by Robert Irwin
After a little while Antar had split apart the other negro bands and the Arabs. His men forgot their cares. Every rank he attacked sought flight. As the night fell the negro warriors scattered. The Banu Quda’a and the soldiers of Lawn al-Zalam returned praising Antar and praying for his life to be prolonged, for he had endured much. He returned sorely stabbed, and like a red flower, bathed in human blood. He marched before his men. He was tired and bent, yet able to phrase his couplets as he sat in his saddle. Lawn al-Zalam said to him, ‘May God’s breath give joy to your heart. You have quenched your thirst in breaking asunder these innumerable warriors.’ In this wise their discourse continued until they reached their tents. They rejoiced at their success while the negro warriors said to one another, ‘By the All Knowing King, Lawn al-Zalam has fortified this knight with his utmost powers. Antar has no equal at this time. None can resist him.’
COMMENTARY
Al-Lat and al-‘Uzza are pre-Islamic goddesses.
Jazerant is a piece of armour.
Lawn al-Zalam had previously defected to ‘Antar’s army.
The next short extract concerns the bizarre pagan city of King Hammam. King Ghawwar has written to him requesting help against ‘Antar.
This King Hammam was a man of great courage and stubborn in combat. He used to raid tribes and capture women. He used to attack a man mounted on horse or righting on foot, and he thrust with spear and lance. He had a city constructed from white stone. There was none like it in that land. It was reported that the jinn had built it for our lord Solomon, son of David, peace be upon him. Near that city was a hill like a pyramid. It was covered with growing vegetation, dark and obscure. In the middle of that hill was an upright sword over which a bird ceased not to hover. No one could pass by that sword unless his garments were white. If one whose clothes were dyed approached it, winds from all countries blew upon it, and a flood would come upon it until the villages which were round about it were almost destroyed; so violent were the rains.
King Hammam was lord of the Land of Flags and Ensigns. In that place he had left those who could guard him by the payment of jamakiyya and diwan. At the base of it was a house. When one of the people died they left him in that house. They took the deceased and extracted his bones and stripped him of his flesh and pickled it. All the marrow in the bones would be removed, and they would place the bones in bags according to the status of the deceased. As for those who were revered their coverings were of Byzantine brocade, and the poor were placed in bags of cotton and sacking. They wrote on each the name of the occupant. They cast them in that house. As for the flesh, they cast it outside the city to the black crows so they could eat it. They allowed no other creature to eat any of it. They chased it away with arrows and with slings and catapults. All who were in that city were engaged in the manufacture of suits of mail; and coats of mail and helmets and swords and spears and everything concerned with weapons of war and other arms. They paid no tax or tribute to King Hammam, and none of the kings could take anything from them in that country…
H. T. Norris (trans.), The Adventures of Antar
(Warminster, Wilts., 1980), pp. 122–5, 155–6
COMMENTARY
This strange fantasy appears to draw on Arab early accounts of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as on Muslim distortions of Persian Zoroastrian burial practices.
Jamakiyya means ‘pay’ or ‘salary’. Diwan in this context refers to a ‘financial bureau’ (and not a collection of poetry).
Warfare is described in quite a different key in another anonymous narrative, The Delectable War between Mutton and the Refreshments of the Market Place. This curiosity, which dates from the Mamluk period, is a kind of dramatized version of munazara (the competitive comparison of one kind of person or thing with another). King Mutton, leader of the foods of the rich, alarmed by reports of the growing power of the foods of the poor, decides to wage war on their leader, King Honey. King Honey musters his vegetables, milk, cheese and fish to resist the onslaught of the foods of the rich. In the end, however, he is defeated by the defection to mutton of treacherous sugar, syrup and rendered fat. The mock-epic saga ends with the line, ‘And the boon companions related tales in praise of foods, attaching to each story the names of its transmitters.’ Despite the triumph of the food of the rich, this strange story is part of folk literature.
In the name of Allah, the merciful, the compassionate! It has been told of the wonders of time that there was a monarch of powerful sway, called ‘King Mutton’. He was savoured by every caliph and sultan, and people were eager to taste him that he might ward off adversity from them. Invigorated by his healing powers, they implored Allah for the prolonging of his life. Whenever gratified at the sight of him, they thanked Allah for that favour. He used to sit in his fortress on lances, known as ‘hooks’, and none save the well-fed lambs might keep him company. His insignia were red and white, and his cuts glistened [with crimson]. In his presence stood people known as ‘Butchers’, incessantly wielding their cleavers and knives. In his kindness he adapted himself to every disposition, and was the healing salve applied to the wounds of hunger. In his service were enrolled only people of dinars and dirhams. He had a vizier, called the ‘Meat of Goats’, to whom no poor man came but he fortified him and supplied his want. He had also an emir, called ‘Beef, in whom every noble found refuge when in need, and a clever and sociable chamberlain, called the ‘Scalded Meat’. He had, besides, special attendants who added to the glory of it all; they were called ‘Chicken’. Says the poet apropos:
‘When he appears in the assembly, you are the recipients of those favours with which pleasures are conjoined;
‘and when he is remote from his mansion, sadness overwhelms you, and you are overcome with grief.’
And the narrator continues: And once when he appeared in his shining glory, overlooking the country and its market-places, and diverting himself with the radiance in the eyes of his admirers, behold searchers and spies came unto him, informing him that a nation, called ‘Paupers’, had given the Honey sway over the refreshments of the market, and had enlisted in his service in both East and West; and that he had engrossed their hearts and minds, and was content with the tribute of a baser coin than a dirham. [And the spies added:] ‘And if you are unmindful of them, they will degrade you and depose you from your throne.’ And the king grew angry at hearing this, and his demeanour became severe, yet he jestingly alluded to the situation in a verse:
‘Behold this is an age and you are of its neighbourhood; it has unjustly dispensed its laws and become oppressive.’
Then he ordered a wise man into his presence, called the ‘Fat Tail’, renowned for his elegance and stately appearance, and said unto him: ‘Immediately proceed, delegated in power, to the king of the refreshments, and summon him to service and obedience; and in case he refuses, challenge him to prepare a banquet for us, if he thinks that the bounty of a king can vie in munificence with the bounty of a caliph.’ Then he improvised:
‘And here is a letter expressing our wish; convey it to him, and return with his answer.
‘And capture the hearts of his oppressed subjects with promises whose fulfilment will delight them when we draw nigh unto them.’ – And the narrator continues: In preparation for his departure, the messenger embarked upon a vessel called the ‘Frying Pan’. And the whiteness of his adipose layer was disclosed after he had been fried and the coating removed; and his scent became delightful after he had been boiled and cooked. And lo, his tissue proved immaculate, and his taste delicious. He then seated himself in his glass-jar cabinet, deigning to expose himself to view.
And he proceeded on his way until he reached the shops of the sellers, where the [meat]-starved people approached him with hot breads. And he bestowed upon them his generosity, and satisfied their hunger with his fat. Thereupon he was met by the special officers of King Honey, such as rendered fat, syrup, butter and the various juices, contained in rows of vessels upon stone-benches. He was next met by the
grand-vizier, called ‘Sugar’. They all introduced him to their king, the ‘Honey of bees’, to whom the Fat Tail made obeisance. And the king rose from his place when the Fat Tail was presented, and inquired about his welfare and about his experiences since the day he started on his journey. And the Fat Tail thanked the king for his great solicitude and overflowing kindness.
Thereupon the king prescribed a rest for him in the palatial residence, and withdrew showing signs of fear. To quote the poet:
‘And he beamed with a beautiful and joyous and sweet countenance, and with a mien that was appealing.
‘And greeting in genial manner those prostrated before him, and they in turn saluted him with their fingers.’
And the narrator continues: Afterwards the Fat Tail proceeded on his journey until he alighted upon the upper shop-shelves only to find himself surrounded by the special officers of the empire of Honey. And he began to run to and fro among the various personages, recounting the virtues of his king; and excited within them a desire to behold him, by revealing to them the secrets that would make them anxious to serve him, saying:
‘My king bestows favours bountifully; there is no poor man, but he makes him rich by his gifts.
‘And at no time does calamity creep stealthily over any of his subjects, but he endeavors to battle it in the open.’
Then he conferred privately with each of them, impressing them with his amenities and tractability, and assuring them of such favours from his king as would burst their rivals’ hearts with envy. He first addressed the Syrup, who was already distressed by being bottled-up for the night, saying: ‘O, translucent swain, sweet of taste and of goodly nature! What distinguished office has the king of the refreshments assigned to you that you are so loyal to him? Is not your form more delicate than his, your countenance fairer?’ And the Syrup responded: ‘By Allah, he displays me only in a cold day on the surface of puddings, and does not care to be my fellow-condiment in any dough but the Basisa; and this is the highest honour and rank that I have attained in this service.’ Thereupon the Fat Tail resumed: I am touched with pity at the sight of your coat torn in contention between the soft, unleavened starch-paste and the leavened Basisa. Also for your mingling with the solid greases upon every table! How much pleasanter are the surroundings of King Mutton, who is endeared to all hearts! Were he to note your good qualities, he would befriend you, and raise you above those of his immediate entourage, and privilege you to communicate with him directly. Moreover, I guarantee you to become the emir of fried colocasia, sweetened rice and the chickens of the frying pan, prepared with butter and stuffed with seeds, and warrant, besides, your overtopping the legions of pancakes. You would be stationed in an elevated position on his table-cloth, towering high above the trays. Thus says the poet:
‘You would come to lead a life of ease on the rims of the pastries, and you would trail upon the confections the train of your silk-gown.
‘You would ascend lofty places; yea, with your shoes you would step upon the cheeks of the sweetmeats.’
And the narrator continues: And the Syrup swore to join his ranks on the day of battle, while the Fat Tail reassured him in turn of his promise to assist him.
Then the Fat Tail entered into private conference with the grand-vizier, whose name was ‘Sugar’, and heaped praises upon him, saying: ‘O, heart’s delight and of all things most resembling a lover! In what way has the king of the refreshments helped you that you became so enamoured of him?’ And the Sugar replied: ‘By Allah, I am disgusted with frequenting the sick. Indeed the king has assigned me an office with which I am displeased. Moreover, I do not convene with my peers, the seeds, except as a dressing for legumes. And the highest rank I have attained with him is that he placed me in control over the beverages; but only those stricken with fever, sore throat or indigestion taste me, with the result that I have been disgorged from many a stomach in which I had hardly settled.’ And the Fat Tail responded: ‘O, soul-food and healer of misfortune! By Allah, you deserve preference over all refreshments of the market-place, and you ought to rank higher in majesty than King Honey himself. Were you to repair to King Mutton, he would set you in control over all foods, especially over the appetizing dishes of dense consistency, such as sweetened rice, zirbaj, chicken conserved with julep, clotted lemon-sauce with its ingredients mixed in the right proportion, juice of pomegranate seeds, clarified upon sheets of Tutmaj, and fine flour gruel, and concoctions such as poppy-seeds, Lady Nuba, apricots, pistachio nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts. Then he would appoint you to be the flag-dainty of all sweets, and you would ascend the loftiest station, and gain the highest rank you might wish. You would become the topic of people’s talk and the object of their fascination.’ Having said this, the Fat Tail recited:
‘In how many lofty castles, whose tables abound in wonderful foods, would you take up your abode!
‘And over how many splendid victuals and relished dishes of the choicest viands would you preside!’
And the narrator continues: And the Sugar smiled wonderingly and became almost intoxicated with joy. Then he swore by the brightness of his youth and by the folding of the sheaths of his canes at the melodious sound of the rollers that no one would forestall him to the royal gate of King Mutton, and that he was determined to spend the rest of his life in no other place but under the shadow of his stirrup.
Thereupon the Fat Tail began to wheedle the rendered Fat until he secured a hold on the handle of his friendship, and said: ‘O, brother, and beloved, and nearest of all things to myself! What precious gifts has the king of the refreshments bestowed upon you all the while you have been in familiar discourse with him?’ And the rendered Fat answered: ‘Why inquire about my misery when my very existence is to be marvelled at? By Allah, I have been shut up in earthenware vessels for years until I became rancid, and hoofs have been smeared with me so I became putrid. And they made me a medicine for wounds and swellings, and the poor mended their soups with me. My anger reached its height when the king ordered me into the pans for the frying of eggs. And the highest rank he conferred upon me was that he anointed his lances with me on the day of battle, and coated with me the unleavened flat-cake whose harm exceeds its benefit. Such is surely an evil master and a miserable companion! And yet he styled me “vizier”, but no one could better inform you of my plight than I who suffer from it.’
Upon hearing this the Fat Tail became agitated, and was on the point of melting from indignation and resentment, and exclaimed: ‘I wonder how your delicate sap could endure such harsh treatment. Alas for you! Were you to repair to King Mutton, he would put you at the head of all boiled milk preparations, such as Haytaliyya, rice cooked in milk, macaroni-stew, slices of paste dipped in milk, vermicelli-pottage and boiled eggs well compounded with milk and butter. And with you would be seasoned such noble and renowned foods as are made of dates, white flour and thin bread-sheets, also dates mixed with butter and curd, dates soaked in milk, and dried dates. And the viands of the most distant lands would serve you; yea, of all countries foods worthy of you, such as the gruel of coarse semolina, Ma’muniyya and peppered rice. And sweets would be added to you, such as the pastry made of vermicelli and the ‘Ajamiyya. And you would take my place as vizier, and my armies and everyone connected with my office would obey you.’ Then the Fat Tail improvised:
‘And you would come to be an emir in all porringers, leading all lions of the legions of pounded grain.
‘And you would join the confections in a combination highly favoured by the knights.’
And the rendered Fat, having been won over to the side of the Fat Tail, said thus: ‘I swear in the name of the good tidings that I will join your cause and plot against my king.’
And the Fat Tail, having corrupted the highest officials of the empire of the refreshments, sent messengers to King Honey with a request to admit him, so that he might deliver the letter and set out on his return-journey.
And the narrator continues: And the king resided in parlours, cal
led ‘bee-hives’, whose ceilings and cells were overlaid with white and yellow wax. Surrounded by swarms of bees which guarded him from adversity, he overlooked the country from the windows of his palace, enjoying universal admiration. He then ordered into his presence the Fat Tail, who stepped forward in the midst of the royal attendants. And the king drew himself up and went forward to meet him; then gathered him to himself and greeted him and brought him near [to the throne]. Then he began to observe his features, and found him to resemble none of the officers of his kingdom. He next inquired about the welfare of King Mutton on the day he left him, and about the most signal favours he had bestowed upon him. And the Fat Tail rose to his feet at the mention of his king, and bowed to Allah with words of praise and gratitude for the gifts and benefactions which his king had conferred upon him. Then [in reply to the king’s last question] he said: ‘How can one count the waves of the sea, and how can one number the drops of the rain? However, one must curtail his speech in the presence of a king. Now, my sovereign – may God ever be gracious to him, and exalt his authority, and inspire the hearts of men to love him – has made me governor of all his provinces and set me at the head of all his emirs and captains. I am the nearest to him in station and the most beloved of all. I make swallowing pleasant at his court, and I stamp my mark upon all kinds of foods.’ But the king of the refreshments interrupted him, saying: ‘Present the letter; “a messenger is to do no more than deliver his message”.’ At these words, the Fat Tail arose from among those who were seated, and produced the letter of King Mutton, kissing it and raising it above his head. Then he turned it over with both hands to the king, who kissed it in turn, and placed it on his eyes; then he broke its seal and passed it on to his vizier. And behold the following was its content…