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 THE 
 
 ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 HATIM TAI, 
 
 A KOMANCE. 
 
 TRANSLATED FEOM THE PERSIAN, 
 
 BY 
 
 DUNCAN FORBES, M,A,, 
 
 REPRINTED 
 BY 
 
 JANARt)AN RAMCHANDEAJI, 
 
 PRINTED AT THE "EOYAL" PRESS. 
 1869.
 
 BOMBAY: 
 
 RAMJI BABAJl PRINTER, 
 
 Faiiaswadi Lane.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 pacf:. 
 Introduction v 
 
 Translator's Preface vii 
 
 Introduction 1 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 Containing the History of Husn Banu, the daughter of 
 
 BURZAKH THE MERCHANT — HeR EXPULSION FROM THE KiNG 
 OF KhORASAN's capital, and HER REMOVAL FROM HER 
 COUNTRY Her finding in THE DESERT THE TREASURES 
 
 OF SEVEN Kings, and her beneficence towards mankind 
 — Her becoming celebrated in the worlp, and her 
 being beloved by MunIr, the Assyrian prince — Hatim 
 
 HEARS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE HiS VISIT TO HuSN BaNU ON 
 
 ACCOUNT OF HER SEVEN REMARKABLE SAYINGS, OF WHICH HE 
 UNDERTAKES AN EXPLANATION 7 
 
 The HISTORY OP Shahzada MunIr 20 
 
 BOOK 11. 
 
 HaTIM's JOURNEY IN QUEST OF THE MaN OF THE MOTTO — HiS 
 ARRIVAL AT THE FAMOUS MOUNTAIN OF Kaf — HiS FINDING 
 THE MOTTO IN QUESTION WRITTEN ON THE DOOR OF HaRITH, 
 FROM WHOM HE LEARNS ITS SIGNIFICATION — HiS RETURN, 
 AND SAFE ARRIVAL IN ShAHABAD 40
 
 IV CONTENTS. 
 
 TAGE. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 Hatim's jotjkney to the desert and city of Himyar — IIis 
 
 INTERVIEW WITH HamTR, AND HIS RETURN TO THE CITY OF 
 Shahabad 91 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 Hatim's perilous journey to the city of Karam — His at- 
 tainment OF THE object OF HIS DESIRE, AND SAFE RETURN 
 TO SlIAHABAD 132 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 Hatim's Journey TO THE Mountain OF NiDA 164 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 The Journey of Hatim in search of the Pearl 195 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 The Journey of Hatim to explore the Bath of Badgard. 
 — His arrival in that place, — His safe return to 
 Shahabad, and the marriage of Husn Banu with the 
 Assyrian PRINCE MuNiR 223
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This publication is intended to supply a great want 
 which has been felt for years together by the reading 
 portion, (of both the Native and European commu- 
 nities), of a new English edition of Duncan Forbes's 
 translation of the Persian work. 
 
 The Enoflish translation of the orioinal Persian, was, 
 for the first time, printed in England in the year 1830. 
 It, however, passed through its second edition in this 
 country in the year 1836, and the short space of time 
 within which it went throuofh a second edition bears 
 testimony to its sterling merits as a book of amuse- 
 ment and interest. The work, thouo-h a fiction in its 
 character, purports to describe the adventures of a man 
 Avell-knov/n for the liberality of his disposition, and the 
 magnanimity of his heart, as the true benefactor of 
 mankind, and is thus calculated to convey in a very 
 high degree a clear conception of the characteristics of 
 oriental life and modes of thought. 
 
 Not a single copy either of the first or of the second 
 edition can be had at present even for reference's sake, 
 owing no doubt to the long space of time which has 
 elapsed since the date of the last edition. After a great 
 deal of trouble I succeeded in getting a copy of it, from 
 which this third edition is now offered to the public. 
 
 Owing to the comparatively imperfect and crude
 
 Ti rNTllODUCTlOX. 
 
 :sta;te of typography in Bombay at tlie time of tlie 
 second edition, that work had no pretensions to elegance 
 'or clearness. In many places it was not free from 
 numerous t3^pographical blunders which crept into it. 
 Every care, however, has been taken to .remove these 
 ifrom the present edition. 
 
 The fact of its beinof translated into several lano^uaffes 
 is a sufficient proof of its utility and of the valnej 
 attached to it, and tlie estimation in whicli it has been 
 held by all classes of the people. 
 
 I have spared neither pains nor expense to render 
 the work as acceptable to tlie public as possible, and 
 I leave it now to their favourable consideration. 
 
 JANARDAN RAMCIIANDEAJL 
 
 iBomhay, October, 1869.
 
 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 The following translation of tlie Adventures of Hatim Tas 
 may not perhaps merit from the English reader that interest 
 which the oritjinal holds among the natives of the East. In 
 Europe the last three centuries have wrought mighty changes 
 in the state of society, while Asia remains, comparatively speak- 
 ing, unaltered. Among the natives of Persia and Hindustan, 
 the belief in demons, fairies, magicians with their enchanted 
 palaces, and talismans and charms, is as prevalent as it was in 
 Europe in the chivalrous ages that succeeded the Crusadesi 
 Hence the most celebrated works of fiction in the East abound 
 with the incredible, the wild, and the marvellous, like the- 
 productions of the bards and story-tellers of Provence and their 
 imitators, which enchanted Europe from the twelfth to the 
 sixteenth centuries. 
 
 The Seven Tales wliicli form the present volume, have ia 
 them a due portion of the supernatural ; but it would be unfair 
 to condemn them on that account, as they are thereby the 
 more adapted to the taste' of the- people,, for whom the original! 
 ■svas composed. One merit they certainly possess, and that is, 
 their humane and heroic tendency. The eminent personage 
 who figures as the hero was in his time a pattern of wisdom, 
 bravery, and generosity. He has been therefore chosen as 
 a proper theme by the writer of romance, who spurning 
 the bounds of reality, has created an ideal world of his own, 
 with that wildnessand extravagance of fancy which characterise 
 an eastern imagination. 
 
 The Adventures of Hatim Ta'i have' long obtained the highest 
 popularity in those regions of Asia where the language of Persia 
 is spoken or studied. Among those who speak the language of 
 the original, the work is read with admiration and listened to-
 
 viii TRANSLATORS PREFACE. 
 
 •svitl) delight. In India it is extremely popular, and is generally 
 selected as a book well adajjted for beginners in the study of 
 Persian, now the court language of that wide empire. This 
 circumstance has induced me, under the auspices of the High 
 and Illustrious Personages who contribute to the Oriental 
 Translation Fund, to offer to the public the following English 
 version, as a specimen of the romance of a nation that has lorjg 
 ranked as the most refined in Asia, 
 
 Should it be said that I might have applied my time to 
 better purpose in translating some work of a graver cast ; I 
 may quote in my defence the words of the illustrious Dr. Blair : 
 " Any kind of writing," he sa3's, " how trilling soever in 
 appearance, that obtains a general currency, and especially that 
 early pre-occupies the imagination of the youth of both sexes, 
 must demand particular attention. Its influence is likely to 
 be considerable both on the morals and taste of a nation." 
 
 I am not sanguine enough to hojae that my performance is 
 faultless ; nor do I imagine that I have transfused into the 
 English version the ease and elegance of the Persian original. 
 The difficulty of such a task is known only to those who are 
 conversant with the different idioms of the two languages. I 
 have endeavoured, however, to give in my translation the ideas 
 of the Persian author, and for the most part in his own words ; 
 but it often happens that a phi-ase which makes good sense in 
 Persian may be unintelligible in English, and in that case I 
 gave the meaning, and not the words, of the original. 
 
 The manuscript from which the present translation is made, 
 was procured in the East in 1824. It gives no notice as to the 
 place and time of writing ; but from the beauty of penmanship 
 and general accuracy of expression, I am inclined to think that 
 it was executed in Persia and not Hindustan ; and from its 
 appearance, I should consider it at least a century old. In the 
 course of the translating of the work I had access to three other 
 !MSS., one in the India-House, and two in the possession of an 
 Oriental bookseller in town, who liberally allowed me the use 
 of them when requisite. Of these resources I freely availed 
 myself, whenever I felt at a loss with my own. The four MS8.
 
 TRANSLATORS PREFACE. IX 
 
 agree as a wliule, tliougli in every page may be found some 
 small verbal discrepancies. 
 
 The few notes occasionally appended to tlie following pages, 
 are taken chiefly from Oriental sources, such as the Farang-i- 
 Mathnaii, the Borhan-i-Kati, the Mwntahhah-ul-Logkat, and 
 the Rozat-ul-Sufci, vih\d\ are works of standard value, and iii 
 all fairness, better authorities than European works of the kind. 
 Two editions of the Persian text of Hatim Tai have been 
 printed at Calcutta since the establishment of Fort- William 
 College. This work, however, differs widely from all the MSS. 
 which I have yet seen ; and in fact, the name is almost the only 
 resemblance left. The Calcutta copy is greatly abridged, the 
 adventures and scenes that remain are altered, and the language 
 rendered more flowery and artificial. All this may have been 
 done with the view of improvement, by the munshis Avho 
 superintended the publishing of the work. I am warranted in 
 this conclusion from the circumstance that eight MSS., five of 
 which I have seen in Loudon, and three in Calcutta, thovxgh 
 written at distant periods of time and in places remote from 
 each other, agree with the one I possess, whereas I have never 
 seen a MS. resembling the Calcutta printed copy. 
 
 Be this as it may, I merely mention the circumstance in order 
 to obviate a mistake that may have arisen from the appearance 
 of a translation of the Calcutta copy in the Asiatic Journals of 
 last spring. By comparing that work with mine, it will be 
 found that we have not been translating from the same original ; 
 and it will be seen further, that the Calcutta copy is only an. 
 abridgment of the common MSS. 
 
 I may be allowed to express my liope here that those illus- 
 trious patrons of Oriental literature, under whose protection 
 the present translation has been brought before the public, will 
 on some future day publish the original. It may be presumptu- 
 ous in me to express an opinion of the kind before such 
 competent judges ; but, as a teacher of the Persian language, 
 I feel much the want of an easy and useful elementary work. 
 At present, the only good Persian author that is at all procurable 
 is the Gulistan of Sady, which I know from experience to be
 
 X TTlANST.ATOrt's PREFAPE. 
 
 too difficult for bcginiic'rs. It holds tlie same rank in Persiniv 
 literature that the compositions of Dr. Johnson do in English ;. 
 and I believe any person beginning the study of our language, 
 would Hnd the Rambler a difficult book. 
 
 As a precui'sor to the Gulistan, Hatini Tai seems to me the 
 easiest and most useful of Persian authors. The style of the 
 work (I mean, of course, the MSS.) is plain and unadorned. It 
 abounds with common-place dialogue, the main thing to be 
 attended to in a living language. The subject is in general 
 sufficiently interesting to arrest the attention of youth, and its 
 size and moderate price would be an additional recommendation. 
 If the work were printed in a neat octavo size, like the last 
 edition of the Gulistan, I am confident that the produce of its 
 sale would soon repay the expense of printing. 
 
 It remains for me now to say something of the illustrious 
 personage whose perilous adventures are so faithfully recorded 
 in the following work. Hatim ben Ubaid ben Sa'id, chief of the 
 tribe of Tai, lived in the latter half of the sixth century of the 
 Christian era. His native country was Yemen, or Arabia 
 Felix, but it is uncertain what were the extent and resources of 
 liis domains. As Arabia, was then divided into numerous 
 tribes, it is most probable that Hatim's sway extended only 
 over a few thousands of hardy Arabs, who bore his family name 
 of Tai, and acknowledged him as their chief. At all events, he 
 possessed in the highest degree the virtues most admired in that 
 age and country. Meidani, an Arabian author of the twelfth 
 century, says of him, "Hatim was liberal, brave, wise, and 
 victorious : when he fought, he conquered; when he plundered, 
 he carried off; when he was asked, he gave ; when he shot his 
 arrow, he hit the mark ; and whomsoever he took captive, he 
 liberated." 
 
 No wonder that the chief who merited such encomiums from 
 the historian, should become the favourite theme of poetry and 
 romance. In the East, the name of Hatim is synonymous with 
 liberality. One of the highest compliments that can be paid to 
 a generous man is to call him the Hatim of the day. But it 
 would be endless to quote the numerous allusions made
 
 TRANSLATORS PREFACE. xi 
 
 'to his nameTjy the authors of Arabia and Persia ; we shall 
 ■therefore content ourselves -with the following anecdote from 
 D'Herbelot :— 
 
 " The Greek Emperor of the time sent an ambassador to 
 Yemen to demand on the part of his master a favourite horse 
 which Hatim posssesed. The generous Arab had received no 
 intimation either of the embassy or of its object ; when the 
 ambassador therefore arrived, Hatim was quite unprepared for 
 his reception. In order to prepare a suitable entertainment 
 for his illustrious guest and his attendants, he had no other 
 resource than to cause his favourite horse to be killed and roasted 
 'On the occasion. This was accordingly done ; and after the 
 feast the ambassador stated his master's Avish. ' It is too late,' 
 ■replied Hatim; 'ihe horse has been killed for our repast. 
 When you arrived, I knew not the object of your journey, and 
 I had no other food to offer you.' " 
 
 Hatim's hand was ever ready to assist the poor and to feed 
 ■the hungry, and it is said that he often bestowed the flesh of 
 his camels, to the amount of forty at a time, on the poor Arabs 
 that inhabited the neighbourhood. His extraordinary liberality, 
 added to his success in war, endeared him to his countrj^men, 
 and the age in which he lived was most favourable to his fame. 
 Arabian poeftry was then in its zenith, and an annual competi- 
 tion of the bards was held at Mecca, in the temple of which 
 ■were suspended in .letters of gold, the compositions of those who 
 were successful. Of these, seven only have come down to us, 
 but it is highly probable, had we the whole of them, that 
 Hatim would in some instances be found to constitute the 
 ihe me. 
 
 In the Rozat-ul-Sufa we have the following brief notice of 
 Hatim's death : " In the eighth year after the birth of his 
 •eminence the Prophet, died Noushirwan the Just, and Hatim Tai 
 the generous, both famous for their virtues." We are further 
 told, in the same work, that towards latter years of Mahommed's 
 life, the host of the Faithful, in the pious duty of propagating 
 the religion of the prophet, ravaged and laid waste the whole 
 territory of the tribe of Tai. Adi, the son of Hatim, fled to
 
 Xll TRANSLATORS PRKFACE. 
 
 Syria, but liis sister and such of his people as wore spared, were 
 broiiglit as prisoners to Medina. The prophet gave them the 
 choice of embracing the true faith, or of having their heads cut 
 oti", when the daughter of Hatim stood forth and pleaded the 
 cause of her distressed tribe. On hearing the revered name df 
 Hatim, Mahommed issued a free pardon to the whole tribe of 
 Tai. 
 
 This was good policy in the prophet ; for it is likely that tlie 
 general prepossession in favour of the tribe of Tai, might 
 militate greatly against his own interests had he proceeded to 
 extremes. As it was, the Taians became converts soon after 
 this act of mercy ; and Adi, the son of Hatim, on his return 
 from Syria, Avas enrolled among the champions of the faith. 
 
 According to D'Herbelot, Hatim 's tomb is to be seen in a 
 small village called Aoi'aredh in Arabia. The spot consecrated 
 by his ashes is still visited with that reverence which is due to 
 the memory of the generous and brave. 
 
 DUNCAN FORBES. 
 
 2, SoutJi Crescent, 
 
 Bedford Square.
 
 THE 
 
 ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 HATIM TAI 
 
 In the name of God, the merciful, the gracious.* 
 Endless praises be to our Creator, whose majesty is exalted, and 
 thousands of blessings be on that chief of sublunary beings. Ahmad 
 Mustafa Muhammed the chosen, may the favour and the peace of 
 God be on him and his X'ace. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 After the expressing of praise and eulogy, be it known that the 
 historianst of events and the narrators of facts have given us the 
 following account of the genealogy of Taiben-Kahlan-ben-Rasn-ben- 
 Kakhshab (ben-Nazrab) ben-Kahtau ben-Hud. They have related 
 that in the days of paganism Hud was a man who obtained regal 
 power in the territory of Yemen .;{: His father was chief of a village, 
 and in the course of time, when he died, the chieftainship of the 
 village devolved on Hud. Some time had thus passed when the 
 reflection occupied his mind, " that to remain like the homely mouse 
 
 * These words arc prefixed to the various chapters of the Koran, and every good 
 Musuhuan commences his work with this formula, after which there g-enerally 
 follows a paragraph, long or short, in j^raiso of the Creator, and in eulogizing the 
 prophet. 
 
 ■f- This account of Hatim's genealogy is rather iiucstionable ; at least, the translator 
 has not been able to find any account of him that agrees with this nari'ativc. 
 
 X Araljia Felix. Wo keep the usual orthography of the word, which is strictly 
 Yiim^u.
 
 2 THE ADVENTURED OF 
 
 in a situation such as this, and like the spider to live in obscurity, is 
 unbecoming a youth of spirit." Having assembled in council hia 
 clansmen and friends, he thus addressed them : " My dear fiiends, it 
 is my intention to wrest my head from the servitude of our prince and 
 to measure strength with him ; and should God the Supreme aid me, 
 I will possess myself of the tyrant's throne, and will bestow such 
 happiness on this country that my conduct will be approved of by 
 every nation on earth." The whole assembly, delighted, expressed 
 their approbation in return, stating at the same time that (ample) 
 funds were necessary for the enterprize. 
 
 Hud therefore occupied himself for seven years in the collecting 
 of stores, and at the end of the seven years he began to levy troops. 
 Meanwhile, intelligence reached the King of Yemen that Had was 
 employed in raising an army, and that it was uncertain what plans 
 he had in view. The King of Yemen (on hearing this) got his 
 troops in readiness, and when Hiid was informed of it, he took the 
 field with an army of fifty thousand horse and foot, that he had 
 levied and furnished with arms during the preceding seven years, 
 with Avhich force he was now resolved on resistance. He also 
 bestowed most liberally the treasures that he had amassed ; and all the 
 raen of the ditferent districts flocked around him, and he received 
 them into his service and gave them gold in profusion. 
 
 When (as it happened) the King of Yemen's troops, defeated and 
 dispersed in the field of battle, gave intelligence and shewed evidence 
 of the occurrence to their sovereign, the King in person, with tho 
 whole of his forces, marched against Hud ; but as fortune had now 
 withdrawn her countenance from the King's household, he also M'as 
 vanquished, and taken prisoner by Hud. The ruler of Yemen shortly 
 after died of grief, when Hud succeeded him, and occupied the regal 
 throne. For the space of a hundred years Hud reigned over tho 
 kin"-dom of Yemen with equity and moderation, such as had never 
 previously existed ; and at the end of the century he died, when his 
 son Kahtau ascended the throne. He also promoted the prosperity 
 and happiness of the country. He had a son whom he called 
 Kakhshab,* and whom he caused to be carefully brought up ; but 
 when the youth arrived at the goal of puberty, he rebelled against his 
 father and spread sedition through the whole kingdom, thus setting 
 
 * Nazral) is mentioned in the first page ; but ia no MS. which the translator has 
 had iiu opportunity of consulting- is he any further spoken of.
 
 HATIlVr TAl. .. 
 
 £is face on disobedience. Some time after, his father died, ami 
 thence Nakhshnb succeeded as King of Yemen. To Nakhshab Avas 
 born a son, whom they called by name Rasn. The youth becoming 
 disaffected towards his father Nakhshab in his capacity of sovereign 
 he was kept apart from the latter by his mother. Nakhshab (ignorant 
 of the circumstance) became anxious for his son Rasn, and desired to 
 have him brought to his presence ; but the object of his wish was no 
 where to be found. Shortly after, Nakhshab was deprived of reason 
 (on discovering) that Rasn was bringing the country to ruin. Rasii 
 had a son Kahlan, who caused his father to be seized and sent into 
 confinement ; nor would he ever release him, lest by so doing the 
 kingdom should become a prey to calamity. At length the father died 
 in confinement, and the crown was settled on Kahlan. To him Avas 
 born a son whose name was Tai, and who on his father's death 
 became sovereign of Yemen. So strictly did Tai promote equity and 
 administer justice throughout his dominions, that he gained the ap- 
 probation and received the gratitude of all his subjects. To such extent 
 did he increase his countless troops, that he soon reduced the whole 
 empire of Arabia into his own possession. He further afforded his 
 protection to the grandees of Yemen and the neighbouring provinces* 
 
 Shortly after this period, those who sat in court with him happened 
 to mention the amiable qualities of Husn Banu, the daughter of 
 Aden, by which the affection of Tai the king towards her was 
 increased. This lady, the daughter of his uncle, he took in marriacre. 
 and by her he had a son Avhose name was called Hatim, and (at whose 
 birth) the philosophers and astrologers were in attendance. These 
 discovered from Hatim's horoscope that he should be sovereign of the 
 seven regions ; and that he should gird his loins in the service of 
 God the Supreme, so that for his good qualities his name would last 
 till the day of judgment. On hearing this, Tai Avas exceedingly 
 delighted, and bestoAved gifts on the philosophers and astrologers, and. 
 made (public) rejoicing. 
 
 NoAV (it happened that) on the very day ouAvhich Hatim Avasborn, 
 six* thousand male children were born in the city. Tai gave orders, 
 and issued a proclamation that every male child born on such a day 
 should be brought to his court. His servants accordingly collected the 
 
 * In another MS it is merely stated that Tai procured 6,000 children nearly of 
 Hatim's age ; but the statement as here given is no task at all to our belief, com- 
 pared to what is coming.
 
 4 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 six thousand infants, and Tai having procured as many nurse?, took 
 
 upon himself tlie care of bringing tliem up. He also appointed four 
 
 youthful nurses, fair of countenance, to wait on ILitim, who (it waa 
 
 observed) would not suck milk. The father was informed of this 
 
 circumstance, and having assembled the philoso[)liers and astrologers, 
 
 he said to them, " what is the reason that Hatim does not suck milk ?" 
 
 They replied, " this child is destined to become famous in the world 
 
 for his liberality, and unless he be suckled along with others (and thus 
 
 share the milk with them), he will not otherwise accept of any." This 
 
 plan they adopted, and Ilatim began to suck milk in company with the 
 
 other children. He never used to cry, nor suck milk if alone nor 
 
 listlessly indulge in sleep. After he had been weaned, and began to 
 
 live on (ordinary) food, if at any time he was taken out and saw a 
 
 poor person, he used to make signs with his hands, (imploring) his 
 
 attendants to give him alms. When they presented him with food, 
 
 he used to sit down at table and eat it in company with the six thousand 
 
 boys who were brought up with him. For the whole day his sports and 
 
 occupations were such that his hand never ceased from giving ;* and 
 
 till he was twelve years of age, his avocation consisted in liberality^ 
 
 His father had amassed boundless treasure, and the son gave it away 
 
 with liberality, and was the stranger's friend. 
 
 * Oriental writers relate numerous instances of Hatim's extreme liberality which 
 is proverbial among them. The following' is from a work, entitled, '■ Tales, Anec- 
 dotes and Letters, from the Arabic and Persian, by Jonatlian Scott, Esq." Hatim 
 had a large storehouse having seventy entrances, at each of which he used to bestow 
 alms upon the poor. After his death his brother, who succeeded him, wished to 
 imitate his great example ; but his mother dissuailed him from the attempt, saying, 
 " My son, it is not in thy nature." Ho would not attend to her advice ; upon which, 
 she one day having disguised herself as a mendicant, came to one of the doors, where 
 her son relieved her ; she went to another door, and was a second time relieved ; 
 she then went to a third, when her son exclaimed, " I have given thee twice 
 already, yet thou importunost me again." — " Did I not tell thee, my son," said the 
 mother, discovering herself, "that thou couldst not equal the liberality of thy 
 brother ? I tried him as I have tried thee, and ho relieved mc at each of the 
 seventy doors, without asking me a question ; but I knew thy nature and his. 
 When I suckled thee, and one nipple was in thy mouth, thou always heldest thy 
 hand upon the other, lest any one should seize it ; but thy brother Hatim the 
 contrary." 
 
 The last expression in the preceding anecdote alludes (we conceive) to Hatim's 
 not sucking milk except when one of his companions had a share of his faro. For 
 if wc wore to suppose that by his "acting the contrary," of seizing the nijiple 
 which was not in his mouth, he merely refrained from laying his hand on it, there 
 would certainly be nothing uncommon in the proceeding, so as to induce the mother 
 to form comparisons.
 
 ITATTM TAl. ;> 
 
 When lie used to go ahniiting;, he never wounded a living creature 
 witli an arrow or any other deadly weapon ; on the contrary, he u«od 
 to catch them in nets and again set them at liberty. He never uttered 
 violent (or abusive) language ; but expressed his sentiments in the 
 mildest strain. Beauty he possessed in the extreme, so that all men 
 and women admired him. When any one approached him with a 
 complaint, and laid hold of his horse's bridle, he used in the most 
 consolina: lano-uage to examine the grievances of such, and afford his 
 protection, for tyranny and oppression he countenanced not. 
 
 In this same manner some time elapsed, when the flowers of youth 
 began (to blossom) on the rosebud of his cheeks, and his beauty was 
 daily on the increase ; and notwithstanding the multitude of men and 
 women who used to come for the purpose of beholding the beauty of 
 Hatim, he never prevented them from seeing his person. He would 
 say to them, "my subjects, why behold a fellow-creature? You 
 ought to contemplate and praise that Creator who has made both me 
 and you, and to occupy youi\selves in deeds of humanity and bravery." 
 
 Thus the renown of Hatim's beauty and bravery and liberality and 
 affability reached the extremities of the earth, and all the world 
 admired him and came to see him. 
 
 One day Hatim went to the desert, where on a sudden a lion met 
 him : he said in his heart, " if I attack this lion with my weapon it 
 will be remote from humanity, and if I smite him not the lion will 
 devour me ; perhaps by the divine favour I may soothe the lion's 
 heart."*' In mild language he addressed the lion, saying, " creature 
 of God, if thou hungerest for my Hesh, it is at thy service ; and if 
 thy longing be for flesh wherewith to fill thy belly, here is my horse — 
 eat and appease thy hunger : but if thou hast a wish for my own 
 flesh, for the sake of God I will give it thee ; devour me, and be not 
 sad-hearted." At these mild expressions the lion crouched, and Hatim 
 removed his armour from his person, and took down the saddje from 
 his horse and with clasped hands came before the lion and said, " of 
 the two, whichsoever be thy choice, eat, and depart not sad in heart." 
 At these words the lion lowered his head and fell at the feet of 
 Hatim, and began to wipe his eyes against them. Hatim said, 
 " Creature of God, far be it from Hatim that thou shonldst depart 
 hungry ; for God the Supreme has created the horse for the benefit of 
 
 * Hatim (he it known) knew the languages of all animals, and conversed with 
 them most freely wherever he went.
 
 (J THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 his creature?, therefore eat ; and if thou hast a desire for my owir 
 flesh, as a divine duty I will bestow it on thee ; but go not away hungry 
 and distressed in heart. Of my own free will I give (up myself), and 
 if thou eat me not, thou wilt distress me." The lion laid his face in 
 the dust, and then departed to his haunt. Thus did Hatim practise 
 beneficence and kindness, which he extended towards his fellow- 
 creatures. He never gave way to selfish repining or regret, and in 
 the way (which is pleasing) to God, he devoted his life and person to 
 the service of humanity.
 
 MATIM TAf. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 Contniuing the History of ILisn Bann, the dauyhtcr of Barzahh 
 the merchant — Iler cxpuhion. from (he King of Khorasan'x 
 c(i})ital, and her removal from her country — Her finding in the 
 desert the trcnsnres of seven Kings, and. her beneficence towards 
 mankind — Her becoming celebrated. i?i the wor/d. and her being 
 beloved, bi/ Mnnir, the Assyrian prince — Hutim hears of the 
 circumstance — His visit to Hirsn Banu on account of her seven 
 remarhahle smyings, of 'which he vndertahes an explanation. 
 
 TuRV say that in the kingdom of Khorasaii there lived<;i monarch 
 5.V nmne Kurchxii Sliali. wlio supported in his train five Inks of horse- 
 men and ten thousand couriers, also musketeers and archers. Eacli of 
 Lis nobles lie entrusted with the care of a province ; and his justice 
 and equity were such that he made the lion and the lainh drink water 
 iioni the same fountain, and he never oppressed his subjects. In his 
 ici'^n there lived u merchant. l)y name Burzakh, who possessed much 
 wcahh and dignity, and whose agents travelled in all directions in 
 piu>-uiL of commerce, lie himself was on intimate terms with the 
 king, and the monarch's regard for him was exti'eme. After some 
 time, when his hour arrived, he died, and left no heir excejjt an only 
 •dann-hter, bv name Ilusn Banu, on whom Avas settled the whole of 
 her father's wealtii and property. At this period Musn Banu was 
 twelve years old, and Biu'zakh on his <leath-bed left his daugliler to 
 the king's care, who with great kindness said, "she is my own 
 •daughter ;" and he accordingly made over to IIusu Banu all the 
 wealth and property left by her iiither. 
 
 Shortly after, the daughter, who was possessed of wisdom, and 
 looked on worldly wealth as sand, began to bestow her treasures and 
 •effects in charity, and she used to remark, "that we ought not 1o 
 entangle ourselves amidst the contaminations of the world." Having 
 sent for her nurse, she consulted her, saying, " my dear mother, it is 
 not my intention to marry, pray (ell me by Avhat means cnn I kec]) 
 myself secure from the hands of worldly men ? some sort of plan we 
 must form.'' The nurse replied, " T have seven questions"-'-' which 
 
 * The word Safdl denotes q-ufHian or qn-irij., and ag the solution of cacli of 
 these seven qvri /«? requires a perilous journey, the word mi^^^ht have been translated 
 task or loJjour, as we say the ticcioc labours of Heresies.
 
 8 • THE ADVENTL'HES OF 
 
 you shall put to every man who desires to become your husband ; 
 whosoever shall answer them properly, and shall agree to the terms 
 (which they embrace), him you shall accept. The seven questions 
 are the following : — 
 
 1st. — What I saw once, I long for a second time. 
 
 2nd. — Do good, and cast it upon the waters.* 
 
 3rd. — Do no evil ; if you do, such ehall you meet with. 
 
 4th. — He who speaks the truth is always tranquil. 
 
 otk. — Let him bring au account of the mountain of Xida. 
 
 6th. — Let him produce a pearl (like that which you posseh^s, 
 
 being) of the size of a duck's egg. 
 "Jth. — Let him biing au account of the bath of Bad-gard. 
 
 Husn Banu highly approved of these questions ; and one dsjy 
 shortly after, when seated in her balcony, and viewing the surround- 
 ing prospect, a dervise attended by forty slaves passed by, and his 
 feet touched not the earth. When Husn Banu saw the pious man, she 
 said to her nurse, "Oh, mother, who is this high personage that 
 travels so magnificently, and whose foot treads not the ground, except 
 it be paved with bricks of gold and silver ?" The nuree replied, 
 '* Life of thy mother, this dervise is the king's spiritual guide ; and 
 Knrdan Shah every month goes and waits upon this holy man, submits 
 himself to him, and acts according to his advice ; in short, he i*) 
 devout and in communion Avith the Creator." Husn Banu said, '^'My 
 dear nurse, I have a desire to invite him to this house to an entertain- 
 ment, and shew him every mark of respect ;" to which proposal the 
 iiurse gave her approbation. She then called one of her attendants, 
 and said to him, " Go to the presence of that illustrious man, and 
 convey to his eminence my desire and i-equest, stating, that a certain 
 lady invites his Holiness to an entertainment ; if out of condescension 
 becoming the great, and benevolence becoming the pious, he should 
 deign to visit the said humble lady, she will be most happy on the 
 occasion." When the attendant of Husn Banu waited on the dervise, 
 and stated to him her representation, the pious man consented, and 
 said, " To-morrow I will assuredly come." The servant brought the 
 intelligence to Husn Banu that the dervise would come next day, at 
 which she was highly delighted, and gave orders to prepare all sorts 
 
 ' This is a common proverb in the Persian language.
 
 HATIM TAi. y 
 
 of viands for the pious man. She also prepared for an offering to him 
 nine suits of silken garments embroidered with gold, and seven trays 
 of pure brilliant gold, along with several baskets full of fruit. 
 
 On the following morning the dervise Avith his forty attendants 
 proceeded to the house of Husn Banu. Now although this dervise was 
 a man in appearance, yet he possessed the nature of Shaitan the fiend, 
 and when going on his way he would not deign to tread the earth : for 
 his slaves paved his path with bricks of gold and silver, and on these 
 alone he placed his feet and walked ; and in this mode of marching he 
 came to Husn Banu's house. When the latter was informed that the 
 dervise was arrived, she ordered them to cover the space extending from 
 the outer gate to the interior of the house with carpets embroidered 
 with gold and silver, on which tlie pious man might walk. After the 
 dervise of high dignity stepped upon tlie carpet, he entered the house? 
 and was seated on a throne befitting a king. 
 
 Husn Banu in the first place brought for the acceptance of the 
 dervise the trays full of gold and silver, which he accepted not, saying, 
 " These sculptured pieces of worldly dross are of no service to me." 
 When they saw that the dervise would not accept the money, they 
 then brought him the baskets filled with sweet fruits, and laid them 
 on the table. All the trays and other dishes, and also the dish-covers, 
 were of gold and silver, as were likewise the ewers and goglets, and 
 the whole display was princely. The couches and screens were richly 
 embroidered Avith gold, and they placed before the dervise food of every 
 kind and variety, and sweetmeats of every description ; and they waited 
 upon him for washing his hands, with ewers and goglets of gold. The 
 arrangements of the table being finished the dervise began to eat ; but 
 ever and anon his eye wandered to the gold and the various utensils, 
 and he said in his heart, '• Gracious heaven ! what a wealthy man 
 Burzakh the merchant must have been ; Avho possessed in his house 
 treasures and stores to such an extent that it seems almost the wealtli 
 of a crowned head !" Heat the same time considered in his heart, 
 "• this very night we must come into the house of Burzakh's daughter 
 and seize this treasure and furniture — we must have recourse to theft." 
 When the dervise had finished eating, they presented him with 
 perfumes ; but he all along had his eyes on the various moveables. 
 
 After some time, as evening approached, the dervise took leave of 
 Husn Banu. Her waiting men and other servants who had been iu 
 attendance on the dervise went to sleep. When about a wuich of the 
 
 B
 
 10 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 night had passed, the dcrvise with his forty satellites, who were 
 complete thieve?, entered the house of Husn Banu, and having killed 
 such of her people as attempted to give the alarm, securely carried off 
 the whole property. Husn Banu with her nurse having ensconced 
 themselves in the lattice, were observing the thieves, and knew them. 
 After the latter had gone and the morning advanced, Husn Banu 
 having taken with her a few of her domestics Avho had survived from 
 the hands of that treacherous villain, came to the king's court, and 
 represented her grievance. The king asked, "' Who is this, and 
 against whom does she demand justice ?" The attendants replied, 
 *' Sire, this is the daughter of Burzakh the merchant ; she says, if it 
 please the king, she will come to his presence and represent her own. 
 case." The king summoned Husn Banu to his presence ; she stated, 
 " Long live the king ! Yesterday, as a sacred duty, I gave an enter- 
 tainment to a dcrvise, and bestowed on him my food, and this last 
 night he has committed murder in my house. He with his forty 
 attendants privately enteretl my dwelling and carried off the whole 
 amount of my money and property, and my people lie slain and 
 wounded ; thus has the dark -minded dervise acted towards me." The 
 king on hearing this accusation was eniaged, and said, " Foolish 
 woman, bringest thou accusations against the most eminent of the 
 age ? he covets nothing earthly." Husn Banu re])lied, " Oh, upright 
 prince ! he deserves not to be called the eminent but rather the 
 fiend of the age." At this reply the king grew furious, and ordered 
 that both herself and her attendants should be stoned to death, in 
 order that others might take warning, and not utter such calumnies 
 respecting his Majesty's ghostly confessor and pious counsellor. Here 
 the prime minister stood up and said, " Sire, this is the daughter of 
 Burzakh the merchant, and you have been pleased already to shew 
 her kindness ; but now when her father is no more, if you cause the 
 daughter to be thus put to death, then will perish from the liearts of 
 your subjects all coufulencc in the king's protection towards their 
 surviving children ; and instead thereof, they will be tilled with 
 distrust : for this reason, vSire, I have deemed it proper to warn you." 
 To this the king replied, " Well, for the sake of Burzakh, we shall 
 span; her life ; but you shall expel her from the city and confiscate 
 her house ; this instant she must be sent without the gates." The 
 people executed the order, and Husn Banu with her nurse turned their 
 faces to the desert with weeping aud lameutatiou ; and the attendants
 
 HATIM TAi'. 11 
 
 of that hapless lady, reduced to ruin, wandered through the streets of 
 the city. Husn Banu frequently said, " Oh, mother ! this dervise 
 has been a grievous curse to us ; and yet, oh, God ! "what crime have 
 we committed that we should be involved in such calamities ?" The 
 nurse endeavoured to console her, saying, " My child, what remedy 
 can be applied against the revolutions of fortune." 
 
 In a few days they reached the desert, where, underneath a shady 
 tree, exhausted with hunger and thirst, they fell asleep. Tc Husn 
 Banu a man appeared in a dream saying, " Be not sorrowful, undei-- 
 neath this tree is buried the treasure of the seven regions, Avhich 
 wealth the king of truth has here kept hidden for thy sake : arise and 
 take possession thereof." She said, "I am a woman and alone, how 
 can I bring it out of the earth ?" To this, the man replied, " Do 
 thou dig a little Avith a spade ; let the means be applied by thee, and 
 God will grant success. Moreover, no one is able forcibly to deprive 
 thee of this wealth : arise then and build a city on tliis spot." 
 
 The lady and her nurse accordingly got up, and with a piece of 
 wood began to dig the earth, when instantly a pit full of yellow gold 
 presented itself. It seemed like seven houses filled with pure gold, 
 and also chests full of jewels of every description. There were like- 
 wise four cups full of rubies and costly pearls of the size of duck's 
 eggs. Husn Banu rejoiced, and in conformity with the true faith, 
 she stooped to the ground and lendered thousands of thanks to God 
 the Most High. She then handed some of the gold to her nurse, 
 and said, " Mother, do you return to the city and procure 
 us people, and bring us some food to eat and raiment to put 
 on, and at the same time look out for labourers and architects, for on 
 this spot I will build a solid edifice." The nurse objected, saying, 
 " How can I leave you here alone until some one else arrive ?" 
 Whilst they were in this conversation, who should pass by but the 
 foster-brother of Husn Banu dressed in a mendicant's habit. He 
 recognized them, and fell at the feet of Husn Banu, who weeping from 
 joy lifted him up to her side, and consoled him, saying, " Brother, be 
 of good cheer, God, the great and glorious, has bestowed on us abun- 
 dance of wealth, even beyond calculation. Take part of it and 
 proceed to the city ; bring hither all my dependents and relations, and 
 purchase tents and bring them, for on this spot we shall build lofty 
 edifices, forming a spacious city ; but you must not communicate this 
 secret to any one." The brother having taken part of the gold
 
 12 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 oanio (o iho city ; ami liuviiior assomldod llusu Banu's former depen- 
 dents, -who wandered begging; al)out the streets, he procured elegant 
 tents and returned with them, llusii Bauu delighted, had the tents 
 erected ; and soon after her brother went a second time to the city, 
 and waited on the principal builders, saying, " Send along with me 
 your brother craftsmen ; my master intends to build a mansion in the 
 desert ; he is a most generous man, and will reward you amply." 
 The builder (to whom he spoke) sent one of his brothers, by name 
 Muammir, along with Husn Banu's foster-brother, and both returned 
 to where that lady resided. The builder selected a pleasant spot, and 
 there erected a lofty mansion ; and Husn Banu bestowed on him a 
 liberal remuneration. The builder, thus delighted, sent for his friends 
 and strenuously laboured in the rearing of edifices, the digging of 
 ■vvells, and the building of a lofty palace. 
 
 Husn Banu shewed them, the greatest kindness, and said, " Now we 
 must have a city built here." Muammir replied, that it was not law- 
 ful to build a city without an order from the king ; but if his Majesty 
 should grant permission, it would then be an easy matter. Husn Banu 
 admitted the truth of this remark ; and having dressed herself in man's 
 apparel, she mounted an Arab steed, and summoned several of her 
 attendants. She also carried with her for a present, a cup full of 
 rubies and a casket of brilliant jewels, and thus proceeded to the city, 
 where she arrived a few days after. She then made some valuable 
 presents to the king's oificers, Avho speedily conveyed the infonnation 
 to their master, that a certain merchant had arrived from abroad, and 
 that he wished to offer his presents to the king ; that he now stood at 
 the o-ate, a man of beautiful countenance and of elegant form. The king 
 cave orders to bring him in, and Husn Banu accordingly entered, and 
 after performing her obeisance to the king, she presented to him the 
 casket of jewels and the cup full of rubies. When the king beheld the 
 jewels and the cup, he was highly delighted, and said, " Sir, Avhence 
 art thou ?" »She replied, " My father was a merchant of Iram, and in 
 the course of events he died at sea. As I happened to be passing this 
 way and had heard of your Majesty's good qualities, my desire of 
 expressing my attachment and of tendering my most humble services* 
 became excessive. It is the wish of your slave to pass the remainder of 
 his life in the service of your Highness. When admitted to kiss the 
 threshold of your sublime gates, my prosperity v.-ill become permanent 
 * Literally " the kissing of the ground on which your foot treads."
 
 IIATIM TAl. 13 
 
 and ]iiy happiness complete. Now I have no kindred ; I am an 
 orphan, and have pitched my tents in a tract of the desert, where I 
 hope, throiic;h your Majesty's kindness and generosity, I may be 
 allowed to build a city." At this statement the king shewed much 
 sympathy, and presented the stranger with a dress of honour, adding, 
 with the greatest courtesy and aftection, " As you have no father, 
 let me be as a father to you, and let me adopt you as my son." Husn 
 Banu, with profound obeisance, replied, " Since your Majesty has 
 adopted me into the royal family, and has raised from the dust this abject 
 slave, let me state that my name is Behram ; may I hope that my 
 name will be deemed fit for this threshold, of which may the head be 
 exalted." Hereupon Kurdan Shah bestowed on Husn Banu the name 
 of Mahiii Shah,* and said, " My dear son, the desert is far distant, 
 you must build your city near my capital, and I shall call your city 
 by the name of Shahabad." Husn Banu respectfully replied, "May 
 the king's life-time be long. I have taken a fancy to that desert, and 
 besides it would be disrespectful to build any city in the vicinity of 
 your Majesty's capital. May I hope that an order will be issued to 
 the principal architects enjoining them to make preparations for the 
 building of a city." Kurdan Shah gave his orders to the architects 
 to that eifect, and taking a most afiectionate leave of Husn Banu, 
 said, " My dear son, when will you return ? you must not deprive 
 me long of your visits." Husn Banu making a profound obeisance, 
 said, " I hope that once every month I may kiss the threshold of your 
 Majesty." 
 
 Pleased and delighted, Husn Banu returned to the desert, and 
 ordered Muammir to draw up the plan of a city ; and having sent for 
 more artists to proceed speedily with the building, Muammir engaged 
 in the building of the edifices which were to form the city, and 
 promoted the work night and day with all expedition. Husn Banu 
 from month to month made a journey to the city to visit the king, 
 whose kindness and affection towards her were daily increasing. After 
 two or three years a spacious city was built, and its name was called 
 Shahabad ; after which, Husn Banu ordered the builders to be 
 munificently rewarded. It happened one day after Husn Banu had 
 arrived to wait upon the king, that his Majesty was proceeding to visit 
 the dervise fomtierly mentioned, and his eye having caught Husn Banu 
 he said, '' My dear Mahrii Shah, to-day I am going to visit the most 
 * Moonfaced, an epithet expressive of great beauty of countenance.
 
 14 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ominont man of the age : if you have a desire to Jo me a favour, \)Ynj 
 accompany me ; for to have seen this saint of tlie time is of itself 
 eternal felicity." In reply, Husn Banu said, "Truly my happiness 
 in this is two-fold ; first, in l)tiiig honoured with the sight of thia 
 eminent personage ; and, secondly, in attending your Majesty thither ;" 
 but in her heart she said that the sight of such a fiend was an abomina- 
 tion. In short, she accompanied the king to the abode of the dervise^ 
 and in conformity with his Majesty's example, paid her respects to 
 that pious man. Kurdan Shah spoke much in pi-aise and connnenda. 
 tion of Maluu Shah (or Husn Banu), who in the meanwhile held 
 down her head and listened, thinking in her own mind that, " these 
 praises are on account of the jewels and cup (which I presented), for 
 otherwise I am the daughter of Burzakh the merchant, and this king 
 once expelled me from his city." 
 
 When the king was about to take leave of the dervise, Husn Banu 
 respectfully stood up and said, " If your holiness will deign to visit 
 my house, I hope it will not be (doing a thing) unbecoming the 
 condescension of the illustrious." The execrable dervise said, " I will 
 assuredly come ;" I and Ilusn Banu observed, "The house of your 
 slave is far distant, but in the capital is tlio residence of Burzakh 
 the merchant, a house which is veiy commodious, and which (I hope} 
 you will honour with a visit." She then addressed the king, saying, 
 " The house of Burzakh happens to be unoccupied ; may I be favoured 
 for a few days with the use of it, that I may perform my respects to 
 his Holiness without his having the trouble of going to a distance ; 
 and after giving him a feast, I shall proceed to my own city." The 
 king asked her,* " Whence, my son. have you known the name of 
 Burzakh ?" Husn Banu replied, " There are many men in this city 
 who were in his service, of them I have learned it (as they said) that 
 such a house was suitable for a few day's residence." The king said, 
 " I bestow upon you that house as a present." 
 
 HusM Banu having made her obeisance came to her father's house ; 
 and when she fouud it fiillen to decay she gave vent to many a tear, 
 and issued orders to have it repaired. Meanwhile she herself went 
 to the city, and about a month after she sent to her father's house the 
 materials for the entertainment, consisting of trays of gold and silver, 
 and the whole of the vessels also of gold and silver ; and having takea 
 
 * It is needless to remark, that Husn Banu is at present spoken o/a« a woman, 
 but spoken to as a man.
 
 HATIM TAi. 15 
 
 •a CTip full of rubies and jewels likewise, she carried tlioni wifh her. 
 She then sent forward her attendants to the mansion, and went herself 
 before the king, and said, " Now I will go for some djiys to the house 
 of Burzakh ; to-morrow I expect to entertain the renowned dervise 
 with a banquet, and pass some time in attendance upon him." On 
 this, the king observed, " It is well, such being the choice of my son ; 
 but consider this house even as your own." Husn Banu stood up and 
 spoke : " This befriended slave of your august Highness is truly 
 fortunate, but is unable to express a suitable acknowledgment. All 
 the choice remaining in this slave is in the will of your Majesty, 
 wheresoever you command me there I will stay." The king added, 
 *' wheresoever you be, let your heart be at ease."* 
 
 Husn Banu having taken leave of the king went to her father's 
 house, and ordered the materials for the banquet to be prepared. She 
 also sent one of her servants to wait upon the dervise, and say that, 
 if his Holiness would deign to visit her next day, it would be the 
 highest of favours. When the detestable Azrak heard the term 
 banquet, he replied that he would assuredly come next day. Husn 
 Banu ordered a princely throne, as on the previous occasion, and got 
 ready the entertainment. Next day that abominable dervise came, 
 and Husn Banu presented for his acceptance f all the jewels and the 
 cup of rubies which she had brought with her ; the dervise rejected 
 them all. She at the same time plai-ed all her moveables on a side- 
 board, in order that the eye of the dervise might constantly fall upon 
 them, and that his avarice might be increased. The dervise observed 
 them, and said in his heart, " to-nigiit 1 shall make some contrivance 
 for carrying off nil this treasure ;" and Husn Banu was at the same 
 time rejoicing in her heart, (thinking) " this night I shall have you 
 with all this property tied together and carried before the king." 
 
 In short, they brought the banquet before him, and presented him 
 with water to Avash t his hands, and offered him food of every sort 
 and description, and the dervise along with his forty attendants began 
 to eat. After having taken a few mouthfuls, he commanded that they 
 should desist. Husn Banu made many apologies, and said, " Do me 
 the kindness to eat (of my banquet), for your so doing will be happi- 
 
 * It would be difficult to translate this part literally, hut the meaning is here 
 given. 
 
 t By a collation with another MS. the word A\imbar is used, and not Nazar ; the 
 former is better. 
 
 X A well-known Mahomedan custom previous to eating.
 
 16 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ness to your slave." The dervise answered, saying, " To the pious 
 fakirs a few mouthfuls are sufficient ; to please you I have eaten 
 htartily, but my u^ual food consists of a few grains of wheat." When 
 they had ceased from eating, they were presented with perfumes ; 
 but the deivise was saying in his heart, " (he whole of this property 
 is mine." After some tinie the villainous Azrak took leave of IMahrd 
 Shah and came to his own house, and deliberated with his attendant 
 dervises one "with another, saying, " I have made a vow, and conse- 
 crated ir, and all the food you have eaten is to you as well as myself 
 an accursed thing, till you bring away the jewels, the gold, and the 
 silver." All the attendants said, "It is well ;" and when the night 
 set in, the whole of the fakirs with their chief were in readiness for 
 the theft. 
 
 Husn Banu also consulted her owm people, and ordered them to 
 leave the whole property in the same way (as at the banquet), and 
 open all the doors. She also wrote an explanatory letter to the 
 captain of the night-watch, concluding, " We shall be on our guard 
 here, do you also come and place yourselves in ambush, and the instant 
 that my people raise a shout, you shall present yourselves with the 
 utmost speed." She then charged her own people, saying, *' W^hen 
 the thieves come, you are not to move till they, after having seized 
 all the property, are on their return ; then you shall bind them 
 all fast with the goods (in their possession) ; and give the signal to 
 the kotwal, that he may come and seize them." Husn Banu's men, 
 agreeably to what their mistress had commanded, stationed themselves 
 as quietly as if they were dead. Meanwhile, Azrak with his forty 
 pious satellites arrived and entered the residence of Mahrii Shah, and 
 all (he property in money or effects Avhich was found they tied up in 
 bundles, and were carrying them off; Azrak himself having taken in 
 his hands the cup full of rubies, Avas returning wnth them. At that 
 instant Husn Banu's people and those belonging to the kotAval rushed 
 from their hiding places, and bound the thieves with their hands 
 behind their backs, whose hearts were like to burst from spite. The 
 thieves Avere then consigned to the charge of the niglit-watch, each 
 havinfj the bundle which he carried fastened to his neck ; and strict 
 orders Avere issued to secure them fast till morning, when the affair 
 should be decided before the king. 
 
 When Husn Banu saw that the enemy were overpowered and 
 taken captives, pleased and delighted, she called her servants and
 
 HATIM Tl'h 17 
 
 rewarded them tmiuificently, and then said, " So much of the night 
 etill remains, tliat period you may pass in repose." Next morning, 
 "when the king opened the public court, and was seated on the throne 
 of royalty, he observed, ''This last night there was a great deal of 
 uproar, does any one know what was the cause of it ?" During this, 
 the kotwal entered, and gave his report, saying, " About the time of 
 midnight a gang of thieves entered the residence of Mahrii Shah, the 
 house that belonged to Burzakh the merchant ; they had seized all the 
 property that Mahrii Shah had taken thither with him, and were on 
 their return when information was given to me : I hurried to the 
 spot, and having secured the thieves with the property, I have now 
 brought them before the public court ; and of the truth of this. Sire, 
 we are certain for we have witnessed the fact." When they were 
 thus discoursing, Mahru Shah entered and made his obeisance. The 
 king having caused him to be seated, said, " My son, pray did the 
 thieves last night break into your house?" Husn Banu said, in 
 reply, " Long live your Majesty : the kotwal of the city arrived 
 (with assistance) in time ; and now it will be best to summon all the 
 thieves into your royal presence." To this the king agreed, and 
 ordered them to be brought. The kotwal led them before the king 
 in a row, at the liead of which was Azrak with the cup of rubies 
 susijended to his neck, and after him the other dervises, each having 
 the bundle (which he had stolen) fastened to his neck, and his hands 
 tied behin.d him. 
 
 The instant the king saw them he remarked, that, " This man (at 
 their head) greatly resembles a certain dervise." Husn Banu said> 
 " Please your Majesty, let them be called nearer, and closely inspected ; 
 it is impossible that he should be the pious dervise." The king 
 mode a signal to the kotwal, who made the thieves one by one with 
 his bundle pass before his Majesty. The kotwal having thus sent 
 them by turns, Husn Banu rose up, and seizing the hand of the dervise 
 with the cup of rubies, led him l>efbre the king. His Majesty asked, 
 " What is this fastened to the neck of Azrak ?" Husn Banu displayed 
 the cup of rubies to the king's sight. The king was lost in amaze- 
 ment, and at last said, " Let every one of them be executed on the 
 scaifold, in order that the rest of the priesthood may be deterred from 
 such villainy, and that they may not mislead the people ; and let them 
 also be stripped naked.". When the thieves were stripped of their 
 f lothes, all their implements for thieving were discovered. The king 
 
 C
 
 18 THE ADVENTURES 0^ 
 
 issued an order, stating, " Let them be speedily executed on tlie 
 gibbet, and let whatever property belongs to Mahrii Shah be returned 
 to his own possession." 
 
 When Ilusn Banu saw that they were conveying Azrak to execu- 
 tion, she arose from her seat and stood with hands joined before the 
 king. His Majesty said, "What is your request?" Husn Banu 
 replied, " Oh, my Lord, I am the hei'editary child of your court, nay, 
 I am your Majesty's adopted daughter, the child of Burzakh the 
 merchant. I am she whom your Majesty on account of this very 
 dervise sentenced to banishment from your capital. The property 
 that belonged to my father is still in the residence of the dervise ; 
 liis house must therefore be strictly searched, in order that the whole 
 of his villainy may be discovered, and the veracity of your daughter's 
 declaration may be confirmed before your Majesty." The king, on 
 hearing these words, was greatly surprised,* and gave orders for 
 searching the house of Azrak. He then addressed Husn Banu, 
 saying, " I lately called thee my child, there my tongue tittered and 
 my mind conceived tvhat urns trne, t Thou art no longer Burzakh's 
 daughter, thou art my own daughter." — " May I hope then," said 
 Husn Banu, " that your Highness Avill condescend to visit the house 
 of your daughter in the desert ; there I have immense wealth, which 
 I will freely bestow on him who is both my king and my father." 
 To this invitation his Majesty agreed ; and in the meantime all the 
 property left by Burzakh was discovered in the house of Azrak, and 
 Husn Banu having presented the same to the king, returned to 
 Shahabad, and ordered the streets of the city to be adorned on each 
 side with elegant mirrors preparatory to his Majesty's visit. Two 
 days after, Kurdan Shah arrived at Shahabad, where Husn Banu 
 received him with due honours, and conducted hira to her own palace. 
 She then presented his Majesty with another cup full of rubies and 
 a golden tray filled with costly jewels, after which she pointed out 
 the seven pits containing the gold. 
 
 His Majesty was highly delighted, and Husn Banu requested him 
 to issue orders to his attendants for conveying the gold by loads to 
 the royal treasury. The king gave orders to that effect to his prime 
 minister, who along with the accountants proceeded to the mouth of 
 the pit. Whenever they attempted to take up the gold in order to 
 
 * Literally " bit the finger of perplexity with hii ttttU," 
 t Arabic,
 
 HJLTIM TAl. W 
 
 convey it away, the whole of it was turned into the forms of serpents 
 and dragons. The attendants were terrified, and sent notice of the 
 circumstance to the king. His Majesty on hearing this was astonished, 
 and Husn Banu's countenance turned pale* whilst she dreaded what 
 proceedings he might adopt. The king observed her anxiety, and 
 said, " My child, why has thy countenance turned pale ? Let nothing 
 disturb thy mind, but be of good cheer, for this gold is destined for 
 thee, and over it I have no power. Whatsoever thou pleasest do 
 with it, take it into thy own possession and use it." Husn Banu, 
 making her obeisance, addressed the king with the following request :: 
 *' Sii'e, it is my wish to make this city my home, and to spend this 
 treasure in the service of God, and also that no one may molest my 
 retirement." Kurdan Shah in courteous phrase replied, " Whereso- 
 ever thou dwellest thou art my child, and hast the command of this 
 treasure in thy own hand, do therefore as thou thinkest fit." 
 
 Kurdan Shah then sent back his people to guard his palace, and he- 
 himself, after residing seven days at the house of Husn Banu, returned 
 to the capital. After that, Husn Banu fitted up another house for 
 entertaining travellers, and bounteously furnished every individual 
 with food and drink suitable to his rank, and presented liim at his 
 departure with money for his journey, and such other jiiticles as 
 might be deemed useful, thus shewing her guests every attention. In 
 a short time the name of Husn Banu was celebrated by the travellers 
 through every city and towai to this effect : " There is a young lady not 
 yet married, by name Husn Banu, who is extremely bounteous towards 
 her fellow-creatures. Her servants and attendants are so endowed 
 with integrity that they will not defi-aud (the stranger) of a single 
 farthing, t Gracious heaven ! what an age is this, when menials 
 * are so conscientious ! What wonderful liberality, whereby they freely 
 bestow golden dinars upon the poor ! In the present times, people of 
 the world in general feel reluctant for every farthing and penny they 
 give to the poor, and menials without scruple X pilft3r men's property ; 
 but such as these have neither the fear of God nor regard for the 
 Prophet." In short, Husn Banu's fame shone clearer than the sun 
 throughout the quarters of the earth as far as the confines of the 
 world. 
 
 * Literally was changed iiitn t/e/hiniesf. 
 
 •(• Falvs plural of Fal.as and obolus or any small coin. 
 
 X The phrase is chashm basta in the original.
 
 20 TKF, ADYKNTUKES OF 
 
 THE HISTORY OF SHAHZADA MUNIR. 
 
 Historians have informed us that there was a certain king of 
 Kharzim who had a son accoin})lis]ied in mind ; and that, through the 
 medium of several men of intelligence, the fame of Ilusn Banu came 
 to the hearing of this prince. In the heart of this youth was formed 
 an eager desire to see Husn Banu ; he therefore sent his own painter 
 with the view of having a sight of Husn Banu, so as to have a portrait 
 of her drawn and brought tb him. The painter departed, and after 
 several days arrived in Shahabad, where Husn Banu's people, accoi'd- 
 ing to their general custom, attended and presented him with food, 
 shewing him every attention. After some stay, when about to take 
 leave, they conveyed him to Husn Banu's presence ; she kindly 
 inquired into his circumstances, and offered him money for his journey. 
 The painter said, " My wish is to serve under your government, and 
 spend the remainder of my life on your threshold." Husn ,Banu 
 asked, " What is your profession?" — "lam," said he, " a painter, 
 who can delineate the moon from behind a curtain."* Husn Banu 
 then said, " Well, you may delay (your departure) for a little ;" and 
 some short time after she began to consider in her mind, "how can I 
 get a portrait of myself, for the painter is a stranger.! However, 
 what will be the harm of his delineating my features from behind tlie 
 curtain ?" The painter said, " Most bountiful lady, do you stand on 
 the roof;}: of the house, and cause a vessel full of water to be placed 
 below, then look down into that vessel." Husn Banu did so, and the 
 painter seeing her form in the water, droAV the picture and went with 
 it to his own house, where he delineated every Hue and mole § that 
 existed on the original. He at the same time made two copies of the 
 portrait, one of which he presented to Husn Banu, and the other he 
 kept for himself. Shortly after, he requested leave of Husn Banu to 
 return for his family, if agreeable to her ; on which she furnished 
 him with money for the journey, and granted him permission. 
 
 * In Mahommedan countries, painters draw ladies' portraits from behind a curtain 
 or thin veil, as it would be considered a breach of delicacy in a female to shew hor 
 face to a stranger. 
 
 + Literally, one who is not permitted to enter the harem. 
 
 X Roofs in the East are flat. 
 
 § Moles arc considered as a rare beauty, and where (he face has them not 
 naturally, tlioy are often supplied by art.
 
 HATIM TAl. 2[ 
 
 The painter then conreyed the portrait of Husn Eanu to his own 
 prince, who, the instant he saw the picture, became quite frantic. 
 When he returned to his senses, he determined in his own mind to set 
 ofi' without his father's leave ; and without mon^ or necessaries for 
 the journey, Avithout infoi-ming any one of his design, and taking no 
 one with him, he put his trust in God, and at the dead of night 
 departed for Shahabad, where in due time he arrived, after encounter- 
 ing the fatigues of the road. Husn Banu's people brought him food, as 
 was their wont with regard toothers, and shewed him all possible atten- 
 tion. Next morning they offered the prince coins of yellow gold, 
 saying, " Accept this for expenditure on your Avay." The prince 
 replied, " To me gold is of no use." Husn Banu's people observed, 
 " You seem penniless, pray accept this yellow gold, for our lady 
 bestows it in the service of God. As he persisted in saying that it had 
 no value for him, they informed Husn Banu, that " a traveller arrived 
 yesterday, who will neither eat food sufficient for him, nor accept 
 yellow gold." Husn Banu having summoned him to her presence, 
 said, " Well, stranger, why do you refuse gold ? Gold is a thing 
 which in times of difficulty people find useful ; it converts the pale* 
 countenance to red." The prince replied, " When I came hither I 
 left much treasure and gold behind me. I am Prince of Kharzira ; 
 thy portrait has driven me mad, and my ardent desire to see thy face 
 has sent me hither." Husn Banu held down her head, and after some 
 time said, " Young man, abandon such vain ideas ; if you were the 
 zephyr itself, you should not have wafted your breath over ray 
 ringlets." The prince to this replied, " At least I will sacrifice this 
 my miserable life at thy gates." — " To give away your life," said 
 Husn Banu, " is easy, but to see my face is impossible : however, if 
 this idea has found a place in your heart, then you must submit to my 
 injunctions. The prince said, " Command me, and I shall from my 
 soul consider it as a favour." Husn Banu said, " The first thing I 
 have to propose is this saying, ' What I once saiv I long for a 
 second time ; ' and you must travel till you find an explanation of it. 
 Inform me where the man is that utters these words, and also what 
 he has seen. After you have brought me a solution of this first 
 enigma, I shall tell you the second." The prince asked where that 
 man dwelt ; to which, Husn Banu replied, " If I myself knew that^ 
 I should have sent ray own people for the investigation of the circum- 
 
 * Yellow or Saffron,
 
 22 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 stance." The prince held down his head for some time, and then 
 said, " I am ignorant in what direction I ought to go." — " Then," 
 replied Ilusn Banu, " banish from your thought the idea of seeing 
 my face." Here f^ prince observed. *' Thus bewildered, Avhither 
 can I go ? I have at least one resource left, and that is to die in thy 
 city." — " In my city," said Husn Banu, " there is no room for such 
 as speak thus foolishly ; my people would neither permit nor suffer 
 your remaining, nay, they would speedily expel you with disgrace." 
 Hereupon the prince said, " I suppose I must direct my steps towards 
 the desert, in order to fmd the way and (explore) the intricacies leading 
 to the abode of that man who exclaims in the words abovementioned. 
 If my stars prove friendly it is well, and if otherwise, I will sacrifice 
 my life for thee." Husn Banu then stated, " It will be requisite to 
 enter into an agreement as to the length of time for which I am to 
 expect your return." To this the prince said, " For the space of ono 
 year." 
 
 Husn Banu then ordered them to present him with food to eat and 
 water to wash his hands ; and having furnished him with necessaries 
 for his journey, she requested to know his name. The prince replied, 
 that his name was Munir Shami ;* and then taking leave of Husn Banu, 
 like one deprived of sight and hearing, he shaped his course to the 
 wilderness, and with tears in his eyes began to traverse the mountains 
 and the deserts. In short, the prince wandered towards the borders 
 of Yemen, and sitting down underneath a tree in the desert, he gave 
 vent to his tears copiously as the showers of early spring. It happened 
 that Hatim Tai w^as passing that way on a hunting excursion, and 
 came close by the prince Munir. Hatim seeing a handsome youth 
 with elegant apparel thus weeping, his heart melted on his account, 
 and his eyes were filled with tears, as he said, " What calamity can 
 have befallen this stranger ? I must go and inquire." He went up 
 to the prince, and in condoling language asked him, " Oh, brother ! 
 what distress has happened to thee, and what accident has occurred 
 that thou weepest so ?" The prince raised his head, and was surprised 
 at seeing a youth of pleasant countenance, and of air and gait noble 
 as the sun, the flowers in the rosebud of his cheeks fully blown, clothed 
 in elegant apparel, and having his person accoutred with armour, 
 standing by him and interesting himself in his condition. He replied 
 then, " Oh, youth of benignant countenaiice, to me what avails the 
 
 * Shami, the Syriau. The name Sham is applied to the couatry ai-ound Damascus..
 
 HATIM TAi. 23 
 
 mentioning of my sorrow?, •which can be alleviated neither by my 
 telling, nor by jour hearing ?" Hatim said to him, " Let your mind 
 be at ease ; communicate to me the secrets of your heart, and what- 
 soever lies in my power, as my trust is in God, I vfjmnot fail to perform. 
 I will supply you with money if it be of use to you ; and my frail life 
 is constantly devoted to the service of the Almighty, which consists 
 in relieving the distress of my fellow-creatures." The prince Munir, 
 in rapture, exclaimed, " Oh, brother ! may God preserve your life, 
 and instantly taking out Husn Banu's portrait, which he kept in his 
 "bosom, he handed it to Hatira, and said, "Judge yourself what must 
 be my condition." Hatim looked at the portrait and remained for 
 some time in a state of abstraction ; at length, he said, " With regard 
 to those questions which she proposes, if you can suggest to me any 
 plan, I will use every exertion in its accomplishment."* 
 
 In short, Hatim carried the prince along with him into Yemen, and 
 there hospitably entertained him. After they had rested three days 
 he asked the prince whether he had any method to point out by which 
 he could serve him. The prince replied, " Alas ! I can propose 
 nothing ; to you I resign the aftliir and its accomplishment, and will 
 remain grateful for your kindness while I have the breath of life." 
 Hatim called his domestics and strictly charged them, saying, " You 
 shall continue to supply travellers with food, and the poor with money, 
 the same as if I myself were present ; so that it may not be known 
 that I have gone any where from home, and let each of you be 
 diligently occupied in his own department." Having issued these 
 orders, he took the prince by the hand, and set out from the capital of 
 Yemen on the road that leads to Shahabad, where, in the course of 
 time, after encountering the toils of the journey, they both arrived. 
 
 Husn Banu's people conveyed them to the caravanserai, presented 
 them with food, and offered them yellow gold. Hatim (rejected both), 
 saying, " Worthy people, I have not come either for food or gold ; I 
 will neither taste of the one nor accept of the other?" Of this the 
 people informed Husn Banu, Avho having summoned them both to her 
 presence, said to them, " Why do you refuse gold, a thing which will 
 one day be of service to you ? The wise have remarked, ' a thing 
 laid by, will be found useful, though it be even the head of a serpent.'"+ 
 
 * Literally " I will gird up the loins of exertions." 
 
 + " Keep a thing by you seven years and you will find use for it." — Engliskor 
 Scotch proverb.
 
 24 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 llntim observing that the amassing of gold was proper only for the 
 purpose of distributing it, stated, "Lady, the fame of your beauty and 
 perfections has reach("d my ears ; now if you will agree to one request 
 of mine, I will acc6|k of your gold and eat of your food, but otherwise 
 1 will depart hungry and thirsty from your city." Husn Bauu asked 
 him, ** Stranger, what is the request with which you wish me to 
 comply?" Ilatim answered, saying, "For one instant unveil your 
 face, and afterwai'ds I shall do whatsoever you command." Husn 
 Banu said, " Till once you have brought a solution to my seven ques. 
 tions, it will be impossible for you to see me unveiled." Hatim asked 
 what the seven questions were ; and Avithout waiting the reply, added, 
 " you must promise me further that, if I should answer them, you shall 
 become mine, and that on whomsoever I may bestow you, you shall 
 not dispute tny commands." Husn Banu assented, saying, " When 
 I shall have become yours, you shall do with me what you think 
 proper ; you can either bestow me on any other person, or cause me 
 to remain in your own house." Hatim then observed, that it would be 
 requisite to call some witnesses, in whose presence this agreement 
 might be ratified. This was accordingly done, and Hatim had the 
 agreement confirmed before several people. After this, food was 
 presented, of which they partook, and Hatim addressing Husn Banu, 
 said, " This prince is my brother, Avho is to remain in your city till 
 my return, and to him I expect that you will pay some attention." To 
 this Husn Banu assented, and Hatim then requested to know her first 
 question. " My first question," replied Husn Banu " is this : There 
 is a certain man who exclaims, ' JVhat I once saw, I iony for a 
 second dme.' Where is that man ? what has he seen ? and why does 
 he long for the same a second time ? \A'hcn you have brought me 
 all this information, I shall then tell you my second question." Hatim 
 having heard this, took leave of Husn Banu, and having conducted 
 the prince ^lunir to the Mihman-scrai,* he set out (on his perilous 
 journey.) 
 
 Hatim began to consider in his mind, " Now, where am I to go, of 
 whom can I ask my way, and what plan ought I to adopt ?" But, on 
 further reflexion, he said to himself, " I have, by the aid of God, 
 devoted my Vvhole exertions to the service of my fellow creatures, 
 without any selfish consideration : assuredly, then, my Creator will 
 conduct me to the prober place." With this ref exion, he fixed his 
 
 * The house appointed for guestti or litraiigers.
 
 lIATni TAl. 2."> 
 
 reliance on God, mikI proceeded towards the wilderness. After a few 
 days he arrived in a desert where not a bird was seen to flap its wing. 
 Two or three days thence he was, startled at seeing a wolf in pursuit 
 of a milch doe,* and so near that he was on the point of seizing her. 
 Hatim shouted aloud to the wolf, " Ravenous animal desist, she has a 
 young one, and the milk flows from her udder." The wolf stood 
 still, and said, " Undoubtedly you are Hatim, as your heart is endow- 
 ed with such compassion." He asked, "How do you know that I 
 am Hatim ?" The wolf replied, " There is none but Hatim who 
 evinces compassion and kindness to this extent towards his fellow 
 creatures, rational and irrational ; and the name of Hatim is renowned 
 in every quarter. But as you have this day withheld me from my 
 prey, let me now" have something to eat." — " What do you eat ?" 
 said Hatim. The wolf answered, " Flesh is my food." Hatim said 
 to liim, " If the small quantity of flesh which is on my body bo 
 agreeable to you, say the word, and I will give it you." — "Nothing 
 can be better," replied the wolf, '-than the flesh on your thi.i;li." 
 Hatim then unsheathed his knife, and having cut away the flesh from 
 liis own thigh, he threw it to the wolf. The latter ate, and was 
 satisfied, and said, " Oh, Hatim ! why have you left your oavu cai)ital 
 of Yemen, and for Avhat reason do you wander in this desert ?" 
 Hatim told the wolf, that the prince Munir Shami had fallen in love 
 with Husn Banu ; that she had seven questions for proposing, and 
 that she was to accept only that man who could answer them ; " and 
 I," said Hatim, " have undertaken, through the aid of Providence, to 
 accomplish this task. The first question is this : ' Where is the man 
 who exclaims. What I once saw, I long for a second time T In 
 order to be informed of this I sallied forth, recommending myself to 
 God ; but not knowing where that man is, I have directed my course 
 to the desert, and thus far I have advanced." The wolf here replied, 
 " I do not know myself the place where that man is, but I have heard 
 from the report of others that liis abode is in the desert of HSwaida, 
 and that whosoever goes thither will see him." Hatim asked the 
 wolf whether he knew where the desert of HSwaida lay ; to which 
 he answered, " As you go forward from hence, the road branches 
 into two ; avoid the path to the left, and proceed on that to the right 
 hand, it will lead you to the desert of IlSwaida." 
 
 * The orig-inal is (BacMw&r) having a yoiuig; and wild as the narrative is. it will be 
 allowed that this incident is beautifully conceived to excite sympathy. 
 
 D
 
 2(5 THE ADVKNTURK* OF 
 
 Meanwhile the doc, having testified her gmtitude to Hatim, depart- 
 ed ; and the wolf likewise took his leave. Each of these animals 
 looked back to see whether Hatim   followed them; but the pain 
 arising from his woupd was so intense that he could not proceed, and 
 he fell down at the side of a tree. It happened that underneath that 
 tree a pair of jackals had formed their haunt, and were at that moment 
 absent in search of food. IMien the two jackals returned, they 
 observed Hatim asleep, and the female said to the male, " Here is one 
 of the human race, how has he been brought hither ? We must quit 
 this place, for he can have no sympathy towards creatures of a 
 •different species." The male replied, "It is probable that this is 
 Hatim on his way to explore the desert of HSwaida ; and has sunk 
 down exhausted from the pain in his thigh." The female said,* 
 "How do you know that this is Hatim?" M. "I have been 
 informed by the learned that on a certain day Hatim should arrive at 
 this tree." F. " What sort of a personage is Hatim ?" — M. " He 
 is Prince of Yemen, and one of God's elect, and many a trial awaits 
 him ; we must not leave liim distressed in heart." — F. " Hoav has 
 he fallen into this state ?" — " A '.volf was about to seize a milch doe 
 (to devour her), and Hatim cut the flesh from his own thigh, and 
 gave it to the wolf in lieu of the doe, Avhich he thus preserved by 
 involving himself in calamity." — F. "Among the human race, are 
 there really soniie who are thus endowed with humanity ? Heaven 
 knows, there is little compassion in mankind !" — M. " The Inmian 
 race are the noblest of God's creatures ; and Hatim in particular is 
 extremely generous, endowed with humanity, and oi" high honour ; he 
 is also one who foareth and adorcth the Creator, for whose sake he 
 tore off his own flesh and gave it to the wolf." — F. " Thus wounded 
 in the thigh, how can he live ? or when can he reach the desert of 
 HSwaida ?" — M. " If the brains of the fowl called the ParirQ f 
 could be applied to his wound, a complete cure would have taken 
 place in the short space of an hour ; but this remedy it is (almost) 
 impossible to procure from the place where it is." — /'. " Where is it 
 to be found ?" — M. " In the desert of jVIa/anderan ; it is a fowl like 
 a peacock, with a head like that of the human race. He allures all 
 those -who attempt to seize him, by giving them sherbet to drink, l)y 
 
 * To avoid the interminable Gooft of the original, the conversation of the 
 jackals is thrown into the shape of » dialogue— J/, male. F. female, 
 f Angcl-faced, or fairy-faced.
 
 HATi:>[ TAi. 27 
 
 the gracefulness of his movements and the sweetness of his looks."*— 
 F. " Who is it then that can bring this remedy, and by the grace of 
 Ood restore Hatira to health ?" — 31. '•' If you will attend to this 
 youth for the space of seven days, I will go and bring the head of 
 that fowl." — F. " Nothing can be better, for it will be an instance 
 of humanity from the part of the brute creation towards the human 
 race. Until you return, Avhile life remains in my body, I will not 
 suffer a living creature to come near this youth." 
 
 .Hatim was listening to the conversation of the jackals, but he was 
 so exhausted that he had not the strength to I'ise up. MeauAvhile the 
 male jiickal, leaving the female, set out for Mazauderan ; and on his 
 arrival there, he saw the animal he was in quest of, sleeping under- 
 neath a tree. He approached it, and seizing its head (in his mouth), 
 he gave it such a pull that he severed it from the body, and returning 
 with it he arrived agreeaJuly to his promise. The female (during his 
 absence) had rested neither night nor day, nor did she suiFer any living 
 creature to approach the tree. Hatim was conscious of all this, how 
 the jakals having procured the head of the Paririi, had now placed it 
 before his female companion. The female jackal then with her mouth 
 forced open the head, and having extracted the brain, applied it to 
 Hatim's wound. The instant it was applied, Hatim's pain was 
 removed ; he rose up, and looking at the jackals, said, "You, though 
 of the brute creation, have acted most humanely tOAvards me ; but 
 you have without cause deprived another animal of life : in this you 
 have not done well." The male jackal said. " For that crime let mc 
 be answerable ; and do you rest at ease. What, though I am of the 
 brute creation, still I acknowledge a merciful God." About an hour 
 passed in such discourse, after which the flesh closed on Hatim's 
 wound, and he experienced a complete cure. He then addressed the 
 jackals, saying, " You have acted, most beneficently towards me ; 
 command mc then in any way 1 can do you a favour, and whatever 
 service you will require of me I will Avith all my heart and soul 
 accomplish." The jackals replied, " In this neighbourhood there 
 lives a couple of ravenous hyenas, that every year devour our young 
 . ones, our strength being of no avail against them. If it is in your 
 power, i-emove from us their depredations, and it will be doing us the 
 highest of favours." 
 
 This passage is rather freely translated, but the meaning is preserved.
 
 28 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Hatim i-equested the jackal to shew him the haunt of tlie hyenas ; 
 which being doiif, he set out, but found that the phice was empty. 
 He there sat down til! it was night, when both hyenas male and female 
 arrived, and were surprised at seeing a man stationed in their abode. 
 Growling, they said to him in their own language, " Oh, sou of man ! 
 this is our dwelling place, not yours ; Iioav came you to sit here ? 
 Arise, and go your way, otherwise we shall tear you to pieces in this 
 very spot." Ilutim replied, " Creatures of the Almighty, your own 
 lives are dear to you, so ought you to consider the lives of others ; 
 and if you delight in destroying life, tremble for your own. On what 
 account do you devour the young of the helpless jackals ? Truly you 
 liave not the fear of God, and you have need to repent." They said 
 to him, " How come you to feel sympathy for the jackals ? why do you 
 not look after your own affairs ?" Hatim replied, '• I beseech you, 
 by that God who hath created you and the whole universe, to abstain 
 from eating their flesh ; God is bountiful, and he will assuredly send 
 you sustenance." The hyenas, in answer to this, said, " We never 
 will spare them." 
 
 When Hatim found them thus callous and unmerciful, and dis- 
 inclined to act honestly, he instantly sprung forward and suspended 
 himself to the necks of the hyenas, by which means he threw them 
 down, and fettered them. He then considered with himself, ''If I 
 kill them (it will be contrary to my nature), for hilherto I have not 
 inflicted pain on an}^ living creature;" but on farlher reflection it 
 came into his mind, that it was highly ])roper to chastise ferocious 
 animals. He therefore drew forth his knife, and having broken the 
 teeth and cut ofl' the claws of the hyenas he left them, and devoutly 
 ])rayed to God to relieve the pain of the animals. The hearer of 
 prayers attended to Hatim's request, and removed the pain from the 
 liyenas. Hatim then untied tiie fetters and set the animals at liberty ; 
 Ihey fell at hi^ feet, saying: "How can we henceforth receive 
 sustenance?" He replied, "God is bountiful." IMeanwhile the 
 jackals presented themselves, and said, "Henceforth let the maintenance 
 of the hyenas be left to our care, and while we live we shall jnovide 
 for them." 
 
 In short, Hatim took leave of the jackals and proceeded on his way 
 through the desert. Alter he had gone, the female jackal said to the 
 male, " It would be very unkind that Hatim shouhl waniler alone 
 to the desert ol llAwaida, and you not to shew him the way." Here
 
 HATIM ^rAi. 2.9 
 
 the male jnekal running, made up to him. and said, "Oh, Hatim ! 
 let me ac(;ompaiiy you to HSwaida." Hatim answered, '" Ah-eudy 
 you have done me one kind deed, which I have not yet requited ; wliy 
 then do you lay me under further obligations ?" To this the jackal 
 said, " Servant of the Almighty, why should I allow you to wander 
 astray from the country?" Hatim replied, "I will by no means 
 take you away in my company ; and if you have a desire to set me 
 on the right way, it is quite sufficient that you shew me the proper 
 path." The jackal then said, " Oh, youth ! there is one way Avhich 
 is near, but it has dangers innumerable ; and there is another which 
 is circuitous, and extremely rough ; for this reason allow me to go 
 with you." In reply to this, Hatim said, " Do you shew me the 
 nearest way, and God will render it smooth for me." The jackal then 
 directed him, saying, " Go straight forward to a place Avhere the road 
 divides into four branches, and then hold on that which leads riffht 
 on : it is the shortest way, and if you can go safe it Avill take you to 
 the desert of HSwaida." Hatim bade adieu to the jackal and 
 advanced ; and after one month he arrived at the four divisions of 
 the road, and keeping the direct path, advanced in the direction of the 
 deserf. 
 
 After he had gone part of the way, several bears presented them- 
 selves to his sioht, ibr there the kincr of the bears with a thousand of 
 these uncouth animals held his court, and it happened on that particular 
 day that they were out on an excursion. When Hatim was seen by 
 the bears, they instantly sent intelligence to their king that they had 
 that day beheld one of the human race. H^s Majesty commanded 
 them to seize the man and bring him thither ; and the bears having 
 caught Hatim, carried him with them. When the king of the bears 
 minutely observed Hatim, he gave orders that he should be taken 
 care of, and conveyed to their abode, to which they all returned- 
 After this, when Hatim was brought before the king, his Majesty 
 said, " Descendant of Adam, be seated, and tell us whence you came, 
 and what is your name ; but that is unnecessary, for you are Hatim.'' 
 Hatim answered, " Yes, I am ; and I have come hither in the service 
 of my Creator." His Majesty then said to him, " Truly you are 
 most welcome and I will give you my daughter in marriage, for as 
 yet I have met with none so proper for a son-in-law that I could 
 bestow her on him, as it would be unbecoming to espouse her to any 
 of my subjects or servants." On hearing this tempting proposal,
 
 t]i) THE ADVENTrRKS OF 
 
 Hatim held down his head. The king of the bears asked him, 
 " What is the cause of your holding down your head ? have you 
 nothing to say in reply ? am I forsooth unworthy of being your 
 father-in-law ?" Hatim at last said, " You are of the brute creation, 
 I of the human race, what conformity is there between us?" The 
 bear said, " Oh, Hatim ! rest you content on that score, and let 
 nothing disturb your mind, for my daughter is of your own species." 
 
 His Majesty then ordered his daughter to be arrayed and presented, 
 and said to Hatim, " Go and look at her for one instant." Hatim 
 rose up and beheld a female in human shape, and beautiful as the 
 moon in her fourteenth night. He was wrapt hi wonder, and having 
 returned to his Majesty, he said, " You are a king and I am a beggar, 
 it would be disrespectful in me to presume to espouse your daughter." 
 The bear replied, " You shall accept of her, notwithstanding every 
 objection which you can contrive. Pray are you not Prince of 
 Yemen ?" Hatim began to reflect, " what a scrape I have fallen into ! 
 I have come forth ou a particular service ; how then can I remain 
 captive here ?" The bear observed his thoughtfulness a second time, 
 and said, " Oh, Hatim ! if you accept not my daughter, I shall send 
 you into a ])lace of confinement, where you shall remain fast till the 
 day of judgment." Here Hatim attempted a reply, but the bear 
 became angry, and ordered them to confine Hatim in a certain dun- 
 geon, and keep strict watch over him. Instantly the bears carried 
 Hatim to the dungeon, and having removed a large stone of extreme 
 hardness they made him fast, and replaced the stone as before on the 
 mouth of the dungeon. In this hole, Hatim, hungry, thirsty, and 
 bewildei'ed, was left for the space of two weeks, at the expiration of 
 ■which the king sent for him, and having made him sit beside him, 
 said, " Oh, Hatim ! will you now espouse my daughter ?" Hatim 
 still remained silent, and the king ordered fruits to be brought and 
 presented to him. Hatim being hungry, ate of the fruit and quenched 
 his thirst with pure water, after Avhich the bear again insisted on his 
 marrying his daughter. To this, Hatim at last replied, that there 
 could be no relationship between mankind and other animals ; on 
 hearing Avhich, the king of the bears ordered him to be again shut up 
 in the dungeon. 
 
 After some days, Hatim, exhausted with hunger and thirst, fell 
 into a slumber, and in a dream he saw an aged man, who thus 
 addressed him : " Oh, Hatim ! why art thou thus dilatory in the service
 
 "HATLNr TAi, 81 
 
 which thou hast taken in hand ; and why dost thou not comply with 
 the bear's request ?" He answered, " If I accept his daughter, they 
 will never permit me to leave them for the accomplishment of my 
 task." The aged man again replied, " On that alone your liberation 
 ■depends, for otherwise you must soon perish in this dungeon ; there- 
 fore accept as your wife the bear's daughter, and for this compliance 
 on your part, she will effectually assist in setting you at liberty." 
 Here Hatim awaked from his dream, and in about two weeks after he 
 was again brought before the king of the bears. His Majesty seated 
 Hatim beside him, and repeated his former proposal, which being 
 agreed to, he seized Hatim by the hand and placed him upon his own 
 throne, and issued orders for his grandees to be in attendance. Agree- 
 ments were then entered into, accoi'ding to the usages of that race, 
 after which the bear conveyed Hatim to tlie apartment of his daughter. 
 There, to his surprise, he found the halls decorated with the most 
 splendid couches such as belong to royalty ; and on a splendid throne 
 was seated his bride .-irrayed in gold and nil sorts of jewels. For a 
 short time he stood bewiklered, when the king took the hand of his 
 daughter and resigned her to Hatim agreeably to established custom. 
 Every day the king sent a variety of the most delicious fruits for 
 Hatim, till at length tlie latter observed, that to live entirely on fruit 
 'did not agree with him, and that he would prefer more substantial 
 food. On hearing this, the king ordered his emissaries to collect 
 from places inhabited by men all sorts of flour, sugar, milk and butter, 
 also vessels of porcelain. The order was no sooner expressed than 
 executed, and thus Hatim was enabled to fare sumptuously twice a 
 day on food the most delicious, which he himself dressed. 
 
 In this manner six months elapsed, when one day Hatim, address- 
 ing the bear's daughter, baid, " I have left home on a special service, 
 and your father has forcibly detained me here ; if you will permit 
 my absence for some time, and make your father assent to this measure, 
 when I have accomplished my undertaking I will return and live 
 w^ith you." The bear's daughter instantly went to her father, and 
 acquainted him with Hatim's request ; to which the king I'eplied, 
 " Daughter he is your husband, if you are yourself satislied you have 
 my consent." The daughter observed, " Hatim appears to be a man 
 of sincerity, he will assuredly return according to his promise." In 
 short, the king gave his permission, and ordered some of his subjects 
 to conduct Hatim beyond the boundai'ies of his dominions. Hatim
 
 o2 Tni: ADVKXTUKES OF 
 
 liaviiifT taken leave of liis Avife, departed, and after some lime arrived 
 at a sandy desert which contained not a bingle human dwelUng. 
 Hatim placed his reliance upon God and proceeded ; meanwhile a 
 mysterious man with tattered garment presented him every evening 
 ■with a loaf of bread and a jug full of water, which, after offering his 
 thanks to the Creator, he ate, and thus continued to advance. Sud- 
 denly he espied before him a dragon, the liead of which was reared up 
 to the height of a mountain. At first sight he was dreadfully alarmed, 
 but gradually began to su])pose that it must be all a mass of stind. 
 When he drew nearer, tlie dragon observing him, inhaled his breath, 
 and Hatim was irresistibly drawn from the earth notwithstanding his 
 utmost efforts to keep himself firm, and in an instant lie was swallowed 
 alive by the monster. 
 
 When Hatim found himself in the dragon's belly, he remembered 
 his Creator, and with pious resignation to his will, said, " This I 
 have merited, polluted as I am with sins ; it has been my wish to 
 become one of the servants of God, but ah, helpless me ! what avail 
 my frail efforts!" Thus Hatim constantly kept in mind the 
 beneficence of the Almighty, for whosoever puts his trust in God, and 
 sincerely devotes his life and fortune to the accomplishing of 
 what is acceptable unto the Almighty, him the Creator will never 
 forsake when in calaraitv. Sometimes he trieth his servants even 
 {is he tried Job the prophet of Irani, Avho bore his sufferings with 
 patience and resignation. In like manner it behoveth the true 
 servants of the Almighty that in every calamity they remain patient 
 and resigned. 
 
 For three days and nights Hatim thus continued in (he loathsome 
 belly of the dragon, where he would have speedily died were it not 
 for a talismanic pearl which his wife, the bear's daugliter, had fixed 
 in his turban previous to his departure. This pearl had a charm ia 
 it by which its possessor became secured against the bad effects of 
 fire and poison, and hence the venom of the dragon had no effect on 
 Ilatim. In truth the bounteous Creator had in time provided him 
 with an antidote, as it Avas his will that Hatim should live. Mean- 
 wliile the dragon, hearlily Avishing to be rid of Hatim, said to himself, 
 «' What troublesome stuff" haA'e I swalloAved here ? I can ncA^er digest 
 it, for it still lives and moves about Avithin me." It may be conceived 
 that Hatim found little rest within the dragon's belly ; and as he Avas 
 constantly endeavouring to stand up and Avalk about, the trampling of
 
 HATni TAl. o3 
 
 his feet upon the stomach of the monster so annoyed the liuttei' that he 
 coiled and reared in all directions. 
 
 At length, when he found that his food was really destructive and 
 caused him such pain, he bore it no longer, and making a strong effort 
 he vomited, and Hatim was once more thrown into the open air where 
 the dragon left him and fled into the wilderness. Ilatim remained on 
 the spot for some time till his clothes were dried by the sun, and 
 then proceeded on his way till, after traversing the sandy desert, he 
 arrived exhausted with hunger and thirst on the banks of a river. 
 Here he began to wash both himself and his clothes, when he observed 
 a large fish playing near him. Hatim was congratulating himself oa 
 this providential supply of food, when the fish, of which the half was 
 a human form of extreme beauty, being in fact the mermaid, approach- 
 ed, and seizing him by the hand, instantly drew him into the river. 
 Hatim struggled hard to keep his ground, but his strength was of no 
 avail ; the fish hurried him through the deep, and thus conveyed him 
 into her place of residence. Here he found himself in a splendid 
 apartment seated on a superb couch, and the mermaid endeavouring 
 by every sort of contrivance to reconcile him to his captivity. 
 
 For seven nights and days Hatim remained the dejected captive of 
 this monster of the deep. At last becoming desperate, he said, " I 
 have travelled thus far on business the most urgent, leaving my home 
 and kindred ; Avliy then dost thou urge me to become an inmate of 
 this thy abode ? My sadness will never allow me to be an agreeable 
 companion, I pray thee then to conduct me to that place whence I 
 huve been forcibly dragged." To this the mermaid replied, " Oh, 
 Hatim ! stay with me three days longer, and I will consent to thy 
 release." When the three--' days had elapsed, Hatim reminded the 
 mermaid of her promise, to which she replied, " Every thing which 
 tends to thy welfixre shall be accomplished, yet remain a few days 
 more." Hatim said, " Remember thy promise, for to stay a moment 
 longer is to me impossible." The mermaid finding Hatim resolute, at 
 last took him by the hand, and in an instant conveyed him to the spot 
 from which she had taken him, and as alastefibrt said, " Oh, Hatim ! 
 is it really your intention to part with me?" — "My duty" said 
 Hatim, "is urgent, and nothing shall make me shrink from it." 
 When Hatim gave this decisive answer, the mermaid vanished. He 
 then finished the washing of his clothes, in which he had been 
 
 * For particular reasons, the nhole lyvlh. of the original ia not oiven ht
 
 34 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 previously interrupted, and after drying them in the sun, he dressed 
 himself, and once more set out. 
 
 After he had journeyed for some days he approached a mountain, 
 the top of which was covered with trees in beautiful clusters. Having 
 ascended, he entered these groves, which were lined with elegant 
 couches, and through which flowed rivulets of jjure water. The cool 
 zephyr wafting its fragrance through the trees rendered the situation 
 refreshing to the soul. Hatim reclined ou one of the couches, and soon 
 fell asleep. Meanwhile the proprietor of the place passing by, was 
 surprised on beholding a youth of graceful mien there asleep. He sat 
 down beside him, and shortly after Hatim, refreshed by sleep, sat up, 
 and seeing a stranger seated by him, he respectfully saluted him. 
 The other, in courteous terms, returned his salutation, and said, 
 " Whence came you, and whither are you going ? Pray tell me, 
 what are your motives for traversing this dreary waste ?" Hatim 
 repUed, " I am on my way to the desert of HSwaida." The stranger, 
 on hearing this, said, " How came you to adopt so mad a resolution ? 
 has none of your ft'iends been kind enough to prevent your journey ?" 
 — " Such," said Hatim, " is my sincere intention ; and placing my 
 reliance on God, I have undertaken this task, and have proceeded 
 thus far on my way. A prince, by name Munir Shami, has fallen 
 despei'ately in love with Husn Bauu, the daughter of Burzakh the 
 merchant. The lady has asked of the prince seven questions, the solution 
 of which is beyond his power. Weeping in the agonies of despair, ho 
 quitted the haunts of men and turned his face to the mounUiins and 
 deserts, where I chanced to meet with him. I inquired into the cause 
 of his distress, and learned from him his heart-melting tale. It came 
 into my mind, that to question the distressed as to his circianstances, 
 and then not to make an effort to relieve him, would be a line of 
 conduct unbecoming a man. For this reason, Sir, I have endeavoured 
 to do my best in his cause." 
 
 The stranger then said, " Assuredly you must be Hatim himself ; 
 for with the exception of Hatim, there is not a man alive who would 
 have acted in such a maimer. Generous Hatim ! God is beneficent, 
 and to you will render the task easy ; but remember, that hitherto no 
 one has I'eturned in safety from the desert of HSwaida, and the few 
 who have thence retraced their steps became distracted in mind and 
 lost to the world ; however, since you do go, give ear to my advice. 
 The instant you approach the desert of Hawaida, they will assail you
 
 HATIM TAh 35^ 
 
 with enchantment, against Avhich your power and strength will be of 
 no avail. Around you will gather damsels of surpassing beauty, and 
 among these will be a nymph heart-ravishing, of graceful form, with 
 waving tresses I'esplendeut as the full moon ; the moment you behold 
 her your heart will be beyond your control, but you must remain firm 
 of mind and not give way. Should you then resolve to advance, you 
 have merely to take this fair damsel by the hand, and in an instant 
 you will find yourself in the desert of HSwaida. Now, Hatim ! if 
 you do not follow my advice, you will have cause to repent of it till 
 your dying hour." 
 
 When he had done speaking, a man advanced to the couch on which 
 they sat with a table in his hands, and having fixed it before them, he 
 covered it Avith cloth and presented them with water to wash their 
 hands. He then laid upon the table a large bowl full of milk and rice, 
 and two flaggons full of pure water the most delicious that Hatim had 
 ever tasted. Having rested there during the night, Hatim next 
 morning took leave of his host and departed. After journeying for 
 some days, he arrived on the shore of a lake surrounded with shady 
 trees and brim-full of clear water. When he was wrapt in admiration 
 of this scene, a nymph of more than mortal beauty naked from head 
 to foot gracefully arose from the water. Hatim, dazzled with her 
 splendour, covered his eyes, and the nymph seizing him by the hand 
 hurried him into the deep. Hatim found himself for some time 
 sinking rapidly, till at last his feet rested on firm ground. He then 
 opened his eyes, and to his astonishment beheld around him a most 
 beautiful and extensive garden. Here the nympli of the lake shortly 
 after quitted her hold of his hand, and vanished from his sight. 
 Hatim walked a considerable way through the garden, when, lo !. 
 thousands of beautiful women approaolied hira from every quarter, 
 each of whom assailed him with her attractions, and endeavoured to 
 pierce his heart with the arrows of her amorous glances. 
 
 To all these, however, Hatim paid not the least regard, for he kept 
 in mind the advice of the stranger who had lately entertained him, 
 and said to himself, " this is all enchantment." The damsels then 
 laid hold of Hatim and conveyed him to a splendid palace, which was 
 entirely formed of precious stones and all sorts of jewels and pearls, 
 and also decorated with numberless paintings. When Hatim was 
 inside the palace, standing near a throne which he viewed with 
 admiration, he thought within himself, '• Now that I am in this
 
 S6 THE ADVENTrRES OF 
 
 palace, wljy slioulil I not fov once sit ui)on tliat tlirone ?" lie tlicre- 
 fore advanced, and on hiyitifrliis foot on the throne he heard a tremen- 
 dous crash ; he started hack, thhiking tliat the throne had been broken 
 under liis weight. lie once more examined it, and seeing no ground 
 for what he had imagined, lie mounted the throne and sat down, lie 
 was no sooner upon the throne than the noise was repeated, and the 
 beautiful damsel whom the stranger on the mountain had mentioned 
 to him as likely to take his heart captive, approached him with smiles 
 the most alluring. She was arrayed in gold and jewels of the highest 
 jirice ; and with a veil cast over her countenance, she advanced and 
 stood at tlie foot of the throne. Hatim was completely bewildered, 
 and felt the strongest inclination to remove the veil from her face ; 
 but then he remembered the advice he had received, and said in his 
 own mind, " It is only by seizing the hand of this dam=el that I am 
 to be delivered from this enchantment ; however, ere I depart I 
 must see further into the delusions of this i)lace." For three nichts 
 and days Ilatim remaineil seated on the throne. The darkness of the 
 night Avas dispelled by magic lamps which to him were invisible, and 
 his ears were delighted with melodious sounds. Fantastic groui)S in 
 endless variety danced along the scene, but all along the damsel of 
 surpassing beauty stood by the throne, sweetly smiling in his face. 
 They presented him with food and fruits of every description in costly 
 dishes ; but although Hatim ate most heartily, liis hunger was not in 
 the least appeased. Wondering in Ids mind, he said to himself, 
 " Though I am constantly eating I am never satiated, how is this to 
 be accounted for ?" In this manner three days had elapsed, and on 
 the fourth he said to himself, " Oh, Ilatim I wei-e you to look for a 
 hundred years at these delusive appearances, still you would not have 
 tired of them. At the same time you have left behind you a helpless 
 youth, Avhose expectations are fixed on your exertions ; if you waste 
 the time Avhat will you have to answer before God ?" 
 
 Hatim then seized the hand of the fair damsel, which he had no 
 sooner done than a female form issued from the foot of the throne, 
 and struck him a blow which felled him to the giound. He opened 
 his eyes, and on looking round him saw not a trace of the garden, the 
 palace, the thi'one, or the damsels. A dreary and boundless wilderness 
 })i"esented itself to his view, Avhich lie knew to be the desert of 
 HSwaida. lie then commenced his search for the man in rpiest of 
 whom he had travelled, and alter he had wandered for fome space, his
 
 HATBI TA'l". n7 
 
 ear was greeted by llie ■welcome sound of" IVlat I on re scnc, I long 
 for a second time." Hatira listened with attention, and three times 
 did he distinctly hear this sound, after -whicli all was silent. He 
 proceeded in the direction in which the voice was heard, and for 
 seven nights and days he thus advanced. On his way he often heard 
 the words repeated as it were before him, but never could he discover 
 the person by whom they Avere uttered. 
 
 Ilatim thus bewildered still advanced, when, lo ! on the evening 
 of the ninth day he saiiv an old man resting liimself on the bare earth. 
 Ilatim approached and saluted the old man, who courteously returning 
 his salutation, said to him, " Young stranger, Avhence came you, and 
 •what is your business here ?" — " Venerable Sir," said Ilatim, " my 
 business here is to learn truly from you what is it that you have seen 
 once, and long to behold a second time." — " Sit down by me," said 
 the aged man, " and I will tell you all." Hatim sat down, and in an 
 instant two loaves and two flaggons full of pure water miraculously 
 appeared before them. The old man handed to Hatim one of the loaves 
 and one of the pitchers full of water, and reserved an equal quantity 
 for himself, and both of them silently ate and drank. After their refresh- 
 ment, Hatim addressed the old man, saying, " Venerable Sir, pray tell 
 me the meaning of these words Avhich you have so often repeated." To 
 this, the aged man replied, " I once upon a time arrived at the border 
 of a lake, from the waters of which arose a damsel of angelic appear- 
 ance, who, seizing me by the hand, hurried me into the midst of the 
 deep. When I opened my eyes, I beheld to my astonishment a beaute- 
 ous garden, from every quarter of which damsels fairest of form came 
 in troops around me. At last they carried me into a palace, and left 
 me standing beside a gorgeous throne, wliich I mounted, and then sat 
 down, beholding with admiration the objects that presented themselves 
 to my view. A beautiful damsel with a veil gracefully thrown over 
 her face approached and stood before the throne. The instant I 
 beheld her fairy form, I lost hold of the reins of mv heart and 
 became frantic. I removed the veil from her face ; she smiled 
 irresistibly, and my transport knew no bounds. I seized her hand in 
 order to seat her upon the throne, when on a sudden another female 
 form seemed to issue from the earth beneath us, and raising herself, she 
 struck me a blow which hurled me into this desert. Here I wander 
 restless and forlorn, and my thoughts are ever fixed on the image of 
 that heart-ravishing angel."
 
 38 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Thus spoke the aged man, and then sighing bitterly he shed a flood 
 of tears, and like a maniac flew in every direction, crying aloud* 
 " What I once saw, I long for a second tinier Hatim ran in pursuit 
 of him, and seizing him by the arm, said to him, " Venerable Sir, 
 will your mind be at ease if you should see that fairy form a second 
 time ?" — " Assuredly, young man," said he, " but the case is impossi- 
 ble." — " Follow me," said Hatim, "and I will conduct you to her 
 abode." The old man joyfully accompanied Hatim ; and after 
 travelling for some days, they entered the shady groves on the banks 
 of the lake already mentioned. 
 
 Hatim then addressed his aged companion, saying, "Now, venerable 
 Sir, when you again arrive in the enchanted palace, if it be your wish 
 to remain there admiring the angelic damsel, you must on no account 
 seize her hand or remove her veil. If you lay hold of her hand, the 
 same disaster from which you have now made your escape will again 
 befall you, and your retracing your way back to that enchanted paradise 
 will be impossible. That I have been enabled to do so, is owing to 
 the kindness of a hermit of exemplary piety, Avho gave me proper 
 directions when on my way hither. Do you noAv ascend into yonder 
 tree on the border of the lake, and the naked nymph will arise out of 
 the water as formerly." 
 
 Here Hatim took leave of the old man, and the instant the latter 
 ascended the tree that overhung the lake, the nymph gracefully arose 
 out of the water, and seizing him by the hand hurried him into the 
 midst of the deep. Hatim now began to retrace his steps towards 
 Shaliabad, and in a few days arrived at the abode of the hermit on the 
 inoiuitain, to whom he related his whole adventure. Having taken 
 an atlectionate leave of the hermit, he journeyed onwards till he arrived 
 in the desert of the bears, where he spent a Avhole month enjoying the 
 society of his beautiful wife, the bear's daughter. That period having 
 elapsed, he bade adieu to his wife and neio kindred, and his next stage 
 was the residence of the jackals. After parting Avitli the latter, 
 nothing occurred worth notice till his safe arrival in Shaliabad, where 
 he was recognized and conducted to the caravanserai by Husn Baiui'a 
 people. The I'rince Munir Shami prostrated himself at Hatim's 
 feet, in order to give vent to his gratitude ; but Hatim raised him 
 to his bosom, and related to him all that he had seen. 
 
 Hiilini, accompanied by the prince, waited nj)on Husn Bami, who 
 having veiled herself, most courteously received them, and addressing
 
 HATIM TAi. 39 
 
 Hatim, she said, " Tell me, brave youth, what news have you 
 brought?" — "An aged man," replied Hatim, "in the desert of 
 HSwa'ida once saw by the effect of magic a damsel of angelic form. 
 She deprived him of his heart and of his senses, and since that time 
 he has traversed the wilderness, ciying aloud, " What I once saw, 
 I long for a second time." Hatim then gave a full account to Husu 
 Banu of the nature of the enchanted paradise, and how he had conveyed 
 the old man to the banks of the lake through which he might re-enter 
 the magic scene. " In fine," said Hatim, " those sounds shall be 
 heard no more in the desert, for I have conducted the old man to the 
 abode of that Houri who had robbed him of his heart. 
 
 When Husn Banu heard the whole adventure, she expressed her 
 admiration ; and the nurse addressing her, said, " Tlie youth speaks 
 truly, for the case is really as he has related." Food was then brought 
 in, and Hatim was urged to take refreshment. This done, he said to 
 Husn Banu, " The Supreme Creator has enabled me to explain one 
 of your questions ; let me now hear another, that I may endeavour to 
 accomplish its solution." — " Rest yourself," said Husn Banu, " for 
 some days till you are recovered from your present fatigue." Husu 
 Banu at the same time was deeply though secretly enamoured of the 
 prince Munir, but respect for her own dignity compelled her to abide 
 by her declaration, and there was no resource except the solution of 
 the seven questions. 
 
 Hatim and the prince Munir rested for the night in the palace of 
 Husn Banu, and next day waited upon her for the purpose of taking 
 leave. Hatim requested to know her second question, which she 
 told him, as follows : " I have heard," said Husn Banu, " that a 
 certain person has written above his dooi", ' Do good and cast it 
 upon the toaterj What means this motto, and where lives the writer 
 of it ? Having investigated this mystery, return and tell me the 
 result ; that is, the good that he has done, and cast upon the ivaters," 
 Hatim then took leave of Husn Banu, and having soothed the anxiety 
 of the prince Munir, departed on his second adventure.
 
 40 Tin; AUVKNTIRES OF 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 I/dtitns Jouniet/ in (/nest of the Man of the Motto — His arriral at 
 the famous Mountain of Kaf-- — His finding the motto in question 
 ivritten on the door of Harith, froin ivhom he leai-ns its signiji' 
 cation — His return, and safe arrival in Shahabad. 
 
 When Ilaliin was taking leave of liusii Baiiu, he asked her, 
 *' Pray, can you tell me in Avhat country the man lives ?" — *' I have 
 not," said the lady, " the least idea." The uurse however replied, 
 saying, " He resides in the city of Maadin, which is in a northerly 
 direction, but I know nothing further as to where that city is situated." 
 Hatim, without further delay, set out from Shahabad, and proceeded 
 towards the north. After several days had thus passed, he ajjproached 
 the skirts of a desert. It was then drawing towards evening, and 
 Hatim observing a tree on the confines of the wilderness, halted 
 underneath it, and began to look around him on all sides. On a 
 sudden, a voice that betokened the deepest sorrow reached his ear. 
 His heart glowed with pity ; and he said in his own mind, " Oh, 
 Hatim ! dost thou think it proper that a fellow creature overwhelmed 
 in distress should be thus left to sigh and lament, without thy inquiring 
 into the cause of his sorrows ?" 
 
 Hatim got up, and followed the direction of the voice which he had 
 heard. He saw a young man stretched upon the ground, with his 
 cheeks bedewed with tears ; his eyes languid, and his colour pale, 
 who sighed and lamented bitterly as he uttered the following couplet : 
 
 * The Mahommedans of the olden times, like the Christians before Copernicus, 
 considered the eai'th as a plane of a circular form. On the confines or circumference 
 of this circle it was, of course, necessary to have a substantial balustrade, to prevent 
 such stra^Klers as might approach the remotest bounds from falling into another 
 world : accordingly a mountain of immense altitude, which the Arabs called 
 Kaf, probablj' from its supposed resemblance to a letter of their alphabet of the 
 same name, was made to extend all round the earth. Hence the expression " from 
 Kaf to Kaf," signifying from one extremity of the earth to the opposite. The 
 mountain Kaf was further supposed to be the abode of spirits, fairies, and giants. 
 
 The Arabian lexicographers describe this mountain as being formed of emerald. 
 In the Borhani-Kati, a valuable Persian Dictionary, we have the following descrip- 
 tion of it: "Kaf, the name of a famous mountain whicli surrounds the four 
 quarters of the earth. They say that its altitude is five hundred farasangs 
 (nearly two thousand English miles I) and for the most f>arl the sea washes the 
 base of it," &c.
 
 ttATIM TAl. 41 
 
 *' Whither can 1 go, whom can I consult ? Oh, tell me ivhat cure 
 to apply, for the arrow of love has pierced my imoard soul." 
 
 Hatim addressed the youth, saying, " Friend, Avhat calamity has be- 
 fallen you so as to occasion your sighing and weeping in tliis manner ?' 
 — " Brother," said the youth, " why should I relate the tale of my 
 woe ? My telling it can bring no relief, and my rehearsing it will 
 increase my anguish." Here Hatim most kindly said to him, " At 
 least let me know Avhere lies the difficulty." The young man thus 
 proceeded with his story : " I am a merchant, and I sometimes visit 
 a spacious city distant from hence aliout four farasangs.* In that 
 city lives a merchant by name llarith, who has a daughter of sur- 
 passing beauty, resembling the full moon. One day I went to the 
 city in the Avay of business, and happened to pass by the dwelling of 
 llarith the merchant. The daughter was at that moment looking out 
 at one of the windows, and all at once my eyes were attracted 
 towards her. The instant 1 beheld this beauty, my heart rebelled 
 beyond my control, and reason abandoned my mind ; in a word, I was 
 taken captive in the fetters of love. 
 
 " I inquired of some of the people in the city, ' Pray, sirs, whose 
 house is this ?' — ' It is,' said they, ' the residence of Harith's daughter.' 
 I asked them further, ' Can you tell me whether the lady be married 
 or not ?' They replied, ' Truly, sir, she is unmarried as yet ; her 
 father has three questions, and has resolved to bestow his daughter on 
 that man oidy who can answer them.' My uneasiness was so great 
 that I straightway went to Harith's gate, and sent him a message 
 announcing my object. Harith replied, saying, ' I have no control 
 over my daughter in this case, she is left to choose for herself. She 
 has three questions to propose, and she will accept as her husband the 
 man wdio can answer them to her satisfaction.' 
 
 "I thence proceeded to the door of the npartment of Harith's 
 daughter, and by message announced my attendance. The lady 
 invited me to enter, and having caused me to be seated in an elegant 
 chamber, she sent me word to this effect : ' First you must sifn 
 an agreement with me, and then I will converse with you.' To this 
 I replied, that I was ready to obey whatever she should command. 
 The lady then informed me, ' If you solve my three questions, 1 shall 
 
 * The farasang is nearly equivalent to four English miles in length. The 
 Borhani-Kati describes it as consisting- of twelve thousanel gnz, each guz being 
 equal to twenty-four finger breadths. 
 
 V
 
 42 THE ADVENTURES or 
 
 become entirely yours ; but if you succeed not, all your wealth and 
 property shall be mine.' In my ardoui- I at once agreed to these 
 conditions, and requested her further commands. 
 
 '* She proceeded saying, ' My first question is this : in the vicinity 
 of our city is a cave the inside of which no one has hitherto explored, 
 nor is it known how far it extends ; examine this cave, and let mo 
 know the result. 
 
 " ' My second question is as follows : on the night of Jumat* a 
 voice is heard in the wilderness of some one who exclaims, ' I have 
 done nothing which can benefit me this night.' Bring me an account 
 of this person, and tell me why he reiterates such an exclamation. 
 
 " ' My third question : There is a fairy by name Mah-pari, who has 
 in her possession the precious stone called the Shah-muhra ;t find out 
 this fairy's abode, and procure for me the jewel.' 
 
 " When she had finished her commands, I returned to my house 
 and conveyed to her the whole of my wealth and property, of which 
 she is now in possession. I then quitted the city, and made my way 
 into this desert. Here I "wander involved in calamities : on the one 
 hand, I have parted with all my substance, and have deprived myself 
 of a home ; and on the other, the arrow of love still pierces my heart.";!; 
 
 Hatim, on hearing the young man's history, said to him, " Let your 
 mind be easy as to this aifair ; only conduct me to that city, and I 
 shall endeavour to put you in possession of your mistress, and restore 
 to vou your lost property." The youth said, " In my present state 
 my wealth would be useless ; let me but gain my mistress, for without 
 her my life will be insupportable." 
 
 Hatim took the youth by the hand, and both set out for the city. 
 When they arrived, they rested a little at a caravanserai ; there Hatim 
 left his companion, and having gone to the gate of Harith's daughter, 
 he addressed the porter, saying, " Tell your mistress that I wish to 
 speak with her on n)atrimonial affairs." The attendants immediately 
 conveyed the intelligence to their mistress, that a youth had arrived at 
 the gate who longed to converse with her. The lady, on hearing this, 
 
 * Jnmnt or Juma i^ that day of tho week which the Mahommedaiis have appointed 
 for devotion, and answers to our Friday. 
 
 + Shab-muhra, a fabidous precious stone, supposed to be found only in the 
 mouth of the dragon or serpent. 
 
 * Oriental ■^Titers place the seat of affection not in the heart hnt tha liver ; 
 at least the latter is the part at which Cupid generally aims his arrows. We find 
 the same idea frequently expressed by the Greek poets.
 
 HATIM TAl. 48 
 
 threw on her veil, and gave orders that Hutim should be introduced. 
 She then stated to him the three queries abovementioned, concerning 
 which Hatira replied, " If your fatlier Vv'ill enter into a written agree- 
 ment with me, I will solve your questions. The terms are as follows : 
 when I shall have brought satisfactory answers to your questions, you 
 must submit to be bestowed by me on Avhomsoever I please, and tho 
 choice of your disposal shall be left entirely with me." 
 
 " When you have answered my questions," said the lady, " I shall 
 be yours ; and then you may dispose of me as you deem proper." — 
 " Enough," said Hatim ; " now send for your father." The father 
 accordingly attended, and Hatim received from him a written agree- 
 ment to the effect already stated. The daughter, addressing Hatim, 
 said, " If you should prove unsuccessful in the solution of any of the- 
 above queries, what will be the consequence ?" — " Wealth," said 
 Hatim, " I have none, but my head is at your disposal." On hearing 
 this, the lady was satisfied, and at Hatim's request, thus stated her 
 first questions : " In the vicinity of this city is a cave, well known 
 to all the inhabitants ; bring me a true account of it, and inform 
 me of its innermost secrets." 
 
 Hatim took leave of the lady, and taking with him some of her 
 people as guides, he set out from the city, and soon arrived at th-e 
 mouth of the cave, which was situated about three farasangs distant. 
 When the guides had brought Hatim to the mouth of the cave, he 
 paid to them, " Now, Avhether will you return to the city, or remain 
 here till I come out?" They answered him, saying, "We are 
 ordered not to quit this spot till you come out, so here we shall 
 remain ; meanwhile one of us shall return to the city, in order to 
 procure food." 
 
 Hatim threw himself into the cave, and began to explore his way. 
 For the whole of that, and several successive days, he continued to 
 advance, till at last he saw a glimmering light. He then supposed 
 that he had reached the extremity of the cave and bethought himself 
 that he ought to return. But on further consideration, he said in his 
 own mind, " If people ask of me aught concerning the mysteries of 
 its interior, what answer can I give ?" He therefore issued out 
 from the extremity of the cave, and continued to advance. Before 
 him lay a boundless desert, through which flowed rivulets of water. 
 Hatim had brought with him from the city two bags full of kernels 
 of almonds, and a flask full of water. Of these he ate a h\\ every
 
 44 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 «lay, and after expressing his tliaiiks to the Creator, lie pursued liis 
 route, and wlieu his flask full of water was exhausted, he supplied 
 himself from the streams that flowed through the desert. 
 
 After journeying for several days, Hatim beheld a lofty and extensive 
 wall or rampart, and after examining it all around he discovered that 
 there was a town eont-ained within it. He entered within the walls, 
 and as he advanced towards the town he found traces of its being 
 inhabited ; and when he approached still nearer, he saw that the natives 
 were demons.* 
 
 The moment that Hatim was perceived by the demons they rushed 
 upon him, male and female, and having surrounded him, they seized 
 him with the intention of tearing him to pieces, in order to devour 
 him. One of the demons interfered, saying, " This is one of Adam's 
 race, and his flesh is a most delicious morsel ; if you appropriate him 
 to your own use, and our king should know of it, he will certainly 
 annihilate every soul of you. You must not therefore touch a hair 
 of him without the king's permission." The demons asked, in return, 
 " Who is he that will convey the information to the king ?" The 
 other replied, " Among us there ai'e many enemies ; therefoi'e listen 
 to my advice, and lay not a finger on this man." 
 
 The demons accordingly left Hatim and retired to their haunts. 
 Hatim then proceeded onwards through the city, and was very soon 
 surrounded and laid hold of by others. Here his case was truly 
 desperate, for they were i*eady to devour him. One of them however 
 again interfered, and thus addressed them : " The deed you are about 
 to do will be fatal to you. You must so proceed in this afTair, that 
 the earthly man be conveyed to the king. His Majesty's daughter is 
 sick, and he himself is afflicted with an inward pain,, from which he 
 never enjoys a moment's respite. Thousands of the human race have 
 been procured, and are now kept in confinement by our monarch, but 
 as yet he has found no remedy ; and at the same tim(3 his Majesty 
 says that he is to be cured by one of the sons of Adam. If, in short, 
 th(! king should hear that in such a town a man should have arrived 
 and bi!cn devoured by you, he would have punished Avith death both 
 yourselves and your wives and children. If, on the other hand, by 
 
 * The word Dev according to D'Herbclot, is the name of a race of .spirits which 
 resemble neither angels, devils, nor men ; being what are called Genii or Demons, 
 and nearly the sanio as the giants in (Iroek mythology.
 
 HATIM TAT. 45 
 
 means of this man his Majesty's health shouhl be restored, Avhat can 
 be more gratifying ? And if otherwise, why then, this man will be 
 kejtt in confinement along with the rest of his species." 
 
 To this replied another of the demons : " We lately conveyed sucbj 
 a being as this to his Majesty, but no cure was the consequence ; so- 
 we had nothing but reproaches for our trouble. Why should we- 
 concern ourselves Avith this man ? Since he has once entered our 
 country he cannot escape, and it is best to let him make his way to the 
 king of his own accord, and I shall watch him in order that no one- 
 else may assail him." 
 
 When Hatira had listened to this conversation of the demons, he' 
 said in his own mind, " Now, I wonder what can be the nature of 
 their monarch's disease ? I must inquire into his case, as well as that 
 of his daughter." Having made this resolution, he departed and left 
 the town. Shortly after he beheld at a distance another of their 
 towns ; and as he approached it, the demon inhabitants caine upon 
 him and carried him befoi'e their chief. Now it happened that the 
 wife of the chief had a violent pain in her eyes, from which water 
 constantly flowed. 
 
 When the demons entered with Hatim, the chief raised his head, 
 which was bent downwards in sorrow for his wife, and thus addressed 
 them : " Why have you brought hither this man ? Release him, and 
 let him go where he pleaseth." When Hatim beheld the anguish of 
 the chief, his heart was moved with pity, and he said to himself, " I 
 must inquire into the cause of his affliction." He approached, and 
 said, " Most worthy chief, what grieves thee, and why sittest thou 
 thus melancholy." — " Son of man," replied the demon chief, " what 
 avails my telling thee ? My wife is tormented with a pain in her 
 eyes, without any interval of relief?" — " If," said Hatim, " thou wilt 
 conduct me to her presence, I will cure her of her pain." 
 
 The demon rose up, and seizing Hatim by the hand, led him forth- 
 with into his wife's apartment. In passing, Hatim was struck with 
 admiration as he viewed the princely couches that lined the spacious 
 galleries laid out with neatness and regularity ; and a splendid throne 
 with piles of cushions, on which reclined the wife of the chief. As 
 they approached hei-, the demon said to Hatim, " Behold in what a 
 sea of affliction she is involved !" — "Of that," said Hatim, " I will 
 completely cure her, if thou will pi-omise to conduct me to the king of 
 ihe demons,"
 
 46 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 The chief swuie bv the seal of Suleiman,* the prophet of Iram, and' 
 «aid, " Nothing can be more agreeable to me than to conduct thee 
 before his Majesty, for it will afford me an opportunity of paying him 
 my respects and besides he is desirous to have some one of thy race 
 tliat may cure him of his disease." Hatim had brought with him the 
 pearl w^hich his wife had given him at parting with strict injunctions to 
 preserve it, telling him at the same time, " This is a token of my 
 affection, and is possessed of many virtues." He now drew forth this 
 pearl, and having immersed it in pure water, he applied the latter to the 
 eyes of the chiefs wife. The instant this remedy Avas applied, her 
 pain was alleviated, and the swelling of her eyes diminished, and they 
 became dried up. For some time previous she had continued quite 
 blind ; but she now opened her eyes, and after two or three applications 
 of this remedy she experienced a complete cure. 
 
 When the chief of the demons saw that his wife was cured, he with.- 
 the utmost kindness detained Hatim some time at his house, and most 
 hospitably entertained him, and bestowed upon him every attention in 
 his power. After some days he conducted him into the presence of 
 the king, whose name was Farokash. When the demon chief was 
 honoured with an audience from his king, having made a low obeisance, 
 he respectfully stood before his Majesty, and thus represented his 
 errand : " Sire, one of the human race is come into my possession ; 
 he is the most learned of the age, and the most skilful of physicians, 
 possessed of a most benevolent heart. My wife was so afflicted with 
 a pain in her eyes that her life was despaired of, and in one day he 
 completely cured her." 
 
 When Farokash, the monarch of the demons, heard this intelligence, 
 his heart rejoiced, and he gave orders to the chief to produce this 
 learned man with all speed. Hatim was presented to the king, who 
 treated him with great courtesy, and made him sit beside him. His 
 Majesty then stated his case, saying, " For some time I have been 
 afflicted with a pain in my stomach, and amidst my own subjects no 
 one has been successful in curing me. Remediless, I have had recourse 
 
 * Suleiman (Solomon) is a name, than which none is more famous in eastern tales. 
 He is renowned not only on account of his wisdom, but also for his magnificence 
 and supernatural power. His dominion extended over every living creature that 
 inhabited the earth. The Creator placed under his obedience the whole race of 
 fairies, spirits, demons and genii, good and bad, among all of which the oath by 
 Suleiman is inviolable.
 
 HATIM TAi. 47 
 
 V 
 
 to the hunifKi race, -but none of them has as yet afforded me the least 
 relief." 
 
 Hatim said to the king, " Pray tell me, Sire, are there raauy of 
 your servants usually in attendance when you sit down to take food ?" 
 His Majesty replied, that every one of his servants usually stood in 
 his presence at such times. Hatim then requested that he should be 
 allowed to be present on that day when his Majesty should dine, which 
 request was readily granted. 
 
 When the time of eating arrived, the table was laid out, and the 
 food was placed upon it. When his Majesty was about to commence 
 eating, Hatim requested him to desist for a little. He then took a 
 joint of meat, and held it up so that every eye in the house might look 
 upon it. He then ordered them to lay it aside under cover for about 
 the space of an hour, after which he caused the cover to be removed, 
 and lo ! all the meat on the joint had in that short time become worms. 
 Farokash was an observer of this wonderful occurrence, and remarked 
 to Hatim, " Most learned Sir, this is truly strange." — "This, Sire," 
 said Hatim, " accounts for the pain you suffer, and the cause of it is 
 that a malignant eye has fallen upon the meat. Henceforth it will be 
 necessary that you eat in private, and that all your attendants be 
 previously satisfied witli food ; then your Majesty mny eat to 
 advantage, for the consequence will be a complete cure, and the pain 
 will be removed." 
 
 The king was highly pleased with Hatim's advice, which he forth- 
 with put in practice ; and in a short time his pain entirely left him, 
 and he enjoyed perfect health. He gratefully clasped Hatim in his 
 bosom, and placed him upon a throne similar to his own. Hatim thus 
 honoured, ventured to petition the king of the demons as follows : 
 " Sire, you are now restored to health ; may I beg that you will 
 libei'ate such of my fellow-ci'eatures as are now your prisoners, in 
 order that they may return to'their own country." 
 
 His Majesty ordered that all the sons of Adam then in his posses- 
 sion should be ushered into his presence, which was no sooner said than 
 done. He bestowed on each of them a splendid dress, entertained 
 them hospitably, and having furnished them with necessaries for their 
 journey, dismissed them. The king then addressed Hatim, saying, 
 " Learned Sir, I have a favour to ask of you, if it be not too much 
 trouble for you to grant it ?" — " It will afford me a sincere pleasure," 
 said Hatim, '• to comply with your commands." — '' I have a daughter,"
 
 48 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 rpjoined the kiiis^, "' who has hecn sick lor sonic time, arid my wish i.s 
 that you will for an instant visit her." To this Jlaliin readily 
 assented, and the king seizing liim ])y the hand, conducted him into 
 the more private apartments of the house, and gave orders that his 
 daughter should attend. 
 
 As the daughter of Farokash entered ; Hatim viewed her face, the 
 colour of which had become all pale and yelloAV. He gave orders ta 
 bring some water and sugar. These he mixed together so as to form 
 a pleasant draught ; he then dropped into it the charmed pearl and 
 handed the goblet to the king's daughter to drink. In a short time 
 she experienced great relief, and when night came she enjoyed a most 
 profound sleep. At length her father, somewliat alarmed, said ta 
 Hatim, " Pray tell me, most learned man, what means this long 
 sleep ?" Hatim replied, " Sire, rest you satisfied ; if this sleep had 
 not ensued ^ve should have had cause to fear." 
 
 For the space of three days Hatim continued to administer this 
 draught to his patient, after which period she was alloAved some small 
 quantity of light food ; and in the course of ten or fifteen days she 
 was restored to perfect health, and her countenance assumed its natural 
 appearance. Hatim then addressed Farokash, saying, " Your daughter 
 is completely cured, so I hope you will allow me to depart, iu order 
 that I may look after my own affairs." 
 
 Farokash brought for Hatim's acceptance such a mine of wealth, 
 both in pure gold and in valuable jewels, as to be altogether beyond 
 cah!ulation. His Majesty at the same time apologized to Hatim 
 for such an offer, saying, " This dross is indeed unfit to be presented 
 to you, but it will suit your servants and attendants ; I therefore 
 hope you will accept it as a mark of my regard." Here Hatim 
 observed, "I am alone ; how then shall I be able to carry it." On 
 hearing this, the king gave orders to his demon subjects, saying, 
 "Let all this wealth be carefully packed up, and you shall accompany 
 this worthy mau, in order to carry it to whatsoever place he may 
 desire you." 
 
 Hatim took leave of the king, and having taken Avith him the whole 
 of the jewels and gold, he departed under the guidance of the demons. 
 In about six months he arrived at the extremity of the cave through 
 which he had entered the dominions of Farokash. The guides 
 accompanied him through the cave, and in the space of three days 
 lauded him safe at its mouth. Hatim a.-ked them, " Have you any
 
 HATIM TaY. 43 
 
 ©bjections to go furtlier ? " They replied, " Our orders will not 
 permit us to accompany you beyond the mouth of the cave;" and 
 accordingly they laid down their burdens of gold and jewels on that 
 same spot, and forthwith began to retrace their steps. 
 
 When the people that had been stationed at the mouth of the cave 
 by Harith's daughter saw the demons, they all ran off. Hatim shouted 
 after them, '" Good people, be not afraid ; I am Hatim, the man who 
 some time ago entered in order to explore this cave. I ana now safely 
 returned ; why then do you run away from me ? " The people looked 
 back, and seeing Hatim, they recognized him and returned. 
 
 Hatim having sent for the youth whom he had left in the caravanserai 
 at his departure, said to him, " On you I bestow all this money and 
 these jewels which I have procured." He then caused the valuably 
 effects to be conveyed into the city to the young man's residence. 
 The youth fell at Hatim's feet, but the latter quickly raised him up, 
 and kindly clasped him to his bosom. 
 
 Meanwhile the people belonging to Harith's daughter conveyed to 
 their mistress the news of Hatim's arrival. The merchant's daughter 
 immediately sent for him, and requested to know the result of his 
 adventure. He minutely detniled to her the nature of the cave, and, 
 every circumstance connected Avith his journey among the demons. 
 He then said to her, " Thus I have answered one of your questions ; 
 let me now hear your next, that I may immediately set about its 
 Bolution." 
 
 Harith's daughter stated her second question, as follows : " There 
 is heard in the desert the voice of a man, who exclaims, ' / have done 
 nothing lohich can benefit me this night.' " 
 
 On hearing this, Hatim returned to the caravanserai, and after 
 taking leave of the young man, he set out for the desert. One night, 
 which happened to be that of Jumat, as he was reclining underneath 
 a tree, and occupied in adoring the Supreme Creator, suddenly his 
 ears caught the sound, " / have done nothing which might have been 
 of service to me this night." For the whole of that night Hatim 
 continued to advance in that direction from which the sound reached 
 his ear. When daylight came he again sat down under the shade of 
 a tree, and began to deliberate with himself whether he should turn to 
 the right hand or to the left. 
 
 While he was thus uncertain as to his route, he happened to espy a 
 Tillage on the confines of the desert. Thither he bent his steps, in
 
 .">(> I THE ADVENTLTRF.S OF 
 
 order to fake some repose till the night of Jumat shotiKl again arrivp. 
 When it came to the nppointeil hour, Hatim once more heard the 
 sound repeated, and speedily set out in order to make up to it. He 
 entered the desert, and for the whole of that night continued to advance 
 without arresting his steps for an instant. 
 
 When daylight shone upon him, he halted for the purpose of repose, 
 and soon after his ears were assailed with the voice of sorrow and 
 lamentation. He started up, and after advancing some distance he 
 beheld a village, the iiihahit^nts of which were all assembled tosether 
 weeping and lamenting bitterly. Hatim approached, and asked one 
 of them, " What is the cause of your weeping and lamentation?" 
 They answered him, " Once a week a monstrous giant comes to our 
 village, and devours one of our number; and if we do not appease 
 him by the sacrifice of a human creature, he will raze our abodes to 
 the dust, and destroy us all. At present Ihe lot has fallen on the sou 
 of our chief ; on Thursday the monster will come, and the four days 
 that intervene till that time are devoted to weeping and mourning. 
 The youth's relations are at this moment standing around him, 
 extolling his virtues and lamenting his fate. This, Sir, is the cause of 
 the grief that now overwhelms our village." 
 
 Hatim inquired of the people, " Which of this assembly is the 
 chiefs son, and which the parents and relatives ?" These were 
 pointed out to Hatim, who approached the chief, and said to him. 
 " Honoured Sir, pray tell me what sort of monster is this, and what 
 form does he assume ? Meanwhile be under no anxiety, for I, as 
 substitute for your son, will face the giant." The chief replied, 
 '" Brave youth ! may heaven reward your generosity ; you seem a 
 stranger too in our village." — " Suffice it for the present," said Hatim, 
 " that I have drank of your waters, you have tliereforc a claim upon 
 my friendship ; do you only describe to me in what form this monster 
 usually appears." 
 
 The chief of the village drew a sketch of the monster upon the 
 Fand ; on seeing which, Hatim observed, " This must be the giant 
 Haluka by name ; he is invulnerable against all weapons, but if you 
 will follow my directions, I trust that, if it should please God the 
 Supreme, I may be able to overcome him." All the people anxiously 
 asked him, " How is this to be done ?" Hatim addressing the chief, 
 •aid. " Are there any manufacturers of glass in your village ?" — 
 " There are," said the chief, " two or three houses for that purpose ?"
 
 HATIM TAl. 51 
 
 Immediately Hatim, accompanied by the chief, proceeded to the 
 houses of the glass manufacturers, and gave orders to the latter to 
 this eiFect : " Within four days you must make a mirror of two 
 hundred guz in length and one hundred in breadth. Such a mirror 
 will be necessary for the expulsion of the giant, and if you comply 
 ijot he will destroy the whole of your village. The glass manufac- 
 turers replied, "If you furnish us with the materials, we shall be able 
 to have your mirror ready within the time specified," Here the chief 
 said to them, " Whatever amount of money may be of use to you, I 
 shall furnish ;" and he immediately sent them the sum they demanded. 
 They then set about the foi-ming of the mirror, and in the space of 
 three days their task was finished. 
 
 When Hatim was informed that the miri'or was ready, he com- 
 manded all the men of the city to assemble, in order to convey the 
 mirror to a certain spot without the city by which the giant usually 
 entered. The people readily obeyed him, and conveyed the mirror 
 safe to the appointed spot, and there erected it. Hatim then told 
 them to bring as many sheets as when sewed together might cover 
 the surface of the mirror, which order was speedily executed by the 
 chief and his attendants. 
 
 Hatim now addressed the multitude, saying, " My good friends, 
 you may in the meantime retire to your houses without the least 
 uneasiness of mind. This night you may sleep in security; and if 
 any of you is desirous to see the result of my stratagem, let him 
 remain here with me." The son of the chief promptly spoke out, 
 *' I will be your companion ;" but his father forbade him, saying, 
 *' Already my wealth is expended in order to purchase your safetv, 
 why then do you venture to face the giant ?" 
 
 On hearing this remark, Hatim said to the chief, " There is nothing 
 to fear, so you may rest satisfied that no harm will befall your son. 
 If he should suffer the least injury, you sliall be at liberty to do Avith 
 me what you choose." Here the youth himself boldly answered, " A 
 few days ago, you had all i-esolved to sacrifice me to this monster ; 
 you will allow, then, that I am under no great obligations to you. 
 I prefer the society of this brave and skilful man, who has been the 
 means of my preservation. Would you be thought void of religion 
 and reckless of fame ? When a man who is an utter stranger places 
 himself in so perilous a situation in order to avert the evil that
 
 52 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 threatens you, is it consistent with reh'ffion mid honour to leave him 
 alone, and like cowards retire to your houses ?" 
 
 All the people, on hearing this address, insisted on remaining in 
 company with Ilatim ; and having dressed some food in the open 
 plain, they ate and rejoiced, saying, " This night the giant shall be 
 destroyed." The whole of that day passed, and when night arrived, 
 a most terrific yell assailed their ears, such as usually accompanied the 
 approach of the giant. They all shuddered, and their faces assumed 
 a yellow hue. " Fear not," said Hatim, addressing them : " keep 
 strict silence, and be not under the least apprehension. You shall 
 soon behold some rare sport ; the monster is coming, as is indicated 
 bv that fiendish howl." 
 
 In the course of an hour the giant Avas so near as to be distinctly 
 seen in shape like an immense dome. He had neither hands nor feet, 
 but a tremendous mouth situated in the midst of his body. He 
 advanced with a revolving motion, and from his jaws issued volumes 
 of flame and clouds of smoke. When the people of the village saw 
 this terrific spectacle, they trembled from fear, and were attempting 
 to fly. " You have nothing to fear." said Hatim, " stand quiet and 
 look on ; not the least harm will befall you." The people, encouraged 
 by Hatim's address stood silent as the dead, and trembling beheld the 
 approach of the giant. 
 
 Hatim stood with his eye fixed on Haluka as he rolled towards 
 him ; and when the giant was within a few paces of the mirror, the 
 curtain that covered it was suddenly pulled off". When Haluka beheld 
 his own monstrous form in the glass, his breath was stopped from 
 anger ; only he uttered a single yell, so loud as to make the desert 
 and the mountains shake. Thus choking with rage, he remained for 
 a short time, till at last his confined breath so inflated him that he 
 burst likt the crash of the thunderbolt, so that the hearers were 
 struck senseless, and the echoes of the wilderness reverberated far 
 and wide. 
 
 When the people wcie restored to their senses, what a spectacle 
 they beheld ! The desert was overspread with the loathsome entrails 
 of Haluka tliat now lay dead before them. The whole assembly, 
 including the cliief and his son, gathered around Hatim and prostrated 
 themselves at his feet. They then addressed him: " Most learned 
 Sir, tell us the reason why the monster has thus died as it were of his 
 own accord ?" — " You see," replied Hatim, " the giant has come by
 
 HATIM TAi". 53 
 
 his death, not ft'om any weapon, but merely by the viewing of liis owu 
 image, for he had never seen his owu likeness in any other creature ; 
 rage stopped his breath so etfeetually that he burst." 
 
 Next day the inhabitants of the village, each according to his means, 
 produced all their valuables in gold, jewels, and diamonds, and oflfered 
 them to Hatira, who would accept nothing, saying, " My good friends^ 
 these are not of the least use to me. In this affair I have merely 
 discharged my duty towards God and my fellow-creatures." — " May 
 we ask," said they, " what has been the cause of your coming into 
 our village." Hatim answered, " This is the eve of Jumat, when a 
 voice will be heard in the desert, crying, ^ I have not done ought 
 that will benefit me this night." In order to be ascertained as to 
 this voice, I have journeyed hither, and to-night I intend to travel 
 in pursuit of the mysterious being who utters the exclamation." 
 
 The chief observed, *' It is now some time since that voice has beeu 
 heard by us also, but we do not know whence it proceeds." Hatim 
 remained in the village for the whole of that day, and at the usual 
 time at night the voice reached his ear, and he instantly proceeded in 
 the direction whence it issued. For the whole of the night ho 
 continued to advance as he supposed towards the sound, and when 
 daylight came he found himself still in the desert, where he again 
 halted. 
 
 In short, Hatim thus journeyed onwards week after week for the 
 space of two months, at the expiration of which period he at last 
 came to a mound of sand of about five hundred guz in diameter. He 
 ascended to the summit, and soon discovei-ed that the voice issued 
 from its interior. He halted, and looked around him ; and, lo ! a 
 body of men consisting of about five hundred horsemen, and as many 
 on foot, appeared drawn up in array before him. He approached 
 them, but found that they were all statues of marble, be'ing as he 
 conjectured monuments of the illustrious dead. Among these tombs 
 Hatim rested for the week, until the time of hearing the voice should 
 again come round. 
 
 As the evening of Jumat closed its shades, Hatim ascended tha 
 sand-hill, and devoutly kneeling, poured out his soul in prayer before 
 the Almighty Creator. When about a watch of the night had passed, 
 the inmates of the tombs started into life, wifh countenances resem- 
 bling angels. They arrayed the place with couches and thrones, on 
 which they sat apparelled in robes of splendid description. But
 
 54 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Hinidi^t tliese, one of" the revived dead, with weeping eyes and meau' 
 apparel, his body sprinkled with dust and ashes, and his feet bare, 
 came fortli, and in liunililr posture sat upon the cold ground. Before 
 each of those who sat on thrones and couches flowed streams of 
 nectar, of which they freely drank, but none of them gave the least 
 drop to the wretched man who sat upon the bare earth. The latter, 
 after some time, fetched a deep sigh, and said, "Alas/ I have not 
 done that which might have beucjlted tne this night." 
 
 Hiitim stood near them and witnessed the Avhole scene, and rejoiced 
 that his inquiries were now likely to prove successful. When the 
 hour of midnight arrived, a table miraculously placed itself before 
 each of them. On every table was laid a large vessel full of rice and 
 milk, with a goblet full of pure water. But there stood a table 
 apart from the rest furnished in like manner, and one of the company 
 said, " Come, my friends, this traveller is our guest for the time, let 
 him be introduced, and seated at this table which is unoccupied." 
 On hearing this, one of them arose, and advancing to Hatira, took 
 him kindly by the hand, and conducting him to a couch, placed food 
 before him. 
 
 Hatim's attention was wholly occupied by the man who lay on the 
 ground constantly sighing and weeping, and at short intervals 
 exclaiming, " / have not done aught that can benefit me this night." 
 The hitter, too, had a table, but instead of nectar and ambrosia his 
 cup was filled with the juice of the zakkum,* and the food of the 
 damned, and the most loathsome dregs mingled with blood. Hatim 
 for some time held d()\vn his head in deep reflexion, and at last 
 beean to taste of the fare before him. After he had refreshed himself 
 with food and drink, the tables vanished from his view ; but his 
 whole thoughts ever I'evertod to the mysterious state of that wretched 
 being Avho sat upon the ground before him. 
 
 Hatim, addressing the company, said, " Most worthy sirs, I have 
 one request which, with your permission, I should wish to state." 
 The wliole assembly requested him to speak. Hatim then proceeded : 
 "How comos it, worthy sirs, that you are seated on thrones, exalted 
 
 * Of this tree we shall here add the description from the Ferhang-i-Mathnavi : — 
 " The zakkum is a tree which grows in hell : its branches and leaves are of flaming 
 fire, and the fruits which it bears are heads of devils and loathsome serpents." 
 Thus in the sacred text (Koran, sur. xxxvii. ,65, &c.) " This tree is ^lanUd in the 
 "bottom of hell : and its frvitt are heads of derils, and verily the damned shall eat 
 thereof."
 
 HATIM TAJ. OO 
 
 in dignity, and regaled with such heavenly and delicious fare ? And, 
 ■on the other hand, tell me the reason why, instead of" such food, 
 the juice of the zakkum with the most loathsome of dregs has been 
 allotted as the portion of this miserable man who lies stretched on the 
 bare earth ?" To this they replied, " From us that mystery is utterly 
 hidden, seek information from the sufferer himself." 
 
 Hatim arose, and coming up to the man, said, " Pray, friend, what 
 is the meaning of this mysterious exclamation which you utter ? From 
 ■what cause are you become involved in such a state of misery ? For 
 heaven's sake inform me of your condition. The man of woe replied, 
 *' My kind friend, I am the chief of all this assembly. My name is 
 Yusuf, and my occupation has been that of a merchant. I was 
 journeying with goods and stores to the city of Khwarzim, and those 
 whom you see here were my servants that attended me. In my 
 disposition I was so great a miser that I never gave away in charity 
 a single farthing of my money, nor one rag of apparel, nor a morsel 
 of food, nay, not even a drop of water would I bestow on my fellow- 
 creatures. These my attendants, on the other hand, were wont to 
 give of their food to the hungry, and they clothed the naked, and 
 bestowed their gold in charity upon the poor and the needy, and all 
 such as were destitute. I used to chide them severely, saying, ' Pray, 
 sirs, for what purpose do you thus squander your money, and give 
 away your food without any return ?' Their reply was : ' This we 
 do as a service acceptable to our Creator, and due to our fellow- 
 creatures ; a service of which we shall receive the reward and reap 
 the advantages in a future state.' On receiving from them such 
 answers, I used to beat them, and often did I threaten them with 
 punishment on account of their liberality. I also argued with them, 
 but to no effect ; and whenever any of them ventured to give me 
 salutary advice, I paid not the least regard to him. 
 
 " On our journey a gang of robbers surrounded and overpowered 
 ns, and seized the whole of my property. They then murdered 
 myself and all my attendants, and having buried us in this spot, they 
 departed. Here we rest, alike martyrs : but my servants are, as 
 you observe, crowned with glory for their charitable and generous 
 disposition ; and I, on account of my baseness and avarice, am plunged 
 into the lowest depth of misery. After the robbers had murdered us, 
 it was their intention to mutilate and leave exposed our corpses ; but 
 one of them said : ' Have you not already seized their property, and
 
 ofi TTIK ADVENTURES OF 
 
 slain them without cause ':* How inhuman iheii it would be to leave 
 them unburied on the high way ? Do you imagine tliat after such a 
 savage deed you can ever enjoy the least portion of their wealth ? 
 The robbers listened to this address, and accordingly interred us in 
 this desert. 
 
 " In my native country, my grandchildren and descendants are 
 now living in a state of abjeci poverty. My residence was in the 
 capital of China, in such a quarter (here he desscribed the street and 
 the house), and in a certain chamber of the house is buried an immense 
 treasure in gold and jewels, of which no one has any information. 
 This too is an instance of my avaricious disposition, and accounts for 
 the state in Avhich you now behold me. See what an exalted rank 
 my servants have attained ! They are seated upon thrones ; they 
 fare upon the most delicious food, and drink of the purest and coolest 
 streams, and are clothed in the apparel of angels, while I am doomed 
 to suffer the pangs of misery and despair." 
 
 Hatim, on hearing this account, addressed him, saying, " Is it any 
 how possible to administer to your relief?" Yusuf replied, " Many 
 a long year have I now passed in this state of torment, but no one 
 has hitherto listened to my cries. This night you have approached 
 me, and compassionately interested youi'self in my condition ; on you, 
 then, God the Supreme will bestow his guidance in your endeavours 
 to serve me. Proceed forthwith to the capital of China, and find out 
 my residence, which is in the division occupied by the linen merchants. 
 My name, as I told you, is Yusuf, and in my day I was notorious in 
 all quarters of the city, and my grandchildren are still there in a state 
 of destitution. When you arrive at my residence, inform them of my 
 condition, and tell them that in a certain apartment (which he parti- 
 cularly described) is buried a vast treasure of gold and jewels. This 
 treasure you shall bring to light, and divide into four equal proportions. 
 Bestow one of these shares on my grandchildren, and the other three 
 you shall expend in charitable deeds ; in feeding the hungry, in 
 clothing the naked, and in administering to the distress of the poor 
 and the needy. Do this, and perhaps my doom may be averted ; for 
 thoiigh I have suffered martyrdom, I am not entitled to salvation, so 
 heinous is the crime of avarice ; whereas my servants, on account of 
 their liberality, are now in a state of happiness." 
 
 Hatim solemnly promised, in the name of his Creator, that he would 
 strictly perform what Yusuf desired him, and added : " 1 should
 
 HA TIM TAi. 67 
 
 no longer consider myself of the tribe of Tai, had I refused to lend 
 you my aid in your distress." Hatim remained there during the whole 
 of the night, and witnessed what happiness the servants enjoyed, while 
 their wretched master passed his time in weeping and lamentation. 
 When the morning began to dawn the martyrs vanished from his 
 sight, each into his silent cell. 
 
 Hatim then set out on his journey for the capital of China, and 
 after he had advanced a consideral>le way, he arrived at the mouth 
 of a well. There he espied a man in the act of drawing water ; and 
 as he was about to request of him to have some to drink, suddenly a 
 serpent as large as the proboscis of an elephant reared its head from the 
 water, and coiling itself round the body of the man, plunged with him 
 into the deep. Hatim wrung his hands in agony, and exclaimed, 
 " Alas ! what a deed this snake has prepared ! It has destroyed a 
 poor man who came hither for water, and whose wife and children 
 are anxiously expecting his return. Oh, Hatim ! shall it be said that 
 a poor man was deprived of life, and you standing by without lending 
 him the least assistance ? What will be your answer hereafter in the 
 presence of your Creator ?" 
 
 Thus he soliloquized, and instantly plunged into the water. In a 
 short time he fixed his feet on firm ground, and on opening his eyes 
 he was astonished in finding neither the well nor the water ; but 
 instead of these a spacious plain opened to his view, abounding with 
 beautiful trees, in the midst of which he espied a lofty palace. He 
 approached it, wondering within himself whither the serpent could 
 have gone with the waterman, and whence sprung up the noble 
 mansion that stood before him. 
 
 Hatim, with these thoughts occupying his mind, came close to the 
 palace. There he beheld splendid galaries with elegant couches, and 
 a throne brilliant as crystal surmounted with piles of cushions, on 
 which lay asleep a monstrous creature of human form in stature like 
 a giant. Hatim resolved on calling this monster to account for 
 the snake and the waterman, but at the same time he hesitated, as he 
 nowhere beheld any traces either of the serpent or the man. " At 
 all events," said Hatim to himself, " I shall approach him, and see 
 what sort of subject he is." Hatim went up to the giant, and as the 
 latter was still asleep, he quietly took his seat beside him. He had 
 not sat long when he espied in a corner of the garden the very serpent 
 that had carried off the waterman. 
 
 H
 
 68 Tilt: ADVENTURES OF 
 
 As pooii as the snake observed Ilatim it rushed upon him, and he, 
 enraged on jiccount of ihe fate of the waterman, seized it by the two 
 jaws, and exerting his Avliole strength, thus held it immoveable. The 
 snake raised such a hissing noise, that the giant avIio slept on the 
 throne started up. and roared out to Hatim, " You son of man, what 
 are 3'ou about ? tliat is my courier." Ilatim replied, " I will not 
 quit my hold unless my friend be restored to me." 
 
 The giant called cut to the serpent, '■ Beware : this seems to be 
 a powerful man, and cap-tble of tearing thy jaws asunder. Above all, 
 take care that he discover not the pass:ige into thy mouth !" When 
 Hatim heard this he stretched open the two jaws of the serpent, 
 entered its mouth, and was instantly swallowed, notwithstanding the 
 repeated warnings of the giant to the contrary. Arrived, as he 
 thought, in the belly of the snake, he was surprised at finding himself 
 in a spacious and sombre apartment. He began to grope his way 
 through this strange abode, when suddenly a voice reached his ear, 
 saying, " Oh, Hatim ! whatsoever you meet with in this apartment, 
 cut it with your dagger, for by that means only you will be released 
 from this enchantment ; and otherwise you cannot escape hence till 
 the day of judgment." 
 
 While Hatim was thus exploring his dark abode, he unexpectedly 
 laid his hand on something in the shape of a heart. The moment he 
 felt this substance he pulled out his knife and cut it into many 
 pieces, agreeably to the w'arniug voice which he had heard. This 
 •was no sooner done than a flood of water rushed upon him, and he 
 found himself overwhelmed amidst swelling billows. Exhausted, he 
 began to sink, and after some time he once more felt the ground 
 underneath his feet. He opened his eyes and looked around him, but 
 no trace could he see of the palace, the giant, the serpent, the garden, 
 or the dark chamber where he had lately been. Before him lay a 
 boundless desert, strewed apparently with dead bodies. On coming 
 nearer, he observed that a few of these wretches were still alive, 
 while others were in the agonies of death. 
 
 Among the living, Hatim discovered the very waterman whom the 
 snake had carried off. He made up to him, and said, " Biother, how 
 came you here ?" The waterman replied, " I was drawing water 
 from the well, when a serpent carried me off, and having conveyed 
 me hither, vanished from my sight. What that serpent is, or where 
 it is gone to, I know not." Hatim»questioned various other indivi-
 
 HATIM TAi. 59 
 
 duals as to their coming tliither, and from all of them received for 
 answer that the serpent liad brought them. He then explained to 
 them the nature of the enchantment by which they were held, and 
 liow he had broken the spell by entering the mouth of the snake, and 
 cutting to pieces the heart in the dark chamber. He concluded 
 saying, " Give praise to God, for your enemy is now vanquished, and 
 jou are at liljerty to go wherever you please." The wretched men 
 replied, " It is a long time since some of us came hither, and we 
 know not the way by which we were brought. Most of our number 
 have died of hunger and thirst, and we also were despairing of life ; 
 God the Supreme has in his mercy destined thee to be our deliverer." 
 
 Hatim, after giving them proper directions, took his leave, and 
 proceeded on his journey to the capital of China. In the course of a 
 fews days he entered that vast empire, and arrived at one of their 
 principal cities. The sentinels at the gate immediately seized him, 
 and said, " Who are you, and whither do you go ? You must come 
 before our governor, and give an account of yourself before we can 
 allow you to advance any further." Hatim, thus roughly handled, 
 said to them, " Good people, is it the custom of your empire to annoy 
 travellers in this manner ? " 
 
 The sentinels replied, " The reason why we detain you is this : 
 The daughter of our governor asks three questions of every traveller 
 that enters the city ; if he give a satisfactory answer, he is permitted 
 to gohis Avay, and if not, he is put to death ; from which circum- 
 stance our city is called the city of Be-dad."'^' Hatim having no 
 choice, accompanied the sentinels, deej^ly meditating as to the nature 
 of the questions which should be put to him. At length the sentinels 
 presented him to the governor : the latter asked of him, " Stranger, 
 whence come you, and what is your name ?" — " I am from Yemen," 
 said he, " and on my way to the capital of China. As to my name, 
 it is none of your business : no one ought to annoy the traveller 
 unnecessarily ; on the other hand, he is entitled to kind treatment 
 and hospitality from your hand, if you wish to set a good example to 
 the world, and do what is acceptable to God the Supreme.'* 
 
 The governor replied, " A severe scourge has fallen upon our city, 
 which has always been famous for equity, so as to have merited the 
 appellation of Adalatabad (the city of justice) ; but now, owing to 
 
 * Injustice, or rather the total want of justice.
 
 60 THL ADVENTURES OF 
 
 the violent caprice of my daughter, its present name is Bedadabad. 
 For some time past every traveller that arrived in our city has on 
 her account been put to death, and their blood has fallen upon my 
 head." After some meditation, Hatim said to him, " Why do you 
 not slay your daughter at once?" — "Is it possible," replied the 
 governor, " for any man to be the murderer of his own child, nay of 
 his only child ? It is not in my heart to put her to death." When 
 Platim heard this aj)peal, his eyes shed tears as lie replied, " Alas, 
 miserable man I you have no remedy. May the Almighty Creator 
 remove from you this heavy aHliction." The governor of AdalatabSd 
 then conducted Hatim to his daughter's apartment. The lady 
 arrayed herself in her finest apparel, and summoned Hatim into the 
 andiiriin* of the house, where she reclined upon a throne of shining 
 gold. Hatim was struck with her beauty, which excelled that of all 
 otlier mortals. She gracefully stood up, and modestly drawing her 
 veil over her face, received Hatim with extreme couitesy and affection, 
 for the instant she beheld him her heart felt for him. She took him 
 by the hand and seated him upon a splendid throne, while she herself 
 occupied another beside him. 
 
 She then sent for her nurse, and said to her, " My dear mother, 
 this traveller who has arrived to-day has won my heart, and is mutually 
 enamoured of me. He seems of noble rank; but, alas! to-morrow 
 bis life sh.'ill be sacrificed." The nurse replied, "Alas, my child ! it 
 is your destiny to act with violence and oppression towards travellers 
 not even excepting this comely and noble youth ; but there is no 
 saying whether he may not prove successful in executing your 
 commands." — " Let me l)ut know," said Hatim, "the nature of the 
 task which the lady proposes, and the reason why so many travellers 
 are sacrificed in this city, which is now proverbial for cruelty." — 
 "Noble youth," the nurse replied, "every night this lady becomes 
 possessed of an evil spirit, and utters the most incoherent expressions, 
 after which she proposes three enigmas to such strangers as may be 
 found within the city. If the latter fail in solving her riddles, she 
 causes them to be instantly put to death. None of us her attendants 
 Ciin venture to remain near her at such times lest some evil might be 
 our lot." 
 
 On hearing this statement, Hatim replied, " Well, I shall soon 
 
 * The apartment occupied by the women.
 
 WATI.M TAl. 6i 
 
 know by experience wlietlier longer life or immediate death be 
 destined for me." He was then presented with food : but he rejected 
 it, saying, " I will not eat of your food until I have accomplished the 
 services you may impose upon me ; such is my vow. I consider it 
 inconsistent with probity in a man to waste his time in eating and 
 drinking, or wantonly to throw away his life and leave unfinisliei^the 
 business intrusted to him by another ; forgive me, then, for refusing 
 your bounty." — " Generous youth," said the nurse, " I am confident 
 that you will succeed in this affair ; you speak the sentiments of 
 rectitude and honour." 
 
 Night airived, and all the servants and attendants abandoned the 
 pjilace, !ind shut fast the gates behind them, leaving Hatim to his 
 fate. About the end of the first watch the lady became frantic, and 
 spoke incoherently whatever came into her mind. She Avildly cast 
 her eyes on Hatim, and thus addressed him : " Stranger, who are you, 
 and what is your business here ? Answer my riddle, or you shall 
 die." — " What is your riddle," said Hatim, " let me hear it ?" 
 
 The lady then proceeded with her first question, which Hatim, 
 after mature reflection, was fortunate enough to solve to her satisfac- 
 tion.* " Tell me," said she, " the answer to my second question* 
 which is this : There is a fruit sweet heyond measure to the taste 
 of all livirig creatures, tohether genii, men, beasts or birds ; lohat 
 fruit is this ' ofivhich all are so fond f " Hatim instantly replied 
 " The fruit you allude to is their offspring, which are dear to all." —   
 " Tell me now," said the lady, " my third and last question, ' what is 
 it that no one desires, and yet every one obtains.' " — " That," replied 
 Hatim, " is death, which is destined for all men, though no one 
 wishes it." 
 
 When the three questions were thus solved, the lady remained 
 silent for some time, when suddenly she was seized with convulsions 
 so as to fall from her couch. At last a snake, black and frightful, 
 issued from her nostrils and rushed towards Hntim. He seized his 
 scimitar with the intention of cutting it to pieces, but considered 
 that it would be cruelty, to which he was averse : he therefore took 
 out the talisman given him by the bear's daughter, and thiew it at 
 the venomous reptile. The snake became tame as a lamb, and suffered 
 him to hold it in his hands and shut it up in a silver vessel, after 
 which he dug a pit in the ground of the size of a man's, grave, and 
 
 * And which (we may add) does not admit of a /«<em/ translation.
 
 fi-J THK ADVENTURES OF 
 
 liiiving buried it, he replaced the earth and secured it with bricks 
 and clay. 
 
 In about a watch after, the lady being restored to her senses, 
 observed Hatim, and throwing her veil over her countenance, she 
 said to him, " Stranger, who are you ; and how came you to sit 
 here ?" He answered, " Have you then forgot me ? I am the 
 traveller whom your people ye?terd.iy seized and conducted into your 
 presence." The governor's daughter called her nurse, and asked her, 
 *' My dear mother, tell me how comes this youth to be here and alive 
 this morning ?" The nurse replied, " My child, God is merciful, 
 and took this stranger under his protection ; but tell me what is your 
 state ?" — " To-day," she replied, " I feel quite relieved and in perfect 
 health." The nurse then, addressing Hatim, said, " Most learned of 
 men, can you account to me for tiiis change ? Tell me what has 
 occurred in 3-our presence ?" " That," replied Hatim, " I shall 
 communicate to-morrow only to her father." 
 
 Next morning the governor summoned Hatim, and asked him, 
 " Tell me, stranger, what has happened, and how are you alive ?" 
 Hatim detailed every circumstance as it occurred, saying, " Noble 
 sir, about the end of the first watch your daughter was seized with a 
 fit of raving madness, and began to utter the most incoherent language. 
 At length her eyes happening to observe me, she said, " Rash 
 stranger, how dare you enter my apartment ? Your life is over 
 unless you answer my queslions." Slie then asked me three questions, 
 one after another, all of which I satisfactorily answered. For some 
 time after she remained silent, when all at once a black serpent issued 
 fi-om her nostrils, and ruslied furiously towards me, I seized the 
 reptile, and having shut it up in a silver vessel, I went and buried it 
 in the court-}'ard ; and since that moment your daughter has enjoyed 
 a sound state of health." 
 
 When the governor heard this statement, he said, " Most noble 
 youth, on you I bestow in marriage this my only chihl, which is no 
 more than fulfilling the vow that I have made ; I thci'efore hope you 
 will accept her." — " On one condition," said Hatim, " will I receive 
 her ; that is, whenever I feel inclined to leave this place, I may 
 either leave her here or take her Avith me and bestow her 
 upon whomsoever I please." To this the father agreed, and 
 on that very day the marriage was celebrated according to the 
 customs, of the country, and the hours were spent in mirth and
 
 "HATIM TAl. (.;.t 
 
 joy. Hatim remained there three months ; after which period he 
 took leave of his wife, new pregnant, and departed. He at the same 
 time left orders, saying, " Should my wife be delivered of a son, and 
 should the child prove himself to be of the tribe of Ta'i, tell him that 
 his father's country is in Arabia the happy ; and thither let him come 
 whenever he may form the desire of seeing me. If again it be a 
 daughter, let her be carefully brought up and married to a brave and 
 worthy man, and should my life be spared, I shall yet visit you," 
 
 Hatim kept av:ake the whole of that night in making preparations, 
 and as soon as morning dnwued he set out on his journey to the 
 capital of China. In the course of a fe\v days he arrived in that 
 extensive city, and inquired for the quarter occupied by the linen 
 merchants. The people shewed him the way thither, and when he 
 reached the place he asked of the linen merchants, if thoy knew the 
 residence of Yusuf the merchant, or whether any of his descendants 
 still lived there. One of the linen merchants immediately went to 
 the griindchildren of Yusuf, and said to them, " There is a stranger 
 arrived from some far country, who is desirous to see you." YusuPs 
 grandsons instantly waited upon Hatim, who to their astonishment 
 thus addressed them : " My good friends, I have been commissioned 
 to visit you by your grandfather, from whom I have a message for 
 you." When the grandchildren of Yusuf and the people of the bazaar 
 heard this extraordinary declaration, they all laughed most heartily, 
 and said to him in reply, " Truly, young stranger, you are quite crazy. 
 It is a long period since Yusuf died, how then could he have sent 
 you hither with a message?" — "How," said Hatim, " could I have 
 known that you reside in the linen bazaar, and various other circum- 
 stances connected with you, had I not received my information from 
 your grandfather ? I have further tokens from which I shall prove 
 my veracity if you will hear me ; but the question now is, are you 
 willing to listen to me or not r" 
 
 The people requested Hatim to proceed with his messnge, which 
 he thus did : " In a certain apartment, near the bed where Yusuf was 
 wont to sleep, there are buried vast treasures and valuable jewels, of 
 which none but myself has any information ; these you shall brin"- to 
 light, and divide into four equal portions, of which you shall keep 
 one-fourth, and bestow the other three-fourths in the way which is 
 acceptable to God the most High, in relieving the wants of the poor 
 and the distressed." He then detailed to them minutely his late
 
 fi^ THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ndventiire, and having mentioned all that he had witnessed respecting 
 their grandfather, he concluded, saying, " if Yusuf himself had not 
 sent me, how could I have known so much about your house ?" 
 
 The people said to him, " we cannot proceed further in this affair 
 'without applying to our king," The relatives of Yusuf, therefore, 
 conducted Hatim before the august monarch of China, and being 
 admitted into the royal presence, they represented : " Sire, this 
 youthful stranger asserts that he has seen our grandfather Yusuf, 
 the merchant, by Avhom he has been commissioned hither with a 
 message for us." The king on hearing their statement could not 
 refrain from laughter : at last he snid to them, " the young man is 
 mad ; why, it is nearly one hundred years since old Yusuf, the 
 merchant, died ; bow then could this stripling have ever seen him ? 
 Foolish youth," continued the king, addressing Ilatim, " has it ever 
 been known that the dead held any communication with the livins ? 
 But you are crazy, and all that I have to say to you is, to quit my 
 capital as soon as possible." 
 
 Hatim firmly but respectfully replied, " most upright king, this is 
 one of the secret dispensations of the Almighty, and is beyond the 
 comprehension of mortals. We believe that martyrs inherit life 
 everlasting ; Yusuf, however, when in this world was a miser, for 
 which sin he is now in a state of torment ; and should your highness 
 be pleased to listen seriously to my statement, it will be the means of 
 procuring him salvation. If I be mad, how do I come to possess my 
 information respecting the treasure concealed in Yusuf's sleeping 
 apartment which I have never seen ?" When his majesty of China 
 heard this reply from Hatim, he desired the latter to state who he 
 was, and how he had become concerned in this strange affair. Hatina 
 related the cause of his journey to the tombs of the martyrs, what he 
 had there seen, and the state of suffering to which Yusuf was doomed. 
 " I asked him," said Hatim, " the cause of his misery, which he told me 
 in detailing the particulars of his past life, and also the way in which 
 he is likely to obtain relief. For this reason, Sire, I have journeyed to 
 your cai)ital, and if you believe not my statement, at least let the 
 apartment in which the treasure is hidden be strictly searched : if 
 the gold and jewels be found as I have described them, it will be a 
 proof of my sincerity ; but if not, let me be doomed to the severest of 
 punishments." 
 
 The king, after some reflection, resolved to search in person the
 
 HATIM TAl. 66 
 
 apartment of Yusuf, to -which he immediately proceeded, accompanied 
 by Hatim. In the very spot which the hitter pointed out, the gold 
 and jewels were found, to the great astonishment of the king. The 
 treasure was divided into four equal portions, one of which was made 
 over to the grandchildren of Yusuf, and the remainder was, by his 
 majesty, given in charge to Hatira. " You," said the king, " seem to 
 be a man of integrity, accept this wealth then, and with your own 
 hand distribute it in charity, after such manner as you may deem 
 proper." Hatim for several days was occupied in his favourite task 
 of relieving the wants of the poor, the destitute, and the stranger — in 
 administering food to the hungry, and in clothing those who were 
 naked. 
 
 Hatim having accomplished the object of his journey to the capital 
 of China, began to make preparations for his return ; he had the 
 satisfaction of seeing the grandchildren of Yusuf now raised to a 
 state of affluence, and engaged in commerce. Hatim then took leave of 
 the monarch of China, and returning by the way he came, he arrived 
 in the city of Adalatabiid ; there he was affectionately received by his 
 wife, who was by that time delivered of a son. Hatim and his 
 friends were extremely delighted on this occasion, and called the son 
 by name Salim. Shortly after Hatim proceeded on his journey until he 
 came to the desert in which were the tombs of the martyrs ; amidst 
 these receptacles of the dead he remained three days waitino- the 
 arrival of the eve of Jumat. At the appointed hour all the martyrs, 
 as formerly, rose into life, and among them Yusuf the merchant, but 
 in a state different from his former condition. At midnight, the tables 
 with food, were placed before them, of which Yusuf now ])artook. 
 At the same time there appeared a table unoccupied, which was 
 intended for Hatim, who at their request approached, and after the 
 usual salutations, asked Yusuf how he fared. 
 
 The merchant replied : " Noble youth, by your humane exertion 
 my condition has been improved, and I am now delivered from my 
 state of torment ; my food and drink are the same as that of the rest, 
 but the thrones on which they sit are more splendid, and the apparel 
 in which they are arrayed is more elegant than mine ; on tiiem too 
 are bestowed perfumes, and substances of sweet frao-rance, of which 
 my portion is but small ; but, alas, their desert is far grcatti- than 
 mine, for when they were in the fetters of human life their l^nd^ 
 were ever active in charitable deeds. I, however, after severe penance, 
 
 I
 
 66' THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 have been released from my state of misery ; now I am happy antl 
 possessed of sah^ation. You are the means whereby the Ahniglity 
 has accomplished this end, and on you he will bestow the reward of 
 the righteous." 
 
 Hatim spent the remainder of the night there as formerly, and 
 when the morning dawned he departed. After traversing for several 
 days the mountains and deserts, he came to a spot where he beheld a 
 decrepit old woman sitting by the way-side. When the old woman 
 observed him, she made a piteous appeal to his charity ; and Ilntim 
 having pulled off a diamond ring from his finger, gave it to her and 
 walked onwards. The old woman then cried out, " May heaven 
 send ofie or two to aid me ; " and in an instant seven young fellows 
 rushed from the desert. Now these seven men were the sons of the 
 old woman, and were notorious robbers in those quarters. The 
 mother shewed them the diamond ring, and assured them that the 
 traveller who gave it must be a man of wealth. The robbei's over- 
 took Hatim, and walked peaceably along with him for some space, 
 conversing on various subjects. At last they said to him, " Noble Sir, 
 we are here out of employment, and if you will permit us, it is our 
 wish to accompany you to some city where we may earn our liveli- 
 hood by service." 
 
 To this request Hatim readily assented ; and when the robbers 
 found that he was duped by their false assertions, one of them came 
 behind him, and casting a net over his head, they all seized him and 
 conveyed him to the mouth of a pit which was close by. There they 
 stripped him naked, and took possession of all the money and jewels 
 that he had with him ; after which they wounded him in several parts 
 of his body with their daggers, and threw him into the pit. For 
 two or three days Hatim lay senseless ; but as soon as his recollection 
 was restored he searched for his talisman, which the robbers had 
 fortunately left with his turban. The instant he brought it out the 
 pit became quite dry, he then applied it to his wounds which were 
 speedily healed, 
 
 Hatim thus restored to perfect health, could not, mild as he was, 
 avoid making the following reflections : " AVhat a trick those cowardly 
 villains have played me ! Well, if we should meet again I may give 
 thorn something which will set their avarice for ever at rest." 
 Occupied with these thoughts he fell into a profound sleep, and in a
 
 HATIM TAi. 67 
 
 flrcain he belieUl an aged man, who thus accosteil liim : " (), Hatini, 
 let not thy heart be cast down. Thaikest thou that Divine Providence 
 has sent thee hither without some wise and unerring design ? Listen, 
 and I will tell thee the cause of thy falling into this apparent calamity. 
 In tliis pit the Creator, bountiful and gracious, hath kept hidden a 
 treasure that is destined for thee. Arise and take possession of it ; 
 for thou art capable of employing it in that way which is most 
 acceptable to the bountiful Giver. Let sadness no longer dwell in 
 thy heart ; for he who is discontent is unfit for the service of God." 
 
 To this mysterious man Hatim replied : " In every state that may 
 befall me, I am always satisfied with the unerring decrees of Providence; 
 and though these may exceed ray comprehension, yet I submit with 
 resignation. Should the sacrifice of my life tend to promote the 
 service of God, I am ready to yield it." — " I am convinced," continued 
 the old man, " that thy words are sincere ; meanwhile take away this 
 treasure, which is thine." — " I am alone," said Hatim ; " I cannot 
 even liberate myself from this dungeon ; of what use is it then to offer 
 me so vast a treasure ?" — " To-morrow," replied the man, " two 
 people will pass this way who will set thee at liberty ; and by their 
 aid you can bring out the treasure and carry it away." — " It will be 
 impossible for two people," said Hatim, " to release me from this 
 prison ; and as for the treasure, it is out of the question." — " The 
 two people to whom I allude," replied the man, "are able to accom- 
 plish both the one and the other ;" and having thus spoken, he 
 vanished, leaving Hatim to the enjoyment of his pleasant dream. 
 
 As soon as the morning rays dawned in the east, the two people 
 arrived at the mouth of the pit, and called out, " Ali ! Hatim, are 
 you still alive ?" To this he replied, " He Avho at first created me, hath 
 till now ))reserved me." The two strange beings that addressed him 
 tln-nst each of them a hand into the pit, which was of immense depth, 
 and to Hatim's astonishment, their hands reached the bottom where 
 he lay. They called aloud to him to. hold fast by tht;ir hands, which 
 he did, and in an instant he was set at liberty. Hatini thanked his 
 deliverers, and said to them, '' in this pit there are vast treasures of 
 gold and jewels, if you can bring them to light, I will distribute the 
 same in the service of God, by relieving the wants of the poor and 
 tlie needy." On hearing this, one of them threw himself into the pit, 
 and handed up the treasure to the other, who remnined outside. In the 
 course of an hour all the hidden etorc- of the pit were brought, up
 
 68 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 and packed together, so as to be easily carried ; after wliicli the two 
 people took leave of Ilatim and departed. 
 
 Hatim for some tiiiu; viewcil hi? treasure, and thus communed with 
 himself: "How can I l)est dispose of all tliis wenltli ? If these 
 jiCMired villains that lately maltreated me were here I should bestow 
 if all upon tliem, that they might for once be satisfied, and cease from 
 oppressing their fellow-creatures." He then selected from the stores 
 ;i suit of api)arel, in which he dressed himself; and having filled a 
 large bag with the most valuable jewels, he departed in quest of the 
 old woman and her seven sons. He had not far advanced when he 
 espied the object of his search, sitting, as formerly, by the way-side. 
 On seeing her Hatim was extremely delighted, and walking up to 
 her, he put his hand into his bundle and pulled out a handful of the 
 finest and most costly jewels, which he scattered around her. The 
 old woman, as formerly, gave the signal to her sons by exclaiming, 
 " May heaven send one or two to aid me ;" and forthwith the seven 
 robbers presented themselves, and surrounding Hatim, asked him 
 whither he was journeying. Hatim addressed them thus : '* My 
 good friends, I have one request to Leg of you, which I hope you 
 will allow me." 
 
 The thieves desired him to speak, whereupon he thus continued : 
 " You hunger and thirst for gold and worldly wealth ; abandon your 
 present iniquitous way of life, and withdraw your hands from oppress- 
 ing your neighbours, and I will enrich you with gold and jewels to 
 such a degree as will satisfy your utmost wishes." To this exhorta- 
 tion the thieves replied, " Hunger and want have driven us to this 
 avocation ; and of course, if you give us all this wealth, we shall 
 speedily abandon a line of life which is hateful to God and oppressive 
 to man." — " Well," said Ilatim, " repent of your past deeds, and give 
 me your solemn and sincere promise never to liansgress in future 
 and I shall satisfy your wants." — " But ere we can conscientiously 
 give you this promise," replied the tliieves, " shew us that immense 
 treasure which you are to bestow upon us." Hatim opened his bag 
 and displayed the treasures which he possessed ; on seeing which the 
 thieves unanimously requested him to impose upon them ■whatever 
 terms he choose. "Swear to me," said Ilatim, "a solemn oath in 
 the following words : ' Before God the wise and supreme, who 
 observeth and knoweth all things, we premise never to lay our hands 
 oil the property of oui' fellow-creatures, nor henceforth to injure any
 
 HATIM TAl. b*9 
 
 one ; otherwise may tlic wrath of heaven be upon U!:^, and may our 
 past deeds, of which we sincerely repent, never be forgiven.' " 
 
 Hereupon the thieves bound tlieniselves by oath to follow his 
 dictates, and expressed their penitence for their past sins ; after 
 which Hatim, having thus i-eclaimed them from the path of error, 
 divided his treasui'c among them and departed. Having traversed 
 part of the desert, he espied a dog lolling out his tongue, and exhausted 
 with hunger and thirst. He at once supposed that some caravan, to 
 which the dog belonged, must be at no great distance. When he 
 approached, the poor animal, in the most piteous manner, seemed to 
 implore his aid. Hatim felt for the misery of every living creature ; 
 he there lifted the dog in his arms, and carried it with him, in order 
 to restore it with food and drink as soon as he could procure any. 
 He had not long proceeded when he beheld a village at some distance 
 before him, and thither he bent his steps. On his arrival the people 
 presented him with a barley loaf and some curdled milk, the whole of 
 which he gave to the dog. The exhausted animal, thus satisfied with 
 food and drink, fawned on Hatim, as if expressing its sense of his 
 kindness, and then lay down at his feet. 
 
 Hatim began to stroke the animal with his hands, and was meditating 
 on the power and wisdom of the Almighty, who created the countless 
 myriads of creatures that fill the universe, each with some characteristic 
 in form and colour peculiar to itself, when his hand passing over the 
 head of the dog, he felt some hard substance resembling a horn. He 
 wondered in his own mind what this could mean, " for," said he " I 
 never heard of dogs having horns." He examined it further, and 
 found that an iron nail had been driven into the head of the dog. He 
 drew it out, and instantly the animal assumed the shape of a young man. 
 
 Hatim sat for some time in silent abstraction, wondering at the 
 miraculous occurrence which he had just witnessed. At last he 
 addressed the young man, saj^ing, " Tell me. Sir, who are you, and 
 how have you been transformed into the likeness of an irrational 
 animal ? From what mysterious cause have you now recovered your 
 proper shape on my removing the nail from your head ?" The young 
 man, struck with Hatim's humane and amiable disposition, and full 
 cf gratitude for the service he hf»d just rendered him, bowed his head 
 to the dust as he i-ei)lied, " Benevolent Sir, suffice it to say that I am 
 of the human race ; that by the foulest practice, which I am loth to 
 detail, I was transformed into that shape wherein you lately saw me ;
 
 70- THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 rtnil fi-nm ■\vliicl> flivn:i<;h i1m' Divine favoiii- and your Iinm.Tiiif- atfon- 
 tion, I am now ^lelivei-ed." — " I should like to know," said Ilatim, 
 " if agreeable to you, the cause of your having assumed the shape of 
 a dog." 
 
 The young man, thus requested, proceeded with his own histoiy. 
 " Worthy Sir, I fiiu the son of a merchant. My father, not many 
 years ago, made a journey to the capital of China with a largo stock 
 of gooils of various kinds, which he there disposed of to grca* 
 advantage : in return, he supplied himself in China with the most 
 valuable commodities produced in that country, which on his arrival 
 in Kheta he converted into gold, and thus became immensely rich.. 
 As I was his only son, he wished to have me settled in life, and 
 induced me to marry a beautiful young lady. Shortly after my 
 marriage he died, and I became possessed of the whole of his property, 
 and for some time my life passed in perfect felicity. At last my 
 wealth was considerably diminished ; I therefore made up an invest- 
 ment at Kheta, and, like my father, made a journey to China, which, 
 of course, forced me to leave ray home and country for a considerable 
 period. During my absence, my wife formed an intimacy with one 
 of my Abyssinian slaves, and at the same time procured this iron nail 
 from some magicians. At length I returned homo, and as soon as 
 sleep overpowered my eyelids, my infamous wife thrust the enchanted 
 nail into my head, and instantly I was transformed into the shape of 
 a dog. She then kicked me out of the house, and when thus driven 
 into the public streets, all the dogs of the city flew at me. Winged 
 with terror, I fled into the desert, and there for three days I had 
 wandered without a morsel of food or a drop of watei", until the 
 auspicious hour when God the Supreme sent you to my relief." 
 
 When Hatim heard this wonderful narrative, he for some time held 
 down his head in the lap of reflection, after which he addressed the 
 young man, saying : '" My dear friend, pray tell me where is your 
 residence ?" — " It is," said he, "about thiee days' journey from this 
 place, in the city of Sui'i." — "That city," rejoined Hatim, " I know 
 well, for there resides Harith the merchant, whose beautiful daughter 
 is so celebrated on account of her three questions. I am just on my 
 return to that city, having found out the solution of her second ques- 
 tion, which runs thus : / have done vothing tltnt mn he of use to 
 t/ie f/iit: iiiglil." — '■ You '■jieak truly," replied the young man. "as to
 
 HA TIM TAl. 71 
 
 Harith and his fair dauglitev. I know them well, being their fellew 
 citizen, and I rejoice iu the prospect of your company thither." 
 
 Hatim then advised the young man to [ucserve the magic nail with 
 the utmost care, and as soon as he arrived at his liouse, to serve his 
 wife with it as she had done to him, and the consequence would be 
 the transformation of the abandoned woman into a bitch. In short, 
 they both set out, and in about three days arrived in the city of Suri,. 
 and proceeded sti-aightway to the young man's residence. When arrived 
 at the gate, the porters, seeing their beloved master, ran to meet him, 
 and prostrated themselves at his feet, saying : " Our dear lord, we 
 rejoice in your safe return : wliere have you been ?" The young 
 man commanded silence, and arming himself with a sword from one 
 of his domestics, he entered the mansion. When he approached the 
 andarun, the female slaves ran from all directions to welcome him. 
 He made a sign to them to maintain silence, and in a whisper asked 
 one of them, " where is the black Abyssinian?" — "He sleeps," she 
 replied, " in the arms of your wife." Foaming with rage, he entered 
 the apartment of his wife, whom he found fast in the sleep of profligacy. 
 He seized the enchanted nail, and thrust it into her head, and the next 
 moment, with a stroke of his scymitar, he severed the head of the 
 Abyssinian from his foul carcase. His revenge was complete, for his 
 wife was transformed into a bitch, and the soul of her paramour hurled 
 into hell. He then returned to Hatim, and cordially taking him by 
 the hand, conducted him into his hospitable mansion, and seated him 
 on a throne. He tied a string round the neck of his wife, thus 
 transformed, and led her before Hatim, saying : " Behold my 
 abandoned spouse ; and there (pointing to the Abyssinian) is the 
 whoreson black, who shared iu her guilt." When Hatim beheld the 
 executed slave, he could not help saying to the young man, " Why 
 have you killed this sinful wretch ?" — "I think," replied the other, 
 " I have done him a favour, for I thus secure him from all future sin 
 and iniquity, with which he would have loaded his polluted soul, had 
 he been left longer iu the world." The young man then caused a pit 
 to be dug, into which they threw the carcase of the slave, and which 
 they covered with earth, stones, and bricks. This done, nil his slaves, 
 male and female, received from him vast presents of every descrip- 
 tion, and Hatim was for that day detained as his guest, and the hours 
 were spent in pleasure. Next morning Hatim took farewell of the 
 young man, and returning to the caravanserai, he met with the lover
 
 72 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 of Haritli's daughter. He courteously addressed the youth, whose 
 name was Naiin, and made many inquiries after his condition, to all 
 of which the other replied ; adding : " it is now several months since 
 tlie voice was last heard in the wilderness, and from that circumstance 
 Harith's daughter is expecting your return crowned with success. 
 Kejoice, my friend," said Ilatini, " for I have really succeeded in 
 procuring the most accurate information respecting the voice in the 
 desert." 
 
 Hatira then made straight for the gate of Harith, and announced 
 his presence to the domestics ; who forthwith informed their mistress 
 that the Arabian prince had returned, and waited at her gates. Slie 
 ordered them to admit him ; and on Hatim's entrance, she eagerly 
 requested to know the result of his adventure, of which he gave her 
 a detail from end to end. " You speak truly," said the lady in return : 
 •' the voice has now ceased to be heard, and you have accomplished 
 my second task : it only remains for you io procure me the Shahmuhra 
 from Mdhpari, the king of the fairies. 
 
 Hatira took leave of Harith's daughter, and retuniing to the 
 caravanserai, said to his young friend : "now I depart inquest of the 
 Shahmuhra." The youth prostrated himself at Hatim's feet, and gave 
 vent to his gratitude. Hatim raised liim up, and embracing him, said : 
 " Rejoice, my friend, for as soon as I shall have, by the aid of God, 
 accomplished this third task, I shall put you in possession of your best 
 beloved." — Hatim left the city of Suri, and placing his firm reliance 
 upon Divine Providence, set out in quest of the Shahmuhra. After 
 he had advanced some small distance, he sat down to rest under the 
 shade of a tree, not knowing in fact which way to pj-oceed. At 
 length his mind recurred to the cave that led to the world of demons, 
 and he resolved to wait ui)on Farokash their king, and received his 
 directions to the abode of Mrdipari, assured that the demons could 
 furnish him with the requisite information. He therefore got up, 
 and made for the mouth of the cave, which he entered as formerly, 
 and in the course of a week he reached its further extremity, and 
 issued into the boundless desert by the route previously described. 
 Shortly after the demons flocked around him from all quarters, and 
 recognising their former visitor, they conducted him to their villages, 
 and vied with each other in their hospitality and respecful attention. 
 
 Hatim thus advanced from town to town, till at length his majesty 
 Farokash, hearing of his approach, came out to receive him, and
 
 •with all due honours coiulucted him to his palace, seated him upon 
 a throne, and presented him with a variety of eatables the most 
 delicious, and in short, testified in every way the pleasure he felt in 
 the meeting. After some time, the king requested to know of Hatim 
 the cause of his visit ; to which the latter replied : " Sire, I am on 
 my journey in quest of the Shahmuhra, which is in the possession of 
 Mahpari ; in this enterprise may I venture to solicit your aid." — 
 " Young man," said Farokash, " you aim at things that are beyond 
 the power of the human race. There is not one of my demon subjects 
 that can enter the dominions of Mahpari and return alive, far less 
 then is it practicable by you, a mere mortal." — " Sire," replied Hatim, 
 " the Almighty Power, that has preserved me in your kingdom, will 
 watch over me when in the fairy world, and thence conduct me back 
 in safety. In the mean time, may I request your highness to furnish 
 me with guides, who may shew me the way thither, for otherwise I 
 should wander astray." — " I wish/' said Farokash, " you would 
 abandon this absurd enterprise, so inconsistent with common sense." 
 — " How can I," replied Hatim, " without disgrace relinquish the 
 task which I have undertaken ? My word is pledged to accomplish 
 it, and with me a promise is sacred." 
 
 On hearing this reply Farokash remained silent, as he felt assured 
 that compliance with Hatim's request would be only hastening his 
 ruin. Three days were spent in the discharging of the rights of 
 hosnitality, after which Hatim addressed the king, and said, " Sire, 
 allow me now to depart, for the occasion is urgent : let it not be said 
 that the tormented lover has died in his protracted expectation of me ; 
 in such a case I should have become respont^ible for his death, and 
 what would be my answer before the great Judge ? The love-sick 
 youth in whose cause I labour is sincere in heart, and ardent in his 
 affections ; his life depends on my successful exertions, and my failure 
 will be the cause of his death." 
 
 The king of the demons instantly summoned a few of his subjects, 
 and gave them instructions to the following effect : " You shall 
 conduct this young stranger to the boundaries of Mahpari's dominions, 
 and remain there until his return, if such be his fate." The demons 
 lifted Hatim on their shouldei's, and with the speed of the wind began 
 to traverse the wide spreading desert. In the course of a month they 
 arrived at the confines of faii'y-land, where the demons halted, and 
 addressing Hatim, said, " we are now in sight of the mountain Kaf, 
 
 J
 
 74 THI ADTENTURES Of 
 
 and here commence the territories of Mahparf, within which we tlnve 
 not enter, for close upon the limits of that mountain are stationed 
 thousands of fairies ready to destroy us." 
 
 Hatim took leave of the demons, and fearlessly passed the hounds 
 of the fairy regions, and from day to day approached nearer the 
 mountain whose top seemed to pierce the skies, and whose sides 
 abounded with green trees in endless variety. When he arrived at 
 the base of the mountain the fairies assembled from all sides, and said 
 one to another : " here comes one of Adam's race, whom we must 
 instantly put to death, as he has the hardihood to approach this 
 mountain." The fairies hereupon rushed to the base of the mountain, 
 and laying hold of Hatim, carried him up, and when they had bound 
 his hands and feet with chains, they asked him, " Tell us, mortal, 
 whence come you ? what is your business ? and who has conducted 
 you hither ?" — " I come," said Hatim, " from the city of Suri, under 
 the guidance of my Creator." — " Pray," said the fairies to him, " are 
 you come at the request of the daughter of Harith, the merchant ? " 
 Hatim reflected in his own mind, " now if I tell them the truth, and 
 say that I am come in quest of the Shahmuhra, they will assuredly 
 destroy pie ; and if I speak falsely it will be unworthy of me, having 
 never done so in my life ; in this case, then, silence is the best 
 policy." 
 
 Meanwhile the fairies came to the resolution of casting him into the 
 fire, " for," said they, " he is in all probability come for the Shah- 
 muhra." They quickly heaped together piles of dried wood, to which 
 they set fire, and throwing Hatim into the midst of it, they all set up 
 a loud shout of laughter, and there left him .Hatim, remembering his 
 Maker, took into his mouth the talisman of the bear's daughter, which 
 rendered him completely proof against fire. For three days he 
 remained in that state, after which period he came out without even 
 a thread of his garment being burnt. 
 
 Hatim had no sooner made his escape than he was again seized and 
 bound by the fairies, who thus addressed him : " Three days since a 
 m;ui very like you fell into our hiuids. nnd we cast him into the fire, 
 and burnt him ; pray are you that individual, or some one else of 
 the human race?" — " O, you troop of simpleton," replied Hatim, 
 " assuretlly, such fools as you are never will exist ; if, «s you say, 
 you burnt that individual, how <lo yon imagine that he should be 
 again alive ? But the truth is, the Almighty has preserved me amidst
 
 HATIM; TAl. t^ 
 
 the burning flames." The fairies, on hearing this, again threw ITatini 
 into the lire, from which, after a considerable time, he coolly walked 
 out unhurt ; a third time they repeated the experiment, and at length 
 becoming convinced that he was not to be destroyed by burning, they 
 carried him to the shore of the salt sea, and cast him. into the midst 
 of the deep, and there, living him« to his fate, they dieparted. 
 
 Whilst Hatira was cutting his way by swimming amidst the billows 
 of the ocean, a large nihang* (sea-serpent) happened to espy him. This 
 monster of the deep rushed upon him, and in an instant swallowed 
 him alive. Hatim, thus rescued from drowning, on coming to his 
 senses attempted to stand up and move about, whereby the sea-serpent 
 became so desperately annoyed that he darted towards the shore, and 
 with great exertion, succeeded in disgorging him on dry landj after 
 which he plunged into the deep, and there left him. 
 
 Hatim in that spot lay helpless and exhausted with hunger and 
 thirst for the space of two days and nights, after which time he rose 
 up, and wandered he knew not whither, until he found himself in the 
 midst of a wilderness of sand. Here he continued to stray in all 
 directions, till a troop of fairies happened to observe him : these 
 immediately surrounded him, and said, one- tO' another, "Here is a 
 mortal man, how can he have come hither?" Addressing Hatim^ 
 they said to him, "You seem to be of the human race, pray who 
 brought you into our territory ?" — " The merciful Creator," replied 
 Hatim, " first conducted me into your dominions, but since my arrival 
 I have been cast into the sea, and swallowed by a monstrous nihang, 
 from whose belly I was ejected two days ago on dry land. I am now 
 exhausted with hunger j if you have any compassion within you, let 
 me have something to eat, and water to- quench my thirst." 
 
 To this reply the fairies rejoined, " We dare not administer to you 
 even a drop of water, for our king has strictly ordered us to slay 
 every one of the race of men or demons that may come in our way ; 
 if we, therefore, delay a moment in putting you to death, the wrath 
 of his majesty will assuredly overtake us." Here one of the fairies 
 said to his companions, " Where is our k,ing, and where are we ?t 
 This wretched being is not come hither of his own accord ! God is 
 
 * The word in the original is Neliung which according to the Borhani-Kati ie a 
 species of the allicator or water-snake, exceeding when fully grown the length of 
 sixty gu? (from 100 to 120 feet). 
 
 ■f- Meaning, " the king is far hence a«d shall know nothing of the matter."
 
 76 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 merciful I You know not from what distance he may have been 
 biought by the nihung, and his being found here is accidental, as it 
 was natural he should make an effort to preserve his life. He is one 
 of the human race too, and our superior, nay, the noblest of the 
 sublunary creation ; let us convey him to our abodes, and afford hira 
 kind and hospitable treatment." — " But," said the rest of the fairies, 
 *' if we do spare him, and our king should hear of it, his majesty will 
 certainly put us to death." On hearing this discussion Hatim himself 
 addressed them, saying, " My friends, if it is your duty and interest 
 to slay me, I am quite resigned without further dispute." 
 
 That fairy, however, who spoke in his favour still held out, saying, 
 " My worthy companions, our king is far distant, even seven days' 
 journey hence ; and who among us is likely to turn informer ?" In 
 short, all of them at last agreed to spare Hatim's life : whereupon 
 they carried him to their dwellings, and gave him food to eat, and 
 fruits and water to quench his thirst, so that in a short time he 
 became perfectly recovered. The fairies, charmed with Hatim's 
 gracefulness and eloquence, crowded around him, and felt the greatest 
 pleasure in listening to his conversation ; they daily supplied him 
 with food the most delicious, and fruits the most refreshing, and spent 
 their whole time in his society : thus in a A^ery few days Hatim 
 became a universal favourite, so that he ventured to ask their leave to 
 depart, in order to accomplish his own affairs. " Pray tell us," said 
 they, "what is your business here, and what brought you into our 
 world ?" Hatim told them without reserve : " The demon subjects 
 of Farokash conducted me as far as your boundaries, beyond which 
 they durst not penetrate. As soon as I entered your dominions, the 
 fairies that guard your coasts laid hold of me, and three times did 
 they cast me into the burning flames, but from all tlieij- evil designs 
 the hand of the Cieator protected me ; they afterwards threw me 
 into the sea, from which I escaped as I have already told you." — 
 " And pray," asked they, " what business have you so important, 
 that you undergo such toils and perils for its accomplishment ?" — 
 " My business," replied Hatim, " is with Mahpari." " Beware, frail 
 man," said the fairies, " how you speak of Mahpari ; we are his 
 subjects, and he has enjoined us not to suffer a man or demon to enter 
 his dominions ; should he hear of our affording yon an asylum, he 
 would instantly slay ua all, far less would he spaie yon." 
 
 In answer Hatim said : " If it is our destiny to enjoy longer life
 
 HATIM TAi". 7; 
 
 no oue can slay us ; and if you are afraid of the consequence, vou 
 can bind me hand and foot, and carry me as a captive into the 
 presence of your king." — " What you propose," rejoined they, " is 
 utterly absurd ; you have ah'eady shared of our hospitality ; you and 
 we have eaten salt* together : do you imngine then that we can thus 
 deliver you up to certain destruction ?" — " Be under no hesitation," 
 replied Hatim, " on account of any danger that threatens me, for it 
 is my resolution to have an audience of Mahpari as soon as possible ; 
 therefore convey me thither at all risks." The fairies were sadly 
 perplexed on hearing Hatira's mad designs, and deliberated amongst 
 themselves what was best to be done in his case. At length they 
 resolved to detain him as prisoner, and in the mean time despatch a 
 messenger to learn the king's pleasure regarding him, and act 
 accordingly. One of the fairies was immediately sent to his majesty, 
 with instructions thus to address him : " Sire, we have just seized 
 on the sea-shore one of the human race, who is now our captive ; if 
 such be your royal pleasure, we are ready to conduct him into your 
 august presence." 
 
 The messenger departed, and in the course of seven days arrived at 
 the fairy court, and having received an audience, thus delivered his 
 rnessoge : " Sire, your subjects, who guard the shores of the sea of 
 Kulzum,+ have there taken captive one of the human race, and I have 
 been despatched hither to know your pleasure respecting him." 
 Mahpari ordered the man to be carefully conveyed to his presence, 
 in order that he might himself examine him with regard to his journey 
 to fairy-land. The messenger immediately returned, and after an 
 absence of two weeks arrived at his own residence, and stated that 
 it was his majesty's pleasure to have Hatim brought into his presence. 
 On hearing this, the fairies without delay made preparations for 
 conveying their prisoner to court. Meanwhile the report was rapidly 
 spread through the country, that one of the human race was being 
 brought to the capital. One of his majesty's grandees, by name 
 Miisnapari, had a beautiful daughter called Husnilpari, whose heart 
 was restless and full of curiosity. This fairy damsel said to her 
 "Companions : " I hear that a man has somehow entered our king's 
 dominions, and is now on his way to the capital ; I wish it were 
 
 * Among the Arabs, this formed the strongest pledge of amity. 
 + Accoi-flijig to Muntakhih-iil-Loghat, Knlzum is a na^ie g^jveti to a part of th« 
 Ked Sea.
 
 7o Tin-: .4i)Vi;xTLRi:s of- 
 
 ]>ossil>le for me in ^ec w Imt l»e is like : tlioy tell me that mankind are 
 heautiful in countenance and graceful in I'orni." The attendants of 
 Husnclpari expressed their re:idiness to aid her in gratifying her wi.-ih ;: 
 and at the same time observed to her, " Fair lady, you must take your 
 station by the way side as this man passes, for after he is brought 
 before the king it will be impossible to see him." — " But," said 
 HusnJipari, " how can I leave my father's house, and on what pretence 
 shall 1 get out ?" After some consideration, her youthful companions 
 suggested that she should ask leave of her parents to be allowed to 
 walk in the gardens for some days. Husnapari, delighted with this 
 stratagem, went to her mother, and said, " My dear mother, give me 
 your permission to go out and enjoy for some days the fragrance of 
 the fields and the delights of the garden." — " Receive your father's 
 permission, my child," replied the mother, "and I am satisfied." 
 
 In short, Husnapari was indulged with her father's leave, and' 
 Attended by her fair and youthful companions, went to the garden, 
 •where she was allowed, as usual, to remain for forty days. On her 
 way thither, she further consulted her friends as to the speediest 
 meajis of seeing Hatim, the main object of her journey. They told 
 her that those who guarded the sea of Kulzum were conducting 
 the man from that quarter. On hearing this, Husniipari and her 
 companions, instead of proceeding to the garden, swiftly transported 
 themselves to the shores of Kulzum, where they arrived in the space 
 of three days, just at the moment when the fairies were about to 
 depart with Hatim. 
 
 Husnapari, observing the numerous assemblage on the sea-shore, 
 halted with her train at some distance, and sent one of her attendants 
 to inquire who they were. The messenger soon returned, and informed 
 her that these were the guardians of the shores of Kulzum, and that 
 they were about to convey the man to the king's presence. " I 
 myself," continued the messenger, "saw this flower of Adam's race, 
 as he sat on the sea-shore ; his face was beautiful, and his hair waved 
 in graceful ringlets. His form was elegant as the moon when in her 
 fourteenth night." 
 
 When Husnapari heard this description of Hatim's beauty and 
 perfection, her desire to see him was greatly increased. She said to 
 her fairy train : " Alas ! when am I to behold with my own eyes this 
 lovely being ?" — "Let us watch them in the mean time from a 
 distance," said her companions ; " and when they shall have haltod
 
 HATIM TAf. 7') 
 
 ■for the nigbtt, perhaps we shall be able to carry off the ninn ^^■\wu his 
 ■guards fall asleep. In short, the fairies of Kulziim set out with their 
 prisoner, and in a few days approached the garden of Husuapari, 
 within a farsang of which they halted for the night. When half the 
 night had elapsed, a select few of Husnupari's attendants, who were 
 proficients in magic, approached the guards, and overpowering their 
 eyelids with sleep, they also cast a charm over the eyes of Hatim, so 
 that he fell into a profound slumber, and carried him into the presence 
 of their fair mistress. 
 
 The instant Husnapari beheld him, her heart, was deeply enamoured 
 of his beauty. She lifted him in her arms, sleeping as he was, and 
 carried him herself into her own garden. When Hatim awoke, and 
 looked around him, he was surprised in finding himself surrounded 
 by fairy damsels of surpassing beauty, in the midst of a garden green 
 and fragrant as that of Iram. He addressed this fair assemblage, 
 and said : *' Tell me, who are you, and who has brought me hither ?" 
 The fairest of the troop replied, *' This is the garden of Masnaparl, a 
 fairy of exalted rank, and I am his daughter. My name is Husnapari, 
 or, the Beautiful Fairy. When the news of your arrival in our 
 dominions became divulged, my ardent desire to behold your lovely 
 form overcame my prudence ; for which reason my attendants brought 
 you hither when asleep." Hatim rejoined : " Now that you have 
 gained your wish, may I request that you will aid me in the accom- 
 plishing of my enterprise ?" — '' How can I serve you ?" replied the 
 beautiful fairy. " The object of my coming into your country," said 
 Hatim, " is to get possession of the Shahmuhra." — " Your journey is 
 to little purpose," replied Husnapari, " for no living creature can get 
 the Shahmuhra from the hands of the fairy king ; stay with me, then, 
 for my heart has been yours since the moment I first savv' you." I 
 will comply with your request," said Hatim, "if you procure for me 
 the Shahmuhra." — " I repeat to you," rejoined the fairy, " that I 
 cannot — no creature can, by force or stratagem, get possession of the 
 Shahumhra ; but I know that you are destined to acquii-e this treasure, 
 so far you may rest satisfied." In fine, Husnapari detained Hatim 
 in her garden, where both of them experienced uninterrupted 
 happiness, in the enjoyment of each other's society. 
 
 To return to the guards :• when they awoke from their slumbera, 
 and found no trace of Hatim, they began to search for him in all 
 directions, but to no purpose. They then held a consultatiou on what
 
 so TllL Ai)VENTURES Of 
 
 ■vvas best to be done. Most of them believed tli.it Hatim hnd made 
 his escape, and could not as yet be far off, while others suggested, that 
 probably some youthful fairy, enamoured of his beauty, had stolen him 
 during the niglit. "But what shall we do?" said they to on© 
 another, " if the king should hear of this affair, he Avili assuredly 
 flay us alive." In short, they resolved to keep the affair in secrecy, 
 and in the mean time to make the strictest search. If the man should 
 be found, they were to conduct him before the king as if nothing hiid 
 happened ; and if not, they considered it safest to absent themselves." 
 After a considerable period had thus elapsed, Mahpari becoming 
 impatient, said to his courtiers, " Can you tell me the reason why this 
 man has not yet made his appearance ? I must make further inquiries 
 concerning him." His majesty immediately despatched a messenger 
 to the guardians of the shores of Kulzum, who received as an answer 
 from the latter, " It is now a considerable time since we sent our 
 prisoner to the capital, escorted by a strong guard of soldiers : of these 
 we have heard nothing since, nor can we conjecture what may be the 
 cause of their delay." The messenger conveyed this information to 
 the king, who being exceedingly wroth, ordered his troops to scour 
 the country in search of the delinquents, and find out, if possible, what 
 they had done Avith the man, or whither they had carried him. 
 
 Agreeably to his majesty's commands, emissaries were sent abroad 
 in all directions, and not long after one of Hatim's escort was seized 
 and carried to the capital. Mahpari threatened him with the severest 
 punishment, unless he told truly what had become of the man whom 
 . they had in charge. The fairy guard with trembling voice replied, 
 " Spare my life, O king, and I will tell truly all that I know respect- 
 ing the man." — " Speak the truth, then," said the king, " otherwise 
 you shall speedily die." The guard proceeded : " Sire, we received 
 the man in charge, and for several days journeyed with him most care- 
 fully towards the foot of your throne. It happened, as we halted for 
 the night in a certain spot near a garden, that we were all overpower- 
 ed with sleep, and when we awoke the man was nowhere to be seen. 
 It is certain, that some one must have stolen him from us, for he would 
 not have gone of his own accord, as he frequently expressed his most 
 ardent desire to have an intervicAV with your majesty. It is most 
 likely then, that some of the fairy damsels on seeing him, became 
 enamoured of his person, for verily he is of rare beauty and graceful- 
 nese, and contrived to carry him oflf while we were asleep. Next
 
 HATIM TAi. '"^l 
 
 morning, when we nwoke and missed our charge, we fled in all 
 directions, from fear of your majesty's merited wrath ; and this, Sire, 
 is the whole truth." 
 
 On hearing this statement, Mahpari ordered the culprit's life to be 
 spared, and contented himself by detaining him prisoner, until such 
 time as the man should be found. Meanwhile he sent forth all his 
 servants, with orders to search every corner within fairy-land until 
 they discovered Hatira. It happened about three months after, that 
 one of the escort from Kulzum entered unobserved the garden of 
 Masnapari, and having concealed himself in a corner, what does he 
 see but the beautiful fairy and Hatim walking hand in hand amidst 
 the flowers. He instantly recognised the object of his research, and 
 leaving his hiding-place, he boldly presented himself amidst the fairy 
 troop, saying, " Most foolish damsels, you are aware that the king 
 has ordered this man to be brought into his presence, whither we were 
 conducting him ; and yet you had the boldness to carry him off by 
 stratagem. Now, if you value your lives, surrender bim into ray 
 charge, otherwise death and degradation shall be your kn." 
 
 On hearing this unexpected address, Husnapari, instigated by fear 
 and resentment, said to her attendants, " How durst you, without my 
 permission, admit a stranger into the garden ? Seize the villain, let 
 him be severely punished, and for the remainder of his life confined 
 in fetters." The spy with the utmost activity bounded off as they 
 were about to lay hold of him, and fled beyond their reach. With 
 all speed he made for the capital, and on his arrival blackened his 
 face, and taking his station at the palace gate, stated that he had a 
 complaint to lay before the king. His majesty was pleased to admit 
 him, and inquire, " Why hast thou blackened thy face ? Tell me, 
 who has injured thee ?" " Sire," replied the spy, " my complaint is 
 against the beautiful daughter of Masnajjari. I am one of those who 
 formed the escort of the Arabian prince from Kulzum, and while we 
 were conducting our charge hither, agreeably to your majesty's order, 
 this damsel, whose name is Husnapari, contrived to steal him from us 
 by night, and since then she has detained him in her father's garden. 
 I happened to discover the circumstance, and demanded of her the 
 man as my prisoner. Enraged, she threatened me with severe 
 punishment and confinement for life ; however, I fortunately made my 
 escape, and hastened to lay my information before your majesty." 
 
 When the sovereign of the fairy realms heard this intelligence his 
 
 K
 
 .S2 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 wrath was excessive. He instantly despatched his commander-in- 
 chief, accompanied by thirty thousand troops, with orders to seize 
 MasnJipnri, and make liim responsible for his daiiglitcr's conduct. 
 When Masnapari behehl this formidable array drawn up around his 
 mansion, he was highly perplexed, and addressing the commander, 
 said, " For what purpose are all these forces ? In what respect 
 have I incurred his majesty's displeasure?" — "Pray, sir," said the 
 commander, " where is your daughter ?" — " For some months past," 
 replied the other, "she has been enjoying the delights of our garden 
 in the country." — " Wretched being !" rejoined the commander, " I 
 pity your case ; be it known to you, that your daughter has privately 
 conveyed into that garden the man whom the sentinels of Kulzum 
 found upon their coast, hence the cause of the king's resentment 
 towards you." 
 
 When the mother of Husnilpari heard this statement, pale with fear 
 she hastened to the garden, where she found her fair daughter seateil 
 on a bed of flowers, and engaged in conversation with Hatim. The 
 enraged mother struck Husnupari on the head, saying, " Abandoned 
 hussy ! you have caused the ruin of yourself and family. The king's 
 troops have surrounded our dwelling in quest of this man, whom you 
 have chosen for your lover." Husnapari, surprised and terrified at these 
 tidings, stood motionless, and her beautiful countenance assumed a 
 saffron hue. The mother immediately gave her daughter and Hatim 
 in charge to the commander of the troops ; and she herself, with the 
 whole of her relations, were ordered to follow to the capital. 
 
 In the course of three days they arrived at the king's palace, where 
 
 the commander informed his majesty that Masnuparl was in attendance 
 
 to plead his own cause, and that his daughter, and the prince of Yemen 
 
 her lover, were now at hand to be disposed of as his majesty might 
 
 deem proper. Mahpari ordered, in the first place, that the father 
 
 should be brought before him. jNIasnupari entered, and making a low 
 
 obeisance, said, " Sire, I swear by your majesty's salt, which I have 
 
 so often tasted, that I knew nothing of the transaction. I have come, 
 
 however, obedient to your commands, accompanied by my family, and 
 
 all of us are ready to undergo whatever be the decree of your majesty." 
 
 — " Enough," said the king, " you are innocent, and we accordingly 
 
 forgive you ; let us now examine this man who has caused us all this 
 
 trouble." 
 
 The attendants immediately introduced Ilatim, and placed him
 
 HATTM TAl. 83 
 
 before the king. Wlien Mahpari belield his noble form aud fair 
 countenance, all his resentment towards liim vanished, and having 
 seated Hatim beside him, he began to converse with him, and said, 
 " You are a bold youth to enter our dominions ; may I ask what is 
 the cause of your journey hither ?" — " Sire," replied Hatim, " I had 
 heard much of your majesty, and of your heavenly realms, from 
 Farokash the king of the demons, so that I felt an irresistible desire 
 of visiting your conntiy, and of tendering you my humble services, 
 whatever might be the risk." — " Who," asked the king, " were your 
 guides hither ?" — " The subjects of Farokash," said Hatim. — " Know 
 you," continued the faiiy king, " wdiether there be among the demons 
 any learned and expert physician ?" — " From what I have there 
 observed," replied Hatim, " I believe the subjects of Farokash have 
 no great skill in physic ; but may I ask, what occasion has your 
 highness for a physician ?" — " I shall tell you in good time," said 
 Mahpari, " for after all you may be able to serve me, as the human 
 race are allowed to be the noblest and most skilful of the creation, and 
 from their superior wisdom they are enabled to hold under their 
 control the regions of the fairies and demons, as Avas the case with 
 Suleiman, on whom be peace," — " Well," said Hatim, " may I once 
 more presume to ask, what would your majesty have with a 
 physician ?" 
 
 Mahpari, in a voice of sorrow, replied : " I have a son who is the 
 admiration of the world, accomplished in every art and science that 
 adorn the mind, matchless in the beauty and elegance of his form, 
 and beside him I have no other child. He has been lately seized with 
 a pain in his eyes, which constantly flow with water, so intense 
 that he is now quite blind ; nor does he experience a moment's relief. 
 If you can procure me a learned leech v/ho may succeed in restoring 
 him his sight, I shall ever remain grateful for your kindness," — " May 
 I ask," said Hatim, " what reward will your highness bestow on that 
 physician who may be the means of curing the prince?" — " I will 
 give him whatever he asks," replied the king, " Agreed," said 
 Hatim ; "I myself will undertake on these terms to restore the prince 
 to perfect health," The king then took Hatim by the hand, and 
 solemnly swore to abide by his promise, and as it now waxed late, 
 they agreed to retire to rest foi- that night, 
 
 Hatim was ushered into a splendid apartment, while troops of 
 fairies attended him to execute his commands. They presented hiiu
 
 84 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 with every sort of food and a variety of delicious fruits, with cool 
 water pure as crystal. When the morning dawned the fairy king 
 conducted Hatim to the apartment of his son, who lay stretched upon 
 the bed of restlessness. Hatim took out the talisman (presented him 
 by the bear's daughter), and having dipped it in pure water, applied 
 the liquid to the prince's eyes. In the course of the day he obtained 
 .'^ome relief, and the pain was greatly alleviated, but his sight was not 
 yet in the least restored. Mahpari, with the anxiety of a parent, 
 watched the progress of the cure, and addressing Hatim, said, " Most 
 learned man, the eyes are indeed cured of the pain which they 
 suffered ; but, alas ! the vision I fear is for ever lost." After a little 
 reflection, Hatim said, " Sire, there is a tree that grows amidst the 
 shades of Zulmat,* which is called the naudar : from this tree distils 
 a liquid of rare qualities, of which if even a single drop could be 
 procured, it would be the means of restoring the prince's sight.' 
 When Mahpari heard this, he addressed his fairy subjects, saying : 
 " Is there one among you who has the courage to enter the regions 
 of Zulmat, and bring me a vial full of the juice of the naudar ?" All 
 the fairies with downcast looks listened to this proposal, and replied, 
 " The vales of Zulmat abound with demons, the very scent of which 
 we cannot endure ; and besides, being our enemies, they would not 
 leave one of us alive were we to venture thither." The king, well 
 aware of this fact, held down his head in silent grief, when Husnapari 
 respectfully approached him, and said, " If ray lord the king will 
 forgive my past transgressions, and again restore to me the prince of 
 Yemen, I will endeavour to find out the tree in question." 
 
 Mahpari, delighted, said to her in return, " Fair lady, I heartily 
 forgive your pranks ; nay, in receiving an explanation from your 
 father I had extended my full pardon to you all : but so far as regards 
 the prince of Yemen, I have no control over him ; he is entirely at 
 his own disposal. Hatim then addressed the beautiful fairy, saying, 
 "Noble lad}', if it is your wish that I should dwell with you during 
 the whole of my life, it is more than I can by any means promise you ; 
 but if you will be satisfied with my remaining in your society only 
 during my own pleasure, and having full liberty to depart when I 
 think proper, then I sincerely promise not to deceive you." The 
 beautiful fairy replied, in the accents of love, " Alas ! I can lay no 
 
 • The regions of darkness, which *re said te contain also th« water of immortality.
 
 HATIM TAY. 85 
 
 claim to vonr {iflfcotions, but say you will stiiy with me for at least :i 
 few (lays. My time shall be wholly spent in the enjoyment of your 
 society ; and when I shall have, if possible, sufficiently admired you, 
 then your departure will be in your own choice." — " Enough," said 
 Hatim, " for the present ; lose no time in the accomplishing of your 
 dangerous enterprise." 
 
 Husnapari, accompanied with seven thousand fairy troops 
 immediately set out upon his journey ; and so swiftly did she wing 
 her course, that all her convoy were left far in her rear. In the space 
 of forty days she entered the regions of darkness, and arrived at the 
 tree of naudar, the top of which seemed to pierce the skies. From its 
 trunk flowed a liquid white as milk and sweet as honey. She caught 
 the drops in her vial as they fell, and when it was filled she carefully 
 sealed it up, and began to retrace her steps from those dreary abodes. 
 Meanwhile a host of demons, twelve thousand in number, that acted 
 as guards of the tree of naudar, observed the beautiful fairy as she 
 was returning and immediately pursued her. Husnapari increased 
 her speed, and fled swiftly as the bird that flies for its life. The 
 demons followed fast for the space of four farasangs, when finding 
 that they were losing ground, they returned to their haunts. 
 
 In about forty days after the beautiful fairy arrived at the court of 
 her own sovereign, and presenting to his majesty the vial containing 
 the precious elixir, she detailed the events of her journey. The king 
 was boundless in his gratitude, and exalted her into the rank of the 
 most select in his household. Hatim dipped his talisman into the 
 elixir, and applied a few drops of it to the eyes of the prince, which 
 still continued shut. At the end of eight days he repeated the 
 process, and a complete cure ensued. When the prince again beheld 
 the faces of his father and mother, his joy Avas excessive. Grateful, 
 he prostrated himself at the feet of Hatim, who speedily raised him 
 to his bosom, saying, " Let thy thanks be rendered unto God." 
 
 In the meantime the fairy king oflTered for Hatim's acceptance 
 treasures to such an extent as would defy calculation. Hatim, after 
 expressing his sense of the king's bounty, said, " Sire, this vast 
 wealth, and these valuable jewels are useless to me unless your 
 subjects conduct me to the dominions of Farokash, and convey the 
 treasures thither." To this Mahpari readily assented ; whereupon 
 Hatim rejoined : " Sire, I value not gold and jewels ; all I wish from 
 jour majesty is the fulfilment of the agreement which you wer«
 
 86 THE ADVEXTURF.S OF 
 
 j)lease(l to niako with nic, that I shotilil rcceirc from you whntvrcr 
 1 asked." — " State your wish," replied Mahpari, " and you shall not 
 be disappointed." — " Give me then," said Hatim, " the Shahmuhra 
 which adorns your hand." 
 
 The fairy king, on l)cai-ing this request, silently held down his 
 head, and after some time said, " I see how it is ; the daughter of 
 llarith the merchant has sent you hither in quest of the Shahmuhra." 
 • — " True, sire, " replied Hatim, " and I on my part have undertaken 
 to procure it for her." — " Well," continued the king, " I will strictly 
 abide by my promise, but the daughter of Ilai'ith shall never possess 
 this treasure." Hatim suggested that as soon as he had acquitted 
 himself of his task, the Shahmuhra might be returned. Of this proposal 
 the king approved, and having unfixed the Shahmuhra from on his 
 arm, he fastened it on that of Hatim, who immediately perceived its 
 rare qualities ; for he had no sooner placed it on his arm than all the 
 treasures of gold and precious stones concealed within the bosom of 
 the earth wei-e now clearly displayed to his eyes ; nor was he at any 
 loss to discover the reason why Harith's daughter so eagerly desired 
 the possession of this key of wealth. 
 
 Mahpari summoned into his presence three of his most cunning 
 magicians, and gave them instructions to this eifect : " When this 
 man shall have delivered the Shahmuhra to Harith's daughter, and 
 she in consequence accepts her lover in marriage, you shall transport 
 yourselves thither, and after she has had it ten days in hei" possession, 
 bring it back to me." Hatim then took leave of the fairy king, and 
 proceeded to the residence of Husuctpari, with whom he spent three 
 months in the enjoyment of every happiness. At length he bade 
 adieu to that beautiful lady, and accompanied by the fairies, of whom 
 some carried his tjeasures, and others conveyed himself in a litter, he 
 left the capital, and in a fews days reached the territories of Farokash. 
 When arrived at the line of separation between the two regions, the 
 fairies left him, and the demons, avIio had previously been his guides, 
 and had remained there during his absence in- fairy land, instantly 
 took him up, and conveyed him with all his treasures to their own 
 capital. Hatim had an interview Avith Farokash, Avho received him 
 with the utmost kindness and hospitality. Next day he continued 
 his homeward journey, and by his former route through the cave, in 
 the course of time arrived safe in the city of Suri. 
 
 Hatim immediately on his arrival sought out the lover Nairn, oh
 
 ■HATlM TAi. 87 
 
 ■whom he bestowed all the wealth which he brought from fairy huul. 
 The youth accepted the valuable effects with a profusiou of thanks, 
 after which, Hatim waited ou Ilarith's daughter and presented her 
 ■with the Shahmuhra. The lady, ou receiving this treasure, was 
 extremely delighted, and said to Hatim, " Now, brave sir, I am 
 yours." — " Excuse me," replied Hatim, " if I reject your offer ; you 
 know what anguish the youthful Naim has been suffering for years 
 on your account ; him therefore you shall accept as your husband." 
 The lady agreed, saying, " I am entirely at your disposal." The 
 father and the lover were immediately sent for, and Hatim made 
 them join hands as father and son. The marriage contract was then 
 drawn up and agreed to, after the usual form ; in short, the love-sick 
 Naiiji was blessed in the possession of his mistress, and Hatim pleased 
 in what he had himself done. In the course of ten days after, the 
 Shahmuhra mysteriously disappeared from the lady's hand, Avhere- 
 upon her grief and lamentation were excessive. Hatim earnestly 
 endeavoured to console her, saying, " Lady, you have in your posses- 
 sion such vast treasures of gold and jewels as will be amply sutffcient 
 ibr your posterity, even unto the seventh generation ; why then 
 should you not be content." 
 
 Hatim shortly after took leave of his friends in Suri, and betook 
 himself seriously to the attainment of the object of his journey, viz^ 
 the solution of Husn Banu's second question. He travelled through 
 many a stage without success, till at length he arrived on the banks 
 of a large river. There he beheld a lofty mansion built of stone, over 
 the door of which was written, " Do good and cast it into the river J' 
 On seeing this motto, Hatim devoutly thanked the ruler of events, 
 and said, " I have now reached the object of my desire." While he 
 was in this contemplation a crowd of attendants issued forth, and 
 conducted him into the house. There he beheld seated upon a throne 
 a venerable man, whose age amounted to a hundred years. On 
 Hatim's entrance, the aged sire rose up and court-eously received him ; 
 after which, he hospitably presented him with food and drink of 
 various descriptions. 
 
 When Hatim had appeased his hunger and allayed his thirst, 
 he said to his entertainer, " Venerable sir, pray what is the meaning 
 of the motto which is written above your door ?" — " Young stranger," 
 replied the aged man, " listen to my tale, which will explain it. In 
 the prime of my life I was a most daring robber, and lived liy
 
 S.S THE ADVENTUREii OF 
 
 plundering my fellow-creatures, whose property I used to seize by 
 violent means. But every day, when I rested from my sinful 
 avocations, I used to bake two lai-ge loaves, the ingredients of which 
 1 mixed with sweet-oil and sugar. Two such loaves I daily threw 
 into the river, saying, ' This I give away to propitiate the favour of 
 heaven.^ A considerable period had thus passed, when one day I 
 w^as seized with sickness so violent that my soul seemed to quit my 
 body. Methought a man seized me by the hand, and pointing out to 
 me the way to the infernal regions, said, ' There is the place destined 
 for thee. ^ While he was on the point of hurling me into the midst 
 of the damned, two youths divinely fair in countenance and angelic 
 in form came up to my rescue. My guardian angels laid hold of me, 
 one by each arm, and said, ' We will not peraiit this man to be cast 
 into hell ; sinful as he has been, his future station is in paradise, 
 and thither let us convey him.' 
 
 " They swiftly wafted me to the regions of the blessed, where an 
 angel of exalted rank stood up and asked them, ' Why have you brought 
 this man ? A hundred years of his life are yet to pass ; but there is 
 another of the same name whom you were commissioned to bring.' 
 The same two angels who carried me to the gates of paradise, again 
 brought me back to my house, and said to me at parting, ' We are 
 the two loaves* which you used to cast into the river for fishes to 
 feed on, as a service acceptable to the Almighty.' When I recovered 
 from my trance, I rose up and fled for refuge into the threshold of 
 divine mercy, exclaiming in the voice of supplication, ' Gracious 
 God ! thou art merciful, and I am a sinful creature. I repent of my 
 evil deeds, which I committed in the depravity of my heart. To thy 
 gates I now flee for protection ; spare me, merciful Creator, and from 
 thy secret stores of divine grace bestow upon me that which is meet 
 for me.' 
 
 " When my health was restored, I prepared the two loaves as 
 formerly, and went with them to the side of the river, in order to cast 
 them upon the waters. On the shore I found a hundred dinars, which 
 I took up and carried with me to the village. I there caused it to be 
 publicly proclaimed, that if any person had lost a sum of money, 
 he should obtain the same from me. None came forward to claim 
 the money : I therefore laid It aside, in hopes that the real owner of 
 
 * " Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days." — 
 Ecd. xi. 1.
 
 HATIM TAl. 8f) 
 
 it might some clay appear. Next day, when I went to the river-side, 
 according to my usual mode, I threw my two loaves into the water ; 
 and another sum of a hundred dinars made its appearance on the shore. 
 I took the money home with me, and in the same way it happened to 
 me for ten successive days. On the eve of the eleventh day, as I was 
 asleep, a man appeared to me in the visions of the night, saying, 
 ' Servant of the Almighty, thy two loaves have pleaded thy cause in 
 heaven, and the merciful Creator has forgiven thy sins. The dinars 
 which you receive are for thy competency ; what is not necessary for 
 thy own support, bestow in charity upon the poor.' 
 
 " I awoke from my dream and betook myself to prayer, and rendered 
 my thanks to the bountiful giver. I have since built this mansion, on 
 the door of which I have written the motto that has attracted your 
 attention. Every day I receive the sum of a hundred dinars on the 
 £hore of the river ; and I occupy myself in giving it away in charity, 
 in feeding the hungry, the poor, and the helpless stranger. Nearly 
 a hundred years of my life still remain, and this, young stranger, is 
 my history." 
 
 When Hatim heai'd the wonderful account of this aged man, he 
 devoutly expressed his sense of the divine mercy. After having staid 
 a few days, he took leave of his venerable entertainer, and began to 
 retrace his way to Shahabad. Having ti-avelled a considerable 
 distance he came to a desert, where he beheld underneath a tree two 
 serpents in deadly contest : the one was black and loathsome, the 
 other beautiful and graceful to view ; but the black snake had the 
 advantage in the struggle, and was on the point of killing the other. 
 Hatim speedily approached, and raised a shout that terrified the black 
 serpent, which let go its victim and fled. The serpent of beautiful 
 colour being quite powerless, remained beneath the tree, lookino- 
 gratefully at Hatim. The latter observing this, addressed the white 
 snake, saying, " Fear nothing from me, I will hei'e watch over you 
 till you are recovered." In the course of a few hours the serpent 
 began to move slowly round the tree, which being done, it assumed 
 the form of a beautiful young man. 
 
 Hatim stood wrapt in astonishment, when the youth addressing 
 him, said, " My good friend, I am of the race of the genii, and the 
 son of their king. The black snake which you saw is my father's 
 slave, who bears deadly hatred towards me. To-day he happened to 
 find the time fitting, and having transformed himself and me into 
 
 L
 
 90 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 serpents, he was about to slay me, when God the oupreme sent you 
 to my relief." On hearing this liatiin rejoined, " As you are now 
 recovered, proceed to your abode without delay : as for me I have 
 affairs of moment." The genius replied, " My residence is not far 
 hence ; if you will deign to honour me with a visit, nothing can be 
 more agreeable to me." In short, the prince of the genii conducted 
 Hatim to his troops, and under convoy of the latter he proceeded to 
 the prince's palace. There he rested for the night, seated upon a 
 throne, and charmed with musical sounds the most melodious. Next 
 day he was presented with boundless treasures of gold and all sorts 
 of jewels, which he rejected, saying that such things had no value in 
 his sight. As he was about to depart from this hospitable mansion, 
 the genii had caught the base slave that had attempted to kill the 
 prince ; and having dragged him to the place of execution, they put 
 him to death in Hatim's presence. 
 
 Hatim took his leave of the genii, and continued his journey till he 
 arrived in Shahabad. He went straight to the caravanserai, where 
 he was joyfully received by Muuir, the Syrian prince. Husn Banu's 
 people in the meantime conveyed to their mistress the news of 
 Hatim's arrival. She next day sent for him, and said, " Brave youth, 
 this time you have been long absent ; pray have you attained the 
 object of your journey or not ?" — " Praised be God," said Hatim, 
 " I have been quite successfuL" He then detailed to Husn Banu all 
 that he had witnessed since his departure, and particularly the history 
 of the aged man on the banks of the river. When Husn Baim heard 
 this wonderful adventure, she looked towards her nurse, who said, 
 *' The youth speaks truly : your second question is solved." 
 
 Food and drink were then called for, of which Hatim and the prince 
 of Syria partook ; the former assuring the latter that through divine 
 aid he would accomplish the solution of the remaining questions. 
 Three days were spent in discharging the rites of hospitality, at the 
 expiration of which Hatim waited upon Husn Banu, saying, "Now, 
 fair lady, let me hear your third question, that I may endeavour to 
 solve it." — " There is a man," replied Husn Banu, " who says from 
 experience, ' Injure no one ; if you do, evil ivill befall you.' Find 
 out where that man lives, what injury he has done, and what evil has 
 befallen him."
 
 HATIM TAl. 
 
 91 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 HatiyrCs journey to the desert and city of Himyar — His interview 
 with Hamir, and his return to the city of Shahabad. 
 
 The liistorians have informed us, that when Hatim set out on his 
 journey from Shahabad he had not the least idea in what direction 
 he ouo-ht to proceed. All he knew of the man in question was, that 
 he dwelt in the city of Himyar ; he therefore placed his reliance 
 upon divine Providence, and continued his route to the north. 
 When a month had thus passed, the summit of a mountain appeared 
 in the distant horizon. Thither Hatim directed his steps, and when 
 he arrived at the foot of the mountain, he heard a voice loudly 
 exclaiming in the words of the following hemistich : " Come, oh 
 come, I can no longer endure thy absence." 
 
 Hatim began to ascend the mountain till he saw a wide-spreading 
 and shady tree, underneath which was placed a sopha formed of 
 marble. On the sopha reclined a young man fair of countenance, 
 holding in his hand a branch of the tree, and his eyes shut as it were 
 in a state of abstraction, exclaiming, at short intervals, " Come, oh 
 come, I can no longer endure thy absence" When Hatim saw 
 him, he wondered within himself how a human being could have 
 taken up his residence in such a solitary spot : he therefore resolved 
 to ask him the cause of his sorrow. He went up close to the youth, 
 and said, " Friend, tell me what is the nature of your grief ?" The 
 young man continued in the same state of listlessness without taking 
 the least notice of Hatim's inquiry, but uttered another exclamation 
 in the words above given. Again Hatim addressed him, but received 
 no reply ; and very shortly after, he for the third time asked him, 
 saying, " Strange youth, surely you are deaf ; thrice have I requested 
 to know the cause of your sorrow, and you have returned me no 
 answer : am I forsooth not to be considered by you as a man, and a 
 servant of the Almighty ?" The youth opened his eyes, and seeing 
 Hatim, said to him, " My good friend, whence come you ; what is 
 your business with me, and what is the subject of your inquiries ?" — 
 " You and I," replied Hatim, " are of the same species, perhaps I 
 may be able to contribute to your relief." — " Alag !" rejoined thft
 
 92 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 othor, '* many a one like you has come here, and having teased me 
 Avith questions respecting my condition, have abandoned me ; but no 
 one has hitherto made any effort to relieve me : may I then request 
 that you too -will go your way." Hatim still persevered, saying, 
 " As you have told your tale to so many, I beg, for heaven's sake, 
 that you will let me also hear it." — '' Sit down then for a moment," 
 said the young man, " till I relate to you my history." 
 
 Hatim reclined beneath the shade of the tree, and the youtli thus 
 proceeded with his tale : " I am a merchant. Once I was journeying 
 with my caravan towards the empire of Rum, and at a certain spot on 
 tlic road near this mountain I desired my attendants to move onwards, 
 Avhile I remained admiring the surrounding scenery, after which I 
 should soon overtake them. My caravan accoixlingly proceeded, and 
 I began to climb the mountain ; l)ut the higher I went, the greater 
 became my desire to reach its summit. At length I stopped to rest 
 underneatli this tree ; when, lo ! a damsel unparalleled in beauty of 
 countenance and elegance of form, presented herself to my view. 
 The moment I beheld this ravisher of hearts, reason abandoned my 
 soul ; and senseless I fell on the ground. The moon-faced damsel 
 approached me, and raising my head upon her lap, besprinkled my 
 face with rose-water of sweet fragrance. When I returned to my 
 senses, and found my head reclining upon the lap of this Hourl, 
 heaven ! had I a thousand hearts, her beauty would have robbed me 
 of them all. I stood up, and asked her, ' Fairest of damsels, who 
 are you, and from wliat cause do you dwell in this solitude ?' — ' I am 
 a fairy,' she replied, ' and this mountain is my residence : I have 
 long wished to see one of the human race such as you are, and this 
 day the desire of ray heart has been realized.' In short, I became so 
 fascinated with the charms of this fairy angel, that I lost all thoughts 
 of my caravan, my home, my merchandise, and myself. She smiled 
 so irresistibly sweet, that she entangled my heart in the intricate 
 fetters of her waving ringlets. 
 
 "After I had lived three months in the enjoyment of her society, 
 I one day said to her, ' Why should we thus spend our lives in 
 solitude ? It would be far better for us to remove to the city, and 
 there pass our time in the midst of pleasure.' To this the fairy 
 replied, ' If such is your wish, I am satisfied; and I shall willingly 
 accompany you as soon as I can get permission to quit this place. 
 Meanwhile I must leave you for a short time, and you must not stir
 
 HATIM TAT. !)3 
 
 hence till my return ; reniaiu luidenieuth this same tree till 1 rejoin 
 you, when we shall set out together for your city,' I then said (o 
 her, ' How long Avill you be absent?' — 'Within seven days,' she 
 answered, ' I shall certainly return ; and, I repeat, beware of moving 
 licnce till I come, otherwise you will have cause to repent.' 
 
 " It is now seven years since the fairy left me, and on account of 
 her injunctions and my promise, I durst not, during that period, go 
 away anywhere, lest in my absence my beloved should have returned, 
 and not finding me here, she should have cause to be angry with me. 
 But, in fact, my strength is now so reduced that I cannot proceed in 
 search of her, having lived for so long a time on the leaves of trees 
 and water from the fountain. I may verily say, that to me the earth 
 is hard,and the heavens are far- off ; I cannot stay, and I dare not 
 go. Many people like yourself have come to me, and on hearing my 
 history have gone their way ; and on that account I disregarded your 
 inquiries." 
 
 When the young man had finished his tale, Hatim said to him 
 " Pray, sir, what is your name ?" — " I am called Tamim of Khfirzim," 
 was the reply. " Did the fairy," rejoined Hatim, " mention to you 
 her name and place of abode ?" — " Her name," replied the other, " is 
 Alkanpari, and her residence is the mountain Alka." — " When she 
 left you," continued Hatim, " in what direction did she proceed." — 
 " She walked to the right," answered the youth ; " but very soon I 
 lost sight of her, and I know not whither she went." — " Well," said 
 Hatim, " if you really wish to see that fairy again, come with me, 
 and we shall set off together to the mountain of Alka, and endeavour 
 to find her out." — " Your proposal is fair," answered the youth ; 
 " but if I depart with you, and during my absence the mistress of my 
 heart should happen to come here, she will return disappointed ; my 
 journey will then be of no avail, and I shall not obtain the object of 
 my wish. If it be destined for me ever to meet with her, it must be 
 in this spot ; and if otherwise, I am willing to sacrifice my life for 
 the sake of her whom I love." 
 
 When Hatim heard this, tears of pity flowed from his eyes, while 
 he thus addressed the young man : " My good friend, I will myself 
 go to the mountain of Alka, and should it please the Almighty 
 Creator, I shall find out that beautiful fairy, and either cause her to 
 return to you, or bring her hither in person : I will depart immedi- 
 ately while you shall remain here, and when I have discovered the
 
 94 THE ADVENTURES OF' 
 
 dwelling place of Alkaupaii, I shall return" — " Noble sir," said the 
 youth, in reply, " I have never yet seen any one who would abandon 
 his own affairs in order to serve others ; why should you be an 
 exception to this rule ? go then and follow your own business." — 
 " Mistake me not, young man," said Hatim, " I have devoted my life 
 and property to the service of my fellow-creatures, and so far as 
 either of them may be of use, I am ready to assist the distressed. 
 Be assured, sir, that I now speak sincerely ; I have made a vow to 
 God always to speak the truth, and never in my life have I uttered a 
 falsehood ; trust me then, and remain here till I return." 
 
 The young man promised that, as long as life remained in his body, 
 he would not leave that spot ; and Hatim bidding him farewell, 
 recommended him to the care of God, and departed. He proceeded' 
 in the direction which the fairy had gone, and for the whole of that 
 day had his eyes bent towards the top of the mountain ; but he no 
 sooner approached the summit, than another still higher appeared 
 beyond it. He passed onwards to the higher mountain, which he 
 began to ascend. Its side abounded with overgreen trees and shady 
 groves. At length he came to a spot overshadowed by four aged and 
 wide-spreading trees, underneath which were placed seats both neat 
 and clean. Hatim reclined on one of these couches, and as the breezes 
 were cool and refreshing, he soon fell asleep. In the midst of his 
 slumbers four fairies came and sat down beside him, and when they 
 discovered that the sleeper was one of Adam's race, they said one to 
 another, " How has this young man found his way hither ? Let us 
 question him as to the object of his journey." 
 
 One of the four fairies having awaked Hatim, said to him, "Pray, 
 tell us, young man, how have you arrived here, and on what account 
 are you come ?" Hatim opened his eyes, and on seeing the fairies, 
 replied, "I have travelled hither, under the guidance of my Creator, 
 in search of Alkanpari, who resides in the mountain ofAlka. That 
 beautiful fairy has ciptured the heart of a youth by name Tamim, 
 whom she one day left underneath a tree, promising to return in the 
 course of seven days ; and, lo ! the youth has there waited seven 
 years in expectation of her. The miserable wretch is now in the 
 agonies of death ; and I am going to expostulate with the fairy for 
 her cruelty and insincerity, for to make a promise and not to fulfil it, 
 is a proceeding unbecoming the noble." 
 
 To this the fairies replied, " Alkanpari is sovereign of the mountain
 
 HATIM TAi. 95 
 
 of Alka, how is it possible that she could have pledged herself to 
 hold an interview with one of your race? In truth, you are mad to 
 say so, and it is our duty to put you to instant death." — " If such be 
 my fate," returned Hatim, '" I am resigned." The fairies relenting, 
 said to him, " If you will pass some days in our society, and entertain 
 us with your conversation, we shall conduct you to the mountain of 
 Alka." — " I agree," said Hatim, " particularly as I have no other 
 resource, and the success of my present journey must depend upon 
 you." The fairy damsels then presented him with food, and treated 
 him most hospitably with every kind of eatable that he could desire. 
 When the stipulated period had elapsed, Hatim requested to be 
 conducted on his way by his fair entertainers, who readily accom- 
 panied hira during the space of seven days, and then took leave, 
 saying, " Beyond this spot we dare not advance : you must hold by 
 the path towards the right hand till you come in sight of a mountain, 
 at the foot of whi(di there are two roads ; but there you must again 
 take that which leads to the right, and you will thereby arrive at the 
 mountain of Alka." 
 
 Hatim bade adieu to his guides, and proceeded on his journey 
 towards the mountain. In a month after he came to the place where 
 the road branched into two, and as the shades of the nicht were 
 falling, he there sat down, in order to rest till day. When a watch 
 of the night had elapsed, his ear was struck with a voice of sorrow 
 that issued from the surrounding desert. He raised his head from 
 the lap of sleep, and as he listened to the mournful sounds, lie thought 
 within himself: "Oh, Hatim! thou hast devoted thyself to the 
 service of thy Creator ; and now, when the voice of distress pierces 
 thy ear, why dost thou hesitate to administer relief ? What M'ill be 
 thy answer hereafter in the presence of the great Judge ?" With 
 these reflections he speedily arose and proceeded to the kft, in the 
 direction of the voice. The whole night he continued to advance, 
 but no one could he find ; and when it was day, he sat down and 
 rested till darkness again overspread the earth, when the same lament- 
 ing voice reached his ears. He started up, and continued his pursuit 
 till at the dawn of day he arrived at a solitary spot, where he beheld 
 a comely youth with his feet bare and his head uncovered, bitterly 
 weeping and lamenting. 
 
 Hatim addressed the young man, saying, " My good friend, how 
 came you to be alone in this wilderness, whose echoes resound to your
 
 DO THE ADVENTtHES OF 
 
 cries ; and who has sent you hither?" The youth in tears rephed, 
 " Generous sir, I am by profession a soklier, and lately quitted my 
 home in quest of service. On my journey I happened to lose my 
 way, and on coming to a certain city, I asked the inhabitants, ' What 
 is the name of this city, and who is its sovereign?' One of them 
 told me, ' This is the capital of Musahhir, the magician ;' on hearing 
 which, I became terrified, and immediately fled. After I had ridden 
 tlie distance of a farasang from the city, I came to a garden, whose 
 beauty charmed my heart ; and dismounting from my steed, I entered 
 this terrestrial paradise. I had not advanced more than tliree steps 
 within the garden, when I beheld troops of damsels fair as Houris, 
 and clothed in splendid apparel, I then discovered that I was in the 
 garden of the zenana,* and reflecting that it was highly improper for 
 me to enter such sacred precincts, which no man of real bravery would 
 have done, I began to retrace ray steps the way I came. 
 
 " When the women saw me, one of them ran and told her mistress 
 that a young man was about to walk in the garden, but on discover- 
 ing his mistake, had retired. On hearing this, the lady, who was 
 none other than the daughter of Musahhir the magician, instantly sent 
 me a message requesting my attendance. I went, and the moment I 
 beheld her fair countenance I became like one beside himself, and 
 grew so faint that I had to lay hold of the garden gate for support. 
 Her attendants seized me by the hands and conducted me to the midst 
 of the garden, where I was seated upon a couch beside the magician's 
 daughter. This lady received me so kindly and smiled so sweetly, 
 that she pierced my heart with the arrows of love. Bewildered, I 
 contemplated her beautiful form as she sat by me. 
 
 " Meanwhile, who should arrive at the garden door but her father 
 the magician ; and when he saw my horse, he asked whose it was, 
 and being informed of the whole aflfiiir by the attendants, he entered 
 foaming with rage. W^hen he beheld his daughter engaged in conversa- 
 tion with me, he seized her by the neck, and was about to dash her 
 against the ground, but the lady appealed to his sense of justice as she 
 was not guilty of any impropriety, and begged of him first to make 
 the strictest inquiry, and then inflict punishment, if due. The father 
 checked his auger and withdrew his hands, when in the meantime the 
 nurse addressed him, saying ' Oh, king ! your daughter is now of age, 
 and amongst your subjects there is none worthy of being her husband. 
 
 * The residence of the women.
 
 HATIM TAl 97 
 
 The stranger you see here is just arrived : he seems of noble rank, 
 and an honourable man ; it were better then that you give him your 
 daughter in marriage, for you will thus secure a noble successor. If 
 however you put to death these two, who are perfectly free from 
 crime, you will, on the one hand, set a ruinous example to your 
 people ; and, on the other hand, you will stain yourself with the blood 
 of the innocent.' 
 
 ** On hearing this, Musiihhir the magician said, * Daughter, what 
 think you of this proposal ?' The damsel replied, ' As yet I have 
 not been seen by any stranger, and as this traveller has happened to 
 Bee me unveiled, I am willing to accept him.' — ' Be it so,' said her 
 father ; ' but I have three conditions, and that man alone who can 
 comply with them shall receive my daughter.' I then ventured to 
 address the magician, saying, ' In that case I am ready to do whatever 
 you command me.' The magician then conducted me to his capital, 
 and admitted me into his hall of audience. He then summoned the 
 grandees of his dominions, in whose presence he thus stated to me 
 the three conditions on which I was to receive his daughter : 
 
 " ' The first condition is, that you will procure me a pair of the 
 animals called paririi.' 
 
 *' ' The second is, that you will bring me the muhra (or pearl) which 
 is in the mouth of the red dragon.' 
 
 " ' And the third is, that you will cast yourself into a large caldron 
 full of boiling oil, and if you come out unhurt you shall have my 
 daughter.' 
 
 " To each of these I agreed, and immediately quitting the city, I 
 wandered hither, where I am now exhausted with hunger and thirst, 
 and pierced through the heart with the darts of the glances of a 
 Houri. I am not able to return to my own country, and no friend 
 has yet visited me by whose aid I might fulfil the conditions of the 
 magician, and thus become entitled to the hand of his daughter : in this 
 desert, then, I have constantly strayed, weeping and lamenting since 
 the time I left the city, which is now a period of two years." 
 
 On hearing this statement, Hatim said to the young man, in condol- 
 ing language, " Be of good cheer, for God willing, I will perform 
 these tlu'ee conditions for you, and will put you in possession of yonr 
 mistress." He then remembered the circumstance of the jackals that 
 had procured him the head of the paririi from the desert of MazanderSn 
 
 M
 
 -9S THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 and resolved to set out thither immediately. In short, Hatim took 
 leave of the youth, and set out on his journey to Muzanderan. In 
 the course of a few days he came to a certain city, aiound which along 
 the walls and ditches the inhabitants had laid piles of dried wood, 
 which they kept burning. 
 
 Hatim surprised, asked them what was the cause of this conflagra- 
 tion. " If," said one of them, " we do not keep this fire constantly 
 burning all around our outward walls, a monstrous demon will enter 
 om- city and devour us." — " Pray," said Hatim, " what like is this 
 evil-being that so annoys you ?" — " He is a large animal," replied 
 they, " frightful beyond description, and when he comes he devours 
 three or four people at a time." Hatim, on hearing this, began to 
 consider how it would be practicable to free them from this calamity, 
 and in the mean time he went to take some repose in the caravanserai. 
 
 He then caused a pit to be dug outside the city in the open plain, 
 "which he fenced round with bushes of thorn and piles of wood, and 
 furnishing himself with a bow and quiver full of arrows he took up 
 his post in that ambush about sunset. When about a watch of the 
 night had passed, the approach of the monster was indicated with a 
 noise like that of a tempest. When this formidable beast came 
 nearer, he saw that it had eight feet and seven heads, of which six 
 were like those of lions, and the remaining head resembling that of 
 an elephant. The elephant head was situated in the middle, and had 
 three eyes. 
 
 When Hatim was leaving the city, the inhabitants had given him a 
 description of the monster, which he now found to be quite correct. 
 They further told him that this terrific beast was vulnerable only on 
 the middle eye of the elephant head, and if it were possible to hit that 
 eye with an arrow, it would be the means of removing this calamity, 
 for then the monster would run off, and never approach a human 
 abode. Meanwhile the inhabitants hearing him advance, kindled their 
 fires all round the city, which became completely covered with a thick 
 cloud of smoke. The monster moved round the walls, and continued 
 to roar with all his mouths so fearfully loud that the city shook to its 
 foundation. At length he approached the spot where Hatim lay 
 concealed, and when the latter observed him, he placed his trust in 
 Providence, and seizing his bow he took a deliberate aim at the central 
 •eye on the elephant-head, and pierced it with an arrow. 
 
 The monster reeled and fell with a crash upon the earth, and raised
 
 HATTM TAl. 99-' 
 
 such a terrific roar tliat the city and tlie desert shook far and wide:- 
 He shortly after started up, and fled so swiftly towards the wilderness,, 
 that he never looked behind him. Hatim spent the whole night 
 without the walls, and when the dawn of morning appeared he 
 re-entered the gates. The people crowded round him, and asked 
 whether he had seen the demon, that he thus remained alive. He 
 answered, " I have for ever expelled him from your territories." —   
 " How," said they, " can we be certain of that ?" — " You may soou 
 satisfy yourselves on that score," replied Hatim ; " this night you 
 can watch on the walls and battlements of the city, and if you hear 
 his sound, then shall you consider me as a teller of falsehood ; and if, 
 on the other hand, the sound shall not be heard, you will be convinced 
 of my veracity." To this they all agreed and acted accordingly, and 
 when the night was over and all well, they quickly returned to Hatim 
 and prostrated themselves at his feet, and conveyed him in triumph to 
 the residence of their governor, who received him with the utmost 
 courtesy and respect, seating him by his side, and treating him with 
 boundless hospitality. The people of the city, and particularly the 
 governor, speedily brought all their wealth in cash and valuable effects, 
 and offered it to Hatim, Avho said to them, " I am a poor traveller, 
 and I am not the least desirous of such wealth as you offer me." 
 They all requested him to accept of their bounty, and do with it 
 what he thought proper." 
 
 Hatim accepted the gold and property which they thus pressed 
 upon him, and bestowed the whole of it on the fakirs, and poor 
 people of the city. He then took leave of the inhabitants, and set 
 out on his journey to Mazanderan. As he was journeying onwards, 
 what does he see but a black snake in deadly contest with a weasel. 
 He stood for some time looking on, while neither of the animals 
 seemed to have the advantage. At length he shouted out, " Vile 
 reptiles ! what is the cause of this deadly contest between you ?" 
 The snake replied, " My opponent here has slain my father." The 
 weasel added, " Snakes are the natural food of my species, and there- 
 fore I killed his father, and will kill him also, that I may eat him." 
 Hatim addressed the weasel, saying, " If flesh be thy desire say the 
 word, and I shall give it thee from off my own body :" and to the 
 snake he said, " If revenge be thy object, slay me instead of the 
 weasel." Both of them, on hearing this, ceased from their struo-o-lc. 
 The weasel said to Hatim, " As you have offered me your flesh, give
 
 100 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 it me." — " Whiit part of me," asked Hatim, "do your desire." — 
 " Your cheek," replied the weasel. 
 
 Hatim seized a knife, and was about to cut off the flesh from his 
 cheek, when the weasel cried aloud, " Desist, young man, I merely 
 did this to try your firmness, and now I am convinced of your 
 generosity." Immediately both of them assumed the appearance of 
 men. When Hatim saw this, he asked them, " My good friends, 
 what wonderful occurrence is this ?" The weasel replied, " We are 
 both of us of the race of the genii, and I confess I have slain his 
 father ; bat the reason is, that I fell desperately in love with the old 
 man's daughter, and he refused his assent to our marriage. The 
 brother, as you see, bears deadly hatred towards me, and I must kill , 
 him in self-defence." Hatim addressing the genii, recommended to 
 them peace and amity on both sides, and proffered that each should 
 marry the other's sister. The genius that had been in the form of a 
 weasel replied, " My father, who is king of the genii, will never 
 agree to such a proposal." — " Let me be shewn to his presence," 
 requested Hatim, " and I may induce him to be satisfied." — " Follow 
 me, then," said the genius, " and you shall soon be in my father's 
 court." After they had thus walked together for some distance, they 
 arrived at a spacious city, where the prince told Hatim, "This 
 is my father's capital, I must part with you here, in order to proceed 
 to my own residence ; but my attendants will take you by the hand, 
 and conduct you to my father's presence." 
 
 Troops of genii approached Hatim accordingly, and ushered him 
 before their sovereign, whose name was Mahyur. When his Majesty 
 saw Hatim, he said to him, " Stranger of the race of Adam, what 
 important affair has brought you into my capital ?" — " I have come," 
 said he, " for promoting peace and friendship." — " How," rejoined 
 the king, " can any of the human race act so friendly a part towards 
 the genii ; and what is the nature of this service with which you are 
 to favour us ?" — " You have a son," continued Hatim ; " may I ask 
 whether you wish his life to be spared, or are resolved on his 
 death ?" — " Truly," replied Mahyur, " I have a son, but what then ?" 
 — " If you love him," said Hatim in return, " follow my advice, and 
 his life may be saved ; otherwise death will soon overtake him."— 
 " May the divine favour be upon you," rejoined the king of the 
 genii ; " tell me what is the matter, that my son is in danger of his 
 life ?" — " He has slain the father of a certain youth by name BahrSm,"
 
 EATIM TAl. K)l 
 
 »aid Hatim, " and the latter bears hatred towards him on that 
 account, and will certainly slay him : to-day I saw them in deadly 
 contest, and your son's life would have been short indeed had I not 
 by main force parted them. Another day they will again meet, and 
 the result will be fatal ; but if you obey my directions, I may be the 
 means of establishing peace between them. The case is this : your 
 son is enamoured of Bahram's sister, and has even slain her father 
 because he refused his consent to their union ; and on the other hand, 
 Bahram is in love with your daughter. It is requisite then, in order 
 to do away all grounds of hatred on either side, that you bestow 
 your daughter on Bahram, and induce his sister to marry your son." 
 
 Mahyiir expressed the highest satisfaction with Hatim's proposal ; 
 and accordingly summoned his son and Bahram into his presence, 
 whei'e Hatim succeeded in making them friends. When eiich of the 
 lovers was in possession of his mistress, Hatim went to take leave of 
 Mahyiir, who said to him at parting, " Brave sir ! accept of something 
 from us as a reward for your kindness." — " I have never yet taken 
 a reward," replied Hatim, " for discharging the duties of humanity." 
 — *' Generous Hatim !" rejoined the king of the genii, " accept from 
 me this staif as a token of esteem ; it may be of use to you. When 
 you hold it erect in your hand, it becomes possessed of some rai'e 
 qualities ; for instance, if a serpent or scorpion sting you, their venom 
 shall have no effect, and the fire shall have no power over you. If 
 any one assail you with magic, turn round the staff, and the enchant- 
 ment will be of no avail. In particular, the poison of the red dragon 
 can have no power over you. Accept at the same time this talisman, 
 and whenever you behold a serpent, whether red, or black, or green, 
 or white, place the talisman in your mouth, and you will be safe. 
 Again, when you come to a river, throw the staff into the water, and 
 it will instantly become a boat." 
 
 Hatim having taken the talisman and the staff, bade adieu to the 
 king of the genii, and proceeded on his journey to Mazanderun. As 
 he was advancing day and night, he arrived at the banks of a large 
 river. While standing upon the shore he beheld the waves rising to 
 the clouds, and by their buffeting lashing the stars of heaven. He 
 looked in all directions for a place where he might cross ; and when 
 he was in this consideration, he recollected the staff presented to him 
 by Mahyiir the king of the genii. He immediately seized it in his 
 right hand, and threw it amidst the billows, whereupon the staff was
 
 102 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 changed into a boat, in which Jie onil)arked and began to make his 
 way across. After he had sailed about half way, a huge nihang 
 espied him, and ran off with himself and his boat. Hatim resigned 
 his soul to the will of fate, and was waiting the result with patience; 
 till at length, after they had traversed the deep for the space of seven 
 farasangs, his feet rested on firm ground. There he opened his eyes, 
 and was surprised on hearing the nihang address him in eloquent 
 language, thus: " Oh, Hatim ! I have brought thee into this place 
 that thou mightest render me justice." Hatim said, " What justice 
 do you require ?" To this the nihang replied, " The crab* has 
 unlawfully deprived me of my place of residence : my wish is that 
 you will put me in possession of what is my right." Hatim 
 rejoined, " Is it possible that the crab is more powerful than you ?" 
 To this the nihang replied, " Sluggish as he may appear, he is able 
 to crush me into pieces between his claws ; at present he is abroad 
 somewhere in quest of food, and I have in the mean time brought 
 you hither." 
 
 Hatim humbly placed his reliance on his Creator, well aware that 
 of himself he could do nothing ; when, lo ! the crab, which was of 
 immense size, made his appearance, whereupon the nihang immediately 
 fled. The crab slowly approached ; and when he saw the flight of 
 the nihang, he raised such a noise as shook the earth, so that Hatim 
 himself was terrified, and devoutly prayed that Providence might 
 deliver him from the evil that threatened him. He speedily took in 
 his hand the charmed staff presented to him by MahyQr, on beholding 
 which, the crab remained still where he was. Hatim then addressed 
 the monstrous animal, saying, " Know you not that the oppressor 
 shall fall by his own deceit ; why then do you injure the nihang ? 
 Is there not room sufficient for both of you in this river, that you 
 should forcibly take possession of another's residence ?" To this 'the 
 crab replied, "The nihang and I are of the same genus, Avhat then 
 has one of the human race to say in any contention that may take 
 place between us ?" — " There is some truth in your statement," said 
 Hatim, " but all creatures have their being from God, who delighteth 
 injustice and punisheth the oppressor : if you fear him then, injure 
 not a fellow-creature." — " Well," replied the crab, "at present I shall 
 
 * The word in the original is (saratan), which is translated crab in the 
 European dictionaries, and which the Oriental lexicons pass over as a well-known^ 
 fish.
 
 ■HATIM TAi. 103 
 
 'quit this place, rather than argue the point with you ; but I shall 
 meet the uihang on some future day, when you are not at hand to 
 lend your aid." — " Assuredly you are a mischievous animal," rejoined 
 Hatim ; " but if you value your own life, abandon this place for ever." 
 The crab, on hearing this, rushed upon Hatim, and was about to 
 seize him in his claws ; but he struck him such a blow with the 
 charmed statf of the genius that his attack was rendered fruitless. 
 The montrous animal tui'ned round and fled, and the nihans takins: 
 courage began to pursue him, whereupon Hatim called out to the 
 latter, " Desist, for to pursue him now is cowardly, as his weapons 
 are powerless ; he will never hereafter annoy you, and if you oppress 
 him I shall put an end to your days." 
 
 In short, Hatim having settled the plea between the two inhabitants 
 of the deep, threw down his staff, in which (being turned into a boat) 
 he embarked, and having reached the opposite shore of the water, he 
 continued his journey to Mazanderan. At length he arrived in that 
 extensive wilderness, and reclining in the shade of a tree he began to 
 consider what would be the best way of procuring the paririi. When 
 the darkness of night had fallen around him, several of the birds in 
 question that had been abroad in search of food came and perched 
 upon the tree, and thus began to converse among themselves : " Our 
 solitary abode is visited by name Hatim ben Tai ; the object of his 
 journey is to relieve the distressed : what then are we to do ?" All 
 of them concurred in saying, " Hatim is a man of noblest disposition, 
 he must not therefore leave us in disappointment." Having come to 
 this resolution, the animals assembled in a body around Hatim, and 
 in humble posture began to embrace his feet. When he saw their 
 ■wonderful form, he was highly astonished ; for each of them resembled 
 an angel in beauty of countenance. Fascinated with the charms of 
 their fairy faces, he could not avoid exclaiming, " Gracious heaven ! 
 how inscrutable are thy decrees, who hast formed such creatures with 
 bodies like those of birds, and countenances fair as the Huris of 
 paradise." 
 
 Meanwhile the animals, addressing Hatim in sweet flowing 
 language, said to him, " Oh, Hatim ! may the fame of your generosity 
 be eternal, you have subjected yourself to toils and perils for the 
 sake of others. We know the cause of your journey hither : a 
 certain youth has become enamoured of the magician's daughter ; the 
 father gives his consent on certain conditions, one of which is, that
 
 104 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 be may have a pair of our species, and you, regardless of danger, 
 have come hither on that account." — " You say truly," replied Hatim, 
 " and if you will allow me to take a pair of your young, it will be 
 doing me the highest favour ; and it will also promote the suit of the 
 despairing lover." The animals deliberated among themselves, saying, 
 " Those of us that are fully grown cannot be expected to go with 
 this man : who is it then among us that will present him with a pair 
 of young ones ; it will be a service acceptable to God." 
 
 Here one of the pariru birds said to Hutira : " Lo, I myself will 
 give you a pair of my own young, for the sake of that Being who 
 bestoweth all things ; accept them, and take them with you where 
 you please." Hatim joyfully I'eceived the young birds ; and having 
 passed the night in that desert, he early next morning took leave of 
 these wonderful creatures, and began to retrace his way to the 
 capital of the magician. In the course of time, after he had traversed 
 mountains and deserts innumerable, he arrived at the spot where 
 the young soldier still lingered ; and having presented to him the 
 pariru birds, he said, " Kejoice, my friend, for here you see what will 
 fulfil one of the magician's conditions." When the youth beheld the 
 birds, he prostrated himself in ecstacy at Hatim's feet, saying, " My 
 generous benefactor ! let us now proceed with these beautiful birds, 
 and present them to the magician." Both of them set out accordingly, 
 and by the way Hatim related to his friend the occurrences of his 
 journey, and the situation of the desert of Mazanderan ; and having 
 handed to him the pariru. birds, he desired him to go himself and 
 deliver them to Musahhir, and mention nothing of having been 
 assisted in procuring them. 
 
 When they entered the city, Hatim stopped at a caravanserai, and 
 the youth proceeded with the birds, and delivered them to the magician 
 who was much surprised in seeing them, and questioned him, saying, 
 " Young man, is this your own doing ? if so, tell me truly in what 
 part of the world are such birds to be found ?" The youth, without 
 hesitation, replied, " In the desert of Mazanderan." The magician then 
 asked him various particulars about the road thither, all of which he 
 was enabled to answer satisfactorily from what Hatim had told him, 
 " You are right," said the magician : " so much for the first condition. 
 Now procure me the muhra which is in the mouth of the red dragon." 
 The youth said, in reply, " Let me for one moment view the face of 
 her whom I adore, for otherwise I shall not have even the power of
 
 BATIM TAl 105 
 
 moving." To this the magician agreed, and sent a message to his 
 daughter, desiring her to hold her head out at the window, and favour 
 her lover with one look. The young man, in transports, presented 
 himself under her window, and the lady leaning out her head as 
 permitted, cheered him with her smiles. After they had viewed each 
 other with the looks of affection, the youth said, " Now I am about 
 to depart in quest of the muhra which is in the mouth of the red 
 dragon ; can you inform me where it is to be found ?" — " I have 
 heard," replied the lady, " that it is in the Red Desert, which is ia 
 the regions of the mountain Kaf." 
 
 The youth, on hearing this, took leave of his beloved, and hastened 
 to Hatim, to whom he communicated all that had passed. Hatim 
 comforted him, and said, " Cease your weeping and lamentation, for 
 I will use every exertion for your relief : may God preserve you till 
 my return." Having thus spoken, Hatim parted with his friend and 
 commenced his journey to the mountain of Kaf. After he had passed 
 many a stage he arrived in a wilderness, where he one day at dawn 
 espied a dragon streaked with the seven colours of the I'ainbow, and 
 having wings like those of an eagle, with which he hovered in all 
 directions over the desert. 
 
 On beholding this terrific sight, Hatim stood aghast, while he said 
 in his heart, " I have ere now traversed deserts and mountains like 
 those around me ; but such a creature as this I never saw before : 
 I must keep a strict watch on his movements, in order, if possible, 
 to discover his haunt." Hatim followed the driigon for the whole 
 of that day, and at eve the winged monster took refuge in the cleft 
 of a rock near which Hatim also rested, resolved to observe the 
 proceedings of so wonderful a creature. In that same neighbour- 
 hood there was a village, the inhabitants of which were then coming 
 out for water to a fountain close by the rock. When they saw 
 Hatim, they discovered that he was a stranger, and hospitably offered 
 him bread and water, on which he fared ; and on their inviting him 
 to their village, he said he preferred resting for the night beneath a 
 tree close by. 
 
 Meanwhile the people returned to their dwellings, leaving their 
 cows and flocks at pastui^e on the verdant plain that lay at the foot of 
 the rock, where the shepherds also remained to tend them for the 
 night. At the end of the first watch, however, the winged serpent 
 issued from his haunt, and rushing upon the cattle, he speedily killed 
 
 N
 
 106 TIIK ADVENTURES OF 
 
 them all, one after another, with his venomous sting ; nor did his 
 devastation there stop short, for on the same night he destroyed two 
 troops of horses belonging to a caravan that had halted at the foun- 
 tain. When Hatim saw this dreadful ravage he wrung his hands in 
 the agony of grief ; but, lo ! the dragon still thirsting for blood, 
 approached the tree where he stood, and in an instant stung to death 
 those who watched the caravan, and the shepherds that were in 
 attendance ; after which, he again vanished into the hole in the rock. 
 
 Hatim spent the remainder of the night in a state of sorrow and 
 amazement ; and when the dawn of day appeared, the villagers 
 came out to look after their flocks, but to their astonishment they 
 beheld the plain strewed with the dead bodies of the shepherds and 
 the carcases of their cows and horses. So deadly was the venom of 
 this destructive monster, that by the dawn of day the flesh was 
 completely dissolved from oiF the bones, and converted into a liquid 
 of green colour. One of the people speedily conveyed the moui-nful 
 tidings to the village, whereupon all the inhabitants came out crying 
 and weeping. On seeing Hatim they addressed him, saying, " Tell 
 us, stranger, how come you to be here alive, and how has this terrible 
 catastrophe taken place ?" — " Alas ! my friends," replied Hatim, 
 *' here I have witnessed most horrible deeds, such as I never beheld, 
 or even heard of in my whole life. A seven-coloured dragon, large 
 as an eagle, has committed this slaughter, after which he retired into 
 a hole in the rock, where you may still see him." 
 
 The people accordingly gathered round the mouth of the cavern, 
 and on seeing the dragon they were terrified, and said to one another, 
 *' Truly such a formidable animal as this we never yet beheld." 
 Meanwhile the deadly dragon rushed from his hole in the rock, and 
 seizing the chief of the village he pierced him with his envenomed 
 sting till he rolled in the dust and bade adieu to life, amidst the 
 shrieks and tears of his friends and attendants. The dragon thea 
 winged his way slowly towards the desert, and Hatim followed close 
 after him, in order to see what might happen next. For the whole 
 of that day he continued his pursuit, and when evening was nigh the 
 dragon halted near a large city while Hatim watched him from a 
 short distance. But wonderful to relate, the dragon had no sooner 
 touched the ground than he was transformed into a black snake, 
 while Hatim stood wrapt in astonishment, anxious to know what 
 was to be the result of this change. The black serpent in the mean-
 
 HATTM TAY. 107 
 
 time coiled himself into a hole till about the end of the first watch 
 of the night, when he issued out and made direct for the city, whither 
 Hatim continued to follow. At length the serpent amved at the 
 walls of the king's palace, which he entered by a certain staircase, 
 and ere Hatim could follow, returned by the same passage, and made 
 for another house. In a very short time the serpent came out of the 
 latter house also, and quitting the city, retired to his hole. Hatira 
 wondered in his own mind who could have been the victims of that 
 scourge for the night ; but with the morning certainty came, for the 
 cries and* lamentations of the i^eople soon informed him that the 
 prince and vizier's son were in the course of the night stung to death 
 by a serpent, and now lay stretched on the bier, and were being 
 conveyed to their graves. 
 
 In the course of the morning the black snake quitted his hole, and 
 made off in another direction, Hatim all along following, nor for the 
 whole day did he cease his pursuit, till towards night the serpent came 
 to the bank of a river, where he instantly assumed the form of a lion. 
 It happened that close by there was a village, the inhabitants of 
 which, to the number of ten or twelve, were then proceeding, one after 
 the other, to the river to draw water, and among them a most comely 
 youth of the age of sixteen. This youth, the flower of the village, 
 the lion seized upon as his victim, and having torn him to pieces, he 
 again made for the desert, where, to Hatim's utter amazement, he was 
 transformed into a beautiful damsel of fourteen j^ears of age. When 
 Hatira beheld the damsel, he said in his heart, " May heaven protect 
 me, I wonder what is to happen next." 
 
 But to return to the damsel : she in an instant arrayed herself in 
 splendid apparel and costly jewels, and thus resembling the full 
 moon in beauty, she sat down underneath a tree that stood l)y the 
 way side. It happened that shortly after two brother soldiers, 
 natives of China, who having completed their stipulated period of 
 service were returning loaded with wealth to their own country^ 
 passed that way, and on seeing them the damsel commenced a most 
 piteous lamentation. When this voice of sorrow reached their ears, 
 the elder of the two brothers approached the tree, and to his astonish- 
 ment there beheld the most beautiful of women deeply affected with 
 sori'ow and grief. The soldier thus addressed the damsel : " Fairest 
 of women, what calamity has befallen thee that thou art thus 
 forsaken to weep and lament in the solitary desert ?" — " I am," replied
 
 lOS THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 the damsel, " the wife of a certain villager : a few days ago I bad 
 gone on a visit to my mother's house, and in returning home along 
 •with my husband we lost our way in this wilderness, where I have 
 since wandei'cd. I have not been able to find the way back to my 
 mother's house, nor do I know in what direction to proceed in 
 quest of my husband or of my own home. Whither my husband is 
 gone heaven only knows ; and now whnt is to become of me, and how 
 am I to live ?" The brave soldier, on hearing this sad detail, said 
 to the young woman, " If I were to offer myself as your husband, 
 would you accept me ?" — " If you will agree to my three ccJnditions," 
 answered the damsel, " I will instantly give you my hand. The first 
 condition is, that you shall have no other wife* than myself ; the 
 second, that I will be exempt from all household services ; and the 
 third is, that you ai'e not to reprimand me for any thing I may choose 
 to do." To this the soldier agreed, saying, " I am as yet unmarried, 
 and I solemnly promise to comply with one and all of your conditions. 
 While 1 live I shall have no other wife but you ; and in my house 
 there are slaves male and female in abundance, so that you will have 
 no trouble with the household affairs, except to give orders for what- 
 ever you wish. Your last condition I believe is superfluous : is it 
 possible that any man can speak harshly to her whom he loves ?" 
 The damsel, on hearing this, replied, " Enough said, I will accept 
 you as my husband," and accordingly they joined hands ; after which 
 the soldier mounted his steed, and taking up his new wife behind 
 him, they departed. Hatim still followed, in order to see the end of 
 these strange occurrences, and when they had gone some distance, 
 the w^oman said to her husband, " I am quite exhausted with hunger 
 and thirst, having tasted no food for the last three days ; if you have 
 nothing eatable with you, at least let me have a drink of water." 
 The soldier immediately dismounted, and having caused his wife 
 to alight, he seated her under the shade of a tree, and leaving his 
 
 * As this injunction may appear a little unreasonable in a country where 
 polygamy is lawful, the translator avails himself of the following remark on the 
 subject by a very eminent Orientalist, M. Garcin de Tassy. In that learned 
 author's work, entitled, " Exposition de la Foi Musulmane (Paris ]822), he states, 
 in a note to the preface, page 3 : "La polygamic n'est pas chez les Mussulmans 
 aussi commune qu'oii pourrait la croire. D'abord 11 faut avoir une certaine aisance 
 pour entreteuir plus dune femme : et quand on a cette aisance, il faut encore vaincre 
 la repugnance qu'ont en g6n6ral les parens de donner une fille h, un homme d€jk 
 mari^ ; ou qui ne leur promet pas de n'voir qu'elle seule pour ^pou»«."
 
 HITIM Ti.1. 109 
 
 brother in nttendance, he look a pitcher in his hand, and went in 
 search of water. 
 
 The woman watched the movements of her husband till he went to 
 a considerable distance ; and then addressing the younger brother, she 
 said, " Know, fair youth, that I have accompanied your brother solely 
 out of my affection for you, for since the moment I saw you I have 
 lost all control over my heart ; now is the time then, make me 
 your own." The younger soldier, surprised, said to her, in reply, 
 " Are you not my brother's wife ? To me you are as nearly related 
 as a mother or sister ; how highly improper then is this your pro- 
 posal, to which, be assured, I will never agree." — " What you state," 
 rejoined the woman, "would have been true, were I really your 
 brother's wife, for then any claim to your affection would have been 
 wrong in me." — " My dear sister," interrupted the soldier, " form no 
 such unworthy expectations of me, and banish from your heart such 
 extravagant thoughts." 
 
 The woman thus disappointed, at last said to him, "Well, if you 
 consent not, I will have my revenge, and the moment your brother 
 returns I shall say to him that you attempted to force me to do what 
 was improper." — " Say what you please," returned the soldier, " only 
 rest assured that nothing on earth would induce me to comply with 
 your wishes." During the whole of this conversation Hatira remained 
 in concealment close by, and was a silent spectator of the occurrence. 
 Meanwhile the elder brother made his appearance at a distance with 
 the pot full of water in his hand ; and when the woman saw him, she 
 began to tear her hair and disfigure her countenance wath her nails, 
 and having spread dust upon her head, she set up a most piteous 
 lament. Her husband hearing her cries, hastened to her relief, and 
 said, " Why, my beloved, do you weep, and for what cause have you 
 scattered dust upon your head ? Has any one dared to offer you 
 violence ?" To this the woman replied, " Oh, my husband ! may 
 the Lord have mercy on you and your brother both ! Has it ever 
 been heard of that any man has left his wife with such a libertine 
 as your brother is ? To-day, when you were absent for water, to 
 God alone I owed the preservation of ray honour. This base man 
 attempted to involve me in disgrace and ruin ; he seized me by the 
 hand, and was about to offer me violence, but I resisted Avith all my 
 might, and although I cried for help, there was no one to aid me. 
 He hud also the impudence to tell me that he would be a more
 
 110 THE ADVEXTURES OF 
 
 suitable husband to me than you are ; that I am only fourteen years 
 of age, and that he is himself a youth, while you, on the other hand, 
 are old and feeble. He farther declared that for his love towards me 
 he would slay you the first opportunity ; and in short, he was forcibly 
 dragging me aside when he beheld your api^roach, and quitting his 
 hold, he stood by me as you now see him." 
 
 When the elder brother heard this statement he was highly 
 enraged, and said to the other, " Base coward ! did ever man attempt 
 such conduct towards a mother or sister as you have this day fol- 
 lowed ?" Although the younger brother swore to his innocence, yet 
 his words were not credited, and he only received the most bitter 
 abuse in return. The elder brother drew his scymitar from the 
 sheath, and assailed the younger, who in his turn was compelled to 
 draw his own sword in self-defence. They fought till both fell dead 
 on the same spot, and resigned their souls to God the giver. The 
 fiendish woman having accomplished this ruin, made for the nearest 
 village ; and Hatim still continued his pursuit, wondering in his own 
 mind who should be the next victim of this hellish scourge. When 
 the woman arrived at the village, she assumed the form of a bufflilo, 
 and the people having attempted to seize her, she slew several of 
 them with her hoofs and horns, and again fled towards the desert. 
 
 Filled wirli wonder, Hatim closely followed this mysterious being, 
 and when arrived in the midst of the desert, lo ! the bufffdo was 
 transformed into a venerable old man with a white beard. On seeing 
 this last change, Hatim resolved to accost the old man, and ask him 
 the hidden cause of his evil deeds, and why he delighted in working 
 such havoc among God's creatures. He accordingly made up to him 
 at a rapid pace, and stood by his side. The aged man turned round, 
 and said to him, 'SSpeak, Hatim, whatever you wish to say." — 
 " Venerable sir," replied Hatim, " how came you to know my name ?" 
 — " If that be all," replied the old man, " I know the name of every 
 individual in your tribe ; but at present, if you have any question to 
 ask me make haste, for I have much business in hand and my time is 
 precious." 
 
 Hatim, without more delay, said to him, " Mysterious being ! I first 
 beheld you in the shape of a dragon, when you filled with sorrow a 
 whole village ; you afterwards assumed the form of a black snake, 
 when you laid in the dust the son of the king and that of his minister ; 
 again, you transformed yourself into a lion, and tore to pieces a
 
 HATIM TAi. Ill 
 
 youth the most elegant of form ; you then became a beautiful damsel 
 of the age of fourteen, and by your perfidy caused the death of two 
 brothers ; your next step was to adopt the shape of a buffalo, and you 
 slew the people of the village ; you now appear an aged man : tell 
 me, for heaven's sake, what are you, and whither are you going ?" 
 The old man, with a haughty smile, replied, " What does all this 
 concern you ? Follow your own business : you also I shall yet visit 
 in some shape or other, and your death will be the consequence." 
 
 Hatim persisted, saying, " I will never quit my hold of your skirt 
 till you clear up to me this mystery." — " Know, then," said the old 
 man, " that I am the angel of death ; the first day you saw me in 
 the shape of a dragon, it was the decree of the Almighty that those 
 men and beasts that were my victims should meet their death by that 
 means. Providence had foreordained that the young prince and the 
 son of the minister should die by the sting of a serpent, and I accord- 
 ingly assumed the form of a serpent. I became a lion, and slew the 
 beautiful youth, such was his fate. As to the two brothers, they were 
 destined to leave their homes and serve abroad, and after a certain 
 period, when they had earned and amassed some money, it was 
 ordained that they should proceed on their return to their own country, 
 and in the course of their journey that they should kill one another 
 on account of a woman ; I therefore assumed the form of a woman 
 to fulfil the divine decree. In the village where you last saw me, it was 
 the lot of the people whom I slew to fall by a buftalo, I therefore 
 became a buffalo on that occasion. Be you assured, oh, Hatim ! that 
 it is not in the power of one man to slay another ; but in whatever 
 way a man's fate is decreed, by that means only he loses his life." 
 Hatim, on hearing this, asked the angel of death, "Tell me truly 
 ■what fate is ordained for me ?" The aged man replied, " Sufiice it to 
 say that more than half your life-time is yet to pass." — " But," rejoined 
 Hatim, " may I not learn from you the whole truth ?" — " Know, 
 then," replied the king of terrors, " that when you have attained the 
 age of two hundred years, you shall fall by the hand of Omnipotence. 
 A stream of blood shall flow from your nostrils, by which you will 
 experience some slight pain, and afterwards for a short time recover. 
 In that period your hand shall be stretched out as usual in deeds of 
 charity towards your fellow-creatures ; and shortly after, the flux of 
 blood shall again issue from your nostrils, and thus you shall die. 
 Meanwhile a long life is before you ; go on, then, and shrink not
 
 112 THE ADTENTURES OF 
 
 from your noble task of relieving the sorrows and promoting the 
 happiness of mankind." 
 
 When Hatim heard all this, he bent his head to the dust in prayer 
 to God, and when he arose, he looked around him, but the old man 
 had vanished from his sight. He then betook himself to the prose- 
 cution of his journey towards the Red Desert, and in the course of a 
 few months he found himself far beyond the habitations of men, in 
 the midst of a wilderness where no water was to be found. Hungry 
 and thirsty as he was, he still continued his route, his whole subsis- 
 tence consisting of the wild fruits and weeds of the desert. In this 
 way he journeyed for some time, when, lo ! one day, to his utter 
 astonishment, he came to a place where the heavens and the earth 
 wore a dark hue, and every object he saw was black. This place was 
 the abode of the black serpents, which, when they scented Platim, 
 rushed upon him from all quarters in order to devour him. He 
 threw upon the ground the talismanic staff of Mahyur the genius, and 
 sat down upon it, safe by its magic power. The serpents continued 
 to rear their crests, and with a hissing noise move round him in end- 
 less contortions for the whole night. When daylight appeared, he 
 took his staff in his hand, and continued his march secure from the 
 venom of the snakes, and thus he journeyed on till he reached the 
 boundaries of the land of darkness. Contiguous to this lay the 
 white regions, which Hatim began to explore. Here every object 
 was possessed of the most brilliant whiteness, so that the whole place 
 seemed to be made of alabaster. At the same time white seipents of 
 prodigious size endeavoured from a distance to inhale him with their 
 poisonous breath, but on account of his charmed staff their efforts 
 were of no avail, nor had they the power of approaching him. In 
 the course of a few days, Hatim succeeded in making his way through 
 those dangerous realms, and next arrived in a region where every 
 object he beheld was green as emerald. There, too, abounded serpents 
 of a green colour, and when they saw Hatim they quickly surrounded 
 him, and were it not for the virtue of his talisman, his days would 
 have been but short. Hatim however, unhurt, surmounted a thousand 
 perils and difficulties as he journeyed through the evergreen regions, 
 and at length he arrived in an extensive tract of land, which to hira 
 seemed to be all wrapt in flames, and this he knew to be the Red 
 Desert. 
 
 There every object was red aa vermillion, and ere Hatim had
 
 HATIM TAl. ll."*: 
 
 advanced many steps the heat became so intolerable that he almost 
 lost the power of walking. He thought within his heart that it would' 
 be impossible to proceed any fiirther ; but, again, he said to himself: 
 " Oh, Hatim ! in doing a good action, whatever happens let it come, 
 even were the difficulties a thousand times more severe than the- 
 present." By the time he had advanced about a farasang his feet- 
 were full of blisters, and his thirst was so excessive that he was 
 compelled to rest almost at every step he took. 
 
 " Now," thought Hatim, " my dying hour is at last come ; if I' 
 wished to return, I have not even the power ; and if I advance, E 
 shall assuredly perish. But at the same time I cannot' live here, for 
 death would be preferable." Having made this resolution, he continued' 
 to move slowly onwards, till by the time he had advanced another- 
 farasang, he became so exhausted, and his thirst was so excessive,, 
 that he sunk upon the ground and lay like one dead, his whole body.- 
 being covered with lai'ge blisters. 
 
 While he lay senseless in this state, an aged man came up to him;, 
 and seizing his hand, raised him from the earth, and said to him,. 
 " Oh, Hatim T here you have no cause for despair ; why do you not 
 avail yourself of the talisman given you by the beai*'s daughter ?" 
 Hatim recollected his scattered senses, and speedily producing the 
 said talisman he put it in his mouth, which was no sooner done than 
 the heat of the Red Desert ceased to oppress him, and the blisters 
 instantly became whole on his body. Hatim then prostrated himself 
 at the feet of his aged monitor, and said, " Most venei^able sir, tell 
 me what is the cause of this excessive heat ?" The old man replied, 
 " This heat is caused by the red serpents that haunt the desert. . 
 They are of immense size; and from their months they breathe volumes 
 of flame and clouds of smoke, hence the fiery hue of eveiy object you 
 behold." Hatim however, secure under the effects of his talisman 
 which he carried in his mouth, went fearlessly on, and felt not the 
 least inconvenience from the scorching heat. 
 
 When he had penetrated as far as the centre of the Red Desert, the 
 firebreathing serpents espied him, and began to rear their heads and 
 crests aloft like tall trees. From their nostrils issued streams of 
 flame as it were from a furnace, and with tremendous hissing they 
 assailed him on all bides, intending to scorch him to death, and reduce 
 his bones to ashes ; but owing to the chai"med muhra of the bear's 
 daughter, the attack of the snakes fell upon Hatim like a current of 
 
 o
 
 11 4 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 cool water. Meanwhile the serpents increased in number, and were 
 about to overpower hina with their pestiferous and scorching breath, 
 which continued to pour upon him like streams of lightning. He at 
 last threw upon the ground the magic staff' of Mahyur, the king of the 
 genii, and such was its wonderful eff'oct, that when he stood on it no 
 snake could come within reach of him. The serpents overawed, 
 remained at a distance ; and notwithstanding their utmost efforts for 
 the whole of that night, they were not able to do him the least harm. 
 When daylight appeared, Ilatim observed that the largest of the 
 red serpents had in its mouth the muhra or pearl which he wished to 
 procure, but never allowed it to drop upon the ground. He took his 
 magic staff", and aiming it at the head of the serpent, struck it such a 
 blow as made it recoil upon itself and roll amidst the dust. There 
 the snake lay stunned till the sun arose, when it revived, and dropping 
 the muhra, slowly dragged itself to its den. Hatim quickly ran to 
 take up his treasure : but from its brilliant appearance he hesitated 
 to lay hold of it, thinking that it was hot as fire. He stood for some 
 time vit'\\ iiig the muhra, and at length he tore a piece of cloth from 
 his turliaii. ;uul by way of experiment placed it upon the shining jewel. 
 When he ol>served that the cloth was not burnt, he ventured to take 
 the muhra in his hand, and carefully wrapped it in a fold of his 
 turban. 
 
 The moment Hatim had the muhra in his possession, he was 
 surprised in finding that the heat of the desert no longer remained, 
 and the objects around him assumed a verdant hue. Now this muhra 
 ■was possessed of the rarest qualities, to the number of a thousand and 
 one, of which we may mention the following : — The first was, that 
 the possessor of it should never be drowned ; the second, that he 
 should be secured from any bad efl^ects of fire ; the third quality that 
 was inherent in this pearl was, that it restored sight to the blind ; the 
 fourth, that it cured the bite of a snake or any other venomous 
 creature ; the fifth, he who had it with him in war was sure of 
 obtaining victory ; the sixth, he should be endeared alike to friend 
 and foe ; the seventh, all four-footed and winged animals should be 
 obedient to his commands ; the eighth was, that he should excel in 
 wisdom ; the ninth, that his wealth should be boundless ; but it would 
 be tedious to detail the whole. 
 
 In fine, Hatim returned with the muhra, and in the course of time 
 came to the place where he left the young soldier. He saluted him,
 
 HATIM TAi. 115 
 
 and resigning the precious treasure into his hands, he said to him, 
 ** Go now and present this to the magician." The young noau 
 prostrated himself at the feet of Hatim, and the latter having raised 
 him up, related to him all the occurrences of his journey, and described 
 to him the regions of the serpents. The two friends then proceeded 
 together to the capital of the magician, and the youthful soldier having 
 obtained an interview of his Majesty, presented him with the muhra, 
 in the procuring of which, he stated, that he had undergone a thousand 
 toils, and encountered perils innumerable. " That," replied the 
 magician, " I shall soon put to the proof." — "With all my heart," 
 said the youth ; and accordingly the magician commenceil a strict 
 inquiry respecting the Red Desert, the serpents, &c., all of which the 
 soldier answered to his satisfaction. 
 
 The magician, highly delighted with the treasure he thus possessed, 
 said to the young man, " There now remains only one task to be 
 accomplished, which is, that you will plunge naked into the midst of 
 a caldron full of boiliiig oil ; are you prepared to comply with the 
 same ?" The youth having replied in the affirmative, the magician 
 issued orders to his people to place the large iron caldron on the 
 furnace, fill it with oil, and with a strong fire heat the same till it 
 boiled. The attendants of the magician immediately executed this 
 order, and so heated the oil that if a stone were cast into it, it would 
 have instantly become dissolved. Meanwhile the soldier returned to 
 Hatim, and said to him, " Alas, my benefactor ! I have yet to fulfil 
 the severest of his Majesty's conditions. He expects me to cast 
 myself into a caldron full of boiling oil, and if I come out unhurt, I 
 am to be honoured with the hand of his daughter. But, I would ask 
 you, is it in the power of morttil man to undergo such an ordeal, and 
 escape with life ?" 
 
 "Be not disheartened," said Hatim ; " even in this conjuncture I 
 can ensure your success." He then produced the talisman of the 
 bear, and presenting it to the young soldier, he sfiitl to him, " Take 
 this muhra in your mouth, and you may without the least dread or 
 hesitation cast yourself into the boiling liquid." The youth, still 
 incredulous, shuddered at the idea ; and Hatim swore to him l)y all 
 that was sacred that he should come V)y no harm. The soldier at 
 length took the talisman as advised, and having ascended the steps 
 that led to the mouth of the boiler, he looked at the burning liquid 
 foaming furiously like a troubled .-ca. and all limine.-; ici't hi:: heart
 
 IIG THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 IJatira then cried out to him, *' Are you a man that you should thus 
 tremble ; and is such fear of life consistent with the flame of your 
 love ?" When the young soldier heard this from Hatim, he hesitated 
 no longer, but shutting his eyes he threw himself into the midst of 
 the boiler. To his surprise, the oil that had been heated to the 
 utmost had no more effect upon him than cool water. He walked 
 slowly from one side of the boiler to the other, and in presence of 
 the magician began to lift in his hands the fiery liquid and sprinkle 
 it on his body. When some time had elapsed, the soldier thus 
 addressed the magician, " Most mighty king, what say you now ? 
 Shall I come out or remain here for a longer space ?" W^hen the 
 king saw that the soldier still lived, he held down his head ia 
 thoughtfulness, and a trembling seized his soul, as he said, " Young 
 man, I am satisfied ; come out with all speed." But no sooner had 
 the soldier accomplished this thiixl task, than the magician, unwilling 
 to fulfil his promise, began to assail him -with enchantment. Hatim 
 however came to his assistance, and warned the king of the magicians, 
 saying, " Your arts ai'e of no effect upon this youth, for he has a 
 talisman more potent than the muhra of the red serpent ; you must 
 therefore comply with what you have promised to him." In short, 
 the magician, thus surpassed in his art, embraced the young soldier 
 as a sign of friendship, and having made the necessary preparations, 
 gave him his daughter in marriage, and with the utmost suavity said 
 to him, " Now, my son, you are to consider all my wealth as your 
 own, for I have no other male heir on whom to bestow it. 
 
 When Hatim saw the two lovers united in wedlock, he took leave 
 of the happy bridegroom, and departed in prosecution of his journey. 
 In the course of time he arrived at the foot of the mountain Alka, 
 Avhich was so high that none of the feathered tribes had wings 
 sufHcient to reach its summit. There he halted for a moment, in 
 order to consider what course to take, and said in his heart, " Of 
 whom can I receive information respecting this strange place, and 
 who shall direct me on my way ?" W^hile these reflections occupied 
 his mind, he espied a troop of beautiful fairies tripping along the 
 brow of the mountain, and without further delay he followed them. 
 After he had traced the fairies to some distance up the hill, they 
 suddenly disappeared and left him in solitude. Hatim, astonished, 
 looked around him, and saw in the side of the mountain a cave, 
 which seemed to be formed from a solid rock of marble. The
 
 HATIM TaT, 117 
 
 'enti-auce into it was a steep descent into the bowels of the earth along 
 the marble rock, which was as smooth as glass, Hatini hesitated 
 whether he should enter, as egress seemed to be impossible ; for no 
 human foot could rest upon this steep and slippery path. 
 
 On further consideration, however, Hatim resolved to enter ; and 
 having laid himself upon the smooth stone, he quitted his hold and 
 ■commenced his rapid descent. For the whole of that day he continued 
 to slide downwards, and at evening he found himself landed on level 
 ground. There he opened his eyes, and beheld around him an 
 ■extensive held delightful to the sight. He rose up and sought a 
 place wherein to repose till day, when he resolved to go in quest of 
 the fairies, as he had reason to suppose that they too had descended 
 into the cave. When the darkness .of night had withdrawn, Hatim 
 began to traverse those strange regions, and he had not gone far 
 when an edifice of splendid appearance met his view. This was 
 nothing less than the palace of the fairies, and thither he directed his 
 steps. When he approached the mansion, the fairies observed him, 
 and cried out, " Are you aware, son of Adam, that these are our 
 regions, and not your's ? how came you here, and who has been your 
 conductor ?" — " He who has ever been my guide," replied Hatim, 
 " conducted me hither." — " And how," rejoined the fairies, " did you 
 discover the descent into -this subterraneous abode ?" — " I saw you," 
 he replied, " as you passed along the mountain, and followed you till 
 you vanished from my sight ; on searching around me, however, I 
 -observed the entrance into the cave, and laying myself on the smooth 
 inclined stone, my descent was rapid. Now that I have found you, 
 tell me what is the name of this region, and Avho is its sovereign ?" 
 
 "■ This," re})lied the fairies, " is the mountain of Alka, and the 
 sovereign of these realms is Alkanpari. We are the guardians of 
 this paradise, where our fairy queen resides during the season of 
 spring, and to-morrow we expect her arrival here to enjoy the delights 
 ■of the garden. Our permitting you to remain then is impossible, for 
 it would be death both to ourselves and you ; but now that you are 
 here you must be ruled by us, and we will save your life, for we bear 
 you no enmity," To this Hatim gave answer, saying, " Whither 
 can I flee for refuge, for verily there is no escape ; and besides, I 
 have undergone all the toils and perils of my journey in order to 
 obtain an interview with your queen, who is now so opportunely about 
 to visit this garden ; I will therefore remain here, happen what
 
 118 THE ADVENTUKES OF 
 
 will." — " And what," said the fairies, "may be your business with 
 •our gracious queen ? You are a poor man, and she is sovereign of the 
 fairy realms." — " Have you never heard," replied Hatim, "of a fairy's 
 being in love with one of the human race, or of a man's being 
 enamoured of a fairy ?" — " In truth," rejoined the fairies, " you seem 
 to be weary of your own life, to utter such hmguage in our presence." 
 — •' You may judge," said Hatim, " how little I care for my life by 
 my venturing hither," 
 
 On liearing this reply, all the fairies rushed upon Hatim and began 
 to assail him ; but he stood firm, and neither warded off nor returned 
 tlicir blows. His assailants ceased from their attack, and wondered 
 in their own minds what sort of a man he was that would neither 
 fight nor run away : they therefore, relenting, said to him, " Strange 
 youth, we warn you, out of compassion, to remain no longer here ; 
 this place is not fitted for your residence, and if you disregard our 
 advice, it will lie at the lisk of your own life." To this Hatim 
 replied, " I am not afi-aid of death, for I hail washed my hands of 
 life, and placed my reliance upon the supreme Creator, ere I entered 
 your territories." The fairies, pleased with his courage, addressed 
 Hatim in a tone of reconciliation, and said, " O youth, eloquent of 
 speech, come with us, and we shall conceal you in a secret avenue ; 
 and if you are anxious to behold our queen Alkanpari, we shall point 
 her out to you from a distance." 
 
 Hatim expressed his consent ; and the fairies having conveyed him 
 to an unfrequented part of the garden, gave him food and fruits 
 ■wherewith to appease his hunger, and brought him water to drink. 
 Charmed with his society, they crowded around him, and after 
 various conversation, they said to him, "Tell us truly, bra\'*e youth, 
 what has been the object of your journey hither ?" Hatim replied, 
 " My business with your queen is this : she once had an interview 
 with a young friend of mine ; and left him at a certain tree, with a 
 promise that she would return to him in the space of seven days. 
 The youth has now waited there upwards of seven years in expecta- 
 tion of the fulfilment of her promise ; his soul is on the eve of quitting 
 liis body, and death is grasping him by the collar. At short intervals, 
 he exclaims in a loud voice, ' Come, oh, come ! for I can no lovger 
 endure thy absence.^ I happened to observe his miserable plight, 
 and twice to no purpose I asked him the cause of his sorrow : at 
 length, finding that I persisted in my inquiries, he told me the whole
 
 HATIM TAl. 11^ 
 
 occurrence. On hearing liis tale, my heart glowed with pity ; and 
 for the sake of aftbrding him relief, I have journeyed hither. My 
 object is to remind your queen of her promise, as it is most likely 
 that she has ere now forgotten it." 
 
 When the fairies heard this statement, they said to Hatim, 
 " Generous man, we dare not take upon ourselves to represent your 
 case to our queen, but we can carry you bound as captive before her, 
 and then you can exert all your eloquence in behalf of your friend. 
 Were we to introduce you designedly to her Majesty, it would most 
 probably offend her, and we should incur her displeasure."—" Let me 
 be presented to your queen," rejoined Hatim, " in whatever way is 
 most convenient to you ; when once in her presence, I shall know 
 how to proceed. I shall consider myself truly happy if I can promote 
 the suit of my helpless and despairing friend." 
 
 In the course of three days aftei', the queen, accompanied by troops 
 of fairies, issued from her palace, and commenced her excursion into 
 the garden where Hatim lay concealed. At length, she arrived in 
 that paradise, and after she had rested a little, and received the 
 homage of her subjects there, one of the fairies who were friendly 
 to Hatim went to him privately, and said, "Come with me, and I 
 will point out to you our queen, where you may behold her 
 unobserved." Hatim followed the fairy, who led him by a private 
 path to the entrance of a grotto close to the spot where the queen 
 "was seated on her throne of gold. When Hatim beheld her angelic 
 form, he lost hold of the reins of reason. For some time he lay 
 senseless ; and when consciousness returned into his frame, in vain 
 did he betake himself to prayer, and endeavour to flee unto the Lord 
 for protection. In fact, he became infinitely more frantic and more 
 deeply enamoured of the beautiful fairy thnn the youth whose cause 
 he had undertaken. Hatim thus spent three days and nights, forget- 
 ful of his friend, and regardless of food and drink. On the fourth 
 night a feverish sleep overpowered his eyelids, and in his confused 
 slumbers he heard a voice exclaiming, " Oh, Hatim ! arise and know 
 thyself ; hast thou not devoted thy life to the service of thy Creator, 
 and wilt thou now permit thyself to be guilty of a breach of trust ?" 
 
 On hearing this warning voice, Hatim awoke from his dream, but 
 saw no one near him. He rose up, and with fear and trembling 
 prayed to God to forgive his transgressions, and support him in this 
 hour of trial. On seeing some of the fairies, he entreated them to
 
 120 THE ADVENTURrS OF 
 
 <'oiiduct him before the queen. They told him, as formerly, " We 
 ilare not openly comply with your request, but we can carry you into 
 the royal presence with your hands bound as a prisoner." — " In what- 
 ever way you choose," said Hatim, " present me to her Majesty, that 
 I may describe to her the condition of my despairing friend." In 
 short, the fairies made their arrangements, and having found a favour- 
 able moment when the queen was in a joyous mood, they approached 
 her Highness by the garden gate ; and one of them advancing, after 
 due obeisance said, " O queen, one of the race of Adam has somehow 
 found his way to the gate of our paradise ; we have bound him fast^ 
 and are waiting your Majesty's pleasure as to his future disposal." 
 
 On hearing this, the faiiy queen thought of her lover, whom she had' 
 left under the tree, and considered it as likely that the youth had thus 
 traced her to her abode ; she therefore ordered her attendants to 
 conduct their prisoner into her presence. The fairies accordingly laid 
 hold of Hal im, and were bringing him forward to the foot of tho 
 throne. When the queen beheld his majestic mien, all thoughts of 
 her former lover vanished. She desired him to approach, and having 
 ordered for him a chair of burnished gold, she took him by the hand, 
 and made him sit near her. The fairy queen then addressing Hatim^ 
 said, " Tell us, noble youth, whence came you, and what is your 
 name ; what has been your object in coming hither, and how have 
 you been able to accomplish the journey ?" Hatim now seated before 
 the beautiful fairy, became speechless, and was unable to give any 
 reply. The queen observed his confusion, and secretly rejoiced to 
 find that the arrow of her enchanting glances had pierced his heart. 
 In the sweetest accents of extreme affection, she again said to him, 
 *' Brave youth, what is the cause of your silence ; have you nothing 
 to say in reply ?" .Hatim, at length, rallied his thoughts, and said,. 
 " queen, my answer is brief ; I came from the country of Yemen,, 
 and my name is Hatim," 
 
 The moment the queen heard this, she gracefully arose, and taking 
 Hatim by the hand, seated him on her own throne, saying, " I have 
 ere now heard of Hatim, prince of Yemen ; numerous indeed, brave 
 prince, are the acts of kindness and generosity which you have done 
 to your fellow-creatures ; but tell me now the cause of your coming 
 hither, and why have you undoigone such toils and perils ? Be 
 assured that I am one of your admirers, so you may freely speak your 
 thoughts without the least fear of giving offence."
 
 HATIM TAi. 12t 
 
 Hatim, thus encouraged, spoke : " queen of the fairy realms, 
 your kindness is beyond measure : had I a thousand tongues I should 
 still be unable to celebrate your noble qualities. Be it known, then, 
 that I have come before your Majesty in the fulfilment of a promise 
 which I made to a certain enamoured swain. It happened, as I was 
 journeying to the desert of Himyar, that I passed by a young man, 
 from whose eyes flowed tears like a shower from the clouds in spring. 
 Owing to his intense sorrow and bitter lamentation, his soul was 
 almost driven from his body ; indeed, I question if he now lives. 
 There he lay with his eyes shut, exclaiming in the intervals of his 
 sighs, ' Come, oh, come ! for I can no longer endure thy absence^ 
 I asked him the causeof his sorrow, and how he had been reduced 
 into so miserable a state. After some hesitation, he told me all : how 
 your Majesty had met with him, and shewed him affection and kind- 
 ness. ' Alkaupari,' said the wailing youth, ' promised me at her 
 departure to return in seven days ; and now for seven long years I 
 have waited in misery and woe, expecting her return. Here I cannot 
 remain, and hence I dare not depart ; for when my angel left me, 
 she laid upon me strict injunctions to move not hence ; I cannot, then, 
 disobey her command, and proceed in search of her. If fate has 
 decreed that we should again meet, it must be on this spot.' When 
 I saw the woeful condition of this wretched man, and found that his 
 love was sincere, I deferred the prosecution of my own journey, and 
 hastened hither. I hope, then, your Majesty will treat with kindness 
 and compassion the despairing lover, Avhich will lay the highest 
 obligation on me, the humblest of your slaves." 
 
 To this Alkanpari said, in reply, " Generous prince of Arabia ! I 
 had entirely forgotten the circumstance you mention, till my people 
 informed me of your arrival here ; and then I thought it probable 
 that you might be my former lover. However, the moment I saw 
 you, I found that you were not the man ; and now I confess to you 
 that he is unworthy of my regard. His love for me must be very 
 cool indeed, since, out of pure timidity, he has lingered seven years in 
 one spot, and has not had the courage to venture hither in quest of 
 me. I pointed out to him the road, and told him my own. name and 
 that of the mountain which I inhabit, and had he been a true lover, 
 he should have followed me, were it at the peril of his life." 
 
 Hatim, in favour of the young man, rejoined, " Had his passion 
 been otherwise than sincere, he could noi have so drunk of the cup of 
 
 p
 
 ^122 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 affection, nor would he have undergone such misery from the remem- 
 brance of you. You exacted from him a solemn promise at parting, 
 and how could the poor lover act contrary to the commands of his 
 mistress ? The enamoured youth is conscious of his own integrity, 
 for when you departed you strictly enjoined him to remain under- 
 neath the tree till your arrival, and accordingly he has not stirred 
 thence till now, lest in his absence you should return and not find 
 him ; in which case, he should stand convicted of having disobeyed 
 your orders, and thus incur your displeasure." 
 
 The fairy queen lent a deaf ear to all that he could urge, and 
 utterly disowned her former lover. Hatim however persevered, 
 saying, " For heaven's sake let my labour not be in vain ; consider 
 through what toils and hardships I have accomplished my journey 
 hither." — '" \yell," replied the queen relenting, " I cannot refuse 
 what you request ; this youth I wnll pemiit to come near me, but I 
 will neither associate with him nor consider him as a companion." — 
 *' And why not," said Hatim, " accept him as your lover ; what ia 
 the cause of such a change of mind ?" — " Such is my pleasure," 
 replied the queen, "and it shall not be otherwise." — "If such be 
 your resolution," rejoined Hatim, " I will stand fasting at your gates ; 
 and, till the hand of death seize me, I will night and day complain to 
 heaven of your cruelty." 
 
 Having thus spoken, he quitted the presence of the fairy queen, 
 and having removed underneath the shade of a tree, there he remained 
 for seven days without tasting food or drinking water. On the 
 eighth night, as he fell asleep, an old man appeared to him in a dream, 
 and said, " Brave Hatim, be of good cheer ; this beautiful fairy has 
 more than one lover that laments her treachery : but you must first 
 bring your friend hither, and then cause him to take the talisman 
 given you by the bear's daughter, and steep it in a goblet full of pure 
 water. This draught will then ferment into a sherbet, and you must 
 contrive that the queen shall drink of it, which, God willing, will be 
 the means of restoring her affection." 
 
 Hatim awoke from his dream, and as he was meditating on 
 what had occurred, the dawn of morn appeared. Meanwhile, who 
 should approach but the fairy queen : she stood before him, and said, 
 " Hatim, why do you thus persist in rejecting my hospitality ? If 
 you perish from want at my gates, shall I not on the day of judgment 
 be juraigued as the cause of your death, and what will be my answor
 
 HATIM TAl. 123 
 
 before the Supreme Judge ?" — " O queen," said in rejDlj, " let me 
 prevail on you to send for my love-sick friend, tliat he may be blessed 
 even with the sight of your countenance." — " Assuredly," replied i 
 the queen, " I have no objection whatever to his being near ray 
 person." 
 
 When Hatim heard this, he made preparations to return for his 
 friend ; but the fairy queen said to him, " You need not, Hatim, 
 expose yourself to the perils of such a journey a second time, my 
 fairies will do the business much more speedily." Her Majesty then 
 Bummoned a few of her subjects, and despatched them in quest of her 
 lovei', saying, " On the brow of a certain mountain, reclining under- 
 neath a tree, you will find a young man bewailing the cruelty of his 
 mistress. Tell him that Alkanpari requests his immediate attendance ; 
 that she has been reminded of her promise to him by Hatim prince of 
 Yemen." 
 
 The fairies, with the speed of the wind, transported themselves to 
 the spot where the youth lay, and delivered to him the oi-ders of their 
 mistress. Joyfully he heard the message, and expressed his obliga- 
 tions to the generous Hatim. The fairies then cari-ied him along 
 with them, and in the course of that same day presented him to 
 Alkanpari their sovereign, which rendered his happiness complete. 
 For some minutes his eyes were fixed on the beautiful fairy, till at 
 length his senses having forsaken him, he fell lifeless upon the ground. 
 The queen sprinkled some fragrant attar of roses on his face ; and 
 as soon as he recovered, she addressed him in the accents of kindness, 
 saying, "Enamoured youth ! I pei'mit you to remain near me, and 
 you may feast your eyes by beholding my beauty as Jong as you 
 please." For the whole of that day the lover looked at nothing but 
 the beautiful fairy, the fire of whose eyes consumed his heart. When 
 the mantle of night was spread over them, the queen gave a signal, 
 and troops of fairies entered, some with lights and music, to whose 
 harmonious sounds the others danced. . Amidst this scene of joy, 
 Hatim saw that the fairy queen paid not the least regard to the 
 sufferings of his friend. He vent near the latter, and said, "Despair 
 not ; take this muhra and immerse it for a few minutes in a cup full 
 of piu'e water, which you shall pour into the goblet from which the 
 queen is wont to drink : this done, return and take up your station ; 
 here." The young man did as Hatim directed him ; and after ha 
 had mixed the elixir, and poured the same into the queen's gobleti.
 
 124 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 one of the fairies happened to observe him, and said, " Base mortal ! 
 how dare you touch the goblet of her Highness ? " 
 
 The youth assured the fairy that he merely wished for some water 
 to drink, as he felt very thirsty. The fairy immediately gave him a 
 drink of water from another cup, and sent him back to his former 
 station. Hatim was an anxious s^jectator of the occurrence ; and 
 when he saw that his friend had succeeded according to his wish, he 
 approached the queen's thi'one, and said to her, " Will your Majesty be 
 pleased to drink some sherbet, as the weather is warm ?" The queen 
 expressed her assent, and ordered her attendants to bring some. 
 Hatim, however, undertook to be cup-bearer himself on the occasion ; 
 and having with his own hands prepared the sherbet, he brought the 
 goblet to the queen. Her Majesty was about to hand the draught to 
 some of her intimate friends who were then with her, but Hatim 
 observed that the laws of courtesy required that the queen should 
 drink first, and then such of her friends as she might deem proper to 
 honour with the goblet. 
 
 Tlie fairy queen* drank copiously of the sherbet, and then handed 
 the goblet to her friends, who also tasted of the same. In an instant 
 after, the reins of her heart fell from her hands, and she became 
 deeply enamoured of the dying swain. Pierced with the darts of 
 love, she rose up in order to fly to his arms, while Hatim secretly 
 rejoiced to see her affection thus restored. He also stood up, and 
 said to her, " O queen of the fairy realms, how comes it that j'ou are 
 now so kindly disposed towards your lover, who had almost become 
 a martyr to your cruelty during the long period of your absence ?" — 
 " O Hatim !" replied the queen, " all this mischief is of your doing ; 
 however I forgive you, and this youth I will accept as my husband, 
 agreeably to your desire : at the same time I dare not take so 
 important a step without the consent of my parents." 
 
 Having thus spoken, the fairy queen, accom])anied by her select 
 guards, flew with the swiftness of thought to her principal residence 
 in the mountain of Alka. There she first waited on her mother, who 
 said to her in surprise, " My dear daughter, six anonths are yet to 
 pass of the period you proposed to reside in the gardens ; why return 
 you then at this unreasonable hour of midnight ?" The beautiful 
 
 * We must suppose (though the author does not say so) that the charm could 
 affect only her who drank first, as it would have been rather awkward if they were 
 all to fall in love with the happy youth,
 
 HATIM TAi. 125 
 
 Alkanpari stood speechless, and motioned to her attendants to explain 
 the cause of her visit. They stated that the fairy queen had fallen 
 in love with a youth of the race of Adam, and that the flame was 
 mutual ; that the lovers had met upwards of seven years past, but 
 that the queen had for a long period abandoned her swain to the pangs 
 of absence and despair, till lately he found means of discovering her 
 residence ; and that she is now willing to accept him as her husband, 
 provided she obtain the consent of her parents. 
 
 The mother, immediately on hearing this, went and represented the 
 affair to the father, who sa^d in reply, . " If such be the wish of our 
 daughter, I am satisfied ; why should we prevent her ?" The queea 
 having received the consent of her parents, immediately sent messen- 
 gers for her lover and Hatim, who were soon in attendance. When 
 they arrived at the palace, the beautiful queen presented the young 
 man to her mother. The mother commended him to the father, who 
 without more delay made preparations for the marriage, and according 
 to the usages of the fairy race, gave the hand of his daughter to 
 Hatim's friend. 
 
 When the enamoured pair were thus joined in the bands of wedlock, 
 the young man in grateful terms expressed his obligations to Hatim, 
 who remained Avith him seven days, and then took leave, in order to 
 prosecute his journey. When about to depart, the queen inquired of 
 Hatim to what part of the world he intended to travel ; and when 
 he told her, " To the mountains of Himyar," she said to him, 
 *' Noble Hatim, give yourself no concern about your journey ; 
 Himyar is indeed a long way off, but my fairies shall convey you 
 thither with the utmost speed." 
 
 The queen summoned a few of her subjects, and gave them her 
 instructions respecting the mountain of Himyar. They then placed 
 Hatim on a howdah, and carried him through the air with such speed 
 that in the com'se of twenty-four hours they laid him down at the 
 wished-for stage. Hatim had no sooner arrived than he heard the 
 voice of the man, who exclaimed, " Do evil to no 07ie ; if you do, 
 evil will overtake you." 
 
 When Hatim heard this welcome sound, he requested the fairies 
 to leave him, as he now considered himself at the end of his journey, 
 and had occasion to stay for some time in these parts. The fairies 
 accordingly took their leave and departed, while Hatim proceeded in 
 the direction of the voice which hflK:! lately struck his ear. He had
 
 126 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 not far advanced when he observed an old man confined in a cage 
 Avhich was suspended to the branch of a tree. Hatim stood silent for 
 a short time viewing with wonder the inmate of the cage, who once 
 more exclaimed, " Do evil to none : if you do, evil will overtake 
 you." 
 
 H.itira went close to the prisoner, and said to him, " Tell me^ 
 unfortunate man, what mean tliese words which you utter ; and why 
 are you confined in this cage, and suspended to the branch of the 
 tree ?" — "Ask me no questions," replied the old man, " unless you 
 ■wish to mend my condition and afford me relief. If you desire to 
 hear my secrets, you must give me a sacred promise that you will not 
 oommuiiicate the s;ime to any one else." To this Hatim assented, 
 saying, " I give you my promise, and I am ready to confirm it by 
 oath." The old man then proceeded with his history : " I ara by 
 occupation a merchant, and my name is Haralr. When I became of 
 age, my father had finished the building of this city, and he called 
 the same after my name. Shortly after, my father departed on a sea 
 voyage, and left me in charge of the city. 1 was a free-hearted and 
 social young man, and so in a short time expended all the property 
 left under my care by my father. Thus I became surrounded 
 with poverty and want ; and as I knew that my fiither had hidden 
 treasures somewhere in his house, I resolved to discover them if 
 possible. I searched every where, but found nothing ; and to complete 
 my woe, I received the news of my father's death, the ship in which 
 he sailed being wrecked. 
 
 " One day as I was sauntering, mournful and dejected, through 
 the baiiaar, I espied a learned man wiio cried out, 'If any one has 
 lost his money by theft or otherwise, my knowledge of the occult 
 sciences enables me to recover the same, but on condition that I receive 
 one-fourth of the amount.' When I heard this seasonable proclama- 
 tion, I immediately approached the man of science, and stated to him 
 my sad condition, and how I had been reduced from afilnence to 
 poverty. Tlie sage undprtook to restore my wealth, and above all to 
 discover the treasures concealed in my father's house. I conducted 
 him to my house and shewed him every apartment, which he carefully 
 examined one after another. At length by his art he discovered the 
 stores which were in search of; and when I saw the jrold and silver 
 and other valuables, which exceeded calculation, the demon of fraud 
 entered my heart, and I refused to fulfil my promise of giving a fourth
 
 HATIM TAi" 127 
 
 of the property to the man of wisdom. I offered him only a few 
 small pieces of silver ; instead of accepting which, he stood for a few 
 moments in silent meditation, and with a look of scorn, said, " Do I 
 thus receive the fourth part of your treasure, which you agreed to 
 give me ? Base man, of what perjury are you guilty !' 
 
 " On hearing this I became enraged ; and having struck him 
 several blows on the face, I expelled him from my house. In a few 
 days after, however, he returned, and so far ingratiated himself into 
 my confidence that we became intimate friends ; and night and day 
 he displayed before my sight the various hidden trensures contained 
 within the bowels of the earth. One day I asked him to instruct me 
 in this wonderful science, to which he answered, that no instruction 
 was requisite. ' Here,' said he, ' is a composition of surina,^' and 
 whoever applies the same to his eyes, to him all the wealth of this 
 world will become visible.' — ' Most learned sir,' I replied, " if yoa 
 will anoint my eyes Avith this substance, I promise to share with you 
 the half of all such treasures as I may discover.' — ' I agree,' said my 
 friend, ' meanwhile let us retire to the desert, where we shall be 
 free from interruption.' 
 
 We immediately set out, and when we arrived here, I was surprised 
 at seeing this cage, and asked my companion whose it was. I received 
 for answer, that it belonged to no one. In short, we both sat down at 
 the foot of this tree, and the sage having produced the surma from 
 his pocket, began to apply it to my eyes. But, alas ! no sooner had 
 he applied this composition than I became totally deprived of sight. 
 In a voice of sorrow I asked him why he had thus treated mo, and he 
 replied, ' Such is the reward of ti'eachery ; and if you wish to recover 
 your sight, you must for some time undergo penance in this cage. 
 You must utter no complaint, and you shall exclaim from time to 
 time, 'Do no evil to any one ; if you do, evil loill befall you^ 
 
 " I intreated the sage to relieve me, saying, ' You are a mere 
 mortal like myself, and dare you thus torment a fellow-creature ? 
 How Avill you account for your deeds to the Supreme Judge ?' He 
 answered, ' This is the reward of your treachery.* Seeing him 
 inexorable, I begged of him to inform me when and how my sight 
 ■was to be restored ; and he told me that a noble youth should one 
 day visit me, and to him I was to make known my condition, and 
 
 A collyrium with which the Persians tinge their eyebrowa.
 
 128 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 further state, that in the desert of Hirnyar there is a certain herb 
 called the flower of light, which the youth was to procure and apply 
 to my eyes, by means of which my sight should be restored. 
 
 " It is now nearly three years since he left me in this prison, which, 
 though wide open, I cannot quit. Whenever I attempt to leave my 
 confinement, I feel the most excruciating pain in my limbs, so that I 
 have not the power of moving, and thus I am compelled to remain. 
 One day, shortly after my companion left me, I reflected in my own 
 mind that I could do nothing for myself while I continued like a bird 
 in this cage, and accordingly I resolved to quit it at all hazards ; but 
 the moment I was outside of it, the pain that seized my whole body 
 almost killed me. I immediately returned into my prison, and have 
 since that time resigned myself to my fate, exclaiming at stated times 
 the words which have already attracted your attention. Many people 
 have in the mean time passed by me ; but on hearing my condition, 
 they left me as they found me, w^ithout administering to my relief. 
 To-day you have added one more to the number of my visitors : may 
 I ask whether you intend to assist me ?" 
 
 "When Hatiin heard this account from the man in the cage, he said 
 to him, in reply, " My friend, ba of good cheer, I will instantly 
 endeavour to effect jour release;" and without further delay, he 
 proceeded to the desert in search of the flower of light. We have 
 already stated, that the fairies that had conveyed him thither, return- 
 ed, at his own request, to fairy land ; but when they came before 
 Alkanpari, her Highness immediately ordered them back to attend 
 upon Hatim while in the desert of Himyar, and afterwards to conduct 
 him in safety to Shahabad. When Hatim then entered the desert, he 
 "was surprised in again meeting the fairies, whom he recognized to be 
 his former guides. They also, knowing Hatim, respectfully approach- 
 ed him, and having stuted the whole occurrence, offered him their 
 services, and requested to know whither he was going. " I am going," 
 replied Hatim, " in search of the flower of light, which grows 
 somewhere in this desert." — " We shall soon carry yon to the spot," 
 replied the fairies ; " at least we can shew you from a distance the 
 field where that plant is found ; if you return thence with life, we are 
 in attendance in order to convey you to your own country ; and should 
 aught evil befall you in your present enterprise, we shall carry the 
 intelligence of it to our mistress." — " And why," said Hatim, *' will 
 you not accompany me all the way ?" — " Our approaching the spot,"
 
 HATIM TAi. 12.') 
 
 replied the fairies, *' is useless, and maybe fatal. When this flower 
 is in bloom, the field where it grows is illumined as it were with 
 brilliant lamps ; the beautiful light which it emits is such that you 
 "will easily see the object of your search ; but, on the other hand, 
 around those flowers are stationed thousands of horrible snakes, 
 poisonous scorpions, and other formidable creatures without number, 
 so that even the fowls of heaven cannot approach that deadly spot." 
 — " Do you once conduct me thither," rejoined Hatim, " and leave 
 me to manage the rest." 
 
 The fairies lifted Hatim from the ground, and having swiftly 
 traversed the air fo^' the space of seven days, they alighted with him 
 about the time of midnight in an extensive plain. He then asked 
 them to point out to him the flower which he was so eager to pluck, 
 but they told him that the season when it should be in bloom had not 
 yet arrived. He therefore resolved to remain there till the appointed 
 time, and in the meanwhile the fairies plentifully supplied him from 
 all quarters with food to eat, and fruit and Avater wherewith to 
 quench his thirst ; and in short, in that remote desert, he fared like a 
 prince. In the course of time the flowers of light began to blossom 
 in the field, each of them brilliant as a lamp, so that the Avhole plain 
 became a blaze of lights The breezes that gently blew over the 
 desert, were loaded with the sweetest perfume. 
 
 Meanwhile serpents, scorpions, and beasts of prey w^ithout number, 
 issued as it were from the bosom of the earth, and completely sur- 
 rounded the illumined flowers. The fairies at this sight stood aghast, 
 and Hatim observing their terror, said to them, " Do you keep aloof 
 here so as to be out of danger ; I have placed my reliance upon God, 
 and whatever may happen, I will not shrink from my enterprise." 
 Hatim having made this resolution, took in his hand the talisman of 
 the bear's daughter, and fearlessly advancing into the midst of the 
 field, he plucked three of the largest and most brilliant flowers, and 
 returned unhurt to his guides. The fairies were astonished at this 
 dai'ing feat, and looked on Hatim as a being far beyond their compre- 
 hension. Obedient to his sign, they raised him upon their soldiers 
 and swiftly winged their way through the air to that part of the 
 desert where Hamir was imprisoned. 
 
 Hatim approached him, and said, " Be not sad, my friend, behold 
 the flower which you say will restore your sight." The blind man 
 expressed his thanks to heaven, and said to Hatim, " Brave youth
 
 130 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 be pleased to compress the stalk with your own liands, so that the 
 juice of it may drop into my eyes." Hatim untied the cage from 
 the branch of" the tree, and having released the inmate, he applied 
 the liquid to his eyes as directed. Plaving repeated this process three 
 limes, the blind Hamir at length opened his eyes, and seeing Hatim, 
 fell prostrate at his feet, and offered him a profusion of thanks. 
 Hatim kindly raising him up, said, " My good friend, why make so 
 many acknowledgments ? I have devoted myself to the service of 
 my Creator, and I consider the performance of charitable deeds as the 
 most lasting felicity." 
 
 The man addressing Hatim in return, said, "Generous prince ! my 
 house abounds with gold and silver and all warldly wealth, accept 
 then such portion of it as you may deem proper." — " Truly, Sir," 
 replied Hatim, " worldly wealth is of no use to me, for already I 
 possess flir more than is sufficient for me ; I may advise you however 
 to expend your treasures in such manner as may be acceptable to 
 God, in the bestowing of food upon the hungry, and in clothing those 
 who are naked. 
 
 Here Hatim took his leave of the old man of the desert, and having 
 mounted his howdah, the fairies carried him through the air with 
 such swiftness that in a few days he arrived in Shahabad. He 
 dismounted at the gates of the city, and the fairies, when about to 
 return, requested of him to favour them with a letter to their queen, 
 certifying his safe arrival. To this, Hatim readily agreed, where- 
 upon his aerial guides took their leave and departed. He no sooner 
 entered the city than Husn Banu's people recognized him, and with 
 the utmost promptness conducted him before their sovereign lady. 
 Husn Banu received Hatim with the highest kindness, and asked him 
 numerous questions respecting his adventure. Hatim detailed at 
 length all that he had seen and performed in the course of his journey. 
 Husn Banu then presented him with food and drink ; but ere Hatim 
 tasted of either, he requested that his friend the prince of Assyria 
 should be invited to partake of his fare. Munlr was immediately 
 sent for, and after paying his warmest regard to Hatim, they both sat 
 down and ate together. After they had finished their meal, Hatim, 
 addressing Husn Banu, said, "Noble lady, tell me what is your next 
 question ?" — " There is a man," replied Husn Banu, " who exclaims, 
 ' He toho speaks the truth is always tratiguil.' Go then and find 
 out that man ; inform me wherein has he spoken the truth, and what
 
 HATIM TAi". 131 
 
 degree of tranquillity does he eujoy in consequence." — " May I ask,'^ 
 said Hatim, " in what quarter of the world does this man dwell ?" — 
 " That," said Husn Banu, " is unknown to me, but I have heard 
 from my nurse that the city is called Karam." — " Enough," said' 
 Hatim, " I trust that God will direct me in this also ;" and taking 
 his leave of Husn Banu, he proceeded with his friend Munir. to ths 
 caravanseraL
 
 132 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 Hatim's perilous journey to the city of Karam — His attainment of 
 the object of his desire, and safe return to Shahabad. 
 
 We are informed by the learned, that when Hatim left Shahabad^ 
 he prosecuted his journey for several stages, till at length he came to 
 the foot of a lofty mountain. There he observed at some distance 
 what he conceived to be a spring of water ; but what must have been, 
 his surprise when, on a nearer approach, he found it streaming with 
 blood ! He stood bewildered, and unable to account for a phenomenon 
 such as he had never witnessed. Wearied and disappointed, he at 
 length resumed his journey, and in the course of two days his attention 
 was drawn to a tree of uncommon size, which towered far above the 
 surrounding objects. He quickly bent his steps towards this stately 
 tree ; but when he reached it, what an appalling sight ! To every 
 branch of it was suspended a human head ; and at the foo.t of it was 
 a lake of a crimson hue, from which a stream of blood issued in th© 
 direction of the desert. 
 
 Hatim sat down underneath the tree, and viewed with wonder and 
 awe the spectacle before him ; when all at once the deadly silence of 
 the place was broken by a peal of laughter from the suspended heads. 
 He started up in tenfold astonishment, for to him it seemed utterly 
 unaccountable that human heads severed from the body should still 
 preserve their risible faculties. With no less wonder he saw that the 
 blood constantly flowed into the lake from the opened veins of those 
 heads. In deep reflection, he was considering how to unfold this 
 fearful mystery, when his eye was attracted by the head which stood 
 highest on the tree. The moment he beheld the enchanting smile of 
 that angelic countenance, he felt as if his soul would quit its frame, 
 and senseless he fell upon the earth. After some hours his recollec- 
 tion was restored, and he sat up wondering within himself what could 
 have been the cause of so strange an occurrence, and why so many 
 beautiful damsels had been doomed to so cruel a fate. 
 
 Hatim considered it as unworthy of himself to pass on and take no 
 further notice of what he had just seen, for in that case he should still
 
 HATIM TAl, 133 
 
 remain in ignorance. He resolved therefore to stop for a few days in 
 that place, in order if possible to discover the nature of the mystery. 
 When the shades of night were about to fail, he withdrew into a 
 sheltered spot on the banks of the lake, and there betook himself to 
 rest. But ere he closed his eyelids in sleep a change came over the 
 scene before him, which further served to increase his astonishment. 
 When the last ray of twilight had vanished, he observed that on a 
 sudden all the heads dropped from the tree into the lake, which in 
 an instant was transformed into a palace splendidly adorned with 
 gorgeous couches, and in the midst a throne of burnished gold. 
 Shortly after entered a train of damsels of fairy form, and amongst 
 them one of surpassing beauty, who occupied the throne while the 
 rest sat down on the surrounding couches. 
 
 When this brilliant assembly was seated, Hatim took a thorough 
 view of the queen upon the throne, and was convinced that her head 
 "was the same that he had seen highest upon the tree, and the coun- 
 tenance was that of which the beauty had already ravished his heart. 
 Amongst those who sat on the couches or stood in attendance on the 
 queen, he could also perceive many faces already familiar to him. A 
 select number of those heart-ravishing damsels had musical instruments, 
 the melodious sounds of which charmed the ear, while the eye was 
 delighted with the graceful movements of others who danced. Thus 
 passed the first half of the night, while Hatim looked on with a 
 feeling of wonder and delight, uncertain whether he was in a dream 
 or enjoying a scene of reality. 
 
 About the hour of midnight, tables were spread, and the choicest 
 viands of every description were brought in and laid down. Mean- 
 while she who occupied the throne issued orders to those in waiting 
 to place a table and food before the stranger who sat retired on the 
 border of the lake. The servants speedily obeyed ; and having 
 brought the table and food to Hatim, requested him to eat, as such 
 -was the will of their queen. " And what," asked Hatim, " is the 
 name of your fair and hospitable sovereign ?" — "Ask no questions," 
 replied the attendant damsels, " as we are not at liberty to satisfy 
 your curiosity. Accept the bounty thus offered you, and trouble not 
 yourself with the name of the giver, being a matter of no moment to 
 you." — " What you state," rejoined Hatim, " is very reasonable ; 
 but unless you inform me of your sovereign's name, be assured that I 
 will not taste of her food."
 
 134 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 The fairy attendants returned to their queen, and informed her of the 
 stranger's obstinate refusal of her bounty, whereupon she again sent 
 one of them to Hatim, requesting him in the mean time to eat of her 
 food, and that to-morrow he should know all. Hatim still persisted 
 in his previous request, and endeavoured to lay hold of the fair 
 messenger : but she flew beyond his reach, and took up her station at 
 the foot of the throne in the humble posture of the other attendants. 
 Again the song and dance were resumed, and thus the fair assembly 
 passed the remainder of the night. 
 
 When the first rays of dawn began to emerge from the east, the 
 whole scene vanished as it were into the bottom of the lake. Instantly 
 the severed heads again rose from the water, and took their station on 
 the bi'anches of the tree, each in the place it had occupied the 
 preceding day. Hatim now quitted the spot where he had spent the 
 night, and once more sat down underneath the tree with his eyes fixed 
 upon the heads, but chiefly upon that of the queen. Various were 
 the plans he suggested to himself, though none of them seemed to 
 promise success. He resolved however to use every exertion in the 
 unfolding of this mystery, and if possible break the spell of the 
 enchantment, whereupon he should claim the queen as his bride. 
 
 Thus another day passed by, and again the veil of darkness over- 
 shadowed the earth, when all the heads dropped from the tree into 
 the lake, and the same scene which he had witnessed the preceding 
 night was again presented to his view. He sat on the banks of the 
 lake as before, and waited in anxious expectation the fulfilment of 
 the queen's promise. When midnight came he was presented with a 
 table and food by the damsel whom he had addressed the preceding 
 night. He reminded her of the queen's promise, but was requested 
 to eat of the food and ask no idle questions. " Never," replied 
 Hatim, " will I taste of your mistress's bounty till you have fully 
 informed me of her name." The messenger returned to the queen, 
 and told her of the result. Her Majesty requested Hatim first to 
 taste of her bounty and then to come before her, when he should 
 receive the information he desired. 
 
 Hatim then partook of the food offered him, and rose up to accom- 
 pany the fairy attendant to the queen's presence. The fairy plunged 
 into the midst of the lake, and Hatim without hesitation followed her 
 example. When his feet reached the bottom he opened his eyes' 
 and beheld, not the lake, nor the stately free, nor the fairy court, but
 
 HATIM TAi, 135 
 
 ;a dreary waste which seemed to be the haunt of demons. His love 
 for the fairy queen however was so powerful that he could think of 
 nothing else. Forgetful of himself, he sorrowfully strayed through 
 this Avilderness for the space of seven days, when all at once he espied 
 man of venerable appearance dressed in green apparel, advancing 
 towards him from the right hand side. 
 
 When Hiitim saw this aged man, he stood still waiting his approach. 
 The latter courteously saluted him, and expressed his surprise in 
 finding him in that desert, which he said was called Jaras. " And 
 how," said H^tim, " have I chanced to come hither ?" — " Did you not 
 of your own accord," replied the man in green, "plunge into the 
 lake, though you must have known that all you beheld was enchant- 
 Tnent ? But at present you are a hundred farasangs distant from it I" 
 Hatim, on receiving this information, threw himself upon the earth 
 and wept aloud, saying, " Alas ! how shall I be able to retrace my 
 way ? I must bid adieu to life, and yet attain not the object of my 
 ■desire." 
 
 The aged man, pitying Hatim, said to him, " What is your desire 
 at present ?" — " To return instantly," replied Hatim, " to the place 
 whence I came." The old man holding up a staff, desired him to 
 shut his eyes and seize it in his hand. This Hatim had no sooner 
 done than he found himself in his old quarters on the banks of the 
 lake, where he beheld the tree with the heads suspended to its 
 branches as formerly, but no trace of his venerable benefactor was to 
 be found. He now sat down, thoughtfully contriving what course to 
 adopt next, when all at once he resolved to climb the tree, and bring 
 down the head of the queen. Thus determined he began to climb, 
 but lo ! the tree shook so violently that Hatim fell to the ground. 
 Again he grasped the trunk of the tree, and finding that it ceased 
 from shaking, he with great exertion climbed up about half way to 
 its branches. But here a tremendous sound issued from the trunk 
 of the tree, which was rent asunder, and Hatim was swallowed into 
 the fissure, so that only half his body appeared without. 
 
 Hatim deeply repented his temerity, and said to himself, " Now 
 indeed my misery is complete ! I have escaped from the enchanted 
 desert, but this difficulty I see no possibility of overcoming." In the 
 agonies of despair, he exerted all his strength to release himself, but 
 he found that his body every moment sunk deeper into the tree, till at 
 length only his head and hands lemamed visible. In this state his
 
 136 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 breathing jilmost ceased, and he was about to close his eyes for ever 
 on this world, when behold ! the aged man in green stood before 
 him, and said, "Headless youth, why have you involved yourself in 
 this calamity ? Are you in good truth tired of your life, that you 
 thus so freely peril it ?" 
 
 Hatim was in no condition to reply, so he remained silent. Mean- 
 while the aged man struck the tree with his staff, and instantly the 
 parts of it where Hatim was incased became smooth as oil. The 
 aged man took him by the hands and drew him from his fetters, but his 
 strength was so exhausted that he fell at the foot of the tree. When 
 he reco%ered his senses, the venerable sage said to him, "Tell me, 
 young man, what have you to do with trunkless heads, that you 
 should thus involve yourself in such calamities." — " 1 should like," 
 replied Hatim, " to know the mysterious cause of their being suspended 
 here." — " Listen to me," said the aged man, " and I will satisfy your 
 curiosity." 
 
 " There is a magician by name Sam Ahmar, and that head which 
 you see highest on the tree is that of his daughter. This lady, who 
 •was exceedingly beautiful, fell in love with a youth about her own 
 age, and wished to marry him. She requested her father's consent, 
 stating that she was now of age, and expected that her father would 
 sanction the choice she had made. On hearing her declaration, the 
 father became enraged, and inflicted this punishment upon his 
 daughter. This tree, the lake, and all that you see before you are 
 the effects of his enchantment. The magician's residence is in a 
 mountain about a hundred farasangs distant, and the name of this 
 daughter is Zarlnposh. So powerful is he in his art, that when he 
 pleases he transports himself hither in less than a day. The place of 
 his abode is called the Red Mountain, ami during his life no mortal 
 can approach his daughter. 
 
 On receiving this information from his aged deliverer, Hatim said, 
 *' Father, I will instantly climb the tree, and rescue the daughter ; 
 even the fear of death shall not detain me." — " If such is your resolu- 
 tion," replied his sage monitor, " you are indeed exposing your life 
 to perils ; I warn you of the danger, and I advise you as a friend to 
 abandon such thoughts." — " You say well," rejoined Hatim, " but in 
 this proceeding 1 am prepared for the worst." — '"And may I ask," 
 continued the old man, " what occasion have you to attempt a task 
 which you are convinced to be fatal ?" — " I am enamoured of the
 
 HATIM TAl, 137 
 
 mngician's daughter," replied Hatira, " and I will either rescue her or 
 share her fate." 
 
 The aged man still persisted in his salutary advice, and ITatim 
 remained equally obstinate. At length the former said, " Young 
 man, if you mind not my counsel, be assured that you Avill have cause 
 for sorrow." — " Alas !" said Ilatim, " what is life to me without the 
 object of my desire ? As for sorrow, it is to me familiar, for the 
 word was written oa my forehead the day I first drew breath," The 
 old man, without further speech, struck the tree with his staff, and 
 said to Hatim, ' " Come and ascend ;" after which, he vanished from 
 the place. 
 
 Hatim in the mean while succeeded in climbing the tree till he 
 reached the branch where the head of his beloved was suspended. 
 This he had no sooner touched than his own head was severed from 
 his body and fastened to the next branch, while his body fell into the 
 lake. When the hour of darkness arrived, the heads as usual were 
 united to their respective bodies, and assembled in the enchanted 
 palace in the midst of the water. There the same scene took place 
 that Hatim had formerly witnessed : the queen was seated upon the 
 throne, part of which he himself was allowed to occupy, Unconscious 
 of his own state, he sat down admiring the beauty of the magician's 
 daughter. He had not the least recollection of his former self: he 
 knew not how he came there ; and the idea of escape from thence 
 never entered his mind. 
 
 The queen perceived that Hatim was a captive in the fetters of 
 love and enchantment ; but she remained silent, and occupied her 
 attention with the song and the dance. At the hour of midnight she 
 took his hand, and having seated him beside her at table, she offered 
 him food of the most delicious flavour. Hatim ate of her bounty, and 
 spent the night in mirth and pleasure, forgetful of all that he had 
 ever been. At break of day his head, along with those of the rest, 
 were suspended on the tree ; and thus he passed several days and 
 nights, when again the aged man came to his assistance. 
 
 The sage touched the head of Hatim with his staff, when instantly, 
 his body ascended from the lake, imd once more he became himself. 
 He stood at the foot of the tree as a man awakened from a dream ; his 
 senses returned, and the moment he beheld his aged deliverer, ho 
 prostrated himself at his feet, and said, " Most wonderful man, you 
 have seen my dangerous state, and partly relieved me, but much more 
 
 B
 
 138 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 remains to be done." The old man, pointing to the tree, said in return 
 " Deluded youth ! thou knowest the horrors of the situation from 
 which I have saved thee, and yet thou wilt not fly the cause of thy 
 misery ; thy afTection for this damsel, then, is still unaltered ?" — 
 " Incapable of change," replied Hatim, " and if, for the sake of God, 
 you lend me your aid, I may succeed ; otherwise, with my eyes open 
 to the dangers wh'cli await me, I am resolved to brave them all for 
 her whom I love." — " Since such is your resolution," resumed the old 
 man, " the first thing you must do is to slay the magician her father, 
 for till then the enchantment cannot be broken." — " That," replied 
 Hatim, " I will accomplish, or perish in the attempt." — " Your 
 efforts will prove fruitless," rejoined his mentor, " unless you follow 
 my directions." 
 
 Hatim embraced the knees of his aged friend, saying, " Speak, 
 then, and I swear never to deviate from your advice." — " Learn from 
 me," said the old m-.m, " the following charm, which consists in 
 repeating certain attributes of the Deity."* Hatim listened attentively, 
 and having acquired the charm, he was about to depart, when the 
 aged man gave him his parting advice: "Brave youth," said he, 
 " the power of this charm depends on your own conduct. You must 
 keep yourself pure, and never utter a falsehood ; every day you must 
 devoutly purify yourself with water, and never break your fast till 
 set of sun, nor must you repeat the charm at an improper time. 
 These are conditions which you must strictly attend to, then, should 
 any evil befiU you, repeat this sacred charm, and you will succeed ; 
 even the arts of the magician shall have no power over you. 
 
 " But how," said Hatim, " can I find my way to the mountain of 
 Ahmar ?" — " Seize my staff in your right hand," replied the other, 
 " then shut your eyes, and put your trust in heaven. Hatim did as 
 he was ordered, and for a few minutes felt that he was moving 
 swiftly through the air, after which his feet rested upon firm 
 ground. He opened his eyes, but saw no one near him. Before him 
 stood a lofty mountain, covered with the blossoms of tbe tulip, a 
 circumstance which surprised him much, as it was not then the season 
 for these flowers. 
 
 • The great names, or attributes of the deity, are one hundred, and the repeti- 
 tion of them constitutes part of a Mussulman's devotion. The formula commences 
 thus : " There is no God but God. He is most merciful, most gracious, the ruler of 
 all most holy," <t-c.— Vide Tychser Flementale Arab, p. 22.
 
 HATIM TAi. 139 
 
 Hatim began to climb the mountain, but he had not proceeded 
 many steps when his feet stuck fast to the stones and rocks that paved 
 his way. He at first exerted himself to the utmost, but found all his 
 efforts of no avail ; his feet were immoveable as the rock on which he 
 stood. When his despair was extreme, his mind recurred to the 
 charm which the old man had taught him. The moment he uttered 
 the divine words of the spell, he found his feet at liberty, and with 
 elastic steps he continued his ascent along the Red Mountain. 
 Arrived at the summit, he beheld a wide spreading plain, in the 
 midst of which was a fountain of cool and delicious water, surrounded 
 with trees bearing loads of fruit such as he had never seen. Hatim 
 sat down by the fountain ; and having performed his ablutions, he 
 repeated the words of the sacred charm, whereby all the beasts of 
 prey, and the poisonous reptiles that infested the plain, fled from his 
 sight. 
 
 When the magician observed the disturbance which took place 
 among his favourite animals, he had recourse to his books of enchant- 
 ment. There he beheld the following sentence : " Know that on a 
 certain day this mountain shall be visited by Hatim, prince of Yemen, 
 "who will render of no effect all the arts which you possess." The 
 magician, on ascertaining that Hatim had actually arrived at the 
 fountain, began to dive further into the depths of his mystic science, in 
 order to discover the cause of this visit. To his utter dismay, he 
 found that Hatim had fallen in love with his daughter, and had come 
 with intent to slay him, secure under a sacred spell, over which the 
 whole circle of magio- art had no power. 
 
 Now the magician- saw that his only safety consisted in making 
 Hatim forget the words of the sacred charm which the old man had 
 taught to him. Having therefo;"e uttered some incantations, and 
 blown with his breath towards the four quarters of the horizon, in au 
 instant appeared as it were from the thin air numbers of sprites and 
 fairies, which drew up in circles around him. He summoned one of 
 these which bore the resemblance of his daughter, and having given 
 her in her hand a goblet and vase full of wine, he said to her, " Go 
 and use all thy art to make Hatim drink of this cup." The sprite, 
 accompanied with others similar to those who attended the queen, 
 proceeded to the fountain. When Hfitim observed them, he thought 
 within himself, " These are the same that I saw at the enchanted 
 tree ; can it be possible that they too could have arrived here
 
 140 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 already ?" But he further reflected, tliat llie place •v\-herc he was 
 belonged to the father of the fairy queen, therefore it was most likely 
 that what he saw was no deception. 
 
 The sprite which resembled his love, gracefully accosted Hatim, 
 saying, " Brave sir, many are the dangers you have cncounteix'd iu 
 coming hither on my account. My father lias been pleased to release 
 me from confinement, and here I walk unrestrained in his gai'ilens. 
 The moment I saw you my heart rejoiced, and I hasten to assure you 
 of my sincere affection." Having thus spoken, the false sprite sat 
 down by the side of Ilatim, and having filled the goblet, gave it him 
 to drink. Hatim joyfully accepted the fatal pledge, and congratulat- 
 ing himself on his good fortune in this interview, raised the cup to 
 his lips, and drained it to the bottom. 
 
 The instant Hatim tasted of the hellish draught, the sprite that 
 had assumed the form of his mistress was changed into a black demon. 
 The whole of them rushed upon him, and carried him bound in chains 
 before their great master. The magician, on viewing the noble form 
 and undaunted brow of Hatim, became thoughtful, and almost relented 
 iu his cruel intention of putting him to death. " Pity it were," he 
 said to himself, *' that so brave a man should perish ; but since he 
 is my mortal foe, I must have him exterminated." Having made this 
 resolution, the magician commanded his obedient imps to seize Hatim 
 bound as he was, and cast him into the midst of a fiery pit, which 
 blazed night and day on the top of the mountain. 
 
 The sprites laid hold of Hatim, and having cast liim into the burn- 
 ing caldron which contained a thousand maunds of melted lead, they 
 returned to their master, and informed him that his enemy was 
 annihilated. The magician, by means of his mystic books, discovered 
 that Hatim was alive in the midst of the flame. He was utterly 
 confounded, for he knew that there were very few talismans sufficiently 
 potent against his own art. Again he had recourse to his books, and 
 at last he found out that Hatim liad in his mouth the muhra of the 
 bear's daughter. This discovery sadly perplexed the magician, as it 
 was impossible forcibly to deprive Hatim of the muhra, and he was 
 invulnerable while he possessed the same. The magician ordered his 
 sprites to release Hatim from the flames, and place iiini l)e.<i(le the 
 fountain where he originally sat. The order was speedily obeyed, 
 and Hatim, thus left to himself, threw off" his clothes and bathed in
 
 HATIM TAl. 141 
 
 the cool pprintr, affor \vliicli he oflTcrod up his prayors to God, an<l 
 betook himself to rest. The mai^ician iiowever did not yet feel 
 secure : he assailed Ilatim \>y tlie same imps .-is before, and tluit one 
 among them Avhich resembled the queeti again aiiproaclied Iiini fi-om 
 the grottoe.^ of the fudd, :ind said to him, "Nolde IIa(im I I must 
 converse with j-ou oiil^y from a distance, fof I (hire not sir besiilc you. 
 To-day I was enjoying your society, when, lo I my fiither ti-ansformed 
 me into a black demon, and tlie rest of my train into furies. We 
 seized you iind cast you into the fire, for Ave diir-t not disobey his 
 stern command. God has delivered you from the impending calamity ; 
 but you must for your own safety shun ray society, for if my father 
 see us together, he will assuredly slay us both." 
 
 By these flxir words the heart of Hatim was ensnared ; and hMvino- 
 stretched forth his hands, he embraced the deceitful sprite, who said 
 to him, " Oh Hatim, dost thou sincerely love me ?" — " I love thee," 
 replied he, " from my soul." — " Then," said the form of his mistress, 
 " let me ask of thee one gift, and may I hope it shall not be refused." 
 — "Name the boon which thou requestest," replied he, "and I 
 swear it shall be granted if in my power. Know, however, that I am 
 poor ; if thy wish be gold or jewels, I have none to bestow : but let 
 me hear the favour thou wouldst ask of me." 
 
 The sprite replied, " I have heard that you possess the muhraof 
 the bear's daughter." — "And how," replied Hatim, "have you learn- 
 ed this much?" — "My father," replied the phantom, " by means of 
 his skill in books of magic, has made the discovery, and told me that 
 you possessed the above-mentioned talisman, and I long to have it 
 for myself." — " The gift you ask is precious," replied Hatim, " but 
 you shall have it ;" and he accordingly was about to part with that 
 to which he owed his safety, and consign it to a demon under the 
 form of his mistress. 
 
 Suddenly the aged man in green apparel stood by his side, and 
 seizing his right hand, said to him, "Deluded man, p.-irt not with 
 this treasure, otherwise you will have deep cause for regret, nay, the 
 period of your existence will be but short." Hatim having recovered 
 from his surprise, addressed his aged monitor, saying, "Venerable sir, 
 who are you, and why do you thus prevent me in doing what is 
 right ?" 
 
 The aged man addressing him, said, " Oh, Hatim ! hast thou not
 
 142 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 yet rcontriiizod mc ? I ait Khwjija Khizr,*' who lately taught thee to 
 utter the attributes of the JMo.st High." Ilatim quickly advanced, 
 and pro.^tmted himsc'Ifat the feet of the ?aint, saying, '• Thou heavenly 
 being, to thee I owe my success in thus attaining the object of my 
 nffection." — "Deluded man," replied the prophet, " knowest thou not 
 that this is all enchantment ? Already hast thou been deceived by 
 this false form. The fii'st time thou didst sit by this fountain, the 
 mngician sent thee this sprite with a cup full of hellish drugs, on the 
 tasting of whi(di thou wcrt deprived of all sensation. Did they not 
 in consequence cast thee into the fiery gulf? and dost thou not 
 owe thy safety to this muhra, which thou art about to give away ? 
 Oh Hatim, if thy life be dear to thee, part not with this treasure. 
 To ci'nvince thte of my sineei-ity, utter the charm which I have 
 taught thee, and if this form be really the fair daughter of the 
 enchaiitei', she will still sit by thee ; if, on the other hand, it is aa 
 evil spirit, it will vanish from thy sight in aflame of fire." 
 
 Ilatim kissed the foot of the saint in token of grateful submission ; 
 and having performed his devotions and purified himself in the 
 fountain, he pronounced the sacred chaim. The moment he opened 
 his month, the light of truth began to shine upon him. The magic 
 sprites trembled before him, and nflanie of fire issued from their 
 heads as from a furnace. In a few minutes their whole bodies burnt 
 like dried wood, and they were reduced to ashes. So infatuated was 
 Hatim, however, that he regretted the change : for while he had not 
 the power of seeing his beloved, he at least consoled himself in 
 contemplating her image, of which he was now deprived. 
 
 In this state of sorrow Hatim spent the night in weeping and 
 lamentation, nor did sleep once close his eyelids. Meanwhile the 
 magician, by the potency of his hellish lore, conjured up the great 
 Iblisf (on whom be curses), and held a consultation with him on the 
 
 * Khizr is the namG of a character famous among the Mohammedans. They 
 say that ho was. vizier to Iskander Dhulkornain, that he discovered the fountain of 
 immortality and drank thereof, in consequence of which he still lives on the earth, 
 ■where he will l)e allowed to remain till the day of judgment. The word Khizr 
 Bignifies verdant or green, which is their favourite colour, having been worn by 
 Mohammed himself, so that the Khw^j^'s habit is quite in character. 
 
 + Iblis is one of the names of Shaitiln, or the devil, and signifies (accord- 
 ing to the Farh.'ing-i-I\Iathnavi), desperate, or hopeless of mercy from the Divine 
 Creator. The Mohammedans believe that God created the devil of the purest 
 fire, admitted him into heaven, and appointed him to the high office of Lord 
 Lieutenant of the moon ; but owing to his inordinate pride and ambition, he was 
 deprived of his situation, and utterly expelled from the higher regions.
 
 HATIM TAi. 143 
 
 state of his affairs. The spirit of evil said to him, ** Foolish magician ; 
 of Hatim's life a long period has jet to pass; such is the divine 
 decree, and no power in earth or hell can slay him. 'Tis vain for 
 thee to combat with fate, why then dost thou not submit, and let 
 Hatim have thy daughter in marriage ?" — " To no living creature will 
 I give my daughter," replied the magician, "as long as I have the 
 breath of life." — " Tell me then," said Iblis, " what wouldst thou 
 •with me ?" — " Briefly," answered the other, "this Hatim hath twice 
 defied my power, and rendered my art of no avail ; he knoweth the 
 Hiost sacred of charms, and I hope that thou canst poison his memory 
 80 as to make him forget it." — " Thy request is vain," rejoined Iblis, 
 " for over the unerring deci"ees of the Almighty I have no power or 
 control. The Eternal hath willed that Hatim's fame should be 
 perpetual, and he hath commissioned the prophet Khwaja Khizr (on 
 ■whom be peace) to assist him in his bold undertakings. To me 
 therefore there is no possibility of entering his heart, while he possesses 
 the sacred charm. But this much I can do, I shall cause sleep to 
 overpower his eyelids, and fill his imagination with such tempting 
 dreams as are common to mortals." 
 
 The magician, on hearing this, bowed down and worshipped his 
 great muster, wlio assured him of his assistance, and winged his 
 course back to the infernal re"rions. In the mean time Hatim foro-ot 
 his sorrows in sleep, and reason having for a time abantloned the 
 guidance of his imagination, he revelled in the most tempting dreams 
 of worldly vanity. 
 
 When Hatim awoke from his dream he felt his senses confounded, 
 and got up with the intention of purifying himself in the fountain and 
 repeating his sacred charm ; but the magician having conjured up a 
 monstrous demon, was ready to assail him with his diabolic arts. 
 When Hatim found himself thus beset, his heart trembled within 
 him : for, polluted as he was, he dur.-t not utter the sacred charm, 
 and otherwise how could he resist his enemy ! The demon seized 
 him thus irresolute, and carried him before the magician, who ordered 
 him to be bound in chains and cast into a pit, over tlie mouth of 
 which a large stone should be placed. The order was speedily 
 executed ; and when Hatim found himself thus incarcerated, he 
 composed his thoughts, and poured out his soul in prayer before the 
 Almighty Creator. 
 
 After he had passed seven days and nights in this dungeon, without
 
 141 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 tasting food or drinking water, the magician, expecting that he must 
 ere now lie sub'lueil wiih liuuger ami thirst, scut some of liis imps to 
 examine his condition. But to those liatini paid no regai'd, nor 
 would he answer any of tlieir inquiries. The magician, informed of 
 this, said to tlicni, " Keturn to ILitim, and tell him that if he will 
 give nie the innhru of the inar's danghtor, I shall set him at liberty." 
 Ou hearing this proposal, ilatim said to them, repl}, " Go and 
 say to your master, that he shall have the muhra, provided he give 
 me his daughter in marriage." When this was communicated to the 
 miigician, his ntge was beyond bounds ; he assembled all his imps, 
 and having led them to Ilatim's jjlace of confinement, he ordered them 
 to collect iaige stones, and dash them on liatim's head till he should 
 die. The attendants accordingly procured as many stones as they 
 could carry ; and having bound Hatim in a conspicuous place, they 
 began to execute the orders of their master, saying, " Now prepare 
 for instiint death, for your muhra shall no longer avail you ; the 
 magician has empowered us to crush your head to pieces." — " Tell 
 him," said Hatim, " that I defy all his power, and by the aid of 
 heaven, 1 will yet slay him." Scarce had he done speaking, when a 
 sliower of stones was aimed at his head ; but to the utter astonish- 
 ment of the magician and his imps, when the stones came within a 
 few yards of their mark, they diverged in all directions without 
 taking the least effect. Thus the whole of the stones passed by 
 Hatim, iind lay in a heap on either side of him. The magician soon 
 understood the cause of this, but his attendants could not believe 
 what they had seen. "To convince yourselves," said their master, 
 *' go and examine Avhether this man be alive or dead." The imps, 
 hiving aside their missiles, went up to Hatim, and to their surprise 
 found him untouched. When their astonishment had a little :ibated 
 they rt-newe I their assault, but with no better success. After the 
 heap of stones around Ilatim hiid increased tenfold, they once more 
 wiiit up to him, in order to be assured that their senses did not 
 deceive them ; and on finding him still uiduirt, they .-igain resumed 
 their attack, which tiiey continued uninterruptedly for seven days. 
 Ilatim all along remained uidiurt l^y their blows, but his frame was 
 quite exhausted with hunger and thirst. At length he adiiressed 
 them, saying, " Your efibrts are in vain ; you must etc now bo 
 convinced of the potency of my t<disman, as the fire has not burnt me, 
 nor do the stones which you now throw in the least hurt me. But
 
 HATIM TAi. 145 
 
 my thirst is past enduring, and I am willing to give even the muhra 
 to him who will cany me to the side of the fountain. The muhra has 
 many other virtues ; for instance, should the possessor of it desire to 
 kill the magician and occupy his throne, he will be enabled to do so." 
 The imps however refused to listen to him, saying, " We have no 
 will but that of our master, and your muhra can be of no use to us." 
 
 One of the demons that stood nearest to Hatim intimated to him by 
 signs that when the darkness of night should set in, he would take 
 him to the fountain as he desii-ed, with which arrangement Hatim 
 expressed his satisfaction. When night arrived, all the guards sunk 
 in sleep, while the demon aforesaid, instigated with the desire of 
 possessing the muhra, remained awake. At the hour of midnight, he 
 softly stole from amidst his companions, and said to Hatim, " Now is 
 your time, let me conduct you to the fountain." — " Willingly," 
 replied Hatim ; " but how is it possible for me to be released from 
 my fetters ?" — " Leave that to me," said his guide, who on uttering 
 some unearthly charm conjured up two monstrous demons, as it were, 
 from the empty air. These speedily removed the stone which 
 confined Hatim, and allowed him to come forth, when his guide 
 conducted him to the wished-for spring. 
 
 As soon as Hatim arrived at the fountain, he devoutly began to 
 perform his ablutions. Meanwhile the demon interrupted him, saying, 
 " Now young man, remember your promise, and give me the muhra, 
 for on this condition I brought you hither." — " Assuredly," replied 
 Hatim, " since you have done me so great a favour, I will make a 
 proper requital." — " And what return can you make," said the demon, 
 " except the fulfilment of your promise ?" — " What will be of more 
 value to you," replied Hatim ; " when I shall have slain this 
 magician, Sam Ahmar, I will establish you as king in his stead." — 
 "I covet not royalty," rejoined the demon, "I demand, and must 
 have the muhra." — " Consider," said Hatim, " that I received it as a 
 gift from a dear friend ; can I then consistently part with it, and for 
 whom do you ask it ?" — " For myself alone," replied the demon. — 
 " Fiend," said Hatim, " had you asked it of me in order to promote 
 the service of the Almighty Creator, I should have given it to you." 
 — " The only God we acknowledge," rejoined the demon, " is Iblis, 
 the great preceptor of our sovereign Sam Ahmar." — " Silence, 
 blasphemer," cried Hatim, " the God whom I adore is the creator of 
 the universe ; and were it not that you have lately served me in my
 
 146 THF. ADVFNTfRFS OF 
 
 need, I should have trented you as you deserve." — " Let us cease 
 wrangling," said the demon, " it is easy for me to deprive you of the 
 muhra by main force ; but if you give it of your own accord. I shall 
 spare your life ; otherwise, I shall drown you in this fountain." — 
 " Slave of Iblis," rejoiued Hatim, "begone and leave me ; the muhra 
 is not mine to give." 
 
 Hereupon the demon began to assail Hatim with enchantment ; but 
 the latter pronounced the sacred charm, whose potency made his 
 adversary tremble through every joint. He instantly fled from Hatim's 
 presence, and took shelter in the midst of his friends, where he lay down 
 and feigned sleep, that no one might know what he had done, as he 
 dreaded the vengeance of his master should the truth be known, 
 
 Hatim, now freed from the power of his enemies, passed the night in 
 meditation and ])vayer beside the fountain. When the morning dawned, 
 and the sentinels o])ene<l their drowsy eyes, they one after another went 
 to visit their chargf% but no trace of Hatim could they find. Their 
 terror was beyond description, for what answer could they return to 
 their formidable ni!v<ter when he should call them to account ? 
 " Assuredly," said thoy, one to another, " he will not this day leave 
 one of us alive." At length they put ashes on their heads, and with 
 tremblin"- steps presented themselves before the magician, saying, 
 " Alas ! mighty sir, the young man under our charge has made his 
 
 escape." 
 
 Their master calmly consulted his books, and soon discovered the 
 real state of affairs ; viz. that one of the sentinels, whose name was 
 Sarmak, hatl in the course of the night released Hatim from prison, 
 and conveved him to the brink of the fountain. The magician was 
 hio'hlv enraged, and said to the guilty sentinel, " Faithless wretch ! 
 how durst thou thus release thy prisoner ? Thy life shall answer for 
 it ; prepare for instant death." Sarmak considered that now, as he 
 had no hope of mercy from his master, his best plan would be to fly 
 to Hatim and implore his protection. 
 
 With the speed of lightning Sarmak fled from the presence of the 
 macrician, and having reached the fountain where Hatim sat, he 
 prostrated himself at his feet, and said, " Noble sir, my life is about 
 to be sacrificed on your account ; save me, us I never harmed you. 
 I have been truly unfortunate ; on the one hand, you gave me not 
 the muhra as promised, and for serving you my life is in danger." — 
 " 2vlake yourself easy on that score, my good friend Sarmak," replied
 
 HA TIM TAi 147 
 
 Hatira, " you will find that I have both the will ami the power to 
 leturu yoiu kiiuhiess." When the magician discovered that his 
 servant had fled to Hatim, he instantly began to assail tliem both 
 with his hellish art. The eftect was soon perceptible on Sarmak, 
 who exclaimed, "Help me, brave Hatim, I burn;" and a flame 
 issued from the crown of his head. Hatim pronounced the words of 
 his awful spell, and instantly the flame that burnt his companion 
 became cool as the breath of the zephyr. Sarmak, respectfully 
 approaching his deliverer, said, " Valiant sir, henceforth lam entirely 
 yours." Hatim tendered his hand to his new friend, and both of them 
 proceeded towards the magician's capital. Meanwhile Sam Ahmar 
 discovered their intentions ; and having asseml>led all his subjects 
 (who were lit for battle), he led them forth into the plain without the 
 city, and began to put in practice all the power of his art. As Hatim 
 tind his companion were approaching this formidable array, on a 
 sudden the sky was overcast with black clouds, the lightning flashed 
 foi'th in streams, and the loud thunder began to bellow. " Brave 
 Hatim," said Sarmak, " have a care of yourself ; this is caused by 
 the art of your enemy." Hatim uttered the sacred charm, and having 
 blown with his breath towards the clouds, the storm withdrew, and 
 all was calm and serene. 
 
 The magician, thus foiled, again lesumed his task. Stones of vast 
 dimensions were seen to rise from the earth ; and having ascended to 
 an immense height in the sky, they began a swift descent towards the 
 spot where Hatim stood. This shower of rocks must have crushed 
 Hatim to pieces, as he had not observed its approach ; but Sarmak 
 exclaimed, " Hatim, beware ! here is another specimen of the 
 enchanter's power." Again he repeated tlie divine spell, and breathed 
 towards the stones as they descended, when, lo ! their course was 
 altered ; and having passed directly through the thickest of the 
 magician's army, they swept to the ground four thousand of his 
 bravest men. One of the stones almost struck tlie head of the king ; 
 but seeing its course, he pronounced a spell and l)lew it aside with his 
 breath. Amidst this consternation, Hatim and his companion advanced, 
 whilst their enemies, terrified, said one to another, " Let us save 
 ourselves, this man is too powerful for us to opi)ose." When the 
 uiao-ician beheld the near approach of his adversaiy, he once more 
 exerted his skill. In the twinkling of an eye, dragons the most 
 terrible ui' aspect were .seen to l■u^^ll iroui all nuaiter,-* towards tiie
 
 148 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 devoted Hatim. He again uttered the sacred charm of the immortal 
 Khizr, when all the dragons bore their furious onset against the 
 magician's host ; and so terrible was the slaughter, that of his whole 
 army scarce three thousand now survived, while full twenty thousand 
 lay dead on the plain. 
 
 The few that survived became fully convinced that Hatira was far 
 more powerful in the magic art than even their great sovereign, whom 
 they now i-esolved to abandon. Addressing the magician, they said 
 to him, " Sire, is it your purpose thus to expose us to wanton 
 slaughter ? It is too evident that we have no power to cope with 
 this formidable adversary ; we must therefore save ourselves by 
 flight." The magician, enraged, shouted to them in a voice like 
 thunder, " Base cowards, whither do ye fly ? A few minutes more, 
 and Hatim is my prisoner." 
 
 His words were unheeded by his shattered host ; and seeing them 
 thus quit the field, he uttered one of his spells and blew his breath 
 after them, when every man was changed into a green tree. Thus 
 left alone, Sam Ahmar, by means of some hellish incantation, was 
 furnished with a pair of wings, and soared aloft into the air. Hatim 
 was not prepared for this stratagem of the enemy : he stood in 
 astonishment as he beheld the magician darting through the clouds, 
 anxiously expecting another display of his powerful art. But his 
 adversary seemed to resign the struggle, and at length was lost to the 
 sight among the clouds. 
 
 Hatim, then addressing Sarmak, said, " I shall not consider my 
 labour at an end till this magician is my prisoner." — " At present," 
 replied Sarmak, " he is gone to his great preceptor, whose name is 
 Kamlak, the mighty magician. This last exacts from his disciples 
 the homage due to the Great Creator." — " Know you aught of his 
 abode ?" inquired Hatim. " Full well," answered Sarmak, " for once 
 every year we used to visit him and do him homage, and if you will 
 accept of my guidance, I am ready to conduct you thiiher." 
 
 Ere Hatim would trust his guide, he had him solemnly initiated in 
 the mysteries of his own faith ; and when about to set out on their jour- 
 ney, Sarmak drew his attention to a forest close by, saying, " Those 
 trees you behold are the remains of the magician's army, and here they 
 must rest till the last trumpet shall sound, unless your sui)erior skill 
 restore them to their original form. Hatim took a cup full of water, 
 and breathing over it, he pronounced the divine name, and handing
 
 HATIM TA'i. 149 
 
 the cup to Sarmak, he said to him, " Go and sprinkle a few drops of 
 this liquid among the trees." 
 
 Sarmak received the liquid as ordered ; and as soon as he had 
 sprinkled the same upon the trees, these were restored to their 
 oi'iginal shape of human creatures. They asked Sarmak, " What is 
 become of our great master the magician ?" — " Know ye not," replied 
 Sarmak, " that the slave of the fiend, by means of his enchantment, 
 transformed you all into trees ; and that you owe your deliverance to 
 the more potent art of Hatira, the true servant of the Almighty ? 
 He it was who blew Avith his breath on a cup full of water, and 
 pronounced a charm which all the powers of hell cannot withstand. 
 He then gave me the water ; and the moment I sprinkled the same 
 over you, by the blessing of Allah, you resumed your primitive form. 
 As to your late master, vSam Ahmar, he has made his escape from 
 before the brave Hatim, and now he holds commune with Kamlak, 
 chief of enchanters. But tell me, friends," continued Sarmark, 
 " what were your thoughts when thus transformed, and what did you 
 feel when you stood under the appearance of trees ?" — " In the first 
 place," said they, " as we were about to fiy, we felt all at once our 
 feet cleave to the earth, so that we had not the power of moving ; 
 then a most painful sensation seized our whole bodies ; but now, 
 blessings upon Hatim, we are again ourselves. Truly he is most 
 powerful to have obtained such a victory over our sovereign, and 
 henceforth Hatim only shall receive our services." 
 
 Having come to this resolution, they one and all marched and 
 presented themselves to Hatim, and making their most pi'ofound 
 obeisance, they said, " Brave Hatim ! we have hitherto served Sam 
 Ahmar ; but now we tender our services to you, who have so kindly 
 rescued us, though we lately sought your life." Hatim received 
 them graciously ; and having pronounced the sacred charm, he 
 breathed on all of them, so that they became perfectly free from the 
 enchantments of their late master. Tliis done, they said to him, 
 '• Noble sir, whither will you now lead us ?" — " I have not yet done 
 with Sam Ahmar," replied Hatim, " for till I have made him my 
 prisoner, I can attend to nothing else. If he should of his own free 
 will give me his daughter in marriage, I shall let him escape with 
 life, otherwise I am resolved to slay him." — " And may we ask," said 
 his companions, " how you became acquainted with the magician's 
 daughter?" — "As I lately happened to journey through a certain
 
 150 THfc; ADVENTURES OF 
 
 desert," replied Hatini, " my httentioii was drawn to a large tree on 
 the border of a lake ; there, to my astonishment, 1 beheld the head 
 of the magician's daughter suspended to tiie highest bianch, while 
 the heads of her attendants hung lower down on the tree." 
 
 In short, Hatim detailed to his hearers the whole aifnir up to that 
 moment, and in conclusion said, " On her account have I journeyed 
 hither ; what reception I met with from her father, you have your- 
 selves witnessed. I hope however that in the end the Almighty will 
 render me victorious ; and should it be agreeable to his divine will, I 
 will slay the magician even on the very threshold of his grand pre- 
 ceptor to whom he is just gone, nay, the master himself shall not 
 escape me." — " Have a care, noble Hatim," said his attendants, " the 
 enchantment of Kami ak is the most potent in existence." — " Fear not 
 for that," rejoined Hatim ; but if you wish to see real sport, come 
 with me, if your hearts fail ye not." — " You have already restored U3 
 from death to life," said they ; " it shall iiev^er be said then that we 
 lacked either honour or courage so far as to desert you. Lead, then, 
 wheresoever you will, and thither shall we follow you." 
 
 On hearing this declaration, Hatim expressed his satisfaction ; and 
 having invited them to follow, he set out for the mountain where 
 dwelt Kamlak, the grand magician. His attendants however, not 
 liking tiie length of the journey, said to him, "Brave sir. our late 
 s<overeign, Sam Ahmar, was wont to carry us to this mountain in less 
 than the space of a day." — "But," replied Hatim, "ye know well 
 that he did so by means of his enchantment." — " And can you not do 
 the same ?" rejoined his followers ; " assuredly you are more cunning 
 in the magic art than our master, otherwise you could not have 
 conquered him. The power of 8am Ahmar was such that he could 
 reduce a mountain to an atom, and magnify a particle of dust to the 
 size of a mountain ; yet this mighty encliantei- Hed from before you, 
 and unless you were thoroughly skilled in the mystic nrt, you could 
 not think of pursuing him." 
 
 Here Sarmak checked their speech, saying, " Fools that you are, 
 Hatim uses no enchantment ; but well I know, from what I have 
 already witnessedof him, that he will soon conquer Sam Ahmar, even 
 if aided by Kamlak his great master." — " My li-iends," said Hatim, "a 
 heaveidv man hath taught me a divine charm, and wherever I utter the 
 same, no enchantment can be of any avail against me. With lhi3 
 sacred ohaini, the m:;gician has no powei to cope.''
 
 HA TIM TAY. 151 
 
 In short, they all marched onwards with Hatim at their head, and 
 very soon found themselves on a I'oad of which they were utterly 
 ignorant. All at once they arrived on the bank of a lake of the 
 purest water ; and as their thirst was great, they began to drink 
 copiously. But, lo ! the moment they had done drinking, the water 
 began to gush out at the soles of their feet, as the spring issues from 
 the fountain. 
 
 Hatim, astonished at this strange occurrence, refrained from tasting 
 the water, thirsty as he was. He at length asked his companions 
 how they felt themselves, but no answer did he receive ; they stood 
 like statues with their eyes fixed upon him. Thus passed the whole 
 of that night, Hatim suiFering the pangs of hunger and thirst. When 
 morning dawned, he looked at the faces of his attendants, which were 
 all swelled up like so many leathern bottles, so that their eyes even 
 could not be seen. His sorrow was beyond control ; but at length he 
 reflected that what be saw might be the effect of enchantment. He 
 therefore pronounced the sacred charm, and in an instant the swelling 
 abated : he repeated the same, and from eveiy part of their bodies a 
 green-coloured liquid was seen to issue. A third time he uttered the 
 divine words, and the result was, that his companions received the 
 full enjoyment of all their faculties. 
 
 Hatim's joy was now equal to his previous sorrow, while he listened 
 to the grateful pi-ayers of his rescued followers. At length he asked 
 them, " Can you, my friends, explain the cause of your late calamity ?" 
 — " The cause is evident," they replied, " this is the road by wiiich 
 the magician travelled, and he it was who enchanted the water of the 
 lake." On hearing this, Hatim as usual pronounced his charm, and 
 breathed on the water. It first became agitated like the boiling 
 ocean, and its colour was red : then it changed to green, and gradually 
 settling, it became pure as crystal. Hatim, now assured that no 
 traces of the enchantment remained about the water, drank of it freely, 
 and invited his companions to do the same without fear. He also 
 enjoined them to bathe therein, as an excellent remedy for their 
 feverish bodies." 
 
 All of them accordingly allayed their thirst, and bathed their 
 bodies in the now pure and wholesome lake, whereby every trace of 
 their late calamity left them, and their confidence in the power of 
 Hatim became complete. They tendered him their sincere gratitude, 
 and said, " Forward, brave Hatim I we will follow you even until
 
 l.'iS THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 death in your contest with the magician Sam Ahmar and his master 
 Kamlak, for you are far greater and better than they." Having 
 received this assurance, Hatim resumed his journey, and his 
 companions joyfully foUoAved. 
 
 Meanwhile Sum Ahmar, defeated and downcast, fled to the presence 
 of Kamlak. The latter observing his dejected state, asked him, 
 "What misfortune hath befallen thee, that thou comest in such woe- 
 ful plight ?" — " Great master," replied the magician, " I come to 
 implore thine aid. Hatim, my superior in the magic art, hath expelled 
 me from my residence, and hither have I fled to escape his vengeance." 
 Kamlak, enraged at this intelligence, said, " Rest thee content, my 
 son, I shall soon vanquish this Hatim, and having made him my 
 captive, resign him to thy disposal." 
 
 Immediately Kamlak commenced his enchantment, and took 
 measures to fortify the mountain which he inhabited. In an instant 
 the whole mountain was wrapt in flames, so bright as to leave no 
 distinction between night and day. Four days after, Hatim arrived, 
 and his companions addressing him, said, "This is, indeed, the 
 mountain where Kamlak dwells ; l)ut why does it thus burn ? Most 
 assuredly this is caused by his enchantment." 
 
 Hatim devoutly recommended himself to heaven; pronounced the 
 sacred words of the blessed Khizr, and immediately the flames ceased 
 to issue from the mountain. Kamlak was soon informed of his foe's 
 approach, and how he had quenched the flames by the mere breath 
 of his mouth. A second time he tried the power of his art in a 
 different manner. On all sides of Hatim and his companions floods 
 of water were seen to rush, as if the Avhole ocean had burst from its 
 dark channels. " Help us, Hatim," exclaimed his friends, " or wo 
 shall all 1)0 drowned; these waters are the creation ofKand;lk." 
 Hatim repeated his sp(>ll ; blew with his breath on the waters, which 
 instantly stood still, and ina shorttime no trace of them was left. Kamlrdc 
 Avas highly mortiiied in seeing his power a second time defied, and 
 once more he and his skilful disciple Sam Ahmar renewed their 
 attack. The clouds began to shower stones of five to ten maunds in 
 weight, but Hatim was prepared for this also. He and his friends sat 
 down secure under the power of the sacred spell, Avhilc the storm for 
 three days and nights fell harmless around them. At length, when 
 the heap of stones beside them reached the height of a mountain, so 
 that nothing else was visible, Hatim once more pronounced his charm,
 
 HA TIM TAi. 153 
 
 and all was annihilated ; after which, he boldly inarched towards the 
 mountain. The arch magician then uttered an incantation, whereby 
 the mountain entirely disappeared from Hatim's sight : he however, 
 nothing daunted, sat down with his companions, who were astonished 
 at this last feat of the magicians ; and having uttered his powerful 
 spell, he awaited the result. After about three days the mountain 
 again appeared, and without further interruption Hatim and his 
 friends began to ascend. 
 
 Meanwhile the attendants of Kamlak informed him that Hatim and 
 his followers were almost at hand. On hearing this, the great 
 magician instantly formed a canopy of clouds three thousand cubits 
 above the summit of the mountain. Thither Kamlak and Sum Ahraar 
 with all their attendants transported themselves, and made every 
 entrance fast against their enemies. Hatim at length reached 
 the summit of the mountain, where he beheld a spacious city. On 
 entering, he found it full of the best of food and fruits, also the most 
 delicious of wines, with every thing that could excite the palate. 
 His companions immediately began to eat ; but the moment they 
 tasted this hellish fare, they became inflated like bottles, as had 
 previously happened at the enchanted lake. Hatim at once discover* 
 ed that the arch magician had laid this snare for him. He took a 
 cup full of water as previously, and having pronounced the charm 
 over it, he gave it them to drink. As soon as they tasted of this 
 precious draught, the effects of the enchantment ceased. Hatim 
 then breathed over the whole of the victuals, and said to his friends, 
 " Now you may eat your full, for the food is become wholesome." 
 After their hunger was appeased, he asked them whether they knew 
 into what part of the mass of clouds above them the magicians had 
 betaken themselves. They replied, that Kamlak and his disciple 
 were in a cloud of the shape of an immense dome that towered above 
 the rest. 
 
 Hatim pronounced the sacred name, and seven times blew his 
 breath towards the heaven, when all at once the mass of clouds with 
 the whole of the magicians fell with a crash on the top of the 
 mountain. Hatim's enemies were so astounded by the fall, that they 
 became an easy prey. Their limbs were disjointed, and many of them 
 were crushed to atoms, and their polluted souls hurled to hell. Sum 
 Ahmar and his preceptor Kamlak soon recovered their senses, and 
 fled they knew not whither along the mountain. On a sudden they
 
 154: THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 plunged headlong over a precipice, and resigned their sinful souls to 
 the prince of darkness. 
 
 It may be easily conceived that Hatim's joy was great at the total 
 defeat of his enemies. He devoutly bowed his head to the dust, and 
 poured out his thanks to God, the giver of victory. This done, he 
 addressed Sarmak, saying, " To thee, my fneud, I owe a boon. I 
 promised thee that on defeating these magicians I sliouid bestow their 
 kingdom on thee. This promise I am ready to fulfil, but on condi- 
 tion that thou wilt acknowledge no other God but the only true and 
 Almighty Creator, and that thou wilt protect his worshippers from 
 all injury and oppression." Having thus addressed his friend, he 
 summoned to his presence the rest of his attendants, and said, " I 
 here in the presence of you all appoint Sarmak your future sovereign, 
 whom you shall o]>ey ; and you must above all things acknowledge 
 the true and living God, to whom you shall consider yourselves as 
 servants, and you shall worship him night and day, for of a surety, 
 if you act uprightly, he will reward you accordingly. Meanwhile, 
 farewell ! I must hasten to the presence of the queen of beauty, 
 Zarmposh." — "God be with you, brave man," they all exclaimed, 
 " rest assured that we shall strictly abide by your orders, and never 
 will disobey the ruler whom you have appointed over us." 
 
 Thus parted Hatim with the subjects of the late magician. Night 
 and day he hurried onwards till he reached the enchanted lake. 
 There he found several of the damsels whom he had formerly seen, 
 stationed as sentinels near the place. "Whence and what are you, 
 cried the first of them he met. " I am," replied he, " the same who 
 passed several days in your society as I lately travelled this way ; 
 I even shared your penance, for my head was for some days suspended 
 to the branches of the tree that overhangs yonder lake ; I pray you, 
 convey my most courteous greeting to the beautiful queen, your 
 mistress." The fair sentinel ran to her sovereign with this intelli- 
 gence ; saying, " Noble mistress, a young man, whose name is Hatim, 
 stands at your gate ; he once passed some days with us when under 
 the influence of the enchantment, and now he craves admission into 
 your royal presence." 
 
 The queen, after some consideration, said, " Where can Hating have 
 been since that time ? I believe, however, he has since then journeyed 
 to the mountain of Ahmar, and most likely he will be able to furnish 
 us with some tidings of my father ; go you and ask if this is the case,
 
 HATTM TAl. 155 
 
 and if SO, admit him." The damsel made the necessary inquiry, and 
 was answered in tlie affirmative by Ilatim, thus, " The magician was 
 one who feai-ed not God, and now his soul is with the ruler of hell, 
 where he receives the reward due to his iniquities, for verily he has 
 been cut off in the midst of his crimes ; but all this must be detailed 
 in the presence of the queen." The sentinel returned and stated to 
 her mistress what Hatim had told her. On hearing this sad news, 
 the queen was exceedingly grieved, and tears fell copiously from her 
 eyes. Her damsels endeavoured to console her, saying, " Royal 
 mistress, to weep for the death of such a father as your's is really a 
 crime. It is certain that had not your father died, we should have 
 still i-emained in the bonds of his cruel enchantment ; but now let us 
 introduce Hatim, and ask of him the circumstance." The queen 
 assented, and Hatim, by her request, approached the royal presence. 
 Zarinposh, arrayed in most splendid apparel, sat upon an emerald 
 throne studded with jewels the most costly. 
 
 Hatim cast a single look at the queen ; his senses abandoned him, 
 and he fell lifeless before her. Alarmed at his apparent illness, she 
 hastily rose up, and seizing a phial of rose-water, sprinkled part of it 
 on his face. When his senses Avere restored, the queen ordered for 
 liim a splendid couch set with gold and jewels, and made him sit 
 beside her, and in the sweetest tones he ever he;<rd, she began to 
 converse with him on the subject of his journey, and the death of 
 her father. 
 
 Hatim detailed all that he had seen, and suffered and acted, without 
 the least reservation ; and added, " For thee, fair queen, I have 
 undergone all these perils and toils. May I hope that my afflictions 
 will bring forth the fruit of joy, and that you will reward my pains 
 with the pleasure of your society, for without you I would sooner die 
 than live." The damsels in attendance all supported Hatim's suit, 
 and said, " Our gracious sovereign, this is the renowned prince of 
 Arabia ; happy for you was the day when he came here. He loves 
 you sincerely ; oh, leave him not to despair. Think not of your 
 father's death, for he was a magician who delighted in cruelty and 
 oppression. Well has it been for mankind that this brave youth has 
 rid the world of such a monster." 
 
 At last the queen consented, and the usual matrimonial ceremonies 
 being gone through, she was wedded to Hatim ; who, when on the 
 point of giving himself up to the pleasure of hov society, all at once
 
 156 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 became dejected and thouglitful. He remerabeied his friend Munir, 
 the Assyrian prince, and the thoughts of the pangs he must endure 
 >«o affected Hatim, that a trembling seized his whole body. His 
 bride observed his emotion, and stood in the utmost perplexity, think- 
 ing that she was herself the occasion of it. " Alas !" said she, " what 
 have I done in his sight that he should view me with such aversion ; or 
 what can I do to arrive at the cause of his uneasiness ?" The queen, 
 resourceless as she was, remained silent, when at length Hatim observ- 
 ed that she was affected by his strange conduct ; he therefore resolved 
 to explain to her the whole affair, in order to clear himself of 
 disrespect towards her : " My soul and life," said he, " why are you 
 cast down ? why should the sun and moon be obscured ? Know, my 
 beloved, that I have left my home for the sake of the Assyrian 
 prince Munlr, who is deeply enamoured of Husn Banu. This lady 
 has proposed seven questions, and her fair hand shall be the reward 
 of him who may solve them. The Assyrian prince in vain made the 
 attempt, and on his failure, was wandering he knew not whither. I 
 found him in the deserts of Arabia ; and having returned with him to 
 Shahabad, I undertook to solve the questions, and at present my friend 
 resides in one of the caravanserais of that city. I have already- 
 travelled and found out the solutions of three of these enigmas, and 
 now I am in quest of the fourth. When 1 saw you, however, I forgot 
 myself and the rest of the world, and now when it has pleased God 
 the Supreme to unite us in the bonds of love, the thoughts of my 
 despairing frieiid have disturbed my soul. Yea, I have made a vow 
 that I should perform my utmost to serve the Assyrian prince ; and 
 to me all worldly pleasures are forbidden, till he has obtained the 
 object of his desire. It would then be highly improper that I should 
 give myself up to enjoyment while he lives on the pangs of expecta- 
 tion ; I must therefore proceed instantly to the city of Kara:n." — 
 " And what is to become of me in the mean time ?" said his lovely 
 bride. " I intend," replied Hatim, " to convey you to Yemen, my 
 native countiy, where my father is king." 
 
 In short, Hatim sent his bride with all her attendants to his father's 
 dominions in Arabia, while he himself proceeded to Karam, which he 
 reached in the course of a few days. On meeting some of the people 
 there, he asked them, " Pray, friends, can you tell me if there is a 
 man in this place who exclaims, ' He who speaks the truth is always 
 tranquil,' " — " Truly, stranger," said they, " there is no man here
 
 HATIM TAi. 15T 
 
 such as you inquire for ; but we know of a man of extreme old age 
 who has written above his door these very words." — " Can you tell 
 me," asked Hatim, " where he lives?" — "His residence," replied 
 they, " is about three farasangs from this city, in a village called Old 
 Karam, for there the city Karam once stood," 
 
 Hiitim immediately set out, and in the course of that afternoon 
 arrived at the village of Old Karam. There he beheld a splendid 
 mansion, on the door of which was written the very words of the 
 enigma. He went up to the gate and knocked with his hand ; where- 
 upon a voice from within reached his ear, saying, " Strangei', whence 
 art thou, and what is thy business here ?" — " I am from Shahabad," 
 replied Hatim, " and my business is with the owner of this mansion." 
 The janitor hastened to his master with this intelligence, and was 
 ordered to admit Hatim without delay. 
 
 The master of the house, nn elderly man, received Hatim with 
 due courtesy, and hospitably entertained him with food and drink. 
 After he had refreshed himself, his host asked him, " Pray tell 
 me, stranger, what is the cause of your journey hither, and from 
 what country are you ? It has never been known that more than 
 two foreigners have yet visited this place, and of these two you are 
 one. " — " Venerable sir," replied Hatim, " I am a native of Yemen ; 
 and I came hither from the city of Shahabad, where dwells an 
 Assyrian prince, by name Munlr. This noble youth is desperately 
 in love with Husn Banu, the queen of that city ; and he cannot 
 acquire the object of his wish, except he procure the solution of 
 seven questions which the fair lady has proposed. Three of these 
 I have already answered, and now I am in quest of the fourth, 
 ■which is no other than the words written above your door," 
 
 The aged man, delighted with Hatini's statement, replied, "Brave 
 Arab ! thou art truly noble ; and long will thy fame survive thee 
 in the world. Assuredly there lives not the man Avho would, for 
 the sake of anothei", encounter such toils and perils as thine. But 
 to-day thou hast come from afar, and it is fit that thou shouldst 
 repose for the night ; to-morrow I shall explain to thee the circum-. 
 stances connected with the words written on my door." — "I am 
 willing to comply with your hospitable injunctions," rejoined Hatim, 
 "but yet there is one thing which I should wish to ask of you. All 
 the people of Karam told me that your age was far beyond ordinary ; 
 yet you seepa to me little past the prime of life, and not a hair of your
 
 158 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 head yet grey. Is it true, then, as they say, that you have lived 
 since the time when the city of Karara stood on this spot ?" — "Brave 
 Hatim I" replied the aged man, " retire to rest for this night, and 
 to-morrow you shall be fully informed of all you ask." 
 
 Hatim accordingly betook himself to repose, and passed the 
 night in pleasant slumbers. When morning came he arose and 
 after enjoying the banquet of his host, he renewed the subject 
 of the preceding evening. The aged man replied, saying, "Listen, 
 then, Hatim : it is now seven hundred years since Karam stood here ; 
 but my age is really eight hundred years, however I may appear to 
 you. In my youth I was a gamester, and night and day my whole 
 business was gambling. One day it happened that my fortune 
 forsook me, and I lost every thing I possessed. Thus destitute, 
 I sallied out as soon as it was dark, in order to rob or steal, as might 
 be most convenient. I considered at the same time, that in attacking 
 the poor and humble I should likely have nothing for my trouble ; I 
 resolved, therefore, to attempt the palace of our king. I softly 
 approached the walls of the royal i*esidence, and fastened my scaling- 
 ladder, made of ropes, to one of the windows. When all was quiet,, 
 I entered one of the apartments, which happened to be that in which 
 the king's daughter slept. All the attendants of the youthful queen 
 lay senseless outside the apartment. I seized on all her gold and 
 jewels, as likewise the golden lamp that burned beside her, and 
 unobserved made my escape from the palace. In my flight I came 
 to a certain desert, where I met a gang of thieves busily occupied in 
 the division of their spoil. The moment these saw me, they shouted 
 out, ' Stand, traveller, tell us who thou art, and whence thou comest/ 
 I told the thieves all the occurrences of my past life, and how I had 
 broken in upon the king's palace, and carried off his daughter's jewels. 
 I then displayed to their astonished sight a very large ruby, which 
 they no sooner saw than the edge of their avarice Avas wlietted, and 
 they were about to wrest it from me by main force, when lo ! a 
 tremendous sound like the voice of a giant issued from the desert, so 
 loud that the earth trembled under us. The thieves, tei'rified, betook 
 tiiemselves to flight, while I stood ri vetted to the spot where I was. 
 
 The person from whom this voice issued approached me, and 
 sternly said, " Tell me truely who thou art, and whence comest thou 
 here ?" I told him every circumstance of my wicked life, and showed 
 him the treasure I had so unlawfuilv olttained, not concealing the
 
 HATIM TAi. lof) 
 
 high-prized ruby. ' 'Tis well for thee, said he, that thou hast told 
 me the truth. I forgive thee thy crimes, and leave thy treasure 
 to thine enjoyment ; but swear to me solemnly that thou wilt hence- 
 forth avoid gambling.' I then made a vow in the presence of heaven 
 and that formidable being, that I should never gamble. ' Well,' said 
 my strange monitor, 'keep thine oath sacred, and the years of thy 
 life shall reach nine hundred.' 
 
 " Thus we parted, and I returned to this spot, which was then a 
 populous city, and with part of my wealth built this mansion. Some 
 of my old acquaintances envied my prosperity, and informed the 
 superintendent of the city, that I had lately been a poor man, and now 
 that I was possessed of immense wealth, so as to build a mansion like 
 that of a prince : ' assuredly,' added they, ' he cannot have come 
 by such treasures honestly.' The magistrate summoned me to his 
 presence : to him also I detailed all that I had done, without the 
 least reserve. When he heard my statement, he conducted me, as in 
 duty bound, before the king, whom I had so greatly offended. 
 
 " To his majesty, also, I told the whole truth. When the king 
 heard me to an end, he freely forgave me my crime, antl gave strict 
 •orders that none should thenceforth upbraid me on that subject. 
 * This man,' added his highness, ' has all along adhered to the truth, 
 and therefore he deserves my forgiveness. I have never yet seen or 
 heard of so daring a thief as he is, that would have the manliness to 
 confess his guilt as he has done.' The king not only left me in 
 possession of what I had stolen, but also gave me gold to such amount 
 that it is not even yet expended. On that day, as soon as I returned 
 from the royal presence, I wrote on my door, ^ He 'who speaks the 
 truth is alway at ease, ^ as a warning to every one who might see it." 
 
 When the man of truth had finished his history, he said to Hatim, 
 " Now, generous Arab, you have heard my tale ; and I am truly 
 happy in having had the power thus far to serve you. Besides 
 yourself, noble Hatim, there lives not on earth the man who would 
 encounter the dangers and fatigues of the journey from here to 
 Arabia." A few days after, Hatim took leave of his aged host, and 
 began to reti-ace his way to Shahabad. In the course of his journey, 
 the thoughts of Zarlnposh, his lovely bride, constantly occupied his 
 mind. In vain did he think of his friend Munir, and of Husn Banu's 
 seven questions ; he therefore resolved, ere he returned to Shahabad, 
 to visit his bride in his paternal halls.
 
 160 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 One day, as he arrived at the borders of Yemen, to his great joy he 
 came to a fountain of pure water. On his nearer approach to the 
 sweet spring, he observed a brace of the fowls called butlmar ;* and 
 as he knew the languages of all animals, he attentively listened to the 
 following conversation of the birds : " My dear mate," said the 
 female butlmar, " you shall not thus depart ; I pray you abandon all 
 thoughts of this undertaking." — " Cease thy foolish prating," returned 
 the male, "what lam about to do is a service acceptable to the 
 Creator, to whom all creatures are responsible ; and darest thou try 
 to prevent me, merely to suit thine own whim ? When did a wise 
 man ever regard the advice of a woman ? Are you not all false ; 
 and why then should I be guided by thee ? Have you not heard the 
 Etory of the king, who was heartily ashamed of his own folly in 
 being misled by a woman ?" 
 
 The female butlmar having expressed great curiosity to hear the 
 story of the king, the male thus began : " Once upon a time a certain 
 king went out on a hunting excursion ; and after toiling the whole 
 day, he caught nothing. As it drew towards evening he happened to 
 lose his way, and wandering through the desert apart from his 
 attendants, he at length came to a beautiful garden. He entered, and 
 after walking about for some time, he came to a palace close to which 
 was an artificial pond of water. The king being greatly fatigued, sat 
 down on the brink of the pond, and as he was performing his ablutions, 
 his hand caught hold of an iron chain. This he began to pull towards 
 him, but found great resistance, as if some great weight were attached 
 to it. 
 
 " The king took both his hands, and pulling with his whole force, 
 he at last succeeded in bring to land a chest to which the chain was 
 fastened. His curiosity made him open the chest, for the key was 
 tied to it, and what was his astonishment when, on opening, he beheld 
 inside a woman of surpassing beauty. He stood for some minutes 
 completely lost in admiration of her charms, without the power of 
 moving a muscle. 
 
 * As I know not the English name for this bird, I shall add the description given 
 of him in the Persian Lexicons, Borhaiii Kati, and Farltant/i Mathiiavi: "The 
 huiimar (called also, ghamkkur, or the sorrowful), is a bird that frequents the banks 
 of rivers. He constantly mourns from fear that the water should become exhaust- 
 ed ; and under that impression, however great his thirst, he never drinks. In 
 Arabic he is called i/aman." I may add, that, in Richardson's Dictionary, bulhnar 
 is translated a heron, and yaman a turtle-dove.
 
 HATIM TAi. 161 
 
 " At length the woman broke silence, snying, * Noble sir, be not 
 thus bewildered, I am made of flesh and blood as you are.' Here-" 
 upon she came out of the chest, and having taken out with her a 
 bottle and goblet, she offered the prince a draught, which he drained 
 to the bottom. In short, they both sat down on the green bank, and 
 conversed together, as is the wont of lovers. At length the king 
 remembered his situation, and the anxiety which his attendants must 
 feel on his account. He then rose up to take his departure ; and 
 having pulled a valuable ring from his finger, he offered it to the 
 lady, saying, ' Accept this as a remembrance of me, for I must now 
 take my leave of you ; I hope, however, we may yet meet, and on. 
 your shewing me this ring, I shall know her with whom I have 
 passed the most pleasant moments of my life.' 
 
 " The lady, on hearing this declaration of the prince, laughed aloud, 
 and drew from her bosom a whole string of rings, saying, 'Noble sir, 
 you must know that my husband is extremely jealous of me, and 
 cannot even endure my residing in a place inhabited by mankind. 
 He has therefore conveyed me to this solitary garden in the midst of 
 the desert. Every night he comes and lives with me in this palace. 
 When he departs in the morning, he shuts me up in this heavy chest* 
 with a sufficient allowance of food and drink, and then casts chest 
 and all into the lake where you found me. Many princes and noliles 
 have lost their way when hunting in the neighbourhood, as you have 
 done, and on coming hither, discovered my prison. These also 
 released me for a time from my durance, enjoyed my society, and 
 gave me rings at their departure, of which here is ample proof I 
 keep the rings indeed by me, but their number is so great, that I 
 really cannot recollect which is which ; therefore, brave sir, I shall 
 willingly accept and preserve your ring, but I cannot take upon me 
 to remember the giver.' The prince, on hearing lijis impudent 
 confession, shut the woman in the chest as she requested, and having 
 consigned her to her watery dungeon, he made the best of his Avay 
 home. On his arrival at the royal residence, his attendants observed 
 that his brow was clouded and his heart ill at ease. At length, the 
 ministers of state ventured to approach him, and humbly represented 
 their sorrow for his sadness, hoping that they themselves were not 
 the cause. 
 
 " His Majesty related the whole adventure as it had happened, and 
 expressed the most thorough contempt for womankind in general.
 
 1G2 THE ADVENTrRES OF 
 
 The prime minister, on hearing the king's adventure, assured him 
 that the fact was notorious throughout every city in liis dominions 
 and that it was in vain to be disheartened for the inconstancy of 
 women. The king at length banislied the subject from his thoughts, 
 and resumed his wonted cheerfulness and affaljility towards his 
 faithful servants."* 
 
 Thus ended the story of the biitlraar ; after which he said to his 
 mate, " In like manner, I doubt not, you are as faithless to me, ruid 
 why should I be guided by your advice, and prevented thereby from 
 doing what I consider right ? Do you think I am to be like Hatim 
 Tai here, who undertook to serve Munir the Assyrian prince, and has 
 now withdrawn his hand from his noble task, owing to the charms of 
 a woman, such is the power of the female sex over the wisest of 
 men i 
 
 When Ilatim heard the edifying discourse of the butlmar, he felt 
 ashamed of himself, and thanked his Creator that had thus warned 
 him of his backslid in l;; in due time. Instead therefore of continuingr 
 his course to Yemen as he intended, he turned aside, and took the 
 road to Shahabad. On this arrival there, the people of Husn Banu 
 joyfully received him ; and having conducted him to the caravanserai, 
 they gave intelligence to their mistress of his safe return, Husn 
 Banu invited him to her palace, and after hosj)itably entertaining 
 liim, she received a full account of his adventure. Hatim then returned 
 to the caravanserai, where he passed the night in the society of his 
 
 * The reader may remember a tale similar to the above iu the introduction to 
 the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. There is another of the same kind in Nakh- 
 shebi's Tales of a Parrot, near the commencement of the work. In fact, Oriental 
 authors of romance frequently indulge in episodes which tend to place the conduct 
 of their ladies in no very favourable light. In the Jiahdr-i-Ddnisli, a work written 
 by In^yatull^h, in the most flowery style of which the Persian is capable, there is a 
 series of talcs whose object is to dissuade a j'oung prince from marrying a beautiful 
 lady, of whom he is enamoured. One of these thus concludes : " my prince, to 
 be allured with the outward beauty of women, and to become a wanderer in the 
 waste of madness, is to act contrary to the institutes of wisdom ; for a life of sorrow 
 follows such short-lived pleasures. The adorners of the assembly of learning and 
 wisdom have by no means approved of such conduct, because the roses on the 
 cheeks of women are unblest by the tinge and perfume of constancy." 
 
 " When the Gods were describing instances of constancy, 
 At the name of woman, tJuy hrohe tlveir pens in despair." 
 
 It may be observed that some of Boccacio's tales in the Decameron, bear great 
 resemblance t.> those in the Rahdr-i-DCinisli, but which is the imitation, and which 
 the original, it is diflieulty to say.
 
 HATIM TAV. 163 
 
 friend the prince of Assyria. Next day he revisited Husn Banu, in 
 order to be informed of the nature of the fiftli question. The lady 
 most courteously received him in her palace, and said to him, " Brave 
 Hatim ! the fifth task which I have to impose on you is, ' To bring 
 me an account of the mountain called Nida.' Hatim then took his 
 leave of Husn Banu ; and ere his departui-e, he once more had an 
 interview with the Assyrian prince, and said to him at parting, ' My 
 dear friend, be of good cheer. I am now about to proceed on my fifth 
 expedition, which, I trust, God will render propitious ; meanwhile, 
 farewell !'
 
 164 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 Hatim's journey to the mountain of Nida. 
 
 The historians inform us, that as Hatira was journeying towards 
 the desert of Nida, he continued to ask his way in ever}' city and 
 town through wliich he passed. In the course of six months, as he 
 was approacliing a large city, what does he see, but all the inhabi- 
 tants assembled in a spacious plain without the walls. Hatim thought 
 within himself, " What can be the cause of this concourse ? I must 
 go and inquire." With this view, he was hastening towards them ; 
 and as soon as the people saw him, they exclaimed in a loud voice, 
 " Welcome, stranger ; may your aixival be happy ; we are here 
 waiting for you." 
 
 When Hatim found himself amidst the crowd, he looked around 
 him, and saw, to his surprise, large tables plentifully furnished with 
 food and drink of every variety. He also observed a coffin laid out 
 in state, and surrounded by the relations of the deceased. The chief 
 of the assembly, addressing Hatira, said to him, " Such are our 
 customs, stranger, that when any of our people die, whether rich or 
 poor, we thus assemble in the plain without the city, and prepare a 
 banquet of the most delicious viands. At the same time, it is one of 
 our rules that we taste not of the food, nor bury our dead, till the 
 arrival of a stranger among us. When a stranger arrives, we make 
 him first eat of our fare, after which, wo ourselves feast. This is 
 now the seventh day that we have been here without attaining the 
 object of our expectation. Every day we had the feast ready ; and 
 when evening came, and the stranger arrived not, we sent the food 
 back to the city for our wives and children, for they are not prohi- 
 bited from eating. As for ourselves, we have neither eaten b"ead nor 
 drunk water for the last seven days. You may guess, then, noble 
 stranger, with what joy we this day hail your arrival ; let us now 
 speedily bury our dead, that we may break our long fast." 
 
 Hatim observed to them, " What becomes of your dead, and how 
 do you contrive to live should it so happen that no stranger visits 
 you for the space of a month ?" — " That," replied they, " is a rare,.
 
 HATIM TAi. 165 
 
 nay, an improbable case, for we are never above a week without seeing 
 a stranger ; and if it should happen that none comes, we are alloAved 
 to break our fast on the fifteenth day, and thus we do every fifteenth 
 day till the stranger arrives : such is our law. With regard to our 
 dead, no putreflvction takes place on them till the end of at least one 
 month." — " And may I ask," rejoined Hatim, "what would you do 
 with your dead, if you should not be visited by a stranger even m 
 the course of a month?" — "If, by the expiration of that- period," 
 replied they, " the dead body should become offensive to the smell, 
 we bui-y it, and in sucli a case all the inhabitants of the city, both 
 men and women, .-ire made to fast by day for six months after, and we 
 are allowed only to take a little food after sunset. This penance we 
 undergo for the good of the soul of tlie deceased : for when the body 
 thus piitrifies, we look upon it as a proof that the deceased had led 
 a sinful life, and we accordin<rly oflfer up our prayers in his behalf 
 before the throne of the Most High." 
 
 Hatim still continued his inquiries, saying, " But if in these six 
 months of fasting another shouM die, what would you do ?"' — "We 
 should keep him in the same way," they replied, " till the arrival of 
 a stransrer among; us, or failino; this at the end of a month, we should 
 bury him if necessary, and betake ourselves to fasting and pr.-iyer on 
 Lis behalf till the expiration of six months, after which we should 
 hold a feast, and indulge in eating and drinking, nnd bestow alms in 
 abundance on the poor of our city, and give gifts to all that are iu 
 need, and do acts of kindness towards each other. We then walk iu 
 procession to the tomb of the deceased, where we again distribute 
 money among all the poor and helpless, after which, we resume our 
 usual occupations." 
 
 While Hatim stood wrapt in wonder at this singular custom, the 
 people bore the dead body into the interior of the house, and having 
 stretched it on an elegant couch, they embalmed it with costly 
 perfumes, and burnt frankincense around it, after which they brought 
 in the food that they were to eat, and carried the same seven times 
 round the couch. This done, the food was bi'ought out and placed 
 on tables, when the chief of the assembly, addressing Hatim, said, 
 " Worthy stranger, stretch forth thine hand and taste of our food. 
 Thy compliance will greatly oblige us, as we shall then be at liberty 
 to appease our hunger." Hatim ate of the food as requested, and 
 after him, ail the people sat down and ate. The remains of the feast
 
 IGG THK ADVE\TIT]IES OF 
 
 they sent back to the city for their -women and children to feed on. 
 They then changed their raiments, each clothing himpelf in a clean 
 apparel ; and liaving sent the clothes they had cast off to the fullers, 
 they took up the dead body and proceeded towards the desert. 
 
 As they were about to depart, the chief said to Hatini, " Brave 
 stranger, I hope you are not to leave us immediately ; if, then, you 
 choose to rest a few days in our city, every attention shall be paid to 
 you." Hatim willingly accepted the invitation ; and having entered 
 the city, a splendid mansion was a])pornted for his residence, and the 
 best of food and drink placed before him. Nor was this all : damsels 
 of surpassing beauty were sent to entertain him with their enchanting 
 society. 
 
 Plutim could not help wondering in liis own mind at the strange 
 customs of the city where he huppeneil to ni-rive ; however, he ate 
 temperately of the food i)resented to him, and paid not the least 
 regard to the beautiful damsels that attended liini. In the course of 
 fi week the governor of the city, informed of I latim's afllible disposi- 
 tion and temperate habits, sent for him ; and after the usual saluta- 
 tions, said to him, " Noble stranger, I am so delighted with the 
 accounts I hear of you, that I beg of you to take up your residence 
 among us, and my own daughter shall be your wife." Hatim having 
 thanked the governor for his kind offlsr, said that he had business oa 
 liand which admitted of no delay. " At least," resumed the governor, 
 "let me know the object of your journey, and I will do my utmost to 
 aid you, or even accom|)any you in person, if it should any ways 
 serve you." — " Truly, sir," said Ilatim, " I am indebted to you for 
 your goodness, but I should be sorry to let any one accompany me 
 through the fatigues and perils which await me." — " At all events," 
 said the governor, " let me know your business." — " Willingly," 
 replied Ilatim ; "and if you can direct me on my Avay, it will serve 
 nie as much as if you accompanied me." 
 
 Hatim then related every circumstance connected with Ilusn Banu, 
 and her lover MunTr ; and bow he had himself solved four of the 
 lady's questions, and was then in quest of the solution of the fifth, 
 which was, to bring an account of the moniitain of Nida. "It is 
 iiow," concluded Hatim, "six months since I left Shahabad ; I have 
 wandered through many cities, and made inquiries of every person I 
 met, I)ut no one has been able to give the necessary information. If
 
 HATIM TAi'. Ifi7 
 
 you, noble sir, can tell me where the mountain of Nida is situated, it 
 ■will serve me as effectually as if you had accompanied me thither." 
 
 The governor was a man of years, and possessed of much informa- 
 tion ; he remembered, then, of having heard from the learned that a 
 mountain of tliis name, of immense altitude, was situated towards the 
 south in the regions of Zulraat.* He informed Hatim of the same, 
 and further, that there was a city close to the mountain of the same 
 name, where the people were immortal ; " in these regions," concluded 
 he, " diseases and death are unknown, nor is there a tomb, to be seen 
 in all the place." On hearing this statement, Hatim was highly 
 delighted, and said, " Thither I must go as soon as possible." — " But 
 how," rejoined his aged friend, " can you go there alone and un- 
 attended ?" — " God will be my guide," replied Hatim. 
 
 The governor then offered Hatim vast sums of gold and costly 
 jewels, of which he accepted a small portion for defraying his expense 
 by the way ; and having caused the rest to be distributed among the 
 poor, he resumed his journey. In the course of three months he arrived 
 at a large city, around which he saw no tombs or receptacles for the 
 dead, whereby he was satisfied that it was the city alluded to by his 
 former friend. When Hatim entered the city, the people crowded 
 around him, and began to question him saying, " Tell us, stranger, 
 whence are you, and where are you going ?" — " I am," replied Hatim, 
 *' from Shahabad, and I am on my way to the mountain of Nida." 
 
 " Stranger," resumed the people, " abandon such thoughts : the 
 mountain of Nida is far distant, and the road full of danger." — " I 
 fear no danger," replied Hatim, " for my trust is in God, who. is my 
 conductor." — " At least," said they, " rest here for the night, as you 
 are much fatigued." Hatim accepted their hospitable invitation, and 
 there reposed for the night. 
 
 It happened on that day that one of the inhabitants of the city fell 
 sick ; whereupon his relations assembled and instantly killed him, 
 after which they divided his fiesh into equal portions among themselves 
 in order to be eaten. One of the people whom Hatim had conversed 
 wifeh on entering the city, being a relation to the slaughtered, received 
 his portion of the flesh, and had it roasted for his evening meal in the 
 house where Hatim resided. He then brought in a jug of water and 
 two loaves, along with the flesh of his relation, and with eager 
 
 * ^'ide Note, page 81.
 
 168 THK ADVENTURES OF 
 
 hospitality addressed Hatim, saying, " Stranger, I invite you to 
 partake of my lepast, for never in your life have you tasted of similar 
 fare." — "I believe," replied Hatim, " I have eaten of the flesh of 
 every granivorous animal on the face of the earth ; may I ask what 
 animal has furnished this dish, since you imagine that I have not 
 yet seen the like ?" The man triumphantly replied, " What you 
 eay may be very true, but have you ever eaten of the flesh of man, 
 for such is the dish now before you !" 
 
 On hearing this, Ilatim remained horror-struck, and thought within 
 himself that this must be the city of the cannibals of whom he had 
 before heard accounts, and that most probably they killed and ate 
 every stranger that came near them. His host seemed to read his 
 thoughts, and accordingly broke silence, saying, "Yes, this is the 
 citv of the cannibals, and the time is coming, stranger, when some of 
 us shall fi'Mst upon y<'U." Hutim, thus aroused, said to the man, " Ig 
 it possible, sir, that you kill the helpless stranger, and then devour 
 him ? Have you not the fear of God before your eyes ?" — '• Brave 
 Arab !" resumed the cannibal, " we are not quite so bad as you 
 Buppose, for we do not si ly the traveller who comes among us knowing 
 nothing of our customs." — "You told me just now," replied Platim, 
 " that this is m.-ui's flesh before me ; I concluded that it must have 
 been that of a stranger, and not of one of your own tribe." — " Quite 
 the contrary," rejoined the man of hospitality ; "it is the custom of 
 our city that when any one falls sick, his relations assemble and kill 
 him, in order to put him beyond suifering." — "Accursed be such 
 inhuman practices," replied Hjitini ; know you not that the Creator 
 of the universe at one time visits his creatures with sickness; and 
 when it please his divine will, bestows he.-iltli ? What then can be 
 more heinous than to slay the sick with your own hands ? The 
 6he<lding of the innocent blood of .so many thousands is a deed most 
 revolting to humanity ; nay, it is a sin for human eyes to look 
 upon yon." 
 
 Hatim liJiving thus spoken, rose up and fled '.ito the desert. lie 
 halted not for the whole of that night, nor next day till sunset, when 
 lie thought himself far enough removed from the accursed city. 
 Having slackened his pace a little, he continued to proceed leisurely 
 till the following day, when the ])angs of hunger quite overpowered 
 him. Necessity forced him to commit what at another time he would 
 have considered highly cruel — he killed a young fawu ; and having
 
 HAtiM TAi. 169 
 
 kindled a fire with a flint, he sat down to dress some food. Mean- 
 while a lion stalked up to him ; and Hatim, nothing daunted, said to 
 the lion, " If thou art hungry, here is all the food that I possess : 
 eat and be satisfied," 
 
 The lion accordingly devoured the whole of the fawn, except the 
 small portion that Hatim had on the fire ; after which, he drank 
 water from a fountain hard by and departed. Hatim having appeased 
 his hunger, and allayed his thirst with water from the spring, and 
 such fruit as the jungle produced, resumed his toilsome journey. 
 After he had traversed the parched desert for a great part of the day, 
 his thirst became excessive. At length he perceived at a distance 
 the appearance of mountains rising above the plain. The sight 
 cheered him, as he expected soon to quench his thirst in the cool 
 streams whereby the hills are generally blessed. His disappointment 
 however was grievous, when he found nothing but heaps of moving- 
 sand, thus formed by the blast of the simoom. Exhausted, he sat 
 down underneath a solitary tree ; and shortly after he observed a 
 shekshar (a sort of water-fowl) close by hira, and its wings quite wet. 
 He rose with renewed strength, and made towards the shekshar, 
 which flew away at his approach. In that spot however he found a 
 treasui'e — a spring of the purest water. He prostrated himself on 
 the ground, and oflered up thanks to the Bestower of Mercies ; after 
 which, he allayed his thirst at the spring, and resumed his joui-ney. 
 
 After a long march through the desert, he at length saw symptoms 
 of human habitation. Towards evening, as he was entering a highly 
 cultivated country, he beheld a large fire kindled in a field, around 
 which a crowd of people had assembled. Hatim, supposing it to be 
 some display of public rejoicing, approached the people, and said to 
 them, " Tell me, ray friends, what country is this ? what is the cause 
 of your cutting the hair of your heads and faces in that fanciful 
 manner ? what are you doing, thus assembled round the fire ? and 
 why this immense pile of dried wood ?" — " This," replied the people, 
 " is the funeral pile c^ one of our male relations, whose body is now 
 consuming in the sacred flame ; and along with him, his widowed 
 wife has burnt herself alive." — " And do you not, then, bury your 
 dead under the earth ?" inquired Hatim, " And why did you cast the 
 helpless widow into the flames ? Assuredly the blood of the 
 innocent is on your hands." 
 
 " I perceive you are a stranger in this country," replied the man 
 
 V
 
 170 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ■whom Hatim had addressed : " this is the empire of India, and it is 
 the custom of the Hindus that the widowed wife should burn herself 
 alive on the funeral pile of her husband. We have not cast her by 
 force into the fire, she hath burnt herself of her own free will." —   
 " Truly," resumed Hatim, " it is a most hellish custom to burn the 
 living with the dead !" and having thus spoken, he betook himself to 
 the road, for he looked on the Hindus as little better tluiu the 
 cannibals from whom he had lately parted. 
 
 All night Hatim continued his journey, and ere noon the following 
 day he came to a large village. Fatigued, and exhausted with hunger 
 and thirst, he entered the house of one of the villagei-s to procure rest 
 and refreshment. He asked a drink of water from the man of the 
 house, who immediately brought him a pitcher full of churned milk, 
 and another of sweet milk. The man of the house having placed the 
 milk before Hatim, hospitably addressed him, saying, " Stranger, 
 here are two sorts of drink, both cool and refreshing ; take either you 
 choose and allav your thirst, for your lips are parched Avith heat and 
 fatigue." Hatim took first the churned milk ; and having diained it 
 to the bottom, he was about to drink the sweet milk, when his host 
 observed to him, " Stranger, you lack food as much as drink ; the 
 rice is ready boiled for my morning meal, let me bring you a part of 
 it, which you may eat along with the milk." 
 
 Hatim most courteously thanked his benevolent entertainer, and 
 inwardly admired the unassuming kindness and real hospitality 
 which he experienced in the Hindu cottage. Meanwhile his host 
 returned with the boiled rice, and laid it before Hatim, who ate 
 heartily of the same, and afterwards betook himself to repose. So 
 exhausted was he by his late toils, that he awaked not till next 
 morning, when his Indian friend addressed him, saying, "Noble 
 stranger, the morning meal is ready, and I wait for your company ere 
 I break my fast. You are however too much exhausted yet to resume 
 your journey ; I hope therefore you will rest here for two or three 
 days longer, till your strength is completely restored." 
 
 Hatim arose, and after partaking of his host's simple fare, he said 
 to him, " Generous Hindu, the blessing of God will assuredly reward 
 your benevolent actions, and your kindness to the stranger." — *' Brave 
 Arab," suid the Hindu, " as yet I have done you very small service, 
 and I shall not consider it in the light of hospitality unless you
 
 HATIM TAl. 171 
 
 pass three days and nights under ray roof." — " If," replied Hatira, 
 *' sych is your pleasure, I willingly accept your invitation." 
 
 The Hindu then entertained Hatim with accounts of his country, 
 and at the next meal presented to him a variety of the most delicious 
 food. Hatim Avas highly charmed with the manners of his host, his 
 disinterested kindness, and the plain but healthy ftire which was 
 presented to him, so that in his rapture he exclaimed, " Surely 
 Hindustan is the paradise of regions !" After various conversation, 
 Hatim remarked to his host what he considered as a stain upon the 
 Hindu character, otherwise so very amiable. "Excuse me, my kind 
 host," said he, " if I say that one custom peculiar to your country is 
 decidedly bad, I mean the immolation of the living widow with the 
 dead husband. I have been accustomed to see the dead consigned to 
 the dust from which they came, and the sacrificing of the living is 
 revolting to my ideas of humanity." — " Noble Arab," said the Hindu, 
 *' such is the opinion of strangers ; but when you consider the affection 
 that exists between the Avife and husband, a tie by far the strongest 
 in nature, you can easily conceive that when the one dies the other 
 should find life insupportable : nay, it would be wonderful indeed if a 
 tie so strong should admit of separation. Imagine not that we force 
 the widow to burn herself on the pile. She follows her husband, of 
 her own free will, with a joyful heart, as the only consolation left her 
 upon earth. Of this, stranger, you may be fully satisfied, if you 
 abide with us some days." 
 
 It happened on that morning that the chief of the village, who had 
 been for some time dangerously sick, died, leaving behind him four 
 wives. One of these had two sons, another three daughters, and the 
 other two no children. Towards evening preparations were made for 
 the funeral, and the dead body borne out."* Tlie four widows 
 followed, dressed in their most costly raiments, adorned with all their 
 jewels, with chaplets of the most fragrant flowers encircling their 
 
 * This is no fictitious description, as similar scenes niaj' be witnessed in Hindus- 
 tan to this very day. W^may observe, however, that the saiti is here placed in its 
 most favourable light ; and that if the grounds on which the Hindu defends the 
 practice were necessarily true, little could be said in opposition to him ; but, 
 situated as the world now is, it is to !)e feared that the widow's affection is not 
 always so very powerful as to carry her through the fiery ordeal. It is to be hoped 
 that the time will speedily come when the rays of a piu'er faith will dispel from the 
 fair regions of India a foul custom, that has originated from the demon of supersti- 
 tion and has been maintained through the influence of a corrui)t and interested 
 priesthood.
 
 172 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 necks, and bunches of the sweetest fruits suspended around them. In 
 tlicir hands they held the sacred leaf of the betel-tree, which they 
 from time to time chewed. 
 
 All the widows' relations crowded round them, and supplicated 
 them with tears not to cast away their lives ; but they were incon- 
 solable, and deaf to all entreaty. All this Hatim witnessed ; and^ 
 resolved to be convinced by experience, he approached the widows, 
 and said to them, " Fairest of women, what madness is this ! Can 
 it be possible that you sacrifice your lives, and abandon your children, 
 in compliance with a custom so void of reason, so revolting to 
 humanity ?" 
 
 One of the ladies, with an angelic smile, replied, " Stranger Arab, 
 I forgive you, as you know not the custom of our country, otherwise 
 your rudeness is unpardonable, in daring thus to address us who are 
 dead to the world. We follow our husband to heaven. In our lives 
 we were happy together, and why should death part us ? Where 
 would be the humanity of making us linger in this world, when the 
 Supreme decree hath called him hence ? May God forbid that the 
 deceit of Satan (on whom be cui'ses) should so far mislead us as to 
 forget our only beloved lord, and attach ourselves to another. With- 
 out him, our life would henceforth be a burden more intolerable than 
 the torments of hell. Why then should we not accompany our best 
 beloved ? Why not burn on the same pile, that our ashes may 
 mingle with his, while our souls wing their flight to the regions of 
 the blessed ?" 
 
 Thus spoke the widow of the chief, regardless of Hatim's earnest 
 entreaties. The pile was now ready, and the four victims, with 
 frenzied enthusiasm, pulled off all their ornaments, and distributed 
 them among their relations on all sides. They then ascended the 
 pile, and placed themselves around the dead body of their liusband. 
 Two of them clasped each an arm in her bosom, and the other two 
 his feet. Thus situated, they for the last time looked round, and 
 gave a parting smile to their weeping relatives ; after which, a vast 
 quantity of dried wood was heaped over them, and the fire was 
 applied all around. 
 
 Hatim, scarcely believing what he saw, waited the result in anxious 
 silence, for he expected to see them every moment rush from the 
 flames. In this, however, he was disappointed ; not a shriek was 
 heard from the pile, nor the least appearance of any attempt to escape.
 
 HATIM TAY. ITS 
 
 At length the whole pile amis reduced into a heap of ashes, over which 
 Hatim shed tears as he contemplated the fate of the victims, while 
 his generous heart admired their affection, misplaced as it was. 
 
 At length the crowd dispersed to their homes ; and as Hatim was 
 quitting the scene with his Hindu entertainer, the latter observed to 
 him, " Noble Arab, I hope you are now fully convinced that our 
 women are not compelled to sacrifice themselves. It is purely an 
 action of their own free will, and constitutes one of the noblest 
 displays of conjugal affection." — " You speak truly, generous Hindu," 
 replied Hatim, " yet, in my opinion, the best proof of constancy in 
 the wife to the deceased, would be, to live singly after his death ; 
 and by rejecting the addresses of other lovers, convince the world of 
 her sincerity. This would be an ordeal, perhaps, more trying than 
 even the flames of the funeral pile." 
 
 In a few days after, Hatim being completely recovered from his 
 late fatigue, said to his host, " My dear friend, I must now part with 
 you, for I am on a journey to explore the mountain of Nidn." — "Let 
 me prevail upon you to go no farther," said the Hindu, " for the 
 route is long and dangerous, and it is not in man to reach your 
 destined stage." — " My trust is in God," replied Hatim, " who can 
 conduct me thither, and bring me back in safety." Having thus 
 spoken, Hatim resumed his journey, and night and day he advanced 
 from city to city, and from town to town, till he reached the northern 
 frontiers of India. After crossing an extensive desert, he saw a large 
 city at a distance before him, and thanked his Creator that guided him 
 once more into human habitations. 
 
 Within a short distance of the city gates, Hatim beheld a large 
 concourse of people ; and as he approached nearer, he could hear 
 the sound of many voices, as if they were engaged in keen debate. 
 On his arrival among them, he asked one of them, " Tell me, my 
 friend, what is the cause of this uproar which I hear ?" — " The 
 daughter of our chief is dead," replied the man, " and they are 
 insisting that her husband shall consent to be buried alive with her, 
 a measure which he does not seem to relish : this, stranger, is the 
 cause of the tumult which you now witness." — " Worthy sir," 
 resumed Hatim, " is it your custom too, to bury the living with the 
 dead ? I see this unfortunate man is any thing but compliant ; surely 
 you will not cast him alive into the tomb ? Have you not in your 
 hearts the fear of God, in whose hands are life and death ?"
 
 174 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 The chief himself having heard Hatim's expostulation, said, 
 " Hear me, stranger, before you comdenin us. This young man, 
 Avho Avas my daughter's husband, once came into our city a traveller 
 like yourself. He took up his residence among us, and in the course 
 of time fell desperately in love with my daughter. The flame was 
 mutual, so that I had no objections to their union, provided he should 
 conlirra with our custom, which is, that if the wife dies first, the 
 liusband shall be buried alive with licr. To this he agreed, aiul n(j\v 
 he will not perform his solemn promise." 
 
 Hatim, on hearing the merits of the case, addressed the young 
 man, and said, " Shame upon you, Avhy do you not perform your 
 promise ? Life is at best but short, and altogetlier uncertain ; and 
 for this you are willing to stain your reputation I" The young man 
 Avith tears in his eyes, said, " Generous stranger, have you too ranked 
 Yourself among my enemies ? Let me ask you if such a custom 
 would be tolerated in your own country ?" 
 
 " That," said Hatim, " is not the question at present, but whether 
 you ought to fulhl your agreement." — " It is madness," replied the 
 young man ; and while I live I will not submit to it." When Hatim 
 saw that, on the one hand, the people would not inter the dead body ; 
 and, on the other, the husband Avould not consent to be buried alive, 
 he took the latter aside, and whispered to him, " Do you consent ta 
 be buried, and at a proper opportunity, I pledge you my faith that 
 I will release you." — " But how am I to live in the tomb," said the 
 man, " till you aid in my resurrection ?" — "Leave that to me," said 
 Hatim, " I will provide for you." 
 
 Hatim then addressed the people aloud, and said, " The young man 
 consents to be buried alive ; but the tomb must be made like a cell as 
 it is in his own country, with an ai)erture left to let in air and the 
 li'dit of day. If therefore you form the tomb like a cell, Avith a small 
 Avindow, the young man is willing to comply with your custom." — 
 " So much indulgence," replied the chief, " it is not in my poAver to 
 grant ; l)ut I am ready to refer the case to the Cazi, and abide by his 
 decision." The parties concerned, along Avith Hatim, Avent fortliAvith 
 to the judge of the village, Avho after a great deal of deliberation, 
 decided that the young man should have a tomb made for him after 
 the fashion of his own country ; " for it Avould not become us," said 
 his Avorship, " to deal rigorously Avilh liini l)eing a foreigner, although 
 the law is in our favour."
 
 HA TIM TAl 175 
 
 The people immetliately set to work ; and having finished the cell, 
 they there incarcerated the surviving husband with the dead wife, 
 and planted a guard over him to prevent his escape. As he was 
 about to be shut up, Hatim gave him every assurance that he would 
 release him at midnight, and therefore he might without fear comply 
 with the custom of the place. The people having shut the tomb, 
 which they secured with a large stone, strewed various flowers over 
 and around it, so that the grave was covered with them. They then, 
 except the sentinel, returned to the city, whither they conducted 
 Hatim. They entertained him in the most hospitable manner, and 
 provided him with an elegant mansion for his residence. Hatim 
 having appeased his hunger and thirst, and enjoyed some hours of 
 repose, began to watch an opportunity for I'escuing his friend from 
 the tomb. 
 
 When the silent hour of midnight had arrived, and all the people 
 were asleep, Hatim stole out quietly, and made his way to the burial- 
 ground. But there he had to cope with a difficulty on which he had 
 not calculated. It was one of the customs of that city, that when a 
 person was buried, all the male relations of the deceased should fast, 
 and watch and pray on the tomb for three days and nights, without 
 ever going near their wives and families ; Hatim therefore was forced 
 to keep aloof during the whole of that period. On the fourth night, 
 however, when all the guards had retired to their houses, Hatim 
 lost no time in visiting the tomb ; meanwhile the unhappy inmate 
 had full time to feel the hoiTors of his situation. Often did he weep 
 and exclaim, "Fool that I was, to believe the promise of a false 
 stranger I By his treachery, he prevailed upon me to shut myself 
 up to perish in this dungeon, and now he has gone and left me to my 
 fate ! Alas, how dearly must I pay for my folly !" 
 
 Thus did the despairing young man fret and lament till the fourth 
 evening, when hunger had so weakened him that he lay senseless as 
 the dead around him. When Hatim reached the cell, he applied his 
 mouth to the aperture, and in a soft voice said, '' My dear friend, I 
 am at last come to release you ; if you are still alive, answer me." 
 But, ere then the young man was so exhausted with hunger and 
 despair, that the voice of aid reached not his ear. Hatim's generous 
 heart was. grieved, for he thought the man must have certainly died. 
 He hesitated whether he should clear away the earth and remove the 
 stone. " It is in vain," said he to himself, " the inmate is now no
 
 176 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 more ; and heaven knows, I would willingly give my own life to 
 save his." 
 
 Again, Hatim, thought it best not to desist while the least hope 
 remained : he therefore repeated his former words, in a voice moie 
 loud and distinct ; but still no answer returned from the mansion of 
 the dead. Hatim gave way to grief and despair, for he now became 
 fully convinced that his friend was dead, otherwise he would have 
 heard the voice and returned an answer. A third time, however, in 
 a still louder tone, Hatim exclaimed, " my friend, if your life still 
 remains, and is dear to you, answer me ; otherwise, here shall you 
 rest till the day of judgment. I have exerted all my power to save 
 you, but God's will be done." 
 
 The young man was at length awakened from his trance. Sense- 
 less as he was, he recognised the voice of Hatim ; he therefore 
 with great effort drew near the wiudoAV of his cell, and said, 
 "Stranger, are you the man who engaged to relieve me, and are you 
 come at last to fulfil your promise ?" When Hatim heard this his 
 joy was excessive ; he devoutly thanked the Ruler of events, and 
 said to the young man, " I am indeed the very person you allude to ; 
 rest still a little, till I make way for your escape." 
 
 Hatim then cleared away the earth and masses of stone which 
 composed the tomb ; and having effected a passage sufficiently large, 
 he took the hand of the almost lifeless young man, and brought 
 him out into the open air. In a very short time the young man's 
 strength and spirits were restored ; which when Hatim observed, he 
 said to him, " My good friend, you must lose no time in effecting 
 your escape ; fly, then, Avherever you think proper." — " My noble 
 benefactor, replied l;e, " my journey is long, and I have nothing 
 •wherewith to support myself." Hatim immediately gave him a 
 handful of gold pieces from his scrip, and urged his instant flight. 
 The young man having thanked his benefactor, betook himself to 
 the road, and escaped safe under the shades of night, while Hatim 
 rebuilt the tomb as it was previously, and returned to his lesidence. 
 He entered unobserved by any one ; and having shut the doors, he 
 laid himself down to rest in that happy state of mind which the 
 virtuous alone can enjoy. He awaked not till the next morning was 
 considerably advanced, and all the people astir and ready for their 
 morning meal. Hatim then arose ; and after partaking of their food, 
 he thanked them for their hospitality, and took leave of them, saying.
 
 fiAtlM TAi. 177 
 
 '• i must now leave you, my friends, foi' I am bound for the mountain 
 of Nida ; my journey admits of no delay, for it is now a long period 
 since I left Shahabad." — " Noble stranger," said the people, " your 
 adventure is daring ; but if you must go, the mountain of Nida is 
 nearly a month's journey from this place. You will first reach a city 
 of the same name close to the mountain, and the natives will give you 
 every requisite information for your future proceedings." 
 
 Hatim resumed his journey ; and at parting the people told him, 
 that after he should have marched some nine or ten days, the road 
 separated into two branches, of which he was to hold on that towards 
 the right, which would lead him to the city of Nida. Hatim advanced 
 without any interruption till the tenth day, when he came to the two 
 roads, by a strange forge tfulness, he took the left hand path instead 
 of the right. Thither he marched ; but at times he had some mis- 
 givings in his own mind that he had taken the wrong road. After he 
 had toiled for four days in this direction, he found himself all at once 
 in the midst of a jungle abounding with wild beasts and birds of prey. 
 Hatim stood still for some time at the foot of a tree, expecting every 
 moment to be torn to pieces by the devoui'ing lion, or the more 
 ferocious tiger. 
 
 As he stood listening, he heard all at once a tremendous roaring of 
 these monsters of the creation at no great distance from him. As a 
 last resource, he climbed up to the top of a tree, and almost instantly 
 he saw wild elephants, lions, tigers, and many, other wild beasts, rush 
 by him in full flight. Close at their heels followed an animal of 
 ordinary size, but of most terrible aspect, such as Hatim had never 
 seen or heard of before. His eyes were like two balls of fire, and his 
 tail was on the crown of his head ! The very sight of him was 
 enough to kill the bravest of men. 
 
 Hatim trembled from the centre of his heart. " Alas, Hatim," 
 said he to himself, " thy life is surely at an end, for how canst thou 
 escape this mighty evil !" But again, Hatim thought better of his 
 condition ; he put his trust in God, who never forsakes his servants ; 
 and knowing that in His hands only are life and death, he drew his 
 scimitar from the scabbard, and with a steady hand and firm heart, 
 he awaited the result. Meanwhile the monstrous animal with eyes 
 of fire came close to the tree where Hatim had taken refuge, and 
 being of quick scent, he soon discovered what was among the branches- 
 He made a spring at the tree with such force that he broke it through 
 
 w
 
 178 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 the middle, when both it and Hatim fell with a crash upon the 
 ground. Another spring brought him close to Hatim, who must 
 have been within his claws had not the branches of the tree protected 
 him. Ilatira soon recovered his presence of mind ; and seizing his 
 scimitar in his hand, he plunged it into the side of the monster, 
 which laid him prostrjite upon the ground. As the wound, howev-^er, 
 was not mortal, the enraged beast jumped to his feet and made 
 another spring at the devoted Hatim, who dexterously eluded his 
 grasp, and with his good sword gave him another thrust in the belly, 
 so that he fell to rise no more. But though the dragon lay mortally 
 wounded, his power of mischief had not yet ceased. He raised a 
 howling noise that made the earth tremble, and lashed the trees 
 around him with his tail. From his mouth and nostrils issued streams 
 of fire, which soon set the surrounding forest in a blaze. Hatim in 
 the mean time had climbed up the nearest tree as soon as he saw his 
 enemy fallen, and there he waited till he saw that no spark of life 
 remained in the monster. At last the tree which he occupied took 
 fire ; he was forced therefoi-e to leap down with all speed, and such 
 was the violence of his fall, that he lay stunned for some time. When 
 he recovered, the first thing he did was to break the four fangs of 
 the dead monster, which in sharpness resembled so many daggers. 
 These, wdth the tail and two ears, he carried ofi" with him, in order to 
 keep them as a trophy ; and he then resumed his journey, 
 
 Hatim at length gained the open plain, and was delighted on see- 
 ing at a distance a town strongly fortified with lofty walls. On a 
 Bearer approach, he discovered towering above the rest a royal 
 mansion, whose glittering turrets reared their pinnacles to the clouds ; 
 but no appearance of any living creature did he see. He entered the 
 gates, within which he found every sign of the city being lately 
 inhabited. He saw numerous warehouses, and bazaars full of every 
 commodity, but the most deadly silence prevailed throughout. 
 
 Hatim looked around on this scene of lifelessness, and wondered in 
 his own mind what destructive hand could have caused such desola- 
 tion. He approached the royal residence, which formed the citadel 
 of the town, and in which the king and his family had shut them- 
 selves up. On seeing Hatim at a distance, the king said to those 
 around him, " Praised be the lord, a human being has at length entered 
 our city." The king then ordered a domestic to call out to the 
 strang'M-, and invite him to the palace gate. The man according
 
 HATIM TAi". 179 
 
 shouted out, and Hatira hastened his pace till he stood at the portal. 
 The king opened a window and said to Hatira, " Welcome, noble 
 stranger, may peace be upon you." Hatim courteously returned the 
 royal salutation, whereupon his majesty asked him, " Who are you, 
 brave sir, and whence came you ?" — " I am an Arab," replied Hatim, 
 *' and I come from Shahabad ; and, moreover, I am going to the 
 mountain of Nida." — " Truly, brave Arab," said the king, " you have 
 taken the wrong road to Nida ; you ought to have held by the right 
 hand road, and you have chosen the left. But .what is decreed must 
 happen ; perhaps the hour of your death is at hand, fate has therefore 
 led you hither." 
 
 Hatim devoutly replied, *' If such be the will of God, I am content ; 
 for what power is there in mortal man to help himself ? Meanwhile 
 royal sir, for such you seem to be, have the goodness to tell me who 
 you are, and what is the cause of your being thus shut up in your 
 citadel ?" — " I am," replied the other, " king of this country ; but of 
 late, my splendid city was visited by a severe scourge in the shape of 
 a fiery dragon, which forced all my subjects to fly for their lives. 
 They took with them their Avives and children, and quickly abandoned 
 this devoted city, while I, with my family and friends, having placed 
 our reliance upon God, sought refuge here, it being too late for us to 
 make our escape, and we have not the power to cope with the monster 
 that made such havoc in our territory." 
 
 Hatim requested the king to give him a more minute description 
 of the monster that created such dismay in his dominions ; to which 
 his majesty replied, " A terrible creature, which we call the Siyah-dil,* 
 came down from the mountain Kaf, and formed his haunt within our 
 boundaries. Every day he used to come into the city and devour 
 multitudes of the inhabitants, till no living creature is left. The 
 citadel he has not as yet been able to enter, for it is surrounded by 
 a very deep and wide ditch. Once a day, however, the monster makes 
 the attempt of springing from the further side to the top of the wall ; 
 but fortunately it is more than he can accomplish ; he always falls 
 short of the top, and rolls headlong into the water." 
 
 When Hatim heard the king's account, he said, " Sire, let your 
 Blind be at peace ; for, by the aid of heaven, I have slain your enemy, 
 which I am convinced is the same that attacked me in the forest." 
 
 * Black-hearted.
 
 ISO THE ADVENTUHES OF 
 
 Hatim then detailed the whole circumstance, as already mentioned ; 
 whereupon, the king immediately admitted him into the citadel, and 
 after treating him with the highest respect, and offering him food and 
 drink becoming a prince, he said, " Brave stranger, I doubt not your 
 honour ; but, in order to satisfy my friends and subjects, you will 
 forgive me if I request of you some proof of what you have stated." 
 Hatim immediately produced the teeth and ears of the Siyah-dil ; on 
 seeing which, the king was sp delighted that he prostrated himself at 
 his feet, and loaded him with well-merited encomiums. 
 
 His majesty thereafter despatched those who were near him in all 
 directions with letters certifying the death of the Siyah-dil, and 
 inviting his subjects to return to their homes. In the course of a few 
 days the city was restored to its former life and bustle ; and Hatim, 
 taking leave of the king, requested to have a guide to conduct him to 
 the mountain of Nida. The king tried to induce Hatim to stay with 
 him, and said, " Bravest of men, why will you leave me ? This city 
 and these realms are yours. I am now old, and have an only daughter ; 
 accept her for your wife, and you shall reign in my stead." — " Gener- 
 ous sire," returned Hatim, " at present my vow forbids me to accept 
 aught earthly, that may benefit myself, till I have discharged a sacred 
 duty which I owe to a friend." 
 
 The king, with tears in his eyes, admired Hatim's noble and gener- 
 ous conduct, and immediately ordered one of his subjects to conduct 
 him safe to the road that led to the mountain of Nida. Hatim with 
 his guide retraced their way back to the spot where the road separated 
 which they I'eached in a few days. The guide then pointed out to 
 him the right-hand path, and said, " Brave prince of Yemen, follow 
 this i-oad, and it will take you to the city of Nida." Ten days after, 
 Hatim came to a large and populous city, and the moment he entered 
 within the walls, the people conducted him before the governor. His 
 highness received Hatim with due courtesy ; and having requested 
 him to be seated, said, " Tell me, sir, of what country are you, and 
 how came you hither ? It is certain that no stranger has visited 
 this city since the time of Alexander the Great, who traversed the 
 whole of the iidiabitable globe. May I ask, then, what has been the 
 cause of your visit ?" 
 
 Hatim gave a full account of Husn Banu and the prince Munir, 
 also what he had himself done up to that moment. When the ruler 
 of the city heard this, he said to Hatim, " Noble stranger, rest your-
 
 HATIM TAI. 181 
 
 self here for some days, and you will learn enough of the mountain of 
 Nida ; for were I now to describe to you its mysteries, you could not 
 comprehend them." Hatim accordingly accepted the governor's 
 invitation, and had a house appointed for him to live in, and food, 
 drink, and every other requisite plentifully supplied. All the 
 principal men of the city visited him, and were delighted with his 
 agreeable society. 
 
 One day, while they were in conversation, Hatim asked one of 
 them which was the mountain of Nida. The man pointed it out to 
 him, and said, " That peak, whose summit penetrates the clouds, is 
 the mountain of Nida." Meanwhile a loud voice issued from the 
 mountain, and at that moment one of the men in the company all of a 
 sudden became silent and thoughtful. Soon sifter lie rose up ; and, 
 regardless of the numerous entreaties of his friends, he bent his course 
 towards the mountain. His companions ran after him, but in vain ; 
 he spoke not a word, and with a pale countenance he quickened his 
 pace to the mountain. Hatim followed among the rest, and said to 
 them, " My good fi'iends, Avhat has befallen the young man, that he 
 thus runs like a maniac he knows not whither ?" — '• His hour is 
 arrived," they replied, " for the voice from the mountain exclaimed, 
 ' come quickly.'' " — " And whose voice is it," said Hatim, " that he 
 should thus blindly obey it ?" — "That," replied they, "is more than 
 we know, you must ask himself." 
 
 Hatim ran with all his might till he overtook the devoted young man, 
 whom he seized by the hand, and thus addressed, " My dear friend, 
 it is unkind, nay unhuman, to refuse the information I ask. Tell me, 
 I beseech you, Avho is he that has called you to yonder mountain, and 
 I will myself accompany you thither." Hatim's entreaties were of no 
 avail ; the young man gave no answer, but drew away his hand from 
 him, and ran swift as the wind towards the mountain. Hatim 
 followed close after ; but, when he was about half way, the mountain 
 before him vanished from his sight. He stood in the utmost amaze- 
 ment, and cast his eyes in every direction, but no trace of Nida nor 
 of the young man could he discover, he only saw in its place a large 
 stone, possessing all the hues of the rainbow. 
 
 Hatim, in the utmost despair, returned towards the city, till he met 
 the people that had come out with him. These were assembled on 
 the road ; and when he reached them, they were performing some 
 ceremony known to themselves. They tlirice repeated a form of
 
 182 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 prayer with their fnces turned towards the spot where the mountain' 
 had been ; and this done, they returned to the city, as if nothing 
 extraordinary had happened. On their return, the young man's 
 friends and relatives, far from giving way to sorrow, prepared a feast, 
 and entertained all the poor of the city ; and after some time spent in 
 mirth and joy, they resumed their usual occupations. 
 
 Hatira, however, could not conceal his grief for the unfortunate 
 young man who had disappeared so mysteriously. The people 
 laughed at his sorrow, and said to him, " Stranger, it is not our 
 custom to give way to weeping and lamentation ; we forgive you, 
 however, this time ; but if you are to reside among us, you must 
 conform with our manners, otherwise we shall expel you hence. 
 Hatim accordingly restrained his grief, and resided among them for 
 the space of six months, in which period ten or twelve people dis- 
 appeared in a similar manner. In vain did he ask the inhabitants for 
 an explanation of the mystery ; either they could not, or would not 
 satisfy his curiosity. 
 
 Among the inhabitants of the city there was an intelligent man, by 
 name Jam, with whom Hatim formed the most sincere friendship and 
 affection, so that they became inseparable companions. One day, as 
 they were conversing together, the awful voice sounded loud from the 
 summit of the mountain. When Hatim's friend heard the sound, he 
 all at once became silent, and it was easy to see that his hour was 
 come. He quickly rose up, and began to make for the mountain, of 
 w^hich, when his relations received intelligence, they all prepared to 
 follow him. Hatim with a heavy heart accompanied his beloved 
 friend, for he knew that he was called thence no more to return. He 
 resolved, however, not to part with him till death, and made up his 
 mind to enter with him into the mysterious mountain, whatever 
 might be the consequence. Hatim then girded up his loins ; and 
 placing his trust in God, he laid hold of his friend Jam by the hand, 
 and marched along with him towards the foot of Nida." — " My 
 dearest friend," said Hatim, " why this silence ? Speak to me, who 
 am, as your brother, resolved to share your fate." But Jam uttered 
 not a word in reply : cold and senseless, he hurried onwards, endeav- 
 ouring from time to time to free himself from Hatim's friendly grasp. 
 At last he exerted his utmost strength, and so sudden was the move- 
 ment, that ere Hatim was aware of his intention, he found himself 
 .«»tretched upon the ground, while his companion ran off at full speed.
 
 HATIM TAT. 183 
 
 Hatim lost no time in pursuing, and having again overtaken Jam, he 
 seized him by the skh't, and clung to him with all his might. 
 
 Thus they proceeded up the side of the mountain. Jam endeavour- 
 in<»' in vain to cast off his companion. At length they arrived at a 
 spot where the rock rent asunder, and both of them entered the chasm, 
 which immediately closed behind them. Meanwhile, those who had 
 followed them from a distance, seeing that Hatim and Jam had both 
 entered the mountain, returned to their houses, regretting the loss of 
 the noble stranger. They went to the ruler of the city, and informed 
 him how the Arabian prince had accompanied Jam, and disappeared 
 with him in the mountain. The governor was much grieved, and 
 threatened the people with severe punishment for not detaining the 
 generous stranger, who thus rashly incurred his own destruction. 
 
 To return to Hatim. After they had entei'ed the fissure of the 
 mountain, an extensive plain appeared before them, the verdure and 
 beauty of which exceeded description. As far as the eye could reach, 
 the same endless green presented itself. As Hatim and his friend 
 advanced, they reached a black spot on the plain, the shape of a grave 
 on which no plant whatever grew, and there Jam fell lengthways, 
 while his soul left his body. Hatim felt the earth shake beneath and 
 straightway the body of his companion sunk into the ground ; and 
 the spot that had been previously bare and bai-ren, became verdant as 
 the rest of the plain. 
 
 Hatim, having witnessed this wonderful scene, raised his voice in 
 prayer to the all-wise Creator, whose decrees are beyond our compre- 
 hension. He now knew the mysteries of Nida, that the people of the 
 city thus closed their earthly career. He looked around him for a 
 path to lead him to the city, but no trace could he find either of the 
 mountain or the way by which ne came there ; the same verdant plain 
 extended in every direction as far as he could see. For seven days 
 and nights he thus wandered, without a morsel of food or a drop of 
 water, nor did the sight of any living creature greet his eye. Hatim 
 was about to sink upon the ground, and resign his soul to God, for he 
 saw no way of escape, and he concluded that his death was decreed in 
 those silent realms. 
 
 While occupied in such forebodings, Hatim thought that he heard 
 a hollow roar, like the rushing of waves in the distant ocean. He 
 advanced in that direction, and at last arrived at the shore of a
 
 18i THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 turbulent and foaming sea, whose farther extremity his eye could not 
 discern, Hatim stood thoughtful upon the bench, and said to himself, 
 " At last my earthly pilgrimage is at an end, for here is a sea, beyond 
 which I cannot pass ; but He who ruleth all things can even here 
 assist me." 
 
 As Hatim was straining his sight across the watery expanse, he saw 
 at a distance a small vessel struggling with the imaging billows, and 
 making for the shore ; and great was his joy when lie considered that 
 his deliverance was at hand. When the vessel reached the sand at no 
 great distance from where he stood, he quickly ran and stepped into 
 it ; but what was his surprise to find no living creature Avithin. On 
 a small table he saw two loaves and a fried fish ; and as his hunger 
 was excessive, he praised the Lord, and was about to eat. But, on 
 further reflection, he considered that the victuals must belong to the 
 pilot of the vessel, who cannot be far off, perhaps gone on shore 
 unobserved ; and " in such a case," said Hatim, " it would be highly 
 improper in me to eat what has been prepared for another : I will wait 
 till his return, and shai'e his hospitality, if such be his pleasure." 
 
 While Hatim was thus waiting, a large dolphin raised his head 
 above the water, and thus spoke : " O Hatim, these two loaves and 
 the fried fish have been dressed for thee only ; eat, then, and appease 
 thy hunger." When the dolphin had done speaking, he dived into 
 his native element ; and Hatim, without further delay, ate the loaves 
 and the fi.^h, after •which, he allayed his thirst from a jar of fresh 
 water that stood in a corner of the vessel. Shortly after a favourable 
 breeze sprung up, and Hatim having trimmed the sails, launched into 
 the wide ocean. His greatest wish was to return to the city of Nida, 
 «nd inform the inhabitants of the fate of his friend Jam ; but then he 
 knew not which way to steer, so he placed his reliance upon 
 Providence, and allowed his bark to sail smoothly before the wind. 
 
 For the following seven days Hatim's vessel continued to dart 
 through the ocean ; nor during that space did he taste any food, nor 
 see aujiht but the heavens above and the roarinj; billows around. On 
 the eighth day be beheld rising above the waters a lofty mountain, 
 whose cliffs seemed to pierce the moon. In three days more he 
 landed at the foot of the mountain ; !\nd in his ascent, he Avas 
 astonished on beholding sti'cams of blood gushing from its rocks. He 
 stood still for a while to view this strange phenomenon, and said in 
 his heart, " How wonderful the works of the Creator ! Each rock
 
 HATIM TAl. 185 
 
 and stone of this mountain discharges drops of blood ; but who can 
 explain to me the cause of the circumstance ?" 
 
 In these reflections Hatim at lengtli reached the summit, and there 
 he saw before him an extensive plain of Idood-red hue, while the 
 colour of all the animals that frequented it was green. So intent 
 was Hatim in the contemplation of those wonderful regions, that he 
 completely forgot the pangs of hunger, and advanced several farasangs 
 into the plain. At last he came to the brink of a sea, whose waters 
 were blood, and whose billows, chasing each other to land, moistened 
 the stars with their purple spray. On the red beach were numbers 
 of birds, the brilliancy of whose azure plumage was dazzling to the 
 sight. Here Hatim wandered along the shores of the blood-red sea 
 for the space of a month, and having caught some of the birds, he 
 struck fire from a flint, and thus dressed food for himself. But as he 
 had nothing wherewith to allay his thirst, he used to take into his 
 mouth the muhra of the bear's daughter, which had all the qualities 
 of the purest water. At length he came to a narrow point of land, 
 beyond which nothing was visible but the purple waves, and across 
 this expanse none of the birds attempted its daring flight. Hatim 
 began to despair of ever returning from these crimson shores ; 
 " thou hast wandered here for a whole mouth," said he to himself, 
 " but all of no avail ; and wert thou to advance for years along this 
 blood-stained coast, thou shouldst see no termination. Here art thou 
 destined to linger out thy life-time, for to return hence is beyond 
 thy power. And, alas ! thy love-sick friend Munir is left to perish 
 in expectation of thee." 
 
 But again, Hatim devoutly considered that, " If God the Great 
 and Glorious, hath willed that I should return, and that my friend 
 should by my means attain the object of his wish, most assuredly 
 He will rescue me from this whirlpool of misery." While occupied 
 with these pious reflections, Hatim saw at a gi-eat distance a small 
 black speck, which occasionally shewed itself on the top of the billows. 
 In a short time it approached nearer, and great was his delight when 
 the object proved to be a large boat. It touched the shore at his 
 feet ; and Hatim having offered up his gratitude before the throne of 
 the Supreme, leaped into the vessel and put out to sea. 
 
 In this boat he found, as previously, two barley loaves and a fried 
 fish, which he ate without scruple, while the vessel flew swift as an 
 arrow through the waves of the crimson sea. On the seventh day
 
 186 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 after, he saw laml ; and in going ashore he found every object dyefl 
 with the same crimson liue as dn the other side ; while every rock 
 and stone poured forth ton-ents of blood. Hatim trusted in God, and 
 fearlessly began to penetrate into this new region. At a great 
 distance he observed a most brilliant spot in the horizon, to which he 
 directed his course. The nearer he approached the more dazzling 
 grew the light, till at length he could perceive that it Avas a lofty 
 mountain of the purest silver. Forward he went, fatigued as he was.; 
 but by the time he thought himself within a few leagues of the silver 
 mountain, he found that there intervened a wide ocean, Avhose waves 
 were of the same brilliant hue. lie stood upon the beach admiring 
 the beauty of the prospect ; and as his thirst was excessive, he dipped 
 his right hand into the silver liquid, in order to taste of its contents 
 and instantly his liand was turned into silver. 
 
 Hatim with iiorror beheld his right hand converted into a mass of 
 silver, and mouniiiig over his hapless fate, he sat down upon the 
 shore. Suddenly he saw a boat making towards him from the direction 
 of the mountain. He raised his hands towards heaven, and gave 
 praise to that Almighty Providence which had so frequently aided 
 him in his distress. When the boat reached the shore, Hatim joyfully 
 stepped into it, and found it supplied with a variety of the most 
 delicious viands, also pure water wherewith to quench his thirst. 
 Having refreshed his exhausted frame, he trimmed his sails, and 
 steered his course towards the silver mountain. The vessel swiftly 
 ploughed the waves without any aid from a pilot, while Hatim laid 
 himself down and enjoyed a refreshing sleep. 
 
 When Hatim had first seen the silver mountain, he imagined that 
 it was at no great distance from him ; but this was owing to its 
 extreme brilliancy and immense height, for it "required eleven days 
 and nights of swift sailing to reach its nearer shore. At length 
 Hatim came to land, and began to explore the silver regions ; but 
 ever and anon he looked with sorrow at his right hand, now become 
 a useless burden to him. Onwards he journeyed for four days more, 
 when he reached the foot of what he conceived to be the silver 
 mountain. He then commenced his ascent ; but he no sooner reached 
 the summit of one mountain than another still higher presented itself 
 to his view. For three days Hatim thus toiled upwards : his food 
 consisted of wild fowls, which he caught in the rocks, and sometimes 
 :fish of the hue of silver from the mountain streams, together with
 
 HATIM TAi*,. I'HT 
 
 such fruit as those airy regions produced. On the fourth day, he 
 observed that the rocks and stones which lined his path euaitted 
 tlie most brilliant rays of light, and were tinged with all the colours ^ 
 of the rainbow. He stood admiring this beautiful sight, and devoutly 
 acknowledging the transcendant power and wisdom of Him who 
 made the universe.. On a more minute examination of these beautiful 
 stones, he found that they were real jewels, such as diamonds, 
 emeralds, rubies ; in short, whatever was rare and costly. 
 
 Hatim could not resist the temptation of carrying ofi' some of the   
 jewels ; he therefore filled his skirt with such of them as were most 
 valuable, and thus heavy laden, resumed his ascent. The higher he- 
 climbed the larger and more brilliant became the jewels scattered 
 around him, so that he was constantly occupied in throwing away 
 what he had previously gathered, and supplying their place with 
 others more precious. At last he satisfied himself by filling his 
 skirt with the largest jewels he had ever seen, and resolved to 
 carry these back with him to his own country. " The greatest 
 princes on earth," said he, "possess not such jewels, nor could 
 they buy them with all the wealth of their kingdom; nay, they 
 cannot have any idea even of their existence." 
 
 For several days longer he persevered in his ascent from peak 
 to peak, without the least appearance of reaching the highest point. 
 Meanwhile the weight of his load of jewels was so heavy that he 
 was compelled to throw away more than the half, having kept only 
 such as he judged most rare and costly. One day, as he was passing 
 from one mountain to anothei', he came to a spring of cool water, 
 beside which he sat down to quench his thirst. The moment he 
 dipped his hands in this precious fountain, his right hand became- 
 whole and sound as the rest of his body. Hatim thus providentially 
 cured', bowed his head to the dust in gratitude to the Bestower of 
 Benefits ;; and having allayed his thirst, he laid himself down to sleep 
 on the cool margin of the silver fountain. 
 
 When: Hatim awoke from his sleep, he beheld' standing by the sprin"- 
 two beings of formidable appearance. Their colour was black as the 
 raven, their- heads resembled that of man, and their hands and feet 
 were like the paws of the lion. In an instant, Hatim started to his 
 feet : he seized, his bow and let fly his well-aimed arrow at one of 
 these strange monsters.. The shot took no effect, for the creature 
 seized the arrow in its paw, and in a. tone of reproach cried out, " O
 
 1S8 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Hatim, does it become you to slay the innocent, from fear of your 
 0\vu life ? Know that we also are servants of the Almighty, and 
 have come hither with no intention of doing you harm." 
 
 On hearing this, Hatim dropped the bow and arrow from his hands, 
 and sat down in deep regret, for his own heart convinced him of 
 having acted wrong. Some time thus passed while he waited their 
 nearer approach, and much he wondered in his own mind what should 
 be the result of an interview with such wonderful beings. At length 
 they stood before him, and said, " To you, Hatim, of all mankind, it 
 is least becoming to set your heart on jewels and worldly wealth. 
 Your name is already famous in the world for every thing noble and 
 generous ; and your history shall sei*ve as an example to future ages. 
 But if the love of gold and jewels take possession of your heart, fare- 
 well your present success and future fame !" — " May I ask," said 
 Hatim, " whose gold and jewels have I ever coveted ?" — " O Hatim," 
 returned the demons, " see you those jewels which you have carried 
 away from the lower mountain ; can you say that they are your 
 own ?" — " If they be not mine," replied Hatim, " they belong to 
 no one else. The gifts of the Creator are without number, and his 
 dominions boundless ; if I have taken a few jewels from the mountain, 
 I cannot have thereby wronged you or any living creature." — " Those 
 jewels," said the demon, " belong to the race that inhabit these 
 realms." — " And is not man," rejoined Hatim, " the noblest of created 
 beino-s ? Is he not sole master of the terrestrial globe and all that 
 it contains ? Tell me, then, the name of that race that can have a 
 better right to these precious stones than I have. Besides, I have 
 only carried with me a small number to present to my friends, which 
 can no more be missed from the treasures of these mountains than a 
 drop of water from the ocean." — " It is not for the value of these 
 bawbles," resumed the demons, " that we so strongly urge you to 
 throw them away, it is solely on your own account ; for if it is your 
 wish to return in safety to your own country, you must covet nothing 
 that you see here." Hatim at length, with great reluctance, threw 
 down the precious stones, saying, " What you advise me, my friends, 
 may be right ; yet it is hard that I should have toiled so many days 
 in carrying these treasures, which I must now resign ; truly your 
 advice is to me very unacceptable." 
 
 When the demons perceived Hatim's reluctance, they selected from 
 the stones the largest ruby, the most brilliant diamond, and the finest
 
 HATIM TAl. 189 
 
 omerakl, and presentoil tlie same to him, saying, " Accept, brave 
 Hatini, these three precious stones ; they will suffice as a specimen 
 to be shewn to your friends : to take more, or to use them in any 
 other manner, would be unworthy of yourself." Hatim joyfully 
 received the three jewels, and said, " Now, my good friends, I am a 
 stranger here ; you will therefore do me the greatest favour by 
 pointing out to me the way to my own country." 
 
 " Generous Hatim," replied the demons, " you are aware of the 
 immense distance you have travelled since you left Shahabad. God 
 has preserved you in all your perils and hardships ; yet, since the 
 ci-eation of the Avorld, only three of your race have been enabled to 
 visit these regions and return with life, whereas, numbers have 
 perished in the attempt. Your days shall yet be many, for such is 
 the will of God. Proceed, then, till you reach the ocean of gold, 
 which you shall cross, as you have hitherto done. Next, you will 
 come to the sea of fire ; and should you be able to find your way to 
 its farther side, you will soon arrive in Yemen, But, above all, beware 
 lest you covet aught what you see, for it may cost you your life." 
 
 Having thus spoken, the demons vanished from Hatim's sight, 
 while he sat down to repose for the night by the cool fountain. 
 When the dawn of morning appeared, he rose up, and after ablutions, 
 he proceeded on his journey, trusting to Providence alone as his 
 guide. After three days of fasting and constant toil, he arrived, 
 hungry and thirsty, at the banks of a river, the channel of which was 
 formed of the largest and most valuable pearls he had ever seen. His 
 heart longed to possess the pearls, notwithstanding the injunctions he 
 had received to the contrary ; but, on farther reflection, he controlled 
 his fatal desire, and satisfied himself by quenching his thirst in the 
 running stream, which was extremely pure and refreshing. 
 
 Hatim thence set out, and shortly after, he saw before him the 
 clouds rising from the horizon with uncommon brilliancy, resembling, 
 a canopy of burnished gold. For a whole month he continued to 
 advance in this direction ; and at length he saw the summit of the 
 golden mountain, rising with dazzling grandeur among the clouds. 
 Having reached the base of the mountain, he found it covered with 
 trees and shrubs, of which the foliage and fruit were all of golden 
 hue. For three days he ascended towards the summit ; and on the 
 fourth day he entered a garden, whose beauty equalled that of
 
 1J)() THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 paradise. The trees were loadeJ with golden apples, every leaf and 
 every plant in the garden was tinged with the hue of gold. 
 
 After Hatira had enjoyed the charms of this beautiful scene, iind 
 appeased his thirst from fountains of pure water which issued from 
 rocks of gold studded with the most precious gems, he sat down to 
 repose for tiie night. Meanwhile a troop of fairies surrounded him ; 
 and when Ilatira saw them, his heart rejoiced, for the fairest of the 
 band greatly resembled Zarlnposh. He said to them, " Heavenly 
 creatures, tell me who are you ?" — " We are," replied one of them, 
 " the devoted subjects of Zarlnposh, the fairy queen, who now walks 
 in this garden, and who will very soon pass this way." 
 
 Shortly after the queen approached, and the moment Ilatim beheld 
 her lovely countenance, his senses entirely forsook him, and he fell 
 lifeless upon the ground. Zarlnposh quickly ordered her attendants 
 to bring rose-water, which she sprinkled over his face and body. 
 After this, Hatira recovered, when the queen raised him from the 
 ground and seated him on a golden chair close by a thrope, which 
 she herself occupied. She then addressed him in the sweetest tones, 
 and said, " Tell me, noble stranger, who are you, and how came you 
 hither ?" Hatim related his eventful history ; and in return, asked 
 the fairy, " To whom belong these celestial abodes ?" — " These 
 regions," she replied, "are called Achin, which signifies pleasant, 
 and the sovereignty thereof belongs to the king, Shahyal, to Avhom 
 I owe allegiance. It is part of my duty to keep watch in this 
 paradise for a fixed period. My time expires in the course of a week 
 after which, I return to the royal presence. This mountain, too, is 
 part of Kaf, which forms the boundaries of the earth." 
 
 The fairies hospitably entertained Hatim for four days, and presented 
 to him the best of food and drink. On the fifth day, the queen advised 
 liim to depart, on which he took leave, and once more resumed his 
 journey. In two days after, he found himself in a boundless plain 
 beyond the confines of the golden mountain. Forward he marched, 
 night and day ; and on the evening of the sixteenth day, he reached 
 the yellow shore of the golden sea. The sand on which he trod was 
 of the finest gold ; the waves, too, which rose like mountains towards 
 the skies, were deeply tinged with the same brilliant colour. While 
 Hatim sat musing on the beach, he saw, as formerly, a vessel steering 
 towards land; and at length it came close to where he stood. Hatim 
 stepped into the boat, where he Ibuud a basket filled with delicious
 
 HATIM TAi. ID? 
 
 food ; and as he was very hungry, lie ate and refreshed Iiis exhausted 
 frame. At the same time his thirst was excessive, and he felt a 
 strong inclination for dipping his hand into the sea in order to drink. 
 He recollected, however, the disaster that had previously befallen him, 
 when his hand was changed into silver ; and lest it might this time 
 be converted into gold, he took a goblet, and having filled the same, 
 he drank, and steered his bark from land. 
 
 For forty days and nights he sailed onwards without seeing any 
 ■object but the golden waves and the illumined clouds. At length he 
 reached the shore, and began to traverse the newly discovei'ed regions. 
 Seven days after, he came to a desert of burning sand, hot as the ashes 
 of the newly quenched furnace. He made an effort to advance, but 
 soon found himself unable to stand. He sunk exhausted to the earth ; 
 his lips were parched of their moisture, and the whole of his body 
 scorched beyond endurance. In vain did he apply the precious 
 muhra of the bear's daughter, it produced no good effect whatever. 
 
 In this condition, Hatim, unable either to remain or return, tossing 
 from side to side on the fiery sand, was about to bid adieu to life, 
 when the two mysterious beings that had presented him with the 
 precious stones, stood beside him, and having administered to him a 
 draught of cool and refreshing water, recalled his departing souk 
 When Hatim recovered his senses, and saw the two demons before 
 him, he said, " To you my debt of gratitude is indeed heavy, for 
 verily your aid has been opportune." — " Brave Hatim," they rejoined, 
 " it is part of our duty to direct the stranger on his way. You must 
 •therefore advance through this desert till you reach the fiery ocean, 
 which you must cross, as yon have lately crossed the other seas ; 
 and should it please the Great Creator, you will thereafter soon 
 -arrive in your own country. Meanwhile accept this talisman, and 
 when you feel the heat oppressive, take the talisman in your mouth, 
 and the fire shall have no power over you. When arrived on the 
 farther side, cast the talisman into the fiery ocean, and proceed on 
 your journey." 
 
 Hatim took the talisman in his mouth, and advanced for three days 
 amidst the burning sand, when at last the flames of the fire so increased 
 that it appeared as if the heavens and the earth were mingled in one 
 blaze. He stood still for some minutes, and found himself on the 
 brink of the fiery ocean. Here his courage failed, for he saw not the 
 possibility of surmounting this last barrier. At length a boat was
 
 102 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 seen to emerge from the iluiniiig billow?, but even then Ilutiin 
 hesitated whether to enter ; for, said he, " How can I, with my eyes 
 open and my senses sound, entrust myself t(5 a frail bark on a sea of 
 liquid tire." Again he reflected, '' After all, this is my only escape ; 
 and if I wish to succeed in my enterprise, I must brave this danger 
 at last ; and if it is the will of the great and wise Creator to spare 
 my life, he is able to protect me in the mi<]st of the flames." 
 
 Hatim entered the vessel, which began forthwith to cleave its way 
 through the flaming waves. Dreadful was his situation ; smd i hough 
 the Are hurt him not, still he durst not open his eyes from fear of the 
 glare of light that surrounded him. Three weeks after the commence- 
 ment of this perilous voyage, he felt his bark tossed round with 
 amazing rapidity in the midst of a raging whirlpool. Hatim now felt 
 assured that his last hour was arrived, for should his boat be swallow- 
 ed up in this fiery gulf, how could he effect his escape. He still 
 sat with his eyes closed, i-ecommending his soul to the protection of 
 heaven, when lo the vessel sunk from beneath him, and he found 
 himself floating swiftly along the cun-eut. Hatim in this helpless 
 state resigned himself to fate. Over his eyes were drawn the curtains 
 of despair, and his head touched the knee of anguish. For three 
 days and nights he was thus tossed along the billows of the fiery 
 ocean, till at length the waves cast him almost lifeless on solid 
 ground. 
 
 Hatim shortly after ventured to open his eyes, thinking that he 
 was still on the sea shore, but no trace could he see of the flaming 
 billows, nor of the dazzling light that lately euveloi)ed liim. He 
 stood up, and threw away the talisman given him by the two genii, 
 after which he began to explore the surrounding country. He soon 
 discovered, to his great joy, that he was in his native land of Yemen ; 
 and seeing a peasant standing beside a field of corn, he Aveut up to 
 him, and ssiid, " Tell me, my good man, what is the name of this 
 country, and who is its sovereign." The peasant, instead of replying, 
 stood motionless with his eyes fixed on the countenance of him who 
 bore such resemlilance to his beloved prince. " Are you dcuf, my 
 friend," resumed Hatim, "or are you unwilling to answer a plain 
 question?" — "Forgive me, noble sir," said the peasant, " but you 
 look so like the brave and generous Hatim, that the joy of once more 
 beholding my prince has deprived my tongue of utterance." 
 
 Hatim, without discovering himself, continued his conversation with
 
 HATIM TAi. 193 
 
 the i3casant, aud said, " Who is this Ilufcim you speak of, and what do 
 you know of him ?" — " He is," replied the peasant, " my true and 
 beloved prince ; for you must know, stranger, that this is the kingdom 
 of Yemen, of which Tai is sovereign. The heir apparent to the throne 
 is the noble Hatim, who seven years ago left his paternal domains to 
 travel through strange countries. Once only in that long period hath 
 he gladdened our hearts with tidings of his welflire, by letters brought 
 to his father by the youthful queen Zarlnposh." 
 
 Having thus spoken the peasant was about to depart, when Hatim 
 addressed him, saying, " Stay, my good subject, I am indeed Hatim, 
 the son of Tai ; and if you wish to do me a favour, go to my father's 
 hall and assure himself and my mother of my welfare, and my unim- 
 paired affection towards them. But first of all, tell me where I may 
 quench my thirst, for I am wearied with travelling." The peasant 
 quickly ran to his cottage, and having brought the best food and drink 
 he could procure, he presented the same to his prince. After Hatim 
 had refreshed himself, he stood for some minutes intently looking 
 towards his father's capital, which was situated close by. At length 
 he turned round, and addressing the peasant, who stood at a respect- 
 ful distance waiting his further commands, he said, " My good friend, 
 accept my thanks for your hospitality. Remember my request, and 
 say to my father that my time is pressing, for I am journeying to 
 Shahabad. I trust I shall soon be able to return to my native 
 country, no more to wander." 
 
 Shortly after, Hatim arrived safely in the city of Shahabad. 
 When the people of Husn Banu saw him, they conveyed him with 
 the highest respect to the gate of their fair sovereign. Husn Banu, 
 informed of Hatim's arrival, hastily threw on her veil, and gave 
 orders for his admission into the palace. After mutual salutations, 
 Husn Banu asked of Hatim the account of his long journey, the 
 events of which he minutely detailed from beginning to end. After 
 he had finished his narrative, the fair queen said to him, " Brave 
 prince of Yemen, I am satisfied that what you have stated is strictly 
 true ; but have you nothing to shew in confirmation." Hatim 
 produced the ruby, the diamond, and the emerald which the two 
 genii had permitted him to bring from Nida, and presented the same 
 to Husn Banu, saying, " These ai"e ample proofs of what I have 
 related ; and I may add, that when my right hand Avas transformed 
 into a mass of silver, and when, on washing in the fountain, it was
 
 194; THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 again restored to its orginal form, ray nails still retained the hue of 
 silver, as you now behold. On drinking from the golden sea, four of 
 my teeth were transformed into pure gold, and, as you see, still 
 continue so." 
 
 Husn Banu expressed her admiration of Hatim's bravery and 
 constancy, and with her own hands presented him with food and 
 drink. Hatim tasted slightly of her bounty, and said that he longed 
 to see his friend the Assyrian prince. He therefore hastened to the 
 Mihmanserai, where he found Munir. He gave his friend every 
 consolation in his power, saying, " Be of good cheer, for now there 
 are only two questions to solve, and God will grant success. Three 
 days thus passed, after which Hatim presented himself before Husn 
 Banu, and said, " Tell me, fair lady, what is your sixth question ?" — 
 *' I have a pearl here," replied Husn Banu, " as large as a duck's 
 egg : bring another equal to it." — " Hatim requested to see the 
 pearl ; and having got an exact model of it made of silver, he deposit- 
 ed the same in his turban. Having then taken leave of Husn Banu 
 and the Assyrian prince MunIr, he set out on his sixth journey.
 
 HATIM TAl 195 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 The Journey of Hatim in search of the Pearl. 
 
 The narrators of past events have informed us that Hatim, after- 
 leaving Shahabad on his sixth adventure, came to a certain desert,, 
 across which he bent his course. After he had walked about two- 
 farasangs, he came to a solitary tree, at the foot ol' which was a rude- 
 seat formed of stone. As the evening was approaching, he there sat 
 down ; and having passed some time in deep reflection, with his head 
 stooping towards his knee, the mantle of night began to overspread 
 tlie world. In the mean time a brace of fowls, dazzling in all the 
 splendour of the seven colours, came and perched upon the tree above 
 him. Those birds were of the species called Niltika,* which generally 
 frequent the shores of the sea of Kahrmau, and by special providence 
 they rested on that tree for the night. 
 
 The female bird said to the male, " I like not the air of these 
 regions in which we have- halted', I wish we were safe in our own 
 country." — " I agree with you," said the male ; " and though it was 
 ray intention to stay here for some days, yet, as you dislike the place, 
 we shall depart early in the morning." — " Well," said the female, " I 
 only hope you will abide by your resolution, and that to-morrow's sun 
 will shiner upon us when far hence."^ — " Why all this anxiety," rejoiur 
 cd the male, " you know that I speak nothing but the truth." 
 
 A short time after, the female nutika again- broke silence, sayings 
 " Tell me, my dear mate, who is this wanderer from the haunts of 
 men who is- seated on the stones below, with his head sunk in the lap 
 of reflection, and his brow stamped with the seal of sorrow ?" — " He 
 is the best of men," i-eplied the male, " and his anxiety is occasioned 
 because he knows not whither to direct his course in quest of a 
 pearl of the size of a Murghab's egg.+ Now Murghab is also the 
 name of the place where these pearls are to be found. But to 
 proceed : this man is Hatim- Tar, the noble and generous prince of 
 Yemen. He is now wandering in search of this pearl, not for his own 
 
 * Having the faculty of speech. 
 
 •f" MurghCb signifies properly an aquatic fowlj but is generally applied to a duck.- 
 There is also a river so called- in the province of Khorisan.— )7rfc Borhcuu'-Kaii.
 
 19G THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 sake, but in order to serve another person. He has left his princely 
 home, and his fond parents, in order to promote the happiness of his 
 fellow-creatures." 
 
 " But," rejoined the female, " inexperienced as Hatim is, how can 
 he ever find the pearl in question ?" — " I shall direct him," replied the 
 male, "if it is your wish, though it may not be altogether for our 
 welfare." — " Nothing is more noble," said the female, " than to do 
 good to others, and assuredly we shall ourselves reap the benefit thereof 
 in the end." — " Listen to me, then, my dear consort," said the male 
 natika, " and you shall hear how this rare pearl of the Murghab is to 
 be procured. You are aware that our species have lived since the 
 creation of the world on the shores of the sea of Kahrman, and only 
 once in thirty years our females laid an egg of this kind. But for some 
 time past our race has been deprived of the virtue of producing these 
 pearls, and those that had been formerly produced are sunk to an 
 unfathomable depth in the sea. Of these pearls two only are above 
 ground, and these originally fell into the hands of Chamchan the King 
 of Kahrman. He again gave one of them as a rare present to Shamshan, 
 a neio'hbouring prince of great wealth and splendour in his time. 
 Shamshan died witliout issue ; and his splendid capital was soon after 
 reduced to a lifeless desert, while his wealth passed into the hands of 
 strangers, and the pearl, after many changes of owner, is now in the 
 possession of Husn Banu, the daughter of Burzakh the merchant, 
 
 " As to the other pearl, it happened that Chamchan, the King of 
 Kahrman, died in early life, and another took possession of his crown. 
 The widowed queen, then pregnant (being her first child), was forced 
 to fly for her life, and the pearl of the Murghab was the only part of 
 her property which she had time to secure. With this rare treasure 
 she left her palace, and fled through the desert till she reached the 
 sea of Kahrman. There she sat down exhausted, not knowing whither 
 to proceed, till a merchant with his ship approached that spot in order 
 to take in fresh water. When the queen saw the vessel she cried 
 aloud for assistance, and the merchant himself came to her in a boat, 
 and conveyed her on board. 
 
 " The merchant, Avhose name was Slmbar, was a benevolent man, 
 ■who had seen much of the world. He treated the queen with the 
 utmost kindness ; and on hearing the cause of her distress, he adopted 
 her as his daughter, and conveyed her to his own country. In the 
 course of time she was delivered of a son ; and as Slmbar the merchant
 
 HATIM TAi. 197 
 
 liad no cliiUren of his own, he appointed this chikl sole heir of his 
 extensive wealth. Meanwhile the child grew up endowed with 
 princely virtues, ami by the time he came to manhood his generous 
 patron Slmbar died. 
 
 " Shortly after, the young prince was appointed chief of that 
 province ; and as he was a youth of superior discernment, and had 
 abundance of wealth at command, he soon raised himself to be king 
 of that country and the adjacent islands. After his death, his descend- 
 ants reigned there for many a generation, till the auspicious a^ra of 
 Sulaiman of Irani (on whom be peace), who reduced into their 
 possession the whole extent of the Koh-i-Kaf and the coast of the sea 
 of Kulzum. Since the reign of the prophet Sulaiman, the race has 
 reisrned in those regions, but then their intercourse ceased with the 
 inhabitants of the earth. They no longer form a part of the human 
 race, nor dareth a son of Adam visit their dominions. 
 
 " In the course of time the pearl came into the hands of the fairy, 
 in the possession of whose son it now is. His name is Mahyfir 
 Sulaimani, and his father was of the race of Adam, so that he partakes 
 of the twofold nature of man and faiiy. He reigns in the island of 
 Barzakh,* and is on fi-iendly terms with the demons, vphose territories 
 are contiguous to his kingdom, for he knows the powerful spell of 
 Sulaiman, and no demon dares injure him. 
 
 " Mahyar Sulaimani has an only daughter, now seven years old, 
 and whosoever shall be able to tell the history of the pearl, shall have 
 the daughter in marriage, and the pearl for her dowry. He is also a 
 man of profound knowledge, having in his possession the books of his 
 progenitor the great Sulaiman. In these books are many rare secrets ; 
 and among others, the method of procuring the pearl of the Murghab, 
 should the one which he has be lost. Since the reign of Sulaiman (on 
 whom be peace), our race has not produced a single pearl, nor is it 
 lawful for us to tell what I have now stated to you, a sacret known 
 to Mahyar alone. But to this generous youth, who has been for 
 years exerting himself in the cause of his fellow-creatures, it is pi-oper 
 that I should disclose this much of the subject that now occupies his 
 thought." 
 
 On hearing this the female said, " How is Hatim to find his way to 
 the sea of Kahrman, for the coast is infested by the demons who 
 
 * Barzakh, according to the Farhang-i-Mathnavi, is the intermediate stage 
 between this world and the next — like the purgatory of the Roman Catholics.
 
 ]98 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 inhabit those ref^ion?, nud the perils which await him are numerous ?"" 
 — "His safety," replied the male, " depends on heaven alone ; for if 
 Ids days are not yet at an end, he may encounter every dano:er, and 
 leturn in safety. Meanwhile he must proceed to the south, and it 
 will l>e necessary that he take with him several of our feathers. 
 When he arrives at the confines of the mountain Kaf, he will see 
 before him a wide desert, and ere he enter that wilderness, he must 
 use the following precaution : — Let him burn the gi-een feathers and 
 strew the ashes in water, with which he must wash his Avhole body.. 
 This will have so strong a scent that no wild beast of the desert can 
 rome near him. Moreover, his appearance will be altogether that of 
 a demon ; his colour will be black as night, and his hands and feet 
 will assume an umiatural size, and he will be able to speak the- 
 language of the demons. 
 
 " After he shall have passed through the wilderness, and arrived at 
 
 the island of Barzakh, he must then burn the white feathers, and 
 
 having mingled the ashes with water as before, let him wash his body 
 
 with the same, and he will assume his original shape» When ha 
 
 enters the dominions of Maliyur Sulaimani, the fairies of those realms 
 
 will seize him, and take him before their monarch. Then let Hatim 
 
 boldly state the object of his journey ; when the king, as a matter 
 
 of course, will ask of him to give an account of the pearl, whereupon 
 
 lie shall have both the pearl and the thiughtei". Then let Hatim tell 
 
 all that I have stated, and Mahyar, being of most honourable conduct 
 
 and of strict integrity, will assuredly give his daughter and the pearl." 
 
 Having thus spoken, the male natika flap]>ed his wings, when a 
 
 shower of feathers fell around Hatim, who immediately arose and 
 
 carefully collected them. When the female bird saw this, she said to 
 
 lier ])artner, " He gathers the feathers as if he had understood what 
 
 you said ; how do you know that Hatim is destined for such important 
 
 services, and how have you recollected all the circumstances of the 
 
 pearls ?" — " The whole history of the two pearls," replied tlie male, 
 
 " has been preserved by our race from one generation to another ; but 
 
 you females attend not to such grave subjects, nor are you good for 
 
 any thing but talking. The time will come, too, when our race shall 
 
 lie extinct, with the excejttion of the solitary bird, which is destined 
 
 to perish only with the world. But these days are still remote ; and 
 
 at present let us enjoy the bounty of Providence, of Avhich we have a 
 
 greater share than any animal except man. We, like him, are endow-
 
 HATIM TAi. l()9 
 
 •ed with the faculty of speech, and the ordinary term of our life is 
 longer than his ; even we two are destined to live together in this 
 world for the next hundred years." 
 
 By this time the portals of the dawn flew open in the east, and 
 the two birds took their flight from the tree. Hatim at the same 
 time arose, and commenced his journey towards the south. One 
 night, as he lay down to repose underneath a tree, he heard the cry 
 ■of some animal in pain, exclaiming, " Alas ! is there no creature at 
 hand who will, for the sake of God, assist me." Hatim, ever ready 
 to aid the distressed, quickly arose, and ran towards the spot whence 
 the sound issued. There he saw a female fox stretched on the ground, 
 -and beating her head upon the hard stones, " Tell me," said Hatim, 
 " who has caused thy sorrow ?" — " A huntsman," replied the fox, 
 " has caught in his snares both my husband and children, and has 
 carried them oiF to be murdered. This heart-rending separation is the 
 cause of my grief." — " Knowest thou where the huntsman resides ?" 
 asked Hatim. " His house," she replied, " is distant from hence 
 two farasangs." — " Shew me the way thither," said Hatim, " and 
 I will endeavour to save thy kindred." 
 
 The fox hesitated, and said, " O man, how can I trust thee ! Art 
 thou not one of the blood-thirsty race of him that has torn my heart 
 asunder, and will it not be thy delight to lead me also into the snare ? 
 Truly my fate would be like that of the monkey, whose mishap has 
 become a proverb." — " Tell me," said Hatim, " what happened to 
 the monkey?" The fox began as follows : " Once upon a time a 
 monkey with his mate took up their abode in a sequestered spot in 
 the desert of Damaghan, where they soon had a family. A huntsman 
 happened to pass that way, and succeeded in catching all the monkeys 
 except the mother, which effected her escape. Meanwhile the 
 huntsman conveyed the male with the young ones to a nobleman's 
 house, where he disposed of them for a high price, while the poor 
 mother wandered through the desert in all the agonies of despair. 
 Regardless of her life, she at last ventured among the haunts of men ; 
 and having gone before the chief of the province, she stated the 
 cause of her woe, and implored redress, saying, ' Noble sir, as you hope 
 for mercy from God, have pity on my sorrows. A huntsman belong- 
 ing to this place has cruelly deprived me of my husband andfamily.' 
 
 " Now it happened that the chief was the very man to whom the 
 huntsman had sold the monkeys, though ho was not then aware of
 
 200 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 it. lie therefore said to tlie monkey, ' Go, conduct my atteudanta 
 to that huntsman's house, and they are empowered by me to bring 
 the i^anies concerned to my presence. The female monkey accordingly 
 led the way to the house of the huntsman, who instantly ol)eyed the 
 order of the chief. When they returned, the chief said, ' Is it true, 
 huntsman, that you have deprived this poor monkey of her partner 
 and young ones ; and if so, what have you done with them ?' 
 
 " ' It is most true, noble sir, replied he, ' and the very day I caught 
 them I sold them all to your highness. If, however, you are disposed 
 to pity her distress, and restore to her those that are so dear to her, 
 I am most willing to return to your highness the ]irice that was |)aid 
 for them.' On hearing this the chief said, in re[)ly to the huntsman, 
 " What you propose seems very fair ; yet I do not conceive it to be 
 the l)est plan. Now that I have considered the matter seriously, I 
 think the best thing we can do is to detain the female in the same 
 cage Avith her kintked, for I would not give away for any money the 
 monkeys which you sold to me.' 
 
 " But the miseries of the monkey did not cease here. After being 
 for some time confined in the same cage with her young, the prince 
 of Damaghan having heard that the chief had some young monkeys, 
 expressed his wish to have them in his palace. Thus the hapless 
 monkey was doomed to suffer another separation from her young, 
 while her own liberty was lost at the same time. The male had 
 previously died, and now being left solitary, she rejected food and 
 drink, and in a few days escaped from sorrow by the door of death." 
 
 When the fox finished the story of the monkey, slie said to Hatim, 
 "In like manner, it is natural for me to suppose that you will involve 
 me in greater misery." — " Fear me not," said Hatim, " all men are 
 not so treacherous as those you have mentioned." At length the fox 
 led the way in the dark, while Ilatim followed to the huntsman's 
 house, where they arrived about the third watch* of the night. He 
 
 * In the cast, the most ordinary division of time is into watches, or rather was so 
 formerly. In the astronomical day of twenty-four hours (or from sunrise to sun- 
 rise), there are eight watches, or i'dhdrd conscijuently every watch is at an average 
 three hours. The day is divided into four watches, of which the second terminates 
 always at noon, hence do-pahr, i. e. two watches, is synonymous with mid-day ; 
 also si-pahr, or three watches, signifies the afternoon. The night is, in like manner, 
 divided into four watches, the second of wiiich exi)iro3 at midnight. In Hindustan, 
 the yxf/i-r is divided into eight oijual parts, ctiUod ijkiirl, each ci[ual to twontj'-two 
 minutes and a-half. We may add, that in Hindustani, the phrase ath-pahr, or 
 eight watches, siguifie-s perpetual.
 
 HATIM TAi'. 201 
 
 there reposed beneath a tree till the approach of day, while the fox 
 concealed herself in the adjacent forest. When the sun arose from 
 the east, Hatim went to the huntsman's door, and having knocked, 
 requested to be admitted. The huntsman opened the door, and was 
 surprised oil seeing a handsome stranger of noble and ingenuous count* 
 enance standing before him. " Tell me," said he, " sir, who, and 
 whence are you ? I see you are a stranger ; pray what is your business 
 with me ?" — " Worthy sir," replied Ilatim, " I am by birth an Arab ; 
 and the cause of my troubling you so early is this: lam afflicted 
 with a pain through all my joints ; and the physician has advised 
 me to wash my body all over with the warm blood of a fox, whereby 
 my recovery will be complete. Now I have been informed that you 
 have some live foxes, which you lately caught when hunting. I pray 
 you, then, let me have them all, and I will pay you any price you 
 may name for tliem." — " Truly sir," replied the huntsman, " I am 
 glad that I can supply you with foxes ; for here have I not fewer 
 than seven of them, the old one and six cubs, all alive ; trke them, 
 then, at your own price, and I wish you joy of your purchase." 
 
 The huntsman produced the foxes, the male tied by the four feet, 
 and the cubs enclosed in a basket ; and Hatim having paid him a 
 price beyond his expectation, returned to the desert. There he 
 opened the basket, and let out the cubs ; but when he loosened the 
 strings that tied the old fox, he found that the wretched animal had 
 not the power of moving. In fact, it had been strongly fettered by 
 the huntsman, and confined all the time without food or drink, so 
 that the spark of life had almost become extinct. Hatim was about 
 to leave the fox to his fate, saying, " Thy life is at an end, God's 
 will be done ;" when the female approached him, and said, " Gener- 
 ous Hatim, there is yet one remedy that will restore him to life ?" — 
 " Name it," replied Hatim, " and, if possible, I will procure it." — 
 " A cup-full of human blood," rejoined the fox, " warm and newly 
 drawn, will be the means of his complete recovery." On hearing 
 this, Hatim instantly opened a vein in his left arm ; and having drawn 
 a cup'fuU of his own blood, he administered the same to the perishing 
 fox, whereby a perfect cure ensued. He then tied up his wound, 
 while the animals prostrated themselves at his feet in gratitude for 
 his beneficence. 
 
 Hatim then resumed his southward journey, and a few days after, 
 he arrived in a barren desert of burning sand. As he wandered in 
 
 z
 
 202 Tirr. adventures of 
 
 quest of water beneath tho scorching i-ays of a vertical sun, his eye 
 was refreshed with the sight of a venlnnt spot, which indicated the 
 presence of a fountain. Thither he dragged his weary steps, (ill his 
 oye could see the gushing spring, when, lo ! a huge serpent begun to 
 uncoil itself around the brink of the water. Ilatim stood aghnst, for 
 he expected to be swallowed alive ; but the serpent, far from assail- 
 ing him, said in a soft voice, " Brave prince of Yemen, advance and 
 drink ; why do you hesitate ?" Ilatim was only the more astonished 
 on hearing the words of the serpent, and for some time he stood still 
 where he was. Again the serpent said to him, " Fear nothing from 
 me ; the water of this fountain is free for your use, drink and follow 
 me." 
 
 Hatini at length ventured to quench his thirst in the fountain, and' 
 resigning himself to liis fate, he followed the path of the serpent across 
 the desert. In a short time they came to a beautiful garden, in tho 
 centre of whicli was a shady grove lined with the most splendid 
 couches and finest cushions. The serpent conducted Ilatim to this 
 cool and pleasant retreat, and said to him, " Noble Arab, sit down ou 
 this couch, and seciue from danger rest awhile from your fatigue." 
 Having thus spoken, the serpent plunged into a pond of water that 
 ornamented the garden. 
 
 Hatim, fatigued with his late journey, sat down on one of tho 
 couches, and much he marvelled at what took place before him. 
 After he had remained here a short time, admiring the beauty of the 
 surrounding scene, a troop of fairies, beautiful as angels, each bearing 
 a golden tray filled with emeralds, issued from the lake, and having 
 made their obeisance, stood waiting his commands. " Who are you," 
 said Hatim, " and what is your business with me ?" — " We are," 
 replied they, " the faithful sulyccts of him who conducted you hither. 
 He sends you these jewels as a present, and i-equests that you will do 
 him the favour to accept them." — " Convey my thanks to him who 
 sent these jewels," replied Hatim, " and say that I desire them not ; 
 and even if I did, I am alone, and cannot carry them away with me." 
 
 Hatim had scarcely done speaking, when another troop of fairies, 
 bearing trays filled with still more costly jewels, ascended from the 
 Avater. " Who are you," said Ilatim, " and what do you bring in 
 these trays ?" — " They are jewels," replied they, " the most precious 
 that can be procured, which our sovereign hath sent for your accept- 
 ance." — " I am beholden to your sovereign," said Hatim, "but gold
 
 HATIM TAK 203 
 
 and jewels are at present of no use to me." Mcanwliile another troop 
 emerged from the lake, carrying trays of gold and silver filled with 
 all sorts of food and fiiiits. As Hatim had fasted long, the sight of 
 food made his heart rejoice ; but he would not eat of it till he asked 
 for the hospitable sovereign of the place, that ho might have the 
 pleasure of breaking his fast with him, and of thanking him in person. 
 Ere he had done speaking, a young man of l>eautiful countenance, 
 attended by a troop of fairies, ascended from the crystal lake. When 
 Ilatim saw his noble form, he wondered within himself who this 
 could be, and by what strange mystery they all issued from the 
 water. The fairy king approached Hatim ; and after mutual saluta- 
 tion, they both sat down on the same couch. His majesty then 
 addressed Hatim, saying, " Tell me, noble Hatim, do you recognize- 
 me, for this is not our first meeting ?" — " Truly," replied Hatim, " I 
 cannot now recollect of having ever seen vou before." — " I am," 
 resume<l the king, " the serpent that conducted you hither from the 
 fountain in the desert," — " How," said Hatim, " have you so suddeidy 
 passed from a shape the most horrible to a form the most beautiful !" 
 — " The tale is long," replied the king, "and therefore I shall waive 
 the telling of it till we have broken our fast." 
 
 After they had taken food together, they washed their hands from 
 ewers of gold, and the attendants presented them Avith fragrant 
 lM?j-furaes, which they applied to their hands. Ilatim then addressing 
 his royal host, said, " I long to hear, sir, by what strange mystery 
 have I lately seen you in the form of a serpent, and how do I behold 
 you now in human shape ?" The fairy king, smiling, thus replied, 
 " Noble Hatim, know that I am of the fairy race ; and that my name 
 was Shams Shah previous to my transformation into a serpent. In 
 the reign of Sulaiman the prophet (on whom be peace), I was one 
 day seated in my garden in the fairy regions, when thoughts the most 
 diabolical entered my mind. I viewed with impatience the submission 
 of our race to the powerful Sulaimau ; I therefore resolved to collect 
 my troops from all parts of my dominions, and next day descend upon 
 earth and slay the whole of Adam's race. This done, it was my 
 intention to occupy for myself and suljects the terrestrial globe, of 
 which I should become sole monarch. 
 
 " Having formed this resolution, I despatched winged couriers to 
 the utmost bounds of my realms, suuMiioKing the choicest of my 
 warriors to prepare for a dangerous expedition, and to be at the
 
 204- THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ])alace gate completely armed before the dawn of to-morrow. When 
 evening came, I went to sleep as usual ; and next morning, when I 
 awaked, I went out to view my troops. They had indeed repaired 
 to the place of rendezvous, armed as I had ordered ; but to my 
 astonishment, I beheld that their wings had been taken from them. 
 In!<tantly I myself was transformed into a serpent, and since that 
 period I have been doomed to creep the earth, the terror of every 
 creature that beheld me. Days and nights I spent in prayer and 
 supplication, but all of no avail ; the voice of some invisible being 
 used to sound in my years, ' Such shall ever be the fate of him xoho 
 violates his promise.^ This awful voice made me tremble in the 
 consciousness of my guilt ; and I made vows and prayers to the 
 Most High that I should never more let such thoughts enter my 
 mind. The voice at length answered, ' Thy doom is fixed ; wait 
 with patience in the desert till the arrival there of Hatim, prince of 
 Yemen. When he comes, remember that thou administer to his 
 wants, and serve him with thy whole heart and soul; then shalt 
 thou be restored to thy original form, and whatsoever prayers he 
 may offer up in thy behalf before the throne of the Supreme 
 Creator, the same shall be ansicered^ 
 
 " Since the time of Sulairaiin I have been doomed to pass my 
 life under the loathsome form of a serpent ; and it is now thirty years 
 since I removed to this desert, watching night and day for your 
 arrival. To-day, the moment I saw you, I knew you to be the far- 
 famed prince of Yemen ; and now may I request your prayers in my 
 behalf ?" — " Most willingly," replied Hatim, " but first tell me what 
 was the nature of the promise which you have violated ?" — " In the 
 reif^n of Sulaimun," replied the fairy king, " my grandfather entered 
 into a solemn compact with that mighty monarch of the creation, that 
 none of our race should ever injure any of the race of Adam, or on 
 any pretext invade the dominions of the latter, on pain of having our 
 forms changed to that of the brute species. From that day till my 
 rci""n, when, as I have said, the evil spirit entered my heart, 
 this agreement was strictly observed on our part. Now, brave 
 Hatim, I am ready to do what penance you as the representative of 
 your race may ordain ; and I humbly supplicate your prayers in my 
 behalf." 
 
 On hearing this, Hatim devoutly rose up, and having performed 
 liis ablutions aiid clianged Lis garments, he bowed down Lis Lead upou
 
 HATIM TAl. 205 
 
 t.lio Sujjacia,* with his face turned to the sacred Kiljla,|- he prayed 
 for the divine mercy upon him whom heaven liad deemed proper to 
 cliastise. The gracious Creator was pleased to listen to the fervent 
 prayers offered up by his servant Hatim, who, though of the religion 
 of the Jews, yet acknowledged and adored only "the one living and 
 true God." Him alone he praised and worshipped, and served night 
 and day, Hatim also composed a book of devotion, in which he 
 disapproves of all the rites and ceremonies of the Pagans and 
 idolaters. 
 
 We are informed, moreover, that when Hatim found the end of his 
 life approach, he summoned around him all the men and women 
 among his near relations, and thus addressed to them his partino- 
 advice : " My dear friends, our fathers and grandfathers and all our 
 progenitors, have lived in ignorance of the true God, and even we 
 ourselves know little ; but soon will arrive a prophet, the last and 
 the greatest that tliis world is destined to behold. This I speak from 
 my knowledge of futurity, and many of you shall live to see my 
 prophecy fulfilled. He to whom I allude will confer on men the 
 heavenly gift of the true faith. When he comes into the world, 
 commend to him the departed Hatim, and ask his blessing in my 
 l)ehalf." — " But is it certain," said Hatim's friends, "that any of us 
 shall live to see that happy period, and convey to the Prophet thy 
 dying request?" — "Life is uncertain," said Hatim, "but do you 
 make known my request to your children, and let them do the same 
 to their children, it is the last favour I ask of you."J 
 
 It happened in the days of the Prince of Prophets (on whom be the 
 peace and the blessing of God), that the daughter of Hatim, together 
 with her tribe, were taken prisoners and carried before his eminence, 
 who said that, if the tribe of Tai should embrace the true faith, they 
 
 * The Sujjadd is a small carpet upon which Mahommedans prostrate them- 
 selves at prayer. 
 
 f The Kibl^ is that spot to which the Musselmans direct their face in prayer, 
 which is now the temple of Mecca. Jerusalem was the Kibla of the Mahommedans 
 in the early part of Mahomet's life, as it had been of the Jews and Christians 
 previou.sly ; but in the second year of the Hijra, the Caaba of Mecca was fixed 
 upon as the KibM of the Musselmans, and in that directions (as nearly as they can 
 discover) they turn their faces at prayer, in whatever quarter of the world they 
 may be situated. 
 
 J This is a fact, at least it is stated as such by good authors. Of this occurrence 
 a more detailed and accurate account is given in the large historical work of 
 Mirkhond, entitled, " Rozat-Us-Suffa." — Vide Preface.
 
 I'OG THE AUVENTURES OP 
 
 ,>^li()iiltl lie itll set .'it liltcrly. The tribe of Tn'i seoviifiilly rcjecfcil (iio- 
 l)ro]H).sal, rcfusiiii^ to abaiulon tlie failli ot" tlicir CalhcM-s : wlici-eiiixiu 
 ilic |iro])liC'tNinl('i-('(l llii'in nil Ini* ('xcculidii. When tlio tfue Itelievt-rs 
 Iind led tlic trilic of 'J'ai to the place of execution. Hat iin's daughtcT 
 icuKMiihcred the woi'ds of her fatiier, and said to the folh)wcrs of the 
 ])r()|)het, " Dehiy yoiM' pni'pose for a l)rief space, ye true believers ! 
 (io to tlie chief of created beinjis (may the l)lessin<<; of God be on liim 
 and liis race), and say that the daugliter of Hatim hinul)!}'^ i-eqnests 
 to be heard in behalf of Irt tribe." When the ])rophet heard the 
 message, he instantly ordered her to be released, ])eing tlie daughter 
 ol' a man whose fame for generosity was immortal. The messenger 
 i('lui-ned, and said to her, " It is the pleasure of his eminence that 
 vou be instantly set free, and safely eonve3'ed to your OAvn country ;. 
 ]>ut your refractory tribe must suffer death." On hearing this 
 sentence, the daughter of Ilatim proudly addressed (hem, saying,. 
 " Think not that I have so little of my father's generous spirit as ta 
 :icce|)t from you either freedom or a paltry existence, while I leave 
 mv fiicnds to suffer under your cruelty. Whatever be the fate of my 
 companions, let that fate be mine." The executioners again informed 
 the prophet that HaLira's daughter would on no account part with 
 hci' Iribe. His eminence admired her nolile conduct, and said to his 
 atlendants, " Release the whole of the ti'ibe of Tai, foi- the sake both 
 of the father aiul the daughter." 
 
 When Hatim's daughter and her tiil)e were released, the 'lying 
 precept of her father again recurred to her memoiy. She requested 
 to have an interview wiih his eminence, which was granted. She 
 then stated what her father bad foretold on his death-bed ; and in 
 t^hort, she and her tribe on that same day embraced the true fate.* 
 
 But to return to the fairy king. After Halim had offered up hJs 
 ])rayers in behalf of that mce, both the king and his subjects were 
 restored to their original form. After the fairies had ex])re.'?sed their 
 gratitude to Hatim, the king said to him, '• Providence had long 
 lorc-ordaiiu'il that you should visit our distressed race ; luit, may I 
 jisk what has been the real object of your toilsome journey hither 
 and to what ])lace are you bound ?" — "The object of my journey," 
 re]ilied he, " is to visit the island of Binzakh, where I expect to 
 
 * The preceding episode is (we suppose) inserted to sliew that Hatim was a good 
 ^lalionimedan (/e facto, if not (/e jiiir, and consecpiently tliat his prayers were highly 
 cllicacious.
 
 HATIM TAl. 207 
 
 procure a pearl similar <o this model ;" wliereiiimii lie shewed iIh; 
 fairv-kiuff the model he had taken in silver oflliisu Baiin's pearl. 
 Shams Shah view^'d it for some time, and said to Ilatiin, " The prince 
 of Burzakh has indeed a pearl exactly of this size, hut it is to be i^ot 
 from him only on one condition : he who can tell the history of the 
 pearl shall have both the pearl and the daughter. But how will you 
 be able to reach that ishind ? the distance is great, and the route 
 dangerous." — " I am prepared for the worst," replied Ilatim ; 
 " therefore let fate take its course." — " You cannot escape with life," 
 said Shams Shah, " for the road is infested Avith men-devouring 
 defnons." — " God," i-ejoined Hatim, " will be my protector." — " True," 
 said the fairy king, " but to ensnre your safety, some of the boldest of 
 my subjects shall go witli yon as guides." The king having thus 
 spoken, addressed those around him, and said, " My good friends, you 
 are well aware that to this generous man we owe our release li'om the 
 bondage in which we have lately been. Now he has an arduous 
 journey to perform : his lousiness is important, and the road full ol' 
 danger, I call upon the bravest of you, then, as you love your king, 
 to accompany this noble prince, and be his protectors on the way." — 
 The fairies volunteered their services, saying, " Sire, tell us the nature 
 of the difficulties which this prince has to encounter, and we will 
 endeavour to obviate the same with our whole heart and soul." 
 
 The fairy king minutely detailed the object of Hatim's journey : 
 on the hearing of which, the fairies were a little staggered in their 
 resolution, and said, " The journey to the island of Burzakh is truly 
 dangerous ; but if your majesty in person deign to accom})any us 
 thither, so that we may have an experienced leader in case of a war 
 with the demons, we are ready to go this moment ; otherwise, we 
 pray to be excused." — " Well," said the king, " it is but right that I 
 should do all that is in my power to serve the prince of Yemen. 
 Therefore, as his safety requires it, I will follow you at a distance, so 
 that he may come by no harm on the road." The king made instant 
 prei)aration, and having girded on his armour, he ordered four of his 
 people to place Hatim on a golden litter and carry him on their 
 shoulders. The order was speedily executed, and four fairies swift 
 of wing seizing each a foot of the couch, soared aloft with their 
 Iturden into the aerial regions. Three days and nights they ti-aversed 
 tlie air, when they found it necessary to alight in order to procure for 
 their charge some food and drink. The place where they halteil was
 
 208 THE AnVKNTUllES OF 
 
 Avilliin the territories of the tlemoiis, a circumstance of which they 
 Avere not aware. Two of the fairies went in quest of food, while the 
 other two reniainctl to guard Ilatim. It happened that a troop of 
 demons on a hunting excursion passed that spot, and on seeing the 
 golden couch on which one of Adam's race reclined, with two fairies 
 standing by, they without ceremony took possession of the prize. 
 The demons were so numerous, and their arrival so sudden, that tlie 
 two fairies stood panic-struck, without otiering the least resistance. 
 Their first effort was to fly away ; but despair supplied them with 
 courage, and the next moment they made a desperate assault u[)on 
 their enemies, of whom they slew numbers. A.t last, however, the 
 demons won the battle, and the two fairies along Avith llalim were 
 made prisoners, and conveyed to the dwelling of the demon-chief. 
 There the fairies were first questioned, " Who is this man, and whence 
 have you brought him ?" — " This is Hatim, prince of Yemen," they 
 replied, '* to Avhom we and our gracious monarch Shams Shah owe 
 our restoration hi to life. Oh, chief of the demons, spare our lives 
 for the sake of this brave man ; and woe be to you should aught evil 
 befall him." 
 
 On hearing this, the demon said to them, " What Is this I hear ? 
 Shams Shah has not been heard of for many centuries ; how dare 
 you say, then, that he is now alive ?" The fairies detailed all the 
 facts connected with their king ; on the hearing of which, the demon 
 maintained a long silence, as if meditating what course to adopt. At 
 last he formed his resolution, and said to those near him, " Take the 
 man and the two fairies to the deepest of our dungeons ; there secure 
 them till to-morrow, when we shall devour them." The sentence 
 was speedily executed, and Ilatim Avith his two companions were cast 
 into a dark and loathsome pit. 
 
 Meanwhile the two fairies Avho had gone in search of food, on 
 returning to the spot Avhcre they hnd left Ilatim, were astonished at 
 seeing the ground covered Avith blood, and strewed with the carcases 
 of demons. They looked every Avhere for their charge and their 
 friends, but no trace of either could they find. They said the one to 
 the other, " Of Avhat race are these demons, and how came they to 
 be slain here ? But ai)ove all, Avhat is become of Ilatim and our 
 companions ? I fear they have been attacked and overpowered liy 
 the demons that infest these regions. Let us ascertain the fact, and 
 quickly give intelligence of it to our king." Having formed this
 
 HATIM TAl. 209 
 
 resolution, the two fairies approached the spot, expecting to find the 
 dead bodies of their companions. In their course of the search, 
 they found one of tiie demons grievously wounded, but not dead. 
 They quickly gave him water to drink, and tied up his wounds, so 
 that in a short time he recovered. 
 
 The fairies questioned him, saying, " Who are you, and to what 
 tribe do you belong ?" He replied, " I am of that race of demons 
 whose chief is Mukarnas ; a party of us were hunting to-day in this 
 neighbourhood, when we chauced to surprise two fairies and a man, 
 with whom we had a battle, iu which I received these wounds. The 
 demons conquered, and by this time they are feasting on the blood of 
 their foes." The fairies, on hearing this, speedily bore off the demon ; 
 and having returned to their own country in the space of three days, 
 they presented themselves breathless before vShams Shah. The king 
 said to them, " How is this ? did I not send you to Burziikh in 
 charge of the prince of Yemen ? how dare you, then, sliew your 
 faces here ?" 
 
 The fairies trembling, i-eplicd, " Gracious sire, three days and nights 
 "we si>ed towards Burzakh ; but at length hunger and thirst assailed 
 both us and the prince. We then placed the litter in the shade of a tree, 
 and two of us went in quest of food, while the other two remained to 
 protect Hatim. When we returned, we found the spot cov^ered with 
 the carcases of demons, and from one of the wounded we learnt the 
 sad news of the capture of the prince and our two companions. Had 
 we known the dangers of the place, we should not have halted there ; 
 but God had decreed otherwise. On questioning the wounded demon, 
 he informed us that the country belonged to Mukarnas, to whose 
 presence the prince of Yemen and the two fairies were conveyed." 
 
 Shams Shah being highly grieved, ordered them to produce the 
 wounded demon, whom he thus addressed, " How dares your chief 
 Mukarnas lay violent hands on my subjects ? Truly he has forgotten 
 himself ; but he shall feel my resentment." — " Sire," said the demon, 
 " my chief had heard for certain that you had been dead for many 
 centuries ; and though both the two fairies and tlie man informed 
 him of the contrary, the tale was so extravagant that he could not 
 believe it." Shams Shah turned to his oiRcers, and said, " Prepare 
 the whole of my army for an instant expedition." 
 
 The order was quickly obeyed, and thirty thousand of the choicest 
 troops stood armed and ready at his gate. The king put himself at 
 
 A 1
 
 210 THE ADVENTUllES OF 
 
 their hejid, and swift as the lightning they winged their way tlirongh 
 the air. In three days they reaclicd ilie territories of Muk:irnas. 
 There they lialted, and the king despatched scouts to procure intelli- 
 gence of the enemy's quarters ; " be wary," he said, "and quickly 
 bring me Avord where the demon chief" holds his court, and in what 
 he is engaged." 
 
 The scouts soon returned, and said, " That Mukarnas, accompanied 
 by his demons, was then out hunting ; and that they knew the very 
 spot whei'e they were." Siiains Siiah then adih'essed his troops, and 
 made them swear by the seal of Sulaiman that they would fiercely 
 assail the demons, that they would slay them witliout mercy, and 
 spare none. The fairies one and all took the solemn oath ; and on 
 receiving the signal from their king, they surprised the demons when 
 hunting, slew the greater part of them, and matle prisoners of Mukarnas 
 and such of his subjects as survived. Shams Shah gave ortlers for 
 their immediate execution 4 but he first sent for Mukarnas into his 
 presence, and said to him, " Accursed fiend, hast thou forgot me ? 
 hast thou not been well informed that I was alive ? Thou hast treated 
 with violence and oppression both my own sul)jects and a man who 
 is under my protection ; dost thou not tremble at the thoughts of my 
 revenge ? Tell me this instant, what hast thou done with the prince 
 of Yemen and his guides ?" — " I, along with my 'friends, feasted on 
 their carcases," replied he, " the moment they Avere brought before 
 me." — " False demon," rejoined the king ; " did not your ancestors 
 swear before the mighty Sulaiman, that neither they uor their posterity 
 should ever injure one of the human race ?" — " Well," said the demon, 
 " whei'e is the powerful Sulaiman now, and when did I bow to him 
 in servitude ?" 
 
 Shams Shah said no more, but ordered them to pile together a 
 quantity of dried wood, and when kindled to its height, hurl the 
 demon into the flames. When the fiend saw that there was no escape, 
 he said to the fairy king, " Will you give me my life, if I produce 
 the man you mentioned ?" — " If you bring me the man safe," replied 
 he, " there shall be no enmity between us." The demon made the 
 fairy king swear to this by the soul of Sulaiman, and then said, " Send 
 some of your attendants to ray dungeon, where they will find both 
 the man and his companions still alive." The fairies accordingly 
 went and broke open the dungeon, and having released llatim and 
 his guides, they conveyed them before the king."
 
 HATIM TAl. 211 
 
 Sliams Shah was overjoyed in once more meeting with Hatim, 
 They sat down to(j;ether antl ate food ; after which, the faiiy king 
 said to liis attendants, " It would be a crime to spare the life of such 
 a monster as this demon, therefore cast him instantly into the fire." — 
 '' How," said the demon, " darest thou violate thy most sacred oath ?" 
 — " What hast thou to do with oaths ?" returned Shams Shah,. " thy 
 whole life has beeua lie ; and who can blame me, if for the welfare- 
 of my fellow-creatures, I disregard my promise to you ?" In short, . 
 the fairy king destroyed the whole race of demons in that region, and 
 appointed- one of his own officers ruler of the conquered territory. 
 He then addressed himself to Hatim, and said, " My dearest friend, 
 what do yon now intend to do ?" — " I hold the same resolution," 
 replied Hatim, '• as when I formerly left you," The king hearing 
 this, selected from among his troops four fairies of long experience, 
 and endowed with superior skill and bravery, and commanded them 
 to convey Hatim safe to the end of his journey. These seized each 
 a foot of the golden couch whereupon Hatim was seated, and soared 
 aloft towards the sky. Night and day they continued their course ; 
 and when hunger or thirst assailed them, they took care to select a 
 safe place whei-e to halt. One day they were resting upon the 
 summit of a mountain, where a fairy prince most, beautiful of count- 
 enance liad taken, up his abode. This was the prince of the island of 
 Tuman, who had fallen desperately in love with the daughter of the 
 king of Burz^kh. He had sought for that solitary spot to give way 
 to his sorrow and anguish. The voice of his lamentation reached the 
 ear of Hatim, who said to his guides, "My dear friends, . there is 
 some one near us who feels the pangs of sorrow ; let us see what is 
 the- cause of his grief" He quickly started from his couch, and< 
 following the direction of the sound, became to the enamoured prince. 
 He said to him, "Tell me,. my friend, who are you ; and why do you 
 make the rocks re-echo to the sound of your lamentation?" 
 
 The fairy prince raised his eyes, and saw beside liim a man of 
 noble form and pleasant aspect : he said to him, "Tell me first, son 
 of Adamj who are you, and what is your business liere ?" — " It has 
 been the will of God the Supi-eme," said'Hatim, "that I should visit 
 this spot." — "But tell me," said the- fairy, "what is the object of 
 your journey hitiier ?" — " I have travelled thus far," replied Hatim^. 
 " in quest of the pearl, of the murghab,. which I am informed is in the 
 possession of the prince of Burzukh, He puts a question to every
 
 212 THE ADVENTUllKS OF 
 
 cniulidatc for tlio pearl, Avbidi no one has yet answered." — " You say 
 right," said the fairy prince, "and even we who are of the fairy race 
 are nnahle to tell the history of the pearl ; how then do you, a mere 
 mortal, imagine that you will succeed ?" — " For my own part/' 
 replied Hatim, " my trust is in God ; but tell me in the mean time 
 Avhat is the cause of your sorrow, and why have you chosen for your 
 dwelling this solitary mountain ?" The fairy prince replied, "Alas ! 
 I too am enamoured of the beautiful daughter of Mahyar, the prince 
 of the island of Burzilkli. One day in my father's court I heard my 
 friends speak in the highest terms of the beauty ami excellence of 
 this peerless damsel, whereby I lost the reins of my heart. I instantly 
 went to the palace of Mahyjir, and informed him by message of my 
 wish to marry his daughter. He admitted me to an audience ; and 
 liaving produced the pearl of the murghctb, he asked me if I could 
 tell the history of it. As I was quite unprepared for such a question, 
 and utterly ignorant of the nature of the pearl, I could of course give 
 no reply. I was then ordered to quit the court ; and as I was coming 
 out at the door, I happened to see the lady standing in the balcony of 
 her window. The moment I beheld her my heart was piei'ced, and I 
 became like one mad. In the agonies of despair I fled to this moun- 
 tain, where I speud my nights and days in lamentation and sighs. I 
 lono- for death to relieve me of my sorrow, since the idol of my heart 
 can never be mine." 
 
 When Hatini heard the prince's history, he said to him, " Despair 
 not, my friend, for I expect to succeed ; and if I gain the prize, the 
 daughter shall be your's and the pearl mine." — " Your proposal is 
 generous," replied the fairy prince, " but excuse me if I say, that I 
 doubt your success." — " Listen," said Ilatim, " and I shall tell you 
 the nature of this pearl, which not only resembles, but is the egg of a 
 murflial>. The island of Burzakh Avas originally inhabited by the 
 human species — but the tale is long, and it would be better that you 
 should once more approach the court of Mahyar along with me.'* 
 The fairy prince accordingly rose up ; and having thanked Hatim 
 for his good intentions, accompanied him to the litter. There they 
 both sat ; and Hatim said to his guides, *' Will you be able to carry 
 us two to the island of Burzakh ?" — "Nay," replied they, " we could 
 have carried four of you with the utmost ease." Without further 
 delay, the ftiirles lifted the chair, and soared aloft towards the 
 clouds.
 
 HA'I'JM TA'l. :^ir> 
 
 It iKippeiK'd that they had to jniss ovei* the territory of'adcinoti 
 prince, whose name was Muhaikai, who having scented them from 
 a far, said to his satellites, " I know that some of the faiiy rare are 
 Avithiii my dominions ; seize them instantly, and bring them to my 
 presence." The demons immediately were on the wing ; and after 
 four days of close pursuit, they overtook the fairies with the golden 
 litter on which were Hatim and his friend, and brought them all to 
 the presence of their prince. " Tell me," said he to ihe fairies, 
 "who are you, and whence have you brought this man ?" — " We are 
 the sulijects of Shams Shah," replied the fairies. — " Impossible," 
 rejoined the demon, " it is more than a thousand years since Shams 
 Shah has been heard of, and the very place of his abode is now over- 
 run with serpents." — " True," replied the fairies, " we had been 
 transformed into serpents ; but by the prayers of this worthy man, 
 we have been restored to our original shape." — " Well," resumed the 
 demon, "now tell me where do you intend to carry this man ?" — 
 " To the island of Burzukh," they replied. " And who is the other 
 companion ?" asked the demon. The fairy prince himself replied, 
 " I hope I am not unknown to Muhaikai, to whom my family is 
 distantly related." — " Truly, I am much surprised, young prince," 
 said the demon, " to find you associate with any of the race of Adam ; 
 but fear nothing from me, my business is with your companion." 
 The demon then seized Hatira, and lifted him from the couch ; when 
 the fairy prince interposed, and said, " Beware Muhaikai : are you 
 not bound by oath to Sulaiman himself, never to injure any of Adam's 
 race ?" The demon, with a fiendish smile, said in return, " Where 
 is Sulaiman now, that I should regard my oath to him ? In truth, I 
 mean to devour this son of Adam, therefore waste not your breath." 
 The fairy prince well knew the treacherous nature of the demon, he 
 therefore resolved to meet him on his own ground, and said to him, 
 " Mighty prince, it is beneath your dignity to stoop to the devouring 
 of one man; leave him to me then, as the success of my present 
 undei-taking depends upon him, and I promise to send you at least ten 
 men in his stead." 
 
 To this proposal the demon readily agreed, and said, " Noble 
 fairy, I am most willing to accommodate you, as we are in some 
 degree related to each other. Let this man in the mean time be 
 secured in my castle, while you go for the ten men you promised, 
 and when you return with these, I will make him over to you."
 
 L'l-t THK AUVKNITRKS OF 
 
   — " Agreed," ^••aitl (lie f'uirv piiiice. " 1 ii!*k only fuur days for my 
 arrangpment ; luit I will imt suti'er you to shut up this iiiiiii in one of 
 your dungeons." — " Place him where you choose," said the demon, 
 "only let him be strictly guarded hy my subjects.'' 
 
 Near that spot there happened to he a pleasant garden ; it was 
 therefore agreed that Hatim should remain there under the guard of 
 the demons, during the ahsence of the fairy piince. Meanwhile tho 
 prince, with the four fairies that ha<l conducted Hatim thither, 
 withdrew to a sequestered spot, and held a consultation as to further 
 proceedings : " if," said the prince, " we return to your king, and 
 solicit his aid with that of his forces, the stipulated time will have 
 expired long before we can return, and the demon will assuredly 
 devour our friend. Let us, then, remain here in concealment, and 
 watch a favourable moment when the demons are off their guai-d ; 
 then let us enter the garden, and having carried off the prince of 
 Yemen, let us trust to the swiftness of our wings." 
 
 The four fairies applauded the proposal ; and at the hour of mid- 
 night, when the demons had fastened the door of the garden and 
 betaken themselves to repose, the fairies took up the golden litter and 
 flew softly over the wall. They looked warily around them, and 
 found the demons all buried in sleep. Hatim, exhausted with sorrow 
 and despair, had also sought refuge in slumber under the shade of a 
 tree. They lifted him gently from the ground, and having laid him 
 on the litter along with the fairy prince, swift as the wind they 
 resumed their aerial voyage. For- the remainder of that night they 
 winged their way with the utmost speed, and at the dawn of day they 
 came to a place of safety, where they halted for refreshment audi 
 repose. 
 
 To return to the demons. When daylight shone, and when they 
 saw the gates firmly fixed, as on the preceding evening, they conclud- 
 ed that their prisoner was secure within, and thus they continued 
 their watch for the appointed period of four days, while the fairies, 
 on the other hand, were m<aking the best use of their time. On the 
 last day of the stipulated time, Muhaikal was anxiously waiting the 
 return of the fairy prince ; and when the hour of noon expired, he- 
 said to his satellites, " I see these fairies have not thought proper to- 
 keep their promise ; thoy have gone and left tJie man to his fate. 
 Let him be brought forth then immediately, that we may feast upon 
 him." The demons opened the strong gates, and on entering the
 
 HATIM TAl. 215 
 
 garden, what was their di«ippointnieiit on tinding their charge carried 
 ott' ! They returnetl to their chief, and intbrmed hiin of the fact. 
 Mulmikal was highly enraged, and ortlered the sentinels to be punish- 
 ed with stripes, and then cast into a dungeon. In vain did they swear 
 by Sulaimau, that they were not in the least privy to Hatim's escape ; 
 the chief believed them not, and they wei'e di-agged to torture. 
 
 By the time the fairies had reached the boundaries of the desert of 
 Kahrman, one of Muhaikal's demons, who had left the court of his 
 chief on the day when Hatim had been taken, happened to meet them. 
 The demon at once recognized the fairies, and understood the case. 
 He knew that his mastei" had sharpened his teeth in order to feast on 
 the man, he tlierefore endeavoured to seize Hatim and carry him off 
 by force ; but the fairy prince quickly drew his sword, and severed 
 the intruder's right hand from his body. The demon, furious with 
 pain and disappointment, said to the prince, " Well, you shall pay 
 dearly for this ; you have cut off my hand when doing my duty 
 towards my chief. I will inform the whole of my race of your 
 treachery and violence, and the fiercest revenge will be the 
 consequence." 
 
 Meanwhile the fairies addressed Hatim, saying, " Brave prince of 
 Yemen, we are now arrived at the line of separation between the 
 fairies and the demons, beyond which we dare not advance." — 
 *' Farewell, then, my good friends," replied Hatim, " I have myself the 
 means of succeeding in the remainder of my journey." The fairies 
 here left him, except the prince of Tuman, who had an equal share of 
 interest in the adventure. As they were about to enter the great 
 desert which limited the region of the demons, Hatim asked hia 
 companion if he thought it safe to advance. " Truly, prince of 
 Yemen," replied the other, " no creature except a demon can with 
 safety approach these regions." — " Cannot any of the fairy race visit 
 them ?" i-esumed Hatim. " The fairies," replied the prince, " though 
 not safe, have least to fear, as there is at present a truce between 
 themselves and the demons, which was ratified, after a bloody battle 
 fought on these plains. The kings of both races took the field with 
 the whole of their forces, and vast was the number of the slain, while 
 victory inclined to neither side. At length peace was concluded, 
 and the demons swore by Sulaimau of Iram never more to injure 
 any of the fairy race ; but they scruple not to violate their solemn 
 oath to us, and to mankind they are most inveterate foes." — " Enough,"
 
 21G Tilfi ADVKNTL'RliS OF 
 
 said IJatiin ; " suppose I had tlio power of transj'orminj^ myself into 
 tJie likeness of a demon, and thus pass ill safety through their terri- 
 tory ; would you venture to accompany me?" — "Not publicly," 
 I'eplied the fairy, " Init I could easily succeed: during the day I 
 should soar among the clouds, and at night I should descend to your 
 place of rest." 
 
 Hatim immediately took a vessel full of water, and having burnt 
 the coloured feathers of the nutika, he made the mixture as he had 
 been directed. He then cast oifhis garment, and washed his whole 
 body from head to foot, when, lo I his colour was black, and his 
 shape became that of a hideous demon. When the fairy prince saw 
 this frightfid transformation, he was greatly astonished, and said to 
 Hatim, " Wcnd^rful man, tell me to what bird belong these feathers, 
 which possess such potent qualities?" — " 1 procured them," replied 
 Hatim, " from a rare bird called the niitika, the eggs of which are 
 pearls such as that in the possession of Mahy^r of Burzakh." Hatim 
 then detailed the occurrL-UL-e of the tree where he listened to the 
 conversation of the birds, but the information respecting the history 
 of the pearl in question he prudently withheld till they should arrive 
 at the court of Mahyiir. 
 
 The fairy prince had now full reliance on Hatini's skill and vvisdoni, 
 and his heart rejoiced within him as the prospect of success brightened. 
 The two friends commenced their journey ; and when Hatim entered 
 the land of the demons, he met with no interruption, for they all took 
 him for one of their own rac(\ After some days had thus passed, it 
 happened that as Hatim and his fairy friend met to repose for the 
 night, they were observed by one of the demon race. He went and 
 informed his neighbours, that in a certain spot a demon had taken up 
 his night's rest, and that a fairy had descended from the sky at the 
 same time, as if the meeting had been preconcerted. The demons 
 very soon assembled round the two travellers ; and said one to 
 another, " These are strangers, and one of them is a fairy : Ave had 
 better carry them before our king, that they may give an account of 
 themselves. To this proposal one of the demons would not assent ; 
 and said, '* My dear friends, why should we on mere suspicion oppi-ess 
 these innocent strangers ? One of tiiem is of our own race, and with 
 the fairies we have no enmitv." 
 
 The prince of Tfiman happened to be awake, and was listening to 
 this coni'erence, which ended in favour of those who were for making
 
 HATIM TAi". 217 
 
 the strangers prisoners. He awaked Hatini, who addressed the 
 demons in their own language, saying, " Friends, we have travelled 
 far, and being fatigued, we here sought repose. Why have you 
 disturbed our slumbers, and what is your business with us ?" — " We 
 wish to know," they replied, " who you are ?" — " For me," said 
 Hatira, " I am a helpless stranger wandering I knoAv not whither. 
 Shams Shah, the king of the fairies, has exterminated the tribe of 
 Mukarnas, and burnt their dwellings, which is the cause of my being 
 here. This he has done for the sake of one of the race of Adam, 
 who is miw journeying to the island of Burzakh. Now if you wish 
 to serve your prince effectually, go and search for the man on whose 
 account such a havoc has been committed, and leave peaceful 
 travellers like myself and my companion to go their own way." — 
 " If your tribe," resumed the demon, " has thus suffered, how can you 
 associate with a faiiy ? Tell us of what tribe is your friend." — " He 
 is prince of Tuman," replied Hatim, " and one of your allies." — 
 " Enough said," returned the demons, " you may sleep secure, none 
 of us shall disturb you, as we may find better occupation in capturing 
 the man whom you mention." 
 
 The demons departed ; and Hatim, addressing the fairy prince, 
 said, " Let us arise, and speed hence ; the demon race is not to be 
 trusted." They accordingly set off, and journeyed without intermis- 
 sion till the evening of the third day, when they arrived on the sea- 
 shore. " This," said the fairy prince, " is the sea of Kahrman, in 
 which is situated the island of Burzakh." — "How are we to cross ?" 
 said Hatim, " for so far as my eye can reach, I see not any vessel on 
 that wide ocean." — " I shall find means for crossing the sea," replied 
 the fairy, " for at a distance of nine farasangs hence, there is a 
 province where winged horses are bred. These animals can fly to 
 any distance across the widest ocean, nor does the storm of the deep 
 inteiTupt their course. Do you, then, remain here during my 
 absence, and I will go forthwith and procure two winged horses, by 
 means of which, success will crown her adventure." 
 
 The prince of Tuman left Hatim on the sea-shore, and swiftly 
 cleft the air with his pinions till he reached the country of the 
 winged horses. As he was intimate with the prince of that province, 
 he was speedily admitted to an interview, and after mutual salutation, 
 the fairy prince stated the object of his visit, saying, " I require two 
 of your swiftest steeds, in order to cross the sea to Burzakh : if you do 
 
 B 2
 
 218 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 me this favour, you will have a claim to my services for life." On 
 hearing his request, the prince gave him his choice of all his winged 
 horses ; and the prince of Tiiman having selected the two he 
 "Considered best, returned to his companion. 
 
 'The two fi-iends immediately mounted ; and when Hatim saw the 
 Ihorses spread their wings and soar aloft like eagles among the clouds, 
 his astonishment was beyond description ; and so swift was their 
 flight, that he could scarcely keep his seat. In a few days half the 
 ■distance was run down ; but Hatim was so overcome with huno-er. 
 thirst, and sleep, that he found it impossible to proceed further. He 
 mentioned his distress to the fairy prince, who handed a kind of small 
 apple, saying, " Eat even a few grains of this rare fruit, and all your 
 weariness will be dispelled," Hatim immediately tasted of the apple, 
 and the effect was miraculous ; he felt his strength and vigour restor- 
 ed, nor did he during the rest of the passage feel the least fatigued. 
 
 A few days afterwards the horses descended upon tlie further 
 shore of the sea of Kahrman. Hatim rejoiced to find himself safe on 
 land ; and said to his companion, " My dear friend, surely we have 
 passed the island of Burzukh, which, as I am informed, is in the 
 midst of the sea." — " Noble Arab," replied the fairy, *' this is part of 
 the island where we have landed, but it will take ten days more to 
 reach the capital ; and now that I think of it, I shall by your leave 
 go and assemble my own troops, that they may accompany us 
 thither," — " Think better of it," said Hatim, " are we forsooth 
 going to wage war with Mahyar Sulaimani ?" — " No," said the fairy 
 prince, " but I know that we shall meet with many interruptions, and 
 that soon, unless we use this precaution." — " What time will be 
 requisite for you," asked Hatim, *' to assemble your troops and return 
 hither ?" — " You may for certain expect me," answered the fairy, 
 " by the end of seven days." 
 
 The fairy prince took leave of Hatim, who when left thus solitary, 
 began to explore the surrounding country. He soon came to a 
 fragrant garden, the doors of which were all wide open. He entered ; 
 and his eyes were delighted with the sight of trees, which bore loads 
 of fruit of every size and colour, and of finer quality than he had ever 
 met with. Thus Hatim enjoyed himself for the week, walking 
 undisturbed in the wide garden. The horses, too, were so tame and 
 so attached to him, that during the day they grazed on the sea-shore, 
 and at night they returned to the door of the garden.
 
 HATIM TAi", 219^ 
 
 Meanwhile the fairy prince reached his paternal dominions. When 
 his subjects saw him, they quickly conveyed the glad tidings to his 
 father and mother, who came out to meet their beloved son. After 
 mutual greeting, the father thus spoke : " My dear son, it is long 
 since you left us at the head of your troops on an expeditions to the 
 island of Burzakh. How did it happen that you absconded from your 
 army ? Thought you not of the distress and sorrow which we must 
 have endured by your absence ? But I will not upbraid you, my 
 beloved son ; tell me at once, have you attained the object of your 
 wish." 
 
 The prince, with tears in his eyes, replied, " Forgive me, father, 
 liow could I expect success when I have acted so regardless of you ? 
 Since my departure, I have met with nothing but pain and disappoint- 
 ment, till lately when my destinies have proved favourable. I have 
 found a sincere friend in the noblest of the human race. Hatim Ta'i, 
 the prince of Arabia, is now journeying from Shahabad for the pearl 
 of the Murghiib, which is in the possession of Mahy^Ir. He found me 
 sad and solitary in the cavern of a mountain ; he learned from me the 
 eause of my sorrow, and said to me in the voice of benevolence, 
 " Despair nor^ my friend, I am confident that I shall succeed ; and as 
 I desire only the pearl, I will bestow the lady upon you." This, my 
 father, is not a vain promise, for Hatim is pure in heart and sincere 
 in speech." 
 
 When the father and mother heard this statement, they laughed 
 at the prince's credulity, while the former said to him in reply, 
 " Truly, my son, you are more simple and inexperienced than I 
 thought you. The most skilful of our own race have in vain endeav- 
 oured to procure that pearl ; how then can a mere mortal of the race 
 of Adam, who knows nothing of our secret arts, be expected to 
 succeed in such an undertaking ? Are you really so foolish as to 
 build your hope on such a slender foundation ?" — "Father," replied 
 the prince, " Hatim is a man of surpassing wisdom. He has travelled 
 much, and has made himself acquainted with all the mystic sciences 
 of the sublunary creation. With this intent he has accompanied me 
 across the sea of Kahrman, and is now waiting my return on the 
 coast of Burzukh." — " Well, my son," said the king, " tell me your 
 present purpose in parting with him, and in coming hither ?" — " To» 
 obtain from you a convoy of your best troops," replied the prince,_ 
 "that we may proceed in. safety to the court of Mahyar."
 
 220 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 The king, after brief consideration, summoned twelve thousand of 
 his chosen troops, which he appointed as guards for his son. The 
 prince took an affectionate leave of his parents, and at the head of his 
 •select army, departed for the island of Burzakh, while the king 
 i-aised recruits to supply their place. In little more than the appointed 
 time, the prince arrived in the island of Burzakh, and surrounded by 
 his troops, passed the night in the garden where Hatim had resided, 
 and next morning they commenced their march towards the capital. 
 Meanwhile Mahyar Sulaimani received intelligence that a host of 
 fairies numerous as the sand had landed in a remote corner of the 
 island ; whereupon he quickly led forth his own forces, so as to be 
 ready to receive them, should their intention prove hostile. 
 
 "When Hatim and the fiiiry prince with their chosen band approached 
 the capital of Burzakh, they were surprised on seeing an army vastly 
 superior to their own, prepared to dispute their passage. They soon 
 discovered that these were the troops of the watchful INIahjar, and 
 that no time was to be lost in coming to a proper explanation. The 
 fairy prince despatched a messenger to state that his object was peace 
 and amity, not strife and bloodshed ; and that he came solely to visit 
 the prince of Burzakh. The noble Mahyar instantly commissioned in 
 return the commander of his army with orders to state to the prince 
 of Zuman, that if he came in peace, no one should molest him, and 
 that his visit was extremely welcome. 
 
 In short, Hatim and his friend along with their convoy were 
 allowed to enter the capital ; and after they had been hospitably 
 entertained, Mahyar sent them a message requesting to know tlie 
 object of their visit. " Say to Mahyar," replied the faiiy prince to 
 the messenger, " that the last time I visited him I was doomed to 
 experience a painful disappointment ; that at present I have accom. 
 panied hither the noblest of mankind, who has come from afar on a 
 similar purpose." Mahyar gave orders for their immediate admission 
 to his presence, and addressing Hatim, said, " Tell me, prince of 
 Yemen, what has been your object in visiting my dominions ? Hatim 
 produced the silver model of the pearl of the murgliab, and related 
 his past history so far as it concerned Husn Banu and Munlr. " The 
 lady," concluded Hatim, " has imposed upon me as her sixth task, to 
 procure her a match to this pearl." — " And where" said Mahyar, 
 " can you find a pearl similar to her's ?" — " I have been informed," 
 replied Hatim, " that the only one equal to it in the world is in your
 
 HATIM TAl. 22T 
 
 possession ; and my journey hither has been on that, account." — 
 " Well," resumed Mahyar, " I have such a pearl in my palace ; and 
 if you fulfil my conditions, you shall have both the pearl and my 
 daughter." 
 
 Hatim remained some time silent, and after mature reflection, said, 
 "The pearl alone can be of service to me ; but I have no intention to 
 accept the daughter." — " If you gain the pearl," said the king of 
 Burzakh, " you shall be free to accept my daughter or not, only she 
 shall be entirely at your disposal, and you may bestow her on whom 
 you please." Hatim then, at the request of Mahyar, related the 
 whole history of the pearl as he had heard from the natika in the 
 desert. Mahyar listended attentively to his detail ; and when Hatim 
 concluded, he entered his secret apartment and brought forth the 
 peai'l, saying, " Brave Hatim, accept what you have fairly gained ; 
 and tell me how do you wish my daughter to be disposed of ?" 
 
 Hatim instantly ordered the youthful queen to be married to the 
 fairy prince of Zuman, a measure to which her father assented. After 
 a month or so, Hatim took leave of Mahyar, and accompanied by the 
 fairy prince and his bride, he came to the sea of Kahrman. He 
 then requested the prince to return to his own country, while he 
 himself should make his way to Shahabad. " At least," said the 
 prince, " let me send with you a guard of my own subjects as far as 
 the kingdom of Shams Shah." To this Hatim agreed, and having 
 mounted his winged-steed, accompanied by a select guard, he recross- 
 ed the sea, and landed in the territories of the demons. Hei'e they 
 had not far advanced when the demons observed them, and prepared 
 to dispute their passage. The fairies, so few in number, could offer 
 little resistance : they therefore addressed their opponents, saying, 
 " Good friends, we are both descended of one family ; and we pass 
 through your country bearing no enmity towards you. We have been 
 delegated by our prince to convey his congratulations to Shams Shah, 
 who after a long period of misery, is now restored to happiness." 
 
 The demons, on hearing this, gave them no further interruption ; 
 and in the course of time they arrived safe in the dominions of 
 Shams Shah. This king having received intelligence that strangers 
 Avere approaching, mounted his steed and came out to meet them in 
 person, and great was his joy when he saw Hatim among them. He 
 affectionately embraced him, and said to his guides, " May heaven 
 reward your goodness, for you have done me the greatest service
 
 222 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 possible in restoring to me safe the generous prince of Yemen." 
 Having thus addressed them, he invited them to a splendid feast, 
 ■which lasted forty days. 
 
 Hatira then took leave of the fiiiry king, who supplied him with 
 every thing requisite for his journey, and appointed four of his 
 subjects to carry hira on a golden litter to the city of Shahabad. 
 Thither thoy swiftly conveyed hira in the course of a few days. 
 Outside the gates they descended from their aerial flight ; and Hatim, 
 nt their request, gave them letters to their sovereign, with which 
 they returned. He then entered the city, where the people imme- 
 diately recognised him, and conveyed the tidings of his return to their 
 lovely queen. Husn Banu threw her veil over her face, and gave 
 orders for Hatim's admission to her palace, where the counsellors of 
 the city were then assembled. Hatim entered ; and after mutual 
 salutation, produced the pearl of the murghab in presence of the 
 assembly, and stated the details of his marvellous adventure. 
 
 When Husn Banu saw the pearl she was highly delighted, and 
 the court resounded with the praises of the noble Hatim, who withdrew 
 to the Mihmanserai. There he met the Assyrian prince Munlr, and 
 said to him " Your happiness, my friend, is now almost at hand : 
 only one question remains unanswered." After a repose of a few 
 dajs, he presented himself before Husn Banu, and said, " Fair lady, 
 let me hear your seventh question, that I may lose no time in the 
 completion of my task." — " The seventh and last is," replied she, " to 
 bring me an account of the bath of Badgard." Hatim took leave of 
 Husn Banu and the prince Munlr, and prepared for his departure.
 
 Hi TIM TAi 228 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 The Journey of Hatim to explore the Bath of Bndgard. — His 
 arrival in that "place. — His safe return to Shahabad, and the 
 marriage of Husn Banu with the Assyrian prince Munlr. 
 
 We are informed that after Hatim left Shahabad, he traversed a 
 wide desert till at length he arrived in a populous city, where he saw 
 the inhabitants assembled round the mouth of a well. He approach- 
 ed ; and on asking one of them what was the matter, he was told that 
 the son of the chief magistrate had gone mad, and was in the habit of 
 frequenting the well, when at length he threw himself in headlong. 
 " Three days," said the man, " we have looked for him here, but 
 no trace can we find of his body, nor is there any of our people bold 
 'enough to venture into the well, lest he should lose his own life." 
 
 While they were in this conversation, the parents of the youth came 
 weeping to the mouth of the well. Hatim's heart melted Avheu he 
 witnessed their sorrow, and he said to them, " Despair not, my 
 friends, I will myself dive into the well, and search for the body of 
 your son ; do you remain here till my return." — " Generous stranger," 
 said the chief, " rest assured that we will with patience wait your 
 return, should the period be. even a montli." Hatim then plunged 
 into the water ; and after he had been some minutes in sinking, he 
 felt his feet on firm ground. He opened his eyes, and saw not the 
 well nor its waters, but an extensive plain illumined with the rays 
 of the sun. After he had advanced some distance he came to a garden, 
 and as the doors were opened, he entered. There he saw flowers 
 of every hue, and in the midst of the garden was a palace of elegant 
 structure. He entered a spacious hall, which he found to be furnished 
 with splendid couches, on which reclined fairies of beautiful form. 
 In the centre of the hall were two thrones of burnished gold, on one 
 of which sat the fairy queen, of transcendent beauty and angelic 
 countenance ; and on the other, a young man of noble form and 
 graceful mien. 
 
 When the fairies that acted as sentinels had observed Hatim's 
 approach, they immediately gave information to tLeir sovereign that
 
 224 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 aiiothei" of the race of Adam liud arrived in the garden. The queen, 
 siddressing the youth upon the throne, said to liim, " The stranger is 
 of your race, is it your pleasure tliat we hold conference with liim ?" 
 The young man assented, and the attendants accordingly conducted 
 Hatim to the foot of the throne. The queen rose and graciously 
 received him ; and having seated him on a couch beside her, she 
 ordered him to be presented with food and drink. Hatim willingly 
 accepted her hospitality ; after which, the young man asked him 
 whence he came, and whither he was bound. " I am a native of 
 Yemen," said Hatim in reply, " and I lately left the city of Shahabad 
 on a journey to the bath of Badgsird. When I arrived in a certain 
 city, I saw all the inhabitants assembled round the mouth of a well ; 
 and on inquiring the cause of their anxiety, the chief told me with 
 tears in his eyes, that his son had three days ago cast himself 
 headlong into the pit. I was moved by his grief, and dived into the 
 well, resolved to procure the dead body of the youth. But now I am 
 bewildered, and know not whither to direct my search. You, I see, 
 ai'e of the human race ; may I ask whether you are the young man 
 whom I seek ?" 
 
 The youth replied, " I am indeed that devoted person. I was one 
 day seated at the mouth of the well, when this heart-ravishing fairy 
 appeared to my enchanted sight. I lost hold of the reins of reason, 
 and for some days lingered like a maniac round the mouth of the well. 
 My passion was completely beyond my control ; I plunged into the 
 water, and opened my eyes I knoAV not by what means in this paradise. 
 When the fairy queen beheld me, she gladdened my heart with the 
 charms of her society, and now my happiness is complete." — 
 " Deluded youth," said Hatim, " can you be happy when your parents 
 and relations are enduring the pangs of despair on your account ?" — 
 " I have no choice left," rejoined the young man ; " but should the 
 queen give me leave, I will accompany you to my lelations, and 
 liaving assured them of my safety, instantly return." — " Have patience, 
 then," said Hatim, " till I plead your cause." 
 
 Hatim turned his discourse to the queen, and said, " Thy conduct, 
 fair queen, is far from being generous and noble, in detaining this 
 youth from his distressed parents. Allow him to accompany me for a 
 few days, that he may console his father and mother ; after which, he 
 will return to you." — "Stranger," replied the queen, "I do not in 
 tke least restrain this youth in his movements. He saw me, and
 
 HATIM TAi. 22o 
 
 became enamoured of my person. In his despair he cast himself into 
 the pit, for which I am not to blame. At present he has his free 
 will to go whenever he chooses." Here the youth stood up, and said 
 to the fairy, " By your leave, fair queen, I have one request to 
 make ere I depart, should it be agreeable to your will to grant it. 
 Say that I am not to despair ; that you will speedily come to my 
 father's house, and make me happy in once more beholding you." 
 
 Hatim for some time held down his head in silence, awaiting the 
 queen's reply ; at length he spoke out, "Generous queen, if you 
 have any compassion, assent to the youth's request." — " He asks of 
 me," she replied, " more than ever any of our race have granted to 
 yours." In return, Hatim related to the queen numerous instances 
 of kindness and compassion experienced by himself from the hands 
 of the fairy race. To this the queen replied, " Brave Hatim, what 
 you have stated is true ; but this youth does not so sincerely love me 
 as to deserve my regard." — " Had I not loved you from my heart and 
 soul," said the young man, " should T, regardless of life, of every 
 human tie, cast myself headlong into the well ?" — " To put your 
 affection to the proof," rejoined the queen, " are you prepared to do 
 whatever I request of you ?" — " Command me," said he, " and I will 
 perform." 
 
 The fairy queen summoned her attendants, and said to them, " Go 
 fill the large caldron with oil, place it on the fire, and make it boil 
 to the utmost heat." When the caldron was heated, the queen took 
 the young man by the hand, and said to him, " Now, if you love 
 me," prove it by casting yourself this instant into the caldron of 
 boiling oil." The youth instantly rose up, and was about to plunge 
 into the burning liquid, when the queen exclaimed, " Hold, I merely 
 spoke to try your affection. Now I am satisfied, and I agree to your 
 request." Hatim remained for about a month with the fairy queen 
 and her lover. At the end of this period, the queen confirmed her 
 promise, having sworn by the seal of Sulaiman, to visit the youth 
 soon. Having then bid adieu to Hatim and her lover, she ordered 
 some of her fairies to conduct them to the mouth of the well. The 
 fairies seized the mortals by the hand, and in the twinkling of an eye 
 they found themselves at the mouth of the well. The guides then 
 vanished into the deep, and Hatim presented the young man to his 
 fond parents. The chief of the city and all the inhabitants were 
 
 c 3
 
 22G THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 highly delighted at the ^ight, and prostrated themselves at Hatim's 
 feet in token of their gratitude. They then returned to the city, and 
 for many days vied with one another in treating the generous stranger 
 with every mark of hospitality. 
 
 At length the fairy, agreeably to her promise, visited the love-sick 
 youth. Two weeks after, Ilatim once more betook himself to the 
 road, and in the course of a few days he arrived at a large and 
 populous city. As he was about to enter the gates, he met an old 
 man standing upon the road. When the old man observed him, he 
 approached and said, " My blessings be upon you, noble stranger ; 
 welcome, thrice welcome, to our city." Hatim returned this courteous 
 salutation, whereupon the old man said to him, " If you will for this 
 nifht reside in my housi^, and taste of ray salt, it will be doing me 
 the highest of favours." Ilatim thanked the old man, and accepted 
 his hospitable invitation. Arrived in the house, the old man presented 
 him with food ; and after they had eaten together, the aged host 
 said, " Tell me, noble sir, if such be your pleasure, what is your 
 name, whence are you, and whither do you travel ?" — " I am an 
 Arab," replied Hatim, " and am on my way from Shahabad to the 
 bath of Badgard, which it is my intention to explore." The old man 
 hearing this, long held down his head in deep reflection, after which, 
 lie said to Hatim, " Devoted man, what enemy has sent you on so 
 perilous an errand ? I have been assured that no man has hitherto 
 visited Badgard and come back to tell the news. The place is in 
 the vicinity of a city called Katan, the name of whose king is Harlth. 
 Around his dominions are stationed numerous sentinels, whose duty 
 it is to bring before their king whatsoever stranger attempts to visit 
 Badcfard. When carried to the presence of Ilarith, no one knows 
 how they are treated, for they never return." Hatim, nothing 
 daunted, related to the old man the cause of his journey, and 
 detailed his former adventures in behalf of INIunlr the Assyrian 
 prince. " This," concluded Ilatim, " is the seventh and last question, 
 from which I will not shrink." — " May heaven reward your generosity 
 and bravery," replied the venerable host ; " be advised by me, and 
 turn back : the bath of Badgard is all enchantment ; but of its inner 
 mysteries, no one can give the least account." — " Venerable sir," 
 resumed Hatim, " how can I possibly return ? would you have me 
 act as a false coward ?" — "Listen to my counsel," replied the host, 
 " and cast not away your life like the frog that disregarded the advice
 
 HATIM TAl. 277 
 
 of his friends, and at last had cause for repentance." — " Tell me," 
 said Hatim, " Avhat happened to the frog." 
 
 The old man thus spoke : " In the region of Sham it happened 
 once upon a time that a number of frogs were living happily together 
 in a pond, when one of them took it into his head to i-emove to 
 nnother pond in the vicinity. ' Travelling,' said the frog to himself, 
 ' is the means of rendering the poor man rich.' His friends remon- 
 strated, saying, ' Fool that you are, what absurd idea is this which 
 has found its way into your head ! Abandon such vain thoughts, 
 otherwise you will have cause to repent when too late. Know you 
 not that he who disregards the admonition of the wise will end in 
 misery and shame.' The brain of the frog was filled with the wind 
 of self-conceit ; he therefore would not listen to the advice of his 
 friends, and forthwith quitted that pond along with his wife 4ind 
 young ones. In their way to the next pond, they rejoiced in the 
 anticipation of the happiness and ease and independence which 
 awaited them. At length they arrived on the brink, and were about 
 to enter their new residence, when all at once a water-snake thrust 
 out its head to welcome them. This snake had for some time occupied 
 the pond, and had devoured all the frogs that were in it. Having 
 had no food for some tlays previous, the serpent no sooner saw the 
 fross than he bejran to devour them one after another. 
 
 " The old frog that had caused the removal, quickly dived into the 
 bottom of the pond, and having escaped the mouth of the snake, he 
 watched his opportunity, and returned to his former abode. His old 
 acquaintances seeing him return alone without his young, opened 
 upon him the tongue of reproach, and said, " Rush fool that you are, 
 how dare you come among us without your wife and young ones ? 
 Tell us quickly, what has happened to them and you when absent^; 
 can it be possible that you have left them to destruction ?" — "• The 
 frog, full of shame and remorse, listened, but replied not, while the 
 others were the more urgent in their inquiries. At last they all 
 attacked the unfortunate frog, and having almost killed him, they said, 
 " Such is the reward of vanity and folly ; and he who disregards the 
 admonitions of the wise, will become involved in similar calamities." 
 When the old man finished the story of the frog, he said, " Brave 
 Hatim, do yon apply your ear to my advice, and turn back in time 
 ere your calamity be past remedy." — " I am confident," replied Hatim, 
 '■ that all you have stated is kindly meant; but remember that I am
 
 228 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 acting for others, not for myself, and I will never disgrace myself by 
 abandoning a task which I have promised to accomplish : for the 
 sake of God, then, shew me the way, and let me depart." When the 
 old man saw that Hatim's resolution was determined, he yielded to 
 necessity and conducted him out of the city till they came to two 
 roads, when he stopped short anil said, " Noble Hatim, proceed 
 on the right-hand road, which will take you through many a city and 
 town. At length you will come to a high mountain, where there are 
 dangers innumerable. Should it please God that you surmount these, 
 you will then come to a spot where the road branches into two. 
 There I would advise you to take the left-hand path, for though that 
 to the right be the nearer, it is highly dangerous ; whereas the other, 
 though circuitous, is safe and free from peril." 
 
 Hatim thanked his aged friend, and said, in reply to the latter part 
 of his instructions, " My venerable benefactor, if our life be not 
 decreed, we cannot live ; and till the hour appointed by fate, we cannot 
 die. Do you really advise me to shun the path that is short, and hold 
 to that which is circuitous ?" The old man smiled, and said, " O 
 Hatim, have you not heard what the poet saith ? 
 
 " Take the road that is safe, though it be long ; 
 " Marry not a shrew, even if she seem an angel." 
 
 •' Farewell, my brave and generous friend, and let me warn you of 
 your danger, if you follow not my directions." Hatim having taken 
 his leave, proceeded on his way ; and in the course of a few days, as he 
 was approaching a large city, the sound of drums and trampets reached 
 his ear. It seemed as if the inhabitants were in the celebration of 
 some grand festival ; and when he drew nearer he found them 
 assembled without the walls in a spacious plain, which was every 
 where adorned with finely embroidered sofas and couches. In the 
 midst of the assembly Avas a constellation of beautiful damsels, some 
 enchanting the heart with their melodious song, and others occupied 
 in the graceful movements of the dance. In another part of the plain 
 were fires, and all the utensils of cookery employed in dressing food. 
 
 At length Hatim mingled with the joyful throng, and began to ask 
 one of them what was the cause of such pleasure and mirth. 
 •' Strangei-," said they, " our city is every year visited by a formidable 
 dragon, which on the occasion transforms himself into a human shape. 
 We arc compelled, on pain of death and destruction, to allow this
 
 HATIM TAl. 229' 
 
 dragon to carry off his choice of the fairest of our daugliters, v/liether 
 rich or poor. Those that are most beautiful are led forth to these 
 tents, arrayed in fine apparel, adorned with costly jewels, and having 
 their hands perfumed with fragrant scents. The monster in human 
 shape enters the tent where the damsels are assembled, and carries 
 off her on whom his choice rests. We are forced to make this show 
 of joy, though our hearts are sad, for the appointed day is arrived, 
 and heaven knows who is to be the victim. We thus celebrate the 
 nuptials ere we know who is the bride, but for the next seven days 
 our joy is converted into grief and lamentation." 
 
 On hearing this strange circumstance, Hatim concluded that the 
 dragon must be one of the genii. He said to them, " Is it not 
 madness in you to mimic joy at your own destruction ?" — " How can 
 we act otherwise," they replied, " who is the man that can deliver 
 us from our calamity ?" — " Be of good cheer," returned Hatim, " this 
 night I will endeavour, by the aid of heaven, to rid you for ever of 
 your evil." When the people heard this promise, hopeless as it was, 
 they informed their king and grandees of the stranger's presence. 
 Hatim was quickly introduced to the foot of the throne ; and after 
 the usual salutation, the king asked him, " are you aware, brave 
 stranger, of the natiire of this calamity with which we ai'e afflicted ? 
 You say you can avert the impending evil ; if you will do so, it will 
 be to me and my subjects the greatest of blessings." 
 
 In reply, Hatim gave the following instructions to the king : 
 " When this dragon has come, and made his choice of your daughters, 
 say to him, that a neighbouring prince has just arrived in your 
 city ; that he has enjoined upon you not to give away your daughters 
 on any account without his permission. Say further, if the dragon 
 threatens destruction to you and your city, that you will rather bear 
 the consequences of his anger than offend the stranger prince." The 
 king and his ministers assented to this proposal, and for the whole of 
 that day detained Hatim in their society. Towards evening the 
 dragon approached as usual ; and when Hatim was informed of the 
 fact, he asked permission of the king to go and see the monster. The 
 whole assembly came out to see the arrival of the dragon, the size of 
 which was immense. Hatim stood astonished when he saw its head 
 reared aloft like a tall tree, and the stones crushed into powder 
 beneath its weight. 
 
 At length the dragon reached the tents, and in presence of the
 
 i^30 THE ADVKXTLKES OF 
 
 terrified assemldy, lashed the ground with liifl tail ; and having per- 
 formed some fearful contortions, he assumed a human sliape. Tho 
 people then crowded round him to pioffer their salutations, and the 
 king invited him to his palace, and placed him upon his own throne. 
 After they had partaken of food and drink, the genius rose up and 
 commanded them to produce their daughters. " Let us pioceed to 
 the tent which they at present occupy," said the king. The genius 
 entered the tent, and after due examination, his choice rested upon 
 the king's only daughter, who was by far the fairest in the city. lie 
 came out and made known his choice to the king, who immediately 
 started his objections, saying, " A prince of great power has for some 
 time resided at my court, and if I do aught without his consent, he 
 will assuredly destroy both myself and my subjects from oif the face 
 of the earth. I must therefore, in the fii'st place, consult him ere I 
 allow one of our daughters to be carried off : if I receive his permis- 
 sion, good ; if not, I will oppose your claim." 
 
 The genius, enraged at such opposition, commanded the king 
 forthwith to produce this daring stranger. Hatim was accordingly 
 conducted before the king of the genii, who thus addressed him : 
 " Brave prince of Yemen, I rejoice to meet you ; it is now some time 
 since I have seen you, or even heard of your name? Tell me whence 
 come you at present, and what is your object in exciting the peoijle 
 of this city to rebel against me ? Do you really wish that I should 
 destroy them in my wrath ?" — " I am far from desiring what you 
 state, replied Hatim, '• but the people of this country are now my 
 subjects, and therefore they are right in withholding their allegiance 
 from other powers. I am most willing, however, to bestow on you 
 the late king's daughter, provided you comply with the ancient 
 • customs of my country." — " Your request is but fair," replied the 
 prince of the genii ; " let me hear, then, what these customs are ?" — 
 " The first," said Hatim, " is this : I have a talisman which once 
 belonged to a wise and illustrious ancestor. It is necessary, then, as 
 a pledge of friendship, that you drink water from a cup off that 
 talisman." 
 
 To this proposal the prince of the genii expressed his assent, and 
 Hatim took a cup full of water, and dipped into it the potent muhra of 
 the bear's daughter, after which he gave the draught to the genius to 
 drink. The charm took effect, for no sooner had the genius drained the 
 cup, than, by the decree of the Most High, he wa:: deprived of all his
 
 HATIM TAl. 231 
 
 enchantment, and his power was reduced to that of an ordinary mortal. 
 Harim again said to him, " The next ordeal you must undergo, is to 
 enter this large jar and I'emain for some time shut within it. If you 
 do this, you shall have the king's daughter ; and otherwise, you must 
 pay, instead, a thousand rubies, a thoustmd diamonds, and a pearl of 
 the murghal)." 
 
 The genius prided himself on his skill in magic, and his superna- 
 tm-al power ; he therefore accepted the proposal without hesitation. 
 Hatim brought a large jar, and told him to enter. The genius entered 
 the jar, and Hatim immediately shut the mouth of it; and having 
 pronounced the sacred charm of the blessed Khizr, the lid of the jar 
 became firm as a rock of adamant. He then called to the prince of 
 the genii to come out, but it was no longer in his power to do so. 
 Hatim ordered the people to collect a large quantity of dried wood ; 
 and having piled up the same around the jar, he set fire to it. The 
 genius now found himself undone ; for as soon as he felt the heat, he 
 made every effort in his power to break the jar and effect hi.s escape. 
 His attempts were fruitless, for in a very short time his life was con- 
 sumed, and the jar was oast into a deep pit, and covered over with 
 earth and stones, 
 
 Hatim then addressed the people, saying, " Rejoice, my friends 
 for your enemy shall no more harass your country." The king and 
 all the people proffered their gratitude to Hatim, and presented to 
 him gold and jewels, and whatever was rare and valuable. " I covet 
 not such gifts as you offer me," said Hatim, " they are of no service 
 to me at present, but I will accept them of your hands, and distribute 
 them among the poor and destitute of the city." Every house in 
 the city resounded with the praises of Hatim's wisdom, beneficence 
 and generosity. For three days they detained him, and vied with 
 each other in doing him most service ; and in short, the whole countrv 
 was one scene of joy and fiestivity. 
 
 On the fourth day Hatim took his leave, and turned his face to the 
 road. In the course of time he arrived at the foot of the mountain 
 which the old man had described. He passed on without any inter- 
 ruption, and came to the desert, where he found abundance of sweet 
 water, and witnessed many of the wonders of the creation. After he 
 bad passed through the desert, he came to the spot where the road 
 separated in two directions. Here he unfortunately forgot the old 
 man's advice, for he really intended to take the safe road though
 
 2?y2 THK ADVENTURES OF 
 
 <'ircuitous. "I must never," said he to hiraself, "disregard the 
 advice of the wi.se, and the old man earnestly advised me to take the 
 right-hand path." Hatim accordingly proceeded rapidly on his way ; 
 but he soon changed his mind, and turned aside in order to find the 
 left-hand road. He soon found hiraself involved in a forest abounding 
 witli underwood of thorns and Ijrambles, so that every step he took 
 ■was attended with difficulty. He had not long advanced, when the 
 clothes were torn to a thousand pieces from off his body ; and bitterly 
 did he regret his regard of the old man's directions. 
 
 Hatim at length, after vast labour, got clear of the forest ; but no 
 sooner did he appear in the open plain than thousands of griffins 
 rushed upon him from all quarters. Hatim stood terrified at the 
 sight, fur those animals had a inost frightful appearance, in some 
 measure resembling a tiger, a dog, and a fox, as if these three 
 animals had been formed into one. When the griffins were about to 
 devour Hatim, on a sudden an old man stood by him, and said, 
 " They who disregard the admonitions of the wise, end in distress and 
 jiiigei-y." — " Forgive me, venerable man," said Hatim, " I have 
 grievously erred." — " Lose no time," said the old man, " in using 
 the talisman of the bear's daughter: cast it ou the ground before 
 us." 
 
 Hatim immediately produced the precious muhra ; and the moment 
 he threw it upon the plain, the old man vanished from his sight. 
 The effect of the muhra was wonderful : the ground assumed a 
 yellow hue, it then became black as night ; after that, it changed into 
 green ; and lastly, it became red as fire. Meanwhile the griffins w^ere 
 diverted from their attack upon Hatim, and ran furiously at one 
 another. The fight was terrible, and in the course of a few minutes 
 they all perished by mutual slaughter. Hatim looked with astonish- 
 ment at the carnage, and praised the great Creator for his deliverance. 
 He then took up his talisman and prepared for his journey. 
 
 As he advanced, he came to a desert of solid brass, the vegetation 
 of which consisted of sharp pins of brass and iron. He had no sooner 
 entered the desert than thousands of those pins pierced his feet. 
 Onward he limped, liowever ; and in the agony of pain, he said to 
 hiraself, "O Hatim, it becomes thee to suffer calamity Avithout 
 murmur, for what avails regret at present." He proceeded thus for 
 some time, while the soles of his feet were pierced like a sieve, and 
 he at length thought he could see the extremity of the desert, when
 
 HATIM TAi" 233 
 
 on a sudden dragons of immense size and terrible aspect rushed from 
 all quarters to devour him. The dragons bore a mixed resemblance 
 to the eagle, the tiger, and the fox : their tails resembled that of the 
 jackal, but infinitely longer, and their feet resembled those of the 
 eagle. Hatim cast a look of despair all around him, and was about to 
 bid adieu to life, when the old man stood by him, and having taken 
 him by the hand, said, " Be brave ; does it become Hatim to fear ?" 
 — " Wonderful man !" replied Hatim, " it is not in man to behold 
 these monsters and refrain from trembling." — " Have recourse to your 
 talisman," said the old man. Hatim drew out the sacred muhra, and 
 cast it upon the ground. The effect was such as he had lately 
 witnessed ; for the dragons stood abashed, and the colour of the 
 ground was changed, and when it became red, the monsters furiously 
 encountered one another till not one of them was left alive. 
 
 Hatim took up his muhra and having resumed his journey, devoutly 
 thanked his Great Preserver for his deliverance from such dangers. 
 In the course of a fev/ days he arrived at a very large city. When 
 the people saw him they were truly astonished, and said, " Tell 
 us, wonderful man, how came you to pass in safety through the 
 brazen desert ?" — " I am indebted for my safety," replied Hatim, " to 
 the goodness of God alone. He has watched over me in the hour of 
 danger, for none of the monsters that infest the desert has done me 
 the least harm." Now the forest of brambles and the brazen desert 
 had been long considered in that city as impenetrable, and all travel- 
 lers and caravans had been previously compelled to take a very lono- 
 and circuitous route in approaching the city. When the people 
 therefore saw Hatim approach their city by these dangerous quarters, 
 they became highly interested in the subject, as they saw a prospect 
 of opening an easy communication with the rest of the world. The 
 king of that city got intelligence that a stranger had arrived safe by 
 the short and dangerous route. He could scarcely believe the 
 information, and immediately despatched some of his people to 
 ascertain the fact, and in the mean time detained the stranger. The 
 messengers went and made the necessary investigation, without any 
 interruption. They returned, and informed the king that if a path 
 were cut through the forest, it would be quite safe in every respect. 
 
 At this intelligence his Majesty was highly pleased, and havinc^ 
 sent for Hatim, said to him, " Noble stranger, I have done you wrong 
 in suspecting the truth of your statement, ajid I pray for your for- 
 
 D 4
 
 234 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 given688. I confess I did not at first believe you, I tlierefore placed 
 u watch over you till I should be ascertained of the fact by my 
 own people ; had I found out that you had deceived me, I should 
 Lave puuished you accordingly." — " Your Majesty," replied Hatim, 
 " has acted as a king ought, that is, according to strict justice ; for 
 it is highly expedient that the liar should suffer punishment. But 
 why should I deceive you, in stating what was untrue ?" 
 
 The king then brought forth loads of gold, and said to Hatim, 
 '* Accept this as a reward for the services you have done me." — " I 
 am alone," said Hatim, " I cannot carry this gold with me, and I 
 have no one to caiTy it for me." — " My own people," replied the 
 king, " shall convey it to your country." — " I have a dangerous 
 journey to perform," returned Hatim, " and an important task to 
 accomplish : till that is done, I cannot visit my native country." — 
 ** Tell me," resumed the king, " whither are you bound, and I will 
 accompany you in person." — " In a neighbouring country," paid 
 Hatim, " is the bath of Badgard : I am going to explore it, but I 
 have heard that no one has hitherto returned thence with life." — 
 " You have heard the truth, noble stranger," said the king ; I there- 
 fore advise you as a friend to banish such thoughts from your mind." 
 — " What is decreed must happen," replied Hatim; "my resolution 
 is fixed." 
 
 When the king found Hatim resolute, he appointed two of his 
 people to accompany him, and ordered them to shew him the way to 
 Katan. They therefore set out ; and after some days' travelling, his 
 guides told him that their orders permitted them to go no further. 
 They then gave him directions as to his route, and took leave. When 
 Hatim aixived within the territories of Katan, the people asked him 
 whence he had come. He told them the object of his journey and 
 the dangers he had experienced. When they heard from him that 
 tlie griftins of the forest of brambles, with the dragons of the brazen 
 desert, were extirpated, they rejoiced exceedingly. 
 
 At length Hatim reached the city of Katan, and took up his 
 residence for some days in a caravanserai. After he had re2)osed for 
 a few days, he went to present himself before the king, and having 
 selected two pearls, two rubies, and two diamonds of immense value, 
 he went to the palace gate. The janitors informed his majesty that a 
 stranger wished to be admitted, and at the same time presented the 
 jewels. The king ordered them to procure his name, and ask of him
 
 HATIM TAY. 235 
 
 what was the nature of his business. They returned to Hatira, and 
 examined him according to the king's command. " I am a native of 
 Yemen," replied Hatim, " and have journeyed hither from the city of 
 Shahabad ; if further explanation be necessary, I will detail my whole 
 history to his majesty, should he honour me with an interview." 
 
 The janitors returned to the royal presence, and stated, " Sire, 
 the stranjjer seems a merchant of Yemen, lately come from the city 
 of Shahabad, and is very anxious to have an interview with your 
 majesty." Hatim was immediately admitted, and after courteous 
 salutations on both sides, the king said to him, '* Tell me, stranger 
 merchant, where is your caravan, and what merchandize have you to 
 dispose of ?" — " Sire," said Hatim, " it is now some time since I have 
 left off" traffic, and adopted the profession of a soldier. I happened to 
 pass this way, and longed to pay my respects to your majesty." 
 
 The king greatly admired Hatim's courtesy, and treated him with 
 the highest respect. After various conversations, Hatim took his 
 leave, and the king said to him at withdrawing, "Brave stranger, I 
 trust you will gladden ray heart by residing some time at our court." 
 Hatim remained six months in the capital, and every day went to pay 
 his respects to the king, with whom he became a great favourite. 
 He one day, observing the king in good humour, took the opportunity 
 of presenting to him a casket of most valuable jewels. The king 
 received the jewels with great satisfaction, and having made Hatim 
 sit by him, said, " Noble stranger, you have now resided with us for 
 months, but never have I had the pleasure of doing you the least 
 service. I am truly ashamed when I look upon the numerous gifts 
 you have bestowed upon me, and when I consider that you have never 
 asked of me any favour in return." — " Long life to your highness," 
 rejoined Hatim, " there are few things earthly which I desire ; but 
 if I may be allowed to express my wish, there is one boon I would- 
 venture to ask of you." — " It is already granted," replied the king, 
 " therefore speak your wish, and you shall be satisfied." 
 
 Hatim availed himself of this favourable opportunity, and said to 
 the king, " I have an ardent desire to explore the bath of Badgard ; 
 I humbly crave your majesty's permission, therefore, that I may 
 satisfy my curiosity." The king for a long time held down his head 
 in silent meditation, while Hatim. stood by anxiously waiting the 
 result. At length his highness broke silence, saying, " Stranger, 
 your request has caused me much concern, for various reasons : in
 
 23G THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 the first place, T have made a vow never to let mortal man visit the 
 bath of Badgard ; secondly, if you go, you must inevitably perish in 
 the prime of youth ; thirdly, I esteem you so highly, that I should 
 for ever regret having permitted you to throw away your life ; and, 
 fourthly, I cannot endure the idea of parting with you, even on any 
 account. Consider, then, my dear friend, how painful it is for me to 
 grant the fatal boon you ask." 
 
 To this Hatim replied, " Sire, I have experienced many dangers, 
 and I have every hope of returning safe from the bath of Badgard." 
 He then related the whole of his past adventures in behalf of the 
 Assyrian prince Munir, the lover of Husn Banu, and stated in con- 
 clusion, that his seventh and last labour was to explore the bath of 
 Bado^ard. The kinor listened to Hatim's narrative, and after he had 
 finished, said to him, " Generous man ! heaven will assuredly protect 
 you in what remains of your task, for there lives not a more worthy 
 object of the care of Providence than you. Let me, however, once 
 more remind you, that multitudes of people have hitherto entered that 
 mysterious bath, and none has returned ; but I hope you will be more 
 fortunate. Meanwhile tell me truly your name and rank, for you are 
 not what you seem." — " My name is Hatim, and my father is king 
 of Yemen," was the reply. 
 
 When the king heard this, he arose from his seat ; and having 
 clasped Hatim in his arms, said, " You speak the truth, brave prince 
 of Yemen, for your brow is stamped with the seal of royalty ; and 
 your name is destined to be proverbial in the world for every thing 
 that is noble and generous." Having thus spoken, the king com- 
 manded a passport to be written for Hatim, to be presented to the 
 janitor of the bath of Badgard. When the order for admittance was 
 ready and impressed by the royal seal, the king delivered it to Hatim, 
 and appointed a few of his people to aiccompany him to the door of 
 the bath. 
 
 Hatim took an affectionate leave of the king, and attended by his 
 guides, betook himself to the roail. Fifteen days after, the top of a 
 mountain became visible. Hatim asked his guides, " What mountain 
 is this before us, whose lofty peak pierces the vault of heaven ?" — "It 
 is the mountain of Badgard," they replied, " and the entrance into 
 the bath is on the side of it ; but near as it may seem, it is still seven 
 dnys journey hence." When they arrived at the base of the mountain, 
 Hatim was surprised iu seeing it begirt with legions of armed meu.
 
 HATIM TAl. 2.*>7 
 
 He asked his guides whose were the troops, and was told, in reply, 
 that they were under the command of the keeper of the bath, which 
 no one could approach without an order from the King of Katan. 
 At length they reached the outposts of the sentinels, who asked 
 Hatim who he was, and what was his business. The guides replied, 
 " This is the prince of Yemen, who has received the royal permission 
 for being admitted within the bath." 
 
 The sentinels immediately conducted Hatim before the keeper, to 
 whom he presented his passport. The keeper opened and inspected 
 the royal fii'man, which runs thus : Know that it is our will that you 
 admit the prince of Yemen into the bath of Badgard. Let him not 
 meet with the least interruption on account of our late vow ; and if it 
 is in your power to prevail upon him to return ere it be too late, 
 fail not to do so, and your reward shall be great." The keeper folded 
 up the passport ; and having conducted Hatim to his house, he 
 entertained him for three days in the most hospitable manner. He 
 then began to advise him earnestly not to proceed further, but on no 
 account would Hatim listen to his friendly counsel. 
 
 The keeper of Badgard, finding all his entreaties of no avail, at 
 length wrote to the king that the prince of Yemen was resolute iu 
 his design, and would by no means return. The king reluctantly 
 answered, " That if it must be so, grant him admittance into the 
 bath." Once more the keeper endeavoured to dissuade him from his 
 rash design, but Hatim's resolution was fixed as a rock. " Follow 
 me, then, desperate man," said the keeper, " and the blame be yours." 
 Hatim followed the keeper till they came to the door of the bath. 
 Its size was immense, such as he had never seen during his whole life. 
 High on the wall was written the following words, " These are the 
 enchantments of King Kaiumarath, which are destined to last for a 
 time ; whosoever enters shall not return. Here he shall remain with- 
 out hunger or thirst." 
 
 When Hatim had read the inscription, he began to meditate within 
 himself whether that information was not sufficient, and it would be 
 needless to go further ; but on mature reflection, he resolved to enter 
 and examine the place with his own eyes. He took leave of the 
 keeper, and boldly entered the door of the bath. He had advanced 
 about three steps ; and on looking around him, he saw neither the 
 keeper nor the gate of the bath, but a wide and dreary desert. He 
 stood still in his astonishment, and said to himself, " Hatim, here
 
 238 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 is certainly the end of thy earthly piljirimage." At length he aroused 
 himself from such despairing thoughts, and Ijcgan to wander about the 
 desert. After some time, he espied at a distance a human form, and 
 great was his joy at the sight, for he concluded that the place was 
 inhabited at no great distance. 
 
 He quickly bent his steps towards the figure, and was delighted to 
 find that the other Avas approaching him. When they came near 
 each other, the strange figure saluted Hatim, and having produced 
 a mirror, presented it to him. Hatim looked at the mirror, and said 
 to the giver, " What is this I see in the mirror ? Is it not the 
 y)ath of Badgard, and are you not the keeper?" — "I am," was the 
 brief reply. " Tell me," said Hatim, " how am I to find the bath ?" 
 • — " Proceed forward," said the strange figure, " and you will soon 
 reach it." 
 
 Hatim, rejoiced at this information, asked the man who he was. 
 *' I am," said he, " a hireling connected with the bath : I wander 
 about here Avaiting the arrival of strangers ; when any one cames, it 
 is my office to conduct him into the bath, juid attend him while 
 bathing. For my services I expect a handsome reward ; so if you be 
 lilieral, it will be better for you." — " Are you the only attendant," 
 inquired Hatim, "or are there others along with you ?" — " There are 
 others also who attend," replied the man, " but it is my turn to-day."' 
 — " Well," said Hatim, " I have travelled from a afar to enjoy this 
 bath, therefore shew me the nearest Avay." 
 
 The man of the bath proceeded onwards, and Hatim followed till 
 they had gone nearly a farasang, when a splendid structure surmounted 
 by a lofty dome appeared before them. Ai'rived at the door, the 
 guide entered the building, and motioned to Hatim to follow. Hatim 
 entered, and the attendant having conducted him to a marble cistern 
 brimful of pure water, said to him, " Do you stand up to the middle 
 in the water Avhile I pour some of it over your head." — " Let me 
 first," said Hatim, " put off part of my clothes, for how can I enter 
 the V)ath dressed as I am." The man accordingly assisted Hatim in 
 undressing ; after which he led him into the water, and poured three 
 jars full of the liquid over his head. On the application of the third 
 jar of Avater, Hatim heard a tremendous sound, Avhile the thickest 
 darkness enveloped the bath. As soon as olyects became visible, he 
 looked around him, and to his utter dismay beheld the large dome 
 converted into a solid mass of rock transparent as crystal and firm
 
 HATIM TAl. 239 
 
 as adamant. The floor was covered with water, which gushed from 
 the earth, and had by that time reached the middle of his legs. The 
 bath was every moment filling ; and when the water became knee 
 deep, Hatim, in the utmost consternation, searclied round and round 
 for an outlet from his prison. His eflbrts wei-e fruitless, for no trace 
 of the door remained ; all around him was the same solid, smooth, 
 and transparent rock. Now the water I'ose to his breast, while he 
 like a maniac rushed backwards and forwards in search of a door. 
 At length the depth of the water was such that his feet no longer 
 reached the bottom. He then kept himself afloat the best way he 
 could by swimming. While in this state, he could not refrain from 
 saying to himself, " O Hatim, thy friends have uniformly dissuaded 
 thee from this rash undertaking ; but thou hast disregarded their 
 admonitions, and hast cast thyself into calamity in spite of every 
 warning to the contrary. Well, what will be, will be ; if in the 
 service of thy Creator thou shouldest loose a thousand lives it is 
 nothing." 
 
 At length Hatim was borne up by the water to the very pinnacle 
 of the dome. As his strength had become exhausted, he eagerly 
 grasped the top of the dome, that he might rest a little from his toil. 
 The moment he touched the top, a deafening noise like the loudest 
 thuDfder burst upon his ears, and in an instant he found himself 
 standing in the midst of a desert. He looked all around him, but 
 nothing met his sight except the bare earth and the silent skies. He 
 advanced in one direction, for it seemed a matter of no moment which 
 way he went, and he was congratulating himself on his escape from 
 his late dangers, and considering himself clear of the enchantment. 
 For three days and nights he thus proceeded, when he beheld at a 
 distance a palace of lofty structure. He advanced towards it, expect- 
 ing to find it inhabited ; and on his nearer approach, he saw that the 
 palace was surrounded by a beautiful garden. As the door was 
 opened he entered ; but he had not ventured far ere he thought it safe 
 to remain without : he therefore made for the gate by which he had 
 entered, but no trace of it could he find. He was now convinced 
 that he had not yet got clear of the enchantment of Badgard. 
 
 Hatim, thus helpless, wandered in every direction through the 
 garden, which abounded with flowers of every hue, and trees bearing 
 fruit of every sort. As his hunger was extreme, he began to eat of 
 the fruit ; but his appetite was not in the least diminished. At last
 
 24-0 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ]ie ventured within the precincts of the palace, which was completely 
 siuTounilod bv statues of marble. The statues stood in straisrht lines, 
 and the lower half of them seemed fixed in the solid rock which 
 supported them. 
 
 Hatim stood wrapt in wondor at what he saw, and much he desired 
 to know the secrets of that mysterious mansion. Meanwhile a bird 
 like a parrot cried out to him from within the palace, " O Hatim, why 
 stand you there ? Why have you washed your hands of life in 
 journeying hither ?" Hatini listened to the voice of the parrot, and 
 was about to enter the house, when he happened to cast his eyes at 
 the inscription over the door, which ran thus : " Know, O mortal, 
 that thou canst not escape hence with life. This is the enchanted 
 palace of the renowned Kaiumarath, who when hunting in these 
 regions, found a diamond weighing three hundred miskals.* He 
 shewed this superb diamond to his courtiers and attendants, and asked 
 them if they could produce another to match it. They unanimously 
 declared that the world did not contain its equal. Kaiumarath then 
 resolved to preserve it in a place of safety, so that no one might rob 
 him of it. For this purpose he built the bath of Budgard, the enchant- 
 ment of which is all powerful. The diamond is preserved in the 
 body of the parrot, and whosoever enters this garden shall never 
 return, unless he get possession of the diamond. On the chair 
 Avithin the hall is hiid a bow with arrows ; let the visitor take it up 
 and shoot three arrows at the parrot, and if he hit it right through 
 the head, he will be able to break the enchantment ; if he miss, he 
 instantly becomes a statue of marble." 
 
 Hatim read the inscription, and having cast a look of despair 
 around the lifeless statues, exclaimed, " Alas, Hatim ! thou too art 
 likely to remain here till the last day. Thou hast rashly periled thy 
 life, and thou shalt soon add one to the number of these victims. 
 Well, thy troubles shall cease, and the silence of death is preferable 
 to the miseries of life. But if the Almighty hath decreed that thou 
 shouldst succeed, and that thy friend should be made happy, assuredly 
 mayest yet escape.' 
 
 After this soliloquy, Hatim entered the hall, and lifted the bow and 
 arrows from off the chair. He then took his station, applied one of 
 the arrows to the string, and carefully examined his distance. He 
 
 * The miskal is a dram and a-half. —Rich. Did.
 
 HATIM TAi. 241 
 
 drew the arrow to his shoulder and shot, but the parrot instantly 
 leaped from the spot where he stood, and clung to the roof of his 
 cace. The arrow missed, and stiuightway Hatim's feet became a 
 mass of marble, even up to the knees. 
 
 The parrot again resumed his former station, and said to Hatim, 
 " Desist, rash man, ere worse befall thee." Hatim, in the utmost 
 despair, began to consider his dismal situation, and while the tears 
 filled his eyes, he said, " Now indeed is my life ended ; but what then, 
 is it not better to die at once, than to live in disgrace ? 'Tis true my 
 arrow has missed its aim, and I am partly transformed into a block 
 of marble. Let me try another : if I succeed, good ; if not, I shall be 
 at rest from the pangs of disappointment." He seized a second arrow, 
 shot and missed, for the parrot had quickly changed its place as 
 formerly. 
 
 The parrot again called out to Hatim, " Desist, rash man, thy 
 enterprise is beyond thy might." Hatim had now become a lifeless 
 statue up to the middle ; but he resolved to persevere while life 
 remained. •' Now," said he, " my hope of life is indeed small ; may 
 God preserve his creatures from a similar fate. My death is near, 
 but happen what may, I will discharge the third arrow. Whatever 
 the Great Creator hath decreed, must come to pass." 
 
 Hatim now placed his whole reliance upon God. He looked in the 
 direction of the parrot, took his aim, then shut his eyes, and let fly 
 the third arrow. In the hour of despair the hand of heaven saved 
 him. The arrow pierced the brain of the parrot, which fell lifeless 
 from the cage. Instantly a fearful storm of whirlwinds, thunder and 
 lightning, burst with tremendous noise around him, while heaven 
 and earth seemed involved in impenetrable darkness. Hatim was 
 terrified, and knew not whether he was still in this world, or had 
 entered the awful state of futurity. When the noise and disorder 
 had ceased, he opened his eyes and looked in every direction. He no 
 longer beheld the garden, nor the palace, nor the parrot. At his feet 
 lay the bow and arrows, and beside them a diamond of extreme 
 brilliancy like the sun. 
 
 He rose up and seized the diamond, when instantly all the marble 
 statues started into life. When they saw Hatim, they asked him, 
 " Tell us who you are, and how have you been able to break the 
 enchantment in which we were held ?" He told them the whole 
 occurrence ; and when they heard him, they prostrated themselves at 
 
 £ 5
 
 242 THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 his feet, aiui vowed to serve him while they lived. Hatim took 
 tlic rescued captives with him, and returned to the capital of Katan. 
 Oil his Avay he met four or five of the attendants of the bath, who, on 
 hearing the result of his adventure, hastened before him to give the 
 intelligence to their king. At length Hatim reached the city, and 
 had an interview with the ruler, to whom he shewed the diamond, 
 saying, " Sire, this jewel I present to you ; but it will be necessary 
 lor me first to shew it to Husn Banu, after which it shall be returned 
 to you. The people who accompany me are poor and destitute ; be 
 pleased, then, to furnish them with the means of subsistence till they 
 reach their own country." The request was liberally complied with 
 and the people joyfully departed. Shortly after, Hatim took leave of 
 the king, who appointed a splendid retinue to accompany him home, 
 and sent with him every thing requisite for the journey. Hatim 
 accordingly set oif, and without any interruption, arrived safe in 
 Shahabad. The people rejoiced when they saw him, and forthwith 
 conducted him to the gate of Husu Btinu's palace. The lady gave 
 orders for his immediate admission, and asked of him all the 
 occurrences of his journey. 
 
 Hatim related minutely -what he had seen and suffered ; and in 
 conclusion, produced the diamond as proof. He then addressed Husn 
 Banu, saying, " Now I have accomplished all your tasks, may I 
 request that you will perform your promise to me." — " I am entirely 
 yours," replied the lady ; " dispose of me as you think proper." 
 Hatim gave orders for a princely feast, and Husn Banu was forthwith 
 married to the Assyrian prince Munir, and thus the two lovers reached 
 the summit of their happiness. 
 
 After the celebration of the marriage, Hatim took leave of Munir 
 and Husn Banu ; and having, agreeably to his promise, sent the 
 diamond to the prince of Katan, he took the road to Yemen. When 
 he entered the boundaries of his native land, the whole country was 
 one scene of joy. " Hatim," said the people, " after long absence, 
 has returned to his own country." At length Hatim reached the 
 capital of Yemen, and was affectionately received by his father and 
 mother. His arrival was hailed with universal joy, and every house 
 resounded with music and mirth. 
 
 Shortly after, Tai resigned the reins of government into the hands 
 of Hatim, and lived in retirement for the remainder of his life, which 
 amounted to twelve years, seven months, and nine days. Hatim
 
 HATIM TAl. 243 
 
 reijrned lonsc over Yemen: aud blessed with the aflfectiou of the 
 beautiful Zarinposh, his life passed ia uninterrupted happiness. 
 
 Thus ended the seven adventures of Hatim Ta'i. May this defec- 
 tive narrative in some degree perpetuate his memorj, and may his 
 virtues be imitated by future generations. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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