Leg over Leg: Volume Two 9780814738467

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 Two

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. Our books 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 will include texts from the pre-Islamic era to the cusp of the modern period, and will encompass 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 will produce 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

‫��� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك��ت� 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�‬ ‫� � � � ث ا ��ن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ج�ل�د �� �ي�‬

Leg over Leg or

The Turtle in the Tree concerning

The Fāriyāq What Manner of Creature Might He Be by

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

New York University Press New York and London

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London Copyright © 2013 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 978-0-8147-2937-3 (cl : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-0-8147-4524-3 (e-book) -- ISBN 978-0-8147-4541-0 (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

Leg Over Leg, Volume Two

1

Contents of the Book

4

Chapter 1: Rolling a Boulder

8

Chapter 2: A Salutation and a Conversation

38

Chapter 3: The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

62

Chapter 4: A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

84

Chapter 5: A Description of Cairo

104

Chapter 6: Nothing

114

Chapter 7: A Description of Cairo

116

Chapter 8: Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

122

Chapter 9: That to Which I Have Alluded

134

Chapter 10: A Doctor

142

Chapter 11: The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

150

Chapter 12: Poems for Princes

160

Chapter 13: A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

174

Chapter 14: An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding 186

Maqāmah and Their Meanings Chapter 15: Right There!



292

Chapter 16: Right Here!

294

Chapter 17: Elegy for a Donkey

370

Chapter 18: Various Forms of Sickness

382

Chapter 19: The Circle of the Universe and the Center of This Book

390

Chapter 20: Miracles and Supernatural Acts

400

Notes

409

Glossary

433

Index

436

About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

444

About the Typefaces

445

About the Editor-Translator

446

vii

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‫�� ا �ق‬ ‫ا ل��س� �‬

‫�ع��ل�ى‬

‫�� ا �ق‬ ‫ا ل��س� �‬

‫ال�م �ّ � � ث ا ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ل�د ا �ل�� �ي�‬

‫‪Leg Over Leg‬‬ ‫‪Volume Two‬‬

‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك��� ب‬ ‫‬

‫�� ا �ق‬ ‫ا ل��س� �‬

‫�ع��ل�ى‬

‫� ا �ق ��ف‬ ‫ا �ل��س� � �ى‬ ‫ا �و‬

‫� ا � ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫م� ه�و ل�� ري� �‬

‫��ف �ع �‬ ‫ا ��ا � � �ش‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ع ب� ‏� او ��ل�ا ج�ع‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫يم و و‬ ‫م ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫وم‬ ‫ت ا ��ل �ف ا ��ل� ا �� ف� �ق �‬ ‫� �ز ق‬ ‫�� ي�� عب��د ل‬ ‫���ي�ر ا �ل�ى ر�ب�ه ا �لر ا ��‬ ‫ف �ش ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫‏ ��ا ر��س ب��ن �ي ��و�� �س� ا �ل����د �ي�ا ��‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪2‬‬



Leg over Leg or

The Turtle in the Tree concerning

The Fāriyāq What Manner of Creature Might He Be otherwise entitled

Days, Months, and Years spent in

Critical Examination of

The Arabs and

Their Non-Arab Peers by The Humble Dependent on His Lord the Provider

Fāris ibn Yūsuf al-Shidyāq

3

3

‫ت �ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر��س� ا � ك�� 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 ‫�خع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل 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�ل ا �لت��ا ��س�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫� شع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �ل�ع� ���ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫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 ‫��ا �م�� � ش‬ ‫ا � ف�ل���ص� ا ��خل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل��س�ا د �� � ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل��س�ا ��� � ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بع ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��لث��ا �م�ن � ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��لت��ا ��س� � ش‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ع���‬ ‫ل ع ر‬ ‫ا �� ف�ل���ص� ا ��ل� ش‬ ‫ع���ر�و�ن ‬ ‫ل‬

‫�ت‬ ‫�ا � ث ا �ن‬ ‫ا � ك��‬ ‫ل�� ب� ا �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ى د �‬ ‫حر ج�� ج���ل�م�ود *‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ى ��س�ل�ا �م �وك���ل�ا �م *‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف ��ن �ق �ا � ف ا ا �ق � �ن ا � �ة‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫��س��ن��د ر�� *‬ ‫�ى ا ��لع ل�� ر�ي� � م ا �ل� ك ي‬ ‫��ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص� *‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ى ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�صر *‬ ‫��ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ا ش‬ ‫�ى *‬ ‫��ى �ل� ���‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�صر *‬ ‫��ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف ش ا ن �ن ت‬ ‫�صر *‬ ‫هى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ى ا ����ع� ر ا ��ه ا � �‬ ‫ف ش ت �‬ ‫�ي�م�ا ا ���ر� ا �لي��ه *‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ط�ي�� ب� *‬ ‫��ى �� ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ف � �ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا �م�ا �و�ع�د��ا �ب�ه *‬ ‫�ى ا ج‬ ‫��ف ا ت َ ّ�ة‬ ‫�ى ا ب��ي�� � ��س �ر� *‬ ‫�ف ق �ة قي ة‬ ‫��ى �م���ا �م� �م���ع�د� *‬ ‫���ف ��ت�ف���س�� �م�ا �غ��م�� �م�ن ا �� �لف��ا ظ ���� �ه��ذه ا �ل�م�ق��ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ��ن �ه�ا‬ ‫ى ير‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�ف �ذ � �‬ ‫��� *‬ ‫��ى �ل��ك ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫�ف �ذ � � ضع‬ ‫��� ب���ع�ي�ن �ه *‬ ‫�� �ل��ك ا�لم� �‬ ‫�فى ثآ و ع‬ ‫��ى ر��� ء �‬ ‫ح�م�ا ر *‬ ‫��ف � ن ��مخ ت � ف �ة �ن �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ى ا �ل� او � ���ل��� �م ا�ل�م ��ض‬ ‫�ف ئ ة �ذ �� ن ر��ك�ز �ذ � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�� ب� *‬ ‫��ى د ا �ر� �ه� ا ا �ل��ك�و� �و�مر� �ه� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫���ف �م�ع ت �� ت‬ ‫�ج�ز ا � �وك�را �م�ا � *‬ ‫ى‬

‫☜‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪6‬‬ ‫‪8‬‬ ‫‪38‬‬ ‫‪62‬‬ ‫‪84‬‬ ‫‪104‬‬ ‫‪114‬‬ ‫‪116‬‬ ‫‪122‬‬ ‫‪134‬‬ ‫‪142‬‬ ‫‪150‬‬ ‫‪160‬‬ ‫‪174‬‬ ‫*‬

‫‪186‬‬ ‫‪292‬‬ ‫‪294‬‬ ‫‪370‬‬ ‫‪382‬‬ ‫‪390‬‬ ‫‪400‬‬

Contents of the Book

Book Two

6

Chapter 1: Rolling a Boulder

8

Chapter 2: A Salutation and a Conversation

38

Chapter 3: The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

62

Chapter 4: A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

84

Chapter 5: A Description of Cairo

104

Chapter 6: Nothing

114

Chapter 7: A Description of Cairo

116

Chapter 8: Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

122

Chapter 9: That to Which I Have Alluded

134

Chapter 10: A Doctor

142

Chapter 11: The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

150

Chapter 12: Poems for Princes

160

Chapter 13: A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

174

Chapter 14: An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings Chapter 15: Right There!

186



292

Chapter 16: Right Here!‎

294

Chapter 17: Elegy for a Donkey

370

Chapter 18: Various Forms of Sickness

382

Chapter 19: The Circle of the Universe and the Center of This Book

390

Chapter 20: Miracles and Supernatural Acts

400

5

5

‫�� � ا � ث ا ��ن‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ل���ت� ب� ا �ل�� �ى‬

Book Two

‫��‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�لا �ل� �و�ل‬ ‫ح ���ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫�جل��م�ود‬ ‫� د �ر ج‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ه * � �م�ا ك���‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح ت� ��ا ��ف� �خ�� �م�ن �‬ ‫�ق�د ا �� �لق�� ت� �عن�� � او ���حل‬ ‫�م��د لله ا � ك��‬ ‫د�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�� ب� ا �ل� �و�ل � او ر� ي و ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫ح��ي�ن خ�‬ ‫�س�م�ا �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�� ت�‬ ‫�ض�‬ ‫�ص�د �� ا � ا ��ص�ل ا �ل�ى ا �لث�� ��ى �� ��ى � �ل�ي�� �م ن��ه ا �ل��د � او ر * �و �ل� � ي‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ا ��ل�� �م ش ّ ا � � ف ا ا �ق ��ت ف� ض ّ‬ ‫�ك�ن � �ف� ض ا ّ ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ق �ف ��‬ ‫��� �ع� �ل�ل��� ر�ي� � ��‬ ‫���ل�ا �و�ت ك‬ ‫��ر�م�ا * ا �ل�م �ي�� م ر�و�‬ ‫ى ا � ا را �����ه ��ى �ك��ل‬ ‫بحر �ي‬ ‫��� �ع��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح�ص�ا �ة �م�ن‬ ‫�ن��د ر���ة � او ��لت��ق��ا �م�ه ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي�نٌ ب���ع�د �و�ص�و��ل�ه ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ا � ك�‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫م��ا � * �و�ق�د �مض���ى �ع��ل� َّ �‬ ‫�س� ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ا � � ا ن �ق � �ت ّ‬ ‫�ن ف ُ‬ ‫�ّ ن � ف‬ ‫�م���طق * � ��ث�غ� د � ا ��ت �م ���ط�ق * � ت‬ ‫ح�ى �ع�ا د ا �ل�ى � ش����ا ��ط�ى ��ا ��س�ت�ا � �� ت�‬ ‫ا �ل� ر �ض� �و�ل��س� � �ل��مى �ي �� و ر و �ى ب ��‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ � ت‬ ‫� ث ا �ن ش �ث�ق �‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك� ن �ع ن��د ا ��ل ن��ا �� ا ك���‬ ‫ل��ا‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا �ن ش����� � ا �� ت� ا ن� ا ب��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س ر‬ ‫ور ي‬ ‫ى ى يل و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ك��ا ا �� ا ��ت��د ا ت� ا � ك��ا‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫ا �ع�بت�� را * � او ��ط�و�ل ا ك�� را * �و �م ى ب‬ ‫ل�� ب� ا �ل� �و�ل ب�م� �ي��د �ل �ع��ل�ى ا�لم� م�ى ب ����ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ن � ا ت ن ن ّ‬ ‫ح��سن�� ت� ا ��ل�ا ن� ا ن� � خ����ذ ���ف �ش��� �م�ن‬ ‫��� ت� �ل�م�ا �ت� ن����َ �م�ا �م َّ ���ك * ا ���ست��‬ ‫�م ا �ل�ع��ل� �و� � ا � ك�‬ ‫ى ى‬ ‫س رب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ذ � ن ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ن �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ا �ل� � �ة ا �ل� ��ف ة ا �ق ��ل ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ف���لي��ا ت� �ل� ج���ل ا�لم��ط�ا �ب ��ق�� * �ه� ا �و�لم�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا � ا ج�ر�م ا ج �‬ ‫م� ع� م ي��د� ر � �ى �‬ ‫�و هر ن�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ر�ى ا ��ل�ى ا ��س�ف���ل �‬ ‫حر�� �م ن��ه �ه ن��ا ج���ل�م�ود ا �م�ن ا �ع��ل� ��ق ن���ة ا �ف ك�‬ ‫ا د�‬ ‫حض�‬ ‫��ي���ض� ا�لم��س�ا �م� * ��ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق�ف ت ��ت ن ظ� ��� ا ��ل �ت ّ � ه �م�ن ن ا ن ��تت�� �� �� ه ت� ا �� �ت ��ق �ف ه � ّ � � ��ا ت�� ّ ا ��ل � ا ة‬ ‫د �و� � عر �ض ل� �وح� �ول ��و ي��� مر ب�ك �مك� �مر ��سع� د�‬ ‫�و��� �ر �ى ��ص�وب�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ن �ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن �غ ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ت ت‬ ‫ح����س�ه �ع�ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى * ا �ى �م ��ي�ر ا � �ي��صي��ب��ك �م��ه ���ى * � او �ل� ا �ى ا � ا ��س����س�ه��ل� �ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف ن ظ� �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫آ �ذ � ف‬ ‫��من�� � �‬ ‫�ّ �ع��ل���ك � د �ف��ع��ك � ت‬ ‫ح��ه * � او �ل�عي��ا �ب�ا لله ��مم�ا �ور� �ه� ا ا �ل��د ��� * ��ا �� ���را �لي��ه �ه�ا �هو�‬ ‫ح�د ره ك�ر ي و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح���ذ * �ق��ف� ���ع��د ا � ا ��س�م� �م�ن د � �ّ�ه �م�ا‬ ‫ح���ذ ر ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ك ��ل��ل��س�ق ��و ���ط * �ه�ا �ه�و�مت��ص�و ب� * �ف�ا ��ل‬ ‫��مت��‬ ‫�‬ ‫بي و‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫وي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ن ا ��ل ا خ‬ ‫�ت���ل�ف� �ف��ه�ا ا ئ��ْت���ل�ف� �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�ق ��و�ل * ا ن� �م�ن � ظ� ���ر ب���ع��ي�ن ا�لم�ع�ق ��و�ل ا ��ل�ى �ه��ذه ا �ل�د �ي�� � او �ى �م� ا‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫‪8‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪١٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٫١٫٢‬‬

Chapter 1

Rolling a Boulder

I have cast from me, thank God, Book One, and relieved my pate of its

2.1.1

burden. I scarcely believed I’d ever get to the second book, the first made me feel so dizzy, especially when I set out upon the waves to pay the Fāriyāq a respectful and honorable farewell. Anyway, I’m under no obligation to follow him wherever he goes, and for a while, after he reached Alexandria and swallowed the pebbles off its ground, my pen just sat there smacking its lips, my inkwell closed. Then my energy returned and I started writing again, thinking it best that I commence Book Two with something weighty, so that it should be given greater consideration and remain for longer a matter of cogitation, and, just as I commenced Book One with something to demonstrate my thorough knowledge of certain high matters—and I’m assuming you haven’t already forgotten what you read earlier—I thought it would be a good idea now to start with certain low matters, to keep things symmetrical. In addition, given that plain rock must be counted among the precious stones that are both hard to obtain and beneficial, it occurred to me that I should roll a boulder of that material down from the topmost peak of my thoughts to the lowest bottoms of men’s ears. Now, then, if you stand and watch its progress without getting in its way or trying to stop it, it will pass you by just as happiness has me, which is to say, without touching you. Otherwise (if you think it a simple matter to bar its descent), it will pass over you and thrust you under it, and God protect us from the consequences of such a thrust! Observe: here it is, shifting in preparation for its fall, and now it’s on its way. Beware then, and beware! Stand at a distance and hear the message in its thunder: “Who looks on this world with the eye of reason—on the diversity and convergence of its

9

9

2.1.2

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫�‬ ‫�ا غ‬ ‫� ا� � � ا �‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ط ا ر* � او ج��ل‬ ‫�وا �هر � او �ل� �ع ار ��ض� * � او �ل� �و ��ط�ا ر � او �ل� �� ار ��ض� * � او �ل�ع�ا د ا ت�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل� �‬ ‫حوا �ل � او �ل� �� �و‬ ‫�� �ش� � ّ � ن ا ف ق ��ن‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� نا‬ ‫�َه�ه‬ ‫�ه� ��ي� ��و�� ك� �‬ ‫�ص� * �و ج��د ا � �ك��ل ��ى ي��مر �ع�لي��ه �م �‬ ‫� او�لم� ا �ه ب� * � او�ل�م ار �� ب� � او �لم�� � ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُ�� ف‬ ‫�ك�ن ق��د ا �� �فل� ت� ا �ش�� �� ء �ل�� ��ت غ���ا د ا ��ل�ا �� �لف���ة �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫حوا �ّ�س�ن �ا � او ن� �ت��‬ ‫ا د را ك���ه � �و�ي� ��و ت� �ت�ا �م��ل�ه * � او � ��‬ ‫�ي م ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� � ا ش �آ � ا �تن ف � ��ف �ن ف‬ ‫�ّ� �من‬ ‫� ا ع�ن‬ ‫ح� ّل�ا �ل��لت�ج��ع‬ ‫�� �ن��ه�ا �مج�ع‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ه�ا * ا �ل�ا ا ن� ��ت�� ك��‬ ‫�ب��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� ا �ل� ����ي � ء �ل� � ����ك �ى � ����س ا �ل� �مر � �ك�و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ن ا �قّ � ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ّ� �ة * � �م�ن ��ت��ّ �ف �ن ا‬ ‫�صر را �ى ��ن �ف���س�ه ك��م�ن ق��د ا �ه��م�ل ا د �‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�ب��‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫�مي ر و ب‬ ‫�صر ��ى ا د ��ى �م� �ي��ك�و� �م �‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ا �ن ظ� ��� �مث �ا ا ��ل ا خ‬ ‫�ت ّ�ن‬ ‫� �ف���ه �م�ن‬ ‫� ر�و ب� ا �ل�بن��ا ت� ��ى ا �ل�ا ر��ض� �ف ك��‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �� �ض‬ ‫�ر��ض� ��ع�ي� �ع��لي��ه * �ر ��ل �ى‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا �ز ا � �ة � ص�ن �ة ا ��ل�ع �ة � ْ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫���ن ��ة * �م�ن د �و ن� ا ن� ��ن�عل��� ��ل�ه�ا �من ف����ع��ة خ�‬ ‫ا �ل� �ه� ر ا �لب��د �ي��ع� ا �ل� �ع� �ج��بي�� ا � ِك‬ ‫�� �صو�ص�ي � *‬ ‫ل��ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��ل ا خ‬ ‫� ن �ن ا ا ت‬ ‫ح ش��� ا ت� � �غ��� �ه�ا * ف��ا ن� �من�ه�ا‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �ف� ا �ن�� ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي � او � �م د �ب� �ب� � �و�ه� او �م �و� ر و ي ر‬ ‫�و �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق���ُ‬ ‫��ل �ة �‬ ‫ّ �ة‬ ‫� � ا فائ ة ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا �ل ش��� �‬ ‫�م�ا �ه�و �‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ا �ه�و ب ي�‬ ‫ح�ه � او �‬ ‫ح�ا ج�� ا �لي��ه �م�ا ��س� *‬ ‫��ك�ل �و �ل� �� ���د� �م��ه �و�م �‬ ‫ن ظ � �ف �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ ٌ ض‬ ‫ئ ا ����‬ ‫�ّ �م�ت� ّق��د �مت��ل�ا ��ل� ئ‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� او �� ���ر ��ى ا �ل��س�م�ا ء ا �ل�ى �ه��ذه ا �لج���‬ ‫�و�م د را ِر���ه� �ك�وك� ب� ِد ر�ى ء � �وي�� �م و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��خ نَّ �� �� �� ا � َّ ا ة ا ��لن� �خ‬ ‫� �ة ��‬ ‫� ُخ� ن��ّ��سه� ا‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫ال‬ ‫����� ا �ل��ك� او ك�� ك���‬ ‫له� ا �و ا �ل��س�ي � ر� ا �و ج�‬ ‫�و� ا �ل�م��س� ا‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ا ق�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ا �ن ا ت ت ا ن�ز � ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��َ��ا � ّ��ا �ت�ه� ا‬ ‫� ا �ل ��ى �ل� �ت�� �ل ا �ل���م��س �ب��ه� �و �ل� ا � �ل��مر *‬ ‫ا �ل��ك� او ك� ب� ا �لب��ي � �ي��‬ ‫بوي �نِي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا تش ا‬ ‫� �ت�� ا ئ��مه� ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫� �� او �� ا �لج���‬ ‫�و�م � او �ل��ل�و� �لو �م� ����� �ب��ك �م �‬ ‫وو �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ه� ا‬ ‫�م�عر�و�� *‬ ‫� بو�ر �و ج� �‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫� �� ن��ّ�ن�ه� ا‬ ‫�ك� ن� �ج���س�ده ���فى ��س�ت��ة �بر �و��‬ ‫ا ��ل�ت�ن��ي�ن ب����ا ��ض� خ�‬ ‫��ف ���فى ا �ل��س�م�� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫وتِ ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �ن �ف �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�و � ب��ه ��ى ا �لب��ر �� ا �ل��س�ا ب��� ا �ل *‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ�‬ ‫ا ا ��ل � شَ َ‬ ‫� ّ�ت�ه� ا‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ب� ب� ��س�م� ا �و ���ر ج� �‬ ‫�و جمر �‬ ‫ُُ‬ ‫ا ��لن�� � ت‬ ‫��مه� ا‬ ‫�و� ا �ل ��ى �ير�م�ى �ب��ه�ا *‬ ‫�ور�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ � �‬ ‫�ت � ا آ �‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫� ا ْ�ع�ل�ا ���طه� ا‬ ‫ا �ع�ل�ا ��ط ا �ل��ك� ا‬ ‫و ك� ب� ا �ل��د را ر�ى ا �ل ��ى �ل� ا ��س�م�� ء �ل�ه�ا *‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ن ا ث غ ا ا ��ل�ن‬ ‫� ا �ن�ا �ث�ه� ا‬ ‫ا �ل� �� � �ص��� �‬ ‫�و� *‬ ‫ِو �‬ ‫ر ج� م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫�� ن ا ت ��ن� ش ا �ف ق‬ ‫� �خُ� ّ��س�ا �ن�ه� ا‬ ‫ا �لج��‬ ‫���ا ج��ل‬ ‫�و� �ل�ا ��ت�غ� رب� ك�‬ ‫���د �ى � او � �ل� ��ط ب� � بو�� � ع��� �‬ ‫و � �ل ر��د �ي�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪10‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪٣٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

states and conditions, of what’s essential and what incidental, of objects and ambitions, of customs and schools of thought, of ranks and dispositions—will find that the quintessence of all that passes before him is beyond his comprehension and moves too fast for his discernment and that, while our senses may have become familiar with certain things, that very familiarity leaves us no room for wonder. Those same things never cease, all the same, to be amazing and puzzling and any who subjects even the least of them to proper scrutiny will realize that his failure to pay them due attention is equivalent to the omission of the performance of a religious obligation. “Observe, for example, the different types of plants there are on Earth— how many flowers of which we cannot say, brilliantly constructed and amazingly formed though they be, that they serve a specific purpose. And look at the different types of animals—reptiles, vermin, insects, and others: some are beautiful to look at but have no use and some are ugly to look at but are most urgently needed. And look at the heavens, at all their stars— their darāriʾ,

a star that is dirrīʾ or durrīʾ is “a star that burns and flashes”

their khunnas, “the khunnas are all stars, or the planets, or ‘the Five Stars,’”1 etc. their bayāniyyāt,

“those stars that neither the sun nor the moon takes

their tawāʾim

[literally, “twins”] “with reference to either pearls or

down with them at their setting” stars, those that are conjoined” their burūj

[literally, “the Houses” (of the zodiac)] “too well known to require definition”

their Tinnīn,

[literally, “the Dragon,” i.e., Draco]; “the Dragon is an obscure whiteness in the sky whose body lies in six constellations of the zodiac while its tail is in the seventh,” etc.

their Mijarrah,

[“the Milky Way”] “the gateway of the sky or its anus”2

their rujum,

[“shooting stars”] “the stars used for stoning”3

their aʿlāṭ, “the aʿlāṭ stars are the bright ones (al-darāriʾ ) that have no names” their ināth,

[literally, “the females”] “the ināth are small stars”

their khussān,

“the stars that never set, such as Capricorn, the Pole Star, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major, and the Two Calves”4

11

11

2.1.3

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫َ‬ ‫ا ��ل�ف‬ ‫ق � ا ��لن� �ف �‬ ‫� � ن � � �غ‬ ‫� ا �نْ�� ا �ئ�ه� ا‬ ‫�� ��ى ا�لم�غ� رب� �م�‬ ‫ا �ل�ن�وء ا �لج��� �م�ا �ل �ل��ل� ر�و ب� ا �و ��س� ��و ��ط‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع ج�ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � �خ� � �ق ا � � ه � �ن ا �عت ه ��ف ا �ل ش ق‬ ‫م���ر�� *‬ ‫�و�ط�ل�وع ر �ي�� ب�ل� م ��س� �� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ �‬ ‫ا ��ل ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �عن‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �ف� ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ��تى �ير ج�‬ ‫ح�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ور �و��س�ه� *‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ه�و ك����لي���ل * �و �‬ ‫�� ا �لب��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫� ن �ة ش ت‬ ‫� ن �ة �آ�خ� �غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف��ا �ن��ك ��ل�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫���‬ ‫ر ي ر و �ل ج ب ر � �م ى‬ ‫رى‬ ‫ب ر ب‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫م ا �� �� �ة � ق ف �ة‬ ‫ا ش �غ‬ ‫� �آ �ن خ‬ ‫�ت�ا ال� خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ل�ط� � او �ل �‬ ‫م��ا ر�� *‬ ‫�ع� ��و�ل�ه�م را ��س� ي����ب��ه ��ي�ره * ��م�ن �عب�� د ا لله �ه�و �ل� ء �م ا � � ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ض غ � �ة �‬ ‫� ة �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ا ش ة ا �م�ز � �ة‬ ‫� �ا �ة‬ ‫� اولم‬ ‫ح� ���ر� �و�ل� ا‬ ‫���ا �� ��ط� � او�لم�ص�ا د �م� * � او �لمب��ا را � � او�لم�ع�ا �ج��م� * � او�لم�ل �ه��س�‬ ‫ح�م� * � او�لم�‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫ا � ا �ة ا � �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ال�م ا � �ة � غ �ة‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫� او�لم�د ا‬ ‫ح��س� � او�لم�د ا ���م� * � او�ل�م�ز ا �ع�م� � او�لم�د ا �ه�م� * �و�لم��س� �و�م� �‬ ‫و�ل�م�ز ا �ه�م� *‬ ‫ح�م� * �و ج��‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ت ا ف �ف‬ ‫� ن � �ن ق ا � � � ض �ذ �‬ ‫ا خ‬ ‫���ا ��لج�‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و ��ل��ك ك�‬ ‫��ا ر � او �ل ن����س�� * �و م‬ ‫�ه� م �� ب�‬ ‫له� ب��‬ ‫���د �ل��ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل� �� �ي�‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فا خ‬ ‫���ع د ا ��ه ا ��لت�ه�ا ��ف ت‬ ‫���ا ��ل ن����س�ا ك � ا ��ل�ز �ه�ا د * � �من‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��ا ر ا �ل�ع�ز ��ل��ة � او �ل�ا ��ن �ف� ار د ك�‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا � آ � �ش آ‬ ‫� ي�ن � ا ف ت آ‬ ‫�ف ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� س�ت ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ط�� �ع �ون�ه‬ ‫ا�لم�� � او �ل� ���ر� * � او �ل����ل�و � او �ل� ��ط �ر * ك�� �ل����ع �ر � او�لم�� � �ج�ر�ي�ن �لم�دح� ا�لم��ل�وك ي�م� �ي� �� ب‬ ‫ف�آ �ث � �ق ا ��لت� ّ‬ ‫�م�ن �ه��ذه ا �� ق ا �ئ� ا � ا خ‬ ‫���ا ���ة * � �من‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن ق��ا ب���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د � �و �‬ ‫حر�ى *‬ ‫�لو�� � �ل�‬ ‫���ده �� ر ا �ل�‬ ‫له� �ب� ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ت‬ ‫ح�ق�ي �ق � او ��ل��تر �و�ى * � او �� �لق ��و��ل ا � ف�ل���ص� � او �ل�م���ط�ا �ب ��ق���ة �ب��ي�ن ا �ل�م�ا ض��� � او ��ل‬ ‫� او �ل�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر �ا‬ ‫و �ل� ��ى *‬ ‫ح�ا �ض‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف ف �ة ��‬ ‫�ن ��ع � ن ا ��� � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���لت��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫��� ��ه� ا � �ل���ل��س��� � او � ك��‬ ‫�ك�د ب� ك�‬ ‫�ه� ر ك��ل�ه �و �‬ ‫ح�م� � او �ل �ري� �‬ ‫��� * �و�م �‬ ‫�ه�م �م �ي ��م�ل ا �ل �‬ ‫�و �ل�ك ك� ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��� ت ا � ه � ا � ن ��‬ ‫� ا �� ص�ن ا �ئ � ش ّق �ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫طق ب� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د�ة * �و ��ل��ك ك�‬ ‫���ل�م� � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ب� ا ل� � �� ا �ل‬ ‫����ا �� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ه �وك�ل�� ر ج��لي�� �ورب�م� �ل�م ��ي � �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا � �ا ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن� ا ن � �ف‬ ‫� �من‬ ‫حرك �ي��ده �و �ل� ر ج��ل�ه �و �ل� ك�‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن �ل�ا ي�‬ ‫طق� ��ى ب���ع��ض� ا �ي�ا �‬ ‫�� ��ف��ه �و �ل�ا را ��س�ه � او �م� ��ي � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫تّ ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫تف‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�م�ا ت� ث�� � �ق� ض��� ��س�ا ئ� ا ��ل�ا ��ا � �م��س��ت � ا �م � ا‬ ‫�س�و ب� ك�‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �مت��� ّر��ا * �و �ل��ك‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ح� � ع�م� * �م��ر� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �خ آ‬ ‫� ���ط��� � ا �� �ل ّ�ع�ا ظ ���� � ا �ل��م �ش���د �ي�ن ا ��ل� ا ��ل��د �ي�ن * � �من�ه� �م�ن � ��ف ت���ك � � � ��� ش‬ ‫ط�� � � � � � ��ق ���ت‬ ‫�ا �ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ك�� � ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�يو ب � يو ج رح و�ي ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � اُ ة � آ‬ ‫�ت ا ��‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫����ف � � �ا‬ ‫� ن��د * � �من‬ ‫���ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن ��ع�ا ���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� � �وي��د ا �و�ى �وي� ��ى يو ي‬ ‫ح�ى ك�� �ل� ��س� � � او �و�لي�� ء ا لله ��ع� ل�ى ا ��ه�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ج�ز ا ت� * � �من�ه� �م�ن �ُ��س�ت�ا �جَ� ��ل��لت� ���ط��ل �ق * � �من�ه� �ل��لت�� �‬ ‫� ا �م�ا ت� � اولم�ع‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�لي���ل * �و�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل��ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ن � �‬ ‫��ل�ل�ا ��ل�ا د * � �من‬ ‫�ه� ��ل�ل�ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ل��لت���ف ر� ��ق� * �و�م‬ ‫ح�ا د * � �م‬ ‫�ه� �ل��لت��ا �لي ��ف� �ب��ي�ن ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ح�ا د *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن � �ن � ت � �ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة * � �من‬ ‫�ك�و�ى ��ى ب����ت��ه ف��ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫�ه� م �ي ��‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن �ي��ص�ع�د‬ ‫��ا د ي خ�ر�� �م ن��ه ا �ل� �ل �ض‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫رور و � م‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫‪12‬‬

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‫‪٤٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪٥٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

and their anwāʾ “a nawʾ [singular] is a star that inclines toward its setting point or sets in the west at dawn while, at the same time, another rises opposite it in the east” —stars so dazzling that the eye turns from them in exhaustion. “Observe too the differences among people’s countenances and heads,

2.1.4

for you see scarcely one human face that resembles another or find among their heads, meaning their minds, one that is like another. There are mortals who have chosen propinquity and mixing, jostling and crowding, pressing together and colliding, vying with and trying one another, pushing and shoving, battling and butting, competing and blackening each other’s names, bargaining and chaffering, and so on, according to their different persuasions; examples are traders and women. Others provide a contrary model, having chosen isolation and withdrawal; examples are ascetics and hermits. Yet others have made it their business to fall over one another to tell lies and blather, exaggerate and flatter, such as poets and the hirelings who sing the praises of kings in all those gazettes that they print,5 while yet others again confront the latter with the opposite, preferring truth-telling and investigation, enquiry and careful consideration, definitive decisions and the comparison of past, present, and future; examples are the great philosophers, physicians, and scientists. “Some work all day long, toiling with both hands and both feet, quite possibly without uttering a single word; examples are those involved in arduous industries. Others move neither hand nor foot nor shoulder nor head and pronounce only a few words on certain days of the week, the rest of which they spend coddled in comfort, lolling in luxury’s lap; examples are preachers, homilists, and religious guides. Some murder, batter, wound, and kill, such as soldiers, while others treat, medicate, cure, and revive, like nurses and the Friends of God Almighty, men of extraordinary spiritual feats and miracles.6 One man is hired to bring about divorces,7 another as a ‘legitimizer,’8 one for impregnation and another for inhumation, one to put asunder and another to make peace between persons. Some lurk in their houses and hardly ever leave them unless obliged to do so, while others climb mountains and lateen yards, trees, and pulpits or descend into valleys, drains, and cesspits.

13

13

2.1.5

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫� ن � �ن � �� � ا �ة‬ ‫���ا ��ل � ا ��ل�ا د ق��ا ��ل * � ا �ل�م ن��ا � � ا ��ل�ا ��ش�� ا‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫ه��ط ا �ل� �ود �ي�‬ ‫�ب و‬ ‫�� ر* �و م �‬ ‫�ه�م م ي�� ب‬ ‫و بر و ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��� * � �من�ه� �م�ن ���سه ا ��ل��ل��ا ��ل� ���ف �ت�ا ��ل ��ف� ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا � * � �من�ه� �م�ن‬ ‫� او�ل�م ار �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ُ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ن� � �‬ ‫ح�تى ي�‬ ‫�ه� �م ��ي� ��ود ا �و ��ي��� د * �و�م�‬ ‫�ه� �م ي��� �سود �و�م ي���س� د * �و�م‬ ‫حر��ه * �و�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وم‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ت�ن�ا ���ف � ا ��ل�ت��ا �ي�ن ��م�� ��ل �م��س�ا �ع�ه� � ���ا ت ا‬ ‫له�ا ا �ل�ى ����ى � او �‬ ‫ح��د * �و�ه�و ا د ��ا �ل‬ ‫ي� م و‬ ‫حرك�� ���ه� ك�� �‬ ‫ىو ب‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا �ز‬ ‫ا � ا �ن ا ن خ‬ ‫��� � �� � ���ف ا � �ة�� �ة �ق ن س�ت ن ش‬ ‫� ن��ا ب��ت��ي��ه �غ��د ا �ة �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ق� ر � ا‬ ‫و � ا �ل� �ه�ا ر*‬ ‫�ل� ��س� �‬ ‫ح� ك� �ري��ه� �ب���ل ا � ي��� �� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت تّ‬ ‫� ا� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�ا �� ن��ا‬ ‫م�� ب��م�ت� ا ��لن‬ ‫�ه�ا ر* � او �ج�ع‬ ‫ح�ا ��لت��ا ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��‬ ‫حوا �ل �‬ ‫� ب� �م�ن �ج��مي�� �م�ا �مر �ب��ك �م�ن �ه��ذه ا �ل� �‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�يو ع ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح �ف�ت‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ل�ا ��ت�ت� �ق��ف� ا ��ل�ا �ع�� ا ��س�ت �ع�م�ا ��ل ا د ا �ت��ي�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�� �سو��قي���ي�ن � او ��خل‬ ‫�ر ج�‬ ‫�ه� �ل�م�ا ك�‬ ‫�ي���ي�ن * ف��ا ن �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫� ر�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ق �‬ ‫� ّ � �ة ا �� �قَ ْ‬ ‫ف���ق� ���ط * ا �ى الم‬ ‫س د �و ن� ا �ف�ت��ق��ا ر ا ��ل�ى � ��ل��ة ا �خ�ر�ى * �وك�‬ ‫���ا ن� � �مورد ا � ا‬ ‫�خي��ل� �و ل���‬ ‫و �ل�ه� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ق �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�م� ن ��ن ت� ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح�ت ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و�م�‬ ‫� �م و ج �ل ر س � �م �و � �م �ل � �ي و�‬ ‫�ص�د ر ج��دا �ل�ه�م * �و ب �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ن �م ا �ز ال�م �ز‬ ‫�� غ‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ا ��ل ش���� �م�ن ��ا � ال�م ا �ز � ا س�ن ا‬ ‫ل��ا �ي� *‬ ‫��ا ا �و ا � �ك�ن‬ ‫�� ا �ل� �� � د �ى ا �و ا �ل�ل� ��و�ى * ا �و م ج�� ج‬ ‫ب ب ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن ا �ذ � ا�ز‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ن � � �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�� ��� � �‬ ‫ا �و م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح��م�ل ا �لن �ظ� ���ي�ر �ع��ل�ى ا �لن �ظ� ���ي�ر * ا �و ا �لن �� ي���ض� �ع��ل�ى ا �لن �� ي���ض� * ا � م ��‬ ‫و ب ب� ر ا لل م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا ا د�ة ا �ل�م��ل�ز‬ ‫��ر ا ��لب��ع�� � او را د�ة ا �� �‬ ‫�ك�� * ا �و �م�ن ��قب�ي���ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ا �و �ب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق �ة ت‬ ‫�ن ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� * ا � �م�ن‬ ‫ا �و �م�ن �ن��و ا ��س��ل�و ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫� * ا �و �م�ن ��ط�ا �� ا �ل���لي��م�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح��ي�� * ا �و �م �ب� ب� ا �ل �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ّ�ة ا ��ل�ا ��لت��ف�� � * ا �و �م � �� ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���و* ا �و �م �ر� ا �ل� د �م� �� * ا �و �م �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص� ��ص‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ك�و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ا��تفآ‬ ‫�ن ش �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫َ ّ � �ت ش‬ ‫ا �ل� ك� �����‬ ‫��قّ ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح�بت��ا ك * ا �و �م�ن ��س�م �ع��ك��س ا �ل�����ب��ي��ه * ا �و �م�ن ���ل�ل �� �سو��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ق �غ‬ ‫�ن ف �ة � ا ت‬ ‫�س� ���ط ا د * ا � �م�ن‬ ‫�ن �ت خ� ا ت ا ��ل�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا�لم�ع�ل�و�م �م��س� �� ��ي�ره * ا �و �م �� � ج� �ري��د * ا �و �م �ر ج�� ا �ل� � ر‬ ‫ن خ� �‬ ‫�ث ق‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫� �ة � �‬ ‫� اَ ّ ت �ت � � � �َ َّ ت � ش‬ ‫���ل�� �‬ ‫� � ��و ب� ا �ل�ت�ور�ي� * �ل�م �ي��ك�ن �م�ن ا �ل�ل�ا � ��ق� �ب��ه�م ا � ي‬ ‫ط او �ه��ذه ا �ل� � او � � �و�لك ا �ل� �ل او � ب ����ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ ة ش‬ ‫�َ ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا نن‬ ‫�ق� *‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل�ع ار د ا �ت ‬ ‫ا �ل�ع ار د� ����ى ا �ص� ر�م�ن ل�م�ج���ي �‬ ‫� َ َّ‬ ‫� �َ ّا �ة آ � �ة ��ت ت خ �ذ �‬ ‫� ص�ن ��ف ن � ن‬ ‫ح �و� �ف� ت��د �ف�� ���فى ا ��ص� ا ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل�د �� �ب� � �ل� �‬ ‫��� �ل���ل‬ ‫�ق�و� �و�ه�‬ ‫� او �ل��د �ب�ا �ب�ا �ت ‬ ‫ح�� ي�� ب �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف � ف‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ى ج �‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ّ‬ ‫� ا ت خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح � ا �ل‬ ‫ا ��ل��د �ّ�ا ���ة ��ع��م� ��ل‬ ‫ح�ه�ا ا �لر ج��ا �ل *‬ ‫� او �ل��د را ج��ا �ت ‬ ‫ح�ص� ر ���د ���ل � �‬ ‫�رب‬ ‫بب ل‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫� �‬ ‫� او �لب �� او �لي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا �ذ ق‬ ‫�ل� �ي�� �و��‬

‫‪٦٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

Some stay up all night writing books, while others can’t sleep a wink till they’ve burned one. Some rule and others are ruled. Some lead and others are led. And yet, for all that contradiction and contrast, all their efforts and actions bring them to the same end, which is that, when a person gets up each morning, he sticks his nostrils into a foul smell before sniffing the scent of flowers and enjoying the pleasures of the daylight hours.” Stranger, though, than any of the situations you have just passed in review

2.1.6

is that of our friends the Market-men and the Bag-men. Given that their trade depends on the employment of just two tools, namely surmise and assertion, and has no need of any others, and that the wellspring of their statements and source of any tirade, the basis of their claims and greater part of their stock-in-trade is to say,9 “It is likely that this thing to which you refer falls under the rubric either of the trope attributive or the trope lexical, or the trope tropical or the expression periphrastic, or it may be that it belongs to the category of referring like to like, or opposite to opposite, or under that of ‘expressing the intrinsic while intending the extrinsic’ (or the reverse), or belongs to the type known as ‘mentioning the part while intending the whole’ (or the reverse), or to the category known as ‘the method of the sage,’10 or is to be approached via the door of irony, or the aperture of allusion, or the peephole of person-switching,11 or the rent of redundancy, or the casement of carefully crafted composition, or the inlet of implication, or the tear in ‘tight weaving,’12 or the spiracle of the quasi-paradoxical simile, or the knot-hole of the substitution of what is known for what is not, or the toe rings of the generalization of the attribute, or the eyelet of the appositional aside, or the portholes of punning,” it is inappropriate for them to mix in among all these “ors” and “ifs” any of the following:

ʿarrādāt, “ʿarrādah [singular] is a thing smaller than a manjanīq” or dabbābāt, “the dabbābah [singular] is an engine of war that is pushed to the base of the [besieged] fortress, after which the men inside make a breach” or darrājāt, “a dabbābah made for siege warfare, which men get underneath”

15

15

2.1.7

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫�ن‬ ‫��ا �ل�من��ج�ن �ق � � �ة‬ ‫ح ة‬ ‫ا�ل�من�� ن ق �آ �� �ة �ت �م � ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ر� ك�� � �و� مع �ر�‬ ‫�ج �ي ��� ل� ر �ى ب��ه�‬ ‫ال�م�ج�� ن�ي ��ق��ا �ت ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا نن‬ ‫�ق� *‬ ‫ل�م�ج���ي �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�َ ّ �‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ا ��لن ��فّ��ا ���ط��ة ا د ا �ة �م�ن ن� ا‬ ‫�ه�ا �ب�ا �لن ف��� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫� او �لن ��ف��ا ��ط�ا �ت ‬ ‫ح� ��س �يرم�ى �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َّ‬ ‫� ا ��لخ‬ ‫� ���ط�ا‬ ‫ال�م�جن�‬ ‫� ن� ��ق � او ��ل���ذ �ى �ي� ����ط��ع�ن ��ا ��لر�م‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ �‬ ‫ا ��ل َ �� ا �ن �ة ��ق ن ا �ة � ف‬ ‫�و��� �ير�م�ى �ب��ه�ا ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�ي�ر *‬ ‫� او �ل��سب� ��ط�ا �ن�ا �ت ‬ ‫��سب��ط� � �� ج �‬ ‫� ضَ ْ‬ ‫� ن � �ق �‬ ‫ج���ل��د �ي� غ�� ش���� �خ� ش�����ا �ف��ه�ا ر ج��ا ��ل ��ت��ق َّ� ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫ح� �صو� �ل��ل� ت��ا �ل *‬ ‫��ب��ر ‬ ‫� او �ل�‬ ‫ب ي�‬ ‫رب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� قَ فْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� نَ�ّ��ة �م�ن �خ� ش���� ���د خ�� ت� ت � ا � � ش‬ ‫���و ن� ��ه ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �ل �‬ ‫��� ‬ ‫حرب�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ح��ه ا �لر ج�� �ل ي�م � ب‬ ‫ب ي �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫ح� �صو� *‬ ‫��لُ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�م ه ن� � �ق‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫حوه ا �لب��را �ي���ل � ا‬ ‫و �لب��ن �ا د �� *‬ ‫��ل�ا �ه��ق ‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ى �ير �ى �ب� �و �‬ ‫� او ج‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫ة ��ل��‬ ‫ح � �م�ن � �‬ ‫� ��ع‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ح��س��ك ‬ ‫حو�ل ا �ل� ك‬ ‫�ص� �ي����ل��قى ��‬ ‫ا د ا � �لرب‬ ‫ع��س��ر ��م�ل‬ ‫ح�د�ي��د ا �و �� ب‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ع��ل �مث��ا ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س��ك ا�لم�عر�و�� *‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ��ا ن ت ا��ا ة ت �خ ا �ف‬ ‫�ُ�ق ْ ُ ا �نّ‬ ‫��ق��� ��م‬ ‫���و ��ي خ�‬ ‫��� �ل���ل‬ ‫ ‬ ‫حش �‬ ‫حرب� �و��س�ل�ح� ك�� ��� ا �ل� ك�� ��سر� ���د �ر�ه� ��ى‬ ‫� او � �ل رد �م� ��ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� غ� � �ظ �� �ة‬ ‫�خ�ز ا ئ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� *‬ ‫�ه� � او �ل��د ر �و ل��لي�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ � �ة ��ل���ل ��� ه ا �� �ف� �� ا � ا ن ن‬ ‫� ا ��تِل��ْ�ف‬ ‫ف � �ل� حرب� �ي لب����س� ل ر س �‬ ‫و �ل� ���س�ا � *‬ ‫���ا ��‬ ‫وج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل��ر��س��ة ا �و ا ��ل��د ر �و �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫���ل�ود *‬ ‫� او �ليَ���ل ب� ‬ ‫تِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ا ��س� ج��ا �م� �ل��ل��د ر �و *‬ ‫� او �ل��س ْرد ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ََ‬ ‫ا �� �ت � �� �م�ن �ل � �ا �خ� ش � � ا َ� �قَ � ن� ه ا ��ل‬ ‫حََ�ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� *‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� او �ل��د ر��ق ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب� و �ل‬ ‫ج و بل‬ ‫ب� و �و ج‬ ‫ل� ر و س‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫� َّ � �ة‬ ‫� او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ْر�ش �‬ ‫ا �لر ج��ا �ل� �و�م�ا �ي�ز�ي �ن �ب�ه ��س�ل�ا � *‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف � �‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫ا ��ل�َعتَ���ل��ة ا ��ل�ع�ص�ا ا �لض�‬ ‫ط ��ه�د � ��ه�ا‬ ‫�م��ة �م�ن � � � ا‬ ‫�� ��خ�‬ ‫� او �ل�عت��ل�ا �ت ‬ ‫ح�د�ي��د �ل�ه� را ��س م��ل ��� ي � م ب �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا �ئ� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫� نْ َ‬ ‫� ن ف �ة آ � �ة ق‬ ‫ا �لِم����س��� � �ل� ��ي����ل� �ب��ه�ا ا �لب��ن �� *‬ ‫� او �لِم����س�ف��ا �ت ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫‪16‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫�‬ ‫���ل ق‬ ‫� اول�منج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬

‫‪٨٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

or manjīqāt, “the manjanīq is a machine with which stones are thrown; also spelled manjanūq—an Arabized word13—and manjalīq” or naffāṭāt, “the naffāṭah [singular] is a copper device with which bitumen is thrown” or the khaṭṭār, “the khaṭṭār is the [same as the] manjanīq”; it also means “a man who thrusts much with his spear” or sabaṭānāt, “the sabaṭānah [singular] is a hollow reed through which projectiles are blown” or the ḍabr, “the ḍabr is a leather-covered wooden structure containing men who approach fortresses in order to fight” or the qaf ʿ,

“protective structures made of wood beneath which men get and which they move up to fortresses in war”

or julāhiq,

“balls that are thrown”; similar are barāqīl and banādiq

or ḥasak,

“devices of iron or reed for use in war that are thrown down around the soldiers and that work like common caltrops”14

or the qurdumānī,

“a padded outer garment used in war; also a weapon the Caesars kept in their storehouses; also thick shields”15

or the tijfāf,

“a device for war worn by horse and man alike”16

or yalab,

“shields and coats of armor made of leather”

or sard,

“a general term for armor”

or daraq,

“shields made of leather without wood or sinews; similar are ḥajaf”

or ḥarshaf,

“foot soldiers; ornaments for weapons”

or ʿatalāt, “the ʿatalah [singular] is an enormous iron pole with a blunt head with which walls are demolished” or minsafāt, “the minsafah [singular] is an instrument for uprooting built structures”

17

17

2.1.8

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫� فَ َ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�م�ق� ��� ة ا ��ل���سّ ا ن �ه �خ� ش �ة �ف� �خ ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ه�ا �ر�و�� �ع��ل�ى ��د ر ��س�ع�‬ ‫� او � �ل��� �ل�ق ‬ ‫طر� ج�� � �و �ى ���ب�� ي�‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ا �� *‬ ‫�خَ نْ‬ ‫��لخَ‬ ‫ظ � �ة‬ ‫ح ة‬ ‫� ّ � ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫����ز ر�ة ف��ا ��س �ع �ي��م� �ي ك‬ ‫��ا ر� *‬ ‫� ن��ا �زِ ر ‬ ‫����سر ب��ه� ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� َ �ذ آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ا ن ن � اق‬ ‫����ى �م�ن �‬ ‫حوه *‬ ‫� او �ل�ع� ر� ‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د �ي��ع� ب� �ب�ه ا �ل� ���س�ا � �ل� � ار ر �ب�ا �مر �و��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ه�ا �خ�ر�و�ق� �ع��ل ق��د ر ��س�ع��ة ا ر ج��� الم‬ ‫ا�لم�ق� ���ط �ة �خ� ش������ة �ف�‬ ‫� او�لم�ق��ا طِ ��‬ ‫ح�و��س��ي�ن *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ � �ة ّ ا ��ل ا ئ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا �لمِ� ْرد ا ��س � �ل� �ي��د ك �ب��ه� ا �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫د���س ‬ ‫ح� �� ��ط � او �ل� ر��ض‬ ‫� او�ل�م ار ي‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫�خ� ش ن غ‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫���ب��ت��ا � �ي� ��م�ز �ب��ه�م�ا ا �ل��س�ا �� *‬ ‫� او �ل��د �ه��ق ‬ ‫� ف ا ��� ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫��م� *‬ ‫� او �ل�ص�ا ��ور ‬ ‫ا � �ل�� ��س ا ل ي‬ ‫�ْ � � �‬ ‫� َْ �‬ ‫�َ �‬ ‫ا �لِم��ل��ط��س اِ�لم� �عو�ل ا �لغ����لي ظ� ��‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� او�لم�ل�ا طِ �� ��س ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ق ار ��ص ا �ل��س��‬ ‫�ك��ي�ن ا�لم� �‬ ‫ا �ل �‬ ‫� او �ل �‬ ‫ع�قرب� ا �ل ا‬ ‫ر ��س *‬ ‫مق��ا ِر�ي���ص ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َْ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �ب��ه�ا *‬ ‫ا �لِم�� �لوظ ��� �ع�ص�ا �ي� �ض‬ ‫ظ ‬ ‫� او�لم�ل�ا �و ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� �ق �ة �خ �ة‬ ‫�ان ن‬ ‫م��م�ع� � ش���ب�� �ي�‬ ‫� رب� �ب��ه�ا ا �ل� ���س�ا � �ع��ل� را ��س�ه *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� او�لم�ق��ا �م� ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا � �ق ف� �ة �خ �ة‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�لم‬ ‫� رب� �ب��ه�ا ا �ل� �ص�ا ب��� *‬ ‫���ع� � ش���ب�� �ي� �ض‬ ‫� او�لم�ق��ا ��� ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ََ �أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �لف��ا ��س ا ت� ا �ل ا‬ ‫ر ��س��ي�ن *‬ ‫ح��د �ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة� � ف‬ ‫ح��د�ي��د� ك���ا � �ل��ا ��س *‬ ‫� او �لِمن ��ق��ا ر ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� ْ ة � �ق �ة �‬ ‫ا �لِم�ه�م�ز � ا�لم� ر�ع� ا �و ا �ل�ع�ص�ا *‬ ‫� او�لم�ه�ا �مِ�ز ‬ ‫ا ��� ْ ف ا �� ا �� �� �� ا ��ق � ه �� � �� ن‬ ‫� َ �ف‬ ‫لِعر�� ص ل�� �سو�ط �ي ع� ب� ب� ا ل��س�ل�‬ ‫ط�ا � *‬ ‫� او �ل�ع ار �ي���ص ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �ف‬ ‫� ف� �ق �ة � َّ ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ال� خ‬ ‫ال خم‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���ق ‬ ‫��� ا �ل��ِد ر� ا �و �� �سو ��ط �م�ن � ش��� ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ت ت‬ ‫�و �ل� �ب�ا �لر�م�اح� ا �ل��ط�ا �ع ن��ا ت� � او �ل ي �‬ ‫��س�و�� ا �لب��ا ار � � او �ل�بن��ا �ل ا �ل�ص�ا رد ا � � او �لن��ص�ا �ل‬ ‫� ض ن ا ت � ُُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ز ��ق‬ ‫م �ل�م�ا ت� � ا �ل�م�ق��ا‬ ‫ا �ل�م�د �م��ا ت� � ا �ل�م�ق��ا‬ ‫ل��ا ت� � او ��خل‬ ‫�ص��ل� ا �ل�م�ه��‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ي�� � � او �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا ��ل ن��ا ف���ذ ا ت� � ا �ل�ا �غ�� �ا �� ا�لم�ص��ل�ص� �ا ت� � ا �ل ن��� ا ن ا �لمت��ا �‬ ‫��ا ت� � او �ل���ا را ت� � او �ل��غ�ز � او ت�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و لل‬ ‫و ير �‬ ‫�ج ج‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪٩٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٠٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

or the falaq,

“the jailor’s pillory, consisting of a length of wood with holes the size of the shanks”

or khanāzir, “the khanzarah [singular] is a large axe used for break-

2.1.9

ing stones” or the ʿadhrāʾ,

“a thing made of iron with which people are tortured to make them confess, etc.”17

or maqāṭir, “the miqṭarah [singular] is a piece of wood with holes the size of the prisoners’ legs” or marādīs, “the mirdās [singular] is an instrument with which a wall, or the ground, is pummeled” or the dahaq,

“two pieces of wood with which the shanks are squeezed”

or the ṣāqūr,

“a large axe”

or malāṭis, “the milṭas [singular] is a large miʿwal ” or maqārīṣ, “the miqrāṣ [singular] is a knife with a curved blade” or malāwiẓ, “the milwaẓ [singular] is a stick for beating” or maqāmiʿ, “the miqmaʿah [singular] is a piece of wood with which people are beaten on their heads” or maqāfiʿ, “the miqfaʿah [singular] is a piece of wood with which the fingers are beaten” or the ḥadaʾah,

“a double-headed axe”

or the minqār,

“the metal blade of the axe”

or mahāmiz, “the mihmazah [singular] is the same as the whip (miqraʿah) or the stick (ʿaṣā)” or ʿarāfīṣ, “the ʿirfāṣ [singular] is the whip with which the secular power metes out punishment” or makhāfiq “the mikhfaqah [singular] is the whip, or a lash made of wood” or lacerating lances or severing swords or shooting shafts or blood-letting blades or stinging sticks or weakening whips or crucifying crosses or impaling posts or chinking chains or flaming fires or invasions or raids or murderous onslaughts or surprise attacks or looting or rapine or the bereavement of mothers or feuds or grudges or, last but not least, the rough treatment of women during intercourse.

19

19

2.1.10

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ت� � او �ل�ا �ث ك�‬ ‫� او �لن� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل� ت� � او �ل�ع�د ا � او ت�‬ ‫���ا ض�‬ ‫��ا �ي�ا ت� � او �ل��كب����س�ا ت� � او �ل� ��س�ت�ل�ا �ب�ا ت� � او �ل� �ت� ض�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا ت ��آ�خ� ا ج ��ل‬ ‫� ا �ل� ش‬ ‫م����ا � ن‬ ‫� ن��د ا �ه��ل��‬ ‫� �ل�ع�مر�ى �م�ن د � �� فس����‬ ‫�ك� او * �و ج�‬ ‫���ا ك�‬ ‫��مي�� �ب�ا �لرك�‬ ‫���ا ت� * � ك��‬ ‫�ك� ا‬ ‫و *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة ا ��ن ت �‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫�ك� ا * � ���س��‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�و�عر��ض� �ه���ك� او * �وحرم� �‬ ‫�ه��ك� او * �و �ى ا ��ه�ل ر�ب��ك� او * �و�ع ب� �ه�م��و و‬ ‫� ا تّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ه� او * �و�م� �صو ن� ا ا � �ل او * �و�‬ ‫م او * � بو�� �و ت� � ّ�بر �� او * � او � �م او �ل ��� ب �‬ ‫م او * � او �و �ل� د �ي � �‬ ‫ا ي�� �‬ ‫حر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ت فض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫َ َ ن �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��س� ر ���‬ ‫حا * �‬ ‫��ه� ����ع� �ل��ك �م �ب���‬ ‫حوا * �و�‬ ‫له� ��س�د �� *‬ ‫ح ار �م ا �ب� ��‬ ‫�����‬ ‫�ن�ا � �ل او * �و�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫� اَ نْ‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا �ن��ص�ا � �‬ ‫�ص� �ف���ه�ّ �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �� � �� �ة �ت ن‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ا ر�ة ك�‬ ‫ا �ل� ���ص�ا ب� ‬ ‫حو�ل ا �ل�ك��عب�� � �� ب ي� ل ي�‬ ‫ب ج‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫� � �ذ � غ‬ ‫و�� ب� �ل���ي�ر ا لله ��ع�ا �ل�ى *‬ ‫يح‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫طو��و� �ي��ه *‬ ‫� او �ل�ك��عب��ا �ت ‬ ‫ا �ل�ك��عب�� � ا �و �و ا �ل�ك��عب�� � ب��ي��� ك�� � �ل بر��ي��ع� ك�� � �� او �ي� �� �‬ ‫َْ َْ‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫��عب���ة �ل�م��ذ ���‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫ح*‬ ‫� او �ل َ�بر��ة ‬ ‫جِ‬ ‫ُّ‬ ‫� ت �� غ� �� �ف ا ن ن ا ا �ظ �� ا �ل� ��ن ا � � � ا ا � ق ش ا � �� �ف ن‬ ‫�وب���س ‬ ‫ب�ي��� ل��ط�� � ب���� �ه� �� �م ب �سع�د �لم� ر ى �ر����� ي�� �‬ ‫طو��و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫خ ��ذ‬ ‫ن ي�ن � ف ا � ة ف �ذ‬ ‫ا ��� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ب� ل�ك��عب�� �وي���س� �عو� �ب�� ا �ل�ص��� � او�ل�مر�و� �� رع ا �لب�ي��� � او �� ج� ار‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل� �صف��ا � �‬ ‫� ا �م�ن ا �ل��م � �ة �ف � � �ق � ن ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫رو ر ج‬ ‫�� ا �ل�ى ��و�م�ه ب�ف��ى ب��ي��ت�� �ع��ل�ى ��د ر‬ ‫وج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع � ف � ة ت�ز�أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ا ��ل��� ت � � ض��� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي�ن ف���ق��ا ��ل �ه� ا ن� ا �ل�ص���ا � ا�ل�م � � � ا ��� ��ه �ع�ن‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ب ي � و و�‬ ‫و رو و ج ب‬ ‫ع جر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�� ف� ��ق ت �ظ � �‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫� ن��ا � ا � ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ف��ا �غ��ا ر �ز �ه�ي�ر ب��ن ج�‬ ‫��لب��ى � ���ل �‬ ‫��ا �لم�ا �و�ه�د � ب�� ن��� ء ه *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص �� ك�� � ب�‬ ‫�و�عبَ��د�ة �َم ْر َ�‬ ‫� ر� �مو� *‬ ‫ح �ض‬ ‫ح ب� ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� َ َْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� او �ل�عب��ع ب� ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �غَ ْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� او �ل� ب�غ�� ب� ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫���ا ن� �ل�م��ذ ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح*‬ ‫�و��ي غ� ��و�ث ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن��‬ ‫جِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ََّ�ة �� َّ َّ‬ ‫� ن ن‬ ‫�� � او ل�� ج�س‬ ‫� او �بلج�‬ ‫�ص�م�ا � *‬ ‫���ة ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�صن�� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �بل� ن�ى ِ�م��ل ك�‬ ‫��ا � *‬ ‫�و��س�ع�د ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ن �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ د‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �� وي �‬ ‫�و �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪20‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪١١٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٢٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

Dear God, how much blood they have shed! How many a soldier they

2.1.11

have destroyed! How many a virgin’s honor they have defiled! How many a time they have violated the sanctity of the home, thrown men into confusion before their families, tormented bachelors, made wives into widows and sons into orphans, reduced houses to ruins, pillaged wealth, ripped veils from the faces of decent women, made off with treasure chests, ravished that which was protected, and violated sanctuaries! Were such things done by those who, before them, were custodians of al-Anṣāb,

“al-Anṣāb were stones that formerly stood around the Kaaba [of Mecca] at which they used to celebrate and make sacrifice to other than God Almighty”

or al-Kaʿabāt, “al-Kaʿabāt, or Dhū al-Kaʿabāt, was a holy house that belonged to the tribe of Rabī ʿah which they used to circumambulate” or al-Rabbah,

“a kaaba belonging to the tribe of Madhḥij”

or Buss,

“a holy house belonging to the tribe of Ghaṭafān built by Ẓālim ibn Asʿad when he saw Quraysh circumambulating the Kaaba of Mecca and running between alṢafā and al-Marwah: he measured the holy house [of the Kaaba], took a stone from al-Ṣafā and a stone from al-Marwah, and then returned to his people, built a holy house of the same size as the house [of Mecca], set down the two stones, and said, ‘These are al-Ṣafā and al-Marwah’ and he set up his own pilgrimage to rival that of Mecca. Then Zuhayr ibn Janāb al-Kalbī raided [Ghaṭafān] and killed Ẓālim and demolished his house”

or ʿAbdat Marḥab,

“an idol that used to be in Haḍramawt”

or al-ʿAb ʿab,

“an idol”

or al-Ghabghab,

“an idol”

or Yaghūth,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Madhḥij”

or al-Bajjah and

“two idols”

 al-Sajjah, or Saʿd,

“an idol belonging to the Banū Milkān”

or Wadd,

“an idol; also spelled Wudd”

21

21

2.1.12

‫آ�زَ‬ ‫� �و ر ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �وب�ا �ج�ر ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫��ه�ا ر ‬ ‫جِ‬ ‫� �َ َّ‬ ‫ ‬ ‫� او �ل�د � او ر‬

‫�‬ ‫� او �ل��د ا ر ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫�و��س�ع�ي�ر ‬ ‫� اُ �قَ ْ‬ ‫�صر ‬ ‫� او �ل� �ي�ِ�‬ ‫َ ْثَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك����ر�ى ‬ ‫� ضِ‬ ‫� او �ل��م�ا ر ‬ ‫نَْ‬ ‫�و���سر ‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫� او �ل���م��س ‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫�و�ع�مي��ا نِ���س ‬ ‫� ْ‬ ‫� او � �لف���ل��س ‬ ‫ُ ْ‬ ‫�و�ج� َر� ش��� ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�خَ َ‬ ‫� او �ل‬ ‫���ل�ص��ة ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫عْو���ض ‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫� ِاو ��س�ا ��‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫� �ون�ا ���ل��ة ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� اولم‬ ‫ح ّر��ق ‬ ‫ِ‬

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫�ن‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫م‬ ‫� َ �زْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن�� �عب��د �ت�ه ا �ل�ا د �و�ي ك‬ ‫����سر*‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن � ا ن‬ ‫و �زِ � *‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن�� ك�� � ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ض‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �� � �وي�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن�� ��س��مّى �ب�ه �عب��د ا �ل��د ا ر ب� ��و �ب� ��‬ ‫ط�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ن ش �ن �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ن ��‬ ‫حق ��ا ��ل�ن‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ��م ج ي��س و س�م ر � �ل ب ري��س و �� ب ب�ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص��ل�ع� ��ا ��سل��� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن�� �عب��ده ا �ل�عب��ا ��س ب��ن �مرد ا ��س �ور�ه ��‬ ‫ط�ه *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ن ��ا ن � ��ذ ��‬ ‫ل��ل�ا ��ا ر�� �‬ ‫ح�م�ي�ر *‬ ‫�ص ��م ك�� � �ل� �ى ا � ِك� ع ب �ض‬ ‫ن ق‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫� ��دي�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م م‬ ‫ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ان‬ ‫خ‬ ‫���ا �ن� ا ��ي����س�م ن ��ل�ه �م�ن ا ��ن�ع�ا �مه � � ث‬ ‫حر�و���ه� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صن�� ِ �ل�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫� �م و‬ ‫�و �ل� � ك� �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �� �� ئّ‬ ‫ط��� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ��م ل�ي‬ ‫��ا ن ��ف ��ل �ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ا �ه��لي�� *‬ ‫�ص ��م ك�� � �ى ا ج‬ ‫�خ ث‬ ‫��ع���ة ا ��يل�م�ا ��ن ���ة ��ل‬ ‫���ا ن� ���فى ب���� ت� �ي��د �ع�ى ا ��ل�ك�‬ ‫�صن�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ن � ا ئ‬ ‫و ���ل *‬ ‫�صن�� �لب� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� ن � ض��� ه �ع � ��ن ��ل‬ ‫ى �ع��ل� ا �ل�ص���ا *‬ ‫�ص ��م و� ع� �مرو‪ 1‬ب ح� ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �ق �‬ ‫�صن �آ�خ� � ض‬ ‫���ا ن� ����ذ ب �‬ ‫���ع�ه �ع��ل� ا�ل�مر�و�ة �وك�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا (��ى ��و�ل) *‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ع�لي�‬ ‫� �� ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ��ن � ا ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ���ل *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �� ب كر ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫*‬

‫ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و �ي� ‪� :1855‬ع�مر‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪١٣٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

or Āzar,

“an idol”

or Bājar,

“an idol worshipped by the tribe of al-Azd; also pronounced Bājir”

or Jihār,

“an idol of the tribe of Hawāzin”

or al-Dawwār,

“an idol; also pronounced al-Duwwār”

or al-Dār,

“an idol, after whom ʿAbd al-Dār, the founder of a clan [of the tribe of Quraysh], was named”

or Suʿayr,

“an idol”

or al-Uqayṣir,

“an idol”

or Kathrā,

“an idol belonging to Jadīs and Ṭasm18 that was broken to pieces by Nahshal ibn al-Raʾ īs, who then attached himself to the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace”

or al-Ḍimār,

“an idol worshipped by al-ʿAbbās ibn Mirdās19 and his company”

or Nasr,

“an idol of the Dhū l-Kilāʿ tribe in the land of Himyar”

or Shams,

“an ancient idol”

or ʿUmyānis,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Khawlān by whom they would swear against their flocks and their crops”

or al-Fils,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Ṭayyi ʾ”

or Juraysh,

“an idol of the Days of Barbarism”

or al-Khalaṣah,

“an idol that was in a holy house called ‘the Yemeni

or ʿAwḍ,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Bakr ibn Wā’il”

or Isāf,

“an idol set up by ʿAmr ibn Luḥayy20 at al-Ṣafā”

or Nāʾilah,

“another idol that he set up at al-Marwah; sacrifices

Kaaba’ belonging to the tribe of Khath ʿam”

were made both to it and the preceding” (according to one definition) or al-Muḥarriqah,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Bakr ibn Wāʾil”

23

23

2.1.13

‫�‬ ‫� او �ل ش����ا ِر��ق ‬ ‫�َ ْ‬ ‫� او �لب���ع�ل ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�س او ‪ 1‬‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ُ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫� او � ك‬ ‫ل����س�ع��ة ‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫� او �ل� �عو��‬ ‫�ذ � َ فّ‬ ‫�و �ى ا �ل��‬ ‫��ك���ي�ن ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫�و�م ن��ا ��‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫�و��ي� �عو��ق ‬

‫� اَ ْ َ‬ ‫� او �ل� �ش����ه�ل ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫�و�هب���ل ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫� �وي�اِ�لي���ل ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� او �لب��عيِ�� ‬ ‫َ ْم‬ ‫� او ��ل�ا ���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫�و�ن��ه� ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�و�ع�ا �� ‬ ‫م‬

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫ن ��ف ��ل ا � �ة‬ ‫�ص �� �ى ا ج�� �ه�لي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��ا ن ق �‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫�ص ك�� � �ل‬ ‫�و� ا �لي��ا ��س �ع� *‬ ‫� ��م � � م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ُ� ��ف �ز � �ن ن � �ٓ ف �ف� ن ه �� ��‬ ‫ط ف��ا ن� ف��ا ��س��ت ش����ا ره ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �� عب��د �ى م � ��و ع� ��د �� ا ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫حُ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫فُ‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���عب��د �و�ص�ا ر �ل�ه� ي���ل �و �� ا �لي��ه *‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�صن � ن � َ ْ‬ ‫� ك���ا � �ل��د �و��س *‬ ‫� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز �م�ا �ن�ه ف���ل�م�ا �م�ا �ت‬ ‫�صن�� � �لق ��و� �ن��و� �و ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ر ج��ل�ا �م�ن �ص�ا ��ح�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م م ح‬ ‫ة ن ا ن ف ق ا � � ث �ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع او �ع��لي��ه ف��ا �ت�ا �ه� ا �ل ش���ي� ���ط�ا ن� ��ى � �صور� ا ���س� � ����� �ل ا م��ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ز � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫���ّل ا �ّ ت ف� ف� � �ذ � � ه � �ة‬ ‫� � ت �ت‬ ‫� ���فى ��م‬ ‫ح ار ب� ك��‬ ‫�� ك��‬ ‫��س��ع�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ح�ى ر �وه ك�� �م� �ص�ل�ي ��م ���ع�ل� او �ل�ك �ب� �وب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا � ن ت خ �ذ‬ ‫�ن ا ��‬ ‫�م�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ه� ث�� ت��م�ا د �ى �ب��ه� ا �ل� �م ا �ل�ى ا � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �وا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي� م م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ة‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ل�ك ا �ل� �مث���ل� ا �ص�ن �ا �م�ا �ي��عب��د �و���ه�ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫�صن�� �و�م ن��ه ب���ن�و �عب��د ا �ل�ا �ش����ه�ل ��ل‬ ‫ى �م�ن ا �ل�عرب� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ن �ف � �ة‬ ‫� ك���ا � ��ى ا �ل�ك��عب�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ا ��ل ت ث ا � �ن ��‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ش���� � ا ��ل��د �م���ة �م�ن ا ��ل��غ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص �� و ل‬ ‫ب و ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �ُ�زَ ْن �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ما‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �عب��د ���ه� *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫وب �‬ ‫�م �ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫*‬

‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و �ي�‪�� :1855‬سوا ‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪24‬‬

‫‪24‬‬

‫‪١٤٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٥٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

or al-Shāriq,

“an idol of the Days of Barbarism”

or al-Baʿl,

“an idol that belonged to the people of Ilyās, peace be

or Suwāʿ,

“an idol worshipped in the days of Nūḥ, peace be

2.1.14

upon him21” upon him; it was submerged by the Flood, then Satan made it reappear, and it was worshipped and came to belong to the tribe of Hudhayl and pilgrimage was made to it” or al-Kusʿah,

“an idol”

or al-ʿAwf,

“an idol”

or Dhū al-Kaffayn,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Daws”

or Manāf,

“an idol”

or Yaʿūq,

“an idol belonging to the people of Nūḥ, or a righteous man of his time who died, and when they mourned for him, Satan came to them in the shape of a person and told them, ‘I shall make you a representation of him in your sanctum so that you shall see him whenever you pray’; so they did that with him and with seven of their righteous men after him, and in the end things reached a point at which they took these representations as idols and worshipped them”

or al-Ashhal,

“an idol who gave his name to the tribe of Banū ʿAbd al-Ashhal Luḥayy, of the Arabs”

or Hubal,

“an idol that was in the Kaaba”

or Yālīl,

“an idol”

or al-Baʿīm,

“an idol; also a statue made of wood and a doll made

2.1.15

of condiment” or al-Asḥam,

“an idol”

or Nuhm,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Muzaynah, whence the name ʿAbd Nuhm”

or ʿĀʾim,

“an idol”

25

25

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫� ضَ َْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ي��ز �ن ‬ ‫� او �ل�‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� او�لم�د ا �ن ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� َْ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� او جل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ه��ة ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��لث��ق �ف �� ّ ا � ��ذ � � ن ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � ��ي��ل ت� �ع ن��ده ا �ل�� �سو� ��ق� �ب�ا �ل��س�م�ن ��‬ ‫� او �ل�ل�ا �ت ‬ ‫�ص �� � ي�� س��مى �ب� �ل� ى ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ة � َّ َّ�ة‬ ‫خ� ف� �ف‬ ‫ح��د�� ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �عر�و� ا �ل �ر� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�� و �و �ى ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ذ � َ َ‬ ‫�صن � َ ْ‬ ‫� �ل��د �و��س *‬ ‫�و �ى ا �ل ش���ر�ى ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ُ�زَّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫م َ‬ ‫����ذ �ه�ا �ظ ����ا �ل�� ب��ن‬ ‫�صن�� ا �و ���سُ�م َ�ة �عب��د �ت��ه�ا �غ� ���ط�ف��ا ن� ا �و��ل �م�ن ا خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ل�ع ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��س�ع�د ��ف� �ق� �ذ ا ت� �ع ْ �ق� ا ��ل� ا ��ل����س�ت�ا ن� ����ت��س�ع��ة ا �م��ا ��ل � ن�� �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ب ى ي�‬ ‫ِر ى ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت �ف ث‬ ‫���ا �ن�� ا ي���س�م� �ع ن� �ف� ا‬ ‫ت ا �� ا ّ ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ر�� �سو�ل‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل� �صو� �ب��ع� ا �لي�‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫ب��ي���� �و س�م� ه ب���س� �وك� و‬ ‫ا ه �ص��ٓل� خ ا �� � ��ن ا �� ��ل �ف � ا ��ل ت ا � ق � ة‬ ‫حر�� ا �ل��س��مر� *‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�ه�د م ب�ي��� �و‬ ‫ع� �� ل�د ب �لو ي��د �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�و�م ن��ا �ة ‬ ‫�ص �‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ة � ا ص�ن ا � ا � ا ��ل ش‬ ‫��ا � ا �� �ة‬ ‫� ا� ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ه� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �لِ� �ل� �ه��ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� و �ل‬ ‫م و � ل ل و م��س �يو � �ل ي�‬ ‫ا لي‬ ‫� �زّ‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫� � �غ‬ ‫� � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ل�ا ت� � او �ل�ع �ى � او �� ك�‬ ‫� او �ل��ط�ا � �و�ت ‬ ‫ل��ا �ه�ن � او �ل ش���ي� ��ط�ا � �و�ك���ل را ��س �‬ ‫���ل�ا �ل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ل� �ص�ن �ا � �و�ك��ل �م�ا �عب��د �م�ن د �و� ا لله *‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ل�زُ �ْ‬ ‫����ذ � ��ع��د — � ا �ل�م ض‬ ‫�صن�� �و�م�ا ��ي ت خ�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫��� ج��م� �ف�ي��ه ا �ل�ا �ص�ن �ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ن ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ�نَ‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫�ص� �و�ت�ز�ي *‬ ‫� �و�� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ��ذ � ا خ �ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر � او �ل���س‬ ‫�صن�� � او �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا �ه�ن � او �ل��س�ا �‬ ‫ت ‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫�ب��‬ ‫حر � او �ل� �ى �ل� ��ي�ر �ي��ه �و�ك��ل‬ ‫� او �جِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫�م�ا �عب��د �م�ن د �و� ا لله ��ع�ا �ل�ى *‬ ‫فُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ة �ش‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ش ت‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ا �و �عبَ��د� ا �ل���م��س � او � �لق��مر �و �ح�ل �‬ ‫م�����ر�ى � او�ل�مر�خ� � او �ل�ز �هر� �و�ع ��ط�ا رد �و� ْرد �ود � او � �ف�ل ر��د‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ْ �َ‬ ‫�تَ � َ ئ �ذ ��لَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ���زُْ� ة ا � اَ ظْ ��� �ف ا ا ��ل�ُ �ذْ ا �ل�َم�َ َّ ة‬ ‫حض‬ ‫ل����د � او �ل� �ع او ��� � او �‬ ‫���ا ر � او �ل�ا �‬ ‫� او �ل���ذِي�خ� � او � ك‬ ‫حور �و ل ر� �و �ل� ��� ر �و ع� ر �و عر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫� نَثْ ة ��َ‬ ‫�ْ�ز�آ � ا ��ل�� ْ����� � ا ��ل� �ا �َ�س��ْ�ن � ا �ل�مَ��ْ��س�ا ن� � ا ��ل ُ��سنّ�� ق � ا ��ل َش��� َ َ ���ط��ي�ن‬ ‫� اَ ْ ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� او �ل� �عي�� ر � او �ل���ر� � او ج��و و بِ ر جِ ي س و تِ�ي ي و ي‬ ‫و �ي �� و ر‬ ‫*‬

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Rolling a Boulder

or al-Ḍayzan,

“an idol”

or al-Madān,

“an idol”

or al-Jabhah,

“an idol”

or al-Lāt,

“an idol” belonging to the tribe of Thaqīf “named after a man in whose house parched barley meal used to be moistened (yulattu) with clarified butter; then the word was shortened”; it is to be found in ʿUrwah’s hadith “al-Rabbah”22

or Dhū al-Sharā,

“an idol belonging to the tribe of Daws”

or al-ʿUzzā,

“an idol, or a gum-acacia tree, that was worshipped by [the tribe of ] Ghaṭafān, the first to adopt it as an idol being Ẓālim ibn Asʿad; at the top of Dhāt ʿIrq,23 nine miles from al-Bustān. He built a holy house over it and called it Buss, and they used to hear a voice inside. The Prophet (God grant him blessings and peace) sent Khālid ibn al-Walīd, and he knocked down the house and burned the tree”

or Manāh,

“an idol”

or al-Ilāhah,

[literally, “the Goddess,” means] “the serpent, or idols, or the crescent moon, or the sun; also pronounced al-Alāhah, al-Ulāhah, al-Ilayhah, al-Alayhah, and al-Ulayhah”

or al-Ṭāghūt,

“the idols al-Lāt and al-ʿUzzā, or a soothsayer, or Satan, or any leader in error, or any idol, or anything that is worshipped to the exclusion of God”

or a zūn,

“any idol or anything that is taken as an object of worship; also a place in which idols are gathered, erected, and adorned”

or a jibt,

“any idol, or a soothsayer or magician, or magic, or anything in which there is no good, or anything that is worshipped to the exclusion of God Almighty”

or by those who worshipped the sun or the moon or Saturn or Jupiter or Venus or Mars or Mercury or Furdūd,24 Pherkad, Edasich, al-Katad, al-ʿAwāʾidh, Hadar, al-Aḥwal, al-Zubrah, al-Aẓhār, Aludra, al-Maʿarrah, al-Aʿyār, al-Nathrah, Gemini, al-Birjīs, al-Tiyāsān, Almeissan, al-Sunnayq,

27

27

2.1.16

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫�‬ ‫ا �� �ف ا َ �� �ْ�ن ا � ا �ثَا ��ف ا ��ل�َعُّ �ق ا ��ل�َ ْ َ �قَ�ي�ن ا �� َ ف �ة � َ � ف �ة � ا‬ ‫ضِ��ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و ل�� ِر�ط�ي �و �ل� � �ى �و �ي �و� �و �عو�ه�� �و ل�‬ ‫�ص ْر�� � او �ل��ط ْر�� � او �ل� ب��ي���ض� � او �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق �ة � نَ َ قَ‬ ‫��ي�ن �شُ َ ْ � شَ ْ �َ�ة‬ ‫ا �� َ �قْ �ة � َ ْ �ة � ْ ف‬ ‫�َ ْ َ ف‬ ‫���و�ل�‬ ‫ه��ع� � او �ل�هن��ع� � او �لِرد �� � او�لم�ع�� �ل� � او �ل ن��ا �� � او �ل����س����ي�ن � او �ل سِ���م�ا ك��� �و���هي���ل � او �ل �‬ ‫�و ل�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ُّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫��لَ‬ ‫ْ � ْ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ��آ � � ُ َ‬ ‫�َ ا �تَ��ْ�ن � او ��خِل‬ ‫ح�ا �ي��ى � او ��خل‬ ‫� او ��ل�َ�عْوك�‬ ‫حيّ���ة � او ��ل�‬ ‫����ل��ي�ن � او�ل� ْر�ز �َم��ي�ن � او �ل��سل��� � او ��لبُ َ� ���ط�ي��ن � او � �لق��د ر � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫مِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ة � َ ّآ ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�د�‬ ‫� او �ل ش����ا � � او �ل� �ع �و ء �و �ك�و�ى * � ك�‬ ‫�� ي�� �ع��ل‬ ‫�ه� ا � ي ج �م� �ع او را �ي��ه� �ع��ل� ا �مر � او �‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫� �ج ب ي� م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���‬ ‫� ف���ة ا ��ل���ط� �ع���ي�ن‬ ‫ح ��ف�ت�ن�ا ��ل�ا � ت‬ ‫ح��ا �� ب �ح�م��د ا لله ا ��ل�ى ��قي��ا ��س �و�ع�دد ك‬ ‫� �و �ق ��و�� �ل او �م�ن �‬ ‫حي� ث� ا ن� �‬ ‫ب �ي ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫حر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل �ا ا ا ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض�ي �� * �� ���ه� ا �ي� � ��ط��ل ب� ا �لم ن�� ��� �م‬ ‫�ه� د ي��ل �ب� د ر �و �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� او�لم�ه��د��س�� � او �ل �ري� �‬ ‫ح� �ل� ا �ى‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫فن‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫ا ئ�‬ ‫ح��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لب��ر�ه�ا � �ب�ا �لم�ق��ا د �ير � او�لم��س�ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ا ب� * ��ا ��� ب �‬ ‫�ه�م * ك���ا �‬ ‫�ص� او ا � ����س�ه�م � او � ����س ��س� ��لي�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� �ق ا � �ي�ن ا ا ن �ن ن �من ا ا � � �ق‬ ‫� � �غ‬ ‫ح�� ع�ل� � � �� �ه‬ ‫ح�ا ��ي� ّبر�� ن��ا �و�م�ع�ا �م��ل�ي�ن �ا ا �ل�ى ا �ل� ر��ض� ا�لم��� �صود * �و�ه�و ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ه� ج�� مير‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ك �مض‬ ‫�����ط ا ��ل�ه�ا �من‬ ‫�ه� * ��ف�م�ن �ش���� ���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك ا ن� ���‬ ‫�ن�ي�� ّ��س ا ��س��ا ب� ��ت�عل��� �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ف���ة �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ّ���ة �م� ��س ا � �� �ا ت �م�ن � ت ا �تُ ّ ا ن � ص�ن‬ ‫عه�ا �ه� ��ا �ى � �ل ن� ا ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��قب��� ا �و ج�‬ ‫ر ويل �‬ ‫�ب��ه � �وب�ا �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�ه� ا �و � ب�� � ��لي�� � � و ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش�� �‬ ‫��ك�ل را �ق� ��ل�ه * ا �ذ ��ل���� �م�ن ا ��لر�ش���د ا ن� �ي��ع��تر��ض� ا ��ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� ا �ن��س�ا �ن�ا � �خ�ر ���فى ك�‬ ‫��ي ���ف ي���ة ��لب����س�ه‬ ‫ي س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��آء ا ��ل ا ن � ���غ� ا �� � ش ة‬ ‫ا � ���ف �ذ � ق��ه � �م ن��ا �م�ه * ��ل�ا ن ا ��ن ا د � �م�ن � �� � � ت‬ ‫��س���ه�ل �ب�ا �لب� ك�‬ ‫�� �ى � �ي ب�ل بر� ع���ر�‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫وى و و‬ ‫م ي وم ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �غ �ي�ز ة ت‬ ‫س�ن �ة ش س�ت غ ا ن ا �غ �ف ت�ق � ا � ن ا‬ ‫�� � �ي��عي����� �م�� ���ن�ي � �ع�� ��ي�ر �م� �� ر ا �ل�ى �م� ر�س�م�� �ب�ه �ع��لي��ه * ا ا �ل� ر � ���ه�د �ي�ه ا �ل�ى‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �� �� ف �ذ ُخ ّ �‬ ‫�ا ن � �ف� ��ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫� ��ل�ه * ا �ل�ا �تر�ى ا � ا ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ا �ي�ل�ا ��م�ه � �وي��ص��ل‬ ‫ط���ل ا ا ��ِ�ل�ى �و �� ب‬ ‫ط��ع�ه �ل�م ��ي��لب����س ا � ك�� � ر يع �ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ا ن � �� ّ�ز‬ ‫� ا ا �� �ف� ��ف ا �� ��ق ظ �� ا ن‬ ‫� آ ن‬ ‫��ش����ا * � ا �ن�ه �م��ت ��ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ل رو �ى ي � و �‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ت�� ء � او � ك�� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن �� ّ ت ب� آ � ا ت �� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا �ن غ ا‬ ‫���ط��ل� ا ��ل�ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل * �و�م��تى ��ن�ع��س �ن�ا � * � او � �طر����ه ج �مي��‬ ‫ع � �ل� � ا ل��طرب� � او �ل� ���� �م * �و�م��ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ت ف‬ ‫ت �ت‬ ‫ظ� ش‬ ‫ه ���ف �� ن�� �ع ن��ا �م�ن ا ��ص� ا � ف�ل� ��ط �ة * �‬ ‫ح�تى ا �ن�ه‬ ‫������مى ���رب� * �و�م��ى ��ع ب� ا ��س��راح� � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� �و ى ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح ��ل ا لله ��ت�ع�ا ��ل� ا ن� ��ع�� ش�� �م�ا �ئ��ة � � ش‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ي� ك‬ ‫ع���ر�ي�ن �ع�ا �م�ا �و�ش���هرا �م�ن د �و� ر ��ؤ �ي� �و ج��ه ا �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫و‬ ‫�م����ه ب��و‬ ‫ى �ي ي �‬ ‫ا � ف ضّ ض �ة ف � ن َ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫ح��لت��ه ا � �لف��ا �خ�ر�ة �و خ��ا ت��م�ه ا ��لن ��ف�ي���� �و�ع�ص� ه ا �ل �‬ ‫�م ن��ا ا �و �م ش����ا �ه�د�ة �ت�ا ج��ه �و�‬ ‫��� * ��ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ِع‬ ‫� فّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ّف�ل�ه� �م�ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ن��ا �� ا �ذًا ���ف د �عت�ه� � ��س�ل�ا �مت‬ ‫�ه� �و�ش��غ����‬ ‫�ه� �و �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫له� * �و �ل�ا ��ن ت� ��ط����ل �ع��ل‬ ‫�مو‬ ‫س ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو�� ا �ل��ط�ف��� ا ��ل�ي�ن �ا �ل�ا �و�‬ ‫�ل�ا ���ط�ا ق���ة ��ل�ه� �ب�ه * ا �ذ � �لو �ش���ا ء ا لله ا ن� ي�‬ ‫ح�ى ا �لي��ه ا ن� ي���س�ا ��ل ا ب� �� �و�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪28‬‬

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‫‪١٧٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٨٫١٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٩٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

Sheratan, al-Fāriṭān, Alsafi, al-ʿAyyūq, al-ʿAwhaqān, al-Ṣarfah, Alterf, al-Abyaḍ, al-Ḍibāʿ, Heka, Alhena, al-Ridf, al-Maʿlaf, al-Nāqah, Nusakan, al-Simākān, Shuhayl, Shaula, al-ʿAwkalān, al-Mirzamān, al-Sullam, Botein, al-Qadr, al-Ḥayyah, al-Taḥāyā, al-Kharatān, Alchibah, Suhā, al-Shāh, Auva, and Kuwayy? They would have done better to have reached a consensus and said,

2.1.17

“Given that our trade requires, thank God, neither measuring nor counting—unlike that of practitioners of the natural sciences, engineers, and mathematicians, who, whenever asked for proof by an opponent in debate, immediately set about providing it through the use of quantities, areas, and arithmetic, exhausting themselves and their questioners alike—we should pursue a more restful path that will bring us and those with whom we deal closer to the desired end, which is to facilitate the learning of this trade by any who is obliged to practice it. Thereafter, anyone who wishes to wear an outer garment or robe, with drawers underneath or with wrestlers’ breeches, can make them himself of any color he pleases and of any shape he likes, for it makes no sense for one person to raise objections to how another, just like him, may dress or to his taste or to how he sleeps.” From the day of his first cry till he reaches his fourteenth year, the human

2.1.18

lives quite independently of us and without any need for what we plan for him. Instinct guides him to what is appropriate to and good for him. Do you not see how a child, if left to his own devices and nature, will not wear thin linen in winter even if it be embroidered, or furs in the heat of summer even if they be edged with brocade? How, when he feels hunger, he asks for food and, when he gets sleepy, sleeps, even if you seek to distract him with all the music and songs known to man? How, when he gets thirsty, he drinks and, when he gets tired, he rests? In other words, he is in no need of us because of his natural inborn disposition. He could even live, through the strength of the Almighty, for a hundred and twenty years, plus a month, without looking on the face of any one of us or setting eyes on our crowns and gorgeous robes, our signet rings of precious metal, our silvered sticks. Let us then leave people, unmolested, to their humble pursuits and to their work and not stick our noses into their business or charge them with tasks beyond their ability to perform. If God had wanted to make the child dependent on us, he would have inspired him to ask his parents, from the moment that he started to grow and flourish, their names and station and

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2.1.19

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ة ��ل �‬ ‫�م�ن �و��ق ت� �تر�عر�ع�ه �ع�ن ا ��س�م�ا ئ�� ن��ا �و�م�ق��ا �م ن��ا * �و�ع�م�ا �‬ ‫ح�ن �ع��لي��ه �م�ن ا �لم�م�ا �‬ ‫���دا �ل‬ ‫ح��ك� � او ج‬ ‫�قا �‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ح�ن � ا ��ل��ت ش����ا � * � ا ��ل�ت�ن�ا �ق � ا ��ل�ت�ن�ا �ف * � ا ��لت�� �ا �ع�ن � ا ��لت �ت‬ ‫�ت ش ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ر *‬ ‫� او � �ل ي���ل � او � �ل�� �ل * � او �ل������ � و �ج ر و ر و ر و ل و �‬ ‫�ذ ُ‬ ‫� ا ��لت��د ا �بر � ا ��لت‬ ‫��ه �ع��ل� �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن �م�ن �ترك���‬ ‫�ه�ا �ج�ر* � او �‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة �م�ا ا ا �ع ن�ي�� ن��ا ب��ت��ا د ��ي ب��ه �و�ت �ر���ت��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫��ا � �ل�ق ا ة‬ ‫�و�ت��ه� ��ي ب��ه � �و�ع��يل�م�ه �ص�ن �ع��ة ��تن ف����ع�ه ���فى �‬ ‫ح� يص���ل �م�عي�� ش����ت�ه �و�م�عي�� ش���� � او �ل��د �ي�ه * ك�� ر �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� نا � ن‬ ‫� ا ��لخ‬ ‫� ���ط � او ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ا ب� � او ��ل�ا د ب� � او ��ل���ط� � او ��لت�� �ص ر * �و�م�ا ا �ذ ا ���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�� �ل�ه ا � ي���س��عى ��ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ق � ن ن ا ن ق � � ن ظ ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ �ن ف‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ص�د �� �ع�لي��ه ا ��ه ا ���س� � �ب ��� ���ط�‬ ‫��ي�ر � ����س�ه �و��ي�ر ا ب� �� �وي�ه �و�م�ع�ا ر��ه �و ج�����س�ه �و�ك���ل �م�ن �‬ ‫ع ا �ل���ر‬ ‫� ش � ا نظ� �‬ ‫�ت ف ا ت � ا � ن � ا‬ ‫ع�ن ئ ا ت � ا‬ ‫� ا ن ��‬ ‫� �ه�ي�� � ا �ل��لب�� ��س � �و ��� �و� ا �ل� � �ل او � � او �لب��ل� د * �ل� � ا �ل�لب�ي�� ب� ا �لر����ي �د �ل� ��ي � ���ر ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� ا �ل�ا ��ل��‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه �مت�� �صف��ا �ب�ا �ل�ا �ن��س�ا ��ني���ة �مث���ل�ه * �و�م�ن ا �عت�ب��ر ا �ل�ا � �مور ا �ل���ط�ا ر�ئ��ة �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ز ّ ف ا ن ت ا ع�ن ��ك�ز � ش �ة ث‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫���ا �ل�ا � �ل او ن� � او �ل����ط�ع�ا � � او �ل �ى �� ��ه �ي���ب�� �ع�د � �مر� ا �لب����� �ر� ك�‬ ‫����ي�را * � او ن��م�ا �ي ت�� �‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ م‬ ‫��� ا ص�ن ن ا � �ةً �‬ ‫�غ � � ا �� ��ل �‬ ‫ن ن ا �ذ �‬ ‫��س�� � �لو ج��ه ا لله ��ت�ع�ا ��ل�ى * ��ي ر ��ط� لب��ى ا �ج�ز� � ا‬ ‫و �ل�ه�د ا �ي�ا *‬ ‫�ص��ي��ع�� �ه� ا ك�ل�ه �م� � �ع�� ه ح ب‬ ‫�ا �آ‬ ‫� �ا ا � ا ن ث‬ ‫ن � �ي�ن �مّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�و �ل�ا ا �ل ن���ذ �ور � او �ل�ع ��ط� �ي� * �ل� � ك�‬ ‫��ا �ن�ا * ف���ر�ى ا �‬ ‫����ي�را �م�ن ا �ل� ��‬ ‫ح��د �ه�‬ ‫ط��� �ي��د ا �و �و� ا�لم�ع��س‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح � ا � ه ُ �َ � ا �� ا � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ح��ت��س�ا ��ا‬ ‫�ي����ا د ر ���ط�ع�ا �م�ه �و� ار �ش���ه � �وي�� �ه ب� ا �ل�ى �م �ر���ض� �م� �موم �و ب� ج��د رى �و �ط� �‬ ‫عو� ا � ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا� ّ‬ ‫����‬ ‫�ع ن��د ا لله * ا �ذ ا ��ل ن��ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح�ه� ا ��ل�ى ا لله ا ��ن ف���‬ ‫له� �عي��ا �ل �ع��ل� ا لله * �‬ ‫عه� �ل�عي��ا �ل�ه *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�م‬ ‫و ب� م‬ ‫س �م‬ ‫ن ق �‬ ‫�ذ ا � ن ن‬ ‫�ذ ا ��ق � ه ن ا ت ا � ��ف �خ� � ��ق � �� ف‬ ‫�ه� ا �م� ك‬ ‫���ا � �ي���ب���غ�ى ا � ��ي� ��و� �لوه * �و�ه� ا �م� ا �و�ل� ا �� * �� �م�ل �ى ر�ج �ى ا ب���ل ي�� �‬ ‫طو��‬ ‫� � ��ف ��ل � �‬ ‫�� ّ�� ��ن �ف ه �ن ف � �ن ن�� ا �ز‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫�و�ل �ى ا ج�‬ ‫�ب��ا �ل � او � �لق �‬ ‫�ف��ا ر* �و�ي عر �ض ���س� � �و ����س م ��يح�‬ ‫ح�ا ر � او �ل� �م�ص�ا ر * �يو ج �‬ ‫�ذ � � ا � ق � �‬ ‫�� ه � � ّ �� �ق �ذ �ف ا ��� ة ا � ش ا � ن �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫س� � او ل�� � �و لع�د ا �و� �و�لم����‬ ‫ح�� * �و�م�ا �ل��ك ا �ل� �لي �� ��و�ل �ل��ل ن��ا ��س ا �ن�ه ا �عر��‬ ‫ا لي�� �ل�ل�� ب‬ ‫ح ا ��له� * � ا �ذ ا �ُ�سئ�� �ع�ن د ��آء ��ل�ع��ي�ن �م�د ت� * ا � ��س�ا �ق �ق � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح� * ا �و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ه�م �ب� ��و � م و‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫و � ر‬ ‫قّ‬ ‫�ذ ��ق � ا �ت ��ف �ن ��ث ت ا �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ ة ��ن�ت�ف�خ ت‬ ‫�ص��‬ ‫ا د ر� ا �� * ا �و ا � ب‬ ‫ع د �مي�� * ا �و ا ا ي���ل �ل�ه �م� ر�ى �ى �م ك���ر� �عي�� �ل�ه * �و���ل‬ ‫�فُ‬ ‫ُ �‬ ‫�م�ا ��ل�ه * � � �ظ‬ ‫عّ ����ه �ز �م�ا �ن�ه * �و ج��ا ر �ع��لي��ه ��س��ل���ط�ا �ن�ه * ��من�� ��ا ج��ل‬ ‫ح � ا �ل� جه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و * �و�‬ ‫�و *‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫نظ ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا ��ص � ش‬ ‫�نا‬ ‫ه �ت�ه * � ��ي �� ن� �� ن� خ���ل��� ت‬ ‫ط��ه * �و �ل� ي��� �ع�م��ل� �ون�ه �و �ل�‬ ‫و ب�‬ ‫� ي�م����ى � او �ل�� ��س ��ي � ���ر�و� ج� �‬ ‫و�ج ب و‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫����ست خ� �د � �ن ه �ل� ا ��ت��ق ��ف � �ق �� �م�ن ا ن ا �� ف� �ق � � ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي ر �ل ي ��س ل و‬ ‫ي �� �و‬ ‫رر ى و � �م‬ ‫‪30‬‬

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‫*‬

‫‪٢٠٫١٫٢‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

about the matters over which we wrangle and debate—all the back and forth, the mutual wretchedness and recrimination, the sniping and snippiness, the vilification and reviling, the contradicting and cutting. Better than letting him go down that path, we should concern ourselves with teaching him manners and morality, with refining him and teaching him skills that will help him to earn a living and provide for himself and his parents— such as reading, penmanship, arithmetic, letters, medicine, and painting— and in advising him to exert himself for his own good and that of his parents, his acquaintances, his community, and everyone to whom the term “human” may be applied, without regard for the styles of people’s dress or differences of color or country. The wise and well-guided man sees in others only their common humanity, and any who pays attention to incidental matters such as colors, food, and costume distances himself greatly from what is central to humanity. And all that we do in this regard will be good only if we do it for the sake of God Almighty, not as seekers after rewards or gifts, offerings and donations, but like those many physicians who treat the hard-up for free and whom you’ll see leaving their food and beds and going to a patient with a fever, or leprosy, or the plague, in anticipation of only heavenly reward. All people are God’s children, and the person God loves best is he who is of greatest benefit to His children. This is what they should have said and is what I say now. Take a Bag-man. He has undertaken to make the circuit of the world’s seas and metropolises, to roam its mountains and wildernesses, to expose himself and his allies to insult and abuse, hostility and hatred, all so that he can tell people that he knows better than they do what they are about. If you ask him for medication for a rheumy eye or an ulcerated leg, a swollen scrotal hernia or a finger that’s bled, or if he’s asked, “What say you to one whose litter has grown while his wealth has flown, whom Fortune has put to the test and whom by his government’s been oppressed, so that he’s afflicted with hunger and condemned to insomnia and now, wherever he walks, people, seeing his podex is bare, refuse to acknowledge that he’s there, and will not do business with him or employ him, thinking in their minds that a poor man cannot do a job well; to one whose children have started to weep and wince with pain and whose wife has begun to ask for mercy and complain, though none spare a thought for the youth she’s lost in raising her children?” or if someone says to him, “Have you any refuge for a guest who’s a stranger and has none to take his

31

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2.1.20

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫ت‬ ‫� ت ت� � ا � � ا �‬ ‫�ا � ن‬ ‫�ك� ن� �ش����ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫��ض �ور �و ن� * � او �م ار �ت�ه � ش�����ك�و �و���س��رح� �و �ل� را‬ ‫ا �و �ل� ده ��ي ب���ك�و� � ��يوت��‬ ‫ح�م �ل�ه� �ل��و ب ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق��د �ذ �ه� ���ف �ت �����ة ا � ��ل�ا د�ه�ا * ا � ��ق�� ��ل�ه ��ه �ع ن��د ك �م�ن �م�ا � � ��ل�ض‬ ‫�� ��ف� �ع * �م�ا‬ ‫ر�ير‬ ‫ب ى بري و‬ ‫وى ي‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫و ي �ل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� �ل�ا �ن ظ� ���ر ��ى ا �ن�� او �� ك��‬ ‫� �ل�ه� ا � او ��م�ا ق��د �م ت� ا �لي� ك��‬ ‫�ل�ه �م�ن �ن��ص�ي�ر* ق��ا �ل �م�ا �ج�ئ��ت ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� ا �ل ��ى ������ ج�س�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل �م�ا �ع ن��د �ى ���فى ا ��خل‬ ‫� �و���فى ا �� �ل او �ن��ه�ا ا �ل ��ت ��ل�ا �ت ش����ا �ك�‬ ‫���ا �عت� ك��‬ ‫�ر�� �م�ن ا �ل��ل�و� ا �ل ن��ا �ص� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �ب� ض�‬ ‫�ع�لي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت� ن ا � �ة ف‬ ‫ا ن ّ � � ف‬ ‫� ّ�‬ ‫ه�من��ى ا �لن ظ� ���ر �ي�م�ا �ف�ي��ه را �‬ ‫ح� �ي�م�ا �ب�ه ��ت�عب� ك��‬ ‫ح� ك��‬ ‫� * �و� �لو ��ت�ع ��ط��ل ت� �ج��مي��‬ ‫� � او ��م� ا �ل ار �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م� ا � �ي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت � �ذ �‬ ‫� �ن � �ذ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� ��ل�ا ��قت��ص�ا رك��‬ ‫�ج�ت�� �ب�� ��ل��ك � �لو�‬ ‫�� �ع��ل� � �لو��ى ا �ل�� �ى ا �بر �زه �� ك��‬ ‫�م�ع�ا �م�� ك��‬ ‫� را � �مو ا �و�ع�ن� او �ن�ا � او �‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ل ّ ث ��ل�ا �‬ ‫�ك�ن �ع� ّ ���ف �ذ ��ل�� �م�ن �ش��� * � �ه��ذ ا ��س ���ق ���ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ر �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫‪٢١٫١٫٢‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�ى ى ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق � � �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�عي���ي��ه �ع��ل� �� ج��ا ره � او �ل�ا �خ�ر�ى �ع��ل� �عي���ي��ه * �� �ي�����ل �ي��د �ي�ه �ور ج���لي��ه * � �و � ��و�ل �ل�ه ا �ل�ي �و�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ىم‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫ا ��ف‬ ‫� � ن ��ت �ت�ن��ّ‬ ‫�ان ش‬ ‫� ��مت��خ�‬ ‫�م�ا ي� ش�����‬ ‫�‬ ‫����‬ ‫� ا �ل�� �سو�ق� ا �ب�ص‬ ‫�ك�و �و ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ن ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫(‪)1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي�ج ب� �ع�لي��ك ا � ح س‬ ‫(‪ )1‬ا �ل� �����‬ ‫ح��س �ر ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف� ن �غ ن ن� ن‬ ‫كل ا �ل��ل���‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�ا ا �‬ ‫� ار ��س�ه �و�ه�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م�ع�د �ت�ه � او �م�ع�ا �ئ�ه � او �ض‬ ‫��ا ���س�ه �و��م��س��ك �م�ع�ه * �ل�‬ ‫ح��س * ي���ب���ى ا � ج‬ ‫ن ��ت ن ظ �� � ا ن ا �� ش�خ � ش �‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫� ا �ة‬ ‫� ا �ل‬ ‫ح� �م�‬ ‫ط او �ل ا �ل��س�هر ا �لب�� ر�‬ ‫م����ا ر ا �لي��ه ا �ض‬ ‫ل�����‬ ‫� ّر �ب�ه �� �‬ ‫�ح�ل �ل��ك �ل��ل�ي �و�م ا � ���ر* �ل� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا � �� �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ر��مت���ي�ن �م�د ا � �ع ش * � ح � ا �ل �‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ن��د �م�� �ئ�ه � �ون��دي��م�ا �ت�ه �ف�غ���د ا � �وب�ا �‬ ‫ح��د �ى �عي���ي��ه ا � ك‬ ‫ر و �م��� �ل ي��ل ل�ك �ي �وم‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ا ن ت‬ ‫ح ك ���ل���ك * � ��ل�ا ا ن� �ت��س�م� ��ا �ذ ��ن ���ك * ا � �ت��س�ت ن�� ش���ق‬ ‫ا ن� ��ت�ع��م� ب����د���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل ي ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ت�ق �‬ ‫�ان � ق‬ ‫�ذ �ق � ف‬ ‫نف‬ ‫ب���من خ�‬ ‫� �ر��ك �ل� � ا �ل�� �سو�� ا �ل�ي �و� �ل� � �� � او �لب��ي �ا �ع�ا ت� �ل� ��ت �� ��ق� * �� �ه�و ا ا �ي���ل �ل�ه ا ��ل�ا ���ص��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م آ م‬ ‫م م م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�س��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ه �����د �� �‬ ‫�ب��ي�ن ���د �و �و ج�‬ ‫ح� � �� �و��ك ا �ل�ع� �ل�ى �و��م� � ك�‬ ‫�ص�م��ه �ب� �ل� �م��س ب���ع�د ا � ج�� � �م �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ف ت � ة ��ل�ت ن نَّ ي�ز ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � � ا �� ا ��� ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح� �ل�� ا�ل�م ار � �م�ي����ه ب�‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل ش���� �عور * �و�‬ ‫ح�� ب� ��و� ا �و �ل�������ك� �و�ه ا �ل�ى ا �‬ ‫��ض �و طر�‬ ‫ح� ب�ك ل�‬ ‫ن � �ت ا ق ُ‬ ‫� آ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب���� �م��ذ �ي ��و�م��ي�ن ��ل��‬ ‫ل��ا ر * ا �و ا � ع‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه د ا ن� ب���ع�� ا �ل�ا �م �ر ء �و�ل� ي��م��‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ه‬ ‫ا � بك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫فف ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � ا ��ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ا ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��س� ��ف �م ن��ه � ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ه‬ ‫ا� ي‬ ‫ح� ك�م�ه �وي� �و�ى‬ ‫ح���ه * ������ل��س�ه ا � �ل�� ���ى � او ركب���ه ح�م� را �ى ا �ل� �� �س او �� �و �و ج� �‬ ‫خ �ّ � ا‬ ‫ن ف ا نا ق‬ ‫��ز ف ش � ا ن ن ا �ق ش‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى د �بر ا ���حل‬ ‫�م�ا ر* ا �و ا � ��ل� �� ��د �مر��ض� �و�ل �م � ار ����ه �ل� ��ه �� ���� ب���ع��ض� ��د ا �م ا �ل� �م�ي�ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫فً � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف�غ� ا � ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن� �‬ ‫��ك�ل �ب�ه ا �ل� �م�ي�ر �ض‬ ‫� �ر�ا �ب�ا �ل�ع��صى �ع��ل�ى ر ج���لي��ه �و�ص���ع�ا �ب�ا �لن��ع�ا �ل �ع��ل�ى ا � �لق�� ا �ل * ��د �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫��هخ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن�ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ار ك �ب�ه �و��د �ور�م ت� ر ج��ل�اه � او � �‬ ‫� ����� ه * �ل�م �ي��ك�ن �م��ه ا �ل� ��و�ل�ه �م� د ا �م ا �ل�� �سو�� �و�� ي‬ ‫‪32‬‬

‫‪32‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

side against danger?” he’ll say, “I didn’t come to you to provide such things. I came only to inspect the looms on which you weave your goods, and their colors, which cannot rival the brilliant colors that I have in my saddlebag. It is no concern of mine to look into what might bring you ease; my ease lies in your troubles. If all your workshops fall idle because you’re incapable of producing these colors of mine that I have displayed to you in the shape of samples and specimens and you thus earn the reproof of your merchants, plowmen, and physicians, that is of no importance to me.” And here’s your Market-man, one eye trained on his neighbor’s mouth,

2.1.21

the other on his eyes, who then binds him hand and foot and tells him, “Today you have to be ‘distressed’(1) for the Market Boss awoke with indigestion, complaining of pains—in other words, ‘distress’—in his stomach, guts, and molars. We must therefore be as he is and abstain along with him”; or

(1) “To be distressed” (tatanaḥḥas) means here “to abstain from eating meat.”

“Today you aren’t allowed to use your eyes because staying up late last night with his boon companions (male and female) has laid the aforesaid boss low, and he woke up with pus or rheum in one of his noble peepers”; or “Today you aren’t allowed to work with your hands or to move your feet, and you mustn’t listen with your ears or breathe with your nostrils because no market was held today, and no sales were made.” If someone then says to him, “Can you not make peace between Zayd and his wife, for yesterday she wouldn’t do his bidding after she came back from your most honored store, and they fell to tugging at each other’s hair, and the wife swore she’d make him wish she were an old hag, or would complain of him to one of her friends among the big-time traders?” or “The merchant ʿAmr has been in prison these last two days because he lent money to one of the emirs and couldn’t obtain a judgment against him or recover what he is owed, and the judge bankrupted him and had him mounted on a donkey and paraded through the marketplaces, facing the donkey’s rump,” or “So and so has fallen ill and taken to his bed because he got into an argument with one of the emir’s servants, so the emir punished him by beating him with sticks on his feet and slapping him with slippers on the back of his neck, and the next day he couldn’t move, and his feet swelled up, and his nape was all puffy,” all he’ll say is, “So long as the market and its boss are safe and sound, the rest of the world is too. Business is going well, and the market’s up and running, bellies are full, mouths are munching, stomachs are digesting, molars are crunching,

33

33

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫� ا ��ل ت َّ �ة � ق �ف �ة ق ئ �ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ا �� �� ن‬ ‫����‬ ‫��س�ا �ل�م��ي�ن ف��ا ��ل��د ��ني��ا ك�‬ ‫له�ا ��س�ا �لم� * � او�لم�ص�‬ ‫� �م��س���بت�� � او �ل�� �سو�� �مر��و�ع� �و��ا ��م� * �و لب�� �‬ ‫طو�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أَ‬ ‫� ا �ف � ا �ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ار ��س خ�� ��م�ه * � اوِ�لم�ع�د �ه� ��م�ه * � ا‬ ‫و �ل� �ي��د �ى ��ا ��م�ه *‬ ‫�م�ل�� �ى � او �ل� �� او ه �ل� ��م�ه * � او �ل� �ض‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫� او ��ل�ا �ف ا � د ا ئ��م�ه * � او ��خل‬ ‫ح�ا ر�م�ه * � او �ل�ع ن��ا �ي��ة �ع�ا �‬ ‫��ي�را ت� �م��را ك��م�ه * � او �لر��ؤ ��س�� �‬ ‫�ص�م�ه *‬ ‫رح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ث غ‬ ‫� او �� �لق��ا د �م�ا ت� ��ا �ل ن�� �ور �م��ت�ز ا �‬ ‫�ور ا �ل� �م�ا ��ى �ب�ا ��س�م�ه *‬ ‫ح�م�ه * � او � �لو��و�� �ش���ا �م��ل� �ع�ا �م�ه * �و�� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ة خ ا ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � ق‬ ‫� � ق‬ ‫�ذ �خ‬ ‫هو �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� او �ل��س�ل� �م� �� ��م�ه * ا �ل�ى ا �ل�� �سو�� * ا �ل�ى ا �ل�� �سو�� * � �‬ ‫حر ا �ل�ع��ل�و�� * �و �ر‬ ‫�� � �ن � َ‬ ‫� ق �ق ��ف ا �� ص�ن �ق ��ف ا �� ص�ن �ق �ف‬ ‫�َ ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ص ��و� � او �ل�غ� ب ��و�� * �و��د‬ ‫‪٢٢٫١٫٢‬‬ ‫�و� * �ى ل� �د �و� * �ى ل� �د �و� *‬ ‫هوا �ول�ى م ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�وا �هرث�� ا �فر�غ �ع��ل� �ت��ه�ا �تر �و ر�ه� � �و�مب�� �‬ ‫���ط�ا �ل�م�ا � او لله ا �مت��ل�� �ه��ذ ا ا �ل�ص�ن �د �و�ق� �ذ �هب��ا �و ج�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ة � �ق �ن ف ق ��ف‬ ‫ة تّ‬ ‫�خ ف �ة ف ق �غ ن‬ ‫س� ��س�ن ��ي�ن‬ ‫ف��ا ر�غ���ة � او � �مور���س‬ ‫��ض � او �طر� ا �ل�� �سو� ا � � ��� �ى �م�د� ��‬ ‫�ي ���� * �����د ب���ل� ن��ا ا � ب���ع��ض� �‬ ‫� ��قُ َّ �ة���ذ �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق ض‬ ‫���ا �ه�ا ��ا ��بل��‬ ‫ح ث� � او ج��ل‬ ‫���دا ��ل �ع��ل �ش�� �‬ ‫��ك�ل ب��ع� ك�� ا �وك��‬ ‫�� ا �ب��د ر�ة �م�ن ا�لم�ا ��ل * � �و�ت ف��� يص���ل ��ل��ك ا �ن�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف � آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ه��د��س��ة � ا ��له�ئ‬ ‫���ا ن� ق��د ��ت�عل��� �م��ا د �ى ا ��ل� ن‬ ‫�ن ظ� ���ر��ن �ف���س�ه ا ت� �ي ��و� ��ى ا�ل�م �ر �ة �وك�‬ ‫ي���ة * �ف ار �ى را ��س�ه‬ ‫و�‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ��ل� ����ط خ� �ة ف �ق � ه ن ت خ� ��ذ ��ق َّ �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ي���ة ا ��س�ه * ��ا ن ا �ل�م�د �ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ل � و ر‬ ‫�م�د �و را ك�� ب ي�� * � ار � �ل� ا � ��ي�� ب��ع� �م�د �ور� �ع��ل�ى �ه� ر‬ ‫فآ‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫ا ئ � ّ � �ت�ق �ف � ا �‬ ‫ق آ�خ � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�ل� ��م ا�لم�د �و ر �مك��ا � � رر ��ى ا �ل� � �صو�ل * � �ر ه ب���ع��ض� �م�ز ا �م��لي��ه �م�ن �� �سو�� � �ر �وك���ا � ا �ع ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�قُ َ �ة‬ ‫ق� � َ‬ ‫�م ن��ه ق��د را �و �و ج��ا �ه��ة � او �و�ف �ع��ل�م�ا * ��� خ�س‬ ‫سو��س ا �لي���ك �ي�ا اب��ن �ب��ع� (‪* )1‬‬ ‫�ر�م ن��ه �و��ا �ل �ل�ه �م�ن �و�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ُ َّ‬ ‫� � خم ��‬ ‫ف� �ق ا �� �� ه ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ت ��ل���� ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫س� �ه��ذه ا � �ل�قب��ع��ة * �م� ا ن� �ش�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�ن ُقَ ة ق آ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫(‪ )1‬ا � � ب���ع�� و ��ا ب��ع�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و �ص ف� ب�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ا ��ل ق‬ ‫� �� ش � �ذ � � ش‬ ‫ح���م ق� *‬ ‫ض� � ت‬ ‫��ث س�ت ة �ن‬ ‫سو�� *‬ ‫�����‬ ‫� �� �‬ ‫���ل�ل� ب���ل �ه�وا ك���ر ا �� �د ا ر� �م را ��س�ك �مك�ا ي�����ه�د �ل�ى �ب�� �ل�ك ي‬ ‫��ن تَ‬ ‫���ث�� ا ��ل�َع ن��َ�� ا ��ل��ه � ا ��ن ا �ه�د � �م�ن ��ش�� خ‬ ‫���ذ ب�� ت� ب��� �ه�و � خم‬ ‫�ر�و ���ط � او ن� ك�‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫ق��ا ��ل ك��‬ ‫����ك � او ��ق�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�نَّ‬ ‫� ق ا ق ا � �ف‬ ‫قا �‬ ‫�� ر ت� �و�ع�مي� ت� �ع�ن �م�عرف���ة ��ن �ف���س��ك ف��ا ��ى ��ل��ك ا ن� ��ت�عر�ف� �غ��ي�رك * �� ل�‬ ‫��ط �ر��� * �� �ل ��ك‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نت َ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫فا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ت� ّ�د �ع� ��� ا ��� �ع�م�ه ك��م�ه �و��د �‬ ‫�ق�و�ل��ك ا �ل��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ه� ��ى �ع�د �م �ب �‬ ‫� * �� �ل�ي �و�م ر�ى‬ ‫ح�م��� �و��س� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ِ ِ‬ ‫بل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ّ �ن ال خ‬ ‫� � ���ط * � ا ��ل��س�ا ���ط �م�ن ا�لم��س � ���ط * �� �لّ ن‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫‪٢٣٫١٫٢‬‬ ‫�ه�م�ا ا �ل�ع ن��ا د � �و �ق��ا �ب� ض�‬ ‫� ب��ي�� �‬ ‫رو‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ا �ل ن�� ��س ا�لم�د �و ر �م مرو‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ث ا ��ل ث ا � ا‬ ‫� اق ا‬ ‫�فم�ز ق �� ن‬ ‫��ا ��ل�ا �ز ��ا �ق� � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �عر��ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�ي �و ب� � او �ل� ��ل�ع * ��م �ب� ج���م�م ��م �ب� �ل� �ع ار ��ض� * �� �� �ك��ل �م �‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫ث‬ ‫��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ح�ا � ا ��س�ت غ���ا �ث�ا � �ت ش����ا ك���‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ��ل��د � ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ك��� � �و�تب��ا �ه�ل�ا �و�ت��ه�ا �ت ا‬ ‫ر*‬ ‫ح��ه ا �ى �ع�د �وه * ��م �ص� � و‬ ‫�ص� � ب‬ ‫و ي ى م‬ ‫‪34‬‬

‫‪34‬‬

Rolling a Boulder

hands are snatching, joys are everlasting, fortunes are accumulating, bosses are prohibiting, Providence is protecting, women bearing ex-votos in droves are arriving, pious bequests are all-encompassing, the mouths of the Fates are smiling, and all’s well that ends well. To market! To market! There’s the box of delights, there the trove of truths! Into the chest! Into the chest! Morning and evening, the chest is best!” Many a time, I swear, has that chest been filled with gold and precious

2.1.22

stones, only to be emptied again on confrontations, confabulations, pointless investigations, and foolish matters. We have been informed that one of the market traders spent a vast amount of money over a period of six years on study and debate concerning the shape of a certain hat. To be specific, he looked at himself one day in the mirror and, being somewhat acquainted with the principles of engineering and construction, noticed that his head was round, like a watermelon. It therefore seemed appropriate to him that he should adopt the use of a round hat of the same shape as his head, for round goes best with round, as good taste has long determined. One of his colleagues from another market, who was of higher standing and dignity and more learned than he, saw him and made mock of him, asking, “Who whispered in your ear, you featherbrain (Ibn Qubaʿah),(1) that you should wear that bird’s nest of a bonnet (qubbaʿah) when your head in fact is conical?” “You are misled,” he replied. “My head is, on the contrary, rounder than yours, as the Market Boss will testify.” “You lie,” said the other. “It

(1) Ibn Qubaʿah [literally, “Son of a (certain) bird (smaller than a sparrow)”] and Qābiʿā’ are epithets used to describe stupidity.

truly is conical, as you should know since you keep looking at it in the mirror, and I am better guided and walk a straighter path than your boss.” “You blaspheme,” said the first, “and are blind to your own self; how then can you know others?” “And you,” said the second, “are a godless innovator; nay, you are confounded and confused and have become stupid and silly in refusing to accept my advice. People today can tell the rounded from the turned, the con-man from the burned.” At this, obduracy seized them in its relentless grip, and they grabbed each other by their collars, their pockets, and their shepherd’s sacks, and then by their long hair, and then by their reputations, each man tearing apart that of his friend, meaning his enemy. Next they screamed, appealed for help, and complained of each other before the ruler, each calling the other a fool and reviling him. When it became clear to the ruler that they were both acting

35

35

2.1.23

‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫��ي� د �‬ ‫حر ج��� ج���ل�م�ود‬

‫ف �ل ا ث ت ��ل���لا�� ن ف‬ ‫�ت ا � �غ� �ة‬ ‫ف � �ز ق �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫له�م�ا ����ع�ل ا �ل ش���ب��ا �� (‪ )1‬را �ى ا � �م�د ا � او ��ه�م� ب� ار �م�‬ ‫�� �م� ��ب���‬ ‫ح� ك�م� ا � ���ع�� �‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ف � �ة‬ ‫��� �من‬ ‫�ص �ف� �ك�‬ ‫را ب��ي���ة * ا �و ��ل�ى �م�ن �‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �وق��د ��ر�‬ ‫�صر�ه�م�ا ��ى ا �ل�زا � �وي� * ف��ا �ن�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫���ذ ���ذ‬ ‫ة ث ن �‬ ‫� ا � ا �� ت خ� �ذ �‬ ‫�ذ � �ق َّ �ة‬ ‫��ض �و ��ط� ر ا �ل� �ول ا‬ ‫ك�� ا �وك�� ا �ب��د ر� * �� ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫��� �ل�ه ب���ع�د �ل��ك �ب��ع� �ب��ي�ن �ب��ي�ن * ا �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت� ي�ز ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫� �ذ ا ��ل�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�د �ّو ر � �ون�� فص� � م‬ ‫� �و ��ط ب�‬ ‫ه�� �‬ ‫حرر*‬ ‫حي�� �ل� ��ي���د ر �ع��ل�ى �مي��� �ه� ا �ل� ا ج �‬ ‫���ص� �‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫�ه� ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫آ ��ل ا �ن ت ه ك��‬ ‫��م�ن �ق��ف�� �م�ن ��غ�ز � �ة * ا � ا ��س ا ��ل��د ْ‬ ‫ح���ة * ( �ئ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� او ��ل ن��ا ق��د ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ذ � �‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫� �ق َّ ّ ن‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن��د) ا �و ك�� �ل��ك ا �ل��د�ي��ك ا �ل���ا �ل ب� * � او �و�ل �م�ا ا ���ط�ل �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�� �سو�� ا �مر�ج��مي�� ا � �ل ب��عي���ي�ن ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫�وا �ع��ل� ��ت��ل�ك ا ��ل‬ ‫�وا �ل�م�ل�ا ق��ا �ت�ه �ب�ا �لت��ق���لي���� �ل�ا �ب�ا �لت���ل�ق�ي���� (‪�� * )2‬خر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي خ�رج��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫ج ى‬ ‫(‪ )2‬ا ��ل����ل��ي��س ا ����س���� ب���ا ل‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫���� ن � �ق � ن‬ ‫� �ف ق‬ ‫ا �لولا � �ع ن���د ��د و ��م�ه��م‬ ‫�و�ه� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و� �لو� * ا �ل�ي �و� �عي��د ا � �ل ب��ع�ه * ا �ل�ي �و� �ي ��و� ا � �ل ر���ع�ه *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫����ض‬ ‫ا �ل���له‬ ‫�ا �ص���ا‬ ‫م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب � � � و و � ي�ع‬ ‫�� ��ف �ذ � � �� ق �ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا �لر ج��ل ي��د ي��ه ع��لى �ص�د ر ه‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ظ�ن‬ ‫ع او � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�اِا �م�ع� �ي� ا �م�ع� * �ب��‬ ‫�صر �ب��ه� ا � �‬ ‫ح� ك�� �ى �ل�ك ا ل�ص��� ��� � او ا ���ه�‬ ‫�خ �ض * ا � ت�ل���قل���� �م���ا � �غل���ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ّي س ب‬ ‫ق ع‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ع ا � ا ت � اَ �زّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ل������س�ه ا �ى ع�ا ب��ه و �ل���� ب���ه *‬ ‫خ���ل� �ع او �ر ��ق���ة ا ��ل���ط�ا �ع�ه * �و�ش���ق �� او �ع�ص�ا ا �ج ���ل‬ ‫�م�ا �ع�ه * �ب��ا د ر �و�ه� �ب� �ل� � ا �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ح�ز �� خ�ز � �زّ � �غ�ز � �ز � َ �ز � �ز �ح�زّ �� �ف�ز �خ�ز � غ�ز � �زّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � او ل‬ ‫ح � او �ل‬ ‫���ل � او �ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� � او ج�ل‬ ‫� او بل�� � او بل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � او �لب�� � او �لب�� � او �لب �‬ ‫� � او �ل�د �� � او �لر‬ ‫�ه � او ج ر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف�ز ��ز�زّ ا ��ل��ش�� � �ز �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ز‬ ‫�ك�ز � او �ل�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�خ�ز � او �لض� �‬ ‫���ف�ز � او �ل���ط�ع�ز � او �ل�عر�ز � او �ل��‬ ‫�خ�ز � او �ل ش���ر � او �ل ش�����ف�ز � او �ل ش�����‬ ‫� او �لر� � او �ل �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق �ز � �ز � ت�ز � �زّ � �ك�ز � �ق�ز � � م�ز �‬ ‫ح�ز‬ ‫له�ز � اولم‬ ‫ح�ز � او �ل��م �ز � او �ل�م�ه�ز � او ��لن��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �ل���ل � او �ل��لب�� � او �ل��ل�� � او �ل��ل � او �ل��ل�� � او �ل��ل� � او �ل�ل� � او �ل�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا ��لن�خ�ز ا �� ن �غ�ز � ن�ك�ز � ن �ز � �خ�ز �‬ ‫��ك�ز � ا �� �ل �ق�ز � ا �� �ل �ه�ز � ا ��له���ز � ا ��له �ز � ا ��له�م�ز‬ ‫�ه � او � �لو� � او � �لو� و و و و و � ب و � ر و �‬ ‫�و � �و ل�� � او �ل��� � او �ل �‬ ‫ة�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫� ا � ��ق � ت ق ق ��ق ��ف ��لخ�ز‬ ‫� او ��ل �ه�ز* �‬ ‫ح�تى ج�‬ ‫��ض �و ��ط� ر ب� ب�ع��ه �و��د ا �و��� �و�م�ه �ى ا‬ ‫‪٢٤٫١٫٢‬‬ ‫��ع��ل�و�ه� �عب��ر� �ل��ل�م�عت�ب��ر* �و� ّر ا �ل�‬ ‫� �ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ � � ��� � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� او ��ل�ع�ا ر �م�م�ا ا �ص�ا � ا �ل ج��ا ��ل �م�ن ا �ل �ز ء �و �ل‬ ‫حق� ا �ل����س�� �م�ن ا �ل�ز �ي�ا د� * �و�م� �ل�ك ك��ل�ه ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ت � ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ�ْ � ش‬ ‫�خ � ق � س�ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو��ل ا رق��ه‬ ‫�����‬ ‫� ا �ل�� �سو�� ا�لم�� �ع�ز �ب�ه �ش���ي �ا * ب���ل ظ �����ل � بك��‬ ‫م��ا �ع��ل�ى ��ع�ا ��ط�ى ا �ل� ��ف�ي �و� �ل�� �‬ ‫يج‬ ‫��ده ي‬ ‫�خ ل�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق ف � ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ذ �ن‬ ‫��� �ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �و�تب�ي���ي�ت�ه * �و��د ��س�د ا �ي��ه ب��ب��ع��ض� ا �ورا �� د ��ا �تر ا �ل�� �سو�� �لئ��ل�ا ي���س�م� �‬ ‫�ص ار � م���سج�ي ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ق�ظ �‬ ‫ح��د �م�ن � ا ت‬ ‫� ���ه ا �‬ ‫هو را ق��د ا �ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل�ي �و� ا �ى �ي ��و� �ت��د �و �ي�ن �ه��ذه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�س�� ��ه * � �‬ ‫�ب�ه ا �و ي ��و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت� ��ل�ه ��م‬ ‫ا �� �ل او �ق��ع��ة * ف��ا ن� ا ف��ا �ق� ف���ل� �لق��ا ر�ى ا ن� ��ي��قي��د �ذ ��ل��ك ���فى ا �خ�ر �ه��ذ ا ا � ف�ل���ص�ل ف���ق��د �ترك�‬ ‫ح�ل�ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل �‬ ‫ا ��ن ت ت‬ ‫ح ج���ة ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ود *‬ ‫���ل� �مود � او �ح‬ ‫�م��د � �ل او �ج� ب� ا � �لوج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� د �ر‬ ‫شَ ْ�زَ ق‬ ‫(‪ )1‬ا �ل��� ب�� �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ل���������ط�ا ن� �م��ن‬ ‫ا� ي‬

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‫‪36‬‬

‫َ�م��ن ي�ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ��ب��ط�ه‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا �ل���م��س *‬

Rolling a Boulder

like lunatics (shabāziqah),(1) he decided it would make better sense to cure them with a heavy fine than to confine them in the pokey. Each then departed, after paying a fine of such and such a number of purses. Afterwards,

(1) [“like lunatics”:] a shabzaq [plural shabāziqah] is one whom the Devil has afflicted with insanity.

the first trader adopted a hat that was half and half, that is, half round and half conical, and none but the most learned of scholars and most expert of examiners could tell which it really was, and he returned to his store like a conquering hero or one who’d captured a diḥyah (that’s an army general), or even a prize-winning cockerel. The first thing he did when he reached the edge of the marketplace was to command all the hatters to come out and receive him—with entertainment and salaams (taqlīs), not with reproaches and slams (talqīs).(2) So they went forth accordingly, making noise and saying, “Today is the Feast of the Hat! Today the day of the firecracker! What a twat! What a twat!” and the ruler’s henchmen, beholding them as they crowed, supposed them to have thrown off the yoke of obedience and abandoned their allegiance, so they set upon them with instruments that25 hit, strike, smite, knock, belt, bat, clout, bang, slam, dash, bash, punch,

(2) Taqlīs is receiving rulers on their arrival with various sorts of entertainment, and also a man’s placing his hands on his breast and bowing. Talqīs is reproaching someone in an exaggerated fashion, i.e., denouncing him and calling him names.

jab, thwack, smack, clap, crack, swipe, whack, wham, whop, clump, bonk, clip, cut, swat, sock, slog, thump, pound, beat, maul, drub, thresh, spank, thrash, whip, slap, club, kick, stamp, stomp, push, shove, and fling, until they had made of them a warning for all who have eyes to see. The market trader then fled with his hat, having landed his people in ignominy and disgrace, which afflicted the men with grievous loss and brought the women even greater, despite all of which the Market Boss, who was so taken with him, thought the matter of no importance. In fact, he continued to devote himself to the taking of opium because of his endless insomnia and nightly brooding; he had stuffed his ears with pages from the market ledgers so that he wouldn’t hear the screams of those who called on him for help and none should wake him from his stupor, and he’s stayed flat on his back to this very day, which is to say, up to the day of the recording of this incident. If he awakes, it will be up to the reader to enter that fact at the end of this chapter, and I have left him space to do that. Here ends the rolling of the boulder, praise be to the Prime Mover.

37

37

2.1.24

‫� ا �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا � �ل��‬ ‫���ص�ل ا �ل��ث� ��ى‬ ‫� ���س�ل�ا � �و ك��‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫��ل�ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� تَ‬ ‫ت � ا �ن �ة‬ ‫ف ق‬ ‫� ��ف ا ن�� ت� * � ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي ��ف� را ��ي� ا �ل� � ك‬ ‫�ص��ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �ي�ا ��ا ر�ي�ا �� * ك�ي �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�س����د ر�ي� * ��ه�ل‬ ‫ع�م� � ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ت ّن ت ن �آ ا � �ن ا � ا �ف ا ن � ن �آ ��ف‬ ‫�� ��ل�ا � ت��� �ق���ع�ن * � ك��‬ ‫����له�ا‬ ‫� ��ف� � ���د ت� �م��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ب�ي���� ���س� �ه� م ر ج�� �ل�ه� � � ا �ل����س� �ى ب م �ي ب ر‬ ‫وي و ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م ش����ا ��ه�ا � �م� �ا ���سه�ا � �ه��آ�ه�ا � �م��آ�ه�ا � �م ن��ا �ز ��له�ا � ا ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له�ا �ل��ل�غ� �ر�� ء * ا�ل� �ي�ز �ل � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫بر ��س��ك‬ ‫و رب � و ل ب � و و و و � و ر م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ن � �ه �‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�ك� �ون�ه �ع��ل� ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫�و ا �ل�ا ��س�ف��ا ر* �ق�ا ��ل ا �م�ا �م�و�ق�� ا �ل�م�د ��ي ن���ة �ف�ا ��ن�ي �ق ��ل��‬ ‫حر*‬ ‫ا �ل��د � او ر* �و�ع��ل�ى �ل��س� ��ك ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫غ � ا ة � ��‬ ‫�ق �ز ت � ه �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث ة ا �� �غ� �آ �ف� ف ت‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ���ر�ى ر �و��س ��ا ��س �م�� ��ط� � ب��ط ار ��ط�ي ر * � او �رى‬ ‫�� ب���ك� ر� ل �بر� ي�‬ ‫�و �د ا د � ب� ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا �خ� � �� �غ‬ ‫� ا �خ‬ ‫��ا � �و��ي�ر�ه�ا ب��م�ق��ا �ع ��‬ ‫و �ر�ى �ب�ب�را ���س �و��ي�ر�ه�ا ب���ع�م�ا �� *‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫�ب� ��ط ار �ب�ي�� ش��� * �و رى ب �مك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ر�ى �ب�ا �ص�ن �ا �و��ي�ر�ه�ا ب���ع�ص�ا ��ئ ب� * � او �ر�ى ب���ع�م�ا را ت� �و��ي�ر�ه�ا ب��م�د ا �ي�م��‬ ‫� * � او �رى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا ف �غ ا �ق ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ� � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س ��و ب�‬ ‫ب��نِ��ص� �� �و��ي�ر�ه� ب� ب��ع� � * � او �رى �ب ����ل� ���س �و��ي ر�ه� �ب�ب را ���ط�ل * � او رى ب� ب‬ ‫�ص��� (‪ � * )1‬ا �خ� �ى ��ا ا ��س���� � �غ��� �ه�ا ب�خ‬ ‫�و�غ��ي�ر�ه�ا �ب�ا را‬ ‫� ن��ا ب��� * � او �خ�ر�ى �ب ���ق ن��ا ب���‬ ‫�‬ ‫الُ ص ص��ة‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ص‬ ‫(‪)1‬‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ر� و�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ُ ع‬ ‫ق �ن ة‬ ‫�خ ة‬ ‫�غ ا ��� ُ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫كا � ب�ل���ط��ي����� *‬ ‫��ل���سو� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�م�د � او �رى �ب��ص� ا‬ ‫و �م� *‬ ‫�و��ي�ر�ه�ا �ب��د ��نيّ��ا ت� � او �ر�ى �ب��ص� او �ق�� * �و��ي�ر�ه� ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ � ا � ش ا �ذ �خ � � ش �ذ‬ ‫� ا �� ش ��ق �� � ش ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ي ر�ه� ب�م���� �م� � او �رى ب�‬ ‫م����ا �و * �و��ي ر�ه� �ب�ب را �ي� ��ط �ع��ل�ى �� �ك�ل ل��� ي��ط � او �ل���ب�� ب��ي��ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� ض ف �‬ ‫�و ل� �‬ ‫���ا ر�ي� ��ط � او �ل�ع� ا �ي� ��ط � او �ل�ع�م�ا ر�ي� ��ط‬ ‫����ا ر�ي� ��ط � او �ل��م�ا ر�ي� ��ط � او � �ل��ل�ا �لي� ��ط � او �ل�ع ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ت �� � � �ة � �ف� �� خ‬ ‫�ك ن���� �م�ا خ���ل�ف��ه � �م�ا‬ ‫�س �ة �ت �‬ ‫� او � �لق��م�ا �عي� ���ط * �و�من � � �ن � ه‬ ‫‪٢٫٢٫٢‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ه�م م �ل� ��س ار � �وي�ل � �ط� �يو�ل� م ر�� � س‬ ‫�ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �فُ ُ �‬ ‫�س ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ق ّ�د ا �م�ه * � �من‬ ‫حو� ب��م�ا ا �م�ا �م�ه *‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن �ل� ��س ار � �وي�ل�ا ت� �ل�ه �ب��عث� ��ط�ه �ب�ا ٍد � او �ل ن��ا ��س �ي م����‬ ‫�‬ ‫و م‬ ‫‪١٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪38‬‬

‫‪38‬‬

Chapter 2

A Salutation and a Conversation

“Good morning, Fāriyāq! How are you and how do you find Alexandria?

2.2.1

Have you learned to tell its women from its men (for the women in your country do not veil their faces)? And how do you find its food and drink, its clothes, its air and water, its parks, and how its people honor strangers? Is your head still swimming, your tongue with disparagement of travel still brimming?” Replied he, “So far as the city’s situation is concerned, it’s elegant because it’s on the sea, and the number of foreigners it contains adds to its brio: in it you see some people whose heads are covered with tall pointed hats and others with tarbushes, some with round caps and others with maqāʿiṭ turbans, some with burnooses and others with ordinary turbans, some with aṣnāʿ turbans and others with fillets, some with headgear of a generic nature26 and others with madāmīj turbans, some with sailors’ caps and others with hoods, some with caps and others with bonnets, some with further turbans and others with watermelon-shaped(1) and cantaloupeshaped caps,27 and others with head scarves large and small, some with judges’ tun-caps28 and others with antimacassars,29 some with undercloths for turbans and others with head rags, some with the turban under the name mishmadh and others with the turban under

(1) The arṣūṣah (plural arāṣīṣ) is a cap like a watermelon.

the name mishwadh, and some with Frankish hats shaped like earthenware jars, or carp, or the creases between the cheek, nose, and eye, or the crevices between the same, or the children of the jinn, or armpit sinews, or white varan lizards, or disreputable demons, or babies’ clouts. “Some of them have long saggy drawers that sweep the ground behind and before them and some have no drawers at all, so that their anuses are on display and the people pass their hands over what is in front of the latter.30

39

39

2.2.2

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫َ�ثْ‬ ‫ن �ن � تْ‬ ‫ان‬ ‫�ن � �ت ّ ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫�ه�م �ب��ِه�مي�� � * �و�م �‬ ‫�ه�م ب� ��ور �و�م �‬ ‫�ه�م �م �ل�ه � ب�� � * �و�م��ه �م �ل�ه ِا �� ب� * �و�م �‬ ‫�و�م �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�بر���ْ (ا ��ل��س ا � ��� ا ��ل���ط�ا �ق�) � �من�ه� ��ا �ن�َْ�د ْ �َ ْ د � �من�ه� ���د �ق ا �ة ا � دُ �ق � * � �من�ه� �م�ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ويل‬ ‫جِ ل‬ ‫و �مب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غا�‬ ‫�لخ‬ ‫�� ا �ل‬ ‫�م�ا ��ل * � ا �ل�ا ��� ���ف ا �ز د � ا‬ ‫�نا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫�ي��� � او �ج ��ل‬ ‫و بل ى‬ ‫ح� �م * � او �ل�� ��س‬ ‫�يرك� ب� ح�م�ي�ر � او �لب���� �ل * �و��ي�ره�م �ع��ل�ى ا � ل‬ ‫� آق � � َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ا فت‬ ‫�ف �ت � ا‬ ‫�ف ن �غ � ا ئ ن‬ ‫لهم�‬ ‫له�م ا �جِ�ر * ا �ل�� �‬ ‫�ه�م ا � �ل� ��ي����ر �ع��ل�ى ا �ل��د �ع�� �ب �� ��و�ل�ه ا �ل�� �‬ ‫��ى ا �ل� ��ط� �م * �ي���ب���ى �ل��ل��س� �ر ب��ي�� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف ظ�‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫ا ���� ا ��ل��� �ف‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫عو �ب�ا لله *‬ ‫ح�� ��� * ل له‬ ‫ط� * � ��وك����ل ت� �ع��ل�ى ا لله * ا �� � نع� ت� �ب�ا لله * ا � �‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ت خ���ف‬ ‫���ا �م�ن‬ ‫بر �ق�� ا ��ل ن����س�� ء �ف��ه� � او ن� ك�‬ ‫ف��ا �م�ا � ا‬ ‫���ه�ن ا �ل� ا ���ه�ا �تير� ا �ل�ع��ي�ن ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�ى �ج��م�ا �ل ب���ع ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ ن ت ّت ا �� �لق��� ا ت ��ث‬ ‫ن � �ذ‬ ‫� ا ن الم��ل�� �ة � ا‬ ‫�ق�� ا ئ‬ ‫ه�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫� ��س� �ر‬ ‫ي ر � ر ي � ر �ل � ي �ل ي � �و� ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ن � ن ا ظ � �ي�ن � �ن �ؤ �ة‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫ن � �ف ا ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫قف‬ ‫�ص�ه�ا ا � �ت� ��ط�ي�ر ��ى ا �ل� �� �س او �� �م�ن د �و� ا � � ك‬ ‫�م�� ا �ل�� ��ر م ر � �ي�‬ ‫�ر�ج� ت� �م�ن �����‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� �ا ��م ا ��ل ن ظ ��� � ن ا � ا �� ا � ّ � ت‬ ‫�كب��ر � او �ل�ا ف���را ر�ه�ا * �ي ��ق ��و� �ل ا‬ ‫م�ل ح�ه� * ي���ر� او ح��س��ه� �و�ج �م� ل�ه� �و�ي�‬ ‫و �م�ا �ش���ا ا لله *‬ ‫� ن�ز �‬ ‫تق ت ن‬ ‫��ت��ا رك ا لله * ج��� ا لله * ا لله ا لله * �‬ ‫ح�تى ا �ذ ا ر ج�‬ ‫��ع ت� ا �ل�ى �م�� �ل�ه�ا ا �ع ����د � ا �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صِ �ل�ا ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��ا * �ف���ا ��ت ت� �ت���ت ظ� ��� �من‬ ‫�ج��مي�� ا ��ه�ل ا �لب���ل��د ق��د �ش��غ� ف�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ه�د ا �ي�ا � او �ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �� او �ب��ه� � ب‬ ‫ر �م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ا �ش‬ ‫م ا ��ل��ا �ت‬ ‫���ل�م�ا �غ� ن��َّ �م���غ�نّ ا �ن��ص��ت ت� ا ��ل� �غ� ن��ا �ئ�ه � ��س�م�ع ت� ا ��س�مه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫و �ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر و �و ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫تَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ّ���ي�ن‬ ‫م��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي��� ش���ب�� ب� �ب�ه * ف��ا ا‬ ‫�ر ت� ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا � �لق��ا ب���ل ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ا �� �س او �ق� �ورا ت� ا �ل ن��ا ��س � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّآ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���ة ف�ز ت � ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫ا �ش��غ���ا ��ل�ه� ��ج�ع‬ ‫ح� �� د ر �ع��ل ا �ل��س��ع � او �ل‬ ‫�� ت� �م�ن �ب ��ق��� �ئ��ه� ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرك��� * � ا د � �ل�ه�م �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�� ش �ف‬ ‫�م��س�ا �ف �ه�ا * � ��ق��س�ا �مت�ه�ا � �م�‬ ‫ح�ا � �ه�ا * � �ف� ت�ن��ت�ه� ��ا �ش���ا ا �ت�ه�ا � ا ��م�ا �ئ�ه�ا * � ا �ت�ه�ا‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و � م ب ر � و ي � ور ر �‬ ‫� و �ج ر‬ ‫��� � ر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��غ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���له�ا � �غ��م�ز �ه�ا * � �ن�� ا � ا � ا‬ ‫م�ز ا �م�ز ا‬ ‫ائ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ه�ا �و ج�ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫� او ��ي ب�� ���ه� * �ور� �ه� �و�ل� �ه� * �و جه � و‬ ‫��ه� �ود �ل� �ل�ه� * � �وي�‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫وج‬ ‫ا ش� ا ت ّ‬ ‫�ع��ل ت ا ��غ� ن� ت ا ��ت���غ�ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ه�ا �ود�ه�جم‬ ‫�ه� �ود ج�‬ ‫�ه�ا � �وت��ص�ع�ي�ر�ه�ا * �ود ج�‬ ‫�و �ز �ه�و�ه� �و��� ك�‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� * �وب ج�� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫له� * � �و��د �عب �‬ ‫��� �‬

‫‪40‬‬

‫‪40‬‬

‫‪٣٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

Some of them have short breaches and some drawers without legs, some of them have drawstrings and some have belts, some have leggings (drawers made of one piece of material) and others have underwear,31 some have boxers and others briefs. Some ride mules and asses, others dromedaries and horses. Camels are on every side, people collide. One moving among them must never slacken in his pious exclamations,32 saying, ‘God protect! God preserve! God be kind! I have put my trust in God! I seek God’s help! I seek refuge with God!’ “As for women’s face veils, if they conceal the beauty of some, at least they

2.2.3

relieve the eye of the ugliness of the rest. It is, however, the ugly ones who most often cover their faces, for the pretty ones think it a pity, when they leave their cages, to fly through the markets without the onlookers being able to see their charms’ array, behold their comeliness, and make much ado over the beauty on display, saying, ‘As God wills!33 God be blessed! How mighty is God! O God, O God!’ When such a one returns to her house, she believes that all the inhabitants of the city have fallen passionately in love with her and sits there expecting them to send her gifts and tokens of esteem, verses and sonnets with an amatory theme. Whenever anyone raises his voice in song, she cocks an attentive ear and believes she hears him rhapsodizing over her name, and if, then, she sets off early the following day to the marketplace and finds everyone busy with their work, she’s amazed that they’re still conscious and capable of effort and action. “She therefore shows off more of her hidden charms, her elegance, and her forbidden fruits. She bewitches them with her gestures and nods, her eye-rolling and her gestures behind her back, her expressive looks and glances, her come-hither winks and cow eyes, her billings and cooings, her haughtiness and conceit, her vanity and coquetry, her playfulness and her turning aside of her cheek in pride, her comings and goings and goings and comings, her demurrals and her mincing walk, her glances to the side and her glances askance, her looks of surprise and swivelings of her eyes, her backward glances of spite or surprise and her angry looks, her peepings through her fingers against the sun to see34 and her turnings to observe what lies behind her, her shading of her eyes against the sun to see and her peering through her fingers against the sun to see, her wantonness and her conceitedness, her staggering and swaying, her tottering and strutting, her bending and bowing, her coyness and bough-like curvaceousness, the trailing of her

41

41

2.2.4

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫شف‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫��كف��ا �ف�ه�ا‬ ‫��� �� �ن�ه�ا � ا �ز ��ل�ا �ق ا‬ ‫ح��د ق���لت ا‬ ‫�خ�ز �ه�ا * � �ش��نَف�� ا‬ ‫ش �ز ا‬ ‫�و��� ر�ه� �و� ر‬ ‫�ه� * � او �� �� �‬ ‫�ه� * �و� و � و �‬ ‫�ه� �و� �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫خ ا ت ا خُ‬ ‫� َ��ل�ا �ئ�ه�ا * � ت��م�ا ���له�ا‬ ‫حه�ا � ا ��س��ت ش��� ا �ف ا‬ ‫� ا ��س��ت ش����ف��ا �ف�ه�ا * � ا ��ست��� ض� ا‬ ‫��� � � و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫و �ي �‬ ‫�ه� �و�ي �‬ ‫�ه� * �و��ل� �ع �‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ت غ ن ا �ت ا � ف‬ ‫���� ا خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ّ د�ه�ا * � �ت�� �ّ��له�ا‬ ‫ت ثن ا ت ا ّ ا‬ ‫ط� ا‬ ‫ت ا ا‬ ‫و �ي �‬ ‫�ه� * � �و����ي��ه� � �و� �ود�ه� * � �و��د ك� �‬ ‫�و���ه� د �ي��ه� * �و����د ���ه� �و��ع� �� �‬ ‫له� �و��و‬ ‫�ت��ف خ‬ ‫� ��ت�ع ّ���له�ا * � ��ت��ف تّ���له�ا � ��ت��ق تّ���له�ا * � �ت���ذ ���له�ا � �ت ف���له�ا * � ��ت خ� ت ا ت خ‬ ‫�ت�ه�ا‬ ‫� ���ط�� ا‬ ‫بو‬ ‫له� * �و� �‬ ‫���ر�ه� �و� �‬ ‫و ب � ور �‬ ‫و � و �‬ ‫وي �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ت � ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ت��ه� �خ� �ه�ا * �و خ�‬ ‫�ك�ه�ا * �و�ي�م��‬ ‫�ك��‬ ‫عه�ا � �و�ت ف����‬ ‫� ك‬ ‫ح�ه�ا �و َ�‬ ‫����ك�ه�ا‪* 1‬‬ ‫حك‬ ‫� �وت� ك‬ ‫�د�ه��ر�ه� * �و ب �‬ ‫���ل� �‬ ‫ه�� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� �ت��د �أد � �ا � ��ت غ�� ��� �ف �ا * � �ت �ذ �ف ا �ت غ ض ف‬ ‫���ه�ا * � د �أ ��له�ا � � �ه�ا �ز �ت�ه�ا * � ا ��ّله�ا � �َه ا ت‬ ‫و د ���ه�ا *‬ ‫و� و�‬ ‫و � وو �‬ ‫�ه� �و���� � �‬ ‫�ه و ��و �‬ ‫و ي��ه و طر �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ُ َ �� ��آئ ا �ْ َ‬ ‫�َ�ا �ه�ا‬ ‫�ز �ن ا ا َ �زّ ا‬ ‫خي�ز � ا ا خي�ز ا‬ ‫ح�ا �ئ��ه�ا * �و�هب ي�� خ�‬ ‫��رد �‬ ‫�و��� �ل� �ه� �و��� را �ه� * �و ا � ب�� �ه� � او �و ا �ه� * �و م�طي� ��ط� ���ه� � كِو‬ ‫�فَ ْ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ�هَ ا ا � ض ّ‬ ‫���ْ��س�ا �ه�ا * � � ْ����ذ ا �ه�ا � َ‬ ‫ح َ��د ا �ه�ا‬ ‫�و جع‬ ‫���ا �ه�ا * �و� نج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا �ه�ا �و� ِب��ل�ا �ه�ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫جِ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِِ‬ ‫يِ‬ ‫هِ‬ ‫هِ ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫قّ‬ ‫خِ ق ّ‬ ‫َْ ��‬ ‫َ�عَ ْ�ثَ � َّت ا �قِ � ْ ��‬ ‫َ ْق ا ا �ه قّ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�ب ���� �ه� �وِد فِ����� �ه� * �و�عر��ل� �ه� �وِ �مِ ��� �ه� * �و �مي� �لي���ه� �و�م�ط ار �ه� * �و سِ�� ب��ط ا‬ ‫ر �ه� *‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خظ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ح��د ��لت ا‬ ‫� ���� �ف�ت�ه�ا � ��ا د ��لت ا‬ ‫�خ�ز �ف�ت ا‬ ‫� ن��د �ف�ت ا‬ ‫حه�ا � �ت ن� ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫� �و ب��د � � و ر‬ ‫�ه� �و�ب��ه�د �ل �‬ ‫�ه� * � بو� �‬ ‫�ه� * �و� ر � وب �‬ ‫�ه� �و� ر �‬ ‫ح�ه� * �و� �‬ ‫����لت�ه�ا * � ا ���لت�ه�ا � �ه���لت�ه�ا * � �ق�ه���لت�ه�ا‬ ‫����لت ا‬ ‫ح�ه�ا � � ق � ت‬ ‫� �ذ � ��ذ ت‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و�‬ ‫ح� � � و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و� ب �‬ ‫ور ب � ور ب �‬ ‫�ه� �و�هرك� �‬ ‫حرك� �‬ ‫حر��ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك���س�م��لت�ه�ا * � ��ق ن��د �لت�ه�ا � � ن�‬ ‫���لت�ه�ا * � �ع د �لت�ه�ا � �ه ��ق���لت�ه�ا * � خ��� �ع��لت ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫و‬ ‫و � و‬ ‫�ه� �ود بر��ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور � وي �‬ ‫ح� ك� �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ �ذ ت ا �ز �ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ح��لت ا ��‬ ‫���ه�ا‬ ‫�� ا‬ ‫�ذ �ذ ت ا‬ ‫�� ا ���� ت ا‬ ‫�ه� * �ور�ه�وك� �‬ ‫�ه� * �و �ك�و �ك�و���ه� * �و �و �و ���ه� * �و �و �و���ه� �و ك� �‬ ‫�ه� �و �و �ك�وك� �‬ ‫�و ي � �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح �ق�� ت‬ ‫ط�ه�ا * � �ق �م ��� ت ا‬ ‫�ت ا‬ ‫�ت ت ا ق � ت‬ ‫�ن ت‬ ‫�ت�ه�ا * �و� ك�‬ ‫م� ك‬ ‫�و� �تر ك‬ ‫�ه�ا * �وك��� ك‬ ‫�ص��ه�ا *‬ ‫ور �‬ ‫�����ه� � بو�ر�� �� �‬ ‫�ه� �ور�ه�د � �‬ ‫�م�� �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ط�ه� �و�ر‬

‫َ َ‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ك�ه�ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬وح ك‬

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A Salutation and a Conversation

skirts over the ground as she walks and her sweeping by, her turning of her face aside as she proceeds and her walking with a swinging gait, her stepping out manfully and her walking proudly in her clothes, her ambling and her rambling, her stepping like a pouting pigeon and her rolling gait, the swinging of her mighty buttocks and her sashaying, the insinuating wriggling of her shoulders, her pretty waddling and the way she walks as though she were short, her shaking of her shoulders, her sprinting and her haughtiness (especially in walking), her taking short steps and her sinuosity, her ponderousness and her modesty of deportment, her hastening and her willowiness, her slowness of motion and her looseness of motion, her slow stepping and her skipping from foot to foot, her stretching out her hands as she paces and her walking with short steps, her swaying and her slowness, her walking proudly like a high priest of the Parsees and her sudden startings off the road, her sprightly running and her bending as she walks, her languishing gait and her strutting, her galloping and her striding out, her stalking and her swaying from side to side, her nonchalant sauntering and her walking with the limbs held close to the body, her swaggering, her walking finely and loosely and her staggering as though intoxicated, her walking with her thighs far apart kicking up her feet and her walking with a swing, her striding fast and her rushing, her skelping and her stepping quick, her tripping quickly along with short steps and three other ways of walking, each with a difference of one letter, and her walking nicely, her limping and a fourth way of walking with yet another letter changed35 and her walking making her steps close together, her gliding and her walking slowly, her shambling and a fifth way of walking, with further letters changed,36 her walking with tiny steps37 and her shuffling, her walking with conceit and her walking as though too weak to take long strides, her running with short steps and her walking fast, her disjointed walking and the moving of her buttocks and sides as she walks, the looseness of her joints as she walks and her walking with close steps, her walking with a rolling gait and her slowness and turning in walking, her walking fast with close steps and her close stepping, her walking with steps as close as closely written letters and her walking with steps as close as rapidly uttered words, her hopping like a shackled camel and her rolling walk, her walking with small hurried steps and her moving like a fast, well-gaited donkey, her easy pacing and her twisting and turning, her marching proudly (spelled two ways),38 her walking arrogantly and her

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‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫��ت�عّ‬ ‫�ه�ا * � ��ت�ه ��سه�ا‬ ‫ح���ذ �ل�مت�ه�ا * � د �ع �مت�ه�ا � �ز �ه��ل��ق ت ا‬ ‫� �ز �ه�ز �مت ا‬ ‫�ت ئ ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ر � و‬ ‫و‬ ‫وب � ر �‬ ‫�ه� * �و ر�يه���ه� �و ج �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �و� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ت��هب��ر��س�ه�ا * �و��ت غ�� ��طر��س�ه�ا * � �وت��ه ��طر��س�ه�ا * �و�ت �‬ ‫�ك�د ��س�ه�ا �و�تر�ه�و�‬ ‫��ك�ه�ا * �و�ت��ه�ا ��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ه�ا � �و�� كي��‬ ‫له�ا *‬ ‫ه��� �‬ ‫�ت�ف‬ ‫�� �ا � �ت �ّم�ز � �ا * � �ت�ه�ّ �ا � اُ��نُف� �ا * � َ�َ�س �ا � �زَ �ْ �ف �ا * � �ز �َ ف�ْ �ا � �َ ْ ��� �ا * � َ‬ ‫� تَ�‬ ‫��ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫له و‬ ‫ح� ك� �‬ ‫�ه و ه�و ج �‬ ‫�ه و �ي �‬ ‫�ه ور �م�ه و و �‬ ‫� �و � ر�ك�ه و ��و ه و �ي�م�ه و �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ز َ ف ن �ذ �َ ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� ن �زَ َ� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ن��ه�ا * �و �ز َ�ي ك�‬ ‫�و�عي�َ ك�‬ ‫��ا ���ه�ا �و �وك���ا ���ه�ا * �ور��ل�ا ���ه�ا �و�م��ل��د ا ���ه�ا * �و ��ي���ا ���ه�ا �و ا �ل� ���ه�ا *‬ ‫ا ن ا �ت�ز ا َ َ �ذ �ن ّ ا ت ث � ا �ت �ذ � ق ت‬ ‫َ َ ا ن ا ��تف ا ن ا‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�خ�ز ج��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫��‬ ‫له� * �و��ع� � �ل �‬ ‫�ه� � �و��ر ��ط�� �‬ ‫�ه� * �و�ه�م� ا �ي �‬ ‫�وري���س� ���ه� �وك� ���� ���ه� * �و�مي����س� ���ه� �و ا ب��ي�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ز �� ا ض ا �ف‬ ‫�ف�زّ ا ق�ف�ز ا �ن �ق�ز ا �ق � �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫حقَ� ���طه�ا � ��لَ� ��� ا‬ ‫عه� ا �ي��‬ ‫��� ��ى‬ ‫طه� * � �وب�� �ه� �و��� �ه� � �و � �ه� � �م ب��ل� �م�د �بر� * �و ا د ��ط�م� �‬ ‫�و� � � و ب �‬ ‫� ا ق ا � ق ن ظ � ت ��ف � ق تي�ن ا �ظ�ن � � �ق ن �‬ ‫ا �ل�ه�د ا �ي� * �� �ل �و��د �� �����م� �ى ا �لب��ر��� ب��ي����� �م� ا ��� ا �‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �و�ه�م�ا *‬ ‫ح�دا ب‬ ‫�س���ى ا �لي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ُّ � � � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا ي�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫س� ا �ل�ِ���غر ا �لب��را ��ق� �ل��ل�����س� ا �من���ع�ا �ل�ه�ن ا �ل��ت�م�ا د �ى ��ى ا �ل�ه�و�ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن �� �ف ن �ة ن� ا ت� � �ذ ُ ض � ش �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� ا �ل��� ار �ل�ه� �ع��ل� � ك��‬ ‫ا � ا ل����س���ي�� ا ��م� �‬ ‫��جرى ا ا � �‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�ه� او‬ ‫وع ع‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ن � � � ا ّ‬ ‫ف��ا �م�ا ر ج��ا ��ل�ه�ا ف��ا ن� ��ل��ل��ترك ��س ���ط�و�ة �ع��ل� ا �ل�ع ب� �و ج�‬ ‫�ب��را * ح�ى ا � ا �ل�عر�ى �ل� ي�‬ ‫�ح�ل ��ل�ه‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ �ت ف ق ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن نظ� �‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ك��ا �ل�ا ي�‬ ‫�ح�ل �ل�ه ا � ��ي � ���ر ا �ل�ى �‬ ‫ا � ��ي � ���ر ا �ل�ى �و ج��ه ر ك��ى �م‬ ‫حر�م ��ي�ره * � او ا ا � � ��� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ا ت� ا ش ا خ ��ذ ا ��� � ا � ُ �نّ �ة ا � �ف� ض �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �� او د ر ا �ل��د �هر ا � �تركي���� �وعر��ي�� �م� ����ي � ا �� لعر��ي �ب� �ل��س � �لم ر�و�‬ ‫��� * �و��هى ا �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫غ‬ ‫� ��م ت ش‬ ‫ق فّ ت�ق‬ ‫�� ا ��مت�� ق‬ ‫� ش ع�ن ا � ت �‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫ح�����م�ا خ��ا �ش���ع�ا �ن�ا ك���س�‬ ‫���ا �ئ�ل�ا ��ا ��ا �م �� ب� ض�‬ ‫ح�ا � ار �مت��ص�ا �� ار �مت� ض�‬ ‫ي�م����ى � ي���س� ر ا �ل��ر ك��ى‬ ‫ت�ق ا تق ف ا � ت ش ا ��مت�� ا � ت ف ا �ت�زّ ت�ا � ا ا �زّ‬ ‫ح�ا �مت���ق �ف��ع�ا �مت���ق �ع�ف��ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ص� م������م�ص� ح�م�ص� �م��‬ ‫حر���ص� �م��ك�� ا �م� ك�‬ ‫�م �� ب��ص� �م �� �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�� �و �ل� �م�� � ر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق فّ ا تق فّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫تق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ا �م��س��ت�ز �م ا �م�ع ��ن ف�� ���ط�ا �م��ق ��ن ف�� ���ط�ا ��مج��‬ ‫��ع�ث�ن �ا‬ ‫��ع�ثم�ا ��متج��‬ ‫ع�� �م �� �‬ ‫���ع�ا �مت� ك‬ ‫�م� ر� �‬ ‫��ن�ب��ث��ا �م���عن��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫�ص ار �م �� ��و� ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ز ئ ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا �ّم�ا �مت��ع�ص�ع�ص�ا‬ ‫�ب�ئ�� نّ��ا ��مت��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�مر ��م�ا �مر�م��ئ�ز ا �م�ق��مئ��ن�ا � ك‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�رد �‬ ‫ح�بن��ل�ا �مت����ا �ع��س�ا �م ار �ع�ز ا � ك‬ ‫ح�ا �مت� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ز �ق �ن‬ ‫ح ��ا‬ ‫�ف� ش����ا �م�ع��ق ن ��ف� ش����ا ��مت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر��ف��س�ا �من ��ق �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�م��ت�ز ا �ئ�ا �م� �ر ب��ع�ا �م�د � قِ����س�ا �م ���ط�مر��س�ا �م ��طر�م��س�ا �مت�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ن�ز ا ��مت�خ شّ ا آ ا � ا �ز ا��ا �ت ا��ا �ن ا ت ش ا ا ُ َ ْ ا �ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�م�ع �م� �‬ ‫� � ا جم‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ����ل� � �م� �ل� �� ك�� ��ع� ك�� ��ع� �م������ ج�‬ ‫�ب�� �م�‬ ‫�ر� ا �م��د ��د �� *‬ ‫�ص�ع�بن�� ج بر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح � ا ه � ا ا �ن‬ ‫ت � قا‬ ‫� ق��ا �ل �‬ ‫حر��س��ك ا لله *‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫�� ا �ع ��ط��س ا �ل��ر ك��ى �� �ل �ل�ه ا �ل�ع بر��ى ر��م�ك لل * و‬ ‫ح‬

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A Salutation and a Conversation

tottering, her walking so fast that her shoulders shake and her cleavage rises and her moving like a wave, her walking as though falling onto a bed and her walking proudly like a horse, her walking like an effeminate man and her fast, agitated walking, her handsome way of walking and the same said another way,39 the beauty of her walk and her walking like a dove dragging its wings and tail on the ground, her walking like a pouting pigeon and her floppy walking, her walking with close, fast steps, moving her shoulders, her swashbuckling and stepping like a crow, her nubile grace, her hastening as she sways and her running with close steps, her lion-like pacing and her hurrying, her swaying as she walks and her walking slowly with long steps, her walking finely and the way she drags her skirts behind her, her active way of walking and her racing, her nimbleness and her knock-kneed running, her starting like a scared gazelle and and her leaping, and her jumping up and down in place and her facing forward and facing backward—and all the time her appetite for presents grows. I have composed two lines40 on the face veil that are, I believe, without precedent: Only a fool would think to keep a girl From love’s pursuit with nothing but a veil: Not till the cloth’s been set to the wind Is the ship in a state to sail. “As for the city’s men, the Turks boss the Arabs around like tyrants. The Arab is as much forbidden to look into the face of a Turk as he is into that of another man’s wife. If by some quirk of fate a Turk and an Arab should walk together, the Arab will follow the custom that has been imposed, namely of walking on the Turk’s left-hand side out of modesty and submission, head bent in self-derision, making himself as small and as thin as possible, shriveling, shrunken, unextended, drawing into himself, shrinking, cowering, tightly compressed, withered, making himself as short as possible, walking slowly and curled over himself, puckered, suckered, snookered, desiccated, tight as a miser, crouching, hugging himself to himself, making himself as small as possible, sucking in his sides and holding his buttocks tight, retracting and contracting, quaking and frozen in place, depressed, head and elbows pulled in, head bowed, aloof, dispirited, humiliated, regimented, intimidated, terrified, petrified, eyes downcast, recoiling and regressing, cringing, curled into a ball like a spider, debased [?],41 twisted, coiled upon himself like an old

45

45

2.2.5

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫ا �ذ ا �ث �ث ا � �آ �خ� �م� ه ا �ا � ا �� ه ق ا �� ��ن� ش � ا ه � ا‬ ‫� ا �ذ ا ��مخ � ق � ق‬ ‫� ��ط ��ا �ل �و��ا ك ا لله * �و �ع� ر �ع� ر �ل� ر ع� ج��ل �ل� ل� �و�� ل ع����ك لل �ل�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫��ن�ع ش �ن ا � ق�د ��س�م� ت ا ن ا �� �ت �ه ن ا � �ق�د � ا ��م � �ش � ا � ت ��ق‬ ‫��� � * و� ع� � ل� رك �� ع� و ج �ل��س �‬ ‫�س� ر را �ي��ه�م �ي��ه �ل��د �ى‬ ‫��ورى‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫����ذ � ا ��له� �م ك���‬ ‫��ا � ���ط�ئ‬ ‫ه ر ا ��ل�ع � ف��ا �ن��ه� �ج� ّ� �� ا ��س �و�� ا ��ل‬ ‫��ر�ة �ع��ل� ا ن� ��ي ت خ�‬ ‫ا�لم� ا ك�‬ ‫ي��ا �م�ن ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي���ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��م� �م�ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�و� ار �ذ ا �ج ���ل‬ ‫�ص �ه� �و�‬ ‫ام‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�م�ا �ل � او ��ك �‬ ‫�صر�ه� �و��س� �ر ا � �� اوع � ل‬ ‫�ه� � او �� ب� ا �ل� ب���ل �وب� �� او � ر‬ ‫بْ ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� � � ا �‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل�لر ج�� �ل *‬ ‫كِ������ل ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�خ �‬ ‫�� ت خ� ��ذ � � ش‬ ‫����ة‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر �و�م�ن �من��عت��ه ا �ل�ع��ل��ة �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�و���ج�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� ا� ك‬ ‫حرك��� *‬ ‫��ا ر ‬ ‫ل�����‬ ‫�مرك� ب� ��ي‬ ‫�� �ل� ي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�� � ن �آ��ا ل�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫� فّ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل��ل����س� ك�� م �‬ ‫ح�� *‬ ‫�وحِ��د �� ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ود �� �م� �ل�ه را ��س �م �ر��� *‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫� او ج���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حْو�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫����ى ك�‬ ‫هود �� �و�لي����س �ب�ه *‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫��� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫َق‬ ‫هود �� *‬ ‫�و� ّر ‬ ‫�مرك�� ب� �ل��لر ج��ا �ل � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫�� � ن‬ ‫�وِ�م �‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل��ل����س�ا *‬ ‫حف���ة ‬ ‫�� �م�ن ا�� � ن‬ ‫فف‬ ‫ر ك� ب� ا �ل����س�ا *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�و� ْر��ا ر ‬ ‫�مرك� ب�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�ه�ود �� *‬ ‫ح��م�ل ‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�� � ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل��ل����س�� *‬ ‫�وحِ��ل�ا �ل ‬ ‫َ�ْ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل�ه�ن *‬ ‫�وك��د �ن ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�مرك�‬ ‫�� ب� ك�‬ ‫هود �� *‬ ‫�و�ق��ع ش��� ‬ ‫���ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ��م‬ ‫هود �� *‬ ‫ح�ا ر�ة ‬ ‫�ش��ب��ه ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َق َ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�مرك� ب� �ل�ه�ن *‬ ‫�و���ع�د �ة ‬ ‫َ�ْت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫هود �� ا �ل�ص���ي�ر *‬ ‫�وك����ر ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ثة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�� �م ا �ل‬ ‫�� � �م او ر �م ا ك�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حرر � ا‬ ‫و �ل��د ��ي ب�� �� *‬ ‫�و�مي���ر� ‪ 1‬‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ث ة‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و �ي� ‪ :1855‬ا لمئ����ر�‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪46‬‬

‫‪46‬‬

‫‪٦٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

snake, bent over in abjection, drawing back, cleaving, constricting himself and restricting himself, pulling back, holding back, compressing, repressing, and constringeing himself. If the Turk sneezes, the Arab tells him, ‘God have mercy on you!’ If he clears his throat, he tells him, ‘God protect you!’ If he blows his nose, he tells him, ‘God guard you!’ And if he trips, the other trips along with him out of respect and says, ‘May God right you and not us!’ “I have heard that once the Turks here held a consultative assembly at

2.2.6

which, upon deliberation, they decided that they would use the backs of the Arabs as a comfortable conveyance, for they had tried horse saddles and camel saddles (both bardhaʿahs and ikāfs, as well as qitbahs and bāṣars42) and their riding mats, and all other kinds of carrying devices, namely, the kifl,

[a kind of saddlecloth] “a thing for men to ride on”

or the shijār,

“a conveyance for an old man or anyone whom illness prevents from moving”

or the ḥidj,

“a conveyance for women resembling the miḥaffah”

or the ajlaḥ,

“a camel litter that does not have a high peak”

or the ḥawf,

“something that resembles a litter but is not one”

or the qarr,

“a conveyance for men, or a hawdaj”

or the miḥaffah,

“a conveyance for women”

or the farfār,

“a conveyance for women”

or the ḥaml or ḥiml, “a camel litter” or the ḥilāl,

“a conveyance for women”

or the kadn,

“a conveyance for women”

or the qaʿsh,

“a conveyance like a camel litter”

or the maḥārah,

“something like a camel litter”

or the qaʿadah,

“a conveyance for women”

or the katr,

“a small camel litter”

or the mītharah, “plural mawāthir: things that people ride on made of silk or brocade”

47

47

2.2.7

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ه د ��‬ ‫ور ج��ا �ة ‬ ‫�مرك�� ب� ا �ص� ر�م�ن ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ِ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫هود �� *‬ ‫�و�عر� ش��� ‬ ‫���ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ِي‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مرك� ب� *‬ ‫�و�عبِ�ي� ��ط ‬ ‫ا� ا َ‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�� ش‬ ‫�صر *‬ ‫حِ�ز ��ق ‬ ‫�مرك� ب� ���ب��ي��ه �ب� �لب�� �‬ ‫�و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ ُْ‬ ‫ح ائ‬ ‫�ه�ود �� �ل���ل‬ ‫ر �ر *‬ ‫� ب�و��لب���ل��ة ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫قْ‬ ‫�و ِ� �‬ ‫�ه�ود �� *‬ ‫ح���ل ‬ ‫ج‬ ‫تَْ�أ‬ ‫��� ا ��ل ن����س��آ � �تَ��ْ�أ�م�ا ت‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�و� ��و �م��ة ‬ ‫�ج و‬ ‫�م �م ار ك ب‬ ‫�فَ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫هود �� �و�مرك� ب� ا �ل�عر�و��س *‬ ‫�و��ْود � ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ن َ ْ � �ة ش شَ ْ َ مِ�ز فّ �ة ن َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م ر�ح� �و جع‬ ‫���ل� �و�ع �� �و��� ج�‬ ‫له� �ل� ���ص�ل‬ ‫�� �و� �� �و�ِم��‬ ‫�ص� �و��سر�ير �و��ع��� ��و ج��د �و�ه� ك��� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر � رع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ن‬ ‫�ا �غ‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ق���ة �م�ن ا �ل�ع � ب�خ‬ ‫ت ة �ت �‬ ‫�ي� ���ط �م�ن ا �� ك�‬ ‫له�م ��ي� ��ود �و�‬ ‫ل�� �� �و�ه�م ك��� �‬ ‫رب‬ ‫�ل�ه�م * �ورا ��ي� �مر� ركي��� ��ي� ��ود ج��و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ن �ق �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� �آ � ت‬ ‫��ل�ه * ا ��س�ت غ� �ف�‬ ‫� را لله �م ار د �ى ا � ا ��و�ل ��ي ن ��ق��ا د �و� �ل�ه * �و�ل� ا د ِر �م�ا ��سب�� ب� �ت��كب��ر �ه�و �ل� ا �ل��رك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق آ ن �ن�ز � � ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه ن��ا �ع��ل� ا �ل�عرب� * �م� ا ن� ا �ل�ن�ب�ى �ص��ل�ع� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �عر����ا * � او � �ل �‬ ‫ر � ا �ل �ب�ا �ل��ل��س�ا � ا �ل�عر�ى *‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ث � �ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫� او ��ل�ا ئ� ّ�م��ة � او �ل‬ ‫��� �ل�� ء ا �ل ار ����د * � او �ل�ع��ل�م� ك�� � �� او ك���‬ ‫له� �ع �ر� * ��ي�ر ا ��ى ا ���‬ ‫ظ�ن ا � ا ك�� ر ا �ل� رك‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ب‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق ا � ��ق ا �‬ ‫ن ن ا ��ل�ن � �ٓ� � ن ق �‬ ‫��ه� �ذ ��ل��ك ي���‬ ‫��س�و� ا � �ب�ى ص�لع� ك‬ ‫���ا � ��ي� ��و�ل �ش �‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫�� �ي�و��ل�ه ب� �� �ي�و��ل�ه * ا �و �ب ���� �ل�م ب�� �ل�م * ا �و‬ ‫ي ج� � ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ�����ط�ا ��ل�ق �ق�ا � �خ�� د ��له� ا ����ط���غ�ا ��ل�ق ��ا �ق� ي�خ� ���ل �ه�ا‬ ‫� پ ى �‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�پ‬ ‫ف ا � ق ا �خ ش ت �‬ ‫����ل �ه�ا‬ ‫�د �ف�� ا � ق ا‬ ‫�ص��� �ل�� �پ� ه ����� �وك�ر‬ ‫��ص� �ل�� �ه� پ� د رك� �‬ ‫�خ�د ا �ش���ا � �ز ت� �ق د ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫د خ��ا �ز ا �و�ش�� ت� �ق��ل��د �ى �ن��ڴ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ب� � ا لله ��ق�ل�ا ��ق��ل �ه�ا ��ل�ا ���ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫���لر ���ه�م ك�ى و‬ ‫� ب ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح�ا ���ة � ا ��لت��ا ���ع��ي�ن � ا ��ل�ا ئ��م��ة ا ��ل ا �ش���د �ي�ن‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل��س�ا ن� ا �ل�ن�ب� �و ��ل�ا ��ل��س�ا ن� ا �ل�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ل�ا � او لله * �م�ا �ه� ا ك�‬ ‫�ب و ب و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ض��� ا لله �عن�ه� ا �ج��م�ع��ي�ن ا ��ل� � �� � ا ��ل��د �ي�ن ا �م��ي�ن � ���ع�ده ا �م��ي�ن * ف��ا �م�ا �م�ا � �ه�ا ���فم�ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫ى ي وم‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ن ا ه ا � � ه ا ا ا �ن ه ق ا � � ن�� �� ه � ن ا ت ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ح��س ر ��س� �و ج�ع� * �ل� � �� ر ل� ب� �ج ��س�‬ ‫عه�ا *‬ ‫ح�ي � او �� � ا �ل� ر��ض� �ب� �ج �م� �‬ ‫‪48‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪48‬‬

‫‪٨٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٩٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

or the rijāzah,

“a conveyance smaller than a camel litter”

or the ʿarīsh,

“something like a camel litter”

or the ʿabīṭ,

“a conveyance”

or the ḥizq,

“a thing people ride on resembling the bāṣar”

or the bulbulah,

“a camel litter for noble people”

or the ḥiql,

“a camel litter”

or the tawʾamah,

“a conveyance for women; plural tawʾamāt”

or the fawdaj,

“a camel litter; a conveyance for a bride”

or saddles, wheels, thrones, dead men’s stretchers, bridal litters, podiums, beds, and biers, and found that none were good enough for them. “Once I saw a Turk leading a band of Arabs with a thread of paper43 while

2.2.8

all of them were ‘leading’ him . . . . Whatever am I saying? I meant ‘were being led by him.’44 I have never been able to work out the reason for the sense of superiority felt by these Turks here with regard to the Arabs, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was an Arab, the Qurʾan was revealed in Arabic, and the imams, Rightly-guided Caliphs, and scholars of Islam were all Arabs. I think, though, that most Turks are unaware of these facts and believe that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say şöyle böyle (‘thus and so’) and bakalım kapalım (‘let’s see-bee’)45 and Ghaṭālıq46 chāp khay dilhā Ṭughālıq pāq yakh balhā Ṣafālıq pāh khusht wa-kurd Faṣālıq hāp daraklahā Dakhā zāwusht geldi nang Khudā shawizt qardlahā Eshekler hem gibi va-llāh Qalāqiluhā balābiluhā “Never, I swear, was the language of the Prophet so, nor that of the Companions or the generation that followed them or the Rightly-guided Imams, God be pleased with them all unto the Day of Resurrection, amen and again amen! “As for the city’s waters, what a fine and wholesome head is theirs! Though, on the other hand, what a filthy tail!47 All the animals of the earth and every fowl of the sky pollutes it; even the fish of the sea, when they catch

49

49

2.2.9

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫حت ا ن ��س � ا ��ل�� ا �ذ ا ا ا ��ت ه �ه� ض �ة ��� �ف‬ ‫� ا ��ل � �� ت‬ ‫ط� ر ا ��ل�ى را ��س �ه� ا‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ه�ا * ��ى � �م�ك بحر �ص� ب �� ي �‬ ‫�و ��ط�ي �ور ��س�م� ء ب�ج �م�ل �‬ ‫ف ا ا ��� ا ف ا � ف � �‬ ‫� نّ � �َ ْ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ذ ن ف ا � �ق �ف ا �ث ق �‬ ‫ا �ل� �� ب� �� ��ل�ى �ي��ه �م� ا � ���ل�ه * �� �م� ا ك�� �‬ ‫له� �� � �ل ��و�ل � او �ل�ع�د ��س �وح�م��ص � او �ل�زِ � � او �ل�د �و��سر‬ ‫�خُ َّ � ُ ْ‬ ‫�ُ�ق َْ ن�آ ��خَْ ��فَ ��لُ �ْ ا ن � ا َّ ��‬ ‫�ُنْ ُ � �َ ْ‬ ‫� ْ�ق �ة � �ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و ل ��ير�� � او �ر�ى �و ج��لب�� � � او �لب�� قِ���ل�ى �و ب �ل و �ج ر و ر و ب�� ��س و بِ ي و ل ر م��س‬ ‫�خَُ � ُ ُْ � آ‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�� � ا � ن �‬ ‫�ذ � � ا ن ا � � ا � ا‬ ‫� او �ل‬ ‫� ّر�م � او �ل ش���ب��ر�م � او �ل��ل� بو��ي��� �و�ك��ل م� ي‬ ‫له� �ل� �ير �و� ��ى‬ ‫حب�� ��ط�ى �ب�ه ا �لب� ��ط�ن * �و �ل�ك � ه� �‬ ‫آف‬ ‫�ُ َ ا��� ن �ف ��‬ ‫�ا ئ � س�ن ا �‬ ‫����ذ ن� �مج�ع‬ ‫���خل‬ ‫� �ون�ا �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫ح�ت ا ن� ا ��ل ن����س�� �ي�م�ا ب���ل�غ� ن�� ��ي ت خ�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ع�ل � �وي� ك��ل��ه ��ى �ك��ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا �م� ����ص ح�� � * ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ن � ه�ن ُ� َ� �‬ ‫ّ ا � ا ��ق ت �ف� �قَ ْ َ �ق‬ ‫�ه�ا �ي��عر �ي��ع�ا ر* ق��د �‬ ‫�غ��د ا �ة �� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن �م ��‬ ‫�ى ي���س�م�نّ �و�ي��ك�و� �ل� ع ك‬ ‫ط �و�ا ت� * � او �ض‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� ر�م� �ل� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ��ل�ه�ا �م�ن ���ع�� ا ��ل��ل�ا د ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ي�ر���ة �و��ت�ع �ف� ب�ج ��م�ا �ع��ة �م�ن ا ��لن��ص�ا ر�ى �ف�‬ ‫�ه�ا * ���ص�ا ر �ي��د خ���ل د �ي�ا ر�ه�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب �ض ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ا ا ق ا �ن ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د �ع ن��د ا � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و���س�ا �م �ه� * ف���ل�م�ا �ل� ي ج�‬ ‫�ه�م �م���ا �م ا �ل�ع�ا �ل�م �����ا �ل ا �ن�ه �ي��عر��‬ ‫ح�دَ�ه�م ك��� �ب� ا �� �م � ����س�ه ب��ي�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي رم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫خ� � �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��ه�ا‬ ‫� �ف ا‬ ‫���ت��ا ���ع ض� ا �ن �غ ت‬ ‫ح��س�ا � ا �ج ��ل‬ ‫��م�ل * � او‬ ‫���ه� �م ��ي�ر ا ب����د � ء � بو���ع� �‬ ‫�عل��م ا � �ل�� ��ع�ل � او�لم��� �عو�ل �و� ب‬ ‫�� �ل�ه ك�ب ب‬ ‫�ف ش‬ ‫� ف�ا ن �ذ خ ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� غ� � خ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫���ه�ا � خم‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو* � ك�‬ ‫ط��ه ا �‬ ‫ح��د ��ى ����ى �ع�م�د ا �ل�ى ب���ع��ض� �ه��ذه‬ ‫�ر�و�م ا �و�م�‬ ‫�ت��ا �م � بو���ع ض�‬ ‫ب���ي ر‬ ‫�� � ا ا �� �� ب‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ت ف��� �ف�ت� ن � �ف ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن � ا ش �آ ا ��ل ت خ‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ل��� ب� �‬ ‫ح�ه � �و ظ� ���ر �ي��ه �� ��ي�ق ��و�ل * ��ن�ع� ا ن� �ه� ا ا �ل ش����ى �ه�و م ا �ل� ����ي � ��ى ا‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�ت���ل��‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ش ا خ ا �ف م� ا ��‬ ‫� �ة ت‬ ‫���ذ ا * � ���ع�ض‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ه� ���ف ا ��ل��د ��ا‬ ‫��ا‬ ‫�ف��ه�ا ا ��ل�ع��ل�م�� * ف��ا ن� ���ع�� �م����ي� ن‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫بو � م ى ي ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫��� ��ى ا �ل�د �ي� ر ي ري � ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ف ا �ذ ت‬ ‫�� ا * � �ل�م�ا �� ت ��ق ّ‬ ‫�س��ق ّ ف��ل�ا �ب��د �م�ن ا ن� ي خ�‬ ‫ا ��ل ش����ا �مي���ة ك��‬ ‫�ب��ر �و ��ى �ب�ه * ��ا �ل‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫�س� ر را �ي��ه�م �ع�لي��ه �� ا ا � � ر‬ ‫فق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق � ق�د ��س�م�ع ت � �ة �َم�ن ا � ت � ّ‬ ‫�ش غ‬ ‫ل�� ري� � و�‬ ‫�س��ف�ز ه �ب�ا �ع ث� �م�ن ا �ل�������ل ي���س�ا �ل�ه �ع�ن ا � �لو� ت� * �����ا �ل‬ ‫� مر‬ ‫ا � ا‬ ‫��ل�ه ��س�ا �ع��ة � �خ��م�� د ق��ا �ئ��ق ا �م�ا ا ��ل��س�ا �ع��ة ف���ق��د ا �ش��ت ��ق �من ا � ا‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل��س� �ع�ى �و�عي�����سى * ا �م� ا �ل��س� �ع�ى‬ ‫� �‬ ‫و س �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا ن� �ي��ع��م� �ع�م�ل�ا خ���ل�ّ ا �م�ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ا ��ل��س��ع ك�‬ ‫ف���ل��‬ ‫����ل�ه ��ي�ت�و�ق��ف� �ع��ل� ا ��ل��س�ا �ع�ا ت� * ا �ذ �ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫�ك�ن �ل�ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ة �ف ��ز ن ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫���ا � ا‬ ‫���ا ت� ��م‬ ‫ا �� �لو��ق ت� * ف��ا ن� �ج��مي�� ا ��ل�ا �ف��ع�ا ��ل � او ��ل‬ ‫ح� �صور� ��ى ا �ل �م�ا � ك�‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ص� ر— ��م ا د ا ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��زّ‬ ‫� ا ن ف ق ا � ��ا ن ا ��آ �ف �ذ � ُ‬ ‫�ن ظ �� � ش ّ � ش ف �� �ز �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�����ه�ه ب ����ى �ر ى �و ب ع �ض�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بي �‬ ‫ر �ى‬ ‫���ره �لي�� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ز ن ا � ّ �خ ف ق � �� ن‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ح�ص�ا �غ��د � �ه��ذ ا ا �� �ل ��ل��د ���ف �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ز��ّ��� * � ا �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� را �ى ��ب��ي��ل� �ل�‬ ‫ب يل و‬ ‫�صب��ى ا �ر ����� �ل ا �و ك�� � ر‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�� � �ش���ت ا �� � ا �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� � ق ا �ئ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�عي�����سى ���ل��ك� �و�ه ا �����م�ل �ع��ل� �ج �مي�� ا�لم�ع� ر�� � ا‬ ‫و ل�ع�ل�و� ا م� ل ا �ل��س� �ع� �ع��ل� ل�د �� ��� *‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى ع‬

‫‪50‬‬

‫‪50‬‬

‫‪١٠٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١١٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٢٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

a summer cholera, leap on top of this tail and vomit onto it whatever it is that’s making them sick. “The food they eat there is fava beans, lentils, chickpeas, darnel seed and

2.2.10

darnel weed, water clover, kharfā vetch, julbān vetch, broad beans, the fruit of the ghāf tree, the black-eyed pea called dajr, khullar vetch, buls lentils, bitter vetch, lupine, the black-eyed peas called khurram, shubrum-lentils, black-eyed peas tout court, and everything else that makes the belly distend. This is because its people find nothing good in an empty stomach. It has even been reported to me that the women use a paste made of dung-beetles, eating some every morning so that they may grow fat and develop overlapping belly folds. “The most noxious thing I came across there was Qayʿar Qayʿār.48 He came

2.2.11

to the city from the Himyaritic lands49 and made the acquaintance of a group of Christians there, to whose houses he would repair, spending the evenings with them. Finding that they had no scribes among them, he appointed himself their scholar and said that he knew the science of ‘subjects’ and ‘objects’50 and of chronograms.51 He got hold of a few books, some of which were missing their beginnings and some their ends, some of which were worm-eaten and some so faint as to be illegible, and if anyone asked him about anything, he’d turn to one of these, open it, gaze upon it, and then say, ‘As I thought. This is one of those things over which scholars differ. Thus some of our shaykhs in the Himyaritic lands interpret it this way and some of them in the Damascene territories that, and they have yet to reach a consensus. When they do, they will certainly let me know.’ “Once,” the Fāriyāq continued, “I heard someone who was bothered about some urgent business ask him the time, and the man told him, ‘Suchand-such an hour and five minutes. Now, as to the word sāʿah (“hour”), from it are derived the words sāʿī (“errand boy”; literally “one who strives” or “makes effort”) and ʿĪsā.52 Sāʿī is so derived because all effort depends on the hours, for no-one can undertake any work outside the confines of time. All acts and motions are confined within time, just as . . .’ and he looked about him for something to use as a comparison and caught sight of a tin mug belonging to some child and said, ‘. . . water is confined within this p’tch’r.’53 Then he saw a palm-leaf basket belonging to some other child and said, ‘Or like this child’s lunch in this b’sk’t. As for ʿĪsā, it is so derived because ʿĪsā contained within himself all knowledge and branches of learning as completely

51

51

2.2.12

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫�ث � ث �ة �ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ح��ق ��ق���ة �م�ع ن��ا ه ا ���ع��ة ���ع�د�ه�ا � ا � �‬ ‫ث ن �ق � �خ�‬ ‫له�ا ا ��ث ن��ا � �و�ل��ك ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�د ا �و ��ل�� �ب��� �‬ ‫��م ا � ��و�ل�ى �م��س � ي‬ ‫بر ب‬ ‫ق ا ئ ق � ق � �خ� �ة � � ا ��ل��لتخ�� ��ف ف ا ��ل�ع �ف‬ ‫ن � �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل��ة ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫��ت�ع��‬ ‫�ك��س * � او ��م�ا ق��ا � �ل او ��م��س د �� � ��� �و�ل� ��ي� ��و� �ل او �م��س� ��ط�لب�� � ي ��� �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � *‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ن �‬ ‫�� � ا �� �ل ��ق ت� * � ��ق� ��ل� د ق��ا �ئ��ق �ه� �ج��م� د ��ق ��ق���ة � �ه� �م ش���ت ��ق �م�ن‬ ‫طو��ل ا �ل�ا �� �لف��ا ظ ���� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � �ب� �� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ض�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ � ن ا ش ه � ن ا �ة‬ ‫��ا �م� ا ��لن�� �ع �م��ة * ث�� ا ن� �ه ن��ا ك ا �� �لف��ا �ظ ����ا‬ ‫ا ��ل��د � �ق �ل��ل ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ي�ن * ا ب�ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ق�ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث ة �‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫� � او �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ك����ي�ر� �ت��د �ل �ع��ل�ى ا � �لو� ت� �و��هى ا�لم��س�� � او �ل��لي���ل � او �ل�ب�ص�‬ ‫�هر � او �ل�ع�‬ ‫ح�ى � او �ل�� �‬ ‫�صر � او �ل�د �هر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ي�ن ا � ا ا ن ا ���ز �م�ن ا � ا ا �� تّ ا � ا ��ل ف����ف ا ف �ق ا � ا خ ة ف‬ ‫� او ��ل�ا ���د � او ��ل‬ ‫�ه� �ر� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �م�ا ا �ل� ��ي�ر� ��ل�ا *‬ ‫ح� �و �ل� �و � �و ل * م� ل��س� �ل� و�ى ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�كب��ر� �وق��ا ��ل ق��د راب� ن��ى �ي�ا ا ��س�ت�ا �ذ �ن�ا �م�ا ق���ل ت� * ف��ا ن� ك��‬ ‫���ه ر ج���ل �م�ن ا �و��لئ���ك ا ��ل��‬ ‫��ا �ع��ر ض�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫فض‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫���� � � ش‬ ‫� �م�ن �‬ ‫�س��ه�ا ��ل�ه�ا �فر�ق� * ���‬ ‫ل����‬ ‫ح�م�ا ��ق ت��ه �وق��ا ��ل ��ل�ه ا ن� ك��‬ ‫ج��ا �ير ��تى �و�‬ ‫حوا ه‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ى �ه ن��ا �ي�م�ا ��‬ ‫ح�ك ا � ي‬ ‫� ن �ا ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة �ذ � �ذ �ذ�‬ ‫� ن �ف � آ�خ ق‬ ‫حوا ه ا �ل ك�‬ ‫م��ا � * ���س�ا �ل�ه � �ر ��ا �ئ�ل�ا ا �ي�ن ج��ا �م� ا �لن�� �عو�م� �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ى ك��ر ت�‬ ‫ا �ل�ز �م�ا � �ل� �ي�م�ا ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ش � آ‬ ‫فض‬ ‫���ا � ق��ا �� ا �عل��� ا ن �� ف�ل �ظ‬ ‫ح��ك ا �� ض‬ ‫� �����ة ��ا �م� �ت��س�مَّ �ع ن��د �ن�ا �م�ع�ا ��� ا �ل�ع��ل�م��‬ ‫ا ن� �ف�ي��ه ا ��ل��د ��ق�ي �ق * ���‬ ‫����‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ن � ا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ن ا ��ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ي�ت‬ ‫ا ��س� ف��ا ��ع�ل ا �ى ا �ل�� �ى � �و�ل�ى ����ع�ل ����ى ا �ي� ك�� � * � ك‬ ‫ل����ى ��ط� �لم� �ع �م� �ع��ل�ى ا � ا �� ���ه‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫����ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫م �ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫مو� ا �و ��ي ن�� � �م��ل� �ل� �ي��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ى �ه��ذه ��س�مي�� * �ل� � �م ي�� �‬ ‫� ا � ��ي��� �ل �ي��ه ا ��ه �� ��ع�ل ا �ل �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح�ت‬ ‫ا �و ا ��ل�ن� � * ف���ق �� ��ل� ��ا �م� �ع��ل ا �� �لق��ا �ع�د�ة ا �ل�م�ع��ل� �م��ة �ع ن��د �ن�ا �ه� ا ��س� �ل�م�ن �ج��م� �ش�� �ا * �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع �ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫وى ج ع �ى‬ ‫وم‬ ‫تو م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ��� �ة‬ ‫ف ق � �ذ �‬ ‫�� ا ن �� ���ط��لق �ع��ل �ا � ف�ل ظ‬ ‫ان‬ ‫� ���� ا ج��ل‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ل��ن�ي����س� �ي�� ص‬ ‫��ا �م� �ل� ���ه�ا ج��م� ا �ل ن��ا ��س * ���ل�م�ا ��ا �ل �ل��ك‬ ‫� �ي �‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫� ا ي�ن ق ا � ��ف�� ت ض ي�‬ ‫ا �ظ�ن � ش‬ ‫��م ق ا ئ ا‬ ‫�خ� �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ل����‬ ‫�ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر ت� �و ج��‬ ‫�وه ا �ل��س� �م�ع�� * �� �ل س�م�ع� ب���ع�‬ ‫ا ��ك �‬ ‫���ه�م ج ج‬ ‫��م �� ��ل� * �م� ا ��� ا � ي‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�فح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ق ف ت�ن ا ��ف � ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �� �ت���ّ‬ ‫فق‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫ا �ل� �عت����ا د �ب��د �ي�ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى * �����د ا �ص�ا ب�� ت� ا ��س� ����� � �‬ ‫ح ���ر�ه� ا �ل ن��ا ��س ا � ي ب‬ ‫حر� او ��ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ��س ا �ع�� � ن � ق �ذ � �ذ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ش����خ ن ا ف� �ق ��ق � �ن ت��من �� ق �ت�ز �ن �ق‬ ‫ط� ��د � *‬ ‫ط� �ه� ا ا �ل�� �ى �ي�� ك�ره ي��� * ���د ي���ل م �� �‬ ‫ا �ل�ع��ل�و�م �و �ل� ي�م� ل�م ا �لم� �� �‬ ‫ع�ن ش ت ق ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ث�� ا �ن��ص �ف �ع ن��ه ا ج ��ل‬ ‫��مي�� �م�د �م�د �م��ي�ن * �و��س�ا �ل�ه �مر�ة ���سي����س � ا ��� �‬ ‫���ا �� ا �ل�ص��ل�و� *‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ئ ه ف� ق ا �� ه�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف����� �ل ��هى �م��� ���� �م ا �ل� �ص�ل� �ل� � ا�لم�ص��ل� ي�‬ ‫حر� ا �ل���ي� ��ط� � �ب��د �ع� �� * ���� ل �ل�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ش � ا ن �ق �ذ � ف س�ن ي�ن � ت ق ف� ف ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا � �لق���سي���� ا ا ك�‬ ‫��ي ��� �‬ ‫حر��ه‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ا �و�ى ا �ل���ي� ��ط� � ��س� ر �م� ا � �لو�� �� �� �و�ل� ي�‬ ‫ح��ر�� � ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � � ف ا �ذ ه ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص��ل�و� ا�لم�ص��ل� * �� � �و�ل ب���ع��ض� ا � ك‬ ‫�و�ل *‬ ‫�وا ب� �ل�ك �� ا �ب� ��ي� �‬ ‫ل��� ب� �لي �� ت�ب����س �م��ه ج��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫‪52‬‬

‫‪52‬‬

‫‪١٣٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

as the hour contains the minutes. Note too that, when I say “five,” the real meaning is “four plus one” or “two plus three” or vice versa. They say khams daqāʾiq (“five minutes”) and not khamsah daqāʾiq in pursuit of a more concise form and faster speech,54 for the longer the words you use the more time you waste. The word daqāʾiq (“minutes”) that I just employed is the plural of daqīqah, which derives from the daqīq (“flour”) that is milled, for they resemble and correspond to one another in that each is a “congregator of fineness” (jāmiʿ al-nuʿūmah).55 There are many words that refer to time, namely masāʾ (“evening”), layl (“night”), ṣubḥ (“morning”), ḍuḥā (“forenoon”), ẓuhr (“noon”), ʿaṣr (“late afternoon”), dahr (“epoch”), abad (“eternity”), ḥīn (“point of time”), awān (“right time, season”), and zaman (“period”). The first six have “partings,”56 the others do not.’ Here, one of the important men who were present raised an objection, saying, ‘I am confused, dear professor, by what you say. Both my slave girl and her mistress have partings!’ The shaykh laughed at the man’s foolishness and told him, ‘My words here relate to the domain of time, not that of place.’ Then another asked him, ‘Where’s this Nuʿūmah Mosque that you said has the flour in it?’57 The man laughed again and said, ‘To us scholars, the word jāmiʿ is known as an “active participle,” meaning that it assumes the doing of something, whatever it might be (albeit for a long time I’ve had it in mind to discuss this terminology with them because someone who dies, or falls asleep, for example, cannot correctly be said to be “doing death” or “doing sleep”); when I used jāmiʿ, then, it was in accordance with the rule as recognized by us, namely as a noun descriptive of that which congregates a thing. It would be perfectly correct to apply the word jāmiʿ even to a church, because it congregates (yajmaʿu) the people.’ When he said this, the faces of his listeners turned dark.” The Fāriyāq resumed, “I then heard one of them muttering, ‘I do not believe the shaykh holds a correct Christian belief. Our bishops were right to forbid people to delve deeply into the sciences, and especially this science of logic that our shaykh refers to. How rightly is it said, “He who practices logic practices unbelief!”’ Then they all left him, muttering under their breath. “And once a priest asked him about the etymology of the word ṣalāh (‘prayer’) and he said, ‘It derives from the word iṣlāʾ (“burning”) because the one who prays “burns” the Devil with his prayers.’ The priest asked him, ‘If the Devil has dwelt in hell fire these thousands of years without being burned up, how can prayer burn him?’ so the man picked up one

53

53

2.2.13

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫�ت �ق � ّ �‬ ‫ق ا �� ا � � � �ل �آء ا �� ا ن ا � ا ت ق‬ ‫��ن � ت ق‬ ‫�� ل ح�د ع� �م� لر�هب�� � �ل� �‬ ‫ح��را �� �ع��ل� �ن��و�ع��ي�ن * ا �‬ ‫ح��ر��‬ ‫ح� را �‬ ‫ح���سى ك��م ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ّ � �ذ ة ث ق ف ت ّ ق ئ ا ق خ �أ‬ ‫ّ�‬ ‫� ���ط� �� �د �ن�ا‬ ‫ح��تر�ق� ب�‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل�ع� ر� * �� �و� ��� � �و�ا �وه ��ا ��ل� * ��د ا �‬ ‫�و�م�ع�ن�و�ى ك���م�ن ي�‬ ‫س�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ن � �ذ آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ن‬ ‫ا �ل ار �ه ب� * �ل� � ا �ل�ع� ر� ي�ج� ب� �م�د �ه�ا * ���ق�� �ل ا � �ل���سي����س �و��د � �� �ع��لي��ه ك�ي ��� ي�ج� ب�‬ ‫ّ �ذ � ت �أ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �آ �خ � ا �ت ف � ّ � ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر ��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �‬ ‫�م�د �ه�ا ا ا �ل� � ش���� * ق��ا �ل �و �ي���ل�ى �ع��لي���ك ا ن�� ت� ا �ل� �ر �ل� ��عر�� ا�لم�د � او � �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ّ ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� او ���ط�ف��ا ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫ل��ل� � �م� �‬ ‫ح�ا ر� ��ى �ب�ل� د �� �ي��عر��و� �ل��ك * �� �ل ب���ل� ا � ا ���ص� ر ا � ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع م ي��ط�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا قا � � ف ا ا ق قا � � ة ق ظ �‬ ‫� ا ن م�ز �ة ث ت � �ن ن‬ ‫ا �لر�هب�� � � �ي� * ��م � ��و�ل�ى �م �ع��ده �م�د �م�د �م� * �� �ل ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �و�� �ل �ل�ى �مر� ��د �ي� �� �‬ ‫�هر‬ ‫ة ن ّ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف ق �‬ ‫�� ن � س�ت �‬ ‫عو ت�‬ ‫حق� ا �� �ع�م�ا �ل د �ع�ا ا ا ا ر�ي��د �ب�ه �م�ع��ى ا �ل�ص��ل�و� ا � ��ي ت��ع�د �ى ب���ع��ل�ى * �ي ����ا �ل د � �‬ ‫ل�ى ا � �‬ ‫� �� ق ا �‬ ‫ق ا � ف ق � ت � � ا � �ز �ن �� ن ف‬ ‫�ف ق ف ا آ�خ‬ ‫� ت �‬ ‫�ع�لي��ه �مك�ا ��ي��� �ل �ص�لي�� �ع�لي��ه * �� �ل �����ل� �ل�ه �ل� ��ي�ل �م �م �ك�و� ����ع�ل �ي �� او ��� ���ع�ل� � �ر‬ ‫ش �ا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ن ف ق �ف �ت �ة ف غ ّ �ذ �‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ه�م�ه * �و��� ك�‬ ‫��ى �م�ع ن�� ه ا � �ي �� او �����ه ��ى ا �ل��ع�د �ي� * ������ص �ب�� �ل��ك �و�ل�م ��ي� �‬ ‫�� ا �لي��ه �مر� ر ج���ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا � ا آ�‬ ‫فقا � � غ ا � �‬ ‫�ن ا ف‬ ‫�ذ � � �� ت ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م �م�ع� ر��ه ا ��س�ه� �ل� ��لم�ه * ����� �ل �ل�ه �ي���� �ل��ط�ه ا �و ي���س�لي��ه * ا ح�م�د ا لله �ع��ل�ى �ل�ك لي�����ى‬ ‫����ل�ه * ف���ق��ا ��ل ��ل�ه ا �ن�ه �م نّ���ة �م�ن‬ ‫�� ��ف� �ه� ا ن� ���ط�ا ��ل ��ق ت��� � او ��س�ا ��ل ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��س� ك�‬ ‫�مث���ل�ك * ق��ا ��ل ك�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف� ق ا � � ت ا ن ا ا � ن ت ا �� ت‬ ‫��� �م��ل � ف ق � ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا لله * ا�ل� ���س�م�‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع �ك�ل �‬ ‫هو�� ��ي� ��و�ل �ي� ر ب� ��س��ه�ل * ���� �ل �ج ر‬ ‫ي � � ي �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ا �ه ا ا �ت ا ن �� �لت� �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك�ا�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب���ل ا �ل�ا ��س�ه� �ل * ����� �ل �ه�م� ب�م�ع��ى � او �‬ ‫ح�د �ل� � ا ����ع�ل �و����ع�ل ك��ل �م� �ي� �ي�� � ل� �ع�د �ي� * �م‬ ‫� �ة ��ت‬ ‫�ان ّ‬ ‫ّ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� ا � �ف‬ ‫��ت�ق��و��ل ا �ن�ز �لت��ه �و�ن�ز �لت��ه * �و �ل� � ك��‬ ‫هو�ل� * �وك�� ب�‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ن ا �ل����س�هي���ل � او �ل� ��س�ه�ا �ل �ي��ه �م�ع��ى ا �ل��س� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف� � ف �ة‬ ‫�م �ة ا ��ل� ���ع�� ا �ل�م���ط�ا �ي�ن ا ��ل� �ظ‬ ‫ع ����ا � * ا�لم�عر�و��ض� �ي�ا ��س�ي �د �ن�ا ب���ع�د ��ت�ق�ب�ي���ل ا رد ا � ك��‬ ‫� ا �ل ش��� �ر��� *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ى ب �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ة �ف ف �ة �‬ ‫ف �ة ا � ف �ة‬ ‫ظ ف �ة ظ � ف �ة‬ ‫ح ��ن ا ��� ا ن ف �ة � � �� ف �ة‬ ‫ل� �لم�ي ���� ا ل�ل� ي �‬ ‫�و���م�ل �ع� ك��‬ ‫مو� �صو�� �لمعر�و��‬ ‫ط��� * ا �ل��� �ر�ي��� ا �لن� ���ي ���� ا �لر�هي ���� ا �ل�ع� ي ���� ا �ل �‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ف �ة ق ا �� ف� �ق � ت � ه � ا ا ت ا � ا ا �ف ن ا ف� �ق ا �� �ه ��ف � �ف ا �ل� ��� ا ن‬ ‫ال� خ‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�� �صو�� * ل �‬ ‫ر � ب �ل ر �‬ ‫ل �ى �ى ر� ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ة � ك��ت�‬ ‫ح��ة * ث�� �ل�� ��ي��لب� ث� ا ن� ب���ع ث� ا ��لي��ه �ذ ��ل��ك ا�لم���ط ا ن� �ب��رك���‬ ‫��ا ب� ا ��ط ار �ف�ي��ه‬ ‫ب��م�عن��ى ا �ل ار �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ف ض ا ئ � � ��ف‬ ‫ّ ��ت‬ ‫��ت �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا ��ل�ا ب� ن�� ّ � ا �ن�ا خ��ا �� �ع�ن‬ ‫م�� �و� ك��‬ ‫��� ��ل�ه ج��دا ��م�م� ك�� ب� ا �لي��ه * ��د ��د � �ع��ل� � ك‬ ‫�ع��ل�م�ه �و���‬ ‫� ى و‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫رج‬ ‫بم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حت خ � ت ا �� � � �ة ��ل ت �ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ن �ة �ف ا ق ت‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫�ه�ا * ���ل�م�ا ا �ت�ي�� ت� �ع��ل�ى ا � ار ه �ع��ل�م ت�‬ ‫ل���ي����س� ��م� � ار ��ه ��ى د ��ل� ل� �صو مع� � او �و�ج‬ ‫�� �ي�‬

‫‪54‬‬

‫�‬

‫�ب�ا �ل ن��ا ر*‬

‫‪54‬‬

‫‪١٤٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٥٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

of the books to extract from it an answer and declared, ‘A certain learned monk has said, “Burning is of two kinds: physical burning, as when someone is burned by fire, and figurative burning, as when someone is ‘burned’ by love as practiced by the tribe of ʿUdhrah.”’ Then he paused and sighed, saying, ‘Our Lord the monk was in error, because ʿadhrāʾ has to be stretched out at the end.’58 The priest, enraged by the thought that the Virgin could be stretched out if she did not so desire, declared, ‘Woe unto you! You’re another who doesn’t know the rules for the use of long and short vowels at the end of words, when the very children playing in the alleys in our country know them! Truly, it’s a good idea to keep to a minimum one’s conversations with those who accuse monks of error.’ Then he turned and left him, muttering under his breath.” The Fāriyāq went on, “And once he told me, ‘My studies have shown

2.2.14

me that the proper way to use the verb daʿā, if one intends the meaning of “to pray,” is to follow it with the preposition ʿalā. Thus one should say daʿawtu ʿalayh, just as one says ṣallaytu ʿalayh.’59 I told him, ‘Just because two verbs have the same sense doesn’t mean they should be followed by the same preposition,’ but this was too much for him; he couldn’t get his head around it. And once a man he knew complained to him that a bout of diarrhea was causing him pain, and he said to him—either to correct him or to amuse him—‘Thank God for it! I wish I were like you.’ ‘How can that be?’ said the first. ‘If it goes on too long, it is fatal and carries the whole body off with it.’ He replied, ‘It is a blessing from God. Do you not hear how everyone who has a worry says, “Lord, make it pass easily”?’ The merchant replied, ‘I’m not worried about things passing easily, I’m worried about things passing through my bowels too easily.’ ‘It comes to the same thing,’ the first told him, ‘because verbs of the pattern af ʿala and those of the pattern faʿʿala both lend transitivity—one says either anzaltuhu (“I sent it down”) or nazzaltuhu (ditto)—and because both tashīl and ishāl contain the sense of “ease.”’60 “And once he wrote to one of the great metropolitans, ‘My request, Your Grace, after kissing your noble buttocks and raising your elevated, sophisticated, delectated, de-germinated, etiolated, uncontaminated, well-soled, much extolled, and often resoled slippers is . . .’—at which point I asked him, ‘What do you mean here by “buttocks?”’ and he replied, ‘In the usage of the metropolitans, it means “hand.”’ In no time at all, the same metropolitan had sent him back his blessings and a letter praising him hugely for his learning

55

55

2.2.15

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫�ا �‬ ‫� ف �ف �‬ ‫ا� �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ا �ن��ك �ص� ح ب� ا � �ل��‬ ‫��ض �و�ل * � �مو�ل�� ا � �ل�� �صو�ل * ج��ا �م� �ب��ي�ن ا � �ل ر�و � او �ل� � �صو�ل * �� �‬ ‫طو�ي��ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ي�ن �ع ق �‬ ‫ح �م�ا ت‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا ��ل��ل��س�ا ن� * �ق��ص�ي�ر ا ��لي��د ا ن� * (�ع�ن الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫)‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ر� �ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م ف �‬ ‫���ت ��ف �آ�خ� ه * ا ����ا �� ا لله � ��ق��ا * � ��ق��ا * � �ه ن��ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و�� ا � ف�ل� ك‬ ‫ب ك وب ك و ك‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫�ص�د ر* ج �‬ ‫طل‬ ‫��ر* �وك� ب� �ى ر‬ ‫� � �� � � �ة تش‬ ‫ا ��ل �ا � خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� ا � ��ل�ا � �ث�ا ��ن ��ا‬ ‫�ت��ا � * � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ة ا �لر�� �سو�لي�� ����م�� ك��‬ ‫�ت��ا � ��س�ل�ا � * � او �لب� رك�‬ ‫�و�م ن��ا ك * �و ��س�ل‬ ‫ل� و و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ � ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا �ن ا �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ج ��ل‬ ‫� ا �م�ن‬ ‫ا � �ن‬ ‫��مي�� �م�ع�ا رف��ه �و خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �ع�ا ش��� ار * ج��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي ب��د �ى �ه� ا ا � ك�� ب�‬ ‫�� �صو�ص� �لم ك�� ��و رج �و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف �ل ا � ا ��ف‬ ‫�� ا ا � �� ن �ز �‬ ‫ض���ي�ن ��لت���ق ه �ع�ن �� ف�ل �ظ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �����ة ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �م� *‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع ن��ده �مغ����‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫و ج و �ى ل م ر � ل � م�‬ ‫ر�ير‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫� ا ش� � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ص �ة س�ت �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ًا‬ ‫��ا �ل � او �لر�� ب� ��ى ��‬ ‫ا �ل� ��� ك�‬ ‫ح� ا �� �ع�م�ا �ل�ه�ا * �و ا د ا �لر ج���ل �ع ن��د �ه� �و ج��ا �ه� �و ج��ل�ا �ل� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� � ة ف ا ن ��ا ن �ف ظ �‬ ‫� ع�ن ��‬ ‫فا ا‬ ‫ه � ��ا �ئ�ه� �ع��ل �غ��ا ���ة �م�ن‬ ‫�� �م� �� �س او �ل��ك � ك�ر�م ا ��ه�ل �ه��ذه ا �لب���ل�د� �� ���ه�م ك�� � �� او ��ى �� �‬ ‫� �ور ب � م �ى ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ا � �ز �� ا � ا ��لت� ة خ � �‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ح��ة � او ج��ل‬ ‫ط او ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��س�م�ا �‬ ‫��ا ر� �و��ا �ل�� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ا ب� �ه� �ى‬ ‫�ود * ا �ل� ا ���ه�م �لم� بر � او ا ل�ى �ع� �ل�م ج‬ ‫�� � ا ��ل��لئ��ا �م��ة � ا ��ل َ��ثَ� * �� � ّ �ز � ا �ع�� �م ش����ا خ‬ ‫ا ��ل�� ا ��ن � ���ط ا خ����ذ � ا �عن‬ ‫�ه� ا ��ل‬ ‫حر��ص � او �ب�ل خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫بر ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن �من‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫� او �ن��ه� ا �ذ ا ���م�ه� �ج�م��ل�� �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� �ع�ن ا �لب��ي � � او �ل ش��� �ر * �ي ��ق ��و�ل ا �‬ ‫ح��د �ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���د �ى �م ا �ل��رك ��ى ا �ل� �‬ ‫��د ج��� ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ج�‬ ‫ح�ه‬ ‫�ص�� �‬ ‫�ص��ح �لي�������ر�ى ����ي � �� ��ط�ي�ر� �م � ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫� ا � ا ج�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � ت �‬ ‫���د �ى ي��� �د �و �ل� ��ي�����ى د ��ي ��ه * � ا ا �ت�� �‬ ‫� �ع� ك��‬ ‫�س��ف ت��ا �‬ ‫ح�ه * ا �ل� ي���‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و كرم‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ث �ف � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ن ��ق��د ا �ل��م�ن ��م�ا �ي��ع ��ط�ى ا �لت��ا �ج�ر ا �ل�ا �ن��ص�ف��ه * ف���ق���ل ت� �ل�ه �م�ا �ع ن��د �ى �م ��ط��ل� �‬ ‫و��ك �ي�ا ا � ن��د �ى *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫تف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫��ا ن � ن ه � ا ن خ �ل�‬ ‫�� ه �ذ �� � �ق �‬ ‫� ا ن�� �ا ا د ت ���‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�� �ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و م ر � ي ب�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ل � �ل‬ ‫ب� �عى‬ ‫ث �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ق �‬ ‫� �ث ا �� ض ا �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���� ا خ ��ذ ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� بو��ع� ر لب��‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�م�ا �ل�م �يرد * ��م �و �ل�ى �و�ه�و ي��� بس����ى * �ي �� ��و�ل‬ ‫له� � او �� �م� ا را د �م �‬ ‫��� �ع� ك� �‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫ن آ �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫آ�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �ج�ر�ى �ل�ى �م� ��س�ي �د� �م�ن ���س�� ء ا �ل��رك � او ���ع� * �و �ل��ك ا �ن��ه�ا ب� ك‬ ‫��ر ت�‬ ‫� �ر � او �ن�ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫��ق � ت ا ��س �ة ��ل ّ ق ا �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��لّ ا‬ ‫�ت�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك ي س�ي ى‬ ‫ى ا �ل�ي �و�م �و��هى � �وء ب� ي �‬ ‫�ع��ل�‬ ‫�ى و � �ل‬ ‫�ه� و ب � ب‬ ‫� م�ز ��ش ق ت ق س�ت ش ت ن‬ ‫ف ق ا � ت �ن � ت ا ف ا ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ي�ا ه *‬ ‫حر�ير � رك����* ���ل� �و��د ا �� ب�����ر� �ع��د �ى * ����� �ل� ا ر ��ى ا �لم��ع �� �ر�ي �‬ ‫�ف ت ���ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ن �غ �ذ �‬ ‫��ه�ا‬ ‫� �ف ّ ق ا � ت ث‬ ‫فا ت‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ا ا ج�ع‬ ‫� ن� ��ا ��خل‬ ‫� ك‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫�� �و�� �ل� ا �م���ل�ى �ير�ى �ه� ا * ا ر ��ى ��ي�ر �ل��ك * �� �ر�ي �‬ ‫��د ا ر ى ب‬ ‫�� ث‬ ‫�ن �ق‬ ‫ع� ت �غ�� �ا �م ��ف�ت��عه�ا � ت خ‬ ‫ف ا خ ��ذ ت ق ا � ت‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف ث‬ ‫ح�ى د ���ل ت�‬ ‫�� �� ��ه �و�� �ل� ا ب���ع� �م��عى �م ��ي� ب���ض� ا ل��م�ن * �ب�� � ل �ى ب �‬ ‫‪56‬‬

‫‪56‬‬

‫‪١٦٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

and virtues, of which the following is an excerpt:61 ‘Your sodomitical missive reached me when I was outside the church, and I could read it only after I’d entered my cell and penetrated it. When I came to the shittiest part of it, I realized that you were possessed of excrements, a creator of pestilence, a “congregator” of both the branches of knowledge and its roots, long of tongue and with ’ands too short (to do any wrong), with a broad little brow, deeply in debt, wide of waistcoat, of ideas bereft.’ At the end of it he wrote, ‘May God prolong your life and livery, grant you happiness, and awaken your hopes! In conclusion, our greetings, and a greeting for our conclusion. May the grace of the apostles embrace you, once, twice, and all the way up to ten!’ The man made a habit of showing this letter off to all his acquaintances and especially those who had left him in anger over his interpretation of the word jāmiʿ. In view of the metropolitan’s words, these were thenceforth relieved of all confusion and doubt as to the correctness of how to use it, and the man increased in dignity and venerability in their eyes. “Turning now to your question concerning the hospitability of this town, in the days of their first forefathers they were exceedingly liberal and generous. However, when they started to excel in the world of commerce and to mix with the people of those Frankish hats that you wot of, they caught from them their reticence, miserliness, bad faith, and avarice; indeed, they’ve come to surpass their teachers. When they find themselves gathered together, the only talk they make is of buying and selling. One will say, ‘Today, a Turkish trooper came to me in the morning to buy something, which I took as an evil omen for the morning and for the start of business, for, as you well know, troopers incur debts but don’t pay them, and if they’re gracious enough to provide the price in cash, they give the merchant only half. So I told him, “I don’t have what you’re looking for, effendi” (showing him the deference of this title solely in the hope that he would treat me politely). No sooner did he hear my words than he entered the store and threw the goods everywhere, taking what he wanted and what he didn’t. Then he left, shouting insults.’ Another will say, ‘I too had a run-in with a Turkish lady. She sailed in early today, wallowing under the weight of her jewelry, approached me smiling, and said, “Have you, sir, any brocaded silk?” Taking a happy omen from her coming, I said, “I have.” “Show me the goods,” she said, so I showed them to her. Then she leaned forward and gave me a slap with her slipper, saying, “Is one such as I to be shown such stuff? Show me

57

57

2.2.16

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫� ا‬ ‫����� �ة � ا �م ت� � ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �م�ن‬ ‫� ب� ا ��لغ���ل�ا � � او �ي�ل�ا �م�ه * ا ��ل�ا ا ن� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا �ج� ب� �ل�م�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ج� ب �‬ ‫�ه� �ب� �ض ر‬ ‫د ا را كب� ي ر و ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك�ن ا ��ن �ف���ذ �ف���ه ا �م �� �د �ت�ه ��م�ا‬ ‫� �ر�ه ��ل��‬ ‫ا �ل��رك �ورا �ى ا �لغ���ل�ا � ا �مرد �ل� �ي� ��ط�ا �و�ع�ه ���لب��ه �ع��ل�ى �ض‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي ر س�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ذ ق ض‬ ‫�ذ�‬ ‫ظ�ن‬ ‫� �وه �و��ل���‬ ‫ا �و��ص�ل �م�ن ا �ل�ا �ى � او �ل�ا �ل� * �و �‬ ‫م��‬ ‫له� �ب�� ك��ره * � او ���‬ ‫�ه�ك� ا ��ي ن ������ى �ن��ه�ا ر�ه� �ب�ا �ل ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ت ا � �� ��م �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�رد ك�ر ا �لب��ي � � او �ل��� �ر � او � �ل� �ي��ك�ن �ي��ه بر� * �� �م� �م� �ج�ر�ى �ل�ى ب���ع�د‬ ‫ا � ا �ل�� �ج�ر ي��طرب� ب ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح ة � �ق‬ ‫ح� ا ���ا � �� * ��فت�� �أ ت� �‬ ‫�و� �صو��ل�ى ف��ا ���نى �ن�ز ��ل ت� �ع ن��د �خ�ر�ج��ى �م�ن ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر� �ب�ا � �ل رب�‬ ‫ح�ا ب� �ص�ا �ب�ى ل ول‬ ‫ب �و ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�� � � �ة‬ ‫�م�ن �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� ب� ا �م ا �ت�ه ��� ��ل��ة ��ف�ت��د �ى ا ��ل�ا �ن��ي�ن � او ��ل‬ ‫�ن ت �� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �تر�ه * �ف ك‬ ‫ح���ي�ن *‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫���� ا س�م�ع�ه �ك�ل �لي��ل� �ي� �ض ر‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫����� ا �م�ا �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ه�ج�� ن� �ف��ع��ل�ه ا ��ل� ا ��ل� ��� ش‬ ‫��ا ن� �ي��‬ ‫� او ��ل �ن��ي�ن � او �ل‬ ‫ط�� �ب�ه * �وك�‬ ‫� ن���ي�ن * �ف ك�‬ ‫�ر ت� ��ى ا ن� ا ��ق�و�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ن �خ� ش ت ن ��� ن ا ا �ذ‬ ‫ا �ع ت �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ن �ف ا ����ى � ك�‬ ‫ط� ب� ا �ل�� �ى ج�� �ور‬ ‫ل���ى ���ي��� ا � ي ص��بي��ى �م� ا �ص� ب� ا ك ا �ل� ج���مى ا �لم� ��ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ن ه ��س �ذ ت �ل � �ة �خ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ظ�ن ا ن� ��ل��د � ت�ه�ا‬ ‫�ص ار � ا �م ار � �م�ن ج��ا را �ت�ه �� ���‬ ‫��و�م�ا �م�ن ا � �ل ب� ��ط * � او �� �م� ا � ي��ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫��ث ة � �‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ص * ف���ق��ا � ا ��ل� ��ق ن��� ن���ة د � � �ت�ا �� ���طه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع� رب� �و �ل��ك �ل��ك� ر� �و ج �‬ ‫و ب �‬ ‫�ود ا ر ب� �ى ب �ي �و� � ر‬ ‫م ى ي‬ ‫ة ا ��‬ ‫� ا � ا �ص�� ه��ا �ه ا ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا ��ق��� ي� �ى * ف���ل�م�ا �ف�ت� � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ب� � ب ع� �مك� �ى �ع� د�‬ ‫� ا �لب�� ب� �و ج��د ر ج��ل� �ع��ل�ى ا �م ار � �ي��ع� جل �‬ ‫و بل جر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ��ف �ق� ت ا � �ل�ق ن ن �ة � �ن � ا �ن� ت � ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف� ا‬ ‫ط�ي�� ب� �ل��ك د�ه��� �و�ع� �ي���� م ي��ده �و ك‬ ‫����سر� * �وك���ا �‬ ‫ا � �ل ��و�م * ��ل�م� را �ى ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫س�ت ة �ف‬ ‫� ق �ن �ة‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� ن �ز ق � ي�ن ي�ن‬ ‫�ه��ذ ا ا ��خل‬ ‫�ه�م�ا * د �ق�ي �� ا �ر ب��‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى ا ب��ي���ض� ا �ل��ل�و� ا ر�� ا �ل�ع� �� �م� �ص� ر � او �� �د ا ر� �ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�ف� ت� �� �ل �ص�ف��ه ��ل��ك ��ل� ���ق‬ ‫ع � ���ف �ق��ص��ت��ه * �غ���ل ظ� ���� ا ��ل ش�����ف ت���ي�ن * � ا ن��م�ا �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ��ن �ف�‪� 1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا ن ق ا ت خ� ��ذ ��ف �ق‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫مو�ذ ج��ا �ع ن��د ك ��ت�ق����� �ع��لي��ه �ج �مي�� �م ار ه �م ا �ل‬ ‫�ر ج�‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ي��� �و��ي�ر�ه�م * �وك�� � ��د �� �و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق �ن ��خ � ف �غ �ة ف ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ا ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط �م��ن�ز �ل�ه �هر�م�ا �صغ���ي�را �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� فل�� ن ن ش �آ خ� �� �ة ��ف � � ا ��خل � ��‬ ‫ق ا �� ث� �ع�نّ � ه � � ا ا ن‬ ‫ا ��ل � ا ن‬ ‫� ا ��ت��ل� �ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ج��ي ر �‬ ‫ب �ى ح ر�ج �ى و‬ ‫ي �و � �ي ى‬ ‫ل م‬ ‫��ف ��مخ �‬ ‫غ‬ ‫���ا ن ق��د ا ��س�ت�ا � ه * ف���ل�م�ا �ف �غ� ت� �من ا ض‬ ‫��ت�ه�ا �ع��ل��ه ف���ذ �ه� ��ه�ا‬ ‫� ��ط ب� �ص���ي�ر ك� �‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ب ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �عر� � ي‬ ‫�ج ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫����ة * ق��ا ��ل � ت���ل� �ه�ا‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�يّ���ة ا ��خل‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �ي��عر ��قي��ع�ا ر* ف���ق��ا ��ل ��ل�ه �م�ا �م ار د ك ا ن� �ت��ص�ن � �ب��ه��ذه ا �ل�ا ج��‬ ‫�ي و‬ ‫�ر ج�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ن ا ��ف ا � �ف� ا ق ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ة ا ��ل�ا ا ن� �ع��ه�ا �ه� ا ن� ��ل�ا � ف��ه�مه�ا‬ ‫نش ئ ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� * �� �ل ��هى‬ ‫�ي � �‬ ‫�م�������ه� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�� ��س �م� را �ي�ك ي�‬ ‫يب � و‬ ‫ف‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬الا �ل���‪.‬‬

‫‪58‬‬

‫‪58‬‬

‫‪١٧٫٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٨٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

something else,” so I showed her something that she liked, and she took it, saying, “Send someone with me to collect the money,” so I sent my young servant, who followed her till she entered a large house, where she ordered her steward to give the boy a sound drubbing. The steward, however, being a Turk and seeing that the lad was comely and smooth, couldn’t find it in his heart to beat the boy, but implemented his mistress’s command in a different way that nevertheless brought him both injury and pain.’ Thus they pass their days in evil ways and their nights in going over them. I think merchants go into ecstasies simply at the mention of buying and selling, even if they aren’t making a profit. “As to what befell me after my arrival, I put up at the home of a Bag-man

2.2.17

who was the friend of my previous friend. I occupied a room close to his and each night would hear him beating his wife with some implement, while she produced moans and groans, sighs and nasal cries. His acts roused the desire in me to give him a hiding, and I often thought of getting out of bed but was afraid that it would be for me as it was for the Persian who practiced medicine and lived next door to a community of Copts: one night he heard one of his neighbor-women screaming. There being so many scorpions in the houses of Egypt, he thought one must have stung her, and, fetching a flask of medicine, placed it under his arm and set off in her direction at a run. When he opened the door, though, he found a man lying on top of the woman and treating her with his finger, after the custom of that people. When the doctor saw this, he was amazed, and the flask fell from his hand and was broken. “This Bag-man had white skin and blue eyes that were both small and round. His nose had a finely molded tip and went crooked at the bridge, and his lips were thick. I tell you these details only so that they can remain with you as a prototype against which to measure any other Bag-men or others you may see. On the roof of his house he had made a small, pyramid-shaped stack of empty bottles of alcohol, the roof being higher than those of his neighbors. One day it occurred to him to set me the task of composing a sermon in praise of saddlebags that I was to deliver at a small oratory he had hired. When I finished, I submitted it to him, and he took it to Qayʿar Qayʿār. ‘What do you intend to do with this baggish rigmarole?’ the latter asked him. ‘I intend the one who composed it to deliver it to the people. What do you think of it?’ ‘It’s good,’ he said, ‘but it does have one drawback, which is that nobody will understand it except him and me, and we’ve both already read

59

59

2.2.18

‫�ف ��س� �ا � � ك��‬ ‫�� �ا �‬ ‫�ي� ل م و ل م‬

‫ف �‬ ‫ن� ق ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫ا � � � ا نا‬ ‫ح�ن ��د � ار �ن�ا �ه�ا ��ل�ا � �مو�ج� ب� �ل� �ع�ا د ���ه�ا * ���ع�د �ل �ع�ن �ل��ك‬ ‫ح�د ا �ل� ا �� �و�ه�و * �و‬ ‫ق ا �� ��ت ف� ق ��ل ن ا �ق � ن ��ن �خ � ت ��ف � ش �ة � �ن ش ا ا ا �� �ف ا ��ل��ه� �ة‬ ‫�ص�� ب � ي ج��‬ ‫�� ل � او ��� �ى � او �� �م�ي��م ع��ده ا �ى �ر�ج � �ى ع����ي � م �ع���� �ي� ل� ي‬ ‫�س �ة � ف ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ح��د � � ����د � �ن�� خ‬ ‫���ا ن ا ��س� ق��د � ف ا � ا ف�‬ ‫��ا �ف�م�ا ا �ن�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا �م����ى �و� ى بو ي ى‬ ‫ح����ل �ب� �ل� � ك� ر ي‬ ‫�� ا �ل��د ���ر* �و�لم� ك� � ر ى‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ع��ل��ه �م�ن �ف ق���ة ا ��ل�ا ��ه� � ا ��ل�ا � ا‬ ‫�� ا �� �ل ���ط�ن * � ا ��لت��غ� ّ� �ع ن��ه ��لغ���� ��س��� �م�ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل و ب‬ ‫و رب‬ ‫ح�� ب� �و ك�ر و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ير ب ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق ا � ��ق‬ ‫�غ � ت ��ف ا �ل ش‬ ‫� اش‬ ‫�لخ‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا� ا‬ ‫��ق �خ �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�س�� ب� ا�لم�ع� ��� �� �سو�ى ��ص� �م �� �سو�ى �و�ر�ج �ى �ع��ل�ى �� �ل �و ي���ل* ا �و��ل� �ى م����ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن�� خ �ة � � ف ت ف ف ا ف ا �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا �ن ت‬ ‫���ا ن� �ي���ب��عن�� ر ج��� ق��د را �ى �س‬ ‫ه� ت� ا ��ل�ى �ظ ����ا �هر ا�لم�د ��ي ن���ة �وك�‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫�� ا �ل�د ���ر ���عر� �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى ل‬ ‫�ه� �� ��مر‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫�ّ ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يل��م ن���ي�نّ ن� ���د ا �ه���ة * ف��ا ��ق��� ا ��ل� ّ �ي ك�‬ ‫طف� ب �ى ي��م ن���ة �و���سر�ة �و�ه�و �ي��ع��ل�لن��ى �ب�ا �� ك�‬ ‫���ل�من��ى �� �ع �� �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫حت �ن ت ي�ن ا �� �ا ن خ ا �‬ ‫����ن �ه ن��ا ك � ق��ا ��ل ��ل� ا ن� �ع�� ّ ا ن� ا �ق� ض��� �ه ن��ا‬ ‫فت �‬ ‫�ه� � ا ل�ى � ك�‬ ‫��ى ا � �‬ ‫و ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م�� � �� �ل * ���ركى‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ص���ل �ة �ف� �‬ ‫� ا ��ل � �م�ق ّ� � ا �ذ ا ���س � ظ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ع ����ي�� �م�ن ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫ح�ا �و�ل ت� ا �لرج��و �ى رى و ب رب�‬ ‫ل��ل� ب� �ج�ر� �و��هى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا ا� ت‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫د�� ت ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ن� � ن‬ ‫ل��ا � �� جه‬ ‫�� �نب���‬ ‫��م ت� �ع��ل ّ �ج��ه‬ ‫�م��ة ا ��ل�� �سو���قى �ع��ل ا ��خل‬ ‫�ه� �ب� � ك�‬ ‫هّو�ل ت� �ع��ل‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى *‬ ‫� �م��ى *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ث ت ّ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ص او �ج���س��مى � �و�ثي��اب �ى � او � ك��‬ ‫ح�ا � �‬ ‫���ه� ا د �م�ى * � بو���ع�‬ ‫���ه� �ع��ض� * � بو���ع�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �ب��ع ض�‬ ‫���هم�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ّ �ف � ة � ث ا �ن �ة ��ف ا�� ت ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ج�ر * � بو���ع�‬ ‫���ه�م ���ه�د د ��ى ا�ل�مر� ا �ل�� �ي�� * �م� ك��د� ا ��م��ل��ص �م �ب�� ا �ي��د �ي��ه�م ا �ل� �و� �� بو�ى‬ ‫ق ّق � ف ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا ا �ورا ق��ه �و ج���ل��ده * ف���ل�م�ا ر ج�‬ ‫�و ج���ل��د �ى �م�م�ز �� �ع��ل�ى �م�م�ز �� * �و��د �م�ز �� ا �ل��د ���ر ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫��ع ت�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ل ا � �ة �‬ ‫�ك��ت ث� � ش����ا ���ن ا � ا �ن�ه �ل�� �ير ���ن �م�ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �م��ن�ز ��ل�ى �ور� ���نى ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى �ع��ل� �ه��ذه ا �‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ل�م �ي�� ر ب ى و‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ن� ا �ع�� ��ن � ت خ � �ن � � ف ت ف ا ت ق ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ��� ا �ش �ت‬ ‫ي�ت‬ ‫�� غ���ا ��ل�ه ��ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر�� * � او �م� ل� ا �ى ر ج��ع� ��ل� او �م ا �ل�د ���ر �� �ع ����د ا �ى ا �ع ��ط� �ه‬ ‫رط‬ ‫ب ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ل ن � ن ��ف �م�ص���ل �ة �خ � �ة‬ ‫�غ �ف ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ف‬ ‫�ل�ا �‬ ‫�ي�� *‬ ‫ح��د * ��� رح� �ب�� �ل��ك ج���دا �ور� ب� ��ى ا � ي ج� ع� ��ى ع��ده �ى ح� �ر ج‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ذ‬ ‫ا � �ف ث ��ت � �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل��ك�ن را �ى �م�ن ا � �ل او �ج� ب� ا � ي� ش����ا �ور �ص�‬ ‫ح��ه ��م�ن �� ك�� ب� ا �لي��ه ��ى �ش���ا ��ى * ��اب �ى ا ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�س��ق ت‬ ‫�وق��ا ��ل ��ل�ا ���د �م�ن �ت��س�ف��ي�ر�ى ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫� ر�ة * �ل�ا ن� ا ��ل�ن�ي ��ة ا � ت �‬ ‫� �ع��ل� �ه� ا �م�ن �ب���ل *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫�ف�� �ز � �مض‬ ‫� � ا � �ن ��ت�غ� � ا �� ا ت‬ ‫��ي ����ف �ع��ل� ا �ج� �ر ء ��ل��ك �و�ه�ا ا �ن�ا �من�ت ظ� ��‬ ‫�را �ل��س���ي�ن � *‬ ‫و م� ح��س ي��ير ل�ن�ي � � * ع م � ى ى‬

‫‪60‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪60‬‬

‫‪١٩٫٢٫٢‬‬

A Salutation and a Conversation

it, so there’s no call to have it read out again.’ Consequently the man gave up the idea. “It also happened that one delightful summer’s evening when I was staying with him, I went out to take a walk on my own, a copy of the ledger in my hand. My head being filled with thoughts of how I was separated from my family and friends and with memories of my homeland and of how I had been exiled from it not for any reason linked to ordinary affairs but because of a feud between Market-man and Bag-man over polemical matters, I kept on walking until I ended up on the outskirts of the city, to which I had been followed by a man who, having seen the copy of the ledger and recognized it, had privately decided to bring a disaster down on my head. Now he approached me, spoke to me, and led me left and right, distracting me with talk, until we arrived at an empty wasteland, where he left me, telling me that he had to see to some business. I tried to return to where I was staying but suddenly found myself face to face with a huge pack of dogs that had run up, barking at me, and were closing in. I tried to scare them off with the book, but they attacked me like a Market-man attacking a Bag-man and divided my body, my clothes, and the book between them, as creditors might a debtor’s possessions, some biting, some drawing blood, some dragging me, and some threatening to come back for more. I managed, barely, to escape their clutches, though my clothes and skin were torn to shreds, and the ledger too was ripped to pieces, both pages and binding. When I returned home and the Bag-man saw me in this state, he paid no attention to me or maybe didn’t even see me, so preoccupied was he with the bag. When he discovered, however, that I had returned without the ledger, he imagined I must have given it away to someone, and this gave him such immense joy that he wanted to keep me with him in Alexandria for Bag-man business. However, he decided that he should consult his friend first and therefore wrote to him about me. The friend rejected his idea and said he had to send me on to the island, because this was what had been previously decided (though how sweet it can be when decisions are changed!). My host therefore decided to put the plan into action, and here I now am, awaiting the ship.”

61

61

2.2.19

‫ا �� �‬ ‫�ث ا �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ڡ ا ��ن ��ق�ل�ا ا � �ل��ف�ا ر �ي�ا �ق� �م�ن ا �ل�ا � ك‬ ‫�س��ن��د ر ���ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا � �ن ا ا �ن ه �ع ن �� �ف� ا ��ل ��ت�� � ا ��ل ة‬ ‫�م�ن �‬ ‫ح��س �ص� حب� � � ��د س ره �ى لك � ر�‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن� �� �فس� ا �ب�ل��‬ ‫�و �ل�ا ا ��ل�ى ا ��لر�‬ ‫حر �م�وك��‬ ‫�ع ن��د ا �ل�ا �فر�� * �ف ك�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح� ��ن �ع�� دا‬ ‫�ك��ا �ق�ا ��ل ا ��ل�ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه ب� * �م‬ ‫ب ب ب‬

‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن خ ا ّ �ة ا ��لُخ� ق ُ �ف‬ ‫��ا ر ��د �عر� ت�‬ ‫�ل�م �ت�� �� �‬ ‫�ص�ي � ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا � �ش���ا ت� � به� ت� � او � �ش���ا ت� �ل�‬ ‫م‬

‫‪١٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫ا �ذ ��ل�� ت‬ ‫س� نا�� ت� ��س�� �ل��ي�م�ن ب��ن د ا �ود‬

‫ن‬ ‫� ت ت‬ ‫�ض� ���طه� ا‬ ‫��ف�ا ���م�ا ��ه‬ ‫� �ل��س� ���� ب �‬ ‫ى يرح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫ة � �ف ت‬ ‫��م�ن ث�� رك�‬ ‫�� ب� ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� ���فى ��س�ف��ي�ن ��ة ر�‬ ‫ح���ة �م�ن �ه� ا ا �ل�ن�و �وك�‬ ‫���ا � ��ى �م�د� ا �ل��س� ر ��ي ��عل��� ب���ع��ض�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا ��لت‬ ‫� ا �� في�ن �ة‬ ‫� ف ا ظ � � �ن �� غ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح���ة � او ��ل��س�ل�ا � * �م�ن �ج��م��ل��ة �ذ ��ل��ك د �ع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا � �ل�� �� م ل�� ا ح� ب� ل��س�� � �م� ي����ص �ب� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ن �ف ظ �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ق �� ��ل� �ن�ه �ع ن��د ش��� � ا ��خل‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ���� ا �ل�‬ ‫��م �ع��ل� ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د�ة �و�ه�و ��ق�و��ل�ه� ���ط�ا ب�� ت� �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح���ك * ا �ل� ا � � �ل‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫رب‬ ‫�ي و و‬ ‫رى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف�ا ن ����ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا � � � �� �ل ��ط�ا �� ت� ج� � �‬ ‫�� � �� ا ي ���‬ ‫�ع ن��د ��ه ��ي� رب� �م�ن � �ل� ��� ج�‬ ‫ح��ك�و� �م ن��ه‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ه�م�ك * � ك� و‬ ‫ه�م � ك� �ي و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��س�ه� � ��ق���ل��ه � � �ق �� ��ل * �ق�ا �ت� ا لله �ه� ��ل��آ ا ��ل�ع��ل� �� ا �ن�ه� ��ي�ق��م� ن� ���ف ��ل�ا د �ن�ا ��س�ن ��ي�ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫�و�ه�و ي� ب � م ب ب و�ي و‬ ‫وج � م ي و ى ب‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ق ا �� �ز‬ ‫�� ق‬ ‫� ���ا ي� ن‬ ‫حر�و�ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫���ة ا �ي�ا �و�‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫��س�و ن� ا �لن� ��ط�ق� ب���لغ���ت�ن �ا * �ي��� فل� �ظ� �� �و ن� ا �ل��س��ي�ن ا ا � ب �‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫ول‬ ‫ح �‬ ‫�س� �‬ ‫ح�ل��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� نض‬ ‫��ق ّ‬ ‫�ق �� ت ن‬ ‫� ��ذ�ي�ن � ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�غ��ي�ر�ه�ا ��م‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة �و�‬ ‫ح�ن �ل�ا ���‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح��ك �م �‬ ‫��س��ه�م ا �ل� �لب� �� او‬ ‫�ه�م * �و �د �سم�ع� ا � ب���ع��ض� ��سي�� ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ة �‬ ‫��ف �� �ا د �ن�ا ��س�ن ��ي�ن ا � �م �ة ا ن خ‬ ‫� � �ف �ق ف � ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫رم ر � ي‬ ‫�ى ب ل‬ ‫� ��ط ب� ��ى ا � �ل ��و�م ��ل�م� �ص�ع�د ا �لم�ب��ر ا رج�‬ ‫� �ع��لي��ه ��س� �ع� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ت �ف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا ن� �ق�ا ��ل * (ا �ي��ه�ا ا ��ل��‬ ‫��د �ف�ا ت� ا ��ل�وك�‬ ‫�ك�و� ك��‬ ‫� �ن��ه�ا ر ا �ل�ا �ه�د ا �� ك�‬ ‫�� ت� ا �ل�ا ن� �و� ك‬ ‫ه� ب� �ي� ك��‬ ‫ل����ى ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�� ب���ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� � ا � �ة ا ��ل�ع�� ا ��ل�ت � ن ه ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫ا � ����ا ا لله) * ��م ��س�ا ر ا �ل�ى ب���ع��ض� �م�ع�ا ر��ه �م�ن ا ��ه�ل ا �ل�د ر ي� �و ل� �و م��س م�� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪62‬‬

‫‪62‬‬

‫‪٢٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪٣٫٣٫٢‬‬

Chapter 3

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail62

A typical example of our friend’s bad luck was that, at the time of his leaving

2.3.1

for the island, the Franks had yet to discover the special properties of steam. Travel by sea was dependent on the wind, which blew if it felt like it and didn’t if it didn’t. As al-Ṣāḥib ibn al-ʿAbbād has said,63 ’Tis but a wind you cannot control, For you’re not Sulaymān, son of Dāʾūd. It follows that the Fāriyāq departed on a wind-propelled ship of that ilk. In the course of his voyage, he learned some words of the language of

2.3.2

the people of the ship related to greetings and salutes. One of these was a prayer that they utter when drinking wine at table, namely, “Good health to you!” Their word health, however, resembles their word hell, so he used to say, “Good hell to you!” and they’d laugh at him while he cursed them in his heart, saying, “God destroy these louts! They live in our country for years and still can’t pronounce our language properly. They pronounce s with a vowel before it as z, and the palatal letters and others are a lost cause for them, despite which we don’t laugh at them. “I have heard that a priest who had lived in our country for years decided one day to preach to the people. When he ascended the pulpit, he stood there shaking for an hour before finally saying,64 ‘Good yolk, my lime is up but I shall peach to you next Fun Day, God willing.’ Then he went to see an expert and learned acquaintance of his and implored him to write him a sermon that he could commit to memory or read out loud. The people came in great numbers to hear him, and, when the church was full to overflowing,

63

63

2.3.3

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ت � ه خ� �� �ة � ف ظ � ا ع�ن ظ �‬ ‫ح ش����د ا ��ل ن��ا �� ا ��ل��ه ف���ل�م�ا‬ ‫�هر ق���لب��ه ا �و ��ي ت���ل�و�ه�ا �ت�ل�ا �و�ة * �و�‬ ‫�ي ك‬ ‫�ه� � �� �‬ ‫ط�� يح�� �� �‬ ‫س ي‬ ‫��� ب� �ل� �� ب‬ ‫ث ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ�� ت‬ ‫���ا �ن�ه ا �ن�ت����ه �م�ن‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ن�ي����س��ة �ص�ع�د ا �لم ن�ب��ر ف���ق��ا ��ل * (ب���س� ا لله ا �لر�ه�م�ن ) * �� ك�‬ ‫�ص� �ب��ه� ا � ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ف���لت��ه �و�عر�ف� ا � �ل��ك �ل� �ير���ى ا �ل��ص� ر�ى � او � ا � ك�‬ ‫ل�� �� ب� ا ��م� ك�� ب� �ل��ك �ع��ل� �‬ ‫ط �ر� ��ه *‬ ‫ى �ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��و��ل �م��س��ل�م�ا ب��ي���‬ ‫ف��ا ��س�ت�د رك ك��‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه �وق��ا ��ل * �ل�ا �ل�ا �م�ا �ب��دي� ش�� ا �ك�‬ ‫�ك�و�ل ا �ل�ا ��س�ل�ا � ب���س� ا لله‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�اا � ا‬ ‫�ك��ا �ت��‬ ‫�ك�و��ل ا ��ل ن����س�ا ر�ى ب���س� ا �ل�ا ب� � او �ل�ا ب��ن � او �لر�وه ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ك�د ��س * ي� �و �ل ى‬ ‫ا �لر�ه�م�ن ا �لر�هي�� ب���ل �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن�ت‬ ‫���ي�ن ا �� �ا د �ي�ن �ه ن�ا ��ل��س� �ا ء �هت����ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ه��تى �و� �مو�ه�ز ��ى * ا � ك���ن�� �ه�د ر��‬ ‫*‬ ‫ا �لمب��ا رك�� ل�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب �ى و ب �ول‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�� ش‬ ‫�ك�و��ل ب���ل�زّا ت� ا ��ل�� �ل�� * ا �هب��ر �و ���نى �ه�ت ا ك�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫م�����‬ ‫� ف��ل�ا ��ي ت��د �ج�را �ه�د �م�ن �ت��و��ل�ه‬ ‫����سر�م�ن �هت��ا ب� ك��‬ ‫����لب� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ت ا ّ�‬ ‫� ا �ف �ز ف �ة ن ت � �‬ ‫�ز ّ�� �ف� � ن آ � �‬ ‫��� �م�ن � ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ل����س�� � او �لر ج��ا �ل �ت�ز ك��ير �ل�‬ ‫�و �ل� ��ي �� �ل�م * � او �ل� �‬ ‫�ه �ى �ر��س� ��س��ه� �ل�ى ا �ل�ي �و�م * ا ك�ر ي�‬ ‫�ا ف � �اَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش���� ا ��ل��ل� � * � ا �ن�ز �ه� � �� � ا ��ل ش‬ ‫�ي ك‬ ‫ه���ر � ا‬ ‫و �ل�ه��س�ا ب� * �ي ��و� �ل� ��ي ن ����ا �م�ا �ل �و �ل� ا ��س�ه�ا ب� *‬ ‫�� ى وم و ر م ي وم �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن � �ن �ز‬ ‫�ا ُ � �ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ب� * ا ��ي��ل� �م او ر�ه ك��‬ ‫�م� ا لله ا � ا �ل��د �ي��ا ا ��ي��ل�ه * �و�مت��ا �م�ه�ه�ا �ب�ا ���ل�ه *‬ ‫�و �ل� ��س�ه�ا �ل �و �ل� ج��‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ُ �ّ� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ن ا �من ا � َ� �زَ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ه�ا �ل�ا �ت��ه�ا �ه�ا ��ي��ل�ه * �و�م�ه�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ��س�ا ���ل�ه * � و �و � �ل�ى ر و �ل ي � �ج ب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ّ‬ ‫�� �ف‬ ‫� ا َ �تَ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ان‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ف َ ْ َ�زَ ��‬ ‫� ك����‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�من‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�م�ا ��س ّر * ا ��سر�� او ا �ن��ه�ا �ن رك�� * �و �ل� �ت�ا �ل و ب�‬ ‫� �و ي� ب � ب ل �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�م�ه�د �ة * �و � او �ز � �� او ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل��س��ل� او ت� ���فى ا ��ل��د�ي��ك � او ��ل ش����د�ة * ك��‬ ‫���س�ن �د � او ر �و� ك��‬ ‫��د � �موا‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ن ا ��‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ن�ز‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك�ّد ���س��ي�ن �ه�ا �� ا �� �فل�� ��ل�ه * ��ل�ت�ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ز� ا �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل�� �ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل�� ي���س �ورك�م� و �و ي‬ ‫ل ت�ي‬ ‫و � ي �و ب ي‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��تت�ف ّ ا � �ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�مَه�ن � ا �ل�م��س�ا‬ ‫�رن�� ب� � او �ل�ن� او ��ي ب�(‪ )1‬ا �ه��تر� �م او ك����سي����س�ي ك��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��س‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ف����ة‬ ‫و‬ ‫ِ� و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ر � ب� �م���ص���‬ ‫م (‪ )1‬ا �ل ك�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا �ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع� ا �ل ك�‬ ‫�ر ب� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ُ‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ت� ك��‬ ‫� او ��س� ��ك‬ ‫� �و �وك�ر�و�ه� � او ك���د � او �ب��ه�م * � او ركب�� ��و�ه� �و �ل� �ه�ز �و�ه� �تر����د � او ب���س�ا �ي��هم�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ّ � َّ َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫����س�ه� �ود ا �ب��ه� * �ي�ا ا �ي��ه�ا ا �ل ن����س�ا ر�ى ا ن� د �ي��� ن��ا �ه�و ا �ل�ه��ك * �و � ا‬ ‫و ده �ه�و ا �ل� ��س�د ك *‬ ‫م‬ ‫َور م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ا �ت� �‬ ‫� �آ �‬ ‫�� ّ‬ ‫� ا��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�سوك���‬ ‫��ه �ه�وا �ل�ا ��ن �ف���ك * �ل� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل�ت� او �ه�و �ل� ء ا � ك‬ ‫�ي���ي�ن * ا �ل�ز�ي�ن ا �ن��د � �‬ ‫�وك��ي�ره �ه�وا �ل� ك��د ك �و� �‬ ‫ل��ر ج‬ ‫�س او‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي�� * ب��م�ا �ي�ز �هر�و ن� �� ك��‬ ‫� �م�ز �ه��ي�ن * �ي��ت�ز ب��ّ ��و ن� ��ى ا د �ل�ا �� ك��‬ ‫�ي� ك��‬ ‫� �م�ن ا � �لورا‬ ‫� �ع�ن ا �ل�ز را ت� ا�لم��س�ت ك‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�م ُ‬ ‫ل��ُ � �‬ ‫�َ ا ن � ���ز ا ��‬ ‫�ا ��ت�ف �ة ا � �ت � �ة � � ا �� ا �� �ا ن ا ��ل ا � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي ب�‬ ‫� او � ك‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫ج �ي و�‬ ‫ر ي ب ب س � ل�‬ ‫�م م‬ ‫ُ ْ � يم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ت ُ � � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���فى �ك�‬ ‫��س�و ن� ا ��ل�ي�ن �ا ا �ل�ز ���ك � او �‬ ‫ه��ا ن� * �و�ه� ا �ز ���ك �م�ن ��س��ل�ك �تر ك�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ل ك�� ر �و��س�ك ي�‬ ‫��ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪64‬‬

‫‪64‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

he mounted the pulpit and declared, ‘In the Name of God the Immersible!’ Then it seems he noticed his mistake and realized that this wouldn’t please the Christians and that the writer had written it according to his own tenets, so he corrected himself and said, “‘No, no! I ain’t mean to say me Muslim man. Islam he say “In the Name of God the Immersible, the Inflatable.” Contrarily, Kitchen People he say “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Boast.” “‘Blessed children lathered here today to spear my peach and listen to my insides, if you have lathered here while your farts are still fizzy with the Pleasures of This Knife, inform me, that I may submit you to my denture, and let none complain of its length or how it hurts. If not, then today’s my inopportunity, as one who bears no importunity, to urge both women and men to bedrink themselves and to warn you of the Day of Insurrection and Beckoning—a day when neither honey nor blends will avail, nor indigestion nor regurgitation. Know, may God inflate you, that This World is ephemeral, its temptresses virginal, its mates undependable, its towering sights despicable. Stand on lard against it and let not its pleasures and temptations lead you into terror. Keep your lances from it averted. Hang not your ropes upon it. Examine your farts concerning it before you lay down your heads upon your holsters and sleep. Spray regularly when distressed or undressed. Coffer the churches your contributions, be they but spittle. Spray God’s paints that they may help you and shave you from all piles and infibulations. Be of good fart if you would be freed from the cabbages of fate.(1) Respect your monsters and piss-offs, venerealize them, and wallow in their footsteps. Observe everything they poo and be

(1) “‘Cabbages’ (al-kurunb) is a misspelling for ‘ravages’ (al-karb).

guided by their deeds, their indulgences, and all they do. “‘Good Kitchen People, our religion is the Roof! Its premises are the best licensed! Its dressings are the most humorous! Its market has the best rices! Have no intercourse with the fag-men, who have recently inserted themselves into you, pricking you into leaving the straight bath with the dignified and mild feces that they put on for you. They are naught but ravening poofs in clams’ clothing cruising in every land and strand, accusing us of aberration and of spreading flies, when they are the most fly-blown of any who took a bath and the flightiest of any who ever cheated on a friend or led a companion down the primrose path.’

65

65

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫َّ‬ ‫ك�ز‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا �� ن �ف ا‬ ‫�� ب� �م�ن ك�‬ ‫��ا * �وك�‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫��ا *) ا ��ل�ى ا ن� ق��ا �ل (ا �ي��ه�ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ر�ي� ك�‬ ‫��ش�� ��س�د �ي ك�‬ ‫ل�� ر �ك�و� ��ى �ب��ه� ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ �َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ل�ا ��ا � �ز ا ��ا * ا ��ل�ا ف��ا ��س � �م ا ا �ز ��ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫ا ��ل� ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ف��ا ن� � كب�‬ ‫���ت��ه�ا ا �لي� ك��‬ ‫ه��ا �ي�ا * �ج� نب� �� او �م�ا ��ي�ف��د �ى ب� ك��‬ ‫� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر و ب ب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� ب ي ور ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َْ م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا �ُ �ْ‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫��سر�م�ا * �وك�‬ ‫���ا �ب��ه�ا ا �م�ا * � او ��س�ت�ا ��س��ل� او �‬ ‫�ك� �و�ا �ت��ه�ا ��ت ن��ا � �لوا‬ ‫�ج�ز ر�ه�ا ر�ه�ز ا * � او ك��ل� � او م�‬ ‫���ا �و� �م او ا رك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ك�زً‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت ت � �ف‬ ‫ف ا �ت� � �ز‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫��ا � او ا �ل�ا �ب�ا ب� * ��ى ���ه�ل�� �س ا‬ ‫�� ا * ا �ل�ا �ب�ا ب� ا �ل�ا �ب�ا ب� * �� ك‬ ‫و ��ى �ي ��و� ا �ل�ه��س�ا ب� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�ك��س�ا �� � او ��ل�ا �ز ا �) * (ا �ى ا �ق� ����ط� �ع ا ا ��ل�ا ��س��ا � �‬ ‫���ل� �ص ا ���فى �ي �� � ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ت خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ا ب�‬ ‫�م ا �ل�� س‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ست‬ ‫�م�ن ا �� �لق��ص�ا �� � ا ��ل�ع��ذ ا �) � �م� �ذ ��ل��ك �فل��� ��� فص���ع�ه ا � � �ن � ا ي�ن‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫ص و‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫ح�د �م ا �ل��س� �م�ع�� ب���ل ا ��مر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ة �� �ة��ا ن ت ق �ت�ز � ت �ذ‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� �� �ة‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫� آ�خ ��لخ‬ ‫ط�� �ع��ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل��م��ط * ا �ل� ا � ا �م ار � لب�ي��ب�� ك�� ��� ��د �و�ج � �م� �ع�ه�د‬ ‫ا �ل�ى � �ر ا �� ب‬ ‫�ق ��� �ل�م�ا ��س�م�ع ت� ا �� ف�ل ��ق ة � ا خ ة غ ض‬ ‫���� ت� � ق��ا ��ل ت� * ا ��ل�ا ��ل�ا ��ا ك ا لله ���ف � �� � ا � ن��ا‬ ‫بر‬ ‫� ر� ا �ل� ��ي�ر� ��� ب و‬ ‫ى ي وم ر �ي‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � ا خ��� ا ��ت ن��ا � ا �ز ا ��ق ن��ا * � ا ��ف��س�د � ا ��ل�ا د �ن�ا � ��س�ا � ��ق �� ا �ن�ا ��س�ن �ا‬ ‫�� ف���ق��د ا � ت‬ ‫�وه �ه�و �ل�� ا �جل�ع‬ ‫ح� ك‬ ‫�ي��ه �و ج��‬ ‫و‬ ‫��رو ي ر و ر‬ ‫و بو‬ ‫وب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ص�� ا �ز ا �ئ �م�ن ا ض�ن �ا * � �ع��ّل�م ا �م�ن �ع �ف� �م ن��ا ا ��ل خ‬ ‫ح �� � ا ��ل���ط����ش‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ش‬ ‫�ذ � �غ ن ��ج�ز �ّ ا �ل�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫عه� �و ��‬ ‫ح�ص��ل� او �ع��ل �ه� ا ا �ل� �� ا ل‬ ‫� او ��ل��س�ف��ا �ه��ة * �و�م�ا �ل�ع�م �ى �‬ ‫� ���ل ا �ل� �ج� ����‬ ‫حه� * ���د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا ��ل��ل � ا � �ظ � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��س�م�ع ن��ا ا ن� ا ��ل ج��� �من‬ ‫�ه� ا �ذ ا ج���ل�� �ع��ل� ا�لم� ���د� �م� ا �و �ل� ده �ي� �ك��ل �‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫ح�م �و�يرم�ى �ب� �ل�ع ��� �م ا �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ل‬ ‫س ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا �م ّ���ي�ن � ّ��ا �ن��ي�ن ��ف ا �ل� � �غ� ش����ا �ش����ي�ن * � ق��د ���ل�غ� ن� ا ن ا خ� ن‬ ‫�ك� �ن‬ ‫��يل��ت�م شّ��� ش‬ ‫���و�ه�ا * �و�ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب �ى � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ���هم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�يع‬ ‫�ذ ا ��لن� �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا � ف ا � ش �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���ف ��ل�ا د �ه� ا ن� �� �من‬ ‫�ه� � او ��� �س� * �و�ه� ا �‬ ‫ح�� ا �ل� � �ي�� ر�ى ب��� �عو�ل� � �ب� ر ك�‬ ‫�� ب� ا � �ل�� ح����‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى ب م �ج س م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��لت خ� � � ه � ا �ة �ف‬ ‫� ا �ل ن ا � �ّ ن ق ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ل�و �ل� ا �ل��س� �‬ ‫ح� �ي ف�����ع�ل �م�ا ي� ش����� * ��ا ��ى ا �عل��� �ع��ي�ن ا �لي ��ق���ي�ن ا � �ه�و �ل� م��‬ ‫بري��ي�ن ا ��م�ا ��ي� ��و� �لو�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ا �ن ��ل����ّل ن ا ��ل ن ا �� ا ���ز ��ف �� � ��ن ا ا ��لَ ّ‬ ‫ا �ف‬ ‫�ف ق‬ ‫� ب� �و�ه�‬ ‫�ب� �� او �ه�ه�م �م� �لي����س ��ى ���ل�و�ب��ه�م * �و ��ه�م ي ع � �مو� �� س ل �ه�د �ى ا ل�د ي�� �و �ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا ��ث�ق �ي�ن � ا ق ��خل ق � � �‬ ‫�ج�ز�آ� ه ا ��ا ن ا ��ا �ق� ����ط� � ا ن � ت‬ ‫�ه� � او �ر� ا‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫��� �ل� ا �ل�ى ا �لب��ع�ا �ل * ��م�ا � و �ل � �ل‬ ‫حر�ص ل���ل�� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ع �ل��س� ��ه ح�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن ا ن � �ق���ّ ظ � ف ا �‬ ‫ف � �ق �‬ ‫ن �ان ن �ا‬ ‫�ك� �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫هو ن� �ع��لي��ه ا �‬ ‫ح�� �� ا � �ي ل� ا �� �‬ ‫�ي��عر�� ا�ل�م ا � �ل� ���ط� * �ل�ع�مر�ى ا � ا �ل� ���س�ا � �ل� �ي�� �‬ ‫��� ره �ل��و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫��ا ن�� ت ا خ� ا ��ت ن ا �ن �آء ا � ا ف ن� �ّ�ي�ن ا ظ ��� �ف ا �ه�ن � � �ف�تخ� ن � ا � � ا �ن ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ير� ��� ر �و�ي �ر� ب��ه� م ��ه� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�م ن��ه * �و�ل�� �ل��ك � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ز ق � ا �� ّ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن ف ا � ا � ث �ة‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�و �� ���ط� ع‬ ‫��ت��لب� ث� ا ن� �ت���ب� ت� * �ف ك‬ ‫ط� ب� ا لله ا � ��� ��س�ك �ي� �‬ ‫ح�د ��ي ��‬ ‫��ي ��� ي ج��‬ ‫ع �م� �ي �مر �ب�ه ا �ل��ك�و� * ( ��ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫�عه�د ��ا ��ل�ز � ا �� � � ت‬ ‫����‬ ‫ع�ي ��ق���ة ��ن �ق��د ��ل�ل�ا �ع�ل�ا �� * ��لي� ت� ا ��ل ن����س�� ك�‬ ‫له�ن �مث���ل�ك �و�لي���ن��ى ا �ل ث�� �ش���ف��ت�ي ��ك)‬ ‫� ب وج و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪66‬‬

‫‪66‬‬

‫‪٤٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

“Then he said, “‘O you who are clowning in a sea of pecker-dildoes, stay clear of all that may feed you to them, for the result will be disasters and calamities. Don’t let them get up to their old tricks, but cut them off at the ass. Resist their fins resolutely. Pull them out by their boots directly. Strip off any ironing of theirs that makes you perspire and you will be granted retribution. The pricks! The pricks! Cut off your pricks, that you be saved on the Day of Beckoning from any stunts or tricks!’ “Despite all this, none of his listeners boxed his ears. On the contrary, they sat quietly until the end of the sermon as given above. Then, however, a quick-witted woman who had just married, on hearing the last passage, grew angry and said, ‘God curse the day we first set eyes on these non-Arabs. They have monopolized our resources and wealth and corrupted our lands and they compete with our own people in obtaining their sustenance from our own soil. They have taught those of us who have come to know them miserliness, stinginess, fickleness, and shamelessness. Never, I swear, would they have obtained these abundant riches were it not for their greed and avarice, for we hear that when one of their menfolk sits down at the table with his children, he eats the meat and throws them the bones to suck on, and because they are thieves and cheats, and swindle when they sell, and I’ve been told that their brethren in their own countries are even more disgusting and depraved than they. Now this wretch is inciting our husbands to commit an abomination so as to leave the field open to him to do as he wishes, for I know, without any doubt, that what these pulpiteers say with their mouths is not what is in the hearts. They teach people abstinence and emasculation in this world, while there isn’t a human or a jinni who cares more about intercourse than they or is greedier for it. Let his reward now be to have his tongue cut off, so that he can know how much it hurts. Sometimes, I swear, one finds it hard to cut one’s fingernails because they’re a part of one, which is why our sisters, the women of the Franks, grow their nails and show them off. Those, though, are quick to grow back. How then can it be permitted to cut off the means by which life is generated?’” (Well said, you who are so new to marriage and so experienced in the criticism of such oafs! Would that all women might be like you and I might kiss your lips!)

67

67

2.3.4

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ن ��� �ة �ذ �‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫ع او �لت��ق�ب�ي���ل �ي��ده �و ��ي��ل�ه‬ ‫�� �لم�ا �خ�ر�� ا � �لق���سي���� م ا ك‬ ‫ل��ن�ي����س� ا ا �ب�ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ج��مي��ع�ا ا �هر� �‬ ‫س‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ف ا � � �ن � ا ��ن � �ة ق � ا �� ن ظ �� �ع�ن �غ � ا � ا ��ت��ق ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��ر�وه �ع��ل� �م� ا �� د ه� م ا�لم�ع� �ى ا �لب��د �ي��ع� �ب ��� ���ط�‬ ‫�و��� ك‬ ‫ع ل���ر ��ي ر�ه� * �لم� رر �ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫ن � ن �� ����ة ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�وا �‬ ‫�ص د �ي�ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى ا � �ت��ك�و� ك�ب�ت��ه رك�ي���ك�� ��ا ��س�د� �م�ا ا �م��ك�ن *‬ ‫�ع� ��و�ل�ه� �م�ن ا � �م�ن ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� � ن‬ ‫� � ق �ة� ف‬ ‫� ا ن �ق ة � � �ي�ن �ت�ق ت‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� �ه ��ل��‬ ‫� تت ن ��ل‬ ‫ح��ص�ل ا�لم��ط�ا �ب ���� �مك��ا ا ��ا ده ا�لم��ط ار � ا ��ت ن��ا � ي �‬ ‫�ل� � ��و� ا �ل�د � � ��ض�ي‬ ‫�س�و��س ا �ل� ��و ج��ى اح�لب��ى‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�َ ّ �‬ ‫�ا ��ن �� ش ّ�ا ��ق �� شَ ْ �� �ق � ا ��ن �ق ا ��ف �� ن شّ ا ��ف ا �ل�م�ق���س�ق��� ّ � َ ّ �‬ ‫�ُ ن‬ ‫ا �لب�� ش��� ك�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫ى ا �ل��ل��ط�ا �ع�ى ا �لن� ��ط�ا �ع�ى ا�لم� �‬ ‫�� �ى ا ل����ل �ى ا ل �‬ ‫�ص�و�ى‬ ‫���و �ل�ى ا ِ�ل� �� �ى ا ل������ �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫��لُت ف � اَ ْ�ش� ّ � ثُْ ت ّ � قَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا�� �ف‬ ‫� َ �ف‬ ‫� تخ‬ ‫ح� ا �ل��� ّ�م��م ا �ل�ا �ّم��ع ��ى ب���ع�� � �مو� �لف��ا �ت�ه الم��س��مّ �ب�ا �ل ك�‬ ‫� � ا ��‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح�� ك���ه ��ى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح����ل�ى ا �ل� ر ��مى ا �ل� ر ��مى ل ى ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ه * ق��ا ��ل ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� � ا �ذ ق��د ا ب��ت��ل�ا ���ن ا لله ���ع ش��� �ة �ه� ��ل�� ا ��ل��لئ��ا � ف��ل�ا ���د ��ل� �م�ن �م ا � ت‬ ‫���ا ك���‬ ‫ا �لرك�‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫ري و‬ ‫م ب ى‬ ‫�� �م�ل �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ى ب ر و‬ ‫ق � ت � ث ق ّ ا ق ا � � ف ا ا ق �ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ا �� �ل�ق ت�ه� ا ��ل� ا ن� ��م�نّ �ع��ل ��ا ��لن� ا ة ن‬ ‫�ه�م * ��ل� �و‬ ‫حي�� ��د �مر �م� �� �ل�ه ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� ��ى‬ ‫�� � �م �‬ ‫�و م � م ى ي �ى ب ج‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ك� او ه �ه ن��ا �م�ن ا �ل�� ا ��بل�‬ ‫��ر�ش����‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر * � او ن��م�ا ��ن �ق��و��ل ا �ن�ه‬ ‫�� �فس� �تر�ه ا �ل�ا �و ��ل�ى ف��ل�ا � �مو�ج� ب� ا �ل�ا ن� �ل�ا �ع�ا د�ة ك�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف � ا ���نَّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح * �م�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���فى خ��ل�ا ��ل �م�ع�ا �ن�ا �ت�ه �و�م�ق��ا ��س�ا �ت�ه � �‬ ‫ا ��ف �ش�‬ ‫ا ل�‬ ‫ح�ل�� �ل� �يركب��� ب���ع�د�ه� �ى ��ى �م �م ار ك� ب� ب�ر‬ ‫� ُ فآ‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ��خل ا � �ة �ذ‬ ‫�ف � �ز‬ ‫��ه �ص�ا � � ق‬ ‫ا ج�ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا‬ ‫ح ب� ا � �ل��ا � �مو��س ��ى ا�لم�ه� �مو *‬ ‫���� ‬ ‫�� �لي�� ك�ر‬ ‫� ف �ة � ظ‬ ‫ع ���� �ة ا �� �� � �ة‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫و��ل� *‬ ‫� او�ل�م ْر ا ب� ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا �ل� يم� ا �و ل� �ي�‬ ‫� َْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� او �ل�زب��ز ب� ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ��� ة � �ق �‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا ك‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر� �ل��ل� ت��ا �ل *‬ ‫� او �لب��ا ر ج���ة ‬ ‫ف �ة غ ة ن � َ َ ْ � ّ‬ ‫� ا ��خل‬ ‫��س���ي�ن � �ص���ي�ر� د �و� ا �ل�ع�د �و�ل�ى *‬ ‫� ‬ ‫��ي��ل��‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ّ �ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ا � غ � ة � � �ة‬ ‫ر�ع� *‬ ‫ا ل��س��� � ل�ص���ي ر� ا �ل��س‬ ‫� او �ل��ط ارد ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ُ َ‬ ‫� ف �ة � ق َّ ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا�لم���ي�ر� *‬ ‫� او�لم�عبّ��د �ة ‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ال� ش �ة� � �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ون� ك���ا �ل� ِ�م�د *‬ ‫� او �لغ���ا ِ�م�د ‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � م������‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫�َ ْ آ‬ ‫� ف �ة‬ ‫ُُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د ر�ه�ا �� د ��سر *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � �ت��د��سر ا�لم�� �ب��‬ ‫� او �ل�د ��س �ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ُ ْ �زُ‬ ‫� �� � ض ّ‬ ‫�ق� *‬ ‫� او �ل�ز ر �و ر ‬ ‫ا�ل�مرك� ب� ا �ل�‬ ‫��ي �‬ ‫� ََْ ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لض� خ‬ ‫����� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫� او �ل�ز �ن�ب�ر�ى ‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪68‬‬

‫‪68‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪٥٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪٦٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

“When the priest left the church, everyone rushed to kiss his hand and

2.3.5

the hem of his garment, and all thanked him for the elegant figures of speech he had vouchsafed them, not to mention all the other wonderful things, for it had become an established fact to them that the books of the Christian religion should be written in as feeble and corrupt a style as possible, because ‘the power of the religion requires it, so that everything be of one piece,’ as stated by the Arabic-language-challenged,65 Feed-sack-carrying, Sweetmeat-chasing, Marrow-slurping, Rag-sucking, Bone-gnawing, Fingerlicking, Half-a-morsel-biting, Cauldron-watching, Drippings-drinking, Bottom-of-the-pot-scraping, Scourings-scarfing, Leftovers-off-polishing, Dinner-sponging Aleppine Metropolitan Atanāsiyūs al-Tutūnjī66 in a work of his called Al-Ḥakākah fī l-rakākah (The Leavings Pile Concerning Lame Style).67” Said the Fāriyāq, “Since God had seen fit to afflict me with the company of such wretches, I had no choice but to compliment them and be cordial to them until such time as He grant that I be rescued from them.” I declare: since what the Fāriyāq had to say about his first voyage has

2.3.6

already come and gone, there’s no need to repeat here his complaints concerning the dolors of the sea. However, we will note that during his sufferings and afflictions, he did swear that he would never embark thereafter on any of the following sea-going vessels: the jufāʾ,

“the empty hulk of a ship”; mentioned by the author of the Qāmūs under j-f-ʾ

the mirzāb,

“any great, or tall, ship”

the zabzab,

“a sort of ship”

the bārijah,

“any large ship for fighting”

the khalīj,

“a small ship of less size than the ʿadawlī”

the ṭarrād,

“any small, fast ship”

the muʿabbadah,

“any tarred ship”

the ghāmid,

“any loaded ship; also āmid”

the dasrāʾ,

“any ship that plows through the water with its prow; plural dusur”

the zurzūr,

“any narrow ship”

the zanbarī,

“any huge ship”

69

2.3.7

69

‫�ُ�ق ْ�ق‬ ‫� او � �ل ر��ور ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا ر ‬ ‫�ُ ْ‬ ‫� او �ل�هر�ه�ور ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �لق��ا د ��س ‬ ‫� ا ��لُ�� صِ� ّ‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫و بو �‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫� او �ل�‬ ‫�ص��لغ����ة ‬ ‫�نُ ُ‬ ‫�ْهب ��و�غ ‬ ‫� او �ل �‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫� في�ن �ة � � �ة �أ � ظ‬ ‫ع ���� �ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا �ل��‬ ‫ط �و��ل� �و ا �ل� يم�‬ ‫� �ي‬ ‫ف�ن ��من� � ة �ف� �‬ ‫��س��� �‬ ‫�ه�ا ��‬ ‫�ط�ع�ا � *‬ ‫ح�د ر� ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ��� ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫��م� *‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا ل ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة �‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ف��ي�ن � ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر� *‬ ‫� ف �ة � �‬ ‫ط �و��ل��ة ا ��ل��س ��ع��ة ا ج��ل‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا �ل�� �ي�‬ ‫�ر�ى‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�م�ع ّرب� *‬ ‫*‬

‫ا ��ل�� �ة‬ ‫بح �ر�‬ ‫ي‬

‫� � �‬ ‫� �و�ي�ق��ا �ل �ل�ه�ا ا �ل��د �يو��ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬

‫ن �ت ن ض َّ‬ ‫� َّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف ن ن‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫�ه�ا �و��هى ا � � ��‬ ‫���د ��س� ي���ت��ا � ا �و ���ل ث�‬ ‫�و ا ت� ا �ل �فِر�ي���‬ ‫��س���ف�ن ك�� � �ي��عب��ر �ع�لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��ل�م��ل�ك *‬ ‫� شُ قْ ُ‬ ‫ح �ز‬ ‫�� � � ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا *‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫� او �ل������د ��‬ ‫�مرك� ب� م ب� ج‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�َ ّ ق‬ ‫� َ� ّ ق ا ت‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا �م ا‬ ‫ر �م�ى �ن�ي�را � *‬ ‫ح ار ���ة ‬ ‫ح ار �� � ��س���ف�ن �ي�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫� ف �ة � غ ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا �ل�ص���ي�ر� *‬ ‫� او �ل�ز �ْو ر��ق ‬ ‫�ُ �َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� او �لب��را ك��ي���ة ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫� َ َ ْ � َّ‬ ‫��س���ف�ن �م ن���� �س �و��ة ا ��ل�ى َ�ع�د �ْو ��ل�ى �ة ��ا ��بل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او �ل�ع�د �و�لي�‬ ‫حر�ي�ن ا �و —‬ ‫�ة ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�َْ � �ز ق ن‬ ‫� ا ��ل‬ ‫�ور�� ي��م��ى *‬ ‫و ج رم‬ ‫� ف �ة � ف �غ �ة‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا � �ل��ا ر�� *‬ ‫�خِ�ن ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫� �� � ّ ����‬ ‫�ه�ا د ���فى ا ��بل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر*‬ ‫���ْ �ون��ة ‬ ‫� او �ل ش �‬ ‫ا�ل�مرك� ب� ا�لم�ع�د لج�ل �‬ ‫� َ َ َّ‬ ‫� �ن � ف�ن غ � �ذ�� ��ف ت �‬ ‫� �ل �و *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� او �لت��� �لو�ى ‬ ‫� رب� م ا �ل��س��� �ص���ي ر ك�ره �ى‬ ‫�� ُ‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ��خل � �ة �ذ�� �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� او جل‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا‬ ‫��ا �لي�� ك�ره ��ى �� �� �ى *‬ ‫�ف��ا �ي��ة ‬ ‫ج‬

‫‪70‬‬

‫‪70‬‬

‫‪٨٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

the qurqūr,

“any long, or very large, ship”

kār,

“ships on the down run containing food”

the hurhūr,

“a kind of ship”

the qādis,

“any very large ship”

the būṣī,

“a kind of ship”

the ṣalghah,

“any big ship”

the nuhbūgh,

“any fast-moving ocean-going ship; also called dūnīj, a non-Arabic word”

dhāt al-rafīf,

[literally, “the planked,” i.e., “boat bridges”] “ships used to cross over on, consisting of two or three ships set side by side, for the king”

the shuqduf,

“a boat; also a place in the Hejaz”

the ḥarrāqah, “plural ḥarrāqāt; ships containing flame-throwers” the zawraq,

“any small ship”

the burrāqiyyah,

“a kind of ship”

ʿadawliyyah,

“ships named after ʿAdawlā, a village in Bahrain; or . . . . ”68

the jarm,

“a small Yemeni ship”

the khinn,

“the empty hulk of a ship”

the shawnah,

“any boat equipped for battle at sea”

the talawwā,

“a kind of ship (small)”; mentioned [by the author of the Qāmūs] under t-l-w

the jufāyah,

“any empty hulk”; mentioned [in the Qāmūs] under j-f-y

71

71

2.3.8

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫ّا �أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫��خلَ َ‬ ‫� في�ن �ة ��� ظ �� �ة � ت ت‬ ‫�ن �غ ن ّ ا‬ ‫���ليّ���ة ‬ ‫ا �ل��س��� � ا لعي��م� ا �و ا �ل ��ى ���س�ي�ر �م ��ي�ر � ي���س�ي�ر�ه� �م�ل�ح� �و‬ ‫� او‬ ‫ا ��ل�ت ��ت���� �ز ق غ‬ ‫عه�ا �ور�� �ص���ي�ر*‬ ‫�ى ي ب �‬ ‫� َ �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رب� �م�ن ا �ل��س���ف�ن *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� او �ل ش���� ا ‬ ‫� �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق � غ‬ ‫ا �ل�ز �ور�� ا �ل�ص���ي�ر*‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا �لِر �ك��و�ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف �ة � غ ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س���ي�ن � ا �ل�ص���ي�ر� *‬ ‫� او � �لق��ا ر ب� ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ش � ض �� ض ��‬ ‫��� ���فى ا ��بل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر*‬ ‫ث ‬ ‫� ب�ع�‬ ‫� او �ل َر�َم�‬ ‫��� ب� ي�� �‬ ‫���ه ا ل�ى ب���ع��ض� �و�يرك ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ئ �ة ا ��ل ��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�خ �ف� ا ش �� ض ا ��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا �� َل��� �ْ‬ ‫��‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� َقِرب� ��ي�ن�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫� �ير ب�‬ ‫� وي ب �‬ ‫طو��‬ ‫��� �ى ب ع �ض� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫� ي�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف �آ‬ ‫�ع��ل ا‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ه� ��ى ا�لم� ء �وي �ح�م�ل �ع�لي�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��ف ن�‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫ن ش‬ ‫��� ���فى ا �بل��‬ ‫ة �ت �‬ ‫� او �ل�ع�ا �م��ة ‬ ‫�ه� �ى ا �ل �‬ ‫حر �و��ي�عب��ر �ع�لي�‬ ‫�هر‬ ‫�عي��د ا � �م����د �ود� رك ب‬ ‫ق ا �� � ا � ض � ّ �ة‬ ‫���ا ا �ل�ع�ا �م� *‬ ‫� �و�ي��� ل �ل�ه� ا ي��‬ ‫م�ا ن � �ن ��لت �� � ا ��ن �ف ا ه � ه � ة‬ ‫� ا �ن�ه ���ع�د � � �ص ��ل�ه ا ��ل� �م ��س� ا ��ل ة ّ � �ف �‬ ‫طه�ي ر �� ��س� ب� م�د�‬ ‫و ب و و ى رى‬ ‫�ج�ز�ير� ا �ع�د �ل�ه �ي��ه � ك�� � ح��س �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ت � ا ة � ن � ا ن � �ن ق � � �ن � �ا ا ش ��ق �ة‬ ‫ا بر���ع��ي�ن �ي ��و�م�ا * ا ق��د �ج�ر� ا ل�ع� د� ع��د ه� �ب� � م ��د � ا ل‬ ‫�ه� م ا لب��ل د �لم���ري��‬ ‫م ي� م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ُ ن ث �ف � � �ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ا ��ل���ل��د * ف��ا ق��ا � �ف� ا ا��‬ ‫اف ا‬ ‫� ق��د ا ��س�ت ن�� ش ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ه� �ي� �ك��ل‬ ‫م ي�‬ ‫���� �ه� او �ه� ��ل� �ب��د � او � ��ي ���ره ��ى ا�ل�مر�س�ى �ب���ل د ��و ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ف � في�ن �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ه � ش‬ ‫�و� ش���رب� �م� �ث ني�ن � �ن � ا ن ا �ن �‬ ‫���ي�ز �م �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ا � ��� م ا عي�� � ا �ل� ك�ل� �م ركب �� او �ى ا ل��س�� � * �و ��ط� ب� �ل� ا ل�عي�����‬ ‫ي‬ ‫خ ��ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح� ��ى ب���ل��د ا � ك���ي�ر� �م ا�لم���ر�� � او �� ا � ا �ه��له� ا �‬ ‫عه�م� �ل� ���ه�م� ��د ��س� �‬ ‫ل��ر� *‬ ‫�م� �‬ ‫� كم‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ن ق ض آ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ا �ل� �ذ � ق ف‬ ‫���� ا �ل�م�د�ة ج��� ا ��خل‬ ‫��ور ��د ���ق��د‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى � او خ����ذه ا �ل�ى �م��ن�ز �ل�ه �ب�ا �لم�د ��ي ن�� * �وك�� � م� �ك‬ ‫�� ب���ع�د ا � ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ه �م �ي ��و� � ��و�ى ���س���ي�ر ا � �ل�� ر�� �� ا �لي��ه * ���ل � ا �ل‬ ‫�ز �و ج�‬ ‫���� * �و�ل �م��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�دا د � او �ل ��� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ش ا ن ع�ن �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ه * � ا ن��م�ا‬ ‫���ل �غ��ي�ر ��ل‬ ‫�سف� * � او ن� ��ل�ا ��ا �ك�‬ ‫ح� ا ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا �ب��ة � او �لت��ا �ّ �‬ ‫���ن�ز�ير ا �ع��ل�ى ا لله ���� ���ك � ك�ر و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا��ا ن � ��‬ ‫�� ا خ ا ن ت ف ن�ن �ف‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ا ��س�ه * � � �� �م�ا ���ل��ه * � � �� �م�ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ط�� ��ه �ب� � ��ي ����� �ي��ه * ��ف�ي �و�م� ك�� � ي ب‬ ‫ويو ر ج ي‬ ‫ا �مر � ب‬ ‫ويو‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت �ت‬ ‫آ ث‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ن ف‬ ‫����ده * � � �� �م�ا ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫كب�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ه *‬ ‫ح�ى �ي�ا ��ى �ع��ل�ى �ج��مي�� � را �ب�ه �� ي���س�ت�ا � �� �م�ن ا �ل ار ��س * � او ن�� ت�‬ ‫ويو‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ش ا �� ن �‬ ‫�ف �� ش‬ ‫� ن �ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خ �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر �ب�ا ن� �ن��ص�ا ر�ى ا �ل���� � ي�‬ ‫ح�ا �ك�و� ا�لم��س��ل�م��ي�ن ��ى �ك��ل ����ى �م�ا ��ل�ا ا �ل� � �مور ا �ل��د �ي���ي�� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪72‬‬

‫‪72‬‬

‫‪٩٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٠٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

the khaliyyah,

“any great ship, or one that sails without needing a navigator to sail it, or which is followed by a small boat”

the shadhā,

“a kind of ship”

and all the way down to the rikwah,

“any small boat”

the qārib,

“any small ship”

the ramath,

“pieces of wood fastened together on which one rides at sea”

the ṭawf,

“inflated water skins that are tied together to form a platform on which one rides on the water and on which loads are carried”

and the ʿāmah.

“tied sticks on which one rides at sea or crosses a river; also called ghāmmah”

On arriving at the island’s harbor, fine quarters were made available to him in

2.3.9

which to “purify his breath” for a period of forty days, for it has become the custom among them to distribute around the harbor, before they enter the country, anyone who comes to them from the lands of the Levant and has inhaled their airs. He stayed there then, eating and drinking with two English notables who had been on the ship, and found life with them pleasant, for they had traveled widely in the Levant and absorbed the habit of generosity from its inhabitants. When the period was over, the Bag-man came and took him to his house in the city. This man had lost his wife on the very day that the Fāriyāq had made his decision to go to him and had given himself over to mourning and squalor, living in the clutches of melancholy and dolor. All he ate was pork (God elevate you above any pollution from the very notion!) and he had ordered his cook to produce it in every variety. One day the man would cook its head, another its feet, a third its liver, a fourth its spleen, and so on until he had covered all its parts; then he’d start over again with the head. You are well aware that the Christians of the Levant imitate the Muslims in all things other than those pertaining to religion, from which it follows that pork is an abomination to them. Thus, when the Fāriyāq sat down to table

73

73

2.3.10

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫آ‬ ‫�ف ث‬ ‫��� ر�ع ن��د �ه� �من‬ ‫� ا * ف���ل�م�ا ج���ل�� ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ع��ل ا �ل�م�ا �ئ��د�ة �و ج��� ا ��ل���ط��ا�خ�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل‬ ‫ح� ا ��خل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م�ن �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ن�ز�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن �ذ �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� � ه ��ظ�ن ا ن ا ��خل � ّ � ا �ز � ه � ا �آ�ت ه ا � ا ه �ش ا �ل�� �� هف‬ ‫ل��ر� �‬ ‫� � �ر�ج �ى ي�م� ح� ب� ر � ي� ���ي � �ي عر�� *‬ ‫�ب�اِ ر ب� �م �ه� ا ا � � ا ا � ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح�ي و � ي‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ل �م ن��ه ����ط�م�ع�ا ���فى ا ن� ��ي ن��ا ��ل �م�ن �غ��ي�ره * � او �ذ ا ��ا ��خل‬ ‫ف��ا �مت�ن� � ا ن� ��ا �ك�‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى �� ض���ى �ر��ض� ا �لغ���د ا ء‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ق ا � � ف ا ا ق �ف‬ ‫ا � ا ��ف ا � � ة � ش � � ا �ت ا �‬ ‫ا �ز ق‬ ‫�و ش���ر �‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ى ل�ص�ل�و� � او �ل��� ك‬ ‫��ر �ل��لب�� ر�ى ��ع� �ل�ى �ع��ل�ى �م� ر ��ه * ����� �ل ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� ��ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ع�ه ا �ذ ا ��لث�ن��آ �ع� ا ��لخ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا ��لق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ��ط� � او لله �ص� �‬ ‫��ن �ف���س�ه ��د ا �‬ ‫��ر ��ى ��ي�ر � �مو�‬ ‫��� ا �ل��� ك‬ ‫ح�ب�ى * �� ��ه �و�‬ ‫� �ل�ى ��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف �‬ ‫� ث ا ��ن ا ا �� �� ا�خ‬ ‫� ت � ا � �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل ���س‬ ‫ح ش�����ة ا �و ا �ك�‬ ‫ح�ا �ن�ه ��ل�ا ج��� ف��ا �‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫ح� �ل� ي ج �‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫و�ى �ي �وم �ى ج‬ ‫ب ب � �و‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ض ا ف ق ا � � ف ا ا ق � � �خ �َ‬ ‫ف�ق‬ ‫آ�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ن �ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� * ����� �ل ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �ل��ل��‬ ‫�ر�ع��لي��ه ا �ي�‬ ‫ط��ا � �ل� ي� ش��� ك‬ ‫� �ر * ��ا �لت����م�ه �و�ش�� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ر ا لله �ص� �ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �َ �‬ ‫�� ا �‬ ‫��ن �ف ه ن ش �‬ ‫�ع��ل ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل ا ��خل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ر �ل�ه �ع��ل� �ك��ل �‬ ‫���ن�ز�ير* ق��ا �ل �و�ل� �ل�ا �وق��د ا �و�ج� ب� �ع��ل� ���س� ا � ي�‬ ‫ح� �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ا �� � �ي�ن � ت ن � ن ق ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� ��� ��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ك�� ب� ل�د *‬ ‫ح�ى ا ��ه ك���ا � ��ي�����ى �ه� ا ا � �ل ر��ض� ب���ع�د ا �‬ ‫�ك�ل �ى �مك� �ورد �ى ب��ع��ض‬ ‫ت ا ق ا � �ن ف ا ن ت ق ن ا � ا ن �ف‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ش� �‬ ‫�ي���� ت� �م� �ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه * ��ا �ل �و��ه�ل ��� ك‬ ‫��ر �ل�ه �ع��ل�ى � �مو���ه� * �� �ل ��ع� �� ��ه �ي��ع ����د ا ���ه� ا �ل� � ��ى‬ ‫بي ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر �هي�� * �� �ل ا �م� ا �� ���ل�و ك�� � �ل�ى ا �م ار � �لم� ا رد � ا � ��ك�و� ��ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح���‬ ‫ض�ن ا � ا‬ ‫ح��� ا �‬ ‫ح�د *‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ي�ن � ف ا ا ق‬ ‫��ض � �� ت� � �ذ � ت‬ ‫ت�ز ت‬ ‫ظ� ت‬ ‫ث�� ا ن� د �و��ل��ة ا ��خل‬ ‫� *‬ ‫���ن�ز�ير ا �ع�� � �و�ع �����م� * �و�م�ص� ر ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� � وي و و‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�َ�ن � ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫خ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ف ك�‬ ‫�� � ��ي�����ى ا �ل �‬ ‫�ه� ر ك�ل�ه �ع��ل�ى ا�ب�� � او ج�ب�� * ��م ب��ل���ه ا � �ب�� ا�لم�د ��ي �� �ي�ج ب� �ل� ر ج���ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫آ ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز �‬ ‫�ك�ن * �‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي�ق���ل�ل �م ن��ه �م�ا ا �م��‬ ‫�و��ل��‬ ‫�ك�ن �ب�ا ر ج���ل ا �لر ج��ا ��ل �ل�ا ا ��ل ن����س�� ج��‬ ‫� ّر �ب�ه ا �ل�ه ا �ل *‬ ‫ح�تى ا �ض‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫�� ئت‬ ‫� ا ��س�ه �م�ن ق���ل��ة ا ��ل�ا ��س�ت �ع�م�ا ��ل * ��ف� �ق�� ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ��ث ن��ا ن� �م�ن �ك�‬ ‫���ل ج��ا ن�� ب� � او �‬ ‫ح��د *‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع �م �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ص�د��� ا �ض ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ع� � ��ه ا �ا �� * ا �ذ � � ق‬ ‫�و�ه� ا ا �و��ل ا �ن��ص�ا �ف� �ف��ع��ل�ه ا ج�ل‬ ‫�لو ك‬ ‫���ا �ن�ا �و���ع�ا �م�ن ج��ا ن�� ب�‬ ‫��وع �ل�ى و ج �ل ر �ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا �ن ي�ن خ ّ آ‬ ‫� �ز �ة �ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� ��س� * ا �م�ا‬ ‫���ا ت� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ف� ا ��ل�� �خ� �فل��� �‬ ‫ح��د ا ج�ل‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�� � ب��� �و� �‬ ‫م او �ن� ��ى �‬ ‫ح��د �لث�����ل ا �‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫ح��ص�ل ا �ل �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ل�م�د � ن �ة ف ا ن ا �� �ق ا � ا ��ل ا �م�ن � �ا ا ��ل ش �ق ����ست�� ن ا س�ت ظ‬ ‫ع ������مه�ا * � ا �� �لق��ا د � ا ��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫ب�ل د ���ر� ي‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫و م ي�‬ ‫ح��س��ه� �و�ي�� � �‬ ‫�ي �� �� � ل�� د م ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن � �ا ا � ا ف ن� � ت��ق ا �� ت‬ ‫� �م�ا �‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع��ل ا ��جل�ع‬ ‫ح��م� ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ف�‬ ‫�س��ص�غ� ر�ه�ا * � او �عظ ��‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب�ل د �ل� �ر�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج يح� ر�ه� �وي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ف �ن آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن ف �ث ت ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ص�ف� ا � �لق���سي����س��ي�ن �و� �‬ ‫�ص�ف��ا ن� � ن �‬ ‫�ن�‬ ‫�ص�� ا �ل����س�� ء * ا �م�ا ا � �ل���سي���� �سو� ���ل��ك��ر���ه�م ��ا �ن��ك ر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ق ا � ن ا �غ ا ّ‬ ‫�ص��ة �ب��ه� * �و�ل�ه� �ع��ل� ر �و��س�ه� ��قب��ع�ا ت� �مث���لث���ة ا �ل�ز � او �ي�ا �ل�ا �تش���ب��ه‬ ‫ا �ل� �� �س او � �و �لم�� �زه �� �‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪74‬‬

‫‪74‬‬

‫‪١١٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٢٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

and the cook brought out some part of that hated animal, he thought that the Bag-man was trying to trick him by producing for him something he was unfamiliar with, and he refused to take a bite, in the hope that he would be given something else. But the Bag-man kept right on going, finished his lunch, and launched immediately into prayer and thanks to the Almighty Creator for what He had provided. To himself, the Fāriyāq said, “I swear our friend is making a mistake. His thanks are misdirected, for to give thanks to the Creator, glory be to Him, for something immoral or for eating something forbidden is not allowed.” The following day, the cook brought him another limb, and the man gobbled it up and thanked him once more. The Fāriyāq said to the cook, “Why does our friend thank God for eating pig?” and he replied, “Why not, when he has made it his duty to thank Him ‘for every condition and every thing,’ as it says in some book of religion? He even used to carry out the same rite each time he spent the night with his wife.” “And did he thank Him for her death?” he asked. “Yes,” the man replied, “for he believes she’s now in the bosom of Ibrāhīm.” “For my part,” said the Fāriyāq, “if I had a wife, I wouldn’t want to see her in any man’s bosom.” Thereafter, the reign of the pig grew mightier and yet greater, and the

2.3.11

Fāriyāq’s intestines grew lean and shriveled up, and he’d go the whole day on bread and cheese. Then he heard that the city’s bread was kneaded by foot, but by the feet of men, not of women, so he took to eating as little of it as he could, until emaciation reduced him to a pitiful state, his molars become rusty so little he ate, and two of them fell out, one on each side—which was hunger’s first act of evenhandedness on the face of this earth, since if both of them had fallen from the same side, one would have become heavier and the other lighter, and the movements of his body would have become unbalanced. As to the city, one coming to it from the lands of the east will find it handsome and mighty and one coming to it from the lands of the Franks will disdain it and regard it as paltry. Two classes of things most moved the Fāriyāq to wonder: the priests and the women. As for the priests, there are so many of them that you find the markets and parks swarming with them. They wear three-cornered hats on their heads that do not look like the hats of the Market-men of the Levant, and they wear drawers that are more like

75

75

2.3.12

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫�� ف ق �‬ ‫��قب��ع�ا ت� ا ��ل�� �سو��قي���ي�ن ���فى ا ��ل ش����ا � * � ��س ا � ���‬ ‫له� ا �ش��ب��ه �ب�ا ��ل�بت��ا �ب��ي�ن ف��ا �ن�ه�ا ا ��ل� ك�‬ ‫�ه� ���� ��ط‬ ‫� ى رب � م‬ ‫م و ر �يو � م‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ي�ن �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ع ���� �ة � ا ن ��م � � ق‬ ‫غ � ة‬ ‫� � �ق ن‬ ‫�وا ر ب� �� �سود * � او � �ظل���ا �هر ا �ن��ه�ا � يم� �ل� � �ج ي�‬ ‫�س���ا ���ه� �م�� ��ط�ا � ب ج��‬ ‫ع ا � �ل���سي����س�� ��ى‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ��ل ة ف ن‬ ‫ق � ت ا �� ا ة �ع ن �ه ا � ض ا ا ن ق‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�ه��ذه‬ ‫� ر� �م�ع�� �ل ��و� ��س�م�ا � * �و��د �ج ر� لع� د� ��د � ي��‬ ‫��� �ب� � ا � �ل���سي����س�� � او ��ه�ل‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��ل�ق �� ن �ش‬ ‫ح�ا �ه� * � ا ن��م�ا ي�� �ع�� ا �� �لق���س����س��ي�ن‬ ‫�� او ر���ه� �و ��ل‬ ‫��ا ��ل �م�ن �غ��ي�ر�ه� ي�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ا � ف�ل� ض����ل � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا ت �ق ة م�ز �نّ ق �ة � ت � �ك�ن � � ن ا ظ �� ن ت ّ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ��ا �ص� ا ن� ��ي��لب���� �س او ��س ار � �و�ل� � ��ص�ي�ر� � � ��� ح�ى ي�م�� �ل�ل�� �‬ ‫�ر ا � �ي���ب��ي� �م� �ور� �ه� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ان ث‬ ‫ف ا � ا ا �� ن �آ ف �ا خ‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا �ف� �ز �ّ�ه�ن �ع�ن ��س�ا ئ� �ن��س�� ا ��ل��ل�ا د ا �ل� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���ر��قي���ة � او �ل�ا �فر ج�‬ ‫�ي���ة * �و �ل� � ك�‬ ‫����ي�را‬ ‫�� م� ل����س� ��ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن ّ �‬ ‫ق � ت ن‬ ‫�ً غ ة � ا‬ ‫ح�� �ل�ق ن�ه�ا � ��ل�ا ��ن��ت���ف ن ا‬ ‫���ث�� ا �م�ن‬ ‫�� او ر ب� �و ��ل‬ ‫�ه�ن �ل�ه�ن �ش �‬ ‫�ه� * �و��د �س�م�ع� ا � ك� ي ر‬ ‫ح�ى �ص���ي�ر� �و �ل� ي� � و ي �‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ ا ا ��خل � ا ��ل�غ� �� ����غ� ا �� ض ا � ا �م� ّ‬ ‫ا � ا ف ن� � ّ ن � ن آ � �ذ ّ�‬ ‫عه�ن *‬ ‫ح�و� ا �ل����س�� ا �لمت�� ك��را ت� * ���ل��ع�ل �ه� �ب� ر ر ب� ب ل ي �‬ ‫�ل� �ر� ي ب �‬ ‫��� م��س� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫آ � � �ا ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�� �ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ف��ه�ن ق���ل��� ���دا * � ا ��ن ��ق ��ا د �ه�ن‬ ‫ع�ن‬ ‫ا� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا �ل����س� * � او �‬ ‫ي� ي ل ج‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫كي�� �ل� � او �ه� �و ء لر ج�� ل �ل� ��ى‬ ‫ي�ن غ‬ ‫ف ا ن � ة ن ت �ث �ق‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�ه�ا � ا � ��ل�ا د�ه�ا � ا �ه��له�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ن � ��ور ���سي����س�ه� �ع��ل�ى �و ج� � و و‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا � �ل���سي����س�� ��ر��ي ب� * �� � ا�ل�م ار � �م �‬ ‫� ا � �ك�ن ن ��ت ت خ� ��ذ � ا ا ف ا �خ �ن ن ن ت‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ا�� ت �‬ ‫ح�ت ا �ذ ا ا �ك�‬ ‫���ل �م ن��ه‬ ‫�ج �مي��ع� * �و �ل� ي�م�� ا � �� ���ط�ع� �م� �� � ار �م د �و� ا � ���ه�د �ي�ه �ب� �ك�ور��ه ى‬ ‫�خ � ق‬ ‫� ق ���ل�غ� ن� ا ن ا � ا �ة ��ق �ة � �ت�ز � �ة ا � �م�ن ��ز ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����‬ ‫� ا �ل�� �سو�� را ت�‬ ‫ا ك����ل ت� ��هى * و��د ب �ى � مر �� �سوي�� م� و ج�� ى‬ ‫ح ب� ي‬ ‫�ا �ج��م �ا �م�ن ا ��خل � ي�ن ف ا �� ست�خ‬ ‫�� ��س �ت�ه �ف��ه� * � ق��ا ��ل ت� �� �ل د خ�� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل �� �ك�ن�‬ ‫��ا �ئ��س�ن �ا‬ ‫ر ج��ل ي��ل‬ ‫�ر ج‬ ‫�ي��� �� � ر ي� م و‬ ‫ر ج �ل‬ ‫و �ل‬ ‫���ز ت � ه �ة‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫� �ز ا �ت��د �ع ه ا ��ل�ه�ا ف���ل�ّ ا �� ف�ل��ت د � ت‬ ‫�ن ق ا ف ا � ت � �ع‬ ‫�و ي� ب �ى ى �‬ ‫عو���ه�ا * �ل� �‬ ‫ل ا د � ب� ج‬ ‫�� �ور � �و ��� * �� ر��س�ل� ا �لي��ه ج��و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��ت �ف� ّ���ي�ن‬ ‫�ع�د ا �و�ة ا ��ل�� �سو��قيّ���ي�ن � او ��خل‬ ‫�يّ���ي�ن ا ن��م�ا ��هى � �مق�� �صور�ة �ع��ل� ا ��ل� � ة ا �ل�� ش ّ ي�ن الم‬ ‫�ر ج�‬ ‫��ض � او ��طر� �و �ج ����ي �� �و� ر ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ا � � �‬ ‫� ن ق� � ن‬ ‫� � �ن آ ف ف‬ ‫�� ت� �م�ع�ه ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� مب��ل‬ ‫�غ� �ل�ه�ا �ع ن��د ا �لر ج��ا �ل � او �ل����س�� * �����ا ض�‬ ‫ح��د��ي ث� ا �ل�ى ا � ��ا �ل ت� �ل�ه ا �‬ ‫��ن ت � �ق ف �ن ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م���ك �م�ن ��ن �ف����س � ��ل�ا ا �من�� �ع ن���ك �ش�� �ا * ف���ق��ا ��ل ��له�ا ا ��ل ش����ا � ا �م�ا‬ ‫ك�� ت� �ت���ب�� ��ط �ر� ن��ا ��ا ��ى ا � ك��ن‬ ‫ىو‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع �ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ك� �ن�ه�ا �ق � ���ة �م�ن �م��ن�ز ��ل� * � ا �م�ا ا ��ل�ا �عت��ق�� دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا �ل�� �ه�ا ب� ا ��ل�ى ا � ك‬ ‫ى و‬ ‫ل���ي����س� �� �ه�و� �م� �ي��ك�و� �ع��ل�ى �ل��و � �يرب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ه ا �� �لق���س���� �س ن� �م�ن‬ ‫�ف ك�‬ ‫���ل�ي ن�ى ا ��ل�ى �ن�ي����تى * ف��ا ���نى � ��ن �ف� �م�ن �ه��ذ ا ا �ل�ا �ع��ترا �ف� ا ��ل���ذ �ى �ي ك�‬ ‫��� فل�� ك��‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن ��‬ ‫����ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح�ت ا �ع��ت �ف ��ل��ل�ق���س���� ��ا ��ل�صغ���ا ئ‬ ‫��ن�����س�ت‬ ‫ا ��ه� ك�‬ ‫� * �و��ل���� �‬ ‫ط���ع ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ك� ب� � او �لت��د �لي����س �ى ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي سب‬ ‫يس‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل ي م‬ ‫��ا � ف� � ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ر ��ل�ه �م�ا �ل�� ا �ف��ع��ل�ه � او خ�‬ ‫ل��ا ئ�ر * �مك� �ي��ع�ل�ه ك�‬ ‫��ف �ع ن��ه‬ ‫����ي�ر �م�ن ا �ل�� �سو��قي���ي�ن * ا �و ا ك�‬ ‫����ت �ع ن��ه ا � بك�‬ ‫� او ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪76‬‬

‫‪76‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪١٣٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٤٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

breeches, for they reach only to the knee, while their shanks are clothed with black hose. It seems that the island is a mighty place, for all the priests on it are well-fed and fat. It is also the custom there for the priests and other great men and good to shave their mustaches and beards. The priests specifically however have to wear short, form-fitting drawers, and the beholder can make out what is beneath them. As to their women, what surprised the Fāriyāq was the difference of their

2.3.13

dress from that of the rest of the women of the Levantine and Frankish lands, and the fact that many have mustaches and short beards, which they neither shave nor pluck, and I have heard that many Franks are attracted to mannish women, so perhaps this strange fact may have reached their ears too (and how could it not, when men’s fancies are no secret to women?). Beauty is extremely rare among them, and their docility toward their priests is strange. A woman will sometimes favor her priest over her husband, her children, and the rest of her family. It is inconceivable for her to partake of some special dish until she has given him the first taste, and she will eat only after he has eaten. I was told about a married Market-woman, meaning one belonging to the party of the Market Boss, who saw a handsome Bag-man, and, deciding it was a pity he should be theirs, said, “If that man enters our church, it will grow in sparkle and allure.” She therefore sent an old woman to him to invite him to visit her, and the young man obeyed her invitation, for the enmity between the Market-men and the Bag-men is limited to the market traders, the people who connive to drive up prices, and the professionals, and has no impact on ordinary men and women. She talked to him at length and eventually told him, “If you follow our path, I will give you the freedom of my body and forbid you nothing.” The young man replied, “As to going to your church, nothing could be easier for me, for it is close to my house, and as to your creed, leave that to my conscience, for I reject that ‘confession’ that the priests of your church force on you. Lying and cheating are not in my nature that I should confess to the priest my peccadilloes and suppress my major transgressions, as do many Market-men, or tell him what I haven’t done and hide from him what I have.” At this the woman sighed and bowed her head, pondering and nodding. Then she said, “So be it. It will be enough for us if

77

77

2.3.14

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫�ت ف ّ ت‬ ‫ث ق�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�ف ّ‬ ‫�ر �و�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�م�ا ���ع��لت��ه * � ت��ا �و�ه ت� ا�ل�م ار � �ع ن��د �ل��ك � او ��طر� ت� �و��هى � �� ك‬ ‫حرك را ��س�ه�ا * �� ��ا �ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ظ � ا �� ف ا �ن ��ق‬ ‫ث� ��ت� ا ��ن �ق ا ��ت� ا ش �ق ا � ت‬ ‫� ا ا نّا � �في�ن ا‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي��ردد‬ ‫�ل� �ب� ��س ا �� �لي����ك�� � �م ن���ك ا �ل��� �هر �مك�ا ا �� د �ي��ه ��سي�����سى * �م ع� �� �و ع� ����� �و ج‬ ‫���ن �ة ا � ت ن ��ز �ن �ف‬ ‫��ل ة � ت ّ ا ت �ف �‬ ‫�ه�ا �و�ع��ل� ا ك‬ ‫� �ل‬ ‫� ��ى ا �ل��د �ي�ن *‬ ‫هو��س�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل���ي����س� �م�ع� * ح�ى ا � ا �ل � او ��ى ��ى �ه��ذه ا �ج�ز�ير� م �‬ ‫ع�ي� ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح��د�ة �من�ه�ن �ع�د�ة ت��م�ا ��ث�� � � �ص �ل�م�ن ��ع��د � �ن�ه �م�ن ا �� �لق��د���س��ي�ن‬ ‫���د ���فى ب���� ت� �ك�‬ ‫ف��ا �ن��ك ج�‬ ‫���ل � او �‬ ‫�ي ب و‬ ‫ي �ل و ور‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�د���س�ا ت� * ف��ا ا د خ���ل ا �ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ح��دا �ه�ن ��ا �� �سق� ل�يج��ر �ب��ه�ا ���لب� ت� ���ل�ك ا �ل�م�ا ��ثي���ل ��ا د ا ر ت�‬ ‫� او � �ل� ي‬ ‫ا �� ��ل ئ � �‬ ‫� ا ا ��ل�ف� �ف‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� ا �ت ن ظ � ا �ت ف � ف ت ش‬ ‫�و�ه�ه� ا ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �� ��ط � كي��‬ ‫�ور ��ى �ي ��و�م ا �ل�� ش �‬ ‫�ه� �ب� ج �‬ ‫�و ج��‬ ‫���ور* ��ا �ل‬ ‫ل��ل� � � ���ر �م� � ���ع�ل�ه �������ه�د �ع�لي�‬ ‫غ ن �‬ ‫��ل ة نَ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�و�م�ن خ�‬ ‫��ص�ا �ئ���ص ا ��ه�ل �ه��ذه ا‬ ‫��ض �و� ا �ل�غ� ر�� ب� ي�‬ ‫ح�و� �م�ا �ل�ه �و�ه�و ��ر�� ب� *‬ ‫� ر� ا ���ه� ��ي ب����‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�ز �ذ ا �‬ ‫ف ا ن ا � � ا ن ا ن ا ة ع�ن‬ ‫ح��ا �ت�ه �ود �م�ه �و�ذ ا �ت�ه * �‬ ‫ح�تى ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ن ك�‬ ‫�� � �م� �ل ا �ل� ���س� � �عب�� ر� � �ي‬ ‫��ل�� ا ا ��س� � �ل او‬ ‫� ا � قا �‬ ‫�� �ة ا � � ا ن ا ن‬ ‫�� �ق�م��ة �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل �� * �ف� ��ق��ا ��ل �ق��مت��ه �مث�� ًل�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ج �ل ي ي‬ ‫�ع�ن ك�مي�� �م� ي��م��ل��ك��ه ا �ل� ���س� � �م�ن ا�لم� �ل �� � �ل او ك�م� ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ت� ا �ذ � ن‬ ‫� �ف � ت ا ��تّ � ا � �د ا ن � غ� �آ�خ‬ ‫ح��ا �ت�ه * � ا �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ف� �ه ب� * �ف ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�� �ي �� �ى �ل‬ ‫و � �م ��ي ج ب �و�‬ ‫� �ي ب � �ض� ر يو ب� ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫�ه� ب��ي��ده ا �يل��من��ى ��ل�ي�ر��ه ا ��ل ن����س�� * �و��م��س��‬ ‫���ل ��ر�� ب� ��د � ا �‬ ‫�ك��ه‬ ‫�ه� * �ف�ي��ا خ����ذه � ا‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫� � �ة � �غ‬ ‫� �آ �خ � ا �خ‬ ‫��ص�ا �ئ��صه ا �� ض ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا �ل� �ر �ب�ا �ل� �ر�ى �ل�ي�ر�ي�ه ا � �ك�ن‬ ‫ل��ا ���س � او �ل��د �و�ل� �لم�ن ���ل ب� * �و�م�ن � � � � ي �‬ ‫���ا ا ���هم�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� ُ شَ ن ه ئ �ة ا ��ل خ� �‬ ‫ن � ت�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل� �مو ن� ب���لغ����ة ق���ذ ر�ة ���ط�ف���س��ة �م ن�ت�� ن���ة ب�‬ ‫��ي ت� ك�‬ ‫� �م�� را �‬ ‫�وه *‬ ‫ح� ب�را �و�ل �م� ��ي� �‬ ‫حي� ث� ا � الم� ك�ل�� ي��� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ت�ة ن‬ ‫ة ��م � �ة‬ ‫� ا � � ن �آ �ف �ذ �‬ ‫ت ن� ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫���‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫� او �لر ج�� �ل � او �ل����س� ��ى �ل��ك �� �س �و * � او ا ا ��س�����ك�ه� ا �مر ي و �ى‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ا ف ا �ذ ت ن �� ��ق ت ا ���ست�� ا � ت � َ خَ‬ ‫�من ا ف ا �ذ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه� ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ن�ه ا ا ا �صي��ب� ت� ا �‬ ‫ح��د �ى‬ ‫ح� �ل� ا �ل�ى ب�ر * �و�م �‬ ‫�ه� �عر�� كي��� * �� ا ا ��س����ط �‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض ئ �ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ �‬ ‫ئ�غ‬ ‫ا �ل ن����س�� �ب��د � ء ��ى ا �‬ ‫ح��د ا �ع�‬ ‫���� ���ه�ا � به� ت� ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ص�ا ��� � او �م �تر�ه �ب�ا � �ي�� �صو �ل�ه�ا �مث��ا �ل �ل��ك‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع� �ن ف ض‬ ‫����ة ا � �ذ �ه� ��لت‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�ن�ي����س��ة * �و�م�ن ك�‬ ‫�ه�د �ي�ه �ل�� ك‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� �م�ع��سر�ة �ص�ا � ت��ه �م�ن ا �ل���م�‬ ‫��ض �و �م ��� و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ح�� �لق �م�ا �� �س ا �ه�م�ا ��م ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�� �لق� ا �ل���ل‬ ‫حوه * �و�م�ن ��ل��ك ا ن� �‬ ‫ح�ى � او �ل ش �‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫و‬ ‫��� او ر ب� �م��د �و ب� �و� �‬ ‫حر�م * ح�ى‬ ‫� ن آ �ف � �‬ ‫�ي�ن ����لّ ن‬ ‫ن �ق‬ ‫��ث� ا ��ي�ن �� �ت ��ف�ن �� �ع�ن �ق� ض� ت � ت ف‬ ‫ا � ا � �ل���سي����س� �ي �‬ ‫��ي����ى ا �لن� ���‬ ‫حو� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل����س�� ��ى ا �ل�� �س او �ل ك���ي ر ح� �ي ع� ر ل�هم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫ة ن‬ ‫�ا �ذ �‬ ‫�من ن � ا‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� �لق� �و�‬ ‫حر�ز �و�ن��ه�ن �م�ن ا ر�ت ك�‬ ‫�وا‬ ‫�ه�ا ا � �ل� ��ه�ل ا � �ك�ن‬ ‫ل��ا ���س �ع�ا د� ا � ي خ�رج��‬ ‫�� ب� �ل��ك * �و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫��ى ا �ي�ا � �م�ع��ل�و�م� ب��م� ��ى �ك�ن� ���س�ه� �م ا �ل��د �م�ى � او ل�م� �ي���ل �ع��ل� � ���� � �‬ ‫له� و �م�ه� * ي �م�ل�و��ه� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪78‬‬

‫‪78‬‬

‫‪١٥٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٦٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

you conform outwardly, or so my priest informs me.” Then they embraced and made love, and he started paying visits to her and the church together. Even wantons on this island are obsessed with religion, and you’ll see in their houses numerous statues and pictures of the saints, male and female, whom they worship, and when some lecher goes in to see one of them and perform debauchery with her, she turns the faces of the statuettes toward the wall so they can’t see what she’s doing and testify against her on the Day of Resurrection that she was a debauchee. It is a curious fact about the people of this island that they hate strangers

2.3.15

but love their money, which is odd, for a person’s money is an expression of his life, his blood, and his very self, to the extent that the British, when asking how much money a person possesses, say, “How much is the man worth?” to which the response may be, for example, “He’s worth a thousand in gold.” How can it occur to anyone to hate another and yet love his life? They contend with one another, too, over every stranger who comes their way. Thus, one will take his right hand to show him the women, another his other hand to show him the churches, and the winner takes all. Another curious thing about them is that they speak a language so filthy, dirty, and rotten that the speaker’s mouth gives off a bad smell as soon as he opens it. The men and the women are alike in this. If you sniff at a beautiful woman who is silent, you’ll find yourself intoxicated by a delicious scent, but if she utters a word, it’s transformed into halitosis. Another is that if one of the women is afflicted with a disease in one of her limbs, she will go to a jeweler and tell him to make her a likeness of that limb out of silver or gold and give it to the church; a woman who is not well-off will make it of wax or the like. Another: the shaving of beards and mustaches is deplored and the shaving of everything else is forbidden, to the degree that the priests ask the women insistently during confession about the two issues of hair plucking and shaving and urge them to guard against committing any such acts. Also: the people of the church have a custom of taking, on certain specified days, the figures and statues, heavy and bulky as they are, from the churches and lifting them onto the shoulders of religious zealots who run through the streets with them making a lot of noise. Stranger still, they light candles

79

79

2.3.16

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫� ف ا�ل�مت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫حّ ي�ن ��ف � � �ي�ن ��ف � ن ا ��ف �‬ ‫�ه ض ا ّ� ن‬ ‫ا غ� � �ن �ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫يج رو� ب�� �ى �و ر و � ج �و� و رب�‬ ‫ل�ك‬ ‫ا ك����ا ��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫�� �� ف ��ف �ط�ن �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ق ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��ي�ن �ي ��ودّ �ك�‬ ‫���ل ا �ن��س�ا ن� ا ن� �ي� �و�ى ا ل�ى �ك� �‬ ‫ه� �ى �ب� �� ا �ل� ر��ض�‬ ‫مو �‬ ‫ا ���ه� �ي ��و��د �و� ا �م�ا �م�ه�ا ا �ل��� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫�غ �ذ � � ��ث � ا � � ف ا ا ق‬ ‫�م�ن �ش���د�ة �ت�� ��ه ا �ل ش��‬ ‫ا �ل�ع‬ ‫� �م��س * �و��ي�ر �ل�ك ك���ي�ر م�م� ح��م�ل ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �ع��ل�ى �ج� ب� * �ل� � ا ��ه�ل‬ ‫وج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ف ن �ذ �‬ ‫حر��ص �ز ا �ئ��د �ع��ل �ع�د ا �و�ة ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر ج�‬ ‫�ب�ل�ا ده �م� �ك�‬ ‫�� �ون��ه� �� �سو��قي���ي�ن �و�ل�ه� �‬ ‫�ي���ي�ن �ل� ��ي���ع��ل�و� �ل��ك *‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ ا ��ف‬ ‫ن �� ��ق‬ ‫�� ا ��خ‬ ‫� � �ث��� ت �ع ن��ده ا ن ا ��خ‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�د‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫� ر ج ي م �ل�ى � ى �ل �ى �ل ن�ز�ير و � �وي‬ ‫�ل�ى‬ ‫وٍ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق �ة �ف‬ ‫ا ن �‬ ‫ض��� �ا �� �م�ا �ع�د ا ا ���س�� ا ن ن ا ئ غ ا ّ �خ‬ ‫� � ّي�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� لل‬ ‫ح��س� � ���س� ���ه�م �ل��ي����س� ��ى ا �لر ج‬ ‫�ي��� * ا �ل� ا ��ه �لي����س �م ��ط �ر�ي��� ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� � �ن ا ا �ف‬ ‫�ه�ا �م�ا ي �ح�م��د �و�م�ا �ي�� � * � او ن� ا �ل�ا ���س�ا ن� �ت ار ه ��ى ب���ع��ض� ا �ل�ا � �مور �ع�ا ق��ل�ا ر�ش���ي �د ا‬ ‫ا �ل�د �ي�� ا �ل� �و�ي �‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف �غ ا ا ا �غ ّا ��ف�� س ن �‬ ‫� ا ��ل� �‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫���‬ ‫ح�ا � ا �لمت��ص�ف� �و�‬ ‫��ا �ل * � او ��م�ا �ي���ب���غ�ى �ل��ل ن��ا ��د‬ ‫ح�ده �ب� �مك‬ ‫�و�ى ��ي�ر�ه� ج�� �ه�ل� � � �وي� * ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ف �ث‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫� ا �ن‬ ‫ا �لمن�� �صف� ا ن� ��ي ن ظ� ���� ا ��ل�ى ا ج��ل‬ ‫� رره‬ ‫��ا ن�� ب� ا �ل� � ف��� � �و�ي�ق��ا ب���ل�ه ب��غ���ي�ره * ��ا � را �ى � ���ع�ه ا ك����ر �م�ن �ض‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ا آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �م�ل�ا ق��ا ��ل ا ��ل ش����ا‬ ‫���د �ش�� �ا �م�ن ا �ل� �ش�� ��‬ ‫� ��ل�ه ��ا � ف�ل� ض���� * ��ل�ا ا ن� ي��م ن��ّ ��ن �ف���س�ه ��ا ن� ي ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫ء‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح� ب‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ً‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫��ا ��ا ه ك����له� ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك�� ا�ل�مرء ن���ْ�ب�ل�ا ا � ���ع�د �م��ع�ا ��ي ب��ه‬ ‫�و�م ا ا �ل� �ى ر���ى ج�س ي �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق � � �ن ��ف ا � �ن ا � َ‬ ‫���ذ �‬ ‫�ك��ا ا ن� ا ج��ل‬ ‫� ��س الم���سجت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�� �ض‬ ‫�و ا ��س�� ��ط م � �ص� حب� � ا �ل �ض‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ر��س��ي�ن * ك�� �ل��ك‬ ‫�ه� ا �و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ل�ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��س�ق� ���ط ت� �م ش����ا �ه�د� ��لك ا �ل� �م�ور �م را ��س�ه ا �ع�بت�� ر ا �ل��س�و�ي��� �و� ��ى ع�م�ه� �م ك��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ا �ف��ع�ا �ل الجم‬ ‫حر�ى ا ن� �ت��‬ ‫�هر �ل�ه ا ن� ا �ف��ع�ا �ل�ه� ا �‬ ‫ج��ا �نب��ى ا �ل��د �ي�ن � او �لر�ش���ا د * � ظ� ��‬ ‫��ا �ن��ي�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا ه �� ا �� �� ا ا �� �� ّ � ��ذ‬ ‫ف � �ذ ا ض ق‬ ‫�ص�د ره ��ى �ب�ل�ا د �ه� �و�عي���ل �صب��ره * �م�‬ ‫���ا �� �‬ ‫له� �‬ ‫ط� ب� ا �ل� �ى‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ع ا ح�ت�ي � ج�� ا ل�ى ل��ط�ع� �م ل�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن ا �� �ف ه ��ف ا ��ل ش ا � � ا ��ل ��ل ا �� ���ل ق � ه ف ا ن ا ��خل � ّ‬ ‫ى ا ف��ا ده ا � ا�لم�ف��د د �ي�ن �ع��ل� ا �ل��س��ل�‬ ‫ك�� � ل�� �ى ���� م و �ى ب�� س �ي �ي �� ب� * �� � �ر�ج �‬ ‫ى ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ن ��خل � ن� ا � ف �‬ ‫�ذ � ق‬ ‫����ة ��ل�ا ��ن�����غ ��له� ا ��لت�� ف ا � �‬ ‫ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر ج�‬ ‫ح�م��ل�ه ���ق� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح����ل �ب� �لم�لب��و��س * ا ا�لم���ص�ود م ا �ر�ج ا �م� �ه�و‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫� ف ّ �ي�ن ا � ا � �‬ ‫ن ن ��خل � ّي�ن ����ست� � ن �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م� ا ن� ا ��ل��س� ��ق���ي�ن ي�‬ ‫�ه� ا�لم���د د �ب� �لم� �ل � ا‬ ‫��س�و� ا � ا �ر ج�ي��� ي ج��لب ��و� ا �ل‬ ‫و �ل�ه�د ا �ي� *‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫وي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م����ه �و��ت�� ا � �ي �عل�� �ل��س� � ا ل‬ ‫له� ا ك�� � ا � �ل�� ر�� �� د ا �� ا ل‬ ‫� � � او �ل� �� �س� * ل�� ي ك‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫�ر ج�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ة ف ق �‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�ذ ا ق � ن‬ ‫� ا ن��م�ا ��ت�عل��� �من�ه� ���ع�� ا �� �لف��ا ظ ���� ت خ‬ ‫���ا � �ع ن��د‬ ‫���ص �تر �يو �� ا �ل��س��ل�ع� ���� ��ط * �ه� �و��د ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫م � م ب �ض‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا خ ا �ق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ش�‬ ‫�ق ي�ن ي�ن � ق‬ ‫��خل � �� �خ َ ّ ئ‬ ‫ا �ر�ج �ى ا�لم� ك��ور �يرج��ى �ل�ي��م * �����ك��س ا �ل� ��ل� � ا �ص� را �ل�و ج��ه * ا ر� ا �ل�ع� �� د �ق�ي ��‬ ‫‪80‬‬

‫‪80‬‬

‫‪١٧٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٨٫٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٩٫٣٫٢‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

before them, at a time when anyone else would want to take refuge in a cave under the ground from the excessive heat of the sun. There are many other customs, too, that caused the Fāriyāq to wonder,

2.3.17

since the people of his country, even though they are Market-men and excessively hostile to the Bag-men, do not practice them. At this point he became convinced that the Bag-men were on the right path (except in eating pork) and that the Market-men were in error (except for their women’s preference for young and good-looking Bag-men). However, there is no path in the world that does not have praiseworthy and blameworthy aspects, and one finds that individuals are rational and discerning at times and ignorant and misguided at others. Glory then to the One who alone may be described as perfect, and let the fair-minded critic look to the more beneficial aspects of each system and compare it with those of others. If he finds its positive qualities outweigh its negative qualities, he may judge it to be meritorious. He should not indulge in dreams of discovering perfection. As the poet says:69 And where is the man whose every feature pleases? Sufficient nobility in a man it is that his vices be few enough to count. Furthermore, just as hunger had caused two molars to fall from the mouth

2.3.18

of our ravenous and insatiable friend, so his witnessing such matters drove from his mind all respect for both the Market-men and their cousins,70 where either religion and rationality were concerned, for it seemed to him that their acts were better considered those of madmen. Thus he felt oppressed in their country, and his patience was exhausted, not to mention that he felt in need of the delicious food that he had been accustomed to in the Levant, as well as of clothes that suited him, for the Bag-man had informed him that those who sold the Bag-men’s wares should pay no attention to what they wore, the sole point of the bag being to carry it (even though the Market-men believe that Bag-men attract their salesmen by giving them money and gifts). For these reasons, the Fāriyāq was always mournful and sad, and he was unable, at that time, to master the language of the Bag-men, learning from them just a few words related to the promotion of the goods. In addition, there was in the house of the aforementioned Bag-man an evil junior Bag-man of spiteful ways with a yellow complexion, blue eyes, a thin tip to

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81

2.3.19

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن �ة‬ ‫��ي� ا �ن ��ق��ل�ا ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م ن�ا �ل�ا ك‬ ‫��س����د ر�ي�‬ ‫ع‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ة � �‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫ا ��نر ب���ة ا �ل�ا ��ن �ف� كب�‬ ‫����ي�ر ا �ل�ا ��س�ن �ا � * را �ى ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �� �ي ��و�م�ا ��ي ن ظ� ���ر �م�ن ��ط�ا ق�� �ل�ه ا �ل�ى ��س ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا ن� ف���ن�ز �غ��ه ا ��ل ش���� ���ط�ا ن� ا ن� ي���س� ّ�م ا ��ل���ط�ا ق���ة * ف���ل�م�ا � �ه�ا ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� �م��س��م �ة ��ت�ف��� ��ل ا �ن�ه�ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا ج�لي ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫خ��ا ت��م��ة ا ��لن��‬ ‫�ك� ا ك�‬ ‫ح�� * �و �‬ ‫���ا ن�* ف��ا �ن�ه �مر��ض� ب���ع�د�ه�ا �ب�ا �ي�ا � ���لي���ل� * ف��ا �ش���ا ر ا �ل��‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا ��خل‬ ‫�صر * ���س� �ر�م �� �و�م�ع�ه ك��� ب� � ��و�ص�ي � ا �ل�ى �ر�ج��ى � �ر*‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى �ب�ا � ي���س� ره ا �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫م‬

‫‪82‬‬

‫‪82‬‬

The Extraction of the Fāriyāq from Alexandria, by Sail

his nose, and big teeth. One day he noticed the Fāriyāq looking though a window in his room at the neighbors’ roof, and the Devil prompted him to nail the window closed. When the Fāriyāq saw that the window had been boarded up, he took it as a good omen that his bad luck could get no worse, and so it was, for within a few days he had fallen ill, the doctor had advised the Bag-man to send him to Egypt, and off he had set, carrying a letter of recommendation to yet another Bag-man.

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‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�‬ ‫���ص�لا �ل ار ���‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بع‬ ‫�ڡ � ن ّ �ة �� ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫��ص�‬ ‫��ص� د �و �ن�ه� ��‬ ‫� ِم��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح�ا * �م�ا ا ��ن �ف���ك ���ط�ا ��ل� ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� �ه�ا �� ���ط�ا * �م�ا‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ا �ز � ا ��ل�‬ ‫ح ت� ا ��لر� ر�‬ ‫ح ار * �م�ا �بر�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�م� ا �ل ب�ر‬ ‫ع ري‬ ‫يح ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�فت ئ �‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ق �خ‬ ‫�ن �ة � ��ف �‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�ح� ا ��خل‬ ‫�غ� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ا � ك‬ ‫� �ل��س�ا �ن�ه ��ا ر ��ط�ا * ���ل�م�ا ب���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى ا � �ل��دي��م �ر ج�ي‬ ‫�س����د ر�ي� �و ج��د �ى م ل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�خ خ‬ ‫�آ�خ� �ق خ ��ف � ض ا � ق �ذ �م� �ة �ل�� �� ا �� ش‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ل�����‬ ‫ر �د د ���ل �ى م�‬ ‫� ���لي���ل ب��ن ا ��ي ب���ك ا �ل�ص���د �ى ا � �ي��د ��ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��� ي��� يم� م �ير �ض‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�� �ّ�ف �ع �ن ��ت�ق � ه خ‬ ‫�ف� ا ��فت خ‬ ‫�ذ � ن‬ ‫�ب���ث ت� ر�‬ ‫ح�ه �ب��ي�ن ا �ق ا �ن�ه * � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ه� *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��م�ل �ل�ه �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك ا ��ه را �ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫� ة � ه �ف ا ت ا � ن ت خ� ��ذ � ه � � �ي�ن ����ت �� �ق ا �ي�ن � � ّت‬ ‫ا ش‬ ‫�ه�م� �‬ ‫ح� يح� ر *‬ ‫�ه� �و ا �لب��ل� د ����د �ي��د ا ح ار ر� �ع�لي�� * � ر�� ى ا � ��ي�� �ل� هرم� ي ��سل �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����ذ �ه �م�ا �م�ن ا ��ل��د �ن�ا ن� * �ف�ا �ف�غ �ع��ل�ه�م�ا �م�ن ا ��ل��لي�ن ا‬ ‫�ك��ا ا ن� ��س��ل�ف��ه ا خ�‬ ‫س���ل �ب�ه � ا‬ ‫ود *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��� �م� ي��� ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ف ش����ا ا ��س ار �ف�ه �ه ن��ا ك �و�م��ل�ه ا ��‬ ‫ح�ا �ب�ه * �� ��س�ا �را � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �ق� �م�ن ا �ل�ا � ك‬ ‫�س��ن��د ر�ي� ا �ل�ى �م�‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ ت‬ ‫�ا ��ت �ة ��‬ ‫�ف ا �ن�ز � ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ذ ���ة ��ل��د ا ج��� �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫� او د �ى ك��� ب� ا �ل �و�ص�ي � �ر�ج �ى * � �ل�ه �ى د ا ر ر�ف�ي �� �ل�ه �وك�‬ ‫ي رر ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ت � ن � � �ة‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫� ش ا � ّ�ي�ن � ن‬ ‫���ل �لي���ل� �ج��م�ا �ع� �م�ن ا�لم�غ� نّ���ي�ن � او �ل�ع�ا �ف��ي�ن �ب�ا �ل�ا ت� ا �ل��‬ ‫���ا � ي ج�م� ع��ده �ك‬ ‫طرب� *‬ ‫ا �ل���� مي�� ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫��ا ن ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق ي���س�م� � �غ ن � �ن �‬ ‫� �ت�ه * �ف�ه�ا � ��ه ا ��ل� ���د � ا ��ل�غ� ا � * � �ت���ذ ك��‬ ‫ف�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ر ا �و�ق�ا �ت�ه‬ ‫� ك� � ري �‬ ‫� �ج ب و ج و ر م و‬ ‫ع ا �ل� �� �م ج ر‬ ‫� ّ � ن �ن ت ق �ن ا � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل �م �‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� اُ ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ج�ن ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�� ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ن �‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل ش����ا � * �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ل��س ا �ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت َّ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫� �ان‬ ‫م�د �خ� ه * � او �ف ا �‬ ‫�ره * �و�ش���ه� او � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ع�ا �ل� ا ِ�ل� ���س * � او ��س� ر ت� �ل�ه ا �ل��د ��ني��ا �ع�ن �ل�� ا ت� �مب��ت ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫فن‬ ‫ا ��ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ا � ��ف ا ��ل�� � �ن �� �ُ ا ا �� ف�ُ ا �ق‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ا ي��ه * � او �م� �ى � او ي��ه * ��س�ى �م� ك�� ب��ده �ى بحر م ا ل�د �و ر �و ل��و � * �و�ى � ر�‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� � � � �ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�َ � ف‬ ‫� �و���س�م��ر ا ��ل���ط�ا �ق� * �و�م�ا ا �ص�ا ��ه �م�ن ب�‬ ‫�م�ن ا ج�ل‬ ‫ح ا �لت����د �ي��د * �و�تر� ا �لت�����لي��د * �ورا ى �ل�د �و�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��وع ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��� ُ ْ ن‬ ‫� ه �ة � � ��ن �ق ا � ��ف �ع�� ش ا �غ��د ا �مغ��د �ق ا �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا نّ� ا ��ل ن��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫له� �م�عر��س�و� *‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�صر ب� ج�� ور و �� * و�ى ي ����ه� ر‬ ‫س �م ِ‬ ‫‪84‬‬

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‫‪٣٫٤٫٢‬‬

Chapter 4

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

As long as sea’s sea and wind’s not ceased to be, the Fāriyāq’s ascendant star

2.4.1

will never cease to slip, his tongue to trip. When he reached Alexandria, he found a new Bag-man in the place of the old, one who had been through times so rough even Shaykh Khalīl ibn Aybak al-Ṣafadī71 would have refused to put up with them. As a result, he had failed to advance, and his name was mud among his peers. He had been brought to this pass by his belief that the air in these lands was too warm for him, as a consequence of which he’d decided to make use of a pair of pyramids that he’d scale whenever the weather turned hot, just as his predecessor had made use of a pyramid of wine barrels. After he’d spent enough silver on the pair to fill a valley, the news of his extravagance got out and his friends became upset with him. The Fāriyāq left Alexandria for Cairo and gave the letter of recommenda-

2.4.2

tion to the Bag-man, who put him up in the house of a colleague of his that was next door to the house of a Levantine, at whose home a group of singers and musicians used to gather each night. From his room the Fāriyāq would hear the singing, be moved by passion and longing, and, recalling his days in the Levant, yearn and ache to be ensconced amongst friends again, imagining he’d been transported from the world of jinn to that of men, that life had unveiled for him pleasures novel and lusts long in abeyance, joys untrammeled and hopes now in abundance. Thus he forgot the miseries of dizziness and the deathly gasps he’d suffered at the ocean’s hand, the hunger and boarding up of his window he’d suffered on land, the sore throat he’d contracted on his salesman’s mission, the grief induced by blind tradition, and found in Egypt, as a state, sparkle and self-confidence, and, as a place to live, bounty and opulence, for all its

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2.4.3

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫�� ��� �ف ا ��ي�ن ا � ا � ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا � � �ف ا �خ� � ن � �م ن ا ��ف ن � �� ن�� ا �ئ ا ك�� �ة ظ � ف‬ ‫��ا ��س� �و ���ر��ا �و�ج��م�ا �ل� * �ولط�� �ول� � �ود �ل� �ل�‬ ‫و م�� رو� و �� �� �سو� * ول ��س� ��ه� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � ن‬ ‫��ت ا ا �خ � ا‬ ‫��ف�� � � �ن ��م ا �� ّ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���ط ن� ���فى ا �ل���ط �ق� ��ا ��ل‬ ‫�ه� �‬ ‫���ا �لم�� ش���ئ��ا ت� * ي ج�ع�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و ��ت�ي �ا �ل� *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع م ى‬ ‫� ق � �غ ّ‬ ‫خّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف � ّ ن‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا � �ل���ل ب� ��ى �ش���ت�ا ت� * �و�م�ا ا �ن�ا �ب�ا �و�ل � او �ص�� �ل�ه�ن ا ���ه�ن ��ل�ا �ب�ا ت� �ل��ل�ع� ��و�ل * ��ل�ا �ب�ا ت�‬ ‫�ذ � �� ن ظ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ل��ل�ف� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫فق‬ ‫� ن ا �ث‬ ‫ح�ا � ��له�ن �م�ن‬ ‫�� ِ��م ا � �� �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ن �ب�� �ل��ك �ك��ل ��ا ��‬ ‫ح� �ل�ه�ن �ك��ل �م � و �‬ ‫حو�ل * �����د �و�ص� �‬ ‫�م � �و� ر * �و ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا اغ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫��ف ث � ا ئ‬ ‫�ص �م�ن �ذ �ه� * � � ��د�ه�ا‬ ‫� ا��ا‬ ‫وي‬ ‫ا �ل� ك�� �بر � او �ل� �ص� ��ر * �و�ى ا �لم���ل ا �ل��س� �ر * ار ب� �م� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ن � �‬ ‫�ج�ن �م�ن‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ي خ� �‬ ‫��ْ�ع ا ��ل��ل�َع� * � او �ن��ه�ا �ل�م�ن �غ���ل� * � او �ج�ع‬ ‫حوا �ل�ه�ن * �‬ ‫� ب� �م�ا �ير�ى م ا �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�نِ م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫� � ف ا �ة ا �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ذ ���ن ا �ل‬ ‫�س� �ي�ن‬ ‫�ا � ه�ن‬ ‫��ا �ل�ه�ن * � �و ت��ف���ل��ت�ن �م�ن � ك�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع�� �ل� * �م� ا ا ركب��� ح�م�ي�ر ا � �ل�� ر�ه� ا �ل�ع� �لي�� * � او � �و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ف �ق ا �من ّ‬ ‫م �ة ا غ ا �ة ف ت‬ ‫�ص��ة �م�� خ‬ ‫�خ ا ش‬ ‫حَ ر ا �ع�ن��ه�ن‬ ‫�ه�ن ق��د �م�ل�� ا �ل‬ ‫�ه� �ع��ل�ى ��‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫�� �ب� �ل��� �لي�� * ���ر�ى �عر� �‬ ‫�ي�� ���ي��م * �و��و ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ ّ� �‬ ‫� �ن ن ظ‬ ‫ح ���ة �من � ن �ؤ ت‬ ‫� ن��ا ت� ا �لن��عي�� * �ف �‬ ‫حور ج�‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ي�� ك��ر ا �ل ن��ا ��س ب��‬ ‫�ه�ن �ي��كب��ر �ع��د ر � ��ي �‬ ‫��ك�ل �م ��ي � ���ر��وري �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ ن ��ت‬ ‫�� ت‬ ‫�س��ص�غ� ا �� � ��ن ا �ا �� ���ط��ل�عت ا � �من �م�ن � ه��ّ � ا ��لت�ف ا ��تت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي � �ل �ل‬ ‫� وي ب�‬ ‫�ه� و � �‬ ‫ر ل�د ي�� ب�ج �م� ل‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ا ���ه�ا * ا �و �م�ا ��س�ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ه� �م�ن �ي ��من��ى ا ن� �ي��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �م� ك�‬ ‫���لب��ا �ب��ه�ا * ا �و �‬ ‫ح�ا �م�ل�ا �لن��ع�ا �ل�ه�ا *‬ ‫�و�م �‬ ‫م��س�� �برك� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ت�ه�ا * ا � �� �س ��ل�ا ����ن�ه�ا � ���ي�ن‬ ‫� ت ا‬ ‫ا �و را �ف��ع�ا ��ل�ا �ذ ��ا ��ل�ه�ا * ا �و �ب� ���ط�ا �ن��ة ��ل‬ ‫و ر و ب ي � بو‬ ‫حب��ر���ه� * ا �و ب� �� او �ب� جحر �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �ش �ق ا ا ��ت � ا �ل�ت�� ا � ا ف� �ق ا ا � ش ا �� ا � ّ� ف �ق ا ا خ‬ ‫�ي��ا ��ط�ا �ير�ق��‬ ‫�ه� * �و‬ ‫�ه� * �و م���� �ط� ي�� �سوى �ر �‬ ‫عه� �و مر � �‬ ‫�ه� * �و ب�ع� ب �‬ ‫�ع� �� �‬ ‫َع‬ ‫�غ �‬ ‫�خ ق‬ ‫ح��ّد ا د ا ���ص�ن � ��له�ا �م��س�م�ا ا * ا � �� ّل�ا ��ن �ً�ا‬ ‫�ه�ا * ا �و �ص�ا �ئ�غ���ا �ي�� �صو �ل�ه�ا �� �س او را * ا �و �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي ع �‬ ‫�ر� �‬ ‫وب ي‬ ‫�ه � �ن ��ف �ق ��ت � � ا �ل�من ّ‬ ‫� � � � �ن ا ا نًا �آ�خ� � ا ��ن َ نَ‬ ‫�ص��ة ��تت��ع�زّ�ز � �ت�ت ن‬ ‫ي��د �ل�ك ب��د ��ه� * �و �ه�� ر ي��د �ى �ه‬ ‫م�� *‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و �ى م �و� �لك ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف�ت �‬ ‫�ذ ��غ�م�ز ة �ف�ُت‬ ‫� �تش������ف�ن � ��تت� ���ط��ّل� ف ت � �ذ ن ظ � ة �ف� ت‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع * ���رم�ى �ه� ا ب��� ���ر� ��د �مي��ه * �و ا ك ب � � ��صب��ي��ه �و���سب��ي��ه * ��ع ���ط�ل‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ه�ا‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ��حل �ن ت‬ ‫��ا ر ا �ش��غ���ا ��له� * � �و�تب���ل��� �م�ن �ذ �و�ى ا ��ل� ���ط�ا ��ل��ة ��ا ��له� * �‬ ‫�ع��ل� ا �لج�‬ ‫ح�تى ك�‬ ‫�م�ا ر �م � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫بل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب �م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف � ا � ن ق � ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه� �و �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫هو �ل� �ي �‬ ‫�ه� �و�ه��ل�ل * �‬ ‫�ي��عر�� ��د ر �م ح��م�ل * � �وي��د ر�ى �م� ��ر��ض� �م كب���ر �لر� ��يو �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� ش ��لخ �آ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫����س�ا ئ� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م��ر* ��� ي���سُ�م�د �ع��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫ي���س�م� ��ل�ه ��� خ�‬ ‫�ر�ف� ك�‬ ‫���را * �و�م����ى ا �‬ ‫�ي���ل كب��‬ ‫�ي��ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي�ر *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ق ا ئ ��‬ ‫ن ق ا ئ ��‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�فخ‬ ‫��� ش�� د � �ن�ه ���ف ا �ل�م��ن�ز ��ل��ة * � ا ن ا ��ل ن��ا �� ��ل��ف‬ ‫��ا ف��ا �ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫�م ر �يرى �‬ ‫جي � و ى‬ ‫�ه� او و ر‬ ‫س �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫�ف�ت ق ا �� ه �ف � �ذ � ا ّ �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة � ف � ا‬ ‫مو� �صو�� �ب�ا �ل��س�ي �ا ��س� *‬ ‫هوا �ل�� �ى �ل� �ب��د �ل�ه �م�ن �ع�ا �ئ��د �و�ص��ل� * ك��ي ��� �ل� �و�ه�وا �ل �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ���� ر ا لي�� �‬

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‫*‬

‫‪٤٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

people are like members of a never-ending wedding celebration, or jousters for ever engaged in competition and self-acclamation, while their women display their wit and sophistication, beauty, refinement, grace, and coquetry, pride and vanity, as they move through the streets like galleons in full sail in silk and velvet wrapper, causing the cares that cluster about the heart to scatter. I am not the first to describe them as seducers of the mind, conquerors of every virile male they find: thus has described them every master of prose and of the poetic arts, and any, old or young, who’s sought to deceive them has mentioned their smarts. As the proverb that’s going around would have it, “Cairo’s dust is gold, its maidens are the best of playthings, and its spoils go to the bold.” The most amazing thing they do on slipping their hobbles and leaving their bridal recesses is straightway to mount tall, imposing asses, sitting upright atop them on a throne with galia moschata daubed, their scent thus being by every nostril absorbed, while the blacks of their irises and the whites of their eyes make men to think of the maidens of the gardens of Paradise. All who behold a houri of this type exclaim, “How great is God!” and see the world, beside the beauty of her visage, as but a paltry sod. One calls out to catch her eye and, having done so, “Praise the Lord!” goes up his cry. Another expresses his wish to hold her stirrup or her dress to touch, to carry her slippers or her train to clutch, to be a lining to her shawl or the porter at her hall, to be a go-between between her and her lover or her companions’ follower’s follower, to be a tire-woman dressing her hair or her tailor sewing up a tear, to be a jeweler fashioning for her wrist a band or a blacksmith forging her a nail by hand, to be a bathhouse attendant massaging her to release a knot or any other inconsequential thing that might bring him closer to her youknow-what, while she, from on top of that throne, revels and repulses, glares and stares, casting at this a glance that makes him bleed, at that a wink that steals his heart, never to be freed, bringing commerce to an end and sending the unemployed right round the bend. Even the jackass beneath her seems to know the worth of what he bears and understand what drives her halleluiahshouting fans as they let fly their cheers, for he doesn’t bray, is never heard to snort, and never sniffs (unlike the others) she-donkeys’ rears. On the contrary, he lords it over every horse and struts in pride and glory as he pursues his course. As for the the donkey’s driver, he thinks he’s in a class outranking the army’s topmost brass, and that the people are in need of his ministrations,

87

87

2.4.4

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫�ف �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� �ق ة � �ف �ة‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ض�ي ��ة ���سي�� ت� ا ن� ا ك�‬ ‫��ر�ه�ا * ف��ل�ا �ب��د �م�ن ا ن� ا �ي��د�ه�ا ��ى �ه� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫� او � �ل ي��ا د� � او � �ل ار ��س� * �و�ه ن��ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ه�ا * � ��ه ا ن ا �� �لق���ل� � � � ���ة ا �ل�مت��� �ق��ع�ا ت� * ا � ��ل� �من�ه�ا � � ���ة ا �ل�م�� �فس� ا ت‬ ‫� *‬ ‫مو ض�‬ ‫ا �ل �‬ ‫و ى � و ب بر وي ب ر‬ ‫��� � او �رر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫وع � بر وي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ك�ن �ئ ا ش ا ئ ق ا �غ ا �ة‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫�ذ � � ا ن ا ��� �ي�ن ا �ذ ا ا ت � ا � �ا ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ه‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ل�ك �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ي ل و � �ي ر‬ ‫ر � وج �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا � ا � ن ��ت ّ ا �� ه ام‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫� ّ��� �ة �ت� ت ��ق‬ ‫ق �ق‬ ‫الم‬ ‫��‬ ‫�صر �لو ج��‬ ‫�خي ل�‬ ‫�س� ر �ع��لي��ه �و���س��ك�ن * �� م� ع��د ب��‬ ‫�و ب� * �م� ا �عت����ا د ا � �ل���ل ب�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح� � * �و ��ل�ا �‬ ‫� ن���� الم‬ ‫��ا ن� �ص�ا � ب ه � �ن ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�م�ا ا ا ق��ا � ا ��ل��د �لي���ل �ع��لي��ه ب�‬ ‫ح�ل�ا �و� ا �ل�ع�ي�ن ��ي�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح�� م ا ج س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���د ��له�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫����ي�ن * ف��ا ن� الم‬ ‫�ز�� ا ��ل‬ ‫�يّ���ل��ة �ت� ���ط�ي�ر �ب�ا �ل�ا �ف ك�‬ ‫ا� َ �‬ ‫�� ر �ع�لي��ه * �و �ل� ج� �‬ ‫ح� ج� ب‬ ‫� �وب� ل�ه�د ب� � بو ��ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف� ق � ��خل ا � �ن ت ا ��ل���س �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�أ ا ��ل�ص�ف �‬ ‫ا �َم�د �ت�ن��ت‬ ‫ح��ة) �ل��ع�ل �ه� ا ا � �لو ج��ه‬ ‫�� �ل�ا �ن�ه �م�ل� �‬ ‫�ه� ج�‬ ‫�ه� ا �لي��ه * ي �� ��و�ل ا�� ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫(‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى ع‬ ‫�� فَخْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ُ �ثُْ �نّ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا �ل� ��ع�� � � او �ل� ��ع�� ��ى ا � �ل ج��ه �� ��ى � �ن‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ا ��عب��ا ��ى ‬ ‫ح��س � بو��ي�� ��ض‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ا � ��ف � ه ن ا ت �أ � �‬ ‫�ذ ن‬ ‫��س�� � �ى ��‬ ‫طو�ل � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �مت��د ا د *‬ ‫��س��ا �ت ‬ ‫��ي��� �ل �ى �و ج �‬ ‫�ه� ا � ب‬ ‫ا �و �و ا � ب‬ ‫�ُ فَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�وه ا ��ل��س��ه� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن *‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫ا�لم�ص�‬ ‫ا �و �ه�و م�ص�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �م�ن ا � �لوج��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ُث ّ‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س ْ �ة‬ ‫�وه ا �� �ظل����ا �ه ا ��لب��َ َش��� �ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا �ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ح ن�� *‬ ‫ا �و �م�م� ‬ ‫الم�م�ع�د �م�ن ا � �لوج��‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫ق ا � �نَّ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ت �ا‬ ‫�ه�ه �ت��د �ن�ي�را ��ل�ا �ل� *‬ ‫ا �و �م�د �نر ‬ ‫��ي��� �ل د ر �و ج� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َّ �ز‬ ‫�وه ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ا �و �م��ل�ّو�ز ‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا�لم�ي��ل�‬ ‫ا�لم��ل�و �م�ن ا � �لوج��‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ال� خم � � �ن � � ا �ف� ه � �‬ ‫� خمْ �‬ ‫طو�ل *‬ ‫�ر�و ��ط ‬ ‫�وه �م� ي�� �� �‬ ‫�ر�و ��ط م ا � �لوج �‬ ‫ا �و‬ ‫� �ن ا ��خل ق �ة‬ ‫�� ا �� �لو ج��ه ا �ل�م�عت��د ��ل ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل��س�ا ج�‬ ‫ا �و ��س�ا جِ�‬ ‫���ل��� *‬ ‫�� ‬ ‫ح��س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ ع‬ ‫ا � �ع�نْم ّ‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا ��ل�ا �‬ ‫ا �� �لو ج��ه ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�مر *‬ ‫ى ‬ ‫و �‬ ‫غ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �لف��د ��� ا � �لو ج��ه ا �لم�مت���ل ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و ف��د ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���لث �ة � ت ا �ل�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� ه �ا � �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫هو�م� *‬ ‫ا �و �و ك�ل�م��ة ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك �م� ا ج �م�ع ح� ا �لو ج�� �ب�ل ج �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��س�و ن� ا �� �لو ج��ه �م�م��ل��س�ه �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه ��س�ه��ل�ه *‬ ‫ا �و �َم��سن ��و�ن ‬ ‫��ي���ا �ل ر ج���ل �م �‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ل�ع��ل�ه ��ا �م� ج ��ل‬ ‫��م�� ��س�م�ا ت� ا ��ل ��س�ا �م��ة ف��ا �ش���ت�م �ع� خ���د �ي�ن ا �� ��ل��ي�ن * ا ���‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫ح��ي�ن ا �و� ك��‬ ‫م���ل��ي�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫َى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ج ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ة غ ْ �ة �� �ة �ف‬ ‫� ت ��م�ز ة ا � �زْ� �ة ا ����ْ ة‬ ‫���ل خ���د ا �ذ ا �‬ ‫�و���فى �ك�‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫�ه�م�ا *‬ ‫ح�ص� ا �و �ي�‬ ‫�ر� ا �و�ع���كو� ا �و ��ر�م� ا �و‬ ‫ح��� � � �و ه م� �و ج‬

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‫‪٧٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

for which he requires presents and oblations (and how could it not be so, when he derives his very name from his “stable management (of affairs),” his “leadership qualities,” and his “horse sense”?)72 And here’s a matter to which I forgot to draw attention and so must enter

2.4.5

here and mention: hearts are more easily set alight by women whose faces are fully veiled than those whose faces are in plain sight. This is because, if the eye beholds a beautiful face (even the most charming and intriguing that could be), the imagination rests and ceases to race. If, however, one gazes upon one that’s got a veil on top (assuming that the heart believes its owner to belong to the beloved sex and especially if evidence of this is provided by the prettiness of eye, length of lash, and penciling of eyebrow), the imagination comes flying, freighted with thoughts, and finds no barrier at which to stop. Then (and here the rhymed prose can end, because it’s filled a page) the

2.4.6

mind declares, “This face could be uthʿubānī,

uthʿubān or uthʿubānī refers to “a face that is magnificent in its comeliness and whiteness”

or ‘possessed of

“one says, ‘There is in his face insibāt,’ i.e., ‘length and

  insibāt,’ extension’” or is muṣfaḥ, “a muṣfaḥ face is smooth and handsome” or muthamʿidd, “a muthamʿidd face is full and comely” or mudannar,

“one says, ‘his face shone like a dinar’ meaning ‘it gleamed’”

or mulawwaz, “a mulawwaz face is handsome and comely” or makhrūṭ, “a makhrūṭ face is one that has length” or sājiʿ, “a sājiʿ face is regular and comely of appearance” or ʿanmī,73

“a handsome ruddy face”

or fadgham,

“a full handsome face”

or possessed of

“kalthamah is seamlessness of the flesh of the face

  kalthamah,

without bloatedness”

or masnūn;

“one says, ‘A man whose face is masnūn,’ [meaning] his face is smooth, handsome, even”

or could bring together all the components of good looks to embrace smooth, lean, and wide, or compact and rounded, cheeks, with, in each cheek, when she laughs, a crinkle or a dimple, or a speckle or a pimple, a [?]74 or chin cleft, or those cheeks might have on them

89

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2.4.7

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫� �� ه ا � ة ��ف � ا �ز ن �ة‬ ‫� � �ة � � �ة‬ ‫ُْ �‬ ‫تخ‬ ‫�ه�ه� ��ي ��‬ ‫�ع��ل��ط��ة ‬ ‫ا �ل�ع��ل��ط� � او �ل��ل�ع ��ط� �� �س او د ��ط� �ل�م ار � �ى �و ج �‬ ‫ّ �فت�ن‬ ‫ا � � �� ن‬ ‫�ه�م�ا خ��ا ��ل �ع�ّ �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ه * �و �ع�ز �� �ه *‬ ‫�ڡ �ك��ل �م �‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف ��خل ّ‬ ‫َ�ت ْ�خ� � ش � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح��د �ه�م�ا خِ���دا د (�مي����س� �ى ا‬ ‫ي�ه�م�ا ا �و ��ى ا �‬ ‫ا �و ��‬ ‫���د) ا �و ر (ا �ل���ر ��‬ ‫ط ا �ل��ل��ي�ن ) *‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث ة ت خ � ��ف‬ ‫ه ��‬ ‫� ا �ة ال�م��ل�� �ة‬ ‫َ� ْ �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و �َو�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ص ا �و �ع�د ا �و ظ ���ب �ظ� ���ا ب� * ل�وح��ص ب� ر� ر� �ى و ج�� ج � ري� يح�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ُ ّ‬ ‫� ظ � �ظ � ا �ث ��ف � �‬ ‫�وه ا�لم�ل�ا � �و�مث���ل�ه ا �ل�ع�د *‬ ‫� او �ل���ب� ��� ب� �ب� ر �ى �و ج �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ث�غ ن َّ‬ ‫�ذ شَ نَ‬ ‫َ تَ َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ا �ش���ت�م� ا �� ض� ا‬ ‫حَ�� * ��ث�غ� �من‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫*‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص� �م �‬ ‫��س�و�ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور‬ ‫و ل ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل ب ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��� �ع��ل�ى � ر�م�� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ��ل���ت���ة � ا ��ل ش���ن��� �م�� � �ق��ة � � د � �ع��ذ � ���ة ���ف ا ��ل�ا ��س�ن �ا ن� ا � ��ن �ق� ���ط ����ا �� �ف��ه�ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ور بو ر و وب ى‬ ‫ب ي �ض ي�‬ ‫نِ ب و ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ا ��ل�غ�َ ْ �ت ا ا � � ن‬ ‫���ث ة‬ ‫ا� �ّ ة � ا‬ ‫���ا �لم�� ش����ا ر � او �ل َر�ت��ل ب��ي��ا ��ض� ا �ل�ا ��س�ن �ا � �وك�� ر�‬ ‫ح��د � ا �ل� ��ني��ا ب� ك�� رب� ر �ه� ك‬ ‫و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� ا �ن � � � �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫حََ ��ت ن� ض � ا‬ ‫�م�ا �ئ��ه�ا � او ��ل‬ ‫��� ���ط� ا � �ق ا‬ ‫ي�ه� �م ا�لم� ء ��ك‬ ‫و رر*‬ ‫���د ا �ل� ��س�ن �ا � �و�م�ا �ج�ر�ى �ع�ل�‬ ‫�ب� ب� �‬ ‫ع ل �� �ي‬ ‫ْ ُُ‬ ‫َُ‬ ‫ُُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت ف‬ ‫ح�ز�ي�ز‬ ‫� ���فى ��ث ن��ا ��ا �م�ن ا ��ل��د ّر * �ذ ا ت� ا ش��� �و �َو ش��� * ا ش��� ا ��ل�ا ��س�ن �ا ن� � او ش��� �ه�ا ا ��ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و �ع��ل�ى � ���ي��ل��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ��ذ‬ ‫�ك� ن� �ف��ه�ا خ���ل�ق���ة ا � �م��س�ت �ع�م�ل�ا � �ق��ا ��ل ا ش��� ت� ا �ل��م ا �ة ا ��س�ن �ا �ن�ه�ا � ا شّ��� �ت�ه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫� و ر�‬ ‫ا ل� ى �ي و ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫� ا �� ش ت� �د� ا �ل� ا ة‬ ‫ن �ت �ق ق‬ ‫ر � ا ��س�ن �ا ���ه�ا �و ر�ي����ه�ا *‬ ‫و ل�و���رح� ي��د �م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف غ‬ ‫ا � ا ن �� ا �ْت ة ��تت ا � � ��ف � ّ‬ ‫ح�ه�ا ِ�ع��تر�ة * ا �لعِ���تر�ة ا ش���ر ا �ل�ا ��س�ن �ا ن� �ود �ق��ة ��ى ��ر� �و�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � ل�ه� ِ�ع� ر� * �‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ك �ى ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ن آ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض ن‬ ‫� ق �ة � �ذ �ة‬ ‫���ا ����س�ل ا �لر ج���ل �ور�ه ���ط�ه‬ ‫� �و �ق��� �و�م�� ي ج�ر�ى �ع��لي��ه — � او �ل �ر�ي��� ا �ل�ع� �ب� �و��هى ا �ي��‬ ‫ض �غ‬ ‫�ا ن ن �‬ ‫��ش‬ ‫ع����ي�ر�ت�ه ا �ل� د � ��و� م�م�ن �م���ى �و�ب��ر *‬ ‫و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن �ذ ��ق ن ا ن ن �ة �ت �ذ‬ ‫ن ش ��ف ت ا ّا َ� ّ َ� �ة‬ ‫ة ن‬ ‫حو� ا �و �ن كِ���ع� *‬ ‫�ه� ر�ي� ا �و �‬ ‫�ه� � �� �و� ��ع�و ب���س�ور� � * ا �و ا � ��� �‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ب�� �‬ ‫ن �ف �َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ َ‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ل�ع��س�ا ا �و ب��ب��ا * ا �و ��ي ت��صب�� ب� �من��ه�ا ا �ل�ع���س�ل ���صب��ب��ا *‬ ‫ا �و ا � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� ث �ة � �ق ة �ف �‬ ‫ا � ا ن �ف� ُ ْ‬ ‫����فى �م�ن ا �ل�و�ل�ه * ا �ل��ر�م��ل� ا �لن�� ر� ��ى �ظ ���ا �هر ا �ل ش����ف�� ا �ل�ع��لي��ا � او �لن��ك��ع�‬ ‫ي�ه�ا �ثر�م��ل�ه * � ش ��‬ ‫و � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل ش����ف��ا ه ا ��ل ش����د ���د�ة ا �ل‬ ‫ح�مر� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� � ش ف �ة � � ا �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��ف ُ �� ْ ت �‬ ‫�ز�‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ه�ا طِ �� ْر�م�ا * ا �ل��طر�م� ا �ل ن�ب��ر� �و��س ��ط ا �ل������ ا �ل�ع�لي�� � او ل�طر� ا �ل����ه�د � او �ل ���د‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ى �طر�م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫و �ل�ع���س�ل *‬

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‫*‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

a ʿulṭah, the ʿulṭah, or luʿṭah, is ‘a black mark that a woman draws on her face for adornment’ or each might have a mole that adds beauty to the whole, and reinforces the charm of it overall; or both, or one, might have a khidād (a brand upon the cheek) or a tarkh (a light incision); or a waḥṣ or a ʿudd or a ẓibẓāb (the waḥṣ is ‘the eruption that comes out on a pretty girl’s face’ and ẓibẓāb are ‘eruptions on the faces of pretty girls; synonym ʿudd’); and this face might include also front teeth that are munaṣṣab, with shanab, ratal, and ḥabab (front teeth that are munaṣṣab are those that ‘grow straight’; shanab is ‘a fluid, or a softness, or a coolness, or a sweetness, on the teeth,’ or ‘spots of whiteness thereon,’ or ‘the canines being so sharp that they look like a saw’ (synonym gharb); ratal is ‘whiteness of the teeth and their extreme moistness’ and ḥabab is ‘even spacing of the teeth, and the fluid that passes over them making them look like pieces of glass),’ or a gap between the incisors caused by the milk, with ushur and washr (the ushur of teeth, or of a woman, are ‘the file-marks on them that are either caused by nature or deliberately—one says, “the woman filed (asharat or ashsharat) her teeth”’; washr is ‘a woman’s sharpening and pointing her teeth’), or the owner of this face might have a ʿitrah in love with which has fallen a

ʿitrah (the first ʿitrah is ‘the file-marks on the teeth and the precision with which they are sharpened,’ and ‘purity,’ and ‘a fluid that runs over [the teeth],’ and ‘sweet saliva’; the second is ‘a man’s offspring and his people and clan, consisting of his closer relations, both the living and the dead,’ or on her chin there might be a cleft that seeks protection in Sūrat Nūn,75 or her lip might be ‘moist,’ or ‘red shading into black,’ or nakiʿah, or have ‘a blackness of gum and lip’ or a ‘dryness’ or honey might ooze from it copiously, or she might have a thurmulah that heals lovesickness (a thurmulah is ‘the depression that is on the outer part of the upper lip’; lips that are nakiʿah are ‘bright red’), or her ṭurmah might contain ṭirm (a ṭurmah is ‘a swelling in the middle of the upper lip’ and ṭirm is ‘honeycomb, butter, or honey’),

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‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫��زّ � �ن � �ت ف �ة‬ ‫نّ � ُ ْ ف �ة‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه�ا �تر�� * ا �ش���ه�ى � او ع م ا �ل� ر��‬ ‫ض � �ة � �‬ ‫خ ق �ة‬ ‫���ا ا �لن��ع�م� � او �ل���ط�ع�ا �‬ ‫���ل��� �و��هى ا �ي��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح���ك *‬ ‫�ص� � ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ا ن �� ه�ا ُ�ع ْ ُ�ع �ة * �ع� �مث��� ت‬ ‫هو ن� ا ��ل�غ� غ�� �ة * ا ��ل�ع �ع �ة �ب��ي�ن ال�من خ�‬ ‫�ر�ي�ن *‬ ‫له�ا ��� �‬ ‫�ل�ى �‬ ‫رر‬ ‫رر‬ ‫و � ل� ر ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫ا � ن ف �ع�ن ��خل �ة‬ ‫خَ� ْ َ �ة‬ ‫ا �ن ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� �ة ق‬ ‫� �ي�ن‬ ‫ا ي�ن ال�م خ�‬ ‫���ه� ا �ل �����س ا‬ ‫� ّر�م� * ا �ل�‬ ‫ا �و �‬ ‫ط� ب �ب‬ ‫�ور�م� * �� ��ي‬ ‫�ور�م� �م���د �م ا �ل� � �� ا �و �م� �ب�� ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫� َّ�م��ة � ا � � ة ��خل َّ‬ ‫ن ت �‬ ‫�� ا ��ل��ل�و ن� ���م�ه � او �لن ظ� ���ر ا �لي��ه‬ ‫���ا ��ل��ل�و����ا ب��ن�����ج�س‬ ‫� او �لر و‬ ‫ح�د� ا �ر�م �و�ه�و ��ب��� ك ب ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ك��ه �م�ع�ه ا � ّ‬ ‫����ذ �م�ن �ز �ه ه د �ه�ن‬ ‫ح��ه �ك�‬ ‫���ل �ن�ا ظ ���� ا ��لي��ه �و ت خ�‬ ‫� �فم� ر� ج���دا �و�م�ن ا �م��س��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫��ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن ف � ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي ���� �لم� ك�ر*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ل ا ��ت ن �ث ا ��ل ة ا ��ل ن �ث ة ا ��خ‬ ‫نَثْ ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫��� � � �م�ا � ا ��ل�ا ه ا � ا �� �ف�ل ���ة ���ي�ن ا ��ل ش����ا ���ي�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ر ي �وم و و‬ ‫� ر ب ر‬ ‫ا �و ���ر� * �ع�ي�‬ ‫و رج ب‬ ‫� َ �تْ ة � ا �ن ف‬ ‫حِ�ي��ا �ل �و ر� ا �ل� � �� *‬ ‫ن � ف ا غَ �فْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ش � �‬ ‫� ف � ا �ن ف � �‬ ‫حوا �لي��ه � او �لغ� �ف�‬ ‫�ه� � �‬ ‫��وك��‬ ‫���ة ا �ل�ا �ج� ار * ا�ل�م ار � �‬ ‫� ار * �ي ك‬ ‫ع� ا �ل� � �� �و �‬ ‫����سر � �‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�م ار �ع� �‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫�ئب��ر ا �ل�ث�و ب� *‬ ‫ن � ا خُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن � �ة ���ن ن �ة ا �� ن �ة � � �ة‬ ‫ع ����ا � ا ��لَ ���ة * ا ��لخ‬ ‫� نُْ �ة ت ش ّ � �ظ‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه�‬ ‫ه�� ا �لمت��د �لي�� �و��س ��ط‬ ‫� �عب�� ا ل � �و� ا �و ل�‬ ‫���عب�� * �����د ا �ل� م �وِ بر‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ا ��ل ش �ف �ة ا ��ل� �ل ا ا ا ��ل ش ق � ا � �ي�ن ا �� ش ا � �ي�ن � � � ة‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫���� م� ب� ل���� رب�‬ ‫ح��ا �ل ا � �لو�تر� � �و�ي�ق��ا �ل �ي��ه ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫����� ع�ي�� �و �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�خُنْ �ة‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫� ب���ع� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ َْ �ة ت‬ ‫�ة ا ��ل� ��ت �ة ا � ا ��ن �ف ا � ا � ا ن �م ن ه ا ا �� � ا ئ� ة‬ ‫��ص ا � ق‬ ‫ا �و �ع �ر�تب�� * ���‬ ‫�ص�� * عرب�� �ل� � �و م� �ل� � �� �و ل�د ر�‬ ‫� �ب��ه� ا � �ل���ل�و ب� ا � �لو� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت� ت ه � ��س ��� ا ��ل ش �ف �ة ا � ��� ف �ت ة � ا �ن ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫طر�� �و ر� ا �ل� � �� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ح�� و ط‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا َ� ْتَ� �ة �ه ��ل���ل �ن ��س �ة ا ��ل� ت� �ة � �ق � ا � ا ��ن �ف ا � ا � �ي�ن �ت �ت ه ا ��ل ش �ف �ة ا ا �� � ا ئ� ة‬ ‫�وعر�م� * �ى ح��س �م� * عر�م� م��د �ل� � �و م� ب� �و ر� �و ����� �و ل�د ر�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� �� ش ف �ة ا ��� � ا � ث � ا �� ث� �ة‬ ‫ن � ا �ن ف‬ ‫له� ا ل�هر�م� *‬ ‫�ع��د ا �ل� � �� �و��س�ط ا ل������ لع�لي�� �و م�� �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا � ا ن �ع�� �م� �ا � ظم ����ه�ا � �م� �ا �غ��مه�ا ��لغَ��م�ا * ��ي�ن��ف ��س�د �م�ا * � � ش‬ ‫����ف ��س�ق��م�ا * ا �ل�م�ل�ا � ظم ���� �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � ل�ى ل � و ل �‬ ‫وي �ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ا �م � �غ �‬ ‫� �� ا ��ل ش �ف �ة � ا �ل� �ا �� � ا � � �ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ط� ب� ا � �ل���لي���ل *‬ ‫حول ����� وم�ل � م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو�ل ا � �ل� ك�� �لم�ل�ج�‬ ‫� � او �ل�ل��م ا �ل��ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫*‬

‫� �ت ف �ة ن �ة ن ا �تئ �ة‬ ‫ا �ل� ر�� �ه�� �� � ��‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �� ش‬ ‫ا �ل��ي‬ ‫ط� ب� �و ل����ى‬

‫ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و �ي� ‪ :1855‬ا �ل��طر�ي���‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

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‫� ��س ���ط ا ��ل ش����ف���ة ا ��ل�ع��ل��ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫خت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ظل��� �ر�ف�‪� 1‬‬ ‫��� �ب�ه‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�ي‬

‫‪٨٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

or she might have a turfah more appetizing than any turfah (a turfah is ‘a raised thing in the middle part of the upper lip (a congenital feature),’ and it also means ‘tasty food’ and ‘something nice that you give only to your friend’), or she might have a ʿurʿurah besides which would pale the blaze on a horse’s face (the ʿurʿurah is what is between the nostrils), or a khawramah that would make the scent of the khurramah yet sweeter (the khawramah is ‘the most forward part of the nose, or what is between the nostrils,’ and khurramah is the unit noun from khurram, which is ‘a plant like the black-eyed pea, violet in color, to smell and behold which brings such great joy that any who sees a person holding it falls in love with him; an ointment is made from its flowers that is good for the ailments mentioned’), or a nathrah before which vast sums might be scattered (tunthar) (the nathrah is ‘the nostril and the parts close to it, or the parting between the two wings of the mustache, in front of the septum’), or her marāʿif have a ghafr that would repulse the most courageous (the marāʿif are ‘the nose and its surroundings’ and the ghafr is ‘the nap on a garment’), or she might have a khunʿubah that would stiffen rotten bones (the khunʿubah is the ‘philtrum, or thing that is suspended in the middle of the upper lip, or the interstice between the two wings of the mustache, in front of the septum; also occurs as khubnuʿah’), or a ʿartabah fit to cure the stricken heart (the ʿartabah is ‘the nose, or the soft parts thereof, or the circle in the middle of the lip, or the end of the septum’), or a ʿartamah that is an expression of beauty (the ʿartamah is ‘the foremost part of the nose, or what is between the latter and the septum, or the circle in the middle of the upper lip’ (synonym harthamah), or she might have on her malāmiẓ and her malāghim a lagham fit to expel grief and bring to sorrow relief (the malāmiẓ are ‘the parts around the two lips’ and the malāghim are ‘the parts around the mouth’ (synonym malāmij) and lagham is ‘a little perfume’),

93

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2.4.8

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫ا ��� �� ا �نَْ� ة �ه ت� ا � ا ��لن ة ا ��ل ن � ة �� �� ا ��لن ���ق ة ��ف �ظ �� ا � ا ��ل ش �ف �ة ا ��لن ة‬ ‫� ر�‬ ‫� ر� * �ب� ر� �و س�ط ر� �ى �� هر ����� �و � �ض‬ ‫�و ل�ع�ل ل�ه� ب� ر� * �ى �م� � �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن *‬

‫�‬ ‫�تُ�فْ ة � ��‬ ‫� �ز ف ة � �ف ة �ة � ا � � �ق ة �ف‬ ‫�� �� ش ف �ة‬ ‫�ه�ا �ر� * ا �لت�� ر� �مث���لث�� ا �ل� �و�ل ا �لن �� ر� ��ى �و��س�ط ا ل������‬ ‫�ص� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ا �و � � ر� * ي��طي���ل ا �ل� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ع��لي��ا *‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�� �� ش ف �ة‬ ‫� �ث � �ة ا ����د ا ئ� �ة ت� � ا �ن ف‬ ‫ا �و ���ثر�م��ة * �ت���ذ ر ا �� �لق���ل�و ب� �ب��ه�ا �م�غ� �م��ة * ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ت� ا �ل� � �� �و��س�ط ا ل������‬ ‫ح� ر م� ل ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫حِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ن �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫ا �ل�ع��لي�� ا �و ا �ل� �ر ب�� ا �و ��طر� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �َ ��� �ة * ��ت�ف�َ�د � ��ا ��ل�ف � �ث�� �ة * ا �� �ل �ت�� �ة �‬ ‫��ا ب� �م�ا �ب��ي�ن ال�من خ�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ر�ي�ن *‬ ‫ى ب � و ير‬ ‫و وتِير‬ ‫و ير ج‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �م�ا ��� � ئ‬ ‫��� ش‬ ‫ن � ا خ ش‬ ‫� ك���م�ه�ا * � �و� ��ط �ى �َو�َم�ه�ا * ا �خل‬ ‫���و� �م�ن ا �ل�ا ��ن �ف� �م�ا ��ف�و�ق� خ� �تر�ه‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه� �ي�� �و ي بر‬ ‫ي ر‬ ‫ي �م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص���ة � �م�ا � ت‬ ‫ح�ه�ا �م�ن �خ� ش����ا ر� ا ��ل ار ��س � او �� �لو�م�ه �ش���د�ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا � �ل�‬ ‫ح ّر*‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�قَ‬ ‫� ق ا �ة �ل�‬ ‫ا �� ا ش �ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� �ن � ا �� ه ا � ا � ا ��ن �ف‬ ‫��ق� ا ���س�ا �م�ه * ا � �ل���س� �م� ا ح��س و �لو ج�� — و �ل� �‬ ‫ا �و ���س�ا �م�ه * ي��م���ى �ب��ه� ا ل�ع� � �‬ ‫� � ا �ن ف ��‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫� �ون�ا �‬ ‫ح�ي�ت�ا ه ا �و �و��س ��ط ا �ل� � �� ا‬ ‫� *‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�غ ��ف‬ ‫ت آ � ا �ن �ة‬ ‫�� ّ د ��ن �ف ا ا �����ذ ��ل�ف �ص�غ� ا � ا ��ن �ف‬ ‫ا � ا ن �� �ا �ذ ��َ�لف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � ل�ه‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫ي �‬ ‫� ر �ل � و �و �ل ر ب و ر �ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ت آ ��ف �� ف ه � � ّ �غ �‬ ‫ق �ة �غ ظ �‬ ‫ح��د ���لي ظ� ��‬ ‫� *‬ ‫د �� ا �و ���ل��� � او � �‬ ‫�س� �و �ى �طر�� �لي����س ب‬ ‫� �خ َّ‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ف ا ق � �ف‬ ‫� ن���� * ا ��خل‬ ‫ا �و خ� ن����س�ا ��ت غ��ي�� �ل�ه ا �ل‬ ‫� ن����س �ت�ا �خ�ر ا �ل�ا ��ن �ف� �ع�ن ا � �لو ج��ه �م�‬ ‫ع ا ر� ���ع ��لي���ل ��ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫خ ن آ �خ نَّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا ا ا ��ل ّ ا ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ��نر ب���ة �و��هى �����س� � او �ل‬ ‫له� �و ��س�ي � ر� *‬ ‫�����س ا �ل��ك� او ك� ب� ك�� �‬ ‫��ا ن �ن ف ا �ُم�ص�ف�َ ا ا �ل�م�صف � �ن � ا �ن �ف ا �ل� � ت �� �� ق �ة‬ ‫�ص�� *‬ ‫�ه� ح� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و ك�� � ا � � �‬ ‫� م ا �ل� ��و� مع��د ل ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫� ا �ن �ة‬ ‫ح ن ا � ا � ت �آ ا � �ا � ا � ا �ن‬ ‫�ّ ا ��ل ش��� ا ��ت�ف ا �ق �ة � ا �ن ف‬ ‫و � ت��ص�ا ب� ا �ل� �ر ب�� *‬ ‫�س�و ع�ل ه�‬ ‫�ص�� ا �ل� � �� �و���س��ه� و �‬ ‫ا �و ا � �م * م�م ر ��ع �� ب‬ ‫ًَ‬ ‫�� �� ه � �غ ��� ف‬ ‫ا � ا ن ��ه �ق ن� * �ق ن� ا ��ا ��ن �ف ا ��ت�ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن�ت‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫اه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�س�‬ ‫و � ب ى ى �ل � ر ع ل و ي ب� و‬ ‫و ب �و ر و �و‬ ‫�ق آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� ��� ا �� �ق‬ ‫قن‬ ‫�ص���ة � ض‬ ‫��ي ��ق ال�من خ�‬ ‫و سط ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ر�ي�ن �ه�و ا ��ى �و��هى ��ن�ي �� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ا ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ه غُ� ْ ضَ‬ ‫غ� ض ا � ا �ن ف‬ ‫ح��د �م�ن‬ ‫����ي�ن * ��ي��‬ ‫ه��ا ن� �ع�ن ا �لت��غ� ���� � او �لج��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ب� �ر�‬ ‫���ي�ن * �ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا �ل� � �� �م� ا � ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي �ض‬ ‫�� ق �ة‬ ‫�� ا ��ل���ل ا ��ل�غ� � � ا �ت ف�‬ ‫� �غ‬ ‫و �ل �����ك��ه *‬ ‫�ص�� �م�ن ج��ا �ن�ب��ي��ه �ج��مي��ع�ا * � او �لت�� �ر���ض� ا �ك��ل ح� ر���ض�‬ ‫ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫‪94‬‬

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‫‪٩٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

or it might be that she has a nabrah that is the acme of naḍrah (the nabrah is ‘the central part of the depression in the visible part of the lip’ and naḍrah is ‘beauty’), or a tufrah to bend his head over which is to prolong his moans (the tufrah, or tafrah, or tifrah, is ‘the depression in the middle of the upper lip’), or a ḥithrimah that leaves hearts infatuated (the ḥithrimah is ‘the circle that is beneath the nose in the center of the upper lip’ or ‘the tip of the nose or its end’), or a watīrah worthy to be ransomed for a thousand buxom and willing lasses (the watīrah is ‘the partition between the two nostrils’), or a khayshūm that would cure blindness or cool wamah (the khayshūm is ‘the part of the nose above its front end starting from the bony part and the nasal gristle that lies beneath it’ and wamah means ‘extreme heat’), or a qasāmah on which the lover swears his oaths (qasāmah is ‘beauty, and the face . . . or the nose and its two sides, or the middle of the nose’ etc.), or a dhalaf that would cure illness (dhalaf is ‘smallness of the nose and straightness of the tip of the nose, or its being small and fine, or a thickness of the nose and a straightness at its end without a thick edge’), or a khanas before which the khunnas set (khanas is ‘having a retroussé nose with a slight upward tilt to its tip, a woman with such a nose being called khansāʾ,’ and the khunnas are ‘all stars, or the planets’), or her nose might be muṣfaḥ (a muṣfaḥ nose is one that has a straight bridge); or ashamm (being ashamm means ‘having the bridge of the nose elevated and handsome with a straight upper part and erectness of the tip’), or it might be possessed of qanā (qanā of the nose is ‘elevation of its upper part, crookedness of its middle, and length and fullness of its end, or prominence of the middle of the bridge and narrowness of the nostrils; a male with these characteristics is said to be aqnā, a female qanyāʾ ’), or it might have two ghurḍs fit to distract one from taghrīḍ and silver (the ghurḍ of the nose is the part that slopes down from the bridge on either side,’ and taghrīḍ is ‘eating fresh (gharīḍ) meat, and making merry’);

95

95

2.4.9

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫ا � ا ن �� ا �ن ا ظ ��� �ي�ن ��ن �ف �د ��ه� ا � ا ��ل ن ا ظ ��� �ي�ن ا ��ل ن ا ظ ��� ا ن � ق ا ن �� � �ف � ا �ن ف‬ ‫حر��ى ا �ل� � ��‬ ‫و � ل�ه� � �ر * � ي � م� ب� �� �ر �� �ر � عر�� � * ع�ل�ى‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ا ت ا ن ق ا ن ��ف ا ��ل��َ ْ‬ ‫����ل�ع�ا ن� �م�ن‬ ‫ح �ر� � �عر�� � �ى �ل‬ ‫حور � او�لم�ق���لت���ي�ن * ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ا �و �ن�ا �‬ ‫ح�ى �و ض�‬ ‫ح �تر��ي�ن * �ن�� ي���ل �ل�ه�م�ا ا �ل���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ه ا ا �� ا ن�ت ا ن � �ت ��ق ن‬ ‫�ص�د ر �و �م� �لو �ه� � � � او �ل� ر � �‬ ‫وت�ا � *‬ ‫ا ض�‬ ‫���ل�ا ا �ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ش ق‬ ‫ح�ا �ف�ز � ث ن�ث ن‬ ‫حّ�ز ا * ا ��ل‬ ‫حّ�ز ��ل�ه ا ��ل ش����ا �ع ����ل‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل�ز ا * � �وت����ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ف�ز ا * ي� ش���ر� ق���لب��ا �‬ ‫ا �و �‬ ‫حي�� �ي��� �ى �م�ن ا �ل����د ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا ن �ة ا ض �ة ن‬ ‫ا ��ز ض ّق ��لت � ّ�ز ت ّ‬ ‫ح �ه�ا‬ ‫ح��ل� �ف�ي���ك �م�ن ا �ك�‬ ‫��ي �� � او ���ل‬ ‫���ل ر�م� �� �‬ ‫�وق���ل ب� �‬ ‫ح� �م�‬ ‫��� �و��و‬ ‫ح � ب‬ ‫ح� �ل � �‬ ‫ش ة � �ذ � � � ّ‬ ‫هو� �ل�� �ل��ك ك���ا �لت���ل�ز � *‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن خ‬ ‫� ن ا ��ت ا ن ��� ف � ا �ن ف‬ ‫� نّ��ا ��ت���ه�ا * ت� � ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا * ا ��ل‬ ‫طر��ا ا �ل� � �� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �� ب�� �‬ ‫حو�م ا � �ل���ل�و ب� �ع�لي�‬ ‫ا �و ا � � ب ي�‬ ‫ا �� ا � غ� ا ن ا ��ل� �غ ن‬ ‫ّ � غ ي�ن‬ ‫ا ق ة � ي�ن‬ ‫ن � ا ا غ ي�ن‬ ‫�ص�م�ا ��ا �‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه� �ص� �م���� * �ه�م� �ر� ا �ل�ع�� * �ور�ى ا �ل���� * ل�ص� م�� � �و‬ ‫�ق � ش �ف‬ ‫� ا ��ل� غ ن �ن � �ف‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫�ص�م���ا � ج��ا � ب��ا ا � �ل� �و�ه�م�ا �م��ل�ت��ى ا �ل���� ت���ي�ن �م�م�ا ��ي��ل�ى ا �ل ش����د ���ي�ن �و�ه�م�ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا ��ل��س�ا �مغ���ا ن� �لغ����ة ���ف ا �ل�ص�ا د � ا �لغ����ي�ن ا �ل�ع ��� ش‬ ‫ط��� * � �وي�ا �لي� ت� ����عر�ى ��ه�ل ��ي ت���ك�و�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫حّ�ز‬ ‫�غ� �ش��ه�د �‬ ‫ح�ا ن� �و��ه� ��ي ت����ل‬ ‫ط�ق��ا ن� ا �و�من�� �ف��‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى ��س�مي��ا �ب��ه� ا �و��ه�ل �ه�م�ا �من� �� ب �‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫�ص�م �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ا � ش ا � �ي�ن �ت‬ ‫حّ�ز �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�ك��ا ����ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ف�ز�ي�ن ا لله ا �عل��� *‬ ‫�ل�ه�م� ا �ل���� �عرا�لم��س��ك�� �م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ّ � ا َْ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ث� � �ق �� ا ا ن �� ا ُ� ت ة‬ ‫ح��ت �ة �ج�م‬ ‫��تم� ا ��ل ش����د ق���ي�ن � او ��ل‬ ‫ح��تره * ا ��ل‬ ‫�ص� ا �ل‬ ‫�ه�‪� 1‬‬ ‫� �ي ��ول �و � ل�ه�‬ ‫ح��ر� * �ي��دي�� ا �ل�‬ ‫ح��ر‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ه�ل �م ���ل � �م�ع�ه *‬ ‫ح�د�ي��د ا �ل� ���ر* � �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ا ض غا ن‬ ‫َ�ذ ن‬ ‫� ا ��ل��‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه�ا �م�ا ض�‬ ‫��غ����ي�ن * �ي�� �عّو ا � �م�ن ا �ل�ع��ي�ن * ا�لم� �‬ ‫ح���ي�ن �ع ن��د �م ن�ب�� ت�‬ ‫����� � ا � �صو�ل �لي‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫ر ��س*‬ ‫ا �ل� �ض‬ ‫�غُ نْ �ة ت نّ �خ َ نْ‬ ‫� ة �غُ نَ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�� ا �ل‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫���ل� ّ ��س��ب��ه * ا �لغ���بن�� �ع��ل� �م�ا ��ى ا � �لق��ا � �مو��س � او �‬ ‫ح�د� ا �ل��� ب� �و��هى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و �ب�� * �ه��د ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� نّ ا ت �ّ�ة � � �ق �‬ ‫د ا را ت� ا �و��س�ا ���ط ا �ش���د ا �ق� ا �لغ����ل�م�ا ن� ا�لم�ل�ا � * � ك‬ ‫ل����ى ر ��ي� رب� ا �لب� ر��‬ ‫ع ا �و�ل�ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا ��لت ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ��س * �ع��ل� �ه� ا ا �ل� �‬ ‫��ا ��س �و �ل�ا �ِم ك�‬ ‫�ب��ه�ا ف��ل�ا عِ� ك�‬ ‫ه��د‬ ‫���ل� ��س * �و ��� ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت ش � ق � ن �ة �‬ ‫���و ��� � ا‬ ‫ا �لت��‬ ‫�صب��ى � او ل��‬ ‫و �ل��س��ب�� ا �ل��د �هر*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ا �ص�ف �ة ��خل � ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ه� * ا �ل�ع� ر��ض� �‬ ‫ح� ا��د �و ج�� �� ب� ا � �لو ج��ه *‬ ‫���ه�ا * �ي ت�� �م�ع�ا ر ض�‬ ‫�و�ل��ع�ل �ع�ا ر ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ا �ي�ل���ه���م�ا‪.‬‬

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‫‪١٠٫٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١١٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

or this girl might have nāẓirs for which we would give our eyes in ransom

2.4.10

(the nāẓirs are ‘two veins on either side of the nose’), or nāḥirahs for which we would trample upon our upper chests and eyes (the nāḥirahs are ‘two veins in the jawbone and two of the ribs of the chest, or they are the two short ribs, or the collar bones’), or a ḥāfizah fit to relieve a heart that’s oppressed and over which the poet’s mouth would yatalaḥḥaz (the ḥāfizah is ‘the fold in the corner of the mouth’ and yatalaḥḥaz means ‘to drool (of the mouth) from eating a sour pomegranate or the like because you find it so delicious (synonym yatalazzaḥ))’; or it might be that hearts would hover over her khinnābahs (the khinnābahs are ‘the sides of the nose’); or that this girl would have ṣāmighs to delight the heart and quench the ghayn (the ṣāmighs, or ṣamāghs, or ṣamghs, are ‘the sides of the mouth, meaning the place where the lips meet next to the corner of the mouth’ (variant: the sāmighs)); ghayn means ‘thirst.’” (I would love to know whether they are so called because honeycomb forms at them, and whether they are pressed close together or parted, and whether the poor poet drools over the thought of them as he drooled over the ḥāfizahs, but God alone knows.) Then the mind continues, saying,

2.4.11

“Or she might have a ḥutrah his love for which is prolonged by his ḥatr (the ḥutrah is ‘the place where the corners of the mouth meet’ and ḥatr is ‘fixing of the gaze’” (and wouldn’t he just be drooling?!), or māḍighs with which one might take refuge against ‘the eye’ (the māḍighs are ‘the points at which the jawbones start, at the place where the molars sprout’), or a ghunbah that would tuhannid the fancy-free for a sanbah (ghunbah, according to the Qāmūs, is the singular of ghunab, which are ‘circles in the center of the corners of the mouths of pretty boys,’ though I have decided that our veiled lady has the better claim to them, so let there be no protestation or negotiation over this appropriation; tuhannid means ‘entice’ or ‘cause to yearn’ and a sanbah is ‘an age’); and perhaps her ʿāriḍ will send her lover insane with desire (the ʿāriḍ is ‘the flat of the cheek’ or ‘the side of the face’),

97

97

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫ن � ا ا � ا ش غ ف �ن ن ا ظ � ا � ا � ا � �ص�ف �ة �‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�� �م �� ���ره ��نِي�� ��ط� * ا �ل�ع�ل� ��ط �‬ ‫ا �و ا � �ل�ه� ِ�ع�ل� ��ط� * ي����� �‬ ‫ح� ا �ل�ع�ن�ق� � او �ل�ن�ي �ا ��ط ا � ف�ل �� او د‬ ‫ح ��له�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ب���ي�ن �و��ث�غ� �ة ا ��لن��‬ ‫ا �و ب�ُ��ل��د�ة * ��ت�ف���ت�ن ا ��ه� ا ��لب���ل��د�ة * ا ��لب���ل��د�ة ��ن �ق��ا �و�ة �م�ا �ب��ي�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر �و�م� ��و �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫طه�ا *‬ ‫ا �و �و��س �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حَ �ن �‬ ‫� ا � اِلم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ح�ا � ا ��لث��ا ��ن ���ة �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا � ا ن� ��له�ا �َ�م ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت ا � ا الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ب�� و �ج ر ي‬ ‫ح� �ج�ر* � ب��ع �ل�ه� ح� �ج ر* ج ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ق �ة‬ ‫حو�ل ا � �ل �ر� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا ا ��م ا �ن ا � ه ا ��خل ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن � ا �ن‬ ‫���د ا �‬ ‫ا �و ا ��س� ر�ير* �ي��ع �و �ل�ه� �م ج���ل��س �ع��ل�ى ا �ل��سر�ير * �ل� ��س� ر�ير ح� ��س �لو ج�� �و‬ ‫ا � ن�ت ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫و � �لو�ج�� �ا � *‬ ‫� � آ ق �ة� �قُ َ آ‬ ‫ْآ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و ا ن� ُ ���ط��ل�ت��ه�ا �تب��ر�ى ا �� َل���ط��لي��� * ا ��ل���ط��لي���ة ا �ل�ع�ن�ق ا �و ا �ص��‬ ‫ح� ك���ا � �ل �� �‬ ‫له�ا � او �ل��ط��لي��� �ر�‬ ‫و�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�َ َْ ْ � َ ُ‬ ‫ا �� � � � ا ن �ص�ف� ت ا ا ��ل�ع�ن ق � ن ا � ا �ذ �ن�ي�ن � ا �� � � � � � � � ا خ ��ذ ��ف ا �� �ل�ف‬ ‫�و�ل��ِد �ي��د �ي��ه�ا ا �ل��ل��د �ود * ل�ل�دي��د � ح�� �� د و� �ل� � و ل�ل�د ود و ج� ي� �� �ى �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫ح�� �ل� *‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ا ��ل��ل ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�و�ل�ز�ي�ز ���ه�ا ا ��ل��ل�زّ* ا ��ل��ل�ز�ي�ز ج�م�م� �‬ ‫ح� ��ف�و�� ا �ل�ز �ور � او �ل��ل�ز ا �ل��‬ ‫�ط��ع�ن *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫غ �ة �ن � ف ة � ف ا ��ل �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د � ا �� ف�ل�ه�� �ة �م�‬ ‫ح�� ���ل��ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫فا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫��س���� �م ا � �ل � �‬ ‫� � ا�‬ ‫�و�م��� �هر�ه� ا �ع ا �ل�ى �ى �م ب‬ ‫�ه�ي ر� * ا�لم�� �هرح�م ل� ر و �ي ر �ض �ي �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �غ �ذ ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف�ي��ه ا �لر ض� �‬ ‫��ف� ف��ا ا ��ل�ا ر �ع��لي��ه ا �ل��د ��ق�ي �ق� �و سِ�� ي� ��‬ ‫ط *‬ ‫� �ن ق �ن � � ن � ق‬ ‫� ا ن ��س�ا �� �فل�ت��ه�ا ��ت غ��� �ا ن �ع�ن ا ��ل��س� �ا �ف * ا ��ل��س�ا �� �لف���ة �ن�ا � �ة ق‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ي � ن�ي �‬ ‫و�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح�� �م���د �م ا �ل�ع �� �م �ل�د � �م�ع� �ل�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل�ق �� ا ��ل ق � ت � ت �ق ة‬ ‫ر�ط �ى ��ل‬ ‫� ا �ل��ر��و� *‬ ‫ن ا ع�ن ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا ��لن�ه�ا * ن� � ن‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�ه�ا ر � ا‬ ‫و �ل ش����هر ا �و�ل�ه *‬ ‫حر�ه� � �ر � ر‬ ‫حرا �ل �‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ظ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ت �ق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ت ئ‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع�ن ا �ل�ا �ت ار ب� * ا �ل��ترا ��ئ ب� �‬ ‫ع ���ا �م ا �ل�‬ ‫�ص�د ر ا �و �م�ا �و�ل�ى ا �ل��ر�� �وت��ي�ن �م ن��ه � او �ل� �ت ار ب�‬ ‫�و ار ��ب �‬ ‫���� ن � ن‬ ‫� � ة‬ ‫� َة‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫���ا ب� ك‬ ‫ح��د�ه�ا �تِر ب� �و�ه�و ا �لِ��ل��د � * �وي� ص‬ ‫����سرا �ل�ه�م�ز � �م�‬ ‫� ا � �ت��ك�و� ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�ص�د ر‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث � ف � � ق ئ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا ر ب� ا �لر ج���ل ا �ى ك���ر �م�ا �ل�ه ���لي����س�ا �ل ا � �ل��ا ���ل �ع�ن ا �ي��ه�م�ا ا را د *‬

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‫‪١٢٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

or it may be that she has a ʿilāṭ to bewitch the niyāṭ of any who see her (the ʿilāṭ is ‘the flat of the neck’ and the niyāṭ is ‘the heart’), or a buldah that would enchant the people of a baldah (a buldah is a ‘freedom from hair of the space between the eyebrows’ or ‘the pit between the two collar-bones, with the part around it, or the middle thereof ’ [and a baldah is ‘a town’]), or maḥājir for which maḥājir might be sold (the miḥjar of the eye is ‘that part of the face, below the eye, that may be seen through the type of veil called the niqāb’ and the other maḥājir are ‘the tracts surrounding a town or village’), or asārīr to which one seated upon the bed (sarīr) is subservient (the asārīr are ‘the beautiful features of the face’ or ‘the cheeks’); or it may be that her ṭulyah would cure a ṭalyāʾ (the ṭulyah is ‘the neck, or the place from which it arises’ and the ṭalyāʾ is ‘an ulceration like a bubo’), her ladīds a ladūd (the ladīds are ‘the sides of the neck below the ears,’ and the ladūd is ‘a pain that affects the mouth and throat’), and her lazīzs a lazz (the lazīz is ‘the point where the flesh comes together above the throat’ and lazz is ‘a piercing’); or that her mafāhir are dearer to the mail-clad knight than fahīrah (the mafāhir are ‘the flesh of the breast’ and fahīrah is ‘pure milk into which heated stones are put; when it boils, flour is sprinkled over it and it is mixed’ [and eaten]), her sālifahs remove the need for even the best of sulāf (the sālifah is ‘the side of the forepart of the neck, from the place of the suspension of the earring to the hollow of the collarbone’ [and sulāf means ‘wine’]), her naḥr (‘throat’) puts that of the day to shame (the naḥr of the day, or the month, is its beginning); and her tarāʾibs are more to be valued than one’s atrāb (the tarāʾib are ‘the bones of the chest’ or ‘the part immediately following the two collarbones’ and the atrāb (singular tirb) are one’s ‘coetaneans’; or the latter might also correctly be read as itrāb, a verbal noun, in the sense ‘the man experienced itrāb,’ meaning ‘his wealth increased,’ in which case the speaker would have to be asked which meaning he intended),”

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2.4.12

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫� � ت‬ ‫ا ��ل� �غ��� �ذ ��ل��ك �م�ن ا ��ل�ا �‬ ‫� ا ��ل ا �ى * � ا ن��م�ا‬ ‫ح�تم�ا ��ل�ا ت� ا ��ل ��ت ��ل�ا �� ّ�د �من�ه�ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ي �‬ ‫�ص�ف� ا �ل�ع�ق���لالم���س�� ك��‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى ير‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش �ع�ن ا ا �ة‬ ‫� � ن ا ق �ا � ه �ع �ن ��ت ّ ا � ه م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا ���ط��ل ت� ا �� ك�‬ ‫�و ب� * �ود�ه��� ا �ل� �ص� �ب�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �م �ه ن��ا �ل��ك�و�ى �� ��ل �ل� �م ب��‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�صر �لو ج�� ج‬ ‫�ف � �ف‬ ‫���س�ا �ل ��م�ه ��س�ع�ا ب��ي�� ب� *‬ ‫ة � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ �ة‬ ‫�ق � ن ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ك��ا �ج�ر�ى �ل��س�ي �د �ن�ا �ي��ع� ��و ب�‬ ‫�و��ا �ي� �م�ا ا ��و�ل�ه ا ��ا ا � �م�ن ����ا �عر ا �م ار � �لي��ل� �و�ل�م �ير�ه�ا �م‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �� ث‬ ‫�ق ئ ن‬ ‫� ّا ت � ا نّ ت � اَ ّ ت‬ ‫�ع� �و�ق�� ��ل�ه �م�ا �و�ق�� �ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫حب��ن �ا �ه� ا ا �لم��ك��ر �م�ن ا �ل��ل�ع�ل� � � او �لِ� ��ا � � او �ل� � او � * �و� �ل��ا ���ل ا �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ك� ��س��ة ���ف �ش���ا ن� ا �ل��م ا �ة ا ��ل�ل�ا ���س��ة * ف��ا ن� ا ��لن ظ� ���� ا �ذ ا � �ق�� �ع��ل�ه�ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ي� ��و�ل ا � �ه��ذه ا � �ل��‬ ‫ض�ي � �م�ع��و ى‬ ‫ر وع ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �ة‬ ‫�خ �ة � ق‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف� ا ��ل�ع ��ا �ن��ة ف��ا ن� الم‬ ‫�و��هى �م��ت��س��تر�ة �و�ق��ف� ت� �م�ع�ه الم‬ ‫ح��ّد �م�ا * ب خ�‬ ‫�ي���ل� �ع ن��د �‬ ‫�ي���ل� � او � �ل���ل ب�‬ ‫ير‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ �ة ت‬ ‫� ن ا ��لن ظ ��� ا �� ا � �� � ا ن � ا � ا � �ق � ن‬ ‫آ �ق‬ ‫ح��ّد ف��ا لم‬ ‫�ف��ا � �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�ي���ل� ��ت�� �صور ا �ش���ي �� � او � �ل���ل ب�‬ ‫�ه� ي��ط�ي ر � �ع�لي�‬ ‫ع��د ��ر لي�‬ ‫�ه� �و �ل� �ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش �آ �خ‬ ‫ح�ا ��ص ���ي�ن‬ ‫شت‬ ‫�ل��ل�م‬ ‫��� ا ن� ��ي�ق ��و��ل ا ن� �ذ ��ل��ك ا ن��م�ا �ن ش����ا �ع�ن ا � �ف�ل �ق� ا ��ل‬ ‫� �ل ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي������ه�ى ا ����ي � ا �ر�ى * �و �ج ي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ ّ � �ة‬ ‫� ��س� * ف��ا ن� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ا �� �ل ج��ه � او �ج��ل‬ ‫���ر �م�ن ا �� �ل ج��ه ا �ق� ض��� ���ط��را ن� الم‬ ‫� ��س� �م�ن �‬ ‫حي� ث� �ك�‬ ‫�� �ون�ه ا كب��‬ ‫�ي��ل�‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح �م�ا ن� ا � �لق���ل� �ع��ل��ه * � دّ �ه� ا ا � �لق �� ��ل �ج��م�ا �ع��ة �من‬ ‫�ص��ا ��ا ��ى � او �لم��ا �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫ا ��لي��ه * �و�‬ ‫�ه� ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � � � ن �ل�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � �غ�ز ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ر ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� او �ل�ا �ل� �ى � او ب� ��و ا ّر * �ب�ا ن� كب��‬ ‫� ��س� �ه ن��ا �لي����س ��سب��ب�� �ل�ل��ط�ي�را � � او ��‬ ‫حو�م� � * ا � �لو‬ ‫م‬ ‫ان‬ ‫�ا �� �غ � � ��ف‬ ‫�ك��ف * ��ف���ق ا ��ا �ش‬ ‫�ل�� � �ُ�د �م ن��ه ا ���ا �م ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ��ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب �ى �ل‬ ‫ل ير �‬ ‫ل �‬ ‫و �ج ي ب� ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �ي ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫وع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ك� ن� ا �ج�ل‬ ‫ا �ل�ع��ل��ة ���فى �ذ ��ل��ك ا ن��م�ا ��هى �ل��‬ ‫� ��س� �ج���س�م�ا � او � �لو ج��ه �و ج�‬ ‫��ه�ا * �و�ُ�س�ف��ه �ه� ا ا � �لق ��و��ل ف��ا �ن�ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ّا � ا��ث ��‬ ‫ف� �ف �مخ�ز ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫�ق ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� يص���ل �ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ��ص�ل * �و�ي���ل ا ��م�ا �ه�و �ل��ك�و� �و ج ل �ل ر �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫و‬ ‫آ م‬ ‫ن � ن �‬ ‫� �ذ ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���ا ه �ج��م�ا �ع��ة �من‬ ‫�ص �و�ق ��� �م��ه م‬ ‫� او �ل�� �و�� � او �لب��‬ ‫�خ�ز � ا �ل��س�م� * � او �ر� ض�‬ ‫�ه�م ا �ل�ع ��هى � او �لت�ي��ت��� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ � ا ن ا فا ن �‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� �ذَ ْ �ذ �خ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ��ن ّ �ة ا �ل� ا �ة � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫حوا ��س �ل� �م�د ���ل �ل�ه� �ه�� * �� � ا�ل�م ار د �م �ك�و ي�� �مر �ل�‬ ‫� او �ل�� �و ��ى * �ورد �ب�ا � �ه��ذه ا ��‬ ‫�ا � ا‬ ‫��ي�ت� �ق��ف� �ع��ل�ه�ا ا �ص�ا ��ل��ة �ف�ه �م��س�ت �غ� ن��ً �عن‬ ‫�ك� ن� ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا * �و��قي���ل ا ن��م�ا �ه�و��ل��‬ ‫حو�ى ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫�� �ل�‬ ‫� ��س� ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��خل ا ت ا � �ق ّ‬ ‫�ق �‬ ‫� ق ق‬ ‫ا �ا‬ ‫ّا�‬ ‫�� ة ف� �ف ا � ش �‬ ‫ك���ي�ر� * �� ي��ه ل�����ك�ل ا � �ل��م����مى � او �لر�م� �ى � او � �ل ر� �مو ��ط�ى � او �ل� ��ط� ر�ى � او�� ���مى �و لب��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َ َ �ف �‬ ‫� ّ � ال� خم � �� �ا ��ل ّ � ن �ف� � ���ز �ة‬ ‫� او �ل�ع� �مود �ى � او �ل�ه�د ��ى � او �ل�ص�ا د �ى � اوليم��مى � او�لم�د ر � �و�ر�و ��ط � او ل�ه�ل �ى �و م� ر� ا ل ا � �‬ ‫و� *‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫ج‬

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‫‪١٣٫٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٤٫٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٥٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

and so on, to include other possibilities that the man of insight and sound judgment will agree are necessary; I have prolonged my words here simply because I am copying them from one who looked deep into every veiled face(t)76 and found himself, to his surprise, so stricken, that his mouth flowed with ropy saliva. In the end, the point I’m trying to make is that a man who has slept with a woman wrapped up with her in a single undergarment but hasn’t seen her as did Our Master Yaʿqūb,77 peace be upon him, has suffered the same fate as our friend with all his maybes and ifs and buts. Someone ought now to say, “The matter is the opposite of what’s been

2.4.13

proposed when we speak of a woman fully clothed, for if a man’s glance falls upon her when she’s decently covered, his imagination will take him no further than a certain point. It’s different, however, if she is naked. Then the imagination and the heart, on beholding her, will fly toward her, stopping at nothing, for the imagination will picture certain things, while the heart will desire yet others.” Then the defender of the original proposition should respond by saying, “This is simply a result of the face-body differential, for the body, being larger, brings the imagination flying to it and holds the heart hovering over it by a process consequential.” One party, among them Professors Amorato, Gropius, Randinski, and

2.4.14

Copulatius,78 have asserted that it is not the body’s size per se that is responsible in such cases for any flying or hovering, for even if only one part of it were visible it would be enough and the issue therefore remains unresolved. To this the response should be that their argument consists simply of stating that a body is a body and a face a face, which shows that the assertion is ridiculous because it is a tautology. Others have claimed that the reason that the face is more arousing than the body is that the face is a locus for most of the senses, for it contains the repositories of smell, taste, and sight, with that of hearing close by. A second party, among them Professors Killjoy, EjaculatioPrematore, and Impotenza, has accepted this, but rejoinder has been made that these senses have no bearing here, for what is meant by “essence of woman” doesn’t depend upon them anyway, so she is in no need of them. It has also been claimed that the body is more arousing than the face because the body contains many different shapes. Thus, there is what is pear-shaped-with-a-long-neck, what is pomegranate-shaped, what is euphorbia-fruit-shaped, what is hoop-shaped, what is ring-shaped, what

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2.4.15

‫�ف �من ّ �ة ن ا �غ ّ �ة‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص� د �و���ه� ��‬ ‫�ي� ِ ��‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ّ ��ق �‬ ‫��� � �ن � ه � ه ك�‬ ‫�ق ن‬ ‫� ن ا ��� ا ة‬ ‫�وا �ب�ه * �و�ي���ل ا ��م�ا �ه�و �ل��ك�و� لع� د�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ورد �ب�ا �ن�ه ��ك ��و�ل �م�ن ��ا �ل ا �ن�ه ا كب�� ر م ا � �لو ج�� �و ج �‬ ‫�وا �ب� ج‬ ‫ن �ن �‬ ‫� �غ �ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��س� ا * ف��ا �ذ ا ا �ى ا ��ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� �م�ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��س ا � او �ج��ل‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ���لب��ي � ��هى ا � �ي��ك�و� ا � �لو ج��ه �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ��س� �م �ور‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫خا� ف � ا ة ا ت خ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ��طره �و ���ط�ا ر ت� ا �ف ك�‬ ‫��ا ره * �و�ي���ل �غ��ي�ر ��ل��ك � ا‬ ‫و لله ا �عل��� *‬ ‫�� �ل�� ا �ل�ع� د� �ه� �ج�� ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ح�� �ة �ف� ا ��ل�ت�� ن �ن ت ف ن‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫� ق ا ة � ت س�ت �� ت �ذ�� ا �غ �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ا �‬ ‫ي�وح��م�ل ا � �ه��ذه ا � �ل�� �ع�د� ا �ل ��ى ا �� �د رك�� ك�ر�ه� ��ي�ر يح� ي�� ي ��ى ��سي�� �‬ ‫� آ‬ ‫� ن ا ��ق ش �ة ي�ن � �‬ ‫�ذ�� ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��ص� ا ن� ا ��ل�غ� ا � ا ��ل��ر�ق���ع �ل�م�ا ��ا �� �و�ف�خ�‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ر م ب ى ب �ض‬ ‫ك�ر�ه� ا �و�ج� ب� ا �لم�� ���� �ب�� ا �ل�ع�ل�م� * � او � ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� � ا ن ت خ� �ذ � آ � �ة �َ ْ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ق غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ّ ن ّ �‬ ‫��ى را ��س ا � �لف��ا ر�ي�ا �� �� ّرد ت� ا ��‬ ‫هو * ��م�ا �عت�� ا � �ت�ا �ب� ��ط‬ ‫��� �ل�ه � �ل� �ل� �‬ ‫ط��ا ره �ع�لي��ه �ل� � ��ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ش ا � � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز ف‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ط� ��ورا �صغ���ي�را �م�ن ا �ل�� �سو�ق� * �و ج�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫���ع�ل �ي��ع �� �ب�ه ��ى ���ب�� ك �ل�ه �م ���ط�ل �ل�ى ر‬ ‫�ل�ه �� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ج�� خ��ا د � �م��سل��� ق��د �ع ش �ق ن �ة � �ق � ف غ ا‬ ‫���ا ن� �ع ن��د ا ��خل‬ ‫ر ج���ل �م�ن ا � �ل�قب� ���ط * �وك�‬ ‫���� ا ب���� ا � �ل ب� ��ط�ى ����� ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط� �� * ��ف��س�ع ��ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� ا ��ل� �� �ده ق��ا �ئ�ل�ا ا �ذ ا ��س�م� ا �ل�م�ا ّ � ن� ���ف ا ��ل���ط ��ق‬ ‫�ع��ل�ه�ا �م�ن ا ��ل��� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫س�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ك�ز ا �ل�ا ج�‬ ‫�ن���ة (�مر�‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ح�ا �ن� ا �و �ث ك‬ ‫�ر�ة ا �و �‬ ‫ط� ��ور �م�ن د ا رك ���‬ ‫� ن��ا د‬ ‫ظ�ن� او ا �ن��ه�ا د� ك‬ ‫� �صو� ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��م ت‬ ‫� ّ���ي�ن * ��ل�ا ن� �ه��ذه ا ��ل��آ ��ل��ة ��ل�ا ي���س�ت �ع�م��له�ا‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫�) ��ل�ا د ا ر �ل��خل‬ ‫عه� �ع��ل� � �ل �و �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح�ه� ا‬ ‫��م�‬ ‫�و ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ر ج�ي‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ � ت‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� �ف ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ه ا ��خل‬ ‫��ي�ر ا �ل��رك * � ش��� ك‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى �ع��ل�ى �ل��ك � او ��س�� �صو ب� �م�ا ��ا �ل�ه � او �و�ع�ز ا �ل�ى ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫��ر‬ ‫� آ �آ‬ ‫ف ّ �ف � ت ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب�ا �لغ���� ء ا �ل�� ��ل��ة * ف��ا �لغ���ا �ه�ا �و ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ر ��ى ا �ل�م��ل��ص �م�ن ا �ي��د �ى �ه��ذه ا �ل�ز �مر�ة ا �ل ��تى �ل�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ي�� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫���ل �ش��ّ��ا ك �� �س �و ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫���ر� ا �ذ ا �ه�ا � او �ص�ل�ا ا ��لي��ه �م�ن �ك�‬ ‫� ر�ة � او �ل�ا ر��ض� * �� ب���ع�د ا �ي�ا �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي بح‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق � � �ة‬ ‫��ا د � ��ا �لب� ن�� ت� �و�ت�ز �ّو�� ���ه�ا ب���ع�د ا ن� ا ��س��ل�م ت� � او ���حل‬ ‫��خل‬ ‫�م��د ا لله ر ب� ا �ل�ع�ا �لم��ي�ن *‬ ‫جب‬ ‫��لي��ل� �هرب� ا م ب‬

‫‪102‬‬

‫‪102‬‬

‫‪١٦٫٤٫٢‬‬

A Throne to Gain Which Man Must Make Moan

is dome-shaped, what is pillar-shaped, what is in the shape of a prominent rock, what in is the shape of the letter ṣād and what is in the shape of the letter mīm,79 what is in the shape of a set of steps, what is in the shape of a cone, what is in the shape of a crescent, and what is obtusely angled. To this, rejoinder has been made that it is the same argument as that made by those who claim that the body is more attractive because it is larger and may be refuted on the same grounds. It has also been claimed that the body is more exciting precisely because the face, under normal conditions, is revealed, while the body is concealed, and, should a person see anything that violates this norm, his thoughts will be plunged into commotion and his ideas fly in all directions. Other arguments have been made too and God alone knows the truth. It is also quite possible that this rule that I have advanced and retracted so often is incorrect, in which case, I wish I’d ignored it, for by mentioning it I have obliged us to engage in an academic discussion. In sum, when this veil-passion was laid and hatched in the Fāriyāq’s head, the little birdies therein twittered to him that he should get himself a musical instrument, and, in no time at all, he had returned from the market with, under his arm, a small tambour, which he began playing at a window of his room that overlooked the house of a Copt. Now, the Bag-man had a Muslim servant, who had fallen in love with the Copt’s daughter, and the tambour made him jealous, so he denounced the Fāriyāq to his master and said, “If the passers by in the street hear the sound of the tambour coming from your house, they will think it’s a tavern or an inn or a thuknah (‘headquarters and gathering place of soldiers under the banner of their commander,’ etc.), not a Bag-men’s abode, because this instrument is used only by the Turks.” The Bag-man thanked him for this, accepted that what he said was true, and instructed the Fāriyāq to get rid of the instrument, which he did, while at the same time starting to think of how he could escape the hands of this band whose bane never ceased to get at him through every window, on island and on mainland. A few days later the servant fled with the girl and he married her, after she had converted to Islam, praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds.

103

103

2.4.16

‫��‬ ‫ا �� �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل ��خ ��س‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫� �و�‬ ‫���ص�� ��م�صر‬ ‫�ش آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫حه�ا �ج��ّ غ� �ف �ن‬ ‫�صر ك�‬ ‫م�ق��د �م��ي�ن * �و�م�د �‬ ‫���ي�ر �م�ن ا�لم�ور خ���ي�ن ا �ل ت�‬ ‫��د �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ي�ر �م ا �ل����ع �ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � ا � �� ق �‬ ‫� �ن � ا �‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا ��لغ���ا � �ي�ن * � �ه�ا ا �ن�ا ا ��ل � � � ا � فص� ا ا‬ ‫�س���ن�ى ا �لي��ه ا �‬ ‫ح�د �م ا �ل�ع� �لم�� *‬ ‫حه� ب�م� �ل�م ي ب‬ ‫بر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ه� �و�م� د � �‬ ‫�ي وم و �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫ََ ة‬ ‫ف �ق � ن‬ ‫�صر�م�ن ا �ل�ا �م�ص�ا ر* ا �و �م�د ��ي ن�� �م�ن ا�لم�د � * ا �و �م�د ر� �م�ن ا�لم�د ر* ا �و ك���ور�‬ ‫��ا ��و�ل ا ���ه�ا �م�‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫َ ْ ة �ن � ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ق �ة �ن � قَ َ‬ ‫حَ * ا � �م�ا �ه��ة �م�ن ا �ل�م�ا �ه�ا ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ح‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر و‬ ‫�م ا � ور و ب‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ة‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫ق �ة‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ص�م� �م�ن ا �ل�ع� او �ص� * ا �و �ص�ق��‬ ‫ا �و � �ر� �م�ن ا � �ل ر�ى * ا �و ��ا ر�ي� �م�ن ا � �ل �� او ر�ى * ا �و �ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ة �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل� �ص��� * ا �و د ا ر �م ا �ل�د �ي� ر* ا �و ب��ل�د� �م ا �لب��ل� د * ا �و ب��ل�د �م ا �ل� �ب�ل� د *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ق � �ن �‬ ‫�ش� �ن � ا ش �آ �غ ن � ا ق �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له� ��ي� ��و�ل�و� ا ���ه� �م�‬ ‫ا �و � ��طر �م ا �ل� � ��ط� ر* ا �و ��ى �م ا �ل� ����ي � * ��ي ر ا � ا �ه� �‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ا �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش � ا آ � آ�خ‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �م�ص�ا ر * �و�م�د ��ي ن���ة ا �ل�م�د ن� * �و�ع� �‬ ‫�ص�م� ا �ل�ع� ا‬ ‫و �ص� * �و����ى ا �ل� �ش���ي �� ء ا �ل�ى � �ره *‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ن �ف ا ن ا ن �ة �غ ا �ة ا � � ��ذ ت � ا �ئ غ �ة � ت ف� ق �ة‬ ‫ف ق �ذ �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�و�م�ا ا د ر�ى �ر�� �ل��ك * �وك��ي ��� ك�� � � ���ه� �م�د ��ي �� �� �ص� �ب� �ل�ل� ا � ا �ل��س� ���� * م��د ����‬ ‫ت � ا غ �ة ت �ف ق ل�‬ ‫� � �ي�ن �م�ن ا ��ل ا �� خ �ا �ف ا �ل� ا �ق ا �� ه �ع �د ا ��ل��ل��� �ف‬ ‫ا�ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ب� �ل����ه� او � ا �ل��س� ب����� * � �� او ��� رور‬ ‫رج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�غ���د ا د � * � � ا � �غ‬ ‫ن ا ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ط��ا * � �م�ن‬ ‫هى �و� �ك�ن‬ ‫�س�� * � �وي�����س�ى �ع��د�ه� ا �ه�ل� �و �و �� ن و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ى يج‬ ‫��د �ب��ه� ا �ل� ر��ي ب� �م�� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�وا �‬ ‫�ص�ه�ا ا � �م�ا �ي�� �ه ب� �م�ن ا �ج���س�ا �م ر ج��ا �ل�ه�ا �ي��د ���ل ��ى ا �ج���س�ا �م ���س�ا ���ه�ا * ���ر�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ش �ف � ا ��ل ش � �‬ ‫���ا ��ل�ا �ق� ���ط ��ا �ل��س�م�ن �ع��ل ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ا �� �‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ��ل ن����س�ا ��س�م�ا �ن�ا ك�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�وع * و لر ج�� ل ك� ���� ب� ����ي ر�ج �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�ق ا � ا تش ه ا � ا � �ت �ة �ف ا ن � ا � ا � � ا �ف �ة ظ �� �ف �ة‬ ‫�ن ا ن‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�����‬ ‫له� �ل��ط� � �و�� ار �‬ ‫�ه� �ل� ����ب�� ر ج�� �ل�ه� ا �لب� � * � � �ل� �ه� �‬ ‫�ه� ا � ا ��س� او �‬ ‫ع * �و م �‬ ‫ا �ل ب‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� �ة ش ئ‬ ‫�� �ة خ ا ق ا �ز �‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع�ا ر�� �ع�ن �ل��ك را ��س�ا *‬ ‫� او د �ب�ا �وكي����ا ��س� �و���م�ا ���ل �مر�‬ ‫ض�ي � � او ��ل� �� ك�ي�� * � او ��س� او � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪104‬‬

‫‪104‬‬

‫‪١٫٥٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٫٥٫٢‬‬

Chapter 5

A Description of Cairo80

Many an ancient historian toward Cairo has bent his gaze and on it hosts

2.5.1

of poets past have lavished praise, and here now stand I, to describe it and to praise it as did no scholar in former days. Thus I declare: Cairo is one metropolis among metropoli, one city among cities, one settlement among settlements, one borough among boroughs, one seat among seats, one town among towns, one citadel among citadels, one village among villages, one urban center among urban centers, one capital among capitals, one locality among localities, one territory among territories, one land among lands, one township among townships, one region among regions, one thing among many things. Its people, though, would say, “It is the metropolis among metropoli, the city among cities, the capital among capitals, the thing among all other things” and so on, and I do not know how to account for the difference. However that may be, it is indeed a city replete with permissible pleasures, bursting with boundless appetites, answering to the needs of hot-humored men (contrary to what ʿAbd al-Laṭīf al-Baghdādī has said).81 There the stranger finds amusement and accommodation, in it he forgets family and nation. Among its curiosities82 is that what leaves the bodies of its men enters the bodies of its women, and the women are therefore as fat as cottage cheese and clarified butter eaten on an empty stomach, while its men are like dry bread with sesame oil eaten on a full. Another is that its markets in no way resemble its men, for its inhabitants are full of refinement, sophistication, literary culture, and wit, qualities pleasing and morals pure, while its markets

105

105

2.5.2

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫آ‬ ‫� �من�ه�ا ا ن� �م�� �ه�ا ��ل�ا � ش�����ه �ع�� ش���ه�ا ا �ى خ����ز �ه�ا * ف��ا ن� ا ��ل�ا � ��ل �ع��ذ � � ا ��لث��ا ���ن �ت�ا ف��ه * � �من�ه�ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب و ى‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ي ب ي �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ف�ل ��ق ف� �ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ف ا ق فا ق‬ ‫�ش ا ش ا‬ ‫ا ن� ا �ل�ع�ا �لِ� �ف� ا‬ ‫�ه� �ع�ا �ل�م � او �ل� د��ي ب� ا د��ي ب� �و‬ ‫م ي�‬ ‫� ي��ه �� ي��ه � او �ل���� �عر ���� �عر � او � �ل�� �� �س� �� �� �س�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا ئ� ا �� ن � �ت ا ة‬ ‫�من ا ا ن �ن � ا �� ش �ي�ن �ت ا ة‬ ‫� ف ا فا‬ ‫ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫�� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � �ل�� �ج�ر �� �ج�ر * �و �‬ ‫�ه� � ��س� �ه� يم���� � ر �ع��ل�ى �ل� ر �ض ��س� ر ل ��س� و� ر �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ن �ذ ّ� �‬ ‫� � ن‬ ‫�ف� �و�ع��ل� ا ��ل‬ ‫��ر �م� ا ن� ا �ه��‬ ‫م�ؤ ن�� ث� � �وت�ا ن�� ث� ا�لم� ك�‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ق �‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا � * �و�م‬ ‫له�ا �مت���ق�ن�و� �ل��ل�عل���‬ ‫�ه�ا �ت�� ك��ر ا �ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت ق ا ن‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا �م�ا �ت�ه�ا ��ل�ا �ت�ز ا ��ل ��ت��ق ا �ف��ه�ا �� �س �ة ا � �� �س �ت�ا ن� �م�ن ا �� �ل�ق � ن� �ف��ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ر ي� ور و ور‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫�ه� ا � � �‬ ‫� او �ى ا � ��� � * �و�م �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫��ا �� �من‬ ‫�ه�ا ي خ� �� ���ط�ا �ه ا �و�ج��ن��ا * � او �ج�ع‬ ‫�� او ب� � او ��ل���ط�ا �ئ��ف���ي�ن �ب��ه�ا * ف��ا ��خل‬ ‫��ر ا �ل�ا �ك�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫� ب� �م�ن �ل��ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ن �ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � � ق‬ ‫�ت��ف���ي�ن‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� �ع�ن ق���لب��ه ب� ك‬ ‫عّو��ض� ا � �ل او �‬ ‫ا � ك����ي�را �م�ن ر ج��ا �ل�ه�ا �لي����س �ل�ه� ���ل�و ب� * �و��د � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ه �ي�ن � �و�ا ر���ع��ة ا ���د �ى � او ر���ع��ة ا ر ج��� * �و�م �ل��ك ا � ك����را �م ا �ل� � � ا �ل�ل� �ى �����س��ل�ن‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�و �� � ر ب ب ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ق ت ه�ن ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�����ي�ن �ع ��ا �ن�ا ت‬ ‫��ا �ى ا ��ل�ن�� ��ي ت��ع� ّ�م�م�ن � ��ق��م�ص�ا �ن�ه�ن ���ع�د �غ� ��س��له�ن � �� ش‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ا �م�‬ ‫� يو‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ب‬ ‫�ص�� �ى ب���ع��ض� جم ر ي �ل‬ ‫ير‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُّ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫� �من ا ن �ق ا ن‬ ‫����ذ ��له�ن ��ق� ا ��ل� �م�ن‬ ‫����ذ ن� ا �و ��ا ��ل‬ ‫ت خ�‬ ‫�ه� ا ن� �ن��س�� ا ��ل�ص��ي�ن ��ي ت خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م ب���ل� �‬ ‫�ه� ا � ��و�م� �م �‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫حر�ى ��ي � و ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ن‬ ‫تق‬ ‫ح��د���د �لت��صغ���� ا ��� ع�ن ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫هود * ج��‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫عه�م � او �ع ����د � او‬ ‫له�ن � ا�لم���د ا ر ا�لم� �‬ ‫��ع��ل� او ي����� ب� ��و� ا �ص� ب��� �‬ ‫ير ر ج �‬ ‫� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ف� �ل��ل�ع��م�ل � او ��ن ف��� �ل�ص�ا �‬ ‫���ا ن� �ب��ه�ا ا ر��� ا �ص�ا ب��� ف���ق� ���ط ك�‬ ‫ا ن� ا �لي��د ا ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا خ� �‬ ‫ح�ه�ا * �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫بع ع‬ ‫ق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ز ا ة �� ن ف ق �ة‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�����س �‬ ‫ح� � ����� �ع��‬ ‫��ك ��و�ف� �ع ن��د �ه� ��لي����س� م�م� �ي ك‬ ‫ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ص�ا ب��� � او �ل��‬ ‫�ه� ب �� د� ا ل �� �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��� *‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ئ �ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ن ه ا � ت�ف ا �ًا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا � �ش ا ن ا � ا ف ن� ا �� ��ذ�ي�ن � ا‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ���ه� ا �ل� �و�ي��ك�� �سو� ح��� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مك� ه�و ��� � �ل ر�‬ ‫�ل �ي ر و� � �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫تف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫��ذ‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫��ًا �‬ ‫� �م�ن �ذ �� � ا � �م�ن ا ��خ‬ ‫��ه � ���‬ ‫� ا �� ��ل�ا �م�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل�ك ى‬ ‫ب وي‬ ‫وى و‬ ‫و ر ي‬ ‫�و ص‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���د �م�ن ���ف ا �ل�م��ر�ى ��حل‬ ‫���� ء ا ن� ا ��ل��ن �ا ت� ا ��ل�ل�ا �ى ي����س خ�‬ ‫��م�ل ا �ل�� �ج�ر � او ج��ل‬ ‫�ب����س � او �ل��را ب�‬ ‫ا �ل� �ع ض�‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ �ذ �‬ ‫� ا �� ����ي�ن � ا ��ل‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � او ��ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح�ا ت� ج��ا ��م‬ ‫� ش��� ب� �و��ي�ر �ل��ك * ي �ح�م��ل ن��ه �ع��ل� ر �و��س�ه�ن �و�ه�ن �ر�‬ ‫ح�ا ت�‬ ‫و لط� و ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا � ا ت � ا � ا ت � ا �ز � ا ت �غ � �آ ّ� ا ت � ا �ت � ا ت � ا‬ ‫را ��م‬ ‫ح�ا ت� ��س�ا ب�‬ ‫ح�ا ت� �ص� د ح� � م� د ح� � م� ح� � * ��ي ر ح� � �و �ل� رح� � �و �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫���ا ن �ن��ص�� ا �ن � �آ ّ‬ ‫ح�ا ت� � ��ل�ا �ن�ا ئ� ا ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ا ��ل‬ ‫د ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ت� �و �ل�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ت� �و �ل�ا را �‬ ‫� و‬ ‫ح� � * �و�م ك� � ي ب �‬ ‫�ه� �م ا �ل� �ج�ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن ظ‬ ‫���ا ن��م�ا �ه�ن‬ ‫� ������م ت� �ع��لي��ه � �م او ��ل�ا ا �ج� ّ�ر�ا * ا �و �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫�ب���� �غ� ن� ت� ��ل�ه ا �غ� �ن�ي ��ة ج�ب����س�ي ��ة * ك�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ئ ت �ف �ز ف ا ف‬ ‫� �م�ن �ذ �� � ا ن �ف� ا ني�ن � ظ �� ي�ن ق ا � ��‬ ‫ل��ك� �من�ه�م�ا‬ ‫�ه� د �ي �� او ��� عي��م�� ��ي��� �ل � �ل �‬ ‫��س� � ار � ��ى �� �� �عر�و��س * و‬ ‫ل�ك � ي�‬

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‫‪106‬‬

‫‪٣٫٥٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫٥٫٢‬‬

A Description of Cairo (1)

are utterly without such things. Another is that its water in no way resembles its bread, which they call ʿaysh, for the first is sweet while the second is worthless. Another is that its scholars are scholars, its jurisprudents jurisprudents, its poets poets, its profligates profligates, its lechers lechers. Another is that its women walk sometimes on the ground like other women and sometimes on the ceiling or the walls.83 Another is the treatment of the feminine as masculine and of the mas-

2.5.3

culine as feminine,84 even though its people are masters of scholarship (and what masters too!). Another is that, in their bathhouses, they constantly recite a sura or two of the Qurʾan that mention “glasses” and “those who pass around with them,” so that one emerges in a state of simultaneous ritual purity and impurity.85 More amazing still, many of the city’s men have no hearts, such men substituting for them two pairs of shoulders, two backs, four hands, and four legs.86 And further, many of the girls who launder their shifts in the channels of the Nile, make them, once washed, into turbans, which they place on top of their heads; then they walk about stark naked. Another is that a tribe of them once heard that women in China use—or, more accurately, have used upon them—iron forms to reduce the size of their feet to below that of the norm, so they took to lopping off their fingers in the belief that if the hand has only four fingers, it will work more dexterously and be more useful to its owner.87 This was despite the fact that they have no custom of covering their fingers and palms that would impose additional expense on them, unlike Franks, who leave no limb uncovered, either out of a desire to magnify the glory of those and show them off, or to guard against infection. In addition to these (to these curiosities, that is, not these limbs), girls employed in public works to carry bricks, plaster, dirt, mud, stones, lumber, and so on, do so on their heads, and do so joyfully, energetically, gallopingly, canteringly, cantabulatingly, celebratorily, and merrily, not sighingly, dejectedly, stumblingly, sinkingly, frowningly, or weepily. She to whose lot fall bricks will compose for them a brickish mawwāl or, if plaster, will sing to it a plastery song, as though walking in a bridal procession. And further, there are there two great offices, each called the Domestic Services Office. The first is presided over by a man and provides men with whatever they

107

107

2.5.4

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫م �ّ‬ ‫ف ا � ن � ا � �ق ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ز � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ����د � ا ن ال� خ‬ ‫�ه �ل��لر ج��ا �ل �م�ا ��ي��ل�ز �م�ه�م �لت�ب��ر�ي��د �ر�ش���هم�‬ ‫ل ي ��و �‬ ‫��د �م�ى * �� �ل��د �ي �� او � ا �ل� �و�ل ي�م�ه ر ج���ل ي ج �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ز ��له� �م�ا‬ ‫�م�ن �ه�و * � او ��ل��د �ي �� او ن� ا ��لث��ا ���نى �و�ه�و د � �ون�ه ���فى ا � �لق��د ر � او ��ل ش����ا ن� �ي��مت��ه ا �م ار �ة ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ا� ا ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ل�ز � ��ل��ت���خ‬ ‫�س ن‬ ‫ن ش � � ن � ا � �ع‬ ‫��م ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫مه‬ ‫ى * �و��د �ص� ر �ل� �‬ ‫�ي���ه�م �م ��هى * � او ��ص�ل �م������ى ا �ل�د �ي �� او � ا �ل� �و�ل ج �‬ ‫�ي � �م‬ ‫�ن � ش ة � ا �ة ن �‬ ‫ح� ث� ا �ن�� ��ل�ا �ت�ز ا �� �ت��س�م� �ذ�� � ث�ن�آ � �ف ��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع �ب�� ك�ره � او �ل� � ء �ع�لي��ه ��ى �ك��ل‬ ‫�م ا �ل����هر� � او �ل�بن�� �ه� �ع��د ا �ل�عرب� ب�ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا خ‬ ‫���ل� �م ن��ه ��م��ل�� ا �ن�� ا � �غ� ن��� ا � ا د � * � �م�ن �ذ ��ل��ك ا ن� ا ��ل�� ��ن � ���ط��ة �ف��ه�ا‬ ‫�م�ق��ا � �و �ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب ري ي�‬ ‫�� د ي� و‬ ‫ج س س و و ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت غ ظ � �ت���ض‬ ‫��ت‬ ‫�ت ن ��ت� ظ ��‬ ‫ف ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� * �و�����ل��� �و ���� * � �و�����س� � �و� �� �‬ ‫��مى �و ع��‬ ‫طو�ل �و��عر��ض� �وع� �م� * �� ا را ��ي �‬ ‫�ه� �ع��ل�ى را ��س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ش ن �ة ق ا � � ف ا ا ق ��ث ا ن �ت‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ق � �� ف‬ ‫ح��س��ت‬ ‫��� ت� ا ��ج�ع‬ ‫��ل�ا ���س�ه�ا �‬ ‫�� �و� * �� �ل ا � �ل�� ر�� �� �وك���ي�را �م� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ب� �م�ن �ل��ك � او ��و�ل * ك�ي ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫��ص �ف‬ ‫� �� � � �م� �ة ا �لض �ة � �ذ �ة‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ى ا �ل�ا � ك�‬ ‫م��ا � � �وب��د ا �ل��ل�عي��ا � ا � �مث���ل �ه��ذه ا لر�و س ا �ل�د يم� * �‬ ‫����ي���ل� ا �ل�� �يم�م� *‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�َ ي�ن �ة ال�مُ��ل� �ة ا �ل� ت ن� ة ا � ش ئ �ة ا �ل� ت �ق �ذ ة � ّ �ة‬ ‫�ة � ئ �ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫هو�ع� *‬ ‫� ��سي����س� ا �ل�� يل��م� * ا�لم�ه� � يم� * م��س��� ك‬ ‫��ر� �لم��� ��و�م� * م��س��� ر� ا�لم� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� ت‬ ‫� ت �ذ � �ة ا � س�ت ش �ة �ت ق ّ‬ ‫�س����ق�� �ة ا �ل� ت ف� ��ظ �� �ة الم��س��ت���سم �ة ا �ل�م��س��ت ش �ة‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫ام� بح� م��س��� �ع� *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � �ن � �� �ة � ف ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�صر �وكب��‬ ‫���ر�ه�ا ا ��ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل �‬ ‫مق��د ا ر* �و��د‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا �لب� را �ي� ��ط ا �ل ك‬ ‫م��ر�م� * �وك��ي ��� ا ��م�ا �ه�ا �ه� �و �م�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫� � ا �ت ا �ز ن �ن ا ��ف �ة ا �� �ف�لَ ا ش‬ ‫ة � �ف ش‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ط�ا �ل�م�ا ك�‬ ‫ر ��� *‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ��ى �ب�ل�ا د�ه�ا �ل� ���س�ا �و�ى ��ا ر �ور� ا � �ل ار ��� * و �ل� ��و � � �ور ‪1‬‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ص ��ا �ن�ا �ه�ا ��ا �م�� �ه�ا ��ا �ت ا ��ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ف ��ا ن ت ن ا‬ ‫���ا ��ل��تر� ف��ا � ب�ص�� ت ن ا��ا � ت‬ ‫ي رب �‬ ‫�وك�ي ��� ك�� ��� �ه�� ك ك� ب‬ ‫ح� �ه�� ك�� �ل�ب��ر* �ي� �ه� �و �م� ر ي ر ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ص�ّ� � ���ط �� �ش��� �ه��ذ ا � ��ن‬ ‫�ف ض‬ ‫�نا‬ ‫ح��س�ن �من ا ن‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �‬ ‫بر� ���ط��ة � او ن� �ي��‬ ‫ي رى بر�و ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� �ع��د ا لله � او �ل�� ��س � او �����ل * � او ج���ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ �ذ‬ ‫� ا �مث�� * � ��ل��ل�ع��ي�ن‬ ‫ط�ق * � �و�ا �ج�ل‬ ‫�ك�م��ل * �و�ع��ل� ا �ل ار ��س ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��س� ا �ل�ي �ق� * �و��ي�ر �ى‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و �ل و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫تّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ن ش ا �ق‬ ‫�مق * � ُر �ز �ق� �ع��ل ا � ت �ز ق ق ا � � �‬ ‫�قر�و ن� �ت�م�� �لق� �ل�ت�ت��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ه� �ل��ر �� * �� �ل ل��م �ي����غ�ن �ع��ى ا �ل��د � ء ����ي � �و ب����ى را ��س�ى‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫��آ‬ ‫�ُ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ك �ف��ه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� ء ا �ل�مه�ا ك���‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�م ��طر� ش����ا * �و ��طر�� د �هر�ى �م ��طر����� * �و�م �ل��ك ا � ��و�م� �م ا �ل�ه ك‬ ‫�� ك� � ي ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ا ن ا ��ث �ة ف �ت ا �ه ت�� ف�ّ ف� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ي�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح� �ه� �و ا �‬ ‫ي���م �و� � �و��ر��� �عو� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �مو� � او � ا �لب��را ��� �ع��ل�ى �مورد �لِ� �� ي�� * �� ر �م ��يح� ��و�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�� ن � �� �ز � �ز � ن � � ��ا ���م ن � �ه� ا �� خ ق‬ ‫� � ه ن ت ا �ز ن ��‬ ‫� ��� �ل� ا لله * �و�م�ن �ل��ك‬ ‫���ل�و� � �وي���ب�� �و� �و�ي��و �ك�و �ك�و� وي�و و و� �يو ب �و� و م ب‬ ‫يو� ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن �لض���ا �� ��� ا �ل��� �د �ش ف‬ ‫�ذ � � ن ا‬ ‫�ق���ة �ز ا �ئ��د�ة �ع��ل ا �ه��له�ا ��ت��ق � �م�ن � � � �ظ �� �‬ ‫��� �‬ ‫� � ب ط ب ل�‬ ‫�ى � رب‬ ‫ح�د ا ل ل��م * �و �ل�ك ا ��ه �ي� �مر‬ ‫� � ا�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ي�ن ��ف ��� �ق ا ��ل ً�ا ا ن ت خ� �ذ � �ف‬ ‫��ا ن ت � �ة ق ة‬ ‫�ج �مي��‬ ‫��� � او �ل�ه� �� او �ن�ي����س � او � ك�� ��‬ ‫� ا �ل��لي���ل� �م���مر� *‬ ‫�ه� ي��ل � ��ي‬ ‫ع ا �ل��س� �ل��ك� �ى طر �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ة‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ن�ا �ور�‪.‬‬

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‫‪٥٫٥٫٢‬‬

‫‪٦٫٥٫٢‬‬

A Description of Cairo (1)

need to cool their beds by way of hes, the second, of lower standing and status, is presided over by a woman and provides them with whatever they need to warm them up by way of shes. The founder of the first is of Persian origin and has now became so well-known and respected among the Arabs that you hear him mentioned with praise everywhere, and hardly a social, musical, or literary gathering is without his presence. And further, the Frankish bonnet grows there and expands, gets thicker

2.5.5

and huger, widens and lengthens and broadens and deepens to the point that, when you see one on its wearer’s head, you think it must be a grain silo. Said the Fāriyāq, “I often used to wonder at this and say, ‘How came it to be considered right and proper, or seem acceptable to the eye, that heads so misshapen, meager, and miserable, so vile and contemptible, so ignominious and meet to be condemned, so strange and so ill-omened, so evocative of filth and so emetic, so ugly to look at and so pathetic, so disgusting and repulsive, despicable and convulsive, should bear these most noble bonnets? And how could the air of Cairo have made them develop so and grow, when as long as they were in their own countries they weren’t worth a bottle of bubbles or a fountain of frittilaries? And how can it be that there they were like dust, and here they’ve been metathesized into diamonds? O air, fire, water, dust of Cairo, turn this tarbush of mine into a Frankish bonnet (even if the former be better and of greater élan in the sight of God and man, more imposing and correct, to the eye more brilliant and perfect, to the head better fitted, to the body better suited, not equipped with horns that truckle for tucker and that the birds have to shit on if you’re to find succor)!’ But my cry helped not at all—the tarbush was on my head to stay, fate had turned to look the other way.” And further, a tribe of craving catamites there dress and talk like women and “veil their beards”88 to keep them out of sight, jostling at the watering hole of femininity those who wear such veils by right, plucking out their facial hair, making eyes at men, dressing to the nines, mincing, tittupping, and speaking in sugary whines, though they are the ugliest of God’s creatures. And further, the city’s police chief is so solicitous of its people’s welfare that it amounts almost to tyranny, for he commands everyone who walks its highways by night to have with him a lantern, even if the night is moonlit, out of

109

109

2.5.6

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫�ق � ن �ة ف ق � �ف‬ ‫خ� ��ف �ةَ ن ث ش �ف‬ ‫ّ �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط او ��ى �ه�و�ة ا �و�ج� ب� ��ت�ن ك‬ ‫� ي�� ا � �ي��ع��ر � او ب�����ى ��ى ا �� �س او � ا�لم�د ��ي �� �ي����س�� �� �‬ ‫له�م ا �و‬ ‫����سرا ر ج��� �‬ ‫� �ن ُ � � ًا � ف �ن �غ �ذ‬ ‫�ت ن �قّ � ن ا �ق‬ ‫� �ن � �‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫� ��د � ا ع��‬ ‫�ه� * �و م �و ج��د �لي��ل� �ي� �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫طو�� �م ��ي�ر �و�ى ا �لب��را �ي� ��ط �و�لي����س ب��ي��ده �� � ��و��س‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ق ��‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫�� ن ق‬ ‫�غُ �ّ ت‬ ‫ح��� * � او ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫حب���ل ا ��ل�ى � �‬ ‫وت��د *‬ ‫��ل� ر ج��ل�ه ا ل�ى �ي��ده * � �وي��ده ا ل�ى �ع ����ه * �و�ع ����ه ا ل�ى � ب ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� ئ � � ن�� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ئ� ���ط * � او ��ل‬ ‫� او � �ل �وت��د ا �ل�ى �‬ ‫ح�ا �� ��ط ا �ل�ى ��ا ك�ر �و�ن��ك�ي�ر * � �و��ص��لي�� ��س�ع�ي�ر* �و�م�ن �ل��ك ا �‬ ‫ا �ف � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫��ل� ن� َ‬ ‫ح نّ��ا‪� 1‬ف�‬ ‫حر�و�ف� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل�ا �ه� * �و�ل�ه� �‬ ‫ل��ا �ب� �ل�ا �ي��عرف��ه ا �‬ ‫ح�ر�و� ن��ا �ه��ذه‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ��س��ل� �وب� ��ى ا � ك��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫بى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � � ا � ت ف ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ا �ن�ه�ا �ل�ا ��ت��ق ا ا �ل�ا ا �ذ ا ا د خ��� ا ا ن ا ن �ف ي�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ن�ه‬ ‫له� ا �ل� ���س� � ��ى �ع� �ه ك�� �ل�ك ر �ي �‬ ‫�ه�م ��ي���ع��ل�و� * �و�م �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف �ي�ز �‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �م�ا ت� �من‬ ‫ح ن �ع��ل��ه �‬ ‫�ه� ا �‬ ‫ح�ت � ���ؤ � � ا �ل�ه‬ ‫ح��د �� �ا ا � ا ��ه ا�لم� ت� � ن��د � �� �ن�ه � ��ي�ن� ��‬ ‫ل ل �ل ي �ي ب و و و و� ي ى ي و ب ي� �م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ص�ا �ئ�� ا ض‬ ‫���ا ا ن ا ��ل�غ���ا ث‬ ‫ط��ه �م�ل��آ ن� �م�ن ا �ل���ط ّ�خ� * �و�م�ن خ�‬ ‫� �ب��ه�ا ي���س�ت����سر*‬ ‫�ص�ه� ا �ي�� � ب‬ ‫�و �و �� ب‬ ‫ير‬ ‫� ّ تن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س�� �ص�ق � ا ��ل ن ا ق �ة �ت��ست���� � ا ��ل‬ ‫� ا �� ��ذ � ا �� ت‬ ‫�� ش‬ ‫ر* و �� ��‬ ‫ح��� ي���س��م�هر* � او �ل�هر ي���س����مر* ب� ش���ر ��ط‬ ‫و ل� ب� ب� ي‬ ‫ب عر* و�ج‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن �ذ �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫� نا ت �‬ ‫���ل� ���ة ا ��ل ا �ن ا‬ ‫���ث�� ا �م�ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ه��ذه ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ن� �ت��‬ ‫�ه� �م �ب�ل� د ب���عي��د� * �و�م �ل��ك ا � ك� ي ر‬ ‫ح�ي � او �� � جم وب ي�‬ ‫� ا ن ن ث �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك��ث �عن�ه�ا ا ��له�م � � ا � ا��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ر ���فى ا �ل ار ��س �ي��‬ ‫له� �ير �و� ا � ك��‬ ‫���ر�ة ا �ل�ا �ف ك�‬ ‫و �ل� ك��د ا ر ا �و �ب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ه� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت � �‬ ‫ت � �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن � ق � �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ك��ا ا � ا �لر ج���ل ا �ل��‬ ‫� او � ا �ل�ع����ل ا �ل��‬ ‫طو���ل �ي��� ن��ا �و�ل ا �لب��عي��د‬ ‫طو���ل �ي��� ن��ا �و�ل ا �لب��عي��د �م�ن ا �ل� � �مور*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن �ت � � ���ث‬ ‫��ف � ا ق ا �‬ ‫� ث �غ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ذ ا ا �� ��� �� � � �� �ق‬ ‫طول �مو�ج ب� ل��‬ ‫�م�ن ا �ل��مر �و��ي�ره * � او � ��لك ا �ل��ك� ر� ��سب�� ب� �ى ا �ل� ��ل� �ل * �و�ه� ل �‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ��ا ��ل * � ا � د � ا �ع�� �ذ ��ل��ك � ا ي�ن‬ ‫ة ق ا � ن � ق �ف � ��ا ��ن‬ ‫بر �ه�� ��س�د �ي��د� * �� � �ل او ا � ا �ل�ع����ل ��ى ا �ل ار ��س ك�� �ل �ور‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و ور و ل�ى‬ ‫� ا � فآ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���فى ا � �فل��ت�ي ��ل��ة * ��م�ا د ا � ا �ل�ن�ور � �موق��د ا ف��ل�ا �ب��د � او ن� ��ت ن ��ف��د ا � �فل��ت�ي ��ل��ة �و �ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫�ك�ن ا �ب ��ق��ا �و�ه�ا ا �ل� �ب�ا ��ط���� ء‬ ‫م‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫��ا ��آ ��ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا �ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ا �ل�ن�ور* ا �و ك�� �لم� �ى ا � �ل او د �ى * �� ا د ا �م ا�لم� ج�� ر�ي� ��ل� �ب��د � او � ��ي ��‬ ‫�� ب� ا �و ��ي �� ب‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل� �ف ُ‬ ‫�كي���� * ��م�ا د ا � ا �ل�م�ف���ل�� ا �ى �ص�ا �‬ ‫���ا � �لف���ل�و��س ��ى ا ��ل��‬ ‫ح��ق�ن ب�����ق * ا �و ك�‬ ‫�ى ب�‬ ‫حر ��م��تى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ا ن �ت �‬ ‫ع�ن ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ن ف ق ن فن ا ن‬ ‫ا � �ل���ل�و��س ي��م�د �ي��ده ا �ل�ى ك�ي����س�ه � ��يو �� ��� �م��ه ��ى �م� �ع��ده * ا �ل� ا � �بر� ��ط �ي��ده � ا �ل��كي����س ا �و‬ ‫ف ا ن �ذ‬ ‫� ن ا �ز‬ ‫�ن�ز �ن�ز �ف ت ا ة‬ ‫� � �� ع�ن‬ ‫��ا � ت‬ ‫ح��ا �ت�ه‬ ‫�ير� ��ط ا �ل��كي����س � �ي��ده * ا �و ك�� �ل�ي����س ا �ل�� �ى * �� ��ه ا ا د ا �م �وه �� �م� د� �ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��‬ ‫ف ا �ن ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ث‬ ‫��� � �ق �ة ���ت ��ق �ف � ا ن ا ��� �ق ��ف � ا ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ه * ��م�ن �� ا �‬ ‫�ه��ل�ك ��ل� �ب��د �م ج� �‬ ‫�صط��ل�‬ ‫حوا �ع��ل�ى طر�ي�� ل �وي�� �ج �ري� � لع���ل �ى مي��د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش� �ن �ل�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ح ش�������ش‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ح��ا ن� ��لي�ت ��و�ر �ل�ه� ��ى ��ي�ره * �و �ل��ك ب����رب� ��ى �م ا �‬ ‫ا ��ل��د �م�ا�غ �‬ ‫ح�ي�ن �ا �م�ن ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ح ن���ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪ِ :1855  1‬‬

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‫‪٧٫٥٫٢‬‬

‫‪٨٫٥٫٢‬‬

A Description of Cairo (1)

fear lest they trip over something in one of the city’s marketplaces and fall into a hole or a pit and their legs be broken or their necks crushed. If anyone, other than someone wearing a Frankish hat, be found roaming around at night without a lantern in his hand, his foot is shackled to his hand, his hand to his neck, his neck to a rope, the rope to a peg, the peg to a wall, and the wall to Nākir and Nakīr, to the roasting of hellfire. And further, the Sons of Ḥannā89 there have a way of writing that is known to none but themselves90 and have letters like our own but which can be read only if one holds them within an inch of one’s face, as I have seen them do. Another is that, when one of them dies, his family wails and keens over him in the hope that he will return to them, his milkskin filled with cured fish fry.91 A further curiosity of the place is that ignoble birds there may pretend to be mighty eagles,92 flies hawks, cow-camels bull-camels, donkey foals oryxes, and cats tigers—provided only that these animals have been imported from distant lands. Further, many of its inhabitants believe that many thoughts in the head

2.5.7

lead to many worries and vexations and vice versa, that the mind that ponders at length grasps the distant matter in the same manner that the tall man grasps the distant fruit, etc., that such abundance is a cause of destitution and such prolonged cogitation results in a shorter life. They adduce many pertinent proofs for this, saying that the mind is to the head as the light to the wick: if the light is left burning, the wick will be used up, and the latter can be preserved only if the former is extinguished; or that it’s like the water in a water course: if the water keeps flowing, it must inevitably either soak into the ground or empty into the sea, but when it’s contained it remains; or like money in a purse: so long as the exiguously monied one (meaning the owner of the money)93 keeps putting his hand into the purse and spending, what he has will disappear (unless he tie down his hand so it can’t reach the purse, or the purse so it can’t reach his hand); or like a leaping billy goat: if he keeps on leaping, his vital juices will leak out and he will perish, so that a thong must be tied from his willy to his belly to prevent him from mounting the female. Consequently, they have agreed among themselves on a method of halting the flow of the mind through the open arena of the brain at certain times so that it will be available to them at others, the method in question being to

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2.5.8

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�� ��س ه �ف�ي�ن � ت ا ��‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ه� �مو� �و�‬ ‫ط �ون�ه ��ت غ��ي� ب� �‬ ‫��غ���ه ا �و �ب�ا �لن ظ� ���را �لي��ه ا �و �ب�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا �و ب��مض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫مي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل ا � �ة ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت ��ل ا � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��ا ن� * ��م�ن �ير��ه �ع��ل� �ه��ذه ا �‬ ‫ح�زا ن� * �و ر�ق��� ا �ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��سر�ور* �و ��و�ى �ل�‬ ‫ح� �ل� �ود � �لو‬ ‫�ي ص‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫خ �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ك�ن ق ا ض� ا �� �ق ض ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت �ف �ز ت‬ ‫ُ�ي ك‬ ‫��� ب� ��ى �م �ر��ه� � �وي��د ���ل ��ى د ا ئ�ر���ه� � او � �ي�� �� ��ى ل��‬ ‫���ا � * �و�م�ن �ل��ك ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ق � ا � �غ �ة � ا ل�‬ ‫�ّ����ة * �ف��ن�����غ ���� �ا ئ� �ف� �ا ا �ذ ا ا � �ا �م��ق �����ة ا ن خ‬ ‫��ط � �ا � �ت�ز ا � ��ا �ص� ��ا � �� ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫��� ��له�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫س‬ ‫�ه �ل ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب � ي ل�ى �‬ ‫ر ي�‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫ب �ل ب �ل‬ ‫ي ب �ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق � ن ش ا �ع�ن ا ا ��ز �ف‬ ‫ا �ل��طر� ��ق� * ا �ْو �ل�ا ف��ل�ا �ي�ا �م�ن ا ن� ��ي ف� �‬ ‫�ق��د ا �‬ ‫�ه� ل �‬ ‫ح�ا � �� او �ئ��د‬ ‫ح��د �ى �عي���ي��ه * �و��د ي�������‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ��لت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح�� �� ا�ل�م ا � ا �ل �� ��س� ر� �م� ا �م�ه� ��‬ ‫عه� �م �م‬ ‫� ر �عر��س ا �‬ ‫�ك��ا ��ى � ك�‬ ‫له� *‬ ‫ح �ض‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫�ه� �� ��ط� �ل� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬

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A Description of Cairo (1)

smoke, chew, contemplate, or talk about, hashish, for when they consume it, care takes off and pleasure advances, grief turns its back and the whole place dances. Any who sees them in this state longs to be registered among their company and entered among their constituency, be he even the chief judge. And further, its roads are ever packed with loaded camels, and, if anyone walking them sees one coming, he has to make way; if he doesn’t, there’s no guarantee he won’t lose an eye. This crowding may bring with it good things, as in the case of the woman who went with her mother to attend her sister’s wedding: the rise in her fortunes came from her setting herself down.94

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‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص� ا ��ل���س�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ل�ا �ش�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يڡ ى‬ ‫�ت ف ا �ذ‬ ‫خ �ذ �ف‬ ‫��ن ت ا �� �ن �� � ف ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�صر ا ��س�‬ ‫��د ك��� ��‬ ‫ظ�ن ا ��ى �ترك� ت� ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� � او ��� ت� ��ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫� �� ا �ه�و ��هى ا �و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫� � ن ن‬ ‫� ث ��ف ظ ��� �ه��ذ ا ا �� ف�ل���ص ا �� ���ي�ز �ق��ل�� �ا ��ا ��ن ف� � �ع�ن‬ ‫ا �ي�ا �ه�ا * �ي���ب���غ�ى �ل�ى ا �ل�ا � ا � ا � ك‬ ‫�ل ل�و ج‬ ‫م��� �ى ���ل‬ ‫ي ل �ل � �ض� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ث �ق ن‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫� ب��ا ر ا �لت��ع ب� �� ا ��و� ا � �ش���ا ا لله ��ع�ا �ل�ى *‬ ‫م م‬

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‫‪١٫٦٫٢‬‬

Chapter 6

Nothing

I had thought that, if I abandoned the Fāriyāq and set about describing Cairo, I’d find rest, but the second turned out to be just like the first, or, to put it differently, the vice was the same as the versa. I must now therefore sit myself down a while in the shade of this short chapter to brush off the dust of my labors. Then I shall arise once more, should the Almighty so allow.

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115

2.6.1

‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�ل ا �ل���س�ا ب���‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫� �و�‬ ‫���ص�� ��م�صر‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا �ل� � ن �ة ا ��ل��س�ع ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ح�ا �م�د ا لله �ش���ا ك��‬ ‫� ا * �ف�ا �ي�ن ا �� �لق�ل��� � او ��ل��د � او �ة �‬ ‫�ق�د ��م ت� �‬ ‫ي��د�‬ ‫ح�تى ا �ص�� �ه��ذه م�د �ي ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫��ل � ة ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�� �م�ن �آ�ه�ا * ��ا �ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� � * ا �ه��له�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ير و‬ ‫��د �ير� �ب� �لم�دح� �م �ك��ل ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫اج‬ ‫�ل � ب‬ ‫ل و رم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ح�ز�ي�ن �ع�ن‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه� �م�ن ا ��لر�ق��ة �م�ا �ي� �غ� ن�� ا ��ل‬ ‫طف� � او د ب� � او �‬ ‫ح��س�ا ن� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�غ� ر�� ب� * �و���فى ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �و �ل�� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن �ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ي �وك ف���ق��د ا �‬ ‫ا �لت� ��طر�� ب� * ا ا �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ي �وك * � او � ��س� �م� او �ع�لي��ك ����د ��س� �م�وك * � او � ا ر �وك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن �ز ت ��ف‬ ‫� �ف ض ا �ع�ن �م ا �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ل�‬ ‫��و � ا ل�ى ر � �‬ ‫ج�� �ل��س�ه� *‬ ‫�ص�د �وره� ��‬ ‫حوا �ل�ك �‬ ‫�ه� * � او � ر���ه� �‬ ‫ا د �وك � �‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫فا ت ف‬ ‫ق ن ت ش ��ف �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �م�ا �ع��ل�م�ا �و�ه�ا �ف�ا ن� �م�د �‬ ‫حه�م �د ا �������ر �ى ا �ل� � � * �و � � �ر�م ��س� او ه� �و � � * �ب��هم�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش ا ش �ة �‬ ‫�ك�ن � ا � غ �ة ��ف‬ ‫�ن �ي�ن �‬ ‫ا�ا‬ ‫��ا ن�� � �ق��ة ا ��ل���ط�� خ ف‬ ‫� نا‬ ‫���� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م �ل�� ا ج�ل ب� ور‬ ‫���ح� �وب����� ���� ا �ل�و ج��ه �م� �ل� ي��م� ا �لمب�� �ل��� �ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع �و� � �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � � �ل ق � ه �آ � ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ا ���ط ا �ئ�ه * �و�� �‬ ‫���ا � �م�ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى ا و�‬ ‫ل��ك�ل � ��و �م�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ع ن��د �ه� ا ك��ر �ي� �ي �� ب� ��س�و ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� خم ا �� � ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ن ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ي�ر�ه� * �ورب��م�ا ��ا �� ب �‬ ‫ط�هم�‬ ‫ط�و�ه�م �ب �� ��و�ل�ه�م �ي� ��س�ي �د �ى �و �ل� ي���س������ك ��و� �م �ي� ر���ه�م �و�� ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ �ا �ف ا �� ا ة ا �ل� �ل ي�ن ��ف � � ا � ش ا � �ة‬ ‫� �ذ � � �� ا �� ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م�ع�ا ��� �ر��ه� ��ل � ل�ع� د� م��س� �م�� �ى ا �ل�د �ي� ر ا �ل���� مي�� * �وب�� �ل�ك ل�ه� ل����‬ ‫�ل �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا نّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ��‬ ‫�ق �ة �� ��‬ ‫� �ز ��ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�� ا �مر �مرك��و �ى �ج �مي��‬ ‫�غ��ي�ر�ه� * �وك�� � �ه��ذه ا�ل� �� �و �هى ح��س ا �ل�� �ور � ا ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع ا ��ه�ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ض ا � خ ا � ق �ة � ا � �ة �� �ف‬ ‫ا ��ل��ل ه �ة ّ‬ ‫فا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ج�� �ب�� ا ك�‬ ‫ل��ل� � ��س ��‬ ‫�صر* � � �ل�ع� �م‬ ‫��� �� � �ل�� �و ج�� �م�ل� * � ك�‬ ‫له� ي�ص�‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ي��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و �م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫م �يرع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � �ف ا �� �ة � �‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫��ر�ه� ي��مي���ل ا ��ل�ى �ه� ا ا �ل�ن�و ا ��ل���ذ �ى ي���س�م� �ون�ه‬ ‫ح��ة * � او ك��‬ ‫�ك�ه� � او�لم��ط�ا ر�‬ ‫�وا ب� * �‬ ‫ح�ل�و ا�لم��‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ن ق ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ن ال�م ا �ز ة � ف ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ة تش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س�� ب� �و�ه�و ا ���ب��ه �ب� �ل� �‬ ‫ح� �ج �ى *‬ ‫ا �ل� � ��� ��ط * �وك�� ��ه ج�� ر� �و �هى �م��� �ك�ه� ����ب��ه ا �ل ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �ف �‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫�ه� �م ن��ه �ش���ي �ا � او ن� �ي��‬ ‫�ف�ا ن� �م�ن �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ن��ه ا ن� ��ي ف�‬ ‫�ك�ن �ش���ا �ع ا‬ ‫�ك�ن �ق�د �ت��د ر ب� �ي��ه �ل�ا ي� ك‬ ‫ر*‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫‪116‬‬

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‫‪١٫٧٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٫٧٫٢‬‬

Chapter 7

A Description of Cairo

I am risen to my feet once more, praising and thanking God. Now, where are

2.7.1

my pen and inkwell, that I may describe this happy city, which deserves the eulogies of all who behold it, for it is the home of good things, the motherlode of bounty and magnanimity? Its people are refined, cultured, and kind to the stranger, and there’s such amiability in their speech that the grief-struck of getting any sadder need never be in danger. When they hail you, they regale you. When they salute you, they save you. After they’ve visited you, you can’t wait to see them once more, and when you visit them, they open to you their hearts, to say nothing of their door. As for their scholars, praise of them has spread to every quarter, leaving the rest dead in the water. In fact, their geniality, natural delicacy, modesty, and welcoming mien cannot be over-extolled, while, for every condition of men among them, there is an appropriate respectful salute, be they Christians or others. The latter address the former as “My Master,” and have no aversion to visiting them, mixing with them, or keeping company with them, in contrast with the custom of the Muslims of the Levant, and this a virtue to be credited to their account as against others. It seems that these traits, of high moral character and natural delicacy, are things ingrained in all the people of Cairo, for their common folk too are good-natured and courteous. All of them are eloquent and articulate, quickthinking and good at pleasant joking and joshing. Most have a liking for the kind of jokes they call anqāṭ, which are something like mujārazah, which is “a kind of joking back and forth that resembles mutual abuse,”95 and are almost a kind of puzzle, for anyone not trained in them will find it impossible to understand the slightest thing about them, even if he’s a poet.

117

117

2.7.2

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫�‬ ‫�َ َ � َ‬ ‫هو � او ��خل‬ ‫ح� ا �ل��س�م�ا � او ��ل��‬ ‫��ل�ا �ع��ة �و�غ� ن��ا �و�ه� ا ��ش�ج��� �م�ا �ي��‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫���� � �‬ ‫�ك�و ن� * ف��ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫�ك�ن �لِم�ن اِ� �لف��ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫له�م ي ب‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ آ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ��ت ن �� ق ع�ن � ا �ز ف‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ع ������مه�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ن� �ي� ��طرب� ب��غ���ي�ره * �وك��‬ ‫�� ��ل��ك � �ل�ا �ت��ه� ف��ا �ن��ه�ا �ت ك�‬ ‫�� د �� �‬ ‫ط� � ا �ل�ع� �� �ب��ه� * � او � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫قّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ف�ن‬ ‫� رب� ا �ل� �عود ��طر�� �و� �و� ك�‬ ‫�ع ن��د �ه� �ه�و ا �ل� �عود �و���ل ا �ع�ت�ن �� �و�ه� �ب�ا �ل ن�� �ى * �و�ل�ه� ��ى �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ �ن ُ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ت� �� ف �ظ �� �ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ت � ن‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�و� �م ا�لم��ي�ب�� � * ��ي�ر ا ��ى ا � �م � ن�� ���ه� ����ي � � او �‬ ‫��رر �ل���‬ ‫ح�دا * � �ه� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫و و �ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د�ة �م�ن ���� ت� ا �و � �مّ ا ��ل �م ا را �مت��ع�دد�ة �‬ ‫�ق��د ا ��ل��س�ا �م� ��ل���ذ �ة �م�عن��ى ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح�تى ��ي ف� �‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � *‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫بي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ك�ن ��ث ا � ن �ذ � � �ن � ت � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ � � �� ق �ة‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫�و�ل�� ا ك���ر �م� �ي��ك�و� �ل�ك �م ا �لم� �� �‬ ‫طف���ل��ي�ن �ع��ل� ا � �ل��ف�ن * �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�غ آ‬ ‫� �ي�ز � ن ن ا��ا ن ت � ق �ة �‬ ‫�ف � ا �‬ ‫ف��ا ن� � ن��� �ه� ا �ش��ب��ه �ب�ا ��ل��ت �ر�تي���ل * �و ه� ع� �مو� ا ���ه� ك�� ��� ��‬ ‫ط �ر��� ا �ل�عرب� ��ى ا �ل� �ن��د �ل��س *‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫مو� �لود ��ى �ب�ل� د ا �ل� ��س�ل� � ا �ل ن�� جه‬ ‫��� �م�� �ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�م�م�ا �ي���ب���غ�ى ا � �ي�� ك�ر �ه ن�� ا � ا �ل��ص� ر�ى ا �ل �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫��ف ا �� ف� ا � �ة � ا‬ ‫ا�لم��س��ل�م��ي�ن ��ى ا �ل�ع�ا د ا ت� � او �ل� خ��ل�ا �� �ه� ا �ب��د ا د �و�ن��ه� �ى ل��ص�‬ ‫ح� � او �ل� د ب� � او �ج �‬ ‫�م�ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ف ��لت‬ ‫��� �ة � � �ة � � �ة �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ة � ا ��ل ص�ن �ا ���ئ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل��ا ��س� � او � ظل��� ار ف�� � او �لن �ظ� ���ا ف�� * ا �ل�ا ا �ن��ه� ا ���� ��ط �م‬ ‫� او كي��‬ ‫�ه� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل��س� ر � او ج� ر و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫�ذ � ن �‬ ‫��ق ن ا �ة‬ ‫�ت � � ا � � ق �ة‬ ‫�ث ق‬ ‫� او ك����ر ا ��د ا �م�ا �و ج���ل��د ا �ع��ل�ى ��ع�ا ��ط�ى ا �ل� �ع�م�ا �ل ا �ل ش����ا �� * �و �ل��ك ا � ا�لم��س��ل�م��ي�ن ا ��ه�ل �� �ع�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ظ � �� ت خ� ا �ذ � � ا �‬ ‫�خ � ن �ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ح�ي���ة * �و��ق� ��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�و �ه�د �و��ى ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى ش���ره �ع ���ي�� ا ل�ى ا‬ ‫�ي���ل ا �ل�ج�� �بي�� *‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫�� ا �ل�د �ي� ر ا �لر� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ��ن � �ن ال�مت‬ ‫� ا � ا ��لن �ف� �ة ا �ل� ت ا ا �� �ف ا �خ� � ا‬ ‫ح��ّد �� ه�ا * ف��ا �ذ ا د خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫م ��ل��ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و هر � ��س�ي � �وم�� ل�� ر �ل‬ ‫� او ج�ل�‬ ‫� ر � ر �ى‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫خ ا ي�ن ن� ش �ي�ن �ق �ة ��‬ ‫ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�غ� �م�ن ا �غ��� �م�ا‬ ‫�ص�� �ل�ل ب�ت�‬ ‫ب��م�‬ ‫�وا د �م �و�� د �م�� �و �‬ ‫�صر را ��ي ت� �ع ن��ده �ع�د� ��‬ ‫حو �ع���ر �� ب‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫ق ن ف ا �ن � ا �� � ث‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫���ل ا �ل�م�ي�ن ��ة * � �و�ث��ل ث�‪ 1‬غ��رف��ا ت� � �فم� ر�و�ش���ا ت� �ب�ا �‬ ‫�ه� �م ا �ل� را كي�‬ ‫�ي��ك�و� * �و��د ر ���ص� �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ة ا �� �ة‬ ‫�� ئ� �ة‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�ك� ن� �م�ن ا �� �لق��م�ا ��ش * � � ��ن ���ة �ف� ض� �ة � � � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح� * � او ��سر� �ع� لي��‬ ‫�م� �ي��و‬ ‫� وي‬ ‫��� �ل�ل���ط�ع� �م � او �ل��� ار ب� � او ل ار‬ ‫ت‬ ‫���د �ع ن��ده ك��ت�‬ ‫��ا ��ا * � �� �ل ا ن� �م ش�����ت ��ا‬ ‫� ���ط�ئ‬ ‫ي���ة � �و�ث��ا ��ا ف��ا �خ�ر�ة �و�غ��ي�ر �ذ ��ل��ك * �و�م� �ه��ذ ا ف��ل�ا ج�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن ض ا �ة � ن ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ش���ا ء ا ن� ي� ش�����تر�ى �ش���ي �ا �م�ن �ت�ا �ج�ر�م��سل��� � �لو ج���د ��س�عره ا ر خ�‬ ‫�ص ار �ى � ب�‬ ‫بر��‬ ‫��� �ع� ا �ل��‬ ‫���ص �م �ب��‬ ‫م‬ ‫آع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ك�ن �و ج�‬ ‫ا �ل�ث�م�ن * �و��ل��‬ ‫�ود �ه��ذه ا �ل ش��� ا‬ ‫ر �ه� ا ��م� �ه�و ��ى ا �ل��� �ل ب� �ع��د ا �ل��ص� ر�ى ا �ل� �ر� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �من‬ ‫ف��ا �م�ا ا �� �ل�قب� ���ط ف��ا �ن��ه� ا �ش����ه ��ا �لم��س��ل�م��ي�ن * �وق���ّ �م�ن ��ت�ع�ا ���ط� ال�مجت�‬ ‫�ه� * ا �م�ا د �و�ل� �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م ب ب‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن ت ��ف � ��ذ ة ا �� � ا � �ن ا � �ة ا �� �زّ ا �ل� خ‬ ‫� � � اولجم‬ ‫� � ا ��ل��‬ ‫ا ا ك ف��ا �ن��ه�ا ك�� ��� �ى ا �ل� ر �و� لع�لي�� م ا � �ه� � لع �‬ ‫���د *‬ ‫�ل ب � و و ر و كرم‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ث��ل ت‬ ‫��‪.‬‬

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‫‪٣٫٧٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫٧٫٢‬‬

‫‪٥٫٧٫٢‬‬

A Description of Cairo (2)

All of them love music, amusements, and license, and their singing is the

2.7.3

most tuneful possible; anyone who gets used to it finds that no other can move him. Similarly, their instruments seem almost to give tongue to the one who plays them, the most important being the lute, while they pay scant attention to the reed flute. They have methods and styles of playing the lute that seem almost to belong to the world of the divine mysteries. I would criticize their singing for one thing only, which is that they repeat a single word of a line of verse or a mawwāl so many times that the listener loses the pleasure of the meaning. However, this is mostly to be found among those who merely sponge off the art. At the opposite pole you have the method of the people of Tunis, whose singing is closer to chant; they claim that this was the way of the Arabs of al-Andalus. It has to be stated here that the Christians native to the Islamic lands, who

2.7.4

follow the Muslims in their customs and morality, are always inferior to them in the chasteness of their language, in literature, in aesthetics, in intelligence, in sophistication, and in cleanliness. They are, however, more active than them in travel, trading, and manufacturing, and bolder and more steadfast in taking on difficult tasks. This is because Muslims are a nation of self-denial and abnegation while Christians have an insatiable appetite for territorial expansion, not to mention the acquisition of pure-bred horses, precious gems, and luxury goods. If you enter the house of a wealthy Christian in Cairo, you’ll find he has both serving women and serving men, around twenty tobacco pipes of the most expensive kind (half of them valuable waterpipes), three rooms upholstered in the best materials, silver vessels for eating and drinking, along with smooth, high beds, luxurious clothes, and so forth, and yet, for all that, not a single book. Also, if someone wants to buy something from a Muslim trader, he’ll find it costs him twenty-five percent less than the Christian’s goods. This avarice is, however, found, for the most part, only among foreign Christians. The Copts are more like the Muslims, and few of them practice trade. As far as the Egyptian state is concerned, it had reached in those days a peak of splendor, strength, magnificence, munificence, and glory. Those inducted into its service enjoyed a huge salary in the form of money, clothing, and provisions, more than was customary in any other state. Its viceroy96 awarded high rank and tokens of imperial favor to Muslim and Christian alike,

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2.7.5

‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫��ي� �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫�صر‬

‫ف� � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل��ش���َ‬ ‫���د �مت�ه�ا �م ��تّ � ظ‬ ‫��ا ن� �ل��ل�م����س�م��ي�ن ب خ�‬ ‫ع ����ي�� �م�ن ا �ل�م�ا ��ل � او � ك‬ ‫� ك�‬ ‫ح�ن �م�م�ا �ل�‬ ‫ل�����سى �و ِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�غ ا ��ا ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا �ي ��و��ل�ى ا �ل��م ا ��ت� ا ��ل�ع��لي���ة �و��س�م�ا ت� ا ��ل ش��� �ف� ا ��ل��سن��ي���ة �� �‬ ‫ل��ك�ل‬ ‫��ي�ر�ه� * �وك�� � � او �لي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫� ا ��لن��ص�ا � �م�ا �ع�د ا ا ��ل�ه د * خ�� �ا ف��ا ��ل��د � ��ل��ة �ت� �ن ف��ا ن ش��� �ف ّ ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫رى‬ ‫�ه�ا �ع�م ا ج �مي�� * �و�م� �ع ���‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل و �و ��س � ر �‬ ‫ي� �و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع � م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ا � ن‬ ‫�ز ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ئف‬ ‫ح�ا ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫��ا ر � او �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��س��ه ا �لج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا � �ي ك‬ ‫م� ك‬ ‫حر�� �و�م�ا ��ي ن��ا �ل�ه ا ��ه�ل ا � �لو�ظ ���ا � ��� �م�ن ا �لر �� ا �ل�ع�مي��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ �ة � ف �ذ ��ن‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� ن ا �ُق ّ‬ ‫�ا ن ت � ا ا �‬ ‫�ص ر�‬ ‫�ف ك�‬ ‫له� ا ك�� ت� �تر�ى ا �ل�� ��س ��‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫�ي��ص� ج��دا ��� �‬ ‫�ص �ري��ه�م �وع�مي�‬ ‫�� ��� ا �ل� ��س�ع� ر ب�م� ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ �ة‬ ‫ا ��خل �ا �ة ا � ق ف‬ ‫�ش غ‬ ‫�ق ي�ن‬ ‫هو �م�ع�ا * ف��ا �لب����س�ا �ت��ي�ن ��ا �ص� �ب�ا ��ه�ل ��ل �ع� �‬ ‫و � �ل�� �صو�� *‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�م� ب���ل�� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل�������ل � او �ل�� �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ��م ا �� ا �� �ق‬ ‫ه �ة ج��م�م� ��ل�ل�ا � ا‬ ‫م �ف��ه�ا ا ��ل�غ� ن��� � ا ��ل�ا ت� ا ��ل���ط � �م�ن‬ ‫�م‬ ‫وح� ل ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ب� * � او �ل� �ع ار ��س ��س� �وع ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫رب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �� ن ا ��ل �‬ ‫�� ��� ف‬ ‫� آ ن‬ ‫� ا �� ا �� خ‬ ‫ح��ل ّ‬ ‫�ه�ن �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��طر�و� �‬ ‫�خ�ز � او �ل��د ��ي ب��ا �� * � او �ل ن����س�� ��ي�ن��ؤ � ب��م�ا �ع��ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫طر�� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ك��ل‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫* � ا ��لخ‬ ‫� �م�ز ��ش‬ ‫��� � ا ��ل�غ���ا ��ل � ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ن �ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�� �سو�ة ��ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�م�ي�ر �م��سر ج���ة �و�م��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي �ل و ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫حر�ير ا�ل� رك���� * ا �ل� ا � �ص� �ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫���ا ��س�ع��د�ة ا �ل�ا � خ� �� �من‬ ‫ا � �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ل� �ي �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ه�ا * ف��ا ر ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه�ا �وق��د ��ت غ���ي�ر �‬ ‫�ك�د �ي��د ���ل ا ر ض�‬ ‫يو‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ته � � �ذ �‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ف �ن �ت‬ ‫� � ي�ن‬ ‫�م��ع ا ��ل�ا ن� ��لن خ�‬ ‫ح�ا �و�ل �ل��ك �م� �‬ ‫ح��ي�ن *‬ ‫�ي��� * ��ا ��ى رك��� ي‬ ‫���ل�ص�ه �م�ن ا �ي��د �ى ا �لر ج‬ ‫ى‬

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‫�� ��ف � �ة‬ ‫عه�د �ى د �و�ل�‬ ‫�ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا�لم��س��ل�م��ي�ن‬

A Description of Cairo (2)

though not to Jews, in which Egypt differed from the Tunisian state, whose honors fell on all men equally.97 Despite the large amounts earned by both merchants and craftsmen and the generous livings obtained by the servants of the state, prices in Cairo were exceedingly low, and, as a result, one might observe everyone, members of the elite and commoners, engaging together in work and play. The gardens overflowed with pleasure-seekers and revelers. The cafés were meeting places for friends. At the weddings, singing and musical instruments of every kind might be heard. The men swaggered in silk-wool and brocade, the women staggered under the weight of their jewelry. The horses, mules, and donkeys wore saddles and saddlecoths of embroidered silk. Any land blessed by fortune, however—if our friend the Fāriyāq ever entered it—inevitably changed for the worse before he exited it. Return, then, with me now so that we can release him from the hands of the Bag-men, for I left him a while ago engaged in trying to do just that.

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‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص� ا ��ل��ث�ا �م�ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ڡ ش ا ن �ن ت‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا �����ع� ر ا ��ه ا � �‬ ‫هى �و�ص�� ��م�صر‬ ‫��خل ع�ن ظ �‬ ‫�ق�د �غ��ا د �ن�ا ا � ا �ن�ا � ��م�ا �ع��ة ا �ل�م �� �لف���ي�ن ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق � � ن ف‬ ‫�هره‬ ‫ر ى و�ج‬ ‫ح�ا �و�ل ا � ��ي ن �����ض� ا �رج�‬ ‫ري � ي‬ ‫� � �� �‬ ‫�و‬ ‫�� �ش�� ث ت�ت ه ا �� ص�ن �ة‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� ف� ّ� �ف ن‬ ‫�ن � ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ر ��ى ا � �ك��ل �ى ا ��ب��� � ل� �ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او ��ى ا �ل� � �م�ن د �و���ه� �ع��ل�م ت� ا �ن�ه �ب�ا ت� �لي���ل� �و�ه�و �ي� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �� �ق � ق � �ة ف�خ � ��ف �‬ ‫��ف �ن ث‬ ‫�ف ا � �ن ن ��ت�ق � �ق � ه � ا � �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ص��ا � �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫حوا �ل * �م �� �ع � �ع��ل�ى ل��ل��ل� * � � ا �ل‬ ‫�ل� �ب��د م ا � ��ل��ل� ا �ل� �‬ ‫م م‬ ‫ر�ج ى � ب ح‬ ‫� َ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫خ ��ذ � �ف ��ف � ا ق‬ ‫�ز ف‬ ‫� ���ف ي��ه �ع ن��د �ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ك ك�‬ ‫���ل خ�‬ ‫� ���ط�و�ة � �و �ق��و��ل * �ل�ا �ق��لب��نّ�ه‬ ‫�م�ع ��ه � او �� �ي� ��ط�و� �ى ا �ل� ��س� او �� * �يو ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫����س�نّ�ه ��ا ���د � نّ‬ ‫��ا ��� � نّ‬ ‫ع�ق * ��ه� ا �ن�ا‬ ‫ح��ه * ا �ن�ه ا ��ن �ق��� ظ ��� � � � ق � �‬ ‫ح�َ�ه * ��ل�ا رك�‬ ‫�ل ب‬ ‫�هرى ا ى �رح ا ى � � ر ل‬ ‫�ل طر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا ��ل �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� ظ � ف �‬ ‫�� �ه ف���ق��ا ��ل ��ل�ا ���د ��له��ذ ا �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ي �و� ��م� ر �ح‬ ‫�م�ا ر �ي�ا �لن� ك‬ ‫ب �‬ ‫�� �ي‬ ‫��ر * � ار ه ب���ع��ض� ا ل���ر�� ء �و�ه�و يحرك �م� كب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ق � � �‬ ‫�ع�� �‬ ‫طف� ��ل�ه ا �ل�م�ق��ا ��ل �‬ ‫ح�ت ا ���ستخ�‬ ‫�ش���ا ن� �ف�ا �ب���ل ا �لي��ه �و� ّل�� �‬ ‫�ر�� ��س ّره �م�ن ��س �تر�ه * �و ل� �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ه �و��سب�� ب�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ة ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫�ك�ن � ا‬ ‫ف � � �ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر�‬ ‫حر��س�ه�ا ا لله �م�ع�د � ا��ي ر � او �لب� رك�� * �ول� �ل�‬ ‫��س� �تر�ه * ���ق��ا �ل �ل�ه �ل� �ع��لي���ك ��ا � �م�‬ ‫��ة ظ �‬ ‫ّ � �ز �ذ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫��ة * �ق�ا �� � ا � � �‬ ‫ح ك����‬ ‫� � �ت‬ ‫�ب��د �ل�� فل� ��و �ب�� ��ل��ك �م�ن �‬ ‫ل وى‬ ‫� �مم�ا ر�ى * ��ا �ل ب���ل ا �ل� �مر د �و�‬ ‫حرك��� ا �ع ��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ق ا �‬ ‫ا � �ة �ق ا �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ة �م�د ك����‬ ‫�ذ ��ل�� * اَ ��لَ�� ا �ذ ن � ا �ع���ة * � �ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ة �و�ق�د � ��س� عي�� * � �ل ا ج���ل * � �ل � س�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫و ر ر‬ ‫ك �و ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ذ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ق � �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�صر�ش���ا �ع ار �م����ل�ق��ا �م�ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى �ل�ه �و ج��ا �ه� � ��نو ب��ا �ه� �ع ن��د‬ ‫ا ا �م�ا ا ��و�ل �ل��ك * ا � �ب��ه� ا ا�لم�‬ ‫�ا ن ق�‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫�� �ا � � ا �ّ ا � ت�ن ا �ق ا ��ل��� ف‬ ‫طر���ي�ن *‬ ‫�ج��مي�� ا �ل� �عي��ا � * ��ا �ل �م�ا �ه��ذه �ص��� �ش���ا �عر �و�م�ا ا ر�ى ك��ل م�ك �ل� م� � ���ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ح ّ �ة ق ا � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� ��‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ك‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�ي ��ف� ��ك �ه� ا ��مى � �و� �و�ي��ل �ه��ذه ا �ل� ج�ي�� * � �ل �ل� � �� ���ض� � ��ه ���� �عر �ب� ل�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫*‬

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‫‪١٫٨٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٫٨٫٢‬‬

‫‪٣٫٨٫٢‬‬

Chapter 8

Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

We—that is, all my good friends and I—had left the Fāriyāq trying to shake

2.8.1

the Bag-men’s bag off his back. Now I, to the exclusion of the others, have come to know that he spent a night pondering the fact that everything that skill may set firmly in place external factors will shake to the core, and, this being the case, he decided to take the shaking business into his own hands. When morning came, he left the place where he’d been playing and started to wander through the markets, shaking his shoulders with every step and saying, “I shall turn him upside down! I shall give him the push! I shall send him back to where he came from! I shall beat him to mush! He has broken, meaning galled, meaning chafed, my back. Am I become today no better than one ass owned by another? A pretty pass!” A man of some sophistication observed him shaking his shoulders and

2.8.2

said to himself, “There is something afoot with this man” and approached him and spoke politely to him, finally extracting his secret from his navel, and learning his condition and the reason for his travel. “Never mind,” he told him. “Cairo—God protect it!—is the mother-lode of good things and benefaction, though to win them you will have to take action.” “What greater action can I undertake than what you observe?” he asked. “There’s no call for such things,” the other replied. “Have you a ready ear, a clever mind, a foot to effort inclined?” “I have,” he said. “Then listen while I tell you,” said the other. “In this metropolis is a poet of great skill,98 a Christian, who has influence and standing with the whole elite.” Said the other, “These aren’t the characteristics of a poet, and to me your words appear an oxymoron. How can this riddle be solved, this puzzle explained?” The other replied,

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2.8.3

‫ف‬ ‫ف ش ا ن نت‬ ‫�ه�ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫���ي ا ����ع� را ��ه ا �� �‬ ‫�صر‬

‫ف‬ ‫�ذ � ن �‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� ق‬ ‫��س� ب� ش����ع ه �ي��م�د �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل�ا �ب�ا �ل�ص�ن �ع� * � او � �ف�ل ر�� �ب��ي�ن �ل��ك ا � ا �ل ش����ا �عر �ب�ا �ل�ص�ن �ع� �ه�و �م�ن ��ي ت� ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �� ف ن‬ ‫�ك��ذ � �ع�� �ه��ذ ا � ت ا � ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا �ش���ي �ا * ف��ا �م�ا ا �ل ش����ا �عر �ب� ل�‬ ‫ط�� ��ا ��م�ا �ه�و ا �ل�� �ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�ى ��ي ن�� �ل �م �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن �ت� ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ت�ظ � ا ��ل��ل ا ئ��ز ة ق ا �� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ي�ق ��و��ل ا �ل����ع �لب�� �ع� �م ا �لب �� او �ع� د �و� ك�‬ ‫��� �ل� � او � � ��� ر ج�� � * �� ل �لي����س �ه� ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ره ا �ل�� �م�د �ى * ق��ا ��ل ا ب���ع ث� ا �ل�ا �م�د �ى ا ��ل�ى � �م�د � او ��س�م� �من��ى * ق��ا ��ل ق��د ا �ّم�د �ت�ه‬ ‫ا � �ف�ل ر�ق� �م�م�ا ك�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ن �ت ت ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �ف ا �ت ��‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ا ا �� �ذ �� ا �ة ��ت��لت‬ ‫ح �ل��‬ ‫��‬ ‫��م�ا ا �لر�ش���د * ق��ا ��ل ���‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ب� ك���� �ب� ا ل�ى �ه� ا ا ل�ع�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫م��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫رى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�س��ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ه��ه * ف��ا �ذ ا �ت‬ ‫��ر� �ب�� �ل��ك �� ك�ر �ل�ه ٍ� �م� ا ��� ��ع� �ي��ه � او ج��د �ب�ه * ��ل� �ب��د‬ ‫�ب�ه � �م او ج� �‬ ‫كم‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ت ف � �ا �‬ ‫ح� د �غ��د �غ���ة ا ��ل�ا �ت خ�‬ ‫ا خ ا �ق �‬ ‫�م�ن ا ن� ي�ج��بي���ك * ف��ا �ن�ه ر ج���ل م��ص�� ب ك�‬ ‫��ا ر *‬ ‫�م�� ر�م ا �ل� ��ل� � �يو ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ��س ا ن �غ ��ف �م � �ة �ذ‬ ‫�ف� ت���ل��� �ف‬ ‫��ا �ل��س� �و�ى ا �ل�ا د ب� � �وت�ي����س�ي�ر ا �‬ ‫�س��ا ب� �م�عي�� ش���ت��ه� *‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�و �ل� ي�م� ا ��ه �ير� ب� �ى ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا �� �ف ا � ا �ق‬ ‫ا ��ل��ه ���ف ا �ل�م�ق��ا �� * � ا �ن�ا ض‬ ‫���ا �م�ن ��ل��ك ا ن� ��ت ف� �� �ز �م ن��ه ��ا ��ل�ا �م�ا ��ل * ��ف ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل و‬ ‫ي ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ا س�ت ش‬ ‫خ � � � � �ق � ا‬ ‫����يص�� ت‬ ‫ف � ا �ج�نّ �‬ ‫�� ا ��ل�ى ��م‬ ‫ح��ه �ور ج�‬ ‫ح��ل�ه را �‬ ‫ض�ي � �م�� ب����� ار * ��ل�م� � ا �ل�لي���ل ا �� ا ل�ل��م � او � �ل ر ��ط� ��س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ا �� تح�� ه ا �� ن ��ل�ع ��� ا � ا ف ا �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫��� ب� �م�ا �ن��ص�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�ه�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ل �‬ ‫ي�� ر �ل � و �و ج �ل ب ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫آم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ق‬ ‫� م�ز ت‬ ‫�ص�ه��� �ل�م�ا ا �ع�ق�� ش��� ���ه�ا � ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ل��ة �ل�م�ا ا �ع��ترا ه الم‬ ‫ح� �� * �و� �لو � �ج�� �ب�ه ا �ل� ب‬ ‫�ص�د ا �ع� * �و� �لو‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ُّ‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫��ش�� ة ��ز ت ��ف ��ل �‬ ‫ح�� � او �و ج��ا �ع�ا * �و� �لو �ع�� �لق� �ع��ل� ج�ر� �ل �ه� �ى ا �‬ ‫ا� �‬ ‫�س�ف��ه �م �ر���ض� ا �و �ل�ع�ق��ه �لم�ا ��ل��قى �بر�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ق �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�� �ز � ���ه ��� ف‬ ‫ا � ا �ق ا � �� ��ف ا ��خل ف‬ ‫ط �ر �� *‬ ‫� �ر�� * �و� �لو ��س� ي��ه ا �لر�و��ض� �ل� �ن�ب�� ت� �م�ن �ك��ل هر ب � ي ��‬ ‫�ه� ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج �ي‬ ‫ور � و �و ى �ي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫تا‬ ‫ع د ��ل�ا ���ط �� ت� د � ن� �ع�ا�ز �ف� * � �� �ل ��ت�غ�ُ ن��ّ ��ه ���ف ��م��ل�� ��ل�ا �غ�ن�� �ع�ن‬ ‫�و� �لو ج�‬ ‫و‬ ‫���ع�ل �ع��ل�ى ا � �و� ر � �و‬ ‫وو ى ب ى ج س ى‬ ‫بر‬ ‫� ّ �ف � آ �ذ‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫ل��ا ن� �ش��ن ��وف��ا * �و�� �لو �ص�ق��� ��ه � ي �ف �‬ ‫الم���‬ ‫مو� � او�لم�ع�ا �ز �ف� * �و� �لو�ع�� �لق� ��ى ا �ل�� ا ن� �� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لب‬ ‫�س�� ك�لي���ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�� �ن ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�ل‬ ‫��� * �و��س��ل��س��ي��ل� �و�م‬ ‫��� ء ر�هي ���� * �و� �لو �م���ل � ك�‬ ‫ل�� � �‬ ‫��� * �و �لو �ي��ط‬ ‫ح� �‬ ‫ح�دا � ��� �ور�ي� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� ُ��ت‬ ‫� غ‬ ‫�ت ئ‬ ‫� ئ‬ ‫� ت � ه �� ا ن � ا � �ُمج�ز�أ � ُ ن‬ ‫�ب�ا �ل�ع�م�ا �� * �ل�ا ��ن��ى �ع�ن ا �ل�م�ا �� * �و� �لو �خ �� ب� �ول�ه� � �ل� �ج�ز�أه‬ ‫� ا �ل��س��ل� او � * �و� �لو ك�� ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � اَ �ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ع�ن‬ ‫ه ا �لث�� �ك��ل � ا �ل � او � * ا �و �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر�هي ���� � �ل�� � �ل�ه� �م��� � ا � �لو���� � *‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ر ج�� م �ل� �ل� �ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬

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‫‪٤٫٨٫٢‬‬

Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

“There is no contradiction: he’s a poet by nature, not by trade, the difference being that the poet by trade is one who depends on his verse to make his living; thus he eulogizes this one and flatters that in order to get something from them. The poet by nature, on the other hand, speaks poetry because he cannot help himself—without having to force himself or in expectation of reward.” “That’s not the difference mentioned by al-Āmidī,”99 said the Fāriyāq. “Then scoot al-Āmidī back to Āmid100 and listen to me,” said the other. “Voilà! I’ve a-i-m-(e)-d him and scooted him,” he said, “so what’s the scoop?” “I advise you to write a letter to this scholarly man and beg him, through the deployment of your praise, for an audience. If he is kind enough to grant this, use the occasion to tell him of your sufferings and seek his help. He is certain to say yes, for he is known for his noble morals and loves the titillation of high self-esteem. Your chances are especially good, because he loves to keep company with literary types and make their lives more comfortable. Speak to him courteously, and I guarantee you’ll realize your hopes through him.” The Fāriyāq thanked the man for his advice and returned to his lodging comforted and expecting the best. When night came, he took his pen and paper and wrote the following: A greeting I send that, if ’twere carried on the breeze, the horizon with perfume would freight and if ’twere made a halo for the moon, would save the latter from its monthly fate; if ’twere added to the tawny wine, would cause no headache to follow its potation and if ’twere swallowed or licked by a sick man, would cause him no fever or excruciation; if ’twere hung upon a tree, though the season were autumn, would make its leaves straightway burst out and if ’twere used to water gardens, would make each charming and delightful flower sprout; if ’twere laid o’er the strings of a lute, would have them induce ecstasy without need of any agent instrumental and if at a gathering ’twere sung, would render all sweet-smelling plants and instruments purely incidental; if ’twere hung in the ear as a pendant, it would be one of those that, being from its upper rim dependent, are the more clearly seen and, if ’twere used to whet the dulled sword’s edge, would make it keen; if ’twere portrayed, would be as blooming gardens and meadows of that ilk and soothing liquids and purest milk and if ’twere suspended from one’s headdress, would render amulets superfl’ous; if ’twere worn as a ring by one by passion misled, would serve him in oblivion’s stead and if ’twere written on a tombstone, would distract the grieving mother from making moan, or

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125

2.8.4

‫ف‬ ‫ف ش ا ن نت‬ ‫�ه�ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫���ي ا ����ع� را ��ه ا �� �‬ ‫�صر‬

‫�‬ ‫�ن ف �� �‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫حو ج��ه ا ��ل�ى ا �ل��س� �عو ���ط * ا �و �ع��ل� ��س�ا �ق� ا �عر�� �� ك�‬ ‫ل��ا � �ل�ه �م�ن ����ف�زه‬ ‫ا �و �ع��ل�ى ا � �� �م�ز �ك�و�م �لم�ا ا ��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�� ف �خ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي���ل �ل�ه�ا ن� �ع��لي��ه‬ ‫� �ل�ا �‬ ‫�س�ق� �و�فر�و ���ط * ا �و �ع��ل� �ل��س�ا ن� ا ب� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ل ت� �ع�ق��د �ت�ه * ا �و �ع��ل�ى �ك�� ب‬ ‫� ب�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � ا �ن ت ا �� � ن‬ ‫ا � � ا ف تا‬ ‫���ف ا ��ل���ذ ��ل �ذ �ه��ه � �ف��ض�ت‬ ‫ح�ا �‬ ‫ب و‬ ‫ى ب‬ ‫�� �ه * ا �و �ع��ل�ى ا ج���ج �ل�ع� د � ار �� * ا �و �ع��ل�ى ر �م�ل �ل� �ب��� لير‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ت ف ا �خ ة �ذ � �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫�ن ا ت ا‬ ‫ح�� � �� �ر� * ك‬ ‫��ي�� �ع�ا ��طر�ة * ا ر�ق� �م�ن ا �ل����سي�� * � او �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ح��ل�ى �م�ن ا �ل����س��ي�‬ ‫� ب�� �� * �و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا �ش��ه �م�ن ا ��ل�ع�ا �ف����ة �ع��ل ���د ن� ا ��ل��س�ق� �� * � ا ���ل ��ل��ل�ع��ي�ن �م�ن ا ��ل�ا ث��م�د * � ا �غ���ل ��ل��ل ن��ا ق��د �م�ن‬ ‫ي �ى ب‬ ‫و � �ى‬ ‫و �ى‬ ‫يم و ج �ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ف �ن � � �ز ا �‬ ‫شغ‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع���س �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ق ا ق�‬ ‫ج��د * � او � �ص�ى �م ا�لم� ا �ل �ل� �ل * � او �ع� �ل� �ب� � �ل��ل ب� �م ا ��م�ل ا � �لو�ص� �ل * � او �������ل‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�ذ � ا �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫نَ � ا ق‬ ‫�ص��ا � * � ا‬ ‫و ��هى �م�ن � ��ور ا �ل� ��ا � *‬ ‫�ل��لب��ا �ل * �م�ن �ه�و�ى �ى د �ل� �ل * � او �هر�م�ن � ��ور ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �ه ا ��لن ��ف����� * � ا �ع�ز �ع ن��د ا ��لب����س��ت ّ �م�ن‬ ‫� او �عب ��ق �م�ن �ش����ذ ا ا ��ل ا � * � او ث��م�ن �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫��و ر ي س و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫رح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا ��لج��‬ ‫� ن�ي����س * �و�ع��د اب �ى ا �ل�عت�� �هي�� �م ا �ل �ه�د �ي� � * �و�ع��د اب �ى � �� ا‬ ‫و ��س �م ا �م �ر� � *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ن ا �� �ف� �ز �ق � �ن ا ��ل�فخ‬ ‫� ��ا ت� * � �ع ن��د �ج� ر �م�ن ا ��ل��غ�ز ��ل��ا ت� * � �ع ن��د ا � ت��م�ا � �م�ن‬ ‫�وع��د ل ر د � م‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� نا �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ز ��ل ا �� ك�‬ ‫ل�ل��� * �ت��ه�د �ى ا ��ل�ى ا ج��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫� � * ا �ل�م�ق��ا � الم‬ ‫� * �و�ع ن��د ا �لمت���ب��ى �م�ن �‬ ‫� ك��‬ ‫م��‬ ‫��� ب� ا �ل‬ ‫ح��ر� *‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫س�ت غ ا ث ل�‬ ‫�م��ل ا �‬ ‫ث� ا �� � �ظ ��‬ ‫� �ا�ذ ا �ل� � ف‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ض �و�م��ي�ن *‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫� �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ص�د �ي�ن * � �مورد ا ��ل���ط�ا ��لب���ي�ن * ا د ا � ا لله ��س�ع�ده * �و خ���ل��د �جم‬ ‫���ده * � بو���ع�د‬ ‫��ه�ل ا � �لق��ا �‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��خل ق �ن ق ظ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر�ى * �و�عي���ل �ب�ه‬ ‫�ي�ا ��س�ي �د �ى ف��ا ��ى ق��د �م ت� �ه��ذه ا �ل��د �ي�ا ر � او �ن�ا �‬ ‫ح�ا ��م�ل �رج�‬ ‫� ��د ا � ����ض� �� �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ص�� � * � �ل�� ا ���د �م�ن �ي�ز‬ ‫ح�ه �عن�� � �� �ل ق���ل��ل�ا * � ��ل�� ت‬ ‫ح�ز‬ ‫س� ا ج���د ب��ن ��ف����سى ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل خ�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب رى و م ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ف �ف ن‬ ‫�م ن��ه ��سب��ي��ل�ا * �و��د �ه�د��ي ت� ا �ل�ى � ��ور �م�عر�و���ك ��ى �ج��‬ ‫� �ه� ا ا �ِل�ع�م�ا ��س * � او �ن�ب��ئ� ت� ا �ن��ك ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ن ا ئح �‬ ‫�ف �ت��س� ��ل ا ن �ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت�ق �ن �ذ � ا �ت ا‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ل � �ى ب � ور‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح�د ك �م�ع ��ى �م �ه� ا ا �ل� �ر ب�� ��س * د �و� ��س� �ر ا � س‬ ‫ح� ّ �ا�‬ ‫�ن � ث ق�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ا �ف �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ه� �م�ا ب �ى �م ا �لب�� ا�لم��ي�� * � او �ل �ض‬ ‫�ر�� * � او ب�� ث� ا �لي���ك �م����‬ ‫�ن�ا د �ي��ك ا � ك‬ ‫� ر ا �ل� �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن ت � ن � م ا �ت ف ا ت �ة ت قّ‬ ‫� ا ن ت ا خ ��ذ � �ن � ا ن ا �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص��ط��ع�ه �ل��ك �ب� �ل ���� �� �‬ ‫�صر �ل�ه * � او � ���‬ ‫�ق� ا �م��ل�ه *‬ ‫��ا �ن��ك ا ��ه�ل �ل� � �� �� ب��ي��د م �ل� �� �‬ ‫ح� �‬

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‫‪٥٫٨٫٢‬‬

Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended on the waist of a slender lass, would take the place of a sash, or on the nose of one with a rheum, for nose drops would leave no room, or on a cripple’s feet, would make him hop ahead and all others in the race to the wellhead beat, or on a dumb man’s tongue, would cause the knot therein to come undone, or on a miser’s hand, would make it easier for him his gold and silver to spend, or on brackish water, would make it sweet at just one go, or on sand, would cause it to make even basil grow; plus salutations ornamented, sweetsmelling and scented, softer than the breeze, sweeter than heaven’s mead, than good health for the sick a more sought-after goal, more brightening for the eye than kohl, dearer to the assayer than purest gold, clearer than sweetest water fresh and cold, dearer to the heart than hope of the beloved’s arms, more distracting than a coquette’s charms, brighter than the light of morn, more brilliant than the anemone’s bloom, more fragrant than wine’s aromas, more closely guarded than tiaras, dearer to al-Bustī than paronomasias,101 to Abū l-ʿAtāhiyah102 than ascetic verse, to Abū Nuwās103 than poems about wine (and worse), to al-Farazdaq104 than panegyrics, to Jarīr105 than lyrics, to Abū Tammām106 than sagacity, to al-Mutanabbī107 than poems demonstrating rhetorical capacity—to be presented to that honored person of respected station who is the resort of the depressed, object of the entreaties of the oppressed, protector of those who’ve suffered wrong, refuge of the victims of the strong, watering hole of those who aspire to his attention, wellspring of those who seek his intervention, may God preserve his good fortune for ever and a day, and never let his glory fade away! To proceed: Master, I am come to these territories bearing a bag that has broken my back and in my patience made a crack, and I have found none to relieve me of even a little of the encumbrance and can see no way to rid myself of it without assistance. In the midst of this inky darkness I have been guided to your kindly light, informed that you alone, to the exclusion of any other wight, can free me from my plight. Will you then permit me to visit your noble circle and to you myself unburden of that from which I endlessly suffer, and of my dolorous hurt, in person? On you alone can I rely to take the hand of one without ally, knowing that, should you but look on him with favor, you’ll make his wishes come true and help him obtain all he has in view, and should you take him to yourself, he will thenceforth owe you a debt of gratitude and of thankfulness for your pious attitude. Such a one thus asks this of you as a petitioner in the forecourt

127

127

2.8.5

‫ف‬ ‫ف ش ا ن نت‬ ‫�ه�ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫���ي ا ����ع� را ��ه ا �� �‬ ‫�صر‬

‫تن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا ن ��ت ت خ� �‬ ‫� �ن ن ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ذه �ل��ك �م�ا �ع�ا ��� ر�ه��ي�ن �ش�� ك‬ ‫هو �يرج��‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �و���ي���ل�ه �م�ا ا �م��ل�ه * �و �‬ ‫��رك * م�م �و� �برك * � �‬ ‫�و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ ��ل��ك �م ن���ك ر ج��� �َم�ن ��ل�ا �ذ ب���ع�ق ��و�ة ��خ ك * ف��ا ن� را ��ي ت� ا ن� ��ت ف����ع�ل ف���ذ ��ل��ك �م�ن ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ا �ن��ك *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ا ��ت �ن ن ش �ف ا ن ا‬ ‫�و ��� � � ت�ن ا ن �‬ ‫� ا�� � ا �‬ ‫س�‬ ‫طو�ل ا �م� � ��ك * � او �ل��س�ل� �م* �وك�� ب� �ع � او ��ه ي����ر� �ب� �� ��م�ل ��س�ي �د �ى ا �ل� ك�ر�م ا �ل� ح�� ب‬ ‫� فخ �‬ ‫�اف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ا ��ا‬ ‫���د ا ��ل�ا ج��� ا ��خل‬ ‫�ك�م��ل ا ��ل�ا �جم‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ��� ا �ل�ا �و�‬ ‫ح��د ا �ل� �� ض����ل ا �ل� ��س�ع�د ا �ل� �مث���ل ا �ل� ر�ش���د ا �ل� �‬ ‫��و ج‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ف��ل�ا ن� ا د ا � ا لله � ��ق��ا ه ��ا ��ل�ع�ز � او �لن��ع� * ف���ل�م�ا ب���لغ�� ت� �ه��ذه ا ��ل ��س�ا ��ل��ة ا ��ل�ى ا ��خ�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ج��ا ا�لم� �ك�‬ ‫��ور �و ��ط�ا �ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫قا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�م�ا ���فى ش���ر� ا �ل��س�ل� � �م ا �ل������ ب��ي��ه ا �لم� ك�‬ ‫���ل��� �ل� �ي �م� �ل��ك ا � �‬ ‫����‬ ‫�ه���ه * �و�� �ل‬ ‫�ه� �و� �‬ ‫ح��ك �م �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ث � تّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�س��‬ ‫ح� � ا لله ��د را ��ي� ا ك���ر ا � ك��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�لب��ع��ض� ج���ل��س� ��ه م�م�ن ا�ل�م �ب� �ل� د ب� * �� ب‬ ‫هو�� �سو� �ى‬ ‫ل�� ب� ��ي �‬ ‫آ � ا ا ��لت�� ا ت ��ل��ل� خم ا �‬ ‫���ا ن��م�ا �ه� �مه�د � ن� ��ل�ه �ع ��ش ���ل�ق����� ا � خ��ا ت�� �� �د �ن�ا‬ ‫ح�� �‬ ‫�� ��ط ب� ك� م � و‬ ‫ا �ه�د � ا �ل��س�ل� �م �و ي‬ ‫ر � ب ي س و م س�ي‬ ‫��س��ل� �ن ف �ت � ش ن � ا �‬ ‫�غ �ق ن �ف � ا غ ق غ ن �ف � غ ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫����� �‬ ‫�����ه�ه * �و��ي� ر�� �و�ه ��ى ا �ل� �� ار �� �و��ي����ل� �و�ه ��ى ا �ل����ل�و‬ ‫ي�م * �� را ه�م ي� ب‬ ‫ه �و�ه ب�م� �لي����س ي� ب‬ ‫ا �آ ف �ق تي�ن � ت ا �ث تي�ن �ف � ن ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ت ��ا ���تى �مب���ل�و ��ل�ا ��م‬ ‫�� ��و��ل �ص�ا �‬ ‫حر�وق��ا * �ور��م� ج�� � او �ب �� �‬ ‫� �ر�� م�م� ���ل��� ��ى ا�لم�ع��ى ��ك‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ىي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ا � �ة � ا ن ث� ا � � �ظ � � ي�ن �م��ل �‬ ‫ي�ن ث �ذ �ن ت ق �ن � ا �‬ ‫��ا ا�لم�ه�‬ ‫��ض �و�م�� * ��م ا ا ا � �����ل� او �م ا �ل��س�ل� �م ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا �لر��س� �ل� ا �ل� � �م� �ل ا�لم���ل�و�م�� ج‬ ‫�ان آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّ��س�ن ��ل�ا ��ا � ��ف�ن ا �ل� � ش�����‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ا ��ل�ى ا �لغ���ا �ي��ة * �و�م�ا ا د ر�ى �م�ا ا ��ل���ذ �ى �‬ ‫ا �ل�غ� ر��ض� ا ج��ا د � او ا �� ك�‬ ‫رب ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا س�ت ا ت � ت ش ا ت � �ت �ذ‬ ‫��ن�ظ �� �� ف� ��ق ال�مت ا �ث � �ة ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� � �ع ا � ��قت‬ ‫�ه� �ب��ه��ذه ا �ل� �� �ع� را � � او �ل�����ب��‬ ‫�ه� � ا �ل بم� � �ل� * � بو ��‬ ‫ا � �ي��ض�ي و و‬ ‫� ا ل� ر �م� ��ل� �ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ل � ا ة � ة �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن ت ش ق �ة �� � ف� ظ ��‬ ‫� ا ن ا ��� ا �ل� � ت ا ��تَّ � ه ا ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�لم�ع��ى * م� � لع� �م �ي �� �ى �ل� � �ي ب ى‬ ‫ب بر و‬ ‫�ر ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�� ت� � �م�ا �ز ��ل ن��ا �ن � �ز ���د ا ���ل� ك �م�ا �� ف�ل �ظ‬ ‫���ل�غ����ة ا �ل�م�ع ن� * � �ه��ذه ا ��ل�ف� � �م�ا ئ��ت��ا ��س�ن ��ة ق��د �م�ض‬ ‫� ����ه‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ى و‬ ‫بي‬ ‫رى ي �ي و‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا �ت���خف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ق � �ز‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �م�ا ��ا �ل�ه �ي��د * ���ق��د ��سر�ى �ه� ا ا �ل��د � ء ��ى �ج��مي�� ا � ك��‬ ‫�ع�مر�و * �و�ع�م ار ي��مض�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� * ا �م� �ي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �م �‬ ‫�ذ � ف‬ ‫م ا ��� ��ف ا ��ل�ع�ن ا ن � ا � ا‬ ‫ال� خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���د � او �ل�ا ��س�ع�د � او �ل�ا �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �و�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ل��ك ���ل�ه �و ج��ه *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ط ب� �ى �و � ب� �ل ج �ل و �ل ج‬ ‫� ت �‬ ‫� ن �ت ��غ ���ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�و �ل��ك ا �ن�ه �ل� ج�را �ل�ع�ا د�ة ��ى �ب�ل�ا د �ن�ا �ب�ا � �ي��ك�و� � ب��لي�� ا ك‬ ‫ل��� ب� �ع��ل�ى �ي��د ا �لب��ر�ي��د * � او ��م�ا ��تب��ع ث�‬ ‫م ِ‬ ‫��ش� خ� ا � � ت �‬ ‫خ � ة ا �� �� �ق � ا ا � � ا ف ا ن ا��ا � ا خ��ف ا �� � �ة �ع�ن ا ��ل��ت��س �ة‬ ‫�مي��‬ ‫�ى �ع� �ط�ل�‬ ‫�م� ا �� �ص �لي����‬ ‫س� �ل�ه� �ب� ر� �ب� ل�طر� �و �ل� �ب� �ل�د �ي� ر �� ���ه� �مك� �ل� ي ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫خ� ّ � ا ف ا �ذ‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫� ا �� �ف ا �� �ل�ق ا ء �ة ��� ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��� �م�ن �� �ل�ق ��ه ���ف ا ��ل���ط � ��ق �ع�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�� ي ل ل‬ ‫� ر ج �ل �ل �ي ر� ر‬ ‫ي ى ري�‬

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‫‪٦٫٨٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫٨٫٢‬‬

Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended of your dignity, and your willingness to oblige will be but further token of your kindness and far-reaching benignity. Farewell.

For the address he wrote: To be honored by the fingertips of my most generous, most nobly descended, most imposing, most unique, most bountiful, most fortunate, most exemplary, most well-guided, most complete, most glorious, most sublime master, Khawājā So-and-so, may God preserve him for ever in splendor and ease!

When this message reached the khawājā in question and the latter perused

2.8.6

the affected similes employed in the elaboration of the greeting, he couldn’t contain his laughter and guffaws and said to one of those seated with him in his salon, a man of culture, “Glory be! I find that most of our writers abandon themselves in their presentation of greetings and salutations to the addressee as unrestrainedly as if they were presenting him with the throne of Bilqīs or Our Master Sulaymān’s ring,108 comparing him to things he doesn’t resemble, drowning him in immoderate praise, and boiling him over the fires of excess, with the result that he ends up soaked and singed. Sometimes they come up with two phrases that are identical in meaning, such as when the writer of this epistle here says ‘object of the entreaties of the oppressed, protector of those who’ve suffered wrong.’ Then, as soon as they move from salutation to content, they write excellently. I don’t know why the writers of compositions have thought good to waste their time on such hackneyed metaphors and similes and on composing phrases of identical sense, when the scholar can, with ease, demonstrate his erudition in a single phrase if it’s well worded and effective at conveying the meaning. Twelve hundred years have passed, and we still find Zayd chewing over what ʿAmr109 uttered and ʿAmr masticating what Zayd said. This vice has entered the veins of every writer. “When it comes to eulogizing the addressee in the address with ‘the most sublime,’ ‘the most glorious,’ ‘the most fortunate,’ ‘the most exemplary,’ and the like, there is a particular issue. The custom of delivering the mail via the postal service is not observed in our country; it is sent with persons who have no knowledge of the roads or the neighborhoods, which, as you will be aware, are innocent of any written signs. If the letter is borne by a man who doesn’t know how to read, he will ask everyone he meets on the road about the addressee by name. If the address doesn’t give a clue as to who he

129

129

2.8.7

‫ف‬ ‫ف ش ا ن نت‬ ‫�ه�ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫���ي ا ����ع� را ��ه ا �� �‬ ‫�صر‬

‫ف ا ن � � � ن � اّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ما �‬ ‫فا ن‬ ‫ا ��س� ال� خ‬ ‫�قا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ث�� ا �م�ن‬ ‫�� ��ط ب� * �� � �ل�م �ي��ك�ن ا �ل�ع � او � د ا �ل� �ع��لي��ه ا �لت�ب����س �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل�� ر�ى * �� � ك� ي ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش ت�� ن ��ف � ا �� �آ ن ��ا ن ��مخ ت � ف ي�ن ��ف �‬ ‫م��ا � � ا ��ل�ا خ�� �ا �ق * � �ف��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫���ل�ا �ع�ن‬ ‫ا �ل ن�� ��س �م�����ر �ك�و� �ى ا �ل� س�م� ء � او � ك�� � �� او ���ل���� �ى ا �ل ك� رم و ل � و‬ ‫�ذ � ف ق ت ف ق ن ّ�غ � ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫م �‬ ‫ل�ا �� ا ن � ن‬ ‫ح��د �ع�ن ا ��س� ال� خ‬ ‫�� ب� ب�ع�د � �ي�‬ ‫�ك�و� ق��د ��س�ا �ل �غ��ي�ر � او �‬ ‫�ل��ك �����د ��ي �� ��� ا � �مب���ل� ا � ك��‬ ‫��ا ��ط ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن �ن ق‬ ‫ح ث� �ع�ن‬ ‫���ا �ن��ص�ف� �ن��ه�ا ره ���فى ا ��بل��‬ ‫����‬ ‫� � ���د �ه� ك�‬ ‫له� ا �مي���ي�ن * � بو���ع�د ا � �ي��ك�و� ��د ا ض�‬ ‫وو ج م � م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ا � ت � ا �� ه �ّ ا � � َ� ْ ن ا �ت‬ ‫�ص�ده * �‬ ‫ح�ت ا �ذ ا لم‬ ‫�ف��ه �و���عث��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��طر� ��ق� * ف��ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫ح�ه ��ت�� �لق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ف �ق � ت‬ ‫� �� ا ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا � �ع ن��ده ث�� ��ن��ت��ق�� �م ن��ه ا ��ل� �غ��� ه * � ��م�ا ��ل��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ا جل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا �‬ ‫��ه� � ا �ل ��ى ا را د * يب� ���ى ا � ك�� ب‬ ‫م ي �ل‬ ‫ى ي ر ورب �ى‬ ‫�ا ت آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف ن ت ق � ت‬ ‫� ّ ف� � ّ‬ ‫� �ق‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ا ب� ا ��ل�ى � �خ�ر �و�هل�� �ج� ار * � ك�‬ ‫��ا ن� �ل�ا �ب��د �م�ن ا �ل� � �‬ ‫�س�ق��ص�� ء‬ ‫��ي�ره �م�ا � �ل ي��ه �ه�و �ي��� �����ل ا � ك��‬ ‫م‬ ‫ما �‬ ‫�ذ ن‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل�ع�ن ا ن �ع�ن � �ف �ا ت ال� خ‬ ‫ن �ذ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫فقا � � �‬ ‫ص� �‬ ‫�ى �و �‬ ‫�� ��ط ب� * ����� �ل �ل�ه ج��لي����س�ه ا � ي�ج� ب� �ي� ��س�ي �د �ى ا � �ي�� ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث ا �ذ‬ ‫��ف ا ��� �ن ن � � ف ا ت �ف� ق ا � �ل��ل� خم ا ��‬ ‫������س�ا �غ� �ّ�ا �ش���ق‬ ‫���ا ن� �ج��مي��ل�ا ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ى لع � او � �ج �مي�� ا ل�ص��� � * ي ���� �ل ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� � ا �ل�ع ا �ة‬ ‫� ّ ا ��ل�غ� ن� ا ��ل �آ�خ� ه ف���ق ا �� ا � ا � �ص�ف‬ ‫ح�ز ا � * ا ج ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا � �لق��د كب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل و �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي �ل ي ��س �ى �ى ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫غ �ذ � ��� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا �ن��س�ا ن� ��ا �ج ���ل‬ ‫�م�ا ��ل � او �ل�غ� ن�� �‬ ‫م �و ���� � �ل�ه * � او �م� ب�����ي�ر �ل��ك �ك��كب��ر ا ل�ع�م� �م� �و�عر��ض�‬ ‫هو �م ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ز ا � ف��� �م�ن ا � �ف ا ت ال خ‬ ‫�ص�ص��ة ا �ذ ا ��ل ن��ا �� ���ف �ذ ��ل��ك �� �س � * � �م�ا خ��ا �ل�ف� �ذ ��ل��ك ��م�ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل�ص�� �‬ ‫و و‬ ‫سى‬ ‫ا م لي����س‬ ‫س�ت ا ن ش آ‬ ‫ح��ا �ن�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ��ل�ا ه ��ا ��ل�ا ��س�ت �ع�م�ا ��ل � ��س��ت ا ه �ع�ن �ق ��� �م�� �‬ ‫ن �ك�ن‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ع�م�ل� ا � ���� ء ا لله * �و�ه�و � او � �ي�� ا �ي‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ََ �ة �‬ ‫� ن � ا �ة � ش َن ّ �ة‬ ‫�ا ت �ذ � � � ن ت‬ ‫�م�ن الم�‬ ‫����‬ ‫�� ��ة � او ��ل‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫���ا �‪��� 1‬ص�ف� ر ج��ل�ا �مث��ل�ا �ب�ا �ل�ز ��ب��يّ�� � او � ك‬ ‫�� � �و �‬ ‫ح� ��ط� � �وي� � او �ل��� �ر�ب���ث�ي �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل�� �ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ْ�ن �ف �ة � َ�ْ َ �ة � ُ�خْ ّ �ة � َ ْ � ّ �ة � َ �زَ ّ �ة �� َ شْ ّ �ة � ظْ � َ ّ �ة ��‬ ‫��ُ ظ �� ّ �ة‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ز �ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حو��ي��‬ ‫ط��ي � � او �ل�ع ْر ب��ي�� �و �ج��ب��ي � ‪ � 2‬او �لعِ� ���ي�ب��ي�� �و�ج �‬ ‫ه��ي � � او �ل � ُب��ي�� � او �ل��س� ��ب‬ ‫� او � كِل�� �ر ي�� ي�� � او �ل �ل� ب‬ ‫�ف ْ‬ ‫�َ ْ ض ّ �ة � � ّ �ة �َ ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م ّ �ة � ا ج��ل‬ ‫�س‬ ‫� ا ��ل�اَ �زَ ّ ���ط���ة � ا ��ل��س�ن �ا ���ط���ة � ا � �ل����‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫��ه���مي�� � او �لب�� ْر ��ط�ا �مي�� � او �ل‬ ‫ح��ثر�ميّ���ة ا �ل�ا ا �ن�ه ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫ي و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�ن ا � �ق�ا ا �ل���� ��ف � �ف �ا ت ال خ‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ���ط ب� * ف���ق��د ب���ل�غ� ن��ى ا ن� ك�‬ ‫����ي�را �م�ن ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫لب ��س �ى ص� �‬ ‫ل��� ب� ل ��ى‬ ‫�ي ع‬ ‫�ذ ت �‬ ‫��ت ��ق ف‬ ‫�ت� ض�� ن‬ ‫�ة � ا � � �ن ن ا ا � ن‬ ‫م� ت� �م�ق��ا �‬ ‫�ص�د �م�ه�م� �لم� �ل�م �ي��د �ل �ع � او ���ه� �ب� �ل���ص � او �ل �وي ��� �ع��ل�ى ا � ا�ل�مر���س�ل‬ ‫� �فُ�ت‬ ‫ا ��ف‬ ‫ح ت ��ل��عل�� ا � ا �ف‬ ‫� ا �ل��م ���س � ا �ل��م ���س ا ��ل��ه * ا ��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا �لي��ه � ي �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫� ب ب �ى رر ر �ل و ر �ل ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ذ� � �غ �‬ ‫ض ا ف � �ذ‬ ‫���ة ا �� �ف ا ا �ق � ن‬ ‫ح�ا �ور�ت��ه�م�ا * � او �عل��� �ه ن��ا ا ن� ا ��خل‬ ‫��م‬ ‫له� ا‬ ‫�وا ج��ا ا�لم� �ك��ور �لم�ا ب���ل� ت��ه ا � �لوك��� ل�� ر�ي� � ك‬ ‫���ا � �م �ر��‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� �� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫نّ‬ ‫كا �‪ :1855  2   .‬ا �ل�عث�����ج���بيّ����ة‪.‬‬ ‫‪� :1855  1‬‬

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Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

is, any who read it will be confused, for many share the same name, though they may differ in fine qualities and morals. In addition, it may happen that the one who is to deliver the letter, after asking more one than one person the name of the addressee and finding all of them to be illiterate and having wasted half his day searching for the way and and after failing in the end to be guided to it, finds a servant in the street watching him. As soon as he sees him, then, he seizes hold of him and sends him off in some direction he thinks correct. The letter stays with the new messenger for a while, and then he passes it on to someone else, and that someone else may face the same problems he did and so pass it on to another, etc., etc. One should therefore go into great detail when describing the addressee in the address.” His companion then said, “In that case, dear sir, all the addressee’s charac-

2.8.8

teristics should be mentioned in the address. If the addressee is, for instance, beautiful, intelligent, rich, shapely, of large turban, and broadly cummerbunded, he must be referred to as ‘the beautiful, the intelligent, the rich,’ etc.” Responded the other, “As far as describing someone as beautiful, rich, and so on is concerned, to do so is a grave offense against him,110 and as far as the rest, such as the size of his turban and the breadth of his cummerbund, is concerned, these are non-specific characteristics, for everyone’s on the same footing in such matters. How much more appropriate it is to employ other forms of address, as you will soon see, God willing. Such other forms may on occasion make one laugh—as when one describes a man as being characterized, for example, by hypertrichotism, or hirsutism, or triticoidism, or hypermetacarpalism, or superrhysism, or partial hirsutism, or pyknism, or ectomorphism, or mesomorphism, or endomorphism, or somatomegalism, or exophthalmism, or planirostrism, or glabrotism, or acromegalism, or macrocephalism, or macrolabialism—but are better than others that create confusion over the addressee’s distinguishing features. I’m told that many letters containing important messages that don’t spell out the address explicitly and don’t have directions have been opened so as to discover for whom they’re intended, and this has been a cause of injury to both sender and recipient.” Here ends their dialogue. Be informed here that, when the the khawājā in question received the Fāriyāq’s epistle, he was sick and so did not answer immediately. As a result, the Fāriyāq was left waiting days for his reply and finally came to

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2.8.9

‫ف‬ ‫ف ش ا ن نت‬ ‫�ه�ى �و�ص�� �م�‬ ‫���ي ا ����ع� را ��ه ا �� �‬ ‫�صر‬

‫�‬ ‫� � �ذ‬ ‫�ف��ق ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ي�ن��ت ظ� ���� ج�� ا ا ا �‬ ‫���ه �ع��ل ا �� ف�ل �� ر* �‬ ‫ح�ت ا �عت��ق��د ا ن� �� ج�س‬ ‫�ل� ي ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ع�ه ك����ل�ه �ه ب�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا �ب� ا �ي� �م� ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� � ا �� �لق��� �لق * ف��ا �ن�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب� ��ط�ل� * ا �ل� �ي��ك�ن �ي��عل�� ا �ل��سب�� ب� �وك�� � ��ى ��ل� �ل �ل��ك د ا �� ا � �ل� ك‬ ‫��ر و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت � ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� �ل� �م�� ��� ا ج�ل‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ن� ا د �ع�ه ���فى �ه��ذه ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط� ب� *‬ ‫��‬ ‫�وا ب� * � او دع �ص� � ب‬ ‫ح��ه ��ي ��د ا �و�ى �ى ي��ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ز � � ا �‬ ‫� ق ا � �ن�ز � �ة ا �ل� ت ا ف �ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� او �ع ّر�� ���لي��ل�ا �ع��ل�ى �م ن��ا �ل ا �ل� � �لق��ا ب� � او � �ل�� ب� ا�لم� �ل� م��ع� ر��‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ا �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��ت�� ب����ر ��ط ا � م�‬ ‫حو �ى‬ ‫ا ن �ن ت ق �� �ف‬ ‫�ب� � ا � �����ل ا ل�ى ���ص�ل‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا �ر‬ ‫�و�ه�و‬ ‫*‬

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Notice that the Description of Cairo is Ended

believe, being unaware, as he was, of the reason, that all his rhyming had gone for nought, and during this time he was prey to constant worry and anxiety. I shall leave him now in that state, waiting for an answer, and leave too the one who is to send it to take his medicine and get better, and turn aside for a little to the ranks of titles and titles of rank then recognized, on condition that you allow me to move on to a new chapter, namely . . .

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‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل�ف��ص�ل ا �ل��ت�ا ��س�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف�م�ا ا �ش��ر ت� ا �� �ل�ي�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ن ّ �ة‬ ‫�ة �ة �ز ن �ة‬ ‫ة �ز ة � � �ة �‬ ‫� �� � �ق � ن ا �ل� ش �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د ا ل�ل� ب� ع��د‬ ‫م���ر�ي���ي�ن ا �ن�ه �ه ن�� �ن�ا ��ت ئ�� ا �و ��م� ا �و �ع�ل�ا �و� ا �ئ��د� �مت��د �ل��د �ل� ��ت ن��ا ��ط ب���ك� �و ي��‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� َ �ق � ا � ق � ا ن �ت ّق‬ ‫ا ���ا �ن��س�ا ن * � �ع��ل��ه ��ق �� �ص�ا � � ق‬ ‫ح ب� ا � �ل��ا �م�و��س ا �ل�ع�ل�ا ��ى ا �ل� � �ل��ا ب� �ل� ���ه�ا ��ع�� �ل� �ع��ل� ا �ل ن��ا ��س *‬ ‫ل � و ي �ول‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��س� * � ش��� � �ذ ��ل��ك ا ن� ا ��ل� ن‬ ‫�ك�ّ ر ���فى ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫�و�ع ن��د ا�لم�غ� ر�����ي�ن ا �ى ا �ل�ا �فر�� ا �ن�ه ج���لي��د�ة �تُ��‬ ‫ه���ة ي��م��‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ذ �‬ ‫��ذ �‬ ‫تئ ا �‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫����سه�ا � �ق��ل�ه�ا * �ف�ا �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫عه�ا � او ��س����ص� �ل�ه� �م�‬ ‫ع ا �ل��س�ه�و�ل� �وك� ا ا �ل �م� �وك� ا ا �ل�ع�ل� �و� ي�م� رك � و ب �‬ ‫�� ���ط� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا ش �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك�ن �ف��ص��له�ا �ع�ن ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ا ج��ل‬ ‫���لي��د�ة �ف�ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫ح��ه * �و�‬ ‫ح� ����ي �‬ ‫� ��س� ا �ل� �ب�ا �ي��ص�ا �ل ا �ل �ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫� رر ا �ل�ى �ص� � ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ � � �ذ � ش � � ا � �ن ا ش �ة � � ا ا �‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� ����ي � �و�ل�و �ل� �ه� �ل� � �‬ ‫�ل�ك ا ا �ل���ر �ل� �ب��د �ل�ه �م �‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ه مع��ى * ا � ا �ل �م�� �ع��د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م �ي � م‬ ‫ف ا ن ��‬ ‫ث �ة �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� �ق ا ة ش �ذ �ذ‬ ‫� ق �غ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ه�ل ا �ل ش���ر�� ��ي ر �م�ور � �و� ا �ل� �م� ���د ر* � � ل��ك�ل � �ع�د� ���� �و ا * � او ج �لي��د� �ع��د‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫بر �ع�ن �ص�ا غ�� * �مث��ا ��ل �ذ ��ل��ك �� �لق�� ا ��ل��ا �ش���ا � او ��ل� ��ك � او ��ل�ا �ف� ن��د �ى � او ��ل�ا �غ��ا‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �فر�� �م�ت� او ر�ث��ة ك�‬ ‫���ا � ا‬ ‫ب ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ا �ل�م��ل�ك ا ن��م�ا �ه� ��م‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫ح�ص�ور ���فى �ذ ا ت� ا�لم��ل�ق� ب� �ب�ه �ف�ل�ا ��ي ن� ���ط��ل�ق� �م ن��ه ا ��ل�ى �و��ل��ده * ف���ق��د ي��م��‬ ‫و‬ ‫بل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �ت ا ن �ت ا �ف ا ا � ن � ا �ف ن� �ف ا � �� ن ق ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ي��ك�و� اب��ن ا �ل�و�ز�ير ا �و ا�لم��ل�ك ك�� � ب�� ا �و � �� �و ي�� * � �م� ع��د ا �ل� ر� �ل� ي�� ص‬ ‫� ا � ��ي��� �ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ق � ت � ق ��ز ن �ة �‬ ‫�ي�ز ّ‬ ‫� � ة ��ف � �ة � �ق ��‬ ‫�ي�ز �ي�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � �‬ ‫�ه� ب����ط�‬ ‫�ل� ب��ن ا�ل�مرك��� �مر�ي��ك�� ا �و �مرك��� �ى * �و��د ي ج��م� �م ��ط��ل�� ا �ل ��م� � او ج�ل�لي��د� �ى ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن ظ �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن � ا ��ل ت�ن ا �ة � ث ا �ن �ة �غ � ت�ن ا �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �من�ه�م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل� ���ر�ع�ن ك��و� ا �ل� �و�ى �م� � �هي�� � او �ل�� �ي�� ��ي ر �م� � �هي�� * �و �ل�ك ا � ا ��ص�ل �كل �‬ ‫�ف � غ � ُ‬ ‫� ن ��‬ ‫��ا �� � �د ث ��ف ا � ا ن �ذ � ا � ا‬ ‫��ا ن ا ��ل��د � �ع��ل�ه� * �ف�ل�ا‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ى ا �ل���ا �ل ب� ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر و � �ى ج‬ ‫ى ب‬ ‫م ي� م‬ ‫ّ �ذ � اُ‬ ‫� �ك�ن ت‬ ‫��ي�ن �ذ ا ا ��ل�ه� ن‬ ‫��ا �� ا � ا � ا � �دا ث ا �� ن �ة ا ا ��ل ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � �و�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫���لي��د� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك �ه� ا ا �ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ج‬ ‫ي�م�� ���س��ك� �ه� � ي ج‬ ‫ب‬

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Chapter 9

That to Which I Have Alluded

The definition of a title in the minds of Orientals is that it is an insignificant fleshy protuberance or a flap of skin,111 or an extra bag hung onto an already loaded camel, that dangles from a man’s essential being. The author of the Qāmūs has said, “ʿalāqā means ‘titles,’ because they are hung onto people (li-annahā tuʿallaqu ʿalā l-nās).” To Occidentals, which is to say Franks, it is a second skin that wraps itself around the body. Our commentary on this is that an insignificant protuberance may be cut off and totally excised with ease, and the same goes for the skin tag and the extra bag, which may be overturned or inverted; the second skin, however, cannot be removed from the body without harm to its owner. Our super-commentary—for every commentary must have a super-commentary, however incomprehensible— is that the skin flap is not hereditary among the people of the East, or only rarely so (and every rule must have its exceptions). Among Franks, on the other hand, the second skin is passed from older to younger by inheritance. Examples of the former are the titles Bāshā (“Pasha”), Bēh (“Bey”), Afandī (“Effendi”), and Aghā (“Agha”). Even Malik (“King”) is limited in its application to the person so titled and is not extrapolated from him to his son, for the son of a minister or a king may be a clerk or a sailor. Among Franks, however, it is incorrect to refer to the son of a marquis as a “marquisito” or as being “marquisate.”112 Regardless of the fact that the former is finite and the latter infinite, the essential meanings of “skin flap” and “second skin” may converge at a certain point, in that both generally have their origin in an itch that affects the bodies of those in positions of power because of the aggravation caused them by their blood. Such aggravation cannot be quieted, and such itches cannot be scratched, without creating either a flap or a second skin.

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2.9.1

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�������� ����� ���� ����‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ����ا �ن�ه ا ن ا �ل�م��ل�ك ا �ذ ا �غ� ض‬ ‫�� ب� �مث��ل�ا �ع��ل� �ز ���د �م�ن ا �ل�ز ���د �ي�ن ��ل���ذ ن�� ب� ا ق���ترف��ه * �� ب���ع ث� ا �لي��ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫بوي �‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫ا ت ف ث ة �ذ �‬ ‫�ذ � � ش �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫���ا ه � ك‬ ‫�� ب� *‬ ‫�ل��ك ا �ل�ز �ي��د ب����� ي�� �ع �ر�ا � �لي���ر ض�‬ ‫�س���ن �ه� ا ا �ل� ��س�� ش������ا � ��ور� �ل��ك ا �ل�� ض�‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ي ���ف ���ة ا ل‬ ‫�� �ي�� �� �لم� �هي�� ا �ل�ع � �� �� ج��‬ ‫�ت�� ج���لي��د� �لم�ن ك�� � ي�‬ ‫�هج�‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�� �� ��س�‬ ‫�ت���ل��ط ت� ا � ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� او‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي ي‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � �ق ن‬ ‫ح��ل �ة � ��د�ة � �ل�� خ� �ف‬ ‫ق ن‬ ‫ج���ل��ده * �ت��‬ ‫�� �م�ن �ت��د ا �و�ل ا � �ل ر�و� �ع��لي��ه *‬ ‫ح��ل�ى �ب��ه�ا �ب��ي�ن ا � ار ��ه � ي�� �موب� و م ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫غ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫���ل��د�ة ا ن� � ت‬ ‫� او ��لغ���ا ��ل� ���فى ا ج��ل‬ ‫��ض �و ب� �ع��لي��ه �و�ج���س� �ش���ا �ف��‬ ‫ح��ا �� ا �ل�ى �ج ��س�م��ي�ن * �ج���س� �م���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا � غ� ا � ��ف ا � ن �ة ا ن � ت �‬ ‫ح��د ف���ق� ���ط * �و�م�ن ا �ل� ن‬ ‫ح��ا �� ا �ل�ى �ج���س� � او �‬ ‫ه��ا ت� �ه ن��ا ت�‬ ‫�ي��ه * �و ل�� �ل ب� �ى ل�ه�� �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ك�ن�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ه�ا �م� ت �‬ ‫��ا �ئ��س�ي ��ة �و��هى �ع��ل� �ن��و�ع��ي�ن * �ت ارب��يّ���ة �و�ه� او ئ��ي���ة * ف��ا ��ل��ترا ب��ي���ة �م�ا ك�‬ ‫�س��قر ا و�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ث ا � ق �ة � ت ��ق ّ‬ ‫ا ��ص� ���فى ا ��ل��ترا � � ت��نم �ف���ه � �تو�ث�م * �و�ذ ��ل��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ج��ا ��ث��ل�ي �ق �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫���ا ن� �ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � �ل�� م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�س� ار‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ى‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ه ��ا �م ��ه‬ ‫حوه * �� �‬ ‫���ورا �و��‬ ‫��ى د ا ر ا �و د �ير* �و�ل�ه ِا �مر� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل ن��ا ��س �ي ��ود �و� ا �لي��ه �ع ش �‬ ‫� و ي ر ي� �م‬ ‫� ا �قت ض آ‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�ا ّ ن � ن‬ ‫ح��س� ا �ل� ��� �‬ ‫� �و ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �و �ق� ض���ى ب�‬ ‫�ه� �و� ك��‬ ‫س� �م�ا �ي���ع�ن �ل�ه * �و �ل� �ب��د � او � �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫��� ء ا �و بح�� ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح� �ي‬ ‫�ي � ى ي م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ج�ن‬ ‫���ا ��ت� ���ع ا ��س ا ره * �و ���ط��ا�خ� � ش����د ف���ق��ا ره * �و خ��ا �ز ن� ي�خ�ز ن� د ��ي ن��ا ره * �و���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ي‬ ‫�ع��ده ك� ب �ي ى ر‬ ‫� ف �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ئ �ة‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه او ��ي��‬ ‫حب����س �ي��ه �م�ن خ��ا � �ل��ه ��ى را �ي�ه ا �و ا �ن ك‬ ‫ط او ره * �و�م�ا ا �ش��ب��ه �ل��ك * � او ل� �‬ ‫��ر�ع��لي��ه ا �� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا�� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� �� ا ��لت�ت�� � �ص�ا � �‬ ‫�� ن �ة ا �ل �� ن ��ت ن ا‬ ‫��ا � ا �ل‬ ‫ا ��ت�ق � �ذ � � �‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ك���ه ��ى‬ ‫ح ب� ك�� ب‬ ‫�ع�ك��س �م� ��د م �و �ل�ك ك�ه�� مط ار � ا �� � ي �و س و ج �ى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن �ة ��ل�� ا �ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ش ا‬ ‫���ا ك���‬ ‫ا �لرك�‬ ‫��ه * ف��ا ن� ��س�ي �ده ق���ل��ده �ه��ذه ا ل�ه�� ي� ك��‬ ‫ح� �ب��ه� ��ى �م�د ��ي �� ��ط ارب���ل�و��س ا �ل���� �م * ��ي�ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح�ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا �ن�ه ��ل���� ���ف �ه��ذه ا �ل�م�د � ن���ة ا � � �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ورا ا �و �ي� ��ب�ط‬ ‫� ��ل�ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫ع‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي سى‬ ‫ح�د �م ا ��ه�ل �م� ب ى ي �و ى ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا � �ة ف‬ ‫�� ا ا � �‬ ‫�ة ف ق �‬ ‫ة‬ ‫هو �مت��ق���ل��د �ب��ه�ا لجم‬ ‫��ط�ع� �م� ا �و �ي ك‬ ‫�رد ا �ل�ز��ي ن�� ���� ��ط �ج� �ري�ا �ع��ل�ى �ع�ا د� ب���ع��ض�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� ب� �ل�ه ر��س� �ل� * � �‬ ‫�ز ن �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �ن�� ا �� ���ط��ل�ق �� ن� �ه ن���ة ا ��ل�ا �م�� * �ع�� ا �ع� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م�ق��د �م��ي�ن ا ��ل���ذ�ي�ن ك�‬ ‫ا �ل ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ي�ر* �و ��م� ا�لم��ل�ك *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ن �ذ � � ��� �ن �ف ���ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ع�ن �غ � � ف �ة‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�خ� �ق ���ة َ� فِ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ع����ك * � او �ل�غ� ر��ض� �م �ل�ك ك��ل�ه ا � �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�����‬ ‫��ي ره ب��ص��� �م� * � او‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ي ري‬ ‫�خ ���� ت ا �� �ق ا � ا �م� د�ة ��ف ا �� ن ا ت � ا‬ ‫� ا ��� � ش‬ ‫ق �ف �ذ � ف‬ ‫ن �خ‬ ‫� لي ��س� ل�� ب� ع�د �و �ى ل�ه�� � �و �ل�‬ ‫ل�����‬ ‫��د �عر� ت� �ل��ك ��ا �عل��� ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫�وا ج�� � اولمعل��م � او � ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ � ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ا ��ل ّ � ا �ة‬ ‫ح� ��له�ا �م�ا ي� ت‬ ‫���فى ا ج��ل‬ ‫���لي��د ا ت� ا �ذ ��ل���� ���فى �‬ ‫ح��ا �� ا ��ل�ى �ش����ف ي�� ا �و ا �‬ ‫�ت��ل�ا ��ط ا ك�� �ى ب�م� �هي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص�ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪٢٫٩٫٢‬‬

‫‪٣٫٩٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫٩٫٢‬‬

That to Which I Have Allude

The archetype of this would be a king getting angry, for example, with

2.9.2

some man or other for an offense he had committed, that man sending him a naked intercessor to placate him, this intercession soothing the eruption of the king’s anger, the aggravational modality then combining with the gymnological quiddity, these two forming a second skin around the one who’d been in fear of losing his first skin through flaying, and he thenceforth flaunting this among his peers as a permanent adornment, never again to fear that fate might one day turn on him and gore him. In general, such second skins require two bodies—a body with which someone is angry and a body interceding on the former’s behalf—while, in general, the insignificant protuberance requires just one. One kind of insignificant protuberance is the ecclesiastical, which is of

2.9.3

two sorts, the earth-bound and the air-borne. The earth-bound is that which has an abode or place of origin in the earth where it grows and bears fruit; such would be the case, for example, of some “catholicos” abiding in a house or a monastery who has authority over the people, who send him tithes and the like and whom he therefore commands, forbids, rules, and judges according to the requirements of the law, or whim. He is bound to have a secretary to keep his secrets off the books, to stiffen his backbone one or more cooks, a treasurer to hoard his golden dinars, a jail to hold anyone who differs from him in opinion or his ambitions bars, and so forth. The air-borne is the opposite of the preceding, an example being the protuberance borne by Metropolitan Atanāsiyūs al-Tutūnjī, author of The Leavings Pile Concerning Lame Style,113 whose master has invested him with it so that he can use it to rule over Levantine Tripoli, even though there are none of his sect in that city to send him his tithes, make him his food, or write a letter for him; he has been invested with it, it follows, simply for decorative purposes, in keeping with the custom of certain ancients, who would give the protuberance of “emir” to one who raised donkeys and “king” to the shaykh of some benighted village. The object of all this is to set one individual apart from the rest by the use of some distinguishing mark. Now that you have become aware of this, know too that the titles Khawājā, Muʿallim, and Shaykh are not to be considered either protuberances or second skins, because obtaining them calls neither for intercession nor for any pruritic combining with gymnological quiddities.114 They are merely rags to cover the shame of the naked name that has been given its

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2.9.4

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�������� ����� ���� ����‬

‫� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ال�م�� َّ � �غ � ��مخ �� �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا ن� ا �ه �خ� ق �ة �ت �ت � ة � ا‬ ‫عور� ا �ل� ��س� ا �ل�� �ى ا ��ط�� �لق� �ع��ل�ى س��مى �و �هى ��ي ر �ي��ط�‬ ‫�ع �ر ي�� * �و �م� �ى ر�� ��س� ر �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ا ��ل� ���ط�ا ق���ة �ش���د ت� ا ��ل� ��ل�ا ���سه�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى ب �‬ ‫�ي��ه �و �ل� �م���ك ��و�� �و �ل� �م���ر ج�� �و �ل� �م��ل� ��و�� * ب���ل �هى ك� ب‬ ‫� ف‬ ‫�ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ث�� ا �م�ا � �ق�� ا ��لغ����ل���ط ���ف ا ��ل�ص�ا �ق�ه�ا ��م�ن ��ل���� ���� ن��ه � ����ن�ه�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�لي��عر�� �ب��ه� ��س�عره * ا �ل� ا ��ه ك� ي ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ب ي س ب ي بوي �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن ا � ا �� ��ق ��‬ ‫�ا ق �ة ف ا � � ث �ا � �� � �ق ن �� ف �ظ �� �ة‬ ‫��� �غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�صر م��ل ي��ط�ل ��و� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�ع�ل �� * �� ��ه�ل م�‬ ‫رى ب ط و � �م ي ر‬ ‫�م �ل�ى‬ ‫�م�ع��ّ � ا �م�ع��َّ �ذ ق � ن ا ن ش ت ق �ن ��‬ ‫ف ا ا �ذ‬ ‫��ا ن ش ت ق ا �ق ا � �ن ا ��� �ا �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ه� م لع�ل �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ِل� �و �ل� ل� ا ا ��ل�� ا ��ه �م��� ��� �م ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن ا ا��ا ل�م�ع��ّ � �ق � ا �ت � ��ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف��ل�ا �م���� �‬ ‫�وا ج�� �ع��ل�ى ��ي�ر�ه� � او ��ص�ل م�ع�� �ه� ك�� ِل� ب ��‬ ‫ح� * �و� �ل� ��� ��‬ ‫�ف�ى ا �ل� �ع� را �ض� �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ح�� ه ف ا � ا �� ف� ظ �� ا �� ش‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ل����‬ ‫� ف��ا �ن�ه ��ى ا �ل�ا ��ص�ل �ص�ف�� �م�ن ا ��س�نّ * �� ا ��ط�� �لق� �ع��ل� �م�ن ��ت�ق��د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م ل� * �� م� ل���‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا �ز ا �ع�م�ن ��ت�ق��د � ���فى ا ��ل��س�ن * ف��ا ن� ا ��ل���ط�ا �ع�ن ���فى ا ��ل��س�ن ي����ست��‬ ‫���فى ا ��ل�عل��� �و�غ��ي�ره �جم‬ ‫ح�ص�ف� �ع�ق���ل�ه‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن � �ن آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ��ذ � � ظ �� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫م�ز‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�و����س�� ك��‬ ‫ح� را �ي�ه � او � ا �ن ك‬ ‫�هر �ى‬ ‫��ره ا �ل����س� * � �����ل� � ��ي �� ا �ل�ى �م �ب� ���را �ل�عل��م * � او �ل� ى ي�� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ظ ��‬ ‫ت ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ع�د ا �لت�� ��م� ا � �� ا �ل� ن‬ ‫ه�� � � او ج�ل‬ ‫� ررا عي��م� �ع��ل� �م �‬ ‫�ه� *‬ ‫���لي��د ا � �ل �ض‬ ‫ل ى‬ ‫ح��ل�ى �ب��ه� �و��ل� �ع �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�� � �ل ا ا �� ا ن ا �لمت �ف � ا ��عت�ق ��م ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�غ خ ق خ ق‬ ‫��ا �م� ���لب��ه ا �ن�ه ا ������ل �م�ن ��ي�ره ���ل���ا �و���ل���ا *‬ ‫ا ل�د ي���ل �ل� �ول � ��ص� ب��ه� �ي ���د ب ج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫� �ة � � ة‬ ‫�ف ن ظ � � ن ظ � �ذ � �ق ن � � اَ ّ‬ ‫�ي�� ���ر ا �لي��ه �� ���ر �ى ا � �ل ر� ا �ل�ى ا �ل� �ج�� * �و�ي��س�ت���ك�ى �ب��ه��ذه ا �ل��س�م� ا � �ظل���ا �هر� �ع�ن ا د را ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ق ل�‬ ‫ح ة �م�ز ا � ا �� ن �ة خ� � � ا �� � ا ة � � ��ذ ت �‬ ‫نا ا‬ ‫م � ��ق���ة * ا ��لث��ا ���ن ا ��هن‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫د�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا �لم�� � ب� �و و ي ب‬ ‫يو ب�� �ى ب ل و � �وب‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�ة �ز‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � ا �م�ن ا � ا � ا � ا ت � ه ا ئ� ف ا ن �ل�� � �د �ذ ا ت �ل ة‬ ‫�ل� ي� �ود ر� ب� د �و ره �� � ي ج�� � ج��ي��د�‬ ‫� �لو � ش���ب�� ت� �ي��ه �رب ��ق�� �ح�ل ي ��و م�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�مث���ل�ه �ل�� ي�‬ ‫�ن��ه ا ج��ل‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫هو�ى ج�� ر�� �ع��ده �ج �مي���ل� ��ى ا�لم��ب�ط‬ ‫���ل��د �م� �غ��ي�ر�ه�ا * �ورب��م�ا ك�� � �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف ع‬ ‫�ف� ق ��ت� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���فى ا ��ل�ا ��س ��طب��� ي��‬ ‫�ص��ه ا �و ا �ه��ل�ه ا �و ا �م�ي�ره ي ����‬ ‫حر�م�ه �م �‬ ‫�ه� ا ب� ��وه ا �و �م�� ب‬ ‫ع ع�طي���ل �ع��ل�ى ا ��ه�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ل �‬ ‫� � ن ق تف ن‬ ‫�ج�ز � ب����‬ ‫�ر�وه ب���ل ق��د �‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�م�ا �ل * �و�ه�و ا �مر �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ا �ج �‬ ‫ح ير��م�ه �ج��مي�� ا �ل�ع��ل�م�� * ا �لث��ا �ل ث� ا ��ه ��د ��ي �� ��ق� ا �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫�ن��ه‬ ‫�ي��ت�ز �و�� �ب�� ا ت� ج���لي��د�ة �م�ع��سر�ة �مث���ل�ه �غ��ي�ر � �مو��سر�ة * ف��ا ا �و�ل��د ت� �ل�ه ا �و �ل�ا د ا �ل� ي� ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫����ست‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ��ع��ل�مه �� د ا ه * � �‬ ‫ا ن� ي�‬ ‫� �له �����‬ ‫ح� ا � ��ع‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ى ا �ل ك‬ ‫ح �ض‬ ‫م��� ب� �ل� �ع�ل� �م او‬ ‫ر � �م ي �ي � �م ى ر وي يى � �ي ب � م‬ ‫�ة � ا �‬ ‫� ا � �ن ا ��ل�ع ت ت‬ ‫�ف ت غ‬ ‫�ذ � �ف �ذ ت‬ ‫�هم�‬ ‫�م� �ج��م��ل� ا �و �ل� د ا �ل ن��ا ��س * �����د �و ا �و �ل� ده م �ج �‬ ‫�م�ا � او � � �وي�����س��ل���س�ل �ل��ك ��ى �ر�ي �‬ ‫ع‬

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‫‪٥٫٩٫٢‬‬

‫‪٦٫٩٫٢‬‬

That to Which I Have Allude

bearer and are neither stitched, tacked, buttoned onto, or wrapped around it. In fact, they are more like a ticket tied onto the one wearing it to show his value. Frequently, however, the mistake is made of attaching them to persons to whom they have no connection. Thus in Egypt, for example, they apply the word Muʿallim to Coptic Christians, who are neither muʿallim nor muʿallam, if we are to derive the word from ʿilm (“knowledge”),115 though if we are to derive it from ʿalāmah (“mark”), there can be no objection. They apply the term Khawājā to others too,116 and as its original meaning is the same as that of Muʿallim, the same objection holds true. The word shaykh appertained originally to one who had reached old age; then it was applied to someone who had advanced in learning and other things, as a figurative extension of advancement in years, for the minds of the elderly are discriminating and their judgment is sound, even if women will have no more to do with them. This distinguishing characteristic was then transferred to those who engage in scholarly pursuits. After pondering the matter, it seems to me that these protuberances and

2.9.5

skin flaps do great injury both to those whom they adorn and those who are devoid of them. The first argument in support of this is that a person who bears one believes, in the depths of his heart, that he is better than others, physically and morally. Thus, he looks at the other as a ram with horns does at one without and contents himself with this external feature instead of seeking to attain praiseworthy qualities and meritorious inner traits, and this allows it to lead him in the direction of moral torpor and vicious pleasure. The second is that, should Saturn’s noose get caught round his neck one day and drag him into the orbit of its adversities, if he fails to find a woman with a second skin like his, he’ll be unable to withstand those adversities with any other; and it may happen that he fall in love with a beautiful serving girl who works in his house, in the kitchen or the stable, and his father, or his father-in-law, or his other relatives, or his emir, may tell him to have nothing to do with her, in which case beautiful girls will be left high and dry, which is regarded by Islamic law as reprehensible—nay, the scholars have all asserted authoritatively that it is absolutely forbidden. The third is that it might happen that he marry a woman with a second skin who is as badly off as he and not well-heeled. Then, if she bears him children, he will lack the means to bring them a shaykh to teach them at home and he’ll be too embarrassed to send them to the local school to learn

139

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2.9.6

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�������� ����� ���� ����‬

‫�‬ ‫�� � ن ا �� ن �ة ا ��ل � ة �ت ق‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �م�ا �ش���ا ا لله * ا ل ار �� ا � ل�ه�� �و ج��لي��د� � �‬ ‫ض�ي �ا ن� �ع��ل� ا �لمت��ص�ف� �ب��ه�م�ا ب��ن ف�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ق��ا ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫بع‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫��ت ا � � � ا ش �ف‬ ‫�ا �� �ف ش ا ق �ة ��ت�ق� ض� ه ا ��لت��ف � �� � ا �ف‬ ‫�ل�ا ق���ة * �و�ت ك�‬ ‫�ه� �ل�ك � او �ل� ��� ا‬ ‫ر� *‬ ‫�� لي�� ���� �� * ��ى �ب� � ري��ط � او �ل� ��س ار � * � او ل �‬ ‫� ت خ � نش‬ ‫��خل ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ن � ا ن ا ن �ن‬ ‫��� ���ط��ة � �ن‬ ‫�ورب�م� ا �و�ص�ل��ه ا ��ي�را ا �ل�ى ا � �و‬ ‫حب���ل �م �م��س�د * ا�� �م��س ا � ا �ل� ���س� � �م ا ��ص�ل‬ ‫� غ ا ��ل�� ��� �ة‬ ‫� ه ن �ة � ا � ة ف ا � ث ا �ف‬ ‫�ف � �‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ا � �ل� ��طر�ة �لي����س �ل� �ه�� �و �ل� ج��لي��د� �� �‬ ‫ط��ي �ع� *‬ ‫ح�دا ���ه�م� �ي��ه ب���ع�د �ل�ك ا �مر م��� �ير ل ب‬ ‫�ن � ��‬ ‫��ف � ا ق � �ن � ف �‬ ‫� �ة �خ‬ ‫� �� ن��ا �ع�ن ا ا د�ه�ا‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ا �و �ى ا �ل� ���ل م ا � �ل��‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫��ض �و�ل ا �و �م ا �لب��طر* �و�ه�� ك ا د �ل� ا �ر�ى ا �ض بر‬ ‫� ا � ش ا � ��ا ن �غ‬ ‫� ن �خ‬ ‫خ� ف � ا � � �ة ف ق‬ ‫�و�� ا �ل� ��ط�ا �ل� * �����د ��تب���ي�ن �ل��ك ا � ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وا ج�� ا�لم���� ر ا �لي��ه ك�� � ��ي�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ا ن �‬ ‫� �ه ن �ة � ا ���ل �د�ة � �ل�ع�� ه �‬ ‫ح��ص‬ ‫ى �� و �ل� ج ي� * و ل� ك� � ي �ل �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫ا �دا �ه ا �� � ا �م � ه ا �� �� �‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ا �ل�ى‬ ‫ح� �م� �لو �ل� ي��ل� �ب� ل� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫ا �ل�ا د ب� * �و��ل��‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ����ى‬ ‫آ ف �ة‬ ‫� �� *‬

‫‪140‬‬

‫‪140‬‬

That to Which I Have Allude

along with everyone else’s. Should this be the case, his children will grow up unlettered, and the process will repeat itself with their offspring for as long as God wills. The fourth is that both protuberance and second skin impose upon those who bear them devastating expenses and catastrophic costs, driving their owner to excessive outlay and profligacy, to collapse and imminent bankruptcy, which may even lead him, in the end, to the noose of a palm-fiber rope. The fifth is that humans in their native state have neither protuberance nor second skin and to add them at a later stage is contrary to nature, or at least a form of meddling or recklessness. Other arguments exist, but I have decided not to mention them here for fear of going on too long. At least it must be clear to you by now that the Khawājā in question was possessed of neither protuberance nor second skin, though perhaps, had it not been for his natural inclination toward poetry, he might have acquired one or the other. But everything has its drawbacks.

141

141

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل�ع�ا �ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل �ر‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫يڡ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � بي ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ َ �ن ق‬ ‫� ا لله �م�ا �ب��ك �م�ن ا �ل��س��ق� �ي�ا خ�‬ ‫� ا �و �م�ز � * �ع��ل� �‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�صر ا �و �م���س‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�وا ج��ا ��ي ن��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�د �م � ار‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص ار ���ط � او ��ل��س ار ���ط � او �ل�ز را ���ط * �و�م�ن �ق�ا ��ل ا ج�‬ ‫��ع��ل� ��د ��ي ت���ك �ب��ص�ا �ق�ا ا �و ب���س�ا �ق�ا ا و�‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن � �غ ا ت � ف ا ا ق ��ف‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ز ق ا‬ ‫�ه� �ي�ن��ت ظ� ���� ا ج��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�وا ب� �م ن���ك ��ى‬ ‫ب� ا �� * ا ��ك �� د ر� ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �ى �و��س� او ��س � ب�و�لب�� �ل * � � و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�غ ّ � ا ا �‬ ‫ق ا � �ن �ح�ز�ن ن �‬ ‫ح���ك � ا �ن�ا ��م‬ ‫�ث ن ق � �غ ن ت�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ح�م �‬ ‫ا �ل���د �و � او �ل� �ص� �ل * �� �ل ا ��ى �يل�� ��ى ك���ي�را ا � ��د ب��ل� ��ى ك��� ب� �ص� � ب و‬ ‫�وم‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن� � �� د �ى ��ل� ا �ف���ع� �ذ ��ل��ك �م�ع�م�ا‬ ‫ف � � �ك�ن �� ن �‬ ‫��� ا ��لي��ه ��ا ج��ل‬ ‫�م�و ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�وا ب� * �وك� ب و و ل‬ ‫ع ا �ل ار ��س �ل��م ي�م�� ل�ى ا � ا جع ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ن ت ا �ن �غ ن �� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ة‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ا �� ّ�د �م�ن‬ ‫ط���� ر��س�و��ل �ع�ز را ئ��ي��� �من��عن�� �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫حرك��� * �و�ل�� ب‬ ‫ل ى‬ ‫ك��� ا �ع� �ي��ه ��ي�ر ا � ا ل� ب ي ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن �ت �ق‬ ‫�ص�ت �م� �ه��ذ ا ا �� �ل�ق �ن�ا ن * � ��ه ا ���ن ا خ�‬ ‫����ل��ة � غ��� ا خ����ذ �ت�ه�ا‬ ‫��م ت� � �� �م�ا �م�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ��س�م�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫بر‬ ‫وى ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫يو‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ى ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�ت ف ق ن �ز ��ن ��ف‬ ‫�غ ن‬ ‫ح���ذ ا �ف�ي�ر�ه�ا �ف�ا � ب�ص�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص��ا � �ل��ك ا �ل�ي �و�م ب���ع��ض�‬ ‫ح ت� �وب ��ى � �ث�ي �ا � * � او � � ��� ا � ا ر �ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا � ا �آء �� ��ذ�ي�ن � ن ��غ ا ن � �ق ا �� � ا ا �ث �ت ��ن� ��ف � ض � � ا � ا ��ن ف� � ا ��ف � ض �ن‬ ‫��� ��ع� *‬ ‫�� �ل� �و�لم� ��وه �ل� �ى م� �‬ ‫�ل� �مر ا ل� ي���ب��ى � �ي�� ل �لم� ��� � ه ع� � م� �‬ ‫ب و م ى وع‬ ‫وع م‬ ‫�ف ا خ � ت ه ��خل � ف� ق ا �� � � �� ��� �� � ا �ة‬ ‫� ا � �ة ف ق ا � ا‬ ‫�ف ا ���نى �ع��ل� ��ت��ل�ك ا ��ل‬ ‫ط�يب ��ى ا �ل��س� �ع�‬ ‫ح� �ل� ����� �ل �م� �ب��ك * � �ب� ر�� ا�ب� ر* ���� ل �ع�لي��ك ب ب‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫��� �ت�ه ��ط�����ا‬ ‫ط��� ء �ل� �ن�ه ��د � �م�ن ��ا ر��� �م ن�� ا ��ا � * �و�ل�و �ل� �ل��ك �لم�ا ا �‬ ‫��‬ ‫بي ب‬ ‫�ه�و ا �م�هر ا �ل� �� ب‬ ‫ب يس‬ ‫يم‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫��ل�ى �و ��ل�ا �ه��ل * �ق��ل ت� �م�ن �ع�ا د ���تى ا ن� ا �ص��ر �ع��ل ا �ل��م �� ا ��خل‬ ‫�� �ف ا � ا � ا � ا ��س�ت � �ي�ن �‬ ‫ب �ى ر �ض‬ ‫ي�� ي� م� و ع� ع��ل�ى‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م�ع�ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * ��ا ��ى ا ر�ى‬ ‫�ت��ه �ب�ا �ل� ح�م�� ء � او �ل�ت�و��ى �����د �ي��ك�و� ��ى �ل��ك �م�ا �ي�� ��ى �ع�ن ا �ل�ع�ل�ج�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �آ � ا � �آ ا ��‬ ‫��ف ا � ت ن ��ل ا ��� � �ة‬ ‫� ن ا ��ا �م ا �� ��ا ��خ‬ ‫� �� � ا ��ل خ�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م��ي�ن * �م� ي��ه��د �و� ا �ى لع�ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر �ض ب ر ص و‬ ‫�ه�و �ل� ء ا �ل� �� ب‬ ‫ط�� ء �ي��ع� ج و‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫� � �ا‬ ‫ة �خ‬ ‫�غ� ا ��ل �و� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ل�ق ��و� * ي�ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ر��و ن� �مر�ة د � �‬ ‫� او�لم�ع��ل�و�ل ا �ل� ب���ع�د ا � ��تب���ل‬ ‫و ء �و�مر� ا �ر�ى ��ي�ره *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫‪142‬‬

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Chapter 10

A Doctor

May God relieve you—or shrive you or deceive you,117 following those who

2.10.1

read ṣirāṭ or sirāṭ or zirāṭ or those who say “Demand the choicest of camels as your ransom!” and read the last word as either buṣāq or busāq or buzāq—of your sickness, Khawājā Yanṣur! You left the Fāriyāq in a state of unease and apprehension, waiting for an answer from you, morning and evening, in a state of tension. Replied the poet, “It grieves me greatly that your friend’s letter should have reached me while I was feverish and had a headache, thus preventing me from responding quickly. I would have liked to do so, despite my sufferings, had not the doctor, envoy of ʿAzrāʾ īl,118 forbidden me to move. But you must hear the story of what happened to me with that cuckold. “One day, I got indigestion from eating bulgur that I’d bolted down, lock, stock, and barrel, so that the next day I was ill and nauseous. It so happened that I was visited that morning by one of those emirs to whom, when they insist that something is thus and so, you have to say ‘Yes’ instead of ‘No’ and when they insist that it isn’t, you have to say ‘No’ instead of ‘Yes.’ Seeing me in that state, he asked, ‘What ails you?’ so I told him what had happened. ‘You must let my doctor see you right away,’ said he. ‘He is the most skillful of all doctors because he just arrived from Paris a few days ago. Were it not so, I wouldn’t have taken him on as a physician for me and my family.’ ‘It is my custom,’ I said, ‘to endure minor illnesses for a few days, and seek to cure them through dieting and precaution, for this may render medicines unnecessary. I find that doctors treat illnesses by conjecture and guesswork, and, by the time they arrive at cause and effect, one’s soul is almost coming out of one’s gullet, for they try one medication this time and another the next.’

143

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2.10.2

‫�‬ ‫����� �‬ ‫����� �� �‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫ق� � �ا ن � ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ف��ل�ا �ب��د �م�ن ا �‬ ‫�غ� �م ن���ك �م�ا ق���ل ت� �ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫��ا �ل � �لو �ل� ا � ا�ل�مر��ض� ��د ب���ل‬ ‫ح ض�‬ ‫���ا ره ا �ل� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ز �‬ ‫حت ��� ث ت ا ��ل ه خ ا �م � �آ � �خ� �ا ث� �خ‬ ‫� ���ط ����ا ��ل� ا ن� ا ��ل��آ د � �ع ن��د �ن�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� و ج��ل * �م ر ب ب ى‬ ‫�و�م� ا �ل ب �ى �ى ب ع�� ي�� �� د �ى ي‬ ‫ِب‬ ‫� �ن ف � �� ق � �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�ت ف �ن ف‬ ‫� ا��‬ ‫�ب��ر ا�لم�ا د �و ب� �ع��ل� ا �ل� �ك��ل * �ورب��م�ا ا � �ل��م�ه ب��ي��ده �م�ا ��ع�ا ��ه � ����س�ه *‬ ‫م �ر ��ط ك�ر�م�ه ��د ي ج‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ح��دًا �ت‬ ‫���ر �غ���ره �ع��ل �ع�ل�ا �� * �فل��� ا ت��م�ا ��ل��ك ا ن� �‬ ‫� � �ب�ا ن� ي ج�‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫�و�ل��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ك�ن �ل� ا ��س�م� ا � ا �‬ ‫���� ك‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ى ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ضع‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا ش ف ا‬ ‫ق��ا ��ل �م�ا ا �‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �ي��‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح ك�‬ ‫���ك * ق���ل ت� �ل�ا ����ى * ق��ا �ل �م�ا ا �‬ ‫ح��ك �م�ن �ل� ����ى ��ل� �ب��د � او � �ي��ك�و�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ق � ت ف ّ �ف �ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫��‬ ‫���ا ف���ق��ا ��ل ��ل�ا �ه��ل�ه � �ج� ك��‬ ‫�ر ت� ��ى ��ل��ك ا �ل��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه ن��ا ك ����ى * ��ل� � ك‬ ‫ط�ي�� ب� ا �ل�� �ى �ع�ا د �م �ر� ض�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف� ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض � فق �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�� ك��‬ ‫مو ت� ا � �ش��� ء ا لله * ��� ك‬ ‫ح��� *‬ ‫ا لله ��ى �م �ر��‬ ‫� * �����ا � �ل او ا �ن�ه �ل�م ي��م ت� ب���ع�د * ��ا �ل ي�� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق ا � � ا � � ف ا ن �ذ �� ��‬ ‫� � ث �ذ‬ ‫�� ف ا ن � ��ز �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع�د‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب ي ب� لي ��س �ل ك‬ ‫�� �ل �ل� �ع�لي��ك �‬ ‫بو‬ ‫�ك ب� لي ��س ل�ك �ل‬ ‫� ت ق � � �ذ �‬ ‫ث� � ا � ّت ا ��خل ا � ا ن �آ � ه � ا �ش �م ن � ض ا ن� � ا‬ ‫حو �ل� *‬ ‫ح�ى ��ي� ��و�ل �ل�ه� �ل��ك * � م� ع �� �� د م � ج�� ب� �و ه�و ���د ��ى مر�‬ ‫��� �و �‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ن ض �ن ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫خ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا � �ظ � ا ن � ك�ن‬ ‫�� �ل��� �هرا ��ه �ل�م �ي�� �ل�ه �������ل ح�ى ي�ر ج��ه �م د ا ره * ��ل�م� ا � د ���ل �ج���س ب����ى �و���ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل� ��ل��س�ا ���ن ث�� �ز � �ى �م�ا ���ي�ن‬ ‫ح�ا �ج�ب��ي �ه � او ��طر�ق� ا ��ل�ى ا �ل�ا ر��ض� �و�ه�و �ي��ه��ّ ا �ى ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د ث�‬ ‫ى ى م و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا د �م� �ه�ا ت� ا �ل���ط�� ت‬ ‫س� * ق���ل ت� �م�ا �ت ���د ا ن� ��ت ف����ع� � ا �ن�ا‬ ‫��ن �ف���س�ه * ث�� ر�ف�� را ��س�ه �وق��ا ��ل ��خل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫لو‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا � �ج�ث ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ص�د ا �و ا �لر�م��س * ���ل� �ه�د ا ك ا لله‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫ح ب� � �ى ا ��ل� ����� �ور ��ى * �� �ل ا ��ه ا � �ل��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �� �ة ق �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف �ذ �‬ ‫�ا ش‬ ‫����ل��ة �بر غ��� �م� ا �ل���ل‬ ‫� ا �ن��ه�ا ا ك�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح� �م�م�ا ���س�مي��ه ا �ل ن��ا ��س كب��ي��ب�� * ��ا �ل ا �ن�ا ا �عر�� �ل��ك ا �ن�ا ا �عر�� *‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�خ�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫��َّ�ة ف ق ش ت ا ي�ن ن‬ ‫� ت� ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫��� ت� ���فى ��ل�ا د ك��‬ ‫ح�� ك�‬ ‫� �ي�ا ا ��ه�ل ا ��ل ش����ا � ك�‬ ‫���� ك��‬ ‫ا �ن ك��‬ ‫م �وت��و� �ب��ه��ذه ا � ك‬ ‫�� �ع� �ب��ه� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل� � �‬ ‫ل��ب�� * �����د � �ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م م‬ ‫م‬ ‫���ث � �ن ئ �ة � ن ا �ز ة ��ن� � ��‬ ‫�َّ�ة ق��ل ت ��ف �ع ا �ن � ا ن �ش ا ا ه ق ا �� � ا �ت�د خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫لل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل �ل‬ ‫� �ى ج �ك �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا ك�� ر‬ ‫ع�م �ى ب‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض �‬ ‫� ّ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� � ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����ة ���ف �ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�ج�ي ن�ى �م ��ط��ل�ق��ا * ف��ا �لت��ف� ت� ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ا �م�ي�ر �و� ك‬ ‫���ا �ل�‬ ‫� ت� � ظ� ��‬ ‫�هر �ل�ى ا �ن�ه �ه�و ا �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ب ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ت ا ف ا ن ا �ز �‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خّ‬ ‫��ف � ا خ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ���طئ��ا ن ا �ي� � ت‬ ‫� ف�‬ ‫�ه� * �و�ى ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�ى ا ��س����س��ل�م ت�‬ ‫���ص� ر �� ��ه �م� ا �ل �ه�و � او �ل� �م�ي�ر ي� � ر �ى‬ ‫�ي � م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ي�ن ��ف �� ����ط خ� �ة فخ �‬ ‫��ل��‬ ‫�ك���ة �و�م�دد ت� �ي��د �ى * ف��ا �ع��م� �ف�‬ ‫له��ل��‬ ‫�� * ��ر�� ا �ل��د �‬ ‫���ع�ه ا �ع�م�ا �ل ا �ل��س��ك�� �ى ب‬ ‫�ه�ا �مب�ض�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫� ه ث� �آ �� ن �ة‬ ‫�م�ت��ع�ق��ا �‬ ‫ح�تى د خ���ل ��ى �عي���ي��ه ف��ا ��ط�� �لق� �ي��د �ى �و �ه ب� �لي�غ�����س�ل �‬ ‫�ه� * � ج�� ب�ع�د �ه�ي��ه�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وق��د � ش���� �ع��ل ّ * �ف� ت��د ا رك�‬ ‫����نى خ��ا د �م�ى ب��م�� ا �ل�ز �هر �و�غ��ي�ره � او �ل�ا �م�ي�ر �ن�ا ظ ���ر ا ��ل�ى د خ��ا ن� ��تب�غ���ه‬ ‫ى �ى‬ ‫‪144‬‬

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‫‪٥٫١٠٫٢‬‬

A Doctor

“‘If the disease hadn’t already got to you,’ he replied, ‘you wouldn’t be

2.10.3

talking this way. We must bring him now,’ and he kept on at me until, shamefaced and embarrassed, I sent my servant to him. Then it occurred to me that, among us, a host, from an excessive sense of hospitality, may force a guest to eat and even sometimes feed him with his own hand something the other cannot stomach but that I’d never heard of anyone doing the honors by forcing another to take medical treatment, so I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. ‘What’s making you laugh?’ he asked. ‘Nothing,’ I responded. ‘No one laughs at nothing,’ he said. ‘There must be something going on.’ I said, ‘I thought of the doctor who visited a sick man and said to his family, “God recompense you for your loss!” “He isn’t dead yet,” they replied. “He will be soon, God willing,” said the doctor, so I laughed.’ ‘Don’t worry about it,’ said the emir. ‘This doctor isn’t like that one, and anyway you’re a bachelor and don’t have any family he could say that to.’ “Presently, the servant came back with the doctor, who was sicker and

2.10.4

thinner than me, for it seems he had no work that would take him out of the house. When he entered, he felt my pulse and looked at my tongue. Then he furrowed his brows and looked down at the ground, soliloquizing (which means ‘talking to himself ’). Next he raised his head and told my servant, ‘Bring the basin.’ ‘What do you want to do?’ I asked. ‘It’s my body. Shouldn’t you consult me?’ ‘Either I bleed you or it’s the tomb,’ he said. ‘God guide you aright, old man!’ I said. ‘All I did was eat bulgur with meat— what people call kubaybah.’ ‘I know that,’ he said, ‘I know. You Levantines— you all die of eating that kubbah stuff.119 I must have buried a hundred cases when I was in your country. It’s definitely the kubbah.’ ‘A kubbah up your patootie, God willing!’ I said. ‘There’s no kubbah whatsoever in my patties!’ he replied.120 I turned to the emir and laughed, but, as far as I could tell, he didn’t get it either. “To keep it brief, he and the emir kept on finding fault with my opinion until I surrendered myself to destruction and put out my hand, and he worked away at it with his scalpel like someone cutting a watermelon with a knife and out came the blood, spurting everywhere, some of it even getting into his eyes, which made him let go of my hand and go off to wash his face. When he returned after a short while, I had fainted, so my servant ministered to me with orange-blossom water and other things, while the emir gazed at the smoke made by his tobacco and the doctor whispered in his ear. When I

145

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2.10.5

‫�‬ ‫����� �‬ ‫����� �� �‬

‫� ا ��ل���ط��� ���س�ا ّ ه * ف���ل�م�ا ا ف���ق� ت �� ��� ���د � � �خ� � �م� ا ��ا �م�� � ق��ا ��ا ا � ت �ز � ف‬ ‫�ل ي ر و �ل‬ ‫ح��ر �لن �����س��ك‬ ‫� رب ط ي ى و �‬ ‫و ب ي ب� ي ر‬ ‫رج ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف � ا��ا ن � غ �آ �� ��‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف ق ت �ف ف‬ ‫ع�ن ق‬ ‫ف ا ن ا �ن‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫ط�ي�� ب�‬ ‫�� �� �� �عود ك � �ر��ي ب� * ������ل� ��ى � �����سى �ل� ا �ع�ا د �مك�ا ا لله * ��ل�م� ك�� � ا �ل���د ج�� ا ل� ب‬ ‫��ك� ن ا � ة‬ ‫ع����ا � * ق��ا �� � �ق ن �ة ق ت �ت‬ ‫�ا ش‬ ‫تا ّ � ا ش ا ا ف ق � ت ا‬ ‫ح��د� *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح� �� ���ل� ��ف�ي�ى �و‬ ‫�م�� �ب� ��ط� ا �ع���� �ب� * �����ل� �م� �ه��ذه ا �ل� � ب‬ ‫ف ق ت �ف‬ ‫ق��ا �� ا ن ا ��ا �م�� � �ق� �� �� � ��ن�����غ ا ن ت� ت� ن � � � ن ف‬ ‫ف ا��‬ ‫ل � �ل ي ر �ي �ول ل�ك ي ب �ى �‬ ‫ح���ق�ن ا � �ل�م �ي��ك�ن �ل ����ع��ك ��ل� ك�را �م�ه * ������ل� ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ن �ف‬ ‫� ��ق ن �ة ا ا ا �ن ه ق خ ا � �ف ا �� ا ة � ة ا �خ� � ف ا ن ا ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا ا‬ ‫�� ا �م�ه ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫ح �� * �ل� � ��د �� ل� لع� د� مر� رى �� � �ع� د�‬ ‫����سى �ل� �ب� ��س �ب� ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ّ �‬ ‫�� �آ � � ئ�ت‬ ‫� � �آ �خ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�� �لف� ا �ل�زا ئ�ر �ب�ا ��س� ا لله � او س�م� م�ل� ك‬ ‫����ه �ور��س��ل�ه �وك�ب�ت��ه � او �ل�ي �و�م ا �ل� �ر � �وب�ا �لب��ع ث�‬ ‫ا�ل�م�ز �ور ا � ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن � ا �ك�‬ ‫�� ا � � ش �ش ا ا �س� ه � ا ا � ��‬ ‫� �ع��ل� ّ �ب� �ل� � �‬ ‫ح��� � * �� ا �� ع�م��ل�‬ ‫� ي� �ل و ي���رب� ���ي � �ع��ل�ى م� * و�ه� ر �يحل ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫فقا �‬ ‫ح�ق ن���ة * ث�� � ا ف��ا ���ن ا ��ل � � ا �� �لق��ا �� � �م�ع�ه � �ق �ة ف ق � ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫م و ى �ي وم ب �ل و‬ ‫ح�� * �����ل� �و�م� ب��ي��د ك * ����� �ل �م��س��ه�ل‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ن �ف � غ �‬ ‫�م ا ا �ص�ن � ه � �ا � � ف ا � ت ف� ��ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ع� �ل�ل م�ي ر* �� �س�‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫� ت��ه * �� ج��ا ��ى ��ى ا �ل���د �و�لي����س ب��ي��ده ����ى * ��ا ��س�ت ب�� ش���ر ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ّ�م�ا �م�ا‬ ‫����ذ ا ��ل � � �‬ ‫�وق���ل ت� ��ل�ه ق��د �َو�هن� ت� �م ن��ّ ا �� �لق ��َو�ى �ب ��ق ��و�ة ا�لم��س��ه� * ق��ا ��ل �ي�ن��ب���غ� ا ن� ��ت خ�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ف �غ �ة � خ‬ ‫� ��ت�ع �ق� � ق��د � ّ��ت��ه ���ف �ذ � �ى ا ��ل�ا �م�� ��ف� ���د�ت�ه ���ع�د ا �ل�م��س�ه� ا ��ن ف��� �م�ا‬ ‫� �ون� �� ك��‬ ‫��ى ��ا �ي� ا �ل���س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ى ر و �ج بر ى و‬ ‫ير و ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن ت‬ ‫ن ف �ت�� خ آ �‬ ‫����ذ �ت�ه ��لن ��ف����س * ف���ل�م�ا‬ ‫��� ت� ا خ�‬ ‫�ك�و ن� * ث�� �ت��و��ل�ى �ه�و ب�� �����س�ه �س‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫���ي�ن ا �ل�م�� � او �ن�ز �ل ن��ى ���فى �مغ�� ���ط�� ك�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫حن‬ ‫ح�ت �غ� ش���� �ع�� ّ ���ع�د ا ن� ��س�م���ط ���ل��د �ى * ف��ا �خْ� � ت� �م ن��ه �ع�� َ �َمق‬ ‫د خ���لت��ه �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ّه �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا ل�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ث� ا ��ن ��ف ا �� غ� �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م �م� � �‬ ‫�م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��ا �ة * �ف� ت��د ا رك�‬ ‫ح�ى ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫����نى خ��ا د �م�ى �ب� م���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫يس‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ن � آ‬ ‫�ش ف �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�مّ�ا � � �خ� �م�ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح ت� ا �� ض� ا ق � ت � � ق �ن ف ا ��ف � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب��ي��ده ���ى ��� ر� ي‬ ‫��� �و��ل� �ل�ع�ل�ه ��د � ���د �م� �ى �و ��ط� ب� �ع�ل� ج��ه �وك�� � ا �حل م ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ف ا ��ل ن �ع�ن �‬ ‫فق ت‬ ‫�ك��ا �تر�ى * ق��ا �ل �ع��لي���ل * ق���ل ت� � ا‬ ‫�ع ن��ده * ��س� ��ى �‬ ‫و �ى �ع��لي���ل *‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ى * ������ل� �ه�و �م‬ ‫��ص � ّ � �‬ ‫ق� ن‬ ‫ن �ت ف‬ ‫����� � خ‬ ‫��ف ق � ّ �� ا‬ ‫ك‬ ‫س���ل �م�ن ��ع�ل *‬ ‫��ا �ل �ي���ب���غ�ى ا � � ���‬ ‫ح ��ط�ه ا �ل�� ي‬ ‫�ص�د * ��س�� ��ط �ع��ل�ى ك��ل� �م�ه ج��ل� �مود �ر‬ ‫ً �ف‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � ّ ن‬ ‫ق ت ��ا ن � ت ّ ا ا ة ا ص�ن ت ّ � ا � ت ن ت‬ ‫�ه�ى �ه� ا ا �ل��د �ور* ق��ا �ل �ل�ا �ب��د ا � ا �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫�و���ل� ك�� ��ك ���ه�م �ب� �ع� د� �م� � �ع��ه ا �و �ل� �م��ى �ي��� �‬ ‫ا � ث ا �ن‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا ��ل�ُع��ُ�ل � (�ج��م� �ع�ل�ا �) �ي�ز �� �م�ا ���ك * ق���ل ت� ا �� ا �م�ا ا ��ل�ا � ��ل �ف� � ن ت‬ ‫هو ا ��� � او �م� ا �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫و �‬ ‫ج �ل‬ ‫و�ج ع �ج ي �ل ب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫���ّل��د ت� � �� ن‬ ‫ح�ى * ث�� ج�‬ ‫م��ع ت� �وق���ل ت� ��ل�ه ق��� ��ل�ل�ا �م�ي�ر ا ��ى � او ���حل‬ ‫هو د �م�ى ا �و ر �و�‬ ‫�م��د لله �ع�ز ب�‬ ‫��‬ ‫و‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق � �ن‬ ‫ن ف‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫� ا ن �ن ق‬ ‫ف��ل�ا �ى ��سب�� ب� ي�‬ ‫ح�ا �و�ل ���س�ف��ي�ر�ى ��س �ر�ع�ا �ل��� ��ي ف�‬ ‫�ه� * �و��ا �ل ا ��ى ا ر�ي��د ا � ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د ك �ل� ا � ا � ����ل‬ ‫�ي م م‬ ‫‪146‬‬

‫‪146‬‬

‫‪٦٫١٠٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫١٠٫٢‬‬

‫‪٨٫١٠٫٢‬‬

A Doctor

revived, he bandaged my hand and left with the emir, the two of them telling me to look after myself and that they’d come and visit me soon, while I said, under my breath, ‘May God never bring you back!’ “Next day, the doctor returned with an armful of medicinal plants. ‘What

2.10.6

are those plants for?’ I asked. ‘An enema,’ he replied. ‘One will be enough for me,’ I said. He replied, ‘The emir says you have to take enemas, if not for your sake, then to do him honor.’ ‘There’s no harm in honoring him with an enema,’ I thought to myself, ‘but once again he’s going against custom, which is that the person visited should adjure the visitor by the name of God and the names of His angels, His apostles, His books, and the Last Day and the Resurrection, to take something to eat or drink for his sake, but here it’s the visitor, and he’s insisting on flushing me out!’ Then I took the enema. The next day, he showed up again, carrying a small pot. ‘What’s that in your hand?’ I asked. ‘A laxative,’ he replied, ‘of the kind I make specially for the emir.’ So I swallowed it down. “Then the following day he came to me carrying nothing, so I rejoiced

2.10.7

and told him, ‘The laxative was so powerful it’s drained me of all my strength.’ ‘Today,’ he replied, ‘you have to take the hottest bath possible, so that you sweat. I have tried it before on the emir’s family and found it to be most beneficial.’ He undertook to heat the water himself and made me get into a bathing tub that I’d bought. When I got in, the heat struck me with such force that I fainted, though it had time to scald my skin first. I was pulled out at my last gasp, and my servant ministered to me with pungent herbs until I recovered. “The day after that he came to me carrying nothing, and I was again delighted and thought, ‘Maybe he’s exhausted his box of tricks and the bath was the last thing he had up his sleeve.’ He asked me how I was. ‘As you see,’ I responded. ‘Sick?’ he said. ‘Sick indeed,’ I answered. ‘You have to be bled,’ he said, his words falling on my ears like ‘a rugged boulder hurled from on high by the torrent’121 and I said, ‘It seems you’re going back to what you began with. When will this cycle end?’ He replied, ‘One of these giaours (plural of cure)122 is bound to get rid of what you have.’ ‘That’s true,’ I said. ‘As for the first named, that’s you, and as for the second, that’s my blood or living spirit,’ and I stood firm and refused, saying, ‘Tell the emir that I am, thank God, a bachelor, so why is he trying to send me away from here so quickly?’ but he didn’t get it.123 ‘I want to bleed you,’ he said to me, ‘not be

147

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2.10.8

‫�‬ ‫����� �‬ ‫����� �� �‬

‫�ّ‬ ‫ث �‬ ‫ف � ا �ن �تف‬ ‫�ع ن���ك * ق���ل ت� ف��ا �ن�ا ��ل�ا ا ر���د ف��ا ر�‬ ‫ح ن�ى ا را �‬ ‫ح��ك ا لله * ��ا �و �ل� ��ى ك�� ����ه �و �و �ل�ى * �� �ل�م ��ي��لب� ث�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا ن ���ع ث ا ��ل ّ‬ ‫ح��س�ا � � ��ت�ق��ا �ض‬ ‫���ا ���ن �ف���ه ��م��س�م�ا �ئ��ة �ق ��ش * ف��ا �ن�ه �ز �ع� ا ن� �ع ن��ده �ن�ا ��س�ا‬ ‫ى �بر�ق��ع��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ب � �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ن‬ ‫ع����ا � �م� ن ا � ا ن ت‬ ‫���ف ا ��ل � �ف� �م�ن ا � �لف��ل�ا �ي�ن � ن � �ت � � ا ش‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا �‬ ‫ع ا ���ه� م�م� �ي���ب�� �ع��ل�ى ي‬ ‫ح�� ي ج �م� �عو� �ل�ه ��لك ا �ل� � ب‬ ‫ى ر�ي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا �قا ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح�ت �ت�� �ع�د �� ��ا �� ا �ذ ا �ت�ا �خ� ت� �ع�ن �ق� ض� ئ‬ ‫ا�� ا �ذ � �‬ ‫�ك��ا �ت�ا �ر ت�‬ ‫���ا ��ه �م‬ ‫د �ي� ر ا � �ل�� �هر� * �و�م� ��ك�� ه �ل��ك ى و ى ب ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ن �ق‬ ‫�ف� ن ق ت ا � � � �ذ‬ ‫ا �� ث ا ��ن �ف ا �� �ق �ة �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�غ� ا�لم� �ك�‬ ‫��ور ب��تم�ا �م�ه‬ ‫ض�ي � ا �ل�ى د �ي �� او � � ن��ص��ل�ه * ����د ��ه �لمب��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ع�ن ا � �ل��‬ ‫�ص�د ل�� �ى �ير�� ل��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق���ل ت ��ا ��ا ا لله ��ف ا ��ل �ا �ع��ة ا ��ل�ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�وه ا �جل�ع‬ ‫�� � او د ��ا ر�ه� * �و�ه�ا ا �ن�ا ا ��ل�ي �و� � او ���حل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م��د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫و � �ل ب رك‬ ‫�ى ر و ج �‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م ب م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ق‬ ‫��ك�ن ا‬ ‫�ن ��‬ ‫ح�ا �ل�ا * �و�م ا د �ى ا ن� ا ج��تم� ���ص�ا � �‬ ‫لله ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �‬ ‫عب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح��ك * �و�ل�� �ل� �ب��د �م ا ك�را �م�ه ب���ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا �‬ ‫ا ��ل�ز ��ا �ة * ث�� ا �ن�ه ا �م �غ��ل�ا �م�ه ��ا ن� ����ن�ت��ق ت�خ ت ا �ن � ا‬ ‫� ف ا �خ ة ن �ي�ت‬ ‫ير‬ ‫��� �م ا �ل�ث�ي � ب� ا � �ل�� �ر� � او � � �و ج��ه �ب��ه� ا �ل�ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب ي �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ت ق � �ة ��تت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ف ا ا �ق ف ا ن ��ا ن ��ق ئ‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫���� ��ل�ه ر��س�ا ��ل��ة �و ج���ي�ز �ة �م� ا ب���� � ��لي���ل� ����م�ن‬ ‫ع ي‬ ‫ا � �ل�� ر�ي� � * �� ��ه ك�� � �و �ت�� �مب�� �ر� ��ط� * ��م ك� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�ت �ف � ف‬ ‫��ت ف‬ ‫ا ��س�ت�د �ع�� ء ه ا ��ل�ى �جم‬ ‫���ل��س�ه ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا � �لق��ا ب���ل * �‬ ‫و ��� يص���ل �ل��ك �ي�ا ��ى ��ى ا � �ل���ص�ل ا �لت��ا �ل�ى *‬ ‫م‬

‫‪148‬‬

‫‪148‬‬

‫‪٩٫١٠٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٠٫١٠٫٢‬‬

A Doctor

your messenger.’ ‘But I don’t want you to,’ I said, ‘so grant me rest, may God grant you the same.’ “At this he showed me his back and departed, sending me soon after his

2.10.9

bill, in which he demanded of me five hundred piasters, for he claimed to have people in the countryside among the peasants who collected those medicinal plants for him, even though they were the same that sprout from the walls of Cairo’s houses. Not content with this, he threatened that, if I was as reluctant to pay as I had been to get bled the second time, he’d bring a case against me in his consul’s office.124 I paid him, therefore, the aforementioned sum in full, saying to myself, ‘God damn the hour that showed us foreigners’ faces, and their backsides!’ “Now here I am today, feeling much better, and I’d like to meet with your 2.10.10 friend. Before the visit, though, I must do him some honor”—and he ordered his servant to select a trunkful of fine clothes and take it to the Fāriyāq, who at the time was dressing as a Frank. Then he wrote him a short message with a few lines of verse inviting him to his salon the following day, details to come in the following chapter.

149

149

‫�‬ ‫ا �� ف‬ ‫ح�ا د � �ع ش‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ا ج��ا ��ز �م�ا �و��ع�د �ن�ا ���ب�ه‬ ‫يڡ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ه �ف �ل ا �ف ��خل ا ا �� ا � �ة‬ ‫�ة ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل��ل�ف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ص�ا �‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫ح ب� �م�ن ا �ل��د �ي�ا ر ا �ل ش����ا �مي�� �ي��ردد �ع�لي�� * � �م� �و �د ا�� د � �ب� لر��س� �ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫� ا * ف���ق�ا �� ��ل�� �ف �ا ��ا �ق ا �ن�ا ا �ذ �ه �م� � ا ��ل ا ��خ‬ ‫� ت�خ‬ ‫ح�ا‬ ‫� ت� ا ��ل� �ا‬ ‫� ا ��ا � ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى وج‬ ‫ث�ي ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ري‬ ‫ف ق � � � ف ق �� � ّ �ف � اِ�زْ آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف���ق��د ���سم�ع ت� �ب�� ك��ره ��ي�ر �مر� � او �‬ ‫ح ب� ا � ا را ه * ����� �ل �ل�ه ا � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �و�ل��ك�ن �ل��ع�ل ��ى ا �ل� � �و‬ ‫ت‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ا �آ ة‬ ‫حق ا �ل��مَ�زُ�ور(‪� * )1‬ف�ا ن� ا �ل�م�د �ع�ّ ��ل�ا ���ل �ق ��ه ا ن� ي���س��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح ب� ا �‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫و �ي �ي � ب‬ ‫��س� � ب ى �‬ ‫(‪ )1‬ا وآ�ى ا �لر ج��ل‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ة � ا ف ن ف �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫ق� �ا‬ ‫ج�� و �م�ع�ه � �ر *‬ ‫�م�ع�ه * ��ا �ل �ل� �ب�ا ��س ��ا � �ه��ذه �ع�ا د� ا �ل� �ر�� ��ا �م�ا ��ى �م�‬ ‫�صر ي���م��ك�ن �ل��ل�م�د �ع�و ا �‬ ‫ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�َ ا � ض ا ا �ذ ا �� �ق ا �دا ��ف ا �� ��� � ق � �ن � � ا �ف ه ا ن‬ ‫ح� ا �ّ�ا �ش���� ء * � �ول��ل�م��س��‬ ‫���س��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��� �ل�ى �و �‬ ‫ح ب� ي��‬ ‫ح� �ى لطري��� م مع� ر � �‬ ‫ي �ب ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ح� � �خ� �و��ل�ل�ا �خ� � �خ� �‬ ‫���ا ا ن� ي���س��‬ ‫ي���س��‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�تى �ي��ص�ي�ر � او ��س�ل��س�ل�‬ ‫ح��ه * �و�ل�ه� ا ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ر ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ث � ا � ن ��ف � � � �ة ق �ة �ن�ث �ة �� � ن �َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح��ل��� ا � � �� * � ك���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح�ا ب� * ب�‬ ‫له� �ي ك�‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫حي�� �ل� �ي��ك�و� �ى ا �ل��س�ل��س�ل� �‬ ‫���ل�م�و� ا�ل�م�ز �ور �م�ن د �و�‬ ‫وي و � م‬ ‫ت َّ‬ ‫�ك�ن ن ا � � ن �ف ق �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��م ا ش ا ة ا � ن ن � ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م �ي ����و�ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح� ���� � � ��يو ن�� �ل�و� �م��ه ا �ل� ك�را �م � �وي��ر ب ب � م و‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا � ا �ة �ع ن�د ا ��ل ّ � � ا ا ��س �ز � � ت � ا � ا خ‬ ‫ّ ت�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ج�‬ ‫�ل�ه � او ن�� ت� �م�ا �‬ ‫�ت���ك‬ ‫�ت���ك � او �ى ك��� ب� و�ص� � ك �ى * و م� �م و ج���ك و‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�اف ن‬ ‫ا نّ‬ ‫�خ ش �ن �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ة �ّ‬ ‫��ص ا‬ ‫ف ا�‬ ‫�ك��ا ��ت ف����ع�ل ا ��‬ ‫�س��ه�ن * �و��ى ا �ى �‬ ‫�و�م� �‬ ‫ح�ا ر� ي���س��ك�ن �م‬ ‫ح� �ب��ك ا �ل� �رج�‬ ‫� * ��ل� ��� �م ا �لر ج���ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ف ��ت�غ� ن ن ا ع�ن � �ة � ن‬ ‫� �ة � ا‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ْ ا‬ ‫ُ فا ن � ن ا �‬ ‫س� * �ف�ا ج��ا �ب�ه‬ ‫‪٢٫١١٫٢‬‬ ‫ج� ب �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� * � بو���ع�د �� � �ل�� �ع�لي��ه دا �ل� ا �ل� د ب� * �‬ ‫هى �ي���� � دا �ل� ا �ل���� ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة �ف ت �ذ �‬ ‫ا ��ل� �ذ ��ل��ك � ��س�ا ا ا ��ل��ه �م�ع�ا * � ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق �ف� ��ث����ا ��ه � �ق�د ا ت خ� ��ذ � � ا �ة �‬ ‫و ري � �ير �ل ب ي ب و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و ر ي‬ ‫�� �ل�ه ع�م� �م� كب���ي�ر� * ��� ك�ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�شا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �� �مئ�� �ع�م�ا �مت��ه ��ا �ل ش����ا � � ��س�� �� ت‬ ‫�س� ار ب�� جم‬ ‫ط��ه ���ل�ك ا�لم ش���ئ ��و�م� * ���ل�م�ا ا � �‬ ‫���ل��س ا�لم���� ر ا �لي��ه ب���ع�د‬ ‫ب مو‬ ‫يو‬ ‫‪١٫١١٫٢‬‬

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Chapter 11

The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

The Fāriyāq had a friend from the Damascene lands who used to visit him,

2.11.1

and he was with him when the servant arrived with the letter and the set of clothes. He told the Fāriyāq, “I shall go with you to see Khawājā Yanṣur, for I have often heard him mentioned and would love to meet him.” “But,” the Fāryaq said, “turning up with another (al-izwāʾ )(1) may be considered a discourtesy to the person visited, for it is inappropriate for an invitee to bring a companion with him.” “Forget

(1) al-izwā’ is “a man’s coming accompanied by another.”

about that,” said his friend, “for it’s the Frankish way. In Egypt, on the other hand, a guest may bring anyone he wishes, and his companion too, should he come across any acquaintance on the way, has the right to bring him along with him, and the latter too has the right to bring along another, and that other another, till they turn into a chain of friends, the only condition being that none of the links be female; all of them, without exception, talk to the person being visited, are treated to his hospitality, and are welcomed by him. He can’t question one of them and say, ‘You! What do you want, what letter of introduction do you have, and what are the names of your wife and your sister, and how old are they, and on what street do they live?’ like your Frankish friends. Have no fear that the man will receive us harshly. And anyway, we have literature to commend us to him, and that will relieve us of the need to invoke pedigree.” So the Fāriyāq agreed to his request, and they set off to see the man together, the Fāriyāq strutting along in his new clothes; he had also got himself a large turban that made him think of his turban in Lebanon and his ill-fated fall.125 When they’d settled down in the aforementioned salon and been greeted and received with warmth and welcoming faces, and once

151

151

2.11.2

‫ف ن‬ ‫��� ا ج��ا ز��م�ا �و�ع�د�ن�ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫��ة‬ ‫ح ش���ت�� ن��ا ����آ �ن��ست�� ن��ا * � �م�د ا ك����‬ ‫ح�� � او ��لت����ل�ّ�ق ��ا ��لب�� ش��� � او ��لب�� ش����ا �ش����ة * �و���ع�د �م�ع�ا ��قب���ة ا �و�‬ ‫�ت �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫ىب ر‬ ‫ا �ل��ر ي ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ا ت‬ ‫� ا ة � ي�ن‬ ‫ح ش���ت�� ن��ا * � � �م ا �ت �ة ��س�ل�ا �م�ا ت� ��� ّ ي�ن‬ ‫� �ن��ست�� ن��ا ��ل�ا �و�‬ ‫�ك��ا‬ ‫ط�ب��� * �و� �م او �ل� � ��ط�بي��� ��س�ل� �م�ا � * �م‬ ‫وور‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � ف ا ا ق ق َّ �ن ق‬ ‫� ت ا ��ل��ا د�ة �ع ن��د ا ��خل �ة � �ة ق � �خ‬ ‫�ج ر� ع‬ ‫��ا �ص� � او �ل�ع�ا �م� * ��ا �ل ا �ل�‬ ‫�وا ج�� �ل��ل��� ر�ي� �� ��د ��سر��ى ��د �و�م��ك ا �ل�ى‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا �� � � ا ا ه ���س�� ا ن �ت ا � ق‬ ‫�غ� �ع�� ّ ��ن�ع ت � ا ش‬ ‫����ك �ف� ا ف ق ق ا � � ش ا‬ ‫ل�دي� ر �و لل ب‬ ‫ى �م��ه �ل� ���رك� ي�‬ ‫ح� ��ه �و��ع� �ل�ى ��د ا � ب‬ ‫�س� ل�‬ ‫�ه� * �����د �� �ل ا �ل���� �عر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ج�ت‬ ‫�ض�ل�ا ��ل �َ��ّ�ن‬ ‫��ق�ا ��ل� ا ا ��ل���ب�ع�ا ��ل ا ��ل���ذ �ش��� ي�����ش�ت�هَ �ف�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ب� م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�نّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا ��س�د � �م�ع � �� ا �ل� �ى � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه � او �ب ��� �و�ه�و ا ���مر �ه�ي�‬ ‫رو ى‬ ‫ح� ج���ة ا ���ش� �ى ى‬ ‫ن � ��م ت ا � �ذ‬ ‫ش�‬ ‫� ا ��ن � ا ا ��ق �� ا ن � � � ا �ة ا ��ل ّ‬ ‫� ت‬ ‫�ن�� ��ل‬ ‫ى �� ك�‬ ‫ع��ل�ى �ى �ل� �ول � ب�ك ح� ج�� �‬ ‫� ا �ل�ى �ى‬ ‫حن�� �م�ن �����ك� او ك ا ��ك ح��ج�‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫ّ � �ق‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�مر�و�ة �ي �� او ��س�ي ��ك ا �و ي���س��لي���ك ا �و ��ي�ت�و ج�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ى ا � �ل ي��ا �م ب��م�ا ي���س��لي���ك �م�ا ا ن�� ت�‬ ‫ع * �و��د �و�ج� ب� �ع��ل�‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا � ا ن ق ظ�‬ ‫��ا ن �ذ � � ا � ا ة ا ��لن���ص�� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�هر �ل�ى ا �ن��ك‬ ‫�م�ع�ا �ي��ه * ��س� �و ء ك�� � �ل�ك �ب� �لم� او ��س� � ا �و �ب� ي‬ ‫ح� * �و �ل� ي‬ ‫�س�م� ا ��ه ��د �� �‬ ‫ق ا ن ت ا �� ��ق‬ ‫�ن ق‬ ‫�� �ف �‬ ‫�م ن�� ش��ّ � ��ف �� � ا ��ل�ع��‬ ‫� * �و�ل��ك�ن ��ى ك���ل�ا �م��ك �م�ا ا � ت����د �ت�ه �ع��لي���ك *‬ ‫�م �ى �ط�ل ب� ل�م * �و��د �ع� ��ي��� ل �ري���ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا ا�‬ ‫�ن � ا‬ ‫�ذ �ق ت �ن ق �تق‬ ‫ق ت‬ ‫ّ ت�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫فا ت‬ ‫�و�لي����س �ه� ا �و�� � ���د � �و ���ي�ي �د * � او ��م� ا ��س� �ل��ك ا �ى ك��� ب� �م ا �ل� د ب� � ار � * �� ب����د ر‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح��ه � ق��ا ��ل �ق ا ك��ت�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل ت� ���فى ا ج��ل‬ ‫ح ث� ا �ل�م���ط�ا ��ل� * ف���ق��ا ��ل ��ل�ه �� �لق��د ج�ع‬ ‫��ا ب� ب�‬ ‫�وا ب� * ف��ا ن� �ه� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ص� � ب و ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ا � ا ت ا �ذ � ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ا ��ف ا ��لن� � �ف �‬ ‫ق �ذ‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫���� �‬ ‫حو �ل�ا ��ى ا �ل�ا د ب� * ا �ل� ا �ن ك��‬ ‫��س�و ن� ا ن� �م�ن � ار �ه� ا‬ ‫ا � ك��‬ ‫ح ب�‬ ‫ل�� ب� �ى ��‬ ‫� �ي� ��ل� �مي�� ا ج� ب ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫��ت ا �� � غ �ة‬ ‫ن �ف‬ ‫�ن ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� �ة��‬ ‫ل��ا ب� �ف ك�‬ ‫له�ا د �و� ا �ت��ق��ا ر �م�ع�ه ا �ل�ى ����ى �م�ن ك�� ب� ل�ل���‬ ‫ا � ك��‬ ‫��ا ��م�ا ��د ا � �‬ ‫�س�و�ع ب� ا �ل�ع بر��ي�� ك��� �‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ا �ذ ا ا ا د ا ن� �ي �ن ق ت�‬ ‫� ��� ب �ة ف ا ن� ا ��� �ع‬ ‫��ا ��ا ا �و خ�‬ ‫� او �ل�ا د ب� � او �ل ش���ر�و� * � او ن� ا �ل���ط�ا �ل ب� �من� ك��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ر‬ ‫ط�� �� �م� ي ��م�ل‬ ‫م� ك�� ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � �ف ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب���ع�� ا ���س‬ ‫��ا �مب��ت� �ل� ��س� ك��� ا �لر�و�ى * �‬ ‫�ي ���� ا � ��ي�ل�ب����س �ع�لي��ه ا�ل�مر��و �ب� �لم��ص�و ب� *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ع‬ ‫جع‬ ‫ت ش ا ت ا � ة � ش ا � ا �� ف ا ظ ��‬ ‫ت �ا� �‬ ‫س�ت ا ت ا ة‬ ‫���و�ه� ا �ل� �ل�� ��‬ ‫�ه� � ج�� م�د� * ح �‬ ‫� ��يو� ��ط� ��ل�ل ا �ل�ى ب���ع��ض� ا �� �ع� را � �ب� رد� * �و����ب��ي�‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫���ة � ا ��ن ا �ل� ت�ق ق �ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���‬ ‫�ف ث‬ ‫م���� �ل���ل� �م�ن د �و� �م�عر�� �م�ا ي��� �ع��م�ل �م�ن ا � �ل���ع�ل ��ل�ا ��ثي��ا ا �و ر�ب�ا �عي��ا *‬ ‫ا �لركي����ك� � او�لم�ع� �ى‬ ‫ف �ق � �ذ ت �ذ ّ�� � ف ق �ق � � � ن‬ ‫حر�و�ف� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�و�م�ا ��ي ت��ع�د �ى �ب�ه �م�ن �‬ ‫� ّر * ���ع ن��د ��و�ل�ه �ه� ا ��� ك�ر ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� ��و�ل ا�لم��ط ار �‬

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‫‪٣٫١١٫٢‬‬

The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

“We’ve been looking forward to meeting you” had been followed up with “You bring us good cheer,” and “You bring us good cheer” had fallen fast on the heels of “We’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” and after the salutations of kindly men had followed hard on the kindliest of salutations, as is the custom among both elite and commoners, the Khawājā said to the Fāriyāq, “I am delighted with your arrival in these lands and that God, Glorious and Almighty, has granted me His blessing in allowing me to make you my partner here, for as the poet has said, Sexual congress, they claimed, is the most desirable thing But that, I replied, is clearly misguided. A favor done to one in need Is more gratifying, of more lasting effect, and easily provided “—which doesn’t mean I’m saying that you’re in need of me, though I did infer from your complaint that you require a doughty friend to keep you in good cheer, or shore up your spirits, or share your sorrows; and the duty of keeping your spirits up so long as you are preoccupied, whether by providing consolation or offering advice, has fallen to me, especially as it’s clear to me that you are new to the pursuit of knowledge and interested in rhyming. Notwithstanding this, there are things in your writing that I might criticize you for, though this is not the time for criticism or the listing of faults. I would like to ask you, however, what books of literature you have read.” Here his friend took the lead in anwering in his stead and said, “He’s read the Baḥth al-maṭālib (The Discussion of Issues).”126 “You were too quick with your answer!” the Khawājā replied. “That’s a book on grammar, not literature, though you students from the Mountain reckon that any who’s read it has effectively imbibed all that the Arabic language has to offer and feel no need to complement it with any of the books on the lexicon or literature, or the commentaries. When one of you students wants to pen a book or a speech in high-flown style, he uses a few hackneyed rhyme words with no vowel on the rhyme consonant, for fear of getting confused between -u and -a.127 They strain to produce a few mediocre metaphors and rigid similes that they’ve stuffed with feeble phrases and faltering figures without any knowledge of which verbs, triliteral or qadriliteral, should be used, or which should be used with a preposition to make them transitive.” When the man said this, the Fāriyāq remembered how the metropolitan had written to Qayʿar Qayʿār

153

153

2.11.3

‫ف ن‬ ‫��� ا ج��ا ز��م�ا �و�ع�د�ن�ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫� ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� �ه�ا ��ل��خ‬ ‫ح��‬ ‫� �ل�قي��ع ��قي��ع�ا ر � او �و�ج��ل‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫� ت� �ف�‬ ‫��ور �ف�غ����ل� �ع��لي��ه ا �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح�تى ��‬ ‫�وا ج��ا ا�لم� �ك�‬ ‫�ه�ا * ف�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �ف ت �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫���� �ة‬ ‫�ن �ة��‬ ‫له�ا ا �غ��ل�ا ���ط�ا ف��ا �‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ر��ض� �بر ج���ل�ه * ث�� ق��ا ��ل ��ن�ع� � او � ��ل� ك�‬ ‫��� ب� ا � ك‬ ‫ح� �م�ن �ه� ا‬ ‫ل���ي����س� ك��� �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ت م‬ ‫� ا ن ن ��ا ن �ن �‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ��ل�ن� * ف���ق��د �ق ا ت� ���ف ك���‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ع�ن‬ ‫��ا ب� �م‬ ‫�ه� � ب���ع��ض� ا �لر�هب�� � ا ��ه ك�� � �م ا �ل � او �‬ ‫��� �ع��ل�ى ج�� �� ب�‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫وع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�ن �خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫��� ا ّ � ئ‬ ‫نت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ � � ت ن ��ا ن �‬ ‫�ص� �ع�لي��ه * ا �ى �ل�ه * �و� � �ر‬ ‫�ع ���ي��م ح�ى ا ��ه ك�� � ك�ل�م� �مر �ع�لي��ه ر��ي����س�ه ��ي� ��و�م � �وي����� ب‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ن� ي���س�ت�من�� د ا ئ��م�ا‬ ‫ا �ن�ه ب���لغ���ه �ع�ن را �هب���ة �م�ا ا �ن��ه�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� ا ت� ك�‬ ‫��را �م�ا ت� �و�م ش����ا �ه�د ا ت� * �ف ك�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫ة � �ة ث‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ير �ه�ا * ا �ى �ي ��م ن��ى * �و�ع�ن � �خ�ر ا �ن�ه ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �خ�‬ ‫ا ن� ا‬ ‫ط �و��ل� ��‬ ‫� �م�ن د �يره �و��ا ب� �ع ن��ه �م�د� �� �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ت ف‬ ‫���ا‬ ‫ح��د ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر ج�‬ ‫�� ��ف�و ج���د ر�ئ�ي����س�ه ا �ل�ا �و�ل ق��د �م�ا ت� �و �و�ل�ى ر�ئ�ا ��س�ت�ه ا �‬ ‫ح�ا �ب�ه * � او �ن�ه ب���ع�د ا � � ���ا �و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق ا ظ � � �ن ّ �ذ‬ ‫خ � �ة ت‬ ‫�ت ا ش ق � � ئ‬ ‫� ا ن � ًا‬ ‫� ا ا‬ ‫ه�ي�� ب� ا �لر�هب�� � �لي��ل� * ا �ى ا ��ي��� �� �‬ ‫� �و ب�� ��� ار ���ل�ده ا �ل �ر���ي��س ��د �م� ��� ب‬ ‫�ه�م م �ه ب‬ ‫� � ا ن �ة ن ��ا ن �ذ ظ � �ف �‬ ‫�ن��� ��ة ��ن��ت�� ظ‬ ‫ع ��� � ��‬ ‫ع ��� ��ى ا � ك‬ ‫ق��ا � * �و�ع�ن ب���ع�� ا�لم��ط� ر�� ا ��ه ك�� � ا ا �و�‬ ‫� �ل�ه �ك��ل �م�ن ي���س�م�ع�ه *‬ ‫ل�� ي ��س ي‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫تّ‬ ‫�غ �ذ � � �م ا �‬ ‫��ف � ا ن� �� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫��ل� �ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ى ��ي ��ع ��� * �و��ي�ر �ل�ك �م� �ل� يح�ص �� ��د � د ا � ��� � ك�� � � ا �ل ���س ك��‬ ‫�ى ب �ل ور �ى �ل ج ي �ل و ل م ر �ل م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ت خ‬ ‫� ���ط�ا ��ا‬ ‫��ه�ل ا �ل�م�ع ّ���ي�ن * ��م�ن �ذ ��ل��ك �م�ا �ورد ���فى ا ج�‬ ‫��ا ��س�د ا�لم�ع��ى �و�م�� ش����ا ه �ي�م�ا ا ���‬ ‫ظ�ن ج� �‬ ‫�ي���ل �م��ى � ب‬ ‫بر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ع�ن ا �ل�م���س �عٓ ا � �ذ � ا‬ ‫� ا� ف‬ ‫�ث ن ق ئ‬ ‫���� ك��‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� � *‬ ‫ح��د ��ا �ن�ه ��س�ي �ا ��ى �ب�ا ��س��مى ك����ي�ر �و� ��ا ���ل��ي�ن ا �ن�ا �ه�وا�لم��ي�س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ر � او �ل� �ي� ض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫يح م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ث� ا �� �ن�ت�� ن‬ ‫ن � ن‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫��� �من ا ن‬ ‫�ف ّ �‬ ‫�ص�د ��ق�و�ه� * � او�ل�م ار د ا � ��ي�ق��ا �ل ا � ك���ي ر ي‬ ‫��ل�ا ���‬ ‫ح��ل�و� ا ��س��مى �ي��دع�ى �ك�ل �‬ ‫�ه�م �ب� ��ه �ه�و‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫م �وت�ا �و��س * �و�لت���‬ ‫� * �و�ش���ت�ا ن� �م�ا �ب��ي�ن ا �� ك�‬ ‫ا�لم��ي�س�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �م��ي�ن * �و��ى ر��س�ا �ل� �م�ا ر ب� ��و�ل��س ا �ل�ى ��يط� �‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا ��ل ش��� ا �ة �ز � �ز �ة‬ ‫���ا �ة ا �ش����ت ا ك ا ��ل ش���م�ا �م��س��ة ���ف ���ض‬ ‫ح��د�ة * � �م��ق ت��ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� � او �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د *‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و�ج و ج و‬ ‫ىب ع‬ ‫�ذ �ز آ‬ ‫ا �ذ‬ ‫ن � ن �� ا‬ ‫ت �ذ � ش ا‬ ‫ا � �ي�ن ن ا‬ ‫�م�ع� ا لله ا � �ي��ك�و� ك��ل� �م�ى �ه� ا ا د ر� ء �ب� �ل��د � او ��م� ا �ورد � �ل��ك ���� �ه�د ا �ع��ل�ى ج� �‬ ‫��ه�ل‬ ‫�م�ن �ع ّ� � ا ��ّ�لف �م�ن ا ��ه �م��ل�ت�ن �ا * ��ن�ع ا ن ���ع�� ا �ل�م���ط�ا �ن��ة ق��د ا �� ف�ل �� ا �ت�ا ��ل ��ف �م��ف ��د�ة ��ّ‬ ‫رب و �‬ ‫و ي� ي ج‬ ‫�ود � او‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�م � ب �ض‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ن �ة‬ ‫ح � ا �م�ع�ا ��ن �ه�ا * ا �ل�ا ا ن ا ج �ل‬ ‫ا ت ا‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ل ا �غ� � �� ء �ل�ا ��ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫هور �م�ن ا ��ه�ل ك‬ ‫��ه‬ ‫��م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل���ي����س� ج� �‬ ‫�عب�� ر���ه� �و�رر و ي�‬ ‫ب �ي‬ ‫�ي ج ب � �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق �ف ض ن ا �ذ � ا ت � � �غ � �غ‬ ‫� ا �ف ا‬ ‫� �‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ل��ل� �م ا � �ل�� ��س�د ا �لركي���ك * �و� �ل��د ا ����ى ب���� �ه� ا ا �ل� ��س� ��ط ار د ا �ل�ى ��ي�ر ا �ل� ر��ض‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح��ك �م�ن �‬ ‫ح��م ا ��خل‬ ‫�ص�دده �و�ه�و ا ��س�ع�ا �ف��ك ا �ي��ه�ا ا ��خل‬ ‫���د �ي�ن ب��م�ا �ير�‬ ‫�ر�� *‬ ‫���لن��ع�د ا �ل�ى �م�ا �ك�ن��ا �ب��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ل ج‬

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‫‪٤٫١١٫٢‬‬

‫‪٥٫١١٫٢‬‬

The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

“wa-awlajtu fī-hā”128 and he mentioned this to the aforementioned Khawājā, who laughed so hard he scuffed the ground with his foot. “Indeed,” he said, “all church books are full of horrible mistakes of that

2.11.4

sort. I once read in one, of a certain monk, that he was ‘endowed with great humility, to the extent that, whenever the head of his monastery passed him, he stood up to him (ʿalayh)’ (meaning for him (lahu)), and of another that ‘he was told, of a nun, that she was a wonder-worker and a seer of visions, and he constantly wanked to see her’ (for he wanted to see her), and, of another, that he left his monastery and was absent for a long period; then he returned and found that its former abbot had died and one of his friends had taken over his position, and, after they’d consulted and congratulated one another, the abbot appointed him ‘to smut up the monks at night,’ meaning ‘to wake them up’ (from habba meaning ‘to rise’),129 and, of a certain metropolitan, that ‘when he preached a homily in the church, everyone who heard him stood erected,’ meaning ‘stood corrected,’ and so on and so forth, with too many examples to count. Indeed, even in the New Testament and the words of the apostles there is language whose meaning has been corrupted, the source of such corruption lying, I believe, in the ignorance of those who translated them into Arabic. For example, in the gospel according to St. Matthew, there is an oration handed down from Christ, peace be upon him, in which he says, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; so do not believe them,’ but what is meant is that ‘many shall adopt my name, and each shall claim that he is the Messiah’—and what a difference there is between the two versions!130 And in St. Paul’s epistle to Timothy it is written, ‘Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,’131 when what is meant is that the deacons should jointly pay one dowry. God forbid that these words of mine should be taken as showing contempt for religion; I cite them only as testimony to the ignorance of those of our community who worked as translators into Arabic and composers of prose. True, some metropolitans have composed useful works excellently expressed and with well turned figures, but the mass of the clergy are stupid ignoramuses who like only poor, lame language. “This aside has diverted us from our goal. Let us return to what we were about, which was how to help you, my dear friend, relieve yourself of the burden of the bag. Would you be interested in being a scribe in the establishment of a certain rich prince who wishes to set up a Panegyricon132 in which

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2.11.5

‫ف ن‬ ‫��� ا ج��ا ز��م�ا �و�ع�د�ن�ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫� �غ آ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫ن �� ن�� ش �م ا �ت‬ ‫��ه�ل ��ل��ك ���فى ا ن� �ت��‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ك�‬ ‫���ا ��تب��ا �ع ن��د ر ج���ل �م�ن ا �ل ّ��س ار �ة ا �ل�ا � �ن�ي �� �‬ ‫�يري��د ا � ي ����ى �م�د �‬ ‫ح� �ي ك‬ ‫��� ب�‬ ‫�ن ظ ��‬ ‫�ف���ه ���لغ���ا ت ��مخ‬ ‫�� تي�ن‬ ‫�ك�و ن� �ش��غ����ل�ك �ف�ي��ه ���فى �ك�‬ ‫�ت���ل�ف���ة �م��س�ا �عي��ه �و�م�ع�ا ��لي��ه * �ف�ي���‬ ‫���ل �ي ��و� �‬ ‫ي ب �‬ ‫� ب��ي����� ا �و‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا � غ ت �ن �ل� � ا � ن‬ ‫قا � ف ق � ت � ا‬ ‫ح��س� ا �ل�ا ��قت� ض� �‬ ‫���ر ب�‬ ‫ا ك��‬ ‫��� ء * �� �ل �����ل� ا �ى �ي� ��س�ي �د �ى �م� ب��ل��� �م ا عل��م �م� �ي ��و�ه�ل��ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف ا �خ� ش�� ا ن � ت ّ � �ق �ي�ز ف ن‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى �ه��ذه ا ��ل �ر�ت���ة * �و�‬ ‫ح�ن �ه ن��ا ��ى ب���ل��د ا �ل�عل��� � او �ل� د ب� �� ��ى � �ي ��‬ ‫�ص�د �ى �ل�ى ��و�م ��ي� ��و�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف ا �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� خم � �ق �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� �ا �م � خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� ��ط ��و ��ى * �� ج���ل � او لله ب���ع�د�ه� �م ا � ا �� ��‬ ‫�ر ا �ل�ى �و ج��ه ��ل�و� �م ا �لب�����ر *‬ ‫ك��ل �ى يو‬ ‫��خ‬ ‫�ذ � ف ن‬ ‫��م �� � ا ن �� ض ت �ف �ذ � � ة ق � � ا ت�خ‬ ‫ف��ا ���نى ر ج���ل ا �‬ ‫ح ب� ا ل �ول و � ب �‬ ‫���ا �ع��ى ��ى �ل��ك �ل�م�ز ج��ا � * ��ا �ل �ل� � ش��� �م�ن �ل��ك ��ا �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫��ا �ن ا ق ��ت�ق ّ ا � �ّد ا ��ل�عل�� � � ا ��ف ا �� ف�ل� ض� ا � ا‬ ‫���ل �‬ ‫و �ل� د ب� �ع��ل� ��ي�ر�ه� *‬ ‫ا ��ه�ل �م�‬ ‫�صو ح� � � بو ر �‬ ‫�صر � او � ك�� ��و ��د �� �‬ ‫عو �ى‬ ‫ى م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫� ��� �ة خ� ّ �ف� ا � ف‬ ‫ع�� ا * ا � ��م�ع ن� خ‬ ‫� ا � ا ��ل ن��ا �ث ��� فل� �ظ‬ ‫ا �ل�ا ا �ن��ه� �ل�ا ��ي ت�� نع�ت ��و ن� �ع��ل� ا �ل ن��ا ظ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�غ� ���ف ا ��ل ش����ع ا ن� �ل�� ��� �لق �م�ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي��ه ��س� �‬ ‫ه او * �� ���ه�م ا ��ه�ل �س�م�ح� �و�مي�� ��سر� * �ع��ل�ى ا � �م � ب� ى‬ ‫ر م �ي �‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫� ّ�‬ ‫��ن��ت��ق��د ��ق ���ه �م �ة � �م�ن خ‬ ‫�ن��ه ا ن� �ي���ص� ا ��ل�ى �م ��تب���ة ا ��ل ش����ع � ء الجم‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫� ��طئ��ه ا �خ�ر�ى ف��ل�ا ي� ك‬ ‫�ي��د �ي�ن *‬ ‫�ول ر و ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق ن ظ‬ ‫� ا ����ا �ت�ا � � �� د �عه�ا ��س�م�ع�ه ف���ق� ���ط �ل�م�ا �ع �ف ا �لخ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ���ط�ا �م�ن ا �ل� �ص او ب� �� ���ط * ف��ل�ا �ي ك�‬ ‫��ا د‬ ‫ر�‬ ‫�و� �لو ب����ى ��ي � ���م ب ي ويو �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� ���ط�ا * �وق��د �ج� ت� ا ��ل�ع�ا د�ة ���ي�ن ا ��ل ش����ع � ء ��ا ن� �م�ا ي���ست�� جه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��د �ي��صي�� ب� ا �ل�ا �ع�ن خ�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫� ن��ه ب���ع ض�‬ ‫���هم�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر ب‬ ‫�ن � ا ��ن � ا � ف ا ظ � ����ست�� س�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �آ �خ‬ ‫م ��ل�ف� ���ي�ن‬ ‫ف ا �ي�ز � � ش ا‬ ‫�م ا�لم�ع� �ى � او �ل� � �ل�� ��� ي‬ ‫ح�� �ه ا �لب��ع��ض� ا �ل� �ر* ��ل� ا �ل ا �ل���� �عر � او �ل �و ب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ث ني�ن ا�ذ � ا�ذ‬ ‫�مخ ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫� ��� ئ � �م� �صّ � * � � �مف� ّ ق‬ ‫� �و�م ن��ا ����ل*‬ ‫و �‬ ‫��س� �و�مب��ر�ى * �و�م�ع��ر��ض‬ ‫ا � ��� �ع� �ل �و�ع� ر* �و� ط�� و و ب‬ ‫ح�ا ظ ���� � �م�� �س�غ * � �مض‬ ‫�� ّ�ق‬ ‫� ا �ت��ق � ف��ا �ت��ق * � �م�م�ز �ق� � ا ���ف ئ‬ ‫� * �و خ��ا ر�ق� �ورا �ق��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ور � و � و‬ ‫ع * �و� ر و و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت � �‬ ‫�و� �م �ّ�س� �وق��ا �ئ�� �ل��َ �وق��ا �ئ�� �ل�ا ن� * �‬ ‫ح�ت �تر�ج�� �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا �ت�ه ��سي��ئ��ا �ت�ه * � �و�ت��د ا �و�ل ا �ل ن��ا ��س ا ب��ي��ا �ت�ه *‬ ‫وع ل م ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ا�لم�ق�� �ص د * ��من�ه� �م�ن‬ ‫ح�ا �و��ل ا ��ل ش����هر�ة ا �ن�ا ��س �ب�ا � �لق ��و��ل ا�ل�مرد �ود * � ا �� ك�‬ ‫�وق��د ��ط�ا �لم�ا �‬ ‫و‬ ‫و م‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ن ظ ��‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ن � ت�ز �ف‬ ‫�ة ع�ن � ن ق � ف ا ت‬ ‫�� ا ت ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح���ك‬ ‫�م ا ب��ي�� �� �م�ه�م��ل� ا �ى �ع�ا ر�ي� � ا �ل ��� ��ط �� �ه�م��ل� * �و�م �‬ ‫�ه�م �م ا �ل�� �م �ي�‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫ف � �‬ ‫� فت‬ ‫�� ت� � ا ��لغ��� ت‬ ‫��ا ن� ي� �ف � �� ت ن‬ ‫حرف��ا �م�ن �‬ ‫�ه�ا �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ب ج‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ى ا �و�ل �ك��ل ب��ي��� �م �‬ ‫حر�و�� ا �س�م ا �لم�م�د �وح ���رك� و ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ةفّ‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫�� ف‬ ‫�ز ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫���ع� د ا ��ه ا �لج��‬ ‫� ن�ي����س � او �ل�ت�ور�ي�ا ت� ا �لب��عي��د� �رد ت� �و ��ي�� ت� * � او ك� �� �� او �م�ن �ل��ك‬ ‫�و�م �‬ ‫�ه�م �م ج� ل ب‬

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‫‪٦٫١١٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫١١٫٢‬‬

The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

to record in writing, in different languages, his mighty deeds and noble virtues? Your work there would be to compose each day two or more lines of verse, as needed.” The Fāriyāq went on, “I told him, ‘I am not, Sir, a scholar senior enough

2.11.6

to qualify for such a rank. Here we are in the land of scholarship and literature, and I fear some group may obstruct my path, claiming that what I say is spurious and erroneous, after which I’ll be too ashamed to look any man in the face, for I’m a man who prefers obscurity, and what I have to offer in this respect is but meager.’ ‘Don’t worry about that,’ he told me. ‘The people of Egypt, though they may have reached the limits of learning and surpass all others in merit and culture, would not pick a quarrel with a writer, be it of poetry or prose, who made a hash of a word unintentionally or trashed a trope inadvertently. They are a tolerant and easy-going people. At the same time, though, if one who wants to make a name for himself in poetry finds no one on one occasion to critique his work and on another to find fault with it, he will never reach the rank of the truly celebrated poets, and, if he keeps composing verses and trusting to his ear alone, he will never learn to distinguish the incorrect from the correct. Almost no one succeeds without first making mistakes. “‘Also, it has become the custom for some poets to condemn the rhetorical figures and words that others commend, so that the poet or prose writer is always caught between two—between a critic and a commender, a faultfinder and an excuser, an accuser and a defender, an opponent and an ally, a render and a mender, a ripper and a darner, a perforator and a patcher, a forbidder and a permitter, a narrower and a widener, one who asks, “Why?” and one who answers, “Because!”—until, in the end, his good qualities come to outweigh his bad, and everyone circulates his verses. How often people have tried to attain fame through compositions that deserve to be rejected and not accepted. Some wrote verses using only unpointed letters, meaning those that are devoid of dots, and these were neglected;133 some in their verses cleaved to “binding,” by which they make the first letter of each line of the poem one of the letters of the name of the person being eulogized, and these were disregarded and disrespected; and some took paronomasia and far-fetched punning as their path, and these were refused and condemned as too affected. All that such poets sought from such things was celebrity among their fellows, and they cared nothing for blame or rebuttal, and I pray God

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2.11.7

‫ف ن‬ ‫��� ا ج��ا ز��م�ا �و�ع�د�ن�ا �ب�ه‬ ‫ي‬

‫�ّ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��م �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ة �ق‬ ‫�ت ف‬ ‫� � �ت‬ ‫�رد ا �ل ش����هر� �ب��ي�ن ��و�م�ه�م �و�ل�م ��ي ب��ا � �ل او �ب�ا �ل��عر��ض� �ل�� �لو�م � او �ل ����ن�ي �د * � او ��ى ا �عي�� ك �م�ن ا �‬ ‫بج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت ��ف ن ش ا ئ � �ن�ز ت ف�ا � �� �ة �‬ ‫ق � �ة‬ ‫��ت�ع�د ��ى �ج��م��ل��ة �ه�و �ل�� ء * ف��ا ��ى را ��ي� �ى ا ����� ��ك � او � ا � ك�‬ ‫�� ر ل� ي �‬ ‫ط�ف�� �ت��د �ل �ع��ل�ى �رح�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �ذ � �ذ‬ ‫آ ق�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫�ي��د�ة * �و��س��لي ��ق�� �م�ت�وق��د�ة * � بو���ع�د ��م�ن ا ا �ل�� �ى �م�ا ��س�� ء �� ��ط * ق��ا �ل ف���ق���ل ت� � او لله‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫� �ن �ة ت ن �‬ ‫ا ن ��ل�� �ع�� ّ � ن�ت‬ ‫ى �لم� ��ي�ن �ع ��ي��مت���ي�ن * ا �ل� �و�ل�ى �ع ن��ا ��ي ت���ك ب��م�ع�ا ����ى * � او �لث��ا �ي�� ���� ش���ي� ��ط��ك ا �ي�ا �ى‬ ‫� ك ل�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ن ظ �‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * ف���ق��د ك�‬ ‫��� ت� �‬ ‫�ج�ز �م ت� �ب�ا � �ل�ا ا ��ق�و�ل ا �ل ش����عرا �ل�ا � ك‬ ‫م�� �و�م�ا �ع�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س �و�ه�ا ا �ن�ا �ل��ك‬ ‫ا �ل�ى ا �ل� ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�د‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�ر�م��ك �م�ن ا �ل�ز ا ئ�ر �ي�ن * ��‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫وب ك‬ ‫ي س�ي ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � ق �ض‬ ‫ا �ن�� �ف �ن ن‬ ‫�صر� �م �ع��ده د ا �عي�� �ل�ه �و��د ا ��مر‬ ‫�م�ف��ا رق���ة ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫��ى ا �ل�ي �و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�قا‬ ‫ا � �ل�� ب���ل‬ ‫*‬

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‫‪٨٫١١٫٢‬‬

The Fulfillment of What He Promised Us

that you are not to be counted among their number, for I saw in your composition hints of refined ideas that point to an excellent intuition, and a lively inborn disposition. But, to get back to our original discussion, who has never done wrong?’” Said the Fāriyāq, “I told him, ‘By God, now you have two great claims on my gratitude! The first is your concern for my welfare, the second your galvanizing me to write verse, for I had resolved to do so only far from people’s eyes. Behold now, My Master, my gratitude and hear me broadcast, like a lion roaring, your generous attitude!’” Then he left his house, calling down blessings on the other’s name, having decided that he would part company with the Bag-man the following day.

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2.11.8

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل��ث�ا ���ن �ع ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل ى �ر‬ ‫� ا �ب���ي�ا ت� ���َ�سِر ���ّي�ه‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫ف �ذ ّ �‬ ‫� ا �ث � �ّ ا ث�ت ف ق �‬ ‫� �ك�ن � ا‬ ‫ح��ن �ا ا �� �لف��ا ر��ا �ق� �ع ن��د ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر�ج��ى �م�ن ا �ل� � �ق��ا �ل ا �ل� �ج�� �ه ���� ��ط * ���ل�� ا �ت�ا �ب� ��ط‬ ‫�ل�م �ي�� �ل�ص� �ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫قا � �‬ ‫��ن � ق ا �غ ا �� ت‬ ‫ق �غ ا�ث ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��� د � ا �ت�ه ���ف ��ز‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ط� ��وره �و �و�ع و ى‬ ‫�� ب‬ ‫ح ا �م�ه �و�� �ل �ل�ه * ��د ا �� ��ى ا لله � او را �ى ��ط �ر�ي��� ��ي�ر ل ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف �ت ف ا ق ن‬ ‫� � ن * �ف�ا �ن�ا ا ��ل � � �م�ف��ا ق��� ��ل�ا ��م ا � �ة ق ا � �‬ ‫ح�ز ���ك ا ��خل‬ ‫��طر��قت� ا ��ل ا ن�� ت � �‬ ‫�ي وم ر ك‬ ‫�ر�ج�ي و�‬ ‫ح� �ل� * �� �ل ك�ي ��� � ��� ر��ى‬ ‫�ه� �ى � و ب‬ ‫ق� ن‬ ‫�ؤ�ت ن‬ ‫ق ا � �ذ � � ن‬ ‫ا ا ت � � ��ف �ش�‬ ‫ط� ��ور ي� ش����ه�د �ع��لي���ك �ب�ا �ن��ك ��س� ��ى * ��ا �ل ا �‬ ‫�و�م� ا ��س� � ا �لي��ك �ى ��ى * �� �ل �ه� ا ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫� ا �ز �ف ه � ا ��ت��ق � ه ش ا ة �ف � ت‬ ‫� �ن ه �� ا ��ف � � ش ا ة‬ ‫ا �ل�ع� � �ب� �ل� ب���ل �ل� ����ه� د� ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي ��ف� ���‬ ‫� �ش���ه�ا د �ت�ه �ه�و �م� ك���و� ��سب ب�� �ى �ج ر ����ه� د�‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ح ت� �ش��ه�ا د�ة �‬ ‫ن � ن �ق‬ ‫ح ئ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك��ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ك��ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ه * �ق�ا �ل ب���ل ���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�ر ا �ب�ا ���ك * � او ��ه �لي�� ��ط�� ب��م��س�ا � �وي��ك �م‬ ‫� �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�ص� � ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ن ّ‬ ‫ق�‬ ‫� ّ � ن ْق ش ّ � ّ � ن ق‬ ‫ن �ق‬ ‫�� ��ط�� ت� ا �ت�ا � ج���د ك * �وي��د ك‬ ‫ح�ص�و� ِ�عن ����ا ���ي��ت���ك �مك��ا د ك ا�لم�د � ب� ��و�� ب�ر�ي��ب���ك * ��ا �ل‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ق ا � � �‬ ‫�ف ن �ت ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق� �ا‬ ‫فق‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�م�ا �ه� ا ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح�ى � او �ل�ه�ا �م * ��ا �ل �ل� �ب�ا ��س ��ى ا � ��ع�ز �� �ب�ه �����د �ع��ل�م ت� ا �‬ ‫ل��ل� �م * � �ل �و‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ا�ز ف‬ ‫� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا د � �ع�ن �‬ ‫ا ��خل‬ ‫ح��س�د �ش�� ك�‬ ‫��ا ك * �ق�ا �ل ب���ل ا ��ى �ع� �� �ب�ه �ع ن��د �م�ن ��ي�ق��و�ل�و� �ل�ى �زِ د �و��ي�ع�ا د‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا ��ف � ا ت � ق � ق خ ّ �‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ح��سن�� ت� � ا لله * ��ل�ا �ع ن��د �ع � ا �ذ �‬ ‫� او �‬ ‫�ه�ا �ل * ��ا �ل ��د ���ل��ط ت�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫��م �ل� �ي�� ك�ر�و� ا ��س�م ا لله ا �ل� �ى ا �ل� ب�� �‬ ‫ق ا � ن �ن �‬ ‫قا � ن �‬ ‫ق ا � ق ف ّ � ت ��ق � ت‬ ‫ش � �ت‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫�ه�ود *‬ ‫� او ��� ��ط��ط� * �� �ل ��د �ر ��ط� �و ��س ��ط� * �� �ل ا ���ك ك� �ود * �� �ل ا ���ك �م ا �لي�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ظ �‬ ‫ح� ّل�ا‬ ‫��ر�ى ��م‬ ‫ث�� �و ��ل�ى �ع ن��ه �و�ه�و ��س�ا �م�د ا ��ل ار ��س ج�� �‬ ‫ح ���� ا �ل�ع�ي�ن ��ي�ن �م�ن ا �ل�غ�ي ظ� ���� * �و��س�ا ر � او ك��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫� � � ��ف‬ ‫آ � �ف� �‬ ‫ش �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط� ��ور �و� ��و ج��ه ا ل�ى ا �لم�م�د * �م� ا � �‬ ‫�س� ر �ب�ه ج��ل�� ا �ل� �و �ورد ب�����ي ر ا �لي��ه‬ ‫� �وى ي��ه ا �ل�� ب‬ ‫س‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫� غ ا �ل�ع �ة ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق �ة �ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ب��ي��ت��ا ن� ا‬ ‫�ير د �تر�ج��مت��ه�م�ا * ���ل�م�ا �عُر ض�‬ ‫���ا �ع��ل�ى �م��ر�ج���مى ا �ل��ل���ا ت� ج��مي�� � او د ��ي ت�‬ ‫� بو��ي��ده ر���ع� �ي�‬

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‫‪٢٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Chapter 12

Poems for Princes

Our friend the Fāriyāq had no heavy baggage at the Bag-man’s house other

2.12.1

than his own body, so he took his tambour under his arm, put his pen-box in his belt, and told the man, “God has come to my aid and shown me a path different from that laid down for me by you and your company of Bag-men. Today I shall leave you and nothing shall dissuade me.” “How can you leave me, when I’ve done you no injury?” asked the other. “This tambour,” replied the Fāriyāq, “bears witness against you that you did.” “If the tambour-player isn’t acceptable as a witness, how can the witness of the instrument itself— the reason for the discounting of its owner’s witness—be valid?”134 “On the contrary,” said the Fāriyāq “it’s as valid as your father’s mare’s, can announce your sins as loudly as your grandfather’s she-ass, and can demolish the castles where you store your peddlers’ goods as well as any kingly trumpet!”135 Said he, “What am I to make of such a peroration?” “That it’s revelation and inspiration!” he replied. “It doesn’t matter if you play your tambour,” the Bagman said, “for I’ve discovered that the servant only brought the complaint against you out of envy.” “Never!” said the Fāriyāq. “I’m going to play it to people who tell me, ‘More!’ and ‘Encore!’ and ‘Well done!’ and ‘Allāh!’136 not to foreigners who only say God’s name when praying.” “You’re a trouble-maker and have gone too far!” said the man. “And you’ve let me down and haven’t treated me fair!” the Fāriyāq retorted. “You’re untrue!” he said. “And you’re a Jew!” he responded. Then he turned his back on him, head held high, eyes bulging with fury, and set off, and he rented a room, where he stowed his tambour and made his way to the Panegyricon. He had barely had time to take his seat before a messenger appeared before him with a piece of paper in his hand, on which were two lines of

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2.12.2

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫��ت‬ ‫�وك�� ب�‬

‫ف خ �ذ � ق‬ ‫�ت �ج��مت ا �‬ ‫� �ة خ � � ف ق‬ ‫�ه���ذ ا �ل�م�م�د � ا ��ن ت‬ ‫�ه ت� ا �ل�ن� �وب� ا ��ي�را ا �ل�ى ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا �� * ��ا ��� ا � �ل�ل���‬ ‫ر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�م� ا �ل�ى ج� � ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫����ت�ا ��ف�ا‬ ‫� ا ده ��ا ��ل� ت‬ ‫ي��ه �م��ن�ا ا �م��ت ���ط� ا ك�‬ ‫رك�‬ ‫ى ا ��ل�ي �و� �خ����ير ج�‬ ‫�� ب� ا �ل����سر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫����ل��ن�ا ����غ�د � ���ب�ه �ّ�ف�ا ��ف�ا‬ ‫ا �ذ �� �� ي�ن �ا ا �م‬ ‫ ����ب�ل ك�‬ ‫� ا� ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫لي����س ف� رح و ر ��س‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫� ن شت �‬ ‫شت ان‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ف ا قا‬ ‫ه�� �ه��ذ�ي�ن ا �لب�ي��ت���ي�ن �ب�ا �ل� ��ص�ل �و ج���د �ه�م�ا ي�����م�ل� � �ع��ل�ى ا�لم�ع��ى ا ����م�ا �ل‬ ‫���ل�م� �� ب���ل ا جل �‬ ‫�ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫حش‬ ‫��� ��ا ��ل�ا �� �لف��ا ظ ���� ا ��ل ��ت ي���س�ت �ع�م��له�ا‬ ‫� ن���ي�ن ا �و ا ��ل�ا �م�ع�� �ع��ل ا �ل� �عف�َ * �م� �ع�د � ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��لب� ���ط�ن �ع��ل ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ى �‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ج ع م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�� ��ه�م�ا ���دا � ��ا �ل * �ه�م�ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ش����ع � �غ��ا �ل��ا �ل��س�د �م�ا ��ى ا ب����ا ���ه� �م�ن ا �ل‬ ‫���ل�ل * �� �جع ب ب � ج و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫� �ت � �ة ا ��ل�‬ ‫� �ة �ف ا ��ن � ا � �ف� ا � ا � ا �ظ �� � �ة �� ف ا ظ ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ّن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ل� �ع��ل�ى ا �ل� ر�ج �م� ج �مي�� * � �ى �ل� ا رى �‬ ‫ح �ري�ا � �ب�ا � ��ي���‬ ‫ي�ه� ا �ل� م�ع� ��ل� ا �ل�� ��‬ ‫ة �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�و�ل��ك�ن �ل��ع�ل �ه��ذه �ع�ا د� ا � �لق ��و� ��د �ع�ه� �و�ع�ا د �ت��ه� * ��ي�ر ا �ن�ه �لم�ا ا �ش��ت��هر ا �لب�ي��ت��ا � �ع ن��د‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ا � ف ظ � � ت ف �ة �ف ت� ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ��ه� ا ��لن��ق��د ا �ع��تر��ض� ���ع�� ا ن� ��ق�و��ل�ه را �م‬ ‫� ا �و را ���س �م�ن ا �ل� � �ل��ا ��� ا�لم��را د �� ����ك�و�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب �ض‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �و را م‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا �و�ل�ى ا �و ا �لث��ا �ي�� �ل� �� او * ��ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا � ��ي���ا �ل ج��ا م‬ ‫� �و�ي��ه �م� �ل��ك �� ج�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� *‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫��ث� ة ن ا ��ث � �ق ن ا ن �� �ف ا � �ن �م �ذ‬ ‫� ا ��� ��ا ن ��ل�� فل� �ظ‬ ‫� �����ة را �م‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫� ا ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل �ور ل� ر� � و � � ��ع�ل م‬ ‫� �م�ع�ا ��ى ك���ي ر� �م‬ ‫و �ج ي ب ب �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م �‬ ‫ُ ّ ا ن ��ث �‬ ‫خ‬ ‫� ا �و �ص�ا ر �ذ ا ر�م‬ ‫����ط��ع�ن ��ا ��لر�م‬ ‫� ا �لب��ر�ق� �لم�‬ ‫�* �‬ ‫ور‬ ‫ع * �ورد �ب� � ا �ل �ور �لي����س �ل�ه �م�د ���ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ب ح‬ ‫ف ا ن � ن ا � ا �ت�� � ث ن ن ش ا � ا �ل� ت ن ��ف �‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ه ن��ا �ب ���ق ��نر ي��ه * �� � ا �ل�� ��س �ل� رك� ب� ا �ل��ي�را � � او � ا ���� ر ا �لي��ه م����‬ ‫ب�ى �ى ا �ل��ب� ب� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ن �� � ا � ن �‬ ‫� ا �� � � ف ا � � ن � ا ع�ن � ا ن ا‬ ‫س� ا�لم�ق��ا � * �ل� � ا�ل�مرك���و ب� �ل� �ي��ك�و� ��‬ ‫ط�ا �ع ن��ا *‬ ‫و‬ ‫سم ا � �ل�� ��ع�ل ب�مع��ى ��ط� � �ل� ��ي �� �� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق �ة �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن �خ ن ف ق � � ف ق‬ ‫�� �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا � �لق��ا ب���ل ب� ش����ي�ر �ث�ا � �م�ع�ه ر���ع� ��‬ ‫ي�ه�ا ب��ي��ت��ا � ا � ار � �����ا �ل ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫� ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ص�و�‬ ‫��ض �و ن� �م�ن ��تب� ك‬ ‫��‬ ‫�����يره‬ ‫� ار �ل�‬ ‫م� ك‬ ‫�ح� ه ��فا ر�ج� ت� ا �ل� �ر�‬ ‫�� ب �‬ ‫�ق� �م ا �ل����سر�ى �� ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �َو �م�ا �تر�ى �ذ �ى ا �ل ش���م�� �م�ن �ش��ب��ا ك���‬ ‫��ه ��م�د ت� ا � �ل�ي�ه �ش���ع�ا ��ع�ه�ا �ل����سر�وره‬ ‫س‬

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‫‪٣٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Poems for Princes

verse that were to be translated, for after they had been presented to those translating into languages other than Arabic and delivered by them to the Grand Panjandrum of the Panegyricon, it was finally the Fāriyāq’s turn. He took up his pen and wrote, The prince this day rode the best of his steeds But would that he’d taken his seat on our backs! Among us there’s none that bucks or kicks (rāmiḥ aw rāfis)— Nay, through him, all of us are turned into hacks. When the Grand Panjandrum compared these verses to the original, he found that they encapsulated the meaning as the belly does the fetus or the intestines the duodenum, without at the same time stuffing it with the words that poets usually use to fill in the weak spots in their poems. Delighted, he said, “These verses are preferable to the translations made by the foreigners, in which I find only repetition. But maybe such is their way, so let us leave them to their own devices.” However, when the verses became known to the critics, some objected

2.12.3

that rāmih and rāfis were synonymous, so either the first or the second had to be considered an error, and it would have been better if he’d written jāmiḥ (“bolts”) aw rāmiḥ, which, in addition, form a doublet. To this response was made that the word rāmiḥ has many meanings, among them “a bull with two horns,” and it may be used as the verbal adjective of ramaḥa meaning “to thrust with the lance (rumḥ)” or in the sense “he became armed with a lance”; there’s also ramaḥa l-barq meaning “the lightning flashed.” To this the riposte would be that there’s no way for a bull to get in there with his horns because people don’t ride bulls, even if al-Mutanabbī raises such a possibility in the ode of his known as Al-Ghabab (The Wattle),137 and that the verbal adjective from “to thrust” is inappropriate since a “mount” cannot “thrust.” The following day a second messenger appeared bringing a piece of paper on which were two more verses, and the Fāriyāq wrote, The prince arose betimes—all earth shaking At that early rising—to partake of his matitudinal potation. Or could it be that the sun reached out to him with its rays, Through his window, on beholding his elation?

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2.12.4

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ف��ا �ع��تر��ض� �ع��ل� ا �لب�ي�� ت� ا �لث��ا ��ى ا �ن�ه �غ��ي�ر � ف�ل ��ق� ��ل�ل�ا �و��ل * � او �ج�ي� ب� ا �ن�ه �مت���ف ّر �ع��لي��ه �و�م �ر�ت� ���ط �ب�ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� ا ن � ا ض ي�ن � ا ت� ت �خ� ش � ا � ن � ت ه �ت ضّ �ت ه ا ��ل��ش‬ ‫ّ ان‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل� � ا �ل� ر�‬ ‫ط �و� ر�‬ ‫مو� ��س �� �‬ ‫���� �لم� ا ر�ج � �و ����ى ا �ل�ع� �ل �‬ ‫�� � �م��س ب�����ع� �ع�ه� * �ورد �ب� �‬ ‫ا ن � ت ضّ‬ ‫� ا �ع�ن ا ت� ا � ا � ا ض ي�ن ف ا �ف‬ ‫�ت ض� ا ��ل ش��� � ن ت خ‬ ‫���ا � �م��را �ي��‬ ‫ر ��ى م��س ك‬ ‫ر ج�� � �ل� ر�‬ ‫���� ��ل� ��ي� ي��د * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب� � ا �ل��ر���ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن �ش‬ ‫� ن ن ت � �ق �ق � �‬ ‫ا � ا �� � ن‬ ‫�م��‬ ‫���ا � * ف��ا � ا �ل���م��س �ل�ا ي� ك‬ ‫ح�ا ��ص�ل �ع��ل� ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا � �� ��ط��ل� �ب���ل �و� ت� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط��ل�و *‬ ‫ح� ل ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق � � ف ق‬ ‫���� �ق‬ ‫�ذ �ت‬ ‫� �ث‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح��ك ��و�م �م�ن �ه� ا ا �ل��ع��لي���ل * ��م �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا �لث��ا �ل� ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل ا � �ل��ا ر�ي�ا ��‬ ‫*‬

‫� �‬ ‫�ن ا � ا ��ل��� س � ّ �� نّ �أ � ا � ا‬ ‫�ل�� خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫مه�� � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م��‬ ‫� ����طر‬ ‫م‬ ‫رى � ب �ل س م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �ة‬ ‫ا ن� �ن�ا � �ن�ا �م ت� ا ��م� ا �لث���ق��ل��ي�ن ا � ا ن �� �ا �‬ ‫و � قم‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا ن �� � ف �ظ �� �ة‬ ‫فا ت‬ ‫�� ف� �ظ �� �ة ا ��لث�ق ��ي�ن ا �ن ا ��ث��ق � �ة � ا ن ا �ّ �ة � �ق ن � ن ّ‬ ‫�ه�ا ا � �ت��ك�و� ا �مت��ا * �ورد �ب� � ا ل�ل����‬ ‫�� �ع��ر��ض� �ع��ل�ى ل��� ���ل� ��ه� ي��ل� * و � م� ح �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫ت ق �ة‬ ‫�ث ق‬ ‫خ� �ف ف �ة � ا ة �ف �� ن‬ ‫�� ي���� �و �ل� �عب��ر� ��ى ك��و���ه�ا �م ش������� �م�ن ا �ل�����ل * ��م �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا �ل ارب��� ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫��ا ����طره‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق�ا �م ت�‬

‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ش��� � �ف �ه�م �‬ ‫ر�ي� �وم‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫� � � ���ي‬ ‫�ا� ك‬ ‫و رى �ج ر� �م‬

‫� ّ فّ‬ ‫�ُ ْ‬ ‫� ف �ق � ن�‬ ‫� ف ا س�ت غ�ن ع�ن ��ف�ت‬ ‫ش���رب� ا �ل��سر�ى �‬ ‫�ح�ل ش���رب� ا�لم��س ك‬ ‫��ر �� �� ��� � �و�ى ا � �ل�� ي��ه ا �لم� كِ��ر‬ ‫��ل ا ف �م ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ا �ا ت‬ ‫�ح ّ�د ا �ل‬ ‫��خ�ل� �� �‬ ‫���صر �ع��ل� ا �‬ ‫��حِر� ��ف�ا �ع�م�د ا ��ل�ى �‬ ‫ا ا ا�‬ ‫ح��س� �م ا �ل� �ب��ر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ن ا � غ �ة ��ق��� �ة ��ت ف� ض �� � �ف‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح� ����ى ا ل�ى ا �ل��‬ ‫��ك ر �و��ت�ع ��طي���ل ا �ل ش���ر * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ع ن��ه �ب�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫ف��ا �ع��تر��ض� �ع�لي��ه ا ��ه �مب�� �ل��� ب ي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫ط�ق ا ��ل�ا ��ص� * ث�� �ورد ���فى ا ��ل�ي �و� ا ��خل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ا �م��س ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�خ � � � ّ‬ ‫�� �ي���ت���ن�ع��م�ا‬ ‫� ّا‬ ‫ى �م� ا ��ل��س �ّ��ة �م�ا ����ش��ا �غ���ل���س�ا ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل‬ ‫��ح�م� �م ك��ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ر�ج ا �ل��سر ع ير‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ي�د �ع��ك �ج�����س�م�ي���ه�م� ا َخ���ُ�لق� ت� ���د ا ه �ع�� ا �ل�م�د �ى ا ن� ��ت��ل�ث��م�ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م ك� �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫ن �ا � ن �‬ ‫ف ن �‬ ‫ا ن ه � ا ��م �ظ �‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫��ا �ع��ر��ض� �ع��لي��ه ا � ا �ل� �و�ل�ى ا � ��ي�ق��ا �ل �م�ا �ش���ي ��ي�ن * �ورد �ب� �� �ل�‬ ‫ح �� �ور �م ن��ه ��ا � ا �ل��سر�ى‬ ‫ن � ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث ت‬ ‫� ا ن� � �ق��ا ��ل �ج���س�مه�م�ا‬ ‫�ه�و ا �ل�ا ��ص�ل �ب��د �لي���ل ��ت غ����لي� ب� �م�ا �ش���ي ��ي�ن * �� ا �ع��ر��ض� ا � ا �ل�ا ���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬

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‫‪٥٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٦٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٧٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Poems for Princes

Objection was made that the second verse is poorly tacked on to the first, to which the response is that it follows naturally from it and is linked to it because when the earth shook, it scared mankind with its brutal power, and then along came the sun and reassured it with its rays. The riposte to this was that the sun’s reassurance would have been feeble compared to the shaking of the earth and so would have done no good, to which the response is that such reassurance is an inescapable fact, as the sun cannot rise before sunrise. Certain persons made fun of this explanation. The third day, another messenger appeared, and the Fāriyāq wrote,

2.12.5

The prince slept soundly last night With nary a care in his noble head. When he sleeps, the nation of men-and-jinn sleeps too. When he rises, it rises, and then it’s a crime to be a-bed. Objection was made to the word “men-and-jinn” (al-thaqalayn) on the grounds that it was “heavy” (thaqīlah), and that “nation” ought to have been put in the dual.138 The response is that the word is light and its derivation from thiqal (“heaviness”) has no bearing.139 The fourth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.6

The prince drank, thus rend’ring the consumption of wine permitted— He dispensed with the lawyer’s rule that says it’s not admitted. Should any who say it’s a sin insist, The aid of your sharpest sword enlist! Objection was made to the ugly exaggeration amounting to blasphemy and disregard for the Revelation, to which the response is that it just follows the original. The fifth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote, The prince repaired with his squadron on foot (māshiyan) To the bathhouse in the pre-dawn dark, there to luxuriate. The pair of hands that has scrubbed their two bodies but once Are thenceforth something one cannot but osculate. Objection was made on the grounds that it would have been more proper to say “on their two sets of feet” (māshiyayn), to which the riposte would be that there’s nothing wrong with “on foot” because appeal to the rule of

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2.12.7

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫ن �اف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ث �ق‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�� � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫� * �� �ي���ل ا �ن�ه ا ر�ت ك‬ ‫� ر�ور�‬ ‫�� ب� �ض‬ ‫� �ل� ��ي�ن���فى ا � �ل��ي�ص�‬ ‫ا �و ا �ج���س�ا �م�ه�م�ا * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب�ا � ا �ل� ��� ص‬ ‫ح م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ��ل �ف �‬ ‫ح �ذ‬ ‫� ن خ � �ق ت � ا ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حق� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ح�� �ف� �‬ ‫حر� ا‬ ‫�ص ار ا �ل�ا خ��ي�ر ا‬ ‫�ر ��ى ا�لم‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � ا � �ي��ك�و� ��ل�� ي��د ه �ب� � *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل� ا ن� �ت���ث�ن�ي ��ة ا �لي��د �ه ن��ا �ل�ا �م�عن��ى ��ل�ه�ا ف��ا ن� ا ��ل��د ا �ع��ك �ل�ا �ي��د �ع��ك ب� ك�‬ ‫���لت��ا �ي��د �ي�ه * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب�ا �ن�ه‬ ‫ى‬ ‫َ نْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ل�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � � خم � ق �ة ��خل � �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح� �� ا ج�ل‬ ‫�ر�م� ا � * � او � ا �ل����ن�ي � �ل�ل� �ي�� ا � �ب� � �ك��ل ا‬ ‫�ل�ا �م� �� �م �‬ ‫�وا ر ��ل�و�� ��د �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ش � �خ ف� ق ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �لم�م�د �و� * �� �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا �ل��س�ا د ��س ب�����ي ر ا �ر ���� ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ� ���فى �م�د �‬ ‫�ح�ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ��ل� ا �ل����سر�ى ا �ل�ي �و� ��ن�ع�� �ل�ي�ه �ع��ل�ى ��م��ث�ن �ع�� �ل�ي�ه �م��ب�ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ �� آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ف ا س�ت ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��خ�� ء ب�����ي�م ن��ه �و����سن��‬ ‫�ص���ة ا ��ل ش����ع � �م�ن ��ه� ا ا ل���س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ح�ه‬ ‫�� �� ب�����ر� او �ي� �ع� ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬

‫�ف�ا ���ت �� �ع��ل��ه ��ا ن ا ��ل��م�ن � ا ��ل���سن ��م�ع ن‬ ‫ح��د * � ا ��� ��ا �ن‬ ‫��ق�� ��ل ا ��ل ش����ا �ع � ا ��ل��ف ��ق� ��له�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع ر �ض ي ب � ي و �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر و �ى و �‬ ‫يب ب و‬ ‫�ب ى‬ ‫�ف �ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫� ا ش � �خ ف� ق ا �‬ ‫ك��‬ ‫�� �ب�ا �و�م�ي�ن �ا * �� �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا �ل��س� ب��� ب�����ي ر � �ر ���� ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪٨٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪٩٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫� �ؤ َّ‬ ‫ا �ظ � ا � � ��‬ ‫�ّ � ّ �‬ ‫ف ���‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ك ا �ل��سر�ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا ��س����ل �ج �سم�ه �ب� ��� ��فر ���ظ����فر� ب���ك�ل �م� ���م�ل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ز ّ‬ ‫� ا ��ل ن ا �� � �ي�ن �م� �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ف� �� س ب�‬ ‫���ص� ر �و���م �ر��ت�ل �و��م�د ���ف�� �و���م �مر �و��م���طب���ل‬

‫ا ن �ذ � � �غ � ��م �ظ � � ا � ا ق �‬ ‫ف �ظ � ا ف‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫�ه�ا ��ق�و��ل�ه‬ ‫��ا �ع��ر��ض� �ع��لي��ه �‬ ‫�صر�� ا ��� �ر* � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب� � �ل�ك ��ي ر ح �� �ور �ل� ي‬ ‫�س�م� �و��د �و�لي�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ظ �� �ف ت ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ر� * ��م �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا �لث��ا �م�ن ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬ ‫� �ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �� �لق�� ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ط� بو��ى �لم�ن ��ى ا �ل ن��ا ��س ا �ب�ص�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�طف� ا لله ��م� ا‬ ‫�ل�ا �ز ا �ل ��م ف�‬ ‫ل��� �‬ ‫ح ��و��ف�ا ب��� �‬

‫�‬ ‫� �ّ‬ ‫ح ���س�ا‬ ‫ى ا ��ل�ا � الم��ل‬ ‫ح��ل��س ��و‬ ‫را ��س ا �ل��سر‬ ‫�قت �‬ ‫ً ش ا‬ ‫ح��ل���‪� 1‬ل�ه �����ش�ع ار ��� �ر�ي���ف� �م�و��س�ى‬

‫‪ :1855  1‬ح�ل��ت ت‬ ‫��‪.‬‬

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‫‪١٠٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Poems for Princes

taghlīb as applied to māshiyayn implicitly admits that the prince may stand for both.140 Further objection was made that it would have been chaster to say “the body (singular) of each of the two” or “the bodies (plural) of each of the two,”141 to which the response would be that chaster does not invalidate chaste. Then it was claimed that he had committed the fault of bending the rules of grammar under pressure from the exigencies of verse by omitting the preposition in the last hemistich, since correct diction would require bi-an in place of an, not to mention that the use of the dual here in reference to “hands” is meaningless, for the scrubber doesn’t use both hands. To this the response would be that one is allowed to omit the preposition with an, while the dual is there to announce that the scrubber’s every limb was created to serve the object of the panegyric. On the sixth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.8

To a eulogist extreme in his praise this day The prince, they say, gave his shoes away. Rejoice, ye band of poets, at one so free with both wealth (yumn) And pelf (sunḥ)! Objection was made that yumn and sunḥ mean the same, to which the response would be that it’s the same as when the poet142 says, “And I find her words to be both falsehood and ballyhooing.” On the seventh day, another messenger appeared and he wrote,

2.12.9

The prince this day scratched his nether parts With nails (aẓāfir) that had nailed down (ẓafirat) his every aspiration, So everyone either whistled or chanted Or beat the tambourine or blew the pipes or drummed, in jubilation. Objection was made that that aẓāfir should not be treated as though it were inflected, to which the response would be that it is not forbidden to treat it as such, especially given that it is followed by the word ẓafirat.143 On the eighth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote, Blessed is he who shaves of a morn The piebald (aḥlas) clean-licked (malḥūs) princely pate! May it remain bordered with God’s grace as long as razor Can find upon it one noble hair to abbreviate!

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2.12.10

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫فا ت‬ ‫ا ن ال� ��‬ ‫ح �� �غ��� � ا د ���ف �ص�ف���ة ا ��ل ا �� * � ا �ج��� ��ا �ن�ه ��ل�ا ��ا �� ��ه �ه ن��ا‬ ‫�� �ع��ر��ض� �ع��لي��ه �ب� � م�ل�و س ي ر و ر ى‬ ‫ب سب‬ ‫رس و يب ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث ��ق ن �م ف ف ا �ذ�� �‬ ‫ا ن ا خ� ��ف ف �ة ا �� ن �ة‬ ‫�ث�ق � �ة‬ ‫�لج���ل‬ ‫� ن��ا ��س * �� ي���ل ا � �‬ ‫ح� ��و�� �م�‬ ‫��س��‬ ‫ع ك�ر ا �ل ار ��س � � ي��ل� * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب� ���ه� � ي ���� �ب� ل�� ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫���ا ن ا ��ا � ��ل ا ن ��ع�ا �ع��ل��ه ��ق ��ل�ه ���ط � �ل�م�ن * ف��ا �ن�ه �م ���ط��لق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا �ل�ى را ��س ا �ل��سر�ى * ���ل� �وك� � �ل و�ى � �ي ب� ي �و � بوى‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ث ا �ن‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ا �ف ن �‬ ‫ح�� �لق را ��س�ه ���فى �ي ��و� �م�ع��ّ�ن * �غ��ي�ر ا ن� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن��ا ��س ��ى ا�لم�‬ ‫�ص ارع ا �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫�ل� ��ي� ي��د ا � ا �ل��سر�ى � �‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫ش ف �ف � ��‬ ‫������ ��ى ا �لب�ي�� ت� ك���ل�ه * ��م �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا �لت��ا ��س� ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ب����َ�س� ا ��ل�ز ��م�ا ن� �ع�ن ا �ل�من�� � �و�ت�ن�ّ ر ا �ل��م�ا ا ����س��‬ ‫��ح�ّ ����سر��ّ��ن�ا � �و�ت�ن�ورا‬ ‫ى و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫���م� خ�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � ا �ل��م�ع� �ل�ى �م�ن ا ���س� ��ف��ل�ه �ه ت ‬ ‫� � او �ل�����ش�عر �ب� �ل���ِ��ش�ع �ر ا ك� سِ� ب� � ار‬ ‫ح��س�ن‬ ‫�ف�ا ���ست��‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�مف�خ‬ ‫� ار * ��‬ ‫م‬

‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ن � ن‬ ‫ي�ه�م�ا �م�ن ا �ل�م���ط�ا �ب ��ق���ة � او ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن��ا ��س ا �لت��ا �ّ �و�غ��ي�ره ا �ل�ا ��ق�و��ل�ه‬ ‫�ه� ا � ا �لب�ي��ت��ا � ج���دا �لم�ا ��‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫� ش‬ ‫�ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و�م ا �ل�ع�ا ���ر ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬

‫ق‬ ‫� � ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ب� ا �ل��سر�ى � او �ى �ش���ه� �م�ا ج���د ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ �ة فُ‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�ى ��س�ن � �ر ض�‬ ‫�� ت� �ع��ل�ى �ك��ل ا ل�ورى‬

‫���ي�ن‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ان‬ ‫�‬

‫� �ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� د �م� ا‬ ‫ى �ف ك�‬ ‫���ل ن��ا ��ي ب� ك��‬ ‫�ع ��ط��س ا �ل����سر‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر��س ا �ل� �ل�ه د �م�ا ��ه �ع�ن �ع ��ط���س��ة ‬

‫ن �ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫��ض �و� � او �ل� ��ف�ل�ا ك‬ ‫� او ر�ت�ا �ع ت� ا �ل� ر�‬ ‫ا � خ � ت� ت � �ع � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �ل� ��م�ل�ا ك‬ ‫��رى �م�و� بر ب �‬

‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫ا ��ل � � ا ��لث��ا ���ن � ش‬ ‫ع���ر ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬ ‫�ي وم ى‬

‫‪168‬‬

‫‪١٢٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة ث � � ا ���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � �ل��بر���ي� ��م��ل�ه �ل� يح ب‬ ‫�ُ َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خ�ا ��ل�ف� �من‬ ‫���ه� �لي��ص��‬ ‫الم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬

‫ف‬ ‫� � ف �ظ ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �����ة �‬ ‫ح��ة ب��م�عن�� ��س��ع� * ث�� �ورد ���فى ا ��ل�ي �و� ا ��ل‬ ‫ح� � او �ج�ي�� ��ا �ن��ه�ا ����يص��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���يع� ب� �ع�لي��ه � �ل‬ ‫ح�ا د �ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ�خ ف ق �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫ع���ر ب� ش����ي�ر � �ر �����ا �ل‬

‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫��م �ورد ��ى‬

‫‪١١٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٣٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٤٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪168‬‬

Poems for Princes

Objection was made that “clean-licked” isn’t a quality associated with heads, to which the response would be that it was allowable there for the sake of the paronomasia.144 Then it was claimed that “bordered” in association with “head” was “heavy,” to which the response would be that in the prince’s case the border was quite light. In my opinion, they would have done better to criticize him for writing “Blessed is he who . . . ,” because the phrase is absolute and doesn’t indicate that the prince was shaved on a particular day, though the paronomasia in the second hemistich puts in a good word for the line as a whole. On the ninth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.11

Time’s lips parted to reveal a radiant fate, The day our prince took a bath and was rendered depilate. His noble nether parts thus appeared less hoary And poetry, through his pubes, gained in glory. These two verses were very well received because of the antithesis and the perfect paronomasia and so on that they contain. Except for the words “in glory.”145 On the tenth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.12

The prince coughed (qaḥaba), and what glorious and gallant gentleman Of his ilk, among the human race, has never had a cough? It’s a habit imposed upon all mankind, And any who hasn’t should be hung on a cross! Fault was found with the word qaḥaba, to which the response was made that it is a chaste word meaning “he coughed.”146 On the eleventh day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.13

The prince sneezed, so tears of blood we wept, one and all, While both globe and celestial sphere recoiled in horror. God protect his brains from another such sneeze Lest it so scare the angels that they die of terror! On the twelfth day, another messenger appeared, and he wrote,

169

169

2.12.14

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫�ف َّ �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� ن فا � ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ى �م��س��ك د � �ف��ا‬ ‫����سى ا �ل�ا �م�ي�ر ��ف�ا �ى �عر�ف� �ع�ا ��طر ��ى ا �ل��ك�و� �� � او �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ن ش‬ ‫��� �ة �ذ ا ا ��ل�ع��ب�� ا �ن�� ��ف�ا‬ ‫�ض�� ا ��ل�� ا �‬ ‫�ي�ا �لي� ت� ا �ع��‬ ‫ع�� د �ج ��م��ي � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ير و‬ ‫عه�م ����غ�د �و �ل�� �و‬ ‫� �ف ّ‬ ‫�ذ �ت�ث‬ ‫�ا ن �‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن �ق‬ ‫���يع� ب� �ع��لي��ه ��ق�و�ل�ه ����سى * ا ا �ل� ك‬ ‫����ي�ر �ه ن��ا �ل� �م�ع��ى �ل�ه * � او �ج�ي� ب� �ب�ا � ا � �ل���لي���ل ا�لم����س�و ب�‬ ‫� َّ �‬ ‫�� � ّ ث‬ ‫ن �ن‬ ‫� ن � �ن ا �� �ظل����� ��ف � �‬ ‫ا ل�ى ا �ل��سر�ى ك�‬ ‫����ي�ر* �و�ع��لي��ه �ب �ظ� ���ل�ا � �ل��ل� بع��ي �د * �ف�ا � ا د ��ى �م�ا �ي���كو� م‬ ‫حق� ا �لب��ا ر�ى‬ ‫ل�م �ى �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�ت ا �� �ث ث‬ ‫�ث ا � ث ش ّ ن ف ق �‬ ‫����ي�ر* �� �ورد ��ى ا �ل�ي �و� ا �ل�� �ل� �‬ ‫��ع� ل�ى ك‬ ‫ع���ر�مب�� ش��� ار � �����ا �ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ق � ّ � �ف‬ ‫� ّ �� �‬ ‫َ َق‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ى ا �ل�ي �و� ��ى �و��ق ت� ا �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح�� ا �ل��سر�‬ ‫ح�ى � او ج�ل�‬ ‫�و ا د �ك�ن �لي����س ي�����س� ر�ع�ن �����شر��‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ت� ّ‬ ‫ع ���ط � ت‬ ‫�َ َق‬ ‫�ا ن �ن‬ ‫� ْ�ق � َ ْ�ف ا ��ل‬ ‫�ج�� � �ون�ا �ب�ا ر�‬ ‫�ج� ه �ف ك�‬ ‫� ا ر ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � �م � ب‬ ‫��ف� � ر‬ ‫ح�� �ل�ه ���عر� �حب ���‬ ‫ي‬

‫ف ا ���ست� س�ن ا � ا �ف� ا �ن � ت‬ ‫ن �خ ن ف ق �‬ ‫� ن����� * ث�� � د ���ف ا ��ل � � ا ��ل ا ��� � ش‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح�� � �لم� �‬ ‫ع���ر�مب�� ش��� ار � ا � ار � �����ا �ل‬ ‫ي�ه�م� �م ا �لج�� ي س م ور‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى �ف ك�‬ ‫��ق�د ا ���س��ه�ل ا �ل�ي �و� ا �ل����سر�‬ ‫���ل��ن� ا ��فرح� ��ف��ى ا ���س�ه�ا �ل�ه ا �ل�����س�هي��ل�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� � ٓ ��ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫���ع� او �‬ ‫�ف�ا ��س����بض�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��خ ا ا � �ل�ي�ه �م ����طر ا �و����س�ا �ب ���� او ا � ا � �ل�ب ��ط�ى �تي��ل�‬ ‫���ل ه ��ق �� ه �م ��� �ز ا ا �ذ ا ��لت� ��� �ي�ز �ه ن ا � ا‬ ‫ح��س�ن ا ��ل��� ت� ا ��ل�ا � ��ل ��ل��‬ ‫� ن��ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ف�ا ���ست��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع� ب� ع ي�� �ول� طر *‬ ‫*‬ ‫طر �� �ل�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و ج س‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ا ن � � ت �ة ن � ا‬ ‫ا � � ا �ن ه ��� ق � ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حق� ا �ل��ر�ج��م� ا � �ل� �ت�ز �ي��د‬ ‫ط�� ا �ل� ��ص�ل * �و � �‬ ‫�م�و�ج� ب� �ل�ه ب���ل �ي��ه ا �ي�ل� �م * �و �ج ي� ب� ب� � ب �‬ ‫� �� ة‬ ‫�ع�� ا ��ل�ا ��ص ا �ل�م��ت �� �م ن��ه ���ف ا �ل�م�ع ن� � ��ل�ا ��تن ��ق��� �ع ن��ه � ��ل�ا ��س�م�ا ���ف ا ��ل�ا �م� ا �ل�مه�م��ة ا ��لخ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ط�ي�ر� *‬ ‫ص و ي ى ور �‬ ‫�ل ر�ج م ى �ى و‬ ‫ل�ى‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق�ن‬ ‫�ق � ف�‬ ‫���ل ن��ا �ف � � ا ن �ع��ل�ل�ه � ��ق � �ف�ف‬ ‫�و�ل�ه ���ى ا ��س�ه�ا �ل�ه ا �ل����س�هي���ل *‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫�و��د ك���ا � ي�ج� ب� ا � �ي��ع�ا ب� �ع��لي��ه ��و�ل�ه � ك� رح و �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش ف �ف‬ ‫ا �ذ ا �ل�م�ت��ا د ا ن ا ��ل��ت��سه�� �م��س��ّ� �ع�ن � ت‬ ‫���ا ن� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ف� ا �لم�م�د �و� �وك�‬ ‫� ن��ا ��س ������ �ي��ه *‬ ‫ب ر �‬ ‫� ي �ل ب ب‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬

‫‪170‬‬

‫‪170‬‬

‫‪١٥٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٦٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Poems for Princes

The prince let off a string of silent farts, and what heady odor Within the universe was spread, what musk unpent! Would that the limbs of all mankind Into noses might turn, to inhale that scent! Fault was found with the word fassā (“let off a string of silent farts”), since the repetitive form147 has no meaning here, to which the response would be that even what is little becomes much when attributed to a prince; a similar logic applies to the words ẓallām li-l-ʿabīd (“a (repeated) oppressor of mankind”), 148 since the least degree of outrage (ẓulm) against what is due to the Almighty Creator in terms of the ruler’s dealing justly with His creation is too much. On the thirteenth day, two messengers appeared, and he wrote,

2.12.15

The prince at mid-morn this day let off an audible fart, The sky being dark, no hint of sun revealed, And all parts of our land with its perfume were scented For t’was a fart (ḥabq) that the scent of basil (ḥabaq) concealed. These lines were well received because of the paronomasia that they contained. On the fourteenth day, two other messengers appeared, and he wrote, The prince’s bowels this day were loosened (ushila) and as one Did all rejoice, for his looseness (ishālihi) brought him ease (tashīl). They purchased some silk-wool for him, embroidered, And rushed to claim that constipation’s a fatal disease. The first verse was well received because of the paronomasia but fault was found with “embroidered” because there’s no call for embroidery in this context, indeed, it would cause pain; to which the response was that it follows the original and a good translation neither adds to nor subtracts from the original from which it is taken, especially where important and significant matters are involved. Fault should have been found with the words “as one did all rejoice” (albeit he does go on to explain what he means, by saying “for his looseness brought him ease”), for the hearer’s natural first reaction is that the looseness of the bowels will lead to the death of the object of the panegyric; the paronomasia, however, may be considered to draw a veil over this solecism.

171

171

2.12.16

‫ف‬ ‫��� ا ب��ي��ا ت� َ��س �رّ�ه‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ِي‬

‫�ن ق ض آ‬ ‫�ن �‬ ‫� ة � ��ذ�� �ة‬ ‫ن �ي�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث�� ا ن� ا �� �لف��ا ��ا �ق� ���ع�د ا � ��� �‬ ‫ح��ه‬ ‫��� �ه��ذه ا�لم�د� ا �ل� ك�ي�� را �ى �م ا � �ل او �ج� ب� ا � �ور �ص� � ب‬ ‫ري ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا ا �ع�ن � ا �� ه ف� �ق ا �� �� ه ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ب��ره ب��م� �ج�ر�ى �ل�ه * ���ل�م� ���� �� ب� جم‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح� ل� * ��� ل ل� ��د‬ ‫�و ج��‬ ‫���ل��س�ه ��س� �ل�ه ا �ل�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫��ن‬ ‫��ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك�ن �خ� ش����� ت� ا ن� ��ع�� �لق ب�� ن��ا د ���ك ا �ثر �م�ن‬ ‫ك��� ا �ود �ي� ��س�ي �د �ى ا � ا �ورك ب���ل ا �ل� � �ل��‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي � ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا ��ل ا ئ� �ة � ت �ش�� � �ت ن‬ ‫فقا � � � ا ض‬ ‫����ر ���فى �ذ ��ل��ك �و ��ل�ا � ي ا �ذ �ت ت �‬ ‫�ه�ا * � او �‬ ‫�س�م� ا ا �� �عود � �ع�لي�‬ ‫ح� ا �ل ��ى م�ل �ى * ����� �ل �ل�ه �ل� � ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ّ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ش ا ن �ّ‬ ‫�ن�ا د ��ي ّ‪� 1‬ل�ا ���ر� �ك�‬ ‫���ل �ي ��و� �ي�� بع ��ق� �ب�ه ا �مث��ا �ل�ه�ا �م�ن �ي�ا ر�ة ا �مث��ا �ل ا �ل��سر�ى �و�ه� ا ���� ا‬ ‫� م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي بح‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا � � � �ن � �ة‬ ‫��� ت ��ل ا ا � غ� � ة‬ ‫�ك�ن ك�‬ ‫دَ ف��ا ر* �و��ل��‬ ‫��ي ��ف� �‬ ‫�ه� ا�لم�عي�� ش���� * ق��ا �ل ق��د ا ك�� ر��ي� �ى د ر ص��ي ر�‬ ‫ح� �ل�ك م ج �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت خ� ��ذ ت خ ا �ة ��لت��ص�� � �‬ ‫� او �ش����تر�� ت� �‬ ‫� ا ���حل‬ ‫ح�م�ا را * � او �� � �� د �م�‬ ‫�م�ا ر*‬ ‫� �ل�ى ا �ل��د ا ر * �و خ��ا د �م�ا �لي��ص��ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ه�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫� او �ن�ا ا ��ل�ا � ب ج�‬ ‫����ل�ك ��ى ا �‬ ‫ح��س�ن �‬ ‫�� �ه��ك �و���‬ ‫�صر�� �م �ع��ده د ا عي�� �ل� *‬ ‫ح� �ل * �� ا ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫(��س ّر ب��ي��ن��ى � �وب��ي�ن ا � �لق��ا ر�ى)‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� ��ل��ل�ف��ا ��ا �ق� ا ن� ي��ا ن��� ا ��ل ن����س�� ا �ى ����ت��ع�د �عن‬ ‫�ه�ن‬ ‫ط�ي��� ا ��ل‬ ‫�ق�د ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��‬ ‫� ر�ة ���‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫يب‬ ‫ج ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ري‬ ‫ج�ز�ي‬ ‫ح ��ف ق ه�ن َ ْ�ن ا � ف ا � �ف �ق � ���ذ‬ ‫� ا ا �ن ه � � ق � ن ه�ن �ف ا ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر�� حي� � �ل� � �ل�ى �و�ل� ك� �ب� �و�م� � *‬ ‫�ل� � �ي�ل�ص�� ب�ج �ب�� �‬ ‫� �ى ب‬

‫ّ‬ ‫‪ :1855  1‬ن�ا د ي�ى‪.‬‬

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‫‪١٧٫١٢٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٨٫١٢٫٢‬‬

Poems for Princes

With this redolent episode behind him, the Fāriyāq decided it was his 2.12.17 duty to visit his friend and let him know how things had gone. After he had been honorably received and seated in the man’s salon, the Khawājā asked how he was, to which the Fāriyāq replied, “I would have wished, sir, to visit you sooner but was afraid that some trace of the smell that was all over me would fill this gathering of yours.” “It would have done no harm,” the other returned, “for I am used to it, and not a day goes by in this salon without similar smells filling it from the visits of the Prince and his like, which is an insalubrious calamity. But how are you doing in your everyday life?” “I’ve rented a small place,” said the Fāriyāq, “bought a donkey, acquired a maid to take care of the first, hired a manservant to take care of the second, and am now, thanks to your patronage and bounty, doing very well.” Then he left him, calling down blessings upon his head. (A Secret between Me and the Reader) The doctor on the island advised the Fāriyāq to set women to one side— meaning to keep his distance from them, not stick to their sides—for proximity to them would be his undoing. He dismissed his words as “both falsehood and ballyhooing.”149

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2.12.18

‫ا �� ��ل�ف��ص ا ��ل��ث�ا ��ل ث� �ع ش‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�ر‬ ‫� � �� ا � �ة ���م�� � ة‬ ‫ي �ڡ م�ق� م� ��قع�د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫حت �ن�ظ �� �‬ ‫ت ق �ف‬ ‫ق ا �ة ف ق‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل�ى ا ن� ا ب���� ت� ا ��ل��لي���ل��ة �م��س��تر�‬ ‫�ل�ا ي��م��‬ ‫ح�ا ��ى ا ��‬ ‫� ا �ل�ي �و�م �م��� �م� * �����د �ع�ود � ���ل��مى ��ى‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� ف �ق � ئ �ة � � ق � ئ ق �ة ��‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� ش ا ئ ق �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� * �و�تر�ص�ي � ا � �ل �‬ ‫��� �م� او �ل�ا �ة ا �ل�� ج�‬ ‫� را �ل ار ���ع� ل�ل�ع����ل ا �ل ار � ���� س�م� * ا �ل���� � ����‬ ‫�ه� ا ا�لم�و ض�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ن ا ن ا �م ش ��ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن ث ا �ق ا �‬ ‫�ف ا ��ق �‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل��ل��‬ ‫ط�� * � �و�ل * �‬ ‫ح�د ��س ا �ل�ه� ر��س ب� �ه�� �م � �ل * ب��ي���� ا �� ا ����ى �ى ا ��س� او � �م�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�صر‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ن ظ � � َ‬ ‫� ن ا ظ �� � ��ف‬ ‫� ا�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�� ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� او ��سر �� ��رى �ى �‬ ‫ح� ��س��ه� * � او ���ه� � �ع��ل�ى ل���ر ا ل�ى �ج �م� �ل � �‬ ‫�� او �‬ ‫�ه� * ��د رك��ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ا �ئ ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا � � � � �ت ا ة �ع ن �ت ا ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� * � �ل��ط� �ب �� ار ر �‬ ‫ض�� �ب� �ر* �و ج��ع�ل ي��د ى � ر� �ع��ل� �ي �ى �و� ر�‬ ‫�جِ��م� �ل �م�د ا �� �‬ ‫ح� ��ط � او ��ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ه �� ئ� �ة‬ ‫�� ا �ذ ا � � �أ ا ��ل ّ �فت �م�ن � ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع��ل �م�ا �ه� ا �ص�غ� �من‬ ‫ح�ا � ��و ت� �ل�ه * �ع�لي�� ل� او �ه�بي��‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �و ا كب�� ر* و م� �ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫و ر‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز‬ ‫ح��ل�ل�ه * ���ق��ا �ل ا � �ش���� ت� ا � ���ص�ع�د ا �ل� �ه ن��ا‬ ‫حْ �� �� ا �ل�� ا ��ئ� �م����ل�ل�ه * ��� �م��‬ ‫ير‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�و�م�� �ل� * �و��وب ى ر ب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�ت ن ا�غ �غ ّ‬ ‫ا ��ل ا ن � ن ف� �ز � � ا‬ ‫�ص��ة �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ا �ز ��ل ا ��ل�ا ��ل * �ف�ا �ن��ك ��ل��د ��ي ن��ا �ل�م�ن‬ ‫ح�ا �م ا �ل� ب���ل * �و�����س� ��‬ ‫�ى � �ي ����ض�‬ ‫�زِ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� ا �م�� �� �لق��م��ي�ن * ��ف ���د ت د �ع �ت�ه ك���‬ ‫ا �ل�م��ق ّ���ي�ن * � ا ���ن ��ا ك��‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫�د �ع�و�ة ا �ل��د ا �ع�ى ب�‬ ‫ى �ع��ل� ا � �ل��ل�ا � *‬ ‫�و ج �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫وى ب‬ ‫بر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� �ف � ا �ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�و�ق��ل ت� �م�ا �ي�اب ��ى ا �ل��س�م�ا � * ا �ل� �م�ن ��ا �ت�ه ا �ل�ص�ل�ا � * �و�عِ�م�ه �ع�ن ا �لج�‬ ‫��ا � * ك��ي�� �ل� �و �د‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح‬ ‫��ف‬ ‫ض ا ��ق ت ا � ا � � �‬ ‫�ت � ا � ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ل� ا �ل� ر �ض� �و �هى ي�‬ ‫��� � �ب� �م� �ل ا ب�� ك��‬ ‫ح�ى ا � �ع�ود ج�ر�و�‬ ‫ا �و�ش�� ك‬ ‫ح�ه *‬ ‫ح�ه * �و�‬ ‫��� ج �‬ ‫�و ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ا �ة �ف ت ع�ن َ��‬ ‫�� � آ � ف �ذ ث‬ ‫�َ�ن � � ق �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ف�ا �ب���ت��س� ا �ب�����س� �م� ا ��س� ر� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط�� ا �ل�ى ا �ي�ل�� ء ا�لم�عر�و�� ر��ي� ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫��س‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�يع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ؤ �ت� ف �ة‬ ‫�ع ا ئ� ��مخ ت � ف �ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�ع�د � ا �لي��ه �و ج��د � �ع��ده � � ا �ع�ل‬ ‫�وه �م� ��ل��� *‬ ‫�ه� �م� � ���ل��� * �و�ل�ه� �و ج �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر ي� م‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪٢٫١٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪٣٫١٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪٤٫١٣٫٢‬‬

Chapter 13

A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

I shall not sleep well tonight unless I compose a maqāmah first. I have made

2.13.1

it the custom of my pen at this point150 to do nothing but rhyme, producing elegant periods that charm the mind and are appetizing and pleasing to the ear. I thus declare: Faid al-Hāwif ibn Hifām in lifping tones, “Once, as I walked through

2.13.2

Cairo’s markets, my eyes o’er their attractions wandering aglaze, the beauty of their sideways-glancing girls absorbing my gaze, overtaken by camels from its every zone, so that now I was against this wall crushed, now at the foot of that one thrown, at one moment placing my hand over my eye, at another over something that might smaller or larger be, a young man signaled to me from a store he seemed to own—a youth bearing every sign of prestige and high-standing—with an agitation that pierced one’s chest and settled there to rest. “‘If you like,’ said he, ‘climb up here with me, till this crush of camels has

2.13.3

dispersed and the hideous climax of these distressing straits has passed its worst, for you are to us as a close friend and to do you honor I intend.’ I found his invitation as compelling as ‘Hie ye to security!’151 so said, ‘None refuses the offers of the kind but he who’s devoid of righteousness and to the path of prosperity is blind. How can I say no, when my limbs are once more about to be injured and the loads on your camels’ backs leave no place in this land, broad as it is, on which to make tracks?’ He smiled, indicating a wit quick to answer, a nature ever alert to render a favor. “Having climbed up to where he was, I found with him a party of men each wearing a turban of a different fashion,152 their faces full of goodnatured compassion. After I’d uttered a friendly salutation them to greet and

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2.13.4

‫�ف � ��ق ا � �ة �م�ق�� ة‬ ‫�ي� م � م� ع�د�‬

‫�أ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫ف �ل ا �ّل ت � �ت ّ‬ ‫�ا ن ت‬ ‫�ت�ّ ت� �م�ا ����ن‬ ‫�ه� �م�ق��ع�د ا * ق��ا ��ل ر ب� ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�� �م� ��س� �م� م �ود‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح� � ��و� ��ه�ل �ل��ك ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي م‬ ‫ن ت نت ظ �‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � � �آ �ذ ن �� ف �‬ ‫� �م�ع ن��ا ��ى ��س��ل�ك ج���دا ��ل ق��د �ش��غ����ل ن��ا �م�ن ا �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫��ع��ل ن��ا �ل�ه ا �ل� ا � كثِ� ����ا �ل‬ ‫ا � ����� ���‬ ‫ح�ى * �و ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� نّ ا ا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ّ � � �ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��لر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫م��‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت��ا �م�ه �ب�ا �و�ل�ه �ب�ا �لم�ع�ا �ب��ه *‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫رك‬ ‫و‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ح�ى‬ ‫� �و ر �ل�ى �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ذ � �ف ف ض آ‬ ‫ن ََ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ح ث� ڡ�� ا ��ل�ا د ��ا ن� * � او ن��م�ا �ه� ا �م �م��ا �‬ ‫���� ا ��ل�ى ا ��بل��‬ ‫د �و� د رك �و�م�ع�ا �ب��ه * ا �لي����س �ي��ه ا ���‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ش � � ت �ف‬ ‫����ّفل���ت �ن ّ‬ ‫فق ت ن‬ ‫� ن ان‬ ‫���ا ن �م � � � ق ف ق‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫��ع�ه ا �ل�ى ا �ل�ع����ل �����د ك� �‬ ‫مو��ى ِا د ا * �و��� ��ط�� �‬ ‫ل��ك�ل ا ���س� � * ������ل� ا � ك� � ر ج‬ ‫ط� ��ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح��ل ��ف �ت� ��� ا �ف � ا ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ���ّد ا * ا �ذ ��ل�� ت‬ ‫س� �ب��ص�ا �‬ ‫ا ��ن ت�ظ� ����ا �م�ى �م� ك��‬ ‫و ��س���ا ر *‬ ‫ح ب� ا ��س���ا ر* ب���ل � ي � �‬ ‫طو �‬ ‫ع� ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫� �ذ � �ن‬ ‫��ا ن ��ل ا �� �� ف ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ك�ز‬ ‫ط��ع�ا ��س��يل�م�ا * �و خ��� �لق��ا ��ق�و��م�ا * ق��ا �ل �ه� ا ا �لث��ا ��ى �ه�و �مر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ط�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� او � ك�� � ا �ى بع � بى ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا �ور�ت�ه * ق���ل ت� ف��ا �م�ل��أ ا �ذ ���نى ا �ذ ا �م�ن ج���دا ��ل��ك * � او ���ل �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫د ا ئ� �رت�ه * �و�ف�ي���ص�ل ��م‬ ‫ى ا �ع�د ا �ل‬ ‫قِ� �‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�ن � � ي�ن �‬ ‫م �م ن���ي�ن‬ ‫���ل ��� * ا ���نى ا �ن�ا � او ���حل �‬ ‫�ع�دا ��ل��ك * ق��ا ��ل ا �عل��� * �ف �� ا لله �ع ن���ك �ك�‬ ‫�م�د لله �م ا�لم��س�ل�م�� ا �ل �و‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫م رج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ح��ه � �وت��ن�ز ���ل�ه * � او ن� �ص�ا �‬ ‫ح�ب�ى �ه� ا ا � �لود �ود * � او �ش���ا ر ا �ل�ى ا �‬ ‫ح��د‬ ‫�ب� لله � بو�ر�� �سو�ل�ه * �وب� ��و�ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� �آ �خ �ن �‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا � �آ �خ� ا �َّم� �ة � ا �� ه ا �عت�ق ا � ا‬ ‫�ن � ن ا‬ ‫هود * �و �ل� ر ع� م� ل� ��� د �و �ل�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا � �ل�� �عود * �ه�و �م ا �ل��ص� ر�ى � او �ل� �ر �م ا �لي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ ف‬ ‫ح ث ��ف ا ���ز � ا � � ا �ف ض�ن ا �ف� ه �ت�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ ق �ز �‬ ‫�ك��ا � � ي���ض� �م�ن �عَر��ا ت�‬ ‫�ج��‬ ‫حود * � او �ن�ا ��د ��ت ن��ا �ع ن��ا ك���ا ��س ا �بل��� �ى ل و�ج * و ��‬ ‫�� � ي�� �م‬ ‫ا � ن �ن ف ا ن �ي�ز � ن � ا ق � ة ف ة �ن � ظ ��‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص ا ��ى �� ��ه ع� ا � ��ط�ل� �� ا�ل�م ا � �م����س�د� �م ا ع‬ ‫�� ا�لم���ا ��س�د *‬ ‫��ا �� * ا �م� ا �ل��‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫جج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت ض �ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ف ا ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�و�م ن��د �م��ة ��من��ى ا�لم���ط�� �لق� �ب�ا �لن�غ���� � او �ل ك�‬ ‫م�� �ي��د * �و �و ج��ه ���س� د�ه� �ع��ل�ى �م� ����ى �ع�م�ه * �و��د ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ا��ا � ت ا �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ه�م�ه * ا ن� ا �ل�ز �و ج���ة ا ا �ع��ل�م� ا ���ه� ��ك�و� �ع��د �و ج�‬ ‫�ه� ك�� �لم�� ا�لم� �����ل * �وك�� �ل �و ب‪1‬‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن ا � ت‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ا �ل�م��ت��ذ ��ل * � �م ��ق� ف���ة �ع��ل ��ا د �ة ��ت�ف� ���ط �من‬ ‫�ه� * �ل� �‬ ‫�ه�ا * ا �و � فه� ��و�ة ��ت ن �����ل �ع‬ ‫���ل��ص �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و و �ى ب ر ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س ر�ت��ه�ا * �و �ل�ن ��م‬ ‫ح�� ��ل�ه � �مود �ت��ه�ا * ب���ل ��ت�عي�� ش�� �م�ع�ه �م�ا �ع�ا �ش�� ت� ���فى ا ��ن ��ق ب��ا ��ض� � او ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ��س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز �‬ ‫�ك� � ��ا �� * � �ت��د ���� � ا ��ل��ا �� * � ا �ذ �ن�ز‬ ‫�و �و�‬ ‫ح ش�����ة � او ب��ت��ئ��ا ��س * �و�ن �‬ ‫و ا ا �لت��ه �م�� �ل �مب��ت�ا �ع�ه�ا *‬ ‫�د وي س و لي ��س و ب س‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ت ق ت ن ت ا �غ ت ا ا‬ ‫ن �ا ث ن ا ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �و ��ي ب��ا ر���ه�ا *‬ ‫� او �ع ����د � ا � �م�� �ع�ه ��ي�ر �م�� �ع�ه� * � او ��ه �ل� ��ي��لب�� ا � �ي�ل� �ع �‬ ‫ث‬ ‫‪�� :1855  1‬ك�و ب�‪.‬‬

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A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

found among them a seat, I was asked by the owner of the store, ‘In a debate that since the middle of the morning has kept us busy, would you care to take your turn (a debate for which we’ve made our ears like the cloth that’s spread to catch the crumbs beneath the quern)? From each to each the turn’s relayed, each one’s opening words amplifying, in sequence, what the last one said, there being no punishment or consequences to be paid, for it’s not a matter here of calling religion into question; it’s an issue into which any may make investigation.’ “‘You ask of me a terrible thing,’ said I, ‘and go too far by including me

2.13.5

among your ranks, if your appeal be to the mind, for I’m no book-worm, but rather one to roaming and travel inclined. If, though, your appeal is to natural intuition, then mine, naturally, is sound, just as upright is my disposition.’ ‘The second,’ said he, ‘is the point round which it all revolves, the factor in our discussion that will lead to a decision.’ ‘Fill, then,’ said I, ‘my ears with your debate and throw upon my back the matched loads of argument between which you hesitate.’ ‘Know,’ said he, God save you all grief, ‘that I, to God be thanks, am a Muslim who to God and His messenger, His inspiration and His revelation, owes belief. My dear friend here (and he pointed to one of the seated) is a Christian, the other a Jew, the next a man with no ideas of his own, who to neither belief nor unbelief will hew. Know too that the debate whose cup we’ve wrested from each other in turn, and in which we’ve taken as many separate ways as pilgrims leaving ʿArafāt,153 has matrimony as its concern. “‘Now, the Christian claims that to divorce a woman is a very grave sin, an occasion for regret bringing its initiator naught but trouble and chagrin. The proof of its evil, according to his claim and in keeping with his degree of comprehension, is that, once a wife finds she’s no more to her husband than a disposable chattel or worn-out bit of kit, her presence hostage to any chance mistake or trivial slip, she’ll never again honestly share with him her introspection or grant to him her sincere affection. On the contrary, as long as she’s with him she’ll be depressed and full of misapprehension, lonely, sad, bad-tempered, and prone to desperation, practicing deceit and falsification. If she thinks of him as someone by whom she’s been bought, believes his belongings aren’t hers and that soon enough sworn allegations of adultery will be brought, or that he’ll leave her, or strip her of her clothes, dress her in those of a divorcée, and tell her, “Back to your family!” or

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2.13.6

‫�ف � ��ق ا � �ة �م�ق�� ة‬ ‫�ي� م � م� ع�د�‬

‫ََّّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫خ� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�� �س �ه�ا ��ث��ا � ا ِ�لت�ح�‬ ‫�م� * � �و � �� �ل �له� ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫عه�ا ا �و �ي��‬ ‫ح �ب� �ه��ل�ك * ا �و ا �س����ل‬ ‫��ا �ل�‬ ‫ح�ى �ب� �مرك *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �و ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫ع د �ى ا ��ل� �ك�ن�‬ ‫��كظ ����ه ا �ّم� * ا �و � ب �‬ ‫ا �و ا ن�� ت� �ع��ل ّ‬ ‫��ا ��س��ك * �ع ن��د‬ ‫ح���لك �ع��ل�ى ��ا ر�ب��ك * �و� �و ى‬ ‫ى� �ر ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا �ة ا�‬ ‫ا �ه�� � � �ن ا �‬ ‫�ل� � ��‬ ‫� ا ا ن�� ت ��ل � ا ��ه � � ا ا �ن ا �� � �� �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫لك و� ��س�ك * �م� � �ى ب� �ل * و م� � ل�ك ب ب��ع�ل * م حر ص �ع��ل�ى ح� ج�� و �ل� �ع��ل�ى‬ ‫�ن �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن�ز �‬ ‫� ّ‬ ‫���ه �و�م�ا ��ل�ه * �وك�‬ ‫���ا د ت� ��ل�ه‬ ‫��س ّر * �و�ل� �ي��ه�م�ه�ا �م�ا �ي�� �ل �ب�ه �م�ن ا �ل ش��� ّر * �ورب��م�ا خ��ا � ت��ه ��ى �عر ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� �ذ آ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ي��د�ة �����‬ ‫ح��ه �ب��ه� �ب�� ا � ا ��ه � او �مث�� �ل�ه * �و�ه ن�� ك �م‬ ‫م��‬ ‫��ر * � او �ن ك��‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ح� �ور � �ر* ا د ��هى � او �ن ك‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن � ة �ذ ف‬ ‫�� ت �ز � ا ا ن �أ ت � ن ه ا ت خ� ف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�ه� �ب� � ر � م�� �م�‬ ‫� او �ض‬ ‫��ا ��‬ ‫� ر * � او �م��ض� � او �مر * �و�ه�و ا � ا�ل�م ار � ا ا �رك�� �و ج �‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غ ا ئ � ت �‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫��ف ا ئ � ت ه ف ا ن ا � ة � ا ت� ّ �‬ ‫ا ن �ت ّ � ّ � � س�ت �‬ ‫� �و�ل��د�ه�ا ا �ل�ا ا ا‬ ‫�� ��ل��ه * �ل�م �ي��ه�م�ه� ا � رب �ى عي��ل�ه ا �و �� ��ك�ى �ع� ��ل�� * �� � �ل�م ار � �ل� ح ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا ت� � � ا � ا �ذ‬ ‫ح� ت� ���ع�� ا‬ ‫له�ا * � �و �ت�ا �ه�ا �� �س�ؤ ��ل�ه�ا * �و�م�ن ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ��ل�ه‬ ‫له� ا �ل� ا ا ا د ا �م �و�ص�� �‬ ‫له� * �و �ل� ح ب� ب��ع� �‬ ‫ا �ب ب �‬ ‫�ز �ة ُ � ا �ف‬ ‫�ا �ف �‬ ‫� نخ‬ ‫خ�‬ ‫�� ��له�ا � د ا ده * ف��ا ت خ� ��ذ ت‬ ‫�ص�م�ا * �ل� ا �لي ����ا حي�م�م�ا *‬ ‫�� ��ه �ع�د � او �� ي‬ ‫�و ج�� �ي ��و�ل�ه� �� او ده * �و�ل�م ��ي � �ل � و‬ ‫�ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫ف ن‬ ‫�ص�د ره � او ��ل‬ ‫هو ج���د �ير �ب�ا ن� �ير ��ى ��ل�ه �ش���ا �مت��ه * �و ر ج�‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� �ه��ذه‬ ‫�� �ع ن��ه ��س�ا �مت��ه * ��ا � �‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �ف �‬ ‫�ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ة‬ ‫�و ن� * �ورا ��س�ه �م ن�ب�� ت� ا � �ل�قر�و ن� * �و�م��ن�ز ��ل�ه �م��ن�ز ��ل ا �ل�ا ك��‬ ‫��د ا ر* �و�‬ ‫ح�ا �لت��ه ��ى ا �ج ��لم�ل�‬ ‫� �مورد ا �ل���ج���‬ ‫�ن � ظ � �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ن ت‬ ‫ح ���را �ل���ط�ل�ا �ق� * � �و�ت��قي��د ب��ز �و ج�‬ ‫�ت��ه‬ ‫ح�ا �ل� ا ��ه�ل ا �ل ن��ا ر* ا �ل�ا ا ��ى ا �ع��ر��ض� �ع��ل� �م� �ه ب� �م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ا ن ا ���ز �ة �ذ � �ل ت ن � �ز � ا ق ُ غ� �ف‬ ‫ن � اق‬ ‫� ��سره‬ ‫�ه�ا * � او �ب�ص�‬ ‫�ه� ��د ا د ��م �ي�‬ ‫د �و� ا ��ط�ل� �� * �ب� � ل �و ج�� ا ا ع� �م� ا � �ج ��س�م �و ج �‬ ‫حُ ف � ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف � ا �ز‬ ‫آ �‬ ‫�ف �ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ه�ا * ���ص�ا را �رد ا �ل� �و ج��ا * �� �س �و �هب� ��ط�ا �و�ه�د� ا �و �ص�ع�د ا ا �و ج��ا * � او �ن�ه �ل� ��ي���ك‬ ‫��ى �ي�‬ ‫�ذ � ا � ت ّ‬ ‫�ي�ن �ة � ا ا ن� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ت� ّ � � ة‬ ‫ح�ا � ا ��ل�ا ب��م��ق ا ��ض� اِ ���حل‬ ‫�ه� ا ا � �ل��‬ ‫ح�ل�ا �ل �ج��مي��‬ ‫عق��د� �ه��ذه ا � ك‬ ‫ل��� � * ا �ل� �ب�‬ ‫�م�ا �م * �و �ل� �ح�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ل م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ف ا ّ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ذ ت‬ ‫�ج�ز�آء ا ��ل���ط�ي�ن ��ة * ا �ن�ه�ا ا �ذ ا �م ض� ت‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫عه�ا * � او ا را � را �ي�ا ��ل� �ب��د �ل�ه �م�ن ا �‬ ‫��� �مر��ض� �ه�و �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ط�ه�ا �ع��ل��ه � � ا‬ ‫�ئ‬ ‫عه�ا * �ن ش����ز ت� �ع��لي��ه � �تو�ن�م ت� * �و ����طغ�� ت� �و ج�‬ ‫�ب��ر ت� * �ف� ت��ا ر�ة �ت�� �سو�م�ه‬ ‫�� �م� �‬ ‫�ي �� او �� � ي يو ج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ت ا ة ��تت نّ ت � ا ت �ذ ق �ف� �� ُ ّ �ف � �ذ‬ ‫ش �ا‬ ‫ح��ل ّ‬ ‫ح��ا *‬ ‫ى * � �و� ر� ��ع�� �ع�لي��ه �ب� �مر ��� ��ي���ه ي��ه ا ل�‬ ‫�ص��ل�ى * ��و�ي��ل �ل�ه ا ا � ب‬ ‫��� �ر �لب�� ��س �و��‬ ‫ا ن �ذ ََ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن تش ا غ‬ ‫ى * � او ن� �غ��ا � �عن ا � � �ة ق ا ت ��ق ا �ة�� ا �‬ ‫�� � �و�ل� � ا ا اب �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ه� �لي��ل� �� �م� ي�� �م� ك�ي��د�ه� �ع�لي��ه * � او � ����� ���ل‬ ‫م ي‬

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A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

“Good luck on your own!” or “You are to me as my mother’s back!”154 or “Your nose-rope’s on top of your hump!”155 or “Return to your covert, 156 among your kith and kin, for you’re no family to me and I’m no husband to thee!” she’ll never be solicitous of his secrets or what he may need and to whatever evils may befall him she’ll pay no heed. “‘She may betray him with regard to his honor or his monies and lay traps

2.13.7

to make him an object of scandal before his peers and cronies. And there’s another danger too, more calamitous still and leading to greater sorrow, more injurious and harmful, yet more painful and harder to swallow, which is that, if a wife hates her husband because of what she’s suffered at his hands and fears what havoc he may wreak, she’ll not bother to care for his children or the welfare of his household seek, for if a woman doesn’t love her husband, she’ll not love his offspring and his seed; she’ll love her husband only if he maintains their union and fulfills her need. Any man who has a wife to whom he does not give his heart and devote his entire affection will be taken by her as a deadly foe, not a friendly companion, in which case he’s to be pitied even by those who observe his misfortunes with glee and those who inveigh against him should leave him be, for when things reach this point his breast becomes a wellspring of sorrow, his head a place for horns to grow, his home a camping-ground for ire, and, in short, his condition that of Those Who Dwell in Fire. “‘I, on the other hand, object to those who’d forbid divorce and the obligations of their wives enforce, on the grounds that, if a wife knows her husband’s body with hers is one, that his secrets are on her tongue, making them like a single person, not a pair, whether they plumb the depths or rise to great heights in the air, that naught but the file of death this solder can fray, naught untie the knots of this condition but the dissolution of their earthly clay—so that, should she sicken, he too falls ill and, if she takes a stand, he must (un)buckle to her will, her every demand fulfil157—then she’ll rebel and disobey, play tyrant and insist she have her way. One time she’ll force him to buy jewelry and clothes, another insist on his swallowing some other bitter dose; then woe unto him if he concurs, and double woe if he demurs! If he spends one night away from home, all her guile on him she’ll vent, and if some profitable business of his distracts him from her, she’ll do anything she can to his detriment. Thus he makes it his habit to placate and flatter her, to play up to and humor her, to pay her compliments when she gives him the

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179

2.13.8

‫�ف � ��ق ا � �ة �م�ق�� ة‬ ‫�ي� م � م� ع�د�‬

‫�ت ّ‬ ‫ن ا ا � �ف� �ن ف َّ ت � � ض ا ّ �‬ ‫��ت ّ �‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ا ة‬ ‫�ه�ا � او �ل�م�� �لق� * �وم�د ر �‬ ‫�ه� �ب� �مر �ل�ه ي��ه � ��� �ج�ر� �ج �مي�� ا�لم�‬ ‫��� ر ا �لي��ه * ��د ا �ب�ه ا �ل �ود د ا �لي�‬ ‫�ع �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫�ف� ت� * � � خم ا � �ق ت ا ا �ذ �ن ف ت‬ ‫ت ا �نّث‬ ‫� او ��ل��تر ��ف�ق * �و �جم‬ ‫��ا �م��لت��ه �ل�ه�ا ا ا ج� �‬ ‫عه�ا ا ا‬ ‫و‬ ‫�� � �ل ��ه ا �ي� �ه� ا ا ا � ��� * � �و� � ��ه �م� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ ّ‬ ‫ش � �ن �ع�� ن � �‬ ‫ن ا �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ت�� ك�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا ���� ر� * �و��ه�ل �ي� ��‬ ‫��ر ت� * � �و��ص�ع�ص�ع�ه �م‬ ‫طو �ل� �‬ ‫ط� ب� �عي����� �لم ل� ا ��ه �� �‬ ‫هو�ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � � �� ت�ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫فا ا ش ا ن � ا � ا‬ ‫ن �ا‬ ‫��ي�ره * � او � �ل� �م ن��ا ��ص �ل�ه �م�ن ض�‬ ‫���ي�ره * �� �م� ���� � ا �ل� �و �ل� د * �و�ه�و ا �ل�د ا ع�ى ا ل�ى �ح�م�ل‬ ‫�ذ � ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا �ن�ا‬ ‫ح�ا ��ل��ة ا ��لن ف�� ��ور � او ��ل�ع ن��ا د * � او ��خل‬ ‫��ل�ا �ف� � او �ل���ل‬ ‫ل��ا د * ف��ا ن� ا �ل�ز �و ج���ي�ن ا ا ك�‬ ‫�ه� ا ا � بك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا د *‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� ا غ آ � ا �ق آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ك�ن �ت ����ت ا � � ا‬ ‫� �ت‬ ‫�ه�م� *‬ ‫�ه�م� � �لو�ل��د �ه�م� ا �ل� ا �� �ر ء �ب� �ل� � ت��د � �ب��ه�م� * � �و��د �ر�ي ب�� �ع��ل�ى ا � �ل���س� د ب���سب��ب �‬ ‫�ل�م �� بري �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ال�م�ص���ل �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف � ن‬ ‫� ق ّ َ �‬ ‫ن � فق‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ي���ك�و� ا �ه�م�ا �ل�ه� �م�ن ��ي�ر �ت بر��ي�� �ع ن��د ��ط�ل�ا �� ا �م�ه� ا �ْو�ل�ى * � او � ا � �لو��ا �� �ه�و ح�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ا �نّا ��ن�ع�� �م�ن ا ��لت� � �ة �م ن �ذ � �نّ ا ه ��ت� ا ��ل ا ���ز ا � � َّ ه ا ن ا �ل� ا ة‬ ‫ج�ر� * �� �س لل ع� �ى ل �و � �وحب�ب�� * � �مر �‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �و�ل�ى * �ع��ل� � ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ �ل ت ن ���ز � ا ت � ا �ة‬ ‫ت� � ًا � �ن ث ا �ق‬ ‫�� �ا �ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ه� * �‬ ‫�ه� * �و�م�ل�‬ ‫�ص�‬ ‫حر�‬ ‫�ص� م � �و� �‬ ‫�ه� ا ��س� ��ط� �ع� �ع��ل�ى �ط�ل �‬ ‫ا ا �ع� �م� ا � ل �و ج �‬ ‫ن ��ت ت‬ ‫ت خ� �‬ ‫ح�� ا ��ل��ه � �ت�ل�ا � ن��ه * � ��ت��ا ��س ه � ت خ� ا ن‬ ‫��ا � �لق��ه � �وت��د ا ر�ي�ه * � �و�ت ت��ل�ا ف��ا ه‬ ‫�� د ��ه * �و‬ ‫وي ر و‬ ‫�ع��ل�ى ا � ��ب ب ي و �ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ح َ � �م�ن‬ ‫ض�ي �ه * �و ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي ��ف���ة ا ن� �ي�ت��ن�غ���� �عي�� ش����ه�ا �ب �ف�� ار ق��ه * ا �و �‬ ‫��ا �م��ل�ه �و�ت��س�ا ��ني��ه‬ ‫*‬ ‫��‬ ‫�و�ت ار �‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫م‬ ‫فا ن �‬ ‫فا � � ا ق � � ا ق‬ ‫ح ����ن ا � ف ا ق‬ ‫َخ ا ق‬ ‫ح��ن �ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ل� ��ه * �� � �ل�م ي� ��ص�ل ب ي �‬ ‫�ه�م� ا � �لو�� �� * �� �ل��ط�ل� �� ا �ل��ط�ل� �� * �ورا �ى �ص� �ب‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫ف ا خ� ا � ف � ا ��ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫� � ق‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�س��ا ب� ا �ل��ط�ل�ا �� �و��هى كي�� ت�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�ه� ا ا �لي�‬ ‫هود �ى �ر��ي ب� م�م� را ��ي� * ��ل� ي�� �ل�� ا �ل� �ى ا � ب‬ ‫ف ا ا ا � � ا َّ �ة ف ت �ف‬ ‫� ق �ة � � �ة �ف ة ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وك�ي�� ت� * �� �م� �ص�‬ ‫��‬ ‫حب��ن �ا ا �ل� �م�ع� * ��ا �ن�ه �م��ردد ��ى �ه��ذه ا � �ل��‬ ‫ض�ي � ا �لمن��ك��ع� * � ت��ا ر� ��ي� ��و�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � �‬ ‫ف� ق �� �ة‬ ‫ح��ة * � �وت�ا ر�ة ا �ن�ه � �مو�ج� ب� �لن� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�د ا �ل�عي�� ش��� �و�ص ��� ا ل ار �‬ ‫ا � ا �ل��ط�ل�ا �ق� ا د �ع�ى ا �ل�ى ا �ل ار �‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�م�� ّ ��ف ق � ت �ذ ��ن �ق ض � � �‬ ‫�� �ي�ز � ن �ُتْ �ة ��ز � �‬ ‫عه�د‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫��دد ا �ل� �‬ ‫طورا ع�م ا � ا �لم��ع� ا �و ا �ل � او�ج ا �ل�ى ا ج���ل س��مى ا �و �� * ح�ى ا ا ا ����ى ي ج‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫����ن ا ث ق‬ ‫�� �ا ��له�م�ا � �ع��ل ا � ا ق ا‬ ‫� ن ت ف ا قا‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�ه�م� �و�ي��و� ��� * ا �ل�ى ا � ��ي ���� ر�� �ع�ن ار ��ض� * � �و�ي���ض�ي � و ي�‬ ‫بي �‬ ‫�ه�م� �و �ل� �� ��ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ق �‬ ‫�ن�ف �ل���لَ‬ ‫ا � �ث َ‬ ‫ن � ف‬ ‫�ف ا خ� �ف‬ ‫� * � او ���‬ ‫ل���‬ ‫حر�� * � او � �ي��ك�ن ��ي���ع��ل�ه ب���ع��ض� ا �ل�ه��م‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ي�ن �ا ��ي� ��و�ل‬ ‫� * �و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ع��ل�ى ب‬ ‫هو‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن �م�ن ا � �ل�ق � ن���ة � �فم� ّ * � ا � �ن��ة ي�خ ا‬ ‫ب���ل ا �ل��ت��سر�ى ا ��س ّر * � او �ه ن�� � او �قر * ا ن� �ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ت�� ر‬ ‫ر وو‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫آ �ة‬ ‫خ� �ة ُ �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ��قت��ص�ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� �و��د �م� ر�عب �� �و� * � �و � �ون� �ع��ل� �و�‬ ‫ح�د� ا �ل�ع � �وب� * � او �ل� � �و�ل م�م� � ����ي�زه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى ي‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ��ا ن �ل�‬ ‫� ّ ن �ن �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا � �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�ب�ه ا � �ف�ل ر��ص ا�ل�مر��ق� �و��ة * � او �ر�ى �ع��ل� �ج� ب� ا �ل� �ل� * ا � ك�� � ا �ج ب� ��ي ج�‬ ‫ح�� �ل� *‬ ‫��ى �م ا ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫‪180‬‬

‫‪180‬‬

‫‪٩٫١٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٠٫١٣٫٢‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

cold shoulder and be nice to her if she leads him a dance, to play the woman with her when she plays the man, and cower when she looks at him askance. Can life be sweet when one knows he’s a pawn to the whims of another and at his hands condemned to suffer? “‘As for the children (the reason for putting up with this pain in the liver),

2.13.9

if a couple are in a state of aversion and contumely, conflict and contumacy, the way they bring them up will be simply an invitation to imitation, a training, through their agency, in abomination, and how much better it would be to divorce the mother and leave them sans upbringing, concord being a factor more important than any other. In addition we know—from experience gained since the day the Almighty decreed that marriage be the law and saw that it was good—if a woman knows her husband can divorce her and slip from her clutches, she’ll treat him lovingly and as she should, indulge him and be a good friend, go along with his whims and help him unbend, put right anything that’s wrong and agree with his views, compliment him and use language that soothes, fearing lest her life become unbearable should he leave her or she be deprived of what he owes her of this world’s joy, for if there’s no concord between them, “Divorce! Divorce!” will be his cry. This Jewish friend of ours doesn’t differ in his opinion much, for he disagrees with me only over the conditions for divorce (which, for him, are such and such). “‘As for our wishy-washy friend, he’s at sea as to where this thorny issue 2.13.10 will end. Sometimes he says divorce leads to ease, at others that it must disturb life’s calm and be nasty as a slap with the palm. On occasion he claims that a set period for legal dalliance158 or marriage is more likely to lead to a successful conclusion, for even when that ends the contract may be renewed, with official collusion, until the two part without any grudge and settle it all mutually without recourse to a judge, this being less likely to create inconvenience and expose the purse to ravages (albeit it’s also the practice of certain savages). On others he says that, on the contrary, keeping a concubine is more comfortable, pleasant, and restorative for the listless, and there is no substitute for keeping a mistress. At moments, he decides to make do with a plump little serving girl as wife, at others with the bachelor’s solitary life (taking any, much-anticipated, opportunities as may be on offer), at yet others to cut off his tackle completely (supposing, if we may, that one can slice through such snares so neatly).’

181

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‫�ف � ��ق ا � �ة �م�ق�� ة‬ ‫�ي� م � م� ع�د�‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� �ذ � �ن‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ا ��لخ ّ‬ ‫� ���ط��ة � �ن�ز ��ل ت ��ف د ك� ت‬ ‫ق��ا �ل �و �ل��ك ا ��ى �ص�ع�د ت� ��ى د ر ج��ا ت� �ه��ذه‬ ‫���ا ���ه�ا * �و�ع�ا �ن�ي�� ت�‬ ‫� و � �ى ر‬ ‫ه ا �ة ��ت غ���� �ف��ه�ا‬ ‫��� د ���ة �من ا‬ ‫�ا ت ا �ف � ت ن‬ ‫� ر� �و�ا �م�ن ا خ�‬ ‫� ���ط�ا ر�ه�ا �و�ه�� ك�‬ ‫�ه� �م� �و ي ب ي�‬ ‫ل�� ���ه� * ��و ج��د � �ع��د �ك�ل ر ج �‬ ‫�ض ب‬ ‫��تَ َ‬ ‫تَ �قُ َ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�غ ��‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا � ا‬ ‫ت �ا‬ ‫�� � ا ��ل�ا �ف ا‬ ‫�ه� �م * �و���هِ�ن ا � �ل ��و�ى * �وي���س� ��ط� ب� ا �ل �و�ى * � �وي��ص� ر �ك��ل‬ ‫ح�ل� �م * � �و��ض�يع �‬ ‫ت َّ‬ ‫� ا �ة � ت �ن ��َ‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫حْ �� ���ف �ش��� * � �م�ا ��له�ا ��ه �م�ن‬ ‫ع ���� �� �م�ن ا ��ل��ل�ا * �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫���ا ن� �ه��ذه ا �ل‬ ‫ح�ى ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح� ج�� �لي����س� �م ا ��وج ى ى و � ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث ��ق‬ ‫� �ة ��لَ ّ �ف آ � ا آ ��س �‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ك�ن‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ا �م��ل�ه * ��ل��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫مو� ي���سر �ن�ا ظ ���ره �و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫���‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ى �ل ى‬ ‫�ص�ل� ح�ى �‬ ‫و �و ب� ي ب� � م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�كي��ْ َ���س �م�ن‬ ‫� ��ق��ا ��س�ه �ع��ل �ع�ق �� ��ل ا ��ل��‬ ‫��ي��ق ّ� ا �و�ص�ا ��ل�ه �و�م�ف��ا �ص��ل�ه * �و�ك�‬ ‫���ل ا �مر ��ى ا �ل��د ��ني��ا ف��ا ��م�ا �ي��‬ ‫��ص ي‬ ‫�ى و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫رح‬ ‫�َْ ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة ف ا ن ا �ل � �ف �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا ��ل ن��ا ��س * �و��ع�ا ��ل‬ ‫�� ��ه�ا ا �ل� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط��ا *‬ ‫حوب� �� � �م‬ ‫� �ب�ا �ل�صب��ر ا �و ا �لي��ا ��س * ا �ل� �ه��ذه ا �ل�‬ ‫�ي ج‬ ‫ر جع ي� ى ب ع‬ ‫ش � ا �زَ‬ ‫ث َ نَّ ني�ن �َثْ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ق ا ه�‬ ‫ق ا �� ��ن �ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�و �ل�ا ��ي��ف ي��د �م�ع�ه ر����د �و �ل� �م� * �� ا � ا ��� ا �ل� ك�‬ ‫���ل�ى * �و�� ل � او �ى ا �ي��د �ع��ل�ى �م� �� �ل�‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫�� �ذ �‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫� �خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د �ع ت� ق���ل� � �م�ن‬ ‫ح�د ك�� �ع� �ل� * �� ��و�ل �و� ك��‬ ‫ا �ل�ا �م�ع� ��ق�و �ل�ا * �و �ل�ا ا � ش����ى �م�ن ا �‬ ‫ل� ���‬ ‫وب‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ش ا قّ‬ ‫ش ت ق ت �ن �ذ � � � َ َّ‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ؤ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص�د * � او ��� ���� �م �ل�ك ا � �لو�م� � �م���� �� �ل� �ي� �� ي �‬ ‫ط��‬ ‫�ل��ك ا �ل�‬ ‫ط� �‬ ‫�ه� �� ب‬ ‫ع * �وك�م �م ر � ��س‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ق � َ‬ ‫ا ق �قّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��� * �و�ع� ��و�ل ا �فِ��� �و�‬ ‫�ل�ا ج���ل�ه د � ك‬ ‫حِر�‬ ‫ع��� �ور�‬ ‫��� * � او �ع ن�� �� د �� * �وع�ي �و�‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ ثِ‬ ‫��ً‬ ‫� �لق� ت� * � او ��س�ن �ا ن� �ه��م ت� * � او �ن��و�ف� ش���ر�م ت� * �و�ش��� �عور �ن��د ��ف ت� * �و ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ى ��ن ت��ف� ت� * � او �ي� ٍ�د‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ا ئ ��تّ ت ��ت ُ��ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ق�ّ ����ط�ع ت� * � ا �ن��س�ا � � ّ ت‬ ‫ت�‬ ‫ح�ا �ش�� ��ة �م�ن �ج��م��لت�ه�ا‬ ‫و ب ض�ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� �ع� * �وك��� �� ب� ك��ب��� * �وك�� ب� ك��ب��� * (� �ي‬ ‫�ذ � ت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�س� �ف � �مض‬ ‫��ك ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي���ل ُر�‬ ‫�� ت� * �ور�م�ا � ش��� ّر�ع ت� * � او �‬ ‫�� ت� * �و�‬ ‫ل��ا ب�) �‬ ‫�ه� ا ا � ك��‬ ‫ح�زا ب�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا ُ‬ ‫ت �ق ت‬ ‫ح �� ت‬ ‫ف ت‬ ‫�ت��ت ّ�ع ت� * � � ا � �� ت ن ف ت‬ ‫� *‬ ‫وج‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ب�� �ل د ك�� �و���س��� * � بو���ي �و� ا ��و� �و�ع��� * � او �م�ل� ك � بر‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�م ت ا ��� �ف‬ ‫ق ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�و�م��ل�وك ا ���س خ�‬ ‫�ر�� ت� * � ب�و��ل��د ا � �خ�ر�� ت� * ب���ل ا � ���ه� ك‬ ‫ل�� ت� �و� ن�ي�� ت� * �و�ر�و� ا �ن��د ر�ج� ت�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق� �‬ ‫ث ّ ق�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ة �نَ ف‬ ‫�نُ ق‬ ‫�و���سي�� ت� * �� �ت�ا �وه �و��ا �ل �و��س��ل�ع� � ���د ت� * �ود �ن�ا �ن�ي�ر � ���د ت� * ��ا �ل ا �ل�ه�ا ر��س ���ع��ل�م ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�ت غ غ �ف‬ ‫� �ذ � ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫عّ ����ه ��� ت‬ ‫�ص�د �ع�ه ا �ل�‬ ‫ا �ن�ه ��د �‬ ‫له�ا ��ه �ع ن��د �����ل����ل�ه �ي��ه � او ��ي���ا �ل�ه * �و�ل�� ا ك ك���ا �‬ ‫�ص�دع ب��م� �ل�ه * �و� ب �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ف � � ث ه خ� � �ف‬ ‫ش �ف‬ ‫��ي��في���ض� �ى �‬ ‫� �ي��ه * �لي��عل��� ��ه�ل �م�ن �م�ص�ا ب� �مث���ل�ه �و�ع ن��ده �عل��� �م�ا ي����� ي��ه *‬ ‫ح�د �ي �� �يو �‬ ‫�و �ض‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬

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‫‪١٢٫١٣٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٣٫١٣٫٢‬‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

“The speaker now declared, ‘We’re discussing all this because I’ve 2.13.11 descended the staircase of this business from top to bottom and suffered each of the kinds of danger and perdition with which it’s rotten, for at every step I found a chasm into which discernment vanished and where reason was banished, where strength waned and bankruptcy was to be relished, a chasm beside which all other disasters seemed diminished, to the point that I became convinced that it plays no useful role and benefits not one living soul. It’s a sickness none can cure, a smart but poisoned garment that pleasure to those both who see and those who wear it brings but ulcerates their joints and limbs. With the exception of this curse, any matter in the world may be sized up by the astute and dealt with for better or for worse, for it all goes back to the individual’s disposition and neither good sense helps, nor resolute decision.’ “Then said he, moaning like a mourning mother, ‘To the words of the 2.13.12 wishy-washy man I would add what follows (and I fear not the censure of my fellows): How many a heart has been tied to the rack159 by reason of that crack, by reason of that cleft how many of all tranquility bereft! How many a head for its sake has been softened and contused, how many a mind weakened and abused, how many a neck chopped and eye popped, how many a tooth split and nose slit, how many a head of hair shaved smooth and beard plucked out, how many a hand cut off and lineage lost, how many a brigade raised and tome off tossed’ (a category to which this tome belongs) ‘or horse galloped or sword flashed or lance flourished or band into battle dashed or mountain crumbled and shattered or house abandoned, its stones scattered, or possession plundered, or king by adversity crushed, or land reduced to dust—nay, how many a nation has disappeared and been dismembered, how many a generation receded and ceased to be remembered!’ And then he sighed and added, ‘Or goods depleted and gold coins deleted.’” Said al-Hāwif, “Then I realized that ‘the crack’ had cracked him in his 2.13.13 pocket, and its ‘uvula’ bitten him, once well inserted in its socket. That was why he’d gone on at such length in his discourse and waded so far out: to discover if any other had suffered as had he and knew of aught that might bring a cure about. Now he turned to me, his eyes full to the brink, and said, ‘And you, what do you think?’ ‘Verily,’ I replied, ‘it is a very great woe,160 a dilemma fit to make tears flow. For long the greatest scholars have been confounded as to the affair, and of ever understanding it the wisest of sages

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‫�ُ‬ ‫�َ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث��ّ ا ��لت�ف� ت ا ��ل ّ‬ ‫ى �م��س�ت �عب��را * �وق��ا �ل � او ن�� ت� ��م�ا �تر�ى * ق���ل ت� � او لله ا �ن��ه�ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ح��د �ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ق � ا � ا �ت � �ف� ا � ا � ا ��ل�ن‬ ‫� ا � �َ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ح * � ض���� �ع�ن �ع��ل�مه�ا‬ ‫�و�م�ع� �‬ ‫���ل� � � ي���ض� �ل�ه� ا �ل�عب� ر * ��د ��ط� �لم� ا �ر ب��ك ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل�ع� �ل�م �ر�ير و ل‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ف �ة � ا ف ا ����‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ا ��ل��لب���� ا ��ل‬ ‫�ه�ا * � او ي� ش����� ء �م�ع�ا د ن� ا �ل�ا ر��ض�‬ ‫�ب��ي�ر* �ل� �ج�ر�م ا � �م�عر�� ا �ل� ��ل� ك �و �ك� او كب� �‬ ‫يب‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ن ّ �ن ن �ق � �ف‬ ‫� �ة �ن ْ‬ ‫��ا ئ���ه�ا * � ا ��س ا �ه�ا � غ�� ا ئ�� ا‬ ‫�و ج�ع‬ ‫�ه� * �ل� �ه�و� �ع��ل‬ ‫ى �م ا � ا ��و�ل ��ى �ه��ذه ا�لم��س� �ل� ��ع� ا �و‬ ‫و رر و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ج�ز ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ث� � ن ا �ه � � ن‬ ‫� ��ت � ن َ ْ �‬ ‫�ل�ا * ��م�ا ا ر�ى ا �ل�ا ��س��ك�و�ى ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �و�ل�ى * � ب�ي���� � ي ��و�ب �‬ ‫ج�و� �وي���س��لب ��و� * �و�ي��و� و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ص �ت‬ ‫�ذ ا � ف ا ا ق ّ �ي�ن ا �‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�وي���س� ب �‬ ‫ه�و� * ا ا �ب� � �ل�� ر�ي� �� �مر�ع�ل� � را بك��� �ع��ل�ىح�م� ر �� ره * ��س� �م�د ��س� �م�ه * ��ل�م� �ب�� ر‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ذ � �‬ ‫ه ق � ت � ه �ن�ز � �ن�ز �‬ ‫حّ‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ا� ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ى �ع��ل� �ه� ا ا �لعِ��د ا �ل * ��م�ا �نر�ى �غ��ي�رك ج���د ا‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫ح�ه *‬ ‫�ير �ب�ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ب� ��ل� ل� ل ل * و � ى‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ق � �ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ع�ن ا � �ن� ش‬ ‫���ن ت ت خ‬ ‫�و� ش����ف��ا ئ�� ن��ا �م�ن �‬ ‫�ص�م�ا �‬ ‫م������‬ ‫ى ك‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ه * ��ا �ل ��ى ا �ى ا �مر �مير�� ك� �� ��‬ ‫��ض �و� * �و‬ ‫��ر � ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ّج م‬ ‫ت ج‬ ‫ت ت‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫قا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ن �� ج�‬ ‫�هل�� ا �ل�ع�ل� �� * �� ب����د ر �و�� �ل * �ع��ل� ا ر ج�� �ل *‬ ‫��ض �و� * ���ل ن�� �ل�ه �� ا �ل � ا � *‬ ‫�ي��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى و�ج � م ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫���ل�ا‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت‬ ‫�م���س�ا �ل� ا �ل�ز � او �� ك�‬ ‫� ����ث� �ل� ����ت ا �ل ��ط�و�ل ا �ل��د �هر ا �م ار ���م�ع ض�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن �ن �‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا �����ت���ا ه ����ع�ل�ا‬ ‫�ح��ل�ل�ا �ل��ل�ز � � ا ن‬ ‫ل���ط�ل�ا �� �ي��و��م�ا �‬ ‫ا � �ي��ك�و� ا � �‬ ‫� ا �ي� � ب‬ ‫وج‬ ‫ن تُ� �ظ �� �ا �ز � � ه ن ه � ا ن ��تُ� ضَ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫���ل�ا‬ ‫�و�ج �ت� ��ع�� �و �ل� ا � �ع�‬ ‫��ف��لي����س �ع ن��د �ى ر����د ا ا � ح��ل‬ ‫ن �‬ ‫ا �� � � ا �ق �� � � � ا ��ف��ل ف���� �ا � ا ا �� ت � ا‬ ‫�س��لا �ف�د ع�ه�م� ي ع�ل �م� ع��د �ل�‬ ‫ا � �ل�م �ي���ص�بي�� ل�ل�و�ف� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا ��ا ن ����ش��آ ا ����ط��ّ�لق��ا � ا ��ن ���ف�ص�ل�ا‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ق � �ف� ض‬ ‫��ث‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�����ا � �ن �ف�ت� ا ا � �ذ�� ��ف ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ت� * �وق���ل ن��ا ��ل�ه ا ��ل�ى �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ك�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ا رك �ع�ن ك�� ب� * ��م�ا �نر�ى را �ي��ك‬ ‫��ا �ل‬ ‫ر مي رى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا �ّ ا � ْ ا �� �ق ا ا ت ا � �ة �� ا ن ا ت ��س � ا ث� ��ت�ف� ��ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ك��ا ا ج��تم�ع ن��ا *�و�ج�ع‬ ‫�ب��ن �ا �م�م�ا ��س�م�ع ن��ا *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� بِ��د �ع� *�ول��د ��س� � ج�� ب� ب�ع�د � �صب��� �مع� * �م ر �م‬

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‫ا �ل��كب��ر*‬

A Maqāmah to Make You Sit

are in despair. Let there be no misapprehension, knowing each celestial sphere and every star, diving where lie Earth’s metals and wonders bizarre, or comprehending its secrets and things exotic, would be easier by far for me than giving a yes or no on such a topic. So it seems to me I’d better say nothing.’ Then, while they all argued to and fro, at length and in brief, who but the Fāriyāq should come riding briskly by on a trotting donkey that bowled along, its head held high. Catching sight of him, I called, ‘Get down, get down, and hie thee to this locus of indecision, for none but you, we think, is capable of ridding us of its reek and presenting the facts with some precision!’ He asked, ‘Into what muddled matter have you waded and regarding what muddy miasma do you seek to be persuaded?’ We told him, ‘Matrimony. Now give us your remedy instantaneously!’ at which he launched into the following, quite spontaneously: The question of marriage has e’er a thorny matter been And so for ay it will remain. If divorce should e’er to the husband Be permitted, at the drop of a hat his rights he’ll claim. I don’t think it right then that his wife be stopped From divorcing him too or from wedding again. If they can’t agree on a friendly way out, Let them do what’s moderate: Whenever they want, get a divorce and separate. “We laughed at his adoption of a position not found in the books in any shape, form, or way and told him, ‘Back to your donkey without delay! We think your opinion’s quite absurd, and ill you answered though well you heard!’161 Then we split up just as we’d congregated, each marveling at what he’d heard debated.”

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‫ا �� ف‬ ‫���ص ا ��ل ا ��� �ع ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ل بع ر‬ ‫� ��ت�ف����س�� �م�ا �غ��م�� �م�ن ا �� �ل��ف�ا ظ ���� �ه��ذه ا �ل���م�ق��ا �م��ة � ���م�ع�ا ��ن �ه�ا‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫ير‬ ‫و ي�‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫� �ف �‬ ‫� �ن � ا �م � ف �ظ � �ة ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��لي���� ��ى �لغ���ت�ن�ا �ه��ذه ا �ل ش��� �ر�ف���ة �و �ل�ا ��ى �لغ����ة ا �م��ة ا �خ�ر�ى م ا �ل� � � �ل� ��� ���د �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ا ��ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ف��ا ��ع�ل �و�م��� �عو�ل ا �و �� �ع��ل�� ا �����رك�� ��ى ����ع�ل � او �‬ ‫ح�د �ل��ل�� ���ه�م� � �و ��� �‬ ‫عه�م� * � او � ج‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫ا ��ل �م�ن � خ �ع��ل�ه� ا ��ل�ي�ت � �ف �من�ه� ا ا � �ف� ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي��د ���ل ي� م� عر� � م� ى ر�‬ ‫�ه�م�ا * � بو��ي��ا ��ه ا �‬ ‫�ص� ي ج�ر�ى ب��ي�� �‬ ‫�ى‬ ‫ع � �و�� ب‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �����ة ا �ل�ز � ا � �ع ن��د �ن�ا �م�ع ن�ا � �ا � �ّ‬ ‫ح��د ا ��ل � �خ� � ت‬ ‫�� ف�ل �ظ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح��د �من�ه�م�ا �ز � ��ا‬ ‫�ه‬ ‫وج�‬ ‫ح�ى �ي��ص�ي�ر �ك��ل � او � �‬ ‫وج‬ ‫�م � او � �ى ر‬ ‫�� �ن ن �ق �‬ ‫� ا‬ ‫م��ا ن� � ��ل�ا �ز �م�ا ن� * ف���ل� �ت�ز � �� �ز ���د ��� ن‬ ‫ه��د ي �ڡ‬ ‫ح��ه * �و�ل��ك�ن �م د �و� �ي��د � ك� و‬ ‫و وج ي ب‬ ‫�ل�ص� � ب‬ ‫� ��س��ه�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ت ض‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ا �و �ع��ل� ��ق ن���ة ج�‬ ‫�ب���ل ا �و �‬ ‫��ك� �‬ ‫هف� ��ى �ي ��و� ا �ل�ا �‬ ‫ح��د ا �و ا �ل� ��ث ن���ي�ن ا �و ا �ل��سب�� ت� ب� ش���ر ��ط ا �ل��را ���ى �ب�ا �‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ي�ن �� ّ ��ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��‬ ‫�* �‬ ‫�� ب� ا �لر ج���ل �ل��ل�م ار � � ك�‬ ‫�ه�ك� ا‬ ‫�ص�� � �مو �� ب� � او ج��ه �ب��ه� ا �و ي�����ه�د �ع��ل� �ل��ك ر ج��ل�� ل�‬ ‫�ي ك‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫ى‬ ‫�ف ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت ��س�نّ��ة ا ��ل��س��ل�ف ا �ل� ت�ق‬ ‫� ا آ �غ �‬ ‫ت خ‬ ‫ك� �‬ ‫م���د �م��ي�ن �م�ن ا �ل� �ن�ب��ي��� �و��ي�ر�ه� �مك��ا �ه�و�م��س �� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫طور ��ى � �� او ير� �‬ ‫�ه�م * ب���ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � ف ظ � � ن� �ف‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫� � ن �ق ن �ن ف‬ ‫هود * ا �م� � �ل� ��� ا �ل� ك�‬ ‫��ا � ��م�ع ن��ا ه ا �‬ ‫�ل� �ي��ك�و� �� او ��ي� ي��د �و� ا � ����س�ه� �ل� �ب�ا �ل�ص��ك �و �ل� �ب�ا �ل ش���‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ار‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫ا �م ا � �ع��ل� ا �ى �و ج��ه ك�� � * �و �ل��ك �ل� � �ع ب� ا ج�ل‬ ‫�� �ه��لي�� �ل� �ي��ك�ن �ع��د �ه� � د ا ب� �ل�ل� ك�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫� قآ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ح ا � �م ن��ه * ق��ا ��ل ا � �� ا �ل �����‬ ‫� او ��ل����ط�ع�ا � �و�غ���ر�ه�م�ا �‬ ‫ح�ت ج��� ا ��ل ش��� �ف��ع ّ ف��ه �و�م��ي�ز ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�ل�ا ��ل �م�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م ي‬ ‫بو ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن ف ن‬ ‫�ف �غ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫ل���لي��ا ت� — �و�ل��ك�ن �ل�م ا ج���ده ��ى ����ص�ل ا �ل�ن�و� ��ا � را ��ي ت��ه ��ى ��ي�ره ا �ج�ز ت� �م�ا �و�ع�د ت�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � �ل�� �ي�ز ��ل ا ��ل� ا ��ل�ا ن �م��س�ت �ع�م�ل�ا‬ ‫�ب�ه * �وك�‬ ‫��� ت� ا ر���د ا ��س��ت ش����ه�د ب� ك�‬ ‫��ل�ا �م�ه �ع��ل� ا ن� ا ��س� ا �لن� ك�‬ ‫ى �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م ح م‬

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‫‪٢٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪٣٫١٤٫٢‬‬

Chapter 14

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings162

There is no word in this noble tongue of ours, or in that of any other nation,

2.14.1

for an active subject or a passive object, or two actives, who, having participated in one and the same act for their own pleasure and advantage, are in need of someone to burst in upon them to inform himself as to what kind of “raising” and “erecting” they are engaged in.163 This may be demonstrated by the fact that our word zawāj (“marriage”) means the joining of one thing to another in such a way that each forms a conjunct (zawj) with its companion without, however, specification of time or place. Thus, if Zayd enters into conjunction (tazawwaja) with Hind on a plain or on a mountain top or in a cave, or on a Sunday or a Monday or a Saturday, and provided there is mutual consent to the man’s writing the woman a document publicly proclaiming that he has formed a conjunction with her, or he brings two men to bear witness to the same, then all is as it should be. This was the way of the earliest prophets and others, as recorded in their histories; in fact, they didn’t even tie themselves down with documents or witnesses. As to the word nikāḥ (“copulation”), it means having a woman, however

2.14.2

that may come about. This is because the Arabs of the Days of Barbarism had no conventions governing intercourse, or eating, or anything else. Then the Revelation came and classified the categories of intercourse and distinguished the permitted from the forbidden. Abū l-Baqāʾ states in al-Kulliyyāt (The Universals)164—well, I can’t find it in the chapter on the letter nūn but if I come across it in someone else’s work, I promise to get you the reference. I’d hoped to cite what he has to say, namely that the noun nikāḥ165 remains in use until now and occurs in books of jurisprudence innumerable times,

187

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2.14.3

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�‬ ‫ن ��ف‬ ‫ح �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ص * � �ه �‬ ‫���ت� ا �� ف�ل �ق ��ث �ن ن �‬ ‫�� �ع��ل�ى �م�ن ا �ن ك‬ ‫��ره �م�ن ا �لن��ص�ا ر�ى‬ ‫���ه ا ك���ر �م ا � ي �ى و �و ج‬ ‫� او ��ه �ى ك� ب‬ ‫ا ن� ا ا ��س�ت �ع�م��لت ه ا ��ل�ع��ل �آء �م�ن ن ��م ا ش ا ة � ا‬ ‫�ذ �ذ�‬ ‫�س��ا ب� *‬ ‫�� �م�‬ ‫�و�ع��ل�ى �م�ن ا ��س�ت �ع�ا �م�ن ك��ره * �و �م�‬ ‫د �و�‬ ‫ح� ���� � �ل� � ب‬ ‫س�ت‬ ‫� �ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا �و��ل ا �ن�ه ا �� �ع��م� ق��دي��م�ا �م�ن ا ج��ل‬ ‫��ا �ه��لي���ة ف��ا �ث�ب���ت�ت�ه ا �ل�ع�ا ق���لي���ة * ا �لث��ا ��ى � �لور �وده ي �ڡ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫� ا� ث � ا ش تا�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� �ق آ ن‬ ‫�ه�ا ت‬ ‫ح �ف� � ف��ا ق��ا ��ل��ل���ط��ا �ئ�� � ن ا‬ ‫�ص � او ج��ل‬ ‫� *‬ ‫ا � �ل �ر � * ا �لث�� �ل� �ل� ����م� �ل�ه �ع��ل�ى ا بر���ع� ا �ر و‬ ‫��‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع � او �ل�ع�� � ر‬ ‫� ن �ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ا ��س ار ر �� �سور ا � �ل�ق ار ن� * ف��ا �ل�ن�و ن� ي ڡ‬ ‫ا �ل ار ��� � �لور �ود�ه�ا ي �ڡ‬ ‫� � � او � �ل�ل��� �و�م�ا ي���س ��طر�و�‬ ‫م‬ ‫بع‬ ‫� � �آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ا ��خل ا � ا �ن � ا �ذ ا �ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫� ا�ل� � او �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �� ك�‬ ‫ڡ‬ ‫ل�� � � �كه��ع�� � ا � � �ل‬ ‫��لب��‬ ‫ح� ��ى �� * �� م��س �ك‬ ‫و � �ى � ي ص و �ل � ي م‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ث ا �ن‬ ‫�ه��ذه ا ��ل�� ف�ل �ظ‬ ‫� �����ة ���د ا ��ل��ك �من�ه�ا �م�ع� �ا ن� ش��� � �ف��ا ن� * ا ��ل�ا �و��ل ا ��س� ف��ا ��ع� �م�ن �‬ ‫ح�ى � او �ل�� ��ى‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م ل‬ ‫ن�ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ت �� �‬ ‫ت� �ّ ت �ل�‬ ‫�ز �‬ ‫� ق ا ئ ق � ��ذ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ف� ا � �ن � ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ع�ل �مر م ك‬ ‫موج��‬ ‫���ا � * � �وب�ه �بر ت� ا �ل �‬ ‫�ود ا � ا ل�ى ا �ل�عي�� � * �و ج��ل� ا ح��� � ��� �ل� �و�ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ن � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف �ة �� � ف� ظ �‬ ‫ا �ل�عرف��ا ن� * ا �ل��س�ا د ��س �خل �‬ ‫� ��� �و�‬ ‫��� ا ل�‬ ‫ح�ل�ا � �وت�ه * ا �ل��س�ا ب��� �ل��ك�و� ا �و�ل�ه �ي��د �ل �ع��ل� � �خ�ره � �و �خ�ره‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � �ة � �‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�� ا � ��ل�ه * � ق��د ��س� �ه��ذ ا ا ��ل�ن� ���ع ض‬ ‫���ه� د �ل�ا �ل� ا �ل�ا �و�ل �ع��ل� ا �ل�ا �خ�ر � �‬ ‫وب� �ل�ع��ك��س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل�ى و‬ ‫وع ب‬ ‫و �مى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف ا � �ف� ن � ق ا ��ن ن ���ا �ف ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ط� �ب� �ل �و� � او ك�‬ ‫ق��ا �ل �وف��ا �ئ��د �ت�ه ا �ن�ه � �لو ا ��س�� ش����ه�د ا � �لق��ا ض���ى ا �‬ ‫ل�� � ��‬ ‫ح��دا �ع��ل�ى �� �ع�ل�ه � �� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫���‬ ‫� ش���� �ع��لي��ه ا �و �ع��ل� ا �� �لق��ا ض��� ����ل‬ ‫حّ�ز ا ��ل���ذ ��ل��ك * �عَر�ف� �م�ن ب�����ق �غ��ي�ر �مغ�� ش����ى �ع��لي��ه �ب�ا لجم‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ى‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ذ ��ل��ك �� �ل ���ط ا �ع��ل��ه �ع ن��د ا د � ا ��ل ش���ه�ا د�ة �م�ا �ق� ����ط�ع�ه �ع�ن‬ ‫��ض �و�ى �م�ا ا را ده ا � �ل�� ���ل * �وك��‬ ‫ا � �لق��ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫و ر ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق � �ة‬ ‫��آء �� � �� �ذ ا ا ��ل � ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��وق��ا �و�ه�بي���ة �ل��� ي���س�م� �م ن��ه ا ��ل�ا ا ��ل�ا ��ل�ف� � او ��ل‬ ‫ا �� ك�‬ ‫ح� ل�د ل �ه�‬ ‫�ج�زء ا �ل� خ��ي�ر �م� ��ل�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا �م �ش �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫ا ��ل��ت��س �ة‬ ‫�غ ن‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫حر�وف��ه �ع��ل� �ج��مي�� �م�ا ا‬ ‫�ير د �م�ن ا�لم�د � �لو�ل * ���ل ت� �و�ه�و ��ع��لي���ل �ب��د �ي�� ��ي�ر ا � �ه��ذه �مي��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ى ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ت ا � ا � ا �� �ف ا ظ �� ا �� �� �ة ف ا � ا �‬ ‫�ا ت‬ ‫�ف ��ت � �ن‬ ‫�ل� � ��و ج���د ��ى ك�� ب� ا �لب��ي �ا �ي���ي�ن � او �لب��د �ي��عي���ي�ن * �ول��س� ح ب� �ل� ل�� �� ل� �‬ ‫ط �ي�و��ل� �� �ل� �و�ل�ى‬ ‫ق س�ت‬ ‫ن ن‬ ‫� � ف‬ ‫ف ن ق‬ ‫ح ت ���ه �� ف�ل ظ‬ ‫� ���� �م�ن ��ت��ل�ك ا �ج ���ل‬ ‫�م��ل��ة ب�‬ ‫ا � ��ي��� ل‬ ‫حي� ث� ي���سل��� ا �ل��طر�� * ��ا � ���ل ت� ب���ل ��د ا �� �ع�م��ل ت�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ف � �ن � �ة ق � � ال�م� ت‬ ‫�س����ق � �ة ا �ل� ت ف� ��ظ ��‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫� ف ا �ظ � ا �� �ة‬ ‫��ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫ا � �ل�� ��� � �‬ ‫ط �ي�و��ل� ج���دا ��ى �و�ص�� ا �لب�� �ري� ��ط� �ب �� ��و�ل�ك‬ ‫ح� م��س��� �ع� �م� ا ��ه ك�� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ا ة � ن �ظ ��‬ ‫�م�� ا ن �ت ف� ا � ا �� �ف ا ظ �� �ق � ة ق � ت � ن �ذ �‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ي�ر*‬ ‫�ه� ب� ل�� �� ��ص�ي ر� * ��ل� ك‬ ‫���ا � �ل��ك �م�ن �ب�ا ب� �م ار �ع� � ا �ل�‬ ‫ي �ك�ن�ك � ��ص �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف ق‬ ‫ف�ا ن ��� �� ا ���� ��ن �����ة � ��ق ت� �ه * ف�ا � �ا �م�د �� �� ا ��ل�� ف�ل ظ‬ ‫� ���� ا ��ل���ذ �ى �‬ ‫�ص�دده ��ا �ن�ه ���ص�ي�ر*‬ ‫��‬ ‫ح�ن �ب��‬ ‫طول لب ري�ط �ي �‬ ‫�� �‬ ‫� م �لول‬ ‫ض�ي‬

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‫‪٤٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

which is an argument against those Christians who deny this and anyone who throws up his hands in horror when it’s employed. Scholars of religion used it without embarrassment for several reasons. The first is that it was used anciently in the Days of Barbarism and that same usage was then confirmed in the Era of Rationality. The second is that it occurs in the Qurʾan. The third is that it is composed of four letters and thus accords with the humors, the elements, and the directions. The fourth is that the letters of which it is composed occur among the “mysterious letters”166 of the chapters of the Qurʾan; thus the nūn occurs in “Nūn. By the Pen and what they inscribe,”167 the kāf in kāf-hāʾ-yāʾ-ṣād,168 the alif in alif-lām-fāʾ,169 and the ḥ in ḥāʾ-mīm.170 The fifth is that if you write the word backward, you will find two noble meanings, the first being an active participle of the verb ḥ-y-y, the second an imperative verb formed from kāna;171 thus God’s creation is revealed, the essential truths made manifest to those whose eyes can pierce the veil to arrive at what’s concealed. The sixth is the lightness of the word on the tongue and its sweetness to the taste. The seventh is that its beginning signifies its end and its end its beginning, this kind of word play being called by some “the signifying of the end by the beginning and vice versa.” The advantage this bestows lies in the fact that, if a judge calls on someone to bear witness against the commissioner of such an act and the witness utters the letter nūn followed by the letter kāf172 and then swoons, or the judge swoons, from lasciviousness, those left standing in the judge’s chambers will understand what the speaker was trying to say. Similarly, should he be overcome in the course of his testimony by such longing and dread that he can no longer speak and all that can be heard from him is the alif and the ḥāʾ,173 this last part of the word, though consisting of only a small number of letters, will provide all the signification that could be asked for. I declare, “This analysis is indeed elegant. It is not, however, to be found in the books of the rhetoricians and the stylists. Personally, I’m not fond of long words, so the best thing would be to create a new, shorter, one from that assemblage of letters by keeping only the end.174 If it be said, ‘But you used very long words when you described a bonnet as being mustaqbiḥah and mustafẓiʿah175 even though you could just as well have described it with short words,’ I reply, ‘That falls under the rubric of “maintenance of consistency,” for it is required by the height of the bonnet, whereas what is signified by the word in question doesn’t take long.’”

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2.14.4

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�� �ا � ا �ڡ � �ذ � ف‬ ‫�� � � ن‬ ‫ث �ن ��ن ت ت ت‬ ‫� ن ف ا ن �� �ق � �ز � ق‬ ‫��م ا ��ى ك��� ا ب����د ا � ك��ل م� ي‬ ‫� ا �و�ل �ه� ا ا � �ل���ص�ل �و�ل�م ا � هِ���ه �� � ا ل�ل��م ��ل� ب �ى ا ل�ى مع��ى‬ ‫�ف ث �ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة � ن �ة � ف‬ ‫آ�خ‬ ‫� ن��ا � ا ��ل �ف��� ا �و ا ��ل‬ ‫ظ�ن ا ن� ا ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ض‬ ‫� �ر�ع��ل�ى �ع�ا د �ت�ه * � او ���‬ ‫�ه�م�ا ه ��م�ن ��م ا ��و�ل‬ ‫� ر� ا �ل��س��ي�� �ل�م ��ي� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ا ن ا �ل� ا � �ن ا ���ز ا � ا ن‬ ‫�ان‬ ‫�� ّل�ا �م�ن ا ��ل�ز � ���ي�ن �ي�ز ا � �� �ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ه �لن ��ف���س�ه‬ ‫ا �ل� � * ا �ن�ه ا ا ك�� � �مر د م ل �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ل�ا ��ل�ا ��ه� ا ��لب���ل��د �و��ل��ل�م�ع�ا ر�ف� � او ��ل�ا �‬ ‫��ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ا ب� �مك�ا ك�� � �ع��لي�� � �ي� �ك��ل �� ا �ل��د ج�� ج�� �ل� � �ع��ل� ّ *‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م ى‬ ‫ق � ا �ذ ��قُ َّ �ة �ف� ق � � � ة � ا ت ت�ز � �ذ �� ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل� �ي��‬ ‫�ك�ن �م�ن ا�لم�ع�ق ��و�ل ا ن� �ي��د � �م� �ع�ل‬ ‫�ه�م� �و ب��ع� ي �� ��و�ل �ل�ل�م ار � �ل� ��� �و�ج �ى �ه� ا �ل��ك� �و�ه �ل�‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ان ا � ت‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ن ق �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ت�ز‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ي���س� �ب� ��طر��س * �� � �� � �ل��ل �� � ��� �‬ ‫� �ه��ذه �ل� ���ه� �ل�م ���س� �مري��م * ا �و ا � ��ي� ��و�ل‬ ‫م �ي �ول ر ج �ل �ل و�ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ّ �‬ ‫� ا � � ا � �ف� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ح ة � ا � ّ �ف� � �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�ا ا �لب��ع�ا �ل * � او �ل�ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه��ذه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ص‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ا ي �وم �ل‬ ‫و�ج و‬ ‫ج ر �ل ي �ل ي�‬ ‫�ل ي � ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ح �ف ل�‬ ‫� ث �ذ ��‬ ‫��� �ة‬ ‫� �ا � ��ل�ع � � ا � �ل ق � ا � ا ن‬ ‫ا ن � �ق �� �� ��له�م�ا �أ ��ا ���ن ا �ل�م�� �� ا‬ ‫م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه�‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل م رى �ل �ي �ي �� �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ي ول � ري ى ي �ل ى‬ ‫و �ل‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك��ر�ة �ت‬ ‫���ا �ل ش��‬ ‫��‬ ‫��بت��ه * �� ا ن� ا�ل�م ار �ة ��هى �م�ن ا �ل�ا �ش���ي �� ا �ل ��تى ��ل��‬ ‫�ه�ا ك�‬ ‫�رر ا �لن ظ� ���ر ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫��ي�ق ��و�ل�ه ا �و �ي ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫م��‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫س‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ � ق � ة �ن �‬ ‫ان ن‬ ‫� ا �� �لق��م �ل�� � �� دّ ا ��ل�ع�ق�� �ق‬ ‫ا ا‬ ‫�ز‬ ‫�ل �‬ ‫و ر م يو‬ ‫ح� ا �ع�بت�� ر�ه� * � بو��ي�� ��ه ا � ا لله �ع �و ج���ل �� �ل� ا�ل�م ار � �م ا �لر ج���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫ح�ه ا �ل�م�ع�ا �ش�� ��ة �و� �مو�ن�� ��ل�ه ���فى �و�‬ ‫�ك�و ن� ب��م��ن�ز ��ل��ة �م�ع��ي�ن ��ل�ه �ع��ل �م�ص�ا ��ل‬ ‫�لت���‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح ش����ت�ه �و�ه� �مو�م�ه * ا �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� � �ة � ا � �ة��ث ا �ت���ست�� ع�ن �غ ت ا � ا � �ة � ت ن �آ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫نّا �ن‬ ‫�ه� ا �ل� �و� �ل �و� ح�ى ا � �ب�ل� ء‬ ‫ا �� ر�ى ا � �ه��ذه ا �ل�ع�ل� ا �ل� �ص�لي�� ك���ي�را �م� حي���ل � �ص�ي � �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� �ن‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ة‬ ‫ا ��لر ج��� �و�ه�م�ه �و �و�‬ ‫ح ش����ت�ه �و�‬ ‫ح��س�ه �و�ش���ق��ا � �وت�ه �و�‬ ‫ر� *‬ ‫حر�م�ا �ن�ه ب���ل �ه�ل�ا ك����ه �ي��ك�و� �م�ن �ه��ذه �م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف ن‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ح��ا ��ا‬ ‫� �ن ا � ت‬ ‫ح�ا �ن��ة * �و����خل‬ ‫�ي��ص�ه ا ن� ا �ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� �ُو��ل��د ي �ڡ‬ ‫�ت� ��ق���ل ب� ��ت��ل�ك ا �ل�ا �ع�ا �ن� ا �‬ ‫� �ه��ذه ا �ل��د �ي�� �م ج‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫��ا � ا � �‬ ‫ا ���ن � � ف‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ح� ظ‬ ‫���ث�ي�ر�ة ��ل�ا �ز �م��ة ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل�ى ا �ش���ي �� ء ك�‬ ‫� ���� �‬ ‫ح��ا �ت�ه * �و ��ل��ك ك�� �ل� �ك‬ ‫���ل � او �ل ش���رب� �و ل �و � ا‬ ‫و �ل��د �� ء *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� �ت � ا خ ت ّ‬ ‫�تق‬ ‫�ذ ��‬ ‫� ا ��ل� ا �ش�� �� ء ا �خ� �ى �غ��� ��ل�ا �ز �م��ة ��ل���ل ة ن ا‬ ‫ط��ع�ه ح�ى �ل� ي�‬ ‫����ل * �و �ل�ك‬ ‫ر ير‬ ‫ح�ي �و� � او ��م� ��هى �ل �� ��وي��م �� ب‬ ‫و ى �ي‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�� ا � �غ ن � خ� �ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل��ل�ا � � او ��ل��‬ ‫���ا �ل�‬ ‫����‬ ‫ح��ك � او �� ك�‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫��ا ا�ل�م ار �ة * ا �ل�ا ا ن� �ه� ا ا �ل�ا خ��ي�ر �م� �ك�‬ ‫�� �ون�ه‬ ‫ل�‬ ‫هو �و س�م�ع ا ل� �� � او‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ف �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك�ن ��ل��لر ج���ل ا ن� �ي��عي�� ش�� �‬ ‫ط��ي �ع��ة * ا �ذ ي��م��‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫���ع�ل ��ى ا �ل�ا ��ص�ل �لت��ق��و�� ا �ل��‬ ‫ح�ي�ن �ا �م�ا �م�ن د � �‬ ‫ون�ه *‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫يم‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ح�� � ا � ا ة‬ ‫ف���ق��د �غ���ل� �ع��ل ��س�ا ئ�ر ا ��ل��ل� ا �ز � ا �ل�م�ع�ا �ش�� ��ة ا ��ل ��ت ��ل�ا ���د �من‬ ‫�ه�ا * ا �ل�ا �تر�ى ا � �م�ن ي�ل� ب� مر �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي ى ب‬ ‫ب �ى‬ ‫و م‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� ا � � � ن ا �ف ق �ظ � �ة‬ ‫� �� � �ن � � ا ن ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���د �من ا �ف �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ه� ��ى ا �لي ��� ��� * �و�لي����س ك�� �ل��ك �م يحل��م �ب� ��ه ا �ك��ل �ع��س�ل� ا �و‬ ‫�ه� ��ى ا ل�م �م� ي ج��ده م �‬ ‫ي ج� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫ق � �‬ ‫حت ��ل��ل ا �ئ ا ��� �� ش ن‬ ‫ش���رب� ��س�ل�ا ف��ا * ب���ل �و��ق�و �ه� ا �ن�ا د ر ج���دا ��ى ج�� �� �و لع�‬ ‫ط����ا � * �و��د ��ط�ا �لم�ا ر ض�‬ ‫��ي�� ت�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫‪190‬‬

‫‪190‬‬

‫‪٥٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪٦٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

I started to say something at the beginning of this chapter and didn’t

2.14.5

finish it, the pen, as usual, having drawn me unawares into another topic, and I doubt that Your Elevated Honor or Sublime Presence understood it. I now therefore declare: “If the ideal of marriage be that each of the two spouses take his companion for his own sake and not for that of his countrymen, acquaintances, or friends, the way that ʿUlayyān ate Umm ʿAlī’s chicken’s thigh,176 it would be unreasonable for someone wearing a bonnet to intrude upon them and tell the woman, ‘Don’t marry so-and-so because he wasn’t given the name Buṭrus’ and then to the man, ‘Don’t marry soand-so because she wasn’t given the name Maryam’ or ‘Today’s Sunday, and marriage is not allowed’ or ‘This room isn’t licensed for the contraction of marriages.’ Nor would it be proper for him to say to them, ‘I want to see the kohl-stick stuck in the pot.’ Such things, I swear, are not fit to be spoken or written of by any. “Then again, the woman is one of those things that, like the sun or the moon, are so much looked at that the mind doesn’t pay them the attention they deserve. This may be demonstrated by the fact that God, Mighty and Powerful, created woman from man to be a helpmeet to him in his daily affairs and a comfort to him in the midst of his anguish and cares. It seems to us, though, that this underlying intention is so frequently distorted that man’s calamities, care, loneliness, ill fortune, wretchedness, and deprivation, nay even his perdition, come from woman, thus turning that collaboration into a cause of aggravation. In brief, one is born into this world in need of many things required for one’s survival (such as food, drink, sleep, and warmth) and others that are not but that exist rather to rectify one’s nature so that it does not become imbalanced (such as laughter, speech, recreation, listening to songs, and having women). This last, however, while originally created for the rectification of nature (as evidenced by the fact that a man can live for a while without it), has gained the upper hand over all other mundane requirements of life which cannot be foregone. Observe that a man who dreams of a woman gets from her in his dream what he would have had were he awake, while this is not true of one who dreams of eating honey or drinking the best wine, which is anyway something that very rarely happens, even to one who is hungry or thirsty. How often have our friends the poets been content to see the image of the beloved in their

191

191

2.14.6

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�‬ ‫��ص � آ �‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ح��د �من‬ ‫�ي��ا ��ل �م�ن الم‬ ‫ط�ف� ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��‬ ‫ح�ا ب�� ن��ا ا �ل ش����ع �ر �ب� �� ي �‬ ‫ح�و ب� * �و�م�ا ا �‬ ‫�ه� ر���ى �ع��ل�ى ج��‬ ‫�ب �‬ ‫�و�ع�ه �ب�ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �� �م�د ا � ���ف ا ��ل‬ ‫حل��� ا � �ث ���د�ة * � ا �ذ ا ��ت ن��ا � ��ل ا ��ل�ا �ن��س�ا ن� ����ط�ع�ا �م�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ي ب��ع ث� ا ��لي��ه �م‬ ‫ح�ه ب� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م�د‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫س‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ة ا ا ت �ت‬ ‫ف� ��ف � ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�غ‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫���ط�بي��ا � �ل �ون�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� ا �و � �ل �ون��ي�ن ب�����ق �ع�د� ��س� �ع� � � ك‬ ‫��ر �ى ا � قِ�ل��د ر �و �ل�‬ ‫م�� �� ي�� ب��م� �� �ل�ه ��ي�ر �م�� ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫� �ف �ت � � آ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ك�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�في�م�ا � ��ق ت��د ر �ف��ه�ا * �‬ ‫ح�ت ��ع�ا �وده ا ج�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و �ي� ��ط� ��� ٍ� ��ي�‬ ‫��ر ��ى � ن�� �و�ل ���ط�ع� � � �ر* �و�ل�� �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ي�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا ئ ��ف �ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫� � ا �ل ش����� ا �ن�ه � ن �‬ ‫ح�ا �ل ��ت ا ج�ل‬ ‫ي���س�م� �ع�ن ا �‬ ‫ح��د �م�ن ا �ل ن��ا ��س ��ى �‬ ‫ك‬ ‫���ا � ك����ل�م�ا را �ى ��ط� � ار �ى ا ج��‬ ‫��وع و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ع‬ ‫فّ ��ف �‬ ‫��ا ن � ا �ي�ز � ّ‬ ‫�ت ��‬ ‫ا �ش ت ا ن � �ق‬ ‫ح�ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ده‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط‬ ‫س‬ ‫� �ل ل �ي ب �‬ ‫و‬ ‫����ه�ى � �ي �ل�ى �و �ى ب ي � ى ي ر‬ ‫�ص�ص‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫���ي�ن ا ��ل���ط��ا خ���ي�ن � ا ��ل� ّ�د ا ��ل��ي�ن � ا ��ل�ز ��ا �ت��ي�ن � �� �ا � �� �م�ن ��ث�ق� ا �ق��ف��ا ��له � �م�ن خ‬ ‫��ص�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ك��‬ ‫��ى د ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ب�‬ ‫� �م و‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ص‬ ‫و ي ويل و ص‬ ‫ب‬ ‫��ن� ن ��ل ا ئ �ف‬ ‫ا � ن � � �ن ص�ن ا �ف � ا � �‬ ‫ش �ق �ق � �‬ ‫��و�ل * ع� ا � ا ج�� ���‬ ‫ح� ��ط�ا �ن��ه� �ع��ل�ى �م� ع��د ه� م ا � � � ا�لم� �ك‬ ‫ع ��ى‬ ‫ا ب� �� او �ب��ه�م �و��� ��و� ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫نم‬ ‫��� �م��س�ت�د �غ� ��ف��ا‬ ‫�ك��ا ��ي�ق��ا ��ل * �و���فى ب���ع�� �ب�ل�ا د ا ��ل�ا �ف �� � ا �‬ ‫ا نا �‬ ‫س�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫س� �ك�ل‬ ‫�ير ر ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج رب�م� ح�� ب‬ ‫�ب�ل� د �� يح�� ب‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫�ذ �‬ ‫� � ا � �ذ ش قّ � �‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�ا � �غ‬ ‫���ا ا �ل�م��س�ت‬ ‫��ك�ظِ ����ل�ف� ا ��ل ش����ا �ة �و ��ل��ك �لت��ف�ن�ن��ه� ��ى ا �ش�� ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�د‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ا �ي� ض�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ير‬ ‫�� �ل�ه * ��ي�ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ذ � � �ق �ة �‬ ‫ف ن � ظ� ن‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫��ا �ئ�� ا ��ل�ى ا ��ل ن����س�� ء ��ل���� ��ل�ه �ش�� �‬ ‫ا ن� ا ج��ل‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ك�ل �ي���ت��ه�ى ا �لي��ه * �وك�� �ل�ك ��‬ ‫ض�ي � ا �ل ش���رب� ��ا � ا �ل�����م�ا �‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�غ � � ا ��آ ف ا �ذ �ٓ �‬ ‫���ذ � � � � ا ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا �� �م�ن ا �� ت ن ا ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ء‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫د‬ ‫��‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫*‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫س‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي��‬ ‫و ل�ك لب ر �‬ ‫ب���ع�د ا � �ير وى ي‬ ‫�ج �ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ت ا � ا ��ل ا ���� �ف ء ف ا �ن ه �م�ت �� � ا � �ف�ّ ئ ه �م�ن ا ��ل ا � ��ّ�� ه � �ي�ن ا ��ل ن ا �� �ل�� � ت �� ا ��‬ ‫الم‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�� � �ى ل د � �� � �ى لب����س م� ي��د ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�ث�ي � ب� وي�ج ب‬ ‫س م �ي �ط �ل‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي�ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ب���ع�د �ذ ��ل��ك ا �ل�ى �ك��ل � ��و ب� ��ي � ��� ه ��ى د ك�� ك��� ا �لج�‬ ‫��� �ل��لب��ي �‬ ‫�� ر �م�عر�‬ ‫ع * �و� �لو را �ى �م��ل� ��و��س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن ا �ف‬ ‫ض �ة � �ة ا � ا �ز ا ا �ل��ه� �ة‬ ‫ت ّ ن �ت� ن‬ ‫�ق�ز � ا �و ر �و�‬ ‫�� �ل�م �ي ��م�ن ا � ��ك�و� ا � �ل او ���ه� ��ى ��س ار � �ي�و��ل�ه ا �و‬ ‫��� �م�د ب ج�� �ب� �ل� �ه� ر ب � ي ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫ا ����ست� ن ا � ���س�ت‬ ‫ا خ ا ��‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��س��ه� جم‬ ‫�ير �ه� �و �‬ ‫�رد ا �‬ ‫��مي��ص�ه * � او ��م� ا‬ ‫ح��س� � �م د �و� ا � ي��������ل �ب��ه� �� �طره‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا ي� � �ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫��� ا �ي ���� ا �و ��ي �� �صور �و�ه�و �م �و��س�د �ع��ل� � ار ����ه‬ ‫حل��� �لي���لت��ه ���ل�ك ا ��ه را �ى ر �‬ ‫�و�لبّ��ه * �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا � � خ �ّ ت ��ز �ذ � �ف ��ت ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ذ � � � ن ا ئ �ذ‬ ‫�ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ا ن�� ت� حِ�ي�� �ل م‬ ‫ا �ن��ه�ا � �لو ك�‬ ‫��د ��ه �ل ا د �ل��ك ��ى �يع�م�ه ا �و �ع�مره * �و���س �ع��ل� �ل�ك ا �ل�� �� ا ا‬ ‫ى‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫��ف��ا � ت��ه �ع�� �ف ا ��ش �غ��� � ���ط�ٓ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ى ف��ا ن� �من ظ� ���را � �ف�ل ار ��ش� ا � �ل �وث��ر ب���ع�ده �ل�ا �ي��ه�م�ه * � او �‬ ‫��ا �م ��ك �ي ل�ى ر � ي ر و ي�‬ ‫ح� ��ص�ل‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ن � ن ن‬ ‫�ف �ف‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ن �ف ��‬ ‫ا � �ل�ل�ا ���س�ا � �ع�ق��ل�ا ��ى �ي�ا ��و خ��ه �ي��د �ل�ه �ع��ل�ى �م�ا ��ي ن ����ع�ه � �وي� �ض‬ ‫� ره �وي��� �س�ؤه �وي���سره * � او � ��ى �ك��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ح��ل�ق �� �م�ه �م��ي�ز ا �ن�ا ��ق� ��م�ا �ي�ز ن� ��ه �م�ا �ه ��م ت‬ ‫ح��ا �� ا �لي��ه �م�ن ا �ل���ط�ع�ا � � او �ل ش��� ا‬ ‫ر ب� *‬ ‫يو‬ ‫�م �م�ع�د ��ه �و� و‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�و ج‬ ‫‪192‬‬

‫‪192‬‬

‫‪٧٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

dreams! None, however, was ever content to have the object of his eulogies send him a glass of wine or a pot of porridge in a dream. Likewise, if a person partakes of some tasty food, be it of one kind or two, he will remain satisfied with what he’s eaten for a number of hours and give no thought to the cooking pot and its potential contents. Then, when revisited by hunger, he will start thinking again of having another meal. Never, however, has it been heard that one in a state of hunger or thirst, on seeing a bird, would wish for it to fall onto the spit in his house so that he could gulp it down or keep ogling the cooks’, grocers’, and oil chandlers’ shops or peering through their keyholes, the chinks in their doors, or the cracks in their walls at the different kinds of food inside. “True, in our country ‘the hungry man thinks that everything round is a loaf,’ as the saying goes, and it may be that in some Frankish countries, where they have so many different kinds of food, they harbor similar thoughts about everything round, oblong, or cloven like a sheep’s hoof, but one who is hungry for women has no one shape to fix on. The same goes for drink, for a thirsty man, having once quenched his longing with water, will feel aversion to drinking more, even if a glass filled with the nectar of paradise is brought him. Similarly, one who is cold and needs warmth, once he has put on some clothes to warm himself and cut himself a fine figure in public, will not thereafter stand on tiptoes to peer at every garment he sees displayed for sale in the merchants’ stores. Were he to see, for example, a rainbow or a meadow brocaded with gay flowers, he wouldn’t want the same colors to be on his drawers or his shirt; he would see it and simply find it beautiful without exercising his mind and heart over it or dreaming that same night of an elegant garden or imagining as he lay on his bed that, if it were next to his pillow, he’d feel more comfortable or live longer. The same goes for the sleeper: if he gets enough sleep on his hard bed, the subsequent sight of a luxuriously comfortable bed will be of no interest to him. In sum, everyone has a brain in his cranium that guides him to what will benefit him and what will hurt him and to what will do him harm and what will bring him pleasure, and, in both his stomach and his gullet, there is an accurate set of scales that measures what food and drink he needs and that enables him to grasp the meaning of the saying, ‘One meal precludes many another.’

193

193

2.14.7

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫�م ض� ن �ق �‬ ‫ّ � �ة‬ ‫حر�م ت� ا ك��‬ ‫����ل� �‬ ‫��ل�ا ت� * ف��ا �ّم�ا ��ى ا �مر ا�ل�م ار �ة ف��ا � �لق��ا ��ن�‬ ‫مو� ��و�ل�ه� ر ب� ا ك‬ ‫� �وب�ه �ي��د ر�ى � �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � �� ��ف ا ا �ل� ت � ض � ا‬ ‫ا ��ل�ع�ز �و�ف� �ي� غ���د �و ش��� �ه�ا ر�غ��ي��ا * � او ��لر�ش���ي �د �غ� � �و�ا * � او ��ل‬ ‫���ا �ل� *‬ ‫�ه� * �وم�ه��د ى �‬ ‫ح�لي��م س ي�‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� َ�ع ه�ا * � ا �ل�ع�ا �ل� ��ا �ه� �ا * � ا � �ل���ص� ّ ا ا � �‬ ‫�ج�ز �و�ع�ا‬ ‫� او ��ل‬ ‫�ص ��ور �‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫و م ج ل‬ ‫ح��ي��م ِ�م�‬ ‫� �ع�ي�ي � � �وب� �ل�ع��ك��س * � او �ل� ب‬ ‫و ي‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ا �� ف� ت ��ش�� خ� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� ف ظّ � � �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ط�ف��ا‬ ‫�ك�� * �و ل�‬ ‫�ك��س * � او �ل�غ� ن��ى ف���ق��ي�را � �و�ا �ل�ع��‬ ‫��ا �و �ل�ا �ع��‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��� �ل�� ي �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ك��س * � او �ل‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�و �ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫� ثّ‬ ‫� �ف‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�ا �‬ ‫� * � ا ��ل��س�م��ي�ن ن� �ف � �‬ ‫ح���ا � �وب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س * � او�لم�ع�ا ��ى �مب��ت��ل�ى �و �ل� �ع��ك��س * � او �لمت���ب� ت�‬ ‫�و �ل� �ع��ك��س و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ا�‬ ‫�� � ا � ا‬ ‫���ا � � � �‬ ‫�ك�� * � ا ��ل��خ‬ ‫�مت��� ش��‬ ‫�ك�� * � او ��ل��س�ا �‬ ‫��ك�ن ��مت��‬ ‫حرك�‬ ‫�ي���ل ك�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫وب�ا �ل�ع��ك��س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫س‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫غ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�ه� *‬ ‫� او �ل��طرد �ع��ك��س� � �وب� �ل�ع��ك��س * �و�هل�� �ج� ار * � او ا را �ى ا �م ار � � ب����‬ ‫���ه � بر��م� ا � ب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫����ل�ف� ��ه�ا * ا � ��ت�ع �� �ع ن��ه ��ت�ع ّ�� ��له�ا * ا � �ت�تم��ّ�لق ا ��ل��ه � ت��م��لث��ه فُ���تِ�ن‬ ‫� ��وه ك�‬ ‫ا �و ج� ف�‬ ‫و � ي و‬ ‫ر �ض �‬ ‫ب�‬ ‫و ر �ض‬ ‫�ت‬ ‫ح��ق ���ت�ه�ا �ع�� ��ث�ق��� ا ُ��نّ ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ا � �‬ ‫� �جم‬ ‫���ل��س�ا ك�‬ ‫���ا ن� �ف�ي��ه‬ ‫�ب��ه� * ا �و ر�مي��ه ب� ي ب � ل�ى �‬ ‫له� �ج �ب��ه� * ا �ل� �و� �لو ح �ض ر‬ ‫� س�ن �ة �ن ظ �� ف �ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ح�� � ��‬ ‫ا �م ار � �و ض�‬ ‫�ي ���� *‬ ‫��ي��ئ���ة ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫� س�ن �ة ا �� ئ �ة‬ ‫ي�� *‬ ‫�و�يه�ئ���ة ‬ ‫ح�� � ل�ه�‬ ‫�ُ خْ �أ‬ ‫ا ��ل�ا ���ة ال� خ‬ ‫م ة � ت�ز‬ ‫�و�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫���د ر� �ل� �ت�� �و�� ب���ع�د *‬ ‫ة ‬ ‫�ب��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م ج‬ ‫�ذَ ْ�أ‬ ‫��ل ا �ة � �ز � �ة ال�م��ل� �‬ ‫� �ف ف �ة �‬ ‫ح��ة ا �خل �‬ ‫ا ج�� ر�� ا�لم�ه �و�ل� ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ي ���� ا �لر�و� *‬ ‫ة ‬ ‫�و �ب�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ ْآ‬ ‫��ل ا �ة ال�م��ل�� �ة‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�و�ج� �بر�� ‬ ‫ا ج�� ر�ي� ي‬ ‫ض‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫���خ��ة‬ ‫�م� *‬ ‫�و خِ���د �ب��ة ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�خُ ُ‬ ‫� ��س� �ة‬ ‫�� �ة ا � ا ��ل�� ض آ � �ة ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ة ا ��خل ق � خ‬ ‫ا ��ل ش����ا ���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� ا �ل��ل�ي�ن � ا �ج يم�‬ ‫عو ب� ‬ ‫��� �ل� ا �لر� ص� و ب ي �‬ ‫�و�ر� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح �ة � �ق ق �ة ا ��� ظ ��‬ ‫ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ي ري‬ ‫م‬ ‫خ‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ل ا �ة ا ��ل��غ�� �ة‬ ‫�� ا �لر�ي�م� *‬ ‫�و��بنِ���ة ‬ ‫ا ج�� ر�ي� ج‬ ‫َْ�‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�م�عر�و�� *‬ ‫�ور ��طب���ة ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫� ��س� �ة ا �� �� � �ة‬ ‫� ة ��ل‬ ‫و��ل� *‬ ‫�و��س ْر�هب���ة ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ج يم� ل� �ي�‬ ‫َش ْ �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ة ا ��خل ق‬ ‫ط ���ل��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل� *‬ ‫�و��� ��طب���ة ‬ ‫ا �ل�� � �يو‬ ‫‪194‬‬

‫‪194‬‬

‫‪٨٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪٩٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

“Where women are concerned, though, the self-denying ascetic becomes

2.14.8

a lustful lecher, the reasonable man a slave to his passions, the clement ruler a tyrant, the well-guided person a lost soul, the wise man an idiot, the scholar an ignoramus, the eloquent a stutterer (and vice versa), the patient man a prey to his impulses (but not vice versa), the young man old (but not vice versa), the rich man a pauper (and vice versa), the lout a sophisticate (but not vice versa), the fat thin (and vice versa), the healthy an invalid (but not vice versa), the steady-going reckless (and vice versa), the miser generous (but not vice versa), the immobile mobile (and vice versa), and all things their opposites (and vice versa, and so on, and so forth). If a man finds a woman who hates him, how often will he fall in love with her, if one who ignores him devote himself to her, if one who avoids him throw himself in her path, if one who flatters him and offers him false hopes become infatuated by her, if one who throws him her bag,177 however heavy, go mad for her—unless he attend a gathering where there’s a waḍīʾah,

“a woman who is comely and clean”

or a hayyiʾah,

“a female who is comely of form”

or a mukhbaʾah,

“a secluded girl who has not yet married”

or a dhabʾah,

“a thin, cute, jolly girl”

or a jarbāʾ,

“a cute girl”

or a khidabbah,

a female who is “huge”

or a khurʿūb,

“a supple, shapely young woman or a fine-boned, fleshy, stout, soft, white young woman”

or a khanibah,

“a coquettish girl of thrilling voice”

or a raṭbah,

too well known to require definition178

or a sarhabah,

“a tall, stout woman”

or a shaṭbah,

“a shapely girl”

195

2.14.9

195

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫ش ْ�‬ ‫� س�ن �ة ا �� غ� ض �ة ا �� �� � � �ة‬ ‫��ا ر���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫طو�ل�‬ ‫�وِ��� ��طب���ة ‬ ‫ح�� � ل��‬ ‫��� ل� �ي�‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫ق �ذ ت‬ ‫شَ نْ ا �ذ‬ ‫حت � ق‬ ‫��ر �‬ ‫ا ت� �ش��ن�� ب� �و��د ك�‬ ‫� ا �لب��ر��� *‬ ‫�و�����ب��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ �قْ‬ ‫ا �� �� � �ة � ّ ة‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫و��ل� ا �لت��ا ر� *‬ ‫�ص ب���ة ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ل� �ي�‬ ‫َ ْآ‬ ‫� َ َ � ة ش �ق ة ��ف � ش ��ا �� ُ �ة �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ه�‬ ‫و� *‬ ‫�ص�هب��� ‬ ‫�ص�ه ب� ح�مر� ا �و ���� ر� �ى ا �ل����عر ك�� ل�‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫ه�� � او �ل�‬ ‫�ص� ب�‬ ‫�ص� ب‬ ‫َ ْآ‬ ‫ح ن‬ ‫ا �ل��م ا �ة ��ي ت�ج��ع‬ ‫�و ج�ع‬ ‫�� �م�ن �‬ ‫�‬ ‫��س��ه�ا *‬ ‫�ب��� ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�قَ ّآ‬ ‫� ا �� ض ة � �‬ ‫ا ��ل��د ��ق ��ق���ة ا ��لخ‬ ‫���ا �مر� ا �لب� ��‬ ‫ط�ن *‬ ‫�و�ب��� ‬ ‫��‬ ‫�صر ل�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ا � ة � �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وكب�‬ ‫���ْ ك�‬ ‫�ل�م ا‬ ‫ر � ا �ل��س�م�ي�ن � *‬ ‫��ا �ب��ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن �ق �ة � ا‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫� *‬ ‫م�ك�د � �وب��ة ‬ ‫ا �ل �� ي�� ا �لب��ي � ��ض‬ ‫�ت ن‬ ‫�وك�‬ ‫ا �ل �� ���ه�د �ث��د �ي��ه�ا *‬ ‫���ا ِ�ع ب� ‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫� �ة � َ �ّ‬ ‫�َ ُ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا �ل��د �ل *‬ ‫�و�ل� �عو ب� ‬ ‫َ ْ� آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ظ � �ة �‬ ‫�َ ْ�‬ ‫� ظ�‬ ‫� *‬ ‫�و �و ��طب��� ‬ ‫ا �ل�ع �ي��م� ا �لث��د �ى � او � �لو ��ط ب� ا �لث��د �ى ا �ل�ع ���ي�‬ ‫م‬ ‫َْ آ‬ ‫��ث ة ش �‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ل����ي�ر� ����عرا �ل�ه�د ب� *‬ ‫�و�ه�د �ب�� ‬ ‫� َْ‬ ‫�ذ ت ُ ُ‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫����ي�ن ا �� �ل ا ض�‬ ‫�ص��ل ت� ا ج��ل‬ ‫���‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �وق��د �ص��ل ت� �‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫ك��ر� *‬ ‫�ص�� �ل �وت�ه ‬ ‫ك‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و ا � �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ‬ ‫��� خل �‬ ‫�غ � �ظ �� �ة � ا قي�ن � ا ���س �� ا � ّ‬ ‫�صُ�م ت� ا ��خل‬ ‫ح��س *‬ ‫��لي��� ا �ل��س� ��� �ل� ي �م� ل�ه�م�‬ ‫��ا �ل��ي�ن ‬ ‫�و� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫ع‬ ‫خَ ْثآ‬ ‫�ََ �ة � �ة‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��د �ث� ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� *‬ ‫� �و�� ‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫َ ْآ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�ُ‬ ‫���ة ��ن �ق��ا �و�ة �م�ا �ب��ي�ن ا ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل ب�ج��ل‬ ‫� �و��هى �ب ج��ل‬ ‫�و � ج��ل‬ ‫ح�ا ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� *‬ ‫��� ‬ ‫�ب���ي�ن �ه�و ا ب����ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ْ‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ح��س�ن � *‬ ‫�ه�ا �� ‬ ‫وِ ب � ج‬ ‫غَ �ث �‬ ‫ض ة � �‬ ‫�و ج��ا �ئ��ع��ة ا �� �ل �ش���ا �‬ ‫���ا �مر� ا �لب� ��‬ ‫ط�ن �و�مث���ل�ه �� ْر��ى ا � �لو�ش���ا � *‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫َ َ َّ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ا �ة ا �لم�مت���لئ �ة ا �� ��ذ ا �ي�ن � ا � ق‬ ‫�و خ���د ج��ل‬ ‫�� ل� ر �ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و �ل��س�ا ���ي�ن *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ر‬ ‫َ ْآ‬ ‫�َ َ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��د �‬ ‫���‬ ‫� �� �س ا د ا �ل�ع��ي�ن �م� ��س�عت‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�ود ج�ع‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ع‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫���ت � � �ع��ل�ه�ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح�م�ه�ا *‬ ‫�ور�ج� ار ج���ة ‬ ‫ي ر�ج ر�ج ي�‬ ‫*‬

‫‪196‬‬

‫‪196‬‬

‫‪١٠٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١١٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a shiṭbah,

“a tall, blooming, shapely girl”

or a shanbāʾ,

“having lustrous teeth” (of a female); mentioned under burquʿ179

or a ṣaqbah,

a female who is “tall and full-bodied”

or a ṣahbāʾ,

[“a red-headed woman”] “ṣahab is redness or blondness of the hair; synonyms ṣuhbah and ṣuhūbah”

or a ʿajbāʾ,

“a woman whose beauty is to be wondered at”

or a qabbāʾ,

a female who is “slim-waisted and slender-bellied”

or a kabkābah,

“a fat woman”

or a makdūbah,

“a pure white woman”

or a kāʿib,

a woman whose breasts stand up

or a laʿūb,

a female “with a nice way of flirting”

or a waṭbāʾ,

a female who is “large breasted”; a waṭb is “a large

2.14.10

breast” or a hadbāʾ,

a female “having thick eyelashes”

or a dhāt ṣulūtah,

[“having a clear, or prominent and straight, brow”] “ṣalt means ‘a clear brow’; ṣaluta means ‘to develop such a brow’”

or a ṣamūt

“having legs so thick that her anklets make no sound”

  al-khulkhālayn, or a khawthāʾ,

a female who is “young and smooth”

or a baljāʾ,

buljah is having “a space between the eyebrows”; masculine adjective ablaj, feminine baljāʾ

or a mibhāj,

a female who is “shapely”

or a jāʾiʿat al-wishāḥ, a female who is “slender-bellied”; synonym gharthāʾ al-wishāḥ or a khadallajah,

“a woman with plump arms and legs”

or a daʿjāʾ,

[“a dark- and wide-eyed woman”] “daʿaj is . . . black- 2.14.11 ness of the eye combined with wideness”

or a rajrājah,

a woman whose flesh quivers upon her

197

197

‫�ز ّآ‬ ‫� ���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫و ج‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�و�ُم�َع� ج��ل‬ ‫���ة ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�م�ف���ّل �ة � ا‬ ‫�� ا �ل� ��س�ن �ا �ن ‬ ‫�و ج‬ ‫�و��َ ْ�َ�د �‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫بي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ح�‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫�ود ��و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�و�ذ ا ت� �� ج�س‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫ح��ة ‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫�ودُ �م���ل‬ ‫ح��ة ‬ ‫َ َْ‬ ‫�ص��ل��د �‬ ‫ح��ة ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫�وف�ُ��قّ��ا �‬ ‫ح ‬ ‫َ ضّ‬ ‫���ا �‬ ‫ح��ة ‬ ‫�و �و�‬ ‫ََ‬ ‫� بو��يْ��د خ���ة ‬ ‫�ُ �ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يّ���ة ‬ ‫�وب�ل‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ص خ‬ ‫�و�ِ�‬ ‫م‬ ‫���ة ‬ ‫ُ �� ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يّ���ة ‬ ‫�و�طب��‬ ‫� ��فت خ�آ � اَ ْخ‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫��� ا �ل� ��ل�ا ��‬ ‫و‬ ‫���ا خ���ة ‬ ‫�و فِ� ْر ض�‬ ‫�و�ُق��ف��ا �‬ ‫�خ ‬ ‫��لُ ا خ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�يّ���ة ‬ ‫�و ب��‬ ‫َ َ َّ‬ ‫�و�هب ي�� خ�‬ ‫���ة ‬ ‫� َ�خَْ‬ ‫� ن��د ا �ة ‬ ‫بو‬

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫ََ‬ ‫�ز آ‬ ‫� ا � ي�ن �ف �‬ ‫ط ��ل � ا ��لن��ع ت� ا �ز �� � ���‬ ‫ا ��ل�ز �� �م‬ ‫���ة د ق���ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ح ك���‬ ‫ح� ج‬ ‫�ب��� ��ى �� �و و‬ ‫جو ج‬ ‫� �ر‬ ‫�ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا � ت � ئ �ة � ن ا � �ة �ل�‬ ‫� س�ن �ة �ل ��‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫�لم�م��ل�� ا �ل�� ع�م� ا ح�� � ا�� �ل� *‬ ‫�ف‬ ‫ن‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫� ��تب��ا �ع�د �م�ا �ب��ي�ن ا �ل� ��س�ن �ا � *‬ ‫ا � �ل����ل‬ ‫اجن ن َ ْ‬ ‫�� د � �‬ ‫حوه ب���ل��د � *‬ ‫ب ِ� و � ح‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫��م� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�س ��خل ّ‬ ‫� ا ن � � �ف‬ ‫�‬ ‫��جِ��� ا‬ ‫���د ��س��ه�ل �و �ل� � �و ��‬ ‫ط�ا �ل ��ى ا �عت��د ا �ل *‬ ‫��حض‬ ‫���خ��ة � ّ ة‬ ‫�م� ا �لت��ا ر� *‬ ‫ا ل� �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫ح��ة � �ص��ل ��‬ ‫���ذ ا ��س��ل ��‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ط‬ ‫����ة �وك��‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�ع �ر� ض�‬ ‫� و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ة �� س�ن �ة �خَ ْ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا�ل�م ا � ا ل‬ ‫ح�� � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل� *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ن‬ ‫� ض‬ ‫���� ا ��ل��ل� ن� ا �ل‬ ‫ح��س��ت��ه *‬ ‫ا �لب�ي�� و‬ ‫ّة‬ ‫�ت�ا ر� *‬ ‫�ظ‬ ‫ف �ة‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫��م� ا �و ش��� �ر��� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ا � ة ا �� غ�َ ض ّ �ة‬ ‫��� *‬ ‫�ل�م ار � ل��‬ ‫� ّ�ة �‬ ‫�ت ن�ز ة‬ ‫ا �ل ش����ا �ب� ا �ل ك‬ ‫م����� � *‬ ‫��ت ف� ت خ ا �ف ا � َ � ن ا �ذ ّ �ف‬ ‫ن ا ق �ة ��فت خ� ا � ا خ ا ف‬ ‫�� ��‬ ‫ط�ه� �م �و��ى‬ ‫�ه� �قِ ب���ل �ب� �� �‬ ‫�� ا �ل� ��ل� �� ا ر ��ع� ا ��ل� �‬ ‫� ة � ّ‬ ‫� ر �م�د � *‬ ‫ا�ل�م ا � � ا �ل �ض‬ ‫ر و ع ح‬ ‫� �ة � ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة �‬ ‫��ة � � ض �ة‬ ‫ض��خ‬ ‫��م� ا �لث��د �ي��ي�ن *‬ ‫�� ��م� عر��‬ ‫��� ا �و �� �‬ ‫ط �ي�و��ل� ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ة �� ا ة �ل�‬ ‫� س�ن �ة �ل ��‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ا�ل�م ا � ا ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح� د ر� ا ح�� � ا�� �ل� *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫��ل‬ ‫ح�م� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �ة � ّ ة‬ ‫ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� ا �لت��ا ر� *‬ ‫��ا ��لَ�خََْ‬ ‫� ة � ت ا �ة � ق‬ ‫�ص� ك�� ب�‬ ‫� ن��د �ى *‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل�� �م� ا � �ل�� ب‬

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‫‪198‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪١٢٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٣٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a zajjāʾ, “zajaj is the delicate lengthening of the eyebrows, and the delineating [thereof ]”; masculine adjective azajj, feminine zajjāʾ or a muʿadhlajah,

“a plump, smooth, shapely woman”

or a mufallajat

[“a gap-toothed woman”] “falaj is having a distance

  al-asnān,

between the teeth”

or a baydaḥ,

a female who is “corpulent”; similarly, baldaḥ

or a daḥūḥ,

a female who is “large”

or a dhāt sajāḥah,

[“a smooth-cheeked woman”] “sajiḥa, of the cheek, means that it became smooth, soft, and moderately long”

or a dumluḥah,

a female who is “huge and full-bodied”

or a ṣaldaḥah,

a female who is “broad”; similarly, salṭaḥah and ṣalṭaḥah

or a fuqqāḥ,

“a shapely woman”

or a waḍḍāḥah,

a female who is “of a pleasing white color”

or a baydakhah,

a female who is “full-bodied”

or a bulākhiyyah,

a female who is “large or noble”

or a ṣamikhah,

“ a blooming woman”

or a ṭubākhiyyah,

“a sturdily-built young woman”

2.14.12

or a fatkhāʾ al-akhlāf, [“a high-breasted woman”] “a she-camel whose akhlāf (‘teats’) are fatkhāʾ has them raised (toward the belly) (a blameworthy quality in she-camels, but praiseworthy in women and women’s udders)” or a firḍākhah,

a female who is “huge and broad” or “tall and with large breasts”

or a qufākh,

“a fat woman of comely physique”

or a lubākhiyyah,

“a female who is fleshy”

or a habayyakhah,

a female who is “smooth and full-bodied”

or a bakhandāh,

“a woman with a perfectly developed figure”; also 2.14.13 bakhandā

199

199

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫َُ ْ‬ ‫ا ��ل ا � �ة ا ��ل ن ا �ع �ة ا ��لت ا ّ ة‬ ‫ج�� ري� �� �م� �� ر�‬ ‫� بو�ر خ���دا �ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َُ ة‬ ‫��ث�ي�ر�ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�و�مب�� ْر�ن��د� ‪ 1‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ�أْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ت �‬ ‫��ث�ي�ر�ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫����ن�ز �ة ا � ك‬ ‫ا �ل ك‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫� �وث� د �ة ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ثَْ َ‬ ‫���ذ ا ا ��لثَ ْ ة ا �� ف�َ ْ ة‬ ‫ا ��ل ي�ن �ة � ا �ة �خ‬ ‫���لق‬ ‫�‬ ‫د�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك�‬ ‫�و�ه�د� *‬ ‫�و� ��و�ه�د �ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫� �و و �‬ ‫��س�م� � ا �لت�� �م� ا �ل �� و‬ ‫��ل ي�ن �ة ��� ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫ثَ ْ َ‬ ‫��م� *‬ ‫�و���ه�م�د ‬ ‫ا ��س�م� � ا ل ي‬ ‫َ ّآ‬ ‫� غ ة �‬ ‫ا �ل�ص���ي�ر� ا �لث��د �ي��ي�ن *‬ ‫�و ج���د � ‬ ‫َْآ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� � �ق �ق‬ ‫ط ���ل��ة ا ج��ل‬ ‫�و ج�‬ ‫�ي��د �‬ ‫�ي��د ا �ل��د �ي �� ت��ه *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ا �ل�� � �يو‬ ‫َ ض ّ �ُ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫� ضّ‬ ‫����ة الجم‬ ‫����ة �ع ن��د ا ��لج�‬ ‫� ّرد *‬ ‫� ّرد ‬ ‫ب��‬ ‫� �وب��‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�خَ َْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ة �خَ�َ�نْ ة ت ا �ة �ق‬ ‫���ي�ن‬ ‫�ص� �و �ت�ا ّر�ة �م�مت���لئ���ة ا �و��ث��قي���ل��ة ا � �لورك��‬ ‫�و�ب��ن �د ا �ة ‬ ‫ج�� ر�ي� ب� �د ا � �� �م� ا � �ل�� ب‬ ‫ة � �ة‬ ‫ق �خَ َْ ة‬ ‫�و��س�ا �� �ب��ن �د ا � �م��س�ت�د �ير� م�مت���لئ�� *‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫��خل �ف ة � � �ة �‬ ‫��خل � �‬ ‫� ت ��خل ا �ف ض �ة‬ ‫�ر �ل� ت��م��س�� ا �و ا � �‬ ‫ا � �ر��د ا �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫د‬ ‫���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ط �ي�و��ل� ا �ل��س��ك�و� ا�� ��‬ ‫� ر� ا �ل�� �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫س‬ ‫و ِي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� ���د�ة � او ��خل‬ ‫� ت � ت ت ة��ا ��خل‬ ‫�ر�ود *‬ ‫ا �ل� �صو� ا�لم����س��ر� ك�� ير‬ ‫� ْ �ة �� ضَ ْ�ز � َ ْ َ ة � ُ ْ‬ ‫� ة ��لَ ُ‬ ‫�ُ ة � قُ َ ُ‬ ‫�ُّ ا �ة �� ثَ ْ �ة‬ ‫تن‬ ‫��سو��س ا ج��ل‬ ‫���و ب� ا �ل��ِد رِد �‬ ‫�ب�� �ع� ا ل��د �م�‬ ‫لهب��ر� ا �ل�ع��كب��ر� ا � �ل��ع �‬ ‫�ش�‬ ‫( ����ب��ي �ه ا�ل�م ار � ا �ج‬ ‫ح� ا ل���م ر ا �ل�� �‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫ث ّ ��غ‬ ‫���ر د ��ل�ا �و� نج�‬ ‫ا ك��‬ ‫��ا �م�ن �ج��مي�� �ه�و �ل� )‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� � ّ�ن �ة �� �ظ � � �ة‬ ‫خْ� ّ‬ ‫ا �ل�لي� � ا ل�ع �‬ ‫��ا � ا �ل��س�م�ي�ن � *‬ ‫�َود �ة ‬ ‫ور �‬ ‫� ِ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫خ� �ة‬ ‫��ص� *‬ ‫ور�ع�د �ي��د ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ش ا �ة �� خ� �ة � �ة‬ ‫��ص� ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� *‬ ‫�ور هِ� يْ��د �ة ‬ ‫ا �ل���� �ب� ا لر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� �ة � ض آ‬ ‫ُ ُْ‬ ‫���� ا ��ل ن��ا �ع�م��ة �تر ت�ّ �م�ن ��ن�ع�مت‬ ‫ا ج�ل‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�و�عب��رد ‬ ‫��ا ر�ي� ا �لب�ي��‬ ‫ج�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� ة � غ � �ة �‬ ‫���د *‬ ‫���ا د ‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل����لي �ظ� ��� ا �ل�ع ض�‬ ‫�و�ع ض�‬ ‫� ش �ة �‬ ‫ُُّ‬ ‫� � ُ ُ �ن ّ �ة‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫����ا �ب� ا �لم�مت���لئ�� �ش��ب��ا �ب�ا ك���ا �ل�ع�م�د ا �ي�� *‬ ‫�و�ع�م�د �ة ‬ ‫*‬

‫ُ َْ ة‬ ‫‪� :1855  1‬م ب��رن��د �‪.‬‬

‫‪200‬‬

‫‪200‬‬

‫‪١٤٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a burakhdāh,

“a smooth, full-bodied girl”

or a mubarnadah,

a female who is “well-fleshed”

or a thaʾdah,

a sturdily-built “well-fleshed woman”

or a thawhadah,

“a fat, shapely woman”; also thahwadah and fawhadah

or a thahmad,

a female who is “fat and large”

or a jaddāʾ,

a female who is “small-breasted”

or a jaydāʾ,

a female “having a long, finely formed neck”

or a baḍḍat

“revealing tender skin on undressing”

  al-mujarrad, or a khabandāh,

“a girl described as khabandāh has a perfectly formed figure, or is stoutly built, or has heavy haunches; a leg so described is rounded and full”

or a kharīd, “a kharīd is an untouched virgin, or a bashful woman who maintains long silences, speaks in a low voice and conceals herself from public view”; also, kharīdah and kharūd (Note: women who are nanoid, endomorphic, adipose, fubsy, hebetudinous, impulchritudinous, chamaephytic, and troglodytic are more coquettish and sensual than any of the above.) or a rikhwaddah,

a female who is “soft-boned and fat”

or a riʿdīd,

a female who is “soft to the touch”

or a rahīdah,

“a smooth, soft, young woman”

or a ʿubrud,

“a girl who is white and smooth and quivers with good living”

or a ʿaḍād,

“a woman thick of upper arm (ʿaḍud)”

or a ʿumuddah,

“a young woman bursting with youthfulness; synonym ʿumudāniyyah”

201

201

2.14.14

‫�غ‬ ‫�و��ا د �ة ‬ ‫�غَ ْ آ‬ ‫�و� ي��د � ‬ ‫�َ �قْ َ‬ ‫�ص�د �ة ‬ ‫�و م��‬ ‫�أ‬ ‫�و�م� د �ة ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫�و�م�م�� �سود �ة ‬ ‫ُْ ُ‬ ‫� او �م�� �لود ‬ ‫� �ون�ا هِ� �د ‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�و�ب هِ���ي�ر�ة ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�وب�ِش����ي�ر�ة ‬ ‫���ور�ة ‬ ‫�و�مب�� ش �‬

‫ّ‬ ‫� �وت�ا ر�ة ‬ ‫ُّ‬ ‫�و�تر�ة ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�و�ج��‬ ‫ح�ا ش���ر�ة ‬ ‫َْآ‬ ‫�هر�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�و ج� �‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ا د ر�ة ‬ ‫َ ْ َّ‬ ‫حَور�ي��ة ‬ ‫� او ��‬ ‫َ� ّ‬ ‫حوا ر�ي��ة ‬ ‫�و �‬ ‫َْ آ‬ ‫حور�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�و��‬

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫� ة � �ة � ّ �ة � ّ �ة � �غَ‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� ا �ل��لي��ن � ا �لب�ي�� ن�� ا �ل�يَ��د‬ ‫� ث ّ �ة � ً‬ ‫ا �لمت���ن��ي � �ل�ي�ن �ا *‬ ‫� ظ � �ت‬ ‫� ا �� ت �� � َ‬ ‫� ة � ت ا �ة ا �ل�ع �� �ة ��ع‬ ‫�� �ك�‬ ‫���ل ا �‬ ‫�صر*‬ ‫ح�د �و ل ��ى ا ل�ى ا � �لقِ��‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل�� �م� ي�م� �ج ب‬ ‫��ل �ة � �ة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫��ا ر�� ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� *‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫���د � ��ل��ة ا ��خل ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل� *‬ ‫جم و‬ ‫ا � ة � �ة � �ة‬ ‫�ل�م ا‬ ‫ر � ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� ا �ل��ل�ي�ن � *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ك���ا �ع ب� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫���ذ ا ��لَ � �ة‬ ‫ة � ش ف �ة ا �� غ � ة ا ��خل � ق ا �� ض ف �ة‬ ‫ا �ل��س�ي �د� ا �ل��� �ر��� �و ل�ص���ي ر� �� �ل� ل�‬ ‫�هِ ي��ل�‬ ‫���عي ���� �وك�� ا ب �‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ج��مي���ل� *‬ ‫� س�ن �ة ا ��خل � ق � ن‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح�� � �� �ل� � ا‬ ‫و �ل��ل�و� *‬ ‫�م�مت���لئ���ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��س� *‬ ‫� آ � مآ‬ ‫ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� ا �لر�ع ن��� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� ظ‬ ‫ع ����م��ة ا ��خل ق‬ ‫ا �لض�‬ ‫� �ة � ف ا‬ ‫�� ��خ�‬ ‫ح�ا د ر�ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�م��ة ا ��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫��� �ل� *‬ ‫� ��س� ‪ 1‬ا �ل�عب���ل� ا�لم��� ��ص�ل ا ل ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫��‬ ‫��ل �ن ا � ن ظ ��‬ ‫� ت ا ّ �ة � ا � �‬ ‫نث �ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫حول�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�هر �و�ه�و ��س‬ ‫و �ل �‬ ‫ر و �ج س�‬ ‫� �مو��� ا �ل� ج� �‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ل� �� �‬ ‫� � �ة‬ ‫حو�ل� *‬ ‫مي�ل�‬ ‫� ا �ل�‬ ‫�ح‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫� �ة ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل��س�م�ي�ن ��ة ا �و ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا ج �مي���ل� *‬ ‫�� ض آ � �ة‬ ‫���� ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� *‬ ‫ا لب�ي��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ا �ّا ت ن آ � ا‬ ‫� ���س�� ا �ل� �م�ص�ا ر*‬ ‫حو ري�‬ ‫ا �ل�‬ ‫��َ‬ ‫حَ ا ن� � ش����ت�د ����ا �� ����ا �� ا ��ل�ع��ي�ن � �� �س ا د �� �س ا د�ه�ا‬ ‫ال‬ ‫��ور‬ ‫ب ي �ض ب ي �ض‬ ‫ي‬ ‫و‬ ‫و و‬ ‫ا � � ا ��‬ ‫ح��د ��قت�ه�ا � �ت �ق � ف� ن‬ ‫ت س�ت‬ ‫�خل‬ ‫�ه� ا �و ا‬ ‫� *‬ ‫� ��و���ه�ا � �وي�ب��ي���ض� �م� �‬ ‫�و��� �د �ير � � و ر� ج‬ ‫حوا �لي�‬ ‫*‬

‫� ذ�� ا ف�� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و ف�� ‪ :1855‬ا ��جل‬ ‫�����سي�����م��ة‪.‬‬ ‫ي‬ ‫‪  1‬ك ي‬

‫‪202‬‬

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‫‪١٥٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٦٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a ghādah,

“a smooth, pliant woman of patent pliability”

or a ghaydāʾ,

“a woman who walks with an affected swaying, out of pliability”

or a maqṣadah,

“the large, perfect woman who pleases all men and

or a maʾdah,

“a smooth girl”

or a mamsūdah,

a female who is trimly built

or a umlūd,

“a soft, pliable woman”

or a nāhid,

a female who is “full-breasted”

or a bahīrah,

“a noble lady, of small stature and weak”; synonym

tends to shortness” 2.14.15

bahīlah or a bashīrah,

a female who is “beautiful”

or a mabshūrah,

a female who is “comely of face and body”

or a tārrah,

a female who is “full-bodied”

or a turrah,

a female “comely and frivolous”

or a juḥāshirah,

“a huge woman, of beautiful physique and large joints, and well built”

or a jahrāʾ,

feminine of ajhar, which means “a male of comely, perfectly formed appearance and body, or a male with an attractive squint”

or a ḥādirah,

“a fat, or comely and beautiful, woman”

or an aḥwariyyah,

a female who is “white and smooth”

or a ḥawāriyyah, “the ḥawāriyyāt [plural] are the women of the great cities” or a ḥawrāʾ, [“having ḥawar”] “ḥawar is when the white of the eye is extremely white and the black extremely black and the pupil is rounded, the eyelids delicate and surrounded by white,” etc.

203

203

2.14.16

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�ذ‬ ‫� �تر� ��‬ ‫�و ا ت� �ت� ك‬ ‫�ج ر‬ ‫�د�ه��ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� تّ �‬ ‫ُ َ َْ‬ ‫� ت �ة‬ ‫� ة‬ ‫� �ة الم‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل ك��‬ ‫م���ل� ج��م�ع� *‬ ‫�و�م�د �ه�مر�ة ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫�� � � �ة �ج� �ة‬ ‫طو�ل�‬ ‫��س�م� *‬ ‫�و�م�ز�نر�ة ‬ ‫� �ي�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�زَ ْ آ‬ ‫� ة � ش ق �ة �‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل‬ ‫م���ر�� ا � �لو ج��ه *‬ ‫�و �ه �ر ‬ ‫� س�ن �ة ا �� ئ �ة‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ي�� *‬ ‫��س ��ور�ة ‬ ‫ح�� � ل�ه�‬ ‫�و�م ب‬ ‫خ �‬ ‫ا ��ل ا � �ة ا �ل� � � �ة ا ��ل �غ‬ ‫�و�ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫مور�ة ‬ ‫� ��س�د ��ي�ر ر��‬ ‫�و�م��س� �‬ ‫ج�� ري� مع� �صوب� �ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫� ة � آ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫ا�ل�م ا � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و�ش��غ� �ف�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� *‬ ‫� ر ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ة‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا �ل� �صور� *‬ ‫�صِ�ي�ر�ة ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫َ ْ�قَ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ة‬ ‫�ت�ا ر� �ج��مي���ل� *‬ ‫�و�عب �� ر�ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ� ْ َ‬ ‫ا ��ل ��ق ��ق���ة ا ��ل�� ش��� �ة ا ��ل ن��ا �ص�ع��ة ا ��ل� �ا �� � او �ل��س�م�ي�ن ��ة ا �ل�م�مت���لئ���ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ة ‬ ‫� ��س�‬ ‫�وعب �‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا �‬ ‫�ف ��‬ ‫� �� � ا ��خل ق‬ ‫��ا �م�ع��ة �ل���ل‬ ‫�هر � او ج��ل‬ ‫��� �ل� *‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��ى ا �جل س� و‬ ‫ك�� �ل�عب �‬ ‫م‬ ‫َ‬ ‫� تّ‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �ف ف �ة �‬ ‫�َنْ�َ‬ ‫� ��جع‬ ‫م���ل��ة ا �خل �‬ ‫ا �ل ك��‬ ‫� ي ���� ا �لر�و� *‬ ‫�ر�ة ‬ ‫و ج‬ ‫ح‬ ‫�‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫�� ت� ا �و د خ���ل ت� ���فى ا ��ل‬ ‫ا �ل ��تى ب���لغ�� ت� �ش��ب��ا �ب��ه�ا � او د رك�‬ ‫�صر ‬ ‫�و�م�ع�‬ ‫ح���ض� ا �و‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫قت �‬ ‫را �ه��‬ ‫� ا �ل�ع ش���ر�ي�ن *‬ ‫ض آ ���ذ فَ ّآ‬ ‫غَ ّآ‬ ‫���� �وك�� ا � �‬ ‫ر*‬ ‫�و�� �ر ء ‬ ‫ب��ي��‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ض‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫فت‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��ك �‬ ‫ح��ا �‬ ‫ا ف���تر�‬ ‫����‬ ‫���� ك�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �ا *‬ ‫�و ا ت� ا ���را ر ‬ ‫فَ ْ آ‬ ‫� ت �ة � ش‬ ‫�ا ا ا ��ل ت ق ا �� ت � ا‬ ‫ا �لم�م���لئ�� ��حل‬ ‫�م�ا �و��� �ح�‬ ‫�و��ز ر�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ا �ل� د را ك *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫م‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ب‬ ‫�ن آ‬ ‫ُق َّ‬ ‫� ن �ة ��� ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫��م� �م�ن ا �ل����س�� *‬ ‫�و���ف��ا �خِ� �ر��ة ‬ ‫ا �ل�ب��ي���ل� ا ل ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة � ا ة ��ل ا �ة � ن ا �ع �ة �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ا�ل�مر� �مور� � او�ل�مر�م� ر� ا ج�� ر�ي� ا �ل�� �م� ا �لر�ج� ا‬ ‫ر ج�� *‬ ‫�و�ُم ْر� �مور�ة ‬ ‫َ ْ ة �ا ضآ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ر��ا *‬ ‫���� ‬ ‫�و�م ش��� َر� ا �ل� �ع�‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ �‬ ‫� ا �غ ت �‬ ‫�‬ ‫�أ � �‬ ‫�ل�ا �ز �م��ة �ل��ل�� �س او ك �و �ل��لت�ن ظ� �� �‬ ‫�ف� � ا‬ ‫و �ل� �����س�ا �ل *‬ ‫�و�مطِ �� ر�ة ‬ ‫*‬

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‫‪١٧٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪١٨٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a dhāt tadahkur,

a female “whose body shakes”

or a mudahmarah,

a compact, well-knit woman

or a muzannarah,

a female who is “tall, large-bodied”

or a zahrāʾ,

“a woman of radiant face”

or a masbūrah,

a female “of comely form”

or a masmūrah,

“a girl with a sinewy body and no loose flesh”

or a shaghfar,

“a comely woman”

or a ṣayyirah,

a female “of comely appearance”

or a ʿabqarah,

a female who is “full-bodied and beautiful”

or a ʿabharah,

a female “with delicate, shining white skin or who is

2.14.17

fat and full-bodied, synonym ʿabhar; also a female who brings together all beautiful qualities of body and physique” or a ʿajanjarah,

a female “of compact physique and a light spirit”

or a muʿṣir,

“a girl who has completed her girlhood and attained or entered into the menses, or who is approaching twenty”

or gharrāʾ,

“white”; synonym farrāʾ

or a dhāt iftirār,

[a woman “with a pleasant laugh”] “iftarra means ‘he laughed a pleasant laugh’”

or a fazrāʾ,

a female who is “fleshy and fat-laden, or approaching the onset of the menses”

or a qufākhiriyyah,

“a large, noble woman”

or a murmūrah, “a murmūrah, synonym mirmārah, is a girl whose skin is smooth and whose flesh quivers” or a mashrat al-aʿḍāʾ, “a fragrant woman” or a maṭirah,

a female who “constantly uses the teeth-cleaning 2.14.18 stick, or cleans herself, or washes”

205

205

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�� ة � ق � غ �ظ � �ة � آ‬ ‫�ذ ت ْ‬ ‫ح��س�ن ��‬ ‫م�� � ا �ل��س�ا �� ا �ل����ل� ��� ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫م��‬ ‫�ر�ة ‬ ‫�و ا � � ك‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا �ل كر‬ ‫�ن آ �‬ ‫� �‬ ‫� �م �ة‬ ‫َ ْ�‬ ‫ة � ق‬ ‫ط ���ة ا ��خل‬ ‫ا�لم��‬ ‫��� �لق� �م�ن ا �ل����س�� � او�لم��س�ت�د �ير� ا �ل��س�ا ���ي�ن ا �و ا�لم�د ج��‬ ‫�و�م�م��ك�ور�ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ��خل � ق � ش ة ا ��لَ ضْ �ة‬ ‫���ع� *‬ ‫�� �ل� ا �ل����د �ي��د� ب��‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ض �آ � ّ ق �ة‬ ‫��� ا‬ ‫بر �� (�م�ن �م�ا ر) *‬ ‫�و�م�ا ِر�ي��ة ‬ ‫ب��ي��‬ ‫�ذ ت نَ ْ‬ ‫� �ن � ه �ة‬ ‫�� *‬ ‫� ر�ة ‬ ‫�و ا � �� �ض‬ ‫ح��س � بو� ج‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ف� ق �ة �� �ل ض ا � �ة‬ ‫��ث�ي�ر�ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫ا � �ل �وث�ي�ر�ة ا � ك‬ ‫��ع� *‬ ‫�و �َ �وث�ي�ر�ة ‬ ‫م او ���� ل� �م�‬ ‫ح� ا �و ا �ل �‬ ‫��� ج‬ ‫م‬ ‫ت ن � ة � َّ �ة � � ْ ف �ة � � �نْق �ة � قُ نْ ُ �ة � َ ْ � �ة � َ � ْ‬ ‫� ض َ ْف � َ‬ ‫�� �ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫( ����ب��ي �ه ا�ل�م ار � ا �لر���س� ا �ل�ِد � �‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ص‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ه‬ ‫�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ض �ْوك��ع�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ص‬ ‫�م‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع��ص� ا �ل�ِد � ���ص� ا � �ل� ب‬ ‫� �ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ع‬ ‫� �آ‬ ‫� َ �آ � قُ شْ ن �ة �� آ ��ث �ًا ��غ� �ن‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ن‬ ‫ل��ر� �‬ ‫و ا ك���ر د �ل� �و ج�� �م �ج �مي�� �ه�و �ل� ) *‬ ‫��� او �� ‪ 1‬ا � ك‬ ‫ا �لر�ص�ع� ا � �ل� �‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ذ‬ ‫ح ا �ظ ��‬ ‫ُ َ�‬ ‫�� ت� ��ل‬ ‫ح ّرك�‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار �ة ا �ل ��ت ا ا �م ش��� ت� �‬ ‫��ا �م�ه�ا *‬ ‫�و�ه�د ��كِر ‬ ‫��م�ه� �و�ع‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫َ َُ‬ ‫��ث ة �� � � ش ا �ة ا ��لض‬ ‫��ة �ل�‬ ‫� س�ن �ة � � �ّ ��ا �‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�خ‬ ‫�� ة‬ ‫�‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل����ي�ر� ا ل��ل‬ ‫ا� ك‬ ‫ح� � او �ل���� �ب�‬ ‫��م� ا ح�� � ا �ل�د �ل ك�� �ل�ه�د �ك�ور� *‬ ‫�و�هيْ��د �ك��ور ‬ ‫�ض م‬ ‫� ��ف ف �ة‬ ‫ا �ل��م ا �ة ا �ل�‬ ‫�� ��خ�‬ ‫�م��ة ا �و ا ��خل‬ ‫� ي ���� *‬ ‫� ب�و��لِ�ز ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�ل�‬ ‫� �ز‬ ‫� ا ة ا ��لت ا ّ ة‬ ‫�و�ع ك��‬ ‫اح� د ر� �� ر� *‬ ‫� �مو �ة ‬ ‫ضآ‬ ‫�� ا �ة ��‬ ‫َ�غ� ّ ا �ز‬ ‫ح س�ن �ة ا ��لغ�م�ز ��‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫���� *‬ ‫�‬ ‫ة ‬ ‫�و �م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫لل �‬ ‫ج ري‬ ‫��ث� ة ا ��ل���ل ُ ْ �ة‬ ‫� �كِ�ن�‬ ‫�ص��لب�� *‬ ‫��ا �ز ‬ ‫ك���ي ر� ح� �‬ ‫و‬ ‫م‬ ‫آ‬ ‫� ا �ة � � �ة �نَ فْ‬ ‫ا ج�ل‬ ‫�� ر�ي� ا �ل��‬ ‫ط�بي�� ا �ل �����س *‬ ‫� �و نِ���س��ة ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫� �ة � ش‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا�لم����ى *‬ ‫�ه��س ‬ ‫� بو��ي�‬ ‫�خَ‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ف � �‬ ‫له�ا *‬ ‫�و� ُر�و��س ‬ ‫ا �لب� ك‬ ‫��ر ��ى ا �و�ل ح�م�� �‬ ‫َخ نْ آ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫حت � ق‬ ‫��ر�ه�ا �‬ ‫��ت�ق��د � ك�‬ ‫� ا �لب��ر��� *‬ ‫�و�����س�� ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ���ة ���ط��ل� �ن�ه�د� �ا ف�ا �ذ ا ا ج��ت � � ض� خ ف ق ن‬ ‫����� �����د ���ه�د *‬ ‫�و�ُم ْرك����س ‬ ‫� ه�‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا ج�ل ر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ع‬ ‫ع م‬ ‫��ل س�ن �ة � � � �ة � ت ا ة � ُ ْ �‬ ‫َ َْ �‬ ‫ا �ل� ا �ة ا ج �ل‬ ‫��مي���ل��ة ا �و ا �‬ ‫ط �و�ل� ا �ل�� ر� ك�‬ ‫ح�� � ا �ل ��‬ ‫���ا �ل�ع ��‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ط� �مو��س *‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�و�عي� ���ط� �مو��س ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫*‬

‫َْ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ذ ف‬ ‫��� ا �ي� ا �ل��ق���ا �مو��س و �ي� ‪ :1855‬ا �ل��ق�� ش���وا ن���ة‪.‬‬ ‫‪  1‬ك‬

‫‪206‬‬

‫‪206‬‬

‫‪١٩٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٠٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a dhāt makrah,

[a woman “possessed of a makrah”] “a makrah is a comely, thick calf ”

or a mamkūrah,

“a woman with a curvaceous physique and rounded calves, or one who is of slender waist and corpulent”

or a māriyyah,

a female who is “of a brilliant white”; from [the verb] māra

or a dhāt naḍrah,

[a woman “possessed of naḍrah”] “i.e., of comeliness and good looks”

or a wathīrah,

“the woman who is wathīrah has much flesh, or is ready to be bedded”

(Note: women who are dirty crockadillapigs, shorties, runts, trolls, longnecked pinheads, midgets, wide-wooed woofers, waddlers, bitty-butted beasts, scrawnies, and spindle-legs are more coquettish and sensual than any of the above.) or a hudakir,

“a woman who brings her flesh and her bones into 2.14.19 play when she walks”

or a haydakūr,

a female “with a lot of flesh on her” and “a huge young woman who is attractively coquettish”; synonym hadkūr

or a biliz,

“a huge, or a light, woman”

or a ʿukmūzah,

a female who is “thick and full-fleshed”

or a ghammāzah,

“a girl skilled at massage”

or a kināz,

a female “with much flesh, and solid”

or a ānisah,

“a cheerful girl”

or a bayhas,

a female who “walks well”

or a kharūs,

“a girl who has not yet brought forth, in the first pe-

or a khansāʾ,

[“snub-nosed”] already mentioned under burquʿ

or a murkis,

“a girl whose breasts are emerging; when they be- 2.14.20

riod of her pregnancy”

come compact and large, they are said to have ‘become full’ (nahada)” or a ʿayṭamūs,

“a beautiful woman, or a comely, tall, full-bodied woman”; synonym ʿuṭmūs

207

207

‫َ َْ �‬ ‫�و�ع��ل���ط�مي����س ‬ ‫�و�ع�ا نِ���س ‬

‫ُق ْ ُ‬ ‫�و��د � �مو��س��ة ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�وقِ� ْر ��ط�ا ��س ‬ ‫َ�نِ‬ ‫�وك���ي����س��ة ‬ ‫�َ ْ آ‬ ‫�و�ل�ع��س�� ‬ ‫َ� ْ‬ ‫�و �لِمي����س ‬ ‫َ َّ‬ ‫�و�ع ش�����ة ‬ ‫�خ َ‬ ‫�و� �رب��ص��ة ‬ ‫َ خُ‬ ‫�و���ض ‬ ‫�ود ��‬ ‫خْ� َ‬ ‫�ص��ة ‬ ‫�ور��‬ ‫�َ ضْ ا ض �ة �َ ض ّ‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫��� ب��‬ ‫��ب�� �‬ ‫�وب��‬ ‫�خَ ْ‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫�و�ِ �ري� ض�‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫�ور �ض‬ ‫� ار ض�‬ ‫غَ ض ّ �ة غ‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫��� �� ض�‬ ‫��ي� ض�‬ ‫�و���‬ ‫� � ف‬ ‫ ا �ل��طر��‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�و��ا ر���ض ‬ ‫� �فَ� ضْ �ف‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫����ا ض�‬ ‫و�‬ ‫ُف‬ ‫����ة ‬ ‫�و� �م��ا ض�‬ ‫خُ� �‬ ‫�ْو ��ط�ا �ن��ة ‬ ‫�و �‬

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫� �ة �‬ ‫��ا ر���ة ا ��لت��ا ر�ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا � �لق �� او �‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫� � �‬ ‫�ث�ه�ا ���ف ا �ه�� ا‬ ‫ح�ت �خ� �ج� ت� �م�ن‬ ‫�� ا �‬ ‫ا �ل ��تى ��ط�ا �ل � ك‬ ‫م�� � ى �‬ ‫له� ب���ع�د ا د را �ك�ه� ى ر‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ع�د ا د ا �ل�ا ب� ك�‬ ‫��ا ر *‬ ‫ض‬ ‫���خ��ة � ظ‬ ‫ع �� �ة‬ ‫��م� *‬ ‫��‬ ‫�م� ي‬ ‫��ل ا �ة �� ض آ � ة � ق �ة‬ ‫���� ا�لم�د �ي��د� ا � �ل��ا �م� *‬ ‫ا ج�� ر�ي� ا لب�ي��‬ ‫� ة � آ‬ ‫ا�ل�م ا � ا �ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� *‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ن ��ف � ن ا ��ن‬ ‫�م �ى � �لو���ه� ا د �ى �� �س ا‬ ‫ود *‬ ‫� �ة �َ ْ‬ ‫ا �ل��ل�ي�ن � ا�لم��ل�م��س *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ة � �‬ ‫ح ا � ا ��ل��د ��ق ��ق���ة � �ظ‬ ‫ط �و��ل��ة ا � �لق���لي���ل��ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫ع ����ا � ا �لي��د � ا‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا �ل��‬ ‫و �لر ج���ل *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا �ل� ا ة ا �� ش ا � �ة ا ��لت ا ّ ة‬ ‫�مر � ل���� ب� �� ر� *‬ ‫ش‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا ر���ة ا �لم�مت���لئ���ة ��� �ح�‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫�م�ا *‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫�م�عر�و�� *‬ ‫� �ق ق �ة �� �‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫��ص��ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��س�د ا �لر� ���� ا جل‬ ‫ا ��لر خ�‬ ‫���ل��د ا �لم�مت���لئ�� *‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�� ا �ة ��ل � ث �ة � �ن �ل�‬ ‫ح س�ن �ة ا ��ل ض �آء ا ��لت ا ة‬ ‫ال‬ ‫�� ر�� ا �‬ ‫��� �� ر� *‬ ‫ح�د ��ي �� ا �ل��س ا � �� � ب�ي��‬ ‫ج ي‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫ي �ڡ‬ ‫� �م�عن��ى ر�ج� ا‬ ‫ر ج�� *‬ ‫ا �� غ� ض ّ‬ ‫����� �م�ن ا ��ل��� ف � ف �ت‬ ‫� �ة � ا ��لغ�� ض‬ ‫����ة ا ��ل ن��ا‬ ‫طر�� ا � �ل��ا ر *‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫ل��‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�ض‬ ‫*‬

‫��ة‬ ‫ض��خ‬ ‫�� ��م�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��س� �ة ا �� �� � �ة‬ ‫ح� �ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫��ا ���ة ا �ل���ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و��ل� *‬ ‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا ج�ل ري ي‬ ‫� �ي‬ ‫�� ض‬ ‫���خ��ة � �‬ ‫�م� ا �لب� ��‬ ‫ط�ن *‬ ‫ا ل� �‬ ‫��ا �� غ ص�ن �� � ا ��نَ �ة‬ ‫ا �ة خ� � ا ن �ة خ� � �ن �ة‬ ‫طو �ل� �‬ ‫و�ع�م� *‬ ‫�و ��ط�ا �ي�� ك�� ل���� � �‬ ‫�و ��ط� �� �و �‬ ‫ج�� ر�ي� �‬

‫‪٢١٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪208‬‬

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‫‪٢٢٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a ʿalṭamīs,

“a full-bodied girl of attractive physique”

or a ʿānis,

“a female who has remained so long with her family after having reached puberty that she is no longer counted among the virgins”

or a qudmūsah,

a female who is “huge and big”

or a qirṭās ,

“a white girl of lanky physique”

or a kanīsah,

“a comely woman”

or a laʿsāʾ,

“one who has the slightest hint of blackness to her complexion”

or a lamīs,

a female “soft to the touch”

or a ʿashshah,

“a tall woman with little flesh, or one with fine-boned hands and feet”

or a kharbaṣah,

“a young, full-bodied woman”

or a dakhūṣ,

“a girl full of fat”

or a rakhṣah,

[“soft”] “too well known to require definition”

or a baḍbāḍah

a female who is “soft-bodied, delicate-skinned, full-

  baḍḍah,

fleshed”

or a kharīḍah,

“a full-fleshed, white, comely, youthful girl”

or a raḍrāḍah,

synonym of rajrājah

or a ghaḍḍah

[“a blooming girl with a drowsy eye”] “ghaḍḍah is

2.14.21

  ghaḍīḍat al-ṭaraf, ‘blooming’ (nāḍirah); an eye that is ghaḍīḍ is ‘drowsy’(fātir)” or a fāriḍ,

a female who is “huge”

or a faḍfāḍah,

“a tall, well-built, fleshy girl”

or a mufāḍah,

a female who is “huge-bellied”

or a khūṭānah,

“a girl who is khūṭānah, or khūṭāniyyah, is smooth and 2.14.22 tall as a tree branch”

209

209

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫� �ة � ّ‬ ‫�و�َ�س ْ� ���ط��ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا � �لق��د‬ ‫� ��س� ‬ ‫ب‬ ‫م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�� � �ة‬ ‫َش ّ �‬ ‫� �ة ق‬ ‫و��ل� *‬ ‫�و��� ��ط��ة ‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا � �ل �� او �م � �ي�‬ ‫�‬ ‫� �ة �‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل��م ا �ة ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا �ل��ل�و ن� � او � �لق �� ا‬ ‫و� *‬ ‫شِ�ن �ا ��ط ‬ ‫�و���‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫�� � � �ة ا ��� �ن ق � ن‬ ‫�ذ ت َ� نَ �� َ� َ ��‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ح��س��ت��ه *‬ ‫ط ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�و ا � ع��ط �وعي�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫و‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫�ت ن�ز ة ا ��ل��ل ��ث‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫�‬ ‫م����� � �‬ ‫�ك‬ ‫ح� ك���ي�ر�ت�ه *‬ ‫ظ ‬ ‫�و ا ت� ���‬ ‫شِ�ن �ا ���‬ ‫م‬ ‫� �ة‬ ‫�ُ �َ�َّ�ظ �‬ ‫ا ��ل ا � �ة ا ��ل��س� ي�ن �ة ا ��ل��� ��� �ة ا �ج��ل‬ ‫�و م�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ج�� ري�‬ ‫��س�م� *‬ ‫ع ����ة ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م�‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ي‬ ‫� �يو‬ ‫َْ آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا ��ل ش����د ���د�ة ا �ل� �ف ا‬ ‫� ��ت��ع��‬ ‫م ا ��ص� �م�ن ا �ج��ل‬ ‫� ��س�د *‬ ‫ ‬ ‫بو‬ ‫ي‬ ‫م�� ��ص�ل � او �ل �و ل‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ة‬ ‫�ا �� ا �� �ق‬ ‫ف��ا �ئ��ق�� ا �ج ��لم� ل �و ل‬ ‫ع���ل *‬ ‫� بو�ِ ��ير�ع��ة ‬ ‫�� ف �ة �م��ل�� �ة��ّ �ة‬ ‫ح� ك�ي����س� *‬ ‫� بو��ز ��ي�ع��ة ‬ ‫�ط �ر�ي��� ي‬ ‫� آ�‬ ‫� ن ا ظ � �ي�ن �‬ ‫ا �تت‬ ‫ُْ‬ ‫ا ��ل‬ ‫ح��س�ن �� �ل�ا �ن��ه�ا ��تت���ل�‬ ‫�ه�ا *‬ ‫�و�مت��ِ�ل� ‬ ‫ع را ��س�ه� � ��عر��ض� �ل��ل�� ���ر ا �لي�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ن‬ ‫� � �ة � �ي�ن �ة �‬ ‫ا �� � �� �ف �ة ا ��� �ظ ��‬ ‫ا ج ��ل‬ ‫مف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�م‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫��ا � *‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ة ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ط��� لع‬ ‫�‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�‬ ‫�و��س��ي‬ ‫ي‬ ‫�ل ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫ض‬ ‫��� خل � �‬ ‫���خ��ة ت‬ ‫� �شَ��ْ�� ا ��خل‬ ‫�م� ��م�ل�ا �ه�م�ا ��س�م ن��ا *‬ ‫��ا �ل � او �ل�� �س او ر � �‬ ‫و ب �عى‬ ‫َ �زَّ �ة �َ ُ‬ ‫شَ ُ‬ ‫�م ا �‬ ‫عو ب� *‬ ‫�مو ‬ ‫ح� �ل� �‬ ‫�و��� �‬ ‫َ ْعآ‬ ‫ا �� غ� � ة ا � ا �ذ ن ا � ا �ذ ن ا �� غ� � ة ا �� � �� �ف �ة ال�من� ض�� ّ �ة �ل�‬ ‫�صم�ع��‬ ‫�و��‬ ‫ط���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫�م� ا �ى‬ ‫ل�ص��ي ر� �ل� � �و �ل� � ل�ص��ي ر� ل�ل� ي‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �ل ا‬ ‫ر ��س *‬ ‫َْآ‬ ‫ظ � �ة �‬ ‫�ر *‬ ‫�ع �ي��م� ا �ل �ض‬ ‫� ر�ع�� ‬ ‫�و �ض‬ ‫ع‬ ‫فَ ْ آ‬ ‫ّ �ة � ش‬ ‫�و� �ع��‬ ‫�ت�ا �م� ا �ل����عر*‬ ‫ ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫�َ ّ‬ ‫� ��ف ف �ة �م��ل�� �ة‬ ‫ح� *‬ ‫�و�ل�ع��ة ‬ ‫ع ي ���� ي‬ ‫�ات ّ‬ ‫غ �ز � �ذ �‬ ‫� ت �ت غ �ز �‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫�‬ ‫�م��� (ق���ل ت � ا ن �ت‬ ‫� �ل� ���ه�ا ���ل�و �م���ا �ل�ه�ا �ب�� �ل��ك) *‬ ‫�و �ل� �ع��ة ‬ ‫ا �ل ��ى ����ا �ل��ك �و �ل� � �ك�ن ك‬ ‫ع‬ ‫َ نُ‬ ‫��� �ة ا ئ� �ة � ا �ن ف‬ ‫ح� ا �ل� � �� *‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫� او � ��و��‬ ‫ط�بي�� ر‬ ‫� ة �� ض‬ ‫خَ‬ ‫���خ��ة �� �‬ ‫ح �ة �� ة �‬ ‫� نْ َ‬ ‫�م� ا ل��لي�م� ا � ك‬ ‫ل��ب��ي�ر� ا �لث��د �ي��ي�ن *‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫�و�� �ض‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا ل� �‬ ‫� ر��‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫*‬

‫‪210‬‬

‫‪210‬‬

‫‪٢٣٫١٤٫٢‬‬

‫‪٢٤٫١٤٫٢‬‬

An Explanation of the Obscure Words in the Preceding Maqāmah and Their Meanings

or a sabṭat al-jism,

a female “of pleasing figure”

or a shaṭṭah,

a female “of pleasing physique and tall”

or a shināṭ,

“a woman of pleasing color and physique”

or a dhāt ʿanaṭ

a female “having a long and attractive neck”

  wa-ʿayaṭ,180 or a dhāt shināṭ,

a female “fully and copiously fleshed”

or a mulaʿʿaẓah,

“a well-built, tall, fat girl”

or a batʿāʾ,

a female “having strong joints and sinews to her body”

or a barī ʿah,

a female “outstanding in beauty and brains”

or a bazī ʿah,

a female who is “quick-witted, witty, and charming”

or a mutliʿ,

a female who is “attractive because she stretches out 2.14.23 her neck (tutliʿu ʿunuqahā) when addressing those who look upon her”

or a sanī ʿah,

a female who “has beautiful, soft joints and fine bones”

or a shabʿā l-khulkhāl a female who is “huge and fills her anklets and brace  wa-l-siwār,

lets with fat”

or a shamūʿ,

a female who is “merry and playful”

or a ṣamʿāʾ,

“a female with small ears, or a small, fine ear that is flattened against the head”

or a ḍarʿāʾ,

a female who is “large-uddered”

or a farʿāʾ,

a female “with perfect hair”

or a laʿʿah,

a female who is “chaste and cute”

or a lāʿah,

a female who “flirts with you but doesn’t let you” (because, I believe, she torments (talūʿu) her suitor by so doing)

or a anūf,

“a female with a sweet-smelling nose”

or a khanḍarif,

“a huge, fleshy woman with large breasts”

211

211

2.14.24

‫�ذَ �ْ فآ‬ ‫� � �ل���‬ ‫ ‬ ‫و‬ ‫�ذ ت �َ� َ‬ ‫�و ا � ج�‬ ‫�س �‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ُ ُ‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫�و��س ْر� �‬ ‫عو��‬ ‫َ ْ‬ ‫�و��سي��ف��ا �ن��ة ‬ ‫ظ�‬ ‫�و ��� �ر�ف���ة ‬ ‫�ي‬

‫ف‬ ‫�وقِ� ْر�ص�ا ���ة ‬

‫�وقِ���ص�ا �ف ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�َ ّآ‬ ‫�و� �لف��� ء‬ ‫�ة �َ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ف ‬ ‫ح��س�ن � ا�لم�ع�ا ر��‬ ‫� قف‬ ‫  � او�لم�و������ي�ن ‬ ‫َف‬ ‫�ه�ف���ة ‬ ‫�و�م�ه� �‬ ‫َ ْ فآ‬ ‫�و�هي����� ‬ ‫َّ ق‬ ‫� بو� ار ���ة ‬ ‫ُُْ‬ ‫�و�ب��ه�� �ل�ق ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫�و�‬ ‫ح�ا ر �و��ق ‬ ‫�و�خِ� �بر�ا �ق ‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ور�ش��ي��ق���ة ‬ ‫َ ْق ق‬ ‫�ور � ار ���ة ‬

‫�ف �ت ف � ا �غ� ض ن � �ف ا ظ � ذ‬ ‫�ه�� ه ا �ل�م��ق�ا �م��ة � �م�ع�ا ن���ه�ا‬ ‫�ي� � ����س�ير�م� �م����م�ا � �ل � ���‬ ‫و ي�‬

‫�ن ق �ذ‬ ‫�� � ��ذَ ��َ�ف ت� �‬ ‫ح ت� ا �لب��ر�ق��‬ ‫� ���د �م ك�ر ا �ل� ل�‬ ‫ع‬ ‫�‬ ‫�خ� ا �ة � ��‬ ‫�ف د �ق��ة ا ��لخ‬ ‫ط�ن‬ ‫ا �ل�� ج�س‬ ‫�‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ل‬ ‫�صر �و �م� �ص� ب�� *‬ ‫��‬ ‫� ��‬ ‫ا � ة ا �� �� � �ة � �ة‬ ‫و��ل� ا �ل ن��ا �ع�م� *‬ ‫�ل�م ار � ل�ط‬ ‫� �ي‬ ‫ا �� �� ��� �ة ا �ل�م�م ش �ق �ة ا �� ض ة‬ ‫ل�ط�و ل�‬ ‫���ا �مر� *‬ ‫���و� ل�‬ ‫�‬ ‫�ي‬ ‫ن‬ ‫��ف � � ا ن � �ن �� ه ا �� ئ �ة‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ظَ � ْ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا �ل���ر�� ا ��م� �ه�و �ى ا �ل�ل��س� � ا �و ح��س ا ل�و ج�� �و ل�ه�ي�� ا �و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫�ذ‬ ‫� ن ��ف � ه � � ا ن‬ ‫��ا ا �� �ق � ا � ا ��ل �ذ ق‬ ‫�‬ ‫� ��ز �ة �‬ ‫��� ��‬ ‫�ي�ك�و� �ى ا �ل�و ج�� � او �ل�ل��س� � ا �و ا �لب� ا �ع� �و ك� ل��ل ب� و حِ‬ ‫� �ا‬ ‫�ا‬ ‫ف‬ ‫� ا � ف ن � ا �ز � � ف‬ ‫ا �و �ل� �ي ��و�ص�� �ب�ه ا �ل� ا � �ل��ت�ي �ا � ا �ل� � او �ل � او � �ل��ت�ي �ا ت� ا �ل�ز �و �ل� ت�‬ ‫� ا ا ��ل ش �خ � ا � ة‬ ‫�و� �و �ل� ا �ل��س�ا د� *‬ ‫�ل� ���ي �‬ ‫آ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ا �� �ل ْ ا �ف �ة �م�ن ا �� ن � ا �ل ت ��ت ت � � ن �� ة‬ ‫ل����س� ��ى ��د‬ ‫�قِ ر�ص� �‬ ‫حر�� ك���ا ���ه�ا ك�ر� *‬ ‫ج‬ ‫� ة �� ض‬ ‫���خ��ة‬ ‫�م� *‬ ‫ا�ل�م ار � ا ل� �‬ ‫ة �ُ ف ّ �‬ ‫ا ��ل�� ا ن �� � �‬ ‫�وا ر�ى �سم� �