendship and
affection between them and the longer their companionship was prolonged,
the more their love waxed, so that they became unable to endure each
from other a single hour, save the time of his going forth to the Divan,
when he would return to her in the liveliest that might be of longing.
And after this fashion they abode in all solace of life and satisfaction
till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and the Severer of
societies. So extolled be the Eternal whose sway endureth for ever and
aye, who never unheedeth neither dieth nor sleepeth! This is all that
hath come down to us of their tale, and so the Peace!