When the Emperor of Heavens retired from the russet court of afternoon to rest in his western palace, when the black pavilion of the Prince of Darkness100 was pitched and the dark tent ropes stretched out to the four corners of the world, drums of war were beaten in Laqa’s camp as per Hasina’s wishes.
The messengers brought the news to the court of the King of the True Believers and gave an account of Princess Hasina’s arrival to the courtiers of the mighty king with these words: “The sorceress Princess Hasina has arrived from the tilism and plans on doing battle tomorrow morning. The war drums are being beaten in the enemy camp.” The King of True Believers said, “Battle drums should be struck in our camp, too.”
Amar’s son, Chalak, headed for the Music Gallery of Sikander and struck the Timbal of Sikander. The trumpets blared the call of impending strife and evil. Every brave became alert and made preparations for battle. The noise of drums and clarions rose from all corners.
All night long the warriors remained busy in battle preparations. When the Sultan of the Golden-Headgear101 ascended the throne of light and the World Conquering Emperor102 entered to rule the field of heavens, Laqa rode out with great pomp and majesty, surrounded by an entourage of evil sorcerers. Princess Hasina rode her magic throne into the battlefield and arrayed her forces.
Amir Hamza also finished his morning prayers and, along with all the commanders of the army, presented himself at the Hall of Audience. After a moment, King Saad’s entourage appeared from the private pavilion. All the commanders bowed, made a ring around his throne and conducted him onto the battlefield.
The masters of the column and ranks arranged their men for battle and the groundsmen levelled the arena. The water-carriers sprinkled the ground to settle the dust. The criers sang of the futility of life and proclaimed the denunciation of the world to the warriors with these words: “Yes, O braves! Here’s the ball and here’s the field. The battlefield provides an opportunity to earn renown. Redeem your lives by scattering them in your noble cause. Those who do not cover themselves with glory in battle are not long remembered. Nobody recalls the mighty kings that lived nor sees a trace of their graves. Shine in the arena of battle and earn everlasting fame.”
After the criers withdrew, a warrior named Bubran Lion of Battle came forward from Laqa’s army after receiving permission for combat and made a display of his martial dexterity. He cried, “Come out and fight!” and challenged the commanders of Amir Hamza’s camp with these words: “Is there anyone among you who can confront me? If there is such a one, let him prepare to be made dust.”
From Amir Hamza’s camp, the warrior Bahram sought King Saad’s leave to answer Bubran’s challenge and rode into the arena to fight him. During lance combat, Bahram relieved Bubran of his weapon but Princess Hasina cast a spell and Bahram felt his power drain out of his body. Bubran lifted Bahram out of his saddle by his metal cummerbund and slammed him to the ground. He sat on Bahram’s chest and pinioned him. Thereafter, he signalled to a trickster in King Suleiman Amber-Hair’s service, who made Bahram unconscious with an egg of oblivion and carried him away a prisoner to his camp.
Bubran Lion of Battle again called out, “Those who wish to meet their deaths should come out and face me.” Mandvail Isfahani faced him next but Hasina’s spell rendered him powerless too, and he was also taken captive.
Next, Muhleel Jang Iraqi came out and was likewise captured. In this manner, seventy commanders of Amir Hamza’s forces, including Aala Gurd, Mala Gurd, Kapi Arzal and Kapi Zalzal became prisoners.
At that moment, the standards of the left flank were unfurled and the kettledrums mounted on elephants and camels were struck. The rank-splitting, column-destroying champion, Prince Hashim Swordfighter, son of Amir Hamza, brought his horse forward and sought King Saad’s permission for battle. The king conferred a robe of honor on the prince and said, “Go forth in the protection of God!” When Prince Hashim sought Amir Hamza’s forgiveness for any sins of omission or commission, he embraced his son and put a protective necklace around his neck to ward off magic. He recited Prophet Ibrahim’s prayer on Prince Hashim and gave him leave.
Hashim raced his mount toward the battlefield,
Hashim the warrior headed for the arena
Astride a fairy-faced mount, a battle charger
Hashim crossed the expanse between him and the adversary in just three strides and clashed powerfully with Bubran, disarraying the senses of his foe. Bubran unsheathed his shining sword and brought it down on the head of the worthy prince, who used excellent skill to foil the blow. The prince then drew his own sword; he feigned to deal Bubran a side blow but landed one on his head instead. Princess Hasina cast spells to stay his hand but none of her spells worked because the prince wore the protective necklace. The prince’s sword finally cleft Bubran in two. Drums and clarions sounded in the camp of True Believers and the valiant prince challenged the enemy warriors again.
This time, sorceress Hasina came out to answer his challenge. Everyone thought it was the sorceress who confronted the prince but unbeknown to all, she had concealed herself and sent a magic effigy in her exact likeness to fight the prince. The magic effigy dealt the prince a sword blow. The prince dodged it and struck one himself that cut the magic effigy in two. Both pieces of her body flew skywards and, after a moment, ankle-bells chimed and anklets tinkled.
The prince saw sorceress Hasina arrive. Her lovely hairdo, her charming stature and her life-breathing lips gave cheer to those sunk in hopelessness and sorrow. Her lips wounded and lacerated hundreds with the sword of smile and the Turks of her eyes, armed with the daggers of eyebrows, killed hundreds of thousands.
When Prince Hashim Swordfighter beheld the stunning beauty of that destroyer of patience and composure, he called out,
“Plant the tree of friendship that may bring hearts cheer
Uproot the plant of enmity that only bears untold grief
God entwined the thread of my life with your locks
Command your ruby lips now to grant me life.”
That beauty, whose cheeks were resplendent as the moon, said, “O august prince, O life-sacrificing lover, you swear love to me and yet fight your beloved. Come, surrender your weapons to me.”
Prince Hashim handed over all his weapons, including his sword, shield and dagger. The beauty said, “A necklace is more becoming around the neck of the beloved. Why do you wear it? Put it around my neck.” Hashim replied, “O charming friend, O incarnate beauty,
“If you asked I would surrender you my life
And submit as readily something dearer still.”
With these words, he put the protective necklace around the neck of sorceress Hasina, who turned and started toward Laqa’s camp. Prince Hashim followed her, reciting,
“I would not turn from my purpose till I achieve my end
Either I will seek union with my beloved or lay down my life in
the attempt
If my grave were opened the rising smoke
Would tell the world of my smouldering heart within
Show your face O beloved that the world may fall at your feet
Say a word that they may release their suppressed sighs
I do not chase beauties in the manner of those unfaithful
I will lie at your door until I give up my soul.”
As Prince Hashim reached Laqa’s camp, one of King Suleiman Amber-Hair’s tricksters made the prince unconscious with an egg of oblivion and took him to the prison where he was incarcerated with Amir Hamza’s other commanders. Laqa ordered the drums to announce the cessation of hostilities and his army returned to its camp and rested.
Amir Hamza also returned to his pavilion and, after taking his bath, arrived at the court. He saluted the king and took his seat. In view of the capture of his army commanders, King Saad had called off all dancing and festivities and an oppressive silence reigned in the court.
Meanwhile, Laqa returned to his camp to the sound of festive music. Revels were held
and wine flowed. His soldiers found respite from their hardships and relaxed. Laqa rested the following morning.
Finally, in the world’s private pavilion, the evening that burns lovers like tapers threw a dark veil on morning’s beautiful face and that time approached when the night envelops and conceals all.
Laqa again ordered the drums of war to be struck. The messengers brought the news to the King of True Believers and the call to war was answered from his camp by a blast of the Timbal of Sikander. The whole night the armies remained busy in preparations. When morning’s beloved saw her face in the sun’s mirror, and the day was fully lit and emerged from the night’s belly, lords of the arena led their men into the battlefield and rank-destroying champions arrayed themselves in files. Amir Hamza, with the King of True Believers, and Laqa with the iniquitous Hasina, took positions on opposite sides of the arena. The sorcerers too, formed ranks while playing musical instruments, singing chants, wielding tridents, and pentadents, and displaying their apparatuses of warfare. Once the battle arrays were drawn, it was time for carnage to begin.
Sorceress Hasina rode out on a magic peacock and challenged the camp of True Believers, saying, “I seek combat, O disloyal subjects of Lord Laqa. Today you will receive your reward and the sword will make you its prey.”
Upon hearing her challenge,
The righteous son of the noble Hamza
Alam Shah of name, titled the Rustam
who was famed as the Rustam Elephant-body, the pride of the Pavilion of Suleiman and destroyer of warriors of elephant-might, took his father’s leave for combat and entered the arena to face Princess Hasina.
Hasina further augmented her beauty by reciting a spell. Her forehead was radiant like Venus. Her ruby lips were more crimson than Badakhshan rubies,103 and her sparkling teeth outshone pearls and put them to shame. Her smile was like a shower of salt on the lacerated soul of lovers, and with her coquetry, her manner and her airs, she slew her lovers without the help of a knife.
The moment Prince Alam Shah beheld her, the spell of her love was cast. Even though Amir Hamza’s sons and commanders never fall victim to the beauty of a sorceress – no matter how charming – Alam Shah was captivated by Hasina because of her magical beauty. He became completely oblivious to all considerations and could see nothing except his beloved’s face. He forgot all deference due Amir Hamza and the King of True Believers. His senses all in disarray, he recited love verses. Tears of blood welled up in his eyes and sighs and lamentations issued from his lips, disclosing the secrets of his passion.
After declarations of love were exchanged between Hasina and Alam Shah, she turned toward her camp and the prince followed her. Bakhtiarak ordered the cessation of hostilities for the day. Amir Hamza returned to his camp from the tragic events of the day with a heavy and afflicted heart.
In Laqa’s camp, Bakhtiarak sent the commanders to welcome Alam Shah, who conducted him inside. Laqa was giving audience when Prince Alam Shah entered. All the courtiers rose to pay him their respects.
Alam Shah sat down beside Hasina infatuated, and kept reciting love couplets.
Bakhtiarak asked Alam Shah, “Why has Your Excellency honored us with a visit?” Alam Shah answered, “O Bakhtiarak, I would become your sworn slave if you could persuade Hasina to lie with me.” Bakhtiarak replied, “I will explore every possibility and do my very best to achieve your end. Your luck will have to do the rest. I will now talk to Hasina.” Bakhtiarak advised the prince to allow him privacy with the princess. Prince Alam Shah sat at a distance on a golden chair while Bakhtiarak sat beside Hasina to talk to her.
Bakhtiarak said, “O Princess, this son of Amir Hamza had once fallen in love with a sorceress who told him she would marry him only if he gave her his father’s head in marriage money. The prince confronted and fought his father to fulfill her wishes. I advise that you also put some conditions on your union with the prince. Ask him to bring you Hamza’s head; tell him that he must present the Pavilion of Suleiman as well, for you will marry him inside it. And order him to prostrate himself before Lord Laqa. I would advise you to remain cold and distant toward him and not let his youthful beauty tempt you to lie with him. There are two advantages to creating a conflict between him and his father: Nothing would be better than Hamza’s dying at his son’s hands, or Alam Shah himself dying in the attempt. Fatherly grief would not allow Hamza to survive long afterwards. Moreover, when he attacks his camp in the name of your love, no one will harm him. He would kill thousands of his own men.”
Hasina said, “O Bakhtiarak, you have come upon a most marvellous scheme that would cause the True Believers to kill themselves in an internecine war. Regarding your request that I desist from granting the prince his desire, know that lascivious thoughts cannot weaken me in such situations. Although I am four-hundred-years-old and fond of ravishing youthful men, I would not jeopardise an important mission on account of lust. Go now and do what you must, but do send the prince to me at night so that I may cool my eyes with his beauty and enjoy myself by kissing and fondling him without allowing him to satisfy his desire.”
Having come to this agreement with Princess Hasina, Bakhtiarak went before Prince Alam Shah and said, “O august prince, I did my very best in your service. At first Princess Hasina would not consent, but she gave in after much persuasion. However, she is adamant that you must bow your head before Lord Laqa, bring her your father’s head, and present to her also the Pavilion of Suleiman before she grants your wishes.”
Alam Shah said, “I shall bow my head before Lord Laqa without delay.” That very instant the prince prostrated himself before Laqa, who was greatly pleased and conferred a robe of honor on Alam Shah. Laqa exclaimed, “I will that my creature Hasina should marry this man.”
Alam Shah said to Bakhtiarak, “Have the drums of war struck in my name so that I may battle the camp of the True Believers and bring back Hamza’s head and the Pavilion of Suleiman for Princess Hasina.” Bakhtiarak answered, “I shall take the news to Princess Hasina that her lover has agreed to all her conditions and prostrated himself before Lord Laqa. I will then bring you her message. I cannot order the drums of war to be struck in your name as yet because she may accuse me of sending her lover into battle without her permission. I would have nothing to offer in defense of my actions.”
Bakhtiarak returned to Hasina and said, “O Princess, my plan is working just as I expected. Alam Shah is restless to go and fight his father. However, another concern now weighs on my heart. Hamza is the master of the Most Great Name – the dispeller of magic. When Alam Shah confronts him, Hamza will be able to remove your magic from him and the prince will come out of the spell. He will return to his senses and all my hard work would go to waste.”
Hasina answered, “I too, endeavour to erase the Most Great Name from the tablet of Hamza’s heart by sorcery and cast a spell that will make him unable to recall it. But the powerful magic needed to bring this about cannot be prepared overnight. It will be a few days before it is ready.”
Bakhtiarak said, “I would advise you to retire with Alam Shah to some pleasant garden. You may kiss and fondle him and share meat and wine with him. Have your pleasure with him in every manner except the ultimate act. I will think of more plans in the meanwhile.”
Bakhtiarak now returned to Prince Alam Shah and said, “O Prince, I communicated your situation to Princess Hasina. She expressed a wish to spend some private moments with you and forbade me from striking the drum of war in your name as yet. You may leave on your mission only after both parties have fulfilled their desires. It seems to me that by setting these conditions, she only wishes to test your fidelity. She is a great warrior herself and it was not on account of any weakness that she set those conditions for you. Now you may go and enjoy yourself with her.”
Alam Shah replied, “I am ready to fulfill her wishes. I will do as she commands.”
Bakhtiarak spoke to Suleiman Amber-Hair and a garden blooming with flowers was reserved for Princess Has
ina and Prince Alam Shah. Cups and ewers, musk-perfumed goblets, royal carpets, an array of fine foods, and all instruments of luxury and leisure were provided, along with moon-faced cupbearers and elegant and worthy slave girls. Hasina entered the garden holding Alam Shah’s hand and beheld the pretty garden where spring reigned. There was a profusion of watercourses beside which cypress and leafy trees grew. Fruit hung from the trees in clusters and every tree was covered with flowers. The garden and its fauna seemed entirely free of the fear of autumn or the hand of the hunter or the pruner.
In the middle of the garden was a fully appointed summerhouse provided with all comforts. A throne was set up in the corner and a carpet and a royal bed were laid out. Melodious singers and moon-bodied dancers were in attendance. The two lovers sat down on the throne and made love talk. They sipped the crimson wine and kissed and embraced each other.
When Prince Alam Shah attempted to satisfy his desire, Hasina stopped him on one pretext or another. Sometimes she glared angrily at him with knitted brow. When Alam Shah expressed annoyance and anger at her coquettish refusals, she smiled, put her arms around the prince’s neck, and said, “O jasmine-bodied prince, while I am willing to scatter and sacrifice a thousand lives at your feet, I am bound by Lord Laqa’s decree. By his grace, I will allow you to drink the nectar of union with me very soon. Just wait two days longer.”
When the prince still would not desist, she brought him to the bed on the pretence of lying with him but when the prince was at the peak of his passion, she recited a spell that put him to sleep.
It also left Hasina burning with desire and she thought, If I lie with him and Lord Laqa’s mission is hindered, I will earn universal condemnation in the tilism and Afrasiyab will send me into exile. As Bakhtiarak suggested, it would be prudent to remain the master of my passion for the next few days. After Hamza is killed, I will carry this beautiful youth to my home in the tilism and ravish him to my heart’s content. But I must not let him be killed, even if I let him encounter Hamza for the pleasure of Lord Laqa. Bakhtiarak spoke like a pimp when he said it would be equally beneficial whether the prince killed Hamza or Hamza killed the prince.
Hoshruba Page 37