Leg over Leg: Volume Four 9781479883929

Leg over Leg recounts the life, from birth to middle age, of ‘the Fariyaq,’ alter ego of Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq, a pivot

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Leg over Leg Volume Four

Library of Arabic Literature Editorial Board General Editor Philip F. Kennedy, New York University Executive Editors James E. Montgomery, University of Cambridge Shawkat M. Toorawa, Cornell University Editors Julia Bray, University of Oxford Michael Cooperson, University of California, Los Angeles Joseph E. Lowry, University of Pennsylvania Tahera Qutbuddin, University of Chicago Devin J. Stewart, Emory University Managing Editor Chip Rossetti Volume Editor Michael Cooperson

Letter from the General Editor

The Library of Arabic Literature is a new series offering Arabic editions and English translations of key works of classical and pre-modern Arabic literature, as well as anthologies and thematic readers. Books in the series are edited and translated by distinguished scholars of Arabic and Islamic studies, and are published in parallel-text format with Arabic and English on facing pages. The Library of Arabic Literature includes texts from the pre-Islamic era to the cusp of the modern period, and encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, poetics, fiction, religion, philosophy, law, science, history, and historiography. Supported by a grant from the New York University Abu Dhabi Institute, and established in partnership with NYU Press, the Library of Arabic Literature produces authoritative Arabic editions and modern, lucid English translations, with the goal of introducing the Arabic literary heritage to scholars and students, as well as to a general audience of readers.   Philip F. Kennedy General Editor, Library of Arabic Literature

‫����ت�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك� ب‬

‫�� � ا ��ل�� �ا �ق‬ ‫ا ��ل�� �ا �ق‬ ‫س � ع�ل�ى س �‬ ‫��ف ا � ا �� � ا � ا �ق‬ ‫�ى ��م� ه�و ل��ف� ري� �‬ ‫ف ا �� ا �� ش � ا �ق‬ ‫�� ر س ل����دي� �‬

‫ل�‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ج�ل�د ل ارب�� ‏‬ ‫ع‬

Leg over Leg or

The Turtle in the Tree concerning

The Fāriyāq What Manner of Creature Might He Be by

Fāris al-Shidyāq Volume Four Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London Copyright © 2014 by New York University All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Shidyaq, Ahmad Faris, 1804?-1887.   Leg over leg or, : The turtle in the tree / Faris al-Shidyaq ; edited and translated by Humphrey Davies.        volumes cm   Bilingual edition In English and Arabic on facing pages.   Includes bibliographical references and index.   ISBN 978-1-4798-7575-7 (cl : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-4798-8392-9 (e-book) -- ISBN 978-1-4798-7920-5 (e-book)  1.  Shidyaq, Ahmad Faris, 1804?-1887. 2.  Shidyaq, Ahmad Faris, 1804?-1887--Travel--Middle East. 3. Arabic language--Lexicography. 4.  Middle East--Description and travel.  I. Davies, Humphrey T. (Humphrey Taman) translator, editor. II. Shidyaq, Ahmad Faris, 1804?-1887. Saq ‘ala al-saq. III. Shidyaq, Ahmad Faris, 1804?-1887. Saq ‘ala al-saq. English. IV. Title. V. Title: Turtle in the tree.   PJ7862.H48S213 2013   892.7’8503--dc23 2013007540 CIP New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. Series design by Titus Nemeth. Typeset in Tasmeem, using DecoType Naskh and Emiri. Typesetting and digitization by Stuart Brown. Manufactured in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Table of Contents

Letter from the General Editor

iii

Book Four

1 4

Contents of the Book Chapter 1: Unleashing a Sea

10

Chapter 2: A Farewell

28

Chapter 3: Assorted Pleas for Mercy

50

Chapter 4: The Rules for Retelling

62

Chapter 5: The Superiority of Women

72

Chapter 6: A Discussion

84

Chapter 7: Compare and Contrast

96

Chapter 8: A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and 112

Inscrutably Intricate Chapter 9: Form and Shapes

126

Chapter 10: A Passage and an Explanation

142

Chapter 11: A Translation and Some Advice

154

Chapter 12: Philosophical Reflections

172

Chapter 13: A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

190

Chapter 14: Elegy for a Son

202

Chapter 15: Mourning

218

Chapter 16: The Tyrannical Behavior of the English

230

Chapter 17: A Description of Paris

248

Chapter 18: A Complaint and Complaints

270

Chapter 19: A Metropolitan Theft and Miscellaneous Events

300

Chapter 20: Selection of Poems and Verses Written by the Fāriyāq in 308

Paris as Previously Alluded To

406

Conclusion

Letter to “Sīdi Shaykh Muḥammad, Sayyidna Metropolitan Buṭrus,” etc. 408 List of the Synonymous and Lexically Associated Words in This Book 412

vii

Table of Contents

Appendix to the Book In Which Are Strung Together the Pearl-like Errors Made by the Great Masters among the Teachers of Arabic Languages in the Schools of Paris

428

List of Misspelled Arabic Words that I Discovered in the Transcriptions of Letters in Persian in the Book by “the Sandy 446

Shaykh,” Alexandre Chodźko Table Showing the Mistakes in the Probative Verses in the Maqāmāt of al-Ḥarīrī which appeared in a second edition, with corrections by the two eminent shaykhs Reinaud and Derenbourg, in 1847 following the death of de Sacy; the mistakes in the commentary itself are too numerous to count

448

Notice

482

Translator’s Afterword

485

Chronology: al-Shidyāq, the Fāriyāq, and Leg over Leg

495

Notes

503

Glossary

546

Bibliography

550

Further Reading

555

Index

559

About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

572

About the Typefaces

573

About the Editor-Translator

574

viii

‫ت �ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���هر��س� ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب�‬

‫�ا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل� �و�ل‬ ‫� ث ا �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ث ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �لث��ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�ل���ص�ل ا �ل ار ���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خل ا‬ ‫ا � ف�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ل���ص�ل ا�� �م��س‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل��س� د ��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�ل���ص�ل ا �ل��س�ا ب���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �لث��ا �م�ن ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�ل���ص� ا �لت��ا ��س�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ف ل � ع‬ ‫اش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل�ع� ���ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ش‬ ‫ا � ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح� د ى �ع���ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ث ا ��ن ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل�� �ى �ع���ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ث ا � ث ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل�� �ل� �ع���ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل ا ��� ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع �ع���ر‬ ‫ل رب‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��خل ا‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا�� �م��س �ع���ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل��س� د ��س �ع���ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل��س�ا ��� ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع �ع���ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل �� ع���ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��لت��ا ��س� ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع �ع���ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل� ش‬ ‫ع���ر�و�ن ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �خ ن‬ ‫�ق�� �د�ة ا ��ل��س��ل���ط�ا ن� �عب��د الجم‬ ‫�ي��د ��ا �‬ ‫�ص�ي‬ ‫ة � ف� �ة ��ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫�ص�ي �د� ا ل�هر ي�� �ى �م�دح �ب� ري���س‬

‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ا �ل ارب���‏‬ ‫ا � ك��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ى ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر *‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ى �ود ا *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف ا �� ��ت ��ا �م�ا ت �ش�� ت‬ ‫�ى *‬ ‫�ى س رح � �‬ ‫��ف ش � �� �ة‬ ‫�ى ���ر�و ��ط ا لر� ا‬ ‫و �ي� *‬ ‫�ف ف ض � ن آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ��ل ن ن �ع�ن ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫ل�� ر� � *‬ ‫��ى ������ل ا �ل����س�� �و�ي��ه �و�ص� ��د �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��ف ��م ة‬ ‫ح�ا �ور� *‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫��ف ا �� �� ا �ق � ت ن �ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�� � � ا‬ ‫و �ل����ي ر *‬ ‫�ى ل� ب‬ ‫�ف �ف �م� ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� � ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ع���م ر�هب���ل *‬ ‫�ى ��س ر ج���ل �و�يه� ��وم � ى‬ ‫��ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫�ى ا �ل�ه�ي�� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل *‬ ‫��ف �� �فس� � ��ت�ف‬ ‫و � ��س�ي�ر *‬ ‫�ى ر‬ ‫��ف �ت � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ى ر ج �م� �و يح� *‬ ‫��ف خ� �� ف �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �‬ ‫طر���ل��س� ي�� *‬ ‫�ى �‬ ‫��ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ى �م��� �م� �م����ي � *‬ ‫�ف ثآ �‬ ‫��ى ر��� ء �و�ل��د *‬ ‫���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��دا د *‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ي�ز‬ ‫�ور ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫���ل�� *‬ ‫��ى ج��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ى �و�ص�� �ب�ا ر��� *‬ ‫يس‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ة ش�‬ ‫��ى �ش�� ك�‬ ‫��ا � �و�����ك�و�ى *‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق �ة � �� �ن �ة �ق ا �ئ ��مخ ف �ة‬ ‫��ى ��سر� م�ط ار �ي�� �و �و � ��‬ ‫�ت���ل��� *‬ ‫�ف �ن �ذ ة ن ظ � � ف ع ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ى � ب�� � �م�م�ا �� �����م�ه ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� �م�ن ا � �ل��ص�ا �ئ��د � او �ل� ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫ا �ق ت � ا ش ة �‬ ‫�ع��ل� �م� � ب �‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫� ا �ل� ����ا ر� ا �لي��ه *‬ ‫ى‬

‫دا� �‬ ‫ع�زه *‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح ��� �� �مه�ا‬ ‫�ص�ي �د� ا �ل‬ ‫� او � �ل��‬ ‫�ري ى �‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪8‬‬ ‫‪10‬‬ ‫‪28‬‬ ‫‪50‬‬ ‫‪62‬‬ ‫‪72‬‬ ‫‪84‬‬ ‫‪96‬‬ ‫‪112‬‬ ‫‪126‬‬ ‫‪142‬‬ ‫‪154‬‬ ‫‪172‬‬ ‫‪190‬‬ ‫‪202‬‬ ‫‪218‬‬ ‫‪230‬‬ ‫‪248‬‬ ‫‪270‬‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ى‬

‫ا‬ ‫�ب� ري���س‬

‫‪300‬‬ ‫‪308‬‬ ‫‪213‬‬ ‫‪326‬‬

Contents of the Book

Book Four

9

Chapter 1: Unleashing a Sea

11

Chapter 2: A Farewell

29

Chapter 3: Assorted Pleas for Mercy

51

Chapter 4: The Rules for Retelling

63

Chapter 5: The Superiority of Women, including a Description of London on the Authority of the Fāriyāq

73

Chapter 6: A Discussion

85

Chapter 7: Compare and Contrast

97

Chapter 8: A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate ‎

113

Chapter 9: Form and Shapes

127

Chapter 10: A Passage and an Explanation

143

Chapter 11: A Translation and Some Advice

155

Chapter 12: Philosophical Reflections

173

Chapter 13: A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

191

Chapter 14: Elegy for a Son

203

Chapter 15: Mourning

219

Chapter 16: The Tyrannical Behavior of the English

231

Chapter 17: A Description of Paris

249

Chapter 18: A Complaint and Complaints

271

Chapter 19: A Metropolitan Theft and Miscellaneous Events

301

Chapter 20: A Selection of Poems and Verses Written by the Fāriyāq in Paris as Previously Alluded To:

309

The Poem for Sultan ʿAbd al-Majīd ‎Khān, may God preserve his might 313 The Presumptive Poem in Praise of Paris and the Prescriptive Poem in Dispraise of It

327

5

5

‫ت �ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر��س� ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب�‬ ‫��‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص�ي �د�ة ا �ل ��تى ا �مت��د � �ب��ه�ا ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ن��ا ب� ا �ل�ا �م�ي�ر �عب��د ا � �لق��ا د ا�لم��‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫ر كرم‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �لق�� �د�ة ا �ل�ت ا �مت��د � � ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر�ة � ب�ص��‬ ‫� ن��ا ا�لم��‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫ح�ى ب��ي���ك ��ى ا ��س�ل�ا �مب ��و�ل‬ ‫�ص�ي‬ ‫� �ى ت ح ب�� ج ب� كرم‬ ‫�غ � ئ � ا �‬ ‫ا �� �لق� �د�ة ا �ل�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����ه�ا ا ��ل�ى ا �� �لف��ا ض���� ا ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ور�ى �ب� را ��ي���ل ج�ب�� ره ا �ل‬ ‫م��ر� *‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة ا �� �ق ا �ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص�ي �د� ل��م� ر�� *‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ا ت � �غ ف ت‬ ‫ا �ل� ب��ي��ا � ا �ل� ر�ي��ا � *‬ ‫ا �� �لق��ص�ا �ئ��د ا �� �ف�ل ا ق ت‬ ‫ر �ي��ا � *‬ ‫� � ا �ف �ذ � ت‬ ‫ل�ا � �ن � ا � ف ا �ظ � � �ت ف �ة ا�ل�مت� ن �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���س� *‬ ‫�ج��د �و�ل �م� ��ى �ه� ا ا � ك��� ب� م ا �ل� � �ل�� �� ا�لم� را د �� �و ج‬ ‫�ذ ن � ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ��ى ��ن �ق��د �م�د ر��س�ى ا �ل�ع بر��ي�� �و�غ��ي�ر��هم ��ى �ب�ا ري���س *‪1‬‬ ‫�� ب� �ل�� ك��‬ ‫*‬

‫ف ذ ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫غ‬ ‫*‬ ‫ل�ا ب� ‏‬ ‫‪  1‬ت�� ي�ل���ه�ا �ف�ي ‪���� :1855‬ص�ل��ي�� �م�ا و�� �م� ن� الا ��لا ط �ى �ه�� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫ح ع‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪344‬‬ ‫*‬

‫‪352‬‬ ‫‪356‬‬ ‫‪364‬‬ ‫‪368‬‬ ‫‪390‬‬ ‫‪412‬‬ ‫‪428‬‬

Contents of the Book

The Poem in Which He Eulogized the Honorable and Ennobled Emir

ʿAbd Al-Qādir Ibn Muḥyī Al-Dīn

345

The Poem in Which He Eulogized the Honorable and Ennobled Ṣubḥī ‎Bayk, Of Noble Lineage and Line, in Islāmbūl

353

The Eulogy He Wrote to the Virtuous and Wise Priest Ghubrāʾ īl Jubārah 357 A Poem on Gambling

365

Room Poems

369

Poems of Separation

391

A List of the Synonymous and Lexically Associated Words in This Book

413

Appendix

429

7

7

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ل����ت�ا ب� ا �ل ارب��� ‏‬ ‫ع‬

Book Four

‫��‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�لا �ل� �و�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ڡ ا ����ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��حر‬ ‫ق ا �� ف� ه � ا �ن آ � ا � � ف �ا � �ق �ت ف ه ا �ل� � ش �ة ��ف �‬ ‫�م�ن �ل�� ���س�ا �ف ���ف ا �ب�ل�� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح� ر � �و�ي��� ِس ي�� ا �ل� �� �و � او �ل� م� او �ج ��ل �ي��د ر ر�� معي������ �ى ا �ب ر‬ ‫مي رى‬ ‫�ز �آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ل�م�ا ا �ع� ك ا�لم��‬ ‫حق ق��د ر�ه�ا * �ي���ب���غ� �ل��ك ا �ي��ه�ا ا � �لق��ا ر�ى ا �لب��ر�ى ا � ��ت��ص�ور ��ى ��ا �ل��ك ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�خَ ض���� �ة � ا ��خل �ز � ّ ن خ‬ ‫ا �� �ل�ق ا � � ا ��ل���ل � غ‬ ‫� ف ا�� �ة � � ئ �ة � ق � ��ل‬ ‫�ب�� ا �ل��ل�ي��ن ا � ا ��‬ ‫�وا �ن��ك‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�� ض�‬ ‫��ي���ض� � او � �ل�� �ك�ه� ا �ل��ط ��ير�� � او �لب �� ��و�ل ا � ِ� ل� و‬ ‫و‬ ‫رح م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����ل�ه * � ا � ��س� ���ت‬ ‫ح ��م‬ ‫���ا ب� ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫ح �و�م�و� �م�ن �ه� ا ك�‬ ‫رك�‬ ‫�ه� �ل� �ت�ز ا �ل ��مي��د �ب��ه� � �و�ت ��ق���ل ب� � �و��ص�ع�د‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫�ف �� ق ة ق ن غ �ة‬ ‫�� �� �ق �ة �ت �� ن غ �ة‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫ه� ��ط * ��د �و� �ك��ل ل��م� ي���س� ر�‬ ‫ط�و���ه�ا ���ص� * �و��ى �ك��ل ر��د� �ير��د �و���ه�ا �م���ص� *‬ ‫�و�� ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � �ن ا �� �� ا � ف �ا �ت ف � ا ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ق ن �غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� �ب��ي�ن �ي��د �ي��ك �ل�و� � او �‬ ‫ح�د م ل��ط�ع� م ��ل � �� ك‬ ‫�را �ل� �ي��ه * � او �عت����د ا � ��ي�رك‬ ‫� او �ن�ه �م��ى �و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫قّ‬ ‫�غ �ذ‬ ‫�ف �ت � �ة‬ ‫ف �ذ �‬ ‫ح � � ا �� ت ا � ّ�س ا � ت‬ ‫ي��� ت�� �ى ب��مث���ل�ه ��ى ���ل�ك ا �ل��س�ا �ع� ب���ل �ب�ا ���ل �م ن��ه * �ب�� �ل��ك ي� ��ص�ل �ل�ك ل�� �ى �‬ ‫و �ل����س��ل� *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ا آ‬ ‫ف� ت ف‬ ‫ف �ذ ن �ظ �‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫��� ن‬ ‫�صر�و� ا �ل�و را ء �و� ك‬ ‫��ا �م�ا ا ا �� �� ر ت� ا �ل�ى ��� �صور ا�لم��ل�وك � او �ل� �م �ر �و�‬ ‫��ر� ي��م�ا �ي�ا ك��ل�و�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫�أ ن ا � � ّت ق �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ش ن فا ن� � ا‬ ‫�تت �ن �ف � ت نّ ا � غ ف ا ئ‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� � �لمع ����‬ ‫�وي���� �بر��و� �� ��ك �ل� ر��ي ب� � ��ع ب� � � ��س�ك �و���ع�ي��ه� �ل���ي�ر �� ���د� * �و�ل�� ا ح�� ب‬ ‫ا � �ة‬ ‫�� �ن � � ا ف ا � ا � ا �ل� � ا ��ش‬ ‫ا ��ل�ت � ش��� ��ه�ا ا ��ل�ا �م�� ا ��ل���ذّ �م�ن ا �ل�م��آ ا ��ل���ذ �ى �تش��� ��ه ا ن�� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر ب ور‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�ى ي بر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫بر‬ ‫� ض �� � ا ا ة �م�ص��ل �ة � � �ت �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة ك��‬ ‫���ط�ل�ع� �ب� د ا ر� �‬ ‫ح� �ل�ك ��‬ ‫��و ن� �ز �و ج�‬ ‫��ك ي���ك � او �ه��ل�ك ا�لم�ٓ �ون� * �و�‬ ‫� او�لم�ع�ا د * م�‬ ‫�ت���ك‬ ‫ت ا ة � غ� ن‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ت �‬ ‫�ن � ي�ن � �ش� ا � �‬ ‫ت� � ق ا � ت �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��ل��س �ب�� �ل��ك ا �و �ع ي�م� �ك �و �م� �ل�ك * �و �و�ل�د ك ا �ل�ص���ي�ر �ع��ل�ى ركب�� �ك * �� ر� ي����ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫خ ت ش‬ ‫��ل��ك * � �ت�ا � � ن��ا � �ل��ك ب����ده ا �ل��ل�� �ف ا ا ت ن‬ ‫����ع�ا ك‬ ‫ط��� �م� ��س� �ل� �ع��ه ا �م�ه * � او ا �ر�ج�� � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و ر �ي و ي‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ��ف ��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف� �مت� ك�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ا �لب��ا ب� � او ا ق��د �م ت� �ص�ع�د ا �م�ع��ك � او �ج���ل��س�ا ك �ع��ل� ا �ن ظ� �� �‬ ‫�� �ى ا �ل�د ا ر *‬ ‫ى‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪١،١،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،١،٤‬‬

Chapter 1

Unleashing a Sea

Only one who has traveled the seas and experienced the misery of their tem-

4.1.1

pests and swells can properly appreciate the ease of life on land. Whenever, then, my dear landlubber of a reader, you feel a need for clean water, tender meat, fresh fruit, succulent greens, or soft bread, you must bear in mind that your seafaring brethren are deprived of all such things, that their vessel never stops moving beneath their feet, tossing them, turning them, and throwing them up and down, that before every mouthful of food they swallow they must first choke, and that before lying down to sleep they must first suffer a bellyache. Likewise, when food of just one kind is placed before you, think only of that and know well that others too are dining at this hour, and perhaps on something more meager still. If you do so, you will find solace and distraction. If, however, you lift your eyes to the palaces of kings and princes and the mansions of ministers and wonder what they are eating and drinking, you will certainly tire and torment yourself to no avail. Do you really imagine that the aged wine drunk by the prince is more delicious than the water you are drinking, so long as you are informed as to the affairs of this world and the next and are proficient in the management of some business of yours that provides for yourself and your family, so long as your wife sits before you or on your right or left while your small child sits on your knee, singing to you one moment, passing you with his sweet hand anything you may have asked your wife to give you the next, and so long as on your departure, they accompany you to the door and on your arrival, take you upstairs and seat you on the best cushion in the house?

11

11

4.1.2

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫حت‬ ‫�ف�ا �م�ا ا ن�� ت� ��ا �� �د �ى ا ��لغ��ن�� �ف�ا ��ل�ا �و ��ل� ��ل��ك ا ن� �ت��س�ا �ف �م�ن �م�د ��ن��ت���ك ا ��ل�ع�ا �م �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي س�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ ت � � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ �ن‬ ‫ب���عي���ي���ك �م�ا �ل�م �تره ��ى ب���ل��د ك * �و���س�م� �ب�ا �ي���ك �م�ا �ل�م ���س�م�ع�ه * �و��ب� ر ا �‬ ‫حوا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�� � ت � �خ ا �ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� و م� �هب �� و��س�ي � �س��ه� * � �� ب �ل ب ع�د‬ ‫��و�م��ك �و�ع�ا د ا ���ه�م � او �ط� او ر �ه � �و��د رى ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ن� ت� ��ا �ه�ل�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن نا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ع ن��د ��ه �و�غ��ي�ر ا ��ل‬ ‫�ذ ��ل��ك ���ي�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ع��د �� * �و�م��ى د �ل� ب�ل د �م و �ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ت �ا آ‬ ‫نَ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� �ا � ا �ل‬ ‫� �من‬ ‫ح��ل ا �ل� ��س�م�� �م�ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �ّو ��ل�ا * ا �و ����س�‬ ‫ح�ق��� �ع�� ���عل��� ك��‬ ‫���ل�غ� ت�ه �ف� �ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �� �‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ب � �م ل ر ص ب ك ل�ى م ل م �ى � م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � غ �ة ��ف ��‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫�خ ث‬ ‫�ذ � غ �ة ن ا‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ��ل���ط�� � او ��ل‬ ‫ا ج��� الم��س ّ�مي��ا ت� * �ف�ا ن� �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب�ي��� * ا ا �ل��ل��� ا ��م� ��هى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫يب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ه * � �م�ع��ل� � ا � �� �ه��ذه �م�ا يح��م��د � �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ع��ا � �ع�ن � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫حرك�� � ا �ل� ���س� � � او ���ع� �ل�ه � او � ك� ر‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و وم ى‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��كو ن� كب�‬ ‫�ي���ذ �ّ * �ف�ا �ج���ل�ك �ع�ن ا ن� �ت��‬ ‫����ع��ض� ا�لم��س�ا �فر�ي�ن ا �ل���ذ�ي�ن �ل�ا ��ي ت��ع��ل�م�و ن� �م�ن �لغ���ا ت� �غ��� ��ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ير م‬ ‫�ا ضآ‬ ‫�ا آ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� �ف �ة � ا �� ��ن�����غ �� � ���ي�ن �ت�د �خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ���سم�� ���ع�� ا �ل� �ع� �‬ ‫��س‬ ‫��� �و�عب�� را � ا �ر�ى � ي��� * �ل� ب �ل ي ب �ى ل�ك ح � ��ل‬ ‫ب �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � ش �‬ ‫� � ا خ�ز ئ�ن ���ت‬ ‫� ن �ت ق‬ ‫ت �ف‬ ‫�ص�د �ب���ل �ك‬ ‫���ل ����ى ا�لم�د ا ر��س � او �لم��ط� ب��� �و� ا � ا ك‬ ‫�ب�ل�ا د ��ه ��س�ا �لم�ا ا � � ���‬ ‫ل��� ب� � او�لم��س�� ش���� ي��ا ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫آع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ال� خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���ط� * ا �ى ا �ل� �م�ا �ك�ن ا �ل �� ي� ��ط� ��ه�ا ا �ل�ع��ل�م�� �� �ك�� ا � �ل ن�� � � ا �ل�ع��ل� � * �من�ه�ا �م�ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫شت‬ ‫�خ � �ة ف ق �‬ ‫� ا�ز �ة � �ذ �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ا� ا‬ ‫�ه�و �م�ع�د �ل���ل ��ط�ا �ب� ���� ��ط �و�من��ه�ا �م�ا ي������م�ل �ع��ل�ى ج��مي�� ا �ل� �ل� ت� � او �ل� د � او ت� ا �ل�ل� �م� �ل�� �ل��ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت ا� �‬ ‫�ت ه�د ��ف ا ن �ت ��ل�ف‬ ‫ا ��ل�عل��� * � ا �ذ ا � ت‬ ‫ح��ل��ة �تش���ه �ه�ا ���ي�ن‬ ‫فا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م و رج‬ ‫��ع� ب �ح�م��ده ���ع� �ل�ى ا �ل�ى ب���ل��د ك �� ج� �� �ى � ��و � ر‬ ‫�ر ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ن تف‬ ‫ا �لت� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص�د � ك‬ ‫����س ب� ب��ب��ي��ع�ه�ا * � �وي�ا �ل�ي�ت��ك � ش����ا رك‬ ‫ا ��ه�ل �ب�ل�ا د ك �لي�������ع� او �ب��ه�ا �و�ل��ك�ن �م�ن د �و� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � � �ن ا � ا �غ� �آ ��ف ا ن ش �آ �م ��� � �ة �ت �� � ف �غ �ذ �‬ ‫�ت ا �ل�م��ف ة‬ ‫ب���ع�� ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ط�ع� ��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ��ي�ر �ل��ك �م�ن ا � ك‬ ‫ل��� ب� ي��د�‬ ‫ط� ��‬ ‫ح� �ب�ك م �ل� �ن�ي � �ى ����� ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫بع‬ ‫� � �ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت � ��ف ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ل��لر�ج��ا �ل � او �ل����س�� � او �ل� �و �ل� د �و� �‬ ‫�ص��� �م�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح��د��ه * � ��ع � ا �م� �له‬ ‫ل��ك�ل �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ى ي ر و � �م‬ ‫��ك�ن ��ذ‬ ‫آ ��ا ن ت �ت � � �� ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ي�ه� �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�� ب� �عر���� ا �و �م�ع ّ�ر� * �و�ل�� ا �‬ ‫ح�ق ��و�� * �� �س �و ك�� ��� ��لك ا ك‬ ‫�و�م�ا �ع��ل�‬ ‫ح� ر‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ن � ن � �غ ّآ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا ن ت خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ��ا �ل�م�عت��� * ��ا � ا�لم�د � ا �ل� ن���‬ ‫���� ث� � ا �ل�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�� ا ��ل���ط�� ��ا ��ل‬ ‫���ل���ط ���فى ��ن �ق���ل�ك �ع�ن ا �جل�ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي ب ل‬ ‫م يب ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�لَ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�ك��ث ا �� ف�ل� ض ئ‬ ‫�ك��ث ف�� � �ذ ئ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ك��ا �ت�� ر �‬ ‫���ا ���ل * ���ع� ا � �م�ن �ه�و �ل� ا �ل ن��ا ��س م�ن �ي�اب �ى ا � �ير�ى‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �لر ا ���ل �م‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ ض‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫� ا � �ة ف ا‬ ‫� � ا‬ ‫ا��‬ ‫�����ط ا ��ل�ى ر ��ؤ � ت��ه �و�ه�و �ع��ل� ��ت��ل�ك ا ��ل‬ ‫ح� �ل� ��ل� �ي��د �ع�وه �ل�� �لو��س‬ ‫ح�دا �و�ه�و �ع��ل�ى ا �ل���ط�ع� �م * � او ا ا � ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف � ف ف ق ف � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫����ى ��مم�ا �ب��ي�ن �ي��د �ي�ه * �ل��ك�ن �من��ه� �م�ن �ي��د �ع�وك ا �ل�ى �‬ ‫ح�ه ��ى ا �ل �ر�ي�� �ت���ي�� �ي��ه ا �ل� � ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪12‬‬

‫�ت‬ ‫ر�ى‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��ي�ر‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪٣،١،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،١،٤‬‬

‫‪٥،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

As for you, my dear rich gentleman, you would do better to leave your

4.1.3

prosperous city to see with your own eyes what you cannot see in your own country and hear with your own ears what you cannot hear there, to experience how other people live and their customs and ways, to discover their morals and modes of thought and how they govern themselves. After that, you may compare the good things in their land with the bad things in ours. And when you enter their country and are ignorant of their language, don’t insist on learning the dirty words from them first or delight in words for the sake of the things they denote, for every language in the universe has fair and foul given that language expresses the actions, deeds, and thoughts of men, which encompass, as all will agree, both the praiseworthy and the blameworthy. I hold you in too high esteem to imagine that you will be like those travelers who learn of other people’s languages only the names of certain parts of the body and other despicable terms. On the contrary, when you arrive safe and sound in a country you must, before anything else, make for the schools, printing presses, libraries, hospitals, and lecture rooms (by which I mean those places where scholars speak on every art and science; some of these are equipped only for public addresses while others contain every instrument and device required for the science in question). And when you return, by God’s grace, to your own town, exert yourself

4.1.4

to write a book about your travels and publicize it among your countrymen so that they may benefit—but without any intention to make money from the sale of it. Would that you might partner too with some of your fellow rich in establishing a printing press on which to print further books that may be useful to men, women, and children and to each category of person so that they may learn what their rights and duties are, whether those books be written originally in Arabic or translated into it. Be careful, though, that in copying from the non-Arabs, you do not confuse the fair with the foul, the sound with the defective. Great cities are as full of vices as they are of virtues. True, among those people there are some who will refuse to see anyone when they are at table and, if compelled to do so, will not invite him to taste any of what is before them. Others, though, will invite you to their mansions in the countryside, where you may stay for a week, or two weeks, with

13

13

4.1.5

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�� � � � ا ��لت�� �ة‬ ‫� ا ��ا � �ع��ي�ن � ا ن�� ت ا ���آ �م ا ��ل ن��ا �ه * � ا ن �من � �ن خ‬ ‫ح�� * � او ا‬ ‫و �ل ب �‬ ‫�س�و و � �ل ر �ى و � �‬ ‫�ه�م �لم ��يب ��ل �ع�لي��ك برد ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ص�د �ق�ا �ئ�ه �ل�� ���ع �ف�� ك �م�ن ق���� ��م�ا‬ ‫�ص�د ��ق �من‬ ‫�ه� �وك�‬ ‫���ا � ��ى الم�ج���ل��س ج��م�ا �ع� �م�ن ا �‬ ‫د ���ل ت� د ا �‬ ‫م ي رو‬ ‫بل‬ ‫ر ي�� � م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح��د �من�ه ��يت��‬ ‫ح���لح�ل ��ل��ك ���فى ا � �ل�قي��ا � �و �ل�ا ي���عب��ا �ب��ك �و �ل�ا ��ي��لت���ف ت� ا ��لي���ك * ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�ن �من��ه� �م�ن ا ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ذ ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع �ف��ك ا �هت�� ��ا �م ك ���فى �‬ ‫ح��د ��س�و�ى * � او ا ا ئ��م�ن�ت�ه �ع��ل� ��س ّر ك��م�ه‬ ‫���ورك �و� ي��ا �ب��ك �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح ض�‬ ‫مب ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح��ا ��ه * � ا � �من‬ ‫��ل��ك ��ط�و�ل �‬ ‫�ه�م �لم�ن ��ي ن�ب�� ك �ب�ا �ل� � �ل��ا ب� ا �و�ل �م�ا ��ي��� �� �� ره �ع��ل�ى ����ا بر��ي���ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن � ن � �ن � ت ا ��ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ي�ت‬ ‫�ن �ذ � � �ن‬ ‫ا ت‬ ‫�و ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫ح� ��ك ا �و �ع��ل�ى�ع�م� �م���ك ا �و ي ج�� �ب��ك �م ��ي�لك �م �ور� * �و�ل� �‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫ح��س�ا ن� ا ��ل��ه �و ر�ى ا �ج��ا ر�ت�ه �و�‬ ‫�ع��ل� �م�ع �ف��ة ا �ل�غ� ��� � �و��ترا � ا ��ل�ى ا ��لر��ف�ق �ب�ه � او ��ل�ا �‬ ‫ح�م�ا ��ي ت��ه �ر ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �ي‬ ‫ى ر ري ب ي ح‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل��ه ��مت��‬ ‫ح�تم�ا * � ا ن� �من‬ ‫�ك�ن �من�ه� �م�ن‬ ‫� �م ن���ك ا �ذ ا را ك ����ل‬ ‫�ه� �ل�م�ن ي����خ�س‬ ‫ح�ن ���فى �ل�غ� ت��ه * �و��ل��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫حر��ص �ع��ل� ا ن� ي���ع��ل�م��ك ا �ي�ا �ه�ا �ج�م�ا �ن�ا ا �م�ا ب��ن���ف ��س�ه ا �و ب� �� او ��س ���ط��ة �ز �و ج�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ت��ه � بو�� ن��ا ��ه * �و�ع��ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ت �غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت فق‬ ‫ي���ع�ي�رك �م�ا ��ي� ي��د ك �م�ن ك�� ب� �و��ي�ر�ه�ا �و ر����د ك ا �ل�ى �م�ا �ي��ه �ص�ل�ا � ا �مرك �و���و�ي�����ك *‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن �ظ ��‬ ‫��� ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س���ك �ق�د � او ��ف� ت� ��ل�ا ده �ت��س�ا � ��ق��ه �ع��ل ر �ز �ق�ه �ي� ك�‬ ‫ن ن � �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫�ي ر‬ ‫� او � �م��ه�م �لم ي� ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن�ز � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز � �ة‬ ‫ش �ز‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫ح��ترا �م�ه‬ ‫��ي��ف� ي�ج� ب� ا ك�‬ ‫��را �م�ه � او �‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن �ي�� �ل��ك ��ى ب���ل��ده �م�� �ل� ض�‬ ‫ا �لي���ك ��� را * �ل��ك�ن �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ �لَ‬ ‫ح� ث� ��ل�ا ��ت ف����ص� �ع ن��ه � ���ف �ق��ل���ك ا د ���ن ا �� �م�ن ا �ه��ل�ه * � ا ن� �من‬ ‫� ��ذ ّ ن‬ ‫�ه� �ل�م�ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫وى ب‬ ‫� او �ل� ب� �ع��ه ب�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ ن ت �ت � � ه �ت� �ل ه ث� � ا � �ق �� � � � ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي����خ�سرك ا � �� ر ج � �ل� ا �و �ع� �م� � �ل� �ي ��ول �ل�ك ا‬ ‫ح��س�� ت� �ي�ا �م��ر ج�� ا �و �ي�ا �م�عل��� * �ل��ك�ن �من�ه‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�م�ن �ل�ا ي����ست��ح�ل ا � �ي ك�‬ ‫� ��م��ك � � �‬ ‫� ���� �ت�ي ��ك *‬ ‫���ل�م��ك �م�ن د �و� ا � �ي ��ود �ى ا �لي���ك ا ج�ر� ��‬ ‫و م‬ ‫ث ح‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا ن � ن � �ن ا �ذ ا ا ض � � ن‬ ‫����طر ا �ل�ى ا � �ي��د �ع�وك ا �ل�ى ���ط�ع�ا �م�ه �� را ك �ق�د ��س�ع��ل ت� ��س�ع��ل� ا و�‬ ‫� م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �لم‬ ‫و� � م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫ف ا ن �غ ن‬ ‫� �ة �ق ا �� ���ز � � ت ه اَ �َ ا ا نّ ض �ف‬ ‫��م‬ ‫�خ ���ط ت� ��م‬ ‫�خ ���ط��ة ا �و � ن�خ�‬ ‫�ر ت� ��خ�ر � ل ل و ج��� �ل� � �‬ ‫��ي�� ن��ا �م �ري���ض� * ��ل� �ي���ب���ى ا �‬ ‫��ث � �� ه � �ن ا �� �� � ا � ف�ت�ق � � �ن ا � ا �ئ ة �مت ض‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫��ورا �و��م��ت�نّ �ه�و �ع��لي���ك �ب��ي�ن �م�ع�ا ر�ف�ه �ب�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫�ك� رى ل� م ل��طع� م * � ��وم ع �لم� ��د� �� � ي‬ ‫���ذ ش ���ذ‬ ‫ن � �� �ة �ف‬ ‫���ذ ��ف�� �ت � �ة‬ ‫خ ��‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ل ���ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل� �ت�ا ير��ا * �ل��ك�ن �من��هم�‬ ‫ع �ل��ك �ويل�م� ��ى �ع�ا �م ك�� ا �و����هر ك�� ا �و�ي��و�م ك�� ا ي ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ا ش �ا ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ذ ا � �ف ا �ن � � �ق ��ف ا � �د � �ق � � �ا ده � � ا‬ ‫عر� �ك م�ي�� �ى ح� ى رى ب�ل‬ ‫حي� ث� �ل� ب��ي�� �و �ل� ��� �ر �و �ل� ����ى ��ي ن��ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف ا �ن �‬ ‫� �ن ا ��ل �ق �� � ا � ا ث� ا �� ث �� � � �ن � ا ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�كوى *‬ ‫ب�� ل� وح� ��� م� ��س�د � ك‬ ‫م ب���ول و �ل� �م� ر ب�ع� ي��ك‬

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‫‪14‬‬

‫‪٦،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

everyone at your beck and call. True, some will begrudge a response to your greeting, and if you enter the house of one such who is your friend and his salon is full of friends of his who do not already know you, not one of them will bestir himself to stand and greet you or pay you the slightest attention or even turn toward you. On the other hand, there are those who, once they have gotten to know you, will be as solicitous of your welfare when you are absent as they are when you are present, and if you confide a secret to them, will keep it as long as they live. True, there are those who will call you names as soon as they set eyes on your mustaches, beard, or turban and will tug on the skirt of your robe from behind, but there are also those who have a passionate desire to become acquainted with strangers, are happy to be in their company and to do good to them, and think it a duty to aid and protect them. True, there are those who will mock you when they see you making mistakes in their language, but there are also those who will be intent on teaching it to you without charge, either themselves or via their wives or daughters, and on lending you books and other things that may be of use to you and guide you to whatever may serve your interests and success. True, there are those who will reckon that you have turned up in their country to compete with them for their livelihoods and therefore scowl in your face and look at you askance, but there are also those who will regard you as a guest in their country to be honored, respected, and defended so that you depart without harboring the slightest hard feeling against their countrymen. True, there are those who will use you as forced labor, to translate for them or teach them, and never say, “Thank you, translator!” or “Thank you, teacher!” but there are also those who will regard it as sinful to speak to you without sending you payment for opening your mouth and closing your lips. True, there are those who, if they are compelled to invite you to eat with them and then notice you coughing, blowing your nose, or flaring your nostrils, will tell their wives, “He must be sick; you don’t have to give him a lot of food” so that you rise from the table starving while they make a great show of you among their guests, claiming that in the year soand-so and month so-and-so, on such and such a day, they held a great banquet for you, treating that night as though it marked the start of some new historical era. On the other hand, there are also those who, on discovering that you are staying in some village in their country where there is no trade

15

15

4.1.6

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫� �‬ ‫� ا ��ل � ن �ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا � ن‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ق�د ر ا لله �ع�لي��ه �ب� ك‬ ‫���ا � �م��س��ر د را �م� �ون��د ��ي ب��ع ث� ا �ل�ى ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �‬ ‫�مك� ك‬ ‫��س����ى ��ى ب���ع��ض�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ئ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك� ا ه �من‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت� �ش����‬ ‫��ت��ل�ك ا � �ل�قر�ى �ف ك�‬ ‫�ود م��‬ ‫�ه�ا ����سم� �م� د �و�ى ا �لير� * �لي� ت� ����عر�ى ا �لي����س �و ج �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫عع‬ ‫���ذ ���ذ �ق �ة � � ت�غ �ذ‬ ‫���ذ �� �ة‬ ‫ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا � ���د ا ك ���ف ا ��ل�ا �ق�� �خ��� ا �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�� �ل�ل ب��� �وك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل� * �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا �وك�� ا ا ركي�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ث � �ة ت‬ ‫� � �� �ة ��ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا � ��م�ن ا�لمئ�� ك����ا ب� �ل� �ي �� او �ى ��م�ن ���ل� �� ���ط� �م�ن ا �ل��ك�ه �رب�ا * ا �لي����س �و ج �‬ ‫�ود م� ب‬ ‫ط��ع� �ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �آ �ن �ة ا �� ن �ف �ة‬ ‫� ش��� � �ة ��ت � � ا �� �ف� آ ا ��ل��س �ة‬ ‫��ل�ا د ك ا � ��ل� �م�ن �ه��ذه ا ��ل���ط��ا ��ل�� ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه��ذه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� ي�� �ي ��س�‬ ‫ل� م�ي ر�ي� �و لك ر �م�وري� و‬ ‫وى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫�س��ف �م ن ه �ش ا � ا ��ل �ن ه � � ا‬ ‫� �ا ت‬ ‫ح��ل ا �� �لف��ا خ�ر * �ف�ا ن� ا ��لغ�� ن����س�ا ن� ا �ذ ا �ن �ظ� ��� ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�ى �ل� ي�� � ي��د �� ���ي � �ل� ب��د � و �ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ ا �ة ف‬ ‫ح�ه ��ه ا ن��م�ا �ه� ا ��ل ش���ه ا ��ل���ذ � ا �ش����ت ا ه ف���ه �ف�ا �ذ ا �مض� ت � ش‬ ‫و �ر ى ر ي‬ ‫��� �ع�لي��ه ا ����هر‬ ‫�ل ار ��س�ه * �و�� �ي� �ر� ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ده ��س� �ى ب����ع�ه * �ف�ا �م�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق � � ت ا ف � ق ن ا ّ �ن‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫�س�و�ى �ع��ده �و��س�� ��ط ا�لم��ع �ل��م ��يب ��� �م��ه �م� ي���سره �م �و ج��و‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ق ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ن �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ف �‬ ‫ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ��ا �ن�ه ك����ل�م�ا �مر ت� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��س��و� ا د ت� ي��مت��ه �وك���ر ت� �م ن��ا ���ع�ه * ا �و �لي����س ا ��ط�ل�ا �ع��ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز ن �ة‬ ‫� �غ ف �ة‬ ‫�ز �ة �‬ ‫ف �ت ف ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ع��ل ا ��لت��ا ر�خ� � او ج��ل‬ ‫�وا �ن��ك �و�م�ع�ا ر���ك � � ��و�� �ع��ل�ى ��ي ��‬ ‫�� ار �ي�� � او د ا ب� ا �ل ن��ا ��س ��ي ن�� �ل��ك �ب��ي�ن ا ��‬ ‫�ى ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح� �ظ‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫� ا �ه * ا ��ل���� �ت��ع��ل �� ا �ه��ل�ك �و�ذ � �و��ك �ش�� �ا �م�ن �ذ ��ل��ك �و�م�ن ��ق� ا �ع�د ��ل�ا �ز �م��ة ��ل‬ ‫� ��� ا �ل�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ث� ة ��تت �� �ق �‬ ‫��ت �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫��� ر ��ي ر طر� �‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�هم�‬ ‫��س��ك ��د لل ج ر وي��و ��ك‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�م ك�� ب� ا ل ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت ��ف ا ��ل� �� �ة �ت��ص�� � ن آ ق‬ ‫ف ن ق‬ ‫�ج��ل‬ ‫� �ه��ل�ه� �ب��ه�ا * ��ا � ���ل ت� ا �ن�ه �لي����س �ع ن��د �ن�ا ك�� ب� �ى عر ي��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ل��ل����س�� * ���ل ت� �ه ب�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن �اف ن‬ ‫��ت ��مخ ت �ة ا � ن �آ � ا � ا �ّف ا � ا �‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ��لي���� �ع��د ا �ل� �‬ ‫ح�ق��ا �و��ل��‬ ‫�م�ا ق���لت��ه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �لر�ج�� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك�� ب� ���ص� �ب� �ل����س� � او �ل� و �ل� د ي ��ول �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ف���َ ت ش �ت � �ن � ا �ف ن� ��‬ ‫ا �� �ف ا ض � ن � �ذّ � ن‬ ‫�خ�زّ � ا �ل�مت��ا � ��ل�ا �ت ش�����ت �ى �من�ه� ا ��ل�عل���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�و� ا�لم�ه� ب ��و‬ ‫م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت���ك �ع�ن ر � �و��ة ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا �ف��ل�ن‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�م��ة � او �ل�ا د ا ب� * �� ا �ن��ك �م�ه�م�ا �ب�ا �ل�غ� ت� ��ى ا ن� �تب��ر�ق�� �ز �و ج�‬ ‫� او �ل ك�‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�س� ��� ن ت �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت� ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��م�ا ك��ا ��� � ك�����م�ا ك��ا ��� ��ه ����� ا �ل��د � ��ا‬ ‫ط�� ا � �خ� � �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ع�ن ���لب��ه�ا * ��ا � ا�ل�م ار � ي‬ ‫وي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ىب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ ا خ ت ا ض ّت ا � ا �ت ق � ن � ة �ذ ��ا ن ت ش ة � ا ��� � ا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� و�‬ ‫� او �م�ه� � او � �‬ ‫ك� � ���ر�ير �ل� ح�ه� �� ب� ب �ل‬ ‫��ر��ه� * �ل� ��ل �ى � �مر‬ ‫ا �� �ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ص� ل‬ ‫ح�ا �ج���ة ا �لي��ه * �ف�ا ��ى ا ��ق�و��ل ا ن� ا�ل�م ار �ة ك�‬ ‫�ي�ز ���د�ه�ا ش��� ّر�ة * � او ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ��م�ا �ب��ه�ا �م�ن �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر ا �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ا �و �ل� ب����ت��ا �ب���ل ا � �ص�ا ر� ا �م ار � * � او � ا �لر ج���ل ك��ا � �م�ن �ب���ل �و�ل��د ا * �و �ل� ��ي ن� ك‬ ‫� �ف �‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ذ ّ‬ ‫��ا ��لن ���ق ��ف ا ��ل‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن �ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫حر * � او �ن��ك ا ا ب�ر�ي�� ت� �و�ل��د ك ��ى ا �ل�عل��� � او�لم�ع�ا ر��‬ ‫ا � ا �ل��ع��لي��م �ع��ل�ى �ص� ر * ك�� ر �ى �ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪16‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪٧،١،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

and nothing to be obtained by way of green vegetables or fruit, will send you, from their own gardens and orchards, enough to stop your mouth against any complaint. Thus it was with Mr. Drummond,1 when the Fāriyāq found himself fated to reside in one such village and his complaints were carried on the wind to people’s ears. How I wish the presence in your home of a hundred books did not count

4.1.7

as less of a witness to good fortune than that of a hundred tobacco pipes or a hundred water pipes, even though the cost of a hundred books is less than that of three pieces of amber!2 Isn’t the presence of a printing press in your country more important than all these cashmere shawls, sables, precious vessels, and expensive pieces of jewelry? If a person looks at a piece of jewelry, he derives no benefit from it either for his body or his brain; his pleasure in it lasts no longer than the month in which he bought it, and after a few months have passed it’s no more to him than scrap metal, the only pleasure to be derived from it being that of selling it. A book, on the other hand, grows more valuable with each passing year, and its benefits multiply. Are not your readings in history, geography, and the literatures of the world an adornment to you among your brethren and acquaintances that surpasses gemstones? If you teach your family and dependents a portion of such things and, from books of medicine, of the principles necessary for the preservation of their health, will you not win reward from God and protection from many an injury that might befall them as a result of their ignorance? If you say, “We have no books in Arabic suitable for women,” I reply, “Supposing you are right, do not the Franks have books written by refined and virtuous men specially for women and children? Why do you buy fabrics and furnishings from the Franks and not knowledge, wisdom, or literature? Then again, no matter what lengths you may go to in order to shield your wife from seeing the world, you will never be able to hide it from her heart. A woman, wherever and however she be, is this world’s daughter and its mother, sister, and co-wife. Do not say to me, ‘A book won’t set an evil woman to rights but will make her yet more wicked, and if she’s righteous, she doesn’t need one,’ for I will reply that a woman was a girl before she became a woman and a man was once a boy. No one can deny that educating the young is like carving on rock and that if you raise your offspring with

17

17

4.1.8

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫�‬ ‫�ن ق ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ض‬ ‫ح�ا �م�د �ير� �� ن� �ع��ل �م�ا �ّ���ت‬ ‫���ا �ئ�� � اولم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ع��لي��ه * �و�ت��ك�و� ��د ا د ��ي ت� �م�ا �ر ض�‬ ‫���ه ا لله �ع��لي���ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �ل�� ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى بي م‬ ‫ا ��� � �‬ ‫فت ف ا ق‬ ‫� � � ا �� � خ� �م ��� ئ‬ ‫�خ ا � �‬ ‫�ن ت ا‬ ‫�ط�م���ن *‬ ‫�ه�م ب���ع�د لع�مر ا �ل��ط�و�ي��ل �و�� ��طرك ج�م ب ��ور وب� ل�ك ر �ى‬ ‫�ه�م * ����� ر� �‬ ‫�م �� د ��ي ب �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � ن ���ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � ا ن �ت ق � ن‬ ‫�ل��� ��يب ��ق� �ل��ك ا �ل� ا � � � ��و�ل ا � اب �ى �ل�م ي���ع�ل�م��ى �وك�� ا �ج���د �ى �ل�م ي���عل��� اب �ى � او ��ى �ب��ه�م�ا ا �ت��د �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو�م�� �ج���د ك � او ب��ي���ك �ل� �ت��ك�ن �مك�ا ��هى ا �ل� � * ا �ل�‬ ‫* ��ا ��و�ل �ل��ك ا � ا �ل��د �ي��ا ��ى �ع�ه�د ا�ل�مر��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ف‬ ‫� ت �ت�ق‬ ‫�ص �ه�م�ا ��س���ف�ن ا ��ل ن��ا ر �ود ر �و ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه��د *‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د ا �ل ��ى � � رب� ا �لب��عي��د * �و ج���دد ا �ل� �‬ ‫عي‬ ‫�ي�� �ى �ع� ر‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا ن ن �ف �ذ � � �ق ن ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �و���ص�ل ا�لم�� ��ط�و * � �و�تب�� �ل ا �لم�م ن��و * �و�ل� �ي��ك�ن ��ي��ل�ز �م ا �ل� ���س�ا � ��ى �ل��ك ا � �لو� ت� ا � ��ي ��عل���‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��� � � � �ق ا �� ف ه ا �ن ه ���ص�� � ا ن‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫�� �م�ن � �ق �� خ‬ ‫��ث� �ة �ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و � ك�ل�د ى �ص�� ك�ل�د ى �ي�� ل ي�� � ي ل‬ ‫�ي ��ول �‬ ‫� �ل� �‬ ‫�ل��� � ك���ي ر * ك� � �ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ذ � ��ذ‬ ‫��ا ن �ت �خ � ن �خ �‬ ‫��كو ن� �تر ج��م�ا �ن�ا ���فى ��ا ب� �ه�م�ا �ي ��و ن� * �و�ك�‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل �م�ن ك�� � �ي ك‬ ‫��� ب� � ��ط�ا د �و� � ��ط�ى �ه� ا ل� ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ذ � ت‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� ا ا �� ��ذ � ��ت��ق ا ه ا � �آ ن �ف ا ��ن �ٓ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫بر�ى �م�ن �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫��س�ود ت� �ب�ه �ه� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫حر�و�� * ك���ا �‬ ‫ل�� ب� * �ل� ل� ى ر �ل� � � �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ت � ا � ���ص�� � ا ن‬ ‫�ك� ن �م ن�� ش��� د ��� ا ن * �ف�ا �م�ا ا ��ل��آ ن �ف�ه�ه�ا ت‬ ‫� *‬ ‫��ي�ق��ا �ل �ع ن��ه ا �ن�ه ك�� �� ب� م� هر ي ل‬ ‫� �ل� � �ي��و� �ى ي و �‬ ‫� � ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�نا ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ن��و�ى ا ��ل�� �فس� �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫� ر�ة ا ��ل�ى �ب�ل�ا د ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ب���ع�� ا �ل�� ��س ��ي� ��ول�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ر �ج�ز�ي‬ ‫ا ئ �� ا � ا �ت �� � � � ش‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � �‬ ‫�ل�ه ا �ن��ك ��س� �ر ا ل�ى �ب�ل� د �ل� ��ط�ل� �ع�ل�‬ ‫���ه� ��ي���و�ل ا �ل�ى ا ر��ض� �ل� �ي���ب� ت�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �ل���م��س * � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ف ا �ن � ا�� � � ا ا ��ل��ل �‬ ‫ف ا �� �لق�� � ا � ق �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�‬ ‫� �و �ل� ا �لب����و�ل * �و �ل� �ي ��و�ج � �‬ ‫�ي��ه م‬ ‫م� ك�ول �ل� ح� و �ل�� س * بو ع�‬ ‫���هم�‬ ‫آ م‬ ‫ق � ��نح �خ ا �ف � � ن �ت ف ق ف ا ئ ت � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ي� ��و�ل ا �ى ا �� � �ع�لي��ك ا � � �����د ��‬ ‫���ه� �ي ��ول ع� ك‬ ‫ي�ه� ر����ك �ع�د م ل�ه�و * بو ع�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف� ا ا �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �و�ج���د ا �ل���‬ ‫�� او � خ�ر �غ��ي�ره * ��ل�م� ��س� ر ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه� �‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�ص�د رك ا �و�ع� �‬ ‫�ل�ع�د �م ا �ل� �ك���ل * � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا �ن آ ن آ‬ ‫�آ آ‬ ‫� آ آ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� � ا ا � �ة‬ ‫���م��س�ا � او �ل�ه� �و �ه� �و * � او�لم�� �م�� * � او �لر�ج��ا �ل ر�ج��ا �ل� � او �ل����س�� ���س�� * � او �ل�د �ي� ر �م� �ه�و�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ث �ة ض �ة ��ث ة � ُ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ض � �ة‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� او�لم�د ن� �م�ع�م�ور�ة * � او �ل�ا ر��ض� �‬ ‫�صو�ى � او �ل� �ع�ل�ا � * �‬ ‫���ل�‬ ‫حر� �و� ا �ري��‬ ‫��� * ك���ي�ر� ا �ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�غ ض �ة � ق �‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫�� �ة ا �ل��م �و� * �ز ا �هي���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫��� ا �لب����و�ل *‬ ‫ح� ��و�ل * ��‬ ‫ا �ل�ي��ا ��ض� � او �ل ُ�بر���ض� � او �ل� �ج��ا �م * �ن�ا ض�‬ ‫ر ر �ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�ة �ذ �‬ ‫ف ن �خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن �ت ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ل�و ا �ن�ه ���سم� �ل� �و�لئ���ك ا �ل ن��ا ��س � �ل��ا �ت�ه ر ��ؤ �ي� �ل��ك ا ج��م� * ��ا � � ش���ي�� ت� ا � � � �� �وت��ك �ه ن��ا ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ا �ن ��‬ ‫� �ي�ن ق �‬ ‫�ف ا �ع�� ا ن‬ ‫��� �ة � �� ��ذ ة‬ ‫� �ذ ة � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�� � ا �ل� ركي���ل� ول�‬ ‫ب�ي����س لر�ج ل� ب��ل لر� د * � � � م� رى �� ك‬ ‫ج � ب�‬ ‫م‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪٩،١،٤‬‬

‫‪١٠،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

knowledge, general education, virtue, and praiseworthy qualities, they will grow up as you have raised them and you will have performed the duty that God has imposed upon you of making them into decent people, in which case you will leave them (after a long life, God willing) with a clear conscience and a mind at ease and serene.” The only argument left to you is to say, “My father gave me no educa-

4.1.9

tion, just as my grandfather gave my father none, and I have followed in their footsteps,” but I tell you, the world in your late grandfather’s and father’s day was not as it is now. In their day, there were no steamboats or railway tracks to bring close far-off tracts and create new pacts, to connect the disconnected, and make accessible what was once protected. Then, one didn’t have to learn many languages. It could be said of anyone who knew a few words of Turkish—Welcome, my lord! How nice to see you, my lord!—that he’d make a fine interpreter at the imperial court, and of any who could write a hand worse than the hand with which I have penned this book (not the one you’re actually reading now, for whose typeface I take no responsibility3) that he was a skilled calligrapher who would make a fine secretary to a king’s council. Not now! When our friend the Fāriyāq made his decision to leave the island for England, someone told him, “You are going to a land over which the sun never rises”; another, “ . . . to a land where no wheat or green vegetables grow and the only foods to be had are meat and turnips”4; another, “I fear that you may lose your lungs there for lack of air”; another, “or your intestines for lack of food”; and another, “or your chest or some other part of your body.” When he got there, though, he found that the sun was the sun, the air air, water water, men men, and women women, that the land was populated and the cities well inhabited, the earth plowed and pleasing to the eye, well signposted and marked, resplendent with woods, mighty trees, and forests, green with meadows, proud in its fields, succulent in the green vegetables its soil yields; had he listened to those people, he would have missed seeing all of that. Thus, if you’re afraid that you would hanker for the pleasures of the water pipe or of having your legs massaged before going to sleep, know that the marvels you will see there will make you forget all such luxuries and distract you from everything to which, in your noble position in society, you have become accustomed.

19

19

4.1.10

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫ّ � �ف �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ض � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ذ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه���ك �ع�م�ا ا � �ل ت��ه ��ى �م�ق��ا �م��ك ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ري�� * ك�ي��� �تر���ى �لن�� ��س��ك‬ ‫�ي�����س�ي �ك �ه� ا ا �ل��عي��م * � �ي�و�ل� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� �� ا �ل�مت ن‬ ‫ق قا �‬ ‫ن �ت ف ا ق‬ ‫� � �ن ا � �ت ا ن ت ق ا‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ا � � ��� ر�� �ه��ذه ا �ل�د �ي�� �و�ل�م ر�ه� � او ��� �� د ر �ع��ل�ى �ل�ك * �و��د �� �ل ا ب� ��و ا ل�ي‬ ‫ط� ب� � ى‬ ‫� �ل�� ا �َ ���ف �ع �� � ا ��ل��ن�ا �� �ش�� � ا‬ ‫وم ر ى ي و ب‬ ‫س �ي‬

‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫����ق���ص ا � �ل��ق�ا د �ر �ي�ن ��ع��ل� ا �ل���م�ا �‬ ‫ى م‬

‫� ف �ت�ق‬ ‫�م� ف �ة �� �� غ� �ة � ا �ت���ت ش �ق ا ��ل �ع�� � ا � ف�� ف �غ‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫���و� �ى ل� م� �ي� ك‬ ‫ا �م ك��ي ��� � � ت��‬ ‫�صر �ع��ل�ى عر�� بر� ل�� �و �ل� �‬ ‫��ر �ي��ه ��ي�رك * ��ل��ع�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ن � ت� �‬ ‫ت ق‬ ‫� ث ن �ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�� �ع�ت�ه�ا‬ ‫�خ ��طر ب��م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ت� �ب��عت��ه ا �ف ك�‬ ‫��ا را �و�م�ع� �ى �ل�‬ ‫ح ت� ��ط �ر��و�ش����ك * ب‬ ‫حي�� ا ���ك ا ا ا � و ب �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � ا � �تش ��ف ت ��م� ف�ت ه � � ن‬ ‫�ت�� دّ ��ل� ا �ن��ك �ع�ا � ت‬ ‫�ص��ع ت� ��ل�ه �م�ا د ���ة ف��ا خ� �ة �ز ��ن��ت�ه�ا‬ ‫ح�ه� و ���ر � ب عر �� و‬ ‫ر ي �‬ ‫�صر� �ص� ب �‬ ‫و و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ب��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�غ� �م�ن �ع�مرك ��ث��لث���ي�ن ��س�ن � �و�ل� ���و� �لف� �ش���ي �ا ��ي� ي��د‬ ‫ح�ا �� ا �لر � او �لب��ر���ل * �وك��ي ��� ��تب���ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف ا ا � � �ي�ن � � � ا ف ا �ت �� ش �آ ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ر �و� ن��ا د �ي��ق� د ���ل �و�ر� *‬ ‫ا ��ه�ل �ب�ل�ا د ك * �م� رى ب� ي��د �ي�ك ا �ل� د �� ر ب ي�� �و���‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ئ ف ا ة � ا �ن ����ة � ا � ف ا �ظ � �ت ن �ظ � ف‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ص��ا � � �م��س�� * ف��ا �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� ��ى �ك�ل � ب ح و‬ ‫�ور��س� ���ل �� ��س�د� ا�لم�ع� ��ى رك�ي���ك�� ا �ل� � �ل�� �� � � �� ر �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ق�� ت ا ��ل �ف� لم‬ ‫���ل�� �ز ا رك ف�ي��ه ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫� �ت ف ا خ ف� �ق �� ا ن ��ت�ق �� � ث �ا ��ف �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ب��ك‬ ‫�ص�د � ��س ر �ج رد ا �ل ���� �ر ���ط �ب� � ��ول م��ل �ى ج س‬ ‫�� آ‬ ‫�ة ���ذ‬ ‫� ظ�‬ ‫ا ا �� ن ظ �� ف �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� او ر�ع�ه� ل���ي ����‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ل��ر�م�� * � او � ار �ن��ك ا �ل�ع �����م�ا * ��د را ��ي ت� �م�د ��ي ن�� ك�� ا �و�ش���ا �ه�د ت� �ش �‬ ‫� � ا ا �ل� �� �ة‬ ‫� س�ن �ة ا ا �ق ا ا ��ل��ه� �ة خ‬ ‫ا ��ل� ا ��س�ع��ة � د ��ا �ه�ا ا ��ل � �ة ��‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫طه�م�‬ ‫له� م� �‬ ‫�� �و�ي�� �‬ ‫ح�� � �و ��س�و �‬ ‫ح�بي�� �و�م ار كب� �‬ ‫�ه� ب � ي ج‬ ‫وير ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ت ف ا ��ف �‬ ‫���ذ ش ت ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�� ا ا �ل ة‬ ‫ن ا ا ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� �ى ا �لي ��و�م ا �ل� �و�ل ك�� ا �و���رب��� �ى‬ ‫� ار ر� * � او ك��ل� �ي�‬ ‫�و���س� �ه� ا �ل ار ���ع� �و�ع��س� ك�ر�ه� �ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا� ث �‬ ‫� ث ا �ن ���ذ ث �ذ �ن ا �ذ � � �‬ ‫ح��د � ا �ل�م��له��ا ت‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ا �لي ��و�م ا �ل�� ��ى ك�� ا * ��م � به� � ب���ع�د �ل�ك ا �ل�ى ب���ع��ض� ا�لم�ل� �هى ��م ا �ل�ى ا � ى � ي‬ ‫��ا ن ق ا � �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ ة �� ة ��ف � � � �ف ش‬ ‫ف ش‬ ‫� �� ت� �م� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫عه� �ع��ل�ى � ار ��� �و ��ط�ى * �وك�� � �ب�� �ل� ا �ل��سر�ير �م �ر � كب���ي�ر� �ى ��ط�و�ل ا � �ل ار ���‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف ش‬ ‫�� ت� ا �ى � � ��س ف� ا���� ت‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ص��ا � � ��ا ��ت ن��ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ه �ف ك‬ ‫�و�عر ض�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ه� �مك�ا ك��� ��ى ا � �ل ار ��� * ��م �م� ��ى ا �ل� ب ح و�ج‬ ‫�ى ي�‬ ‫ت �� �م �ف � ت ف ف ا ن ا ن ت�ظ � �ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص���� �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ص�و� ا �و �� ���ط�ور * �� �ع�د � ا ل�ى �‬ ‫�خ��ا د �م� � ب‬ ‫ح� �ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح��ل�ى ��و�ج��د � �ي��ه ��ل� �� �ي���� �� ر��ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ � � ن� � ا �ة �ل�‬ ‫ق �� ظ ��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا �ة ف ت � ن ا � � ا �ل�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حو ا �ل��س� �ع� ا �‬ ‫�وك�� � �ل�ك �‬ ‫�هر ب���س� �ع� * ���و�ج �ه�� مع� ا �ى‬ ‫ح� د �ي� �ع���ر� ا �ى �ب���ل ا ل� �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ت ن � � �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�� ف ه ��ن ن �ظ �� ��ل ا ��ل��ش��� � ا ق �ة‬ ‫� �����ن ا ن� ن ش‬ ‫ح�ن �� ��ى �ي�� �و�� ر ا �ى �ج را �لب�� ��س���‬ ‫ا �لب����س�ت�ا � الم���س�مى �ب�ا �لب�����س�ا � ا �ل��س��ل��ط�ا ��ى * بو يم�‬

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‫‪١١،١،٤‬‬

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‫‪١٢،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

How can you allow yourself to leave this world without ever having seen

4.1.11

it when you have the means to do so? Abū l-Ṭayyib al-Mutanabbī has said And no failing have I seen among men To equal the falling short of those who have means. How can you limit yourself to knowing a quarter of a language5 and not yearn to know what others think? Under their hats may be ideas and thoughts that have never occurred to what’s under your tarbush—so much so that, did you but comprehend them, you’d wish you could have been their thinker’s contemporary, had the honor of his acquaintance, and held a splendid feast for him, decorated with sheaves of rice and wheat. How can you have reached the thirtieth year of your life without composing something of benefit to the people of your country? All I see before you are ledgers of sale and purchase, pages of outgoings and incomings, and letters full of corrupt phrases and lame expressions over which you pore morning and evening. If, on the other hand, your intention in traveling is simply to be able to boast and say, for example, during some gathering when your noble friends and mighty peers are visiting, “I saw such and such a city and beheld its wide clean streets, spacious homes, fine ships, magnificent markets, beautiful horses, wonderful women, and hosts of soldiers, and ate such and such there on the first day and drank such and such on the second, after which we went to a place of entertainment and from there to a lady who entertains and I spent the night with her on a soft bed, and in front of the bed there was a large mirror as long and wide as the bed itself, so I could see myself in it just as I was in the bed, and then I got up in the morning and a bonny maid brought us breakfast (liquid or otherwise) and then I went back to my lodgings and found so-and-so waiting for me, the time being then eleven o’clock, or about an hour before noon, and we set off together for the park known as the Royal Park and while we were walking there, looking at the towering trees and ornamental flowers, I suddenly caught sight of the girl I’d spent the night with walking with a man who was paying court to her and when she saw me, she smiled and said hello, and her greeting didn’t seem to upset the man, for he doffed his hat to me, and I was very much surprised at his lack of jealousy, as, had the girl been mine, I’d have hidden her from the light,” then it all amounts to nothing but what’s called in chaste Arabic hadhar (“prating”), hurāʾ (“prattling”), haft (“nonsense”), harj (“confusion”), halj

21

21

4.1.12

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫ن ت‬ ‫ت ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ �ز �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ة �ذ � �ف ة � ت‬ ‫� او �ل�ز �ه�ور ا�لم�د ب ج�� ا ا �ب�ا � �ل ت��ا � ا �ل��ى ب�� ت� �ع ن��د�ه�ا ��م�ا ����ى ر�ج��ل�ا ي�����ا �ل�ه�ا * ���ل�م�ا را �ت ��ى ��ب����س�م ت�‬ ‫ّ ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���ا ن� ��س�ل�ا �م�ه�ا �ل�� ���س��ؤ ا ��ل ج��� �ف�ا �ن�ه �ن�ز ��ل�ى ق�ب��عت��ه ���ج�ع‬ ‫�و��س��ل�م ت� �ع��ل� ّ * �وك�‬ ‫�ب� ت� �ج���دا �م�ن �ع�د �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��� ه ��� ��ف ا ��� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ��ي�ر�ت�ه * ا �ذ ��ل�و ك��ا ��� ا � �ل ت��ا � �ع ن��د �ى �ج�‬ ‫حب���ه�ا �ع�ن ا �ل ن��ور * �� �ل��ك ك��ل� ي �س�مى �ى لعر��ي��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫هَ ْ‬ ‫هَ �ذَ‬ ‫ُ آ هَ �فْ ا ْ ا � ا َ قَ � ا هَ ْ ش ا َتَغ ا �خَ َ � ا �خ �آ َ�خ‬ ‫� � طَ ��� �ف��ا �ن��ي�ن‬ ‫� � را �و�ه �ر ء �و� � ت�� �و�هر�ج�� �و� ج��ل� �و��س�� ��ط� �و� ي������ �و �و����� �و� ��ط�ل� � ِاو ��ل� �و �ل�ى و‬ ‫هَ �ذَ ا ن ا �ث �ث ة �ف �ف ة ��ذ �ة � �ة �ث �ة خ�ز �ة �خ� �� � �ة �غ� �ذ ة �ش� �ة‬ ‫�و� � �ي� �� �و ر ر� �و ر ر� �و�‬ ‫ح� ر�م� �و�هب� ر�م� �و�ه� ر�م� �و� ر�ب� �و �ط�لب�� �و ي�� ر� �و ��مر�ج��‬ ‫��ن �ف� �ة �ه �ة �ث��غ� ث غ �ة ف� �ق ف ق �ة �� �ق � �ق � �ة ��ق �ق �ة �ه�ت ن �ة ��ف ا �ل� ت ا �ف � ن �� ا �ة‬ ‫�و ر�ج�� �و �مر�ج�� �و ���� �و������� �ول��ل��ل� �و �و �و� �و �م�� �و�ى م��ع� ر� ع��د ا ل�ع� �م�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ اف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ش����ا را �و�ع�� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا * ا �ل�ا �ف�ا �ئ��د�ة �ي��ه �ل�ا �‬ ‫‪١٣،١،٤‬‬ ‫ح��د �م�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س * ب��ل� �� �م�ا ا ا ���ل ت� �ل�ه�م ا �‬ ‫ا ��لغ� ا ��ن �م�ن ا �� � ا �� �ه ن ا ا �ذ ا � ض ��م � ا ف� ه �ن �آ � ا ��غ�م�ز ا � �دا �ه�ن ���ي�ن ه � � ا‬ ‫��ر ج �ل��س� ي�� ��س� �ل� ي � ح�‬ ‫ب ع� � و �ل�‬ ‫لر�ج � ل �� ك ح�‬ ‫�ي����س� �ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت�� �ظ� ��� � � ��ا ����ت�ه (‪�� � * )1‬ا � �ق� �� �� ه�ا ا �ن�ه �ي�ز‬ ‫� �ص�ن ا ت‬ ‫� ن � الم‬ ‫ت� ظ ا ذ ا ن‬ ‫و �ل �ي �ول ل�‬ ‫كا � ا ح�م ق� وع� ي�ل��ه‬ ‫ي ب رم و �ل يب � ر‬ ‫�ور ا �ل����س� ح� � � (‪ )1‬ب����ر � �‬ ‫ف م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � � �� ك�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ل و�ي�����ير ب��ه ى و ج وه‬ ‫ث خ‬ ‫ا�� ن ه�ن ش‬ ‫غ �‬ ‫� � �ت‬ ‫م �ي م‬ ‫�ع ذ ق‬ ‫ب��عل��م ب���ع�و�ل��ه�ن � بو�����ي�ر �ع�ل�م�ه�م � �وي� �ك��ل �ع��د � �وي����رب� * ��م ي���ل�و �ب��ه�ن ��ى‬ ‫ا � ن�ل��ا ��س وا ب�ت���هر ا د ى ك‬ ‫��� ب�ا و��ا ل‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ض ا � � ه�ن � �‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ول �ي�� �� ج�ر *‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى �م��ن�ز �ل�ه �م��سر�ورا * �وك‬ ‫���ا �ٍى �م�ن �مر� �و ض�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫��� �ي��ده ج ر م‬ ‫��� ج�ع �و ر ج‬ ‫� �ي ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫��ا �غ � � �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف ��‬ ‫�ص�ي �ا ر�� *‬ ‫��ى �ج��بي��ه ��و�ج���د �ي��ه ك�ي����س�ا �م�ل�ا � �م�ن ا �ل��د �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر ا �و ك�� ��د �‬ ‫حوا �ل� �ع��ل�ى ب���ع��ض� ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ن ه ا �ذ ا ّ ��ف ا � ا ا �ق ��تت �ف‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�ه�ا � ت� �ع��ل�ى ر � ��يو ت��ه ا �لب��ن �ا ت� �م�ن ا �لر� او ����ن � او �ل ش���ب��ا ب��ي���ك‬ ‫�مر �ى �ل� ��س�و � �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫�ن ت ش �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫بر ��سه�ا * � �من�ه�ن �م�ن‬ ‫� � � ا �آ � ن‬ ‫�ه�ن �م �����ي�ر ا �لي��ه ب��ي��د�ه� ا �و � ا �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫� او �ل���كو�ى � او �ل ِ��س�ه� ء � او �ل� �ج��ل� * �م �‬ ‫خ � ا �ق �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت� ه � ن ا ث ت ض‬ ‫��� ���د�ه�ا �ع�� �ق��ل ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ن �م�ن �تر�مي��ه ب� ��ورد� * � او �رى ب��ب�� �‬ ‫ل�ى ب �‬ ‫�ه� * �و�م �‬ ‫� ج��ل�ه ب���يع���ه� ��م ���ع ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض ت ق ن‬ ‫ق �ة ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��لّ ت� �ت‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل� ن‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ش���ع * ا �و ا �ن�ه ��ي�ق ��و��ل ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� �ر��ه�ن ��د ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ث��ور ا �و �بر���ع� ��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫� � ا‬ ‫�غ � �ظ �� ا‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �‬ ‫ر�ف���غ� ��ل��‬ ‫� � س�ت ه‬ ‫حش �‬ ‫���و ��س ار �و �ي���ل�ى ��لي��� * ا �و يح�ك ّا �� � ا �و �ير ���ط�ل عي�� ره * ا �و �ي �م ��ط�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ت�متّ �ت ّ �� �� �ت ّ ت ّ � �ت ت �أ �ت تّ ت �ت �أ � ت نَ ّ �� �� �ت � �� �ت غ� �� � ت ��‬ ‫� �يو ��ى � �يو�م�ط�ط � �يو�م�د د � �يو��م���ط�ل � �يو�م�� � �يوم�� � �يوم� ى � �وي�����ط�ط � �يومع�ط � �يوم��ط � �يو�ب����س�ط‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ � �‬ ‫��ل ه�ن ت ا ا ��م ت ش‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ت �أ ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�����م�ا �غ��ا ��ض� ا �ل��طر�ف� �خ��ا �ف��� ا �ل�ص�و ت� * �و���س� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وي���ب�� �ط * ب �ل �م� �ي �م� �� د ب�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ‬ ‫�ن � ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت ه�ن � ا � ا � ت‬ ‫���ا ر � او ��ل‬ ‫ح��ا �ي�ا ت� � او �ل ن�� او د ر ا �ل�ا د ب��ي���ة * � او �ن�ه‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫كب���ي�ر��� ع�م� ��ط� �ل�ع� �ي ��و�م�ه� ا ك �م ا �ل� � ب‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ا �ث ا ا � ا �ق � �ي�ن � ا خ‬ ‫���ا �ه� * ث�� ��� �ل�ق‬ ‫ش��� ���ف �ت�ا ��ل��ف� ك��ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ب� �م��ف ي��د ي� ش����ت�م�ل �ع��ل� ك�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫رع ى ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪22‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

(“making incredible claims”), saqaṭ (“false reporting”), haysh (“talking too much”), watagh (“mindless verbiage”), khaṭal (“excessive nonsense”), ikhlāʾ (“vacancy”), lakhā (“much ado about nothing”), ṭafānīn (“idle talk”), hadhayān (“senseless jabber”), thartharah (“chattering”), farfarah (“chittering”), ḥadhramah (“loquacity”), habramah (“garrulousness”), hathramah (“garrulity”), khazrabah (“rambling”), khaṭlabah (“ranting”), ghaydharah (“raving”), shamrajah (“blathering”), nafrajah (“blethering”), hamrajah (“blabbering”), thaghthaghah (“gabbling”), faqfaqah (“burbling”), laqlaqah (“clattering”), waqwaqah (“barking”), and hatmanah (“bombast”)—and in the ordinary speech of the common people, since it’s of no use to anyone, fashār (“bragging”) and ʿalk (“yakkety-yak”). It would be different were you to tell them that if a handsome young man

4.1.13

there attends a gathering where there are women, he doesn’t wink at one of them or flash his costly ring about foolishly in her face as he talks or make false boast of his conquests.(1) He doesn’t tell her that he visits women of unblemished reputation with and without the permission of their husbands and eats and drinks in their homes, then stays alone with them in their bedchambers and returns home in good cheer, and that many a time he has put his hand into his pocket and

(1) One says of a man that he tabaẓrama [“flashed his ring about foolishly”] “if he is stupid and is wearing a signet ring and he talks and waves it about in people’s faces” and that he ibtahara [“made false boast of his conquests”] if he “makes false claims and says ‘I committed adultery’ when he did not.”

found there a purse full of gold coins or a draft drawn on a moneylender, or that when he walks through the markets, the girls crowd the casements, windows, apertures, peepholes, and skylights to catch sight of him, some making signs to him with their hands or their heads, others making sheep’s eyes and putting their hands on their hearts, one throwing him a flower and another a posy of stocks or a scrap of paper bearing a verse. He doesn’t say in their presence “My drawstring came undone” or “I’ve got jock itch because my package is so big” or scratch his anus or weigh his “yardarm” in his hand, or stretch, loll, sprawl, extend his body, lie at full length, elongate himself, protract himself, lounge, drape himself, lie flat on his face, extend his arms to their full length, spread himself out, or flop vacantly around. On the contrary, he speaks to them politely and respectfully, averting his gaze and lowering his voice, and he asks the eldest among them what news, stories, and edifying anecdotes have come her way that day, or he mentions that he has commenced that very day the composition of a beneficial book that

23

23

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫� �ة ا د �� �ة ��ل���ل ا � ا � ��مث�� �ذ �� � ��د خ‬ ‫� �م�ا � �خ� � ��م‬ ‫�ع��ل� �صغ���ي�ر�ت��ه�ن ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ود ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �� �� ه�ه� �ه�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج ي ب ي ي � ي� ب � بو �ل ل ك ي ل ر ي ر�ج‬ ‫نا � ا ت‬ ‫خ ا �ف ا �ذ �ق � ت �‬ ‫ض ا ن ت ا�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ت خ� ت ا�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� بو��ل� � �م� ا ا �ل� �ل�ه� ا �ي��‬ ‫��� ا � ا �ل�� ج�ر ا�لم� ر�ى �ه�� ك �ل� ��ي �� ب �‬ ‫�وا ��م ا�لم� ��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ��ذ‬ ‫� ا � ��ق�ت ن ا �� ن ا � �ن ا � ا ث ا ث � ا � ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� او ��ل�ز �م ّ�ذ * �و ��ل�ا ��يت��‬ ‫ح��ل�ى ب���س�ل� ���س�ل ا �ل� �ه ب� * �و �ل� �ي �ى ل�� د ر م �ل� �� � � او�لم� ع�و�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ اث �ة ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ف ش‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �ل ر��� * ب���ل ا �م� ��ي ����� ا �م� او �ل�ه �ى ��سب��ي���ل ا �لب��ر � او �� �� ا�لم�ل�ه�و��� � او �م�د ا د ا �ل� را ��م�ل‬ ‫�ف ن آ �‬ ‫��ف �ت��ص���ل ا �� �� �ق ت� ي�ن � ن �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت �ف‬ ‫� ل�طر� �وح��س�� ا�لم�د ��ي ��‬ ‫� او �ل�ي�ت�ا �م�ى * �و��ى ا � ش����� ا�لم�د ا ر��س � او�لم��س�� ش���� ي��ا ت� * �و�ى ي �‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا ��ل�عل�� � ا �� ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا �ز ا ��ل��ة ا ��ل�ا � ��س�ا�خ� � ا ��ل� ف� ن ا ت ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل *‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و��ى ا � �يرب �ى �و�ل��ده �ب�ا �ل� د ب� و � و ل��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع�� �و� � �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف��ت �ى �من�ه� �م�ن ��س�نّ�ه ا �ث�ن��ت��ا � ش‬ ‫���ل�م��ك ��ه �م�ن ��س�نّ�ه �م ن��ا ا �ث�ن��ت��ا‬ ‫ع���ر�ة ��س�ن ��ة �ي ك�‬ ‫���ل�م��ك ب��م�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ش ة �ة‬ ‫خ ف‬ ‫� ن ن‬ ‫�ذ �ت ف‬ ‫��ره ف���ق���ل ت� ا ن� �� �‬ ‫����ل ت� �ب�� ك�‬ ‫ع���ر� ��س�ن � ب���ع�د ا �ل�ع ش���ر�ي�ن * � بو��ل�ا �� �م�ا ا ا � �� ض�‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ا ���س�ا �‬ ‫ن � �م �ن � ا � ّ � �ن � ا �غ �آ �� ف� ��ق آ خ�ز ن �ة��ت �ن ف �ة �ف‬ ‫��� ��ف�ن � �عل��� * � �م�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�ع��د ه� �م �ل� ي��ع�د م ا �ل� � �ن�ي � � او ل‬ ‫� �ر � ا �� ك�� ب� � ��ي����س� ��ى �ك�ل و م و‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن����� �م�ن‬ ‫ض��ا ر� �م�ن ��‬ ‫��ص �‬ ‫ح� * � او � ا �لر ج���ل �م��ه�م ا �ب��ر �ب� �لب��ل� د ا �ل� ج� ب ي‬ ‫ب��ي��� ا �ل� �و�ي��ه ا ��ب‬ ‫ن ث‬ ‫� � ن � ق ئ � �ة‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫� ��ق ا ن �ت ن‬ ‫���ر �ف�ل�ا �‬ ‫ا �ه��ل�ه�ا * � او � ا ك��‬ ‫ي�ه� �ي ر �و� �و�ي ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�� ب� ��و� � �وي� ��ط�ا �ل�ع�و� ا � �لو��ا ��� ا �لي ��و�مي�� �و�ي��عر��و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� � اولم‬ ‫ح�ا ك��‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ق��و�ق� ا ��ل ار �ب� ���ط��ة �ب��ي�ن ا �ل�م�ا ��ل��ك � او �لم�م�و��ل��ك � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك�و�م � �وب��ي�ن ا �لر ج���ل � او �م ار ��ه * � او �‬ ‫ن م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�م�ن �ه��ذه ا �� �ق�ا �ئ�� ا �ل�م��� �ة ا �ت �غ ة � خ‬ ‫��ه ا ���ع��ة � ش‬ ‫ع���ر�م��لي �� �ون�ا ��ى ا �ل�ع�ا � * �و�م�ا �ي��د �ف��‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ط�و�ع� �م� � ب���ل� �ع�د� ���س بر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫وع‬ ‫ث‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ف � ة‬ ‫�خ�ز �ن �ة ا �� � � �� �ة � ��� � ا � ا �ز �ت ا � ��� �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ��ل‬ ‫ط� �ج � ��ه� �ي ب ل‬ ‫�ع��ل�‬ ‫�غ� ا ك����ر �م�ن ��م��س��ي�ن ا �ل�� �ل�ي�ر� * � او ���ه�ا � �لو�ع ّرب�� ت�‬ ‫� � ل�د ول� ع��ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ة ن ا �� ا ت ث‬ ‫�س �ة‬ ‫�ن�� خ‬ ‫ح��ة * � ا ن� �ص�ا‬ ‫ح� ا ��ل�ع�ا �ئ��ل��ة �من‬ ‫���ر �م�ن �م�ا ئ� ��ت �ص�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ذ ا �ج���‬ ‫�ه� جل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ت��ه � او �و ��ل� ده ��ي� ب��� ك��ل� �من��ه� �و���س�ا �ل�ه� �ع�ن �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح�ا �ع��ل� ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د�ة �م� �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫ح��ه� *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ��ل�ه� ِا �م�ا �م�ا ���فى �ذ ��ل��ك ا ��لي ��و� * � او �ن��ه� �ي ك�‬ ‫� �و ��ف ي��د ��ه ب���ع�� �ن��ص�ا � � �وت� ن��ب���ه�ا ت� �ت��‬ ‫���ل�م� �ون�ه‬ ‫ح ي‬ ‫�ي م �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ا �� ف� ن ه�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و��ه � بم�ت�� جه‬ ‫حو� �و ر �و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ن� �ر�‬ ‫ي�ه� ��س��ل� او ��ا * � او ���ه� �ل� ي � ل��و� �ل� ا �مرا‬ ‫��وره ��‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل �ف ا � �ه � � �ذ � � �ُ ��ّ ن � �ل ه � ا �� ن ّ ة � � ا � �ن ه �� �ا � ّ ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�و �ل� ي���س�� �����ل�و� �م ن��ه �ت ك��ي��� * و � م‬ ‫�و� و��ه� ب ��و� ل�ل ب ��و� *‬ ‫ع �ل�ك ي��د �لو� ع�ي�� ب� لب� � ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا � ��‬ ‫�ا� * �‬ ‫ح��ك ا لله �ي�ن��ب���غ� ا ن� �تش���ن��ف� �ب�ه �م��س�ا �م� ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا � او �مث��ا ��ل�ه ا �ص���ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫رم‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن� �� ن�� ش��� ���ط� ا ا ��ل� ا �ن ش����� �م�د ��س��ة ا � �ت ج��م��ة ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا ب� ا �و �ل�ا ر��س�ا ��ل �و��ل��د �ه� ا ��ل�ى ب���ل��د ��ي ت��ا د ب� ��و ن� ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي و ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪24‬‬

‫*‬

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‫‪١٤،١،٤‬‬

‫‪١٥،١،٤‬‬

Unleashing a Sea

will make comprehensive mention of the antiquities left by the ancients and their histories, and then puts some literary puzzle to the youngest of them to keep her entertained. Such things ensure that he is honored on his arrival and praised on his departure. It would be different too if you were to tell them that the rich merchant

4.1.14

there doesn’t wear diamond or emerald rings or adorn himself with gold chains or collect rare furniture, vessels, and carpets but spends his wealth instead on charity, assistance to the hard-pressed, and provision for widows and orphans, on building schools and hospitals, mending roads, and cleaning the city and clearing it of refuse and filth, as well as on educating his children in literature, science, and the virtues, as a result of which you find that from the age of twelve they can talk to you of matters that one of ours would not be able to talk to you about were he twelve plus twenty years of age. And it would be different too if you were to be so good as to mention that any person among them of a middling condition has a case of valuable books on every art and science and that there isn’t a house that doesn’t have a folder full of newspapers; that any man among them is better informed as to the conditions of foreign countries than are those countries’ own inhabitants; that most of their peasants can read and write and peruse the daily newspapers and are aware of the rights and obligations that govern the relationships between owner and owned, ruler and ruled, man and wife; that some of their printed newspapers run to fourteen million copies a year, that the sum paid to the state treasury for the printing of their licenses comes to more than fifty thousand lira, and that if a single issue of such a newspaper were translated into Arabic, it would come to two hundred pages; and that when a head of family there sits down to table in the morning with his wife and children, he kisses each, asks after his health, and provides him with profitable pieces of advice and caution to guide him through the coming day and they talk to him and are full of delight and joy, viewing his presence among them as a comfort, never disobeying his orders or thinking his demands upon them a burden yet acknowledging their status as his children and honoring him as children should a father. It is with this and its like that you, God set you to rights, should be beguiling the ears of your noble friends in the hope that they may bestir themselves to build a school, translate a book, or send their children to a country where they can learn praiseworthy manners and noble traits. But beware,

25

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4.1.15

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ���ط�ل�ا �ق� ب�‬ ‫حر‬ ‫ي‬

‫�‬ ‫�ن ن ت� ق‬ ‫ح ة ا � ن ا ��ق �� �ة‬ ‫�ذ �� �‬ ‫��ا ��ل�ا د ا � الم‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫��م�ود� �و�لم�� ب� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ير��م� * � او �ي� ك �ي� ��س�ي �د ��ي �م ا � �مي���ل �ب���ل �ه� ا ك���ل�ه ا �ل�ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه� ا �ل‬ ‫� �ص�ا �ل ا �ل�� �يم�م� ك��ا �ل��طي����� � او �ل�� �� � او ب�ل����ل � او � �ل ��س�� � او �ل��كب��ر �و�م�د‬ ‫ا � ��ا ��� �ع�ن ب���ع�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ق �ذ� � آ�ن ف ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ك��ث ف��ه�ا ا �� ف�ل� ض ئ‬ ‫ا �لر�ج���ل��ي�ن ��ى �و�ج��ه �ج���لي����س��ك * �����د ك��ر ت� �ل��ك � � ���ا ا � ا �لب��ل�ا د ا �ل��ى �ت�� ر ي� �‬ ‫���ا ��ل�‬ ‫ن ه � � �ن ن ا ن � ا ف‬ ‫�ك��ث ف�� � �ذ ئ‬ ‫��ً�ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ع� ب� ب���ل �عي ��و ب� * �غ��ي�ر ا �ن�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �لر ا ���ل ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫��ف �� ق ��� � �ف ت �ذ‬ ‫ن � ا �ي�ز �‬ ‫�خ ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�ن��ب���غ� �� �‬ ‫حوا ��س�ه‬ ‫ل�ك�ا �ل �و��ى ���ه� ��ي ب� ا ��ل�ا ��ه �و��‬ ‫ل��ك�ل �م ن��ا ا � �ل� ا �ل ي ج���د �وي���س��عى �ى �طر�ي��� ا �م‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �ظ � ا ة ��ا ن � ��ذ ة �ل�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ا �� � ا � ش � � ا ا � ا ن ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل��ا ��� ن‬ ‫ط�� ب� �‬ ‫حوا ��س�ه ا �ل��� �هر� * �و �مك� ا � �ل� � ا �‬ ‫��ك�ل �م�ا ��ي ب��د �و ��‬ ‫حو س �ل� ي���عر ب��ه� �ل� ���س� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن �نا � ق‬ ‫� ا ��ف ق �ج���‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫�ن ��ل‬ ‫���ذ � � ن �غ �� �‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫ا �ل� �ى �م���د �م س�م�ه د �و� �م�و�ره ك� �ل�ك �ي���ب���ى ل��ك�ل �ى �ج ��س�م �م ا حي �� او � ا �ل�� ��ط��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫ا ن� ي���ع�ت�م�د �ع��ل� ا ��لت��ق��د � ���فى ا �ل�م�ع�ا ر�ف� � او ��ل��د را �ي�ه * � اولم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �م�د ا �ل�ى ا �ل���ا �ي�ه * �وك�� ت� ا �ود �ل�و ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � �دا �م�ن ا � � �ا �ن ا ��ن �ق �ف� �� �ة ا � � ا �ث �ة �ع�ن � � �آ ا ��ل ن ا �� ا ��ل ا خ� ا �ن ه � � � ا � هف‬ ‫�ك�ا�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ه�ل ب�ل د � ���ل �‬ ‫ه�و �ل� �� س �ى �‬ ‫�و � و مع� ر � �م‬ ‫ض�ي ل� و م� ر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫� �ذ � �ق‬ ‫�ت ن ق � ا خ‬ ‫���ا ر � او ��ل � او ��ا ت� * �و� �� د �ى ��ل� ����س��‬ ‫�ص�ن �ا �� ا�لم�ا ��س � او �ل�ز �مر � او �لي��ا ��و ت�‬ ‫حي���ل ا �‬ ‫� �����ل ا �ل� � ب‬ ‫بو و‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫�� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ا � �ة‬ ‫� قن‬ ‫�� �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫� � او �لث��عث�� � او ��ل��د ر � او �ل�ع��قي��ا ن� � او ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�ه �ر�ا � او�لم�ه�ا �و���ل����س�و�ة ا �ل ار �ه ب� م�ع�ه� �‬ ‫� او �ل�د ��ه�‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ك�و �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫��لت ف � ��ت‬ ‫ة �ن ��‬ ‫�ا ت � ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�و هر و ح� �ى � ب� و م�د ر س و ك� ب� و م�‬ ‫ط� ب� *‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫� ع�د و‬ ‫ع‬

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Unleashing a Sea

my dear sir, before anything else, of taking over from some of them their ignoble qualities, such as frivolity, impetuosity, stinginess, depravity, and arrogance, or showing the soles of your feet to someone sitting with you, for, as I pointed out to you above, countries with many virtues also have many vices and everyone has some fault, or indeed faults. Each of us, however, must seriously strive to follow the path of perfection and to refine his morals and his inner senses by making the best use of everything that appears to his outer senses. Likewise, given that one experiences sensual pleasure through the front of the body rather than its rear, every rational animal that possesses a body should determine to move in a forward direction in pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and praiseworthy qualities till he can go no farther. I would also wish that even one of our countrymen might pass on to his brethren and acquaintances some virtue or memorable deed taken from those people in the same way that news or accounts of events are passed on, and I wish that all kinds of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, jasper, mother-of-pearl, pearls, gold, amber, and crystal (and monk’s hoods too, since they’re considered to belong to the category of jewels and treasures) might be turned into books, upper schools, elementary schools, and printing presses.

27

27

‫� ا �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫���ص�ل ا �ل��ث� ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ڡ �و د ا‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �ش �ن �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�قا‬ ‫ح�ا ن� �� �فس� ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� ا �خ����ذ ��� د �ز � ج� ت‬ ‫�لم�ا �‬ ‫ي وع و‬ ‫���ه ب���ع�د ا � ا �و�ع�ى ا � �ل�� �م�و��س � او �ل� ��م�و��ى ��ى‬ ‫ر ري‬ ‫ق ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز ت ّ‬ ‫�ة � �ة‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ذ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ن �د �و��ه � �و�ي���و�ل * ا ك��ر�ى �ي�ا �و�ج��ى ا �ن�ا �ع ش����ن �ا �م�ع�ا �بر�ه� ��ط� �ي�و��ل� �م�ن ا �ل��د �هر * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ�� � ا �ذ‬ ‫�ذ ن ف‬ ‫�� ق � ن ف‬ ‫ق � ف ق َ�ذ��ُ ��‬ ‫�م�ا ا ك�ر ا �ل� �ه� ا * ��ا �ل ������ل ت� ا ِ ك�ر �ن�ا كٍ�ر ا �م �ش���ا كٍ�ر * ��ا �ل ت� ���ص�� �م�ن �ه� ا � �و�� �ص�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫حت‬ ‫�� ا ��ل�ا �و��ل ا ��ل�ى ا ��لن��‬ ‫��ع ن��ا ا ��لن�‬ ‫�م�ن �ذ ا ك * ق���ل ت� �ير ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ت� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ا �و�ل * ق��ا ��ل ت� ا �و �ير ج�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح��س� ا ن �تُ���ّ ن‬ ‫ق � ت � ّ ّ � ض� ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ا � ت ا � � � ت ا الم ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * �� �ل� �م� �ل�ك �و�ل�� �و�ي��ل ��مر * ��ل� ب�ى � ب �ي�ى‬ ‫��ل� ا ى ا �و�ل ا ��مر ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ق ��ق���ة �ذ �� � * ق��ا ��ل ت ا �ذ ا �ف� ت ��ف ن � � � غ � �‬ ‫�ن ت �ن � ن ا‬ ‫�� �ي�ن � او ��ل�ا ��ف�م�ن‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ى � ي ل�ك‬ ‫��ر� �ى ا ��ك �ل�ى �و�ل���ي�رى ك��� �م ا �ل�� ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن� ت �ن�ه�ت�� ن� �ع�ن ا �ل�م�ع�ا �م��ل��ة ��ا �� �ل�قَ ��ْس � �ه�ا ا ن�� ت � �آ ن ت‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫� ا �ل� � �ت�ا ��ي�� ن��ه *‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا ك�ر�ي�ن * ���ل� ا �ن��ك ك� � � يِ �‬ ‫ب � و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق � ت َ ا ��ف ف � � ف �ظ � �ة � ا ق ا � ت ن �‬ ‫��ا ن ت �نَ�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق��ا �ل ت� ب���ل �ه�و �ي�ا �ت�ي��ن��ى * ��ل� ا �م� �ى �ي��ك � �ل� ��� �ل� * �� �ل� ا � � �ل� ���‬ ‫�ه� ك�� ��� � �ع *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫قا �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق���ل ت� ا ن� �ل�ا �م�ن ا�ل�م ار �ة ِا ��ل�ى * ق��ا ��ل ت� � او ن� �ن��ع� �ن��ع� * ق���ل ت� ا ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� �ه� ا د ا �ب��ك * �� �ل�‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ت �ف �ذ ��جَ‬ ‫ق � ت �ذ � ا � ق �ذ ت �‬ ‫ق ا �� ت � ا ��ت � � �م�ن � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ود ا ب��� ��ى �ه� ا ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ل * ��ل� �ه� ا �ل� ��ي�لي ��� �ب�� ا � �و�ل�د * �� ل� �و �ل� �ل�د‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ة �غ �ز ة‬ ‫ح��د�ة * ق��ا ��ل ت� ا ن� ك�‬ ‫��ت��لي ��ق� * ق���ل ت� �م�ن �م�ا د�ة � او �‬ ‫حو�ج� ت�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا�لم�ا د� ��ي�ر �ي�ا د� �مت��ص��ل� ا ��‬ ‫�� خ ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ف ��ت �ق �مت � �ة‬ ‫�� ق�‬ ‫ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ل�ى ا �‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �ف� ا �ل�ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �� ا �ل� �صور * ق���ل ت� �وك�ي�� ب ���ى ��ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ا �ل * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫��ا �� ��ف ك��‬ ‫ح��دا �من�ه�ا ��غ�� ن� �ع�ن ا ج �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��مي�� * � او ن��م�ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫�ي ���ف ي���ة ا �ل�ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫�ل�ا ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �‬ ‫��ا �ل ف��ا � � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪28‬‬

‫‪١،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٢،٤‬‬

Chapter 2

A Farewell

When the time for the Fāriyāq to travel was close, and as soon as he had put

4.2.1

his copies of the Qāmūs and al-Ashmūnī into his trunk, he set about bidding his wife farewell.6 He said, “Just think, wife—we’ve lived together a goodly span of time.” “That’s all I think of,” she replied. The Fāriyāq resumed his narrative. “I asked her, ‘Hatefully or gratefully?’ and she replied, ‘Half the latter and half the former.’7 ‘Application of naḥt brings us back to the first,’8 I said, to which she responded, ‘or the first brings us back to another meaning of naḥt.’9 ‘Which first did you have in mind?’ I asked.10 ‘You have no business interpreting my intentions,’ she responded. I replied, ‘I’d be content if you’d just explain to me what you did mean,’ and to this she responded, ‘If you think you can belong to both me and others, then it’s “hatefully,” if not, it’s “gratefully.”’ “‘You forbade me before to deal with you on the basis of suspicion,’11 I said, ‘but now you’re the sinner in that regard.’ ‘On the contrary,’ she replied, ‘I’m the one sinned against.’12 I asked her, ‘Does the word “no” have no place in your mouth?’13 She said, ‘It used to be pronounced “yes.”’14 I said, ‘A no from a woman is a boon,’15 to which she replied, ‘And a yes means pleasure.’ I asked, ‘Have you made the latter your habit?’ to which she replied, ‘Indeed—and become habituated to the rewards.’ I said, ‘That’s not fitting for a woman with children,’ to which she countered, ‘If a woman doesn’t fit properly, she’ll never give birth.’16 I said, ‘It’s the same Matter,’ to which she responded, ‘If the Matter isn’t “copious and inseparable,” it must necessarily take different Forms.’17 I said, ‘And how can it remain inseparable if the Forms are different?’ ‘The individual nature of the Forms is not a problem,’ she replied, ‘for one may stand for all. What we are discussing here is how

29

29

4.2.2

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫س ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��مي���ة * �ق��ل ت� �م�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫���د ا ��ل�ه�ز ��ل �و���فى ا ��ل�ه�ز ��ل ا ج��ل‬ ‫ح��ّد * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ���فى ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ر�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫فض‬ ‫� ت� � �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ع�� �م�ا‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ا را � ت���ك ��ل� ا ��ق�م ت� �ن�ا ئ����ا �عن�� ���فى �ذ ا ك �م�د�ة �غ� ��اب �ى * ���‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا� ّ‬ ‫�ق ا �� ت � ا �ض‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا �ن�ا ا � �ع��ل� �م�ا �‬ ‫ح ب� ا ��� * ���ل� ب���ل �ع��ل�ى �م� � ب‬ ‫ح��� ا ��� * � ل� �ل� �ير ��ى‬ ‫حب‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫���ا ن� �غ��ي�ر �ذ �ى �غ��ي�ر�ة �و �ل�ا �ي��‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل �ب�� ��ل��ك ا �ل�ا ا ا ك�‬ ‫��ره ا �م ار �ت�ه‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �غ��ي�ر �ى �غ��ي�ر�ة ا �ل�ا ا ا ك�‬ ‫ً َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �َ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫����ل�ف� ب��غ���ي�ر�ه�ا �ف�ا ن�� ت� ا �ذ ا ك�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ِ�ل�ف� ب��غ���ي�ر�ى * �ق��ل ت� �م�ا ا �ن�ا �ب�ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ِ�ل�ف� �و �ل�ا �ب�ا �ل��طر�ف� * ��ل��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫��ل ّ � ا ت ّ � ن ض ا ��ف � ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ن ا �� غ� � ة‬ ‫���ا ن� �ش���د �ي��د ا �‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل ا ا ك�‬ ‫��ي��ه� �ى �ك‬ ‫���ل ����ى * �ع��ل� � ل��ي ر�‬ ‫ح ب� �ل� �م ار ��ه �ود �ل�و ا ��ه �ير�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا �ت� ن ئ� ا �ن ال�م �ة�� ن ّ‬ ‫�ص ا �ع��ل��ه * �ف�ا ن� ���ع�� ا ��ل ن����س�� ���غ� ن� �ع��ل ا �ز � ا �ج� ه�ن �ع�ن‬ ‫ح�� �مك�ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ر �ى و �‬ ‫�ل� ���كو� د ا �م� �ع � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��را �هي���ة ��ل�ه� � او �ع ن��ا ت� * �مث��ا ��ل �ذ ��ل��ك ا �ذ ا �من��ع ت� ا �ل��م ا �ة �ز �و�ج� �ه�ا �ع�ن ا ���خل‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا �ل�ى ب���س�ت�ا �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫رو�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ه �ت��عل�� ا �ن ��ف �ه��ذه ا �ل� ا ض � � ا‬ ‫� ت�ز‬ ‫�� �ل�‬ ‫م�و �‬ ‫ح�م�ا �م �م� �ع�د� ر�ج��ا �ل �م�� �و�ج���ي�ن * �ى � ��ه� �‬ ‫ا �و �م��ل�ه�ى ا �و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن �ت ف �ذ � ت‬ ‫�ذ � آ‬ ‫��ن � ا � ت‬ ‫�ن آ ف‬ ‫��ا �ع��لي��ه �و�من��ع�ا ��ل�ه �م�ن ك�‬ ‫��ر ا �ل ن����س�� �م�‬ ‫ي ك‬ ‫ح�ك‬ ‫�م����ه�م ا �ل� ج �م�ا �ب�ا �ل����س�� ���ه�ى ا ��م�ا � ����ع�ل �ل��ك � �م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ�ذ � ا‬ ‫��ه ا ��ل� �ش���ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�� ا ا �ذ ا �خ� �ظ ��� �ت�ه �ع�ن ا �لن �ظ� ��� �م�ن �ش��ب��ا ك���‬ ‫���ي�ر�ه�ا * �وك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ب�ه � او �لت���ل�� ب��م�ا �ل� �ي� ض�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض �ة � ث ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�ك��ر �تردّ د ا ��ل ن����س�� * �وك��‬ ‫��� حي�� �ي��‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫� �ع��ل� ا �لر ج���ل �ل�و �ف���ع�ل ��ل��ك �ب�ا �م ا‬ ‫ر �ت�ه *‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ا �و ر �و�‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن آ خ �غ ة �‬ ‫�ن ه ��ف �� �ق � غ� ض �ة‬ ‫�ه� ا �ع ن��د ا �ل ن��ا ��س ي���ع�د �غ��ي�ر�ة � ك‬ ‫ل���� �ى ا ل� او �� ب���‬ ‫��� * ا �و رب��م�ا ك���ا � � �ر ا �ل���ي�ر� ا �و�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ف � ن ف ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك��ا ا ن� ا �ف ار ���ط ا �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح��ك �ه�و ا �و�ل ا �لب� ك�‬ ‫��� ء * �وك�ي��� ك���ا � ��ا � ا �لر ج���ل �ل� ي��م��ك�ن ا �‬ ‫ا �لب�����ض� �م‬ ‫�ز ت � ا �ذ ا � � ا � ت � ��ذ�ذ � ا ش �آ ت � �ن ّ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ف �ذ �‬ ‫���ه ا �ل� ا ا ا �ب� �ل�ه� ا �ل��ل� ب�م� ���� � �و�م ا �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح ب� �و ج�‬ ‫حب� ت� * ��ا �ل ت� ا ��ي����ع�ل �ل��ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ��ف � � �ن ا ق � ت �ن � ف� � ث‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫ح�د �ى ا �ل�د �ي�� * ��ل� ��ع� �ي��ع�ل�ه ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر ���فى �ب�ل�ا د �غ��ي�ر ب���عي��د�ة �ع ن��ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ب�اب �ى ��ه �و��ل��‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ي�ز ن‬ ‫�م�ا �ش �ا ن ا ��ل ن���� ��آ ا � ف���ع��ل�ن �ذ �� � ا �� ض���ا ��ا �ز � ا � ه�ن * �ق��ل ت ��ا �� ّ�د � ت‬ ‫ح�ى ي���عت��د �ل ا�لم�� ا � *‬ ‫�� � س �ي‬ ‫ل�ك ي � �ل و �ج �‬ ‫� �ل ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � ت ���ذ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �م�ا ا �ن�ا �ف�ل�ا ا ر ض��� ���ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ا �عت��د ا ��ل �ف�ا �لم��� �ع ن��د �ى ا � �ن‬ ‫ى ب‬ ‫ح��س * ��ل� �وك�� ا �ه�و‬ ‫يل‬ ‫قا � ت � ا � �‬ ‫ق ت ف � ن � � �ف �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا� �‬ ‫حوا �ل * �� �ل� �و �ل� ��‬ ‫�ع ن��د �ى ��ى ب���ع��ض� ا �ل� �‬ ‫حوا �ل ا �لب��ع��ض� * ���ل� ��ل��ع�د ا �ل�ى ا �ل��س� ر ا ��ى‬ ‫ا �ف �‬ ‫�ق ا � ت �ن� ��ل �ا ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ق �ل ت ا �ت�� ن ا � �ت�� ن ّ‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ��ل���� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ا � * �‬ ‫ع�ي��ه�ن *‬ ‫ع��ه‬ ‫ا ��س� ر ا لي ��و�م * � �ل� �ع�م ا �ى �ب�ل د �� ب ي �ض‬ ‫� ي � �م م‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫‪٣،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

to define “quantity.”’ ‘And what are the terms of the argument?’ I asked. She said, ‘That in seriousness is humor and in humor seriousness.’ “‘What would you think,’ I asked her, ‘if I got someone to deputize for me

4.2.3

in that matter while I’m away?’ She laughed and said, ‘According to my taste or yours?’ ‘To yours, naturally,’ I replied. She said, ‘No man would agree to such a thing unless he was devoid of jealousy, and a man can be devoid of jealousy only if he hates his wife and is enamored of someone else, so you must be enamored of someone else.’ I said, ‘I am neither enamored nor inconstant, but when a man is deeply in love with his wife he hopes to please her in everything, though we must not overlook the fact that jealousy is not always, as people would have it, a product of love: some women’s jealousy regarding their husbands comes from hatred of them and a desire to hurt them. An example would be if a woman were to prevent her husband from going out to a park, a place of entertainment, or a bathhouse along with a number of other married men; she knows that they cannot meet up with women in such places and she only does this to exercise control over him and to stop him from talking about women with his friends and enjoying himself in ways that can do her no harm. It’s the same if she forbids him to look out of his window at a street or a garden frequented by many women, and the same judgment applies to a man if he behaves the same way with his wife. People call such things “jealousy” but in reality they are a form of hatred, or it may be that hatred begins where jealousy leaves off, just as excessive laughter is the first stage of tears. However that may be, a man cannot truly love his wife if he doesn’t allow her to enjoy herself in the way she wants and with whom she wants.’ ‘Does anyone in the world behave that way?’ she asked. ‘Indeed,’ I responded. ‘Many behave so in countries not far from us.’ ‘Good for them,’ she replied, ‘but what about their women? Do they behave the same way with their husbands?’ ‘They have to,’ I answered, ‘to keep things in balance.’ ‘Personally,’ she said, ‘I wouldn’t put up with such evenhandedness. As far as I’m concerned, a tilt is better.’ ‘That’s my opinion too, in certain circumstances,’ I said. ‘And where the circumstances of certain people are concerned,’ she riposted.18 “‘Let’s get back to traveling,’ I said. ‘I leave today.’ ‘Indeed,’ she said, ‘—for the lands of the white-skinned beauties.’ ‘Do you talk of men or women?’ I enquired. ‘I talk of one sex,’ she replied, ‘but what worries me is the other.’ ‘And why should that sex be a concern,’ I asked, ‘when it’s you women who,

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31

4.2.4

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �عن�� �ن��و�ع�ا � �و��ع ن�ي��ن�� � خ�ر * �ق��ل ت� �و �ل�� ���ع� ��ك � او �ن��ت�ن ا �ل�م���ط��ل� �و�ا ت� ���فى �ك�‬ ‫���ل �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي ى‬ ‫م ن�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� غ ا �ن �ة � ة � ت ت � َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ا �ت � ��‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�و�ل�� �ل��ك ��ي�ق��ا �ل �ل��ل�م ار � ��ا �ي�� * ��ا �ل ��ى ا � �ل��ا �م�و��س ا �ل��� �ي�� ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل ��ى �� ��ط��ل ب� �و �ل� ��‬ ‫ط�ل ب� *‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه �ه ن��ا �� �ل ��ل�ا ا �ن�ه �ق�ا ��ل ق���� �ذ ��ل��ك ا ��ل� �ع ا ���نى ا ��ل ن����س�� ��ل�ا �ن��ه�ن �يُ�ظ� �����ل�م�ن‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت� �م�ا ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن ك��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫بل‬ ‫�ق � ت � � � ن �ق �‬ ‫�ف �ا � ن��ت ن �غ ن‬ ‫� ن ق � �ة ش ف ت �ف �ت‬ ‫�ل ي� ��‬ ‫ح���ك�ن ا �لت� �� ي� ��ط د ا ب�‬ ‫�صر� * ��ي�ر ا � �ه��ذه ا �ل��� ��ط� ������ع� ��ى ���ل�ك * �ل� ب‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق ا ��ل ت �مث�� د ا ا ��ل � ا �� ��ف ا ��لت�� ف‬ ‫�� ف ��ا ن ف ا ن � ّت�ن ا‬ ‫ح �ر�ي�� * �وك�ي ��� ك�� � �� � �م ��ط��ل� ب�و�ي��� � ��هى‬ ‫��دي��م * � � �ل ب� ر�ج � ل �ى‬ ‫� ن ا � ا �ذ ا ت ا ��� �� ا � ا � ن �ف � ن‬ ‫� آ ف ن � � �ة � ا‬ ‫ا ��ص�ل ا �ل�ع ن��� * ��ا � ا �لم��ط��ل� �وب� �ل� �ت��ك�و� �ل� � لعر �ض �و �ل�‬ ‫ح�ص�ا � * ��و�ي��ل �ل�ه�ا ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة ش غ � �ة � �‬ ‫ت �ت‬ ‫ح� ن‬ ‫�خ��ا ن�� ت� ��م‬ ‫�ص��ه�ا * �و �و���ل �ل�ه�ا ا ن� �‬ ‫حر�م ت� ��ط�ا �لب��ه�ا � �وب�ا �� ت� ���ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل� �م���� ��و�ل� ا �لب��ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ان خ‬ ‫� � � �ة ت‬ ‫�ك�و�ن��ه�ا �ص�ا ر ت� ��س��ب��ا ���فى ا ر�ق�ه �و�ج�ز �ع�ه �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي���ت��ه �و���‬ ‫ح��س �تر�ه * � او �ل��ط�ا �لب�� ��� �عود‬ ‫ب‬ ‫حر�م� ��ه �و ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن � �‬ ‫ق� ن‬ ‫�غ � � �� � � �ة �ق � ت �� ت �خ ق � � �ف �ذ �‬ ‫��ي ر م�ط�ل�وب� * �ل� لي����‬ ‫س� ا ��ل�ا �� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ��ى �ل��ك �� �س �و * ��ا �ل ت� ا ��م�ا ا �ع��ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن �ي� ���ط��لب ��و ن� �و ك�‬ ‫��� فل� ��و ن� ب��م�ن �ي� ���ط��لب �� �ون�ه �ل�ا ا �و��لئ���ك ا �ل��طر�ف��ي�ن ا �ل ش���ن��ق���ي�ن ا�لم��س�ا ��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫د ا �ب��ه� ا �لت�� �ّو�ق� � او �ل������ل �م�ن �م ��ط��ل�و ب� ا �ل�ى � �ر � �و ��� ا � � ��س�ه� ���� ��ط د �و� �م ار �ع�ا � � ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��س� او ��ه * �و�ل��ك�ن �ه� ا ��ه � ا � � ا � �م�ن � �‬ ‫� �ع��ل� ا �ل�ود ا د �و �ل� ي��مي���ل �ع ن��ه �ك��ل �ي ��و� *‬ ‫ي�ه� � �ل �ى لر�ج � ل �ي�ي�م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ل�ع �‬ ‫��ا ن ت �� ن �آ �ت �� � ا �� ا �� �� � ا �� ا �� ���� ن �آ � ا ا ت ف �غ � � ��ف ت ن‬ ‫ي�ه� ��ي ر م ��و� *‬ ‫�مر�ى �ل�وك�� ��� ا ل����س� ��ط�ل ب� لر�ج�� ل �ط�ل ب� لر�ج�� ل لل����س� �لم� ر ��ي� ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ق � ت ��ه ��ف ا �� ن�� �آ �م�ن ��ت�ق � ا �� ا � � ا ت�ج� ن‬ ‫� �ع ن��ه �ك�‬ ‫���ل �ي ��و� ا �ل�ف� �مر� * �ه��ذه‬ ‫�ل� �ل �ى ل ��س�‬ ‫�ي�� ع��ل�ى ل�ود د و �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ة ق ا � ت َ�ن ��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح��ا ��ل ��ا ��ل� �ف�� �و�ع��ل ا ��ل ن����س�� ��ا ��ل‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫��� ا �تش �� � �‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�ي��د �عي�� * �� �ل� �م ك�� ب� �ه��ذه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ب� ك�ل�ه� ����ه�د ل�لر ي ب و �ى‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ّ� ا ��لت� �ة ق �‬ ‫�ك�ن �م�ن ب���ع�د ا ��ل�‬ ‫�ق ��و�ه�ا * �ق��ل ت� �و��ل��‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�� ب� ا ��لي���� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ��ه ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن � ف�ل �‬ ‫ا ك‬ ‫� �بر� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫حرى �و �ج‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت � كَ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ف ��م�ا � د �ع�ن‬ ‫�مَ�ن ��ا � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حَ ��‬ ‫� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ده ��ي����ل‬ ‫� * ���ل ت� ب���ل ا �ورد � او �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك �ش �‬ ‫�� او �ه�د �و ��ك�ى ب ور‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ح�ا ��ا �م�ا‬ ‫��س�ي �د ��ا ��س�يل��م�ن �بر�ه�ا ��ا �ود �لي��ل� * ��ا ��ه ��ا �ل ��د �و�ج���د � �ب�� ا �ل�� �م�ن ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �ص�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫آف‬ ‫�ك�ن �ق�د ا � ���ت �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�م��ة �م�ا‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫�ب��ي�ن ا ��ل ن����س�� �ل��� ا �ج���د �ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ح��ة * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ن� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ��س��يل��م�ن � او ن� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫وى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� تَ �غ � �غ � ن �ف � ��ف � ن �آ ش ش � �� ا ��ل �ة ن ه�ن � �ن �غ � �� ا �ل�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫��و��� �ع�لي��ه ا ل�ص� �‬ ‫� م ��ي ر ا ل�ص� ح� *‬ ‫�ل�م �ي �� �و�ه ��ي ره ��ي ر ا � ا ار ��ط�ه �ى ا �ل����س� � �‬ ‫ح� �م �‬

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‫‪32‬‬

‫‪٥،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

in any circumstances, are the ones pursued, which is why they call a beautiful woman a ghāniyah19?; as the author of the Qāmūs says, “the ghāniyah is a woman who is pursued and does not herself need to pursue.”’ She said, ‘Excellent words, but earlier he says, “ʿawānī20 is a word for women, because they are mistreated and no one takes their side,” though the dot on the one ought to put in a good word for the other.’21 ‘Love of “dotting,”’ I said, ‘is an ancient habit among you women.’22 ‘As “scripting” is among men,’23 she retorted, ‘but be that as it may; our being desired is the root of our worries, for the woman who is desired is by definition a woman whose honor is valued and guarded. Woe betide her then if she betrays her guardian and woe betide her if she denies the one who desires her, for then she will spend the night worrying over having denied him and over his disappointment and the fact that she has become a cause of his sleeplessness, anguish, and sorrow, and the woman who chases men ends up unchased.’24 I said, ‘Men’s morals are not all the same where that’s concerned,’ to which she returned, ‘I mean the men who desire, and fall in love with the ones they desire, not those fornicating omnivorous fickle-hearted ones whose custom is to take a nibble here and a nibble there and move from one object of desire to another, taking only what is of use to them without caring about what may be of use to others. How few, though, are the former! Is there a single man who can maintain an affection and not deviate from it every day? I swear, were women to desire men as much as men desire women, you wouldn’t find a single man unbewitched.’ “‘Is there a single woman who can maintain affection and not deviate from it each day a thousand times?’ I asked her. ‘All books bear witness to the trustworthiness of men and the treachery of women.’ ‘Weren’t the ones who wrote those books men?’ she countered. ‘They’re the ones who made up those stories.’ ‘But only after investigation and experience,’ I answered. ‘If you go to the arbitrator alone, you win,’ she said. ‘Quite the reverse,’ I said. ‘They have provided testimonies. The words of Our Master Sulaymān, who said, “I have found one righteous man among a thousand but I have not found a single righteous woman” may serve as sufficient proof and evidence.’ ‘Even if Our Master Sulaymān was granted wisdom given to none other,’ she said, ‘his excessive indulgence in women rendered him incapable of distinguishing the righteous among them from the unrighteous. Have you not observed how the musk-seller’s sense of smell weakens from length of

33

33

4.2.5

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫اَ �َ ا �ت � ا ن � ا �ئ� ا �ل� � �� �� �� ا ئ��ت �ا �ف ه � ا �� ا ئ� �ة �ق �ة ت‬ ‫عف �م ن��ه � �ة � ش‬ ‫�ل� رى � ب� �‬ ‫ح� ا � �ل �� �و� ��ض�‬ ‫��� ��‬ ‫ح�ا ��س� ا �ل����‬ ‫ع م��س�ك ل�ط�ول ��ل � ب� لر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫� ث � ا �� ش �� ئ� �ة �� � �� �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ط��ف�� * � او �م�ا ا ا‬ ‫�ير د ا �ل� د �ل� �م�ن ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �ع��ل�ى ا �ل����س�� د �و�‬ ‫بحي�� �ل� ي�ع�ود ي��� �‬ ‫�م ا ل ار ح� ا ل�ل� ي‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة �ذ‬ ‫�ير د ا د ��ل��ة ا ��ل ن����س�� �ع��ل ا ��لر�ج��ا ��ل ��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �ظ ��ل��� � �و� ��طر * �ق��ل ت� �ن��ع� ك�‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ْو ��ل�ى �م ن��ا �ص�ف�� �ه� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض م ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ن ت�ن �تت‬ ‫�ك�ن ���س�� ا ن‬ ‫�� �ش�� ث� ��تت ف‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ت�ن �ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�ير د �و�ل�� ب‬ ‫ح� � ا لله ا ��� � �‬ ‫�ه�م�ن ا �لر�ج�� �ل ��ى �ك��ل �ى �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫فض‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�� � ا ا ض � � ا‬ ‫ح ا ��ل * �ل�م�ا �ش��غ����ل�ن ����ذ ��ل��ك ا ��ل�ا ب� �� ا ��ل * �ق�ا ��ل ���‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫� ت� �و�ق��ل ت� ا �ى ج��م�‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫ل�و �ل� �‬ ‫����ط ار ر ا �ل� ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � �ق‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�س�و�ى ا�لم�ق�ي����س �ب�ا �لم�ق�ي����س �ع��لي��ه * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�ه� ا * ��ا �ل ت� ���س�ت�ه �ع��ل�ى ��ي�ره * ���ل ت� �و��ه�ل ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ل�ه �ف �ق� �ف�ا ن� ا ��ل��لغ����ة ��ل�ا �ت�� �خ����ذ ��ا �� �ل�ق ��ا �� * �و��ل� �‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف �ق� * �ق��ل ت� ب��� ك�‬ ‫� �ذ ��ل��ك �ل� �ت��‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ي�ن ت �ذ��� � �ق ق �ة ت ا�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫نا‬ ‫�س�� �ب�� ا �ل�� ك�ر � او �ل� ��ى �و �ل� �ب�� ا �ل� ��ى � او �ل�� ك�ر * �و �ل� �ب�� ��� ك��ي ر �‬ ‫ح ي���� ا �ل�� ��ي���‬ ‫�م�� � ب‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � � ت‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��� � ش���ه‬ ‫� �وت�ا �ن�ي�� ث� �م�ا �ه�و ��ي�ر �م�ق��ا ب���ل ب��مث���ل�ه * ��ا �ل ت� �و�ه� ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫���ا �م�ن �� ��ط ا �ل ��ا � � � ش �‬ ‫ب ر ر�ج ل و وي � �م‬ ‫تق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا د �و ن� �ي�ا �ت��و ن� ا �م ار �م��س��ي��م�ا * �ق��ل ت� �ق�د ر ج�‬ ‫�ف�ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫��ع ت� ا �ل�ى �ل�و�م�ه� * �ق�ا �ل ت� � او لله � �لق��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُت �ف � ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�� ف � ن � �‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر ت� ��ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل * �ق��ل ت� � او لله � �لق��د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر� ��ى ا �ل����س� * �و�ل��ك�ن ��ل��ع�د ا �ل�ى ا �ل�وداع ا ��ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن �ا خ‬ ‫� �ن ن�� �ع��ل �عه�د * �ق��ل ت� �م�ا ي �ح�م��ل�‬ ‫� �ون��ك * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ب���ل خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ع�ا �ه�د ك �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل� ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي ى‬ ‫ق � �ن‬ ‫� � �ذ‬ ‫��ا �ن ��ف �ا � �ُ� ��ف ا �ف� ش �غ ا �ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��� او �� �ي�‬ ‫��س�وء ا �ل���‬ ‫ظ�ن ب �ى * ��ا �ل ت� ا ��ى ا ر�ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ا ا ك�� �� او �ى �ب�ل د �ل�م ي�عر � او �ب��ه� ا ح �‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫آ آ‬ ‫� ا �ف‬ ‫�� �ف � ت� ت� ن‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ح�ا ��ش� * ا ��ل�ا �تر�ى ا ��ل�ى �ه�و ��ل�� ا ��ل�غ� ��� ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن ��ا �ت��و ن� ا ��ل�ى �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫�ج�ز�ير� ك�ي�� �ي �‬ ‫ه���ك�و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف ا � �� � ا ��ض � ا � ق‬ ‫� خ‬ ‫���فى ا ��ل�ع�هر � او �جل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ور *‬ ‫�ور * � ول م� ي �‬ ‫ح��د ��ه ��د �م�ه �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� ر��ض� ي���س�ا �ل �ع�ن ا�لم�ا ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا ��س ا � �آ � ش ا ي�ن � ا ��س ا �‬ ‫� ا ��س ا � ��ذ�ي�ن � ّ ����� ��ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و �ل� ي�م� �ه�و �ل� ا �ل���� �مي��� �و �ل� يم� ��ص� رى ��ه� و �ل� يم� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مو ب �م �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا �� ا ��ل�ا �ف ن� � ��لغ���ا �ت�ه �ف�ا �ن�ه �خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن� �م�ن ا �ل��م ا ك�� ك��ا �ل ��ا ��� ا �ل�ل� ��س�ع� �م�ن �ه ن��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫�و ل ر�ج و � �م � �م ي رج‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫���ذ ��ل��ك * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل���� �ع ن��د �ه� ا ��س��ا ب� ا �ل�‬ ‫���ا �ن�� او ���فى �ب�ل�ا د ��ه ك��‬ ‫�و�ه ن��ا ك * �ق��ل ت� �ل�ع��ل�ه� ك�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫� �ق ��ف ا � ف‬ ‫ق� ن‬ ‫�ه ن��ا ك * �ق��ل ت� ا �و ك�‬ ‫���ا �ن�� او �ف�ا ��س�د �ي�ن �ب�ا �ل��‬ ‫���ا �م�ن ��‬ ‫ط�� * ��ا �ل ت� ���ع� �ه�و عر� ��س� د ك‬ ‫ي�ه�م ��ا �و�ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ت �ل �ظ � ن �ذ‬ ‫ا � س�ت ن ش �ق ن ئ� �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�اف‬ ‫�� ��ذ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م� ي�� �������و� را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ب�ل�ا د ا �ل� �ر� �ي���ب���ض� �‬ ‫ي�ه�م * ول� ل�ك ر �م ب��د �ي �م �و� ب�� كر‬ ‫�ج‬

‫‪34‬‬

‫‪34‬‬

‫‪٦،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪٧،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

exposure to its strong odor until he can no longer distinguish any more delicate scent? As far as providing the testimony of men against women without providing that of women against men is concerned, it is patent injustice and high-handedness.’ “‘Indeed,’ I said, ‘evenhandedness in such citations would be preferable

4.2.6

but, glory be, you women level every possible charge against men and then fall over one another to make a fuss over them!’ She responded, ‘Were it not that society works to make them martyrs, women wouldn’t allow such ideas anywhere near their medulla oblongarters.’”25 “I laughed,” continued the Fāriyāq, “and said, ‘What kind of a plural is that?’ to which she replied, ‘I made it by analogy.’ ‘Are the original word and that formed by analogy to it equal?’ I asked. ‘There’s no difference,’ she replied. ‘On the contrary,’ I said, ‘they’re entirely different, because lexicon cannot be derived by analogy. If it could, there’d be no conformity between male and female or between female and male,26 or between the masculinization of the true feminine27 and the feminization of words that have no equivalent.’28 ‘Another example of men’s high-handedness and confusion of the issue!’ she said. ‘They are virtually incapable of dealing with anything straightforwardly.’ ‘And there you go again!’ I retorted. “She said, ‘I swear I don’t know what to do about men’ and I said, ‘And I swear I don’t know what to do about women, but let’s get back to saying farewell. I give you my word that I will never be unfaithful to you.’ ‘On the contrary, you will ever be unfaithful to me,’ she said. I said, ‘What reason do you have to be suspicious of me?’ She replied, ‘I observe that men who are in a country where they’re unknown perform the worst abominations. Just look at how the foreigners who come to this island give themselves over to whoring and depravity. The moment one of them sets foot on land, he asks where the brothel is, especially the Syrians,29 and amongst them especially the Christians, and amongst those especially the ones who have acquired a little knowledge of the ways of the Franks and their languages; they come off the ships like hornets, plunging their stingers here, there, and everywhere.’ ‘Perhaps they were like that in their home countries,’ I said. ‘They don’t have the means to behave abominably there,’ she returned. ‘Or perhaps they’re corrupt by nature,’ I said. ‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘They have a latent disposition to corruption and the moment they smell the Frankish air, it comes to life, which is why you will find that they always drool as they talk of the lands

35

35

4.2.7

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫�اف ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ا ��له� * �م� ا �ن��ك ا �ذ ا ��س�ا ��ل ت� ا � � ن‬ ‫�ب�ل�ا د ا �ل� �ر� �و�ع�ا د ا ���ه� � او ��‬ ‫�ه�م �ع�ن ���ط�ع�ا �م�ه�م ��ا �ل‬ ‫ح�دا �م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا �� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�ا ��ه� ��ا �ل �ل� �� ��ط ��ه * ا � �ع�ن ك� �م�ا ��ه� ��ا �ل �ل� ��ا د ��ه * ا � �ع�ن‬ ‫�س� ���ط�ي��ه * ا � �ع�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ل ي‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و ر �م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق� �‬ ‫ق� � ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا �م�ا �ت��ه� �ق�ا ��ل �ل�� ��ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ�‬ ‫�ب��ه * ا �و �ع�ن �ه� او �ئ��ه� ��ا �ل �ل� �ي�ل�ا ��م�ه * ا �و �ع�ن �م�ا �ئ��ه� ��ا �ل �ل� ي���س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫�س�ه�ا ا ن��م�ا ��س����ه ا �لف� ش‬ ‫ح�� * � ا ن�� ت� �م�ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ل��جه‬ ‫��ر �ب�ل�ا د �ه� � �و�ت ن�� �و��ه�ه� ب��م‬ ‫��ل�ه * ف�ي���‬ ‫� �ه� �ب�� ك�‬ ‫� � و‬ ‫ح� � �‬ ‫بب‬ ‫م ي م‬ ‫م‬ ‫تُ ْ �ذ‬ ‫ض � �‬ ‫�� �� ا �ة �� ض ض �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي����م�ن �ل�ى ��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�� ار �‬ ‫ط��ع��ك �ع�ن ا � �ل ��س�ا د �و��د ا ���سم�ع��ك �ك���ل �ي ��و�م ���هَ�ي ن�� �ب�� ك�ر ا لر�ج�� ر�ج�� � او لر�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ض �ة � ف ض ف ا ض �ة � َ� �ة �‬ ‫ا ��� �� �‬ ‫�ه ��ل�ع � �� ف ا �ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�ول * و �ى �مرى ل�� �‬ ‫����� �‬ ‫ض�� �‬ ‫��� � او � �ل��‬ ‫ح��ل� � او �لر�عب ��و ب� �و لع� ب �‬ ‫��� � او �لِ بر‬ ‫� او �لب���ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��س��� ��ل�ع�ا � ا ��ل‬ ‫��ل�ا � * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �و��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ص�ور �و�تش����ّه� ا ��ل ن��ا ��س��ك * �ق��ل ت� ا ن� �ه�وا �ل�ا ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرب�‬ ‫يل ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ف �ة � ئ ق �ة ق � ن‬ ‫�� �ا � �ق��ل ت ا �ت �ي�ن ا �ع�د � �ع�ن �ه��ذه ا �ل� ن‬ ‫�ص��ع��ة ا ��ل ش����ا �ئ��ق���ة * � او ��ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫حر�� ا �ل�ع�ا � ���� * ��ا �ل ت� ا �‬ ‫ك��ل م * � ر‬ ‫�ذ ت ا � �خ � ا �‬ ‫� �تت‬ ‫ق ت ن � ت‬ ‫�ذ ت ا ن ا ن � ف ف ا ا‬ ‫�ل�م � ��ص�ور ا �� ب���يع���ه� �ع��د ا � �لو� �ص� ��ل� �ب� ��س * ���ل� ا � �ل�م ا ���ص�ور ا �� �ل�م ي� ��طر ب��ب�� �ل�ى‬ ‫�فّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� ا �غ‬ ‫ق� ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫����ى * �ق�ا �ل ت� ا ن� �ه�و�‬ ‫ح ار �م * ���ل ت� �م�ا ��ك���ا ر�ت�ه * ��ا �ل ت� ��� �صورك ا �ي�ا �ى �ل� ��ي�ر * ���ل ت�‬ ‫� ف ت �ت � ا ّ‬ ‫ق � ت �ذ �� ن �‬ ‫�� ن ت �خ � �ة‬ ‫�ذ��‬ ‫�و�ل��ك�ن ا ��� ��ا �لي�� �ع�ن ب���ع��ض� ا �ل�ص���ا � ا �ل��ى �ل� �ب��د �م�ن ك�ر�ه�ا * ��ا �ل� ا ا ك��ا � ا �لر ج��ل�‬ ‫ة � �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ��� ن �ظ � �ن �� ش ة ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ك��ا ا �ن�ه‬ ‫ح ب� ا �م ار �ت�ه را �ى ��‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �م ار � ج �مي���ل� * �م‬ ‫ح��س�ن ك��ل�ه � �و� �� ر�م �ك��ل ����عر� �م �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ � ن �ق‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ا � ا � ا �ة �غ � ا ا � ّ � ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ب� مر ��ي ر�ه�‬ ‫ح ب� �ل� �ج���ل�ه�ا �ب�ل�ا د�ه�ا �و�ه� �و �ه�ا �و�م�� �ه�ا �و�ل��س�ا � ��و�م�ه�ا �و�ع�ا د ا ���هم�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� � ق � ت َ �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ر ��ل�ا �ن��ه�ن‬ ‫�� ��ل��ك ا �ل��م ار �ة ا �ذ ا ا �‬ ‫� او ��ط� او ر �ه * ��ل� ا �و ك��‬ ‫حب� ت� ر�ج��ل�ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ه�و ��ى ا ��ل ن����س�� ا ك��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق ا � ت � ا ن ا �� ا �� � ت ش ا �غ � ن � ا �‬ ‫�ذ ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا � �ف � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ور ب‬ ‫ح�� �و �و�ج��دا * �ل� �م� ��سب�� ب� �ل�ك * � �ل� �ل� � لر�ج�� ل ي������� ��ل�و� ب�م� �لي����س‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �ت � ا �دا � ن � �� � ا �� � ا � �ة � خ �� ا ة � خ ا �ل�� �ف � ا ن‬ ‫ي��� نع�ي��ه� * � رى �و �‬ ‫�ه�م ي��ط�ل ب� ل�و �ل� ي� �و �ر ا ل��س�ي � د� �و �ر ب‬ ‫ح ث� ��ى ا �ل� د �ي�ا �‬ ‫ح� م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� ن �آ � ا �ش�� � ش غ� � ه�ن � �ن �ذ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�و��ى �م�ا ��م��ض� �م�ن ا �ل��س����لي��ا � � او �ل�ع��ل� �و�ا � * � ا‬ ‫و ل����س� �ل� �ى ي�����ل� م �ل�ك *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ��ل�ي�ت��ك �ت ش����ا �غ���ل ت� �مث���له� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل� ت� ��ل� �ق��ل���ي�ن ���ف �ش��غ����ل ن��ا * �ق��ل ت� ا ��فت�ن �ظ� ��� �ي�ن‬ ‫ي ى ب ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق � ت ف���لن�� ا ��ل ا �� ا � ا‬ ‫��ف ّ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ى ا ��ل‬ ‫�ك��ا �ز�ع�م ت� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ْ�‬ ‫حِ��س�ن �ي���ك ا �لن� �� ر * �ل� ع�د �ى ل�ود �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن ك���ل�ه �م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��� ف���لن��ع�د ا ��ل� ا ��ل��ت ش����ا غ��� * �ف�ا ���ن ا ���د ا ن� ا �ن�ه �ه��ذه ا �ل�م��س�ا ��ل��ة ق���� ا ن� ا �ف���ص� �م�ن �ه ن��ا‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بل‬ ‫� �ى‬ ‫ى ري‬

‫‪36‬‬

‫‪36‬‬

‫‪٨،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

of the Franks and their customs and conditions. If you were to ask one of them about their food, though, he’d say he didn’t like it, or about their music, that it didn’t move him, or about their nobility, that they didn’t invite him to their banquets, or about their bathhouses, that they didn’t appeal to him, or about their weather, that it hadn’t suited him, or about their water, that he’d found it hard to swallow. The sole reason for their constant praise of those lands and for their lauding of the good things in them is abomination. “‘And you—who can guarantee me that your nature is not corrupt, when every day I hear you muttering about women with quivering flesh, women with firm and swelling flesh, women with fleshy flesh, women with masses of plump flesh, women with pretty white flesh, and tall, full-fleshed women with long necks, all of them phrases that would, I swear, make the Baptist salivate and excite a hermit?’ I said, ‘They’re just words,’ to which she replied, ‘Every war begins with words.’ ‘Would you have me abandon this craft and its obsession, this all-consuming profession?’ I asked. ‘So long as you don’t visualize, while describing, a specific person, I have no objection,’ she answered. I responded, ‘If I don’t visualize a person, my mind will remain a blank.’ ‘In that case,’ she said, ‘it’s a sin.’ ‘And how,’ I asked, ‘may I expiate it?’ ‘By visualizing only me and no one else,’ she replied. ‘But you,’ I responded, ‘are devoid of some of the characteristics that have to be mentioned,’ to which she responded, ‘If a man truly loves his wife, he will find in her everything that is fair and see in each hair of hers a beautiful woman. By the same token, if he loves some other woman, he will, for her sake, love her country, its weather, its water, and the language, customs, and manners of its people.’ ‘Aren’t women the same,’ I asked, ‘when they love a man?’ ‘They’re worse,’ she answered, ‘because they have larger reserves of love and passion.’ ‘And why is that?’ I asked. ‘Because,’ she said, ‘men spend time on things that do not concern them. Thus you’ll find this one seeking position, that one power, and a third delving into religions and all that is obscure, be it profane or divine. Women pay no attention to any of that.’ ‘Would that you might busy yourself with the same concerns as men!’ I said. ‘Would that I had,’ she rejoined, ‘two hearts to devote to these concerns of ours.’30 ‘Do you, then,’ I asked, ‘see in me everything that is good, as you claim?’ ‘I hold you in high regard,’ she said. ‘In that case,’ said I, ‘let’s get back to saying good-bye— or maybe not: let us, in fact, get back to the matter at hand, for I’d like to settle it before I depart; otherwise, it will preoccupy me throughout my

37

37

4.2.8

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫� ن ��ل ش ا غ ا �� ��� � ق � ا ��ف ت ش غ� � ن ا �� �ق �ف ا � �‬ ‫�ّ ا ف ت‬ ‫�� �ب�ا �ل��ل�و�م �ع��لي���ك‬ ‫� او �ل� ����ك�و� �ى ���� ���ل لطري��� �ورب�م� ا ��س�د � ������ل�ى ع��د ل ��و�م � ر ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ئ � ن �آ ق ا � ت ��� ن � ة �ت��ع�� �ن �ن �ف ا ن ا �ز ن �ة �ذ ��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ك��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�و�ع��ل�ى ��س� �ر ا �ل����س� ء * �� �ل� ا عل�م ا � ا�ل�م ار � ل�م �م � � ��س�ه� ا ���ه� ��ي �� �ه� ا ك�و� * �م‬ ‫ا ف ن� ا �خ � ق ��ز ن ت ا � ا ��ز ن �ة �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��س��غ� � �ا �عن ا �ذ ت‬ ‫� ا �� ن‬ ‫ا � ج��مي��‬ ‫�ه� �ب�� ا ��ه ا �و‬ ‫�ه� �ل� �ل ��ي �� ا �لر ج���ل * �ل� �ل��ك� �و�ه �م ن�ي �‬ ‫ع �م� �ي��ه ا �م� �� �ل� �ل �ي��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن ا �ه �م��ف ت���ق ة ا ��ل ا ��لت�� � � ا ��ف �ي�ن ا ��ل ن ا �ظ ��� � ا �ذ ن ا �� ا � � � ��ل� � � �دا ة‬ ‫ي�ه� ح�ل�و ب��ه� �ى �ع� �� ر و � ل��س� م * ب��ل ع�د �ج � ر�‬ ‫ر� �‬ ‫�ل��ك�و��ه� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ز ا ة � � �‬ ‫� ا �خ �ذ � ّ � ا ت‬ ‫ف ن � �ة ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا ل�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل �ب��ه�ا * ��ا � ا �ل�ز��ي ن�� � ��و �م�ن ا �ل� ��� � او �لت�����ل�قى � او �ل� ��س��ي��ع�ا ب� و ل ي� و �ى �‬ ‫� ع آ‬ ‫ن � ا ��ف ��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ك� ن� ُ�خ��� �لق ��له�ا‬ ‫ا �ن�� ُ ا ة ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ه�ا �ب�ا �لر ج���ل * � بو�� ن��� �ع��ل�ى �ه� ى �ع��ل�ى � ي�‬ ‫ع م� �ى و ِ � �‬ ‫س� �ب� �م ار � �م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ن �م�ن �� ا �عت�ق ا ا ا ن �ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ه �ب�ا �ل�����‬ ‫�ص���ص � بو���ع�‬ ‫ب���ع ض�‬ ‫ب�ع��ض� ��� د�ه� � ��‬ ‫���ه �ب�ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ض���ل � او �ل� ��ي ث��ا ر * ك�� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا � �ف ا ن �ذ � � �م �‬ ‫ا ��ل �� ا �� ض���ا � خ‬ ‫�م��ل�و�ق� ��ل�ه�ا * �ل�ا ب��م�عن��ى ا �ن��ه�ا �ت��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ز �و�ج���ة ج �ل�مي�� ا �لر�ج�� �ل � � �ل�ك �‬ ‫ر ج �ل ي �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ه ا ن ا � ا ت � ق �ذ � � ا ن ّ �ة �ذ � �‬ ‫ا �ذ��‬ ‫�م�ن �و�ج� �ه��ي�ن * ا �‬ ‫ح�د �م� ا ���ه� �ل� �� ��ي �‬ ‫ط�� �ل��ك �ل� � ��س �ري� �ل��ك ا �لي�‬ ‫�ه�ود �ى (�ع��ل�ى �م� ك�ر‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ة � � �ة‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫ع��� �م�ن �� �فس� ا �� �لق� ض‬ ‫���ف ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��لت��ا ��س� � ش‬ ‫ح�د� ( �هى ج�ب��‬ ‫���ا �ة) �ل� �ت� ��ط�ق� ا ��ه�ل � �ر� � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫)‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل ع ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ح��د�ة * ب��� �م�ا ��ت ت� ���فى ا ��ل� ا �‬ ‫ح��س��ه�ا �ن�ا ئ��م��ة * �و�ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫�ق��لت��ه� �لي���ل� � او �‬ ‫�� �ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ص��ح �و��س�ي �د�ه� ي ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذُ�� ت َ ْ ً � ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ح��ر ا �لر�ج��ا �ل � او �ل� �� �د �ب�ا د‬ ‫ح� ��ى � ك‬ ‫ِر� رد �ع�ا �ل��ل����س� * � او �لث��ا ��ى ا ��ه ا ا ��ب��� �ل� �م ار � ��‬ ‫ث ت �‬ ‫�ق � ا ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ب��م�عن�� ا �ن�ه�ا ا ��ه� ��ل�ا ن� �ت��ع�ا ش��� ج��م�� ا ��ل ��ا ��ل � ��تت��ع �ف� �م�ا‬ ‫�ب��ه�م ��ب��� ا �ل�‬ ‫ح� ا �لب�� �ى * �و�ل�� ى � ل‬ ‫ر يع ر�ج و ر‬ ‫�ع ن�د �ه ��فت�ت � َّ �م�ن � ا � � � ت � ق �ة �ن آ خ ا � آ ة �ن �غ � غ ا �ز � �ة �ن آ خ‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �م * � �ل� �‬ ‫ح�د ب �م�لي ���� �و�م � �ر �ب� ��ط �ر ء � �و�م ��ي�ره ب�م��� �ل� �و�م � �ر‬ ‫هى‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا � ا � ن ا �ن �‬ ‫ب��م���ط�ا ر� �ة ا ش �ذ � �‬ ‫ح���ة �ز �و�ج� �ه�ا � او �� ك�‬ ‫ل���ل�� �ب�ه * �ل� ب���ل –‬ ‫ح� �و�م� ا ���ب��ه �ل�ك * �مم� �ل� ي�م��ع�ه� �م �م ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ف���ق���ل ت� ا ت��مّ �ه��ذه ا ��ل�ل�ا ���ل ّ���ة �ف�ا ���ن ا ا �ه�ا �ت ج��م��ة ��ل��د ا �ه���ة �م�ن د � ا ��ه ا ��ل ن����س�� � �ع ن�� ا �ن�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بي ى ر ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ظ � ن ن �غ �ن‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫� ة �ن �‬ ‫� ت قا � ت‬ ‫م��ا ���د �ه�ن * ���‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫ح��� �و�� �ل� رب��م� د �ل��ك �ع��ل�ى ا �ل ار �ى ا �ل��� ��و� * ��ي�ر ا ��ى‬ ‫م��ي��د� �م � ك� ي‬ ‫ش �ف ف �ة‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا ا ن �ت �� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ة �فت�ت خ‬ ‫�خ ش‬ ‫ا �����ى �م�ن ا � �ت�ا �خ��� ك �لب��ي �ا �ن��ه�ا ���� ش������ �ور�ع�د� �� �ا �ر�ع�ن ا �ل��س� ر * �و � ���‬ ‫ظ�ن ا �‬ ‫��ن � خُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� نْ���ك �ب ِ� ض�� ْ�م�د‪�� � 1‬ل�ا ��غ���� ه * � ا ن��م�ا �ع��ل�م ت� �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا د اب �ى �م�ع��ك * �م�ع�ا ا لله * ا �ى �ل� ا‬ ‫و ب ير و‬ ‫م‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ب����ض‬ ‫�� ���م�د‪.‬‬

‫‪38‬‬

‫‪38‬‬

‫‪٩،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٠،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

journey and may spoil my work for those I go to serve. If that happens, I shall pin the blame on you and on women in general.’ “‘You should know,’ she said, ‘that women are aware without having to be

4.2.9

told that they are the adornment of this universe, and similarly that everything in it was created to be an adornment for women, not men; not because men are innately in no need of such adornment or because women are in need of it in order to look and sound attractive to the eyes of the beholder and the ears of the listener, but because men are not suited to it. Adornment is something one takes, receives, and assimilates and which then becomes an embellishment—modes more appropriate to women than to men. Based on this—which is to say, on the fact that everything in the universe was created for women, in part by design and in part through preference and predilection31—one of her beliefs is that the male sex too was created for her, albeit not in the sense that she should be wife to all men, for that would be an impossibility, from two perspectives. One is that no woman could survive such a thing, for the concubine of that certain Jew mentioned in Judges, chapter 1932 could not survive the men of a single village (Gibeah), few though they were, for a single night; on the contrary, she died the next morning and her master believed she was asleep; the story is mentioned there as a caution to women. The other is that, if women’s right to the exclusive possession and arbitrary disposal of men is admitted, then their right to everything else must be admitted too—though only in the sense that they’re qualified to keep company with all men and be acquainted with what they are up to. Thus they may entertain from one a word of flattery, from another a word of praise, from some other courtship, from yet another conversation, and so on, none of which need stand in the way of her feeling love and affection for her husband. Nay, on the contrary . . .’” The Fāriyāq continued, “At this I said, ‘Go straight to the end of this “nayon-the-contrary”—as far as I can see it’s just the preface to another example of the cunning ways of women and the introduction to another of their wiles.’ She laughed and said, ‘Likely your misgivings about women make you say so. Nevertheless, I’m afraid that fear and trembling will overtake you as you try to understand it and you’ll find yourself unable to leave on time, or will suppose that that’s how I conduct myself where you are concerned. God forbid! Never have I betrayed you, with friend or with foe. Everything I know I have learned from other women, for women hide nothing from one another

39

39

4.2.10

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫ا ��� ش ق � �‬ ‫�ع��ل ت �م�ن ا �� ن �آ � ا ن ا �� ن �آ � ا � ت‬ ‫ل����س� �ل� � ل����س� �ل� ك‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫���� � او �‬ ‫�� �� ب���ع ض�‬ ‫حوا �ل‬ ‫���ه�ن �ع�ن ب���ع��ض� �ش���ي �ا �م�ن ا �م�ور لع �‬ ‫�ي م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف �ق‬ ‫�ق ا �� ت ا �عل�� ا ن �� ا �� ن � � ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ز ف ق �ق‬ ‫ا �لر�ج��ا �ل * ���ل ت� ا �ْوجِ� �ى ���ق��د ���ل� ت� �و �ر� ت� �و�عر� ت� * � ل� � � ب�ع��ض� ل����س� �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �غ � �ت �‬ ‫��يت�� ّ�ج�ن �ن‬ ‫��ت��ف��ا �ئ��ه�ن ��ا �� �لق��د ر ا �ل��م ��ت� ��ل�ه�ن‬ ‫�ه�ن �ل��سب��ب���ي�ن * ا �ل�ا �و��ل �ل�ع�د � ا ك�‬ ‫حر� �م �و�ص� �ل ��ي�ر ب��ع�و�ل �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا خ��ف ن‬ ‫�ج�ز � ن �ع�ن ا ا �ئ ه ا ��ل آ خ‬ ‫�من‬ ‫�ه� * �ف�ا �ن��ه� ي���ع�ود �و�ن��ه�ن ا �ّو ��ل�ا �ع��ل� �م�ا �ي��ع‬ ‫ي�ه�ن � � ار * �و �ل� ي ��‬ ‫د� �‬ ‫�ى ا �‬ ‫� و�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ن � ن �آ �ُ ��ق � ا �� ت �ت � ت �� �ش‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ق ن �ة‬ ‫�ش ف ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ن ا �ل������ي�ر� �و��هى ا � �ل��ا ���ع� �م�ن ا �لب��ع�ا �ل‬ ‫�م ا �ل����س� ا�لم�دِ�م �و �هى ل��ى ��ل �‬ ‫�ه�م �ك��ل ���ى * �و�م �‬ ‫� ُ�‬ ‫ن � ْ�‬ ‫� � ن ه�ن ا �� ض ا � � �ه ا ��ل ت ��ت ت خ� �ذ �خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ن ا �لِم���ط�م�ا �و��هى ا �ل��تى �ت� ���ط�م�‬ ‫��� ���لي���ل��ي�ن * �و�م‬ ‫� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب� ي���سره * و م �‬ ‫��� م�د و �ى ��ى‬ ‫تع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ات ّ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�مَ يَ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ُ�خ‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� ا ��لر�ج��ا ��ل �و ��ل�ا ��ج��‬ ‫��ن * �و�من��ه�ن ا�ل� ْر�� �و��هى ا �ل��تى �‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫ح ب� �‬ ‫�و �ل� � ك‬ ‫�ر �و�ه�و�����ل�قى * ��ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ات‬ ‫� ث ا �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ت ت غ �ز �‬ ‫فق‬ ‫�‬ ‫������ل ت� ا �ل��ل�ه� ا �م��ي�ن * ��ا �ل ت� � او �ل�ل�ا �ع� �و��هى ا �ل ��ى �����ا �ل��ك �و �ل� � ك��ن‬ ‫�م���ك * � او �ل��سب�� ب� ا �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ا ت � ا‬ ‫ح ا ��ل ا ��ل ��ا ��ل � ا �خ��ت��ا ا ��ل�ا ��ت�� �من�ه� � �غ��� ا ��ل�ا ��ت�� ل�م ��� � �‬ ‫��ل�ا � ف� �� �ت��ه�ن‬ ‫�ل� ��س� ��ط�ل�ع ا ��و ر�ج و ب ر بع � م و ي ر بع �ج‬ ‫�رد ا لعل��م كي�� �ي و‬ ‫ا � � �ن � �‬ ‫�� �ف �ة �ت���سن �‬ ‫ت ق ن �ز‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل�ه *‬ ‫�و�ن��ه�ا �ع ن��د �ك��ل ر�ص� �‬ ‫�ه�ن �مَ�ن ���عت����د ا � �و�ج� �ه�ا ي��‬ ‫ح� �ل م ا �‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه�م * �و�م �‬ ‫�غ ح‬ ‫� ا ��ت��ق ��ف ق � � ن �آ ن � ا � � ا ش غ �‬ ‫� ا � غ� ا �ز ��ت ه�ن � ا � ت ه�ن �ف‬ ‫�لم� رر �ى �ع���و�ل ا �ل����س� ا � ا �لر�ج�� �ل �ل� ������ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ل م‬ ‫ا � � ش � � ا �ت�ز ف ّ‬ ‫�ذ � ا ت‬ ‫� ف���ه * ا �عت��ق��ا د ا �ن�ه�ا ا �خ����ذ ت� ��ث��ا �ه�ا �جَ�زْ�م�ا‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �ه� ا �ل� ج���د ��سب��ي��ل� �ل�ل��� ���‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط ا �ل� �و � ي‬ ‫ح�ذ � � �ف ا � �ن � �ن ��م �ة � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ى ق�ب���ل �وق�ت��ه ا�لم�و��ق�و ت� * �و�م� �ل�ك �ل� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * ب �ل رب�م� ك� � ل�ك‬ ‫ح�� ب��ع�و� �‬ ‫ح�ل ع ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ��ل ش��� �� � ��ز ا ة � ّ ه�ن �‬ ‫�ق � ت � ا �متّ��ع ن ا ه � �ن ا �ش�� �ع�ن � ��ق�م ّ �ة � � ا‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫لل‬ ‫م�د ي�� و �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط ا د ع�ى �ل �ي� د� ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫بٍ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ضح‬ ‫� ن �ذ ا ��لت خ� � � � �� �ز ا ة ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ّ � ا �ل� ا ة ا �ذ ا �ذ ا ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫���م�د * و ي�� �ي ك�و� �ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي��ط د �ى �ى ي� ح ب� و�مر‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫ل�ا �� �ل�� ��ت��ق تن � ��� �ذ � � ��ز � � ا � ا � �ة�� ن � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ��ل �ع�ن‬ ‫���ك � او �لج�ع‬ ‫ا �لب� بك�‬ ‫�� ب ع�د �ل�ك ب و�ج �ه�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ا ر�م � او � �لق��ا � � او � بك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ح� �ل� ك�� �و�ه �ل� ي��و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ف �ة � ت فُ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ل�ز�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��و�� � او �لر�ص�و�� � او �‬ ‫ا �ل�ص��� ا �ل��ى �� ��طر�ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * �وك�� ا ا �لر ج���ل ا �ي��‬ ‫���ا ا ا ا �� ا �لر� �‬ ‫ح � ب��ل�‬ ‫فض‬ ‫� عَ ضُ‬ ‫�� ت ق ا � ت �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� ا�� ف ا ن‬ ‫�ت��ه ���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك �ن�ا �ق��ص��ة * ���‬ ‫��� ك‬ ‫� او �ل� �‬ ‫���و��ض� � او �ل� كب�����س �� ��ه �ير�ى �و ج� ب‬ ‫ح��� �و�� �ل� �ل�و‬ ‫� ا ف ا �ن ق ا � ا��ن ت �ت ا �ف‬ ‫ا �� �ف ا ت � ا �ز � �ة �� �ل ا ة � ن‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�ود�ه� ��‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ه��ذه ل�ص�� � �ل� م� ل� �مر � �وك‬ ‫���ا � �ع�د �م �و ج �‬ ‫ي�ه� � ���ص� �لم� ك��� ار �ه� ��ى‬

‫‪40‬‬

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‫‪١١،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٢،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٣،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

where love and the ways of men are concerned.’ ‘Be brief, then,’ said I, ‘for I’m disquieted and frightened, and my perspiration level’s heightened.’ “‘Know then,’ she said, ‘that there are two reasons why some women feel

4.2.11

no qualms about making love to men other than their husbands. The first is their failure to get from the latter their established due, for men accustom them at the beginning to what they are incapable of giving them at the end, and it’s no secret that there are, among women,33 the nymphomaniac, who “devours everything,” the sworn virgin, who “abstains completely from intercourse,”34 the two-timer, who “takes two lovers,” the prick teaser, who “incites without making herself available,” and the bluestocking, who “loves the conversation of men but does not fornicate” (which is the way I am) . . .’” The Fāriyāq continued, saying, “‘Thank God for that!’ said I, and she said, ‘ . . . and the ball-breaker, “who flirts with you but doesn’t avail you of herself.” “‘The second reason is her desire to find out what men are about and to

4.2.12

put them all, sturdy and weak alike, to the test, simply in order to know, so that nothing about them may escape her. There are those too who suppose, given women’s firmly established belief that men have no interest in anything but flirting with and sweet-talking women, that their husbands will betray them at the first opportunity. Thinking so, any time she finds a means of leaving the strait and narrow, she hurries to seize it, imagining that she is taking revenge preemptively, which is to say before the time otherwise allotted for it—despite which women never lose their love for their husbands. On the contrary, any such straying may be conducive to an increase in love for them on their part.’ “‘May God not send me a love that springs from nymphomania or infidelity!’ I said. ‘How, though, can this promiscuity be conducive to an increase in love35 when the woman, once she has sampled the thrusting prick, the strong prick, the hard prick, and the huge, mighty-headed prick, will never thereafter be able to limit herself to her husband, given that he can never escape the particular attribute with which he was created? And the man likewise, having once sampled women who are sweet-mouthed and dry-cunted, narrow-quimmed, high-twatted, tight-tunneled, and bulgybeavered will find his wife ever after diminished.’ She laughed and said, ‘Were these attributes essential in order for a woman to be a woman and their diminution a defect, they wouldn’t be found only in a small number of individuals, for most women are not like that. The reason why affection

41

41

4.2.13

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫�ن آ‬ ‫�ز ا ة ل�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫فا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف ق � � �ة �ن‬ ‫�خ ا ف �ذ � �‬ ‫ف ا ن ظ � ه�ن‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫ا � ار د ��لي��ل� �م ا �ل����س� ء * �� � �م�ع �����م� �ع��ل�ى ��ل� �� �ل�ك * �� �م� ��سب�� ب� �ي� د� م ب‬ ‫�� � � �ف‬ ‫ن ���ز � �� �� �� ا �� ��ف ت ه ��ز � ت ه ض ت ه � ا ا � �ة‬ ‫ف �ز‬ ‫�تخ‬ ‫ي�ه� �و�‬ ‫ح� �ل�‬ ‫�� ار � �و� �ع�ل�‬ ‫�ي�م�ا �ع�م�ن �م� ا �ل �لي� ��ط‬ ‫�ه�و ا � ا ل �و ل�ط�ول ل �� ب �و ج��� �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا ّ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� ه�ز ة � ا ش �ة‬ ‫�� ن � ّ ا � �د �ه ا ا � ا خ� � ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ل� رع����‬ ‫ك��و� م��س ح� �م� �ل� ر �ل� يح� � �ى �ج ��س�م م� س و م��س�و س‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ّ �ة‬ ‫� �ة � ا ن � �ق ف‬ ‫��ا � خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف� ا �ل�غ� ر�� ب� �ف�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫�ي�� * ي��م��ك�ن �ل�ه �م�ع�ه�ا ا �لم�م�ا ��ت ن�� � او �ل� �م�ع�ا � � او �ل�و��و�� * ب‬ ‫و �ل� رب ��و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا� � ا‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ة ا�ل�م ار �ة ا �ي�ا ه �ع��ل� ا �ل�ع��م�ل * ا �و ��ل��‬ ‫�ل ش����د�ة �ن��ه�م�ه �ود�ه ش����ت�ه ا �و � �ف�ل ر ��ط �م ار �و�‬ ‫حر �ل�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ ئ� ا ا�غ ��ل ا � �ت ف ت � �ف ا ن � �ذ‬ ‫�� �ت�ا ن� * �ف�ا ��ل��ل���ذ �ة �م�ع�ه �ج���ّله�ا �ن�ا �ش��� �ع�ن‬ ‫ي���س�و د ا �م� �م��س� ا �‬ ‫ح�ل� �ل � � �� �و�ه ا �ل�ص� ت�� � ا�لم� ك��ور‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �غ �ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ن نغ‬ ‫�ص�ه�ا �م� �ز �و�ج� �ه�ا �ج���ل�ه‬ ‫ا �لت��ص�ور * ا �ى �ع�ن ���ص�ور ك�� �ون�ه ��ي�ر �و�ج� �ه�ا * �مك��ا ا � �����‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� �ا �� ا ��ق � �غ � ا ن‬ ‫�� �ون�ه �غ��ي�ر �غ� ��� * � او ��ل�ا �ف�ا ��ل� او �ق�� ا ن� ا ��ل��ل���ذ �ة ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�ن�ا ����ى �ع�ن �ت��ص�ور ك��‬ ‫ح�ل ل �وى * ��ي ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لت��ص�ور ��ل�ه �م�و�ق�� ��ي��قرب� �م�ن ا � ف�ل���ع�ل * �و��ي��ا �ن�ه � �لو ا �عت��ق��د ر ج���ل �مث��ل�ا ا ن� ا �م ار �ة �غ��ي�ر ا �م ار �ت�ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ا ���ع�� �ذ �‬ ‫�ن ا �� �ق �عٓ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ب� � *‬ ‫�ت�ب��ي� ت� �م�ع�ه �� �ب�ا ��� ع� مر � ب يع���ه� و ه�و �ل� ي � ل�ك �مك� ج رى ��س�ي �د � ي ع �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫ت �ت � �ة‬ ‫���ذ ش ن‬ ‫�ف �غ‬ ‫� ف ت �ت ت‬ ‫�ل�و�ج���د ا �م ار ��ه ���ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل� �مت��ص��� ب ج��مي�� ا �ل�ص���ا � ا �ل ��ى ���ص�ور�ه�ا ��ى ��ي�ر�ه�ا * �وك�� ا ����ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ة �ف آ‬ ‫�ن ت ق ا � ة ا ن � ا ��ف ��‬ ‫� ن �ن ��‬ ‫� �ن ���ز ن �ة‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � * �ب��ن �� �ع��ل�ى �م�ا ��ت�ق��د � �م ا �ع ���� د �مر ب� � ي� م� �ى ك‬ ‫ح��س و ل ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ف ا ت �ل�‬ ‫ح��س�ن � �ت ش����ا �غ���له�ا ��ه �م ���ط��ل�ق��ا �ع�ا �م�ا * �غ��� ا ��هن‬ ‫��ه � ن��ا‬ ‫� او �بل�� جه‬ ‫�س��ه�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ت�� �صور�ه� �ص��� � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ت ن ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ه�ا ��ا ��ص � � ب��ا �من��ه�ا � ن��ا �و�ل� �ل��ك ا �ل‬ ‫ا ا ك�‬ ‫��ا ��ص �م� �ا �و�ل ا �ل�ع�ا � * ح�ى ا ��ه ك���ي�را‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �� �ف �ُ‬ ‫ح��دا �من �خ‬ ‫ح�ت �ت���ذ ��ه� �ع�ن‬ ‫� �ص� �ص�ه * � �ي�ت���ا �ذ ��ه ا ��ث ن��ا ن� ا �و ��ث��لث���ة �‬ ‫�ر�ه�ا � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا ي�خ �ط�ى ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ه�م ب و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫��ف ا �� �ق ت� ف‬ ‫���ن � ن‬ ‫� �ذ ة‬ ‫�اش‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫حّو�� �م�ن ا �ل��ل�� � ك��م‬ ‫�يري��د ا � ي� ش���رب� �م�ن ���ل ث�‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا ���ل � او �ل� ���غ����ل * �و�ه�و �ى ل� او �� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ � ن �ظ �� �� ��ق � �‬ ‫ق��� ��ض��� ا � ف� ه ��ف � ��ق ت � ا � �د � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل�ل ي � ع�ه� ع��ل�ى ي�� �ى و � و ح� * و�ل� ك�ل م�ك �ه� �ي ر �ى �ول ���� عر‬ ‫�ذ ّ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ا ا ب�� ت� �م ش���غ� ��و�ل ا � �ل�� او د ب���م�ا ����تر�ى ‬ ‫ّ�� ��ف‬ ‫��م ّ ا ش �‬ ‫���و�قن��ى ‬ ‫ح�ي� ي� �‬ ‫ا رك� ب� �ى �و���ه��مى �‬

‫‪42‬‬

‫� �ن ا �� �غ� �ع ن ا ��ل �‬ ‫م ل ي��د �ي�ى �و ج‬ ‫���م�ا �ل‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫��ع��ل�ى ق��ا ��م� ا �و�ل�ى ���ب�ه ��‬ ‫م‬

‫‪42‬‬

‫�ف ّ ق‬ ‫�م� ر ��‬ ‫ا �ش ق‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�� ���‬

‫‪١٤،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

increases, as women claim, with promiscuity is that the husband, given his long familiarity with and lascivious interest in his wife, and the fact that the touching of one of them by the other no longer produces in the body of either the toucher or the touched any shaking, trembling, or tendency to faint, is able to keep going longer, penetrate more deeply, and maintain a harder erection than the stranger. The two last characteristic abilities36 will elude the latter, either because of his voracity and discombobulation, or because the woman keeps going back to him after short breaks for more, or because what is forbidden is not always as appealing as what is permitted. “‘The pleasure she gets from him derives largely from her conceptualization37 (meaning her conceptualization of him as other than her husband) just as her boredom with her husband derives largely from her conceptualization of him as something familiar. This aside, it is a fact that licit pleasure is more powerful. Conceptualization, however, is almost as important as performance. The proof of this is that if a man believes that a woman other than his wife is going to spend the night with him and then his own wife does so without his knowing, as happened with Our Master Yaʿqūb,38 peace be upon him, he’ll find that his wife, that night, possesses all the characteristics that he conceives of as being possessed by other women, and the same is true for a woman. Based then on what has been said above about the woman believing that every kind of beauty, adornment, and delight in the universe is most appropriately hers, she will conceptualize, and preoccupy herself with, the attributes of beauty as though they were a universal absolute. Should there, therefore, be a particular example close by, she will deal with it as she would with the universal, to the degree that her thoughts will often go on beyond any one man in his particularity, two or three men pulling them this way and that until she is reduced to a tizzy in her attempts to decide between the beguiling and the yet more beguiling, which amounts in reality to her being surrounded on all sides by sensual pleasure, like someone who wants to drink from three water pitchers and puts them all to his mouth at the same time.’ ‘Your words,’ I said, ‘put one in mind of the lines of the poet that go If my heart’s distracted by the young ladies My eye beholds, and whose beauty’s divided, a little to each, I mount in my fancy a face that attracts me On a body that suits it and then feel the itch.

43

43

4.2.14

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫�ك�ن �ق�د �ن� ت ن آ�ن ف ا ��ف �ت �غ�ز � �ن ت ّ �ذ ت �خ‬ ‫� �ص� � ا ق ت ن‬ ‫ح ا � �ف�ه� ّل�ا‬ ‫�و��ل��‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ص�ه� �و���ل� ا ��ه �ر م �‬ ‫ه�����ى � � ��� �ى ا �ل�� �ل �ع ���ص�ور ا � ب و‬ ‫ّ �ة �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ �ة �ذ �� � �ذ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه ا �هب��ا ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ب�‬ ‫���ا * �ق�ا �ل ت� ا ��م�ا �‬ ‫حر�مي�� ا ك ل�‬ ‫حر�مي�� �ه� ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ل��ل� �م ��س�د �ى‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ا �خ��� ف���ه � ��ل�ا ���د � �ى * �ف�ا �م�ا ���ف ا �� ف�ل���ع� �م�ن‬ ‫�و��س �ف�ا * �ع��ل� ا ن� ا ��ل��غ�ز ��ل ك�‬ ‫����ل�ه ك�‬ ‫��ي ��ف��م�ا ك�‬ ‫ي ر ي و �ج و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ق �ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ا ��ن �ف �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫���ه� ك�� � �ي��د‬ ‫ح� ا �ل� �و �ل� د * �و�ل�� �ل��ك ر�ى ا � �� ب���ع�‬ ‫�ب���ل ا �ل����س� �� ��ه �ي������� �ع��ه � ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن آ‬ ‫��ف �ف‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫� * � �ه� ا �� ض‬ ‫� ا � �ل�م�ن �ق�ا ��ل ا ن� ���ف ��ؤ ���ة ا ��ل ��� ���س��‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫��� �ع�م �و �و�عي�ن����ه ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ىبر‬ ‫�و�م�ه �كم ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��ث� ة �م�ص���ل �ة ت‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ت �ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫����ت��س�ا ��ه �من�ه�ن ا ��ل�ت ش‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف� خ� �و�‬ ‫ك���ي ر�‬ ‫م����ي�ر �ع ن��د ا �ل� �ي�ا ب� *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح� ���ع�ود �ع��ل�ى ا �م ار ��ه �ل� ك� ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� �ق ��ز ن ن ت ّ �‬ ‫�ث �ف‬ ‫ا�ز � ا ف ا ا � �آ ا ��ل‬ ‫� ة ف ا ن �� ت ش‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � �� � ا ل�م����ي�ر �م�ل� �م �ل�ه� * �� �م� �ه�و �ل� ح� ��مى ا �ل ا �ع�م�و� ا � ���ص�ور ا �لر ج���ل �م�ور ��ى‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫ا �غ ن �آئ‬ ‫ت �ز�غ � � � ف �ز‬ ‫����له�ا‬ ‫� ئ ا ت ا �ت �ذ ت‬ ‫� ��و �ي�� ا �ل�و�ل�د �ي���ل �م�ه�م ا � �ل� �ير � او ا �م ار � ا �ص�ل� ��ي�ر ���س� ���ه�م * �ل��ل� �� ��ى �ر�ي �‬ ‫�ه�م ك� �‬ ‫َ �َ ا نّ‬ ‫ا �ن ا �ث ا ا � ��ف ا � ا �ق خ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ق �ا‬ ‫�ذ � � ف �ة � ّ‬ ‫� ث‬ ‫� ن��ا ��ا * �و �ل��ك �لم ن��ا �ع��� ا �لت��ص�ور �ي�ن �م�ن �ب���ل ا �ل� ب� � او �ل� �م * ا �ل� � او �‬ ‫� � و �ى �ل� ��ل ِ‬ ‫ة � ا ت ت �� �ز � ا � ا ا � ف� ا ��لت��خ ّ ��ل � ة ا ن �ت� ن ق ْ � �ة‬ ‫��� �م ��� ئ‬ ‫طر�� *‬ ‫ا �م ار � �ل� ���س��ب��د ل �و�ج �ه� ا �ل� �ب� � �ل� ك‬ ‫��د �ير� �ب� � ��ك�و� ِ�ب��ل� �ك�ل‬ ‫��ر �و �ي���ل ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن � ا ف �ز‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫��ل�ا �م��ك ا ن� ا ��ل ن����س�� ا �ل�م�ق��ص� ا ت� �ع�ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * �ق��ل ت� � �م ت�ض���ى ك��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ر �و�ج� �ه�ا ا �ل� ��‬ ‫� او � �ل� ��ي�� ك‬ ‫ور‬ ‫� ن �ة � ن �ظ � ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� �ص� �� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �م�ا ��ا‬ ‫ر ��ؤ ���ة ا �ل�ع�م� � ��ل�ا ��ل���ذ �ة ��له�ن �م� ا ��ل‬ ‫��س�� ا �ل�ى ��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ر� ا �ل�ع�م�و� ��ل�ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف نع ف ن �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ن ا � �� �ف ن ا�‬ ‫�ق � ت ا �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �م�ا ��ا �ل����س�� ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ع�د � ���ع� * ��ا � ا�لم�� ء �م�ه�م�ا �ي��ك�ن ���س‬ ‫��� ي����‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫طى ا �ل�� ر * �ل� � �وب� �ل�ع��ك��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ةت‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �� ��� ا �ل�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ى ا ن� ا ��ل ن��ا ر �م�ه�م�ا ك��ا ��� ��ا رد� ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�ن ا�لم�� * ��ا �ل� �ي��‬ ‫� ا �ل�ع��ك��س �ل�� لطرد �و�ى *‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫اق‬ ‫�� ��ق �ت�ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ق � ت �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل� ا ل�ى ك�م ��س�م � � ��س�م ا �ل�ل� � * �� �ل� ا ل�ى ��م��س� ا ��س� �م * ا �ل� �و�ل ��� �صور�ه� �ب���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ث ا � ث � � ا �ف ا ا � � ن � �ذ‬ ‫� �ن �ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�����ي�ن ا�لم� ك��‬ ‫ا �ل�و��ق�و * ا �لث��ا ��ى ك�‬ ‫��ور �ي�ن * ا �ل ار ���‬ ‫��ر�ه�ا �ب���ل�ه * ا �ل�� �ل� ح�ص�و�ل�ه� ��ع�ل� �ب� �لرك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� ن � ��ذ ة �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ق� ا �� ��ق ا ��ق‬ ‫ا �� ا �� ��ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫* و �كو� ل�‬ ‫���ص�ور�ه� ب ع�د ل�و �و * � م��س كر�ه�‬ ‫�ص�ور ب��ل ل�و �و �وى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق �ٌ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ان �‬ ‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن �غ‬ ‫�� ا ��ل ا ن ا � ا � ��ل ا ��ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا �و ب���ع�ده ا �� او �ل * � �ه ب� ب�ع��ض� �ى � �ل� و�ى �وى * �ل� � ل��ع�ل م� ك� � ��ي ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ا ن � ف� ف ه � �‬ ‫ح��ّد * �و �ز �ع� � خ� �و ن� ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫�و�ل � او �م��ع�ن �ف�ل�ا ��ي�ق �‬ ‫�ف� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��ص�ل ك�� � ا � �ل� ك‬ ‫��ر �ي�� ا ج �‬ ‫ح�ص�و�ل‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ه ّ ئ � � ف� ئ �ة‬ ‫ة �م�ي�ن �ة ���ع�ت � �ل ا ��ف ق� ا �� � ا � �ت ��ق �م�ن ا � ا ا ة‬ ‫�ل� �ع� د�‬ ‫ي�� �م�ع��ل�و�م� �و�ص�ور� ع� � ي �م�د ع� �‬ ‫��ر�ه�‬ ‫ي � ي��� �ل�ل�� ك‬ ‫ي�ه� �ى ي�� س م� ي� ر ب�‬

‫‪44‬‬

‫‪44‬‬

‫‪١٥،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٦،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

“‘Earlier, however, you forbade me to visualize any particular woman when celebrating women’s bodies in verse and said it was a sin, so wouldn’t you agree that what you’re suggesting is sinful too?’ ‘The former,’ she replied, ‘is sinful because it constitutes a pointless and excessive use of language. Words of dalliance have, in fact, no value and are worthless however used. “‘As far as the act, on the other hand, is concerned, women view it as

4.2.15

determining the comeliness of their children and this explains why you will find a child with a nose like Zayd’s, a mouth like ʿAmr’s, and eyes like Bakr’s;39 this is also a riposte to those who claim that it is in the wife’s interest for her husband to see lots of other women because on his return his libido will have been increased by his contact with them.40 It is different, however, when the woman goes out, for her libido is contained within her. Those idiots who claim that what a man visualizes has an effect on the shaping of the fetus in the womb should look at no women whatsoever other than their wives, lest their offspring turn out to be all females, or at least hermaphrodites, the reason being the discrepancy in the different ways in which the father and the mother visualize.41 Indeed, a woman who exchanges her husband for another in thought and visualization should be nothing less than all men’s object of praise and her husband should think of none but her.’ I said, ‘The necessary implication of your words is that women who are shielded from seeing the generality of men will find no pleasure in one particular man.’ She replied, ‘As for the woman who sees the generality of men, that is so. However, it is not so in the case of the woman who sees none at all, for water, no matter how hot, puts out fire.’ ‘That is true,’ I said, ‘and so it is if read backward, meaning that fire, no matter how cool, heats water.’ ‘It is true,’ she replied, ‘if read backward, but frontward is better.’42 “‘Into how many divisions may pleasure be divided?’ I asked. ‘Into five,’ she responded. ‘The first is visualization of it before its occurrence. The second is discussion of it before the same. The third is its actual realization accompanied by these two essential elements. The fourth is the visualization of it after the act. The fifth is discussion of it afterward. Whether the pleasure of visualizing it is greater before it takes place or afterward is a matter of debate. Some believe the first is greater because when it hasn’t yet happened one’s thoughts about it roam more widely, delve more deeply, and do not stop at any limit. Others claim that the actual occurrence provides one’s thoughts with a known shape and a specific form as a benchmark against

45

45

4.2.16

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫�‬ ‫� ض ا ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف � ��ذ��‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف� ���فى �و�ق�ت ا ��لت��ص� ر �‬ ‫�ك��ا �‬ ‫ح��ص� ا ��خل‬ ‫� او �لت� ك‬ ‫ح��ص�ل ا ي��‬ ‫��ر�ير * �و �م‬ ‫��� �ي��ه �و�ى ا �ل� ك�ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ة ّة �‬ ‫� � ا �ز ن �ة � ا ف ا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� او �ل�عب��ر� ب�‬ ‫�ص��ف� �ع ن��د‬ ‫ح��د � ا �لت��ص�ّور �و ر ب� ا �ل��ل��س�ا � * ��ا �م�ا ا �ص�ل‬ ‫� ا �ل� �م�� �ل�ه� �� �ل� ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة ��ف � ن ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ن����س�� � ا ��ل ش����ت�� �ع ن��د ا ��ل ��ا ��ل * �ف�ا �م�ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح��د � ن� � �من � ث ن �ة ن‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫�ه�م ا�لم� �� �وي� �و�م �‬ ‫ل��مي�� �م�ن ا �ل�� ��س ا�لم�و� و و �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � �ة � ّ � ن‬ ‫� آ � ا‬ ‫ا ��ه� ا ��ل�ت�ث��ل� ث� * �ق��ل ت� � �من‬ ‫ي�ه� *‬ ‫�ه� ا�لم�ع��ت�ز �ل� � او�لم�عِ ��ط��ل�و� * ��ا �ل ت� �ه�و �ل� �ل� �خ��ي�ر ��‬ ‫ل ي‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت�ز‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�و�م�ا �ه� �ج���د �ير �و� �ب�ا � ي���ع�د � او �م� ا �ل ن��ا ��س * ���ل� �م�ا ����ا � �م�ن �ي�� �و� ا ����ت��� � �‬ ‫و�ل� ��ا *‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ �ة � ا ن آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ن‬ ‫ط�� * ���ل� ك�ي��� �و��د ك��ا ��� ��س�ن � ا �ل� ����ي��� ء * ��ا �ل� ��ه�ل �‬ ‫�ق�ا �ل ت� �ه�و ا �مر�م���ا �ير �ل��ل��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ن � ث � ا ن ��ف � ا ا ن ��ن‬ ‫ن � ��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��ف ا ��ل���ط���ع ا ت ا � ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ح �� ا �ن�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ر �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫يو‬ ‫ح� ا �ل� � �ى ا �ل� د �ي� � ا و ل�م �ى ب ي ي�� � * �ل� رى � ل� �كو‬ ‫ن ا ث ��ث ة ُق ّ � ا ض � ق ة ��ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ت ُق ّ � ن ت‬ ‫ا �ل ��ى � ِ�د ر �ل�ه�ا ا � ���عي�� ش��� �م� ا �� � ك���ي�ر� � ِ�د ر �ل�ه� ا �ي��‬ ‫���ا ا � �ل��د ر� �ع��ل�ى ��ك��ا ��ي ت��ه�ن ك���ا �ل��د�ي��ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ة �ت‬ ‫� ا��ا ن �‬ ‫�غ � ا ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ف ث ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ل�ع� �ص��ور �م��ل� * �و��ي ر�ه� �م� ي�عي����� م و ح� و�ي ��ى ب��ه� * وم� ك� � لر ج ��ل ��ي ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ ف ّ‬ ‫�ا � ا ن � �ز‬ ‫ح ��� ت ا �ل� ا ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف �ة �ث‬ ‫حو �ه�ن * � بو���ع�د ��ل�ا �ى ��سب�� ب� � �ظ ر� �مر �‬ ‫��ا د ر �ع��ل�ى ��ك���ا �ي� ���ل ث� �ل�م �ي��ك�ن ا �ه�ل �ل� � ي �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ث �ة ا ��ل ن�����س ا ��ل�ت‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫���ثر�ة ا ��ل ن����س�� ��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�ن ا ن� �ت��ت�ز �و� ��ث��لث���ة ر�ج��ا �ل * �ق��ل ت� ا ن� ��ى ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ذ � � ف ق ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ث ة ا �� � ا �� ����ل ا ة ا �� ا � � ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ي ت��و�ق��ف� �ع��ل� ا �ع ا ا � � � ا � � � � �‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه� �مر � ل�د ي�� * و ل�ك م���ود �ى ك� ر لر�ج � ل �مر ل�و ح� * �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ة � �‬ ‫��س��ع � �ة � ن � ا ��له� ق �‬ ‫ا ��ن �ق ا ت ��ف �� ا ���ت ن‬ ‫�ى ر � �ى ب�ع��ض� ك‬ ‫ل��� ب� ا � �ه��ذه ا �ل�ع�ا د� �ل� �ت�ز �ل �م �م�ل� ع��د ب��ع��ض� � م‬ ‫� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ت ال�مت ن ن �� ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا �ث � ن‬ ‫� � او �� ��م�د ���و� ا ل��‬ ‫�كي����س�و ن� * �ف�ا �م�ا د �ع� او ك ب��ت� ك�‬ ‫�م�ه �م�ه ا �ه�و �ل� ��ه ا �ل�ه�م‬ ‫�� ر ا �ل�����س�ل ��ى‬ ‫م �ج م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة �تث ق‬ ‫��ث ة � ن �آ ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن �ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ه�ل � ك�‬ ‫��س� ��ط� � �و �����ل �ب��هم�‬ ‫�س��ا � ا �ل� ر��ض� ا �ل� � ���لي���ل�و� * ا�ل�م ��� �‬ ‫ك���ر� ا �ل����س� � �‬ ‫��� �ب��ه�م ا �لب�� ي‬ ‫� �ذ � ا ث‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫َّ ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ب� ��ط�و���ه�ا �يو��م�ز �� ا دي��م�ه�ا * ��م�ا ا�لم�و�ج� ب� ا �ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل� ك����ا ر ��س�و�ى ا �لب� ��طر � او �لن��ه� * ���ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � � ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��د �ع�د ت� ا �ل�ى � �لو�م ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ���لن��ع�د ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ود ا * ا ��ى �م��س�ا �ر�ع ن���ك ا �لي ��و�م � �وت�ا رك �ع ن��د ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف � � �ذ �ز‬ ‫� ُ� ّ ه �ق ا �‬ ‫�� �ف ت� ّ � � ا �ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى ا ا ا رك ا �‬ ‫ح�د ا ِح��س �ب� * � ل� ي�� ح��س و م� �و د ك مع�ك *‬ ‫� او د ى‬ ‫� ن ا �خ ّ‬ ‫ح�ز ن� � ا ��ل��س � * �ق��ل ت� ا ن� �‬ ‫�صو ن� ا �� �لق���ل� ��ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ّ � او ��ل ش����ع�ور * � او ��ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫� او �ل�� ��س ي� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ب س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � نَ َ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫بر ��س�ى * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �م�ن ا �ى �ج� �ه��ة * �ق��ل ت� �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫��ا ن�� ب� ا �ل� �ع��ل�ى �م�ن ا �ل ار ��س * ��ا �ل ت� ����ع‬ ‫م‬

‫‪46‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪46‬‬

‫‪١٧،٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٨،٢،٤‬‬

A Farewell

which to measure any replay or repetition. Similarly, there is disagreement over the times of its visualization, as also of its discussion, though the crucial point is the clearness of the visualization and the foulness of the tongue. The best time for it is the summer in women’s opinion and the winter in men’s. As to the number of times, some people are Unitarians, some Dualists, and some Trinitarians.’ ‘And some,’ I said, ‘Muʿtazilites and some Muʿaṭṭilites.’43 ‘The last,’ she said, ‘are without redeeming qualities and are unworthy to be counted among mankind.’44 “‘What are we to think of men who marry two, or three, wives?’ I asked.

4.2.17

‘It’s against nature,’ she replied. ‘How can that be,’ I asked, ‘when it was the custom of the prophets?’ ‘Is this a discussion about religion,’ she responded, ‘or about natural phenomena? Do you not observe that those animals, such as the rooster and the sparrow for example, that have been granted the capacity to live with a multiplicity of females have also been granted the capacity to satisfy them all? The others live with only one and are satisfied with her. Given that a man cannot satisfy three, he is not qualified to possess them. To return to the matter in hand—why is a woman forbidden to marry three men?’ I replied, ‘A multiplicity of women for a single man results in the multiplicity of offspring on which the world depends in order to thrive. This wouldn’t apply in the case of a multiplicity of men for a single woman, though I have read in some book that such a custom continues to be observed among certain savages.’ ‘Gently, gently!’ she said. ‘Are they really the savages while you’re the civilized and sagacious ones? As for your claim concerning the multiplication of offspring when there’s a multiplicity of wives, are the inhabitants of the earth now so few? Is not its surface already too confined to hold them? Do not its innards groan under their weight and is not its skin ripped open? What motive is there then for this increase other than hubris and greed?’ “‘You’ve reverted to heaping blame on men, so let us revert to saying farewell. I shall depart from you today and leave my heart in your keeping, so that if anyone visits you I shall sense his presence.’ ‘How will you sense anything when your heart’s not with you?’ she asked, ‘for people say it is the heart alone that has the capacity to feel and perceive, be joyous and grieve.’ ‘My sense of feeling,’ I said, ‘is in my head.’45 ‘Where in your head?’ she asked. ‘At the tip-top of my head,’ I answered. ‘Naturally!’ she responded. ‘There is sympathy between things that resemble one another. But where

47

47

4.2.18

‫ف‬ ‫�� � د ا‬ ‫ي� و ع‬

‫� ا �خ �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ش � ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت� ق‬ ‫� ��ط�و�ه�ا ا �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ا �ل����ى ا �ل�ى �ج�����س�ه ا �مي���ل * �و�ل��ك�ن ا �ي�ن �ت��رك����ه * ���ل ت� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�ع�بت�� كي����ل� ي‬ ‫ق ا � ت ف ا �ذ � �ف �ف ق‬ ‫�ق � ت ف‬ ‫� ف ن � �ف �غ‬ ‫ق �ف � �ف‬ ‫�ه�ا * ���ل ت� ��ى ا � �ل ار ��ش� * �ق�ا �ل ت� ��ا � �ي��ك�ن ��ى ��ي�ره * �ل‬ ‫� �ي���ك *‬ ‫�� �ل� �� ا ��ط� ر ��و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �م��ق ّا * ا ���ن ا �ع�ا �ه�د ك �ع�� �م�ا ك��ن�‬ ‫��ا �ع��لي��ه �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت� �ذ ��ل��ك ا �‬ ‫ح ب� � او �ل�ود ا د �م�ن ا ��ا �‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫يم‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ش �ن ن ا ا ن � �ت � ت ا ��ل �� � ش �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ي�ن � ّ‬ ‫� � � ن‬ ‫ح�� ا‬ ‫ط ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ا � * �و�ل�� �‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ا �ل��س ��‬ ‫ط �ب�ا �ل��� ���‬ ‫ح��س � او ����عر �م �ه�� �ب� ��ك � ب��د �ل� ��س��‬ ‫ح� ح‬ ‫�ظ ��‬ ‫�ق ا � � �ح ف � ث �ف� � � �‬ ‫��ث� ة ا �� ا � �� �ش � ة ا � غ� � ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ب�لك �ب �����ع�ل م���ل �ع�لك � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و � ب�� د ى � * �ل� �ك ��ي ر ل�و��س� و س ���د ي� ل��ي ر *‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ا � ن �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫قا � ت‬ ‫�ك� ن� �ع�ن‬ ‫� ن �ن‬ ‫���ل��ع�ل ����ع�ورك �ي��ك�و� �ع �و��س� او ��س * �� �ل� ب���ل ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا � ا �ل�و��س� او ��س �ي��و‬ ‫ْ ً ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك��ه * �ق��ل ت� �ه� �ف �� �ف�ل�ا‬ ‫ح�ا �و��ل ا �ذ ا �ف��‬ ‫ا �ل ش����‬ ‫�ق � ت ا � ا �� ن�ن ا ا � � �‬ ‫�ق ا � ت �‬ ‫و ر �ض‬ ‫ع�ور * �ل� د ر م� ب ي��� � ل�د ور * � ل� ِ‬ ‫ق ا � ت �ق ض آ � ا ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫قَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���� �ل� �ب��د �م�ن �ر ض�‬ ‫���ا �ئ�ه * �� �ل� �و��‬ ‫�ب��د �م�ن �� ض�‬ ‫���ه * ���ل ت� اي���ع���د �ب�ه ا �ل�ع�ه�د * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�ذ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا �ع�ه�د �ب�ه ا �ل�ع�ق��د * �ق��ل ت� �ل�ا ا ر ض���ى �ب��ه��ذه ا �ل�ص�ف�� * �ق�ا �ل ت� �و�م�ن ��ل�ى ب� ��و�ص�ف� �ه� ا‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ن � ق �ف � �‬ ‫� ض‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا ن ا ��ل ش��� ��� �� �ا � ق‬ ‫ع���د *‬ ‫ا �لر���ى * ���ل ت� ��ه�ل ك���ا � ا �ل�ع���د ��ى ا �ل ش���ر ��ط * ��ا �ل ت� �و��ه�ل ك� � رط ب ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ت ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن�� ن� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل� ��ل�ا ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �َم�ثَ��ل ن��ا �مث��� �ذ ��ل��ك الجم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن��و ن� �م�ا ج��م�ع ن��ا ا �ل�ز � ا‬ ‫� * ���ل� ا ك���ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫حلم�د لله ر ب� ا �ل�ع� �لم�� *‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ع��ل�ى �ه� ا * ��ا �ل� ا ك���ر ا �ل ن��ا ��س ج�م�ا ��� * ������ل� ا ��‬

‫‪48‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪48‬‬

A Farewell

will you leave it?’ ‘On the doorstep,’ I replied, ‘so that no one may set foot on the latter.’ ‘And what if he jump over it?’ she enquired. ‘In the bed, then,’ I said. ‘And what if he’s in some other bed?’ she went on. ‘In you, then,’ I said. ‘That,’ she responded, ‘is the best place for it. I promise that I will abide by the love and affection that we have shared from the time of “the roof ” till now. The moment, however, that I sense and feel, from here, that you’ve switched your roofing feelings for a roving eye, I’ll match every deed of yours with one of mine, and “the initiator is the more unjust.”’ I said, ‘You’re much given to suspicion and very jealous; what’s to make sure that anything you sense isn’t generated by suspicion?’ ‘On the contrary,’ she said, ‘any suspicions I may have are more likely to be the result of what I sense.’ I said, ‘We’ve come full circle,’ to which she replied, ‘Try then to break it.’46 ‘It is a duty,’ I said, ‘and must be performed,’ to which she replied, ‘And it is a performance that must be demanded as a duty.’ ‘Will it seal our covenant?’ I asked. ‘If such contracts can ever be sealed,’ she replied. ‘I reject such a characterization,’ 47 I said. ‘I wish,’ she said, ‘that someone would tell me what such a characterization means.’ I said, ‘Was the contract over the condition?’48 and she replied, ‘And was the condition without a contract?’49 I said, ‘We’re as mad as that lunatic,’50 to which she responded, ‘But for madness we would never have married.’ I said, ‘That is true of most people.’ ‘Many a person’s off his head,’ was her response to this, at which ‘Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds,’ I said.”

49

49

‫� �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫���ص�ل ا �ل��ث�ا �ل ث�‬ ‫��ف ا ���ست ��ا �م�ا ت ����ش�ت‬ ‫�ى �ر ح � �ى‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ع�ه ا�لم��ي�ن � او �ل�ا ف���تر� ا �و �م�ن ك�‬ ‫�م�ن ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ن ��‬ ‫���ا ن� �ج��ا �ه�ل�ا �ب�ا �ل ن����س�� ا ر�ت�ا ب� ��ى �ه� ا ا �ل�ود ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك�ن � ّ‬ ‫� �ن��س��ه ا ��ل �ت ق��� ش ا ��ل ش����ع �آ � �م��ا ��لغ���ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� د ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫و ب �ى ري���‬ ‫ر ل�ى‬ ‫ر وب � م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ن ا ُ‬ ‫� �ت�ه�ا � �فَ��ع��لت�ه�ا � �َم ���ط �ت�ه�ا‬ ‫� د ���د �ن�ه�ا � �ش�� ن�� ش���ن��ت ا ن ش ن ش ت ا‬ ‫�ذَ�ير�ا �ه�ا � او ج�ه‬ ‫وي � و‬ ‫��ور � و ِ � و ِ ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �و�����������ه� �و�م�ه�و ���ه� �و�ه� �ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ح�ا ر � � اولجم‬ ‫ح� � اولم‬ ‫الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر�ة � او�لم�ف��ا �‬ ‫��ك�ه� � او�لم��س�ق��ا ��ط� � او �لم��ط�ا ر�‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫��ا ر � �و��سر�ع� ا ج��‬ ‫�وا ب� * ب���ل‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص ا ف ا �ذ �خ ا ض �ف‬ ‫���ا ن ي ج�‬ ‫��تم� �ب�ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� ا ��ث ن��ا ن� ا �و ��ث��لث���ة �م�ن ا ��‬ ‫�� او ��ى �‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث�‬ ‫ح� �ب�ه �� ا �� � �‬ ‫ك���ي�را �م�ا ك� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا ن �ت��ع�ا �ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ه �ل�� �ُ���ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د�� ت� �ل�ه� �و�ج��ا ر���ه� ي��ه �و�ع� ر�‬ ‫�ه�م * ��ك�ل ��ي�ص� � ر‬ ‫����ه�م �و�م� ���� �‬ ‫ا�� ب‬ ‫م يِب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�� � ن ت‬ ‫� ت �ة ن‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�غ� ا � ���س�ا �ج���ل�ه �‬ ‫�و�ك��ل ب��لي�‬ ‫�وا ب�‬ ‫�وا ب� ا�ل�م ار � ا ��سر �م�ن ج��‬ ‫�يرت��ك * �و��د �عل��� �ب�ا �ل�ج�� �بر� ا � ج��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ا �م�ن �غ��� ا �ل�م ش ت‬ ‫* � ا ن ا �ل�م ش ت‬ ‫����غ����ل �ب�ا ��ل�عل��� �ي��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ا �ب� ���ط�ا ج�‬ ‫����غ����ل �ب�ه * �ل�ا �ن�ه �ل�ا ��ي�ق��د �‬ ‫ا �لر ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ت �‬ ‫� ف� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ � � ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� �ع �ه��ذه‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �ل��ك ا �ل� ب���ع�د ا � �ل� ك‬ ‫��ر � او �لر� �وي� * �ع��ل�ى ا � �ه��ذه ا �ل�عب�� را � ل��ى � ���ل �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ف �ن � ق �ف �ن ق‬ ‫�غ ق آ � ن‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار �ة ا�لمب�ي�� ن�� �م�ن ��ي�ر � �ر �ة ا �لب��ي �ا � ��هى د �و� ا �ل�ا ��ص�ل ب���م ار �‬ ‫�ح�ل * ��ا ��ى �ل�م ا ��د ر ��ى � ���ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ت��د � �من�ه�ا * � �ع�� ا ن� ا �ص�ّ ��ل��ل�م ���ط�ا ��ل� �ع �� �ن�ا‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � �ع��ل ��ن �ق��� ا ��ل‬ ‫���ا ت� ا �ل ��تى ك�‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع يو‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ت غ �ز �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ت�ز‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا �ج� ب� �����ي�ر * � او � ��� �ير�م� * �و������ �ه� �م� * �و��د �ود ا � ��ورد * �و ج�‬ ‫�ي��د ا‬ ‫�����ا �ل �و��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�نَ�فَ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل� �ى * � ���د ا �ت�� �م� ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * � �و � ��س�ا �ير� ��و �و � � * �و�ص� �و� ي� ���� � �و�ب��ر * �و د �ع�لي��ه‬ ‫�ي و‬ ‫وي و‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫�ض �ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ز‬ ‫� ا�لم�ا �� ا �ش���ا ر� ا �ل�ى ا �ل� ��س��عب��ا ر * �و�ت�� او �ل�ى ا �ل�ز � ا ت� ر�م�ز ا ا �ل�ى ا �ل‬ ‫�ه�ا ر *‬ ‫�م���س‬ ‫ح � � او �ل� � ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا ن ا ا ��‬ ‫�ج�ز � ا ��ل�� �ف‬ ‫� ا ��ل�ت���ّل��د ا ����ذ ا �ن�ا ��ا ��ل�ا �� �سف� * � ا ��لت�ن ��ق�� �م�ن �ج� ن�� ا ��ل� �ج� ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب عو �‬ ‫و ل‬ ‫و ب ي ب‬ ‫ب ى ب‬ ‫‪50‬‬

‫‪50‬‬

‫‪١،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٣،٤‬‬

Chapter Three

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

Those who are by nature mendacious and given to slander, or who know

4.3.1

nothing about women, will be suspicious of this farewell and attribute it to the embroidering and hyperbole of a poet. But who can gainsay one who has made it her habit, practice, custom, convention, utmost goal,51 wont, way, fashion, and observance to riposte, jest, banter, chaff, rally, sally, and respond with alacrity? Often, indeed, two or three of his friends would gather with the Fāriyāq and take on a topic on which she would rise to their challenge, keep pace with them, oppose them, and out-argue them. No speaker, however persuasive, should she oppose him, could find his tongue, and any master of rhetoric, should she enter the lists against him, would tremble, learning by experience that a woman’s answer is faster than a man’s and that one who has dedicated himself to scholarship may be slower to answer than one who has not, for the former will only venture to answer after cogitation and deliberation. That said, the utterances that I have reported above from this woman so persuasive (despite her having read not a word in the art of rhetoric) fall far short of the original, for I was incapable, in reporting her words, of reporting likewise the gestures she made along with them and of picturing for the reader eyes that flirt and eyebrows that hint, a nose aquiver and lips that shiver, cheeks that flush, a neck that twists and a hand that gestures, breathing that rises and falls, and a voice that dips low and soars high, to which may be added the wiping of the eyeball to indicate incipient tears, a succession of sighs to symbolize sadness and joy, a display of foolishness to give notice of

51

51

4.3.2

‫�ف ا �� ��ت � ا ا ت ش ت‬ ‫�ى س ر‬ ‫ح� �م� � �����ى‬

‫�ن ة ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ص�ن ا �ة‬ ‫� �ق ة �غ �ة‬ ‫�و�غ��ي�ر ��ل��ك ��مم�ا �ي�ز ���د ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ��و� � �وب�ل�ا �� * �و�ه��ذه �ث�ا ��ى �مر� �ن��د �م�ت ن�ى �ع��ل�ى �ج �ه��ل�ى � � �ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش �ن � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ا �‬ ‫� ا �ل� ة ا � ا � ��ل � �ف � ف‬ ‫�ذ��‬ ‫ا �لت��ص�ور * و�مر� �ل� و�ى ك‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ى ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل ارب��� �ع���ر�م ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ا �ل� �و�ل �ع ن��د ك�ر�ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫� ان‬ ‫ا خ‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ��ن ا �ن�د � � �ة �ث ا ��لث �ة � �ه ن ا ��ن�����غ ا ن ا �ق��ف‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �� ج��م�ا �ل�ه�ن * �يو��م�� �ى � م مر � �� * و �� ي ب �ى � �‬ ‫��س� � �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫�ق � ن ت ا ��س�ت � ا ا �ز ة �ن �ذ‬ ‫� ن � ا ن �ق �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ه�ى �ل� � ا ��و�ل * ا �ن�ه ��د‬ ‫�ص�� � او ي�م�‬ ‫� ا �ل� �ج�� � �م �و�ى ا �ل� �مر � او �ل �‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �د م�ى �م��� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� � � ا �ن�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز ��ا ن� ��ل�ا ���د �ع� ا ا � �‬ ‫ج�ر ت� �ع�ا د�ة ج��مي�� � � ا ة � �‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ح�دا �ي��د ���ل‬ ‫ع ا � �لو �ل� � � او�لم�ل�وك �م� �ع�د ا �م�لك ا �ل� ك� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا د ��ه ا � ي�خ� � �م ن��ا �م�ا �ل�� ���د �ف�� ��ل��د � ا � � ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �و �ل�وك��‬ ‫��ل�ا �ئ��ه� ا�لم�عر�و�ف��ي�ن �ب�ا � �ل�ق ن��ا ��ص�ل �ق�د را‬ ‫ب م و ر�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ي ع و �يو � م‬ ‫ن � ف �ذ �ن�ز �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ك�ه� �و ��م‬ ‫ح�� �خ�‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل��د را ��ه ب�‬ ‫�ص� ��مم�ا ��ل��‬ ‫ح��ل�ه�ا * �و �ل��ك �ب��د �ع�و�ى ا � ا�لم��س�ا �ر ا ا �ل‬ ‫س� � ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�� � ن�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ح� �و�ع��س� ك�ر �ه ا�لم�� �صور�‬ ‫�ب�ل� د ��هم ��س�ا �ع� ا �و ��س�ا �عت��� ��ل� �ب��د � او � �ير�ى ���ص�ور��هم ا ل �� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف خ ة ف � ن ��‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫����له� ا ��لن���ي���ة � �م ا��‬ ‫ر كب���ه� ا � �ل��ا �ر� * �ي���ك�و� ك��م�ن �ي��د ���ل �م��ل�ه�ى �م�ن ا�لم�ل�ا ��هى *‬ ‫ا �و �ي � م �ج ب و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ّ �ف �‬ ‫ن �غ �ة‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫ح��د �ب ��ق ��و�ل�ه ا �ن�ا ��ى ا�لم��ل�ه�ى ����سم�‬ ‫ح��د �م�ن د �و� � ار �م� * �ف�ا � ا �ع��ر��ض� ا �‬ ‫ا �لي����س �ي��د �خ���ل�ه�ا ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ز ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ا �ص� او ت� ا�لم�غ� ن���ي�ن � او�لم�غ� �ن�ي �ا ت� � �و �ل�ا ت� ا �ل��طرب� * �و�نر�ى ا �ل�ا �ن�� او ر ا�ل� د �هر� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫ض‬ ‫نض‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫� ت ن �ة‬ ‫�����‬ ‫� ه ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ي��‬ ‫���ا �ت��ه�ن ا ��لب��ا �هر�ة * � �و��‬ ‫���‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫��ر�ة �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك �‬ ‫ح��ك�ن *‬ ‫ح��س�ا � ا �ل ن��ا ض�‬ ‫ا�لم� ��و�ع� �و �و ج��و‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف � ّ‬ ‫ن غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �ى �م�د �ن ك��‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ي��غ���ا �ل�ن * �ف�ا �م�ا ��ى ر ��ؤ �ي� ا �‬ ‫ح��ا �‬ ‫� �و� ��طرب� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ير����ص�ن * �و� ش���� ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫ن� ا ن خ �� �غ ن ن ا ت ّ ا �� ف ت� ن ف ا ئ �ت ن ا �ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف�ا �ن�ا �ل�ا �نر�ى �ش���ي �ا �م�ن ��ل��ك * ب���ل ا �م� ���د ���ل � ك��‬ ‫ل�ى ي��� ب����� ج�� رك�م� * ����ك�و� �� ���د � �� ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� � خ� �� ا �� ن �ة‬ ‫� ��ل�ا د �ن�ا‬ ‫��س�� ا ��ل�ى �ف�ا �ئ��د �ت��ه� ��ى ا �ل��د خ���ل ق���لي���ل� * �ق�ا � �ل او �ق�د ��ي ت�ف� ��ق� �و��ق ت� �ق�د �و� ك��‬ ‫ا �ل�د �‬ ‫م� ب‬ ‫�ول �ب� ل�� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �ذ �ف ق ا �ة � �‬ ‫ا�� ن ا ق ش ت �ف � �ز ف �آ � ا ت � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن �ت� ن‬ ‫�ه� ا ��ى �م��� ب���ل� ا �ل��طرب� ��ى‬ ‫ا � ��ك�و� �ع��س� ك�ر�� ��د ���ر�ع� ��ى ا �ل�ع �� �ب� �ل� � ا �ل��طرب� �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا � ن �آ ف ا نّا ن ا �ذ ن �� ��ف ا ��ل ت تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫� �ت � ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�� ب� �‬ ‫ا�لم��ل�ه� * ا �م� ا �ل����س� �� �� �� � � ك��‬ ‫ل� �ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ا ج�ر� او �ور� ء �م�ن �ش����ت��‬ ‫��ك�ل �م�ن ا �جعب� ك�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � � �ذ � � �ف �ا � ن ��غ ا ن تش ّ ه � ا �ئ ن ن ا ا ��ل ت تش ��ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ا ��لن��ق��د �ع��ل� ا ��ل‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫حي� ث� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ر * و م ل�ك �ل ي ب��ى � ���ب�� م�د �� ��ى ���ر �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�� ��ت ن��ا ����ع�� ا �ل�م�ل�ا ��ه * � ��ل�ا ��س�م�ا ا ن� �ه��ذه ��س�نّ��ة �ق�د ��م��ة �ق�د �م ش��� ت� �ع��ل�ه�ا ا ��س�ل�ا ف� ن��ا‬ ‫ى و ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫بح� ر ب ب �ض‬ ‫�ت ق ا ت � ا � ن ن � ا � � ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� ت�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط�ا ب� �ث ار ��ه * � �و ��� د �م� �ع�ل�‬ ‫ح�ى �ل� ي���ع�د م ك��ن‬ ‫��س�و� � او �ل� ��‬ ‫ي�ه� ا �ل �‬ ‫حوا �ل‬ ‫�م��ا ���ي��ي�ر�ه�ا * ��ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �ة ُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�لم��ل�ك ا �ذ ا ا �م ب� ش���� �ص�ا ر �ذ ��ل��ك ا �ل ش���� ��س�ن � �و�‬ ‫��ا * �و� ش����ه�د ��ل���ذ ��ل��ك ��ق�و��ل �ص�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪52‬‬

‫‪52‬‬

‫‪٣،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٣،٤‬‬

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

regret, a movement from side to side to announce grief and pain, and other things of that sort that lent power and rhetorical force to her words. This is the second time you’ve made me regret my ignorance of the craft of photography, the first being in Book One, chapter 14, when fair women in all their diverse beauty were discussed, and I may yet feel the same regret a third time. Here I have to stand up straight and request permission from the powers

4.3.3

that be to declare that it is the custom of all governors and kings, with the exception of the king of the English, to invite no one to enter or exit their lands who has not first paid to their ministries or their agents known as consuls a sum of money in keeping with the fertility or barrenness of their possessions. They do this on the pretext that if a traveler spends one or two hours in their country he is bound to see their spacious palaces and ever-victorious armies or their thoroughbred horses and luxurious vessels, thus putting him on a par with one who enters some place of entertainment, which no one would do without paying a fee. If anyone objects, saying, “In a place of entertainment we hear the voices of the singers, male and female, and the sounds of the musical instruments, see the decorative lights and varied decorations, the shining faces of the lovely ladies and their dazzling displays, laugh with them when they laugh, are transported when they dance, and fall in love with them when they flirt, but we see none of these things when we view one of your cities; indeed, as soon as we enter them we are fleeced by your merchants, meaning that what we gain from our coming in is but little compared to what they gain in terms of their incomings,” they will tell you, “Your arrival in our country may coincide with a musical performance by our soldiers, and that can be in lieu of any transports you may experience in that place of entertainment. As far as women are concerned we give you permission to enjoy any of them that takes your fancy and run after any of them you wish, so long as you have ready cash. It’s not right, however, for you to liken our cities, graced as they are with our presence, to some place of entertainment, especially as the payment of these fees is an ancient custom followed by our ancestors (God bless the sod!) that has been practiced for so many years and eons that it can no longer be changed. If the king commands something, that thing becomes custom and law, as witness the

53

53

4.3.4

‫�ف ا �� ��ت � ا ا ت ش ت‬ ‫�ى س ر‬ ‫ح� �م� � �����ى‬

‫ن ن � � ا ف �ف ش �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل�ز � ��ور ا � �ي��د ا �لر ب� �ع��ل� �ق��ل ب� ا�لم��ل�ك * ب��م�ع��ى ا � ا�لم��ل�ك �ل� ��ي�‬ ‫�ر ��ى ����ى ا �ل�ا � �و��د ا لله‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫� ا �ة � آ � ّ ن �ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�صم��ة ��ل�ه ف�ي��ه * �‬ ‫�ه� ��‬ ‫�ج�ز ا ��ؤه‬ ‫�ع�ا ��‬ ‫�ه�ك� ا ش���ر� �ه��ذه ا �ل� �ي� ا �ل�ع��ل�م�� ا �ل �بر�ا ��ني ��و� ��ى �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا �و�م�ن �خ��ا � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ ف ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �خ �ذ �ف ت�غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ف ض �ذ �‬ ‫ا �ل�ص��ل ب� * � بو���ع�د ��ا � ا�لم��ل�ك ا ا ا ��� ��ى ���ي��ي�ر ا �ل�ع�ا د ا ت� � �و�تب��دي���ل ا �ل��س��ن�ن � بر��م�ا ا �����ى �ل��ك‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫��ا �� � � �� ��ذ � �� ث ��ف ا � ا �� � �ن � �ة ���ق �ف‬ ‫� ت�غ‬ ‫ف � ن َ ثَ�‬ ‫ح�� م‬ ‫� ��ي�ث�ي�ر ا �ل��را ب�‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ���ي��ي�ره * �ي���ك�و� �م��ل�ه ك�� ل�د�ي�ك ا ل� ى ��يبح� �ى �ل� ر �ض ع ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�غُ �ذ � ت‬ ‫ف � ا � �ذً ق‬ ‫�� �ش�� ��ف ��م � ه ث� � ا �ف �ق‬ ‫�ع��ل� را ��س�ه * �و صَ‬ ‫� � ر �ل��ك � ش���ب���‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * ��ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا ا ا � ار ر �ك��ل �ى �ى ح�ل� * �م �ل� ر�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫�ا ا‬ ‫�ص�د �ب�ل� د ��ا � � �ا ا �و �����ي�را * �ص�ا �ل‬ ‫�ب��ي�ن ا � �ي��ك�و� ��ا �‬ ‫ح� �ب� را ا �و �ل�ص� �� ج� ار * ر�ج��ل� ك�� � ا �و‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫� � � � ا � ا �ن ا ا � ا ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �م ار �ة * �ف ك�‬ ‫���ل�ه� �م��ل��ت�ز �م�و ن� �ب�ا د � ا �ل�غ� ار �م��ة �و �ح��م�ل ا �لغ��ب���ن – �و��ل��‬ ‫�ك�ن �ي�ا ��س�ي �د ى و م�و �ل� ى � مر �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫ة � ا ن �زُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ةق ض �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ي�ن � ن ق‬ ‫�م�ع��سر� ��د ا �‬ ‫���ا � ��د‬ ‫����طرر ت� ا �ل�ى ا�ل�مر�ور ب��م�د �ي���ت���ك ا �ل��س�عي��د� * �ل� � �يو ج��ى ا�لم��س�ي��ك� ك‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ْ �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ف ة ف ت�‬ ‫� �ة ��ل �م�ص���ل �ة ف ق ض‬ ‫�ق�د � ا �ل�ى �ب�ل�ا د ك��� ا�لم�� ك‬ ‫ح� �������ى �ع��لي��ه ا لله �ت��ع�ا �ل�ى �ب�ا � �لو��ا � * ���رك�� ت� ِ�‬ ‫ل��ي�� ي��د �ير‬ ‫�صب��ي�� �ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ئت �‬ ‫يَ‬ ‫� ت ا � �ة�� ن � ا ��ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح� �ل� ك�� �و�ه �ل� ا‬ ‫�ير �ى * �و�م�‬ ‫�و�ع� �و�ج��� �ل� ر�ى �يو ج��ى ا�لم�و��� �‬ ‫��ور �و� ج��‬ ‫��ى ا �لب���ي�� ��ي ت�� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ � � ف ا ��ن ُ ّ‬ ‫� ا ن � �آ � �‬ ‫� �ة � � � ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ع�د �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫حق� �ل�ه�نّ �م�ن ا �مث��ا ��ل��ك ا �ل�ع ن��ا �ي� � او �ل�ا �ل��ط�ا �� * �ف ك‬ ‫�ل�ك �� �ى ا �‬ ‫��ي ���‬ ‫ح��س� � ا �ل�ل� �ى ي �‬ ‫فَ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت�ز � �غ �ة ف‬ ‫��ع �م�ن‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن ��ن ف���ق���ة ا �ل�� �فس� ر �و���ق��د �ز �و ج�� ا ��ل���ذ �ى ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ى ��س�ن �د ا – ا ر ج�‬ ‫ا �ل�� �م �ب�ا �ل� ار �م� �� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي ى‬ ‫ح ث �ئ ت ��ف ا �ذ ا � ��ق ت ا � ا �ت � ا � � ا ن ا �� �ق ا ا ��ل ت ��ت��ق ��ف �ف ا �ت ا �ل� � � ا‬ ‫�ي�� �ج �� �م� �ه� و � �ل� ��س� رح� * �ل� � ل ��و �ع�د ��ى رر �ى د � ر م�ل�وك �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫نا ض ا ا �‬ ‫� ا � ��ت�ث ن ن ا ��ش‬ ‫� ف ق �ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫جَ‬ ‫��ت��ق ب��� ا ��ل�بت��دي��� �و ��ل�ا ا ��ل�‬ ‫ح �ر�� �و �ل� ي��س �ى �م��ه� ��ى – � او �� ا �ي��‬ ‫��� �ي� �م�و �ل� �ى ر�ي���ل �����ي ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ف � ا شآ‬ ‫�ف �ف ت ا �� � �ف ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ ظَ �� ّ ف �ة‬ ‫ق ا� �‬ ‫�ص �و��ه �ل� �م ����� ه ا لله * �� او ��� ��ل� د ك�� ���ط�م�ع�ا ��ى �‬ ‫�ص���ل �و��ي ����‬ ‫ح� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��د ر�م� �ى ا �ل�د �هر �ب�� ر‬ ‫ي ب م‬ ‫�ت ق َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف ت�ن � ا � �ن � ا � ث �ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � ��و� �ب�ا �َود �ى * �و�م�ا ا �ن�ا �م�ن �و�ى ا �لت�غ���ا �و�ى � او � �ل��� �و �ل� م ا �لب��‬ ‫ح���ي�ن ��ى ��س�ي �ا ��س�ا ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ت ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � � ش �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ��ن ا � �ف �ش ا � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل�م��ل�وك � او ��ا �ل� ���ه� * �����ص�ا ر�ى �م�ي���� �‬ ‫�ص���ل �لمعي������ * �ع��ل�ى �ى عر� ���ي � �ل�‬ ‫ح� ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� � ا ة ف � ا��ا ن ق ا � ف ا �ف � � �ت� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ه� �م� ي��د ا �ل�د �و�ل� ك��‬ ‫ي���عر��ه ا ��ه�ل �ب�ل� د ك�� ا �ل�ع� �مر� �ر�م� ك�� � �م��� م�ى ��‬ ‫� ا �ل��س�عي��د� * �و�ل�و �‬ ‫�ص�د ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ض ا � �ن � �خ� �ة �� ��ف‬ ‫ف ّ � ا�‬ ‫ا � ا � ا ��ل� ا ��ل � ا ��مت�� �ن �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ل� مر ع� �ى ب�‬ ‫ح�ا ��ى � او ��بت��ا ر�ى �ي�م�ا ا د �عي��ه �ل� ك��ر�مت�� �مث�� او �ى ��‬ ‫���ل‬ ‫لر �ص� �ى �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� � خ� �‬ ‫�ز ن �ة‬ ‫�غ �ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّّ‬ ‫� ئف‬ ‫�و�ل ب��غ���ي�ر � ار �م� – �ي�ا ��ط�ا ���� �ي�ا �ع��س��س �ي�ا ِب����ي�� �ي�ا �ج���ل� او �ي�ا ش���ر ��ط� ّ �ي�ا �ع�و� �ي�ا ب �ى‪1‬‬ ‫ا �ل�د �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ّّ‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫��� ا �ف�ي ا �ل���ق�ا �مو��س و �ف�ي ‪ :1855‬ي�ا ذِ� ب�ى‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪54‬‬

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‫‪٥،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٦،٣،٤‬‬

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

words of the psalmodist when he says, ‘The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,’52 meaning that whenever the king thinks of something the hand of God renders his judgment infallible with regard to it. This is how the divines in our country explain this verse and the reward of any who disagrees is crucifixion. “But to return to our argument: if the king starts changing customs and

4.3.5

exchanging conventions, this may lead to him too being changed. His situation is comparable to that of the rooster that searches for a grain of wheat on the ground and in so doing stirs up the dust till it covers his head (though this is an unworthy comparison). Better then that everything stay as it is. And again, it makes no difference whether the one bound for our country is rich or poor, pious and righteous, a thief and a libertine, a man or a woman—all are obliged to hand over the fee and put up with the fleecing . . .” “But my lord and master, I am a woman in straitened circumstances obliged to pass through your happy city because my poor dear hubby came to your royal country to conduct some business and the Almighty determined that he should meet his end there, so I left young children I have writhing with hunger in our little cottage and came to see my poor dead hubby (since he can’t see me), not to mention that I’m considered one of those good-looking women who deserve to be looked after and well treated by those in positions such as yours. Why then should I be obliged to bear the fee, not to mention the costs of travel and the loss of my hubby, who was a support to me?” “Return, woman, to whence you came! This is no time for pleas for mercy, for the rules set down in the ledgers of kings admit of no change or modification and no exceptions can be made . . .” “And I too, my master, am a poor little fellow whom fate has bombarded with its calamities for reasons known only to God and I have made my way to your country hoping to obtain some minor post that will satisfy my needs. I am no seducer or sower of dissent nor am I one who pokes his nose into the policies of kings and their governance. All that I wish for is to make a living, though I do know something that the inhabitants of your ever-prosperous land do not and my presence here may be of benefit to your happy realm. Should a sublime decree be issued that I be examined and tested as to my claims, you would provide me with a house, to say nothing of issuing the

55

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4.3.6

‫�ف ا �� ��ت � ا ا ت ش ت‬ ‫�ى س ر‬ ‫ح� �م� � �����ى‬

‫ا �م حَ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ي� ِ ���س‬ ‫� �ل �ي�ا �ف�ا ر �ي�ا �يْ���ل� �ي�ا �ت���ؤ ر �ور �ي�ا �ث���ؤ ر �ور �ي�ا �ث���ؤ �ث��ور �ي�ا �ت���ؤ �ث��ور �ي�ا ا �تر �ور �ي�ا �تر�ت��ور ا �ود �ه� ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف تّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق ت ّ‬ ‫�ّ ا‬ ‫ا �ل���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫���وه �ع��س�ى ا ن� ج���د � او �م�ع�ه‬ ‫�ج�ن * ا � �ه�و ا �ل� �ج��ا ��س�و��س ��د �م ��ي�ج�� ��س��س �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا * ��� ش �‬ ‫�ش ف �‬ ‫���ذ �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�غُ َ ّ ُ � ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ا �ورا �ق�ا �ت ك‬ ‫���� �ل ن��ا �ع�ن �ب��ره – � او �ن�ا ك�� �ل��ك �ي�ا �م�و �ل� �ى �و��س�ي �د �ى ���لي�� �م��سَ�يْ��ك��ي�ن ��د �ج�ئ� ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ف�ا �ص�ا ��ه �ه ا � �ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ق�ا د �م�ا �م�ن �� �فس� ه �ف�د خ��� ��ل�ا د ك��‬ ‫�ل�ا �ن �ظ� �� ر اب �ى ا ب���لغ��ن��ى ا �ن�ه ك�‬ ‫ح�مي��د ب���مر��ض�‬ ‫ب �و و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫لب م‬ ‫� ض �ة‬ ‫���ة ف‬ ‫���ا ��مم�ا �ش��م��له�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�ش���د ���د �من��ع�ه �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫���ه �و��هى �مر��‬ ‫حرك���� * ���ل�م�ا �ع��ل�م ت� ا �م�ى ب���مر ض�‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ ض ف � �خ ا �‬ ‫� � � �غ‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت ن � � �خ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ح�ز � � او � ك‬ ‫�رب� �ل��ط�و�ل � ي��ا �ب�ه ب���عث�����ى ا �لي��ه �ل�ع��ل�ى ا ���د �م�ه � او �مر�‬ ‫���ه �ي� ��ي‬ ‫ط� ب� �� ��طره �بر � �يو ��ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫نه �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ه ��ت�ق��و� ��ل�ه �م�ق��ا � ا ��ل��د � �و ء – �م�ا �‬ ‫�يو�خ� �ف� �م�ا �ب�ه * �ف�ا � ر ��ؤ �ي� ا �ل�ا ب� ا ب���� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل �مر ض�‬ ‫ح�ن ب���م بر�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن �غ �ة �ذ‬ ‫ح�ت ��ا �ت�� ا ا ��ل�ه�ا � �خ� �� ن‬ ‫�ت �� �‬ ‫م��‬ ‫ا ا � ا � ا � �ا �ن ا � ك‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ن د �و� � ار �م� * ا �ه ب�‬ ‫�وا �م �‬ ‫�ل� و �ل� د و �ل� ب�ل د � � ب� ل�ه�م ى ي و ي� يو رج‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا�ذ‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫���ا �ي�ا �عت��ا د �ى �و�م�ل� �ى * �و��م�ا �ل�ى �و�م�ع�ا �ى *‬ ‫�و �ك�ن ر�ج��ل�ا �ب�ا د ا ���ه�ا �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل ��ور – � او �ن�ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�زّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� �� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�مج���ل�ا �ى �و�م��لت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �ى * �و��س�ن �د �ى �و�م�ع��م�د �ى * �ور ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ى �ورك���ى * �و�ع �ى � او �م��ى * ر ج��ل�‬ ‫� آ �ا آ‬ ‫ة �ف ا ا �ز ��ن � ا � ئ �ة‬ ‫��ن ت �ق � � ت �� ا � �آئ�� ن ا ��� ق‬ ‫ي�ه� م��‬ ‫�ص�ي �د� � �ج�� �ى �ع�ل�‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل ش����ع �ر ا �ل� د �ب�� ك��� �د م�د ح� ب�ع��ض� مر �� ا ك‬ ‫ل�� ار �م �ب ����‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �� ت‬ ‫د ��ي ن��ا ر * �ف�ا �ش����تر�� ت� ب��ن�� فص���ه�ا �م�ٓ �ون��ة �ل�عي��ا ��ل�ى * �و �و��في� ت� � �‬ ‫بر��ع�ه�ا �م�ا ك�� ت� ا ��س�ت�د � ت��ه �ل��ك��س� �و��هم�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��� ك�� ل‬ ‫�� � ��م�ا ��ه�ا �م�ن‬ ‫� ا ل��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �����ق �م��ع ر��� * � او ��س�م�ع� ب�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��س�ن م�م�� ك‬ ‫ه�� ب � ي ج� بو ي�‬ ‫� ا �صي��ب�� ا �لب � ي‬ ‫بى ى بع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ا ��‬ ‫ت ن ّ� ن ا �ظ ��‬ ‫�ُ�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل�‬ ‫ح� � او �ل��طر�� ا �ل ��ى �ل� � ��و�ج���د ��ى �ب�ل� د ��ا * ر�م� ا � ا ��سرح �� � ر�ى � او �ن�زه �� �طر�ى‬ ‫ا ا ق � �ة‬ ‫ن �خ‬ ‫� ���ط ����ا ��ل �ع ن��د � � ت��ه �م�ع�ا ن ‪��� 1‬د ���ع��ة �م�ا � �ق ن‬ ‫�ف �ذ � ن‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر �يو‬ ‫��ى �ه� ا ا �ل��عي�� ا �ي� �م� ��لي���ل� * �ع���سى ا � ي ر ب ب �ى‬ ‫� بي‬ ‫�س���ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ا � �� ن‬ ‫�� ا � �ف ا �غ � ن ا ا � ئ ٓ � � � ا � � غ ا ��ف � ن ا � ا �� ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه� ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د � �ص�و ��ه� ب� د � ب��د ى م�ديح� ب ي �� �ى ج��� ب�ك لر ي� * و م�� م�ك س ي� *‬ ‫ا ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ن ش��� ا ��ل�ث�ن �� �ع��ل���ك ���ف ج��م�� � ا ق � ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ه�ا ر * � او ج�‬ ‫�ي��د �و�ص�ف� � ك�‬ ‫م��ا ر�م��ك‬ ‫ع ا �ل� �� ��ط� ر * ��ى ا �ل�لي���ل � او �ل �‬ ‫ي ى ي‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا �� � ش‬ ‫��ف � ا ف ا‬ ‫� غ ا �ي�ن � ا �ي�ن ��ف ا ن ا ا �� ق ا �‬ ‫�ى ا �ل� ��س��� ر – �م� ا ك���ر ا �ل����ع �ر ا �ل��� �و ا �ل�ع� �و �ى �ب�ل� د �� �و�م� ا ك���ر ا �� � �ي�و�ل�ه�م � او ���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز �ق‬ ‫�� �ع��ل� �ع��ق ب���ك � او �م�ا ا ن� �ن���ؤ � �و��ك ا ��ل�ى د ا ر الجم‬ ‫�ه� * ا �م�ا ا ن� �ت��د �ف�� ا �ل�غ� ا � �ة � ا � ا ا ن �ت �‬ ‫��ا �ن��ي�ن *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع ر م� و م� � ر جع ى‬ ‫ر �م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫‪� :1855  1‬م�ع�ا �ى‪.‬‬

‫‪56‬‬

‫‪56‬‬

‫‪٧،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،٣،٤‬‬

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

permit for me to enter without a fee . . .” “You there, policeman, watchman, guard, nabber, grunter, rozzer, runner, cop, slop, constable, catchpole, cozzpot, woodentop, nabman, beagle, derrick, nubbing-cove—put that man in prison! He’s surely a spy come to spy out our land. Search him. No doubt you’ll find papers on him that’ll tell us what he’s up to.” “And I too, my lord and master, am a poor young laddie. I have come

4.3.7

to see my father because he has told me that, on his way home, he entered your country, where the clement climate afflicted him with a malady that prevents him from moving. When my mother, who is also sick from the grief and care that have consumed her as a result of his long absence, learned of his illness, she sent me to him, in the hope that I might serve him and nurse him and his spirits then revive at the sight of me and recover, for when a sick father sees his son the latter takes the place of medicine.” “We’re not child­ ren’s nannies and our country’s no schoolhouse that they should come and go without paying a fee. Get on with you and show you’re a man by paying it right away . . .” “And I too—O my shield and my refuge, my succor and my resort, my haven and my shelter, my support and my prop, my foundation and my stay, my strength and my security—am a poet and man of letters who wrote a poem in praise of a certain emir, for which he granted me a hundred gold coins. With half of these I bought provisions for my family, with a quarter I covered what I needed to clothe them, and I have a quarter left. Having heard of the merits of your magnificent, splendid, fertile kingdom and of the treasures and curiosities that it contains, to be found in no other country, I desired to let my eyes roam and my mind saunter in the midst of this luxury for a few days. Who knows? Maybe on seeing it, brilliant tropes that no one has beaten me to will come to my mind and from them I shall fashion, before anything else, a brilliant eulogy in praise of your elevated position and gracious condition, broadcast praise of you in every clime, at every time, skillfully describe your noble qualities in books . . .” “How many a dilettantish and doleful poet we have in our country! How many are their writings and how little their income! Either you pay the fee, or you turn around and go home, or we consign you to the madhouse.”

57

57

4.3.8

‫�ف ا �� ��ت � ا ا ت ش ت‬ ‫�ى س ر‬ ‫ح� �م� � �����ى‬

‫��‬ ‫�خ � � ث‬ ‫��ل �‬ ‫� ق �ن‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ت� ا ن� �تش��� �ف� �م��س�ا �م� ا �ل�م��س��ت �‬ ‫ح� ا ��ل‬ ‫�و�ل��ك�ن �ه�‬ ‫ح���ي�ر �م ��س�ي �ده ا ج��لي���ل ا � ��ط�ي�ر ب�م���ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫رم‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا � �ة � � �ة �ف ا ن � � � �ن ق ا ��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� � � نّ �ة ا ن� ا ا �� غ� ا � ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� �وب� ا �ل��س�لب��ي � * � � ا �ل��س�ل ب�‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا �ل� ج �‬ ‫م�� م ب��ي ر �� * و �م� ل�� ل ب� � �ي ك�و�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫� ��� � ا � � ث � �ن ا � �� ���ق‬ ‫� ا � ه � غ��� ا � ا ��ن �ف ا � � ا �� �لق��ف‬ ‫� �ع��ل ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ب� بر �ل� � و ب�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب م ى ر م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �ذ ا � ا ��ز � ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫ا � نا ن ا ق‬ ‫ا �ن ق ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ب� ��ط�ن * ا �و �ب� ��ط�� � ��س� �� * ا �و �ب� � ��� ��ض� �� �‬ ‫�هر * ول�ه� م� ع م ل�� ري� � �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ��ل �ف� � ن‬ ‫ن ش �ف‬ ‫ح��د ا �ع ض� � ئ ا ��ل ت �ن خ �ة ق ن ا‬ ‫���ا � �م�م�ن �ل�ا ي���س�غ��ن��ى �ع�ن ا �‬ ‫��س ر �وك‬ ‫��� ��ه �م��س �م ��م��س� ��� ��ص�ل ا � ي����ر�� او‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫جَ‬ ‫�ك���ة‬ ‫� ا �زه ب�خ‬ ‫�خت�� �ع��لي��ه �ك�‬ ‫���ل �م�ن ق�ن���ص�ل �ن�ا ب���ل� �و�ل�ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��و�م�ه� * ��‬ ‫�ك�ور�ن�ه �و�م�د ��ي ن���ة ا خ�ر�ى ���فى �م�م��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��ل��ا ��ا � ق�ن���ص� �ج�� �� �ى � � ���س�ا * �ل� � ��س��ي�ن � ا �ل ن��ا ���م �ع�� �م ا ���س �ه��ذه ا�لم�د � ك���له�ا‬ ‫ر ر ل�ى ر ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ب و ل ي و ور‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة �ث ة ف‬ ‫ا ن �ة ن ا ف‬ ‫ا ات‬ ‫� �ت ���س ف�� ا‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �م�ن ا �لج�ع‬ ‫�ه�ى �م ش����ه�ور� ب���ك��ر� �م�ا ��‬ ‫��ل�ا ت�‬ ‫ور ى‬ ‫ي�ه� ب���ع��ض� ��س� �ع� � * ا �م� �م�د ��ي �� �� ب���ل�ى � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ئ ���ذ �‬ ‫�ت ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫��� � او ��ل‬ ‫ح��دا �ئ��ق � او �ل�غ�ي��ا ��ض� * � او �م�ا �لي���‬ ‫� او�ل�م ار ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ور�ن�ه �ب� ��‬ ‫ط� ب� �ه� او ���ه�ا � او ر� ���ا ب�� ن��ا ���ه�ا �وك�� �ل��ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �ة � ا ا �ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�� �م�ا �ي��‬ ‫�م�د ��ي ن���ة �ج�ي�ن ��و�ى * �ق�ا ��ل �و��هى �ع ن��د �ى ا �‬ ‫�ه�م�ا * � او �‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �م�د ��ي �� ا �لب�� �ب� ا‬ ‫ح��س�ن �م �‬ ‫س‬ ‫ن �ُ‬ ‫ش �ق ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫�ا �� ت‬ ‫�لي����س �ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ر �و���ق� ا�لم��ل�ك �و �ل� ا�لم��ل��ك�و� �و�م�ا �ب��ه�ا ����ى ��ي� ر ا �ل�ع��ي�ن * ���ل�م�ا �و��ص�ل ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫�ة ُ �خ �ذ‬ ‫� ن ت‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ن ��‬ ‫ا �ل�ى �مر��س�ي ��لي�� ا ��� �‬ ‫�ص�ن �د �و��ه ا �ل�ى د �ي �� او � ا�لم��ك��س � او �ش���ي�ر ا �لي��ه ا � �ي���ب��ع�ه * �� ��ط��ل ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫� ن ن ت‬ ‫� ��ل �ف ت ش ف �‬ ‫ظ�ن ا �ن�ه ���د � ن ا ن � �ف���ت ش � ��ف ��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�م ن��ه ا �ل ك�‬ ‫حوه ي���� �‬ ‫م��ا ��س�و� ا � ��ي� �ف���‬ ‫���وه �� ��� � �م �يري و� � �ي‬ ‫��� او �ى ك�را ري���س�ه �لي��ع�ل�م� او‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ف�ل��َ ��ت�ف���ت ش ن �ف �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ف���ق��ا ��ل * ا �ن�ا �م�ا ج�ه‬ ‫� �و �ل�ا �م ��ط ا �ن ك��‬ ‫�و ت� ��س��ل��ط� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا ��‬ ‫���و� ��ى ك��را ر�ي��س�ى * �ل���‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح��دا * ف���ل�م�ا �ف �غ� ا ا �ش �ا � ا ا ��ل��ه ا ن ا �ق��ف�� �ص�ن �د � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �من�ه � �ه� �ل� � ف�‬ ‫�ه� ا �‬ ‫�ه�م�ه ا �‬ ‫ر �و �� ر و ي � �ل � و�ك‬ ‫��ي� �‬ ‫� �م و و م �ي � م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ص�د ره * �� ا �نب��ر�ى � او �‬ ‫�ث���ل‬ ‫� ب��ي��د �ي�ه �ع��ل�ى �ج��بن��ه �� ���‬ ‫ظ�ن ا �ن�ه �ي �م���س‬ ‫ح��د �من��ه� ي��م���س‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ب�ه ا �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�غ م ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت�ج ��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ن � �ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��هن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي �ب��رك ك�و� و�ج � كر ري��س� ب �ط ري ب� * �� �م ب ع�د ل�ك ��ه�م ك� ��و �ي �و‬ ‫��ا ن ّ خ ش ا �ن � ت�غ �‬ ‫� * ث�� ��س�ا �ف �م�ن �م �� ��ل���ة ا ��ل� ��ا‬ ‫��لي��ع��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م��س�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر م ر ر‬ ‫ب يس‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف فُ تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ن‬ ‫ن ا‬ ‫��ا � � ك�ا �‬ ‫م����س�ه�ا * � ك�‬ ‫���ا �ه�و �و� �د �و��ه ��ى د �ي �� او � � ك‬ ‫������ ش��� ا �ي��‬ ‫م�� ��سى �ه��ذه ا�لم�د ��ي �� ك�� ��� او‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ن ا ن �ف ا �ق �ف �ت ق‬ ‫ف � � � ن �ف آ�ذ ن‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫�ه�م ��ى ���ل�ك ��د �ن�ا �م� او �ع�ن �ي��ا �م ا �ل��لي���ل * �ب��ا �ل ا �ل ش���ي� ��ط�ا � ��ى � ا ���هم�‬ ‫��س�و� � ر � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة �ف �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫����س�ا ئ�ر ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫���و ن� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�م ش��� ت� �عي �� �و��ه� �ع�ن ر ��ؤ �ي� �م�ا ��ى ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�ا ب�‬ ‫�ص�ن �د �و�� * ا �و ا ���ه� �ير� ش �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪58‬‬

‫‪58‬‬

‫‪٩،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪١٠،٣،٤‬‬

‫‪١١،٣،٤‬‬

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

Rarely, though, does the puissant, magnificent master honor the ears

4.3.9

of the wretched pleader with the like of such negative responses, for mere negativity from the great is a boon. Usually it comes with humiliation and a slap to the back of the neck, a punch on the snout, the pulverizing of a tooth, the slitting open of a belly, the slicing off of a leg, or the snapping of a back. For this reason, the Fāriyāq, being one of those who couldn’t spare any of his limbs, when he resolved to travel, requested five consuls to honor his passport with their stamps. The consuls of Naples, Leghorn, and another city in the Papal States, as well as the consuls of Genoa and France stamped it, because the steamer passes by the ports of each of those cities and docks in them for a few hours. The city of Naples is famous for its numerous carriages, ships, gardens, and forests, Leghorn for the sweetness of its air and the height of its buildings, and the same holds true for the city of Genoa. The Fāriyāq said, “In my opinion, the last is better than the other two. The papal city is as disagreeable as can be, since it has none of the glamour of sovereignty or royalty and there is nothing in it to please the eye.” When the Fāriyāq reached Marseilles, his trunk was taken to the cus-

4.3.10

toms office and he was shown by signs that he was to follow it. The customs officers asked him to open it so that they could search through it, but he thought they wanted to look through his notebooks so that they could know what was in them and said, “I haven’t written satires on your sultan or your metropolitan, so why would you look through my notebooks?” but none of them understood him and he understood none of them. When they were done, they gestured to him to close the trunk and he breathed a sigh of relief. Then one of them started feeling his side with his hands, so that the Fāriyāq imagined that he was “rubbing” him,53 in the sense of seeking blessing from him, because he’d found his notebooks in their strange hand. Afterwards, however, he learned that they were searching him to see if he was carrying any tobacco or intoxicating spirits. Next he traveled from Marseilles to Paris, where he and his trunk were likewise searched at its customs house. The customs officers of the latter city seemed to believe that their colleagues in the former had gone to sleep while on night duty and the devil had urinated in their ears and as a result their eyes had been made too blurry to see what was in the trunk, or that they’d taken a

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59

4.3.11

‫�ف ا �� ��ت � ا ا ت ش ت‬ ‫�ى س ر‬ ‫ح� �م� � �����ى‬

‫�ث � ث �ة ا �ف‬ ‫�ف ا ة � � � �ة ا ��� � �ة ف ا � ظ �‬ ‫� �ظ � ا ئ ف‬ ‫ف ا ق ا �ف ا‬ ‫ا �ل�و ��� ���� * �� �� �م ��ى �ب� ري���س ��ل�� ا �ي� �م ��ى د ا ر ��س�� ر� ا �ل�د �و�ل� لع�لي�� �و�ي �‬ ‫�ه� ح ����ى‬ ‫� �ي�ن � ظ � ي�ن � ش �ي�ن ال�مف�خ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت�ق‬ ‫��م��ي�ن ر�ش���ي �د �ب�ا �ش���ا �و��س�ا �م�ى �ب�ا �ش���ا * ��‬ ‫ب�� �� ب�ي���ل ا �ي��د �ى ا �ل�و�ز�ير ا�لم�ع �����م�� � او�لم����ي�ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت � ن ��� ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫��س�ا �فر�م�ن �ب�ا ر��� ا ��ل�ى �ل ن��د ن� �و��س�ي �ا ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫���مت���ي�ن *‬ ‫ل��ل� �م �ع��ل�ى �و�ص�� �ه�ا ��� ا�لم�د �ي���ت��� ا لعي‬ ‫يس‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�� �م�ن �ل ن��د � ا �ل�ى � �ر� ��ى �ب�ل� د ا � �ل��ل� �‬ ‫���ا *‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ���لى ا �ل�ع�ص�ا �و�ع ن��د�ه�ا ا ���� ا ��ا ا �ي��‬ ‫ح�� �و�ي �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

‫‪60‬‬

‫‪60‬‬

Assorted Pleas for Mercy

bribe, like other civil servants. He stayed in Paris three days, in the house occupied by the embassy of the Sublime State,54 where he enjoyed the privilege of kissing the hands of the August Ministers and Honored Marshals Rashīd Pasha and Sāmī Pasha. Then he left Paris for London; these two mighty cities will be described later. From London he went to a village in peasant country, where he hung up his hat and where I too shall now call a halt.

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61

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�‬ ‫���ص�لا �ل ار ���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ڡ �ش��ر �و ��ط ا �لر �وا ���ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش �ق � �ن � ة ا �� ت �ق ض ا ا �ف‬ ‫�ل�� ي��م�� �ع��ل ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� ���فى �م�د �ى �ع�م ه �م�د�ة ��هى ا �‬ ‫ح��س � او � ��‬ ‫��ى م ا�لم�د� ل ��ى ��‬ ‫��� �ه� ��ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م �ض �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي�ز � ف� ا �ن �م �‬ ‫� ات‬ ‫ن � �ظّ ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ت��ل�ك ا � �ل�ق �ر��ة * �ل� � �ر�ى �ب�ل�ا د ا �ل� �ن ك�‬ ‫�ه� �م �ح�ل �ل�ه�و � او ج �م� � او ���س �وح�‬ ‫��ل� �لي����‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ت �ة‬ ‫�ف ض �ا � �ن �ذ � � ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ف ا �� �ل�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له�و � او �‬ ‫ح �� �ى ا�لم�د � ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر� * �و��‬ ‫���ل ع �ل�ك ��لي����س �ى رى‬ ‫ا �لب� � * � او �م� ا �ل� �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ا � ا �تف ا �‬ ‫ا �ة‬ ‫�� ��ل � ا �ل� ش‬ ‫ا � ا‬ ‫�ن ��ا ن ن‬ ‫م���ر�و ب� �� �سوى �م� �ل� ا‬ ‫د�� �ج�� ا �و‬ ‫����ى ��ي ب��ع �ل��ل�م� ك��و و‬ ‫ح���� �ل �ب�ه * �و�م ك�� � �ع��ده �ج‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫� ن � �ق �ة �ف‬ ‫آ ن ق �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫��طرف�� ب���ع ث� �ب��ه�ا ا �ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ح��د �ى ا�لم�د � ا � �ل �رب�� * ��م�ن �ش���� ا � ��ي ن��� ���ط� �ع�ن ا �ل��د �ي��ا ا �و �ي��ر�ه ب�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف� � ه � ا ا � ا �� ن �آ ن ا ف� ��ف ه�ن � �ن �تش �ف � �ن ا �� �ق ه � ت��م ن ا �� ��ق � ا � ا ا ن‬ ‫� م ��‬ ‫���ى م ل��م� ب��ل ��ى �ب� ل رم * �ل� �‬ ‫�ع�لي�� ب��ه� * م� ا ل����س� �ه�� ك � ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � ا ف��� �م�ن ا ��ئ �م هَ ا � ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ل �ذ ا ت� �ظ �����ل�ف� �م�ل�ا�ز �م��ة �ل�‬ ‫�ه�ن * ا �ذ �ك�‬ ‫ا ��ل�غ� ��� ��م‬ ‫���ل �ل�‬ ‫له� لي����س ��س� ب� ب �‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫حر�و�م �م �‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ا ئ��ز * �� ب���ع�د �م��� �ش���هر�ي�ن �ع��لي��ه �و�ه�و �ع��ل� �ه��ذه ا �ل‬ ‫ا �لج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ؤ �م� ا � ت�����ل ا �ل�ى �م�د ��ي ��‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� ا�لم ش �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي�ز � ض ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل� � * �� � ج���ل ��سي����س�ى ا �ل� ك�‬ ‫�ص�د ر ا � �ل ��س�و��س� �و�عل�� ا � ك�‬ ‫ك��مب��ير � �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل� ي�م� �‬ ‫�ه� ا �و‬ ‫��و� ا �لي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ��س�ا �ئ‬ ‫���� فس� �� د ��ل�ت��ع��ل�م� ا ف��ه�ا ا ��ل�ا ��له��ا ت� � ا �ل�م ن��ا �ظ ��� �ة * � ���ف �ه�ا �ت��ي�ن ا �ل�م�د ��ن��ت���ي�ن ا ���ض‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ي و ر وى‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا ك� ور ي و ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا خ‬ ‫���ط�ل�ا � ا ��ل�عل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �ف� �� ب �‬ ‫�غ�‬ ‫ط�ق��ا �ت��ه� �ود ر�ج��ا �ت��ه� * �و�م�ن ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �ى �م�د ا ر��س ك��مب��ير � ��ن ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن�ي�ن ��ف ا ��ا �ه ا ��� ا ة‬ ‫فا��‬ ‫ش‬ ‫فا ا‬ ‫�ه�ا � ك‬ ‫م��س���� �ى د ر �مك� �ى لع� د�‬ ‫�ي ��و ��ط�و� ا � �ل ي���ل��س�و�� ا�لم����ه�ور * �� ك���ر�ى ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �ي�‬ ‫� ث ت �ق �ة � ت‬ ‫ّت �ا ش ا ة �‬ ‫�ا � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ق ا ��ا ن �ف �ت‬ ‫�و� ك‬ ‫م��� �ي��ر ج�� �ب �� ي�� ا � ك��‬ ‫ل�� ب� ا �ل�� �ى �مر� ا �ل� ���� ر� ا �لي��ه ��س� �ب ���� * �وك�� � ��ى ���ل�ك ا �ل��د ا ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ذ ا ئ � ا ئ ف �غ ا � ا ف� �‬ ‫ا � � �ة �‬ ‫�ج��ا ر���ة د ج�ع‬ ‫��� ك�‬ ‫���ا �ع ب� �وك��� ا ��س� �ر ا � �لو�ص� � ��� �� �لب�� * � ك�‬ ‫��ا ن� ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� ا‬ ‫�ير �ه� �ك‬ ‫���ل �لي���ل� �ت� ��ط��ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪٢،٤،٤‬‬

Chapter 4

The Rules for Retelling

In all his life, the Fāriyāq never spent a more unpleasant and arduous time

4.4.1

than he did in that village,55 for the villages of England are altogether without places in which to be entertained, to meet, to enjoy oneself, or to have fun; enjoyment and fun are to be had only in the large cities. In addition, such food and drink as are sold in them are no cause for celebration, for anyone who has a chicken or anything special sends it to one of the nearby towns. Anyone who wishes to cut himself off from the world or feels a calling to be a monk should hie himself to them. As for their women, some of them will cure a loss of appetite or even bestow a raging lust, but the outsider is denied access to them. Every cloven hoof stays close to her bull and the only loose, free-ranging beasts are the old ones. After two months in these calamitous conditions, he moved to the city of Cambridge, wellspring of the clergy and of the science of theology, since most English clergymen go there or to Oxford to learn divinity and apologetics. These two cities are also home to all other students, in all their diversity of class and standing. The celebrated philosopher Newton was the brilliant son of one of the Cambridge colleges. There the Fāriyāq rented, as is the custom, two sets of rooms in a house, where he stayed, translating the rest of the book referred to earlier.56 In the same house there was a full-breasted girl with wide black eyes, which is how most of the maids there are. Every night the Fāriyāq would see her going up to the room of one of the lodgers. Then, after a time not longer than it takes to say “Good evening!” he would hear her produce a kineto-penetrative gasp. The mistress of the house used to see her coming down from the man’s room at ten or so at night but had no interest

63

63

4.4.2

‫�ف ش � �� �ة‬ ‫�� ���ر�و �� ا‬ ‫ط لر� او �ي�‬ ‫ي‬

‫آ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�ا ن ث‬ ‫� �غ �ة‬ ‫ن �ة � ت‬ ‫س� ��ا ���ط� ��ل �م�ن ��ق� ��ل��ك �ع�م ت� �م��س�� ء ي����سم� ��له�ا‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل ك�‬ ‫ا �ل�ى �ر�ف� ا �‬ ‫ع �‬ ‫و‬ ‫��س�� � ��م ب���ع�د �ه�ي��ه� �لي���� ب و‬ ‫ا � �ة ا �ل� �ن�ز �� �ت ا ا �ن ا �ز �� �ة �م�ن �ع ن ا �� � ��ف ا �� ا �ة ا ��� ا ش ة‬ ‫�ن�غ �ة غ ا ف �ة ��ا ن ت‬ ‫��د لر ج ��ل �ى ل��س� �ع� لع� ���ر�‬ ‫ح�� م� ل ر �ه� � ل�‬ ‫��م� اي����� �ي�� * �وك�� ��� �ص� ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ا �ذ �آ ت ��ف �‬ ‫�ك��ت ث� �� ���ط��ل� �عه�ا � ��ل�ا ���ن�ز � ��له�ا‬ ‫ح �ه�ا �م�ن ا ��ل��ل��� � ��ل�ا �ت‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بح‬ ‫ح � ق ف ا �ّ �ق ف��� َ ف ا ا �ة ت �‬ ‫��لت��ص�� ف ش � ف ق‬ ‫ن ا��ا ن ت‬ ‫ي�ه� �و�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�د � ل� �ير ��‬ ‫� � ار ��� ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� ��م� �ل� ��‬ ‫ي�ه� �ع�ل� �م� ���د �ل �ع��ل�ى ا ���ه� ك�� ��� ��هى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ذ آ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫اح �ة ا �لن�غ� �ة ف �ظ�ن ن �ذ � � ��ا ن �ه ا ن ن ش ا �ن �‬ ‫� ��ا ��ل�ا ��غ���ا �ف� * ��ا ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ص� � ب‬ ‫ح�� �م� * �ي� ��� ا � �ل�ك ك�� � �و �م� �م��ه ����� �ع ا � �ه ب ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن �� ا � ا ت ا ��حل ق �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ��ل��ل�� �ع�ا د ت� ا �لن�غ��م��ة � �ع�ا د ا ��ل��ق���ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص�� �ع� د � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م��ل��� �و�ع�ا د ا �لت��ص�ا �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي �ل‬ ‫بح‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت � �ذ �‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�و�ع�ا د ا ��ل ش�����ك � او ��ل‬ ‫���و��ش� �ع�ق���ل ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� � �و ��ف ��س�د �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫ح�ي�ر� �و�هل��� ج� ار * ��ى ك‬ ‫���ا د �ل��ك ي� ش �‬ ‫ي �ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� �ف ا � �ن �ق‬ ‫���ا ن� ي�‬ ‫�� ��ة �م�ا �ن��س�ا ئ�����ة * � �ه ن��ا‬ ‫ا ��ل��ت ج��م��ة ا ��ل ��ت ���ط�ا �ل�م�ا‬ ‫���‬ ‫�خ ش���� �ع��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ض�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�م�ز ّ�ة � ن ّ‬ ‫��ق �‬ ‫� ن �غ ن �ق �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫��س�ور���ة ا �ى ا ��ل�ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل �خ� ف� ��و�ة � او ن� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل � �‬ ‫ي���ب���ى ا � ا ر���ص � او �ول * ا � �ه��ذه � ي� ا ل � ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �خ ّ‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� ي�ز‬ ‫حو�ظ ����ا ���فى ا ��ل ن����س�� �ع��ل� ا �ل�ا �ع�ّ ا �ل�ا ا �ن��ه�ا ���فى �ن��س�� ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫�ود�ه�ا �م���ل�‬ ‫�و ج��‬ ‫���ل�� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� � ��ص * ��ا �‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫ة � ��ق �ف ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�مّت��ص�ف���ة �من ه�ن ا ت �ف ت‬ ‫ح��د ��ن ��د �ى ��تت�ظ� ����ا �ه ���ف ا ��لن ا‬ ‫�ه� ر‬ ‫رى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب��م� ا ���ص� � �ب�ه ا �ل��س�ي �د� ا�لم�د �م ��ى ����ص�ل � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ص�ف��ا ت� ا ��ل� � ا ��لت��ق�� � � ا ��لن ف�� �� ���ة � ا �� �لق���ذ � ���ة � ��ت ن �ظ� ��� ا ��ل� ��ت��عه�ا �ن �ظ� ��� ال�مت�‬ ‫��ا ��ه * � �ت�� ��ه‬ ‫ورع و وى و وري و وري و ر ى ب � ر ج �ل و و م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ة � �‬ ‫� ا � ف� �ظ �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ن �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ح�ا د��ي ث� د �ي���ي�� �ور � او �ي�ا ت� � ك‬ ‫� �� ت� ا �‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ��د ا �ن��ه�ا �مت�ب��ت���ل� �م�ع��ت�ز �ل� �ل��لر�ج��ا �ل * �ورب�م� ح‬ ‫��س��ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ظ‬ ‫�ت �ق‬ ‫ع ������م� �ن�ه�ا � ���عت��ق��د � ن ف�� ا � ا‬ ‫�ذ �خ تَ ت‬ ‫���ل� �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ج���د ت�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ع��ل�ى ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ي�� و � وي و�‬ ‫ي�ه� ا �ل�ص�ل�ح� * � او ا د ���ل� ب��ي�� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� �ا ا خ� � ��ف ا ��ل�ع �ا د�ة � ا ��ل�ز �ه�د * � �� �ا � � ّ��خ‬ ‫�ع��ل� �م�ا �ئ��د �ت��ه�ا ا ��لت��ورا �ة � او ��ل�ا ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س ت�‬ ‫وربم و‬ ‫�ي���ل �وك�ب�ت� رى �ى ب� و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ���ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك�ن �‬ ‫ا �� �ظل����ا �ه �م�ن �ور� � ا ت �‬ ‫�ه� �ل ��وه�م ا ���ه� ك���ي�ر ا �ل�د را ��س� �ل�ه� * �و �ل� ي�م�� �ل�لر ج���ل ا � �ي�� ك�ر ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ف ت� ن � �ذ ة � �آ‬ ‫� �م�ق ت�ض �ق ا ة � ف ا ا ق �ة‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫���د ��ه�ا ا �� �‬ ‫���ا ��ه * ����ك�و� �ل�� � �ه�و �ل� ء �ع��ل�ى ���ى � �ع�د� ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �ي��‬ ‫��و �م�ن ا �ع�‬ ‫س �ع� �‬ ‫ي ي� م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �عن ا ا � ض ن �ذ�� � �ذ ة � ا‬ ‫�غ��� �ت�ا �م��ة � �ذ ��ل�� ��خل ا �ن ��ك�ن � ��ذ��‬ ‫�ه� ي��‬ ‫و ك‬ ‫���ا ا � ك�ر ا �ل��ل�� � �ل� �ب��د �م�ن ا �‬ ‫ير‬ ‫���ل�و�ه� �ع ر � ا �ل� ك�ر * و �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ً �ذ� ف � �ذ‬ ‫�ن � �‬ ‫�ف ا ن � ن � �ق‬ ‫�ي���كو� �م ��ط�ا �ب ��ق��ا �ل��ل� او �ق�� * � � ك‬ ‫���ا � ا � �لو��و �مث��ل�ا �م�ن �ى �م�ق��ا �م �لي��ل�ا ك��ر ت� �ي��ه ِ�ل�� ا ت�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫ا ًا �ذ‬ ‫�� ت ف ه � � ن‬ ‫�ك�ن � �ن ن‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ق��ا � * � او ن� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل����س� * و ��س �ع��ل�ى ل�ك‬ ‫�ص�� ح� كر� ي�� ل�د و�‬ ‫د و ٍ� � ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � ّ � ا ن �خ� ش�� �ف� ت ا �� �ف� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��س�ا ئ�ر ا �ل�بت��ا �ي�ن ��ى ا �ل� �و��ا � � او �ل� ������ا ��ص * ا �ل�ل�ه� ا �ل� ا � ��ى � ا‬ ‫و � ل ر�ص� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪64‬‬

‫‪64‬‬

‫‪٣،٤،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٤،٤‬‬

The Rules for Retelling

in her ascents and descents. In the morning, when the girl came to make the Fāriyāq’s bed, he would stare at her and observe her closely but could see no sign to indicate that she was the gasper. He therefore assumed that it was a delusion born of his fervent desire for penetration. Then night would come and the gasp would be there again, and so would his certainty. With morning the staring would be repeated as would the pretence of virtue, and the doubt would be there and so would the confusion, and so on and so forth. Things got so bad that the Fāriyāq’s mind almost became unhinged and started to spoil the translation, which he had long feared might fall victim to shortcomings and mistakes due to some issue related to women. Here I have to squat down on my haunches and declare: “This feline char-

4.4.3

acteristic (i.e., the ability to take one’s food without being noticed), though its presence may be observed in women in general, is especially pronounced among English women. Such a woman, if distinguished by those features ascribed to the sexually voracious woman in the ḥadanbadā chapter,57 will put on a show during the day of God-fearingness, piety, reticence, and distaste and look at her devotee as though she had no idea who he was, deluding any who are watching her into thinking she is virtuous and has nothing to do with men. She may have memorized religious sayings and devout narrations to fling at people, making them venerate her and believe her to be righteous, and when you enter her home you may find on the table copies of the Old Testament and the Gospels and other books on worship and selfabnegation (the visible edges of whose pages she will sometimes dirty to give the false impression that she studies them frequently) and a man may not be allowed to utter in her presence the name of any of his members. As a result, the pleasure of such women, according to the rule pronounced by the Fāriyāqiyyah, will be incomplete, because it will lack the element of discussion.58 “And we have it on her authority too that any talk of pleasure must be congruent with the reality. If it involves a man of high status at night, it must be discussed with a woman of high status at night, if someone of low status in the morning, it must be discussed with a woman of low status in the morning, and so on and so forth for all the various other times and persons—unless there is reason to fear that the opportunity will be lost: in other words, if it happened at night, for example, but cannot be discussed that

65

65

4.4.4

‫�ف ش � �� �ة‬ ‫�� ���ر�و �� ا‬ ‫ط لر� او �ي�‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ف‬ ‫ً� ً �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن �ذ�� ا ��ف � � ف� �� � ��ذ‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫ا �ى ا �ذ ا �‬ ‫��ر ���فى ا ��جل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ص��ل ت� �مث��ل�ا �لي��ل�ا �و�ل� ي��م�� ك�ر�ه� �ى ا �ل�لي���ل ي�� ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫بح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن � ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ا �� � � ن � � ا ��ت��ف‬ ‫ح�ص��ل ت �م�ن �ذ � �م�ق��ا � � �ل�� � ت� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� كر�ه� ل�د و� و �ل� ��س�د‬ ‫�ود � �ظ� ���ي�ره ي ص‬ ‫ا �و ا � � �‬ ‫ه��ا �و ج��‬ ‫ى م و م �ي � ي‬ ‫�ف � �� ن ا � ت � � � �ن ح � ا �ص�ن ا �ف ف� �ذ‬ ‫�� ��ذ ة �� ��ذ � �ذ �‬ ‫�� �ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر �ب�� �ل��ك * �ف�ا �م�ا �ع��ل� ر �ض� ك��و���ه� �ل� ج��د ا �‬ ‫ح�دا م �ه��ذه ا �ل� � � � ي��‬ ‫ل� � ا ل� ك‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫� كر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ف ا �غ ا ��ف � �ئ ا � ّ ا ق ة ن� �ذ �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�لن�� ��س�ه�ا * �و �ل��ك �ب�ا � �ت��د ���ل را ��س�ه�ا ��ى �ز�ير � ر �و �ى ب� ر �و �ج ب� �و �ب ��و� �و �‬ ‫حو �ل��ك‬ ‫ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن � ا ّ � ا � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى ا ا ر ج�‬ ‫�ص�د �ى �ق�ا �‬ ‫�� ا �ل‬ ‫� �مب��� ب�م� �مر �ل�ه� *‬ ‫�ص�د �ى � �و�ت ن� ��ط�ق� ب���ل��س�ا � ���ي�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��مم�ا �ل�ه �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ق � ��ذ�� ��ف‬ ‫ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ف��خ‬ ‫�� ش�� � �ل ا �م�ن ا �� ا ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ه�ا �م�ق��ا � ا �ل ن��دي�� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ص�د ر�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�ه�‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه� ��ى ع� �‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫ل���لي�� * ��ا �م�ا ا ا ب����ى ا �ل� ك�ر �ى �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ذُ‬ ‫� ن � �ة � ا ق �ة �‬ ‫ش �ت �� ا � ض ا � ن ا ا ن‬ ‫ف��� �ل ن � ة �ن � ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��د�ه� � ك�و� لرو ي� م�‬ ‫ط� ب��� ل��ع�ل * ل �ب� ر ب� ر *‬ ‫� او �ل�� �ب�اح� * �وي����� ر�ط ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذّ �ذ‬ ‫� �ن �ن‬ ‫���ة ����ة‬ ‫له�م�ز �ه�م�ز �ة * �و�ل���ل‬ ‫ح ك���‬ ‫حرك��� * �و�ل��ل��س��ك�و� ��س��ك�و� * �و�ل��ل�م�د �م�د * �و�ل��ل�ه� �ه� *‬ ‫�و�ل�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� �ذ � �ذ‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫��ا ن ت �� �ة‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ا ن � �َّ � ت‬ ‫�و�ل��ل��ر�خ�ي�� �تر�خ�ي�� * �و�ل��ل��ر���س�ل �تر���س�ل * و � �ي ب��ل‬ ‫�غ� ا �ل�� ش����د �ي��د �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�� ا �ل ا ا ك�� ��� ا لر� او �ي�‬ ‫م م‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫� ن ��ف ا ���ي�ن ي�ن � غ ا �ز � �ة‬ ‫� ش ف �ة‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل��ل� ف� ض ا ن‬ ‫ان‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب���ل� �ت�ن�ا �ه��ذه ا �ل���ر�� * و � �ي ك�و� �ى ع� � �� ل� * و�ى ع� ي��‬ ‫��� � * و�ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫��خل � �ة � �ذ‬ ‫�ت�ق‬ ‫� ن ّ�ة‬ ‫تَ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ة ا �ل� � ة‬ ‫�ت ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ود�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��ل��س�ا � ب���ل� * �و��ى ا �لي��د �ي�ن ���ل�� * � بو��م�ا � � ّرر �ع��ل�م� �م�ن ا � �ه��ذه ا��ل� م� ك�ور م�وج �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫����ي�ز ا �خ� �ا �� � ش � �� ا �� � ��ذ ة‬ ‫�ف ن �آ � ا �ن�‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ن� � �ق��ا ��ل ا ن� ��ل���ذ �ة ا ��لت��ص� �ع ن��د �ه�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور‬ ‫��ى ���س� ء ا �ل� ك�ل� �ل ل ب ���رو�ط ل�ل� * يو‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ف �خ �ة ن‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫��ق �ة � � �ت ق‬ ‫حو�ه�ا *‬ ‫حي� ث� � � ��و� �م�ق��ا � �ل�� �ت��ي�ن * ا �و ا �ن��ه�ن �ي�ض�‬ ‫� �وي� �ج��دا ب‬ ‫����ع�ن ر ��ؤ ��س�ه�ن ��ى ��ا ب��ي�� �و��‬ ‫م م‬ ‫� ف ق ن � � �ف � ن آ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� ت �ا �ف ا �ن ا ه �� ه �ن ��� ق � �ن �آ � �آ � ا ش ا ة‬ ‫�و�ع�ن ا � �ل��ا ر��ا �� ا � ا �ج ��ل‬ ‫�م�ا �ل ��ى ا �ل����س�� �ع��ل� ا ���ل � ��و �ع� ل� �ط�� وِ��د ود �ع� و ���� ر�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫��ف ن ا ق � � ن ا �ظ �� � ت ا �� ا �‬ ‫� ن ه � ا � �ق �� ا � ا ا ��غ�ت ن ا � �آ ن‬ ‫�ور�م�ز * �م��ه �م� ��ي� ��و�ل �ل�� � ره �ل��س� ا �ب� ل�ى �ب� �ل�م ار �ود * �و م�� م� �ي ��ول �ل� �� �ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ف �ة � � ت ا �خ آ ف ا ت ���ن �ت ��ن �ن ��ث‬ ‫تَ‬ ‫� ا � ا �غ ّ � ف ن‬ ‫ا � �ل ر�ص� – �ل�ل�� ��ي�ر � �� � – ل ار �ى �م ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل����ي�ر �م��ل�و �ل�‪� -‬ل� ي��� �نر��ك ا �ل ش���� ��و� – يه��‬ ‫ن آ �ش ّ ن ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو�ص�ه‬ ‫����ا �ي ��تى �ع ن��د ا �‬ ‫�ل��ك – �مَ�ن �ل�ى �ب�ه ا �ل��س�ا �ع� – �م�ا ا ر�ى ��ك‬ ‫���ق� ا � ��‬ ‫ح��د – ا � د � �و ء ا �ل �‬ ‫َ �ْ‬ ‫�ي�ن �ن ن �ذ � � ّ �ذ � �‬ ‫– ا �ي�ن ا �ي�ن ا �ل�م ش‬ ‫�غ� – �ل��د �ى �ي�� �ل ا �ل�ص�ع ب� – ب���ع�د‬ ‫����� – ا �ي�ن اب��ن ا �ل��غ�ز – ا اب� ب� ��ى ا �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ك� �‬ ‫�ا ت ا‬ ‫�ت�ه�د �ن��ص��� – �م�ن ا ����ط�ع� ا �ش���� – �م�ن �ذ ا �ق� �ع �ف� – �م�ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� �ه�د ك �ل� ��ل� �م – ل ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�ن ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�س�ق ف���ق��د ر� – ا ��ل� �ع د ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ح�م�د – �م �ع�د �ع� د –‬ ‫�م��س �هر�� – �م�ن � ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫�س��ع ��‬ ‫��ك�ن � �ن ��‬ ‫ح��� �ة ��ت�� �� �ف ��ف ا ���ز � ا ة‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ُو��ص�ل * �و�م ن��ه �م�ا ي� ش����ي�ر ا ِ� ا � � �ل ي ل� – لط� �ى ل � ر –‬ ‫ج ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪66‬‬

‫‪66‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪٥،٤،٤‬‬

‫‪٦،٤،٤‬‬

The Rules for Retelling

same night, it is permissible to discuss it at dawn or in the morning, or if it involves a man of high status but none of his kind is available, it is permissible to discuss it with a man of low status; the pleasure derived from talking about it will not be spoiled thereby. If by any chance she cannot find anyone from any of these categories, she can discuss it with herself. She may do this by inserting her head into an empty water jar, well, pit, vault, or anything of the sort that produces an echo, and speaking with clear and eloquent tongue of everything that happened to her; the responding echo can take the place of an intimate interlocutor. If, on the other hand, the memory is kept in her breast, chestiness and diphtheria are to be feared. “It is also a rule in her view that the retelling be congruent with the act.

4.4.5

Thus, for the pressings, an accentuation of the voice,59 for the jabs, a catch in the airflow, for the movements, a vocalic motion, for the moments of inertia, an inert letter, for the prolongations, a prolongation of the a, for the rushed bits, a gabbling of the recitation, for the softenings of the voice, an apocopation, and for the languorous moments, a slowing of pace. Also, that special attention be given to the doubling of the letter dhāl,60 if the retelling is done in this noble language of ours, and that there be a flirtatious flash to the eyes, floods of saliva, and a moistness to the tongue, and that the hands sketch what the words describe. This being established, you will have gathered that the trait mentioned as present in Englishwomen is an infraction of the rules of pleasure, and it may be said that the pleasure they take in visualization is so strong because it takes the place of two other pleasures, or that they put their heads inside a cask or the like. “And on the authority of the Fāriyāq, we have it that the beauty that is in women, in all its disparate forms, has ways of speaking, calling out, inviting, pointing, and signaling. For example, there is the type that says to the one who gazes upon it, ‘I’m not interested in little sticks’ and the type that says, ‘Seize your opportunity now!’ or ‘Tarrying has its disadvantages’ or ‘You won’t find me wearied by large numbers’ or ‘Let not the shy-eyed one deceive you!’ or ‘Come hither!’ or ‘O who will bring him to me right now?’ or ‘I see none who can satisfy me’ or ‘The best way to mend a slit is to sew it up’61 or ‘Where oh where is the one who can satisfy me?’ or ‘Where is Ibn Alghaz?’62 or ‘Where is a member of the Banū Adhlagh?’63 or ‘Before me the hard man is humbled’ or ‘After all that effort, who can find fault with you?’ or

67

67

4.4.6

‫�ف ش � �� �ة‬ ‫�� ���ر�و �� ا‬ ‫ط لر� او �ي�‬ ‫ي‬

‫ف� ن آ‬ ‫ِّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�نّ �‬ ‫تن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك� ا ��ل�غ� ا � � �غ��� �ذ ��ل��ك * �ج ���م�ا �ل ���س��‬ ‫�ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح�� ر – �م�ن �ت�ا ��ى �ن�ا �ل �م�ا ��م��ى – ب� ك‬ ‫��ر ب���ور ر ب و ي ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ك�‬ ‫���ل�� �ه�و �مم�ا �ع ن�� او ��ه ا �ي�ن اب��ن ا �ل��غ�ز * ا �ي�ن ا �ي�ن ا�لم‬ ‫����� * �ل��د �ى �ي�� �ل ا �ل�ص�ع ب� * ��ا ���ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف�ُ � � �ن�زّ ة ا � ة � ا �ن ة ش ا ة �م�ع ّ ة ش ا � ة‬ ‫�ت � ا �ل� ا �ة �من ت ش‬ ‫� ��و م� � ��س� م�د� م��س� ��د� ���� رد� ب��د� ���� مر�‬ ‫�ه�ن ��م����ى �و��هى صَ‬ ‫رى �مر �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�م �ة �خ ا �ن ف �ة‬ ‫� �ة � ا ��م �ة ا ��م �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف ة ف �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة ة ة ة‬ ‫ح� �ش���ا � خ� �� � ���‬ ‫�ن�ا �ر� �ج��ا ���ل� �ج��ا �م�ز � � ب��ز � �ن�ا �ف�ز � �ن�ا �ق�ز � �م�ع��ت�ز � ��س�ا ر�ب� �ع�ا �� ج�س� ��ط� ح� �ج��‬ ‫ح� ة‬ ‫�م ش��� ّ��ة �ش �ا ف� ن���ة �ُمْه ����ط�ع��ة �ُم ْ�ش���ق���ة �مت�ت�ا ��ل�ع��ة �ه�ا ���ع��ة �مت��ع�ا ���ط�ف���ة �مت� ���ط��ل�ق���ة ��خ‬ ‫�م �ن� ����ط�م��ة �م���س‬ ‫� ن �ف� ر�‬ ‫�م ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ ّ ة � ّ ة �م�� ةّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��م � ّ �ذ ة ��م � ّ �ظ �� �ة � �ذ �ل�ع ّ �ة ��م ة � �مئ ة �م�ث � ة �م� ة‬ ‫�ص�م�ع�د � �مب����س��ر� �م��س��كب��ر� س�م�هر�‬ ‫ج �ل�و � ج �ل�و�� م� ب�� �ج ر�ه�د � مر ��د� مع�د �‬ ‫ّ �ة م�ز� ئ ّ�ة‬ ‫� ّة �م�ت �ّ�ة �م�ت ئ �ّ�ة �م ش��� � � �ة �م� ّ�ة‬ ‫�م ش �ف �ت ّ ة �م���س ئ ة‬ ‫�ص�مئ���ل� �م�ق���ل�ه�ف�� � �ل��م� * �و�م�‬ ‫��� ّر� �م���ج�س �هر� �م�ه�ل� �م��ل� مع�ل�‬ ‫����� ر� ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �� ��ق �ة �ق �خ� ت ه�ن ا � �آ � ا ا ا � غ �ة ض ا ف �ة‬ ‫� ا � ت ا �� � ا ة‬ ‫ن � ق ة �خ‬ ‫و� *‬ ‫�ص�� �ب� �ل� ء ا �ل� �ي� ��س� ب���� �‬ ‫ا ِ� ا � �ل��د ر� ا �ل� ل ي�� �د �‬ ‫��� �ي�� �ع��ل�ى م� ر و� لر‬ ‫ت خ ��ذ ن � ا � ف‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫ت ظ� ق ف � ت‬ ‫ظّ � ن‬ ‫���ا ج��ل‬ ‫��س�و�ف�ز ب�‬ ‫�ف� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ب�ه‬ ‫حي� ث� ��ي�ق �‬ ‫�ه�ا �ب��ه�ا ���ع �ي��م�ا �ي ��و���� ا�لم �‬ ‫�� ���ه�ن ��ي��� � �ل�ه� ا�ل�م ار ��د �و�ي��ع �����م �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫�ظ � � �ذ �ت ظ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫�ص���ط��ك ��س�ا �ق�ا ه ��ج�ع‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي�را � * ��ل�ا �ي �م�ا ��س��ك �ع�ن ا � ���‬ ‫�ب��ا � او �ع ���ا �م�ا �ل�ه� ا ا �ل��ع ���ي�� * � او �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق ت نت ف‬ ‫ت� ت ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ا �ود �ج � *‬ ‫��ن���ض� �ل�ه�ا �ت�ه * � �و��لت��و�ى �عن����ه * � �و��� ���‬ ‫ح��ر�� ا ��س�ن �ا �ن�ه � ��يو ن��د �ل� �ل��س�ا �ن�ه * � �و�ت ن� ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� َ فْ‬ ‫ق � �يَ ْ �� نَ‬ ‫�ُغ� ا ن‬ ‫� �ت ا �خ� ��ذه ا �� �ل�ق ش���� �ة � ا �� ع�د�ة � ا ا‬ ‫حّ� ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ل�ا ��ه * �وي��� � �ع��ل�ى ب�� و ��ى * و� �‬ ‫عر�ير و لر� و �ل� �ل‬ ‫ي�و �مر‬ ‫ن �� غ ن � �فَ ْ ن � نُحَ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �زّة � ا ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ط ار ب� � او �لر�ج� �ف��ا ن� � او �لن��غ� ش����ا ن� � او �ل�غ� ش����ي �ا � � او ل��مي��ا � � او � �ل ش����ي �ا � � او �ل���و�‬ ‫� او �ل�ه � � او �ل� �‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�َيَ ن �ََ � ا خ‬ ‫�ا ت اش‬ ‫�ت �ا � � ا �� �ت نّ � ا ت ا � � ا ت ا ش‬ ‫� او �ل��د � او ر � او�لم��د ا � � او �ل��لب �� � او �ل� � ��ل و ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� � او �ل� ر���ع� �ج � او �ل� ر���ع� ��� � او �ل� ر���ه� ���‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م ّ‬ ‫� اَ‬ ‫�َ ْ‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ��َ‬ ‫� ا �ت� ا �� � �ت �أ � �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��� � او �ل�ا ر��ض�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص���ص و ب�� ي‬ ‫� او �لر�ع��س � او �ل� ر�ع� س � او �ل� ر د و ل� ر ج ي��د و �ل� � ي‬ ‫�ص���ص و ل�ك� ي ص‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫ا ��لن ���فّ �ضَ ا �� �ق ّ � ا ْ �ز�ي�ز ���زَ مَ ���ز �ق�ز �ق �ة ا ��ل ش ��ف ش ف �ة ا �� ْ ف �ة ا �� ��ق �ق ف �ة‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� او �ل�ع�� �سو� �و ِ ي ���ى �و لِ���ل � او �لِ� ر � او ل � � � او ل � ‪� 1‬و ��� ������ �و ل صَ‬ ‫ع�� �و ل ر����‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ا �� �لق ف����ق �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا �ل �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫��� * � �و�� ي�ه�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �ب�ه ا �ل� ��ل� ��ط ا �ل� بر���ع� �ي� ��ط��ل ب� �ك��ل ���ل��ط �ع ��� �م� * � �و �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��خل �‬ ‫� ا �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت ت �ذ‬ ‫� � ض ه ��م ض ا ت � ن�زّ ة‬ ‫� ا �لِ�� � *‬ ‫���‬ ‫�وا ��طر � او �ل�و��س�ا �و��س * �و ج���ا �ب�ه �ع� او ��م�ل ا �ل� �م�ا ��ى * و�ج ر�‬ ‫��� �ج ر�‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت �� �ف� خ� ��ل �‬ ‫�ق � �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�ق� � او �لت���ل� �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫هف� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ح��د ��و�ل ا �ل ش����ا �عر‪.‬‬ ‫� ا �ل ش����ه�و� * �يو��مي���ل �ب�ه م�مي���ل ا �ل�� ش �‬ ‫� ��ط ه �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و ر و �ج‬ ‫م���ك ا ��ل��ب�ا �ذ ��ل ا �ل�م�ع � �ف� ��ف�ا ��ن �� ث‬ ‫�عل��� ت‬ ‫ت ‬ ‫ع��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رو‬

‫قف‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬وا �ل�ز �ر���ة‪.‬‬

‫‪68‬‬

‫ا ��ل � � ا � �ف ا ت ا ��ل ش ق � ا‬ ‫ي��ك بى �و �‬ ‫��ج�� � �‬ ‫���و�� � او �ل� ��م�ل‬

‫‪68‬‬

‫‪٧،٤،٤‬‬

The Rules for Retelling

‘No conscious effort is entirely wasted’ or ‘Feed and thou shalt be satisfied’ or ‘To taste is to know’ or ‘To touch is to praise’ or ‘The early bird catches the worm’ or ‘If at first you don’t succeed . . .’64 or ‘Always count twice’65 or ‘Keep in touch with others and others will keep in touch with you.’ There is also the type that looks at you as though to say, ‘Use cunning’ or ‘Make your visits discreet’ or ‘Watch out for the neighbors’ or ‘Slow and steady wins the race’ or ‘Come early as the crow.’”66 The beauty of Englishwomen is of the sort that falls under the heading of “Where is Ibn Alghaz?” “Where oh where is the one who can satisfy me?” and “Before me the hard man is humbled.” You see them turning disdainfully to one side,67 shying, flying, starting, bolting, flinching, fleeing, proudly turning, racing, baulking, jibbing, bounding, leaping, escaping, like a mirage dissipating, while running full tilt, head high, nose in air, chest out, back straight, and even though the divine creative power has uniquely blessed them with buttocks ample and copious (or so it is reported), yet they apply bustles to these, using the latter to make the former large enough to stop any who lies in wait in his tracks, as though dumbfounded by a head-on encounter, after which he cannot stop his knees from knocking together in wonder and awe at such aggrandizement, his teeth from smoking, his tongue from lolling, his uvula from wagging, his neck from twisting, his jugulars from swelling, and his eyelids from reddening, or himself from being overcome by lust and assaulting her, and the said person is taken by an agitation,68 a trepidation, a commotion, a flutteration, a trembling, a shaking, a quaking, a shuddering, a shivering, a quavering, a rocking, a jolting, a jarring, a jerking, a bobbling, a wobbling, a fainting, a giddiness, a dizziness, a lightheadedness, a twitching, a tottering, a teetering, a staggering, a faltering, a languorous folding, a stiffening of the joints, a chattering of the teeth, and a rattling of the jaw, and the four humors set him ablaze, each mix69 demanding its own bustle. Ideas and misgivings bombard him, hopes and fears pull him this way and that, choking passions make him splutter, he trembles with lustful emotions, and he doubles over with yearning and desire, in accordance with the words of the poet I knew you as one celebrated for your generosity, And the throbbings of longing and hope swept me to you

69

69

4.4.7

‫�ف ش � �� �ة‬ ‫�� ���ر�و �� ا‬ ‫ط لر� او �ي�‬ ‫ي‬

‫��ف� ���ق � ا ئ ا ئ‬ ‫�ه� �وت�ا �م� فه� �� �وت�ا ��س�ا د را د ا �ه�ل�ا �م�د �ه�و�ش���ا �ذ ا �ه�ل�ا * ب�‬ ‫حي� ث�‬ ‫ح� � ار �ب� � ار �مب �‬ ‫يب �ى‬ ‫ا �ُ ّظ ��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ظّ � �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�� �� ش �خ‬ ‫�� ��س�ا �ل�م�ا ا ��ل�ى �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه ي�‬ ‫ا ا ر ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� �ك��ل ����ا � ��ص �ي��ه �ع ���ا �م� ا �و �م� ع��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ن � ف ا ا �ق �ذ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� �ص�����ة �ع�ا د ا ��ل� �م�ا‬ ‫�ص �ه��ذه ا ��ل � ا � ا ���خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ه�ا * وك� � ل�� ري� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫روبى‬ ‫يب‬ ‫ر�ج و ب�� ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�م�ا � او ه �و��ى را ��س�ه ا �ل�� �م�عن��ى ي� ش�������ل�ه * ���م�م�ا ا � ش����ده ��ى ب���ع��ض� �ه��ذه ا � �ل���ت�ن ‪.‬‬ ‫ّ ُ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫ف���ل��ي��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ي�ا �ل��ل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج ب‬ ‫�ج� ب‬ ‫� �و�ك�ل �ج ب‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ف �ن‬ ‫��م�ا ا ن� ����ير�ى ��ى ا ا �ل ك�‬ ‫م�� � �� �سو�ى ا �ل��مرا ��د �م �ر � اوب �ى‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��ل�ا �ولا �م�ن �غ� � ����ط��ة �م�ن د �و ن� �ذ ��ا ك ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫�ج��ا ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ�� ��‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا �ولا ��قر� �مو���ط��ة � ش���ر�ى �� �سو�ى ك��ع ب� ا �ل�ك��ع�ا ب�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن �� �ذ ت �ت‬ ‫ع ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �صور ا �ل�ى ا �ل��د �ع�ا ب�‬ ‫�م �ك��ل ا � � ب��ه�ك�ن ���د � �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا ��ل ش ق �‬ ‫���ج�ز �ن َ �َ ن ا‬ ‫� �ف� ا �ل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�� ��ي��ق�د �م ب �ى �و��‬ ‫� �م ���غ�ل� �� �ى ب �ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م�ا ا ��ي�ق ��و�ل ا ��ل��ن�ا ��س ���عّ�م�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�ا �ر �ع�ن ���م�لء ا � �لو���ط�ا ب�‬ ‫�ن �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� �ف ��‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�����ع�ف� �م��ع�د�ة ا �ل�عر ب �ى �ع‬ ‫��ي��ف� ��ض�‬ ‫ح� ا � �ل��ق�ع�ا ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫َ�ن‬ ‫�م �ل�ى ����ص� �� � ��ف� � �َ‬ ‫�ع�ه ب��م���ن ��ف� ا ل‬ ‫�حب�� ب�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫بور‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ن ��ل � �� ّ �ة‬ ‫�ف ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ق�� ���مر���ف�د ��ى �لي���ل��ى �م�ن �ى ا � �ل ��ب�ا ب�‬ ‫م �ى ب�� ب‬ ‫�ذ � ا � ا �ف آ‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ّت‬ ‫ُ � َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�م �ل�ى ب�ج�� ا � �ل�ي��ة �م �ى ا �ل� �ل� �ي� ��ى ��م� ب �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫قَ � َ‬ ‫ا ن �ذ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ ��‬ ‫��ه� ا لع���مرك ����ش� � �ى ������ط�م �و��ه� ا ا �ل��د ا ب� د اب �ى‬

‫‪70‬‬

‫‪70‬‬

‫‪٨،٤،٤‬‬

The Rules for Retelling

and he remains so confused and at a loss, speechless and flabbergasted, perplexed and bewildered, astonished and amazed that, when he returns safely to his house, he believes everything that pops up before him there is a bustle, or that thing that lends the bustle its bulk. Whenever the Fāriyāq left the house and beheld these well-endowed mounds, he would return to his refuge with a thousand poetical images crowding his head. A poem he recited in honor of one such enchantress went as follows: Wonder of wonders! Let every man, “Wonder of wonders!” Exclaim, of those who love with women to tussle, “Not a mound’s to be seen In this place that isn’t a bustle! No indeed! And not a dip That isn’t accompanied by its own little hump— No indeed again!—and not a euphorbia fruit70 to be bought That isn’t a high-breasted woman’s pink bump. Longing makes me boldly approach each big-bottomed waddler Who invites the celibate to play, Yet fear of impotence induced by too much lust Keeps me away. What must people say of him who Roars from a bursting milk skin that absence of opportunity plugs, Or how can the stomach of an Arab Be too weak to drink deep from those great jugs? O for a spigot that I might fill the cup From my counter-levered love pail! O for a bustle like one of those domes Of which I might myself at night avail! O for a palpation of one of those Bummikins in my home! This, I swear, is the way of those starved Of sex and this same practice is my own.”

71

71

4.4.8

‫�‬ ‫��خ�ا‬ ‫ا � ��ل�ف��ص� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫� � ض �ن آ‬ ‫�ڡ �ف����ل ا �ل�����س�� ء‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا � ا ا � � ا �ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��ا ن ن �آ ��ت�� � ا ��ل �ا خ‬ ‫��ذ �‬ ‫�ت��ص��ص�ن ��ه��ذه ا �ل��م�ز ���ة ك���‬ ‫�ت�� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �مك� ا � ���س� لك ب��ل د ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�ج � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� � � ف�ت �‬ ‫ق � �ة‬ ‫ح َّ ا �دا � ن �ف � ن‬ ‫�وا �ب�ه‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ه * ف��ا �م�ا �ب���ل ا�لم�عرف�� ف��ا �ن�ه ا ا‬ ‫ح� م‬ ‫��ى �‬ ‫ا �ل�غ� ر�� ب� ب�ع�د مع‬ ‫�ه� ��م�ا �ي��ك�و� ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ذ ا � ا ��س � ا � � �� ّ�ا ا ��ل� �� �ة �من � � ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا �ل� ا �ل��� ر � او �ل���‬ ‫�صر * �ول�ه� �لم� �م ح�د �ط�ل ب� عر ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ب ��وج �‬ ‫�ود ل�� ري� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ن �ذ‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ه �ل�‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫���ا ن ق��د ُ�ق � ئ‬ ‫ح��س��ه � �نش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�وك� � ر ي‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ب و ب ى ور و ب‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ز�ز‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن�ز � ف ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ق‬ ‫�م�� �ل�ه �ي ���ي�� �ع ن��ده � ك‬ ‫م��ر�م�ا �م�ع ا * �وك���ا � �م���ا �م�ه ب���عي��د ا �ع�ن ك��مب��ير � * ��ا �ج��ا �ب�ه ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� ن �ة ���ث ة �‬ ‫�ن � � ا� � ش ّ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ��ل��ك �ل� � ا ��ه�ل ا�لم�د ��ي �� �ع��ل� ك�� ر� ا�لم�د ا ر��س ع��د ه� � او�لم�ع� �ل� ه� ا ����د ا �ل�� ��س � � ��ورا‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�ا ن ����خ�س ن �ن �ق‬ ‫� ا ��س ا �ذ ��ا ن � خم ا � ف ا � ��ف �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � �� او ي �ر�و� �م ب��ع��ه‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل�غ� ر�� ب� * �و �ل� ي�م� ا ا ك�� � �� � �ل�� �ل�ه� �ى ا �ل ى * � ك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� آ � ت ��ا ن ��ث ا �ق ن ��ف �غ ف� ت � ا �خ� � ن ا � ا �‬ ‫ق ا �� ��ف �ذ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م �ر ح�ى ك�� � ك���ي�را �م� ��ي� ب���‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل� �لي��ل� * �و�� ل �ى �ل�ك *‬ ‫ع �ى �ر ��ه �و �ل� ي ر�ج �م �‬ ‫�� � � � �ا ز � ��ل����ت ن ا ا اَ ن ����ت ا ��ن ا � � ا ��ش‬ ‫�ت ن � ن ��ف �‬ ‫ر�م �ى ا �ل ��و�ى �ى ك��مب� ير �ج م�ل �� ما ب ي �ى ���ه� �ر � ر �ى بو� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��ا ��ن � �فّ ا ��ش‬ ‫�ج�نّ ن‬ ‫� ت ثَ � � ت �ذ � � �‬ ‫� �ج� ت� �ع��ل ا �ْم�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف��� بع�� ب�ى ح�ى ا ا ا �ل� �ل��ي�ل �ى �ر‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫� ا ن ��‬ ‫ل�� �ا � ا �� ض� ا��ا ن ت تش‬ ‫� �ف � �ت�ه � �ت�ل�ا�ز �م�ه * ف���ق��ا ��ل ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�و �ل� � ا � ك�ل‬ ‫��� ك�� ��� ��� � رو و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة ت ا �ت ��‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � � ش���مّ�ه� ا � ��ل� ��ت��ن�د �ف�� �عن�ه�ا ا �ذ ا ��م�ا د ���ف�عت�ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫وم ع �‬ ‫�و�ل�ى ���فر �و� �� ��ى ا � ك� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ص ن���ع��ته�ا‬ ‫�ت��هّر �ع��ل� ��م�ز ���ق� �ج���ل��د �ى �و�ج���ل��د�ه� ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ��ى �م�ن ا �ب�ا ���ئ�ه�ا ��ق�د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ي‬

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‫‪١،٥،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٥،٤‬‬

Chapter 5

The Superiority of Women

Just as the women of this country are distinguished by this characteristic, so

4.5.1

its men are distinguished by that of kindness to the stranger, once they have been introduced to him. Before he’s been introduced, however, if he greets one of them, the response will be a sidelong glance or a brisk nod of the head. Thus it was that one of their students of Arabic, having learned of the presence of the Fāriyāq and having been informed as to his noble pedigree and plentiful property, came to visit him and invited him to go with him to his house, which was some distance from Cambridge, and to stay there as an honored guest. The Fāriyāq accepted the invitation because the inhabitants of the city, despite the large number of schools and places of learning there, were exceptionally unwelcoming to the stranger, especially if he differed from them in dress; they made so much fun of his red cap, for example, that he often hid in his room and would leave it only at night. On this topic, he wrote

4.5.2

Cast by the tempest on Cambridge’s shore, Lest I be seen and mocked by the rabble, I kept to my house. Then, when night had driven me mad, I’d go out in safety, like a flittermouse. Similarly, since the dogs too would sniff at his fur coat and follow him around, he wrote of them I’ve got a fur coat that the dogs all come to sniff at But when I repel them not one retires. They snarl as they rip into my skin and the coat’s— You’d think I’d had it made from the skins of their sires.

73

73

‫� آ‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫��ي� �� ض����لا �ل ن����س�� ء‬

‫�� �ن�ه ���ف ��ل‬ ‫�ا ش‬ ‫� ��ل�ا ن� ا ��ه� ا ��ل��د ا ا ��ل ��ت �ن�ز ��ل ف�� ا��ا ن ش ا �� ن �ف � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�هم�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�ه� ك�� � �� او ي����� رك�� �و�ه ��ى ���ط�ع� �م�ه �و �ل� ي����ر�ك�و ى‬ ‫ل ر ى‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ف � ف‬ ‫� �����‬ ‫ح�م�ه� * ���ق��ا � ��ه‬ ‫و م‬ ‫ل ي� �م‬ ‫�ة �ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �ف‬ ‫ع���ل� ��ى ك���‬ ‫م�ر� � � ��ّي��ة ‬ ‫�و�ل�ى �� ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ ي �ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫عه�د �ى �ب�ا ����س� ا �ل�� ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا ت� ��ف�ل�ا �ن��ة ‬ ‫���ف� �‬ ‫م‬

‫����ل ن � �ن � ث � � ن‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�ع��ا �‬ ‫ح�� �لي����س ي‬ ‫� �� او ك ��ى م � ي‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫����ي�ن �ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ع�ه�د �ى �ب�ا ����س� ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�فل �‬ ‫م‬

‫�و��م�ا ��ن ����ف� ا ��ل� ��ث��ير �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح����شا �ي�ا ‬ ‫ع و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�و��م�ا � ����ف� ا �لِش����ع�ا �ر �ب�ل�ا �����ش�ع�ا �ر ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��م�ا ��ن ����ف�‬ ‫ح�ي� � ب����غي�ر �ى ‬ ‫ع ا ��‬

‫�‬ ‫� ه َ � ْ �ذ ت ش‬ ‫�و�لي����س ��ع� �ل�ي� �و���ثر ا ���ه���‬ ‫� �ف ش ن �ل� �ُ � �فَ � �ف ش‬ ‫� �ن ��ل‬ ‫�وح��س ا ح� ���ا � �م �ي�ل� ح� ���‬ ‫ن ه ا ش ت �ن ش‬ ‫� ن ش�‬ ‫�ف���ع����ك د � �و� �م� �ع���� ��ع���‬

‫فق �‬ ‫ا ن � ّ ا ��ل ا � �ت‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫� ان � ق‬ ‫ح��د �ى ���ل�ك ا � �ل ب� ب� * �����ا �ل‬ ‫�و �ل� ��ه �ل�م ��ي���د ر �ع��ل�ى � يحرد �ى‬

‫ف��ه�ا‬ ‫ي�‬

‫خ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫��ف��س�ا را ���فى ��س��‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د � �و��لغ���ا ا �ل�م��ن�ز ��ل �لي��ل�ا �و�م�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا د ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ي��د ���ل �ج�‬ ‫ح �تر�ه ا �ل ��تى ا �ع�د ت� ��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح�ت ��ق ش���ه�ا ��ه��ذ�ي�ن ا ��ل���ت���ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ر � ب�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫��ا ��ه � ا ��ل� �د � ّ �� �د � �ف‬ ‫لله د � �� ا �ل‬ ‫ح��د���ي�د ك���م ��ك����ف�ل �ر ب ب و �ث ى ق �ر�‬ ‫��ج� ت�‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ل�و �ل�م �ي��ك�ن ���غي�ر ���ل�ك ��ف�ا �ئ��د �ة �ل��ن�ا ���ب�ه د �و� ا � ��وه �ل�ك� ت�‬

‫ت �ق �ة ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫الا �و الا ����س��� �ا �م� �ى‬ ‫ا �ل��س�� ا �ل��س ع��ة‬ ‫ير و ر‬

‫� ن�ز �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا � ت � ا �ذ � ا ه � ا �ت � � � ا ض ّ‬ ‫ث � ق �ف � غ‬ ‫�� ب�‬ ‫�� �لم�ا ��ا �م ��ى ا �ل���د را �ى ا�لم�� �ل ب���عي��د ا �ع�ن ا �ل��د ا ر * � �س�ع� ب� لل و ��س� ر ج� و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫حت ا ��هن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �م� � � ��س�ه * �ل� � �ه��ذه ا �ل�����ك�و�ى �لي����س �ل�ه� �ع��د �ه�و �ل� ا � �ل��و�م ا � � او �عي�� * �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � � ا ��� �� �غ� ���ت ه �ع�ن �ز � � ت ه �ق ا �� �� ه ا � ه ��� ا � ا � �ق �ف �� � ن � � ا � ا‬ ‫�لم�ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ي ��و م� ط�ول ي ب ��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫و ج��� � ل ل� �ص� ب‬ ‫ح�� ب ع�د ي� م �د ر�ط م��ك ب� �ل� س‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫��ا ن ا � ا ��ل ا ن ��ت�ق � �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ك�� ف ق‬ ‫�و�ل ا �ل�ى ا �و �ل� د �ى *‬ ‫��ل�ا �م ������ل ت� ا ��ى �م ش����ت�ا �� ا �ل�ى ا �م ار ��ى * �وك�� � �ل� �و�ى � �‬

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‫‪٣،٥،٤‬‬

The Superiority of Women

And because the people of the house where he was staying would take a share of his food and not allow him access to their persons, he wrote about them In Cambridge I’ve got dependents undisclosed Who partake of my food when there’s no one there to watch— All I know of my lady guest is that her name is So-and-so And all I know of the man is that his name is Such and such. Likewise, because he couldn’t find a way to be alone with one of those “domes,” he wrote of them What’s the use of a comfy mattress If there’s no sex to be had on it for all its softness? What use a nightdress without a cunny Or a nice bit of quim if you can’t find a cubby? What use is life with no snatch in your bed? No matter how long you live, you’re better off dead. They took the railway together and arrived at the house at night, and no

4.5.3

sooner had the Fāriyāq entered the room that had been prepared for him than he decorated it with the following: What an excellent thing is the railway! How many a bottom On its seats spreads wide, while breasts there quiver galore! If that alone were all it did for us—never mind its forward dashing— One couldn’t think to ask for more.

atw [“forward dashing”] is “directness of motion, and speed.”

Then when he got up the following morning, it came to him how far still his new abode was from home but he said, “I seek refuge with God!” and “We are God’s and to God we return!” and put a brave face on it, because such complaints do not find a sympathetic ear among those people—so much so that a few days after his complaining of how long he’d been separated from his wife, his friend told him, “The other day you spoke extravagantly. You said, ‘I long for my wife!’ but it would have been more proper to say ‘for my children.’” “What,” the Fāriyāq asked him, “is wrong with a man speaking of his wife as he might of his children? Without the wife, there wouldn’t be any children! Nay more: without women there would be nothing in this world, neither religion nor anything else.” “Hush, hush!” said his friend. “You go too far.”

75

75

‫� آ‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫��ي� �� ض����لا �ل ن����س�� ء‬

‫� � � �‬ ‫ن �ذ�� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫فق � � �ف ق‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫��ر �و��ل��ده * �و�ل�و �ل�ا ا�ل�م ار �ة �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ك��ا �ي�� ك�‬ ‫�����ا �ل �ل�ه ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� �م�ا ا�لم�ا ��� �م�ن ا � �ي�� ك�ر ا �لر ج���ل ا �م ار ��ه �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق �ف‬ ‫� �� � � ا � ة �‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫�ك�ن �ش�� ��ف ا �� � ��ن ا � ا �ي�ن � � ا �غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�و�ل�د ب���ل �ل�و �ل� ا�ل�م ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ر � �ل� �ي�� �ى �ى ل�د ي�� �ل� د و �ل� ��ي ر * � ل م� م� �د ���� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� �ق � � � ا ن ف ن � ن‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫� �م�و���سى �م�ن ا �ل�غ� ر�ق� * �و�ل�و �ل�ا �م�و���سى �ل� �ت��‬ ‫��ا �ل ا ر��غ�ن �لم�ا ا ��و�ل * �ل�و �ل� ب���� ت� �ر�ع�و� �ل� ��ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� �ا � ة �‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل �ش � ا ن � خ� ا �� ا �ل� � � ت ��ل � �ل ا � �� � ا‬ ‫ي�ه� * ول�و �ل�‬ ‫��س�و�ى ع� �‬ ‫ا �لت��ورا � * �و�ل�و �ل� ا�ل�م ار � �ل�م ي��م�� ي ��و�� � ي��د ��ل ر �ض م�و�ع�د وي �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ا � ن �� ا ت � ا �ف ت ّ �‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ة � ا � ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�ود‬ ‫�صر و� ل ��‬ ‫�مر � م�‬ ‫ص�ل � و ل�ه�د ي� �م�ه�د ل �‬ ‫ح ����ى ا �بر�هي�� �ع ن��د �م��ل�ك �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن�ز � �‬ ‫� �ا � ة � ن‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ا ���مر�ت���ل�ه‬ ‫�ُ د ا �ود �م�ن �ي��د �ش���ا �و�ل �‬ ‫�صر�م�ن ب���ع�ده * �و�ل�و �ل� ا�ل�م ار � �ل� ��ي �‬ ‫ا �ل�� �و�ل ا �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ � � �ق ت�ّ � �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�صن�� ���فى �ف ار �ش���ه * �و�ل�و �ل�ا د ا �ود �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �ل�ز � ��ور * �ن�ع��‬ ‫� او � ك�� � �ل�ك �د � ب‬ ‫ح���ل� �و ض�‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� � ا � ة ن �ز �ة ن ا ا � ا �ت ق‬ ‫�� � ا � � �ة‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫�و� �لو �ل� ا�ل�م ار � ا �ع��ى �و�ج�� �� �ب� �ل �م� � � ��و�ى د ود �ع��ل�ى �ع�د � * ول�و �ل� ي ل� ب� ب‬ ‫ع �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ن � �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك� ا لله ��ا � �ش����ل �� * � ��ل� ��ل�ا ا �ل��م ا �ة �ل�� � �� ��ل��د �� �د �ن�ا‬ ‫� � ��‬ ‫د ا �ود �ل�م ي�م�لك ��س�يل��م�ن ا ب����ه �و�ل�م �ي�ب� �هي� �ل‬ ‫ب ور يم و و ر م ي و س�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع���� � �ل� � �ذ �خ� � ا ��ن � ا �ث ه � �� � ا ا �ل� ا ة �ل� � تت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م��ذ �ه ا �ا �ن ك�‬ ‫�����ي�ز �ك�ا �ه ا �ل� �‬ ‫ي س�ى و�م ي��ع ب� ر ب�ع� � * و �لو �ل� �مر � �م ي��س��� ب‬ ‫ب� �ل ل �م� �و ي �وم‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ ن � ّ‬ ‫�� ��� �صّ � ن ا �ل�م��لئ‬ ‫�� �م�ا‬ ‫�ك���ة �ب��ص� ر�ة ا ��ل ن����س�� ء * � او ��ل ش����ع � ء �ع ن��د ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫* �ه� ا � او � ا �لم� �صور �ي�ن �ع ن��د ك�م� ي ور و�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫� ن �ف � ة � � ا � ن‬ ‫�غ� �ش���ا �ع * �ق�ا ��ل ا ن� ا ا ك ا ��ل�ا �ه�ا ئ��ا �ع�� ا �ل����س��‬ ‫ا � �ل او ��ي ت���غ�ز � �لو� ��ى ا�ل�م ار � �و� �لو �ل� �ه�ا �ل� �ي���ب�‬ ‫ِ ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�ز� �ق � ا ��‬ ‫��� �م�ن � ن� ���طق‬ ‫����له� �ع�� �ه��ذه ا ��ل�ص�ف���ة * �ق�ا ��ل �ن��ع� ا �ن�ا‬ ‫طه� �و�ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�عرب� ك�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ِ‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ض � ف � ض �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫ث � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ا د �ي ك�‬ ‫��� د * �ف�ا ��طر�ق� �م��ليّ��ا �� �ق�ا �ل �ل�ع�� ك��‬ ‫� ا ر�ش���د �م�م�ن �ع�د �ل ا �ل�ى ا�لمي�� * ���ق��د‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫���ل�� �ب�ا �ل�‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ذ �ة‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ ن ن �ف �� �ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫���ا �ي��ق� �يم�م� �و�ه�و ا ب��‬ ‫ب���ل����ى ا � ��ى �ب�ل�ا د ك�� ��و�م�ا �يم��مي���ي�ن ي���ع�د �ل�و� �ع�ن �� �س �و ا �ل��سب��ي���ل ا �ل�ى �م ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ّح‬ ‫ق �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫� �م�ن �ل��ك ا � ب���ع�� ا�لم�و� �ل��� �م�ن ا �ل�ع ب� ��د ا � �ل�� او ��ى �ل��ك ك��ت��ا �و�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا �ي��ك�و� * � او ب��‬ ‫ح��ل� او‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ّ ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ث ت ه ��ف خ�ز ن �ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫��ت ف‬ ‫ح �ف��ة ال�م��م���ة * �ق�ا ��ل �ن��ع� � �م�ن ج��م��لت�ه�ا ك��ت�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ب� �ع� ر� �ب� �ى � ا ��‬ ‫�ل�ا ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ير د ا د �ل� �ع��ل�ى ���‬ ‫ض��ل ر ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف�ا نّ‬ ‫� ي�ز �ة ت‬ ‫ت �ت‬ ‫�ا ��ف ق �ق �‬ ‫�ت ��‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ب� ك��مب��ر� �ورا ��ي� � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م�� �� �وب�ا �ع��لي��ه �ع ن�� او ��ه �ب�ا �ل� �ن ل� ي� �� ب� �ى ح ��و� ل و �ج * ك� �‬ ‫ي �ج‬ ‫�ذ � �ق �‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫�ش ا � ه �ل�� � ف� �م ض�� �ن ه � �م�ن ا ���خ�س ف‬ ‫��ه‬ ‫� �� �م�ا �ورد �م�ن ا �ل� د �ل� �ع�� �ل�� �� � ���ع ض�‬ ‫��� ري� م �ي��ه�م م�و� * و‬ ‫ل�ى ك ول ب � �م‬

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The Superiority of Women

“Listen to what I say!” said the Fāriyāq. “Were it not for Pharaoh’s daugh-

4.5.4

ter, Moses would not have been saved from drowning and were it not for Moses, there would be no Old Testament. Were it not for a woman, Joshua would not have been able to enter the Promised Land and take possession of it.71 Were it not for a woman, Abraham would not have found favor with the King of Egypt and obtained from him gifts and presents, thus preparing the way for the descent of the Jews into Egypt after him.72 Were it not for a woman, David would not have been saved from the hand of Saul when he decided in his breast to kill him, which was achieved by his placing an image in his bed,73 and were it not for David, there would be no psalms. Nay more, were it not for a woman, meaning the wife of Nabal,74 David would not have prevailed over his enemies. Were it not for Bathsheba’s stratagem against David, 75 Solomon would not have made his son king and the temple of God would not have been built in Jerusalem. Were it not for a woman, Jesus would not have been born and the news of his resurrection would not have been broadcast. Were it not for a woman, the Anglican sect would not be doing as well as it is today.76 Furthermore, your painters depict angels in the form of women and your poets never cease writing poems to women, without which no poet would ever shine.” “As far as I can see,” said the other, “you are merely lusting after a woman—a trait, it seems, that is common to all Arabs.” “Indeed,” he replied, “I am their epitome and pattern, and every man who utters the ḍād has a weakness for the ḍaʾd.”77 The man hung his head for a moment, then said, “You may be wiser than those who deviate toward the mīm,78 for I have heard that there are many mīm-ists, who abandon the broad highway in favor of ignoble back alleys, which is the ugliest thing imaginable. Uglier still, though, is the fact that certain Arab authors have composed books on the subject and deceitfully sought to present arguments that the mīm-ist craft is the better.” “That is so,” said the Fāriyāq. “Among them is a book I came across in the Cambridge library on which I found written in English the title A Book on the Laws of Marriage, the one who bought it seemingly having failed to grasp its contents. One of the most scurrilous arguments made in support of such things is the words of a certain poet who said

77

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4.5.5

‫� آ‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫��ي� �� ض����لا �ل ن����س�� ء‬

‫� � �ا �‬ ‫ا �ن�ا ��ل�� ت‬ ‫س� ا ج�‬ ‫�ز� �م �ب�ا �ل��ل� او ��ط �و �ل� ا �لز� �ن�ا ‬ ‫�ف � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ذ �ذ ة�‬ ‫ا � ا �ل��ل�� ا � ك����ل��ه�ا ��ى ا �ق� �ر ا �ل‍ ‬

‫�ك�ن ا ��ق�و��ل ���م�ق��ا ��ل �م�ن ��ق�د �‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫��حر� ار‬ ‫‍ ا َ�ي�ن ا �خ ت ن ��ف ت � ا ق �ذ‬ ‫ج�� ر ��ف� ���ر ا � �عر � ا �ل� �� � ار‬

‫� آ � � �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ض�ن �عّ�م�ن‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�� ب� �م�ن �مث���ل �ه�و �ل�� ا �ل�عت��ا �و�ل� ا �ّم�ا �ل��ل�ع نّ�ي���ن�ي � ف��ا ن� ا �ل ن����س�ا ي���عر���‬ ‫�و��سب�� ب� �ت�ا �لي��ف� �ه��ذه ا ك‬ ‫� ة ��ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ل��ل خ� � ا ن �� ن ف ق �ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص ا ��ل��د �ع�ن �ه� ه�ن‬ ‫�ي�ب��ت���ل� �ب�� ��ل��ك * ا �و ب���ل �ل� � ا ل�� �‬ ‫�صر� ا �و‬ ‫��� �ع��ل�ى ا�ل�م ار � ا ك���ر * ا �و � �ل�� ر ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �ف آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ذ � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ا ث� ا ن ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ل ��س�ا د � �ر * ا �م� ��س��لي�� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�� ��ل� ي��مي���ل �ع �ه� ا ا�لم� �ه ب� �ص�ل * �م � ل�� ري� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫مة �ف ع � ُ‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ف خ ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ث ن‬ ‫ح��ه �م�د� ��ى �خ��ل�ا �ل�ه�ا ا د ب� ا �ل�ى �م�� د ب� ��ا �ر� �ع ن��د ب���ع �ض�‬ ‫� ا �ل� �عي��ا � *‬ ‫�لب�� �ع��د �ص� � ب‬ ‫�ف � � ئ ن ق � آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش ف‬ ‫�و�م�ن �ع�ا د �ت��ه� ��ى ا �ل�و �ل�ا �� ا � ��ت���ع�د ا �ل ن����س�� �ع��ل� ا�لم�ا �ئ��د�ة � ك‬ ‫���و��ا ت� ا �ل� ر � او �ل�‬ ‫م�� �‬ ‫�ص�د �ور‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ث � �ك�ن � � ن ا �ظ ��‬ ‫� �َّ ا ن � ا � �ة �َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ت �� ا �� ا ش ا ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫هو * �و ��ط� �ل�ل �و ���ر ب�‬ ‫��‬ ‫بحي�� ي�م�� �ل�ل�� � را � �ير�ى ا�لم��� �هر � او �ل�لب�� � � او �لب�� د �ل� � او �لب �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�َ ْ ة‬ ‫���ا ا �ى � ���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� �‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫حل��� * �و��هى �م�ن ج��م��ل� ا �ل�ع�ا د ا ت�‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا �ل� �ه ��ط�ا را �ى ا �ل��ل�ع�و� ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ث ن �ذ �‬ ‫� ش �ف‬ ‫�ص��ا ��ا‬ ‫ّ � ��‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ا �ل��تى �ح�م��د �م�ن �و�ج��ه � �وت�� � �م�ن �و�ج��ه � خ�ر * حي�� ك�‬ ‫���ا � �ه� ا ا � ك‬ ‫���� �م ��طرد ا �ل�ل� ب ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ث �م�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ئ��ز ب���ل ا �لج�ع‬ ‫� او �لج�ع‬ ‫�س�م� ا �ل� ك�‬ ‫��ا ئ��ز �ع ن��د ا �ل� �‬ ‫� �و �ل� � ي‬ ‫���ل�� �ي��ك��������ف�ن � ��يو �� ��� � ��يو��عي���ل�ن ا ك�� ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ت ��ث ق � ق � ف ا ا ق � ا ن �ن ن �ظ � �� ���س ن�ت ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث ّ �‬ ‫ع او � �وك���ر �� �ل� ا � �ل�� ر�� �� �ل� � �م �� �� ر ا ل�ى �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ص��ا �ي�ا * �� ق���ل ت� ا �ل��د �‬ ‫ح� �ه �مر� �ل� �يرد‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ن �ظ � �‬ ‫ف � �� � � ��‬ ‫� � � ا ��ف ق ��ف ا ف ا ��ل �ف‬ ‫ة خ‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�ه�ا ��و�ج���د ا � �ل ب� ب�‬ ‫�ه�ا �مر� ا �ر�ى * � ار ى ا لرج �‬ ‫�وع ا �ل�ى ك�مب� ير �ج �و �� * ��س� �ر ي�‬ ‫ا � ��ي � �� را �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق َ َ ت ن� �ة ق �‬ ‫�� ن �ز ة ق �ة �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫حو ��ث��لث�� � ار ر�ي� ��ط * �و �ل��ك ا �م�ا �لب��ع�د �ع�ه�ده �ب��ه�ا ا �و �ل���كو� �ي�ا د� �ر�ص� ا �لب��رد‬ ‫��د رب��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ه �ت��ي�ن‬ ‫� ا��ا �ن ا ش‬ ‫��ر ف��ا �ئ��د�ة �و��هى ا ن� ك���مب��‬ ‫ا �و�ج�ب� ت� ��ل��ك * �و�ه ن��ا �ي�ن��ب���غ� ك�‬ ‫� � او ك���س� ��ورد �لم� ك�� � ت�� �م���� �ور‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �� �ذ آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا ن ّ ا �� �� � �ة ف‬ ‫ح ا ��ل��ف‬ ‫���ّ �من‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ن ا ��ل�ا �غ� � �� �و���فى �ك�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �‬ ‫��ر�ن�ا � ��ن �ف��ا �وك�‬ ‫ب��م�د ا ر��س ا �ل�عل��� �مك�ا ك�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ف ا ي�ن ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا � �ة ��ن��ت����ن �� �س �ق� �ه�ا �ت��ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ط�ا ��ل� * ك�� ��� ا �ل� � � ا ل‬ ‫ح��س� � �م � �ى ا � �ل��ل� � ام‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح�� ج ور ي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ت ف ا � �ن �ل �‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا�لم�د �ي���ت���ي�ن �ل��ر �و� �م�ا �ع ن��د �ه�ن �م�ن ا �ل�‬ ‫�م�ا �ل ا �ل ار �ئ��‬ ‫�ه�م� م ا �ج �‬ ‫�صب��ى � او �ج �‬ ‫�م�ا �ل * �� ر�ى �ي�‬ ‫ي �ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ق � �ة � ا �ق � �ة ف � �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا ��لب��ا �ه �م� �ل� ار ه ��ى ��س� �ر ا�لم�د � * ��ي�ر ا ��ه � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫له� ا‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ��س� � ��ط� �ل� � ��ط� * �� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� � � ن �ظ � � ّة �� ت �خ ��ذ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫��ا ن ت ش ا �خ � � �ة �ظ � ن �‬ ‫� ن��ا ا �ل��ط��لب�� ��ي ن� �� ر�و� ا �ل�ى �م�ن ا د �ب�ه �ع�دد ا ��ه�ل ا �لب��ل�د �� �� را �ل�هر� ا ل ��ى �ي ��و��‬ ‫ك�� ��� �م����ي‬

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‫‪٧،٥،٤‬‬

The Superiority of Women

I make no final decision between buggery and mainstream fornication— I merely follow the words of those who’ve written, ‘Gratification all lies in the dirtier of the two neighbors, So choose, if you can, the more beshitten.’ “The reason why the likes of these woman-shy authors wrote such books is either their impotence, for women will have nothing to do with anyone who is so afflicted, or their stinginess, because women are more expensive to maintain, or their lack of the means to attract them, or some other defect. Those of sound makeup, however, never leave the straight path in the first place.” The Fāriyāq stayed at his friend’s house for a while, during which he was

4.5.6

invited to splendid banquets in the homes of certain notables. It is customary at their banquets for the women to sit at the table with their arms and breasts exposed, so that the observer can see the flesh of their chests, their bosoms, their breasts, and their cleavages, and if he stretches his neck and cranes his head and is good at holding his head steady, he can see the dark ring around their nipples (ah, what a dream!). It’s one of those customs that is to be praised from one perspective and condemned from another, in that this exposure is a general rule for both young and old; indeed, the old women of the Franks, and especially the English, uncover themselves more and put on more youthful airs than do the young girls. Then the invitations became fewer and the Fāriyāq’s disquiet grew stronger, since no one who had looked on his countenance once wanted to look on it a second time, and he decided it was better to return to Cambridge. When he arrived there, he found that that the “domes” had grown by some three inches, this being due either to his having been so long away from them or because the more bitter cold required that.79 Here an edifying observation must be made, to wit, that given that Cambridge and Oxford are, as previously mentioned, celebrated as schools of learning, and given that most of the students are rich and that each city has something in the region of two thousand of them, the pretty girls from the surrounding peasant villages return time after time to the markets of these two cities to find buyers for their youth and beauty. As a result, you will see in these cities examples of exquisite beauty and dazzling good looks such as you will not find in any other. But “for everything that falls there’s something to pick it up,”80 as they say, which is why our shaykhs the students would look at every addition to the town’s population as might a she-cat being robbed

79

79

4.5.7

‫� آ‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫��ي� �� ض����لا �ل ن����س�� ء‬

‫� ن ا �آ ��ؤ ا ��ف �ن ث� �ت ّ � ف ا ا ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّت‬ ‫� �آ � س�ن ا ن‬ ‫�ه� ج�ر �ه� * �م � ر�‬ ‫�س�م�ا �و��د‬ ‫�ح�ل ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �ع�ن �ه�و �ل� ا �ل�� � ��ي�ر �و�ه ار ���ه�م * �ل� � ي‬ ‫م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��لُ‬ ‫��ف � ا � ث ا �� �ذ �خ � تَ‬ ‫ح�صَ ��� �ف�ه � �� � ا �ق�ا � ���ف ��ل ن��د ن ن�� ش‬ ‫� ا ر��ض� ا‬ ‫�ورد �ى ا �ل� م�� ل ا ا د ��ل‬ ‫حو ����هر *‬ ‫� ي ب � ر ول و م ى �‬

‫ف � ن �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�و�ص�� �ل��ن�د � ا �و �ل��ن�د �ر � �ع�ن ا � �ل��ا �ر �ي�ا ��‬

‫�خ ا � ة ا ��لف‬ ‫��ت ن �ظ �� �‬ ‫� � � �ن � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ��هى �ذ ا ت� ا ��ل�ت�ي �ه � او ��ل��د ��ل�ا ��ل * ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� ش����ز را‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��طر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ّ �ذ � ش �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ص�ي �د�‬ ‫�ك��ا ���ل ت� �م�ن ���‬ ‫�و�ج�ر ا �ي�ا �ل�ه�ا �و����ا �ل�ه�ا ج� ار * �م‬ ‫� ا ت ت ّ‬ ‫� � ا � �ذ‬ ‫�ق� �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جر �م�ن ا �ل��د �ل� �ل �ي ��ولا ‬

‫‪٨،٥،٤‬‬

‫*‬

‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ا �ف� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حولا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جرا ا ض�‬ ‫�م��د ��‬ ‫ي‬

‫ف‬ ‫ت � � ن ���خ�س �ة‬ ‫َ � ا ف �ذ��‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫� ��ه ��ل�ا �تر�ى ��له�ا �م�ن ����ن‬ ‫�� ���ؤ ا * �و���ه�ل��س م‬ ‫�ه� ��ك‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫� �ري� �و�ه�ز ��ؤ ا * ا �ل� ��ا ك�ر�ى ا � ب��ي����‬ ‫وى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ق ش � ا �ق‬ ‫� ا �ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� اق‬ ‫ا �ل� ��و�ى ا �ل� ��د ر * ا �ل� ��سر�ى ا �ل� ي���سر * ا �ل� ��سر ا �ل� �ع��سر * ا �ل� �ر��� ا �ل� � ش���ر *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا � ا � �ز ا � ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا � ا �ش �ف ا � ا �ش���ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز�‬ ‫�صر * ا �ل� ��سرد ا �ل� د��سر * �ل� ر ��� �ل� ر * �ل� بر �ل� ب ر *‬ ‫�صر ا �ل� �ع�‬ ‫ا �ل� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ز�أ‬ ‫�ذ ش ّ ن‬ ‫ُ�غ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ��ذ � �ذ ض��ّ �ز �ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ى ا ا � ر * � او ا � ر * � او ا ي �‬ ‫� ر * ا �و � �ب��د ر * � او ا را ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ �ج‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ �غ‬ ‫��� �ز ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�� �ى ا ن� ����ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �عر����ا ا � ار � * �و�هي��ا �‬ ‫ط��ل�ا �مر * ا �و ا � �� ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�د�ه��ر د �ه���ر * ا كر‬ ‫بي � م ب ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن ا ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�و � او �م * �و�م���ا �ل� � بو�����ا �م * �و�م�د ا �عب�� �وك��ع�ا �م * �و��م����ي�ر � او �م‬ ‫�ك�ا ��� * � او ���د��س� ��س �ى‬ ‫َ �ن ت ّ‬ ‫ن ت � � ض �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا� ا � ش ش‬ ‫��� ا * � �ن��ع�د ك ��ف �تت خ �‬ ‫������ذ�ي�ن ك���ل�ا �م ن��ا ِ�ه��را *‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ع����ا ��� * �ع�ل�ا �م �م�� �لق���ك � او ��� معر�‬ ‫��� كب�� ر و‬ ‫ُ ضْ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ن �ا ه *‬ ‫ا�ل�م ���ع��ل��مى ا �ن�ا ا �لي���ك �مت��ود د �و� * �و�ع��ل�ى �مث���ل�ك �مت�� �عّود �و� * ك�� �م�ن �ص�ع ب� ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫� ا ت �ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا ض‬ ‫���� ن��ا ه * � اَ � ّ اَ �َم��لْ ن��ا ه * � �قَ � ا �ش����ع ن��ا ه * � ��ا �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م�� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِرم‬ ‫بِ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �ة آ‬ ‫ث ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ش�� ك‬ ‫���ي�ن �ا ه * �و�ع�ا ��ت ب� ا �عت�ب�� ن��ا ه * �وك�� �م�ن �مت�� نع��ت� � ب�� ت� �و��هى �ش���ا ك��ره * �� ا �ن���ن� ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��عَيَ�ن ��ل ا ��ل��شَ���َ ��‬ ‫َ � ا � ا � غ� نّ � ا �� ش � ا � ��ل ا ��ل ش �� ��‬ ‫ا ���َيَ �� ��‬ ‫�ز ئ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ره * ا �ل� �ل� ي��� ��يو��ك ل��� ��ط� ��ط ا �ى ����ط�ط * �و ل � ا �ى ح�ط * �و لع��ط ا �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� َ �ْ ت �‬ ‫�� �ن� �‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫��ت�ف����ل �‬ ‫�ص�ه� �و��ة ا �ل ش����عر* ا ل�ى ا ك�‬ ‫� ا �ل�ث�ن �ا �ي�ا * ا ل�ى ا �ل‬ ‫� ا�ل�م�ز ا ��ا *‬ ‫��ا ر ا � �لق��د ر * �و ي �‬ ‫ا �ل��ل�� ��ط * �و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ج‬

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‫‪٩،٥،٤‬‬

The Superiority of Women

of her kittens. Consequently, the Fāriyāq left these tomcats and their females behind—a decision whose correctness was confirmed in his view when he came across the proverb that says, “When you enter the land of al-Ḥuṣayb, run!”81—and stayed in London for close to a month.

A Description of London, or Londra,82 according to the Fāriyāq

4.5.8

See the proud and capricious lady in her duds, strutting before the manly studs! With a furious stare she gives them a zap, dragging behind her her skirts and her wrap. As I say in a poem of mine Coquettishly she set off, dragging her train, Causing the suffering lover yet more pain. Among them she finds no match and mocks them with her smiles—they’re not up to scratch. Be mindful, fair lady, that among them is to be found the strongest and the ablest, the manliest and the wealthiest, the speediest and the toughest, the strongest and at stripping the quickest, the best at felling and the pressingest, the proddingest and the pokiest, the lippiest and labialovingest, the sticky-outy-est and the largest thingy-est, who, when he hugs, moans, when he smells, snorts and when aroused, groans; who if winked at, responds in a flash and, the moment he sees a drum, plays on his pipe; who on seeing a woman with body lavish is quick to ravish. Be mindful that among them is an Arab who with passion yearns, with thirst and torment burns, one quick to make love and quick to lay, to devour with kisses and engage in play, energetic in bed and nimble, ever ready to hunt the thimble. With what can we flatter you, when haughtily you turn aside your eyes, with what entice you, when you treat our words as lies? Are you not aware that not only do we seek your kindnesses but also that of your kind we’ve known our share? How many a headstrong woman we’ve been able to pacify! How many a willful woman we’ve known how to gratify! How many a disdainful one have we bent to our will! To how many a lovehungry one have we given her fill! How many a bolter have we given reason to pause! To how many a love-sick complainer have we given cause! How many a prude have we, to their satisfaction, screwed! How many an obdurate woman has sung our praises while homeward bound, returning later for a second round! Let not your stately stature seduce you into being stiff, your

81

81

4.5.9

‫� آ‬ ‫ف ف‬ ‫��ي� �� ض����لا �ل ن����س�� ء‬

‫�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د �ي�ن * ا ��ل� ا � ت‬ ‫ح��ق��ا ر ا �ل���ل��ي�ن * � �و�ت�ف���ل���‬ ‫��ع� * ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل� �ه � او ��جل�ع‬ ‫�و�ت��ورد ا ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ة �‬ ‫� ن ة � ش �ف‬ ‫����ة ا ��ل�� ش��� ه * ا ��ل� ا ��لن‬ ‫�ه� � ا‬ ‫و �ل ش���ره * �و���ع�و�م� ا �ل��س�ا �ع�د �ي�ن * ا �ل�ى ��ع�ج��ر� ا �ل���� ت���ي�ن *‬ ‫���ا ض�‬ ‫� �وب� ض�‬ ‫ب ر ى �م‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫�غي�ن‬ ‫ّ � ا ق ي�ن‬ ‫��ك�ف ت�ه�م�ا‬ ‫�و�ج���د �ل ا ��ل��س�ا �ق��ي�ن * ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ا ��س��ن� ك�‬ ‫�� �� �م�ن �ِم��ض� �ل ن�� ��د �ع�� * �و�ع�مي��د ��� * �ي�� �‬ ‫�ز�غ‬ ‫���ل ت � ا � ت ف‬ ‫� � ت� ���ط� �ق� ��ه�م�ا * ا � ���عت��ّ ��ه�م�ا �ع�� �زَ ��نَ ا‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �ع�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫و �ل ن���� *‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ه�م� * � �وي��ن�زه � ب �‬ ‫ل�ى ب �‬ ‫و ي ب�‬ ‫�يو و ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ّ � او ��ل‬ ‫�ف� * ا ��ل�ا �و ��ل�ا �ي� ض� � نّ � ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حف� * �و�ع�ن �م��ّ ا �ل��س�ق �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �م�ن �ور� *‬ ‫س‬ ‫���ل��ك ا ج � �ه��ض‬ ‫�و ص‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح���ة � ا ��ل��س�ل�ا � * ا ن� ��ل��د � ن��ا �م�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل�ا �ز د ر� * �و ��ل�ا ا ��ل ن��ا �� �م�ن ا �م�ا � * ا ��ل�ى �من�� ا ��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ش آ‬ ‫�� مَ قّ‬ ‫� ْ � فُ ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و *‬ ‫ا �لِ�م�ز ر � او � �ل��ق��ا * �م�ا �ير �و�ى �ل �� * وي ك‬ ‫ِ�‬ ‫��س�ر �ل � ��ع * و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�خَ آ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫ا ن ��ف ث ��ف �ق � ا �ز‬ ‫ح� ّل�ا * � � ���ّله�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��له�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا �ي�ز ��� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�يو ب �‬ ‫�و� * و ل�د �ي �� ر * م� �ي � � �ى ع��د �ل� ر * ي �‬ ‫يل‬ ‫� حَ ّ ُ َ‬ ‫ّا �ف � ّ ََ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��فت�ن �ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح �م�ن ا �و �ل� ك �ه��ذه الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��س�ن * � �‬ ‫�ب�ل� * �م ا �لب���ل ب��ل�ل * �و�م ا ل ل‬ ‫ح�ل�ل * ب ��‬ ‫�ّ ا ا � ن ت ��ف ش ق � �‬ ‫ظ�نّ * � ا ق���ل�ل ت� ��له� �م�ن‬ ‫�ك�‬ ‫���ل ��س�ا �م� �و�م�ع�ا �ي�ن * ا �ل� �م� ا ح��س��� �ى �‬ ‫ع����ا ���ك ا �ل���‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف َ نّ‬ ‫� فَ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��ت�ز �ل��ق � او � �ل���ت�ن * �ف ك�‬ ‫ح�ن * �و�م�ن �ص��ل����ك ا � * � بو���ع�د *‬ ‫���ل�ه�م ا �ل�ى �و�ص� �ل�ك‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�� � ا �� � ّ ة‬ ‫ة ن‬ ‫�ف�ا ن� ��هى ا ��ل�ا �م ّ�ة * �ف�ا ن� ا �‬ ‫ح�م�د ت� ا ��ل��ل�ق��� �ف�ا ج�‬ ‫حر� *‬ ‫��ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ع�ا د� � او �� ت� �ع��ل�ى �ك��ل ح� ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ا �ف �ث �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * �و�م�ا ا �و��س�‬ ‫� او �ل� ��م�ا ا ك����ر ��طر�� �ه��ذه ا�لم�د ��ي ن�� �و�م�ا ا ��ط�و�ل�ه�ا * �و�م�ا ا �و �را � �ل��ا د �م�� ا �ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح�ا �ت�ه�ا * � � � ئ ق ا �غ ا ض‬ ‫��ه�ا * � ��مم�ا �ش���ه�ا‬ ‫ح�ا �ت�ه�ا * � �ن��د � ا ت ا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ن ت ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫ح�دا � ����ه� �و� ي�� � �‬ ‫ح� ���ه� � �وب� � �‬ ‫حوا ��ي����ه� �و��س� � �‬ ‫� �م�ل�ا �ه�ه�ا � �م�ل�ا �ع�ه�ا * � ا � �ى �ع ا ت ا‬ ‫���ه�ا * � �م�ا‬ ‫���ه�ا * �و�م�ا ا ب��ه‬ ‫�ور�ي�ا ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫��ل� ���ه� �و�م ار كب� �‬ ‫ي� و ب �‬ ‫و جر ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ا��ن‬ ‫ا � �ف ��م ا �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا ئ ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� *‬ ‫�ه� * و ر ��س�� �‬ ‫ح ب� ك��ن� ���س�ه� * �و�م� ��ل ج � ��س�ه� * و م� �مر م��س� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � �ن ن ا �ن ن ا‬ ‫��� ا �م ء ���س�ع ��ل��د رك ا ��ل� ن‬ ‫حي� ث� �ي�ج�ع‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �‬ ‫ه��ا *‬ ‫��ا ج�ر‪�� 1‬‬ ‫�ب��ك �م �ه�� �و�م �ه�� * �ك�ل ر ي �ى ي‬ ‫*‬

‫ف‬ ‫‪�� :1855  1‬ا ج�ر�ى‪.‬‬

‫‪82‬‬

‫‪82‬‬

‫‪١٠،٥،٤‬‬

‫‪١١،٥،٤‬‬

The Superiority of Women

wide eyes into staying aloof, your swanlike neck into churlish demurral, into denying your fate that auburn curl, your gap-teeth into a refusal of men’s due, into contempt for lucre your cheeks’ rosy hue, your swelling breasts into pride and vanity, your firmness of skin into voracity and avidity, the curves of your hips83 into a pursing of lips! Let not firmness of calf tempt you to haughtiness in the form of an expression of half-hearted disdain for a peek-sneaker or love-sick swain—an expression that closes said calves tight and wraps itself around them to keep them out of sight, or envelops them despite their plumpness and spares their down from any shearing or peeling, any shaving or plucking, or from touching the ceiling! Let not what sticks out behind make you to proper respect be blind, or what lifts your bosom’s sheeting into refusing salutation or greeting! We have enough shandy and champagne every thirsty drinker to inebri-

4.5.10

ate, every veiled lady to intoxicate, enough meat from the grill every empty belly to fill, enough coin to blow the knots of every lady’s waist wrapper from off her groin and undo them utterly and moisten them mightily—and with moistening comes munificence, with undoing, dresses.84 By Him who conferred on you a charm that all who hear and see you must disarm, think kindly of your suitors and give them fewer angry looks and such disdain, for each yearns your lover to be and each at your harsh words has moaned in pain! To proceed: I’m talking about just one time, though if you find the encounter agreeable, you can make it habitual. In any case, you’re free to do as you please, and if you don’t—how many and long are this city’s roads, how many those who make their way there, how many a spacious shop it contains, how many a square, how many an open space and lake, garden and wood, pathway and park! How splendid are its places of entertainment and its pleasure grounds! What a stream of carriages it has and how its traffic abounds! How vast its churches and well-attended its councils! How prosperous its dwellings and stately its vessels! Run about in it wherever you wish: all men strive in pursuit of bliss.

83

83

4.5.11

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص� ا ��ل���س�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ڡ ��م ا � ة‬ ‫ي � �ح� و ر �‬ ‫�ة � �ن‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�و���ع�د ا ن� �فر ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �م�ن �ع�م��ل�ه ��ى �ه��ذه ا�لم�د ��ي ن�� ا �لغ���ا �ص� �ب�ا �لغ� �� او ��ى ��س�ا �فرا ��ل�ى �ب�ا ر���س ف��ا ق��ا �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ف� ا ��ث��لث ا � ا � �ت��ك �لم� � ف� ا ��� ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫له� ا ��ض�‬ ‫حق� ا � �لو� �ص�‬ ‫��رب� �ه ن�� �ع�ن ك�ره ��ا � ��‬ ‫�ه� * �‬ ‫�ه� �� ي� م �ل� ��ى عر�� و�ص �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� �ة ن ا �� �ل�‬ ‫ت ا � ه�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا ن ��ك� �م ت‬ ‫��س� �ع��ا * �� ��س�ا � �من‬ ‫�ه� ا ل�ى ا � ر� * � او �� �ل� ا لله‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ل�ى �مر��س�ي �لي�� �و�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �ن �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ف‬ ‫� � � ت �غ‬ ‫����ل�ه ا �ل�ع�م ا ن ا � �ز � � ت �ف �ن �ف‬ ‫ظ�ن‬ ‫�ب ��� ض�‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و��د ك‬ ‫���ا � �ي� ���‬ ‫ي�� � ر ى و ج‬ ‫���ه ��ى � � ��س ا �ل�د ا ر ا �ل��ى ��ا د ر�ه� �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫قآ‬ ‫ا ��ل��غُ�نْ� � َ نَ‬ ‫ا � ة � ا �ة‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ���ه�ا ��ط�ا ر ت� �م� �ع ���� �م� رب� ا �و �م� ج��‬ ‫�و�ل � بو���ى �ب��ه� �ه��ذه �ل�مر� ا �ل��س� د��س� * �� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا�ل�مر�ة ا �لث��ا ��ني���ة ك�‬ ‫�و�ع�ه �م � ��و���س � او �ل ارب���ع� ب���ع�د‬ ‫���ا ن��� ب���ع�د ��د �و�م�ه �م ا �ل���� �م � او �ل�� �ل�� ب���ع�د رج��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ث ن‬ ‫ا �م ا ش ا ال�مف�خ ��خل �ة‬ ‫خ�ر�و�ج��ه �م�ن ا�لم�ع��ت�ز �ل �م� ��س� �ى �ب� ���� �� � ا‬ ‫�صر * �� ا � ش����د‬ ‫�و�ع�ه�ا �م�ن �م�‬ ‫��ا �م��س� ب���ع�د رج��‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مَ�ن ���ُ�يرد ��ى �ز� �و�‬ ‫� ا �ز� � او �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج�ا ��ع�د �ي��ده‬ ‫�ج�ه ��ي ن� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫���ف��ليَ��غ� �ع�� �ا �ز � �ا �ن� ا ��� �ق‬ ‫�ه�ا �ِ��عر��س�ا �‬ ‫�ج�د �ي��ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِ ب� ن�ه �م‬ ‫�ي �‬

‫�ن �ز‬ ‫ف ق ا � ت ��ك�ن � ة � ا �ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���دد ا * �ق�ا ��ل ف���ق���ل ت� ا ن��م�ا‬ ‫����� �ل� �ل�� ا�ل�م ار � �ل� ر�ى �م �و�ج� �ه� ب���ع�د ا �ي� �ب�ه ِ�عر��س� ج�ي‬ ‫�ه �م�ن � خ‬ ‫ق ا � ت ن � � ا �ذ ��خل ا ف ا �‬ ‫�� �ش�‬ ‫�م�ا �� �ل�ف ت�ه�ن � ا � ��ف �‬ ‫�و‬ ‫� ا �لر�ج�� �ل �ى �ك�ل ��ى * �� �ل� ���ع�م �و�ل�و �ل� �ه� ا ا ��ل� �� �م� ح��ص�ل‬ ‫�م ا �� ف �ة‬ ‫� ن �ع�ن ا ��خل ا ف ف ق‬ ‫� فق‬ ‫ن � ة ُ�خ‬ ‫ق �� ف‬ ‫ق�ت‬ ‫�ك��ا ا � ا�ل�م ار � ���ل��ق ت� � خ� �ل��‬ ‫ا �ل�و��ا �� * ���ل ت� ك�ي��� �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫��ل� �� �و��ا �� * ��ا �ل� �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ا ��لخَ ق ���ذ �‬ ‫��ٌ �م�ن �ذ�ي�ن ا ��خل ف‬ ‫���ا ن �خ�� �ا �ف�ه�ا ��ل�ه ��ف ا ��خلُ ق‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫��ل�ا ���ي�ن �ب�ا �ع ث�‬ ‫���ل�� ك�� �ل��ك ك� � ل � �ى‬ ‫�ل��لر ج���ل �ى‬ ‫���ل�� * �و�ك��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ة �ذ ��ا ن ت �ت ف ��‬ ‫ح �� �ع��ل� ا َ � ا �ت‬ ‫ل���ل�ف� �ب��ه�ا � او ��ل‬ ‫��ل�ه �ع��ل� �ش���د�ة ا �� ك�‬ ‫ي�ه� * ا �ل� ر�ى ا � ا�ل�م ار � ا ا ك�� ��� � ����ع�ل �ك��ل‬ ‫�ر ص‬ ‫ى‬ ‫‪84‬‬

‫‪84‬‬

‫‪١،٦،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٦،٤‬‬

Chapter Six

A Discussion

When the Fāriyāq had finished his work in that city so crammed with beauti-

4.6.1

ful women, he went to Paris, where he stayed for three days, which wasn’t enough to allow him to write a description of it. We therefore decline to provide one at this point, for a proper description should be comprehensive. From there he went on to Marseilles and then to the island, where God, of His all-encompassing bounty, granted him the boon of beholding his wife in the very house in which he’d left her, though he’d expected to find that she’d flown off with a phoenix or the chimera, and he re-consummated his marriage with her for this the sixth time (the second time having been after he arrived back from the Syrian lands, the third after his return from Tunis, the fourth after he emerged from quarantine quarters with the Honorable Sāmī Pasha, and the fifth after her return from Egypt). Then he recited

4.6.2

He who’d like to keep wanting his wife Should take many a woman to bed. Then let him leave her for a little while— And he’ll find her like a newlywed to which she responded, “But the wife won’t find a new groom in her husband when he comes back!” The Fāriyāq continued, “I told her, ‘That’s because she’s the contrary of men in everything.’ ‘Right,’ she said, ‘and if it weren’t for that contrariness, there’d be no harmony.’ ‘How,’ I asked, ‘can harmony come from contrariness?’ ‘Just as woman is created contrary to man physically,’ she replied, ‘so she is contrary to him in disposition, and each of these contrarieties is an inducement to him to feel affection for her

85

85

‫�ف ��م ا ة‬ ‫�ي� ح� �ور�‬

‫�ز‬ ‫ف ا‬ ‫ا ن �ت ف � ��ا ن ت ��ا � �آ � �ة ي�ن‬ ‫�ك��ت ث� ��ه�ا � ��ل�ا � ��ق ��� �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫�م�ا �‬ ‫�يري��د �و�ج� �ه� ا � � ���ع�ل�ه ك�� ��� ك�� �ل� �ل� �ب�� �ي��د �ي�ه ��ل� �ي�� ر ب � و �ي ب ل ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ة �ف � �آ � �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫حرك���‬ ‫���ة �ي��ده ا �و�ع�ي�ن �ه ا �و �ل��س�ا �ن�ه ��ا د�ة �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�ل�ا �عت��ق��ا د ا �ن��ه�ا �م�و��ق�و�ف� �ع��ل� �‬ ‫حرك��� �ي��ده ��ى ا �ل� �ل� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م � �ة � ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�� �ا �ف �م�ا ا �ذ ا �ع �ف �من �ا ال� خ‬ ‫��ا � �لف�� � او �ل�ا ��س��ب��د ا د �ب�ا �مر�ه�ا �ف�ا �ن�ه ٍ� ي���ع�� �لق� �ب��ه�ا � �‬ ‫و��د ا ر���ه�ا *‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ب ل�‬ ‫ر� �‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �ه��ذ ا �غ��� �م�ا ُ�عه�د �ع ن��د ا ��ل ن��ا �� * �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫� ب���ل �ه�و �م�ع�ه�ود �ع ن��د ا �ل����س�� �م�ن ا � �ل��دي�� *‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� �ة ق ت �� �ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��� ا ��خل ف‬ ‫ح��لي��ا ت� ���ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫�و��ل���ذ ��ل��ك �ت ار �ه�ن ج��مي��ع�ه�ن ��مت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا �� �و ��‬ ‫ط�ا �ل *‬ ‫ح��لي�� * ���ل� �و�ل��ك�ن ا ا ك�� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� � � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق ا �� ت ا ن �ع ن ا �ل� ا ة � ا �ت � ا ن �ن ا �ظ ��� �ت�ي�ن ا � � ق‬ ‫ا �ور ث� ا �لت��ق��ا ���ط� � او�لم�ل�ا �ل * � ل� � �ي �ى �مر � �ل� ب� ر�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا ا �‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫ح� � � ر� و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق � �‬ ‫� ن ا ن ا �ظ ��� �ت�ي�ن ��‬ ‫� ا �ّ ا ا � ت �� ا �� ا � �د �ه ا � ا � �آ خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫���عى ل��ط‬ ‫�ت��ك� �و� �� ر� ا �ى م�و�‬ ‫ع و ل�و ��ل * و �ل� �س��ط� ل ح� �م� ع��ل�ى �ل� ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� فق‬ ‫ق� �ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫��و��� �م�ا ���ل ت� * ���ل ت� ب���ل ��ى د � او �م ا �ل�و��ص�ل د � او �م ا �ل�و��ا �� * ��ا �ل ت� �ل� ب���ل �ه�و �ب�ا �ع ث�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �آ �ة ��لض‬ ‫�ف ا ن � ا ن ا ن � ��‬ ‫ط� �ع��ل �ذ ��ل��ك * �ق��ل ت� ا �ى ��س�� �م��ة �م�ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ��س� م� و �ج ر * � � �ل� ��س� � ب �وع �ى‬ ‫� ا ن ا ن �ف‬ ‫ق ا � ت � �آ �ة �غ � �ة‬ ‫��� �ش��� ب� ث ّ �ت‬ ‫�و��ص� ا ��ل‬ ‫حي�� �ي ��ود � ب��دي��ل�‬ ‫ح�ي�� ب� * �� �ل� ا �ل��س� �م� ��ا �لب�� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� ���س� � ��ى �ك�ل ى‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �ة ُ ْ �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ا � ت ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ا ��لت��ه ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��س�‬ ‫ح��س��ى ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م�ن �‬ ‫ح�ا �لت���ك �ه��ذه * � �ل� ��‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� � �‬ ‫�سو �ى * �ل� ا �و �د �م ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق � ن قة �‬ ‫ق� ن ن‬ ‫� آ �ة ق‬ ‫� � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل ت� �ع�ن ا �ل��س�� �م� * ���ل ت� �م�ا �ب�ا �ل ا �ل ن��ا ��س ك���ل�ه�م ��ي� ��و�ل�و� �ي�ا �ر� ا �ل�ع��ي�ن * ��ا �ل ت� ���ع� ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ي�ن �ت�ق ّ ش ث ا �ع�نّ � ا آ خ فُت � َ ف �‬ ‫ق� ت‬ ‫ا ش ا ن � ق � قا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ع�� � � ر ب�����ى �ير�م� ي��� �ل�ه� � �ر�� ��طر�� ا �لي��ه * ��ل� �و�م� ���� � ا � �ل��ل ب� �� �ل� ه�و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�ّ��ز �م�عه�ا * �ق��ل ت� ���فم�ا �ش���ا ن� ا �ل�ع�م��ا ن� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ن� ��له� ���ف ���ص�ا ئ� ��ه �ع �� �ن�ا‬ ‫�مت��ق���ل� �و��مت�‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� م ى ب ر م يو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫� � �َ�ن‬ ‫ا �ش���د �‬ ‫ن ا �� � � � � �‬ ‫� * ��ا �ل� ا ك��� ��ه‬ ‫ح�م��ل��� �م�ن ا �ل�ع�� ا �لب��ا �‬ ‫�صر� * �ل� م ا ��سرع ا �ل�� ِس ��ل ب� �ل ب ٍ‬ ‫رم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ا ت� ا �ث��� ت � ا �ص�� �م�ن ا ��ل ن��ا �� ا �ذ ��ل���� ��له�ا �ف‬ ‫� * �ق��ل ت� �ف�ا �ذًا �� ن�� ش����ا �ع�ن‬ ‫� ا �ف�ا ن� ا ��جل��ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫�ن ف �ف �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا ��لن ف���� ض�� ّ * �ق�ا ��ل ت �ن�� ��ا ا �ن�ه �� ن�� ش �ا �ع�ن ا ��لض �ن ف‬ ‫� ع� �مك� ي ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر� ��� * ���ل ت� ا �ى � ��� ��ى ا�ل�مر��ض� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫ع �ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن � ق‬ ‫�ق � ت ا � ��ن ف� � ��ف ا � ف�ل ��ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ر�ع�ن ا �ل�ه�و�ى � او �ل ش����ه� او ت� * �ل� ى �‬ ‫�ر *‬ ‫��س��ك�و� ا �ل�ع����ل � او �ل��د �م � او � ف�ل� ك‬ ‫ع �ى‬ ‫ف ا ن � ��ذ�ي�ن ت ن �ن �ز ا ة � ا��‬ ‫ق ا � ت �� ف ّ �ن � ش �ة � ف � �ي�ن‬ ‫�� �ل� ا �ل���ك� �ع ا �ل��� ار �ه� � او �ل��سر�� ا�لم�ه��ل��ك�� * �� � ا �ل� ي��م� �و ��و� �م �ي� د� ا �ل� �ك��ل‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫���ث �م�ن ا �� ��ذ�ي�ن � �ت ن �� �لق���لت� ا �ق � ت ا � ��ن ف� � ��ف ا ���ز � ا � � ا � ا ة‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ر � د �يم�م� *‬ ‫ل� ي�م�و ��و� �ه�م� * �ل� ى � �ى ل و ب� م‬ ‫� او �ل���رب� ا ك�� ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق � �� ف ّ‬ ‫�ف ي�ن � � �ن ق �ة‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ك * �ع�� ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مر ب��‬ ‫�صر� �ع�� ا �م�ي رك‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� �ك�� ر ج���ل �ج��ا رك �ع�ن د ا رك �و�‬ ‫ل�ى �‬ ‫‪86‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪86‬‬

‫‪٣،٦،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٦،٤‬‬

A Discussion

and take good care of her. Do you not observe how, when a wife does everything that her husband wants, she is like a tool in his hands, and he neither pays attention to nor approaches her because he believes her to be dependent on the movement of his hand, eye, or tongue, a mere adjunct to the movement of his hand on that tool? The opposite is true if all he meets with from her is contrariness and refusal to compromise; then, he clings to and humors her.’ ‘This,’ I said, ‘is not what people are used to thinking.’ ‘Not at all,’ she responded, ‘it’s what women have been used to thinking all along. It’s why you’ll find that they’re all tricked out with this trait.’85 “‘But,’ I said, ‘if disagreement multiplies and goes too long without set-

4.6.3

tlement, the upshot will be mutual cutting of relations and disgruntlement.’ ‘A woman’s eyes,’ she declared, ‘are always trained, or ought to be trained, on the loci of cutting and connection. Otherwise, one of these will gain supremacy over the other and the situation I have described will come about.’86 ‘I disagree,’ I said. ‘Constancy of connection leads to constancy of concord,’ to which she replied, ‘Not at all. It’s an inducement to discontent and restlessness, for that is how people are by nature.’ ‘What discontent can there be,’ I asked, ‘in connection with the beloved?’ ‘Discontent,’ she replied, ‘is the dominant emotion of humans in all things because of their desire to exchange good situations for worse.’ ‘Did you then,’ I asked her, ‘grow discontented with your present situation?’ ‘I did,’ she replied, ‘and then I found a way around being discontented.’ ‘How, then,’ I asked, ‘do you account for the fact that everyone says, “O delight of my eye!”?’87 ‘The fact is,’ she replied, ‘that the eye finds delight in one thing only until another comes along and presents itself as something novel.’ ‘And what of the heart?’ I asked. ‘It is as fickle and as partial as the eye,’ she replied. ‘And what of the blind?’ I asked. ‘Their insights,’ she replied, ‘are keener than those of people who have eyes that see.’ ‘And whose hearts,’ I asked, ‘are the most fickle?’ ‘Those who think most,’ she answered. ‘Dumb beasts are steadier and more patient than people because they don’t think.’ “‘So bad comes of good?’ I said. ‘Indeed,’ she replied, ‘just as good comes of bad.’ ‘What good,’ I asked, ‘comes of sickness?’ ‘Relief for mind, blood, and thought from the pain of love and lust,’ she replied. ‘And what good,’ I asked, ‘comes of poverty?’ ‘Abstention from the gluttony and intemperance that lead to perdition,’ she said, ‘for more people die of too much food and drink than of too little.’ ‘And what good,’ I asked, ‘comes of marriage to

87

87

4.6.4

‫�ف ��م ا ة‬ ‫�ي� ح� �ور�‬

‫�ن �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�ل� ���ع�د � ��ط�ا �لب��ا �مث���ل�ه�ا �و�ل��ك�ن ب���ع��ض� ا �ل ش���ر ا �ه�و� �م�ن ب���ع��ض� * ���ل ت� ا �ى � ف��� ��ى د �م� �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�غ� � �ن �� � ��ل ا ��ل�ع�� ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �و �ل�ا د * �ق�ا �ل ت� ا ا �ع��ل�م� او �ل��ك �م�ن ا ��ن ��ف ��س�ه� ر ب �� او ع ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل ل�ه�و �ى �م و ب��ل�و �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ان ن ق‬ ‫ح ��ي�ن ُ�خ��� �ق ��ل�� ش ف��� ��ف �خَ��� �ق‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫� ��س‬ ‫�ه� ي ��� �ى ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�م * ���ل� � او �ى � ��� �م�ن �م���ي�� ب� ا �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� ���س�ا � �ب��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫ن ش �ا ف ن ت ق ش �‬ ‫ق ا � ت ش ا ا ن �ل�‬ ‫� �ن �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��س����ل�ه �م� ا � ����عر ا �ل� ��س����ل �ي���ب�� �ب���ل ����عر ا �ل� �ع��ل�ى * �� �ل� ا ����ع� ره �ب� � ا حي�� او �ي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�م���ط��ل�ق���ة ا ��ق� �ى ف�ي��ه �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حي �� او ��ني���ة ا�لم��قيّ��د�ة * �و��ل���ذ ��ل��ك ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �و��ل �م�ا ي� ش���ي�� ب� ف�ي��ه را ��س�ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ّ � � �ق �ة‬ ‫��ق � ا � ّ‬ ‫�ة �ذ �‬ ‫� �ذ ة ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح��س �م ن��ه �ب�ا �ل��ل�� � ا ��س����ل�ه * ���ل ت� �و�م�ا �� �تي�ج��� �ل��ك‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ى �ه�و ��مح�ل ا �ل ن��ا ��ط� ي�� * � او �وى �م� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق� ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ت ا � ف ا ئ ة �ف �� ن �ز � ق �ة �ن ا ��ل��‬ ‫ح� ��م�ل��أ ��ه�ا‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� ا ��ل�ا �ل�ه �م�ن ا � ف�ل� ك‬ ‫��ر * ���ل� �و�م� ا � �ل�� ���د� ��ى ك�� �و�ه ي���ع�و ا �ل�ى ا �و�ي�� �م �لم ي ب �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ق � �ت ق � ن‬ ‫���د ر ���ط�ل�ا ���فى �ع‬ ‫�و�ج� �ه�ه �ي ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�زه * ��ا �ل ت� �ه�و �م�ن ا �ل ن��و ا �ل� �و�ل * ���ل ت� ك���ا �ن��ك � � ��و�ل��ي�ن ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ة ق ا � ت ن �� ن � ة � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ق � ا �‬ ‫� خ ق �ّ ا � ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل �ل�م ي��� �ل� ا �ل� �ل� ج���ل ا�ل�م ار � * �� �ل� ���ع� �مك�ا ا � �مر م �� �ل� ل�لر ج ��ل * �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ �ة ف‬ ‫�ن ف ��ف ت ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫حت� ت� ا ��ل�ا ��س�ن �ا ن� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ��ل�ا �ك�‬ ‫ا �ى � ��� �ى �‬ ‫���ل �ع��ل� �يه��ن � �ي��مر��ؤ ا �ل���ط�ع�ا � * �ق��ل ت� ا �ى ��ن ف���‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ة ��‬ ‫��ف �ت��ع ش �‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫� ا ن ��ل ً�ا �ف ا �ن ه�ن ا � ف� ه � ا �ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ى �مي����� ع� � * � ل� �ع�د م ر وي� ��س� � ي��ل � �� ر و ي�� و � * �ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ف � َ‬ ‫�ة � �ة‬ ‫ح��ة �م�ن ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ر�ى �ور� ا �ِ�ل�قر�ص�ا �ف� ا �ل�ز �ق�ز ا �ق� * �ق��ل ت� ا �ى ��ن ف���‬ ‫ا �ى ��ن ف��� ��ى ا �ل�ع َر� * �ق�ا �ل ت� ا �ل ار �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف � ّ ة ق ا � ت � ��ذ � �ن � َ ق �ة ق � ت ��ف ��‬ ‫�ق ا � ت � �ن ا �� ُ�ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫لر� *‬ ‫بِ��� * �ل� و�ى �م� * � ل�‬ ‫�ى ا �ل��س�د * � ل� ل� ه�ول‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا ن ��ل ا � ا ف� �ف‬ ‫��ص �ة � � ن � �ة � �‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �و���فى ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��ه�ل * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ت��و�ف ار �ل��‬ ‫ح� �ل�لب��د � � او �ل ار �‬ ‫ح� �ل��لب��ا �ل * � � ا ج�� ��ه�ل �ل� ��ي�� ك‬ ‫��ر ��ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ا��‬ ‫�ذ �طَ � ش ا‬ ‫� ق ق �ة � ت �ة ف ا �ذ ن ا‬ ‫ن �ن‬ ‫ا �ل� �م�ور ا �ل��د �ي���� ا�لم��عب�� * �� ا �� �م ا �ه���أه ا �ل ��و�م � او ا �� ِ��ع ����ي � ا �مر�أه * �ل� ك��د ا �ب��ك ��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ف � ن �ف‬ ‫�ذ�� ن�ؤْ ث ا ��ف‬ ‫��ق ��ف‬ ‫�ات‬ ‫ا ��ل� ي ن �ة ن � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ر ��م�ا ا ���سم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �م ن���ك ا �ل� ���ع�دي��د �و �ى * و كر �� ٍى و � �ى‬ ‫ه��م� ا �� ا �ل�لي���ل � او ��ط ار �� ا �ل �‬ ‫ت � � ا ت ت ا� ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ظ �� ا ئ�ن خ� �ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ��ى * � او ا �ج���ل��س� �ل��ل���ط�ع� �م ا ��ي��� �ب� � ك��‬ ‫* �ود � او ر��س �ع� او ��ى * �و� �ع� � �‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �م�ع��ك‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف �ة ف � � ق �ة‬ ‫�ت�ق ف �ق ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ة ��ت��ل�و ا �ل�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� ا �ل�ص�‬ ‫ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� * �ت��ا �ك���ل � �ل��م� * � �و � ار ��� ر� * �و�ت ك‬ ‫��ر �م�ن ا �ل ش��� ار ب�‬ ‫�ذ � ا��تفآع � ا��تفآ‬ ‫���ع��ة � ��ت ت���ل� اُ ��س ���ط� �ة * � ��ل���ذ ��ل��ك — �ق��ل ت� �ق�د �ف�ه�م ت‬ ‫� �م�ن �ه� ا ا �ل� ك������ �ع�د � ا �ل� ك������ *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ر و و ور و‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ك�ن ��ث ة � �ق آ ة ن ش ا ن ��ث ة �‬ ‫� �ة ��ث ة � ت‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫���ّو�ق� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �و��ل��‬ ‫�ه�ا ك���ر� ا �لت��ص�ّور ا �لب��ا �عث�� �ع��ل�ى ك���ر� ا �ل�� ش �‬ ‫�و�ل�� ك���ر� ا � �ل �ر � �ي������� �ع �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫���ث �ة ا ��ل��ت ش �ق �� ن�� ش ا �عن ا ا �� �ت � ���ل �ة ا � ا ��ل�ز � ا �� �ل�ق �ة � ا �ل�م�ق�� د ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ة * � �ق�د ���ط�ا �ل�م�ا‬ ‫ح�ا د ���ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حك‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و� ي ���� ��ه� ل� ر �يو ي�� و م� ي�� و ص�و ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ك�� ر‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫‪88‬‬

‫‪88‬‬

‫‪٥،٦،٤‬‬

A Discussion

an ugly woman?’ ‘Prevention of your neighbor from visiting your house,88 and abstention of your emir from following your every move, though she will not lack for a suitor of her own type (some evils, however, are lesser than others).’ ‘What good comes of ugly children?’ ‘If they discover their situation on their own,’ she said, ‘they will give up play in favor of study and strive to improve their inner makeup and so compensate for their outer.’ ‘What good comes of a person’s upper parts graying before his lower, when the hair on the lower sprouts before the hair on the upper?’89 ‘It makes him realize that an animal’s absolute nature is more powerful than its contingent nature, which is why the first part of him to turn grey is his head, which is the seat of the rational faculty, while the place where he feels the most powerful pleasure is the lower,’ she replied. ‘And what does it lead to?’ I asked. ‘A reduction in the capacity to think,’ she replied. ‘And what is the point of his needing an ounce of meat to fill his face, and finding it’s turned into a pound on his buttocks?’ ‘That,’ she said, ‘belongs to the first category.’90 ‘You seem to be saying,’ I said, ‘that men were created to serve the needs of women.’ ‘Quite so,’ she responded, ‘just as women were to serve the needs of men.’ “‘And what good,’ I asked, ‘comes of the crumbling of the teeth?’ ‘Slow eating,’ she replied, ‘so that the food is well digested.’ ‘And what good,’ I asked, ‘comes of the dimming of the eyes?’ ‘Inability to see the ladies at night,’ she replied, ‘for that is when they are at their most delightful and captivating.’ ‘And what good comes,’ I asked, ‘of being lame?’ ‘Relief,’ she replied, ‘from running after quickly tripping women who bowl along like a ball.’ ‘What good comes,’ I asked, ‘of a stuffed-up nose?’ ‘Indifference to sweet-smelling women,’ she replied. ‘Of deafness?’ I asked. ‘To smart-talking girls,’ she replied. ‘And of ignorance?’ I asked. ‘Abundance of health for the body and rest for the mind,’ she replied, ‘for the ignorant man gives no thought to minute and tiresome matters. When he sleeps, his slumber makes him happy and when he eats something, it does him good—unlike your habit of muttering day and night, so that all I hear from you is your voice as on it drones, counting off rhymes and speaking of trenches and firestones,91 campsites half-erased and concealed women in camel litters raised; and when you sit down to eat, you bring your book with you and for every plate you consume a page, then eat a morsel and read a paragraph, or drink, belch, and recite a line. That is why . . .’ ‘I gather from this excellent sufficiency that

89

89

4.6.5

‫�ف ��م ا ة‬ ‫�ي� ح� �ور�‬

‫�‬ ‫� � � � ا ��ل ��ل ا ��ل�� ث � �ن � � �ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ود ا �لث��ا ��ني�� * �و�ل��ك�ن د �ع ن��ا �م�ن �ه��ذه ا�لم�ل�ا �‬ ‫�ود ا �ل� �و�ى ا �ى بح� ع �و ج �‬ ‫حو�ج �و ج �‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ح��ك‬ ‫ت ف � ن آ ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ة � ن ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� او�لمغ���ا �م��س * ك��ي��� �و�ج���د ت� �م�د ��ي ن�� �ل ن��د � * ���ل ت� را ��ي� ��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �ل����س�� ا ك���ر �م�ن ا �لر�ج��ا �ل‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ق � � �ذ‬ ‫�ك�� �ذ ��ل��ك �ف�ا ن� �ن��س�� ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �م ار �ة �لر ت� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز ��ى �ه��ذه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫� او ج���م�ل * ��ا �ل ت� �ل�و � به� ت� ا �ل�‬ ‫س‬ ‫� �ن � �ف � �‬ ‫� ا ن�خ �ة �� �ا ��ن ت��ق ت � � � �ة‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ا � او ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫� ر�ة ��ل��س�ن �‬ ‫ح��س ك‬ ‫����ل�ه ��ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل * �ق��ل ت� �ه�و �ل� �ب�� ا لب��ل د ا �‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�د �و�ل�‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫��م�� � ا �خ ف‬ ‫� � ف ن ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ا ��ل��خ‬ ‫�ي ف���� او ا ��ل�ع�د �و ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرب� * ��ا �ل ت� ب���ل ا �ل� �مر �ب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س ��ا � ا ج ي �ل �ل� ي‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�ي��� � او �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ � ا �ت ن ق � ن‬ ‫�ك�ن �ع�د � ا � ا ن�� ا ا �� �ل�ق �� � ا �����ذ � �خ ف‬ ‫�ي�� و و م� ب ي �‬ ‫� ه�و ل ى ي‬ ‫�ي ��� * ا �ل� ر�ى ا ���ه�م ��ي� ��و�ل�و� ر ج���ل �ب�ا ���س�ل �و�مت�ب�����سل�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � ��ش��� ا � � ��ف ا � ا‬ ‫� ��ه ا �ل�من �ظ� ��� * �ق��ل ت� � �ق�د �ق�ا ��ل� ا ا �� ض‬ ‫���ا را �ع�ه ب��م�عن�� ا ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ى ج � و ه�و �ى �ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل ري‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف �ة �ل�‬ ‫قا � ت �‬ ‫� ف ا ن ا خ �ذ �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫د‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫لرو ‪ 1‬ى ل��ل ب� روي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او ��ا ��ه * � ل� ��ى و ح� � � م� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي��ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ث�� �ق ا ��ل ت �� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت��ص��� ا �� �لق���ل �� � ��س�ا ئ� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫� �وك�ي��� ر ي� د ك� ي���ه� و ��س�و ��ه� *‬ ‫�و ر * �‬ ‫يب‬ ‫ب� ب �ل و ر ج � ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫حف� ا ��ل��د ���ع��ة * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ه� �مَ�ن �ه� ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�خ�ز � او ��ل‬ ‫���ي�ن ��م�ل��آ �ن��ة �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫���ا ك��‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ا �م�ا ا ��ل��د ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫حر�ير � او �� � ب ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ق ت ف ن آ‬ ‫�ن ش‬ ‫ن ت ت خ �ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا ن قا � ن ا ا �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * ���ل� ��‬ ‫�ك��ا �ه�و ��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ���س�� ب��ي���ض�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح��س� � * �� �ل ا �� ا ��س� �ل��ك �ع ����ى � او ��� �ب��ر ��ى‬ ‫� � اّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق �ف ت ن � �ز ئ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ع�ن ��ي�ره * ��د �عر�� ا ��ك ا ��‬ ‫�صر ���ل�ن ا ��س�ا �ل��ك ب���ع�د �ع�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و�م�ا ا ��س�ا �ل ا �ل�‬ ‫�غ� ا �لب��‬ ‫�خ� � �ة ف � ا ش � ا � �ن �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ل�ا �تر �و ن� ��ى �ج� ن�� ك��‬ ‫� �م�ع� ���را �لر�ج�� �ل ا ك��‬ ‫�ع�ي ن�ى * �ه��ذه �ص�ل� �ي� ك��‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا * ���ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ن � م � ا ق � ف �أ‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ش � ن �آ ��ف‬ ‫�ك�ن � ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث �خ� � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج �م� �ل� �د ك� � � *‬ ‫�ل� ر �ى �ج‬ ‫��هى �م���ل �ص�ل��� �م�ع� ���ر ل����س� �ى‬ ‫ق � �� ف � �أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��� �ق ��� �آ ت‬ ‫���ل � ت� �ق ��� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �و�ك�‬ ‫��ا �ف� �ن�ا � �و����ن�ن �ا �خ��ل�آ * �ق��ل ت� �ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� ك�ي ��� �ت ك�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫بي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ا � ت �ذ ا�غ �‬ ‫�ل� �ُ غَ ّ‬ ‫�� �ة ��ق ��ل � ا �� ��ق‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �ل�ا ا ر ض���ى �ب��ه��ذه ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ل��لي�� ب���ل �و�ى ب��ع��ض� ل ر��ي ب� * � �ل� ا ا ��س� لب��ع��ض� �م ي�����ص‬ ‫ث ق � �خ �ن‬ ‫�ة �ن ظ �� ف �ة‬ ‫ف� �ق � ت �� � � �ة � � ض �ة‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �� �‬ ‫��� � او ��س�ع� ���ي ����‬ ‫ل��ك�ل * �� ��ا �ل ت� ا �ب��ر ��ى �ع�ن ا �ل� ��س� او �� * ���ل� �ط� �يو�ل� عر��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ك�ن �‬ ‫ك���ي�ر� ا �ل� � �� او ر ب�‬ ‫ض��ا ب�‬ ‫حي�� �ل� ي�م�� �ل�لر ج���ل ا � ��ي �� رد �ب� �م ار � ا �ص�ل� * ح�ى ك�� � ا �ل��ب‬ ‫�جَ ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ن ا �ف �� ض ّ‬ ‫َ� �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫���ا ر�ة * ا �ل�ا �لي� ت� ��ل�ى ���د ا‬ ‫���ا * ��ا �ل ت� �ه�و �م�ن ب���ع��ض� ا�لم�� �� ا ل�‬ ‫��ي ج����ل�ى �ب��ه�ا ��ى ا �ل��لي���ل ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق � ت � ا ��ت��ق ن �� �ف ا ��ن ا � ا ن‬ ‫ق ن قض‬ ‫�ف�ا �ن �ظ� ��� �م �ة ��م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��س�ن �ه� ا ا �لم�‬ ‫�صر�م�ن �ب���ل ا � ا �����ى * �ل� �ل� �ط�ى � �ى رج �‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ذ�� ا ��ه ذ�� ا ا ل��م� ن‬ ‫ع�ى �ف�ي ا �ل���ق�ا �مو��س و �ف�ي ‪ :1855‬ر و ‏‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك ب �‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪90‬‬

‫‪90‬‬

‫‪٦،٦،٤‬‬

A Discussion

I stand accused of insufficiency, but much reading leads to much visualizing, which gives rise to much desire,’ I said. ‘But much desire,’ she answered, ‘gives rise to a state of semi-erection and premature ejaculation, when what’s called for is piercing procrastination, and how often has the presence of the first required a search for the second! But enough of piercing-places and plunging-places. How did you find London?’ “I replied, ‘I found the women there outnumbered the men and were better-looking.’ ‘If a woman were to go there,’ she said, ‘she’d find the opposite. The English women on this island are not beautiful, and the men have all the looks.’ ‘These,’ I said, ‘are the cream of the country, chosen by the state for their good looks, so that they may scare the enemy in battle.’ ‘Not so,’ she said, ‘it’s the other way around. The beautiful man can never scare, even if he’s an enemy. It’s only the ugly that are scary. Do you not observe that they speak of a man being bāsil or mutabassil when they mean “courageous,” even though in origin they mean “of unpleasant appearance”?’92 I responded, ‘And they also say rāʿahu, meaning both “he delighted him” and “he scared him.”’ ‘The meaning’s the same,’ she responded. ‘It is taken from rūʿ, meaning “heart,” for the sight of beauty falls on the heart, and indeed all the other organs of the body, like a bolt from above.’ Then ‘And how did you find its shops and markets?’ she went on. ‘The shops,’ I replied, ‘were full of silkwool, silk, and amazing trinkets.’ ‘Are the people inside them like the things inside them?’ she asked. ‘There are beautiful, white women,’ I replied. ‘I ask you about one thing and you tell me about another!’ she responded. ‘I knew you had a wandering eye, so I will never ask you again about the people, I will simply consult my own eye. This is one of your traits, you men: you see no comeliness in your own sex.’ ‘And it’s just like your trait, O women, of not seeing any beauty in your own. We go together.’ ‘How can we go together when there’s a gap between us?’ she asked. ‘All good things come to those who wait,’ I said. ‘And every good thing should make love,’93 she answered. ‘I cannot accept such a “universal” statement,’94 I replied—‘You should say “some good things,”’ to which she countered, ‘If some goes down easily, the whole will not be choked on.’ Then she said, ‘Tell me about the markets,’ to which I replied, ‘They are high-ceilinged, wide, spacious, clean, and so well-lit that it’s impossible for a man to be on his own with a woman under any circumstances. So bright are they they even light up the fog at night.’ ‘Then they belong to the category of the Harmful Public Service,’ she said.

91

91

4.6.6

‫�ف ��م ا ة‬ ‫�ي� ح� �ور�‬

‫� آ‬ ‫ح�قّ��ق ا لله ��ل ن��ا �ه��ذه ا ��ل�ا �م� ��ة * ف���ل�م�ا ا �م��س� ا�لم��س��‬ ‫ة �ق ا � ت �‬ ‫�ن��س�ا �فرا ��ل� ا � ا �‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�ه� ج �مي��ع� ب��ع�د �م�د� * � �ل� �‬ ‫ا ا � � ه �خ ا �� �ق ا ت �ف � غ ة �ت ق �‬ ‫�� �من ا ث� �ا � �ذ � � ن‬ ‫ات‬ ‫��ر �ل ن��د � �ع��ل�ى �م� �م� �ل ا �لي�� �� �طره � �م‬ ‫�ه�م� �م�ل ب�� ك‬ ‫� ��ى ا �ل���د ا � � ���و�ل *‬ ‫� �وب� � �ك��ل �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت � ن ن �ف � ن ا �ذ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��ث� ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا � ا ��ث �ن ن � ئ ا‬ ‫�ك��ا �ق��ل ت� ك���ي ر�‬ ‫�ه�ا � او ��س�ع� �م‬ ‫��د را ��ي� �ل��د � ��ى ا�لم�� �م � او ا �بر�ج�� �ل�ه� ا ك���ر �م ���س� ���ه� * �و ��طر� �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫ن �ت ق �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ن� ��ي ن �ف�� رد �ب�ا �م ار �ة * �وك�‬ ‫���ا �ن��ك ا ��م�ا � � ��ّو�ل ت� �ه� ا � كي��‬ ‫ا �ل� � �� او ر* �و�ل��ك�ن ي��م��ك�ن �ل��لر ج���ل ��‬ ‫ق � � �ن � ن ت� ق �ق ت ن �غ ي�ن �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا ��سيٓ ئ ف‬ ‫�� ��ن � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ي���ك ا �ل���‬ ‫ظ�ن * �و�ل��ك�ن �م�ا ك�� ت� �ل� �‬ ‫�ص�د ��ك م ب��ع�د ا �‬ ‫ح��� � ا ���ك ��ي�ر ا �م�� ��ى‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ة � ا �‬ ‫ث� ��� ��م ة � �ة �ت‬ ‫س ��ل ن��د ن� * �ف�ا � ب�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لر� او �ي� ا �ل� �و�ل�ى * � ب ع�د‬ ‫ح�ا �ور� ��ط� �و��ل� �ب�ا �ت�ا ���ل�ك ا �ل��ل���ل� �ع�� ا �� �‬ ‫ح ت�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي ل�ى م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت ق � ق‬ ‫ح��ل ت ا ��ن ا �ش �ت �� ت �م�ن ا � �ن ��ا��ن ا ث‬ ‫ح�م ا �‬ ‫ا� � �‬ ‫ح�مر *‬ ‫� ���و�ل * ��د � �م� �ى ��� ري�‬ ‫ح��س د ك�� كي����ه� � ��و ب� د ��ي ب�� �ج ا ح�مرا ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ف‬ ‫حب ّ�� �ون�ه ��ل�ا ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ا �ن��ك ��ل�ا �ت�ز ا ��ل��ي�ن ��ل�ا ج�ه‬ ‫���ة �ب��ه��ذ ا ا ��ل��ل�و ن� � او ��ه�ل �ل ن��د ن� �ل�ا ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر�ير �و �ل� ��ى‬ ‫� ة �ف �‬ ‫� ن ��ث ة �‬ ‫ا ��ل��آ د �م���ي�ن * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �م�ا ��س��� �ذ ��ل��ك * �ق��ل ت� ��ل�ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�مر� ��ى ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ت���كو� �ع�ن ك���ر� ا �ل��د � *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫هَ‬ ‫��ث ة � � ظ � ن �ة � ث ة � ا‬ ‫��� � ا ��ل ش��� � * � ��ه د ��ل��� �ع�� ا ��ل ُ�ع� � ا ��لنّ� � * � ا ن��م�ا‬ ‫و ى ي ل ل�ى ر ب و � م و‬ ‫�وك���ر� ا �ل�د �م �م ����� ب���ك��ر� ا �ل� �ك�ل و رب‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫���ذ � �‬ ‫� ن �ذ � ن ف ق ق �‬ ‫� ن � ق �ا‬ ‫� ش ئ‬ ‫� ����ع ار ���هم�‬ ‫حب ��و� ا �لي��� �ل� ا �ل� �م�ه�ق� * �وك�� �ل��ك ا �ل�عرب� ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫حب ��و� �ه� ا ا �ل��ل�و� �����د ��ا �ل ا �ع ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫كب�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح� ّ ���غ� ��م‬ ‫�����‬ ‫�كر ا �ل�م�ق��ا �ن�ا �ة ا ��لب��ي �ا ��ض� �ب��ص����فر�ة �غ�� ا ��ه�ا ���مي�ر ا ��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج� �ل‬ ‫�ى ي ر‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ � ا س�ت� � �ن �� �ف �� ا � �ف‬ ‫�خ �ة‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه� ��ل‬ ‫�� ار ه م �طر� ا لر�ج�� �‬ ‫� ش����ي � �ع�ز �ة ا �ل ن����س�� �ع��ل‬ ‫�ه� ‪1‬‬ ‫���ق��ا �ل ت� ا � ك�� � �ه� ا ا �ل� �� ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫� َتَ � كَ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ا �� ن � ا � � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق ة � ن � � ا‬ ‫�ب� �ل�ل�و� ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�مر ا �ل��د ا �ل �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل ��و� � او �ل�� ش����ا ��ط � او �ل� ش���ر � او �لب��� � او �ل��ر * �ي ��و�ه�م�ه�م �ل��ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ن آ ق ن �‬ ‫�ة غ � � �ة ف ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ج�ز �ن ��ف ا ت‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�ه�ن * � او � �ي��ك�ن �م�ن ا �ل����س�� �و��د �� ��ط���ق�ن �ب�ه ��م�ا �ه�وا �ل� �م� او ر�ب� �و�م���ا �ل��ط� * ��ا �‬ ‫� ��هم �ع ��ك�� ��ي �‬ ‫� ن ن � �‬ ‫�ذ �ف � � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ا ��ل��ل� ن� ا ��ل�ا �‬ ‫ط�� ي�‬ ‫�ك��ا ي� ش����ا �ه�د ��ل��ك ��ى ا �ل�ا ��ط�ف��ا �ل * � �ون�ا �هي���ك ا ن� ا �ل��د �‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ���س�ا � �ب�ا �ل��‬ ‫ح�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ف �ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ا ل‬ ‫ح�� � ا ح�مر * �� �ل ������ل� �و�ل�� ��ل� �ص� ا �ل�د �م �و�ص��� �و�ه �ه�و �ى �ل�ك‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ا �ل� �ى �ه�و�ع�� ر‬ ‫� ن ن ق ا � ت �ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � �ذ‬ ‫�غ ف‬ ‫�ذً � ا ن ق �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��ل�و� ا �ل�� �ى �ير� ب� �ي��ه ا ��ه�ل �ل��د � * �� �ل� �‬ ‫�ه� ا �ه�وا ل��سب�� ب� ا ا * ا �ل� � ��د ح��ص‬ ‫� � ن ا �ف ا �� ش ق ن �ذ‬ ‫�ذ �ه ���ن � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�و� �م� ا �ه ب� *‬ ‫حو�ل �ع ن��ه * �و�ل�ل�� ��س ي�م� ي�ع���� �‬ ‫حق� � �وب�ا � * ا �م�ا ا �ن�ا ���ع��ل�ى �م� �ب�ى ل ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ع� ي�ل���ه� ن�‪.‬‬

‫‪92‬‬

‫‪92‬‬

‫‪٧،٦،٤‬‬

A Discussion

‘Ah, if only I might have the good fortune to see the attractions of that cosmopolis just once before I die!’ ‘Don’t despair!’ I said. ‘I hope we shall all95 be able to go there together in a while.’ ‘God grant our wish!’ she replied.” Then evening came and each spent the night drunk on such thoughts of London as accorded with his personal wishes and the next morning she got out of bed and said, “I saw London in a dream, and its men outnumbered its women and its streets were wide and full, as you said, of lights (though it would be possible for a woman to be on her own in them with a man and I think you only alleged what you did so that I wouldn’t harbor any suspicions about you, and I will never believe you again if I find out for sure that you were deceitful in the first telling).” Then again, after a long discussion, they went to bed the next night with the name of London on their lips and in the morning she said, “I dreamed that I bought a dress of red red red brocade from one of its best shops.” “You’re still mad about that color,” he said, “but the people of London don’t like it, either for silk or for humans.” “Why is that?” she asked. “Because red in people comes from too much blood, and too much blood implies too much eating and drinking and is a sign of greed and gluttony. What they like is dull white, a color beloved of the Arabs too, for the greatest of their poets has said,96 Like the first egg of the ostrich—its white mingled with yellow— Nurtured on water pure, unsullied by many paddlers.” She said, “If we’re talking about men’s dislike of that color, it’s due to their fear that women will lord it over them in the color red, which indicates strength, energy, liveliness, headstrongness, and love of intercourse. This deludes them into thinking that they are incapable of satisfying them. If, however, it’s women’s dislike of it that we’re talking about (should they in fact ever express such an opinion), it must be simply equivocation and deception, for humans love the color red by nature, as one may observe in children; not to mention that blood, which is the essence of life, is red.” The Fāriyāq continued, “Then I said, ‘But the quintessence and best part of blood is of that color97 that the people of London crave.’ ‘So that’s the reason!’98 she said. ‘“Now the truth has come to light”99 and is made plain. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll never abandon my position, and “one man’s meat is another’s poison.”’

93

93

4.6.7

‫�ف ��م ا ة‬ ‫�ي� ح� �ور�‬

‫ت‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ح�م �‬ ‫ح�م�ق ا �‬ ‫ح�م�ق ا �‬ ‫��ن� ت� ا �‬ ‫ح�م ا �‬ ‫ح�م ا �‬ ‫��� ت� ا �‬ ‫ح�ت �‬ ‫ح�ي��ن��ى � او ن� ك�‬ ‫ف���ق���ل ت� ب� ��ود �ى �ل�وك�‬ ‫ح� �مق� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ر رى‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة �ذ‬ ‫ح�مق * � ا ن��م�ا ���ع� د ا ��لن ف���� ��ل� ���ف �ت‬ ‫��ن� ت� ا �‬ ‫����ك ا ��ا �ى �م� ا ��ل�ا �‬ ‫�و�م�ا ا ��ن ت��ف��ا �ع��ك ��ا لم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�مر *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّي ع‬ ‫آ ا �ت ض ع ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ن ا �م ن ه �ق ا �� ت � ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق � ت �ت�ز � ي�ن‬ ‫�ل� � � ن‬ ‫م�� ا�ل�م ا � �ع�ن ا ج� � �م� ����م ه � ا � ا �‬ ‫ح�م�� ي� ك‬ ‫�م����ه� �� * � ل� �ل�‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��ل� ا ع�م�� ا � ا عل��م ي�ع ر‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا�ز‬ ‫� � ف‬ ‫���ا ن ���ف ا ��ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ثر * �ف�ا ن� ا ��ل�ا �‬ ‫ح�م�ق� �ل�ه�ا ا ك��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا � او �ل�ع�ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�م�ق� �ي�ل� � ا �م ار �ت�ه � �وي ظ� �����ل �ح�مم��ل�ق��ا ��‬ ‫� او لله ب���ل رب��م� ك� � ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا�ز‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ف�ل��� ا َر ا ��س�ف��ه �م ّ�م�ن‬ ‫��را ر���س�ه * �وك�‬ ‫��ي ��ف��م�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ق � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ع��ل�ى ا �م ار ��ه � �وي�ل� �م�ه�ا * ��ا �‬ ‫ي �م� �ل� �ى ك ي‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫��� ا ن ت � ة �ن�� � ا ا � ا�ز �ة ��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن���ة �ز ا د ت� ��ه ���ف ت��م�ا د ��ه�ا �ف�ل�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه� �ب� �لم�ل� �م� � او ك‬ ‫ل��� ك‬ ‫��ك �ع�ل�‬ ‫ا �لر ج���ل ك��ل�م� ا �ع�� ا�ل�م ار � �و ك��ن‬ ‫ى ى ي�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ث � ا �‬ ‫�س �ة‬ ‫د� �ا �ش�� �ع� �ا ا ا د �ت�ه �� � �‬ ‫ح�م�ق�ا � �� خ‬ ‫ح ش����مت�ه�ا � � ا ئ ا‬ ‫��ا �ف� �م�ن ا ا‬ ‫س�وى‬ ‫ح�� ���ه� * � او ك���ر ا �لر�ج�� �ل � � و‬ ‫�ير ه �ى م ر‬ ‫� و ي‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ت‬ ‫�� � �ق�ا �� �� ه�ا �ت�ز �ه��د ا ف���ه * ا ن �ف� �ا �ن�ا �مت� تّ‬ ‫� ����خ‬ ‫ا � �ج��� �م�ن �ز � ج� ت‬ ‫ه���ك �م��س��ه��ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ل �‬ ‫���ه ا�لمي���ل ا �ل�ى �ص ل ل� ي ي‬ ‫و س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح ش�� ��ل�ا ��ي ب��ا ��ل�ى ب��م�ا ��ي�ق ��و��ل � �و ف����ع� * �ف�ا �ذ ا �‬ ‫�ف ا �‬ ‫��ر �ج�م��ل�� �و�ى ا �ل�ا د ب� �ف�ا �و��ل �م�ا ��يف���وه �ب�ه‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫�ي ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق � ش �ق�ت ن‬ ‫��ق� ��ل�ه �ق�د ا � د ت� �ف�ل�ا �ن��ة � �خ���ل�ت�ه�ا � ف�ت�ن��ت ا‬ ‫ش �ق ت‬ ‫���ا �ن�ه ا �ى ا ��ل�ز �و�‬ ‫�ه�ا * ك�‬ ‫رو‬ ‫�ه� * �و��د ع���� �ى �و�ع���� �‬ ‫و ب� و �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� خ �ة ن ن ف‬ ‫ن ق � � ن‬ ‫� ت � �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�م�ا �ف� ا � ��ت��� ض�‬ ‫ح�� ر�ه�ا �م�ن ا �ل�ا ��س��ر��س�ا �ل ا �ل�ى �ه� او ه‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �ب��ي�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س * ا �و ا � ��ي� ��و�ل �ل�ه�ا ا �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ق � �‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫�ز � �ة � ن آ �ت آ � ا ف‬ ‫�ف�ل�ا �ن�ا � �ت���ق ّ‬ ‫�� ت� ��ل�ه‬ ‫ى ��ي ت����قى �مغ���ا �ل� ا �ل����س�� ا � �ق��� ا �ل� ��ا �ع�ى * ك‬ ‫���ا �ن�ه ��ي� ��و�ل �ل�ه�ا ا �ن��ك ا � ���ع ّر ض�‬ ‫ورع �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫��� ا �م �م�ن‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫ف ق �ت�ق ��ف ق � � ا � ن �‬ ‫�ه��ك � �ون��د�ه��ك �و���‬ ‫��ى ا �ل�ه�و�ى ج�‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫ح�ك * �����د � � رر �ى �ع� ��و�ل ا �لر�ج�� �ل ا � �كل ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ح�ا ��ه�ا * �م� ا �ن�ه ��ل�ا �ش��� ���د �غ��د �غ� ه�ا‬ ‫ا �م� ر ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا � او ��ل�� خ� �ة � ش�����ي�ن �ع �� ا �ل��م ا �ة �و��� ت‬ ‫ه���ك ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ىي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف � ش � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫حي� ث� ��ل�ا ��ي���ل‬ ‫حوا ��ل ب�‬ ‫ح�ق��ه�ا �م ن��ه‬ ‫م��� ��ط ��ى �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل �م�ن ا �ل� ��‬ ‫�مث���ل���سم�ا �ع�ه�ا �ع�ن ر ج���ل ا �ن�ه �م��سر�‬ ‫ف ت ن ت ��ت �ف �ن �ت � � ��ل � �‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ا �ذ �ى * �ف��ه� � او ��ل‬ ‫�صر�ه �ع ��لك ا �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ف�ي�ر ج�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� �ه��ذه �ت�ز ���د �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ا �ل�‬ ‫حر�ص�ا �ع��ل�ى ������ه ل��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ن �� � ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��س ا ��ه �� �م ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا � �‬ ‫��م�ا *‬ ‫حب���ه� * �� �ل ������ل� ���ع� ا � ك�ي��د ا �ل����س� ك�� � عي‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪94‬‬

‫‪٨،٦،٤‬‬

‫‪٩،٦،٤‬‬

A Discussion

“I said, ‘I wish I were red red red that you might love me, even if I were

4.6.8

dumb dumb dumb.’ ‘And what good would love do you if you were dumb?’ she asked. ‘Any good would redound to my benefit, from your leaving me alone with “the red.”’100 ‘Are you claiming,’ I asked, ‘that scholarship in men prevents women from carrying out what they have in mind to do, while stupidity makes it possible for them?’ ‘Certainly not,’ she replied. ‘In fact, a woman may get more out of stupidity, for the stupid husband stays close to his wife and never stops staring at her, while the scholar stares at his notebooks. Be that as it may, I know of nothing more idiotic than the man who keeps his wife on a tight leash and sticks close to her, for the more a man angers his wife and annoys her by staying next to her and never leaving the house, the more she will persist in her excesses, for nothing can keep her from doing what she wants to except her own sense of decency and her modesty. “‘The stupidest and most ridiculous of men is the one who, if he harbors doubts that his wife may have taken a liking to a certain person, tells her, to arouse dislike for him in her, “So-and-so is without honor, irresponsible, a lecher who doesn’t care what he says or does. If he attends a gathering of litterateurs, the first thing to come out of his mouth will be, ‘I made a pass at (such and such a woman) and beguiled her and charmed her, and she became my mistress and I became her lover’”—as though he (meaning the husband) were warning her against yielding to his advances and scared she might make a scandal of herself in front of everyone; or the one who tells her, “So-and-so is God-fearing and pious. He is as scared of flirting with women as he is of vipers”—as though he were telling her, “If you declare your love to him, he will repulse you, drive you away, and make a scandal of you.” Men have got it fixed in their minds that any matter, whether to do with this world or the next, can mar a woman’s honor and violate her sanctity, but in fact nothing tickles her imagination so much as hearing it said of a man that he is so excessively far gone in some way or other that he can do her no harm. In such a case, she will go out of her way to make a conquest of him so that she can dissuade him from whatever he is up to in favor of herself and redirect his excesses into love for her.’” The Fāriyāq went on, “And I said, ‘Quite right. Great indeed is women’s guile.’”101

95

95

4.6.9

‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�ل ا �ل���س�ا ب���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �� �� ا �ق � ت ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ڡ ل�ط��ب� � �وا �ل��� ي ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت ظ � �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� ا ن ا ن‬ ‫�ك��ا ق��ا ��ل ت� ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �قي���ة �ج�م‬ ‫�ب ��و��ل �ع��ل� ا ��ل��س�� �م��ة � او�لم��ل�ل * �و�م��ى �� �‬ ‫� ر �ب�ا �ل�غ� ر��ض�‬ ‫�ل� ���س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ست�� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�� ب����ت��ه �و���س�م� �م�ن �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه‬ ‫حو �ع��لي��ه ا �ل�غ� ر��ض� * �و�م�ا د ا � ا �لر ج���ل ا�لم��ت�ز �و� ِ�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ودّ ��ل�و ا �ن�ه �ي��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ع�ز ��ا �و�ل�و را �هب��ا ��ى �ص�و�م�ع� * ف��ا ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ت� � او �ش����ِر �و�ج���ِد د � او �ص�ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ن آ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ا ا � ا �� ا �� � ش ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل �ا ت ا � �خ���ل �ا ت اَ��ن �ف‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��غ� رب� ع‬ ‫�ه� �ور ى لر�ج�� ل ي�م �‬ ‫���و� �م� ا �ل����س�� ��س� �و � ي��ل � و ي��ل � ِ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � � ه ا ��ل ش ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل� �صو�م�ع� * �و�ه� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و�� ا �ل�ى ا � �ي��ك�و� �ل�ه ا �م ار � ي�م� ���ي��ه� �م���ل ا �و�ل��ك‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ق ئ �ذ ��‬ ‫� ��لت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن��ا � ا �� �لق��ا ض��� * ف�ي�ن��ب���غ ��ل��ل�ز �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ك� � او �‬ ‫���ا ن� �م ش�����ه� �و��ت�� ��‬ ‫�� �ص� �ل�د ى ج�‬ ‫� او ن� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا�ز �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ي�ز‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ِنّ��ه � او ��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�لم�ل� � �ِلِك‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ه��ذه ا � �ل� ا �ل �م��ص�ورا ا ��ه �ر�� ب� �ى ا ر��ض� ب���عي��د� �ع��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�ت��ه ق��د ��س�ا �ف ت� �ع��هن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ه ب��م ار ��د ه� * ا �و ا � �و ج�‬ ‫ا �ن�ا ��س ي��د �ع� �و�ه �و�ي�� ب� �� �و�ه �وي� ي ج��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل� ا �ن�ا �� ���ع�ا �ق � �ن�ه�ا ا �ل�م�د ا � * � ق��د � �ن�ه�ا �ع�� �ف ��ش �م�ن � ش�� ا ��لن��ع�ا � * � ��غ���ا �ز �� �ل �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫م وي و �‬ ‫ى س ي رو �‬ ‫م و�ير و � ل�ى ر �‬ ‫ري �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف�ت���غ�ز ��ل�ه� * � �و ب��ا �ع��ل�و�ن��ه�ا � بت���ع��‬ ‫له� * ��ا ا ����ع�ل �ل��ك �ه�ا ن�� ت� �ع��لي��ه ����م�ا ت� �ه�ا ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا�لم��ت�ز �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� او �ش����تر * �و�ه� ا �ج��د �و�ل �ع ا � �ل�� ر�� �� �ب�� ي��ه ا �ل� �‬ ‫حوا �ل ل ��ى ��ي� ��و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫*‬

‫� ا �� ت � ا �ع ن � ا � ا ة‬ ‫ي� لي�� م� ��د ى مر �‬ ‫�ذ �ت�ز� ��ق تْ‬ ‫�ت�ز � �ق‬ ‫�ت�ز�ر�ج� ت� �و � �ل ت� � �وت�ب�ر�ج� ت�‬ ‫ا ا ب ر � �و ب‬

‫‪96‬‬

‫� ا �� ت �ع ن � ا � ا ة‬ ‫�وي� لي�� ��د ى مر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫ح��ده ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�مث��ا �ب��ة � اولم‬ ‫ا ا ��س�ا ر �و�‬ ‫ح� ���ل‬

‫‪96‬‬

‫‪١،٧،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٧،٤‬‬

Chapter 7

Compare and Contrast

Humankind, as the Fāriyāqiyyah said, has a predisposition toward discon-

4.7.1

tent and ennui, and no sooner does it gain the object of its desire than a desire for other objects takes over. Likewise, given that the married man is a fixture around the house and hears nothing from his wife but “Fetch!” “Buy!” “Renew!” and “Repair!” he dearly wishes he might be a bachelor again, even if it means being a monk in a cell. Then, if he leaves the latter and sees men walking side by side with women, whether wedded wives or lady loves, he becomes fed up with his cell, and the longing to have a wife with him and to walk with her like those others (even if their promenading is leading them at that very moment to trial and litigation before His Honor the Judge)102 rises within him. In such cases, the husband who never leaves his nest ought constantly to imagine to himself that he is a stranger in a distant land living with people who dupe him, cheat him, and inflame his senses with their bustles, or that his wife has left him to go to people who will compete to fill her glass and lay her down on an ostrich-feather palliasse, or who, should they flirt with her, will find she tells them “Yes!” and, on making love to her, find that she to them will acquiesce. If he does this, the chant of “Fetch!” and “Buy!” will seem less unbearable. Here is a table, composed on the authority of the Fāriyāq, in which he sets out the conditions under which the married man says, “Would that I had no wife!” and

“Would that I had a wife!”

When she picks out a red or yellow

When he goes alone to where the

dress, dresses to make herself look

people get together, to the crowded

fine, smoothes her skin and makes

places and crammed places, to the

97

97

4.7.2

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫� �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل�ه ���ق �� ن��ا‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ش‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫� اولم‬ ‫ح� ����د � او�لم�ل� ��هى‬

‫�‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫� اولم‬ ‫ح�ا ����د � او�لم�ل� ��هى � او�ل�م ار ����ص �ورا �ى‬ ‫ا ت ��‬ ‫�� ن �آ ف‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �م��ت�ز�ر�ق�ا ت� * �م��ت�ز�ر�ج�� � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�*‬ ‫ا ل����س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬

‫نّ‬ ‫ا �ذ ا خ� � �م�عه�ا � �ق�د ��ف� ت‬ ‫�ص�د �ه�ا‬ ‫ر�ج � و �ج‬ ‫�� � ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا ث� �� ف� ��ق ت ت �ز‬ ‫� او � ك�‬ ‫ح��م ت� �مر�د�ه� � �ط‬ ‫� ت� ����ب��ا �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� ك � ت��م���� � �ت�ز � �ز ك � ت��م��� �عن ��ق�ه�ا‬ ‫�و���و �ك�و و ي س و و‬ ‫و يل �‬ ‫�ورا ��س�ه�ا *‬

‫نف‬ ‫�ق�د ��ج��‬ ‫� ت�‬ ‫ث �غ‬ ‫�� ��د ت�‬ ‫م‬

‫�ت ن‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�و���ع ��طر ت� � �وب���غ��ج�� ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�مث��ا �ب��ة � اولم‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫� او�ل�م ار ���‬ ‫�ص *‬

‫آ‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �م ش���� �م�عه�ا �ف ا ت� ��ن �ق� ���ط��ة �م�� ���ف ا ��ل���ط ��ق‬ ‫ى � ر‬ ‫ى ري��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ش��� ّ ت � �ن ا �ق‬ ‫�ه�ا �ل�ت��د �و �‬ ‫ح�م�ا �ت�ا �ه�م�ا *‬ ‫�مر� ع ��س� ي� ب‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا ��س�ا ر �م�‬ ‫عه�ا ��ى �ي��و�م �ى ير� �و�ع�م�د ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�� ش ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ج�ز‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه�ا �وع‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ك� �‬ ‫� �ه� *‬ ‫���� ا �لث��و ب� �ع�ن �‬

‫�ذ ا‬ ‫ح��ده � ا �ى �م�ن‬ ‫ا ا ��س� ر �و� ور‬ ‫��م ت� �م �ف�د�ه�ا‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه�ا � او � ك�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ت ت ا �ز � ت�� ��‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫����ب�� ى �و���وك��وك ا‬ ‫� *‬

‫�ذ � ش‬ ‫ح��ده �ف ا �ى �م�ن �ش���م ت� �ع�ن‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا ا م����ى �و� ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��س�ا �ق�ه�ا �ع ن��د � � ت�ه�ا ��ن �ق� ���ط��ة �م�� ���ف ا ��ل���ط ��ق‬ ‫ر �يو �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى ري��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� *‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ا ��س� ر‬ ‫�ص �م�ن‬ ‫� او �ب�� ر‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه�ا *‬ ‫�‬

‫�و�‬ ‫ح��ده‬ ‫�ع�م�د ت�‬

‫��ع��ل ت� د ا ��ه�ا ا ن� �ت�� �ق�� �م ن��د ��� ا‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ج�‬ ‫له� ا �و‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن � ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ت �بر� ��ط ش��� ار ك ��ع�ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ��م �ت ب� �بت��د ى‬ ‫�عي�ز ت‬ ‫��� ���ه�ا *‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا �ذ ا � ت ش ا �ف ��ف ا �ت ��‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��ع��ل� ����ي � ��ى �م�ه� ���ل�وك���ه �و��هى‬ ‫��ه�ا �م�ن ا �� ��فل � �ا ن� ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫�م�ا �ش�� ��ة �ت��و�ه� �م�ن �ي�ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ت�ي‬ ‫م‬

‫�‬ ‫���ي�ز �ت�ه�ا‬ ‫جع �‬

‫‪98‬‬

‫‪98‬‬

‫�ف‬ ‫��ى �ي��و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ش �ف‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ك�‬ ‫����‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لث��و�‬ ‫م‬

‫ر�‬ ‫يح‬ ‫�ع�ن‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ف � � �ن �ت� � ت �‬ ‫ا ا ��س�ا ر �و�‬ ‫ح�ده ار ى م ك‬ ‫�� ب� �ل�� �رب� ��ط‬ ‫�ت تق �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش��� ار ك ���ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا �و ���ل��� ��ط �م ن��د ��ي��ل�ه�ا ��بت��د �ى‬ ‫*‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ش ا � ا ش �ة‬ ‫�صر �م�ن ��ت��ل�وك ����ي � �و �هى �م� ����ي �‬ ‫ا ا ا �ب��‬ ‫ة � �ق �ة ث‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� �ل��ك ا �ش���ا ر� ا �لي��ه �ب �� ب���ل� ��‬ ‫�وح�� ب‬ ‫م‬

‫‪٣،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

it shine, makes herself look easy to

night spots and dance floors and

get, puts on perfume and plays the

sees the women there all wearing

coquette, and tells him, “Off with

red or yellow dresses, dressed up to

us to where the people gather, to

look fine, etc.

the crowded places and the crush, to the night spots and the dance floors!” When he goes out with her after

When he strikes out alone and sees

she’s plumped out her chest and

women who have plumped out their

adjusted her bustle and then she

chests, adjusted their bustles and

never stops sticking out her bottom,

then set off sticking out their bot-

swinging her hips, strutting, sway-

toms, swinging their hips, etc.

ing from side to side, and bending her neck and head. When he’s walking with her and

When he walks alone and sees the

she sees a drop of water on the road

women who have hiked up their

and hikes up her dress, exposing her

dresses, exposing their calves, on

calves so that everyone can see the

seeing a drop of water on the road,

mud on them.

etc.

When he sets out with her on a

When he sets out alone on a windy

windy day and she deliberately lets

day and sees the women who

her dress reveal glimpses of her

deliberately let their dresses reveal

breast and her backside.

glimpses of their breasts, etc.

When she makes a habit of drop-

When he sets out alone and sees the

ping her handkerchief or tying her

women bending over to fasten the

sandal strap, so that she has to bend

straps on their sandals or picking up

over and show off her backside.

their handkerchiefs, thus showing off their backsides.

When she puts something in her

When he observes women chewing

mouth and chews on it as she walks,

something as they walk and thinks

making her young male admirers

they’re mouthing kisses at him and

think that she’s mouthing a kiss at

then they start winking, arching

99

99

4.7.3

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�ق �ة �ذ �غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ش����ي�ر �ب �� ب���ل� ا �و ا ا ��م�ز ت� ا �‬ ‫ح��دا �ور�م�ز ت�‬ ‫� �ل��م�ز ت‬ ‫� *‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا �ف ا �ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا �ف ت‬ ‫ا �ن‬ ‫�ه� ��ى‬ ‫ا ا �ص� د �� ر�ج��ل� �م �م�ع� ر �‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫ا ��ل���ط ��ق �ف� ��� ف‬ ‫��ق ت� �ت��ع�ا ��تب��ه �ع��ل� ���ط�و�ل � ي��ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ط� �‬ ‫ري��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن ث‬ ‫م��س��‬ ‫� ت� ب��ي��ده �و��م�ز �ت�ه‪�� 1‬م�ز ا‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫�ه�ا �� ا � ك‬ ‫� م‬ ‫ش‬ ‫����د �ي��د ا *‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ه�ا د ��ي ��ا �‬ ‫ا ا � �ل�قي� ت� ا �م ار �ة ��ى ا �ل��طر� ��ق� �ع��ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� �ت��س�ا ��ل�ه�ا �ع ��س�ع ه �و�ع�م�ن‬ ‫��ن �ف�ي���� ج��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬

‫�غ��د ت� �ت�غ��م�ز � �ت �م�ز � ��ت��ل�م�ز � �ت�ا ب��ز � ��ت ن ���ف�ز‬ ‫ور و‬ ‫و و‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫� �و ���ق�ز *‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ة ت ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ا را �ى ا �م ار � ���ع�ا �� ب� ر�ج��ل� �ع��ل�ى ��ط�و�ل‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن ث‬ ‫�ه�ا �� ا �خ��� ت� �ي��ده �و��م�ز �ت�ه‪�� 2‬م�ز ا‬ ‫� ي��ا �ب�ه �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫حت � �‬ ‫�ف� ا �ل�مغ� �ز‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫����د �ي��د ا �ى ا �مر ا �ل��� � � او �ص ر �م�و‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �و �ب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س *‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ا خ‬ ‫ا ا ��ل��قى ا �م ار �ت��ي�ن ��م��س ا �‬ ‫ح��دا �ه�م�ا ا �ل� �ر�ى‬ ‫��ت�� � ا �ل� �ل �ة ت ش � �� ا ا �� � �� �ف �ة �‬ ‫ط��� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�و لك م� � �مو��س� �����ي ر ب ي��د�ه� ل�ل� ي‬

‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ا �ص�ا د � ت� ا �‬ ‫ح��دا ��ى ا �ل��طر� ��ق� ��ا �ش���ا ر ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ��ل ه ا ن ا ��ت��ع ن ا �ف ا �خ� ��ذ �� ش‬ ‫م���� �ع�ن ��م�ن�ه�ا‬ ‫يي �‬ ‫ي�� ِ� ب �� � � ي ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫حو��ل ت� �و�ج� �ه�ه�ا �ع�ن �ز �و�ج� �ه�ا �و ج�‬ ‫���‬ ‫��ع�ل� ج��ل�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � �م� ا �ل�ز � ��و� *‬ ‫ك مع ب‬

‫ا �ذ ا � ���د ��ل�ا ���ي�ن ا �م ا �ت��ي�ن ا � ا �م ا �ة ���ي�ن‬ ‫ر و ر ب‬ ‫و�ج ر�ج ب‬ ‫� ا � �ة � ا ��ل �� � ا �� �ل �ز �ة‬ ‫ر�ج���ل��ي�ن ��ف���ف ا ��ل‬ ‫ح� �ل� ا �ل� �و�ى �ط�لب�� ل� �م ار �م�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫��ف � ث ا �ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��كف��ا ���ة ��ل�ا ن� ����ط�ع�ا � ا ��ث ن���ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و�ى ا �ل�� �ي�� � ��� �ب� �ل�� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ش �ث �ة‬ ‫����� ���لث�� *‬ ‫ي بع‬

‫�ي�ب��ي��ع�ه‬

‫*‬

‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ص ّر�‬ ‫ا ا ر ج�‬ ‫��ع�ا ا �ل�ى ا �لب�ي�� ت� �و�‬ ‫ح ت�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫�� ت� ب� ش��� �ر ا ��ل��د ��ي ب��ا � �و�ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ع ّر ض�‬ ‫�ج م‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫د را �ه� �ت���ك�ى *‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة غ ّ‬ ‫�ذ ق � �‬ ‫�ص�ص�ه‬ ‫ا ا ��ا �ل ت� �ل�ه �و�ه�م�ا �ع��ل�ى ا�لم�ا �ئ��د� �لت����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا ا ج���م�ل �ف�ل�ا �ن�ا ا ��ل���ذ �ى �م�ا �ش���ا �ن�ا �و�م�ا ا �ل���ط�ف��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ه ا �و‬ ‫�ع ن��ده‬

‫�ن‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫م��ا �‬

‫*‬

‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ا ر ج�‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى ا �لب�ي�� ت� �ورا �ى ا � �ع ن��ده‬ ‫ً ع‬ ‫�� ا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫�م�ا �ل�ا �و��ل���� �م ���لب���� ا �ل�د ��ي ب�� �و ج�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا �ل�ى �ج��ا � ب��ه *‬

‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا ا �ج��ل��س‬ ‫ق � �ف‬ ‫� �و�ي� ��و�ل ��ى‬

‫غ ت‬ ‫غ ت‬ ‫‪��� :1855  1‬م�ز ���ه�ا‪��� :1855  2  .‬م�ز ���ه�ا‪.‬‬

‫‪100‬‬

‫‪100‬‬

‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ده �و ج�‬ ‫�ل��ل���ط�ع�ا � �و�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي ف�� ك‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ن ��ف ��س�ه �م�ا ا ج���م �ف� �ا �ن��ة ا ��ل�ت‬ ‫�ل ل‬ ‫�ى‬

‫‪٤،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

them, or when she winks at one of

their eyebrows, rolling their eyes,

them and arches an eyebrow or rolls

skipping, hopping, and springing.

her eyes. When she happens on a male

When he sees a woman rebuking a

acquaintance of hers in the street

man for not having come to see her

and keeps on rebuking him for not

for so long and then taking his hand

having come to see her for so long,

and giving him such a big wink that

then takes hold of his hand and

the winker blushes and the winked-

gives him a big wink.

at blanches, or vice versa.

When she encounters a woman in

When he encounters two women

the street who is wearing an expen-

one of whom is stroking the other

sive brocade and she starts asking

while the one stroked points to

her about the price and who sells it.

some place with her delicate hand.

When she happens on some man in

When he finds a man between two

the street and makes a sign to him

women or a woman between two

as though to say, “Follow us!” and

men, for in the first case, the man

he walks along on her right side and

is seeking to “mix the rough with

she turns her face from her husband

the smooth”103 while in the second

and makes most of her conversation

the men are confident of getting

with the chump.

enough, for “food for two will satisfy three.”104

When they return to the house

When he returns to the house and

and she plainly states, or hints, that

sees that he has plenty of money but

they should buy the brocade and he

there’s no one to wear brocade or sit

doesn’t have enough money to pay

at his side.

for it. When she tells him at table (to

When he sits down to eat alone and

make him choke), “How hand-

sets to thinking, saying to himself,

some is (such and such a young

“How beautiful is (such and such a

man) who walked along with us and

woman) whom I saw walking with

how amusing and kind and full of

(such and such a man) and how

101

101

4.7.4

‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ا�ّ‬ ‫بره � او �ت ّره � او ��ط ّره � او �‬ ‫ح ّره � او د ره‬ ‫و‬

‫*‬

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا �ب�ا ت� ��ت��ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل��ة �و�ه�و �ت��ع ب� �م�و ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت �ذ �غ� �ف �ق � �ا � ّ‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫ح ك���‬ ‫ا �ل ار ��س ��ى ا ا ا ��ى �لي��ل ا‬ ‫ح��س ب�ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ى �ج��بن��ه ���ق� ض���ى د ��ي ن��ه �مت� ك�‬ ‫��ا ر�ه�ا *‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫� ا �ن‬ ‫�ذ � ن�ز � ا ��ا ن ا‬ ‫ا ا ��س��ك�ن �م�� �ل� �وك�� � �ج�� ره ا �ل� د ��ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ه �� � �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�م ن��ه �ف�تى ج��مي��ل�ا ج��‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي��ردد �ع�لي�� ب�ع�ل�‬ ‫��ل ّ�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ر�� *‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫��ك � ���ئ�ن‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �� ���ز � �ف ا ش ه � � ش ��‬ ‫�مر �ض �ول م ر ���� �و ه�و ي��� و وي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك � ت� ّ‬ ‫ف �ز ت‬ ‫�ش ا‬ ‫ح�ن *‬ ‫���ل �م� ��هى ا �ل���ب�� ك �و��هى ��م���و و‬

‫�ذ آ �ق‬ ‫ا ا �ج��� �و� ت�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�و�ج� �ف� �و�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا � �ي�ب��ي�� �و�‬ ‫ح��ده *‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ع�نّ ��ل�ه �� �فس� ر �ل�ا �ب��د �م ن��ه �و�ل� ي��م��‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح���ة �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه *‬ ‫�م�ص� � ب‬ ‫ا �� ف ف ف ت ف‬ ‫�ص��� ������ر �و��د ر‬ ‫ل� ي‬ ‫ق ف ا �ث‬ ‫ت �خ ت‬ ‫� او ��س��ر�� �عر�و��ه �� ر‬

‫ا �ذ ا �غ��ا ب� �ع�ن �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه ا �و �غ��ا ب�� ت� ��هى �ع ن��ه‬ ‫�ف� � � ت �ت �ت �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ب� �ل�ه �م�ا �ت�غ���ي�ره �ب�ه �و�ت ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�ع�ل� ك‬ ‫�ي��ده‬ ‫�ت ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫و ���هره *‬

‫‪102‬‬

‫ا � ت ا ت� ش‬ ‫ف ا ن ا � �ف‬ ‫ط��ه�ا � ا �ت ّ�ه�ا‬ ‫�ه� �م����ى �م� ��ل� � �و�م� ا �ل�� � و ر‬ ‫ر �ي �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� ّ ا ّ‬ ‫� او �طر�ه� � ا‬ ‫و د ر�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ش �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا ا �ب�ا ت� ���ل�ك ا �ل��لي���ل� �و�ه�و �م��س��ير� �ن�ا ��� ��ط‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���ة �م ن ه � ��ده �‬ ‫ح ّ � ��‬ ‫ث� ا �‬ ‫�م ��س بحرك� �� �م�د ي� ج � � �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ح�ا �ئ� ���ط ا � �ع�� �م���سم�ا ا � � �ت��د �ف�د �م� ت‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�*‬ ‫و ل�ى ر و و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ت � ا �ت ه ف�ت ا ة‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ��س��‬ ‫�ك�ن �م��ن�ز �ل�ا �وك�� ��� �ج � ر� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ة � � � ن‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ب� ��و��س�ي �ل�‬ ‫ج��مي���ل� �و�ل� ي��م��ك�ن �ل�ه ا � ي��م ت� ا �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ل ّ�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ر�� *‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ض ا �ف � �ف ش ش �‬ ‫ا ا را �ى �ج��ا ره �مر��‬ ‫��� ��ى ا � �ل ار ��� ي������ك�و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�نّ � �ت ه�نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و��ئ�ن �و �ز �و ج�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ت��ه ب�ج��بن��‬ ‫و�� *‬ ‫ي‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ آ �ق‬ ‫� آ ف‬ ‫ا ا �ج��� �و� ت� ا �ل ش����ت�� ��ا �ش���ت�د‬ ‫� ا �مت�د � ا � ت �ن‬ ‫�� ت� �عر�و�ق�ه‬ ‫ح��د � �و ب� ض�‬ ‫و � و‬ ‫� �ن ��ت ن�ف �ف‬ ‫�خ ��ى �و�ج� �ه�ه *‬ ‫�ي�ب��ي� ت� �م� م ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا �ذ ا را �ى �ج��ا ره ��د ��س�ا �ر �و�ترك �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه‬ ‫� �ة �� �ة �غ �ة �غ �ة‬ ‫خ�ب��ع� �‬ ‫ط��ل�ع� را � ي�� �ث�ا � ي�� *‬ ‫� او ��س�ت�د‬ ‫ف �ث ن‬ ‫��ا ر ا �‬

‫�غ‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �غ��ا ب� ر ج���ل �ع�ن �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه ا �و ��ا ب�� ت�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن �ف� � ت �ت ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ب� ��ل�ه �م�ا �ت��صب��ره �ب�ه‬ ‫��هى �ع��ه ج��ع�ل� ك‬ ‫ت �ّ ت� نّ‬ ‫م��ي �ه‬ ‫�و���س�لي��ه �و�‬

‫‪102‬‬

‫‪٥،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

savor, how full of youth and sap and

amusing she is and full of savor and

ardor!”

how full of youth and ardor!”

When he goes to bed that night and

When he goes to bed and he’s

he’s tired and has a headache and

relaxed and full of beans and then

dozes off for a while and then feels

feels himself moving and puts out

her moving against his side and he

his hand and it comes up against the

performs his marital duty with grit-

wall, or a nail, or a peg, and comes

ted teeth.

away covered with blood.

When he lives in a certain house

When he lives in a certain house

and his closest neighbor is a beau-

and his neighbor is a beautiful girl

tiful youth who keeps dropping by

and he cannot use good-neighborli-

in the name of good-neighborliness.

ness as a way to get to her.

When he falls ill and is stuck in bed

When he sees his neighbor sick in

whining and moaning while she’s

bed whining and moaning while his

stuck to the window wolf-whistling

wife’s at the neighbor’s side groan-

and groaning.

ing and bemoaning.

When summer comes and he feels

When winter comes and he feels

listless and lifeless, unsexed and

shaken and stirred, distended and

unmanned, and his sinews go slack

agitated, and his sinews throb and

and he’d prefer to sleep alone.

he’d prefer to spend the night with someone puffing in his face.

When a journey looms that is

When his neighbor goes off on a

unavoidable and on which he

journey and leaves his wife now

cannot take his wife.

appearing, now retreating, now blatting, now bleating.

When he’s away from his wife or

When some man’s away from his

she’s away from him and she writes

wife or she’s away from him, and

him things that make him jealous,

she writes him things that help him

lay snares for him, and leave him a

endure, comfort him, and give him

broken man.

hope.105

103

103

4.7.5

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�ذ ق �ف ��ت ن � ن آ‬ ‫���� �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا � ار ��ى ا � ك‬ ‫له�ن ��ا ئ�� ن��ا ت�‬ ‫ل��� ب� ا � ا �ل����س� ك� �‬ ‫ن � ق � �ف ف‬ ‫ع���و�ل�ه�ن ��ى �ر�و�ج� �ه�ن *‬ ‫� او �‬

‫ة ن ا � ت‬ ‫�خ�ن �ز � � ه�ا‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ���سم� �ن‬ ‫ع �ع ا �م ار � ا ���ه� �ل�م � و�ج �‬ ‫ن ا ّ ت �ف‬ ‫ا�ا � ش ق‬ ‫ح��ه �ه�د ي�‬ ‫ع����ا ��‬ ‫� او ���ه� رد � ��ى � ب‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫ك���ي�ر �ي�ن *‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ا �ى ا �م ا �ة ج��م���ل��ة ت��م�ا �ش��� � ��ل��د ا ��له�ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫ى و �‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫�ز ً ف ق �ف � ا‬ ‫���ه‬ ‫�صغ���ي�را ب� �ي��ع�ا �ي ���� ��ى ا �ل� ر��ض� �ت���ه ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا �ف � ق � ا � ت � �خ �ّ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ب��ي��د�ه� ��بي� ك��‬ ‫�ى ��لي��ل� �ى ي �مر��د ا ه *‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ��ف�و�ج���د �ف ار �ش���ه‬ ‫ا ا �غ��ا ب� �ع�ن ب��ي��ت��ه �ور ج�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ش ّ ش ا �ش � ا ا �ت ه �م ش �ّ ث ا �� ا ن‬ ‫م �‬ ‫���و���� �و��عر �مر � ���ع�� ب�ع�د �‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت ا �ص���ل ت ق خ‬ ‫ح�ه�م�ا �ب���ل �ر�و�ج��ه *‬ ‫ك�� �‬ ‫�‬

‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ ا � �‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى ب��ي��ت��ه ف��ا ئ��ز ا ب� ��و ��طر �و �و�ج���د‬ ‫رج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت ���ش‬ ‫�ا �ل�‬ ‫�ا ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� �ون�ا �و�لي����س �م�ن ��م�ل�اه �ح�� � �ح� ��‬ ‫�ر�ش���ه � �مو ض� �‬ ‫م وم م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة �ذ �خ ئ �خ �ة ش‬ ‫را �ى ��ى ج��م��ل� ��ا �ره � �ص��ل� ����عر *‬

‫�ذ آ ا �تت ق ف �ف � ش‬ ‫����ّل�م�ا �م ّ ��ه�ا‬ ‫ا ا ر� �ه� � ��و� ��� ��ى ا�لم����ى ك� ر ب �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �ى ض� ق ن �‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �و ��ي�ره *‬ ‫��ي ��� ���ع�لي�‬ ‫ج �مي���ل �ب��د � �و‬

‫ا �م ا �ة ت��م�ا �ش��� �ز � � ه�ا � ���ط �ف�ه�ا‬ ‫ى و�ج � و ر �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫���ا ئ�� ن��ا �م�ا‬ ‫�ي�ز �ج�ع‬ ‫� �ه�ا �م�ن ي���م ّر �ب��ه�ا ك�‬

‫� � ضَ فَ ف ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف ا �ة‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ا ا ركب����ه ا �ل� �‬ ‫�� �ل��� ��ي�ق��د ر �ع��ل�ى ��ك��� �ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت � � �ة �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ع�ا �ئ��لت��ه �و�ل� �ت��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �م ا‬ ‫ر ��ه ج �مي��ل� �ل����ع� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ح��ت �ف�ه � �ق�ا ���لت��ه ا �م ا �ت�ه ��ا ��ل��خ‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ج��� �م�ن ��م‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫م����ا �ز �ة � ا ��لن��ق��ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫�� �ج�‬ ‫� � او ج��ل‬ ‫��ؤ ا ر *‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� او �ل ر و ر و ي‬ ‫�ج‬

‫آ‬ ‫� ت �ف‬ ‫ا �ذ ا را �ى �ج��ا ره �ق�د � ب� �م�ن �م‬ ‫ح��ر�ف�ه ����سم�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ��ز ت َتَ ا �زَ �جَ ا َ�هْ ا ك�ز‬ ‫� ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ور�‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫�ل� �و�ل �و ج��� ر��ل� �و ��ل� �و �م��س� � ِ‬ ‫�غ �ة ث فَ ً‬ ‫�و�مب��ا ��م� �� ر�ث��ا *‬ ‫م‬

‫�ذ آ ا ت ا ّ ا ��خل ا � ا ��خل ا � �ة ت ا ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ا ر� �ه� ���س� ر �� د م ا �و �� د م� � �و� � س‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا تت ا‬ ‫عه�م�ا �و�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا *‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا �لي�‬ ‫�ب��ه�م� � �و�����س� ��ه�ل �م� �‬

‫ا �ذ ا ا � ا � ا �ة � ا �ت ا ّ ا ��خل ا � � ا‬ ‫ر ى مر �ل� ��س� ر �� د �و �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��خ ا �ة � ا �ت ت �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�د�‬ ‫ال‬ ‫س �ل�ه�م�ا �و ��ل�ا خ�‬ ‫���ل�و �ب� �‬ ‫�� د �م� �و �ل� � ب����� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�م�ا *‬ ‫�م �‬

‫‪104‬‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا را �ى‬ ‫ا ��ل ه � ا‬ ‫ي�� �و �ل�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ك���ا � *‬

‫‪104‬‬

‫‪٦،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

When he reads in books that all

When he hears of some woman that

women are unfaithful and their

she has never betrayed her husband

brains are in their vaginas.

and has returned, out of love for him, the gifts of many suitors.

When he finds he has too many chil-

When he sees a beautiful woman

dren to feed and can’t provide for

walking with a small child of hers

his family and his wife’s no longer

who’s cute and bright and he falls

beautiful enough to be of any use

down and she pulls him up again

to him.

and he cries a little, so that his cheeks turn red.

When he comes home from work

When he sees his neighbor’s

and his wife meets him with scold-

returned from work and hears him

ing and bad temper, bickering, bel-

and his wife billing and cooing,

lowing, and bawling.

whispering and rustling, talking in low, sweet voices, and, finally, talking dirty.

When he’s been out of the house

When he returns to his house having

and returns only to find his bed in a

pulled off some triumph only to find

mess and his wife’s hair disheveled

his bedding neatly folded and no

even though she had tidied both

one to fill it with a nice warm body,

before he left.

and then comes across a lock of hair among his things.

When he sees her sharing confi-

When he sees a woman not sharing

dences with the manservant or

confidences with her manservant

maid, enjoying their company,

or maid or smiling at them or never

becoming familiar with them, and

spending time on her own with

doing them favors.

either of them.

When he sees her pausing as she

When he sees a woman walking

walks whenever a handsome man

with her husband, her eyes fixed on

passes, claiming her shoe is too tight

him and paying as little mind to any

or something of the sort.

who passes by as if they didn’t exist.

105

105

4.7.6

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�ذ ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫��ع ت� �‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى ��ي ن �ظ� �� ر�ه�ا �م�ن �ه�وا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا اا ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ك� ن� ا �ل��م ا �ة �م�ا‬ ‫�من�ه�ا ا � ا ��س�ف��� � ا �ش � ق ا �ت‬ ‫� و لو‬ ‫��و�� �م� ��و ر‬ ‫�ذ ض �‬ ‫��ع ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع��ل� �ج� ن�ب��ه�ا *‬ ‫ا اا ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا ت�‬ ‫ه �ا‬ ‫ب�خ‬ ‫� � �صو�ص� �و �ل�‬

‫����ل� �م� ج�‬ ‫�ه�و�ى �و ض�‬ ‫�ي���ل‬ ‫ع ع‬ ‫�ت�ز ا �� ��ت��ل ه �ذ��‬ ‫� �ب�� ك�ره *‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫�ج‬

‫ف‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ل��� ي ج�‬ ‫���د ا �م ار �ت�ه‬ ‫ا ا �غ��ا ب� �ع�ن ب��ي��ت��ه �� ر ج�‬ ‫م ع م‬ ‫�ذ ق � ا �ف�� ��ت� �ف ت � ه ��ف ��ل ا �‬ ‫� �ل� �ى ا �‬ ‫ح� �ل *‬ ‫ا �و ا ا �ر ا �لب�� ب� ل� ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م ح‬

‫ن‬ ‫آ�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ��س�م�ع ت� � �ل�ا ت� ا �ل��طرب� �ف�غ���د ت� �ت��تر�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ت ق � آ‬ ‫� �وت��تر�ق��� � �‬ ‫و ���و�ل � ه ا �وه ا �ي�ه *‬ ‫ص‬

‫�ذ � ن ت‬ ‫� �ف ن‬ ‫ا ا ك���ا �� ت� ���س�ه ب� �م� ا � �ل �ت�ي �ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫تض‬ ‫حت �ت ق �‬ ‫� �و��‬ ‫����‬ ‫عه�م ��ى � � ��و�ل‬ ‫ح��ك �م� �‬ ‫� �ع�ي�ن �ا �ه�ا ا �ذ �ذ ا ك �مغ���ا �ز ��لت��ا ن� � � �ج��ن�ت�ا �ه�ا‬ ‫وو‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّت ن‬ ‫�م�م �‬ ‫ر�ا � *‬ ‫�ذ ��ت‬ ‫��ق�م ا � ف‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ص�ه�‬ ‫حر�و��ا ا �ن ك‬ ‫ا ا ك��ب�� ت� �ع��ل�ى ي��‬ ‫��ر�ه� ا �و‬ ‫ا � ��ف �ش ��ف ت �ا ا �ث ا ��ل� � � ا ��‬ ‫و �ل�ك��ع�ا � *‬ ‫ر ى �ى �� �ي��ه ر ع �ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل�� �ا �‬ ‫�ى ل م‬ ‫���خ �‬ ‫� ��ي�ط‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�ي�ط�‬ ‫�‬

‫‪106‬‬

‫�ق ا ض � ّ ت �‬ ‫�د �‬ ‫����طر� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ح ش��� �ة‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ح��� �و� م�‬ ‫�ل�ك �ي‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ض� �‬ ‫��ور �و�ج� �ه� ا �و‬

‫ا �ذ ا ا � ا � ا ة‬ ‫ر ى مر �‬ ‫�ا ض �‬ ‫ا �ل� �‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫��ا � او ب�� ت�‬ ‫آ جع‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ � �ف‬ ‫��س� �و ك�� � �ل��ك ��ى‬ ‫�ف �غ‬ ‫��ى � ي��ا �ب�ه *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا�ل�م ار �ة �غ��ي�ر ا ت� �مي���ل �و�‬ ‫ح�� �ل‬ ‫ح��د � �ع ن��د�ه�ا ا ن� �ز � �ج� ه�ا ���غ� ن��ه�ا �ع�ن‬ ‫�م� ا � و‬ ‫و � ي ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��ي�ره *‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ا � �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى �م��ن�ز �ل�ه �و�ج���د‬ ‫ا ا را �ى �ج�� ره ك�� �م� ر ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� دا‬ ‫ا �م ار �ت�ه �م��ق ب���ل��ة �ع��ل� ا �ل ش�������ل �و �ل� �ي ك�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �� �ق � ا � ا �ُ� �ف�تَ ه�‬ ‫� �ل� *‬ ‫ي��طر� ا �لب�� ب� ا �ل� �و�ي �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ���سم� ا �م ا �ة ��ت�ق�� �� � �ق�د ��س�م�ع ت� �آ ��ل�ا �ت‬ ‫ر ول و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا ��ل���ط � ا ن� � �ص ت� ا ب��ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ل�صغ���ي�ر ا ���ج���‬ ‫�‬ ‫رب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ّل�ا‬ ‫ا �ذ ا را �ى ا �م ا �ة �ت ك�‬ ‫�ل��� ا ��ل‬ ‫��ر�ي�ن ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��س� �م�ق��ا �م�ه � �ل� ي����سم� ن‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ي�ط‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع �م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫حن�ت��ه�ا ا �‬ ‫� �و ��ل�ا ��ي ب��د �و ���فى ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�ط‬ ‫ح�م ار ر �و �ل�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫ا � �فص� ا‬ ‫رر *‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫ة �ت�ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�صه�ا‬ ‫ا ا ��س�م� ا � ا �م ار � ك‬ ‫��� ب� �ع��ل�ى �مي�� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ��س� �ز � � ه�ا � �ل�� ُ َ ���ف �ش����ف ت��ه�ا ا � �خ���ّد ��ه�ا‬ ‫م و�ج � و م �ير ى ي � و ي �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ا �ثر �م�ا �� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫‪106‬‬

‫‪٧،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

When she lies down in such a fash-

When he sees a woman who has

ion that anyone who is higher or

been required to lie down but

lower than she can see her, and a

refuses to do so out of modesty and

woman is never more desirable than

decorum, whether in the presence

when she lies down on her side!

or absence of her husband.

When she’s full of love and attach-

When a woman has no special incli-

ment for a particular set of people

nation or liking for anyone and

and can’t stop talking about them.

thinks she needs no one but her husband.

When he leaves his house and then

When he sees that whenever his

returns and doesn’t find his wife, or

neighbor returns to his house he

knocks on the door and she doesn’t

finds his wife about her work and

open it right away.

barely has time to knock on the door before it is opened to him.

When she hears musical instru-

When he hears a woman saying,

ments and starts swaying and undu-

after hearing musical instruments,

lating and saying, “Ah! Ooh! Aiee!”

that her little boy’s voice is sweeter.

When she talks and laughs with the

When he sees a woman talking with

young men at such length that in the

each of those present according to

end she gives a belly laugh, her eyes

his standing and doesn’t hear any

being at that moment flirtatious, her

belly laughs from her and her face is

cheeks flushed.

neither flushed nor pale.

When she writes on her shift let-

When he hears that a woman has

ters that mean nothing to him or he

written the letters of her husband’s

sees the traces of bites or devouring

name on her shift and there is no

kisses on her lips or cheeks.

trace of anything to be seen on her lips or cheeks.

107

107

4.7.7

‫� ا ت �ذ�� � �آ ا � �ف‬ ‫��سم�ع�ه� ��� ك�ر ا ��سم� ر�ج�� �ل ��ى‬ ‫�ذ ت �‬ ‫ف �ذ�� ت � ن‬ ‫ا ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �لم ت� �� ك�ر� �م�ا ك���ا �‬

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫�‬ ‫ا�لم ن��ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي�ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ه‬

‫�ذ � غ ن ا �‬ ‫��ا �ع� ا �م ا �ت�ه � � ش����ا �ع �ه�ا‬ ‫ا ا ب��ل���ه ا � �ج�� ره �ي ك� م ر وي ر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�� � � ا � �‬ ‫�ف�ل�ا �ل� �ل�ه �و �ل� ي‬ ‫حل��� �ل�ه�ا *‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

‫آ‬ ‫� ه � ��ل��د�ه�ا � ��ت��له �ع ن��ه � �ع�ن‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ر� �ه�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ت �ز ن ت‬ ‫�ه�ا � �‬ ‫وت�ب�ر�ج� �ه�ا *‬ ‫ا � �مور ا �لب�ي��� ب� �ي��� �‬

‫ت‬ ‫�� � ا � ت �ح��� ه � ا‬ ‫ا �ذ ا را �ى ا �م ار �ة �‬ ‫ح ب� �ول�د�ه� و مل� �و �ل�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن � ا �ن ت‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫له�ى �ع��ه �و �ل� �ع ب��ي�� �‬ ‫��� �‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا‬

‫ا �و‬

‫ض�ي �ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و�ير�‬

‫*‬

‫ف‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ق��ع�د ت� ��ا ��ل ش�����ا ك ��لت��خ‬ ‫�ي� ���ط �ش�� �ا ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع��ل ت�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ن �ظ � ة ت آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت �ز‬ ‫ح� ���‬ ‫�ز ة �ت ن �ظ ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د ر د ر � � �و� �� ر �م��ه �� �� ر� ى �ج‬ ‫فا ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����طر ت� ا ��ل�ى ف�ت��ق��ه‬ ‫له�ا ف��ا ��س�د ا �� �‬ ‫ع�م�� �‬ ‫� او �ص�ل�ا �‬ ‫ح�ه *‬ ‫� ن ا �ت ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ش�� �ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫���ع ت� ا � �لق��د ر �ع��ل� ا �ل�� ر �ل�‬ ‫ا ا �و ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫حت �ت�ه� �� ت‬ ‫ث ش ت ��ف � �غ ن � �‬ ‫س�‬ ‫��م ���ر�ع� �ى ا �ل� �� �ى � و‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�خ ف ت ّ �‬ ‫فن ت �ق‬ ‫� ��� ش���ي� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫���‬ ‫�����سي��� ا � �ل��د ر � او �ل��طب ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ك ن ��ف ا �ل�م ا ض��� ا �� ت‬ ‫ا � �ت���و� �ى �و �‬ ‫ع ل ��ى‬ ‫� � ���ف ق �خ ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ردد ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ��ك ن��د �� �و��ا �‬

‫�ذ ت� نّ‬ ‫ا ا �‬ ‫م� ت�‬ ‫�ك��ث ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�ي�� ر ي�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫حو�ه�م�ا *‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫ا �ذ ا � ت‬ ‫�ص ّر� ا �و �ت��ع ّر��ض�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت ���‬ ‫� ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ا �ل���سم�ا ن� ا ��ل���ط� ا ��ل �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ه�و �لي����س �من��ه� *‬ ‫م‬

‫��ل�ز � � ه�ا ��ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫و�ج � ب �‬ ‫ا ��ل ��ا ��ل �مث��ل�ا‬ ‫ر�ج‬

‫‪108‬‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ة تخ‬ ‫�� ���ط ��ل�ز � � ه�ا ا � ��ل� ��ل��د�ه�ا‬ ‫ا ا را �ى ا �م ار � �ي‬ ‫و�ج � و و‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫�ش�� �ا �م�ن �غ��ي�ر ا ن� ��ت خ�‬ ‫���ل�ل ا �ل��د ر ا ت�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ظ � ت‬ ‫��ا �م�ن‬ ‫ت �� �‬ ‫ح�ك‬ ‫له�ا �م �م‬ ‫�� �� ار � �و � ار � ج�� ع�م�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا �و�ل �و�ه��ل� *‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ا � ا �م ا �ة �ت�ض� � ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫رى‬ ‫��� ا � �ل��د ر �ع��ل�ى ا �ل ن�� ر‬ ‫ر ع‬ ‫� ��ل�ا ��ت��له �عن�ه�ا ف���ا ���ت ا ��ل����ط�ع�ا � �ق�د ��ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �ى � ي ى‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫�م ش��� ّه ا �م�ي�ن ا �� ا ��ل ا ه � ا � ق‬ ‫و �لر��ا د *‬ ‫� ي�� ع� � ع�ل�ى ب��‬ ‫�ع�ن ا �ل�مث��ا ���ة � ��ل�ا �تش���ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ز � � �ق‬ ‫�ص�ه�ا � او �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫ح�ا �م �لي �� ر�‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ت�ب��ت��ع�د‬ ‫ن ت خ �ف‬ ‫ا � ���د ���ل ��ى‬ ‫��غ آ خ‬ ‫و���م�ز �ه�ا � �ر *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ذ ��ا ن ت � ة �ت ق � ا �ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ا ك�� ��� ا�ل�م ار � � � ��و�ل ا �م� �م �و�ج� �ه� ا �و‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�غ��ي�ره �ب�ا �ن��ه�ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل��ط� او �ل �م�ن ا �لر�ج��ا �ل‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ة�� ن �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� ك��و� �و�ج� �ه�ا ���ص�ي�را *‬

‫‪108‬‬

‫‪٨،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

When he hears her saying men’s

When he hears that his neighbor

names while she’s dreaming or

devours his wife’s lips and lies with

when she pretends to dream just

her under her shift, so she neither

so as to be able to mention things

dreams of him nor he of her.106

that would please him or give him satisfaction. When he sees that she hates her

When he sees a woman who loves

children and pays more attention to

her children and carries them about

her finery and toilette than she does

and lets nothing distract her from

to them or to the housekeeping.

them or her house.

When she sits at the window sewing

When he sees a woman sewing

something and looks up after every

something for her husband or her

stitch she makes and her work turns

children without interspersing the

out poorly and she’s obliged to

stitches with looks and sighs, and

unpick it and repair it.

her work turns out well-done from the first moment.

When she puts the cooking pot on

When he sees a woman put the

the fire to cook something and then

cooking pot on the fire and allow

starts singing and gets so caught up

nothing to distract her from it, and

in the song that she forgets about the

the food turns out tasty, stimulating

pot and the cooking and it burns.

of the appetites, and conducive to intercourse and sleep.

When she wants to be in the places

When she stays away from meeting

where lots of men go, such as a hotel

places and has no desire to enter

or an inn or the like.

crowds lest some man pinch her or wink at her.

When she states or hints to her hus-

When the wife says in front of her

band that she likes, for example,

husband or anyone else that she

tall, well-fleshed men and he isn’t

doesn’t like tall men, because her

one of them.

husband is short.

109

109

4.7.8

‫�ف ا �� �� ا ق � ت ن ظ �‬ ‫ط�� �� � او �ل�� �����ير‬ ‫�ي� ل� ب‬

‫ّ �ة‬ ‫عّ��ف��ا‬ ‫ا �م ار �ة �م��ف ��س��ل� �ت�� ف�‬ ‫�ق ّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�و�ج� �ه�ا �و��م�د ��ي ت��ه‪* 1‬‬

‫�ز‬ ‫ا ن �غ‬ ‫�ذ ��ا ن ت ت‬ ‫ا ا ك�� ��� ���يع� ب� �ع��ل�ى �و�ج� �ه� ا ��ه ��ي�ر‬ ‫� ْ �ة � ا � قُ ُ ّ �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�مت��ص�� �ب�ا �لِم��ل�ث�ي � �و �ل� �ب�ا � �ل��م�د �ي� *‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫� �ن � � �ة‬ ‫م م�ل�ث�ي �‬

‫� آ‬ ‫ا �ذ ا � ا ���ف �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه � ��ق ت� ا ��لغ���د ا ا � ا �ل�ع ش�����‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫وى‬ ‫�غ � ا �غ ف‬ ‫�� � ا ن‬ ‫��س�ا � ب��ا �ل� � ب��ا �ل��� ي ج���د �ش���ي �ا �ي�ا ك���ل�ه �ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ت ه �� ت �ع�ن ا ��لغ� �آ ب��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ث��ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫��د‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫ي� ي ب�‬ ‫�و ج� �� ل� ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �ت��غ� ��� �ز �ّ�ه�ا � �ع�ن ا ��ل�ع ش����� ���ل����سه�ا � ���ل� ��سه�ا‬ ‫و ي ير ي � و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و �‬ ‫بب �‬ ‫ن �ظ ��‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ ن‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل ش���ب��ا ك �لت� �ظ� �� ر � ��يو�‬ ‫� ر�ه�ا ا�لم�ا ر �و� *‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �و �ل��ك *‬

‫� آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا �ذ ا � ا ���ف �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه � ��ق ت� ا ��لغ���د � ا � ا �ل�ع ش�����‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫وى‬ ‫ا تش ت‬ ‫ا ئ ت ��‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ه��ه‬ ‫��و�ج��د �ع��ل�ى �م� ���د ��ه �ك��ل �م� ������ ي‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �ف‬ ‫ا ��لن ���ف �� �ف�ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل �و ش���رب� �و ��ط�ا ب�� ت� � � ��س�ه ��‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ى �م�ن �ش����ا ك���ه ��ا �ت�ه ���ل���� ��ث��ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج ر ب س ي ب �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ � �‬ ‫ئ �ت‬ ‫� �و�ت ن� �� ر ا �ل�ى �م�ا �ورا ���ه�ا �ل��عل��� ��ه�ل ا �لث��و ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ش �نّ ��� �ق �ة ا � ا‬ ‫� ا ��ل�عي�ز ة ا‬ ‫ط��� �و �ل� *‬ ‫��� � �ه�م� ك���� �و ب‬ ‫وج‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�و�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ل��ك *‬

‫ق ّ‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬و��م�د ي�ت��ه‪.‬‬

‫‪110‬‬

‫‪110‬‬

‫�‬ ‫�و�ش�� ك‬ ‫�� ت�‬

‫‪٩،٧،٤‬‬

Compare and Contrast

When she rebukes her husband for

When the wife holds herself aloof

being characterized neither by insa-

from her husband out of modesty

tiability nor continence.

when having her period and complains of both her husband’s insatiability and his continence.

When he turns up at his house

When he turns up at his house

at lunch or dinnertime tired and

at lunch or dinnertime and finds

hungry and finds nothing to eat

everything his heart could desire

because his wife has been too busy

on the table and eats and drinks

mending her clothes and trying on

and feels well content, then looks

her dresses to prepare lunch and

out of his window and sees the

too busy getting dressed and sitting

woman next door putting on her

at the window to see and be seen by

dresses and looking over her shoul-

the passers-by to prepare dinner.

der to see if they’re a nice snug fit.

And so on and so forth.

And so on and so forth.

111

111

4.7.9

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص� ا ��ل��ث�ا �م�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫َ ْن ُ �ْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �����فس� �م�ع‬ ‫��ج�ل �و �هي� ��و� � �‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ق��مى ر� ب ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ل��ل�خ�� � �ق ض ق‬ ‫� �ف ق‬ ‫ح� �م�ن �ا � �ف ا �ئ ة‬ ‫���ا �� �ب��ه� ر�ع�ا * ا �ل� ي� �ص�ل �ع�ل �ج �ه� � ��د�‬ ‫�وظ �����ل ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� �م�ع�ا ج�ل� ب ر و �د �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫��ل �ف �ة � ا ��س ا ن � ن �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ط�و�ع�ا �ع��ل ا �ل�م��ل�ل � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �و��ل ا �ل�تم��ل�� �م�ن �ه��ذه ا �‬ ‫حر� �و �ل� ي�م� ا ��ه‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫���ا � �م ��‬ ‫�ج�ز *‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��ا �ب�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ت ف قح ��ف غ ض �ذ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ح ا ش ا ا � ��ل ا � �ة‬ ‫���و ن� ��ل��ك ا ن� ��س�ا �فر ا ��ل�ى �فر���س�ا ا�لم�و��ل�ى ا�لم�عظ ��‬ ‫�� * ا ��م�د �ب� ���� �ب� ى � او �ى ا �ي� ل��‬ ‫� او � � ��� �ى ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ت�� �ن�� الم�‬ ‫�خ� * �و �ف ّر�ق� �ع��ل� ف����ق �ر �مر��س�ي ��لي���ة � �و�ا ر��� �و�غ��ي�ر�ه�م�ا ا �م� او �ل�ا �ج�ز ���ل��ة �ش���ا ك�‬ ‫��ر�ه�ا ��‬ ‫ب يس‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و س م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �� �لق�� �د�ة � ��� ث � ا‬ ‫�� ا ��ل�ى �م�ق��ا �م�ه * �ف ا �ى ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� ا ن� �ي��ه�ئن��ه �ب ��ق�� ة � ن ظ �‬ ‫ر ج�‬ ‫�ص�ي �د� ���م �ص�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫بو ع� ب��ه� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا �ّ ا ُ ّا ن �في�ن �ة‬ ‫ف� ش‬ ‫�ن غ‬ ‫ح �����ة �� ���ط �ق� ��ا ��ه * ف���ل�م�ا‬ ‫� نا‬ ‫�ه�ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ي��د �م ب���ل� �‬ ‫��� �ب�ه * �ل��م ي�����عر ب���ع�د ا �ي� �م ا �ل� �ور�ب� � ��س� � � � بر ي ي ر ب ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا��‬ ‫���ل�� �ق�ا ��ل ��ل��ل�ف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ق�د ب���ل�غ� ت� �ق�� �د�ت��ك ج��ل‬ ‫�س��قر �ب�ه الجم‬ ‫�‬ ‫د خ���ل � او � ت �‬ ‫� ن��ا ب� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ا �ل� ك�ر� *‬ ‫�ص�ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ف � �ة‬ ‫� �ق�د ا �م ���ن ا ن� ا �‬ ‫حرف�ت��ه‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ك ا �لي��ه ��ى ا �لب��ا ر�ج�� * ف���ل�م�ا ���سم� ��ل��ك ا ��س�ت ب�� ش���ر �ب�ا � �ف�ل ر� �م�ن �‬ ‫و رى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � �ذ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ق�ا ��ل �ل�ع�م �ى �م�ا‬ ‫��� ت� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ا ا را د ا لله‬ ‫ح‬ ‫س� ا � ا �ل��د �هر �ترك �ل��ل ش����عر�� �سو�ق�ا ��ي ن ف�� ��ق� �ي��ه * �ول�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�قُ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ا ه�ز ��ق ا �ف ا ا ق �ة � �ز �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �غ �‬ ‫�� �خ � �ل � �ق ه � ن ه ا �ل ش �‬ ‫ب�عب��د ��ي را �م ي��ع�� ع�� ���عر �و �ل� ��ي ره * ا �ل� � � �ى �ي� � ر�ي� �ي�� ا �لِم�ه ا � * � او ��س� ��لى‬ ‫ن ��ت ن فّ‬ ‫�ن فّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ضّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ا ض �ن �‬ ‫�� �م�ا ا ��س ���ط�ع ت� ا � ج��‬ ‫��ر��ى ا �لي��و� ا ��س�ل�ا �ق� * �و ج��‬ ‫�� ّر ج��ى �و��جم‬ ‫��ى �ود ب ج��ى *‬ ‫��ى * �و ض�‬ ‫�م� �ي��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ � ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�تفَ�ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �ي ��و� ي��� بع ��ق� �ي��ه ا �ل ك‬ ‫�ق� �ي��ه �م�ن �و�ه�ن * �و����م�ق� �م ن��ه �و ا �ل��دد � *‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫م������ * �وي� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ �خ‬ ‫ف � َ �خ‬ ‫ُق ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �و �ف��ا �ز ��ا ��لغ���د ن� * �ه��ذ ا �ي��و� ����ست��‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ي��ه ا �ل ّ�بر��و� * � �ي�و��ل�� �ي��ه �م�ن �ب�ه �م��ل�و� * � �وت��� ئ��‬ ‫�ي ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��تُ‬ ‫ح فا ت‬ ‫عَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ � � �ذ �� � �ظ � ��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫���ل�ه�و ب� � ا‬ ‫و �ل��س��ل���� �ل� * �و�ج�� ب� ا �ل���ر�� �� ا �ل� ���� �ل� * �ه��ل��مى �� � ى م� ا لي ��و ��ي را *‬ ‫م‬ ‫يم م‬ ‫‪112‬‬

‫‪112‬‬

‫‪١،٨،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،٨،٤‬‬

Chapter 8

A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

The Fāriyāq continued to treat the foul of breath but was at his wits’ end,

4.8.1

for the treatment did no good. He tried, therefore, to wiggle his way out of this trade, and all the more so as he was by nature given to boredom and disquiet. During this period, it so happened that the August Master, Aḥmad Pasha, Honored Bāy of the Autonomous Province of Tunis, made a trip to France and distributed vast sums of money, that were everywhere spoken of, to the poor of Marseilles and Paris. Then he returned to his seat. It therefore occurred to the Fāriyāq to write him a congratulatory ode, which he did, sending it by hand with someone to deliver to His Excellency. Before only a few days had passed the captain of a warship knocked on his door. When he had come in and settled himself, he told the Fāriyāq, “Your ode has reached Our Most Noble Master and he has commanded me to bring you to him in my ship.” When the Fāriyāq heard this, he took it as an omen that he was soon to be freed from his trade and declared, “I swear I thought the days had left no market where poetry might find a buyer, but if God wishes good fortune for His slave not even poetry can get in the way of it. Rictulate, dear risible Fāriyāqiyyah, and vociferate (though not in alarm)! Today not even she-wolves could do me harm! Dunk yourself in every ounce of unguent you possess; dab it and daub it, and take silk brocade for your dress! On such a day as this, our copulatorium must be redolent of musk—even its limpest occupant must experience lust! The giddy-pate, on such a day, must run amok and enjoy his luck! On such a day as this, the swooning prude107 faints with pleasure, the stud that shies from service gives full measure, the wide-wooed

113

113

4.8.2

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫ف ق ا � � ّا ن ق � ت‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� � ه ��‬ ‫ل�� �ا � �م�ا �ه��ذه ا ��ل��لغ����ة ا ��ل�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ير * ����� �ل ا �ل �ر� � �و��د ا‬ ‫�ف�ا ��ى ا ر�ى ��ى ا �ل�ز �ن��د ِا ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ل ن � ا ��ل�ع ا � ا �ف ت ش ا �م ا �ق � ت ا �ذ ا � � ا ن تح� ��ف ا � ��‬ ‫�تت�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� � ك�� �م�و� ب��ه� �مر لله م� �‬ ‫�ه�م� ����ي � �م� �ل �� * �ه� ل�ل��س� � ��م�ل �ى ر ��س�ك �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �� ف� ض � �ن ا � � ت ه �ق ا �‬ ‫� ا � ف ا �ظ � ت خ �‬ ‫ت ن‬ ‫��ا ��ط ب� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا � او ��ه�ل ل�����ل م ر�ج�� �ل د �و�ل�� * � ل�‬ ‫� ��و���س * �و�ب��ه��ذه ا �ل� � �ل�� ��‬ ‫� غ �ة �ص���ط�� ن ا � ف ا ن ت‬ ‫ف ق � � ّ ن ن �غ ن‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫��ل�ا � او ن��م�ا �ه��ذه �ل��� ا � �ل‬ ‫ح�� �ع�ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ��ل� ���س��ع�م��ل�ه�ا ا �ل� ��ا د را * �����ا �ل ا �ل �بر�ا � �ي���ب���ى ا �‬ ‫ت ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح� ا �� ض‬ ‫��ت ت��ا ّ�ه� ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل�� �فس� �و��ل��ك ا ن� ���س��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �ع�ا �ئ��لت���ك ا ا �ش����ئ ت� * �ف�ا ن� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ا ك�‬ ‫��ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ل� ي���س�وء ه �ل��ك * �ت��ا �ه ب� ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� �ه�و �و�ع�ا ���لت��ه �وركب� �� او ��ى ا �ل��س��ي�ن � � بو���ع�د‬ ‫ا � � � خم ا � ف �ة��ا ت � ا ة �ذ � � � � غ � ق �‬ ‫�م��س�� ا �ث ن�� � ش‬ ‫فا‬ ‫ع���ر �ي ��و�م� � او �لر �� � �ل�� �مك� ج�ر� ا �ل�ع� د� �ب�� �ل�ك ب�ل� �� او �‬ ‫ير ى‬ ‫ح� �ل� ا �ل� او د * �� �مر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن ا � ن �غ ن ن ا � �ظ �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا �ل�م� ��ل� ا �ل� ش‬ ‫م����ا ر ا ��لي��ه ���ن�ز �و��ل�ه� ���فى د ا ر ا �م�ي�ر ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫حر * �و�ه�� ي���ب��� ا � ��ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح �� �م�ز �� ا ��ل��‬ ‫وى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي كرم‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ � ن س�ت آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ائ � ا‬ ‫���ا ��ل * �و �ل��ك ا � ا �� �د �ع��‬ ‫ا �ل��تى �خ� �� ا لله �ت��ع�ا ��ل�ى �ب��ه�ا ج�‬ ‫�ي���ل ا �ل�عرب� د �و� ��س� �ر ا �ل� ج�ي‬ ‫ص‬ ‫� � � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ا�لم�و�ل�ى ا�لم�و�م�ا ا �لي��ه �ل� �ي��ك�ن ج �مي�� �م�ن د � � د‬ ‫� ب��م�� �ل ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� ب���ل ك��ا � ��ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب و ر �ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ه � �ة‬ ‫�أ �ذ �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�ر��م� �ق�د �و� �م�ا د �‬ ‫ح�ه �ب�ا �ه��ل�ه �ل� ي���س�ت� �م�ن �ل��ك �و�ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح��ده * ا �ل� ا �ن�ه �لم�ا ب���ل‬ ‫�غ� �م��س� ع� ا ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� قْ‬ ‫ق ا قّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا فق‬ ‫�ي�ن ا م�ز ا‬ ‫��ي����ل �م� ا ���ل ا د ب� �ه� ا ا�لم�د �ع�و �و�م� ا �ص���� �و�ج� �ه�ه � �ل��د �و�م�ه �ع�ل� � � � �وي� * �و�ل�م ��ي����ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �ة � ا‬ ‫� � �ة ف ن�ز ّ �ت�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ّ ق �خ � �ف‬ ‫�ل �بر�ا �ن�ه ��د ��ا � �ل ت� ا � �ل �� او �ن��ي�ن ا �ل��س�ي �ا ��س�ي � � او �ل� � او �مر ا�لم��ل�وك��ي�� ���ل ن��� �ع�ن �ع�ن ك���� ي���ك �ه�د ا ب�‬ ‫�ق � ن ت ف ّ‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫� ن � �ت � ن‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫�ص��ك‬ ‫ح�ى �ت���كو� �عب��ر� �لم�ن ا �عت�ب��ر * ب���ل ب����ى ا �ل �بر�ا � �م�� ش���ر��ا �ب��ه�د ا �ب�ه * � او � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫م�� ب‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫� �ز ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ع�ا ��ا �ه�د ا ��ه * � � ��ّ� ئ‬ ‫�م�ت ت‬ ‫��ر� �مب ��ّو ���فى د ا ر ا �م�ي�ر ا �ب�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ك�‬ ‫ل��ر�� *‬ ‫حر � او ج�ر�ى �ع��لي��ه ا �لر �� ا � ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫يم‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫��ش��خ ا ت ا �ذ � ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح��د ا �عي��ا � ا �ل� � � د �ع�ا �� �ص� � او �� ه �ل��ك ا ل����‬ ‫� او �ل‬ ‫� �� �و�م�ع�ه‬ ‫��ي�ر ا �ل�ع�مي�� * �و�ل�و ا � ا �‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ � ��ّ‬ ‫� قآ � � � ق ق �‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ��ي�ر ��ن ��ف ��س�ه ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ه �ع ن��د ا �ل��ل���� ب���ل �ل�م �ي��ك�ن �لي���ل���ا ه �� ��ط * �ل� ب���ل ���س�ا �و�ه�ن �لم�ا �ك�ن �ي��د �ع�و�‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫� ف ق �ة‬ ‫��ك�ن � �ق���ل�ن �� �ا ا �ن � ا ن�� ت ا �ل�م�د � �ة ف���ق� ��� ا �ش �ا �ة ا ��ل �ع�د � ا �ز � ا �ئ �ا خ‬ ‫��ا د �مت�ه�ا‬ ‫ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �ي�� � �ي ل�ه �ك � ع�و ط �� ر �ى م و ��ه ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح ض� ا‬ ‫��ك�ه� ��ا ر��س�ا ��ل ��ا ر�ج���ة ��ل�ا ���ست�‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ��ط����ل�ه�ا * �و�لي� ت� ����عر�ى ا �ي�ن �م�ن �ت ك‬ ‫��� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ر�م �م �م�ل�و� م ب‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫��ك�ه� �ل�ا �ج��ا ئ��ز �ة ��ل�ه‬ ‫�ش���ا �عر � �ول��مره ا �ي�ا ه �ب�ا �لم�ا �ل � او �ل�ه�د ا �ي�ا ا �لن ��ف�ي����س��ة * ���ل�ع�مر�ى ا ن� �م�ا د � �م��ل�و�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ ت �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�ه � �و�ت��ف � �ده * �م� ا �ن��ه� ا �ش���د ا ��خل‬ ‫��� �لق� �‬ ‫�� ��ه‬ ‫�م�ن �ع ن��د �ه� ��ي�ر ���س� �‬ ‫حر�ص�ا �ع�� ا � ش��� ك‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫ل�ى � ي ر م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪114‬‬

‫‪114‬‬

‫‪٣،٨،٤‬‬

‫‪٤،٨،٤‬‬

A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

woofer and back-passage bleeder108 bear twins, the single-barreled bawd,109 followed quickly by the termagant, throw pups despite their sins! Up with you, woman, and from today play the mooning she-camel that lives its false calf to lick, for I see curly shavings on the fire stick!”110 The captain, to whom these words sounded like a foreign tongue, asked, “What language is this that you speak? I swear I didn’t understand a word of what you said! Is this the tongue you’ll carry in your head to Tunis? Are these the words with which you will address our master and the great men of his realm?” “No,” replied the Fāriyāq. “It’s just a private language we’ve agreed on between ourselves and use only rarely.” The captain then said, “You must get ready to travel, and you may bring your family with you if you like, for our lord is the most generous of men and such a thing could never upset him.” So the Fāriyāq and his family got ready, embarked on the ship, and after a twelve-day voyage (the wind, as usual, being contrary), reached Ḥalq al-Wād, where the aforementioned master commanded that they be put up at the admiral’s house. Here we must draw attention to the propensity for generosity with which

4.8.3

the Almighty has distinguished the Arabs to the exclusion of all other races, for the invitation of the previously mentioned master was not intended for everyone who trod the boards of the Fāriyāq’s house: on the contrary, it was peculiar to him alone. However, when news of the arrival of his eulogizer, with family, reached his ears, he was not upset and did not say, “What an illmannered guest you are and how deserving of a slap on the face for coming to us and bringing others with you!” Likewise, he didn’t say to his captain, “You disobeyed protocol and the orders of your monarch, so we shall strip from your shoulders the epaulettes of your rank that you be a warning to those who take heed!” On the contrary, the captain continued to bear the honor of his epaulettes while the Fāriyāq continued to enjoy his services and was lodged in the most generous style in the admiral’s house and supplied with ample goods and plentiful good things. If a Frankish notable invited someone and that person went and brought with him anyone but his own self, the notable would confront him when they met; in fact, he wouldn’t even meet with him at all. Indeed, when their womenfolk used to invite the Fāriyāqiyyah, they would tell her, “The invitation is for you only,” meaning that she was not to bring her maid and her child with her. I’d be intrigued to know which of their kings ever sent a warship so that he might bring a poet into his presence and shower him with money and

115

115

4.8.4

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ير��د �ن�� ا ��ل�ه� * ف���ل�م�ن‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ه� �ي�ا ��ن ف� ��و ن� �م�ن ا ن� ي��م�د �‬ ‫ح�ه� �ش���ا �ع �‬ ‫ح ��ه * � � ك‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا �� � ��م�د ��‬ ‫س يو و م و � م‬ ‫ر ي و م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ا ّ�ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُ ن‬ ‫�ذ � � � �ذ ّ خ ن‬ ‫�ه� ا ا�لم�ا �ل ا �ل�� �ى �ي��د �ر� �و�ه * �و �ل� �ي� د ا �هي�� �م�ن ا �ل��د � او ��هى ي���عت��د � �و�ه * �و��هم ا �ل��ط�ا �ع�م�و�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ش��� ن ا ن �ل�� ّ � ه ض ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ��س�و ن� * ا ��ل‬ ‫ا �� ك�‬ ‫�ف� ا �و � ش �‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫���ف� * ا �‬ ‫ح�ا ��س�و� ا �ل�ل�ا ��س�و� * ا �م ي �و� � �ي� ب�� � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م م‬ ‫�ة �خ �ة �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫��س�و� ا � �ص��ل� ا �ل ش����ا �عر�م�ن ا �ل��سر�� * �و�ل�ه� ا ا �ى �ل��ك�و� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ر�م �م�ز �� ��ا �ص� �ب�ا �ل�عرب�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫خ ف �‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫���د �و ن� � �مف���ل�ق �� ن� ك�‬ ‫�غ� ���فى ا �م��ة �م�ن ا ��ل�ا �م� �ش���ع � �ج�م‬ ‫�� ش����ع ار �ئ��ه� �ع��ل� ا �‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �� ا �ل�ا � ك‬ ‫�ل� �ي���ب�‬ ‫م����‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ف�آ � � � �ة ا ��� �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ف ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� او �ل� �م ن�� * �و �ل��ك �م�ن �م�ن ا ج�ل‬ ‫��ا �ه��لي�� ا �ل�ى ا � � ار ��ض� ا �ل��� � او �ل�د �و�ل� لع بر��ي�� * � �‬ ‫ا �� ن ا ��ن �ي�ن � � �ف�ت�خ� ن‬ ‫ح��د �و�ه�و ا �و�م�ي�ر��س (‪ � * )ομηρος‬او ��لر�و�م�ا ��ني���ي�ن �ب ���ڤ ج�‬ ‫�ر�و� ب� ش����ا �عر � او �‬ ‫لي �� �و� ي�� �ي‬ ‫�ي���ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� � �ن ّ‬ ‫�سو (‪ � )Tasso‬او �ل�م��س�ا � �وي��ي�ن ب�ِش�����لر (‪)Schiller‬‬ ‫(‪ � )Virgilius‬او �ل��ط��لي��ا �ي���ي�ن �ب� ��ط�ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر ��س��ي�ن �و�م�و��ل���ر (‪ � )Racine et Molière‬او �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫� او � �ف�ل ر���سي����س � ا‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز ب� ش��� ك‬ ‫��س��ي�ر‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫يي‬ ‫ف ش آ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�و�م��ل��ط�و� � �وب�ي�ر �و� * (‪�� )Shakspeare, Milton et Byron‬ا �م�ا ����ع �ر ا �ل�عرب�‬ ‫� ا ف�ث‬ ‫ن ُ ّ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� ا��ا ن ن �ف‬ ‫� �ز ن‬ ‫�غ� ��ى �ع�ه�د � او �‬ ‫ا�لمب�� ّر �و� �ع��ل�ى ج��مي�� �ه�و �ل� ء ��ا ك����ر �م�ن ا � ي���ع�د � او * ب���ل رب�م� ك�� � �ي���ب�‬ ‫ح�د ��ى‬ ‫آ ع‬ ‫ق �ت ت � َّ‬ ‫�ذ � � ا ن � ُّ‬ ‫��� � ا �ف ا �ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز �م�ن ا ��خل ف � ا ئت ا ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له� *‬ ‫له�‪� 1‬مك� ي��ل �‬ ‫� ل� �‬ ‫���ل��� �م� ���� ���� عر ك�ل�ه�م ب� رع � ��� * و ل�ك �ل� � ل� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ش �‬ ‫� ا ن � ا � �ت�ز ن ف ه � ّ‬ ‫ن ه � ا � ن ا �ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�� �ب��ي�ن ا �ل����عر ا �ل�ع بر�ى �و����عر��هم * �ل� ���ه�م �ل� ��ي�ل� �م�و� �ي�� لروى‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا �� �ل� م�� � ب‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫� ف �ة �‬ ‫ح��د�ة �و ��ل�ا ��م‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا ت� �ب��دي���عي�� �م�‬ ‫ح��د�ة �ع��ل� �ق�ا �ي�� � او �‬ ‫�ص�ي �د�ة � او �‬ ‫� او � �لق��ا �ي�� �و�لي����س �ع ن��د �ه� ���‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت �� ت � ّ‬ ‫�ث ة �‬ ‫����ل�ف���ة �م�ن �ن��ث �ن�ا‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه� * ف�ن ظ� ������م�ه� ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��قي��ق���ة ا �ق��ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و ن� �ب��ه�ا ك��‬ ‫��ر�ورا � ا ل ��ى ي‬ ‫ك����ر� ا �لض�‬ ‫حش �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ال�م�� ّ‬ ‫ا � �ن ش آ � ا ف ن ���ست�ق ن � ن ن � ا ��‬ ‫��ه �ف غ� ا � �ة � ا � � ن‬ ‫ج�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� * �و�م� ا �‬ ‫ح� ا � �ي���كو� ���دي�م� �لم�ل��ك� * ��� ي� م� ي��ص�ل�و�‬ ‫ح�د �م ����ع �ر ا �ل� �ر� ا ��‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن �خَّ � �ف ن ش ا ش‬ ‫� �ظ � ة ن �� ن ا‬ ‫ا ��ل��ه �م�ن ا ��ل��س�ع�ا د�ة � او ��ل‬ ‫ح �� �و� �ع��د �م��ل�و�ك�ه�م ا ��م� �ه�وا � �ير� ��ص �ل�ه�م ��ى ا ����� د ����عر�ه�م ��ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ن�ا ا�لم��ل� ا�لم�عظ �� �م�ن ا خ‬ ‫ن ��‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫��ا �ذه ا ��ل ش‬ ‫����ا �عر�ن��دي��م�ا �وك���يل�م�ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫حق� ج� � ب� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب���ع��ض� ا�لم�ل� ��هى * ��ا �ى �ه� او ٍ� �ي��ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل��ل�م�� � ا ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ث�ي�ر �و ن� ب�‬ ‫ا � ��ي�ق��ا ��ل ا ن� �ش���ع �ر ا �ل�ا �فر� ك�‬ ‫حي� ث� �ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج � �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ف ا �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫خ�ز‬ ‫ل����ي�ر �و� �ع��ل� � � ت��ه ا �ل��س�عي��د� * ك�� �ى �ب�ل� د ا �ل� ك�‬ ‫�غ��ي�ره * ا ر �و ��ى ا �ي�ن ��ه �ه�و �ل� ا � ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ا �ل���ل�هى‏‪.‬‬

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‫‪116‬‬

‫‪٥،٨،٤‬‬

A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

costly gifts. I swear that all anyone who writes eulogies to their kings ever gets by way of reward is patronizing treatment and ridicule. Even though no people are more punctilious in insisting that others thank them and praise them, they turn their noses up at a poet who, in hopes of gaining their favor, eulogizes them.111 For whom, then, is all that money that they store away? Against what disaster do they set it aside, when they are already well-clothed and fed, well-watered and banqueted? Are they afraid they’ll be laid low by a surfeit of children or by poverty, or do they believe that a gift to a poet is an extravagance? This fact—that generosity is a trait peculiar to the Arabs—explains why no truly glorious and distinguished poets equal to theirs have emerged in any other nation at any place or time, reckoning from the Days of Barbarism to the end of the caliphs and the Arab empire. The Greeks boast of a single poet, namely Homer (Ὅμηρος), the Romans of Virgil, the Italians of Tasso, the Austrians of Schiller,112 the French of Racine and Molière, and the English of Shakespeare, Milton, and Byron, while the number of Arab poets who surpass all of these is too large to count. Indeed, over one period during the days of the caliphs there may have been more than two hundred poets, all of them brilliant and outstanding, the reason being that “purses,” as they say, “open throats.” Moreover, there is no comparison between the poetry of the Arabs and theirs: they do not observe the rules for rhymeconsonants and rhymes113 and do not have poems with a single rhyme or stylistically exquisite embellishments, despite the large number of metrical infractions with which their verse is stuffed. In fact, their poetry is less demanding than our rhymed prose, and not one of the poets of the Franks would have been good enough to be a boon companion to his king: the highest degree of good fortune and favor any of them may reach is to be licensed to recite some of their verses in certain theaters.114 And again, what shame would attach to the august person of the king from taking a poet as the companion of his potations and conversations? Or is one to suppose that the poets of the Franks are so numerous that the king couldn’t make up his mind which to choose? Tell me, what are they, compared to his auspicious treasury? How many prose writers are there now in England, how many poets in France?

117

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4.8.5

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫� �ه ن ا ��ن�����غ ا �� ض ا ا ن ا ض ف‬ ‫�� ��ى �ب�ل�ا د �ف ار ���س�ا �م�ن �ن�ا ظ ��‬ ‫ا �ل� � �م�ن �ن�ا �ثر * �وك�‬ ‫��� � �‬ ‫�� * و �� ي ب �ى ي �‬ ‫��ي���‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ق �‬ ‫� �ا � �ظ �� �ة خ‬ ‫ا �ن ه ق���ل ا ��ن���غ� �ش ا � � � ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ل ح‬ ‫�� ا �ر�ى ��ا ��و�ل * � �م� ي ب� ��� عرعرى و ج ��مى و ب� �� س ي ع� *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ز ��ل ا �ل�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ا ��ل‬ ‫�ف�ا ن� �م�ن ا �ل ش����ع �ر �م�ن ي�‬ ‫ح ب� ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� د �و ن� ا ب��ت� ك�‬ ‫��ا ر ا�لم�ع��ى * � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫���ه�م ي�ع��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ال� ن‬ ‫ت� ّ � � ف �ظ � � ق ق �‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫��ة‬ ‫ن � ا � ف �ظ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه� ��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج �م� *‬ ‫حر�ى ل�� لري��� و ب�� ر �‬ ‫�ب�ا �لم�ع�ا ��ى د �و� ا �ل� � �ل��ا �� * � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ز ا � �ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه� ا �ل��غ�ز �ل �و�غ��ي�ر ��ل��ك * �و �ل�ا �ت ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا و�‬ ‫����ل�ه�ا ��ى �ش���ا �عر � او �‬ ‫�ه��ذه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي� ك‬ ‫��ا د ج م‬ ‫� بو���ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن نَ�ظَ � �ذَ َّ � �َش َ‬ ‫�ت � ا �خ ا �ق �‬ ‫�ف ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�م�ا ِ ���حل‬ ‫�م�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ن ب� �� �� �� �ى ب� ا �ل �ر�ا د ِ�� �ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج م ع� �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي�ه� �ل � �� س ك�ل�ه�م * � �‬ ‫ى ر‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫ُع‬ ‫�أَ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�خْ ض � ا �مت �ص�ن � ا �ز ْ �� ن � �خ � ه�ن �ش � ه�ن ن ْ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫ح ق� � ا � �ض� � د ����ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫� � ع� � �د �ل� ِ�ير ل����س� وِ � ب�� و ِ ي ع� وِ ��س� وِح� ��‬ ‫(‪ )1‬غ ر و ص ب� ل��� �م ويب‬ ‫� �ة �ز ن‬ ‫ث ت ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���ط��ْ�ل ه�ن � �� �لْ ه�ن � �خ� �د�ن ه�نّ � َ �ّ ه�ن � َ �نُ ّ�ه�ن � ُ� ْ ��ق‬ ‫كا �ل��بر��و� ح�م����ه�ا ح�م� ا �ل ��بو ر‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�ص� (‪)1‬‬ ‫وحر �و�‬ ‫� وِ � �� و�ع� �‬ ‫وِ ح� وِ�ط� ب �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ل ور ��و‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت ق‬ ‫ا و ا �ل�� را د ��ل���ص� ب�ا ��ل��ا ��س ا و‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫ف ا �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن �ز ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح� ث‬ ‫ح�ا ا ��ا �ه�ن‬ ‫���ا ا �له�ن ا ��ا � � � * �ل�ا �ت��ه�م�ه ا �ص غ��ر �م� ن� ا �جل���ع�ل ت�ن�� � ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت خ ف� ف‬ ‫ال‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى و ل ى ر و ج�‬ ‫ن ��ق �‬ ‫�ا �ة � ا � ن ا �ز � �ة � ا �ق ن‬ ‫�� ق‬ ‫�ف� ن‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �جل‬ ‫�وا ر �ى *‬ ‫�حم� ��س� �و �ل� م�� �ل� ا �ل� ار � * �ع��ده ا � �ول ا �مرء ا �ل�ي����س‬ ‫‪٦،٨،٤‬‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�خ ف ن �ف �‬ ‫ا ا ��م�ا ب� ك��‬ ‫�ى �م�ن ���ل����ه�ا ا ���صر� ت� �ل�ه ‬ ‫�‬

‫ا � �ن �م�ن ��ق �� �ع ن �ت ة‬ ‫�ول �� ر�‬ ‫ح��س‬

‫�ف� ����ط�ع ت‬ ‫��ن��ه ��ا ��ل �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح‬

‫����ث� ��ع��ل� �و��ت�ه ‬ ‫م‬

‫قّ � ت‬ ‫� ش ق ت� ت‬ ‫حّو�ل‬ ‫�ها �ل�م ��‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫���� �و�ح��ى �����ش� �‬

‫ا �ف‬ ‫ب��م�ه��ن�د �‬ ‫��ص� ��ى‬

‫��ل � ة �م �ذ‬ ‫ح�د �� �د� �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ْ�خ� �‬ ‫�ي ِ م‬

‫َ َْ‬ ‫ْ�يَ‬ ‫ْ � ا ُ قْ�طَ �‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ك�ن ِ�ع ْ� او ا �و �عَ�ز �ه�ا ا �و �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ش����ا ِ�عث� �ل�ا ا و�‬ ‫ح�ص�ورا ا �و ِ�عت��َو �ل� � �م� �� �ع�ا ا �و �مت��ا �ب��د ا ا �و �عن� ك‬ ‫�و�م �ي�� ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�����آ‬ ‫ح ض �ة �� �� َ ْ ة ا ��ل��جع ن‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�صَ ْ��ق��م�ا �‬ ‫��� ��ل���� ��ه �‬ ‫�ص ك�‬ ‫�م� ك�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ج��ر�ة * � ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�هر�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و �ل�عي��ا �ب�ا لله �م�ن �ل��ك *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ب�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�م�� كي� ك� ي س ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ت ث� ن � ف ا ا �ق ��ن ت�ق ��ل � ن �ة‬ ‫�ص �ف� �ذ �ه ن��ه ا ��ل� ا ��ل�ز �ه�د ��ا ت� � ا �ل‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫ح��مي��ا ت� * ا �‬ ‫هى � ا � ا � �ل�� ر�ي� � ا ����ل ا �ى ا�لم�د ��ي ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت ف‬ ‫� �ه ن��ا ك �ت��ع �ف� ب ��م�ا �ع��ة �م�ن ا ��ه� ا �� ف�ل� ض���� � ا ��ل�ا د � * �من�ه� �مَ�ن ا د ��ه � �من‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن ا ر��ه *‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �ج‬ ‫لو ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب و م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫� � ا �ل� � ظ ��‬ ‫ا ه�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ن ا �� � ن ه ا �� �ا ت ا �� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� �ه ن��ا ك � ظ ت‬ ‫ح ����ى ب�� �� ب�ي���ل �ي��د ا�لم�و�ل�ى مع �‬ ‫� � �و� ل م�� ل�ص�ل � ل� او ر� * �و��س� �ل� �و �ز�ير‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬الا ��س�ا �ى‪.‬‬

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A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

And here I must draw attention to a further point: rarely does a poet,

4.8.6

Arab or otherwise, come to prominence who pleases all. Some poets like eloquent and ringing words more than innovation in meaning while some concern themselves with meaning more than with words. Some search for the refined word and the harmonious expression, others for amatory or other effect. All these traits are unlikely to consort together in a single poet, just as not everybody’s predilections are likely to be in concert regarding them. Any connoisseur of women who is an oryx bull, rubbery and blubbery, a silver-tongued sweet-talker, a lady’s man, one who delights in their company, their fervent supporter, their friend and companion, their follower, their soul mate, their constant visitor, who dies to talk with them, a beaver-boring beetle,(1) bruising their bungholes wherever they go, sniffing around wherever they pee, will have no interest in derring-do and snicker-snee. He will believe that the words of Imruʾ al-Qays that go115

(1) The ḥurqūṣ [“beaver-boring beetle”] is “a small creature like a flea with a stinger like that of a hornet, or a tick that clings to people, or something smaller than a beetle that bores through waterskins and enters the vaginas of young women.”

Whenever he whimpered behind her, she turned to him With half her body, her other half unshifted under me are better than those of ʿAntarah that go116 So I thrust him with my lance, then I came on top of him With a trenchant Indian blade of shining steel. Likewise, anyone who is uninterested in or indifferent to women, or unwilling to have relations with them even though he is able, or who is of no use to and without any predisposition toward them, or is a confirmed bachelor, or is scruffy and takes no interest in his appearance, or wears no perfume and doesn’t adorn himself, or smells foul, or breaks wind disgustingly, or is of no value generally, with no pressing desire for the delicate, fine-looking, whiteskinned, plump, full-bodied woman or the short, curvaceous, tightly-knit woman (God save us from such things!) will divert his attention to poems of asceticism and sage advice. End. Next, the Fāriyaq moved to the city, where he became acquainted with a group of persons of virtue and culture, some of whom invited him to their banquets while others assured him of every luxury. There he had the honor of kissing the hand of the August Master,117 from whom he received

119

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4.8.7

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫ا ��ل��د � ��ل��ة ��ه� �ت��ع �ف� ا ��ل��لغ����ة ا �� �ف�ل �ن��س�ا � ���ة * �ق�ا ��ل ��ل�ا ��ا �� �د � �م�ا ُ�ع ن��� ت� ��ه�ا * �ف�ا ���ن �م�ا‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي ب�‬ ‫ي س�ي �ي‬ ‫و ل ر‬ ‫ر وي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ق ُق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت ت‬ ‫����ي�ز � ت ن ت �ن غ ت ق‬ ‫ات�ت ن‬ ‫د� ا ���عل��� ��ل��س�ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ح�ى ���سي��� �م �ل����ى ��د ر �م� ���ع�ل�م��ه �م��ه * �����د ��د ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ع�� ا ���س ا ن� ���س� �ق�د ا �م�ع��ل� �م�ا �م�ن ا ��ل�عل��� ��ف�م��ت �ز ا د �م�ن � ه��ة ��ن �ق��� �م�ن ا خ� �ى * ف���ل�م�ا‬ ‫�ج �‬ ‫ل�ى ر ى ي ع ر و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ص‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � �ن ت‬ ‫ةَ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �خ � �ز � �ذ �‬ ‫� ق � �غ‬ ‫�ت��ه �ب�� �ل��ك �ق�ا �ل ت� �ل�ه * ا�ل� ا ���ل �ل��ك ��ي�ر �مر� �ع ِ�د �ع�ن ا �ل��غ�ز �ل �ب�ا �ل����س�� � �و��عل��� �ه��ذه‬ ‫�ب� ر �و ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ز ف �ة‬ ‫�ذ �ت‬ ‫��ن� ت� ��ل��ت �ع� �ى �ع�ن‬ ‫ا �ل��لغ����ة ا�لم��ف ي��د�ة �و�م�ا ك�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ك * �م�ا ا �ر��د �م�ن ا �ل��غ�ز �ل �و�ع ن��د ك ا � ن�� *‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫رو‬ ‫ي‬ ‫حَ�َ * � ��ل�� ت‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ف���ق���ل ت� �ن��ع� �ورا ف� ن���ة * ث�� �ق�ا ��ل ت� �م�ا �ذ ا ��ي��ف ي��د ك �و�ص�ف� ا ��ل�ع��ي�ن ��ا ��ل‬ ‫س�‬ ‫�ور و‬ ‫ِ ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ن ��‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫� ن ه�ن ��ت�ق ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ����ى ا ل�د هر وطر * لي����س ور ك ��ى ري� ب� ري ب� * �ل� ب��ل�ى و لل �ى‬ ‫م�‬ ‫حل�� ا ��ا � ا � ت � � �آ�ه�ا * � ت‬ ‫���ث�� ا �م�ا �ش���ا �ه�د�ت��ك ت��م�ز �ق��ي�ن‬ ‫ا �خ ت ق � ا ة �ف ��ل‬ ‫ح�ى ك� ي ر‬ ‫�م� ���ل�و� �� ��ط �ب� �م ار � ��ى ا ��م �ل ور �ي ��ك ور‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا �ن��ه�ا �و�تر��س��ل�ن��ه�ا �ف�ا ر�غ���ة * ف���ق��ا ��ل ت� ا ���حل‬ ‫�ث��و���ه�ا � �وت�ن��ت��ف���ي�ن �ش���عر�ه�ا �� �ت�تب�� ��ّ او �ي�ن � ك�‬ ‫�م��د لله �ع��ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت � � ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �� �ل�ق �ع�ب� �� ���ل���ك �� ا �ل ��� ��� � ا�لم ن��ا � * ���ل� ��د ���د ا �ل� ا � ا � ����� �م�ن ا �ل���غ�ز �ل ��ا �ل����س��‬ ‫ب ى‬ ‫�ى ر ى ى ب ى ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن ق �ذ � �‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ج�ه‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �ف���ع�ل �م�ا �ب��د ا ��ل��ك �و��ل��‬ ‫�و�ه�ن ���ع���سى ا � ا ��ن ت�����ل �ب�� �ل��ك ا �ل�ى �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � �ن ن ت �خ� �ل ن ��ف ا ��ل �ة‬ ‫�� ق ف ق ف � ا �ذ� � ن آ � ا �ف � ن‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ا �ي� ك م ا � ���د � ��ى �ى �ج �‬ ‫�م��ل� * �و�ل��ك�ن ���� � ��� �ل� �ت�� ك��ر ا �ل����س�� �ل� ��ى ا �ل����سي�� ب� و �ل�‬ ‫�ف �� آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ق �ق‬ ‫��ى ا ل� جه‬ ‫��� * �ف�ا �ن��ك ا �و�ل �م�ا �ت�� ك�‬ ‫��ر ا ��س�م�ه�ن �ي��د �ور را ��س��ك � �وي���ب� �ض�‬ ‫� �ي���ك ا �ل�عر�� ا � �ل��دي�� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ ث‬ ‫�� �ف‬ ‫ة ف �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق �ذ�‬ ‫��ل�ا �� ك��‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا * ���ل ت� �و�ل��ك�ن ��ى �م�دح� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ا �ل� �م�ي�ر ��د ك��ر ت� ا ��س� ا �م ار � * ���ق��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة ق‬ ‫�و��د ا ��ت�ق��د ت� �ع�ي�ن �ا �ه�ا �م�ن ا �ل�غ�ي �ظ� �� �مَ�ن �ه��ذه ا � �لف��ا �ع��ل� ا �ل�ص�ا �ن��ع� * ���ل ت �ه ا �� �‬ ‫س �عر�ى *‬ ‫� �و م ب‬ ‫� ا �� �ق ت ا � ا ن � ا � �ق‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت �آه �ه �م�ن ض� ا � � ق‬ ‫� ��ا ن � ا �ع‬ ‫حر� ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل� �ل��ك ا � �ل��دي��م * �و�ل�و ك�� � ا �س�م� ج �مي�� ل��م� �ل� � و‬ ‫�و‬ ‫�ذ � �ذ‬ ‫ّ ا ش � �ن ا �� ض ة � ا ن � �ت ف ف ن ف � �‬ ‫�صر�� �ي��ه ��� �ص� ا �ل��لي��ا �ل�ى *‬ ‫��ر� �ل� ��ك ��‬ ‫د �ي �� او �ن��ك �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ى �ه�و �ع��ل�ى ����د م ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق �� ض � �فَ‬ ‫�ك�ن �ذ ا ك ا �� �‬ ‫�ك�ن �ه��ذ ا ا �لن��ص�ف� ��ل���� ب��م�ا �ن�� �م�ن ك�‬ ‫����ل�ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل��‬ ‫ف���ق���ل ت� ��ل��‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح� ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا �ن آ‬ ‫� ا �ّ‬ ‫��ق ت ا ُ�خ � ق �‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د � �م� �� �ل� ا ي��ل �ل� ل����س� و م� �ل��‬ ‫�مث���ل�ه * ���ل ت� �‬ ‫�ل� ي��ل * � ل�‬ ‫ّ ُ � ا � � ا ّ � �ن �ة ف ن � ن آ �خ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا * �ق��ل ت� �ن��ع� �و�� �‬ ‫��س��ل�م ت� �ب�ا �ل� �و�ل�ى �و �ل� ا ��سل��� �ب�ا �لث��ا �ي�� * ��ا � ا �ل����س�� ���ل���ق�ن �ل��لن��ه�ا ر ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ل��ك�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٨،٨،٤‬‬

‫‪٩،٨،٤‬‬

A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

copious gifts. The minister of state enquired of him whether he knew French, to which he replied, “No, my lord, I have not bothered to learn it, for as soon as I started learning English I found myself forgetting an equivalent amount of my own language. Fate has decreed that my head shall hold only a predetermined amount of knowledge and that when that expands in one direction, it shrinks in another.” When he informed his wife of this, she said to him, “Haven’t I told you

4.8.8

more than once to have done with writing love poems to women and to learn that useful language? You would not, however, abandon your obsession. What need have you of love poetry when you have someone to take care of your every conjugal need?” Said the Fāriyāq, “And I replied, ‘True enough, and a wanton strutter indeed.’ ‘What good to you,’ she went on, ‘are descriptions of beauties as being “dark of pupil, white of eye,” when you will never get from them what you want? Do you not have a watchful warden looking over your shoulder, in the shape of my good self?’ ‘By God, I do!’ I replied. ‘Every time I find myself alone with a woman in my dreams, I see you right behind her. In fact, I’ve often seen you ripping her dress and pulling out her hair, then taking up residence in her place and sending her off empty-handed.’ ‘Thank the Lord,’ she said, ‘that you’re as scared of me asleep as you are awake!’ ‘It had occurred to me,’ I replied, ‘to move from writing love poems about women to satirizing them, in the hope of moving into a better situation.’ ‘Do as you please,’ she replied, ‘though you must take care not to include me along with the rest—but stop, stop! Don’t speak of women in either your erotic or your scurrilous verses, for as soon as you mention their name your head turns and the old Adam throbs within you. No, and again no!’ “I said, ‘But in my eulogy of Our Lord the Emir,118 I mentioned a woman’s name.’ Eyes flashing with rage, she enquired, ‘And who was this blanketyblank woman?’ ‘It’s an Arabic name,’ I replied. ‘Ah!’ she said, ‘One of those ancient delusions of yours!119 If it had been a foreign name, I would have gotten up this second and burned that poem collection of yours that is more harmful to me than a co-wife, because you spend half your nights at work on it.’ ‘But that half,’ I said, ‘doesn’t stop you from getting the whole thing.’ ‘But I have a right to the whole thing,’ she replied, ‘plus two more of the same.’ ‘You’re right,’ I said. ‘Women were created for the night and only for the night.’ ‘I grant you the first,’ she replied, ‘but not the second, for women were created for the daylight too.’ ‘I agree,’ I said, ‘and for each hour of it, and

121

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4.8.9

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫� �‬ ‫ق � ت‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��س�ا �ع� �م ن��ه �و��لي����س �ل��لر ج���ل ��هّ ��ى ا �ل��د ��ني��ا �غ��ي�ر ا �م ار �ت�ه * �ق�ا �ل ت ا �ا � ��ل ا ن ��ت�� � ا �ه� �ا �‬ ‫� �ل و�ى � �ول م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ �‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ���فى �ك�‬ ‫���ل ا �ه�م�ا � ��هّ * �ق�ا �ل ت� �ه� ا �ع ن��د ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �م�ن � ش�����ل�ه� �و�لي����س ك��� �ل��ك �ع ن��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫م م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا ��ل ن����س�� * �ق��ل ت� �ه� �م�ن �خ� �ف���ة �ع�ق �� ��له�ن � ��ث�ق��� �ن�ه�مه�نّ �ف�ا ن� ا ��ل��ل���ذ �ة �ت���ذ �ه��له�ن �ع�ن ا ��ل��د �ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫و� و ل � �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫آن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا �م�ع�ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �� �ه�ن ي ج�‬ ‫ح��د * � ا �م�ا‬ ‫��م��ع�ن �ب��ي�ن ا �لث���لث���ة ��ى � ك�‬ ‫ح��د � �و � � او �‬ ‫م��ا � � او �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ب �ل‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� ف� ت � ا � �د�ة �من �غ ف ت � ا خ‬ ‫ت ّن‬ ‫ا �ن ت�� ��م��تى ك�ل� �� ب ��و ح�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا � ����ل �� ا �ل� �ر�ى * �و�ه��ذه �م�ن ا�ل�م�زا �ي�ا ا �ل ��ى �م�زا ��ا �ب��ه�ا ا �لب��ا ر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت� ا ��‬ ‫� * اَ ��ا �ت � ا ن ا �ل��م ا �ة ا �ذ ا ��س�م�ع ت �مث�� �ا �خ� ���ط�ي��ا ج��م�� �ا �خ‬ ‫� ���ط� ���ف ا ��ل ن��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫�ع� �ى � ك�‬ ‫ب يل ي ب ى‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ل رى � ر‬ ‫يم‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ذ�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت �ز‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ش غ �ف ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و�ي�ز �ه�د ��ه ��ى ا ��ل��د ��ني��ا ��ت��ل�� ت� ب� ك�‬ ‫ح��ا ب�ج ��م�ا �ل�ه �و�ب ك‬ ‫� �ه�د ا ��ى ا �ل�ع�ا �ل� *‬ ‫��ل� �م�ه �و������ � � ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ن ت �ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� ب� ��ود �ى �ل�و ك��ا ��� ا �ل����س�� ي� ��طب�� �ع��ل� ا�لم ن��ا �بر ك��ا �لر�ج��ا �ل * ��ا �ل� ا ا �ل� ب� ك‬ ‫��ي���ه� د �م�ا *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫تّ � �‬ ‫ف ن � �‬ ‫� ا ش �ة � ا �ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ت� ��ا � ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �م�ن ا �ثر�ت��ه� ا ��س��ب��د � او ب ج �مي�� ا �ل� �م�ور ا�لم�ع� ����ي � � او�لم�ع� د �ي�‬ ‫�و�ل��ك�ن �ه�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ن �آ �ن ن ش ا ��ن ف ا ��ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و���م ا ��ت� ا ��ل�ع�زّ � او ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ه * �و�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه� * �م� ك� � ب��ه‬ ‫حر�م� او ا �ل����س� �م ا � ي����� رك���ه� �‬ ‫� ك�و�‬ ‫بر ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ن ت �ن آ‬ ‫��ا ن � � �ن ا �ؤ �نّث �ة ���ذ ا ��ل�� �آ �ج �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ع�مره �ل�و ك��ا ��� ا �ل����س�� � ��و�ل�ى �ه��ذه ا �لر�� ب� * �و �مك� ا � ا �ل�د �ي�� �م� � �� �وك�� ا س�م� � او �ل� ر��ض�‬ ‫� �ظ �� ة ا �� �غ� �� �ة‬ ‫ح��ا �ة � او ��ل �و� � او ��لن���ف �� � او ��لن� �� �ة � او ��ل ��س�ا ��ل��ة � او ��ل��س�ع�ا د�ة � او ��ل‬ ‫� او ج��ل‬ ‫� ن���ة � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �و� �و ل ب��ط�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫س بو ر‬ ‫رح‬ ‫� � ا �ة �� ف� ا �ة �� �ا �غ �ة ا ��ل��س ا �ة‬ ‫� ا ��ل� �ز ة � ا ��لن��ع �ة � ا �� �ف ا �ه �ة � ا � اُ �َّ �ة � ا ��ل� ظ‬ ‫ع ������م��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫ح� � او لب��ل �� �و �م� �‬ ‫�خ ��ط� �ب� � او ل��ص� �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫و ع � و �م� و لر� ي�� و �ل� ب��ه� و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ق ق �ة ا �ل� � �ة � ش � �ة � ا ا � �ة �� � ا �ة ���ز ا �ة‬ ‫� ا �ة � ا �� ف‬ ‫�� ��ل��ة � او �ل��م �و�ة � او ��ل‬ ‫� او �ل��ش�ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ي���� �وم�ل� � او �ل���ر��ع� � او �ل� �ي� �ل� � او ل�و �ل� �ي� � او ل �ع� �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ض�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ة � ا �ة � ن ق ا �ة ا �� ن�ا �ة �� �ف �ة � ا ا ة �ل�‬ ‫� �ا �ف �ة � ا �� �ز ا ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� او ��ل �ئ�ا ��س��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك�و�م� � او �ل��س�ي � ��س� � او �ل���� �ب� �و ل� ك�‬ ‫�� �ب� � او ل�ع ار � � او �ل� �م� ر� � او �ل � و ل�و ر�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ��ة � � ن �ة‬ ‫�خ ّ �ذ � � ال‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ���د �ه�ا‬ ‫� �ة � �ذ ة � ش ة � ا‬ ‫ح�� � او �ل��ل�� � � او �ل����ه�و� * �م� ك� �ج ر‬ ‫� او �لم�م��ل��ك�� � او �ل��س��ل��ط�� * � او � ��ص �ل�ك م ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ة ق � � ت�خ � �‬ ‫��ا ن� �تش��� �ف� ��ا ��ل ن����س�� * �ق��ل ت� �ق�د �ن��س�� ت� ا ��ل�ع�ف���ة � او ��ل‬ ‫ح�ص�ا �� * ��ا �ل ت� �ل�م � ��طر �ل�ى ب��ب��ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ك�ن � ا � �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق ا �� ت ا �ي�ن ا ن�� ت �م�ن ا �ل�م ا �ع�� �ة � �ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ب�� ل� * �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ل� �ل�� ك�ر���ه�ا * ���ل� �و�ل�� ا �لب��ع� �ل �م� ك�ر * � ل�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عف � � ّ � � ا � هَ� نَ �ه ن‬ ‫�ك���ة * �ق��ل ت� �م ض‬ ‫�ك���ة * �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى ى‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح�ز ��‬ ‫ا �ى �‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ح�ز ا �ى �ف���ع�ل �ف���ع�ل * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��هى ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��مم�ا ��ت�ق��د � * �ق��ل ت� ف���ق ��و��ل�ى ا ا ا �خ��ي�را‬ ‫م‬

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‫*‬

‫‪١٠،٨،٤‬‬

‫‪١١،٨،٤‬‬

A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

a man has nothing to concern him in this life but his wife.’ ‘You ought to say “to interest him,”’ she replied. ‘Every interest is also a concern,’ I countered. ‘That is the case with men,’ she responded, ‘because of their failings, but women are not like that.’ ‘That,’ I said, ‘is because of the levity of their minds and the gravity of their appetites, for sensual pleasure blinds them to both this world and the next.’ ‘Not so,’ she replied. ‘They combine the three120 in one place and time, whereas whenever you devote yourself to one, you forget the other. This is one of the characteristics that the Almighty Creator has bestowed on us and not on you. Do you not observe that when a woman listens, for example, to a handsome preacher calling on people to turn from the things of this world, she thrills to his words, falls in love with his good looks, and weeps in a paroxysm of renunciation?’ “‘I wish,’ I said, ‘that women would preach from the pulpits as men do.’

4.8.10

‘Were they to do so,’ she replied, ‘they would make them weep blood. But how unlikely it is that that will ever happen, for men, in their selfishness, have taken full control of all affairs, both mundane and spiritual, and all ranks of dignity and honor, and have forbidden women to share in them with them. How joyful and prosperous the universe would be if women were to take control of these positions! And, just as the word dunyā (“world”) is feminine in gender, as are the words for heaven, earth, paradise, life, spirit, soul, prophecy, prophetic mission, happiness, grace, joy, renown, comfort, ease of life, splendor, greatness, eloquence, chasteness of speech, rhetoric, tolerance, courage, virtue, manliness, truth, the community of believers, the law of God, national territory, sovereign power, leadership, presidency, government, authority, intendancy, syndicship, chieftainship, monitorship, princedom, caliphate, ministry, kingdom, sultanate, and, most especially, affection, pleasure, and sexual desire, how appropriate it would be for that world to be overseen by women!’ ‘You forgot chastity and inviolability,’ I said. ‘They never occurred to me or I would have mentioned them,’ she replied. “‘Anyway,’ I said, ‘“intercourse” is masculine.’ ‘And what would you know about intercourse?’ she said. ‘Not to mention,’ I said, ‘hakhakah.’121 ‘And what is hakhakah?’ she asked. ‘It’s a reduplicative formed from hakka hakka,122 meaning “jiggy-jiggy,” meaning “sheeka-beeka,” meaning “bonky-bonky.”’ ‘It’s better than the ones that preceded it,’123 she said. I said, ‘So say, “At last!” Otherwise it’ll lead to corruption124 and disbelief.’ ‘That would be no fault of

123

123

4.8.11

‫�ف‬ ‫��ي‬

‫ف � � ّ َ ْن ُ قْ ّ َ ْ‬ ‫��س��رمجع‬ ‫���ل �و�هي� ��و�م� �‬ ‫ع���مى ر�هب���ل‬

‫نَ‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫ا �� ن �آ � ا‬ ‫���ف � خ�‬ ‫� * �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫ح � �ف�ا ن� �من‬ ‫�ه�ن ا �� �ف�ل � * �ق��ل ت� ���َ�ع ا �� �ل�فَ َ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه�و ��ك ر و‬ ‫� او �ل� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ر�ج‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ن �ذ �ف �ج� ق ا � ت � ا � �ق � ت �مََ� ق ا � ت ه�ن �قّ �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا ا �ب��‬ ‫ح� �ب�� ى‬ ‫�صر� ا ر�ج * �� �ل� � او �ل� ر �ج * �ل� � او�ل� ر�ج * �� �ل� �و� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ت �ذ � ا �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫�� � ����ن�ه� ا ��� ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ب�ر� * ���ل ت� � بو��م�ن �ن�ي�ر� * ��ا �ل ت� ا ج �لم ب ي � م� ب ل‬ ‫� * ���ل ت� � او �لث��ا ��ى �ع ن��د ���ع� ر ا �ل� �و�ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا � ا ف��� �ق ا � ت � ه � � ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� * � �ل� �وب� ل�ل��س� � �ه‬ ‫�ه�و �ل� ل‬ ‫� * �م ع م� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫��ج‬ ‫�ج �‬ ‫� ��ف�� �فس�ّ �ه�م�ا ا �ل�م� ��ل� ا �ل ش‬ ‫م����ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا �لرج �وع ر وى‬ ‫�� ه ��ف �في�ن �ة‬ ‫ا لي�� �ى ��س� � �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا �ل ن�� ر‬ ‫*‬

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A Voyage Festinate and Language Incomprehensibly and Inscrutably Intricate

women, for in them lies relief.’ ‘Yes indeed,’ I said, ‘relief (faraj)—and if they look well, they’ll see that farj (“vagina”) resembles faraj,’ to which she said, ‘As it does araj (“the sudden blazing of a scent”)’ and I, ‘And maraj (“chaos”),’ and she, ‘And women have the better right to the boy with baraj (“comeliness of face”),’ and I, ‘And to him who performs nayraj (i.e., who “screws”),’ and she, ‘And when you combine the two, you get balaj (“joy”),’ and I, ‘And the one who comes back with a second strike after the first has cried, “Quarter!” is aflaj (“the more victorious”),’ and she, ‘And has the tongue that is the more alhaj (“silver”).’” Then they decided to return and the aforementioned lord had them sent back on steamer-board.

125

125

‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�ل ا �ل��ت�ا ��س�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �� ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه�ي�� �وا �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ڡ ل� �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و���ع�د ا ن� �و��ص�ل ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� ا ��ل�ى �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه �ج��� ه ب���ع�� �م�ع�ا رف��ه �و��س�ا ��ل�ه �ع�ن �� �فس� ره * ف��ا ��س ّر ا �لي��ه‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع�ي�ن �ه �ن�ا �ظ �� � ا �ل� ��ا � � �� � ج� ت‬ ‫�ه�ود ��ى �ت��و��� �م�ا �ل�ن �‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ا * � او �ن�ه‬ ‫ر ىب ب ر و‬ ‫و‬ ‫���ه ا � ���س� ا �لي�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ��ا �ت�ز � ا �� ن ا � ف ا ن ه ن� ا �ن�ز �� ا �� ا �� ف� �ق ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك�ن ��د ا �ن�ز �ل ���ه� ا ا ج�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ي��‬ ‫� �مك� ع� ل��ص� رى �� �� ا �م� ل �ب� لر�ج�� ل ���‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫�ي���ل �م���س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�خس ق‬ ‫ف���ق��ا ��ل ت� ا �م ار �ت�ه �م�ن �ور� ا �لب��ا ب� ق��د ��س�م�ع ت� �م�ا ��ت�ق��و��ل ب���ل ا�لم���‬ ‫� �و��� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل����س�� ء * ��ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ث ق ��س ت ن� ن ا � ا خ��ف � � � ن �خ ا ف� �ة �ف� ض� �ن �ف � �ي�ن ا ��لن خ�� � ��ف‬ ‫�وا �� �و �ل� ي ��‬ ‫�ى �ع�لي��ك م��ى �� ي�� ��مى � � ��س�ك ا �ل� � �‬ ‫حي�� ��د �م�ع� ج �‬ ‫�و �ض� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫قا � ت‬ ‫��ف �ع�ن ا �ذ ���ن �ه�م�ه�م��ة * � ��ل�ا �ع�ن‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� الم���ست�‬ ‫ن ه ا خ�‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح ب� * �� �ل� ا ج���ل ا �� �م� ي ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ن �ز ّ � ا � �ف‬ ‫ن �� �ة ث ن ت‬ ‫قا � ت‬ ‫ق �ع‬ ‫�ص�د ر ت� ���فى الجم‬ ‫�ع�ي �ى س�م��س�م� * �� ا ���ه�ا ���‬ ‫�ج��ى �م �ى ا �لر�ج�� �ل ��ى‬ ‫���ل��س �و�� �ل� * ��د ا ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ز � ن آ‬ ‫� �ق � ة � ث �ت ظ ��‬ ‫ت ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�س�ق��ا �ن�ه� * ق��ا ��ل ف���ق���ل ت� ��� �ى ا �ل����س��‬ ‫�هر � ي �‬ ‫له� ��ص�ي ر� بحي�� ��‬ ‫� ��و���س ا � ��س ار � �ي�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � غ� ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا �ج�ع‬ ‫��و�ق� * ف�� � ا �لر�ج�� �ل ��د �ي��ك��س�و� � ي �‬ ‫ط�ه� �و�م�‬ ‫�وا ر ب� �م� ي���‬ ‫�س��� ���ه� �م ا ج��‬ ‫� ب� � او �ش �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا � ا ف ا ا � ن �آ ��ف �ق ه�ن ا �ة � ا �ش‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ذ �� � ف ا ��ل ا � �� ت خ‬ ‫��ف �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫س‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و� ب ي و ى ي ر‬ ‫ور م و �ي ي�‬ ‫ل�ك �� ��سر وي�ل �ى‬ ‫ن �� ّ ث ا ش ف � ا ت� ت �ن �ّ‬ ‫ف �ت � ا �ل� ا �ة ت�� ش‬ ‫حق��ا ئ�� �ه�ن‬ ‫م���� ���فى ا � او � ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر �و� ��و���ه� ي� �‬ ‫م��� ب�‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫���� ع�م� ح��ه �م � كب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� * �� رى �مر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � ن �ز ّ‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫�� ث‬ ‫��ع ب� �و�م�ك�‬ ‫�و� �م�قب� ب� * �و�م�ق��ع ب� �و�م�ق ��ّو ب� * �و�م�ك�‬ ‫ع� ب� * �����ا �ل ت� ب� ��ود �ى �ل�و ك���ا � �ى‬ ‫� ا ن � ت�ز �ة ن‬ ‫ا ��ل ن����س��آ ��‬ ‫�كه�ئ‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ف��ا �‬ ‫ي���ة ا �ج���س�ا �م�ه�ن * ق���ل ت� �ه��ذ ا �ي��‬ ‫ح ش����ا �م�ن �و�ج� �ه��ي�ن * �ل� � ا�لم�� ��ي ي�� �ب�ه ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن �ع ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ان‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف � ن ت�ن‬ ‫� ن �� ���ة‬ ‫ك���ا �� ت� رك�را ك��� �ع ن��د �ل� � �ل��� ك���ا �� ت� �� � �ل��ل ن��ا ��س �و�ع ��ط��ل ت� �عب��ا د ا لله ع ا �م� �ل�ه�م * �و �‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� � ���آء �ع� ا ��ل ن��ا �� � ا �‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ح �ت�ه� ���ف ب�� �� �ت�ه� �ت� ���ط�ّ� ا �من‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ة ا �و ر���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� د رد �‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫س و ر � م ى ي و � م ير �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫‪126‬‬

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‫‪٢،٩،٤‬‬

Chapter 9

Form and Shapes

After the Fāriyāq returned home, an acquaintance came and asked him why

4.9.1

he was leaving, so he took him aside and said, his eye trained on the door to his wife’s room, that the Jewesses of Tunis were still beautiful and that their race hadn’t yet been turned into monkeys, as the Christians pretend—that only applied to the men. From behind the door his wife said, “I heard what you said. You’re wrong—it’s the women who were turned into monkeys,” to which he replied, “Since you heard our private conversation and none of my secrets are hidden from you, come and join us, so that we may continue this pleasant discourse.” “You’re quite right,” she declared, “not the softest whisper escapes my ears, nor the tiniest speck my eyes” and she came out into the middle of the parlor and said, “What I like about the dress of the Tunisian men is that their pantaloons are short, which makes their calves visible.” The Fāriyāq continued, “Then I said, ‘You’re wrong. The dress of the women is more pleasing and alluring; the men’s calves may be covered by socks, not to mention that their pantaloons cover their midriffs and adjacent parts. The calves of the women, on the other hand, are in plain sight and nothing hides their posteriors. You will see a woman walking during the hot weather and everything that’s rounded and domed, concave and coned, well-turned and tumescent may be seen through her mantle.’ She responded, ‘I wish women’s clothes could take the shape of their bodies.’ I said, ‘That would be an abomination, from two perspectives: if the woman wearing them were big-buttocked, bigbreasted, and big-thighed, she’d be a source of strife among the people and keep God’s servants from their work, but if she were as wide as she was tall,

127

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4.9.2

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫� ن � � �ف �ذ �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ّ ن �ز‬ ‫�� ئ �ة‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ي�� ا �ج���س�ا �مه � �ا �ل �‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� �م�ا ��سب�� ب� ك���و� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ��ى �ه� ا ا �لب���ل��د �ي��ت�ز �ي��و� ب� �ى �ك�ه�‬ ‫� �م و �ل �وم‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫��ك� �م�ا ��ت ف���ع��ل�ه ا ��ل ��ا ��ل ���س��غ � �م�ا ��ت ف���ع��ل�ه ا �ل����س��‬ ‫�ع��ل�ه� � ��ل�ا ��م �ظ � �ن �ؤ ت‬ ‫ي� م و‬ ‫ر�ج ي و و‬ ‫ح �� �ور �م ر � ��ي �‬ ‫�ه�م * ا � �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي��غ����ّ �ب�ه * �ل�ع�مر�ى ا ن� �ه��ذ ا ا �ل�ز �ى ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �م�ن �ز �ى ر�ج��ا ��ل �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا * �ف�ا �ن��ك �تر�ى �م�ن ��ل�ه‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ن � ش � ��ف ��ا � ش ا ة ���‬ ‫��ث� ا � ا ��ت��لت��ف �ع��ل ه �م�ن �ق�د ا � � �م�ن �خ���ل�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ك�� �ل���� � ل�ل‬ ‫��س ا � �� �م‬ ‫ح��ل ب� * �وك���ي ر م� � ي��‬ ‫�ه� ي�م����ى �و��‬ ‫�‬ ‫مو‬ ‫ر وي�ل � م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ش ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ا ن �مث �ا ��ف ��م ت ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫فت ق‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ح��ر��ه �و�ق�ا �ل �ل�ه �ق�ا �ئ��ل ��د‬ ‫���ع�و��ه �ع�ن ا�لم����ى �� ض�‬ ‫�ر�ى * �و�ل�و ا ��ه ك�� � ��ل �ى‬ ‫�ّ �‬ ‫ن �ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� �ف ن�ز � فت �غ ّ �ن ف‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫ا رك ا �لي ��و�م ��ى �م�� �ل��ك ��ى � ��س�ا ��ى �ر�ه�د * �و�لم�ا �ل�م ي ج���د ك �لب� ث� �ي���ت� �� رك �و�ه�ا �ه�و ا �ل� �‬ ‫شّ‬ ‫�ه ن��ا ك * � �ق�د ا � ت‬ ‫ه��� ت� ا ��ل��ه � � ش��� ت� � ��ه ا ��ل ��ت ��ث ّ� ��� ت‬ ‫ح��ف���ل ت� �ب�ه �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت���ك �و�‬ ‫ط��ه � او �مر ت�‬ ‫و‬ ‫وى ى ب‬ ‫ي وب‬ ‫حت ��ت ن�ف � ن � �� ش �ة‬ ‫ع�ت�ه�ا ا ��ل���ك � �خ��ل�ا‬ ‫�ذ � ث‬ ‫�ت ت ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خل ا �ة ا ن ت�‬ ‫�����ه� * ا � �لو ب��� � ي و‬ ‫ا �� د �م� �ب� � ��مر��ض� ا �و �م� ر��ض� �ى ���ى ع��ك ا ل ب‬ ‫� ا ��ا ن �‬ ‫ن ا‬ ‫ا ت ق ت ن �ز ا ت � ا ن ا��ا ن ت �ن‬ ‫�ل�ه�م� ا �ل ك�‬ ‫م�� � �ل ار �ب��ك ا �مر�ه�م� � او �ع����د � ا � �ي� ر��ه �ل�ه� ا ��م� ك�� ��� �ع �م�و�ع�د * � او ���ه� ��هى‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � �ذ‬ ‫� ة � ا �ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���و�ق� ا ��ل�ى ر ��ؤ ���ة ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ن�ت��ك * �و�غ��ي�ر ��ل��ك �م�ن ا �� ك�‬ ‫ا�لم���ص�ود �ب��ه��ذه ا �ل�ز �ي�ا ر� �ل� ا �ل�� ش �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �م ا �ل�� �ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫نت ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�ف��د ا ��ل� �م��ن�ز ��ل�ه � ���ي�ن‬ ‫�خ �م ن��ه ا ���حل‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ه � او ��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي��ف� ي��م��‬ ‫�م�ل�ا �ق� * �ف ك‬ ‫��ي���ور �ب�ه ا �ل��د �م � �يو��� ���‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ه��ذه ا � ي� ى‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ت �ق ا � ت �ن� �ت � � ن � �ن �‬ ‫� �ة �� ش‬ ‫��خ���ذ ��ه �م�ا ����ذ �ه� ��ه �ه ن��ا �و�ه ن��ا ك * ث�� �‬ ‫����‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك ن���� ا ��ل�ا �� ��ا ��ا �له�ا ����ل�ص ��ه�ا �ك�� �م�ا �� ا �ل� �� �م�ن ا �ل� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�و�ي�� س ر �ض ب ي � ي �� ب � ل ى ر �ض‬ ‫�� ��س� � او � �ل�� ر * �ى‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫�ذ �ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ت��ه �من ا ا � � ف ن‬ ‫ح��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�ب�ي��ث���ة �ف��ع�� �لق� ب��ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ه�ا � او ن� ك�‬ ‫ا ا � او ��ى ب����ت��ه �م�ل��أه �ب�ا �ل ار �‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫�ه� �م� �يرد ا �ل��طر�� �ع �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ئ� �ة � � �ة‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ح��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�خ ث �ة ت غ �‬ ‫�عب��ق���ة * �ل�ا ن� ا �ل ار �‬ ‫�ك��ا ��ي�ق��ا �ل * �و�� ض�‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن �ل��ك‬ ‫ح� ا �ل��ط�بي�� �م‬ ‫�ب�ي���� �����ل ب� �ع��ل�ى ا ل ار‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫� ت �ت ا � ا ف ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د� ي��ع��م� �من ا � � � �ن‬ ‫ا �ل � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ل �‬ ‫�ف�ا � ج�‬ ‫�ب�� � او �‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫�ه� ك��ي ر م �ه��ذه ��ى �لب����س�ه� ا �ل� ر�ج ا �ى �ص�ور �هم * �و�لي����س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �� ا �م�ن ئ �ة � � ا ش ا ة �ف ا �ن ا ت خ� �ق � ف‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫�ل��لر ج���ل لب����س�ه�‬ ‫�ه�ي�� و �ل� ���� ر� � ��ه� ��‬ ‫�صر و �ل�‬ ‫��فى �� او �م�ه ك����ل�ه ��ل�ا �ير�ى �ل�ه � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ان ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ة �ا‬ ‫�خ ق‬ ‫�ك� ن �ظ �� ة�‬ ‫��ا �هر� �مك��ا ��هى *‬ ‫��ي�ره * �و�م�ا ��� �ل� ا لله ا �ل� ���س�ا � �ع��ل�ى �ه��ذه ا �ل� �صور� ا �ل� � او را د ا � �ت��و�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص��ف��ا �و�ش���ت�� ء �ف�ا �ذ ا ��ه ���س��تر �و ن� ا د ��ا ر��ه ���ه��ذه ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �ق�د را ��ي ت� ا ��ل�ا �ف � ���فى ��ل�ا د �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب مب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫مي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ز �ن ق �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ا � ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �من�ه� �� ا �ل ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�ل� � ��� * �و �ل� ي�م����ى ا � � م ى‬ ‫�� ر �ج ��� �هر ا �ل�د �بر �مك�ا ي�م����ى �ه�و �ل� ا � �ل ��و�م ا � �ل��لي���ل�و‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫� �ة * �ق�ا ��ل ت � ا ��ل� ��� ن � ا ��ا �ف�خ�ا �ذ * �ق��ل ت �ظ ����ا �ه �ة * �ق�ا ��ل ت �ق�د �ش ف‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫ح��� ���فى �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫�����‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫‪128‬‬

‫‪128‬‬

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‫‪٤،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

or ugly, she’d be a plague upon people and force them to take refuge in their houses lest she bring them bad luck.’ “‘Tell me why,’ she said, ‘the men in this country dress in form-fitting

4.9.3

garments and no one reproaches them and there’s nothing forbidden about looking at them. Does this mean that everything men do is to be swallowed with ease and everything women do choked on? I swear this dress is better than that worn by men in our country: there you find men who wear pantaloons and walk with their legs held far apart like ewes waiting to be milked, and sometimes these pantaloons get wrapped around them, in front or in back, and prevent them from walking, to say nothing of running. Let us suppose, for example, that a man wearing such pantaloons were at his place of work and someone came and told him, “A bonny, strapping young man came to visit you today at your house, and when he didn’t find you, he stayed to wait for you and he’s still there, right now, and your wife gave him a warm welcome and made him feel right at home, and it was she who insisted he stay and ordered the maid to be sick, or to pretend to be sick, so that you wouldn’t have any misgivings, because if she’d sent her to you and they’d been left alone together, you’d have been suspicious and thought that his visit to her must have been prearranged and that she, and not a longing to see your ugly face, was the object of the visit,” and other things to make the blood boil and the eyelids swell. Under circumstances such as these, how can he rush home with the thing between his thighs knocking him this way and that?’ “Then she laughed and went on, ‘Indeed, and you’ll see a man walking along wearing a jubbah with its skirts sweeping the ground so that everything on it that’s polluting and filthy sticks to them, and when he reaches his house, he fills it with a bad smell, enough of which clings to his wife to make one avert one’s eye from her even if she be a sweet-scented woman, for, as they say, “bad smells drive out good.” Furthermore, out of one jubbah many of those things the Franks wear down to their waists125 may be made and a man who wears one is left with no shape or style, for it hides his whole figure and neither his midriff nor any other part of him may be seen. God would not have created humans in the form that they have unless He had wanted it to be visible the way it is.’ I replied, ‘I have seen the Franks in their own countries in summer and in winter and, behold, they cover their buttocks with those tight jubbahs of theirs and do not walk around outside with their backsides

129

129

4.9.4

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫�‬ ‫� � ا ن � �ز ّ‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ���ف �ذ ا ك �ف�ا �م�ا ��س��ت �ه�م�ا �م�ع�ا ��ف ش���ن���� * �ل�ع�م �ى ا ن� ا ��ل ن��ا �� �ل�� ��� ت‬ ‫ه��د � او ا �ل�ى ا �ل� � ا �ل�ى �ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫س مي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� يع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ا ة �ف ا ن‬ ‫�ج� ن � ��ل���� ت‬ ‫� � �ن � �ة � ا ���ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن �ف� ق ئ �ة ا �ل‬ ‫ا ئ �ل��ل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫س�‬ ‫ح��س �ي�� او �� �ه�ي�� �ج ��س�م � �وي�ل� ��م ��م�ل � �وب�ه ���� ر� * � � �ه��ذه ا �لب� �ري� ��ط� �ل� ب �ى و ي‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫ا �� ��ق ْ � ا � �ة‬ ‫ئ �ة �‬ ‫� ا �ف � ن آ � ا �ف � � � ا‬ ‫�م�ل�ا ��م� �ل��ل�و�ج��ه �ل� ��ى ا �ل����س�� �و �ل� ��ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل * �ل� �ن��ه�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ب�ا � �لق��ف�� ا �و ا �ل�ز �ن�ب��ي���ل ا �و ِل ر ��ط� �ل�‬ ‫�ُْ �ة � َّ‬ ‫� ّ�ة � عَ ْ �ة � ْ‬ ‫��ُْ �ة � غَ �فْ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح �� ا �و ا �ل��‬ ‫� �ن��ة ا �و ا ج��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�وا ���لق ا �و ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ا �و ا �ل��س��ل� ا �و ا �ل�ي�ب�� ا �و ا �لِ�ع ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫رج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫� قَ ْ‬ ‫�� ُ ّ‬ ‫� قَ فْ �ة ��ُ ّ�ة � �قَ ْ‬ ‫� �قُ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ال��خمْ ف‬ ‫�نْ ف‬ ‫���ع� ا �وا جل‬ ‫ا �و ا �جل‬ ‫� �ف� ا �وا � �ل �‬ ‫���ل� ا �وا � �ل ش���� ا �و ا�لم�د ا ر�ة ا �وا � �ل���ل� ا �و ا � ِك‬ ‫�ر��‬ ‫ل����� ا �وا � �ل نب��� ا �و ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ق ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ة‬ ‫� �آ ا � ا �� �لقَ ْ �صَ َّ�ة ا � ا �� �لفَ ْ د ا � ا ��لت���ّل�� �ة ا � ا �� َ ف��� �ة ا � ا ��ل ْ ف‬ ‫ا �و ا �ِ�ل ن�� ا �و ا �ل�ز ك��بي�� ا �و ا ِج�ل�‬ ‫���ل�� ا �و‬ ‫�و و ��و� ر و ��و و ي ��س� و ل�وِي ع� و ِج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �صَ ُّ‬ ‫� َفْ‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫�خَ ف �ة � �َ ْ �خ� �َّ�ة �� َ �فَ ��‬ ‫ا �ل� ْ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ضَ�ن ��ة ا �و ا �ل� ن��و ت� * �و�ه��ذه ا �ل�ع�م�ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� صَ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��� و ل�د و ل� و ��س��ط و ح���ص و ِ ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن آ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ا � �ن ف ف‬ ‫�َ � ت �ت‬ ‫�غ ئ‬ ‫� * �و�ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن ��ل�ا ���ه�ا *‬ ‫�صر �ل� ح��س ��‬ ‫د �و�ن��ه�ا ��ى ا � �ل��قب �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �� ض�‬ ‫حب��ر ا �ل ��ى ���لب����س�ه�ا ���س�� �م�‬ ‫�ق �ن �ذ � �ح��� �ذ ��ل�ز � ��ذ ��ت ت‬ ‫� ا � ف ا ن � ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ص�د � �� ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م �ل�ك ك��ل�ه �ه� ا ا �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� او ب��‬ ‫ح ا �م ا �ل� �ى ح م ب� لر�ج � ل � � يم�ل �‬ ‫�صر و � ر و‬ ‫تي ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا �ق� � ن ه �ذ ا �� ش � �� � ��ذ � � �� ن‬ ‫ا �� ��� � ا � �ع�ن ا �� ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�طع�‬ ‫� �� �ه� ���ر��ط ل� ى ب�ط� � ��س � �ه‬ ‫ل�ه��� * و ب �‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ير و� ب ر ويل � �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �ف �ز ن �آ � ا ف ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫ركب�‬ ‫�ه� �ف�ا �ن�ه �ي��و�ق��ف� ا ��ل��د � �ع�ن ��س �ر�ا �ن�ه ���فى ا �ل�ا ر ج���ل * �و�ل���� ��ى �ى ���س� ا �ل� �ر� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ق � ا � ا تّ ش غ � �ة � ا � �ذ‬ ‫ائ ا � ف‬ ‫� ا�� ن‬ ‫ح�ا � ��ل ت� ا ن� ا �خ���ت �ز ��ا‬ ‫ا �ل� ك�� �و�ه �م�ل� ��م� �ل��ل�م ار ��د * �و��د ��ط� �لم� ب��� �م���� ��و�ل� ا �لب�� �ل �ب��ه� ا �و� و‬ ‫رع ي‬ ‫تش‬ ‫��� ���ق � �خ� �ف���ة � ���ط�ل�ا � �ة � ��ل�ا ��ل��ة �م� �م� ا ف���ق���ة �ه�ئ‬ ‫ي���ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ف�ي��ه �‬ ‫س �م�ا ا �م��‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫و و و�ج‬ ‫ح��س�ن �و� �وي� و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن تّ � �ذ � � �ن ق‬ ‫ّ � �ان‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫فا‬ ‫�� ن� �م�ع�د � د�ة �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��� ��ي� �ف��‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ا لله �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�ى ا �ل� � * �وع��س�ى ا � ��ي ج���ه �ل�ى �ل�ك �ع �ر��ي ب� �� ك��و‬ ‫م ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �� ا � � � ا قت ا �ق � ��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ج��م��ل� ا�لم��س��ب�� ��ط�� ��ى �ه� ا ا �ل�ع�‬ ‫�صر * ���ل� �و��ه�ل �ل�م ي �طر ب��ب�� �ل�ك ا �ل� ���ص� د � ��ط �ى‬ ‫�خ�ز ن �ة‬ ‫ا ��س��ت�ن��ا ���ط��ك * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل�ا �ف�ا ن� �خ��ي�ر ا �ل�م�ا ��ل �م�ا ا ��ن ف� ��ق �ع��ل ا �ل��م ا �ة * �ق��ل ت� ب��� �ع��ل �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫� ا ��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �ى ر‬ ‫ل �ى‬ ‫قا � ت َ ت ا ن ق � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ا ��ف �ل��� � � �ت ش ا � ه � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� او ش���ر� ا �ل�ى ��س�ه�و� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��� ب� * �� �ل� ا �و ���ع� � ��� ا � ك��� ب� �ى ي لك و ���� عر * �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ن � ا ن �ة‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �م��ت�ز � ن���ة ��ا ��ل��لب��ا ��س � او ��ل‬ ‫�ت��ه ��لي�� ًل�ا �ل�ا �ت��‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ي� ش����ا �عر �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ا �لر ج���ل �‬ ‫ح��ل�ى ب���ل �ت���كو� ع �ر� ��‬ ‫�ي ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�فُُ ا �أ � تف� ض ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���� �ة ا � ّ�ا �ع ن�د ا خ� �ي�ن ف���ص�د �ق ���ل ا � ا ق��� �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ع ن��د ��و� * �و ر�ج�� �و م���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي ���‬ ‫�ّ��خ�ل ا �ل�ا �ن���س�ا ن� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ج�ل ���ه�ا ره ‬ ‫ت �ف �‬ ‫ف��ا �ذ ا ا � �‬ ‫�س��ق ار ��ى ا � �ف�ل ار ��ش� �ب��د ت� ��ل� ه‬ ‫‪130‬‬

‫ا ة �ف‬ ‫� ت ف ز‬ ‫�ح��ى ��ي� ��و�� ب�����غ� د� ��ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه �و �مث���ل ا ��ل��تي���� �‬ ‫ح ت�‬ ‫�ج� �‬ ‫س‬ ‫‪130‬‬

‫�� �ل�ي��ل�ه‬ ‫�ذُ‬ ‫��يَ��ي��ل�ِه‬

‫‪٥،٩،٤‬‬

‫‪٦،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

showing the way the shameless folk on this island do.’ ‘And what of their bellies and thighs?’ she asked. ‘Exposed,’ I said. ‘So that makes up for the other,’ she said, ‘but when both are covered, it’s horrible. I swear, people have yet, to this day, to arrive at a good-looking form of dress that goes with the shape of the body, is suitable for work, and has some style. I don’t like that hat they wear and it’s ill-suited to the face, whether on a woman or a man, because it looks like nothing so much as a bin,126 basket, caddy, swad, punnet, molly, scuttle, trug, frail, haskie, peck, prog, pancheon, bag, barge, sack, barrel, box, bran-tub, wash-tub, poke, cawl, pandan, vat, piss-pot, chamber-pot, jam-jar, firkin, cask, hamper, pannier, satchel, gunny-bag, leather bottle, leathern pottle, tun, or platter, and all those turbans are even uglier. “‘And those cloaks that the women of Egypt wear have nothing attractive

4.9.5

about them, as well as being expensive. Uglier than all the foregoing is that waistband that the men tie around themselves, for it fills up the midriff and the chest and prevents food from being digested. Uglier still is the tape with which they tie their pantaloons below the knee, because it stops the blood from running properly through the legs. The only good thing about the dress of Frankish women is that it is adapted to the bustle. I have spent many a night puzzling over this and trying to invent attire that looks good and is alluring, graceful, elegant, dignified, and as in harmony with the shape of the body as possible, and so far God has failed to inspire me. Maybe it’ll come to me soon, and I’ll be awarded a place among the creative minds of the age.’ “‘In all this creativity of yours,’ I asked, ‘do you never give a thought to economy?’ ‘Never,’ she replied, ‘because money is never better spent than on a woman.’ ‘Quite the contrary,’ I said. ‘It is never better spent than on a closet such as this,’ and I indicated the bookcase. ‘Can you hug a book at night,’ she answered, ‘and sleep with it under a single blanket?’ ‘When a man sleeps with his wife under a blanket at night,’ I responded, ‘she isn’t bedecked with garments and ornaments. Quite the contrary, she’s naked among some groups, and wears a single shift or is wrapped in a single sheet or blanket among others, thus fulfilling the promise of the verses that go One dresses his best for most of the day So that at night of a damsel he may take advantage. Then, when they’re settled in bed, his ass may be seen, Bare as a billy goat’s under its little appendage.’

131

131

4.9.6

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت �� ��ف �ت�� ّ � ا �ل��م ا �ة � �ز ��ن��ت ن‬ ‫� ًا‬ ‫���و� ��ق � �وت�� �ي‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ه�ا را � ش �‬ ‫� �ل�ز �و�ج� �ه�ا �لي��ل� * ���ل ت� ���ع�‬ ‫� ب �ل �ى ب ر �ج ر و ي �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ت اف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ن �ف ا���ذ �‬ ‫��ا �ه�ا ا �� ض� ا ق ا � ت‬ ‫�ه�م ت� �ه� ا ا�لم�عن��ى ا �لب��دي���‬ ‫��� * �� �ل� ب���ل �و�ل�� ��س�ه� ك�� �ل��ك * ���ل� �م� � �‬ ‫�و جل ر ي‬ ‫ع ��ه�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��م ا �ة ا �ذ ا �ن �ظ� ��� ت� ا ��ل� �ز ��ن��ت‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫ح ْ��س�ن �و�ك�‬ ‫���ل ُ�‬ ‫�ر * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ل�ا �ش����ك �ف�ا ن� ا �ل�ز� ن���ة ُ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه�ا �ت ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ى ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف ن ُ �ذ ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حت �� �ن �ظ� ��� ْت � ا ا �م ���طه� ا ا � �مت ا ا ��ن �ف �� ا ا � �ش ا � �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� ا‬ ‫ِر ��ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و د‬ ‫ح��سَ�ن * ��ى �لو ر� ج �‬ ‫� م� و �� �ع� �ي ��س� و ���ي � ر‬ ‫�� �م� �ي�� ك� ب‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫�� ا � ت ف ا ا ��ل �‬ ‫� �ن �ز ن �ة ا ��ل�� ا ت � ا � ��� ن �‬ ‫� ش�خ‬ ‫م � �� �سم� � او � � او �ل� ر �ض� ك�‬ ‫�م�ا �ل *‬ ‫ل��ا � ا �و�ل �م�ا ي� ��طر ب��ب��ا �ل�ه�ا ��� �ص� م�� �ص�� �ب� �ج �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � ا ش �ق ��ف ا ��� ا ن �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ل ت� ���ه�و ا ا ���ص�ور �م ��ط�� �ل� ��ي�ر �م�ع�ي� * ��ا �ل� ا � ك�� � ا �ل� � �‬ ‫��و� �ى لعي�� � * �‬ ‫�ه�و‬ ‫� � ا �ذ ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���ا ن * �ق��ل ت� � �ع�� �ف �� � ض‬ ‫� ا ف �ئ‬ ‫�� ر ا ��ل�ز �و�‬ ‫�س�ق� ا �ل�ى ا �ل� �ه�ا � * � او �ل� ��ا �ى ك���ا ��ن ك� �‬ ‫ا �ل� � ب �‬ ‫و ل�ى ر �ض‬ ‫ح� �و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ف � �خ � ا � ا �‬ ‫�� ن ه � �م���س �ة � �ن ��ل �‬ ‫ق ا � ت �ذ ُ �فّق �‬ ‫�و ش���ر ���ط ك�� �و� �ع�لي��ه �‬ ‫ح� م ا �ج �‬ ‫�م�ا �ل * �‬ ‫��ه�ل �ل�ه � ��ط�ور �ب� �لب�� �ل * �� �ل� ا ا �و ��� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف ق �خ � �� � ا � ف �ة � ن �ة‬ ‫� ف �ة � � ق �ة ق‬ ‫ا �ل�م��لي��ق� � او �لت��عر�� ب� �����د ي� ��طر �و�ل��ك�ن �ل� �ب�ا �ل�ص��� ا �ل�عي���ي�� ب���ل �ب�ا �ل�ص��� ا �لم��ط��ل��� * ���ل ت�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ��م�ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق�د لم‬ ‫�ه�م�ه * �و�ل��ك�ن ا ��س�ا �ل��ك �� �س او �ل �‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�ى �ه� ا ا�لم�ع��ى ��س�ا �ب ����ا �و� �‬ ‫�ه�مت��ه ��‬ ‫ح� � �‬ ‫حر ��ي�ر‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ضَ‬ ‫� ة ن �ت ق �ز‬ ‫ا �ف � �ذ�� �ت ّ‬ ‫ّا‬ ‫����ل� � ��ل�ا صَ غ ا‬ ‫� ��� * �ه�ل� ي�ج� ب� �ع��ل�ى ا�ل�م ار � ا � � ���د �م �و�ج� �ه� ��ى ا �ل�� ك�ر � او �ل��ص�ور‬ ‫�ى � و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا � �ة�� ن ��ش���خ� ا ا ا � ا �ن فّ ا ا ك��‬ ‫� �ن � ث ن � ه ا �م�ز �ة ا �� �ق ��ف ّ �ة‬ ‫��م��عه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫م حي�� � ل� ي� و ي�� * وح� ل� ك�و� ي �ه� و ب� �ه� و ي��ل�ه� و �� ح�ه� و ي �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ح��ل ف���ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا �ق ا‬ ‫� ا ش ا � ا �‬ ‫ح�ه�ا �و�‬ ‫��ج�‬ ‫�و��ك��في��‬ ‫ه��د�ه� � او كي����ل�ه� �و��� ��ير ب��ه� �و�ج��لي����س�ه� �و��سم�ي�ر�ه� �و� ي �‬ ‫�ي��ع�ه� �و�ع� ي��د�ه� �و�ع� ي‬ ‫ش ا �ف ا ن‬ ‫�ّ�ه�ا � ض��م�ن�ه�ا � � ��لّ ا ���ف ا �‬ ‫ع���ق�ه�ا � �ن��د ��مه�ا � �خ���ل� ���طه�ا‬ ‫��� ا ن‬ ‫�ه� �و��ك ي���ل�ه� �وك�يل��م�ه� �و� ي � و ي � و ي �‬ ‫�ه� �و ج�ي � و ي � و و ي�‬ ‫�و�ع����ي�ر�ه� � او �لي�� �‬ ‫� ا ش � ا �خ � ا ق ا � ت ن‬ ‫ا ش �غ ا �ق ا غ ض‬ ‫�����ه�ا‬ ‫�ق ا‬ ‫�وع�مي���ل�ه� �و���ر�ي��ك�ه� �و��لي���ل�ه� * �� �ل� ���ع�م �ور�ي�ب��ه� �و��سب��ي�ب��ه� �و����ي�ب��ه� �و�ع�ي�ب��ه� �و��� ي ب �‬ ‫�� ا � ت ا ث ا �ف‬ ‫ح�� ا �خ� �ص ا ��ز ا �ز�‬ ‫ح��مه�ا � ��ن ���ي�ز �ه�ا � �� �لق�����سه�ا � ف���ق�����سه�ا‬ ‫�وك���لي�ب��ه� �و�ل�ي��ب��ه� �و � �و�ي��ب��ه� �و�ي‬ ‫وي � و ي �‬ ‫�ص�ه� �و � ي��م�ه� �و�ل ي��م�ه� �و ي � و ب‬ ‫���ا � �� ��سه�ا � �ن�ا ���ط� �ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫قف ا ا‬ ‫ا ن ا �ق ا ف ا ن ا‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫�و����ي����س�ه� �و�ج�� ��س�و��س�ه� �و�ع�ا ��س�و��س�ه� �و�ج�� ر �و��س�ه� � �و� ��و��س�ه� �و�� � ��و��س�ه� �وك� ب و � و ور‬ ‫ن ا ��ق ا ق � ت �ق ق ا �‬ ‫ح� ا �� �لق��ا �م� �� دَ ��ّل ا �ل��م ا �ة � دَ ��ل�ا ��له�ا �ت��د ��ل��له�ا‬ ‫� ا نا ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر و �‬ ‫وس‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و� �ور�ه� * ��ل� �د �� �ل �م�و �ل� �� �ص� � ب‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫�ف ت نّ تش ّ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�خ ف‬ ‫آة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك � ن ت خ � ف‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫� �و���� ��ل ك‬ ‫�و�ج� �ه�ا �ت �ري�ه جِ� �ر � �ع��لي��ه ��ى ����غ��‬ ‫���ا ���ه�ا ��ا � �ل��ه �و�م�ا �ب��ه�ا ��ل�ا �� * �و��ا �ل ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�ج‬

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‫‪٧،٩،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،٩،٤‬‬

‫‪٩،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

“‘You’re wrong,’ she said. ‘A woman who decks herself out and wears her

4.9.7

adornments is alluring by day and arousing for her husband by night.’ ‘Indeed,’ I said, ‘and for her neighbor too.’ ‘Say rather,’ she responded, ‘“and for herself too.”’ ‘I didn’t grasp that final scintillating point,’ I said. ‘Does a woman feel a desire to make love when she sees her own adornments?’ ‘Without a doubt,’ she replied. ‘For adornment is a form (and what a form!) of pulchritude and everything pulchritudinous puts her in mind of a handsome man. Even if she sees a perfect horse, or a precious object, or any of the adornments of earth or sky, the first thing to enter her mind will be a male distinguished by beauty.’ ‘Pulchritude, then,’ I said, ‘is the visualization of something absolute rather than something specific?’ ‘If it’s the thing most attractive to the eye, then it’ll be the thing most readily seized on by the mind,’ she replied. ‘Otherwise, any old thing would do.’ ‘And if we were to suppose that the husband was present and assuming that he was not without at least a touch of beauty, would the thought of him cross her mind?’ I asked. ‘If he could be accommodated within the terms of intercourse and copulation, he might cross it, though not in terms of his specific attributes but as an example of the attributes of the absolute.’127 “‘I have already noted that point,’ I said, ‘and understood its true mean-

4.9.8

ing. But let me ask you a question, purely heuristically and with no ulterior motive or parti pris: should not a wife put her husband before all others in terms of recall and visualization, given that he has a right to certain prerogatives and privileges, and in view of the fact that he is her shaykh and father, her lawful mate and conjugal benefactor, her bedmate,128 her playmate, her copemate, her messmate, her tentmate, her roommate, her classmate, her pewmate, her bunkmate, her waymate, her cupmate, her tablemate, her couchmate, her watchmate, her clubmate, her intimate?’ ‘Indeed,’ she replied, ‘as well as being her watcher, her insulter, her disturber, her pursuer, her angerer, her attacker, her pesterer, her pouncer, her scrutinizer, her opposer, her clutcher, her jostler, her name-caller, her needler, her hair puller, her tress-tugger, not to mention the one who spies on her, stalks her, raises the alarm against her, beats the clapper-board129 to raise the hue and cry against her, tells tales on her, and is her nightmare, not to mention her guard and whistle-blower.’ “I went on, ‘Our master, the author of the Qāmūs, says, “A woman’s dall or dalāl (‘coquettishness’) with her husband is when she shows boldness

133

133

4.9.9

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت�ز ن �‬ ‫� ة �‬ ‫��� آ خ �ت�ق ّ �أ ت ت ض‬ ‫�� ت� ��ل��ع��له�ا‬ ‫��تب��ع��ل ت� ا�ل�م ار � ا ��ط�ا �ع ت� ب���ع��ل�ه�ا ا �و �ي��� ت� �ل�ه * �و��ى �م�و ض�‬ ‫ع � �ر � � ي�� � ���عر� ب �‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫ا ن �� ت � ة� ن �غ ن � ن‬ ‫�ن ت‬ ‫� �ق ت �ن �ف ا �‬ ‫حرك���ا � ا�ل�م ار � ك����ل�ه�ا �ي���ب���ى ا � �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫�ه� ا د �لي���ل �ع��ل�ى �‬ ‫�ه�ى) �‬ ‫� او � �ل � � � ��س�ه� �ع�لي��ه (ا � �‬ ‫ا ��ز � � ا �غ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق ا � ت � ا �غ ن � ن ا‬ ‫ح���ك �ق�د ق�يّ��د �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ت�‬ ‫�م���ص�ود ا �ب��ه� ا �ل �و�ج �ل� ��ي�ر * �� �ل� �ل� �ر�و ا � �ي��ك�و� �ص� � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� غ �ة � ش �ف ش ف‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل�ز � او � ��ت�ف� ّرد ا �ب��ه�ا �م�ن �ع ن��ده * ا �و ا �ن�ه �ت�ا ب��� �‬ ‫� ا ��ه�ل ا �ل��ل��� ا�لم���� �������ي�ن �ع��ل� �ل��ك *‬ ‫ع ب��ع��ض‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ن ّ‬ ‫ف ن � �‬ ‫� � ق �ّ ا � ا ض آ �ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن � ة � تخ‬ ‫ت ق‬ ‫���� �و�ج� �ه�ا �و���ع��لي���ل�ه �و��م��لي����ه *‬ ‫��ا � ا �لر�ج��ا �ل د ا �ب��ه� ا � �ي��د �ع� او ا � ا�ل�م ار � �ل�م � �ل� ا �ل� �ل� ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �غ �ذ �‬ ‫ن � � غ �ة ن� ا ض‬ ‫���ع �ه�ا ا ��ست����د ا د ا �من�ه �ع�ن ا ��ل ن����س��آ � ا �ف ئ �‬ ‫و ��ت��ا �ت�ا �مك��ا �ه�ود ا �ب��ه� ��ى ��ي�ر �ل��ك *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� او � ا �ل�ل��� ا �م� �و� �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫ض �ن آ‬ ‫ض �ا ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ذ� �ن‬ ‫�م� ا ن� ا �ل��لغ����ة ا �ن ��ثى �و�ل�و ك�‬ ‫��� �ل� �ب��د‬ ‫��� ا �ل����س�� �و�ه�و ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا �ك���ل ا � ت��ا � �و �و�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م�ن �و�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا �ة �ن �ة � ُ‬ ‫��نَّ ض �ع�ن � ف ا �ظ � ا ت �‬ ‫� ��ف �غ‬ ‫�م�ن � ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م� ي�� ��و�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�� ل�� �� ��د ل �ع��ل�ى �ل� �ي� ك‬ ‫�ر �ى ��ي ر مر � * و�ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� ف � �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� �ظ � �‬ ‫ح�ي�ره �ل�ز �‬ ‫���ه�ا �و �‬ ‫ح�ي�ر�ه�ا *‬ ‫�صر ��طر�� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �ع�ن ا �لن� �� را �ل�ى ��س� او �ه�ا * �و�ع��ل�ى �مر�‬ ‫���‬ ‫���ه �ل�مر ض�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح ار �ز �ُم ار ���ط��ة �م ن��ه‬ ‫��و�ه�ا �م�ن ��ثي��ا �ب��ه�ا * �و�ع��ل� ��م ش���ي� ��ط�ه �ش���عر�ه�ا � او �‬ ‫�و�ع��ل�ى ا �لب��ا ��س�ه ا �ي�ا �ه�ا � �و� ض� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ت� ���ده ��ل ض‬ ‫��ل��لن �ظ� ��� ا ��ل�ه�ا ا �ذ ا �غ��ا � �عن‬ ‫�ه�ا ��س�ا �ع��ة �م�ا * �و�ع��ل� �ب���ذ ��ل ج��مي�� �م�ا �‬ ‫���ا �ه�ا * �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت �غ ا‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا ��ل ن����س�� * � �م�ن �ي�ز ���د � � ا ا �ز ا‬ ‫�م�ن �ير�ى �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه ا �‬ ‫ح��ه �ل�ه� �ب� د �ي� د ر � ��يو��ه �ل���ي�ر�ه� * ا �و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫�م�ن ��غ� �ع ن�� ه ا �ذ ا �ت�� ض ت �� ه ا خ � ا � �ُ��غ� ش��َ � �ل ه ا � � ّ‬ ‫��� ل� �رى و ي ��ى ع�ي�� و �ي ك‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ي �م��ض� ي� ي��‬ ‫عر�‬ ‫�� ب� �ع��ل�ى �و�ج� �ه�ه ا �و‬ ‫ا �خ � � ُ‬ ‫ا �� ض �ة‬ ‫�ن ت خ‬ ‫����ذ �ص �ت ه�ا ف��� ّ � ه�ا � ��� ��‬ ‫ط�ا �ن�ه �وك�ب�ت��ه �و�مت��ا �ع�ه *‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ي� ���ذه ا �ل��د � او ر ا �و ل� ي‬ ‫��� * �و�ع��ل�ى �م ��ي � �ور�� ي ع�م ب�� ي‬ ‫ف ت� ن ة ق ئ �ة ة � ض �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ���ة * � ���ع�د ف���ق��د �ت ك��ن�‬ ‫����ك� � �م � ��ا ��م� � �م � م�‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م��‬ ‫��ا �� ك��‬ ‫��ع� �و�مر�ة �م��س�ت��ل��قي�� � او خ�ر�ى � ك‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �� � غ� �ة ��تت ��ف ن ف �� ف ش ئ ت � ا ت ت‬ ‫�� ن ��ل ن��ا خ�� � ن ا ف�‬ ‫��ا �ن�ا � ��ه ��ل���� ت‬ ‫س� �م�ن‬ ‫�صر �و� ��‬ ‫ل�ل�� ��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ك�ي ����م�ا ����� �� �ل��� �ل� ���رك��و�‬ ‫�وا ��ط �ر� � او � ك� ر و ى ي‬ ‫م م‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫��ل���ة � ا �‬ ‫�ك� ن * �ف�ا �م�ا د �ع ا ك ��ا �ل��م�ز ���ة � ا �� �لق ��ف �ة ف �ن �خ �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫� ي�� ��ا ��ى ا �ب��رك �ب��ر �م�ن �ل� ي ج �ج�م� �ع��لي���ك‬ ‫حرك��� �و �ل� ا �ل��س��و�‬ ‫�و ب ي و‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا �ذ �� �م�ن �ق���ف �ة �� � � ا � ا‬ ‫�ئ��آءً‬ ‫ح��� * ا �ن�ه ��ل�ا �م�ز ���ة ��ل��لر ج��� �ع��ل ا �ل��م ا �ة ���فى �ش�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ي�� ل�لر ج ��ل �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل ى ر‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق ق �ة ق ّ‬ ‫ف �� �‬ ‫تن �‬ ‫ف ن �غ ن �ق � �‬ ‫� ����ل ا ة‬ ‫ر � �مث���ل�ه�ا * ��ا �م�ا ��ك��ا �لت��ه ا �ي�ا �ه�ا �ي���ب���ى ا � ا ��و�ل �ل��ك �ه ن��ا د �ي���� ���ل �م�ن ����ب��ه �ل�ه�ا *‬ ‫ول �م‬

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‫‪١٠،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

toward him in terms of flirtatiousness and dressing up, as though she were quarreling with him when there is no quarrel.”130 He says too, “tabaʿʿalat means ‘the woman obeyed her baʿl (“husband”)’ or ‘she put on her finery for him,’” and elsewhere “taqayyaʾat means ‘she displayed herself to her husband and threw herself upon him’ (End).” This goes to show that her husband and none other should be the object of every action a woman takes.’ She replied, ‘Your friend’s131 linking of these actions exclusively to marriage can be only his personal interpretation, or he was following the lead of some particularly jealous and jaundiced philologists. It is men’s habit to claim that women were created only to please, entertain, and flatter their husbands, and they have created the language in such a way as to serve their exercise of tyrannical power over and violence against women. This is despite the fact that language is a female,132 and had women created it (which would have been more proper, given that all generation and creation must be female in nature), they would have created words denoting men who think only of their wives, and how men should avert their glances from all but these, sicken when they sicken, groan when they groan, dress them and divest them of their clothes, comb their hair and obtain some sweepings from it to gaze on if they are ever away from her, and spend everything they have to keep them happy, as well as denoting men who think their wives are the best of women, whose love for their wives increases the more they contemplate other women or who close their eyes whenever another woman appears before them or faint or fall flat on their faces or are taken by dizzy spells or acute diarrhea, and men who get hold of her picture and put it everywhere on their walls, in their books, and among their possessions, with her shown sometimes standing, sometimes lying down, sometimes stretched out on her back, and sometimes flat out on her front. “‘Anyway, we have left the language to you and you can do with it as you like, so why can’t you leave us our thoughts and ideas, which are neither voweled nor unvoweled?133 And as to your claim to prerogatives and privilege, let me tell you, as one who feels no need to mumble at you out of hypocrisy or prudishness, that the man has no prerogative over the woman in anything whatsoever, for there is no prerogative belonging to the man the like of which does not also belong to the woman. As to men’s wardship of their wives, I have to draw your attention here to a nice point with which few have engaged, namely that two individuals may be involved in a commercial

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135

4.9.10

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫�ت ث ا ��ش��خ ن �ف‬ ‫���ة ا � � �ة ا � �ز � ا � ن ق �ت�ق‬ ‫�و��هى ا �ن�ه �ق�د ي ج��م� �م��ل�‬ ‫�� �ص�ا � ��ى ش���رك��� و د ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و�ي��ك�و� ��د � � رر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ا �ل� ن ن � ه �� ت�ق ا �� ن �‬ ‫ح��د �ه�م�ا ا ن� ��ل�ه �م نّ���ة �ع�� �ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ا �و�ظ ���ا �هرا‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل ا �‬ ‫ح��ه * �و ا ك م�م ��و� �ع�لي�� ي�ع���د �ب� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن ق �ز‬ ‫�ن ن‬ ‫� �ظم �����ل�و� * �مث��ا ��ل ا �ل�ز � او � �م�ا ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا �لب��� ت� �ب���ل � او �ج� �ه�ا �ت��ه�و�ى �ش���ا �ب�ا �و�ل� ي� ك‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �‬ ‫�م�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف ت�ز ت آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ه * ي�� ��ط ����ا �له�ا‬ ‫�ن ا‬ ‫ا �ن‬ ‫ت ت�ز �‬ ‫ر بب �‬ ‫��� �و�ج �ب�ه ��� �و�ج�� � �ر * � ار � �م ا ���ع� �ل�ه � او ��ط� او ره �م� ا كر‬ ‫ف �ن‬ ‫�ذ � � �ذ ف ا ت ا ف تق � �ف �ن �ف ا � ��ا ن‬ ‫� ا �خ ا ق‬ ‫ت�ث ن �ن‬ ‫�ل��ك ا �ل�� �ى �� ���ه� ��� ��و�ل ��ى � � ��س�ه� �ل�ع��ل�ه ك�� � �م��س�� �ى �م �ه��ذه ا �ل� ��ل� �� * ���ل�و ا ��ى‬ ‫�ت�ز � ت ���ن � ا ن �ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ�ن ا �ذ �ذ ا ك ا �ن�ه ا ��س�د �ى ا ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫�و�ج � �ب�ه ك‬ ‫ل��� ت� ا �ل� � ��ى ا �ه ن��ا �عي�� ش��� * �و �و�ج� �ه�ا �ي� ���‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ف� ن ن �غ � � � ن آ‬ ‫ن ف ا ت ا �خ ا � ا �‬ ‫ن �ة � ظ �� �ة � ن �ت�ز‬ ‫��ا � ������ �ل��ل ��ا �ل � ا �ل����س��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�� عي��م� ب���ك� �و�ه �و�ج� �ه� ب���ع�د ا � �� ���ه� ���لي���ل�ه� ا �ل� �و�ل * � ك� ي ب �ى ر�ج و‬ ‫ن � � ن ا �� ن �ظ �� ��ف‬ ‫ح ا ��ل ا ��ل�ز � او � ق���� ا ن� ��ير�ت��ق �� ا ف���ه * �و�ع��ل ا ��ل ج��� ا ن� ��ل�ا ���ت�ز �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا � ي�مع �� او ل�� ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي �ج‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ ق‬ ‫��ا ن �� ا �ف ا ���ز � خ� ف‬ ‫�م�ن ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �ت��ه�و�ى � خ�ر �ب���ل�ه * �و�ع��ل� ا�ل�م ار �ة ا � �ل�ا �ت��ت�ز �‬ ‫� ب��م�ن ك�� � ي�ع� � ل � او �ج �‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ي��ه�و�ى ا خ�ر�ى �و�ه�و �ع�ز ب� * �و�مث��ا ��ل ا ��ل ش��� ك���‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ��ن �ف��ا �ق� � او �ل�ا �م�ل�ا �ق� * ا �و �م�ن ك�‬ ‫���ة �م�ا ا ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� �ذ ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �� �ق ْ ال�م�ص���ل �ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��د ا ��ل ش���ر��‬ ‫�ك��ي�ن �ه�و ا �ل�� �ى �ق�د � را ��س ا�لم�ا �ل �م�ن �ع ن��ده �و ��لى �ع ب� ء‬ ‫���ا � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ة �ذ‬ ‫�ذ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫رف�ي��ق��ه * �ف �‬ ‫��ك�ل �من � ا �‬ ‫س� ا �ن�ه �و �م ن�� �ع��ل�ى ش���ر�ي��ك��ه * �و�مث��ا �ل ا �ل��د �ع�و� �م�ا ا ا د �ع�ا ك‬ ‫�ه�م� يح�� ب‬ ‫�ف � ظ �‬ ‫�ذ ق ّ �‬ ‫ت ن �تت غ‬ ‫ح��د ا ��ل� ا ��لغ���د�آ ���ف ا ��ل�ع� ��ا ن ت‬ ‫�هر * ا �و ا ا ��د �م �ل��ك‬ ‫�صر �وك�� ��� �ع�ا د ���ك ا � � ����د �ى ��ى ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا� ى‬ ‫ف ق ��ك�ز �ف �‬ ‫�ن � � ا ا ت ا ف‬ ‫ح��س� �م�ا ي����ست�� س�ن‬ ‫ط�� �‬ ‫�� ن ا ن ن �‬ ‫�م ا �ل���ط�ع� �م �م� ���ع� ��ه * �����د ر� ��ى �� ب‬ ‫ح�� �ه �ه�و‬ ‫ع �ك�ل ا ���س� � ا � ي ب‬ ‫�ق � آ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ�َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا �ع ن��د �غ��ي�ره * ا �و ا ا �ت��‬ ‫�ر� �ع��لي���ك �و� ت� ا �لغ���د � �ب ��ف��دَ�ير�ة �وك����س�ي�ر�ة �و ج� َ�ر��ع� �غ��ي�ر �ع�ا �ل�‬ ‫كم‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ن�ز � � ن‬ ‫تت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا � ا�لم�ا د �و ب� �ت��كب��ر �م�ع�د ��ه �ع ن��د ا �ل� د ب� � �و�����س� ا �م�ع�� �وه * ا �و ا ا د �ع�ا ك ا �ل�ى �م�� �ل�ه �وك���ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن �ت�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن � ن �ة ف �ز‬ ‫��ا ��م�ا ���س�ا � �ى �غ��د ا �ئ��ي�ن � � ش‬ ‫ع����ا �ئ��ي�ن �ع ن��ده * ا و�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب���عي��د ا �ع ا�لم�د ��ي �� ���ل �م��ك ا � ��ك��ر�ى �مرك ب�� ب ي و‬ ‫��ا � � ا �ف ن� ل�م�ص���ل �ة �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق ض‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫��ن� ت� �مث��ل�ا �ع ن‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح� �ل�ه �و�عل��� ا �ن�ه ��د �م���ى �ع��لي���ك �ع�د� ��س�ا �ع�ا ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫ا ن ق � � �� ن �ة � �ن ��خل ��ز � �ن �ذ ��‬ ‫� ��ن ا �ل��‬ ‫�م�ن �غ � ا �ك� ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� و �ه� ج ب�‬ ‫���ل ��ا �مر �خ��ا د �م�ه �ب� � ��ي���د ل�ك �ه��‬ ‫�ى *‬ ‫��ي ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫قَ‬ ‫� ت�نّ �‬ ‫�ذ �ذ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫فّ‬ ‫َ ٌ � ��‬ ‫��ا � او ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة �ه��ذه ا �لم�م�� � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �لم�م��ت�ن �ع��لي��ه *‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫� �وب��ك ا ا ك �ر�م ا �ل�ى ا �ك��ل د �م�ا ��ه * ��ا �ي �م‬

‫‪136‬‬

‫‪136‬‬

‫�ف‬ ‫��ى‬ ‫ا �ن�ه‬

‫‪١١،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

partnership, for example, or an invitation, or a marriage, with one of the two believing privately that he is doing his partner a favor, while the other, to whom the favor supposedly has been done, inwardly believes and outwardly proclaims that he is hard done by. An example of a marriage of this sort would be if the girl has been in love, before marriage, with a young man but has been unable to marry him, so she marries someone else, from whom she witnesses deeds and habits that she finds unacceptable, and then she happens to think of the other, whom she failed to marry, and says to herself, “He was perhaps innocent of such conduct, and if I’d married him, I’d now be living the happiest of lives,” while at the same time her husband believes that he has done her a great favor in marrying her after she’d failed to marry her first beloved. Men and women must pay close attention to the conditions surrounding a marriage before they insert their heads into its noose. A man should not marry a woman who was in love with another man before him and a woman should not marry a man who avoided marriage out of fear of expenses and impoverishment, or who was in love with another woman when a bachelor. “‘An example of a commercial partnership of this sort would be if one of the two partners is the one who advances the capital out of his own pocket and puts the burden of responsibility for managing things on his comrade’s shoulders; each of them then believes that he is doing the other a favor. An example of an invitation of this sort would be if someone invites you to lunch in the afternoon while it is your custom to take lunch at noon, or he offers food you find unpalatable (for the belief that what he finds agreeable must be agreeable to others is an entrenched part of everyone’s nature) or a tiny piece of meat, or a mere crust of bread, or the smallest sip of something to drink, unaware that the stomach of a person invited to a feast grows larger at the house of the host and his guts more capacious, or if he invites you to his house and the latter is so far from the city that you are obliged to hire a boat at a cost equivalent to him to that of two lunches and two dinners, or if you are at the house, for example, of some Frankish notable engaged in some business of his, and he is aware that you have gone for a number of hours without eating and he orders his servant to bring you a morsel consisting of bread and of that smegma-like cheese of theirs, at which moment you are hungry enough to eat his brains. Which of you, in cases such as these, is the doer of the favor and which the one to whom the favor is done?

137

137

4.9.11

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫ن �ن‬ ‫ح��د ��ف �خ���د �م��ة ا � � �ف�ا ل� خ‬ ‫م‬ ‫���د �و� ي���عت��ق��د ا ن� �خ��ا د �م�ه �م�م ن��و ن� ��ل�ه ��ل��‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه �ي�ا �خ��� �م�ا ��ل�ه‬ ‫م�ي ر‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ي��ك�و� ا � �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � ن ن ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �خ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه ��ا �خ����ذ �م�ن �ش����ا ��ه �و�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫* � او ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ح��ه * ا �و ا �‬ ‫��ا د �م �ير�ى ا � �م��د �و�م�ه �ه�و �لم�م��و�‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ق �ز‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� �ن ��ز ئ �م�ز‬ ‫�ص�د ��ي�ق��ا ��ل�ه ��لي����س�ا �م ه � �و�ا �ل��م�ز �ور ��هّ �و�ق�� �لق * �ف �‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫��كو� ا �‬ ‫ح��د ��د ا ر �‬ ‫��ك�ل �م ا �ل ا �ر � او�ل� �ور‬ ‫م �‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ا � �ق‬ ‫�ذ � � ال�م�ع��ّ � ال� ت‬ ‫ن تف ض‬ ‫م��عل��� � او �ل�م�ا د � � او �ل�م�م�د �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ه �و���س �ع��ل�ى �ل�ك ل�‬ ‫س� ا ��ه �م�������ل �ع��ل�ى �ص� ب‬ ‫يح�� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م و م‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ن ��م ّ ا ��� � ا � ه ا �ل� ا ة‬ ‫� او�لمغ�� ن��ّى � او�لمغ�� ن��ّى ��ل�ه * ��م�ن ث�� ��ل�ا �ي�ن��ب���غ� ��ل��لر�ج��ا ��ل ا ن� ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫س� � �ج رد �طع� م� �مر �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ا ن �ة ن � ا ف ا ن ق ق � ة ��ث �ن ن ت �ذ�� ق � ت ق �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح� ��و�� ا�ل�م ا � ا ك���ر �م ا � ��� ك�ر * ��ل� ��د �‬ ‫ي�ه� * �� � �‬ ‫� او �لب��ا ��س�ه ا �ي� �ه� �م�� �م��ه �ع�ل�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ن ق �‬ ‫�� �� ه � � ض ه ف� �ق ��ل ��ل ا � ا �� ا �� ا � � � ن‬ ‫�ل��ك �ع��ل�ى �ط�ول� وعر�‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل�ى ا �ل����س�ا * ��ا �ل ت� ا � ا ���ل �ل��ك‬ ‫��� � ��و�ى �ى ى لر�ج�� ل‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� � ث نُش ف ا � � ت ن‬ ‫�ت��ع �ر��د * �ق��ل ت� ��ق�و�ل�ى �ل�ا �ب�ا ��س �ف�ا ��م�ا �ه�و ب���س� �ط �‬ ‫ح�د��ي� ����ر ��ل� �ي� ��ط�و�ى ح�ى ����ص�ل ا �ل�ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ن �آ ت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�غ � ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��دا �ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� خ� ه * ��ا �ل� ��� � ا �ل����� ا ا * ��ا �عل��‬ ‫ل��ا �ع� �م�ن ا �ل����س� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل���ل�م� � � او �ل� �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش ا ا‬ ‫�� �ون��ه� �‬ ‫�صر�‬ ‫ب� ش���ر ���ط ك��‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ا * � او�لم�ع�‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل���ب�� � �ب� �ل���ر ��ط ا�لم� �ك�ور * �و��د �� ���س �ب� �ل��ك��ه�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ك�ن �ذ � � � ا ��� َّ �م �ة �‬ ‫تق ن � ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫���ق * �و�ل�� �ل�ك �ل� ي �س�م �‬ ‫ح�� �ل�ا �ن�ه �ي ���ؤ �و�ل ا �ل�ى ��ن ف���‬ ‫ا �ع����ا د ا ��ه �ي��ك�و� �ب��ه�ا ا ر ��� � او �ع �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ف ن‬ ‫� �ة ن � ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ا تف‬ ‫��ن ��ف ��س�ه�ا * �و�م�ن ش��� ���ط الم‬ ‫ح�� ا � �ت��ك�و� ��ج�مرد� �ع�ن ا �ل� ��س��ن����ا * �و�ل��ك�ن �ه�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا � ��ا �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��م ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�ق�ق‬ ‫حر�م�ا ��ه �م�ن �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ذ ا �‬ ‫حب �� �و�ه �و�ع�د � ا �ل� � ����ا �ب�ه �م��ل�ه ب���ل ر��م�ا ك�ر�ه�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ك�ل ح ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ ف ا ل�‬ ‫� �ة � ن � �� ف� �ظ �‬ ‫�ف ه � ف ا ئ ة ف� �ق �� � ق ا ئ ن ا � �ف �ا ن �ة � ��ق ق �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �� ا‬ ‫ح�� ع��د ى ل‬ ‫�ير د � ا � �ل�� ���د� * � ��ول ا � �ل�� ���ل ا �� ا ح ب� �ل �� ح ي ����‬ ‫���ع��ل�ى �ه� ا �� م ب‬ ‫ن ا �ف ا ا � ا ن ��فت�� � ن ف ي�ن � �ذ�� �ي�ن �ن ا �ز ا �ف‬ ‫�م�ع ن ا ا �ن ا ا � ت ��ف‬ ‫�� ه �‬ ‫�ه� * � �م� ا �ل�ع� ���س ح ب� ا �ل�‬ ‫�ص����� ا�لم� ك��ور �و�م �ج�� �و �ه�م� ��ى‬ ‫�س� ي��د �م �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� نَ‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ض �ذ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � � �ذ�‬ ‫� �ف� �ت��‬ ‫ا �ل��س�نّ ���لي��ل�ا �ب�ا �ل ش���ر ��ط ا�لم� �ك��ور * � او �م�ا ا �ل� صَ‬ ‫ح ب� ا �لث���لث�� � او �ل��ك��ه�ل ي��‬ ‫���ا �ب�� �ل��ك‬ ‫ا ��� �ف‬ ‫�ق � �ف �‬ ‫�ق ا � ت � �ز ن �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫� �ز �ت��‬ ‫ا ��ل ش��� ���ط * � او �م� ا لجع‬ ‫��� او ر ب� * � �ل� �هى ��ي ��‬ ‫ح ب� ا ج��مي�� * ���ل ت� �م�ا ��و�ل��ك ��ى ا �ل ش �‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �ف�ل� �مك�ا ا � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا �ج� ب� ��هى � ن�� ا �ل�عي ��و� * ���ل� �و��ى ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ح�ى * ��ا �ل� �‬ ‫�و� *‬ ‫ح��ل�ى ا �ل ش���ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � ت ��ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� و�ى لع� ر�‬ ‫��� * � ل� ب ب �م� �ي �� �� ر و � �ور ي�� * �ل� ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن�ز � �ة � ا� �‬ ‫ح�� �لق ا ��ل ش����ا ���ي�ن * �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �و�خ� �ص�و�ص�ا �م�‬ ‫� �ه�م�ا ب��م�� �ل� ا �ل� �مك��ا � �ل��ل�ز �هر *‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ي�‬ ‫ع ��‬ ‫رب‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١٢،٩،٤‬‬

‫‪١٣،٩،٤‬‬

‫‪١٤،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

“‘Or it might be that someone is in the service of the emir and the master

4.9.12

believes that his servant is indebted to him because he takes his money while the servant believes that his master is indebted to him because he is taking from him his youth and his health, or that someone visits a friend of his to spend the evening in idle chatter while the one visited is suffering from worry and anxiety, so both the visitor and the one visited think that he is the one who is conferring a benefit on his companion—and the same, by analogy, is true of the teacher and the taught, the eulogizer and the eulogized, the singer and the one sung to. “‘It follows that a man shouldn’t think he is doing his wife a favor just

4.9.13

because he is feeding and clothing her. The rights of women are too many to list.’ ‘I have taken that in,’ I said, ‘lock, stock, and barrel. But tell me, what sort of men do women love most?’ ‘If I tell you,’ she replied, ‘you’ll kick up a row.’ ‘Speak,’ I said, ‘and don’t worry! Conversation’s carpet has been unrolled and will not be rolled back up until we reach its end.’ ‘At the End of Days,134 then!’ she replied. ‘So, you must know that the perky-breasted young female loves adolescent boys and juveniles, on condition that they’re good-looking. The young woman loves young men, the same condition pertaining, and may become intimate with an older man in the belief that he will be kinder and more loving. This, however, is not to be called love because it has its origin in self-interest, it being a condition of love that it be devoid of any advantage-seeking—though, sad to say, any lover, should continued lack of access to his beloved and absence of any good from him become a reality, will grow tired of him and may even come to hate him; thus “love,” in my opinion, is synonymous with “benefit.” The young woman who has moved beyond the age of marriage loves both the two previously mentioned sorts and those who are a little older, the same condition pertaining, and the middle-aged woman loves all three plus the older man, the same condition pertaining. The old woman loves the lot.’ “‘What do you think of mustaches?’ I asked. ‘They are an adornment to the mouth in the same way that eyebrows are to the eyes,’ she said. ‘And beards?’ I asked. ‘Old men’s embellishments,’ she said. ‘Side-whiskers?’ I asked. ‘Squeal! An adornment for the looker and the looked-upon alike,’ she answered. ‘What element of beauty do they possess,’ I asked, ‘especially when the mustaches have been shaved off?’ ‘They are,’ she said, ‘what calyxes

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4.9.14

‫�ف � ئ �ة � ا ش � �‬ ‫ه��� � او �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫�ي� ا �ل� ي‬

‫ا �� �ق �� �ة �‬ ‫ا � ا ��ل ا � ��ل���ل �د � �ق �ة ا � ا �� ا �� �ة ��ل��ل�ق‬ ‫� ق � غ ص�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ف�� �ل��لث��و ب� * و ��س�ي � ح� �ي�� * و ل�ه� ل�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ا �و ا �ل�ور�� �ل��ل���� * ا �و ل�� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ف��� ت � �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ � ق � ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫��ا � �م�ن‬ ‫� �و�ي���نم�ا �ه�م�ا ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � � او ا �ب� ��ط�ا ر�� �ي� ��طر�� ا �لب��ا ب� * �ف��‬ ‫� �ل�ه � او ا �بر ج���ل �م�ع�ه ك�� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫ا �لج��ل‬ ‫ي�ه� * ���ل�م�ا ��ط�ا �ل� �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه‬ ‫� ن�� ا�لم� �ك�ور� ��س�ا �ب ����ا ��ي ����م�ن ا �� �د �ع�� ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� � او �ه��ل�ه ا �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ص��ا � �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل �� � �و�م�ا ا ي��م�ن‬ ‫�ب�� ��ل��ك ك�‬ ‫���ا د ت� �ت� ��ط�ي�ر �ر�‬ ‫ح�ا �و��سر�ورا * �و��ا �ل ت� �م�ا ا � ك‬ ‫ي وم‬ ‫بر � ب ح‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫ق ف‬ ‫ف � �ز � �ف‬ ‫ث ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫���م��س�ه * �� ��ا �م ت� ا �ل�ى ا �ل�‬ ‫�ص�ن �د �و�� ��ا �و�ع ت� �ي��ه �ل� او �م ا �ل��س� ر�م�ا �ع�د ا ا � �ل��ا �م�و��س * �����ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ث ة ف ا �ق ن �ف�ز ت ق ا � ت �ذ‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫ن �ذ � �ف‬ ‫� ا �ف ا اق ُ َ‬ ‫�� �ه�ا‬ ‫�ل�ه� ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� ر � �وي��د ك �� � د �و� �ه� ا ا �ل��س� ر ا �م�ورا ك���ي�ر� * �� ��ع �� � �و�� �ل� ا ك�ر‬ ‫ُ ً‬ ‫�م� ن � ا �ص�� � �ف�ا �ن�� �ق�د �ش��ّ �ش�� ت �ع�ق‬ ‫حت اَ ��ل� ب��ن ���ف ��س ُ���ّله�ا * �ق�ا �� ا ����ط ئ‬ ‫��ل� ج��م��ل��ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫فت ت‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف �ف‬ ‫ن �ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� * ���رك�‬ ‫ب� ك�‬ ‫����ه‬ ‫��ل�ا �م��ك ا �ل� �خ��ي�ر * � او �ع�و �ب�ا لله �م�ن ا � �ي��ك�و� ��سب��ب��ا ��ى ���س�ا د �تر ج��م� ا � ك��‬ ‫ه ��ف �� ا ض ي�ن �ذ �‬ ‫ّ ن‬ ‫��ذ � � �‬ ‫تغ‬ ‫� او �ش�������ل ت� �ب�ا �مر�ه�ا * � او �ن�ا ك��� �ل��ك ا �ترك����ه ا �ل�ى �و�� �س او ��س� �ى ا ل�ع� ر�‬ ‫ى ا�‬ ‫���� ا �لي����س �ع��ل�‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ا �ش���ا رك���ه �ي��ه *‬

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‫*‬ ‫‪١٥،٩،٤‬‬

Form and Shapes

are to a flower, leaves to a bough, a velvet edging to a robe, a hedge to a garden, a halo to the moon!’” While they were talking, someone knocked on the door. He opened it and there stood a man with a letter from the aforementioned committee containing an invitation asking both the Fāriyāq and his family to come to them. When he acquainted his wife with this, she almost took flight out of joy and pleasure and said, “How blessed a morning is today’s, how full of promise its sun!” Then she went over to the trunk and packed everything needed for the journey except the Qāmūs. “Not so fast!” said the Fāriyāq. “There is still much to be done before our departure.” She crouched then, like one waiting to pounce, and said, “Tell me what, all at one go, so that I can take care of the greater part myself!” “Calm down and be patient,” he said. “Your recent statements have put my mind in a spin—pray God the translation of the book isn’t spoiled as a result!” Then she left him and busied herself with her own affairs, and I too shall leave him to his obsessing over side-whiskers, for I am not obliged to participate with him in that.

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141

4.9.15

‫ا �� ف‬ ‫���ص ا ��ل��ع�ا �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ف ��ت��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ڡ ����س� ر �و ���سي�ر‬ ‫�� ق ا � �� � ن �ذ � �‬ ‫�ة � � �ذ � �ف‬ ‫ن �غ‬ ‫�م�ن ج��م��ل� �م�ا �ل�ز � �ل�ه� ا ا �ل��س� ر �م�ا �ع�د ا ا �ل�� م�و س ك‬ ‫���ا � �ه� ا ا �ل ش���ر ��ط * �و�ه�و ا � ي���ي� ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ف ا ا �ق � �ن ��ل ة ا ي�ن �ذ‬ ‫ُ ظَّ ��‬ ‫�ف ��ف � ظ ���� ���ف ت��ه ا ��ا � ��ل * ��ف�م�ن ث�� ك���‬ ‫ا � �ل�� ر�� � ع ا � ر� �ع� �م�� � او ا ر ج�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�� �ي ��و� �� �ى و ي‬ ‫�ل و�ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ق �� �ذ �� ش ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ك��� � او ق��ا � �ي���ت�ظ� �� ا ج�ل‬ ‫���ا �ل���ل‬ ‫�وا ب� ب� ب ��ول �ه� ا ا ل���ر�‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫�عر ض�‬ ‫�وا ب� * � بو���ع�د ا �ي�ا �م �ورد ا ج��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� �ش�� �ن ا �ج�ز ا ��ل��ل�� �فس� � ا ن �ز � � � �ف �ت‬ ‫� ة ت‬ ‫ر �ل� � �‬ ‫��و�ج���د �ك��ل �ى �‬ ‫�ت��ه �ل� �ت��ك�ن ��ى ���ل�ك ا�لم�د� ���ه��م�ل �ش���ي �ا * �ل���‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫ح�ت�م �ة ا � ا‬ ‫��ت�م �ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�خ ت ا �� �ل�ق ن ا ��ص � ا �آ ا ��ل�غ� ا � �ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�ا ت ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ي��‬ ‫�وا ب� �� �� �ل و د ر م�‬ ‫ي�� * �ل�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا ا �ل� � ش��� �ر�ي�� ا ج�ل�‬ ‫��يب ��� �ع�لي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ق ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا �ن�ه � ���ق �غ��� ��مخ‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫�ت��و�م �ع��لي��ه �م�ن � ن���ص�ل �لي���ك�ور��ه * ���ل�م�ا ب���ل� �� او �مر��س�ا �ه�ا ا را د ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� ا �‬ ‫ب �ى ي ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ � ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫نا‬ ‫قا‬ ‫���ه �ص�ا �‬ ‫�ي��د ���ل ا �لب���ل��د ��ا �ع��ر ض�‬ ‫ط���ك �ه ن��ا �م�ا ك�� �‬ ‫ح ب� د �ي�� او � ا�لم��ك��س * ����� �ل �ل�ه ا �� ا �ع �� ي‬ ‫�ق ن � �� � �ق‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل ة ق � � ا ت �‬ ‫���ع�ف���ي�ن ف��اب ��ى �و�ع�ز �‬ ‫ط��ه �ل��ل� ن���ص‬ ‫� ر� * ��ا �ل �ل� ب���ل ���ع ��ط�ى �ه ن��ا ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح� ا � ا ع� ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ض‬ ‫����ت�ه�م�ا‬ ‫�ز ق ا ف ا‬ ‫�و ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل��س��ف�ي�ن ��ة * �ف �ر ه �و �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا �لرج��‬ ‫�ت��ه ر ج���ل �ي��د �ير �ور�� ���ل�م� �عل���م �ب ���� ي �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ن� �ذ � ّ‬ ‫ق ا � � ا ن ا خ �ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا �م� * �ف ك���‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ك� �ه� ا ا �ل ك� �� ا �‬ ‫�ك� ا �لب��ل�د ب����ص�� �م� ��ط�ل ب� � �م‬ ‫�� �ل �ل�ه�م� ا �� ا د ���ل ب� �م‬ ‫م�� س ر ى ر ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ث� � ا ��ل �� �في�ن �ة‬ ‫�ن خ‬ ‫��ف ّ �‬ ‫��ى �ز �ورق��ه �و�عر� �ب��ه�م�ا �م�ن � ك�‬ ‫ح�تى د �خ��ل�ا ا �لب���ل��د * � ر ج��ع� ا �ى ا ل��س� � �‬ ‫م��ا � ���‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ف� ا �ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف ا ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا ج �م�‬ ‫���س� ر� �ب��ه�م� ا �ل�ى �ج�ي���وى ��م ا �ل�ى �مر��س�ي �لي�� ��م ��س� � ار ا �ل�ى �ب� ري���س * �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت ع‬ ‫�ف � غ �ة � �ف ن ا �ة‬ ‫ا ق ا � ا ف� ا ا � ا � ا � �ف‬ ‫��م � ُ � ا تي�ن � ش ا � ش‬ ‫حّو� ت�‬ ‫�ه� ي� م� �‬ ‫��س�و د �ل� �م �ر�� ا �ل���� �عر ا�لم����ه�ور ��ى ا �ل��ل��� ا � �ل ر���س� � �وي� * �و �� م� ي�‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫���ي�ز �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�كي���� �ج��ا ��ن ب��ا * ( ف��ا �ئ��د� ا ا ك��� ت� ��ى �ب�ل�ا د �ر���س�ا ��ل�ا �ت��ن�ز �ل �خ��ا �ن�ا �ل�ل�ا�ن ك�‬ ‫� �ن � �‬ ‫��ل� � او ا‬ ‫م ا ل� س‬

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Chapter 10

A Passage and an Explanation

Among the baggage needed for this journey was, over and above the Qāmūs, the following precondition: that if the Fāriyāq were to absent himself from the island for two years, he would, on his return, be reappointed to his original position. He therefore wrote a petition to the ruler and settled down to await the answer. After a few days, the answer arrived accepting the condition. Everything was, he found, prepared for their departure, for his wife had neglected nothing in the interval, and all that was needed was for their passport to be honored by the consul’s stamp and for the final stamping fee to be paid. It remained unstamped, however, by the consul of Leghorn. When, therefore, they reached that port and the Fāriyāq wanted to enter the country, the head of the customs authority prevented him. The Fāriyāq told him, “I will give you here what I should have given the consul on the island.” “No,” said the man. “Here you must give twice as much.” The Fāriyāq refused and decided to return to the ship but a man with a skiff caught sight of him and his wife and when informed of their situation told them, “I’ll get you into the country for half of what that thief of a customs officer demanded from you.” They got into his skiff and he took them by a secret route till they were inside the country. Then they returned to the ship, which took them on to Genoa and then Marseilles, from which they departed for Paris. There the Fāriyāq met Monsieur de Lamartine, the famous poet of the French language, and they stayed for a few days, which considerably trimmed their purse. (Tip: in France, don’t stay at a hotel for the English, and in the latter’s country, don’t stay in a hotel for the former.) Then they departed for London, of which they had dreamed.

143

143

4.10.1

‫ف ف تف‬ ‫��ي� ��س��ر� �و �����س��ير‬

‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��� ت� ���فى �ب�ل�ا د �ه�و ��ل�� �ف�ل�ا �ت��ن�ز ��ل �خ��ا �ن�ا ��ل�ا �و��لئ���ك) ث�� ��س�ا �ف ا ا ��ل�ى ��ل ن��د ن� الم‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل�و�م �ب��ه�ا * ���ل�م�ا را ت�‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� ن �ة ا ف ا � �ن ا ��لت�� �ف ا ��ل�ع �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��بي�� * � او �لر�غ��ا ��ئ ب� ا �ل�غ� �رب�� * �و�م�ن ا �ل�ا �ن�� ا‬ ‫و ر ا�ل�م�ز د �هر� *‬ ‫ا�لم�د ��ي �� �و�م� ��‬ ‫ي�ه� م ح� �ج‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ت ا �� ن ض ة �ق ا � ت ه ه �� ق �ق ت � ا ا �ن � ق �ظ � �ة ن َ �‬ ‫�صر� ا �ل� �‬ ‫��ر� * � �ل� ا �ي� ا �ي� �ل��د ��‬ ‫حوا ��ي��� ل��‬ ‫� او �ل�‬ ‫ح�ل� �م �ع ا �لي��� ��� * ���ع� ا �ل��د ا ر ��هى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ْ ا �ق ا �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫قا ا‬ ‫ي�ه�ا د � او �م�ا * �غ��ي�ر ا ��ى را ��ي ت� �م�ن �ن��س�� �ئ��ه�ا ا �م ار �ب��د �ع� * � ل�‬ ‫ح�� ا ا �ل�عي�� ش��� ��‬ ‫�م��� �م� * �و ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�أ ت ا � ن �آ ف �ن �ّ � ا � � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا � ا ��ل���ذ � ا �ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف���ق���ل ت� ا ���حل‬ ‫�ه�و �م �ج��د ��ط� �ل�‬ ‫�ير د ر ج��مت��ه *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�م��د لله �ع��ل�ى ا ���ك �ب��د � �ب� �ل����س� � �‬ ‫ع ا � ك�� ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫قا � ت ن‬ ‫� ا ئ �ة ن ق � � ن �آ �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ّ‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ى �ب��د �ه�و * �� �ل� ك�‬ ‫�و�ل�� ا �‬ ‫��� ت� ا ���سم�ع��ك � ك��‬ ‫ح�ى �ع ب���ع��ض� ا �ل� ��م� ا � �ع���و�ل ا �ل����س� ��ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن آ‬ ‫� � ��ن ا ا ��ل� �غ� � � �ق �� ه�ن ��ف ا �ه�ن �ق � ت ��ف ّ‬ ‫�ف � � ه�ن � �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه��ذه‬ ‫ل�د ي��‬ ‫رو�ج � * و �د رى ��س�‬ ‫رى ع ��ول� �ى د ب� ر * �ل� ��سرى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف ا ��ن � �ف‬ ‫�ص�� �ة � ا � ف�ل� ��� ة‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�ه� �م�ا ا رد ت� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا ا ك�‬ ‫� �ى �ل� ا‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا�ل�م ار � �ت��و�ق�� ��ن ��ف ��س�ه�ا �ب��ي�ن �ت��ه�ا �ترا �ل� ن ع� و طر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ا �ت�فخ ش ا ا �‬ ‫��ف ��خل � ق �ة �غ � ظ � �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�م� ا ��ل� ��س�� ت‬ ‫ه��ا ر * ا �ى ا ���ه� �‬ ‫�� ����ي � �ب� �ل�‬ ‫� ا�لم���د ا ر *‬ ‫�ص��ع� �و�ه�و �ى ا��ل��� ��ي ر �ع ���ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ف ض ��� ��‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ت �ت ق � � ا ن ��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا �� ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و � ي �‬ ‫� �� س �ع��ل�ى ب�� ر و ��ل ل� ج � ر * ى ك� � ��ول ب�ل��س� � ح� ل �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫� ��� �ا ف� ه �ز �ّ ا ة‬ ‫� ا � �د � �م� ه ا � ا‬ ‫��ا � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ط��ل ي�� م� ر�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��د �ى �‬ ‫�صر ِ �ص� ر ك� �لِ� �ص� ر * �ل� ي ج � ى ع� �ل� ��ص� ر * و ب‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫فّ ة �ف‬ ‫نًّا � �ق � ا ا � ت ا �‬ ‫� �ز ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ت ا ��ل ش‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫����� � او �ل‬ ‫�ص�ف��ا ر * �ود �� ِم�ع� ر * يح��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ك�ل �م�ا ر * �و�ص���ا ر� ��ى � �‬ ‫� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � اَ‬ ‫�زَ ْ آ ت س�ت � ا �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫خَ تًا ًا ا �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صم�ا � ا �ق�د �م��ل� ئ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ل�ى ا �ل� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صم�ا ر * �و �و ر� �� �د �ى ب� ل � ر* و ر� ر� ب� ل� ِد ��س� ر *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫جَ‬ ‫َ ْ اً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ا �ذ ا � ّ ا �‬ ‫� ف �خ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�� او ر � او �وك�‬ ‫ح�ل�ا ��يج���‬ ‫ح ش�����ة ا ت� ا ك��‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح ار ا �و د �‬ ‫���ا ر * �و �و ر�ب�‬ ‫حر �ي��ه ا �ل ر ى ج‬ ‫ح� ر * �و‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ا � � ا ��ل��ه �م�ن ��ل���� ��ل�ه � ��ا * � � �أ���ة �مْئ�����ة ���ف ا ��ل��ل�� � ا ��لن�ه�ا * � ��نُ��ق �ة �ذ ا ت� ��ت ن����ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ي وى ي‬ ‫ي س و�ج ر و و ب �ِو ب ى ي �ل و � ر و ر‬ ‫�ةّ‬ ‫ة ف �ذ‬ ‫�ن ق �ة ش ت‬ ‫�ن �ق‬ ‫�ص ار ر * � او � � ��و�ع� ا ����م��ل ت� �ع��ل�ى �ص��ل�‬ ‫�صرر �و ِ�‬ ‫�ص ّر� �ر ث� ا ت� �‬ ‫� �و � ر�ع��ل�ى ا ب��ت��د ا ر * �و�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�َنَ‬ ‫�آ � ن ّ‬ ‫َ ْ � ا � ��فُ شّ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�س�م�ا �ع ن��د ا ��لِ�ا ج�ه‬ ‫��ا ر * �و�عَ�زْ �ل�� �ل�و ا �ح�ل �وك�‬ ‫���ا ��ؤ �ه�ا �لم� ت� �ب�ا ��ل��د �م�ا ر * �و �و ��طب�� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ل� � ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ا��ف ّ ن �� ّ ��ف‬ ‫هَ ْ فًا �ذ ّ ت �ف‬ ‫��ْ� ا � ت� ���ط�ا �م�ن ��ف�خ � ش‬ ‫�ل� ��ك��هر �م��ه ا جل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و ا �ى ا ��ك��هرا ر * � ِوك��ي ر �ي �ير‬ ‫��ه ا �لِ��� ار ر * �و� ي���� ا ا � به�� ��ى‬ ‫ف ت خ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ف� �ق�ا ��ل ا �ل ن��ا ��س ا � �ف�ل ار ر ا � �ف�ل ار ر * ا �ى ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �خ���ل��ق ت� �و�م�ا �ت�ا ر�ب��ه�ا ا �‬ ‫ح��د ��ا ��� ت�‬ ‫ا �ل� ي‬ ‫�غَ آ‬ ‫� �ت ْ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف ت ن � �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ِر�ا �ور� �ه�ا * �لي�غ��ن��ى � ن��� �ه�ا * ا �ى ا �ذ ا ج�‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫��ع��ل ت� د ا �ب��ه�ا ك����ل�ه ��ى ���س��ي�� ا�لم��س ���‬ ‫�ل�ه� �ب‬ ‫م ح‬

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‫‪٢،١٠،٤‬‬

‫‪٣،١٠،٤‬‬

A Passage and an Explanation

When the Fāriyāqiyyah beheld the city with its marvelous curios and

4.10.2

exotic, desirable delights, resplendent shops and splendid lights, she said, “My oh my! My dreams fell short of the waking reality! What a wonderful place in which to live, and how nice it would be if we never had to leave! Albeit I note among its women something strange and new.” The Fāriyāq resumed: “I said, ‘Thank God you started with the women, for that augurs well for the book that they want me to translate! But to what novelty do you refer?’ ‘I have heard you declare, on the authority of some leading figure, that “women’s brains are in their vaginas” but I observe that the brains of the women of this microcosm of the world are in their backsides.’ ‘Explain,’ I said. ‘I didn’t catch your drift.’ “She said, ‘If a woman throws herself, recklessly, between the contradictory witnesses of craft and nature, i.e., if she makes, through craft, a great amount out of something which, in the form in which God bestowed it, was of little account, and provokes people to have the vapors (the benefit here going all to the neighbors) or, to put it differently, were she to say, using the wordless language of her body, “I own a source of wind like a twister that sorts ill with the tight-fister, a drum inside which there’s a pipe for every piper to finger, a whistle that whistles in both satiety and hunger, a deepbottomed tun in need, when it brims, of a bung, a cup that for a cover begs, a hole just right for pegs, a deep cave or narrow but spreading ravine fit to protect a fleeing sultan (he’d never be seen!), a dome with a mighty frieze and nests for both birds and bees, a refuge for the lair-less in the form of a burrow, a shameless, ever-ready, water-holding rock furrow, a hollow pecked out in the dirt where eggs may be laid in one big spurt, a puling purseful of dung kept closed with a thong, a dip like that for the dripping in a mound of crumbled bread and meats that foully fumes (especially when intercourse is foregone in the days before a feast), a waterskin with a tied-up spout whose string, if undone, will bring destruction about, a milkskin which, if it suffer a prick, will turn the air thick (and oh how thick!), a bellows at whose puffing sparks rise high, a scorching wind which, when it blows in the summer, makes men shout, ‘Fly! Fly!’”; i.e., if she is born and finds no coeval with whom to consort and therefore obtains one and puts it behind her to lend her support; i.e., if she makes it her sole custom to turn what’s flat into humps and what’s squashed into bumps; i.e., if she takes those who look at her for

145

145

4.10.3

‫ف ف تف‬ ‫��ي� ��س��ر� �و �����س��ير‬

‫�ف �‬ ‫� �ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت�ق‬ ‫� * ا � ا �ذ ا ا ���ست�� �ق‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * � او �ش���ا ر ت� ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�م� ت� ا �ل ن��ا �� ر�ي�ن ا �ل�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫� �و � ب�ي�� ب� ا�لم����ل ��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�ه�م ا � �ع ن��د �ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ م�ز ت �‬ ‫��ا �ز ت� ت ��‬ ‫�جَ �ز‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق ة ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د�‬ ‫ي�ه� � لِرك� * ح� ر *‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي�ه� * ى ر � �‬ ‫ض�ي �ي ع�د ع� �‬ ‫���عي��د� ا �و ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا � ا �ذ ا ا ���ست�� ��ق ت ا �ل� ا �غ ث� � � � ت ت�� ش‬ ‫ن ا �ت�ز‬ ‫ح��قي���ت��ه�ا �و��ج��ع‬ ‫م���� � �و�ت ن �ظ� ��� ا ��ل�ى �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ب� �م��ه� �و ��هى‬ ‫ح ب�� م�ص� د �م ج�ع�ل� ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �ت ن ا ��ف ف ا � � ا �ت ت ا � � ا تش ق �‬ ‫�خ ا �ف‬ ‫ي�ه�ا * ��ف�و�ج���د ت� ا خ�ر�ى ���‬ ‫ي�ه� �و�‬ ‫���ّو�� ا �ل�‬ ‫حر�ص �ع�ل�‬ ‫�ب��ه� � �و�� ��س ��‬ ‫ي�ه� �و �ر�ح �ل�ه� �و� �‬ ‫�ر�ه� ��ى‬ ‫�ذ � ث‬ ‫ح�ق��ا � �ف�ا �ج���د ر ا ن� � �ق��ا ��ل ا ن� �ع�ق�� ��ل�ه�ن‬ ‫���ا �م�ن �غ���ل�ت��ه�ا ���فى ا ��ل�ا ���ست�‬ ‫�ل��ك �� �و�ج���د ت� �ه��ذه ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ �م�ع ن ا �ق ا �� ت ه ��ل �ز‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ق��ا ��ئ ب� * �ه� ا ��ى �م� � ل�� � ا‬ ‫� ار �عب��ر ت� �ع ن��ه �ب�ا � �ل ر * � او �ل��ر ب� �ب�ا �لرد ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح ن ��ف‬ ‫� �ق �ة ا � �‬ ‫� ف �ظ � �ة‬ ‫ا ة � ه�ن �ف �ا ت‬ ‫�ف � ا‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �بي�� �ب� �لِ�ع�د �ل * �و� �ل� ��� ا �ى ��ى ا �ل� ��ص�ل * ���ل� �ه��ذه �ع� د� ل� �ل ���� �ى �ى‬ ‫ف ن �ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ث ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ا �لت� ك‬ ‫�ر�و�ه��ة ��ى �ه��ذه ا �لب��ل�ا د * �و ��ل��ك ك�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫���ا �ع�ا د ا ت� ك����ي�ر� � ك‬ ‫ا �ل�ع�ا د ا ت� ��ا � �ل����س�� ئ�� ن��ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫حي��ل�‬ ‫� ت �ة � �ن َ�ة � ثَ ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� ا �� �ت�ز� � ا ��لت�خ‬ ‫�� ض‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫ئ �‬ ‫�غ� � ا ��ل��ت�� �� � ا ��لت�� ق� ��ف� � ا ��ل�ا ��تم�ا �� � ا ��ل��ت ق���ن‬ ‫����� � او �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ل� ��ج �‬ ‫سو ر‬ ‫ح�ن�� � او �ل�ي� �ر �� � او ل�م و س�ي ي ر و وي و‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّي �ج‬ ‫��جَ‬ ‫�� نَ‬ ‫� ت ف فّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� � ال‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫� � او �لت� ��ور � او �ل� �مت� ا �� ا�‬ ‫� او ��ل��تر �ث�ن � او �ل�� �‬ ‫� �ز � ا �ل� ��ط � �� � ا �ل� �� �‬ ‫�ه� � �و �م��� �و ح��� �و ��م��ص‬ ‫و ر�ي و و م‬ ‫�� ض ا �ق ا �� ��فَ ْ � ا � ا � � ا ت � �ة � ن‬ ‫حَ �ْ ت � ا � ا � ت � ا �ن �ة � ا ��لت��ف‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�س� ��ط�ا �ب� � او �لت��ص��ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي � � �و ل ر� � او �لِ� �ل�ه� ��ط � او �ل� �‬ ‫��ل� و �ل� �س�ع� � و �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت ع‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ش ف �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ص�د ر �و�‬ ‫� او �ل����س�م��ي�ن �و�ع�ق��� ا �ل ش����عر � �و�ت�ق���لي�� ا �ل�ا ظ ����ف��ا ر � �وت��د ر��م�ه�ا * �وك� �‬ ‫���� ا �ل�‬ ‫ح �ري��ك‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ض ا �ُ‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫عْ�ق‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ص �ل�م�ن �ُق � ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�ص� ا �و �م � ا �و ��م�ز� * � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����ة ا �ل�ع��قر � او �ل� �‬ ‫�����ا ��ض� � او �ل� ��هج���ا � �و��ي�ر �ل��ك * ��ا �ل ��م�ا ك��د� ا �� ك��ل� �م�ى �ه� ا‬ ‫� بو��ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث قا � ت � ق َ ْ‬ ‫�ك���ة‬ ‫حت ا ��س��ت ش����ا ���ط ت� �غ� �ظ� ����ا � ا � �ن �ف ش ت‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫� ي�ز �‬ ‫�ه��ل��‬ ‫ح �ر� ���� * ��م �� �ل� � �ل��د ا ب���س��ل�ك ا �ل�ى ا �ل �‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ا �ل�و�ج��� �ى‬ ‫فض‬ ‫ن �نا ف ض‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫�� ��ل��ك * �م�ن ا �ي�ن �ع��ل�م ت� ا �ن��ه�ن ��ل�ا ي����غ�ن��‬ ‫�م�ق ��و��ل��ك * �و���‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ج�ن *‬ ‫ح�ك �ع��د �ى �و�ع��د ا �ل�� ��س ��� �و‬ ‫ُ�خ‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫�ذ ُق‬ ‫�ذ � ن‬ ‫��س��ع �ل�ن ا �� ق � �ف‬ ‫ا �ذ ا ����ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج�ن * �و �ل� �ير����ص�ن * ا ا �ر��ص�ن * �و �ل� ي� �م� ل�‬ ‫ض�ي �ا �� � او � �ل ر�م * ا ا ك���ا �‬ ‫�قَ �أَ‬ ‫� فَ ْ �ذ �لَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا � �ل���‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ْو �ب�ا * ا �ب ���قب��ق���ة �م��قب���ق ب��ا * ا �و ا ا ك�‬ ‫له� ا � �ه� * ا �و ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل�ع�ف��� �لق� * ي����سم� ��ل�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � ُُ‬ ‫��خُُ‬ ‫�جَ َ َ َ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���لنْ���� �لق * � او �ل‬ ‫� ف� ��ق * ا �‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل�ى ا �ل� �‬ ‫هق��ق� * �ل�و �ل�ا ا �ن��ك ج� ّر�� ت� �من��ه�ن ��ل��ك * �ق��ل ت� �ه� ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا � �ش ا �ئ� �م� ت ��ف‬ ‫��نََهٌ �م ش‬ ‫�م ن َّه � ه �ذ � دا �� �ة � ��ُث�ْ�� �ة � �تش � ا خ�‬ ‫��فى �ع��ل� ا �‬ ‫مر ��� �‬ ‫ح��د *‬ ‫ع �س� ي���ض� ب�� ����ه�ور ��و ب� و ل� بو ل� و ���ر�ير �ل� ي �� ى‬

‫‪146‬‬

‫‪146‬‬

‫‪٤،١٠،٤‬‬

‫‪٥،١٠،٤‬‬

A Passage and an Explanation

fools and signals to them, “I have a fellow on which you may sit, or a pillow”; i.e., if she winks at them as though to say, “Beneath where sprouts the desert rose135 on the desert floor, there lies the precious ore”; i.e., if she stuffs her backside with cushions, then sets off, gazing at it, admiring it, flaunting it, showing it off, coveting it, feeling good about it, and using it to allure, then finds another woman who outdoes her in this regard, and then this other in turn finds another who beats her too in terms of stuffing, it would be more proper to say that their brains are in their backsides.’ (Thus the gist of what she said, though for ‘desert rose’ she said ‘pumpkin,’ for ‘coeval with whom to consort’ she said ‘back-hugger,’ and for ‘backside’ she said ‘booty.’ ‘I.e.’ is as per the original.) “I replied, ‘It’s a custom with them, and you shouldn’t quarrel with

4.10.4

custom. Our women too have many customs that are disliked in this country, such as painting the eyelids with antimony, penciling in eyebrows, coloring, dyeing, tingeing, staining, striping, dotting, plain-staining, or staining with designs the hands, hair, or fingertips with henna or sometimes with saffron, tattooing, depilation, shaving the face or the head with a razor, removing facial hair using a thread,136 plucking out or uprooting the hair, shaving the head, removing the pubic hair, using medicaments to narrow the vulva or using a bung made of perfumed rags for the same purpose or the same using a different verb, douching, cleaning the anus after defecation with water or a stone, cosseting slave girls to make them salable and fattening them up, braiding the hair and intertwining the braids with ribbons, and paring and rounding the fingernails, or the exposing of the breast and wiggling of the hips by those who have been pinched or palpated, had their nipples brushed by someone’s hand or gently tweaked or pawed. To these you may add payment of compensation for rape, the “pelvic egg,”137 circumcision of girls, intercourse with young girls, and other such things.’ “I had barely reached the end of this brief speech before she flew into a rage and bristled her feathers ready for a fight, saying, ‘Your words have sealed your doom, your meddling exposed you for what you are, to me and to everyone in this room. How do you know that they should not moan and sigh if winked at, or pirouette if pinched, or use the scented rag or the raisin pits if the well’s so wide it swallows everything in gulps, or is too deep to fill and gurgles and glups, or if it’s large and flabby and groans like

147

147

4.10.5

‫ف ف تف‬ ‫��ي� ��س��ر� �و �����س��ير‬

‫ت‬ ‫�ف ��ق � � ق ا ئ ا ��ل�� �آ �ف ق ن ا � ا‬ ‫� �ا � ا ف�ت�غ� �ي�ن �م ا � ا‬ ‫ح�ت�ن�ا � �ه �ع ن��د ا ��لن�� ا ة � �‬ ‫ض�� �م� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�و��ك ��و�ل ا � �ل�� ���ل �سم� ��و��� � او �ل� ر��ض� � و �و‬ ‫ح� � �لي����س ب� ك��ل م ���ب‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ن ��ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا ن� ي����س�م ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �م�ا ��ل�ى �و�ل�� ك�‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ل��ل� �م ا ��م�ا ��� �ب�ى �ع�ن ا � �ل���ع�ل * ا �ن��ك �ع ن��د �ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق�ّ ا ��ل * �و�ع ن��د �غ���ر�ى �ف��ّع�ا ��ل * �م�ا �ه��ذه �ص�ف���ة ا �ل�م��ت�ز �و�ج���ي�ن * �م�ا �ه��ذ ا �ش���ا ن� الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ن ��ي�ن *‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن ا ���ست‬ ‫� ن ت � ا ����ست‬ ‫�� �ا‬ ‫ح ا ن� ا ���ط��ل� * ا ��ل�ا ��ل� ت� �ق�ا‬ ‫ح� ا ن� �ت� ���ط��‬ ‫��ا �ل���جل�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ض�ي‬ ‫ي ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �فّ �ة �مَ�ن ا �� �ظ �� ا �ل�� � ا �ل� �ظ �� � � �م ن ا � �ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫��ي�ق� ض��� ��� ا �ل ج��� � او �م ا ��ه �‬ ‫ح�ى ��ي ب��� �ل��ل ن��ا ��س ك�� �‬ ‫ل�� م وم��ل�وم �� * �ل�‬ ‫ىب ر ل ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �� �‬ ‫ف ق � �ذً � ق‬ ‫�� �ون�ه � او ���حل‬ ‫ض�ي ��ة * �ل�ا ن� ا �� �لق��ا ض���ى �م�ن �‬ ‫حي� ث� ك��‬ ‫�م��د لله ك�را ي ك��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�����و�ل�ى ا ا �لي� ت� ��ا �‬ ‫ح� �ل��لر ج��ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ا � ا ����ل ا ة‬ ‫� �ذ � ف ن � ق ا ض � ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ة قا � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا�ل�م ار � * �� �ل� ب���ل ا �ل� �مر ب���ع��ك��س �ل��ك ��ا � ا � �ل�� ���ى �ل� �ير�ى ا �ل�‬ ‫ح� �ل� �مر �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� ا ة �ن �ف‬ ‫ا ��ل � � ��ا ��س� �ا ا �ذ ا ���أ �ش ت ا ��ل��ه � ا � ش ���ذ �‬ ‫ه��� ت� �وك�� ا �ك���ل ر ج���ل ا �ل� ا �م ار � � � ��س�ه * ���ل ت�‬ ‫ر ج ��ل و �ل يم �ج ��� ي و �ج �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫� �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�م�ن ا � ا ة خ‬ ‫� ة ا‬ ‫� ا � �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر �ب�ا �� ا � ا � ن�� � ا‬ ‫مر �‬ ‫لله د رك‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر� �ب� �م�ور ا �لر�ج�� �ل �و�م ر ج���ل‬ ‫حو ل ل ��س� * �ى �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫حض �خ‬ ‫�م� �ه ب� ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ا � �لق��ا ض���ى * �ف�ا ��ى �‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ك�� ت� ا � �‬ ‫��ر� �ص�ا �م ر ج���ل � او �م ار � � او ر�ى ا �لر ج��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا��ن ت � ا ن �ظ � � � ة � ا ن �ظ � � ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح���ة ��خ‬ ‫�م ّ �ق� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�من�ت �� �ف� ا �ل���ل‬ ‫�س�م�ا ا ا‬ ‫�ي� ب� �م� ك��� �ل� �� �� ر ا �ل�ى ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل� �� �� ر ا�لمب��ر�ى * �و �ل� � ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ا �ت�ز ئ ّ � ا �ت�ز ��خ ّ‬ ‫ا� ش‬ ‫�ن ت ا � ّ �� ا �ف � ا � � �‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫ه��� ت� �ف ك�‬ ‫�ك�ن ر � �و��د ك �ل� ���ر�ى �و �ل� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫مر�ى *‬ ‫�ج �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��� ود ل�و �دي��ه� بر و �ى * ول� ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا � ئّ �‬ ‫� ا ئ ّ � ا �ت ق ّ‬ ‫ا ��ن �ل�� � ق ��ل ا � ا ن ا � ا‬ ‫�ذ�ر�ى �و �ل�ا �ج� �ظ �����ئر�ى * �و �ل� �‬ ‫ح�ز�ر�ى �و �ل� � ���د �‬ ‫�و �ل� ج��‬ ‫حر�ى * �ى �يب ��� �ى �ل� � �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ن �ف‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �لن �ظ� �� ر �ف�ا �م�ا ا �لت��ف��د �ي� �ف�ل�ا � ك��‬ ‫� �ل�ى ا �لي ��و� �ع��ل�ى � � ��س�ى * �و�ل��ك�ن ا �خ�ب�� �ير ن��ى �م�ا �ه��ذه ا �ل �ص�ل�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫آم‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �غ �ي�ز �ة ف �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ك� و ك� ي� � ����‬ ‫ى �ى ك� � *‬ ‫ا �ل� ر �� �ي���ك�ن �م�ع�ا ش���را �ل����س�� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�ى ا �ل� �م���ك�ن �و �ل� ���‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح�ن �م�ع�ا ���ر ا �لر�ج��ا �ل �ل� � ب� ك��‬ ‫ح��ك ا �ل� �ل��ك�ن �و�م�ن ا �ج���ل��ك�ن * � �ل�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ق ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫طف ت�خ ّ‬ ‫�� ن� ا ��ل ن����س�� ا �ق� ��� ا �� �خ ق ا‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�ي��ل�ا *‬ ‫�ه�م�ا � او �ل�� ��‬ ‫ط��ع� * � او ك�ر�م ���ل��� * � او د �� � �‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫��سب�� ب� �ل�ك �ه�و ك��و‬ ‫ن �ظ �‬ ‫�ن ف �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �أ �ف �ق �ل ا � ا � ن �ف‬ ‫� ار � او ج�ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ى �� او د ا * � او �ل��ي�ن �ج��ا ��ن ب��ا � او ��سر ��س�م�ع�ا � �و� �� ار * � او � ��� �ف ك‬ ‫��ل�‬ ‫و ر � � ب�� و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت�ا �ث ار * � او �خ� �ف� �ي��د ا � او �ع�� �لق� �ب�ا �ل��د ��ني��ا � او �ل��د �ي�ن * � او �ب���ل �ل��لت���ل�ق���ي�ن * � ا‬ ‫و �ب��د ر ا �ل�ى ا �لر��سي����س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف� ��ل��ل�ع�� �لق ا ��لن��ف����� * �ق��ل ت� �مه�ل�ا �مه�ل�ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� � ا � �ق ��ا ��ل�ا * �ق��ل ت‬ ‫� او � �لق �‬ ‫� � بو���ع�ا �ل� *‬ ‫� �‬ ‫و ر و� ب‬ ‫� ي س‬

‫‪148‬‬

‫‪148‬‬

‫‪٦،١٠،٤‬‬

A Passage and an Explanation

a large door swinging open—tight tunnels being preferred by frequent fuckers—unless you yourself have had experience of them in this regard?’ ‘It’s a widely bruited matter,’ I replied, ‘thoroughly documented, much noted, celebrated, often alluded to, famous—a scandal hidden from none. It’s as though one were to say, “The sky’s above us,” or “The ground’s beneath us,” such things not being considered speech by the grammarians.138 Are you going to get angry over something that can’t even be called speech?’ ‘I don’t care,’ she said, ‘about the speech, my anger is at the deeds. With me you’re all talk, with others all do. This isn’t how married men are supposed to be. It is not with this that the respectable wife is tasked. It’s amazing—you feel no shame in asking, while I feel ashamed at being asked! Would that there were a judge to decide between a man and his wife, so that everyone might know which of the two is the oppressor and which the oppressed!’ ‘Say rather,’ I responded, ‘“Would that there were a woman to judge!” for a male judge, by virtue of his being, thank God, a male, will find for the man over the woman.’ ‘Quite the contrary!’ she said. ‘The male judge will always find the woman to be in the right over the man, especially if she breaks down before him and blubbers, and so will all men, unless it’s their own wives.’ ‘Hats off to you, as a woman expert in the affairs of men, and a man expert in the ways of women! I belong to the school of His Honor, for if I was ever present at a dispute between a man and a woman and saw the man to have a clean-plucked beard and a pocket with a hole in it,139 I’d decide the woman was innocent, especially if she burst into tears, in which case I’d be ready to die for her. But hold on! Don’t raise your hackles or growl, or stand tall the better to hurl abuse, strike out, make ready for a fight, or scowl! These days I can do no more than look; where dying for women’s concerned, it’s out of my hands. “‘Tell me, though, what is this inborn trait of yours, you women, that lets you weep and laugh at the drop of a hat and for any reason? We men weep only for you and laugh only because of you and for your sake.’ ‘The reason,’ she said, ‘is that women are finer by nature, nobler by creation, nicer in understanding, more refined of imagination, softer of heart and more tender, faster to hear and see and more kind, quicker to be moved and more penetrating of mind, lighter of touch, deriving from both this world and the next more pleasure, more eager to learn, bolder to fall in love,

149

149

4.10.6

‫ف ف تف‬ ‫��ي� ��س��ر� �و �����س��ير‬

‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ �ة ق �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ة ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�غ� �يَ‬ ‫قا � ت‬ ‫ح��ل�ا * ���ل ت� �و��م��ل�م�ل�ا * ��ا �ل ت� � او �و��ى �ص��ل� * ���ل ت� �و� ب�ر��ل� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�� �ل� � او ب���ل ِ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ث �ت ف���ق��ا * �ق��ل ت� � �ش����ق��ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫� ا �ع � � ا ف ا ق ت غ ا ف ا ق ا � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ا �ل��ط� �� * ���ل� � او �ي���� �� * �� �ل� � او ك�� ر ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ج‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �م�ا * �ق��ل ت � �غ���ل�م�ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت � ا ���ط �� � ّ‬ ‫ح��ا * �ق��ل ت� �و��ق�بن��ا * �ق�ا �ل ت� � ا‬ ‫و ب�����قى �و�ج���دا *‬ ‫�و‬ ‫� و �ول ب‬ ‫ك�ر‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ق ا � ت ش � ت ا ا �ق � ت �ق ا �ق ا � ت � �ش�� �ظ ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ا *‬ ‫�ص�د ا * � �ل� � او ����ه�ى ع�� �ب� * �ل� �و ار �ب� * � �ل� � او ب��د �م‬ ‫���ل ت� �و رد ا �و�ع�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫مَ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ق ا �� ت � ا � ق �ش‬ ‫ق ت � �ظ � ا ق ا � ت‬ ‫� ق ا ق ت حَ ق ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س�� ع�ور *‬ ‫���ل� �و �لم��� * �� �ل� � او ر��م �من� ��ط��� * ���ل� �و�� ��� * � ل� و ب �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غ َتَ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح��ل� �‬ ‫�ق � ت � �ش��غ� ا �ق ا � ت � ا �‬ ‫ح��د�ث�ا * ���ل ت� �ور�ث��ا * ��ا �ل ت� � او �رب� ر��ل�ا * ���ل ت�‬ ‫�ل� و ��ور * � ل� و ى‬ ‫ن�زّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫َ� �فَ �ا ث� �ق � ت �ق � ن‬ ‫�ق ئ‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث���ك ا �و ��ل�ا ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫���ا � �‬ ‫�وع��ل * � �ل� �د ك‬ ‫ح���ا �� ب� ب��م�ا �ي�� �ه ب� �ب��صب��ر ا �ي ��و ب� * � �وي�� �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض���ل ا �ل����س�� �ع��ل�ى �ع�ا د ���ك �و��ى ���ع�د ا د‬ ‫�و�� � اول�مج���‬ ‫الم�م�ود � اول�مج���‬ ‫�و ب� * � او �ل� � ا �� � �ى � ����ي‬ ‫تن ت ي�ن �‬ ‫�� ش �ف ا �ل�مغ� ّ ��� �من ه�ن �ف �ت �ي�ن ن ق‬ ‫��م ا ن‬ ‫ح��ن �ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح� ��س��ه�ن �و��س�����ه�� ا �ل�ى ك����� �ط�ى �‬ ‫� * ���ه�ل �ري��د ا � ا ��د �م �ع��ل�ى �ص� �ب‬ ‫�ت �ة � ت‬ ‫��ن ت ت� ّ ن ا ف ا � ن � �ف‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ � ف �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�م‬ ‫� ن�� �ون�ا ا �و ا �لم� �ت�� ��س�د ر ج��م� ا � ك��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� * ��ا �ل ت� ا � ك���‬ ‫�ج�ن �ه�� ��ل� �ي��ك�و� �ل��ك ��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت ق �ة‬ ‫�ك��ا ���فى ا ��ل ش����ا � * �ف�ا ن� الجم‬ ‫��ا �ن��ي�ن ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن ��ه ��ى ب��ي�� �وت��ه� �ه ن��ا ك ا ك��‬ ‫���ر �م�ن ا �ل���ذ�ي�ن ��ه‬ ‫ا �لب�ي��� �ر�ص�ع� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف��فّ‬ ‫� ��ذ �غ‬ ‫�ذ � ت ش‬ ‫��ف ا � ا ن �ق � ت � �ذ � �‬ ‫���و� ��ق ا �ل�م�ع��ذ ب� * ���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ى ا د �ي� ر ا �لر�هب�� � * �ل� �ل��ع�ل �ل�ك �ه�و ا �ل� �ى ا � ار ك �ب��ه� ا ا �ل�� � ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�ذ � ا ن � �ذَ‬ ‫تا ّ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫حق �م�ن ا �ع ���ط�ا ك �ه� ا ا �ل��ل��س� � ا �ل��‬ ‫�ع�ن �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� ا �ل�م��ل�ه� الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫قا � ت �‬ ‫� ن ن ق� ت � ا‬ ‫� �ن � ن ن ش غ‬ ‫‏ ��ل�ل�ا��ش� خ� ا‬ ‫�� ��ص ا �ل�ى �م �ي��ك�و� �ع��ده �������ل�ى * �� �ل� ا �لي����س �ه�و ب��ل��د � * ��ل� �ل� ب���ل �ه�و‬ ‫�ن � �‬ ‫���ف ا ��ل � �ف� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� � ��� �ع�� ا ��ل � �ف� � �ع�� ا �� �لف��ل�ا �ي�ن‬ ‫ط��ق� ا �ل�� �فس� ر�م�ن �ه��ذه‬ ‫ح�� * �م �ي� ��ي‬ ‫و �ي ل�ى ل�ى ر�ي و ل�ى‬ ‫ى ر�ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ة �‬ ‫�ك�ن ���ي�ن ا �ل�ه�م ف ا ن � ف ا‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ���ف ج��م�� ا ��ل��ل�ا د ��س� � * �ق��ل ت� ث�� �ن�ن��ت��ق��� �م�ن‬ ‫� * �� � ا � �ل��ل� � ى يع ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا�لم�د ��ي �� �لي����س�� ب‬ ‫م ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ف ن آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن ا � � ��ل � � ن �ة �غ ا ّ‬ ‫�ص��ة ��ا ��ل ��ا ��ل * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ف��ه�ا ��ا ��ل ��ل�ا �ن��س�� * �ق��ل ت� ��� ��ه�ا ���س��‬ ‫�ه�� �ل�ك ا �ى م�د �ي �� �� � ب ر�ج‬ ‫ب ل ي�‬ ‫ي� ر�ج ب‬ ‫ق ا � ت ن � ق � �ن � ن �آ ث‬ ‫ن� ا ه�ن ق � ا ت ا � ن �ة �� ث �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫���ر�ة ا �لر�ج��ا ��ل * �� �ل� ا � ا � �ل��لي���ل �م ا �ل����س� ك�‬ ‫��س�� ا ل�ى ك��‬ ‫����ي�ر * ��‬ ‫� او �م� � ��لي��ل� � �ب� �ل�� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� � ّ ه �� ا �� ��ق �ة‬ ‫ا �ن��ه�م�ا ��س�ا �ف ار ��ى �غ��د ��ل��ك ا �لي ��و� � او ك�‬ ‫���ا �ن�ا ��س�ا ئ�ر �ي�ن ��ى د ر ب� ا �‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د ك�ر ا�لم�بن�� ا �‬ ‫س ل �ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ف��� ن � ف ا ا �ق � ا ش ت غ ا � ا � ��ت � � � ا � �ة � �ذ‬ ‫��ا �ن ا � �ق‬ ‫ا �ل ��تى ك�‬ ‫ح�تى ا ا ��س�ا را‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د ا ���ه� ل� �ي����بت��ه ا � �ل�� ر�� � �ل� ������� �ل �ب� �ل�ه ب ��لك ا�لم��س� �ج��ل� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪150‬‬

‫‪٧،١٠،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،١٠،٤‬‬

A Passage and an Explanation

greedier to snatch up every precious treasure. . .’—‘Stop! Stop!’ I said— ‘. . . more serene of thought,’ she said—‘and more ready for conjugal sport,’ I responded—‘. . . more effective at getting her way’—‘and at saying nay’— ‘as a friend more loyal’—‘and more willing the wheels of gossip to oil’— ‘. . . readier to hand out charitable grants’—‘and do the horizontal dance’— ‘ . . . more trustful’—‘and more lustful’—‘ . . . more likely to provide the needy with a treat’—‘and more often in heat’—‘. . . longer of love’—‘and of clitoral glove’—‘. . . more steadfast in passion’—‘and in swallowing and coition’— ‘. . . more agreeable a scold’—‘and to raise a leg more bold’—‘. . . more inventive at finding acceptable ways to pass on thoughtful tips’—‘and to lick the leftovers off your lips’—‘. . . with a voice more melodious’—‘and a beaver less commodious’—‘. . . quicker to empathize’—‘and to let your legs rise’—‘ . . . sweeter of discourse’—‘and in talking dirty during intercourse’—‘. . . with teeth yet pearlier’—‘not to mention,’ I said, ‘your vaginal hernia.’ “Then said I, ‘Your first discourse, on backsides, was enough to give

4.10.7

Job the hump and make every wrung, strung, and unhung member jump, and now you’ve started praising the virtues of women, as is your wont, and recounting their charms, and you’ll end up by giving away all their secrets. Do you want me to present myself to our friend140 in a state of insanity or imbecility and have the translation of the book go badly?’ ‘If you go mad here,’ she replied, ‘you won’t be able to hide away at home as one can in the Levant (for there are more madmen in the houses there than there are in the monasteries).’ ‘Perhaps that’s what seduced you with such tormenting excitement,141 so desist from this provoking, inflaming discourse, by Him who gave you that tongue so coarse, and prepare yourself to set off for the one for whom I’ll be working.’ ‘Isn’t he in London?’ she asked. ‘No,’ I replied, ‘in the countryside.’ ‘Woe is me! The countryside and peasants?’ she cried. ‘Who could bear to leave this city to live among savages— for peasants are the same in every country.’ ‘Afterward,’ I told her, ‘we shall move to a city thronging with men.’142 ‘Are there men there who don’t have women?’ she asked. ‘There are women,’ I answered, ‘but they’re few in comparison to the men.’ ‘A few women are a lot,’ she said.” The next day they set off. When they were on the train, however, and the guard called out the name of the village for which they were bound,143 the Fāriyāq was so preoccupied with their earlier duel of wits that he failed to pay

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151

4.10.8

‫ف ف تف‬ ‫��ي� ��س��ر� �و �����س��ير‬

‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ � � � � �آ �� �ف‬ ‫��ك ت �ع�ن ُ � ق � � ق ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ط� �و�ل�ا �و��س�ا �ل ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��لت��ه ��ا �ل �ل�ه ��د ��ا ��ت��� *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل��س��و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ك ر�ج ٍح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ف �ة � �ة ت ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ ف � ت �ن ت �ذ‬ ‫���ر ا�لم�بّن��ه * �و�م�ا ب���لغ� �� او ا � �ل�ق �ر��ة ا �ل�ا ب���ع�د �م ش����ى �م��س� �� ��ط� �‬ ‫و��ل� �و���ع ب� ك���ي�ر *‬ ‫� ���ل��ه �ع ��� ك��ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�ز ث �خ � � �‬ ‫��كف� ���س�� ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�ت� ن��� �ه د ر �و ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د ���فى �ب�ل�ا د ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�� �م���ل � ��ط�و ��ط ا �ل�� ي ي ر ي�‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ض‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫ا�لم��س�ا �ر ا �ل�ى ا �ى �م� �‬ ‫��� ����ا ��ط�و �ل� �و�عر�‬ ‫وع‬ ‫ش��� �ق�ا � �غ� ��ا‬ ‫ر و بر‬ ‫*‬

‫‪152‬‬

‫‪152‬‬

A Passage and an Explanation

attention and they went for a long way before he asked one of the silent passengers about his destination and the man told him, “You missed it.” Then he got off, regretting his negligence in having failed to remind the guard, and they reached the village only after walking a long way and becoming very tired. Note: The railway tracks in England are like the lines on the palm of your hand: via them the traveler can go wherever he wants— up or down, east or west.

153

153

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا د � �ع ش‬ ‫ا � ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ڡ ت � �ة ���ن��ص�� �ة‬ ‫� �ر ج ��م� �و يح�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ث�� ��ل��ث�ا ���ف ��ت��ل�ك ا �� �ل�ق ���ة � ش��� �ع ت� ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق���ة ���ف �ت��عل��� ��ل��س�ا ن� ا �� �لق �� � * ف���ق��ا ��ل ��له�ا �ز � � ه�ا‬ ‫م ب ى‬ ‫� و�ج �‬ ‫ري و ر‬ ‫وم‬ ‫ري ي ى م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ل��ك �� ا �م ي�خ‬ ‫�ت��� ب����عل��� �ه��ذه ا �ل��لغ��� ا ج�ل‬ ‫ا ت� �ي��و� ا ��ى ا ر�ي��د ا � ا ���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫���لي���ل� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف �� ح � �ن‬ ‫ات ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��ة خ� �ج� ت� �م�ن ���فم��ك ا ��ل� �م���سم�ع * ق��ا ��ل � �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� � �م� �ع��د ك � �‬ ‫هى �مرى ا �و�ل ي�� ر‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا * ق��ا ��ل ت� ق��� * ق��ا ��ل �م�ن �ش���ا ن� ا �ل�م��ت�د �ئ��ي�ن ب���عل��� ا ��ل��لغ���ا ت� ا ��ل�ا ج� ن �ة ن ت �‬ ‫���ل�ب�ى ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫��ب��ي�� ا � ��ي ��ع�ل�م� او‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ان ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ا د � ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل� � � ا‬ ‫� �ب��دٍء �م�ا �ي ���ؤ �و�ل ا �ل�ى �ج���س� ا �ل� ���س�ا � �م�ن ا �ل�عر�و�� � او �ل�ع‬ ‫و �ل �ر�ل� � ا �ل�ى ا �ره *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ن���ص�� �ة ق ا �� ف� �ق � ت ���س�� ا ن ا ُ�خ� � ق ا � ا ن ا ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق��ا �ل ت� ��د �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حن� ت� �م�ا ���ع�ن�ي �ه ��م�ا �ه��ذه يح� * �� ل ���ل� بح� � لله �ل�� �ل� ���س� �‬ ‫َجَ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� غ �ة ن �غ � � ا ن‬ ‫ن �ق � � ن‬ ‫شآ ن ت‬ ‫�م�ن �ع‬ ‫���ل * ا ��م�ا ا ر�ي��د ا � ا ��و�ل �ل��ك ا � �م�ن ����� ء ا � ��ي ��عل��� �ه��ذه ا �ل��ل��� �ي���ب���ى �ل�ه ا �و �ل� ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ن �تق‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ت �ا‬ ‫ف ن �ق‬ ‫�ي�ب��ت��د �ى �ب�ا ���سم�� ء �م�ن ��ى ا �ل��س�م�ا � او � �ل� ب��م�ن �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� ر��ض� * ��ا � ا � �ل ��و�م ��ي ت� ���ا �هر�و� �ب�ا �ل�� ��و�ى‬ ‫ت �أ‬ ‫س�ت �ق �ة � آ ة � َ�فَ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ح�ت ا ن� ا ��ل���غ ّ �من‬ ‫� او ��ل�ص�ل�ا � * �‬ ‫�ه� ج�‬ ‫�� ر �و��هى �م�� ��ل� ي�� �ب�ا �ل��د �ع�� �مر� � �وب�ا �لر� ث� ا �ر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ا � ت ق �ق � �ق ت َ َ ن ا غ ا ا ق � ت �‬ ‫�� ��ق � ا �� غ � ة ��ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫* �� �ل� �و��د � �ل � ا �و �ه�� ب����� �ي� * ��ل� �ل� �� � ا ��ه�ل ا ل رى ل�ص���ي ر� �ى �ه��ذه‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ن‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫� ن ك��‬ ‫ن �ق � ن‬ ‫� ا ت�ز‬ ‫���س�ا ئ�ر ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و �ل� ي ك‬ ‫�ه�م ا �ل��س���اح� * �و�ل��ك�ن ا�ل�م ار د ا � ا ��و�ل ا ���هم�‬ ‫ا �لب��ل� د �ي�� �و ج��و�‬ ‫�م�� �‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة �ه��ذه ا ن �ت��س�ا ��ل� �ع�ن ا ��س�م��آ ا ��ل ��ل�ا ت‬ ‫ج��مي��ع�ا ��ي ب��د �و ن� ا ��لت��وّر * ف��ل�ا �ي�ن��ب���غ� ا ��ل�ا ن� � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� ى‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن � ��ف ن � �ت� ��في�ن ه ن � � ّ �ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت ف �ذ � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��س��عر���ي�ن �ل��ك ك���ل�ه ب���ع�د �لي���ل * ب���ل �ل� ر��ي ب� ع��د ى �ى ا ��ك �عر � � د �و� معر�‬ ‫ن � �قَ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ ة �ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ت� ف‬ ‫� ���ي�ن ه � ن ��م ف‬ ‫ح�ّ�ظ‬ ‫� ��� �و�ذ ��ل��ك �ب� ���ط � ��ق ا ��ل�ا �ت��‬ ‫ح�ا ر ا �و ا �ل�ا �ل�ه�ا � * ف��ا � � �ل نَ���ك �و�‬ ‫ح� �ظ � � د‬ ‫ح��د � �ه ن���ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ق� �ة �ق � ت‬ ‫ح���ك ي���س�ّ�ه� �ع��لي���ك �ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �مث���ل �ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫���ل ا �مر�ع��س�ي�ر * ق��ا ��ل ت� �ل�ع�مر�ى �ل�و ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ير‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪154‬‬

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‫‪١،١١،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،١١،٤‬‬

Chapter 11

A Translation and Some Advice

They now took up residence in that village and the Fāriyāqiyyah began to

4.11.1

learn the language of the people. One day her husband said to her, “I want to give you a piece of advice on a matter related to the learning of that magnificent language.” “Out with it!” she replied. “It will be the first piece of advice destined for my ears to have left your mouth.” “And my heart too,” he said. “Speak!” she said. “It is typical of beginners in the science of foreign languages,” he said, “to learn at the very first words relating to the human body, such as sinews, muscles, fleshy parts, and so on.” “I already knew that,” she responded, “so it doesn’t count as advice.” The Fāriyāq resumed, “I said, ‘Glory be to God, “Man is a creature of haste”!144 I simply wanted to tell you that anyone who wishes to learn this language should begin with the names of things divine, not earthly. The people put on a show of piety and righteousness. Even their prostitutes, flat on their backs, bellow now a prayer, now an obscenity.’ ‘So there are prostitutes here?’ she asked, anxiously. ‘Not at all,’ I replied. ‘The people of the small villages in this country get married just like everyone else and have no opportunity for debauchery. The point is, I’m telling you that they all put on a show of godliness, so, that being the case, you shouldn’t right now be learning the names for the fleshy parts. You’ll learn all that soon enough. In fact, I have no doubt you will learn it without an instructor and memorize it without a prompter, through your own inquiries and inspiration, for your quickness of understanding, acuteness of mind, and genius make everything difficult

155

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4.11.2

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�� �غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ن�� ت� ا ��ل‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫����يص��‬ ‫ح��ة �� ك�‬ ‫ح�م� ا ر�خ� ��ص �م�ا �ي��ك�و� * ا �ن�ا �ش���د ك ا لله ك�� ب���ل� ت� �م�ن ا �ل��س�ن ��ي�ن * ���ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ � �ذ ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ا �ه��ذ ا ا � ا � ت ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �ى �ف���ص�ل �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ى �‬ ‫�ه�ا � �ع��ق ب� �ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ح�ن �ي��ه *‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ف� * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ف�ا ��ل���ذ ن��� ا �ذ ا �ع�� ا � ف�ل���ص * �ق��ل ت� ا �ت�ز�ع�م�ن�� ن� �ق�د خ� ��ف ت‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �ف���ص ا ���خل‬ ‫�*‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ي �ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫�ل ر�ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ق ا � ت �ّ ا ��ف ا �ذ ا �� �ق �� � ��ذ � �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة ق ف ف‬ ‫ح ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ه ����يص�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� * ���ل ت� ��ا ���ع��ل�ى �م�ا �ب��د ا �ل��ك‬ ‫� �ل� � او �ل� �م� �ه� ا ل ��ول ا �ل� ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ �ذ‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫�ظ �‬ ‫� ّ �ظ � �ز‬ ‫� ن�ز‬ ‫فق‬ ‫�� ت� ا �ي�ا �م �ج��� ت� ا ت�‬ ‫���ل���د �و�ع �� ت� �م�ن �ل�م ��ي ت��ع �� �و ج�ر ت� �م�ن �ل�م �ي�� ج�ر * �� �لم�ا �مض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ �َ‬ ‫� غ �ة ق ا �ف ��‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ا ���ط � �م�ا ا �خ� ف�ّ�ه�ا‬ ‫�غ��د ا �ة ��ت�ق��و��ل ��ل��ل�ف��ا ر��ا �ق� * ا �ل�ا �م�ا ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه��ذه ا �ل��ل��� �م�و���ع� ��ى ا ل��س�م� � او �ل ر و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ف �غ � ��ن � �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ع��ل� ا ��ل��ل��س�ا ن� * ف���ل���د �‬ ‫�ه�ا ب��ي����ى ����عر�م�ن د � ك��ل �� ا � �ل� ا �ه‬ ‫ح�� �� � ا �لي ��و�م �م �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و� � ي ر ى م � �م‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا � � ن ش ئ ت � ا ن �ف ا ��ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ع ن�� �ه�م� * � �‬ ‫��ه�ل �ل��ك ا � � ��و����ى �ع��لي��ه * �� �ل ا �ه�ل� �ب�ك ا �لي��ه ا � ������ ا �ل� � � �بر �ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح�ت ا �م ���ط * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �ى �� �لقَ��ع��ة ا ن�� ت� �م�ا �ع ن��� ت� ا ��ل�ا ا �ل�م�عن�� �ق�ا ��ل ف���ق���ل ت� � �م�ا ا �ل�م�عن�� ا ��ل�ا �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى ر‬ ‫�ت ض‬ ‫ف �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ن ش ن ا � ف �ظ � ف �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ع ن�ي�� ت� ��ا ��ى ا �عل��� �ع��ي�ن ا �لي��ق���ي�ن ا �ن��ك �ل� �����مر�ى ��ي�ره * �و�ل�� ا �����د �ي ��ى �م�‬ ‫ح�� �� ت� ���ق��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪Up up up thou art wanted,‬‬

‫‪She is weary and tormented,‬‬ ‫‪Do her justice she is hunted‬‬ ‫‪By her husband, she has fainted.‬‬

‫� ٱ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا پ� ا پ� ا پ� ����ظ�ا �َو � �ْر ت� �و نا����ِت�د ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ُ َ ْ ْت ش‬ ‫د �و���هر �ج���سِ����س ِ����ى ا �ز� �هن�ِ�ت�د ‬

‫ْ َ ُ�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ِ����ى ا �ز� � �و���ير�ى ا ��ْ�ن�د ��‬ ‫طْر�م�ا ن����ِت�د‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫هَ زْ َ نْ ��ش‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ب �ى ���هر � �����د ِ ��ى ���ه �� ���ِت�د‬ ‫ب‬

‫�ا �ع َ‬ ‫��س ّ�د ��س ّ�م��ه�ا �م��ع� ا‬ ‫��ت���ب��غ� �� ك�‬ ‫ل�� �ى �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � ا ا � ك ت‬ ‫�ت�ه� ا‬ ‫ح�� ت� ���ي�ه�‬ ‫ك� �ل� � �‬ ‫� ا� �‬ ‫�ج‬

‫�ذ � ���فت � �ن � ّ � ا �‬ ‫ا �ي� �‬ ‫� ا �ل��ث�ا ��ى �ل���س�د ا �ل��و�ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫ا ئ� �ة �ذ � �ت‬ ‫� �و ������ظ�ل ��ه� �‬ ‫�ج� ا ا �ل�م � ����ف��عل�‬

‫ن‬ ‫فق‬ ‫������ل ت� ا �‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫��هى �ي �� ��و�ل‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل ت ا � ا � �ة ا � ا ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا �عر�ه ن��ا ي� ش������كو �م�ن ش��� ��ط��ط ا �م ار � �ع��لي��ه * �و�ل�� ��س� د رى ي� مر �‬ ‫�م�ا �م�ع ن��ا ه‬

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‫‪٣،١١،٤‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

easy to you.’ ‘I swear,’ she responded, ‘if such words were advice, wisdom would be the cheapest thing there is. Pray tell me, how old are you?’ ‘What has this question to do with what I just said?’ I asked. ‘Which season are we in?’ she asked. ‘Autumn,’ I answered. ‘So it’s the fault of the time of year,’ she said. ‘Are you trying to tell me I’ve reached the autumn of my mind?’ I asked. ‘If you haven’t,’ she answered, ‘how is one to explain this nonsense you’re voiding onto me and calling advice?’ ‘Do what you like, then,’ I said. ‘I’m preaching to the wind and talking to the deaf.’” One morning, after a few days had gone by, she came to the Fāriyāq and said, “How wonderfully this language falls on the ear and the mind, and how light it is on the tongue! Today I learned by heart a few lines of verse without any difficulty, except that I didn’t understand what they mean. Would you be kind enough to explain them to me?”145 “By all means,” he said. “Right now, if you’d like. Show me your lightning so I can give you my rain!” “How full of nonsense you are!” she said. “All I meant was, ‘Tell me what they mean.’” The Fāriyāq continued, “‘And all I meant was the meaning,’ I said, ‘for I know very well that you didn’t have anything else in mind. But recite to me what you’ve learned.’ So she said Up up up thou art wanted, She is weary and tormented, Do her justice she is hunted By her husband, she has fainted. “I said, ‘The poet complains here of some woman who has gone too far with him—I don’t know who the woman is though—for it’s in the same vein as My silly wife wants me to plug both holes at once, But as the second opens up the first shuts down. It’s like the ear: if scratched, its twin starts itching And will continue to do so till you give it its turn.’

157

157

4.11.3

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫��‬ ‫فت ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ّ ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م�عر �و�ج� �ه�ه�ا �ي �ظ� ����ا �و�ق�ا �ل ت� �م�ا �ه�و ا �ل�ا ��ت� ��ّو�ل �م ن���ك * �ف�ا �ن ك��‬ ‫� �م�ع�ا ش���را �لر�ج��ا �ل ا �ب��د ا ل� جه�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن آ �‬ ‫� ا ت ا �� �ل �ف�ت �ق ا � ت ا ن ا �� �ق � � ا � �ق �� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ فق ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك��ا ا �ن��ك�ن �م�ع�ا ش���را �ل����س�� ا �ب��د ا �ل� جه� � �ب� �‬ ‫� * � ل� � ل ��وم �ل� �ي��ول�و�‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل��س�د * ������ل� �م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ح ا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق � ت �‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫� � �ف� ش � �ف ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف ش ا �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��� �مك��ا ��ى ا ����ع� ر ا � عرب� * �ل� لي ��س�‬ ‫ل��ل� �م �و�لي����س ��ى ا ����ع� ر��هم �جهر و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � �ه ن��ا �ع��ل� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ا �ج���س�ا �م ن��ا � او �ج���س�ا �م�ه� �� �س �و * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � �ل� �ع��ل� ا �ل� �ج���س�ا � *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ف ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�ث ا � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �م�ن ا �ي�ن ��ا ���تى ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� ا �ل� �م�ن ا �ل� �ج���س�ا �م * ي�م� �و�ج��د ا �ج� ��س� �و�ج��د �م��ه ا � �ل���عل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن ��ا ن ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح��م�ا �و�ج���د ا � �ل���ع�ل �و�ج���د �ع ن��ه ا � �ل ��و�ل * �ه� ا ِد �ي�ن ��س� �و � � �م� ا ��ه ك�� � �ى د ر�ج��‬ ‫* �و ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف� ف���ق��د ا ��ل�ف� �م�ق��ا ��ل��ة ���ط� ���ل��ة ���ف ا ��ل�ا �� ت‬ ‫س� * �وك��‬ ‫�� ا ا ��س��تر ن� �ف�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫��هى د �و ن� د ر�ج���ة ا �ل�ا ��س�ق �‬ ‫�يو ى‬ ‫�ّ ف �ف �‬ ‫��� ا ن �ف ا ن �ّ ف ت� �ف‬ ‫� ن �ق‬ ‫�ف ا � ا � ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ا �ف ا � ة‬ ‫��ا �ب�ا ��ى ا خ�ب�� ِر � ج ر�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�و� ك��لي��ل� ���د � ��ه ا �ل�� ك��‬ ‫�و� * � م� ج �‬ ‫���ا � ���سي����س�ا � او �ل�� ��ى الجم�‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن � ا ف ا �ق‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ع� ��ق � ا ��ن‬ ‫حّ ا � �ن‬ ‫ا ��س�م�ه�ا ِ� ن� ��ه� �ج��� ء ف�ي��ه �م�ن ا �ل�‬ ‫ح��� � اولجم�‬ ‫ى ِل‬ ‫�و� ب�م� �� � �ب�ه اب� ج�� �ج � اوب� اب �ى � ي � وب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة � �ة � ّ ا �ذ‬ ‫� ن ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ه �ع�ن �� ش‬ ‫�ص ��� � � � �آ � ف �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح��� ا ��ه�ل �ل ن��د � ا �‬ ‫ع ا �ل�د �ل� �و�م�و�ل�� ك��� ب� ا �ل�� �لي��ل� �و�لي��ل� * ��م�م� ك�ر‬ ‫� ير‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ة �ز �ن‬ ‫�ز ة � �ن � ا ن ا � ن ق ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�مر� م ا عي�� ���ه� ك‬ ‫��ه‬ ‫���ا ��� او ��د ا � ش���� � او �م�ا ��‬ ‫�ورا ج��م� �ع او �ي��ه �ع�د� � ا �� * � ك���ا ���ع ض�‬ ‫و ى و � ب � �م‬ ‫� ق �ة �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ن �ف� ا ا �� � ن‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫���ه�ن ب���م ار �ى �م�ن ا �لب��ا ��ى �م ن��ا � �وب� * � او �و�ل �م�ن ن��ه‬ ‫�و� يم� ��‬ ‫� ��ط �ر�ي��� الجم�‬ ‫�ر ب��ب��ع ض�‬ ‫ظ�ن ك���ا �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة ق � � �ت ق � �ن ف‬ ‫��� ا �� �ف�ل �ن��س�ا � �ى ا �ل� ش‬ ‫���ا �م�ن ا ��ه�ل ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ن�ي����س� * ��ا �ل ت� ا�ل� � ����ل �ل�ى � � ���ا ا �ن�ه‬ ‫م����ه�ور �و�ه�و ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫رب ل�ى ر و‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫� �ز � �ق � �غ ن �ذ �‬ ‫تّ ن �‬ ‫�تق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�م���لب����س�و� �ب�ا �ل�ور � او �ل�� ��و�ى * ���ل ت� ب���ل�ى �و�ل�م ا �ل ا ��و�ل ��ي�ر ا � �ه� ا ا �لت���لب����س ��د ج�ر�ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � �ّ‬ ‫� ا ة �ف ا ن ا � � َّ � ه ���ع�� ا �ن ��‬ ‫��ل ت �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ع ن��د �ه� �ج�مر�ى ا �لع� * � � ملب����س ع ي�� ي � م� �ط�وى ع ي�� ملبِ����س* ي�� عرى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ا ن ا �دا � �مث ً�ا � ش ة ا �ث ا �� �ه ا �� ن ا �� ا ن � � ه قُ�ُ � ا � ا �ف� خ���ف �ع�� �ذ ��‬ ‫ل�و � �‬ ‫ح� �لب����س ��ل ع���ر� ��و ب� لي��و � ل�� � �ل���� �ل� �� � �ل� د ي �‬ ‫�ى ل� �ل�ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫س ي س ب �ل و بر � م‬ ‫ق ا � ت � ا ف ا �ذً‬ ‫�ن � ن ا �ظ �‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫ن ن ا � ا ن ق ت ن �ذ � ن‬ ‫�ع ا �ل�� �� ر * �� �ل� �ل� �� ا ��هم �م�د �ه� �و ��و� �ب� �ل��ِد �ه� � * ���ل� ���ع� �ه� ا ا �ل ��وع �ي ��مى ��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�� ��ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ث�� ا * ف�ت��ا �ّ �ه ت� � �ق�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و ���ل� �ع��ل� ا�لم�د ا �ه ن���ي�ن *‬ ‫ط� ع��� �ه‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا �ل� ر��ض� ك� ي ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي ى ى‬ ‫ي � ي �� ر � �م‬ ‫� � ا ن � ا ت �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫����س�ا ئ� ا ��ه� ا ��ل��ل�ا د ا �ل� ش‬ ‫نا‬ ‫م���رق�ي���ة �م ن�ب����س ���ط��ة ا �لن���ف �� � او �ل�ل��س� � * �ل� ا ك�‬ ‫���� �م�ا ��ى �‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ى‬ ‫� او �� ك� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ن � �‬ ‫� ت ا ��لت�� �ز ئ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ع�ن � ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع����ي�ر�ى * ���ل ت� ا �ي�ا ك �و �ل��ك * � او ��م�ا �ي���ب���غ�ى �ل��ك ا �لت� ك‬ ‫���� �و حر د �م� * و ي� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْت�آ �ن ت �غ‬ ‫�غَ ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ا � او �ل�ا �ه�زا �ق� �ف�ا ن� �‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح��ك ا � �لق ��و� ِا �ه�م�ا ت� �و� ت� � ِاو �ه�ل�ا ��س � ِاو �ه ن��ا �� � ِاو ر�� ء � او � ��د ا‬ ‫ا �ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪158‬‬

‫‪158‬‬

‫‪٤،١١،٤‬‬

‫‪٥،١١،٤‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

“At this, her face flushed with anger and she said, ‘That’s just lies you’re

4.11.4

making up. You men are obsessed with “plugging.”’ ‘Just as you women,’ I responded, ‘are obsessed with “opening.”’ ‘These people don’t say such things,’ she said, ‘and their poetry doesn’t contain the sort of obscenities and indecent language that are found in the poetry of the Arabs.’ ‘Aren’t their bodies and ours the same?’ I asked. ‘We’re talking about words here, not bodies,’ she replied. ‘Where does indecent language come from if not the body?’ I asked, ‘for wherever the body is found, so will the act, and wherever the act is found, so will talk about it. The celebrated Dean Swift, though only one rank below a bishop, wrote a long essay on the anus. Sterne is a similar case, for he too was a priest but he wrote bawdy stuff. John Cleland wrote a book recounting the doings of a harlot named Fanny Hill in which he outdid in obscenity and bawdiness Ibn Ḥajjāj, Ibn Abī ʿAtīq, Ibn Ṣarī ʿ al-Dilāʾ, and the author of Alf laylah wa-laylah (The Thousand and One Nights). He writes, for instance, speaking of the licentiousness of the people of London, that a coterie of notables there, having set up a brothel, gathered together a number of whores and would perform depraved acts with them in front of the others, taking turns. The first to follow the path of bawdiness was, I believe, the celebrated Frenchman Rabelais, who was also a man of the church.’ “‘Didn’t you just tell me that they put on a show of godliness and piety?’ she asked. ‘I did,’ I replied, ‘and they do, but this show has become second nature to them and the audience knows well what is in the hearts of the performers. I’d like to know: if someone puts on, say, ten garments, to fool people into thinking that he has neither front nor back, is the onlooker really taken in?’ ‘No,’ she said, ‘and such people are but whited sepulchers.’ ‘Indeed,’ I responded, ‘and that’s a species that grows rampant in this soil.’ ‘Woe to the hypocrites!’ said the Fāriyāqiyyah with a sigh. ‘How am I to put up with their company when I, like most Levantines, am an open book, both in how I am and what I say? I don’t hide what is in my heart from those around me.’ ‘That won’t do!’ I said. ‘You must be ever reticent and on your guard, and beware too of laughing too much, for these people express their mirth through stifled giggles with mouths covered, tepid titters, sarcastic simpers, lukewarm laughs, sniggers, smirks, snickers, wan smiles, laughing

159

159

4.11.5

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫� �غ‬ ‫�ّ ا ف� �ن‬ ‫�ن ف �ة �ن �غ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ز ق �ة‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� او ر�ت�ا ك �و �ق�ز �� �و�ه �ر��� � او � ت��ا �و� نه�ب��ص� * � او �ل� ���ك�و��ى �م�ن ا �لت��ا � ي��ا ت� * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫حت‬ ‫ن ت � ا �ت�ز � تش‬ ‫�� ف ت ا �ن ن �� ن �ن � � ا �غ ا ت‬ ‫�ك� �م�ن ا ��ل ن����س�� ���ط ّا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ي��� �� �مر��ى ا � ا ك��و� �م ا �ل��ط� � ي�� � * � او ��� �ل� ا �ل ������و‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫ن ت غ ا � ��لض‬ ‫��ا ���ة – �ف�ا ��ت��د �ت ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل�ع�ا د ��ل�ا ت� * �ق��ل ت� ب��� ا �ل��م ا د ا � ����� �ل�ب� ا‬ ‫ح��ك ��ي�ق��ا ��ل �ت��غ� ت� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن � ن �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ر� * ���ل� ���ع� � او ك���ل�ه� �� �‬ ‫��ا ر�� �و �ل� ا ج�ل‬ ‫���ك�ف �م�ا ا ر���د ا ن� ��� ك�ر �ل�ى ا ج�ل‬ ‫���ك�ف �ي��‬ ‫�و�ق�ا ��ل ت� �ي��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫مّ �ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫م�ز ة َ ْ � ت �ذ ّ �ق �ت �� ّ ت غ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �وت��د �ل��س �و�ت��و�ج���س �و�ه�م��س �و�َم�د ��ش� � �وت�ب� ّر��ض� �و�هر� � �و�م ���ط� � �‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�� �و� �و ع� و �� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�ن � �ت�ز نّ� � �ت نّ� � ��ت���ق ن � �ت � ق � ت��م�ق�ق � ت��م�زّ�ز � ت��م�زّ‬ ‫� ش � �غ� ن �ث �ة � �لَ� ا �ظ ��� � �ت �شّ �ف‬ ‫��� �و�ت�ز � و و ر و �‬ ‫و���رب��ه�م �� ر وم� و ر‬ ‫� و رم�� و �� و و ر‬ ‫ح حتح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�م ت� ي�� ا ن� �ت�غ�� ض��� ���ط �ف��ك � �خ� ف�� ض��� �ص� �ت��ك � ��ت��د �ى �غ��ا ���ة �م�ا‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫�ص�� * �و�م��ت �ت ك�‬ ‫ى ر و ى و وب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج ب‬ ‫�و�م� ص‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��لت �ز ��لت ��ذ‬ ‫�ت� ّ‬ ‫�ت�ظ � ّ ف‬ ‫� ا ��لت���ل��� �ف‬ ‫��كو ن� �م�ن ا ��ل��تر �ز ن� � او ��لت��و�ق * � او ��‬ ‫ح � او ��‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫ح� ر * � او �ل� �� ر�� � او �ل���كي����س * و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا ��ت ّ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لت�خ� �ف �ت�ق�ز�ز‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�� ض � � ا ��لت�� �ز �ف � ا ��لت�خ‬ ‫� ت�خ‬ ‫�� ش����‬ ‫� او �لت�� ��ط��س * � او �لت��ا د ب� � او �ل �‬ ‫�� * و ع � و‬ ‫ع * �و � � ر � او �ل �� * �و ل�� �عو‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل ت ن � ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� او �لت��ع�ز�ز * � او ��لت���ن�زه � او �لت���ق ��ش� * �و �‬ ‫م�� � او �ل�ج�� �ه ش��� * � او �لت� ن����س��ك � او �لت� ��ق�� * � او �لت��ا �ّوه‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �أثّ‬ ‫��لت ن ث ��لت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا �� ت �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ح�� � او ��‬ ‫ح � � او �لت�� �� * � او ��‬ ‫� او ��لت�ن� ����ط� * � او ��ل��‬ ‫حّو ب� � او ��لت�� �م� * � او �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫��لت‬ ‫��لت‬ ‫��لت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ��ق‬ ‫�� ن ث � ا ��لت ا �ن‬ ‫� ا ��لت� ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�ك‬ ‫س� و حرى * و ��و�ى‬ ‫�� ��م * و �� و �� ��� * و ��ودد و م �� * و �� ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت خ ا �ل�خ‬ ‫حش‬ ‫� قف‬ ‫� ا ��ل��‬ ‫ح�� ��ل�ق � ا �ل��‬ ‫�� ش���� * � او ��لت�ب�� ّر�ى � او ��لت���ذ ك��‬ ‫��ى * � او ��ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��صى * � او �لت��و� ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ل��‬ ‫هف� * � او �ل��‬ ‫���ف� � او �ل�‬ ‫ح��م * � او �لت��ص��ل�ف� � او �لت� ك�‬ ‫حش �‬ ‫���ل�ف� * � او �لت��ا �� �سف� � او �لت���ل� �‬ ‫ح��� *‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫�تن ّ‬ ‫ا �ل��خ �ف ا �ل خ�� ف‬ ‫� ��� �ف � ا ��لت�ن ظ� ��� �ف‬ ‫� �ن ف‬ ‫� ا ��لت�� ف� �ف‬ ‫و ع‬ ‫�� � او �لت��ا � �� * �و �ي�� �و �‬ ‫�� * �����ا �ل ت� � �وي��ك‬ ‫�و�� * � او �ل� ط� و‬ ‫لَ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن� � �ت� �غ �م ن� ا � ا ة خ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫� ا �ذ � � ت ت‬ ‫�س� ك‬ ‫ر � ا �ر�ى *‬ ‫���ى و �ص�و �ى م‬ ‫� �وي�ك �م� �ه� ا ا ��ع�لك ا ��ي��� ب �ى ا �ل�ى �ه��ذه ا �لب��ل� د �ل��� ب‬ ‫ق ت ف‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫��ل�ا �م� ���ف �ه��ذ ا ا �� ف�ل���ص� �م�ن ا ��ل��س�ن ��ة ا ��ل�ا ا �خ� �ف��ا ��س�ا‬ ‫فا �‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫���ل� ��د ��ي ت���ك �� �س�م��عى �و �ل� �ي��ك�ن ك�� ى ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ف � ف‬ ‫ق� ا‬ ‫ع��� �ي�ن ���ف ا �ل�مئ���ة * � ا ن� � �ّ ث‬ ‫� ق ا �ت�ز �ي�ن ش‬ ‫ح�د ���ك ر ج���ل ا �و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا �ى ��لي��ل� * �و��ى ا � �ل���ص�ل ا � �ل�� ب���ل �ي��د � ر ى‬ ‫ن �ت���ست� ن ل�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� �ّد ث � ت� ّ �ذ � ه �ع ن خ‬ ‫�� ج��م����ة * � �ت �ّم�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ح�� ي� ��د ��� �ل ل‬ ‫ا �م ار � �و�ج� ب� �ع�لي��ك ا � ح��س��ى ح� � و ب‬ ‫و��و �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�تن ّ‬ ‫آ آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��ت ّ‬ ‫��ل�ه � �و��يه��من��ى ا �ى ��ت�ق��و��ل�ى ��ل�ه � �م��ي�ن � �م��ي�ن ب� ْ��س�ل�ا ب���س�ل�ا * � �و��ع�مي��ه ا �ى ��ت�ق��و��ل�ى �ن��ع� �ن��ع� * �و ج����لي��ه‬ ‫م م ب‬ ‫�ت ق � َجَ‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫�ت ق � َ جَ‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫�ت ق �� َ �سَ‬ ‫ا �ى � � ��و�ل ب���ل ب ج���ل * �و� ��و�ج���لي��ه ا �ى � � ��و�ل�ى ا ���ل ا ج���ل * � �و�ب����س��لي��ه ا �ى � � ��ول�ى ب��� ل�‬

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‫‪٦،١١،٤‬‬

‫‪٧،١١،٤‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

behind their hands, and hidden chortles. If you don’t, you’ll be counted among the cheap girls who laugh till they’re fit to bust.’ ‘How can you tell me to be one of the unjust,’146 she said, ‘when you’re always complaining of women, even those who are the opposite?’ ‘Not at all,’ I said. ‘The idea is that you should master your laughter. One says, taghat al-jāriyah (“the slave girl tried and failed to suppress her laughter”) . . .’ but she interrupted me and said, ‘Enough, enough! I don’t want to hear any more from you about slave girls or girls next door.’ “‘And that’s not all,’ I said: ‘Their way of eating consists of snacking,147

4.11.6

picking, pecking, nibbling, tasting, testing, and chewing over and over again, while their way of drinking consists of sipping little by little, bit by bit, drop by drop, slowly slowly, listlessly and unenthusiastically. Whenever you say something, you must lower your eyes and your voice and display the utmost possible sedateness148 and solemnity, equanimity and dignity, pleasantness and wariness, courtesy and good manners, finickiness and fastidiousness, modesty and self-deprecation, caution and apprehension, abstemiousness and affectedness, ingratiation and flattery, quick thinking and wit, reticence and confidentiality, deference and acquiescence, scrupulosity and persnicketiness, canniness and costiveness, squeamishness and priggishness, sheepishness and embarrassment, timidity and bashfulness, mawwormism and sanctimoniousness.’ “‘My my!’ she said. ‘What’s this? Could it be that you’ve brought me to this country to recast me and fashion me into another woman?’ ‘I’d rather die!’ I said, ‘so, at this season of the year, speak pauciloquently, meaning only a little, and in the next increase the amount by twenty percent. Should a man or a woman address you, you must show the speaker how pleased you are and express your appreciation at the end of each sentence. Likewise, you must assent and consent (meaning, say “Amen, amen! Quite so, quite so!”), agree (meaning, say “Yes, yes!”), show respect (meaning, say “Certainly, certainly!”), concur (meaning, say “Absolutely, absolutely!”) and go along (meaning, say “How true, how true!”). Also, you must cook nothing on a Sunday, just eat the leftovers from Saturday cold, as do the Jews, because hot food heats the blood and excites the hot humors and also because Our

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4.11.7

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن � �ف‬ ‫ح��د ا ن� �ت� ����ط خ‬ ‫�� �ش�� �ا � او ن��م�ا �ن�ا �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ��مم�ا �� ض����ل �م�ن �ي ��و�‬ ‫ب����س�ل * �و �ل�ا �ي���ب���غ�ى �ل��ك ��ى �ي ��و� ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫ب ى �ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ا ة‬ ‫� ت ا �� �ت ف‬ ‫�خ�ن ي����س‬ ‫ي�ه� د * ��ل�ا ن� ا ��ل����ط�ع�ا � ا �ل���س‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ر ر� *‬ ‫�خ�ن ا �ل��د � � �وي�� ي�ه�‬ ‫ا �ل��سب��� �ب� رد ا �مك�ا � ����ع�ل ا �ل� و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫ط��ا ���فى ا ��ل��س�� ت� * �و ��ل�ا �ي�ن��ب���غ� ��ل��ك ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ك���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ل�ا � ��س�ي �د �ن�ا �م�و���سى ر ج�� ر�ج��ل�ا �ُو�ج���د ي ج��م�‬ ‫ح �� ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ�ة‬ ‫حن� ت� �ذ ��ل��ك * �ق�ا ��ل ت� ��ل‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا ��ل‬ ‫حرك���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ة ك�‬ ‫حن� ت� * �ق��ل ت� �و �ل�ا �تر�ف���ع ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ح��د ا �ي� �‬ ‫��ى �ي��و� ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�نا ف‬ ‫����ة‬ ‫�ك� ن �ذ ��ل��ك ��ا �عث��ا ا �� ض‬ ‫ا ��ل��س�ت�ا ئ� �ع�ن ا ��ل ش�����ا �����ك ��لئ�� ّل�ا‬ ‫���ا �ع��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حرك��� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب بي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن�ت �ز��‬ ‫� �ق ن�ت‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫���ا * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �ق�د ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�مت��ه �و� �ل � �ه * �و�ع��ل�مت��ه �ود �ر ت��ه *‬ ‫حن� ت� �ه� ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ح� �ه �و ك��ن�ت�ه * �و� �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� ت�ز‬ ‫ن نا‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫ي�ت‬ ‫� او د رك���ه �و �و�ع� �ه * �و�ل��ك�ن �م� ��سب��ب��ه �و�ه� ا ا �لي ��و�م �ع��د �� �ي ��و�م ا � �ل رح� � او �ل��سر�ور * � او �ل�� ا �ور‬ ‫ُن ف‬ ‫� ت ث ن‬ ‫ت ن ف �� ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب ��ور * ���ل ت� ا ���ه�م ي��م� �و ��و� �ي��ه �ل���كو� ��س�ي �د ��ا �عي����س�ى ا � ش���ر �ي��ه �م�ن ا�لم�و� * ��م ا �‬ ‫�ن �ذ‬ ‫� � ن � ا �ت ف �ت‬ ‫ف ا ن � ّ ق ت غ ّ ت �غ‬ ‫�� ��� � ا ��ل��س�� ت� ا �ى ا ��ل�ا � �‬ ‫ح�د * �� � الم���س�مى ��د ��ي ����ي�ر ب����ي��ي�ر‬ ‫�ع�لي��ك ا � �ل� � ��� ر�ى �م ك�ر ي وم ب‬ ‫ا ّ‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�ذ � ا ن �ت ق � ث ا ا��ا ن ش ف � ت � ا ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �س�م�ه * �و �ل��ك �ب� � � � ��و�ل�ى �م��ل� �م� ك�� � ا ���ر�� ا �ل��سب��� ا�لم� ���ى �و�م� ا �ج���ل�ه * �م �ل�ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �� ت �� ق ا � � ت �خ ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح�ى ا ���ل�و �ي��ه �م� رب �ى * �ي�ا �لي� ت� �ك���ل �ي ��و�م �ي��ه ��س�ا �ع� �م�ن ��س�ا �ع�ا ت�‬ ‫�ب� ل��سب��� ا �ل�� ب��ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫ا ��ل��س�� ت * اَ �َ�ا ا ن �� � ا ��ل��س�� ت ��ل� � � ظ‬ ‫ع ����� * �م ��‬ ‫ه� ب� ك�ري�� * �ج���لي���ل �و��سي�� * ك�ي ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب � �ل � ي �وم ب � ي �وم‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف � �ة �� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ا ��ل ن ا �� ���ع�� ش ن � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫���و� �و �ل� ��سب�� ت� �ل�ه� * ك�� �م�ن ��سب�� ت� ��ى ا �ل��س�ن � * �وك�� ��ى ��س�ا �ع�ا ت�‬ ‫ك�� � �� س ي ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ف ق ئ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫قئ‬ ‫ث �ن َ �َ ا‬ ‫ا �ل��سب�� ت� �م�ن د ��ا � ��ق� * �وك�� ��ى د ��ا � ��ق� ا �ل��سب�� ت� �م�ن � �� او ��ى * ا �ل� �م�ا ا �ب��ه�ى ���م��س ا �ل��سب�� ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �ن� ت �فَ� � �ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز ا‬ ‫�و��م ه * �و�غ���ل��س�ه �و���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��ا ره * �و�‬ ‫��ر� �ِع�ل�‬ ‫حره � او �م�هرا ره * � او ا ا ك‬ ‫حره * � او �ه� ره � او �� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ن ���ع�ل� ���ه� ��ا �ي�ا ك � او � ��� ك�ر���ه�ا �ل�ه� * � او ��طر�ى �م�ا ا �م��ك�ن �ع��ل� �ع�ا د ا ��ه� � ا ��ط� ا ��ه‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� م و ور م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�و�م�ع�ا �لم�ه�م �و�م����ا �عر�ه�م �و�م�� ك���ل�ه�م �و�م����ا ر�ب��ه�م �و�م�� د �ب��ه�م �و�م�ل� ب���س�ه�م * �و�ع��ل�ى ��ط�و�ل‬ ‫� ظ ��‬ ‫ظ �� �ف ا �ه ظ �� �ف ا ه�نّ‬ ‫� �م ا �ف�د �ه�ن � �ع��ل ��ت��ف �ت��� ��س� ا �� ف�ل�ه�ن * � �ع��ل ا �ل� ن‬ ‫م���ف ش�� �م�ن‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ���� ر � � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ل‬ ‫��� ر� �و�ع��ل�ى م ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُق �ذُ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص��ط�ل� * � ك���ل�م�ا ا ��� �ش�� �ا‬ ‫�ش���عر�ه�ن ا �ع��ى �ع��ل� �� �ل�ه�ن * �و�ع��ل� ك� �‬ ‫���� ا د �ب�ا ر��ه �ل�ل� �‬ ‫و ري‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش �ة آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫س‬ ‫��ب� ��ه ��� �� �ل� � ا ��� �م�د �ه� ���� * � ه �م�ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���فى ب�� �� �ت�ه� �م�ن ا �ث�ا � �و���ره ��ا �����‬ ‫ح��س��ي��ه � او �ج ى ب وى و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫يو� م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��ت��ل�ك * ا ��ل�ا �م�ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه� ا * � ه �م�ا ا ج���م�ل ا ك * � ه �م�ا ا �ب��ه�ى �ه�و �ل� * ا ه �م�ا ا �م��ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫‪162‬‬

‫‪162‬‬

‫‪٨،١١،٤‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

Master Mūsā stoned a man whom he found gathering firewood on the Sabbath; neither can you make any other kind of movement on a Sunday. Have you got that?’ ‘I have,’ she said. ‘And don’t draw the curtains back from the windows on that day,’ I said, ‘in case anyone sees you and that too leads to movement. Have you got that too?’ ‘I’ve got it,’ she said, ‘and grasped it and understood it and assimilated it and absorbed it and digested it and am seized of it and have perceived it. But what is the reason for it, when the same day, among us, is a day of pleasure and exultation, exchange of visits and jubilation?’ ‘They behave on that day like the dead,’ I said, ‘because that is the day on which Our Master ʿĪsā rose from the dead. Furthermore, you must not take the name of the Sabbath, meaning Sunday (for the thing named may change with the changing of its name), in vain. Thus you should say for example, “What a noble and sublime Sabbath day that last one was, and when oh when will the next Sabbath come that I may again be alone with my Lord? Would that every day had a Sabbath hour! The Sabbath day is truly mighty and awe-inspiring, sublime and beguiling. How did people survive when they had no Sabbath? How many Sabbaths are there in a year? How many minutes in their hours, how many seconds in their minutes? How lovely are the Sabbath sun and moon, its predawn dark and hours, its heat and cold, its birds and flowers!” “‘Should you disapprove of any of their doings, be careful not to say so. Praise what you can of their customs and conditions, their landmarks and sites, their dishes and drinks, their banquets and clothing, the length of the nails of both their men and their women, the size of the latter’s bustles and the braiding of their side locks, as of their “frights” of hair (by which I mean where it’s drawn together at the backs of their heads), and how they expose their backsides to warm them up.149 When you see any piece of furniture or the like in their houses, say how well it looks and express your admiration, saying, in astonishment, “Oh how lovely is this! Oh how beautiful is that! Oh how pretty are these! Oh how charming are those! How sweetsmelling are your latrines! How aromatic your drains! How spotless your other household offices! How elegant your sewers! How clean your lintels and doorsteps! How cheerful your underground tubes and tunnels!” This is

163

163

4.11.8

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ��‬ ‫� � ا �ن ظ� ��� �ف‬ ‫� * � �و �ن��ق� �مث��ا �عب� ك��‬ ‫� * � او �ن����ق �م ار ف���ق� ك��‬ ‫� * � او �ش��� �ى ب� �� او �لي�� ك��‬ ‫�� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ض�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ك��ى �م ار �ي‬ ‫�*و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�نَ فَ‬ ‫� ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� سَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� * �ف�ه��ذه ��ه ا ��ل���ذ ���ع��ة ا ��ل��ت � ت���ذ ��ه�ا ا ��ل�غ� ��� �ه ن��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �عت��ا ب� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د ك� * و ب��ه‬ ‫� �و �و�‬ ‫� و�� رَ�ب ك�‬ ‫� �� ك�‬ ‫� � ى ري ى �ي رع ب � بر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ��ث �ي�ن ق � ت‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س��ع � ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫��� � * و عر� ��ي ر �د‬ ‫حو ب��ه� *‬ ‫�ل� ���س �ل � م� د �ه� ��س� �‬ ‫�م�ل�و�ه� وج �‬ ‫ج ب و �مو ب ر م‬ ‫ق ن �ذ‬ ‫ث ن � �ذ‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫���ا �بر��ه ا ن� �ت�ا ك�‬ ‫ح��د ا ك�‬ ‫�� �ي���ب���غ�ى �ل��ك ا ا د �ع�ي�ن �ا ا �ل�ى � �ويل�م� �ع ن��د ا �‬ ‫����ل�ى �ه ن��ا �م�ن �ب���ل ا � �ت�� �ه�‬ ‫ب�ى *‬ ‫‪٩،١١،٤‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ك�ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫����� �ع � �‬ ‫�ف�ا � ا�لم�د �ع� �ي�ن �ل� ��ا ك���ل� � �ع ن��د � د ��ه� �‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫ح�ى �ي�ا ك���ل� او * �و �م‬ ‫ح�ى ي� ب‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�����ع� او �و�ل�� ي� ب و‬ ‫ب� م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن نا ن غ‬ ‫�ي�ت ه ش‬ ‫ح��ل�ف��ه � ا ه ��ل‬ ‫ا � ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل �و�‬ ‫�� او ر��ه‬ ‫�ص� ض� �ف ه‬ ‫ا � ا د ب� ا �ل� د ب� �ع��د �� ا � ي����� ب‬ ‫بر ��س� �وح� � �و� � ب‬ ‫��ي��� �ع��ل�ى �ل� ي‬ ‫�ف �ف‬ ‫ن ا�� �فخ ��ذ‬ ‫ت ُ�َ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫���ذ � � � ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫د��ا �ج�� ا �و ��‬ ‫س� كب���ي��ب��ا ت� ا �و ��ي��ل���م�ه ا �ي�ا �ه�ا ��ى ��م�ه * ك�� �ل�ك ك‬ ‫���ا � ا د ب�‬ ‫ا � �ي� �ك��ل �� �ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ذ � ��َ�قْ �ف‬ ‫���ا ت� ���ف ا ��ل�� �ك�‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�ير �ع�ى �‬ ‫ا �ل�� د ب� �ع ن��د ��ه ا ن� ا‬ ‫���ل � �وي��د �ي�ه �لي��عل��� ��ه�ل �ه�و ��سر �ط� و و ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف� * �وك�‬ ‫����ل�م�ا �‬ ‫� �و�ن �ق �‬ ‫حرك �� ا �و �ي��د �ع��ل�ى ا�لم�ا ���د� — ��ا �ل ��ا ب��ت��د ر��ى �و��ا �ل� �و� �‬ ‫�صر * �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف � ا � � ض � ن‬ ‫� � ا ن ��ت�ق ��ل �� ��ذ � ا ��ل� ض ا�ل�مت�� ن ت ش �‬ ‫��وك‬ ‫���ا � * �و�ج� ب� �ع�لي��ك � ��و�ى ل� ى ع� �‬ ‫�و��ك���ل ب��ل ى ع� �‬ ‫حرك ا ��� �م�����ك�ور‬ ‫��و‬ ‫ا ن�� ت � فم�� ض� � ا ن�� ت ��م �ن ا ن�� ت َ ّ‬ ‫�ع�� �ذ ��ل��ك * ا ن�� ت� �م�م�د � � * ا ن�� ت� ��م‬ ‫� ب�ر *‬ ‫��ل * � ح��س *‬ ‫ح�م�ود * �‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫وح‬ ‫�لَ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ �ة‬ ‫�ذ ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫���ع��ة ا �ل�م�ا د � � � �م�ده � � ق ا ت‬ ‫ا ن�� ت� �و �م نّ�� �و�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ل��ك ��مم�ا �ي ��و � �ب�ض�‬ ‫ح��� ر��ه (‪ )1‬ا ��لَهْ��ط �ة ت� ذ�� �لّ� ا �ل��ف����ق‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��‬ ‫ير‬ ‫� ر َ ل‬ ‫َ ن �ذ �ّ �خ ا س�ت هَ ْ � ت كَ ْ�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل ك �ف‬ ‫�ت� ظ‬ ‫��ف ق ا � � �ة‬ ‫�غ ن‬ ‫ع���ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ه(‪� )1‬و���س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��ل��ى و‬ ‫�ك��س��‬ ‫��� ر‬ ‫�ك��ه * �ى �م��� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�و�ه� او ��ه �و �ل�ه �و ��س� �� �ه �و� �ط �ر�ه �و�� ر‬ ‫��ه *‬ ‫ا �ل��ف� �ا ر��سى �م��ل �ك‬ ‫ف �ة � �آ‬ ‫ا� ّ ت ش ف‬ ‫ّت‬ ‫�� �م�ه � � �ذ �خ‬ ‫� ظ �� ت‬ ‫وب�� ��ه �و�ع�ز ��ه *‬ ‫ر���ع� ا �ل� د ب� �وع����م��ه �و�ج��ل� �ل�ه � او �ب��ه��ه �و���ر��ه �وك�ر‬ ‫�ف ن �ة � � ف �خ �ذ‬ ‫��ل ��ذ ��ل ��ذ �ن ن ت� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د �ى ���د ك ا ��ل� �ز ��ا ���ة ا ��خل‬ ‫ح� ر ا �‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫��مر ا �و ا �ل�ى �ج� � �� ا �ل��‬ ‫�ط�ع�ا � �ت��ا ��� �ى ‪١٠،١١،٤‬‬ ‫ح� ر �م ا �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا ن �ذ � � � ن �ن ت ا ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك���ة‬ ‫�من ا ا ش ئ ت‬ ‫���ا ��ل‬ ‫حر�م��ة ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د�ة � اولجم‬ ‫���ل�� � او � �ل�ق �ر��ة ب���ل �و�ل��ل��م�م��ل��‬ ‫�ه� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م� �م� ������ * �� � �ل�ك �ي��ك�و� ا � �‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ف �ذ‬ ‫�ب� ��سر�ه�ا * � او ن��م�ا �ي�ن��ب���غ� ا ن� �ت���ت�ظ� �� ر�ى �م�ن ك�‬ ‫��ر� ا �ل�� د ب� ا ن� �ي��و�ع�ز ا �لي���ك ��ى ��ل��ك * � او ا‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّق �ف � آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫حت ا �ن �ت�ن � اف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ُق ّ�د � �� � �ُ�ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ق‬ ‫����ع��ة �م�ن‬ ‫� ن�� �م� ���ه �و�ع�� �ل �� ا �له� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م ل�ك ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت ن ف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�خ �ن ق � خ‬ ‫� ن �ف‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ج� ن���� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل� ر��ض� ا �ل��ى � ش����ا ��‬ ‫حي�� او � ا �لن���ي����س �و�ع��ل�ى ��ا � ���ه �و ��ط�ا ب��ه * � او ا را ��ي ت�‬ ‫س‬ ‫� آ �‬ ‫� �ف �ا ��ت ن� �ذ �‬ ‫��ش خ �ذ ق‬ ‫�ة خ‬ ‫م ّرك��‬ ‫�ره ب���ع�� ا �ل ش����ع �ر ا �ل �ف�‬ ‫���ي�ن �ب ��ق ��و��ل�ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك��ا ا �ن ك‬ ‫�و�زه �ل � ك‬ ‫�����ا ا �و��ا ر �و�ه�بي�� ي���د �م ج�ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��ر�ى �ل��ك �م‬ ‫�ض‬

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‫‪164‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

the expedient that strangers here make use of to gain their affection and win their goodwill; I know many who have used it to their advantage. “‘Next, if we are invited to a banquet at the home of one of their great

4.11.9

men, you must take care to eat here before you go, for the guests don’t eat their fill in the homes of their hosts but fill themselves up before they eat. And just as it is considered good manners on the part of the host in our country to force his guest to eat and to swear on his head, his beard, and his mustache that his guest must eat a chicken thigh or six meatballs or to stuff the same into his mouth, so, among them, it is considered good manners for the host to keep a watch on every movement of the guest’s jaw and hands so as to know whether he’s a wolfer or a pouncer and a pecker, and whenever at table a mouth moves, or a hand’—here she interrupted me and said, ‘or a waist’ to which I responded, ‘or a rump, or indeed any part of the body whatsoever’—‘you must say to the owner of the moving part, “You are to be thanked for that! You are to be praised! You are to be lauded! You are to be commended! You have done well! You are too kind! You are most gracious!” and other stuff designed to proclaim the lowly status, humility, despicableness, insignificance, abjection, baseness, obsequiousness to and exaltation of the other,(1) and the self-abasement, of or by the guest, in comparison to the elevated status, might, sublimity, grandiosity, nobility, generosity, and pride of the host.

(1) “‘haṭrah is “the obsequiousness of the poor man toward the rich” and kafr is the adulation by the Persian of his king.

“‘Also, never, ever, extend your hand to a bottle of wine or bowl of food to 4.11.10 take what you want from them, for to do so would be a violation of the sanctity of the table, the gathering, and the village, nay, of the whole kingdom. You have to wait for the host to be generous enough to urge you to do so, and should he offer you a fragment of meat from a rabbit that was strangled a month ago and has been hanging in the air till it has gone rotten, praise the soil on which such a precious animal and its species was raised, as well as the one who strangled it and the one who cooked it. Should you behold a dignified and venerable old man serving an old woman, do not condemn this, as a certain misogynistic poet did when he said

165

165

‫�ف ت� � �ة �ن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�ي� ر ج �م� �و يح�‬

‫تُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ز ت�ا�� � َّ ا �‬ ‫ت� َ‬ ‫�و�ُ ّ� ج�ع‬ ‫هى � �وت�ا ���مر ا �مرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ك��ى ا �ل��س�ع� ِ�ل�ى �����شي�ر �و���ن� �‬ ‫رب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫� خ � ت �م��ست ّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�خها ��� �م�� ث‬ ‫� ا ا ��ش���‬ ‫ت��ا ��ل �و�����س��ع ل‬ ‫�ها ����مرا‬ ‫��د �م �‬ ‫��ي��ق� ب���ل�ه� ي � ب‬ ‫ي ى‬ ‫�ت � ت‬ ‫�� �ا � �ا ���خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي�ف�� ا �و�م���س�تم�ع� ��ه�ا � �ق �� ��ل� ن� ���س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��حرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ي و و‬ ‫� �و ���ق�ع�د ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� � �ذ‬ ‫�ت ق �‬ ‫� هَ ّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫لهّر ���عر ا ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل���ل ب� � را‬ ‫� � ��و�ل ���ب�د ا �ر �ى ك���ل ب� �و���ه ر �ول� �‬ ‫�ق ن � ّ ن ��ن �� ُ نَ �� ن ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وي�ر���ب��ى ا �ل�هر ا � ك�� ت� ا �ك��ل ي���م��ى يل���م��ى �وي�����سر�ى �لي����سر �ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت َ � زَ ت�ؤ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫س��ه �م��م� ا ��ل��د ���ي�ه�ا ��م��ن�ه�ا �ي�ل�ا �ز� �م ��‬ ‫��جرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وب����ن��ى �لي�� �ى � �� ا ��� ي‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع ن��د �ى �م�ن ق����ُ ج� �ٌ و ��ت��ل�ّ ن� �� ��� ن‬ ‫�و�ق�د ك�‬ ‫�هرا‬ ‫ط��ا �و�‬ ‫�ص�د � ار �و �� �‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫بل ر‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ؤ ��سَ َ ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��� ت� �ع��ل�ي�ه �� �ف�ل� �غ��ا ���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ى د را‬ ‫��حر ��ص ا ����س� ي��ه ��م�لء ك�� �و �‬ ‫� ى ي‬ ‫�ف �آ ت ز �ي�ز ة �ق � ن ا �ف ت ن � ي�ن شَ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج� � �ع� ��� � ��و�م ا � �ل�ي�� � ار �م��ه �م��ى � او �ل��ع�� ��� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر�ى‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف� �ذ ّ‬ ‫����ل ُ‬ ‫ت �ّ‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ي��ن�ا � ��ع��ل� ��خ� �‬ ‫ح��س ر�ف���غ�ى ا ا �م�ا ا ��س��ب� ��طرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ن �نَ‬ ‫���ذ �ُ َ ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��جر�ى ���ف�م�ا ��ع�ا ��ش� �ش�����هرا‬ ‫���ا � ��ف�ل�ا � ا �ت�ا ��ى ��ع�ا � ك�� ا ب�‬ ‫�وك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت �أ �‬ ‫� � �ز‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�و����س� �ل ا ن� �ت� ن����س �ت�ا �ير�خ� ا ك ا �لن���ه�ا �ر ا�لم� �ع����ظ� ���ي�د ا �و���ع�مرا‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ي�ن ن‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�� ن �آ ��ف ا خ‬ ‫�ص��ص�ن ���ب�ه ا �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ��م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه ا �ل�ت�� �‬ ‫حرا‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا � ق��ا �ل * �ف�ا ��ما ا ل����س� ��م�م� ا‬ ‫�ت��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����ل�ن � او ��ل ا � �م��ن�ه�ن ��ا �ل‬ ‫� �و�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����غ�ن ����سرا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج��ل��د �م��س�����ترا ت� �يو���مض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫رح‬ ‫ا ه�ن ت‬ ‫ا ��ق َّ � ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�و�����س�م� �ل��ل����ا �ى �ر��قر� �م�ن ���م�ع� � � ك��‬ ‫ح�ى �ه��ن� ر ��قرا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت �أ �ذ ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� �و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش��ه ������فظ� را‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ي ب‬ ‫ح�ها ب�ا ك� ق�د �ر‬ ‫� �أ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫����ت�ع��ل��‬ ‫�ك��ه �بر��ه� �م�ن �ز��م�ا �ن � �ل��ي�مر �م�ن ب����ع�د ا ن� ��ي��ت���هرا‬

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‫‪١١،١١،٤‬‬

A Translation and Some Advice

Many an old woman who looks like a demon Gestures to, forbids, and commands Her old man, who stands before her submissively And strives without ceasing to fulfill her demands. She sits talking nonsense And her listeners say, “Enchanting!” She says, “At home I have a dog and a cat. The cat panics if the dog starts snarling. He watches me as I eat— Eyes right if I use my right hand, eyes left if I use the other, And he sticks to my daughter Liza’s lap Because she shares with him from her portion what’s left over And once I had—with different colors On belly, chest, and back—a pup And took the greatest care of him And gave him milk in a cup. Then the Dear Queen came to me And though my eyes were full of tears she begged him from me— He would sleep on my thighs And lick my armpit when he stretched out his body150 And in such and such a year so-and-so brought me a little whelp But it died and for only a month did it tarry” And if she’s forgotten the date of that momentous day She’ll ask every Tom, Dick, and Harry . . . “‘and so on until he gets to

4.11.11

Women have made an art, among other things, Of eating things like figs by slicing them in cross section And they eat, their hands concealed In skins,151 and chew with circumspection, And the tea emits burbling sounds, Like hens cluck-clucking, from their bowels And she spears152 on her plate portions Of meat the size of parings of fingernails And champs on them for a while So that they will slip down after disintegrating,

167

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‫َ�ذْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�ز�ي�ز‬ ‫ق � �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫��ي��ف� ��ت� ��و�ل �ل�ه �خ����ذ �� �ى �م��م�ا ا ��م�ا �م��ك �و را‬ ‫�و �و� ا �لمض�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�� ث ا �� ف‬ ‫� � ا � � �ق �� �� �ل�‬ ‫فش‬ ‫��ض� � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م���ك ��ع��ل� ّ �ود را‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�������كر�ه� و�ي ��ول‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت�ق �� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫فت �‬ ‫ط���ك �م�ن ا ك �ن�ز � ار �ف��ن�ز را‬ ‫�و ج���ل��س � � ��س� ا �ك��ل ا �لض�‬ ‫��ي ��و��‬ ‫ف ���ع �� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��غ ت‬ ‫�� �ن�ز ت ا �� �ت �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�را‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر��� ك‬ ‫�و��ى �ك��ل ر ��ن� ل ���طا ط�ى ر ��س�ك �ر �ما و ��� ك‬ ‫� � ا ّ ت ّ‬ ‫� ا ن ��� ��ل �ن�ا ن �ق�ا ��ل ت ���� �خ‬ ‫ا���تر �ن���ص�ي��ك م��م� �ه��نا �و�‬ ‫��حرا‬ ‫و � ي ك �و � � ل ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫تَ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ا ن � ن ا�� � ت �ْ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ل�� ي ج�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�� ا �‬ ‫�ز� �ب��ي�ن ��ي ن���ك ج��م� ك�� ��ك �� ك‬ ‫�خ���ي�ن ����تر�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ق � � �ة �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � �نّ �‬ ‫� �ذ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف���ق��ا ��ل ت� �ه��ذ ا �ت ك�‬ ‫���لي��ف� �ف��و�� ا �ل��ط�ا ق�� ��م�ا ا �ن�ا �ب�ا �ل�� ا �ئ��ق�� �ع ن��د ��ه �ش���ي �ا �و� �لوك�� � ا�لم � ا‬ ‫و �ل��س��ل�و�ى *‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ � � �ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ح�ا �م�د �ش��ه�� �ة * � �ف� ض ا ئ‬ ‫���ث�� �ة * ��ل���� ت‬ ‫س� ���ف �غ��� ��ه �م�ن‬ ‫�ه� �ذ �و �و ��م‬ ‫���ل ت� � �م� �ل�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫��� ���ل ك� ي ر‬ ‫�ي ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫وع ك � م‬ ‫ى ير م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�اف ن‬ ‫ن ا ن� �ز �‬ ‫ت ف �ة‬ ‫� ض ة � �غ �ة‬ ‫�ص�د �ق� ا �� �ل ف��� ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�ن ���ع‬ ‫ا �ل� �‬ ‫��ا ا � �لو�ع�د �و�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫� * �م �‬ ‫�ه� ا ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫��ر� � او �ل� �بي�� * �و� ��و�ي�� ا ج�ر�م ي ��م�ل‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت��ه * ق��ا ��ل ت� �ل�ا ��ت�ت ك�‬ ‫��را �م�ه �ل�ا ا �ن��ه� ي��� فع� ��و ن� �ع�ن �ز �و ج�‬ ‫حر�مت��ه ا �ى ا ك�‬ ‫�ل�ه� �و�م ار �ع�ا �ة �‬ ‫���ل��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ا ن ق � � ��� ا ��ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �ذ‬ ‫�ف �ذ �‬ ‫�ه� ا ���ه� ��لي��ل�و ا ك�‬ ‫ا �لت���ف ��س�ي�ر ��م�ا �ل��ك ب� ش���� �و �ع�ن ا � �لق��ا �ع�د�ة * ق���ل ت� �و�م‬ ‫ل��ل� �م ك���ي�ر �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل�ا �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ع� * �‬ ‫��س��و ا �ل�م�ع�ا ���ط�ا �ة ��ل�ل�ا � �مور �ب�ا ��ل��ت �رت�ي�� ب� � او ��ل��س�ي �ا ��س��ة * � او �لر����د � ا‬ ‫و كي��� ��س� *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫جَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ّه ا ن � ن‬ ‫�م�ن � ا ت ا ��ل � �ا �ه ف �ا � ا �� �ع�ن � �ز ا �ز ة‬ ‫���ا � �ج��ا ره‬ ‫�وا �و �ل� ا �ج��ا � * �و �ل� ي��ه�م� � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ى ب�ل د �م ��ل ي��س� ل‬ ‫�و ي� ِ‬ ‫� �ز آ ش �‬ ‫ق ا ض� ا �� �ق ض ا ة‬ ‫ط��ا ا �و �ج���ل� او �ز ا * �و ��ل�ا ي خ�‬ ‫��ا �ف� ا ن� ي���س��‬ ‫�ك�ن د ا را‬ ‫�� ��ى ل��‬ ‫��� � ا �و �و �ز�ير ا � �لو ر� ا �و ���ر �� ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ � ث ا �ة ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ��س��ب��ا ���فى ��ج�س‬ ‫حوه �م�م�ا �ي��‬ ‫�ه�ا ب���ع�� ا ��ل ش���ر ���ط��ة ف��ي�ر�ه�ق ��وه ب� ك�‬ ‫��ل�ا �م �و��‬ ‫���ه ا �و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا �و �ي��د ���ل م�� �ب� �ي� �ض‬ ‫� �ق ق � �ة‬ ‫�ذ ا ا �ن � ّ ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك�ل ا ��ل ن��ا ��س ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�غ� ا �مت��ه * �ف �‬ ‫ح ��و�� ا �لب�� ش��� �ري� �ع ن��د �ه� �م����س�ا �و �و� * �ه� �و ��ه�م ي‬ ‫حب ��و�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ذ‬ ‫ا ��ل�غ� �� � �ا �خ�� �ا ا � ��ا �ش * � � ش ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ق��ي�ر �و���غ� �ث ��و ن� الم‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫�ق ��و ن� �ع��ل� ا � ف�ل �‬ ‫ح��ا � * �و�ي ك‬ ‫��ر� �مو� �و�ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ري ب� م ل وب ���ه�م وي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ف �ف‬ ‫�ف ن ق �ذ‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�� �ا د�ة � ال�م �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��د �و�ي��عر��و� ��د ر �و�ى ا �ل�عل��م * �و�ي��يع� ��و� �ع��ل�ى ا د را ك ا �ل�ع��ل�و�م � او�لم�ع� ر�� ��ى‬ ‫س�ي و ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ا � ا � �ة‬ ‫�ع ن �ه ج��م�ع ا ت �من�� �ق ة ا‬ ‫�� ��ن ف��� �خ‬ ‫�� ش‬ ‫�ز � �ة �‬ ‫� ن�ب��ي�� * �و ��د � ي�� �‬ ‫ا لب��ل د ا �ل� ج‬ ‫ع��د� �ل� ج� �ر �ك��ل‬ ‫ع �و��ي�ر * � او ا �ل� �ك�ل ���ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ت ش �ف ا ت � ث ث �ة �ف‬ ‫���ث�� �م�ن ا ��ل�ا ���ط��� �ه ن��ا ���د ا � � ن� ا �ل��م ض��� �م ا ن ا ا‬ ‫�و ض�‬ ‫���ي�ر * �وك� ي ر‬ ‫�� �� �م� �ع�د ا ا�لم��س������ ي�� � ا �ل بم��� �و� ��ى‬ ‫ي وو ر ى ج‬ ‫ب‬

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A Translation and Some Advice

And the host’s wife says to him, “Take, my dear, A morsel from what’s before you waiting” And he thanks her and says, “I owe you so much For your generosity and being so clever!” And she sits and divides up the food for the guests And hands it out, sliver by sliver, And with each sliver you get you must bob Your head and say “Thank you!” without protest And if there are two kinds, she’ll tell you, “Take Your due of what you find tastiest and choose the one you like the best” As though it weren’t allowed to combine the two— As though if you did so, you’d be screwing two sisters in a row.’ “Said the Fāriyāqiyyah, ‘That’s too much to cope with. I’m never going to put anything in my mouth in their homes, even if they’re having manna and quails.’ “I said, ‘Despite this, they have many qualities well-known and virtues 4.11.12 to which they may own, ones not to be found among the other Franks. Among these are the honoring of promises and punctuality in both arriving and departing, payment in full of the wages of any who works for them and respect for his privacy (meaning, treating him decently, not sparing his wife their attentions).’153 ‘Don’t bother to explain,’ she said. ‘There’s nothing exceptional in that.’ ‘Another virtue of theirs,’ I said, ‘is that they say little but do a lot, and are good at dealing with matters with order and diplomacy, good sense and sagacity. One who comes to their country is not asked whether he has a passport or a permit and it will not worry him if his neighbor is the chief judge or the prime minister or a police officer or a constable; he will not fear that, should he live in a house or enter a place frequented by policemen, they will wear him out with questions and suchlike that may lead to his going to prison or paying a fine, for in their country everyone enjoys the same rights inasmuch as they are all human beings. “‘Moreover, the rabble aside, they love strangers, are compassionate to 4.11.13 the poor, and go to the aid of those in need. They honor the eminent and the celebrated and know the value of the scholar. They support the acquisition of the sciences and general knowledge in foreign countries and have societies that have been formed for the putting into practice of all that is useful and beneficial and the eradication of all that is evil and injurious. Many physicians

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‫�� ق �‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫�غ ف �ة �ف‬ ‫ن�ز � �ن�ز � ا �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك��ل �� ��طر �و�ص��� �م�ن �ب�ل�ا د ��ه * �و�م�ن �ي�� �ل �ل� �ل��د �ي��ه�م ا �و ي���س�ت�ا ج�ر �ر�� ��ى �م ن��ا �ل�هم�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف ا ن ا � �ة � �ن�ز � ت�ؤ ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ه * � ���د �ع� ه ا �ل� �م��س�ا �م ��ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ا�لم� ل �� ��س� و ر �� ب� وح�� و ر� و�مر�‬ ‫و و ى‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫� � �ص� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ �ت ف �ق ئ �ذ ن �ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�غ ن‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫� ��م�ا ��ل ت‬ ‫��س��ه�ا �م�ن ��ي�ر ا � ي���س�ت�� ء �و�ج� �ه�ا �ل�� �ل��ك * � او ا ا � � ��ق� �و��ت�� ا � ا ر�ه�ا ب���ع��ض�‬ ‫وج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ا �ت �ة � ت�ف‬ ‫�م�ع�ا �ف�ه�ا �ت��ع ّ �ف�ه ��ه � ��ت ن�ّ ه ��ا ���سم�ه * � ا �ن�ه ا �ذ ا �ق�د � ا ��ل �� �ا د ��ه ا � �‬ ‫�ص�ي � ا‬ ‫ح��د ب� ك��� ب� ��و�‬ ‫� ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح����ل‬ ‫ر � ر � �م ب و �و ب‬ ‫م ىب م‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫�ص � �اه ا ��ل � �ن�ز �� ه � � � ا ��س� ه ��نََ ا �ع ن�د ا خ‬ ‫� ا �ن�ه � �م�ع�ا �ف�ه * � ��ل�ا ���د �ش�� �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع �ي‬ ‫�ب�ه ا�لم�و ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ه � ا � �ذ � ه �� � ت ه �ف ا ي�ت ه ن خ� � ه � ه �� ا ��لن��� ا ض �غ ائ ا �فَُ �ق �ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ار �و�� ��ب�� * ر��ع�‬ ‫��ى �و��س�ع� ا �ل� � �يو ب�� �ل� ل ار ح�� �ور � �ه� � �و��ل� �ل� ا ل�ود �و � ص‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��فّ �ة‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل �ة‬ ‫ا خ� ن‬ ‫�َ � �ا �ة ����د � �ا � �ت ف‬ ‫�م��ل� �ف�ا ن� �ك���‬ ‫�وا � * �و�ى �ج �‬ ‫ح�ه�ا � ����ي�زه �ع ن��د ��ه �ب�ا ب� � او �م � او ��ه�ل �و �‬ ‫و ص ٍ بي ص ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���س�� ا �ن ه �ت� ا ��‬ ‫ل�ا � ا � ا‬ ‫��فّ �ة � �ذ ا �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م‬ ‫ح�ا �م�د ��ه �ترج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ده‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ك�� م�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫يس‬ ‫يس‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ح ة � � ا ��ف �غ � �ه � �ن ا � ا �ف ن� � ا ن �غ � �ه ��مّ ا � ن � � ث ّ ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ود �ى ��ي ر �‬ ‫�ل� ر �ل� � ��ي ر � ح� �‬ ‫����ى �م�ن �ه��ذه ي� ي� م�وج �‬ ‫حو� م�ل�ي ��و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫��ص ا ن ا ��ف �‬ ‫غ � � �ة � س�ن �ة � � ق �ة �ف �‬ ‫�غ ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م ار �و� �و� * �و �و ا �ي�ا د �ى �م���ل�و�ل� � او �ل�� � �م ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه� ي ��س�و ك� ح� ب �� �ى لر���د‬ ‫ط�ل��� *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ق ا � ت �ق �ف ت �ذ � ف ن‬ ‫�ف � ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫� ا � ا � ت �ة � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م� �ه� ا ك‬ ‫����ل�ه �ي���ب���غ�ى ا � ��� �عود‬ ‫و �ل�‬ ‫�س��ق��ا �م� �و �ل� �مث���ل ن��ا ��ى ا �ل� ���س � او � ك‬ ‫ل��ر�م * � �ل� �د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ��ت��ف ��س�ي�ر ا �لب�ي��ت���ي�ن ب� ش���ر ���ط ا ن� �ل�ا �ت�ا ��ى ب� ش����ى �م�ن �ع ن��د ك �ف�ا ��ى ا �عر�ف� �ت�ز ��ّ�د ك ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة ق � �ذ ��ن‬ ‫��ا �ن � ��ت�ق ���ي�ن ا ��ن �ذ � �ف ض � �غ ف � � �ذ� �ذ � �غ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��و�ل ��ي�ر ���ع�و�ل �مك��ا ك��ر ت� �ل��ك ��ي�ر �مر� * ��ا �ل ت� ا ا ك�� ت�‬ ‫���ل ت� ك�� �ك ��ول� �ى و �� �‬ ‫ق � �ف �ف‬ ‫ن �ت�ز ّ‬ ‫� ا ن �ّ ا ف ّ ف �ة ق‬ ‫�ت�ف‬ ‫��د ا � �ل ت��ه ��م�ا �ي�ض�‬ ‫��رك ا �ل� � � او �ل� ���ع�د �ه�ا ���لت�� * ���ل ت� د � �ون��ك � � ��س�ي�ر�ه�م�ا �م�ن د �و� ب�� ب�‬ ‫�ج�ل�ا ���ق� �� �س�ؤ ��ل� � ن‬ ‫���ق� �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��د ك ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��� ت �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف���ل���ق�د ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جر� �و�ل��ه� ب�����ع�ل ‬

‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م�ه�ا ج���ه�د ك‬ ‫� او ب���ل� ا �ر �ب�ا �� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ي���ب��غ�ى ا � ي���ع��سل��ه�ا ب����ع�د ك‬

‫ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫فقا � ت ن ت ق ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن �ش ا‬ ‫�ك� �م�ن‬ ‫ش � �ن‬ ‫����� �ل� ا ��� ���ل� ا � ا �ل���� �عر ي������ك�و �م ا �م ار � �و�ه� �ه�و ي������و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ل �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��ن ��ف ��س�ه * �و��ل���� ا �ل��م ا �ة ب��م��ل�و�م��ة �ع��ل �‬ ‫���ج��ر�ه�ا ��ى �مث���ل �ه��ذه ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل * ���ل ت� �لمث���ل�ك‬ ‫يس ر‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �ف ف‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫��ت��ل��ق �م�ق��ا �ل��د ا �ل ش��� � * ق��ا �ل ت‬ ‫� �و�م ن��ه �ير ج��ى � � ي ��� ا �لب��ر� *‬ ‫�ى ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫رح‬

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A Translation and Some Advice

here treat the sick without charge, and that’s to say nothing of the hospitals that have been set up in every region and district of their country. If a person stays at one of their hotels, or rents a room in one of their houses, the landlady treats him as a friend, keeps him company, coddles and cossets him, nurses him, and invites him to sit with her of an evening and keep her company without her husband thinking there is anything wrong with that. Should some of her acquaintances visit her at such a time, she introduces them to him and sings his praises. If anyone arrives in their country with a letter of recommendation, the addressee makes a fuss over him and invites him to his home and makes his name known to his brethren and acquaintances, sparing no effort to secure his ease and comfort and providing him with disinterested friendship and advice both in his presence and in his absence. A scrap of paper with a commendation in the commender’s hand thus gains him a father, mother, family, and brothers. In sum, then, their virtues balance out their vices, and none is perfect but God alone, the Glorious, the Almighty. None of these good points is to be found among the rest of the Franks because the others are disobliging, insincere, and shifty, with hands that are closed and tongues that are loosened, for they are neither like our friends154 in their good sense and uprightness nor like us in our bonhomie and generosity.’ “‘I’ve grasped all that,’ said the Fāriyāqiyyah, ‘so let’s get back to explain- 4.11.14 ing the two verses above, on condition that you not make anything up, for I know how you love to go to great lengths when talking.’ ‘You seem to be implying, as you so often have before,’ I said, ‘that I’m a talker, not a walker.’ ‘If you’ve grown used to hearing it,’ she retorted, ‘it won’t do you any harm. If you haven’t, consider it a slip of the tongue.’ ‘Here’s the interpretation of them,’ I said, ‘without further beating about the bush: Have at it, quickly, have at it! My needs you know, So do your best to have your fun! She is bored and has a husband Who wants to screw her once you’re done.’155 “‘You said,’ she said, ‘that the poet was complaining of a woman but look, he’s complaining of himself,156 and the woman’s not to be blamed for being annoyed under such circumstances.’ ‘To the likes of you,’ I said, ‘should be tossed the keys of linguistic interpretation!’ ‘From which,’ she replied, ‘may be expected relief after tribulation.’”

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171

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل��ث�ا ���ن �ع ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ى ر‬ ‫�ڡ خ� �� �ف � ��ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �‬ ‫طر �ل����س ي��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق �ة �ف‬ ‫� ا � �ظ �‬ ‫ث�� �ل�م�ا �مض‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �‬ ‫�� ت� �م�د�ة �ع��ل� ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ي�� ��ى �ب�ل�ا د ا � �لف��ل�ا �‬ ‫ح ��‬ ‫حي� ث� �ل� ا ���س �ل��ل�غ� ر�� ب� �و �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ �خ� ض ة �‬ ‫ا � ت ا � �آ �ة ا �� �ق � ق ف� ق ا �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� �� �‬ ‫��ي�ر �‬ ‫��ر� ا �ل� ر��ض� �عي���ل �صب��ر�ه� �و�‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه� �وع �ر��ه� ا �ل��س� �م� �و ل��ل�� * ���� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ف‬ ‫ا �ذ ت‬ ‫��ز‬ ‫� � �ن ا �ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح ا ��ل�ه�ا * � او �ج�ع‬ ‫ا �ل��ل�ع‬ ‫�ه�ا �ه� ا‬ ‫� ب� �م� �ي�‬ ‫�ل �و�ج� �ه� ا � �ي��و�م * �ي� �ج� ب� �م �ه��ذه ا �ل�د �ي�� �و�م ا ��و‬ ‫��ل ن � ن ا � ق � ا ش‬ ‫� ا � � ا ا � ا ا �ن‬ ‫ا �� ف ت‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫حي �� او � ا �ل�� �� �‬ ‫�هر�ه� * ك�ي ��� ���مر �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��لي�� �ل�ى � او �ل� �ي� �م � او �ل� �م� ��ى‬ ‫ط� ا�لم� ����ى �ع��ل�ى �� �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��غ� ه * � او ��ل�ا �م�ا ��ل � ش���غ����ل�ه �و�ت��ع��ل�ل�ه * �وك�‬ ‫��ك�ه�ا ��ت�ق��د �مت��ه �و���ع�د ت� �ع ن��ه‬ ‫����ل�م�ا ج�ر�ى �ور� �ه�ا �لي��د ر�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� ا ��ه ��ى �ي ��و�م�ه ا �ع����ل �م ن��ه ��ى ا �م��س�ه * � او � ��ده �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫ك ���ل�ه * �و�ك�ل �ي ��و�م يح�� ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز ا � �ن � ن ا‬ ‫ح��س� �و�‬ ‫ح�ن ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�� ت� ا �‬ ‫� ر�ة ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫�خ��ي�را �م�ن �ي��و�م�ه * ��د ك�‬ ‫ح��س ا �ل�� ��س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ج�ز�ي‬ ‫�ا � ا‬ ‫ح �ه� ا �ش � �خ ق‬ ‫ش ن ا �ذ ف ّا‬ ‫ن ا � ا ف� ا ق نا ا‬ ‫���قى ���ل�� ا لله *‬ ‫ح� �ل� * � او ���ع�م �ب� �ل� * ��ل�م� ��د �م�� �ب�ل� د �ه�م �و�ع�ا ��� �ر� �ه�م ا ا ��ل� ��و م �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ظ � �‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���د ��ه ��ل�ا �ف �ق� ����ن�ه� � ���ي�ن‬ ‫حو��ل ن��ا � او �م��ع�ن ا �لن �ظ� ��� ف�ي� �‬ ‫ا �� �� ر ا �ل�ى ا ��ه�ل �ه��ذه ا � �ل ر�ى ا �ل ��ى ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ه�م ج م ر ب ي � م وب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ك�د � ا ��لت��ع� ث�� ��ا ���ت ����ت��ه �م��س��آء ف��ل�ا‬ ‫� * �ي�� �ه ب� ا � �لف��ل�ا � �من � � � غ ة �� � �‬ ‫ا �ل�ه�م‬ ‫�ه�م �ى ا ل���د ا � ا ل�ى ا ل� و ب م ي ى ب ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف � ق ��ف � ش �آ ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��دا �م�ن �خ���لق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� ف���ه � �هل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ير�ى‬ ‫و �ير‬ ‫ير ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �ي ب ر‬ ‫ي و م‬ ‫� آ � �ة �‬ ‫ن ا � ا � �ظّ � �ف �ز � ا �ف‬ ‫��م تت ف �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ه�و ك�‬ ‫���ا �ل�� �ل� ا �ل��تى �ت��د �ور �م�د ا را‬ ‫ح��� ن��ا ��ل�ا ��ى د �ورا ���ه� �ل�ه�‬ ‫ح �� �و��و �و �ل� ��ى‬ ‫ج� ار * � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �ف� � �‬ ‫�ق ف� ا ا � �ة ف ا �ذ ا ��آ � � ا � ا‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫له�و ���فى ج��مي�� ا �ل�ا �ق� ���ط�ا ر �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ر ح� * �� �ج � ي ��وم �ل� و و ي وم رح و �‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� � ��ذ ا �� ��ن �ة ف� � ث ف� ا ا تي�ن �‬ ‫ا �ة‬ ‫� ه � �ظّ �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ه� ��س� �ع��� ك�‬ ‫ح �� ��س�وى ا �ل� �ه� ب� ا ل�ى ا � ك‬ ‫ل���ي����س� * ي� ك‬ ‫�صن�� �ي���ث��� ب� ��س� �ع�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫���ا �ل�‬ ‫�م���‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� سَ م‬ ‫مَ � �‬ ‫ق خ ث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة � ا‬ ‫��� �ل��ل��� ر � او �ل��‬ ‫طرب� *‬ ‫�و�ير��د ا �ر�ى �� ي���ع�ود ا �ل�ى ب��ي��ت��ه * ���لي����س �ع ن��د �ه� �مث��ا �ب� �و �ل� �م�و ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫‪172‬‬

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Chapter 12

Philosophical Reflections

After the Fāriyāqiyyah had stayed a while in the land of the peasants, where there was no solace for the stranger and nothing pleasant but the greenery, her patience wore thin, her heart became oppressed, and she was overcome by ennui and anxiety. One day, she said to her husband, “How strange is this world and its ways, the strangest thing in it being this rational beast that walks upon its surface! How strange that no matter how many nights and days pass over him, his desires delude him, while his hopes beguile and distract him in vain, and no matter how hard he runs to catch up with them, they stay ahead of him and keep the same distance from him as his shadow! Each day he believes that he is smarter than he was the day before and that the next day will be better than this. I used to think, when we were on the island, that the English were the happiest of people and enjoyed the greatest peace of mind. But when we came to their country and lived among them, lo and behold, their peasants turned out to be the most wretched of God’s creatures. Look at the inhabitants of the villages around us and scrutinize them well and you will see that they are no different from savages. A peasant of theirs sets off in the morning to toil and travail, then returns to his house in the evening without having seen any other human being and without any having seen him. At night he lies down to sleep and the next day he gets up early to more of the same, and so it continues. He is like a machine that turns at an even pace: it has neither gain nor pleasure in its turning nor rest when it comes to a stop, for when Sunday—the day for joy and recreation in all parts of the world—comes, the only pleasure the peasant may enjoy is to go to church, where he sits for a couple of hours like a booby, yawning for

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4.12.1

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫�ة � ت � �ف �‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ل���� ت‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ا �ذ ��ل�ا ���ع ��ف� ن� �م�ن‬ ‫���ا �عي�� ش���� الم�م�و�ل��ي�ن ��ى ا �ل �ر�ف� �ب�ا ���ع� �م�ن �عي�� ش���� ا � �لف��ل�ا �‬ ‫س� ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ي رو‬ ‫وي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �غ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت � ن �ف � �ق‬ ‫�ذ � ق‬ ‫��� �و �و�ه� ا ا � �ل���ل�ق��ا ��س * �و�ل��ك�ن �ه�‬ ‫ا �لم��ط�ا �ع� ��ي�ر ا �لِش �‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ت� ا �ي�ن الم�م�و� �لو� ��ى ا � �ل ر�ى * ��ا �ن��ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ �� ّ �‬ ‫� ��ذ �� ض� �ن م�ز�‬ ‫� ا �ت ف ا ث ا � ا �‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ل� ر�ى ��‬ ‫ي�ه� �م��ر�ي� ا �ل� ا � �ل ��سي����س �و��‬ ‫�ول�ى ا �ل� ر��ض� �و�ه�و ا �ل� �ى ي ��م ا�ل� ا ر � او ح� ��و�ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � ف �ذ �خ‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ا ب��مث��ا �ب� ا � �لف��ل�ا �‬ ‫ح��ي�ن * �و�م� �ل��ك ��ا ا د ���ل ت� ���ص�ور ا�لم��ل�وك‬ ‫�م�ن �م�ا �ل��ك�ه�ا * �و�ه�م�ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ن ت ا ف ا ع � �ص�ن ا ئ � �ة � ت ف ��‬ ‫� �ف �ف‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ق � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ي�ه� �م�ن ا �ل� � ��� ا �لب��دي���ع� � او �ل�� �‬ ‫ح� ا �ج �بي��‬ ‫�و ��ط� ت� ��ى ا ��س� او �� ا�لم�د � �و�ع�ا �ي���� �م� ��‬ ‫� ف خ ة ع � ا �ن ل�‬ ‫� ا � ا ت � �ظ � ف �ة � �ف ش � ن ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م��ة � ��ل�ا ��س�م�ا‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫� او �ل� �ل� � ا �ل�� �ر�ي��� � او � �ل ر��� ا �ل���ي����س � او �ل�ث�ي � ب� ا � �ل�� �ر� � او �ل� � او ��ى � و ي‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �ة � ن ن‬ ‫� ق ا ئ ن ا � � �ن ا‬ ‫� ت ن �ص�ن ا ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ��م‬ ‫حر�و�م�و� * ��ا �‬ ‫�م�د ��ي �� �ل��د � * �ع�ل�م� ا � � � �ع�ه� �ه�م ا � �ل�� ��م�و� �ب� �ل�د �ي�� �و��هم �م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � ا � �ظّ � � �ف �‬ ‫� ف ا � �ن � �ة ن ش �ق � ّ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫د ا ب� ا �ل�ص�ا �ن�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �و �‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�ك�د ا �لن��ه�ا ر ك��ل�ه �و �ل�‬ ‫ح �� �ل�ه ��ى ا �ل��لي��ل�‬ ‫ع ك�د ا ب� ا � �ل��ل�ح م �ج �ه� ا �� ي ��ى �ي‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ف �ي�ز�ي�ن �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل ن‬ ‫� �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫�ص��ف� �م�ن ا ��ل ن��ا ��س �ه��ذه ا ��ل��د ��ني��ا �و�� جه‬ ‫��‬ ‫��س�و�ى ا ��م�ا ��ض� �عي���ي��ه * �ف ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�يب‬ ‫� ت ت ��ف ن ف ا � ا � ن ن �ع ��ش‬ ‫� ���ع�م � �ن�ه�ا � ��ه �ع ����ط� �عن�ه�ا � ��م �‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�ه�ا * � او�لم���ر �و� ��‬ ‫ي�ه� �ل� يح �‬ ‫وي رو � و م ل � و‬ ‫��س�و� ��م�ل ��ى‬ ‫ح�د �ود �و� �م �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن‬ ‫���ا ي�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � * � او ا ك�‬ ‫��س��و ن� ا �� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �ل ن��ا ��س �عب��ا د ا لله ��ى ا ر ض� ه‬ ‫�ورب��م�ا �ل�م �ي��ك�و� �� او ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫��� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ا ضآ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ت ا ف‬ ‫� ا �� ا � � ا خ‬ ‫ا خ‬ ‫ح ا ��له� � �م ا ��ت‬ ‫����‬ ‫س �لو �‬ ‫ح�د ب�‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �� �م�ا �ي��ه �م�ن ا �ل� �ع�‬ ‫�ه�م ��هم ك���ا �ج�ل �� �‬ ‫���ل� �� ا ��و � م و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ق � ة ف���َ � ا � � ا ��� �� � ن ��ا � � � �ي�ن ا � ا � ض �آ �ف ا ن ا � ا ن ا ن‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫���لي���ل��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي ر� ل� �ل� ي�ج رى لع�د ل ب�ي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ه� �مك� ي�ج رى ب� �ل� �‬ ‫��� * � � �ل� ��س� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش ا ف ا ن� ا ف �ذ � � � ا ا � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ه ا � �ي�ز �ع ا � �ث ن‬ ‫�ذ ��‬ ‫س ك��ل� * م �م �لم� ر �و�‬ ‫ا ا ا �ك��ل �ش���ي �ا ا �و �لب����س ����ي � �� �م� ��ي����ع�ل �ل�ك �ل� �ص�ل�ح ا �ج� �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �آ �‬ ‫�ذ ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ن �ا ك ا ��ل�ص�ع�ا ��ل���ك * � ��ن ��ف ��س� ا �عن‬ ‫��ا �ب��د � �ون�ه‬ ‫�رب� ا ��ل�� �ى �ي ك�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ه� ا ك‬ ‫ا ا �و��س�ع� او �ع��ل�ى �ه�و �ل� ا �لِض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ت �ة � ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫�م�ن �ج� �ه�د ا�لم�عي�� ش���� �و�م�ن �ع�د �م ��د ر���ه�م �ع��ل�ى بر��ي�� ا �و �ل� د ��ه ا ���ه�م ي �ح�م��ل�و���ه�م �ع��ل�ى ا �ه�م�ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫��فتت � ت��م ف‬ ‫� ن � ا ��ف ا ا �� �ذ � � � � �ة‬ ‫�ت �� � ا‬ ‫شغ‬ ‫�و�ع� * �م� �ب� ل ى ا �ل�د �و�ل�‬ ‫�ه��ل��ك�و� ج �‬ ‫�ح�ل �ي�‬ ‫�������ل�ه�م �و�ع��ل�ى ر�ك�ه�م ا �ل� ر��ض� ب� ��ورا ���ع ���ط�ل �و‬ ‫� �ة �� ئ�ز � �ة � ق ّ‬ ‫ا ق‬ ‫�ة � ا خ ف ن‬ ‫�ذً � � ا ��غ ا ��ل‬ ‫��س�م� � او جل‬ ‫�وا � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ج�ز �ي���ل� �لم�ن ��ي����ل��ده �ع�م�ل� �و�ير�ي��ه �م �ر�تب�� �و �ل� ي��ا �� ا �‬ ‫ا ا �ي ��و�ل�ى ا�لمب�� �ل� �ج ي‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� � �ث ة ا �‬ ‫ّ � ن �ة‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن � ف ق �ذ ��ف ا � ْ‬ ‫ط��ه * �ل� ب���ل ا � ا � �ل����ي�ر ا ا ��ك�� ه � اوِ�لي��ِه ا �و ��س�ي �ده ا�لم� �و� �و�ه�و����ى‬ ‫��ي� ��س�د ع�م�ل�ه ب���ك��ر� �م� ي���ع �� ي‬ ‫���د �م��ة � ا ��ل�ع��م �ع�ن ��� �ن �ف‬ ‫��ا ��ل ن����س���ة ا ��لي��ه �ه��ّ�ن �ف�ا �ن�ه �ي ��ود �ى �م�ا‪ 1‬ي�ج�� �ع��لي��ه �م�ن ا ��خل‬ ‫ط� ب� � � ��س *‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪� :1855  1‬م�ا �م�ا‏‪.‬‬

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Philosophical Reflections

an hour and sleeping for the rest; then he goes home. They have no places of entertainment or spots where they can pass the evening in conversation and good cheer. “Nor is the life of the better-off in the countryside any better than that of

4.12.2

the peasants, because the only dishes they know are roast meat and those turnips157 that are everywhere. But where, in fact, are the better-off in the villages? The only rich people you see are the priest and the stewards who look after the farms and fields on behalf of their owners. They too are no different from the peasants. Despite this, if you enter the palaces of their kings and make a tour of the markets in their cities and see with your own eyes the amazing products, marvelous works of art, stylish machines, valuable stuffs, luxurious clothes, and well-made vessels that are there, especially in London, you will realize that the ones who manufacture these things are the ones who make the world go round while they themselves are deprived of them, for the daily life of the worker is no different from that of the peasant in that he goes and labors all day and has nothing to look forward to at night other than the closing of his eyes. How can it be that this sort of person creates the adornments of this world, makes it a delight to live in, and creates its prosperity, while they themselves are excluded from it and have but little share in it? “Meanwhile, the cosseted rich do nothing well and sometimes cannot even express themselves properly. If people—God’s creatures on His Earth in all their disparate states and statuses—are like one body with all its different members, noble and lowly, then why does justice not apply among them as it does among the members, given that, if a person eats something or dresses in something, he does so for the good of the body as a whole? Or would the rich claim that, by being more generous to those good-fornothing weaklings and relieving them of the distress they suffer from the effort of making a living and their inability to raise their children, they would cause them to neglect their work and leave the land uncultivated, so that it become unworkable and turn to desert and they perish of hunger? If that is the case, why do rulers allocate vast sums and magnificent rewards to those whom they appoint to office and promote in rank without fearing that they will spoil their work with their largesse? In fact, if the poor man is compensated by his ruler or master with his provisions—which are a trifle to the

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4.12.3

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫ا� آ‬ ‫� �ز ا ة ��خل ت � ��ا ت � ا ن‬ ‫ت � � ا �� ش ا‬ ‫ح�ا ���د ��ه �� �ل��د �ع��‬ ‫� �وي��د �ع�و �ل�ه ب� �ي� د� ا ��ي�را � � او �لب��رك�� � �ب��د �ل �م� ا ��ه �ي�ب��ي�� ا �ل�لي�� ل�ى ���� ب� ي ي ب‬ ‫�ف ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �قّ ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ح�ق��ه ض ئ‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫و ه ا �ه ب� ��ى ���س�م��ي�ن ��ي�ره *‬ ‫�ع��لي��ه * �لت�ي �� ن��ه ا � � �‬ ‫���ا ��� �ع ن��ده � او � �ه�ز ا �ل�ه �و ض� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ت ��قت�ن�آ ا � ا �ت � �ز ق ن ت �ن ��لخ � � �� �ة �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ���ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ه �ع��ل�ى ا �لب� ��طر � او �ل�ع ��و �و � � م� �ل� �ل ي ��‬ ‫�ي ��ول � م� و�مر ب�‬ ‫وى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� غ �ة‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫� ف �ة � ا‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫ف ا�‬ ‫���ل ا �لغ��ن�� � �لق��مت��ه � او ��ل‬ ‫ا �لن���ي����س� � او �ل� �ث�ا ث� ا�لمن� ض�‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ه��ذه م��م�و��س� �ب��د �ع�� ا � �ل����ي�ر‬ ‫���د * �ي�� �ك ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ت فق �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن ا ن ا ه �ت�� ا ��ل ا ن�� �ا �خ���لق ا �� ف�ل ��ق آ �خ‬ ‫�ع��لي��ه * ا � ي�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫�ه�م ���� ��ط * �ل�ع�مر�ى ا �‬ ‫� �ر �ل�د م �‬ ‫��س�و� � لل ع� �ى م ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ة � غ ن � � ف ق ش �ن ا �ة � ف ق � �‬ ‫ا �ن ف ن �ن � ن �ظ ��‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا ��‬ ‫ح� �ج�� ا �ل����ى ا �ل�ى ا � �ل����ي�ر ا ����د �م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ج�� ا � �ل����ي�ر ا ل�ى ل���ى * ا �م �ي� � � ��و� �م ا �ل�� ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن �ق ا � ا �� ف� � ا �م ��ل �ذ � ا �� ض � �ة ا ��خل � �خ �ة ن‬ ‫م �م�� م�ه� لر ي�� ا �ل��س� �ى ا �ى �وى ل�‬ ‫��م�و�ل � ش����ي � ا � ي���سر�ى ا �ل�‬ ‫ي�هم�‬ ‫��ع� �و‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�م�ن � ���ؤ ��سه� �م�ا ���س� ء ��ه * ك��م�ن ا � �� ��� ��ا ��ا ��ا � � ت‬ ‫ح��ه �ه� � �ع �ي��م� ��ه� ��ا � �م�ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫� و ي بى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر �ى ر ب‬ ‫ب �م ي و م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ ش ا ن ف� �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ن � ت� ���ط�ا ���ط�ا � � ن �ظ� ��� ا ��ل�ه�ا ��لئ�� �ا ����ل ق‬ ‫ه� ��‬ ‫ط �م�ن ش���ر��ه *‬ ‫�يو ر ي� ل �ي‬ ‫ح���ه �م�ن �ل��ك د � او ر ا �و � ����ي � � ي�‬ ‫� �ي‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��لي� ت� �ش���عر�ى ��ه�ل ج� ّر ب� ا �ل�ا �غ� �ن�ي �� �‬ ‫���وه‬ ‫ح�ي�ن �ا �م�ن ا �ل��د �هر ا � ي���س�ع�د � او ا �ل ش ��‬ ‫����قى ب��م�ا �ل�ه� � ��يو ن��ع ش �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا � �ف‬ ‫�بر�ف�د ��ه * ث�� � ���د � ه �م�ق��ا ��ل�ا �ن��ع�مت‬ ‫�ه� �ع�لي��ه �ب� �ل��‬ ‫��ك ار ن� � او ��لب� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة � �و�ا �ه�م�ا ��ل �م�ا �فر��ض� �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫م و�ج و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� ق ��خف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ق َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫ح �� � �‬ ‫ط���ع� * � او ��م�ا �ه �م‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫ح�� � ��ه د �� �� � ��سه �م� ا �ل �‬ ‫�م ِ�ب���ل ا لله �و ل�ب ي‬ ‫�و �ض و م �ل ى ر � �م ع ر ي � ر�ج‬ ‫َ �َ ف ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ن �ذ ق � �ذ ة � ش‬ ‫�ك��ا ��هى �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫�ه� ا �و�ل� ي�خ�ر� ا ك * ا �ل�ا ���يل� ك‬ ‫�م�� ن��وه �م�ن ا � �ي�� �و�� �ل�� � ا �ل�عي����� �و�ير�ى ا �ل��د �ي��ا �م‬ ‫م �ج‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ح��دا ��ف �ع�م ه ��ف ا ��ا �ق� ا � �� �م�ا ��ف ا ��ل�ع�ا � � ت‬ ‫ض�ي �ا �رر ا �ل�ع��ي�ن *‬ ‫ح ��م� ت� ا ��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ش���هرا � او � �ى ر �ى �ل‬ ‫�ل و ي و ى م �ى ي و ر � �ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ه �ت� ّ �� � ه �ف�خ ف‬ ‫�ش ن‬ ‫�ن �ف ا ن ت � ف‬ ‫� ا �ذ ا � ن �خ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫��ق ه � �م�ن‬ ‫و ك‬ ‫���و� �م ن��ه ا � �ل ��س�ا د �ل��ك��س�ل� �و�ع�ط�ل� �‬ ‫���ا � �� او ي �‬ ‫�و���ه�م �م ���س� د ��ي����ه � �ل � ر و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ا ن �ش ق ة‬ ‫� � �ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا �ت‬ ‫ك�را �هت��ه ا �ي�ا ��ه ا �و �ل�ى * �ل� � ا �ل������ا �و� ا د �ع�ى ا �ل�ى ا � �ل ��س�ا د �م�ن ا �ل��س�ع�ا د� * ا �ل� ر�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل � � �آ ا � ا �� �ف �م�ن �� �ن ا ت �� �ا � � �ي�ن ��ف ا ا �ق ��ل ن ن � ��م � ا �ل� ن ا ��� ا � ة‬ ‫ا لب� � � ا ل�ل ى ي�ج ر �ى ��س�و � ��د � و ج ي� م�د � لع� مر�‬ ‫�ى ه�و �ل� �ل� ل�و�‬ ‫آ ع‬ ‫� ئ �‬ ‫����ف� � ت‬ ‫�ب�ا �خ��ل�ا �ق� �م�ن ا ��ل�ث�ي �ا ب� * ك�‬ ‫�ه�ا �ف��ت�ن �ع��ل� ا �ل ار � � او �لغ���ا د �ى ر�ج��� ا ن� ��ي ن���ل�ن �م�ا ��ي ت��ق��ّو�ت�ن �ب�ه‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ي ت ّ‬ ‫� ا ��س ا � �آ � ن �ش� � ا � � � غ�ن � ُ � �ن ا ��ل�ع خ‬ ‫�م��ل�ن ��ه �م�ن ا ��ل� �ا‬ ‫�و ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ث�ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة �ة ف �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا ة ��ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ي�ن ا‬ ‫س�ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ع�م �ى ا �ل� ��هج�‬ ‫��ا � ب���ع�ي�ن �ه * � ك� � ��‬ ‫ع� ��و� �ع��ل� � �ه��ذه ا �ل�ع� د� �ى‬ ‫�ع���ر� �� � * � �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي�� ي� يب‬ ‫ف ��ّ ��ف‬ ‫� �ا �ن ا � �ه �م ت‬ ‫��س��ع��ل�م��ة �ع ن��د �ن�ا �ع��ل �و�ج��ه ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ل�ا ��ل �و�ع ن��د ��ه ��ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ار �م * ���ل�و �ك�ن �م���ك ي��ا ت�‬ ‫ب�ل د � و �ى‬ ‫مب‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫‪176‬‬

‫‪176‬‬

‫‪٤،١٢،٤‬‬

Philosophical Reflections

latter—he will perform whatever service or work he has to with enthusiasm. He will pray God grant the latter more good fortune and blessings rather than spend his nights, arms raised to heaven, calling down curses on him because of his certainty that he will never give him his due and that what has been taken from him to make him thin and scrawny has gone to others to make them fat and encourage them in their wantonness and arrogance and in the acquisition of purebred horses, fine carriages, and stacks of furniture such as no man should own. Under such circumstances, the rich man eats his food dipped in the curses of the poor. “Or do they imagine that the Almighty created the poor just to serve them? I swear, the rich need the poor more than the poor need the rich. Or do they refuse to look down, from their sublime and elevated station, on the humble and the obscure for fear lest something of the latter’s misery touch them and do them harm—like one who achieves some lofty height while at his feet lies a vast chasm, which he refuses to bend over and look into lest it make him feel dizzy or nauseous and he fall from his pedestal? Would that I knew whether the rich have ever attempted to make the wretched happy by giving them something of their wealth or reviving them with their aid and then found that they rewarded their kindness with ingratitude, refusal to work, and neglect of their duties before God and nature. Such an idea is simply a delusion that has entered their heads with their wine, the former remaining when the latter departs. Let the rich give the poor the opportunity to taste the sweetness of life and see the world as it really is for just one month out of their lives, or for one day in the year, so that they may die happy and gratified! The rich, rather than fearing that some evildoing may result from the leisure or unemployment of the poor, would do better to fear the evil intentions that they may harbor as a result of their poverty and their hatred of them, for wretchedness is more conducive to evil than happiness. Have you not seen the thousands of girls who run around the markets of London and other prosperous cities in rags? How they crowd around those who come and go hoping to obtain the means to buy food or clothes to make themselves pretty, especially the young ones who are still not fifteen? This, I swear, is no more or less than exploitation of children for sex! How can they blame us for this custom in our countries when it is practiced among us in the form of legitimate marriage and among

177

177

4.12.4

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫� �ّ � �ن � �نّ � ا �ت� � � �‬ ‫ا �ل�م�ٓ �ون��ة �ل�م�ا �ف��ع��ل�ن �ذ ��ل��ك * ��ل�ا ن� ا ��لب� ن�� ت� ���فى �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�د م ا �ل��س �ل� ك‬ ‫��ر ا �ل�ى ا �لر�ج��ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫� ا �ت ض � ا �‬ ‫�� �ه�ن ت ا ف‬ ‫� � ا � ا �ف � ا � ا ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��سل��� �م�ن ك�ي��د و��ه� �� ‪1‬‬ ‫�و �ل� ��‬ ‫���� �ل��لب��ع� �ل * و �ل� ي‬ ‫�س�م� ��ى ا �لب��ل� د ا �لب�� رد� * � �ول مِ‬ ‫بع‬ ‫� ه�ن ض ا ّ ث‬ ‫� ش � ا ��ل � ا �� ا ن ا �� �ث ن‬ ‫��� ر ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر�ة * �و�م�ا �ع�د ا‬ ‫�ج ���ع� ا �ى ا�لم� ل �� س ك‬ ‫����ي�ر �و� �ج���ل ب� �ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه� ش���ر�ه�ه� ا �ل�‬ ‫ي� �م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫�ن�����س��ة �ُ��ع نَ�� ن� ب��ت�� ه��ي�ز �ه�ن ��م�ا‬ ‫�ذ ��ل��ك �ف�ا ن� �ه� ��ل�� ا ��ل��ن �ا ت� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ا ن� � �لو ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا �ل��د �و�ل� � او ��ه�ل ا � ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل�� ي ي و �ج �‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن �ا �ا �‬ ‫���ز � � ش � �� �ت ت ه�ن ت �ذ ه�ن ��� ّ‬ ‫ق ه�ن‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫� * ك‬ ‫ل���ن ���ل��د ا � � � د ا �ل‬ ‫� �و���ه� ��ي ب �‬ ‫��ي���د ر� �ع��ل�ى ا ل � او �ج ا �ل���رع�ى ب�ع�د ب�ر�ي�� �‬ ‫�ي � �ل و �ل � ب ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا � �ة‬ ‫خ ف‬ ‫���ة � ا ث� ا ا � ا � ه�ن ��ا ��ت�ق � � ة‬ ‫�ف�� ّ�نّ ا �لم�م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا �� �م�ا ا ا �ب ��ق���ي�ن �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ل�‬ ‫�و�ل ا �لت��ورا � *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�ز�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف ��ا ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫� �ة ا ��ل ن��ا �ض‬ ‫�� �ة ا ��ل�ت �ف��ض‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫���ل�ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا ��ل��س���ا � ��م�ا ��ي ت��و�ل��د �من��ه�ن ا �ل� ا �ل‬ ‫ه�ن ل����‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫�ب�� ��� � او �لر ا ���ل * ��� ك�� �ج ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�� ن � ا �ت ث �تَ ْ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ثَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن ن ت � � ت ّ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫س ا �ل ن��ا ��� �لم�ن ��� � � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��ل� ا �و�ل‬ ‫�ع�ن ك��و���ه�ا �ل� ��م ���ل�� ��ا �ل�� �‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�ه� * �وك�م� لع�مر�ى م ب����� ب‬ ‫ر ىب م ع‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ش � �ف‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� ن���ن ا خ� �ف ا �� ف�ل ��ق‬ ‫�ر *‬ ‫طه�ا ��ى �مي��د ا � ا �ل�ع�هر * �� ا ��س�� ��ط ت� ج� ي ��ه� �‬ ‫�م ّر� �م�ن �مب��ا د �ى � �‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫��و �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ن � �ت �ف � ق � ن �ة �ف � ا � � ش �ت�آ � ا ة �‬ ‫اً � ا‬ ‫�ه�ن �لم�ن ���ل��د ��ى ��طر�� ا�لم�د ��ي �� ��ى �لي�� �ل�ى ا �ل��� � ا �لب�� رد� �ل�ع�د �م �م� �و�ى �ل�ه� * ا �و‬ ‫� او � �م �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�س��ف ض �ة �ف � ن‬ ‫ة ت‬ ‫ا �ن��ه�ا �ت�ب��ي� ت� �م� ب���� ت� ا خ�ر�ى �ع��ل� � ار ��ش� � او �‬ ‫��� ��ى �ل ن��د � *‬ ‫ح��د �و��هى �ع�ا د� �م� � ي��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫� �ذ �� � ��ل�ع�د � �ق�د �ت �ا �ع� ا ن �ت� ت‬ ‫�س�ق���ّ �ب �ف�� ا ��ش� �و ك�‬ ‫���ن �خ��ا ��ص �ب��ه�ا * �ف�ل�ا �ت�ا �م�ن � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ل��‬ ‫و ل�ك م ر��ه �ل�ى �‬ ‫ل ر‬ ‫ٍِ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫���� ت � ً‬ ‫� �ن ن ���ل ق �ذ‬ ‫ن ن � ا � ت ن �ف � غ �‬ ‫�ه��ذه م ا � �ي�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ى �م�ن � ج�ي��ع‬ ‫‪٥،١٢،٤‬‬ ‫�ه�ا �لي��ل�ا * ���ع� ا � ا �و �ل� د ا �ل�ز �ن�ا �ي�ا � ��و� ��ى ا �ل���ا �ل ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ��ذ‬ ‫�� �ف ت ا � ��ل � ا‬ ‫�ح�ّ �ع��ل��ه � � ا ��ل � �ف�ا ��ن �ق���ذ ا ��س ا ئ����� �م�ن‬ ‫�ش���ي �ا ظ ������م��ة ج� ا ة �‬ ‫ري ل‬ ‫�ب�� �بر� كي�� ��ح ا ج��ل�ع� د �ى ا �ل� �ى � ل ي ر وح ر ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ْيَ � ف ت � �ذ �ف ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ه��ذه ا ��لب��ل�ا د ا �ى �ب�ل�ا د ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫���ل��ي�ز * ا �ل�ا ا � ا �لن ف����‬ ‫ب� ��ى �ع�م�و� * �وك���ِو�ل �� ا � �ل��ا � ا �ل�� �ى ��‬ ‫م ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ا ث‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا قت ا � ا � ت �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ر�ى �م� ا �ل� ���ص� د � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حق� �ب�ا �ل�م ار �ع�ا �ة � او �لت��ق��دي�� �م�ن ا �لن ف���� ا �ل�ا �ن��د ر�ى �م�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و �ل� ��د ل *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا ْ �غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫ح ا �� ا �� ض� �ة غ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫��� ي�����ا د ر�ه�ا (‪ )1‬الا ��ا‬ ‫ا �ل� ��س ار �� � او �لِ� ر��ا �ل(‪ )1‬ا �لي����س ي���ع� ب� �ص� � ب� ر �ض ر‬ ‫ف ِ ر غ ل و�ع‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا�ش‬ ‫� �ع�ه‬ ‫ل��� �ى ���ير �مو �ض‬ ‫� ا �م�ث ة �ت‬ ‫� ا � �م�ت �غ� ا �� �ل � ش‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح� ا ��ش�‬ ‫��ك�ه�ا د �و ن� �� �ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ��ور و �مر � ل� �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��م‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫حو��� * ا �و �ص� � ب‬ ‫ر ى ج ير‬ ‫س�ي �ج و ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫� � ا �ن ا ��� � ض �ة � � ف�‬ ‫ب�ا لا ���������ه�ا ر والا ����س���عما ل‬ ‫� ا ن � � غ ن �ف ق‬ ‫��� �لن��ه� �ك���ل �مت�����ك��ه * ���ع� �ل� ��ي ن� ك‬ ‫و �ل� � ط�ور عر�‬ ‫��ر � و ج �‬ ‫�ود ا �ل����ى � او � �ل����ي�ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا �ذ � � � ق ف ��‬ ‫ا � �ل�ق‬ ‫� د ا ج �ل‬ ‫���ة‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ف ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا ��ل�ا �� ّ�د �م ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ع�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ك���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى ي ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت فت‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬و���ه�ا ����ن‏‪.‬‬

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‫*‬

Philosophical Reflections

them in the form of illicit relations? If these girls had sufficient sustenance they would not behave so, because a girl at that age has no desire for a man and no craving for intercourse, especially in cold countries, and many men whose lust for them has brought them great harm would be saved from their wiles and their greedy pursuit of money. Moreover, were the state and the clergy to take it upon themselves to set them up with enough money for them to equip themselves for a legitimate marriage—after first giving them some education and polish—they would bear bonny children and adorn the kingdom with the fruit of their wombs, as it says in the Old Testament.158 Contrarily, if they continue to practice fornication, they will give birth only to rascals and scoundrels and will be like green saplings that not only do not bear fruit but also ooze a poison that puts an end to the thirst of any who taste it. How many a girl, I swear, has become pregnant the moment she set foot in the arena of whoredom and has then aborted the fetus from fear of poverty! Some of them, for lack of any shelter, give birth on the city’s streets during the cold nights of winter or spend the night on a single bed with another girl—a custom widespread in London—for lack of means to acquire a bed and a cubbyhole of her own. Under such circumstances, she may fall victim to some harm from her bedmate. “True, illegitimate children usually grow up to be mighty men and giants,

4.12.5

like Jephthah the Gileadite, upon whom the spirit of the Lord descended and who saved Israel from the children of Ammon,159 or William the Conqueror, who conquered these lands (meaning England); yet it is more right and proper to heed and advance the common good with thrift and moderation than that of the individual with extravagance and misallocation.(1) Should not the owner of fine productive lands who leaves them uncultivated and a place for wild animals to wallow be censured and likewise the owner of fruit-bearing trees who leaves them unfenced, unguarded, and prey to the depredations of every passing fruit fancier? True, it cannot be denied that the existence of rich and poor in

(1) irghāl [“misallocation”] is “the placing of something in other than its correct place,” and is, I swear, a word that deserves to become wellknown and much used.

this world is as unavoidable as the existence of beauty and ugliness; were it not so, the universe would cease to move and men’s affairs would come to a standstill, or so the theologians assert.160 However, we speak here of that

179

179

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ��ف ا �� ف� ��ق � �ذ � ا ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ت��ع ���ط��ل ت� ا �ل�م�ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫�ك��ا ا �ف�ا ده ا�لمت� ك�‬ ‫���ل�م�و ن� * ا �ل�ا ا ن� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � �ه�� �ى ل‬ ‫� ر ا �ل�� �ى �ل� ��ي���ا �ل‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ف ه ن ه ش �ؤ ّ �� �‬ ‫ح�ز ا ن‬ ‫��ق ا �ل� �ق� ا �� ��ذ � � �ل�ق ا ��له� � � ا � ا‬ ‫� ا ��ف ا �� ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ي�� ا �� �عي����� �م� د �ى ���ر و ب طر * �ل� �ى ر م�د � ل� ى �ي� ��ى � م�وم و �ل� �‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ة �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� � ئ �ة �ف ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ن�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��ه * � ������ ��ه �م � ا �ل� ا �ل� �� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ىب ر ى‬ ‫ا �ل�د ا ��م� ��ى ���ل ب� �ص� � ب‬ ‫ح� ر �و�مر� ا ل�ى ا �ل� � ار � ا �و ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ف‬ ‫�ذ �ف‬ ‫�ك��ا �ش���ا �ف���ع�ل ��ل��ك ��ى �ه��ذه ا �لب��ل�ا د * ا ��لي���� �م�ن ا �ل�ع�ا ر �ع��ل� ا �لر�ج��ا �ل ��ى �ه��ذه ا �ل�ا ر��ض�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ص�ن ا ئ ا �ل ت ن ا �ل�� ضّ ن � ا �ت�ز � � � �ذ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع ن��د�ه�ا‬ ‫�و ن� ا�ل�م ار �ة ا �ل�ا ا ا ك�‬ ‫ا ر��ض� ا �ل�ع��ل�و�م � او �ل� � ��� �و ��م�د � �و ح�‬ ‫��ر ا ���ه� �ل� �ي� �و ج �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق � �ن �ذ � � ن ��‬ ‫ا ��ل �ز ن‬ ‫�� �آ �ه ن ا � ا � �ت�ز � � ن �ع�ن � ّ � �ع�ن ����ط � ��ف �ز � ا ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م �ى ي� د�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ه�ا ا � * � او ب��‬ ‫� م ل�ك � كب� ر �� �ل� ي� و ج �‬ ‫�و� ح ب� ب �‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ا�‬ ‫��� � �� � ���د ا ن� ���ت�ز � � �م�ن د �خ���له�ا‬ ‫��ا ن َ �خ� � ه � ث ً�ا ا �ئ �ة � ن ا ��ف �‬ ‫�ف ا ن � �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�لم� ل * � � م ك� � د �ل� م��ل �م� � د �ي �� ر �ى �كل ي وم �يري‬ ‫ي و�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ � � ف�ث‬ ‫� ن ت �ة ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���ا ت��م�ا �م�ا * �و� �لو ك�‬ ‫� * �و�ل� �ل�ك � ك‬ ‫���ا � ���س�ع� �و���س�ع��ي�ن �ل� �ي��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�م�ا �ئ� د ��ي ن��ا ر ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫����ي�را �م�ا ر�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫نَ فً ش آ‬ ‫ا ت �ف ا ن � ا �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ث ��ه �م� ا � ��ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ص� �يي� *‬ ‫ي�ه� � � � ا �لر�ج�� ل �� ك�‬ ‫�ش���ا �ب�ا ج��مي��ل�ا ��د �ت�ز �و� �� صَ‬ ‫��و�ه�� * �و�ه�‬ ‫� ���ا � �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ا �ت�ز � ن �ّ ا �ذ �خ � ��ف ّ��ز ��‬ ‫�كه� �� * ف���ق� ض‬ ‫��� ن� �ش����ا ���ه� ���فى ا ��ل��س�ف��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� ا �ل� ا ا د ��ل� او �ى �‬ ‫ح�ي ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ى �ل� �ي� �و ج �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ ة �غ‬ ‫��م � �ة‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ح��ّد ا ��لث���لث���ي�ن ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل�ا ر���ع��ي�ن ���فى ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫�و�م�ن �‬ ‫ح ث� �ع�م�ن �ع ن��د�ه�ا ِ�ج���د � �و� ن��ى * � �و�تب ����قى ا ج ي��ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ��س�د�ة � �م�ا �ع��ل�ه� �م�ن ا ��ل�ا �ص�ا �ف��ة �م�ن �ع�ا * �م� ا ن� �م ا �ع�ا �ة ا ��ل� ��ل��د ���ف �ق‬ ‫ا � ف�ل��ق��ي�ر�ة ك�‬ ‫و ى �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ز �ة �ن � ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ا �� ه ا �� ا ��ن ن‬ ‫� ا� ا‬ ‫ا �ل �و�ج�� �م ا ع‬ ‫�س��ا ب� ا �لب��ا �عث�� �ع��ل� ا �ل�ز � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � �ع��ل� �م� �ه ب� ي�� لر� ي ��و� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ج ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة �ف‬ ‫�ك�ن ت �ز � �‬ ‫ة ت �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �ع ن� ا ن ا � � ا د ا ��لنَ� صَ ف‬ ‫�غ� ا � �لو�ل��د �ي ت��ّ ب���مر�ة � او �‬ ‫� او � �ي�� � ��و �ي�‬ ‫ح��د� ��ى �م�د� ���س�ع� ا �ش���هر * �ى � و �ل�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّآ‬ ‫ا �� ش �آ � ا ا �ت ن‬ ‫��ا � � ا د ا �� ��فل ّ �ة ا ج ��ل‬ ‫��م���ل��ة * � �ف��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن �ذ ��ل��ك �ف�ا ن� �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ا ح� ح� ك� و �ل�‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ت�ي � ي‬ ‫���و�ه� �ل� �ي� ��و ب‬ ‫ث ا �ن ش ة �ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ� ا ��خل‬ ‫��م��س��ي�ن‬ ‫�ت�ز �و� �و�ه�و ��ى ��س�ن ��ث��لث���ي�ن ��س�ن ��ة �مث��ل�ا ا �م ار �ة ��ى ��س�ن ��م� ��ى �‬ ‫ع���ر� ��م��تى ب���ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ت ُ �َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ا ن �� ه �م�ن � �� � ��ق � �ل ا �ف �ا � �ش�� �ز � ا ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا �م ا ��ه ب���ع�د � �ل �� �و�ا ��لجع‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ي�ه� * �ل ى �ى ي� د�‬ ‫�� ك�� � ل�‬ ‫ول�ده ري� ب� ع� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� � � �غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��� � �� � �م�ا �ئ��ة د � ن��ا ���فم�ا ا �� �ف�ل �ق� ���� ن��ه � ���ي�ن‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ه ��ف �ك�‬ ‫����ل�ه * �و�م�ن �ي��‬ ‫ا�لم�ا �ل �لم�ن ا � ن��ا ه ا لله �ب ��� ض�‬ ‫�ي ر‬ ‫ر ب ي وب‬ ‫�ى ل ي وم‬ ‫ف ا ن �ن � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�م�ن ��ل�ه خ��م��س� ن� ا � � ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��ف� �ب��ه� ا ا � �لق��د ر �ل� �ي��‬ ‫��كف��ه ��م�لء ا �ل�ا ر��ض�‬ ‫ع���ر�و ن� * �� � �م �ل� �ي ك‬ ‫و و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �غ� � ��ة �ف�ل�ا ���د � او ن� ��ت��ب�� �غ� ن��ا �ه�ا �ع ن��� * ��ل�ا �ن��ه�ا ��ت��ع ّ�م�د �‬ ‫�هب��ا * �ه� ا � او ن� ا�ل�م ار �ة ا ا ك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ٍح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ّ � �ن ��ت��ق‬ ‫��ا �ف� � ا ن �ت�ز � � ا ن �ت�ز ا * � ا ن ��ت ت خ‬ ‫�����ذ ��ل�ه�ا �م�ن ا ��خ�ل‬ ‫ا ��ل�و ��ل�ا ئ�� � او �ل�م�� د ب� � اولم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪180‬‬

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‫‪٦،١٢،٤‬‬

Philosophical Reflections

poverty that cannot be described as conducive to savagery and wantonness, not of the abject poverty that creates constant worries and sorrows in its sufferer’s heart and that leads him in some instances to cut his own throat or in others to drown or hang himself, as has become commonplace in these countries. “Is it not a shame upon the men in this land—the land of science, industry, urbanization, and civilization—that they will marry a woman only if she is well-endowed in both senses?161 Uglier still is the fact that the great men here do not marry for love but out of greed for more money: a man whose income is one hundred guineas a day will want to marry a woman whose income is also precisely one hundred guineas; if it’s ninety-nine it won’t do. This is why you often see handsome young men married to ugly middleaged women. Unfortunately, most of the men here are late marriers, meaning that they don’t marry until they’ve reached later middle age. Thus they spend their youth in fornication and their thirties in looking for a woman possessed of position and wealth while the poor but beautiful woman is left on the shelf, and the men feel no shame at having children when they are old—this despite the fact that the raising of children under a wife’s care is one of the most important reasons for marriage according to the divines and that conception takes place only once every nine months. What I’m getting at is that the children of raddled middle-aged women will not turn out bonny and healthy like those of beautiful young girls. In addition, when a man who gets married at the age of, say, thirty, to a woman aged eighteen, reaches fifty and his wife still has a roving eye and is randy, he will have his children to keep an eye on her. What use is more money to one whom God through His bounty has already made rich? What difference is there between a person who has a hundred guineas a day and one who has fifty, or twenty? Anyone who isn’t satisfied with such an amount will not be satisfied with all the gold in the world. Furthermore, if a woman be rich, trouble is bound to follow on her wealth, because she will resolve to throw banquets, feasts, and parties, to visit and be visited, and to hire servants whose lustiness and blooming good looks appeal to her eye, and the moment she feels an ache or a pain in any of her limbs, she’ll make out that she feels ill and conceive a notion to go abroad, or to the country, and there, while her husband is preoccupied with

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4.12.6

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫ا ض تا ض ت ت ّ‬ ‫��� ا خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ت���ل ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض�ت�ه * �وك��ل�م� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع�ن��ه�ا �ب��را ر�ت�ه � �وب� ض�‬ ‫��و ��م� ر�‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫�ه� �ع� �‬ ‫ح�م� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل��س� را �و‬ ‫� �م �‬ ‫��� �و���و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ة� ن �ز‬ ‫ف � �غ � ا‬ ‫ا �ل�ا را �ف� * �و�ه ن��ا ك �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� ك���و� �و�ج� �ه�ا ��ا ئ�ر ا �ل��د �م�ا �ب�ا �ل� �م�ور ا �ل��س�ي �ا ��س�ي � ا �و ا �لب �� او �ع ث�‬ ‫���ل ��م�ن ت خ‬ ‫ا �ل� �ا ��ل���ة ��ف �م��ق ه ت خ‬ ‫���ل� * � ��ت��له� ��م�ن ��ت��له� * � ����د �خ��ا د �مه�ا �م�ن ا ��ل��د � ن��ا �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫م ي �ى ر‬ ‫بي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ا آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � ا �غ � نَ ن ا � ا‬ ‫���ع� �ع�ي�ن �ه � ��� ّ �ذ ن ق � � ا ن‬ ‫و �‬ ‫يم‬ ‫ص ا ��ه � �و�ي�� ���ط� �ل��س� ��ه * ا �لي����س �ه�و �ل� ا �ل� � �ن�ي � ي��م��و� �ب� �ل� �م ار ��ض� � او �ل� د � �و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ى آ ي م‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة � �ذ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ق �ر * ا ��ل���� ا �ل�م� ت� � �ف��ا �‬ ‫���ا � ف�ل �‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�ئ�ه � ��ه �� ��م � �ل�� ا �ت�ه �من�ه�م��ك� * � ا ك����� ا �من�ه‬ ‫ي س و �ي ج � �م و م ى ر � �م � و� و � ي ر � �م‬ ‫ُ�غ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ت �ن �غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف � ش‬ ‫�س� ت ا‬ ‫�ف ا‬ ‫�ه�م �و���ه�م�ه�م �و���س� د ��هم � او � �‬ ‫ه�� ر��هم ��ى ا �ل����ه� او � ي��م�و� �ع ��ي�ر‬ ‫�ه�م �ور� ب �‬ ‫�ل��سر� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ��ل��د * ا � ا �ن�ه ا �ذ ا �ز �ق � �� � ا �� ش � ا ا ��ش ض‬ ‫���ا � �و�ا �‬ ‫ح��ف��ا �ش���ق ��و�ة �ل�ه �وك��م�د ا �ع��ل� ا ب� �� �‬ ‫و�ه *‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر � ول�د ي�عي����� م� �ع� � � ي‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �م� �� �ل�ف �ه� ا ن� �م�ن �ت �ى �م�ن ا � ��ل�ا د ا ��ل�ا �ع��ا ن� � ا ��ل�ا �م � �ه ن��ا �ت�ا ّ ا ��ق� ��ا �ف�ا ن��م�ا‬ ‫�و�ق�د �ق�ا �ل ا �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي و ر‬ ‫ر وي‬ ‫و ي� م‬ ‫�ق آ‬ ‫ن � �‬ ‫ح ش��� * � �ت �ى ا � ��ل�ا د ا �� �لف��ل�ا‬ ‫ح��ي�ن‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن ا �� �لق��ا � ���ع�� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫له�م�و� ا �لر ��ط ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ا �� �وي�� ��ي�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح ب �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ؤ �ة � ا � � �‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ه� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل‬ ‫� او ��لي��ا ب��� * � �ول�ع�مر�ى �ل�و �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �له‬ ‫�ج�ز� ء �م�ن ا لله ���ع�ا �ل� ا � � �� ا � �ل� د �ه �‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى ى ر ي و م و � �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�م�ع�ا �ف��ي�ن �م‬ ‫حب�ب��� � ك�‬ ‫ل��ا � �� او ��ى �ع�د ا د ا�لم�و��ى * ك�ي��� ب� ��ى �ه� ا ا �ل�ع�ا �ل�م �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل ��س�ا د * ك�ي �‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫ش ف �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ى ر ج���ل * ف���ق��د �ي��‬ ‫��كو ن� ��ل�ه‬ ‫ح��د * � او �‬ ‫����قى �ي��ه ا �ل�ف� ر ج���ل ب���ل ا � �لف��ا � �لي����س�ع�د ر ج���ل � او �‬ ‫ي� ��‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫�ا ش �ا ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ه���ة * �وك�‬ ‫��ي��ف� ��ي�ق��‬ ‫ح�م� * � �وي��د ا � �و �ل� �ع��م�ل * �ورا ��س �و �ل� ر����د �و �ل� ���‬ ‫���ل ب� �و �ل� ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ���ف �ه��ذه ا ��ل�� �ا د ا ��ل�ت ض‬ ‫�� �� ت� ب���ع�د ��ل�ه�ا ا ��ل�ا �مث��ا ��ل * ��ل�ا ج�ر� ا ن� �ف�ل�ا �‬ ‫ح�ى �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا ا ��س�ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب ل �ى رب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�ف ا ن ا � � � � �ق ض‬ ‫ش �ق‬ ‫�ث ت‬ ‫�م�ن �ه�و �ل� ا �ل ن��ا ��س * ب���ل ا �لج���ا ر �ه ن��ا ا ���� ي��� �ع��ل�ى � ن��ا �ه�م �و ر �و���ه�م * � �‬ ‫ح�د �هم �ي����ى‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �م ه � �ق ا �� ت � ا � �دا � �ة ف� �ق � ت �� ه �ل��َ � ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �لن��ه�ا ر ك����ل�ه �و�ه�ز ���ع�ا �م�ن ا �ل��لي���ل � او ���ف��ا �ع��ل�ى �د ي�� * و �د ��س� ل� و ح� مر ���ل� ل� �ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ت ق‬ ‫ن �� ��ث ة ف ق ا � � ن ا � �ذ�ي�ن ش �ف �ن ا ا ��ز ا ة � ش ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ���ع�د �ع��ل�ى ك�ر��س�ى �و�ع��د ك ك�را ���سى ك���ي�ر� * ����� �ل �ل�ى ا ���ه� �ل��ل�� ي����ر�� �و ن�� �ب� �ل �ي� ر� �لي�������ر � او‬ ‫� ا ف ث ن �خَ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف �ذ ق‬ ‫�ص ت� �من‬ ‫�ه� * �ف�ا �م�ا ��ى �ي ��و� ا �ل� �‬ ‫�م�ن �ع ن��د �ن�ا * ��ا ا ���ع�د ت� �مث���له �‬ ‫ح��د �ي���لب� ��و� ���ِد ر�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �م ر � م‬ ‫� ا ن � ا ف�‬ ‫��ا * �َ�س�د �ى ا ��ل��ص�ا ئ� � ا ��ل�ا ���ص�ا * �ف�ا �ي�ن �ه��ذ ا �م�ن ا ��لت��ا � �ع ن��د �ن�ا‬ ‫ر ب رو ب ر‬ ‫ا �ل� �ب��د ا � � او �ل� � ك� ر‬ ‫جر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ث �ذ ن �‬ ‫ي���ع�ق �‬ ‫ح��د �ى ر�ج���لي��ه �ع��ل� ا �ل�ا خ�ر�ى ب���ع��ض� ��س�ا �ع�ا ت� �ع��ل� ا ر�ي ك‬ ‫�ف� ا �‬ ‫����ه * �� ا ا �‬ ‫ح�ا � ا �ل�ع�‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ش ��لخُيَ �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ن � ن �ت ّ ن‬ ‫���� �ج�ب��ت�ه �ور� ه �و�ذ �ه� ا ��ل�ى ب���ع�� ا�لم ن��ا �زه �و�ه�و ي�م����ى ا �‬ ‫���ل� ء * ��ا � ك���ا � ا �ل��م�د �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫كب� ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫‪182‬‬

‫‪182‬‬

‫‪٧،١٢،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،١٢،٤‬‬

Philosophical Reflections

political affairs or economic issues in his town house, she will closet herself with whomever she wishes and disport herself with whomever she likes, her manservant finding in his hand enough gold coins to shut his eyes, close his ears, and seal his lips. “Do not these rich persons suffer the same diseases and illnesses as the

4.12.7

poor? Does not death surprise them while they are engrossed in their pleasures? Do not many of them die childless as a result of their intemperance, their desires, their avarice, their corruption, and the recklessness with which they pursue their lusts? Or, if they be blessed with children, do not these live out their short lives thin and famished with hunger, a misery to themselves and an inconvenience to their parents? An English writer has said that any vigorous, strong child of their great men or princes one may come across is the result of impregnation by one of their retainers. The children of the peasants, on the other hand, you will find to be bonny and strong, with the appetites of horses, and I swear, if their parents didn’t have this reward from the Almighty, namely the sight of their children around them, in lively good health and full of affection, they would be no better than dead. “How did this world come to be built on immorality? How is it that a thousand, or two thousand, men must suffer here for one man to be happy? And what a man! He may have a heart but no mercy, two hands but no work, a head but no sense or brains. And how did this come about in this country whose justice is the stuff of proverbs? There can be no denying that the peasants of our country are better off than these people. Indeed, even the shopkeepers here are in a miserable state despite their wealth, for one will spend the entire day and part of the night on his feet. I asked one once and said, ‘Why don’t you sit on a chair, of which you have many?’ and he told me, ‘Those are for the people who honor us by visiting us in order to buy from us. If I were to sit like them, I would become one of them.’ They pass their Sundays benumbed of body and mind, brains and eyes alike in a daze. What a contrast with a shopkeeper at home, who crooks one leg over another for a few hours on his bench, then, towards the end of the afternoon, casts his mantle in a heap behind him, and goes to some pleasure garden, walking proudly. If civilization and knowledge are the cause of these things, then ignorance is bliss.

183

183

4.12.8

‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫�ذً‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ه ن��ا ���فى �غ��ا ���ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� او ��ل�عل��� �ق�د ��س��ّ� �ه��ذ ا �ف�ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��ه�ل ا ا ��س�ع�ا د�ة * �غ��ي�ر ا � ا � �لف��ل�ا �‬ ‫� ��هل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ي�ه� ا �ل�عل��� �و��ه �م�ل� �م�و� �ل�� �‬ ‫ل�ك�د � او �ل��ر� �و�لي����س �ع ن��د ��ه‬ ‫�ي�ا د� �ع��ل�ى ب� ���ؤ ��س�ه� * �و�م�ن ا �ي�ن �ي�ا � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن ن � �ق آ ة � ت‬ ‫ق �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ا � �ة �ف ا �ذ ا �ه � ا � ن ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ�ن ا �ن��ه� ج��مي��ع�ا ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�م�د ا ر��س * ��د ك��� ت� ا ���‬ ‫��س�و� ا � �ل �ر � � او � ك��� ب� � � �ل� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫��س�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن � خ ا � ف ا ��ل �ق ق �ة � ت‬ ‫ف �ن ق �ف �‬ ‫�س��ع ا ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لن� ���طق ���ل�غ� ت‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �ش���ي �ا � او ��س�م�ع�ه �م��ه� �م� � �ل�� �‬ ‫ح� ي���� ا‬ ‫�م� �ل� *‬ ‫�ه� * ��ا ��ى ا � ار ��ى ا � ك��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ب � م‬ ‫ة ن �‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ن �ث � ا ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫س �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا �و �ل�ا �ج�����س�ن �ا * �و�ق�د �ي���ل �ل�ا �‬ ‫� �ون�ا �هي���ك ا � ا ك����ر��ه �ل� ي���عر�� ا �� �‬ ‫ح��د ��ه �م ّر� ا � ا�لم��ل�ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�� ف ق ا ت � ن ا ��ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ف خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح � ا �ل�ع�د �و * �����ا �ل ا ��ى ا �جع‬ ‫�ي��� ��ى ��س���ف�ن �ل‬ ‫� ب� ك�ي ��� ��ي��� ���ل ا �ل�� ��س �ى‬ ‫�رب‬ ‫ا �مر �ب�����س���ي�ر � ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ن � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح �ع��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫���ا ���نى ���ه� �ج��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل�‬ ‫� �ه��ل�ه� ي�‬ ‫�س��ا ن� ا �ل�ا ر�‬ ‫�ي���ل * �وك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�و� ا � � ك�‬ ‫� �ب�ا ��سر�ه�ا د �و���ه� *‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب ر �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و �ي ظ� ���� ن��و ن� ا ن� ا �لر�ج��ا ��ل ���فى �غ��ي�ر ا �لب��ل�ا د �ي�ب��ي��ع�و ن� �ن��س�ا ��ه ا �و �ي�ا ك�‬ ‫����ل�و�ن��ه�ن ا ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا * ا � ا �ن�ه‬ ‫و � �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ّت ن �‬ ‫����ذ � � ا ��ل��ق� �� * � ��ل ا �ن�ه �ع ��ف ا ا � � � ا � �خ ا ئ‬ ‫� �� ن � �‬ ‫��ي ت�� �� �و ��و� �ب�ا ج�ل ور و ب �ول و �و � � ر �و �‬ ‫حوا �ل ا �ل� م�م �و� �ص� ����ص ا �لب��ل�د ا � �ل�ع�ل�م� او‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا ��ه �ل�و ك�‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ه� �م�ن �ل�� ا ت� ا �ل�عي�� ش��� ا �‬ ‫�� �ه� ا ��ه‬ ‫���ع�ا �� �م�ا �ل ن��ا �م� ����د� � د ��ه � �من� ك‬ ‫بر م و ر و � �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ن �ة � � �ف �ذ � �‬ ‫ق ا �غ� ن�آ ا �� ��� �ة‬ ‫� ا ن �غَ� ن�آ ا ��ل� ن �ة ن � ا ق‬ ‫ط�ي��ع�‬ ‫�ّو��ه �لم�ا �و��ى �ل��ك �ل�ه� * و � ��‬ ‫�ود ك��� ج �‬ ‫�ص��ع� �ع��د ��هم �ل� ��ي� ��و�م �م��� �م �� ل ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ �ذْ‬ ‫آ آ‬ ‫ف�آ ��ل ّ �ز آ �‬ ‫� �ذ � �‬ ‫ن ن ا �ن �‬ ‫ط� ب� ا ��ل�ه� �و � او �ل�م�� ء �و�ص��� ا ج�‬ ‫�و �و ك�‬ ‫���� ا �ل�ا ر��ض� �و�ع� �و�ه�ا �و�م ارئ��ت��ه�ا �و�ل�� �ة ا �لم���ط�ع�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��د �� �م ��ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� � �ئ ق‬ ‫ا �ل� ش‬ ‫ح ت� ا ��ل�ا ��ش�� ا‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫ا �� ت � ��ف ا �� ا �� ا ��ل‬ ‫�� � ن ا �ل� ا ا ��ل‬ ‫��ا ر���ة �‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�وم���ر�و ب� �و ل��ن�زه �ى ل �ري� �ض �وح�دا ��� * � او �ل� �ك�ل ع��د مي�� ه ج ي‬ ‫ت �ا � �‬ ‫�ف � سَ مَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� �ة * � او ��ل��تردّ د �ع��ل ا ���حل‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا ض�‬ ‫�م�ا �م�ا ت� � او �ل��س�هر ��ى ا �ل��� ر � او ��س�م�ا ا �ل� ت� ا �ل��طرب� * ي���عر��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ن ا َ � ف � ظّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح ���� ن��ا � �ن��يع��م ن��ا * �غ��� ا ن� ا ��ل��ل���� �مَ�ن ا ���ست�خ�� � �م�ن‬ ‫�ه�م �م�ن ا ر �ب�ل� د �� � اوِ�ل��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ل��ك �م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر�ج‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف تف‬ ‫�� ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ّ ��ن ف���ع�ا * � او �عت�ب��ر ب� �‬ ‫��ك�ل �م�ا ج�ر�ى �ع��لي��ه ��ا ��س����ا د � او ر�ع�و�ى * ��د ���ع��ل�م ت� ا �ل� �‬ ‫�ك�ل � ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع ت� ا ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫��مم�ا �� �ل�ق � ت� �م�ن ا �� �لو�‬ ‫���ف� ���فى �ب�ل�ا د ��ه ك�‬ ‫��ي��ف� ا �عي�� ش�� ���فى �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا ا ن� ر ج�‬ ‫ح ش�����ة � او �لت���ق ش �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ��‬ ‫� �ة �� ف ن ا ��ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� ة ا ��لت� � ق �‬ ‫ط �ة �� �ق �ق ة �‬ ‫ة � ا �غ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��س�ا �لم� * �وك�ي��� ا � ��� � او �ل ر ر� � او �ل�ه ر � او � ك‬ ‫ل��رك�ر� �و ج�� �ل� � او �ل�هر�هر� � او �ل� � ار ب�‬ ‫�� � ة � اَ ْ‬ ‫� �ز ق �ة � ا �ن�ز ق ��ز�غ �ة ���خ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �‬ ‫� ��ي�ط‬ ‫�غ� �و�ه�ا ه‬ ‫�غ� �ت�‬ ‫� �وِ�عي� ��ط �عي� ��ط � ِو�ت�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫ل�ك�د ك���د � � او �ل� ��هى � او �ل�ه ر�� � او �ل� ا �� � او �ل � �ر� �و�ي�ط�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َ َْ‬ ‫�ن ��ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��� �ن��ة � �م��ا ���ن �م �ص� �ن��ة * �ف�خ�� ا ��ل��ل�ا د �م�ا‬ ‫ا � ا ف َ� � ّ �ن � ق �‬ ‫ير ب‬ ‫�ه� ه �ل� �ر�ج �ل��ل�ه�م �ع ا � �ل��ل ب� �م ا � او �ى �م�و� و و ب ى ر و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�� ف � ن �خ‬ ‫ي�ه�ا � خم‬ ‫ا � �ل ت� �ه� �و �ه�ا � او � �لي� ت� ��‬ ‫���ل�ص�ا �ل��ك �ود ه * �وك�ي��� �ي��ك�و� ���ل�و��ص ا � �لود �م�ن د �و�‬

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‫‪٩،١٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٠،١٢،٤‬‬

Philosophical Reflections

“Not to mention that the peasants here are not only wretched but also

4.12.9

extremely ignorant—though how are they to acquire knowledge when they spend all their time toiling to provide for their families and there are no schools where they live? I used to think that they could all read and write well, but it turns out that they do not even speak their own language well. I read something in a book and hear it from them in a form that contravenes its proper usage, not to mention that most of them have never heard the name of our country or our race. One of them once heard that the king had ordered horses to be sent overseas on ships to make war against his enemy and he said, ‘I’m amazed that people can fight on horses at sea’! It seems to me that in their ignorance they believe everyone else in the world to be less than they, or they think that men in other countries sell their womenfolk, or eat them, or that they live on a diet of roots and greens. If they knew the conditions of other nations and the peculiarities of other lands, they would be aware that even if they had many times what we do, their cold, the unwholesomeness of their air, and the darkness of their skies mean that it would profit them little and that the wealth that they have from manufacturing cannot take the place of the natural wealth that we enjoy by way of sweetness of air and water, clearness of air, sweet-scentedness, healthiness, and wholesomeness of soil, tastiness of food and drink, picnicking in the meadows and gardens, eating next to running waters beneath verdant trees, visits to the bathhouses, and evenings spent in pleasant conversation and listening to musical instruments. Those of them who have visited our country and become familiar with our good fortune and comforts know this. “The wise person, however, is he who knows how to extract from every 4.12.10 reverse some good and, giving thought to all that has befallen him, how to benefit and find lessons for life. I have now learned, from all the loneliness and hardship that I have met with in their country, how to live in ours, should I return to it safely, and how belly laughing, splitting one’s sides, laughing like a horse, laughing for no reason, laughing immoderately, laughing oneself silly, peeing oneself with laughter, chuckling, chortling, checkling, kenching, fleering, cackling, cachinnating, and ‘ho-ho!’ and ‘hee-hee!’ and ‘ha-ha!’ and ‘tee-hee!’ bring the heart greater relief from worry than unbreakable vessels or unshakable buildings. The best of countries, then, is that to whose airs you’ve become accustomed and in which you’ve found someone who

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‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫ن � اق � ن‬ ‫� ش �ف � ئ ت � ض ئ‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫���ف� ا ��ل��س ارئ�ر * �وك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ش �‬ ‫��ي��ف� ��ت ن� ك‬ ‫���� ا �ل��س ار �ر �و���ع��ل�ن ا �ل��م�ا �ر �م�ن د �و� ا ��ط�ل� �� ا �ل��ل��س�ا �‬ ‫ت�تّ‬ ‫ن ن ��ف �ذ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � * � او �� �لق�� � �ه ن��ا ��ي � ك‬ ‫��ر ا �ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� �م�ا ي�‬ ‫��ى �مي��د ا ن� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح��ّ �ب�ه‬ ‫���م�و ن� �و ر �و� ا � �ى ك�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫وم‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ �� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ث‬ ‫ن َ ثَ �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��ه �و�م�ا �ي ك‬ ‫��ر�ه�ه ��طي�� ش����ا �و�ه�و�ج��ا * ا ��م�ا �م���ل�ى ك�مث���ل ا �ل��ع��ل ب� ا �ل�� �ى ك��ا � ي���س�م� �ل��طب��ل�‬ ‫�و�م� ي� ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫حت �ش �ق ه � � �ده �ف ا �غ ا � ا‬ ‫تض‬ ‫�� ��ه ا �غ��ص�ا ن� ����ج�� �ة �ص� �وت�ا �ع �ي��م�ا * ف���ل�م�ا ا �ت�ا ه �و�ع�ا ج��ل‬ ‫��ه ��ى ���� و�ج � � ر�� * �ل�‬ ‫��� بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ظ� آ ن‬ ‫جَ� َ � ��ل�ا �ع�د ت� ا �م��ل�ك �خ��ا ���ط �ى ��‬ ‫��� ا �ب�ل�‬ ‫��را ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫*‬ ‫م‬ ‫حر �و�ه�و �����م�� � �ير�ى ا�لم�� ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫رم‬ ‫ن ا �خ� ض �� � ا ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� ا �� ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�و �ل� ي ك‬ ‫�م��ن��ه ا � �ير �و�ى ���لي���ل�ه �م ن��ه * ا ��ى ا ر�ى �و�ج��ه ا �ل� ر��ض� �ه�� ا �‬ ‫��ر �و�ل��ك�ن �ل� ����ى‬ ‫�ذ ا �ن � �طَ � ْ �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض ة ّ‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫� ا ن ��‬ ‫ن � ا��‬ ‫�م�ن �ه��ذه ا �ل �‬ ‫��ر� �ي�ب��ي���ض� ا �ل�و�ج��ه �ع��د ا �ل� �ك��ل * ا �م� �ب�ه �م ا �ل�� �ع ب� ���ى * �ل� � �ك��ل‬ ‫ف � �‬ ‫�ت ن ي�ت غ‬ ‫ف �ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا ن ت ن � ف ا ن� ا ت غ‬ ‫�ص��ا �م�ن ا � ار ��ط ا �لت��د �مي���ل * ���ل�و ك���ا �‬ ‫�ص� ا �ل� ر��ض� � �ب��� �ه ��� ب‬ ‫�م� �ي���ب�� �ع��د ه�م �� �م� ����� ب‬ ‫� ن ا �ن � ّا � �ة � ا � ن ا �ن � ق �‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫�ذ ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫طه�م ا�لم�ا ك��و�ل‬ ‫ح�د �ه�� �م ا �ل�ل� ��ط� �ل��س� �ل�� ه �ع ���ط�ع�م �ب �� ��و�ل�ه�م �م� �ه�و * �ه� ا �م� �ع�د ا ���ل�� �‬ ‫�غ ّ‬ ‫ئغ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ا �ل� ش‬ ‫م���ر�و ب� �و� ش����ه� � او ���س�ا د ��ه �م�ا �م�ن ا لله ���ع�ا �ل�ى �ب�ه �ع��ل�‬ ‫ي�ه�م ��س�ا �����ا ��ط�بي��ا * � �و�ا �هي���ك ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��خل �ز � ��ذ‬ ‫�ذ � ن � ا �� �‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫خ�‬ ‫��م � �ون�ه �بر�غ� � �ة ��ن ��ا ت� �و خ�‬ ‫���ل���ط� �ون�ه‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ا �ب�� ا �ل� �ى �ه�و � او �م �ه� ا ا �لب��د � �ل� ��ط�ع�م �ل�ه * �� ���ه�م ي ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ا خ‬ ‫� ت ا �خ ف ق ا ��ف ا �ذ �ف � ق ا ئ �ق � �ن ��ن ت �ف‬ ‫� � ا � �ة ث �خ ف ق ن‬ ‫�ب��ه��ذه ا �لب� ��ط� ��ط� ��م ي� ��� �� �و�ه ب���ع�د ا �ل� �م� ر � ����� * �م� ا ��ي� ي��د ا � �ل�� ���ل ��و�ل�ه ا ��ى ك��� ��ى‬ ‫�اف ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ذ � � � ه �ف� ا �� �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ا ��ل�ا ا ��ل�و�‬ ‫ح ش�����ة � او �لن� �‬ ‫�ص� *‬ ‫�ب�ل�ا د ا �ل� �ر� �و�ه�و �ل� ي ج���د ��‬ ‫�ك�د * ب���ل ك�ر �ل�ك �ل� يم� ب�ع�د ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت�ز‬ ‫�ي�ز‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �م� ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ورك و ور *‬ ‫�صر ا �ى ���� م * �ى ��و���س لع� م * ��ه�� ك � ��ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ ف‬ ‫� آ خ �ذ�‬ ‫�و�ه ن��ا ك ��ت����ل�ق ا ��لب�� ش��� د �و ن� �ت��ص��ل�ف� � او � ف�ل� ض����ل د �و ن� �ت��و�ق��ف� �و�ت ك�‬ ‫���ل�� * ا �ل�ى � �ر �م�ا ك��ر ت�‬ ‫ى ِ ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ى �م�ن ا ��لت��ا ��نّ�ف� � او �لت��ا ���� * �ل� �ي� ��ط�� ا �ل�ع���� �ل�ل� ���س�ا � ا �ل� ا ا ك��ا � ��ي � ك�‬ ‫�ل��� ب���ل� ت��ه *‬ ‫يب ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث ة ا � ا � ا � � � ا � ��ؤ � �ة ا �� �خ� ض �آ � � ا �� ش ا ة‬ ‫� � � � �ا‬ ‫��ر و �ل� بم���� �ه�د�‬ ‫�لي����س ا �ل�عي�� ش��� �ب� ��ط�و�ل ا �ل��لي��ا �ل�ى �و �ل� ب���ك� ر� �ل� ي� م و �ل� بر ي� ر �ض �‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫ش ة �ذ‬ ‫ا �غ ت�ن ا ن � ا‬ ‫ت آ� ا ت‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ح��ا ب� * �و�‬ ‫ع���ر� �و�ى ا �ل� د ا ب� *‬ ‫ا د � او � � �و �ل� � * � او ��م� �ه�و �ب� � � � �م ا ���س ا �ل� � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف � ا‬ ‫حض�� �ة � ا ��ل�غ� �ا * � ت خ‬ ‫� ��ذ�ي�ن ت ف ن‬ ‫�ه� ا ��ل��س ا ئ�ر ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫���ل��ص �ل��ك �م�ود �ت��ه� ��ى ا �ل� ب��ت��ع�ا د‬ ‫� � ر و ي� ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا �ل� ��� �ص��و �م � م ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ا قت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ن ف �‬ ‫ق � فق‬ ‫� او �ل� ���را ب� * ا ��م�ا ا �ل��د �ي��ا �م���ا ��ك�ه�ه * ��ا �ل ������ل ت� �و�م ن��ا ��ك�ه�ه * ��ا �ل ت� �و�م ن��ا د �م�ه * ���ل ت�‬ ‫� �م ش����ا �ّم�ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت� � �م�ل��آ �م�ه * �ق��ل ت� � �م ���ط�ا �ع�م�ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت� � �م�ل�ا � ن��ه * �ق��ل ت‬ ‫� �و�م�ل�ا ��س�ن �ه *‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و �ي‬

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‫‪١١،١٢،٤‬‬

‫‪١٢،١٢،٤‬‬

Philosophical Reflections

is sincere in his love for you—and how can there be sincere love without a baring of secrets and how can secrets be bared and innermost thoughts declared if the tongue isn’t let off its leash to run free in the field of speech? Here people keep everything secret and think that for a person to talk of what he feels, loves, and hates is frivolity and folly. I, though, am like the fox who heard a loud noise coming from a drum that was being beaten by the branches of a tree; when he got to it and went to work on it and tore it open, he found it was empty. No wonder then that I no longer surrender my judgment to my hearing. Or, like one at sea who is thirsty and sees water all around him but cannot use it to quench his thirst, I see that the face of the earth here is green but that nothing of that greenness brings a flush of good cheer162 when eaten because it has nothing appetizing about it, which is because everything that grows in their country is forced out of the soil by over-manuring. If there were a sodomite here, we should ask him what their greens taste like. “All this is aside from their habit of mixing up solid with liquid food and 4.12.11 their adulteration and corruption of the palatable foods with which the Almighty has blessed them. Given this, it is only to be expected that the bread, which is the main support of our bodies, has no taste, for they leaven it with a vegetal scum and mix it with those potatoes of theirs, and then, following the leavening, they pat it down. What good is it to one to say, ‘I was in the land of the Franks’ if all he found there was loneliness and adversity? Quite the opposite: recalling it later may cause him to choke in distress. To Cairo! To Damascus! To Tunis this very year! There you will find people to visit you or whom you can visit. There you will find cheerful faces devoid of flattery, and generosity devoid of restraint or artificiality—and any other words for scorn and contumely you’ve mentioned to me. A person cannot live happily if he cannot talk in his own language. Life is not to be valued according to the length of its nights or the number of its days, by views of green land, or by observing instruments and machines. Rather, its value lies in seizing the convivial moment with those who are dear, keeping company with persons of culture of whom one thinks with pleasure whether they be elsewhere or here and whose affection’s sincere whether they’re far or near. This world’s worth lies in exchanging bon mots.” The Fāriyāq went on, “And I said, ‘And in breathing on your nose!’— 4.12.12 and she, ‘In companionable carousal’—‘And olfactory arousal!’—‘In

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‫�ف خ� �� �ف � �ف �ة‬ ‫�وا �طر�ل��س�ي��‬ ‫�ي� �‬

‫ق�‬ ‫�ق�ا ��ل ت � � ����ا � ��ه * �ق��ل ت � �م ا �ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت � � خ‬ ‫�م�ا د �ن�ه * �ق��ل ت� �و ��م‬ ‫ض�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ض�ن �ه * ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫ح�ا �‬ ‫� و‬ ‫� و مط �ي ب‬ ‫� و ر ��ب‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� �م �آ �م�ه * �ق��ل ت � �م�ف �ا ��م�ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت � �م� �ا ���ط�ف��ه * �ق��ل ت � �م� �ا �غ� �ف��ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت � � خ‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫م�ا � �ل��ه *‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�ول‬ ‫�ول‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ق��ل ت� �و�م�ع�ا ��ن �ق��ه * �ق�ا ��ل ت� �و ��م‬ ‫��ره * ���ل ت� �و ��م�ا �‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫�صره * ��ا �ل ت� �و�مب��ا ��م�ه * ���ل ت�‬ ‫�ؤ ن‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� ك�‬ ‫م��ا �ع�م�ه * ��ا �ل ت� �و�م�ع�ا ش���ره * ���ل ت� �و�م ش����ا �عره * ��ا �ل ت� �و�م� ا ���س�ه * ���ل ت�‬ ‫�م ا �� �� ه �ق � ت � خ �‬ ‫قا � ت � خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫قا � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ا ر ��‬ ‫ط�ه *‬ ‫�و�م�ل� �م��س�ه * �� �ل� �و�م��س� �ج���ل�ه * ���ل� �و�مب�� �ع��ل�ه * �� �ل� �و � ل�ط� * �ل� �و‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � ت � � ا ة‬ ‫�ز ة‬ ‫ح�ه * �ق��ل ت� �و�م ش����ا ر�‬ ‫�ق�ا �ل ت� �و�م ��ط�ا ر�‬ ‫ر �ه�ز � *‬ ‫ح�ه * ��ا �ل ت� �و �ج�م�ا ر � * �ل� و م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫��ا ن خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��ا � ا�لم�ل�ا �عب��ه *‬ ‫��ا �ل ت� �و�م�د ا �عب��ه * ���ل ت� �و�م�ز ا �عب��ه * �و�ه ن��ا ك�� �‬ ‫م‬

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Philosophical Reflections

mutual delectation’—‘And degustation!’—‘In shared affection’—‘And lingual refection!’—‘In having fun’—‘And letting saliva run!’—‘In friendship’s charms’—‘And taking you in my arms!’—‘In granting each other’s wishes’—‘And giving you kisses!’—‘In kind consideration’—‘And osculation!’—‘In

talking

face-to-face’—‘And

mutual

embrace!’—‘In

discussion and debates’—‘And arms around waists!’—‘In talking in tones that are soothing’—‘And lying together in one set of clothing!’— ‘In close associations’—‘And sleeping together in a single pair of combinations!’—‘In mutual stimulation’—‘And exploration!’—‘In witty contestations’—‘And conjugal relations!’—‘In jesting’—‘And besting!’—‘In conversation’—‘And copulation!’—‘In banter’—‘And going for a canter!’— ‘In joking’—‘And poking!’— and that concluded our merrymaking.”

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‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل��ث�ا ��ل ث� �ع ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ي � � ا �ة �م‬ ‫�ش��‬ ‫�ڡ �م��ق� �م� �م��� ي‬ ‫� ت ُ � نَ‬ ‫�ن ث ا ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ت �� ت ��ث �ن � ن ا � ت �‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�د ��س ا �ل�ه� ر��س ب� �ه�� �م �� �ل * ك��� س�م�ع� ك���ي�را �ع ا �لِ����س� * ح�ى ك��د� ا م��ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ص�ن ��‬ ‫ح �ة‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫��ا ��ل ن��ّ��س�ا * ��ف�م�ن ق��ا �ئ�� ا ن� الم‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط� ب� �عي�� ش����ا �م�ن ا �ل�ع�ز ب� * � او ��سل��� �ع�ا �ب�� �م�ن ا�ل�م�ز ا ��م�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذَ‬ ‫ة � ّ َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ��لت� ّ� ��ل��لت�� ه ا ��� ��‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ه�ل د � �ون�ه ِ�م� ب� * ا �و ا �ل ك�‬ ‫له ب� * ا �و �عر �ض� �ج ب��ي � �و لع�‬ ‫ط ب� *‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى �م �‬ ‫م�� �ب��د� ِ�ل�� �لو ب� � او �ل� �‬ ‫ق � �ن � ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ت �ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫شن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��رب� * �ج��ل�اه �ب�ا �ب�����س�ا �م� �م�ن �و�ج��ه �ع�ن ����� ب� *‬ ‫�ص�د �ى ��لب��ه �م ا � ك‬ ‫� او �ن�ه ك����ل�م�ا �‬ ‫آ�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ت ش ا ف �ة � �ن ض ا ��ا � ضَ‬ ‫�ة ت‬ ‫�� َرب� * �و��س�م�ا �ن�ا �م� ��غ��ن��ى �ع�ن � �ل�ا ت� ا �ل��طرب� * �و�م�د ا �‬ ‫��� ب� ك�� �ل�‬ ‫� او ر����� �� م ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫له�ا �ب�ه �م�ن ا �ل�� ج�س‬ ‫�ذ ا ت� �‬ ‫��ا �ي�ا *‬ ‫حب� ب� * ��ا � �م�م�ا �خ� ��ص ا لله ���ع�ا �ل�ى �ب�ه ا�ل�م ار � �م�ن ا�ل�م�ز ا �ي�ا * �و�� ض�‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�د * � ��ل�ا � ��د � �م�ع�ه ��هّ � ك�‬ ‫���م�د * ف��ا �و��ل �م�ا �‬ ‫ا ن� �ص�و�ت��ه�ا ا �لر�خ�ي�� �ل�ا ي���مرد �ع��لي��ه �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرك‬ ‫و �ي ب و‬ ‫م و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �� �لق���ل� � ا ��ل�ه�ا * � �ع ن��د �مغ���ا �ز ��ل��ة �ع�ن���ه�ا * ��ت ن�ه�ا ��ل ا �ل�م��س ا ت� �ع��ل �م�ن‬ ‫�ش����ف ت�ي��ه�ا * ���س��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫� ��فّ ش � ن��ت� ش‬ ‫�ّ ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � �ي�ن � � ا ��� ن ش ��م‬ ‫� �ك�‬ ‫���ل � �و��د رق���ل * �و ج�س‬ ‫���ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ه�و ب� ي��دي��ه� * يح�ب����� �يوح��� * �يوح ��� �وي� �ع��� * �وي��د ر ي‬ ‫م�� ��ف ���ت ا �م ّ � �ة �ت ق � � ا � ا ق‬ ‫� �ي�ن ت� ش‬ ‫� ���د � ق�� * � ��ي�� ش‬ ‫�ه� �بت��د‬ ‫وي و �ل وب‬ ‫ح� * � � ��و�ل �ل�ه� ا �ل� ��د ا ر‬ ‫ح�����ل � �وي��د ر�ب��ل(‪ )1‬و‬ ‫ح�� � ��ى �ى ب�ي �‬ ‫ف��د ��ي ن��ا ك �م�ن �م�غ� ن ا � � � ه ا ن �ش ئ ت �ف��ع ن ا �ز � ا ��ل‬ ‫�� �ج مرح� * � ����� ر �� �و�ج��ك �ى (‪� )1‬‬ ‫ح ن���ب� ش��� ر ق����ص ووث� ب� و� �فص� ق� و�ن�ز ا‬ ‫ث ض‬ ‫ن شئ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ح�ك * ا لم��� ش‬ ‫� و��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���ى و�ل�ع� ب� وح�د‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ه * � ا � ����� ت‬ ‫و‬ ‫� � ��ق��� ه و‬ ‫�قرن� ا �ل��غ�ز ا ��ل��ة * �لين���ع� �ب�ا ��ل��ك �ب�ا �‬ ‫ح���‬ ‫ح��س�ن �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫د�ة‬ ‫د�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ك * ا �لت����� ش‬ ‫ش���� ا ��ل� ك�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��اح و���� الا �ل و‬ ‫ح�� ��ي���‬ ‫� � � � تُ ْي�ن ا ��ف �ذ ُ‬ ‫�يَ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع ن��د ك ا �ل�لي��ل�ه * �ل�م ���ع� � �ى ا ك ��‬ ‫ح �و�ل� * � او � ������ ا �‬ ‫�ل وم ا � ب�ل���ي�� ا �ل��ن�ص���ير * ود ر��ل ر����ص‬ ‫�ن�ز�ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ش ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ح���ج و�ب�‬ ‫حوه د ر � �‬ ‫���ر و �‬ ‫و������‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا ا ��ث �� َ �� َ� �ذ � َ ْ �ن �خ� ��‬ ‫كل وبح����ل ر����ص‬ ‫�ز ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ه ا �ل�� �فس� ر * �ع� �م� ا �و ا ك���ر* ا ل�ى �طر ى ا �م ا �‬ ‫*‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر����ص ا �ل ج *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫‪١،١٣،٤‬‬

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Chapter 13

A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

Al-Hāwif ibn Hifām faid in lifping tones,163 “I’d heard so much about women

4.13.1

I almost ended up with sciatica, for some say that the life of the married man is better than that of the bachelor, one safer in all it entails than that of shouldering one’s way up to water holes guarded by jealous males, or enduring the pangs of thirst and fire, or exposing oneself to public disgrace and ire; and that, should life’s worries coat one’s heart with rust, a smile from one’s spouse revealing pearly teeth in a line, a sip of saliva like honey, a voice so sweet it obviates the need for musical instruments or sparkling wine will polish off the dust. For among the things with which the Almighty has singled out woman by way of merit, and virtues that He has seen fit to have her inherit, is that no ill temper her sweet voice resists, no anxiety or heartsickness with it coexists. The moment her lips are moved, the heart is soothed, and when with flirtatiousness her eyes are lowered, whoever’s in her presence with pleasures is showered, so that he frolics and rollicks, confines himself to the ‘little nest’164 and is refreshed, capers and caracoles, stiffens and comes, dances like a Negro and bangs on drums(1). When she walks through her house in a willowy fashion, the fates declare (with passion), ‘Our lives we’d give for you, you merry coquette! If you’d like us to place your husband on high, like a sun at its highest position, so he can keep you in the most pampered condition, or you’d like him to stay tonight at your side, no stratagem could turn us aside. If you’d like us to seduce him with the notion of travel (for a year or more) to some place (safe or dangerous) far from this shore, all that’s needed from

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(1) ḥanbasha means “to dance, jump, clap, leap, talk, and laugh”; maḥsh is “vehemence of intercourse, or of eating”; taḥfīsh means “confining oneself to a small chamber”; darqala means “to dance, spread one’s legs, and strut” and darkala something similar; baḥshala means “to dance the dance of the Negroes.”

‫�ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ي� �م��� �م� �م���ي��‬

‫ش ة ن‬ ‫��ف ا � � ا �ّ ا �ن ض ن ض �ة � ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت� �ل��د ��ي ن��ا ا ك��ر� �م�ن �ن��ه�ى � او �مر * �م� �ع�لي��ك �ل� ��‬ ‫����‬ ‫��� �ل��س�ا � * ا �و ا ����ا ر� ب�� ن��ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�� ن��ا �ب� ���ط �ف��ة �ع��ي�ن �م�ن ب����ا ن� * �ق�ا ��ل � او ن� ا ��ل�ز �و� �مت��ع�ه ا لله ��ا �‬ ‫ح�ص�ا �ن�ه * �و�ه نّ��ا ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�و ب‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ح�ه �ور�م�ا �ن�ه * �و �ز ا ده �م�ن ا ��ل�� �ئ�ه � او �‬ ‫��ر�ة ب���س�ت�ا �ن�ه * �و�ج�ن�ى ��ت�ف��ا �‬ ‫ب��ن�ض�‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن�ه * ي��� بع� ث�‬ ‫ن ت خّ‬ ‫� ض ة �ز‬ ‫ّ ًا ّ‬ ‫نش‬ ‫��� �ة �ن ش‬ ‫ن شت‬ ‫ا � � ��ذ ت �� ش ا‬ ‫����ا *‬ ‫بح�‬ ‫��ر� �و�ج��ه �ب� �ل�ل� ا � �مك�ا ���� * ا � � ��و��ى �م��س� �م��س � او � ا �����ه�ى � �و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�جَ �ّ �� �� ه��ا ا � ّ‬ ‫���ّد �ف�ا ��ل‬ ‫� او ن� �ش���� د ا �ع� �و ��ل�ا �ع� * � او ن� اب �َى ا ��ل�ا ا ج��ل‬ ‫� * � او ن� ��ل�ه‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا �م��ن�ز �ه�ا ( �و�ل��ك�ن ��ي�ر ب���عي��د �ع�ن ا�لم�� ) ��� � ���ه ا � ا � * � �� ��ط��ل� �م ن��ه ا � � ا‬ ‫ر� *‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫ي ب� ي �ل رح و ع َ �ل ح‬ ‫�تُ�زَ ف ّ‬ ‫ْ َ ��ْ‬ ‫ئ �ن‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وب� ش����ا �ر ا �لج���اح� * �وِ��س ار �� �ب�ه ا �ل��د �ي��ا ا �لي��ه ب��م�عر��ض� ب� ش���ر * �و�ِم�ه�د �ى ك�ش���ر * ا �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا �لت��و�ى �ع��لي��ه ا �مر ��ق�ّو�مت��ه ب��م�ه�ا ر�ت��ه�ا * �و��س�دد �ت�ه �ب�ا �ش���ا ر�ت��ه�ا * � او �ن��ه�ا ا ا �ت��د �عب� ت� �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫ّ � ف َّ�أ‬ ‫�ت�ق ّ �أ‬ ‫نض ة ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫��ر� � �و��يع�م�ا * �و ا د ك �صب��را �و ج��م�و�م�ا *‬ ‫� �و � ي�� ت� * � �و�تب��ع��ل ت� �ل�ه �و�ي�� ت� * ا ده ا لله ���‬ ‫خُ ّ � ن َ �َ � � � �ن ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ا �ف�ي�ر�ه�ا * �و�ف�ا �ز ب ج��مي�� ��ل���ذ ا �ت��ه�ا �و�‬ ‫�ي���ل �ل�ه ا ��ه �م�لك ا �ل�د �ي�� ب�‬ ‫حب ��ور�ه�ا * � او �ن�ه �ق�د �ق�ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ ف �ة‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق ئ �ذ ق ض �ق‬ ‫�م�ق��ا � ا �ل�ع�ا ��ه�ل ا �ل�ا �عظ ��‬ ‫���ا �ة �م�ا را‬ ‫� * ���لي���� �ب�ا ر�ى ا �ل� �م� * ���ل�و را �ى �و��ت�� ��ا ���ى ا � �ل� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ه ن ا ا � � ا �ف ا � ا ��ن �ف‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن ا‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� * �ل� �‬ ‫��س��ه �م ا � ب�� �ع�ه �و��د �م��ه * �و� �لو را �ى ك�� ��‪ 1‬و و �‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ب�����ل��ه * ح ب‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫م�ا �ن ه ا ��ل � ن ا ا � ا � �� � �ف ا � ا ��ل � ض ة‬ ‫���ل�مه�م�ا �م ش����ا �ف ا ف ث �‬ ‫��ر�‬ ‫�ص��� و �ى ح�‬ ‫�م�ن ا � �ي ك� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� * �ب��ع� � ك�� � �ى ج��� ب� �ل� ول و� ي‬ ‫ق ا � � ا ن � ّ �� ت‬ ‫� ث ا ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ل��ك�ل �ف�ا � �ق�ا �ه �و ��ل�ا ���ة ش��� � �ف���ة * �و�� �‬ ‫�ص��ف���ة * �و�� �ل �ل�ه�م� ا � �ل��د �ى � �‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ��س�ا ��ل�‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ى �و� ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح ر‬ ‫ر�ي‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ً �غ � �‬ ‫ش ا � � �ة‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ش���ا ه ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � * �و��س�ف��ه �ب��ا د ره �ب�ا �لت�� �ر��‬ ‫��ر �وظ ���ي��ف�� * �و� �لو ا � ا �مرء ا ا ��� �ظل�� �ل�ه �و�‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �ل� �ا � ا � ا � � ا ��ل�ع ا �ذ � ا ه ا ن � �� ه �ق �ذ ا � ا � � � ه ���ل ه �قَ �فْ ا � ا �ذ � ا � ا‬ ‫وم�ل * و ر ى و ي�� ب� لل � ي�م��س ل� � �ل� * وي��س�و م� ع ي�� ���د‬ ‫و �ل� �ل� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ت‬ ‫��� �ع� * � دّ �ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف�ز ا ��ل� � � ت �ز ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ع ى وج‬ ‫ور‬ ‫���ه ا �ع �ه� ا لله ��� � �ع��ه �ك�ل ك�ر ب� * � او �م� �ه �م �كل ر ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق ا � ت � ه � ا �خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ش�� �م�ن ك�‬ ‫حْره �م�ن �ج��‬ ‫�ع��لي��ه �ج��‬ ‫��ي��ده‬ ‫�ص�د ا ر�ت�ه �م�ن �‬ ‫حر�ه�ا * �و�‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه� * �و � �ل� �ل� �ل� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ا ن � ه � �ن � ا �ن ف �ة‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫��� ا ���ست�� ا ف ث‬ ‫�و�غ���ل�ه * �ف�ا ن��م�ا ���د �ف�� �ك�‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى �م�ا ك�� � �ع�لي�� م ا �ل� � ���‬ ‫ح�ص� �� ب��م���ل�ه * ر ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫عف � آ‬ ‫��‬ ‫قَ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ن ن �ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ل� ا‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫�و�� ر * � او �لِ�ع � او �ل� را ر * ح�ى � �لو را �ى �ي��ل� ا �و رد �� * �ل�ه� ء ب���� ��س�ه �ع ا � ��ي �� ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫كا ����ه�ا‏‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬‏‪� :1855‬‬

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‫*‬ ‫‪٢،١٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٣،١٣،٤‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

you (you being to us the noblest of those who forbid and command) is a hiss with your tongue or a sign with your hand; a mere wink from your eye would make us comply.’” He went on, “Likewise I’ve heard it said that a husband—God grant him

4.13.2

protection from all that’s unchaste, let him in the greenery of His orchard and the plucking of its apples and pomegranates, and with ever more of His charity and bounty make him blest!—can enjoy with his spouse whatever pleasures he likes. If he wants, he can touch. If he craves intoxication, that too is not too much. If he wishes, he can fondle and trifle, and if he refuses to be unserious, wealth and social standing are at his command imperious. Also, that he has in her a fastness high (but not dry)165 in which she may his cares dispel, from which joy and happiness augur well, and a fruitful meadow to which the world beats a path with glad tidings on display and offerings fit to make him laugh. If some affair of his should go awry, with her skill she’ll set it straight and with a gesture she’ll make it right. “I’ve heard too that if she flirts with him and throws herself upon his neck, dresses up for him and tosses her hair—may God increase him in ease and opulence and you in patience and indulgence!—he’ll think he’s gained the world and all that’s in it, carried off every pleasure and joy that’s there, and that he’s reached the most elevated of stations, that of that most mighty monarch, viceroy to the Creator of Nations.166 Should he at that moment the chief judge, passing on his hinny, observe, he’ll suppose him one of those employed by him to follow and serve, and should he a priest or churchwarden behold, the honor of any direct communication he’ll withhold and send in his stead, to the honored first, a male flunky, to the respected second, a lady lackey and tell them, ‘For any who can conquer and subdue, I have a noble commission, for any who inquires as to my well-being or expresses their thanks, a position.’ Should any man bark at him, cut him dead, or call him a name, he’ll come right back at him with rough words and blame, and should anyone—perish the thought!—cuff his occiput, deal his nape a thwack, or subject his feelings to attack, he can run to his wife—God grant her strength!—and she’ll relieve him of all grief, give him from every terror rest, restore his impregnability with her private parts, his prominence with the promontories on her chest, and tell him, ‘Fear not his wiles and his spite: every show of force can be repelled by an equal display of might.’ He then returns to his former haughtiness and pride, his overweeningness and being

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4.13.3

‫�ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ي� �م��� �م� �م���ي��‬

‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن �ظ � � ا آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت ف ال� ت ّق‬ ‫��ف��� * �ف � ت � �ف نّ ق‬ ‫� ��� �ت ق � �ن‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �� �� ر ا �ل� ��ك‬ ‫ا �لي�‬ ‫�ه�و ا �ل ار ��� ا�لم� ��� * ا�لم��ر�� م�م�� �ل� * ا �ل� �ك��ل � �و��ل��� ء ه �م د رر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خم �خ � ��‬ ‫ا �خ ّ �� ه ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ف‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ا �ل�ث�ن �ا �ي�ا �و�مر�ج��ا � ا � �ل� * �م� ي�ي���ل ي�� � ك�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ي ر ع� * و ي �‬ ‫� �� م� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ �َ ا �‬ ‫ا ش � �ن � ا � ا � ا �غ� ا �ق‬ ‫� ا ن ا � ا ا � � ا ���ز ا �ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫و � �ل� �ج�� �ج و ل �ع� � * ����ه�ى‬ ‫م�د م �ل� �بت�� � * �ل� و �لو � ب� � ع�ه� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫ا ��ّ � ن ا �ز �غ ا �ة ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ك� ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ّ‬ ‫ح ش � ش �ظ � ا ا‬ ‫ل��ا ن� ��ل�ه �م�ن ا �و ���ط� ا ��ل‬ ‫�ف ��ش� �‬ ‫ح ش����ا ��ا * �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �� �ب�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���وه ��� ��� �ي� * �و�م� س م �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�� َ‬ ‫فَ‬ ‫نَ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ظَ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ا‬ ‫�م�ع�ه�ا ي���س��‬ ‫حي���ل ا �ل�ى ��� � �و ��� * �و�ك��ل ��� �� �‬ ‫�� �ب �� �ر��ه�ا ���ه�و ���ص�و�� �ور���‬ ‫‪٤،١٣،٤‬‬ ‫ع * �و�م �� ���ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�ف � �ق‬ ‫��ل�ا ب��� �ع�� ش�� ا ��ل�ع�ز ب� ا �ه ن��ا * �و��ل��ل���ذ ا ت� ا �ج�ن� * �ف�ا ن� ا ��ل�� �د ا ت� ي�‬ ‫ح��سب�� ن��ه ��ى �ك���ل �و� ت�‬ ‫س�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل ي �‬ ‫�ذ ا � � � �ع ن �ه�ن ا ن ��ن َّ�ة � ا � � ة �م ن ه ��ت ن�ف ��م � ا ��ل � ا �ذ � �� ه � �ن ��ت � �زّ‬ ‫� ب�� و ح�د� �� ���ى ج ي� �ه�م�و * �لي����س ل� م �ل ه‬ ‫ج �م�و * و ��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�ؤ ّ ق ه�ز ا �ن ��‬ ‫�ي�ت �ذ‬ ‫� ث �ذ‬ ‫��ل ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫�� د ا ئ��م�ا ا ��هن‬ ‫���ل �لي���ل� �ل��ل�ع ���ا �ل * �و� �� ر��ه � ���ع� �م ا �ل�لي���ل �ع��ل� م���ل �ى ا �‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ح� �ل * �ل� � ك�ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ذ �م ّ‬ ‫��م ص�ن �ذ ت �ُق ْ َ �� �خ خ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن � �ن ا ت �‬ ‫ح � �� �ع��ل��ه �م�ن‬ ‫�ه�و�ع��ل� �ه� ا �‬ ‫ح�� ا � ر�‬ ‫ط�ق� �و����ل�ا �ل *‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب� ب� �ع��د ا �لب� � � * �مرو ص ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ي �د ا ت� ا�لم��ت�ز �و�ج��ا ت� * �م ش����ا ر ا �لي��ه �ب�ا �لب��ن �ا ن� �م�ن ا �ل�ا را ��م�ل ا �ل�ه�ا ج��ا ت� * � او �ن�ه ا ا‬ ‫�� � ���ده �خ� ��ف ��ف���ة * � ا ��ن ��ف ت��ه �ن ظ� ������ف���ة * �ف�ل�ا �م�ن ��ت�ق�� �� ��ل�ه �ه�ا ت‬ ‫�� ا ��ل � �ن�ز �� ه �‬ ‫ر ج�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ول‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع �ى م� ل� ر جع وي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � ا �م�ن �ت ت � ه �ع�ن ا �ل�م� ت‬ ‫�س��ق �� * � �ت� ت‬ ‫�س���ف � �ه ���فى �م�ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫ا �و ��ت��ل�و�م�ه �ع��ل�ى �م�ا ��ا ت� * و �ل�‬ ‫��س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ت�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن قَ ْق �غ ا � � � � ا َ ف ْ َ ف ْ‬ ‫��ت ن ف ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�َ ْ‬ ‫ح� � �‬ ‫ي�ه� ب� �‬ ‫ا�لم�هب���ل * �و �ل� �م�ن �ت�ز ج�ره �ع��د �ي��� ��ي�ر�ه� �ل�ه �وحج��ل�ه ا �ل�‬ ‫ح� * ا �و �ج�� ���ه �ب��ل�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ّ ا ف � ا �ز ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ت ق � � ف‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ّ ن ف‬ ‫�م�ف��ا ر�ت��ه ا �ي�ا �ه�ا ا �ى �ج� �� * ا �و � � ��و�ل �ل�ه �نَ�ز ا �� �ن�ز ا �� * � او �ل� ��ا �ل� �ه�ا ��(‪ * )1‬و �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ي�ن‬ ‫ج�ز ��ف ا � ��‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫�م�ن ��ي ب� ك��‬ ‫حق� �ع��لي��ه * �ف��را ه ا �ب��د ا �ل��د �هر �ميّ��ا �‬ ‫�ى �ب�� �ي��د �ي�ه * �و�ه�و �ع�ا � �ع�ن ��ك�� �لت��ه �مك�ا ي��‬ ‫آ‬ ‫شّ ا ّ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫���ا ��ل��ل ن����س�� �م� �ا‬ ‫�قَ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ة ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �فم� ار �‬ ‫��س�د‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح�ا * �مت��عر ض�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫(‪ )1‬ا ل�� ي��� �صو� ا �ل�د ج��ا ج�� ا � ا د ع��‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة �ل� �ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ل��س� �ا د وح��ل���ج ا �ل�د ي��ك � ش���ر ج� ن���ا �‬ ‫ح�ا * � �ق�د ق��� ���ف ا ��ل�ا �مث��ا �� ا ��ل��س�ا ئ‬ ‫�ّ �من�ه�ن �م��س�ا‬ ‫ف���ق��ا ��ا لم‬ ‫�‬ ‫حي���ه و�م���ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ري ب ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�� � �ز‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح��� ج�ر �ل�ل�د ي��ك‬ ‫ا لى ا ن�ث��ا ه �ل��ل��س� �ا د و� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن �ذ �ز �ة‬ ‫ا �ل ن�������ف� �م ن�� ا � ت�ل���� � ت‬ ‫��ا � * ���فى �ك�‬ ‫��س�ي�ر ا �لج�ع‬ ‫ح�ى لا‬ ‫���ل ج���ا � * �م�ن �ل� �ي�� ا �و�ج��‬ ‫وا �ل�د ج��ا ج� و ج‬ ‫ع �ي س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫�ي�� �د ر ع��لى ا �ل��س� �ا د و� �ل�ك ب�ا � �ي����د ج��ل�د ب���ي�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ا � او � * �ي���ل ��م�ن �� ك��ا ��� � ��ط� ا‬ ‫و � ا �ل�ع ب� ب���ط ن���ه و����ض‬ ‫� ��ي ب��ه و� �ل�ك ا �جل��ل�د ي���س���مى ا �ل ن���� ج��ا ��‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا �ز ف ا � ق �ش�� اّ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫�� ا ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫و� �� �م� ء ا � ب�ل���ر �ن�زح�هكل�ه و �ه��� ل����ى ر‬ ‫�� * � ا �ن�ا ��ؤه ا �ت‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و��س� * �و�‬ ‫����ه ا ��سر * �وك��ل� �م�ه ا‬ ‫*‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ر‬ ‫خ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ش‬ ‫__وع� ي�ل��ه ا ج�‬ ‫���ه وب�ا �ل���ر ا �ر �ى__وا �ل���بر ا د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن َّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫� �ن�غ��مت��ه ا خ�� * � �ن�ه�مت��ه ا �ض‬ ‫��� ب� و�م *‬ ‫�� � * � �ن�ه�ز �ت�ه ا ��ق� � * �ي���ه وك‬ ‫وى‬ ‫و�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و�‬ ‫رم‬ ‫رم‬ ‫‪194‬‬

‫‪194‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

snide. Even should he see a princeling or king’s vizier, he’ll think himself too fine to treat him as his peer—for he’s the one in clover and luxuriating in a life of relaxation, coddled and gazed at with adulation. He eats with such pearly teeth and coral lips before him that he thinks pickles are the best of fare, that the most blessed of possessions is a shirt of hair, that water that’s brackish and briny is tastier than the wine at any evening party. And oh! should he spend the night with her on a mattress stuffed with wooden shavings and touch her downy skin—he’ll think them the most luxurious of stuffings, for any injury suffered along with her is transformed into bounty and gain, into revelry and carousal any pain. “From another, though, I’ve heard it said that the bachelor’s life is the

4.13.4

happier, the one in which pleasures are more likely to bloom, for the ladies view him as ever roaming free, and think one rutting bleat from him will dispel all gloom, given that he has none to tie him up each night in order to tup or half the night to keep him up lest he forget he’s now the sheltered spouse of one who wears anklet and blouse. For this he’s beloved of the girls, a prize to which matrons aspire, pointed out by randy widows as an object of desire. When he goes home, his hands are free, his cuffs unsoiled,167 there being none to tell him, ‘Hand over!’ or blame him for what’s past, quiz him on things to come, seek to have him in matters vaginal embroiled, tell him ‘Shoo! Shoo! (ḥaf ḥaf!)’ at every amorous clucking (qayq) from some other woman and his every roosterous wing flapping (ḥalj), tie—and how tie!— the piece of skin between his belly and his willy (najf) before he bids her good-bye, or tell him ‘Quaff! To the dregs, the water quaff (nazāfi nazāfi), or else I’ll finish you off!’(1) nor any to weep before him in supplication when he’s powerless to support her, even though to do so be his obligation. You’ll see him ever with a happy, rolling gait, full of joy, throwing himself in women’s way and never walking straight, laying and splaying, keeping company with women who’re ready to pup and feeling them up. As says a proverb that’s making the rounds like a bad penny,168

(1) Qayq is the sound made by a hen when it demands to be trodden; when you say that a rooster ḥalaja, you mean that it spread its wings and went to its female to tread her; ḥaf ḥaf is a call made to drive away a cock or chickens; najf is making it impossible for a buck to mount, which is done by tying a piece of skin between its belly and its member, this piece of skin being called the nijāf; when you say that a man nazafa the water of the well, it means “he drained it dry”; azhafa means “to revile . . .” or, followed by ʿalā, “to finish off (a wounded man)” or by bi-l-sharr “to lure to evil,” or by al-khabar (“report”) “to exaggerate [the report], to lie, or to slander.”

195

195

‫�ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ي� �م��� �م� �م���ي��‬

‫مَ�زّت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ ق‬ ‫س�ن ا ن �ذ � ق‬ ‫نش‬ ‫�و� ��ه ا ر �و�ى * �و�� � ��ه ا �ل�� * �و��س�ه�م�ه ا ���س�� * �و����ره ا �عب ��� * �و� ب‬ ‫ح��ه ا �ع� �ل�‬ ‫ن ��ت �ّ ق � ض �ف‬ ‫ُ ����ط�ع ت ه ��‬ ‫ق ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط� ب� � او �و �ر * �و�م�ا د �ت�ه ا � ك‬ ‫حو�‬ ‫�س�� ب� � او ��غ�ز ر * �و��د ��� �س او ا � ب�ع�� �‬ ‫���ه ��ى‬ ‫�و �م�� ا ي‬ ‫�ت�ف ت شَ‬ ‫ي�ن �‬ ‫�ف �ت ن�ي�ز �ن�زّ �ن�زّت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��زَّت‬ ‫�سْ�ق � ا � �‬ ‫��ي�ر �ِ ��ى و‬ ‫ح�د �ه�و �ع�� ا �ل��سب�� ب� ��ى � ���ك�� ه �وِ ��ه * � �و � ��ي�ر ���ر�زه �و�ل ��ه * ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�غ � �ذ � � �م ا � ا � � ق ا ن ��ت�ق ا � � ه � � �ة � ا َ� ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي ر �ل�ك �م� �ل� �ي�لي ��� � �� ب��ل ب� م�و م��س� �و �ل�‬ ‫ح�ص�ا � * �و �ل� �ي ��و�ص�� �ب�ه د ا �ل��‬ ‫ف � ا �ت �� � �ذ‬ ‫ق ت �ف‬ ‫ق� �‬ ‫�ا �ف � � ا ن‬ ‫� ا �تََّ ن‬ ‫� ا�لم� �هب��ا ن� * �و�ت ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و �ل� �ي ��ق��ا � * ��ا �ل ا �ل�ه�ا ر��س ��ل�م� ار ج‬ ‫� ا �لم��ط��لب�� � * ���ل� ��ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ق �ن آ‬ ‫��ن ��ف ���س �م�ن ��ل ن��ا ا ��ل �� � ��ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� * ف� ���ف ت��� ن��ا ���ف �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ا �م ا ��ل �ّ�ا �ق� * �ف�ا �ن�ه ا �ع�� �ل ��ا �ل����س��‬ ‫ي ي ى‬ ‫ر بر‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي وم ب ري‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�ف ا � � ه�ن � �ن �ذ ش �ة ش �ة ف � ق �ذ �ق ن ه�ن �ل ��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫�م ا �ل ��ير ب�� * � او �عر� �ب� �‬ ‫حوا �ل� م �ى ���ي��ب�� �و���ب���بي�� * ��ل���د ا � �م �‬ ‫ح�ل�و‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ح�ا ض‬ ‫ح�ه�ن ا ��لن ف���� � ا ��لض‬ ‫�جَ� َل�ا �ع نّ��ا �م�ا‬ ‫� ا �ل��م ّ * � �� �ل�ق �م�ن‬ ‫�� ا ��ل��د ��ي ن��ا * ��ل‬ ‫�� * �ف��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و �ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�� ت �ق‬ ‫ا ��لت����� �ع��ل�ي�ن �ا * ��ف��س ت� ا ��ل�ى ب���ع�� ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�اب �ى * �ل�ا ��ط��ل�ع�ه �ع��ل� �م�ا ب �ى * ��م�ا ك��د� ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب س‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح� �ه� �ى ا �ل� � ����ده ك���ا � * �� ��ا �ل ���� �ى ���� �ى * ��ه� ا ك���ا � �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب ر ب ر‬ ‫ا �لب�� ب� * ى و ى بو ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف �ذ ف‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� ق غ‬ ‫� �ل� � ا � ا �ش � ا ف�ت��� �لق ��ف‬ ‫ا � �ف ا � ا � ���ل�� ن� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو �ل� ��عر *‬ ‫� ت��ه �م�ن �ي��ده ��ا ا �ي��ه * ا �م�ا ب���ع�د ��ا �‬ ‫ل�� ري� � ب �ى م��س و م ي �ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط�ا ن� �ه�و ا ��ل���ذ �ى ��ي����قر�و ا ��ل��ب�ل�ا د ب���عِر ���س�ه‬ ‫ا � �ل��قر��� ب‬ ‫�ن �ف‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�و��ه�ا ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح��ة ��ف��ل���س�ه‬ ‫�غ��د ي���س�ت ن������ش��ي�ن � ��‬ ‫ح���سا � ا �ل�� ي‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ���� �ذ‬ ‫� �ن � �ذ‬ ‫��ضر���س�ه‬ ‫���ل ا ت� ���ت�د �ه��كر �‬ ‫م �ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ح�ا �ن�اب �ى �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�و ����ف��ق�ا ره �ن��ّ�ع�ا ����ش�ه �م�ن �ت��ع���س�ه‬ ‫����ش�د ا د �ر��‬ ‫ت ّ َْ‬ ‫� ا ا �� �ف�ل � � ئ‬ ‫�و ن� ا ��ل�ى ����س�د �ى �ع ن�����س�ه‬ ‫حو�ل ا ل��ها ج��‬ ‫� بو��ه� ��‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ه ا �و �ع��ّ�س�ه‬ ‫� او �ل�ى ا �ش��ت ��ف��ا �� ج��مي��‬ ‫ع �م� ��ى ��ق�� ب‬

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‫*‬

‫‪٥،١٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٦،١٣،٤‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

‘He who has no wife has many.’ The result, it is claimed, is that the bachelor’s stride is vaster, his movement faster, his words less trimming, his cup more brimming, his intonation more melodious, his cravings more imperious, his thrusts more pressing, his delicious wine more refreshing, his lance’s blade of keener bite, his arrow truer in flight, his breath more sugarcoated, his love more devoted, his food tastier and more plenteous, his vital juices more fluid and copious. They forget that the emptying of his basin into more than one plot is the very cause of the dropping of his water table and lust, the weakening of his vigor and thrust—and so on and so forth by way of phrases that shouldn’t be used to describe whore or honest matron, or characterize a man, whether he run or trudge to his damnation.” Said al-Hāwif, “The two schools being thus equally balanced, the two

4.13.5

claims in contention, I said to myself, ‘If only the Fāriyāq were with us today so that to this thorny question he might turn his attention, for he cleaves more closely to women than does even doubt and better knows their ways than any graybeard or youthful gadabout. Of them he’s tasted both sweet and bitter, and of their love he’s been both victim and benefitter. Were he present with us now, all this confusion that we’ve endured would straightaway be cured.’ I went then to one of my friends to apprise him of my dilemma and, no sooner had I knocked upon the door than he fell upon me, in his hand a letter. ‘Good news!’ he said, ‘Good news! Here’s a letter from the Fāriyāq that reached me in yesterday’s mail, written in verse, down to the smallest detail.’ I snatched it from his hand and here’s what it contained:169 “‘After salutations, be informed that

4.13.6

A procurer’s one who goes With his bride from one land to another Where the long-necked lovelies Swoon to the scent of his money,170 One who, on every beauty shaking with fat, Sharpens the two fangs with which he bites, And stiffens the slackness of his spine, His resuscitator from misery.171 There too are bull camels, Aroused to mount his recalcitrant she-camel And to drink up everything In his trough or his tumbler,

197

197

‫�ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ي� �م��� �م� �م���ي��‬

‫ق�‬ ‫��ا �ل‬

‫د ره‬

‫اف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن ��ب�ز ا‬ ‫� �ر�ج����س�ه‬ ‫�ق�‬ ‫�و�لر ب���م� ��� �وه �ب�لا د ���س� �� ا � ب‬ ‫آ � ح َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح��تى ي���ع�ود �و��م�ا ��ل�ه � ��س �ل��م��ع ض����ل ا ��ل���س�ه‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫���من� ّ �ذ �ف َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن� ا �ل��لب�ي�� ب� �م�ن ا ��س��ت����ش� ا �ر �‬ ‫�ج� ا ��ى ��لب�����س�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�ّ��م�ا ����ش�ا ن� ا ��لز � او � �و�‬ ‫ح��م�ل �ف�ا د � �َو��ق���س�ه‬ ‫لا � ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�م�ن ����ش�ا ��ق�ه ت��م� �و�ي��ه� ه �و��م� ا �ق� ��ل���ذ �ة َر�غ� ���س�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �قَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ح��ل���س�ه‬ ‫���ف�� �ل�يب����ع��ل�ن ��ى ����س��ة ك��ى ي���س����ب�د ب�‬ ‫ئّ �‬ ‫غ ّ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� �ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح���س�ه‬ ‫حي� ث� ا �ل��س���اح� �م���‬ ‫�ص��ص �م ي������شر�� ب‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫��ض ّ �م�ن �م��ت�� ت‬ ‫ه���ك ���فى �‬ ‫�ج ن����س�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ا �ل����غر��ي ب� ا �‬ ‫�� ر‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا ��ل ا �ل�عز� �و ���ب��ة �و�ه�و ��م�ا ��ل��ك �ر ���س�ه‬ ‫ا �ْولا ��ف���ف �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�و ن� ��ل��د �ر�ه��م�ه �و�‬ ‫�ح� � � ���س�ه‬ ‫��ح ر �م�ت�ه �و� ار �‬ ‫����ب�ل �م�ن ����ت�ز �و� �ي ��و��م� ه �خ����ير ��ل�ه �م�ن ا �م���س�ه‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ا ��ل ا �ل��ت�ع�ز ب� �م�و�‬ ‫ا ك�‬ ‫ح����ش�ا �م�ن ا ����س�ه‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ى �‬ ‫�ة �ف َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫ح��د���س�ه‬ ‫�ك�ن ب������شر ��ط ��ن ف� ��و�ر ه �ع�ن �ر ��ي��ب� ��ى �‬ ‫�قَ‬ ‫� َ�‬ ‫فا � ض َ‬ ‫��ض� �ل� ا �ت���ت����شا ���غ��ل�ن �ع�ن ���ّ�س�ه‬ ‫��� ����ث� ا �لب���‬ ‫�� �ل��ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ضر �خ���ت�ا � �م� ا ��ق�د ����ط�ا ب� �ن�ا �ف�� �َر � ّ��س�ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫��م�ا ا � �ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ك���ن�م�ا ي�ج�� ا ��ل��‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫��ح ّر �ز �م�ن ب� �� او �ع ث� �‬ ‫ح���س�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬

‫ا �� ا �� ف���ل ا �ت�� �صف� � ا‬ ‫ل�ه� ر س �م�‬ ‫ح ت� ا �ل� ب��ي��ا ت�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�م�ا ا �ف��ص��ل�ه ��ل�ا � �م ا ��ل ن����س�� �ن�ا ظ ������م�ا‬ ‫ور‬

‫�‬ ‫�ز��ن ت ا ف‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ن ا �ل�ا �ش���ا را ت� * ق���ل ت� لله‬ ‫* �و ك��� �م� �ي�‬ ‫�س��ف ت��ا �ئ�ه ف��ه�ن �غ��ائ����ا‬ ‫حو ج�‬ ‫� ن��ا ا ��ل�ى ا � ت �‬ ‫� �ون�ا �ث ار * �و�م�ا ا ��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬

‫‪198‬‬

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‫‪٧،١٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٨،١٣،٤‬‬

‫‪٩،١٣،٤‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

And sometimes they nickname him “pander,” The ugliest of his evil vocations. In the end he returns, no Physician left to him to treat his incurable treachery. The wise man is he who consults

4.13.7

One well tried in adversities when bewildered, Especially in the matter of marriage And how to bear its crushing atrocity. He who is attracted by its deceptive coloration And the pleasant taste of its comforts Let him marry in a small village That he may deal as he wishes with the contract For depravity chokes Any who cranes his neck to lick it. The stranger172 is more harmful than

4.13.8

One indifferent to his reputation among his own folk— Or perhaps it is not so, for in the state of bachelorhood, While he is his own master, Lies protection for his money, his privacy, and his peace of mind. Again though, the present of him who marries Augurs better for him than his past Since, in his state of bachelorhood, He missed having someone to keep him company. He must, though, avoid The harboring of doubts. Marriage, then, and more marriage! Be not Distracted from practicing it again and again So long as the advantages of starting over at it Do not damage the ending of what was good.173 One must, however, be alert To whatever may turn it into catastrophe.’” Said al-Hāwif, “Once these lines I’d scrutinized and, with a fair degree of certainty, the truths at which they hinted had surmised, I said, ‘What a paragon! How much insight into women’s affairs he shows, in verse as much as in prose! And how greatly we need from him, concerning these creatures, a fatwah, be it delivered in person or in absentia! Except,

199

199

4.13.9

‫�ف ق ا �ة �م ش �ة‬ ‫�ي� �م��� �م� �م���ي��‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ه �ل�� � ن �ع�ن � ا �� ه ا � ا ف�� ا � �م�ن � ش‬ ‫م��� �‬ ‫�� ار * � ك‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ا ض�‬ ‫��ك�ل‬ ‫ل���� م �ي �ب����س ح� ل� �ل� يم� ه�و‬ ‫فن‬ ‫ث ن‬ ‫�ا ف‬ ‫�صر��ف ت� �مث�ن��ي��ا �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫ا �مرد � �ون�ه ��ا ��م�ا �ص� او �ن�ه ا �ل� �ع���ا � * �� ا ���‬ ‫�ج م‬ ‫ا ش �ة‬ ‫(�‬ ‫ح� ����ي �‬ ‫� ض �� �ة‬ ‫م�‬ ‫���ط �ر�‬ ‫ب‬

‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ا �ل�ز � او � * �ف ك�‬ ‫�� ��ه را �ى �ك��ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�ق �ز تش ��ق �‬ ‫ه‬ ‫���و�ى ا �لي�� *‬ ‫* �و �د ا د � �‬

‫�صغ���ا ا ��له�ا �� �م� ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� ف���ل���ذ ��ل��ك �ل�� ���ع� �ع��ل��ه ���ع�� ا ����ا �ت�ه ف��ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ب �ض ب ي‬ ‫م ي ب‬ ‫ري‬ ‫� س ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫قا‬ ‫�ن ش ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل�عب�� ر� * �و�لي����س �م ���� ��ى ا �ل��د �لي����س �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل�� ر�ى �����د �ص� ر‬ ‫�ة � �ة �ن � �ذ � ت‬ ‫ف ت ّ � �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�����ن�ن �ا ��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� * ���لي����بن��ه �ل�� �ل��ك)‬ ‫ح�� ��ط� �و��ل� �م ا �و�ل �ه� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫��ص ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬

‫‪200‬‬

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A Maqāmah to Make You Walk

though, where he speaks of marriage, of his own state he nothing vouches, as though he thought all else of lesser purport and best consigned to that place where, after passing through the stomach, the food debouches.’ Then I departed singing his praise, all the more desirous of seeing his face.”

(Note: because he was fond of the Fāriyāq, al-Hāwif didn’t take him to task over some of these lines of his, which are awkwardly expressed. It is not my way, however, to pull the wool over the eyes of the reader, with whom I share an old friendship going back to the beginning of this work. Let him, therefore, take note of that fact.)

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201

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل ا ��� �ع ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل ربع ر‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫�ڡ � �ث�� ء �و ��ل�د�‬ ‫ي ر‬ ‫�غُ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫���ث �ت�ه� � �ر ق� ت‬ ‫���ل � او ��ل��د ا ن� ي�‬ ‫ط�� �ك�‬ ‫ق��د �ر��س ��ى ��‬ ‫ح�ه�م �و�عي �� �وب��هم�‬ ‫له�م �ع��ل�ى ك�� ر � م بو‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح ب� �و�ل��ده ك��� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� �ن ف ق �ف ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا � ا ��ل�ا ا �� ها‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س ا �ل�� ��س * � او � يح��س�د �ك�ل �م ��ي� ��و��ه �ى م‬ ‫�ير ��ه ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �م�د � او �ل ك�‬ ‫� او ن� ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ت ش ا�خ� �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫عف� �ع�ن ا ��ل�ت ت‬ ‫ح��س��ه ا ن� �ير�ى ا ب����هن‬ ‫م�� ���ل���ذ ا ت� ا ��ل��د ��ن ��ا ��‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫� او ب�� ن��ه * �و م��ى ���� ا �لر ج���ل �و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫عب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫� ا � �ذ ة �‬ ‫ف ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫�م�ت ت‬ ‫ح��د � ����ن�ه�م�ا‬ ‫م��ع�ا �ب��ه�ا * �و �ل� �ل�� � �ل��ل�م��ت�ز �‬ ‫� ا �ع ���‬ ‫� �م�ن ا � �ي�ب��ي�� �م� ا �م ار ��ه �ع��ل�ى � ار ��� � او � بوي �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ّ ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫��ا ن � ا �ش‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � �ل��لب��ه‬ ‫�و��ل��د ��ل�ه �صغ���ي�ر �ل�ا �ي ��ورق��ه ب��ب� ك�‬ ‫�ص ار ��ه �و �ل� ��ي ب��ل�ه ب��ب��لب��ل�ه * �مك� ا ��ه �ل� ��ى ا �و ج�‬ ‫��ا �ئ�ه �و�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ش � � � ا ن ��ل�� � ا ن �غ ن‬ ‫�م�ن ا ن� ا ه �م �� ض� ا �غ ق ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ��ي�ر �� د ر �ع��ل�ى ا �ل������كوى ب��ل��س� ��ه ي عل��م �م� �ي���ب���ى ا � �ي��د ا �وى �ب�ه * ب���ل‬ ‫�ير ري‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن �غ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا ن ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا � ا ��� �آ ا ��ن ��ف‬ ‫ح�ا � � �� �م�د ا � ا � ا �ل� ��ط�ف��ا �ل � ���ل�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫*‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫� م رو ى و‬ ‫وى‬ ‫و ي ي ب و ر �ض‬ ‫�ل� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�� ّ � خ‬ ‫م�ز � �ة �ذ �‬ ‫ن نّ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ن ّ�ن � ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن�غ ن‬ ‫ط�� ا‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫���ص� او ب�� ا �و�ل� �ل��ك �ع�ه�د ا ��ط� �وي�ل� * � او � ��ي ��وَه ب��م�ن � ب�� �م �‬ ‫ا � ي���ع�ي� �ل�ع�ل� �ج� �ه�م ا � ب‬ ‫�� �� ا � ت �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف�ي��ه ��ى �ك��ل ك��ل� � م�‬ ‫ط�و * �و�ج� ب� �ع��ل� ا �ل� او �ل��د ا �و�ل �م�ا �ير�ى �و�ل��ده ق��د �مر��ض�‬ ‫�س� ��طر �و�م ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق �ذ � �ف ت‬ ‫� ا � ��‬ ‫�ا ��ل خ� �� ��‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�ي�� ب� �ب�ه ا �‬ ‫�ب�� را‬ ‫عه�ده �و�ي ار ع�ى ا ��‬ ‫ا � ��ي �� �‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه �و�م� ي��ط ار �ع�لي��ه � �و�ي� ي��د �ل�ك �ى ك��� ب� ي�ب��ر ا ل� ب‬ ‫��ث� � �ن � � �آ � ��ذ � � ا �ز �ف � ه ا � ا �� �آ ا � ا ن ا � ا ��مت�� ن‬ ‫ن ا ف ا �غ ن �ذ � � �ن‬ ‫ح�� �� �ل�‬ ‫ح�ا �‬ ‫ط�� ي‬ ‫�مب�ي���� * � بر��م� ا ���ى �ل�ك �ع ك���ي ر م ا �ل�د �و ا �ل� ى ي ج�� � ب� �ل� � ب‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ن ا �ة �� � � �ي�ن ��ف � �‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل ا �ل��م ���� * �و�م�ن ا ��هّ �م�ا ���ست��ن‬ ‫حق� �و�ل��د �ه�م�ا ا �مرا �ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه��ض� ع�� �ي� ا ل� او �ل�د‬ ‫�ط�ع�ا � *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ري �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن � ش ��ا ن ��ث‬ ‫� ا ن �� � ف � ا ن �‬ ‫ح��ّد ا ��ل ش����� ا �����ذ � � �ق �ف‬ ‫�ل� � ا ل��ط����ل �لم� ك�‬ ‫���ا � �ل�ا �ي��د ر�ى �‬ ‫�س��ا ب�‬ ‫بع ل ى �ي‬ ‫�� �ع��ده ا �ل ار ����د ك�� � ا ك���ر ا � ب‬ ‫ح ن ّ � ا ��ل ش ف‬ ‫���� �ق �ة ن ت � � ا � � ا�� ا ش ت‬ ‫���ل * ف���ل���� �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫���ه �م�ن ا ��ل�ا �ك�‬ ‫ه��ه *‬ ‫�مر ض�‬ ‫� ��و و‬ ‫��� ا � �� ���ط�ع�م ا �ل� �م �و�ل�د�ه� �ك��ل �م� ي������ ي‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن� ا � ا � ن َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ن ��ق ش �ة � ا � ا ت ا �م�ز ق �ة‬ ‫لّه�ى �ع ن��ه �ب�ا �ش���ي �� �م�ن ا �ل��ل�ع ب� � او �ل� �صور م� ���� � او �ل� �ل� � �ل� �و��‬ ‫� او �م� ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا � ��ي�� �‬ ‫*‬

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‫‪202‬‬

‫‪١،١٤،٤‬‬

‫‪٢،١٤،٤‬‬

Chapter Fourteen

Elegy for a Son

It is ingrained in the nature of every father to love all his offspring, no

4.14.1

matter how many, ugly, or vicious they may be, to think each of them the best of persons, and to envy anyone, other than his own father or son, who is superior to him in praiseworthy qualities and virtues; and when a man grows old and too weak to enjoy the pleasures of this world, it is enough for him to watch his son enjoy them. Likewise, there is no greater pleasure for a married man than to spend the night with his wife on a single bed with, between them, a small child of his who neither keeps him awake with his weeping and crying nor wets him with his little willy. By the same token, nothing pains his heart more than to see that same child sick but unable to give tongue to a complaint so that he may know how to treat him. The physicians themselves are at a loss when it comes to treating small children and rarely find the right cure. It would be better if specialized doctors were to be appointed who could devote themselves to their treatment long-term and that those who excel at it be extolled wherever words are written or printed. It is the father’s duty, as soon as he sees that his child has fallen sick, to pay him close attention, observe his condition and any new developments, and write everything down in a book so that he may be able to give the doctor a clear account of it. Doing so may avoid the need for many a medicine that the doctors will sometimes try out as a way of probing the patient’s condition. Food is one of the most important matters that should engage the parents’ concern where their offspring are concerned, for, given the child’s lack of awareness of the limits to intake, at which the mature person stops, the most frequent cause of his falling ill is food. It is not a form of tenderness or solicitude for the mother to feed her child whatever he wants; it is better to

203

203

4.14.2

‫ف آ �‬ ‫��ي� ر�ث�� ء �و�ل��د‬

‫� �� �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫حّ�م ا ��خل‬ ‫ن�ت‬ ‫ش ا �ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ل��ك * �و�م�ا ا �‬ ‫���ل �و�ج�� �ه ا �و‬ ‫ح��ل�ى ا �ل�و�ل�د �ي� ��ط��ل ب� ����ي � �م ا ب��ي��ه �و��د � ر ج‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�غ�� ا ��ل �� ���ط �ف�ه * � �م�ا ا � ّ‬ ‫ط��ف ت���ي�ن‬ ‫ح��ه �و�ه�و �م ���ط�و�ق� �ع ن��ق� � او ��ل��ده ا �و � او ��ل��د �ت�ه ب��ي��د �ي�ه ا �ل��ل�� ي �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ض� �و ج �ل ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � �ن‬ ‫���ا ا ن � ا ش ت‬ ‫�ذ ش � ���‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ه��ه *‬ ‫� �و�ي� ��و�ل ا ��ى ا ر�ي��د �ه� ا ا �ل����ى �ل� ك���ل�ه * �و�م�ن ��س�وء ا �لت��د �ب�ي�ر ا �ي�� � ي‬ ‫حر�م �م� ي������ ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫ا�ا ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ر ف���ه * � �ول�ع�م �ى ا ن� �م�ن ا �غ� �ف��� ر ض��� ا ب�� ن��ه �‬ ‫ح�تى ا ب� ك�‬ ‫� �و ب� ك��‬ ‫��ا ه � او ج�ر�ى‬ ‫�ى �ل� ج���ل �م� �ل� � ر ي‬ ‫ل ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫� غ ت ا ��ا ن � �ز � �ن �‬ ‫ن �غ ن ّ �� ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ��ف ��ف‬ ‫د �م�و�ع�ه �ل���ي�ر �� د��ي ب� ك�� � ب�م�ع �ل �ع ا �ل� ب� ��و� * � �وي���ب���ى ا � �ي��د ر ب� ا ل�ط����ل �ع��ل�ى ا ي �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل����ط�ع�ا � ���ع�د � ��ل�ا د �ت�ه ���س�ت��ة ا �ش��ه �م� � ��ق���آء