Qaran ran with all haste toward his army. He had already instructed them to stand at the ready. Immediately, that twelve thousand-strong host fell upon Hamza’s camp. Qaran aimed his lance at Landhoor’s chaste chest. Wrenching the lance from his hand, Landhoor struck a blow with its shaft and sent Qaran rolling in the dust. The rest of Qaran’s troops removed that coward from the scene, carrying him off to the forest.
Amar took Hamza’s army to a spring whose location the holy Khizr had disclosed to him, where he quenched his thirst and drank to his heart’s content along with the rest of the soldiers. Amir and Landhoor embraced Amar with gratitude. Then Amir said, “Now we must look for a way to exit from this arid valley.”
Amar left the army behind and went into a nearby village, where its people ran from his sight. Amar chased and caught hold of one of them and, after comforting him, asked, “What is the reason for this mad flight?” The man replied, “A host of troops descended on our town a few days ago, took us captive, and appropriated our riches. The memory of that terror made all of us flee to save our lives at your sight!”
Amar said, “It is not our wont to show injustice and cruelty to anyone. Go with confidence to your people to ask them to return.”
The man went and comforted and reassured the others and led them before Amar, who took them to Amir Hamza and had their needs liberally provided for. Then Amir asked the man, “Tell us, how far do we have to go before we discover a source of potable water? Tell us also, what is the name of the first land of the Seven Climes, and who rules over it?”
That man answered, “After you have emerged from the forest you will come upon a sweet-water ravine. The first city lies a day’s journey from there. It is known as Antabia and the name of its governor is Haam. Beside Antabia is the city of Antaqia, which is joined on its border by another city, Antakia. Haam’s younger brother, Mehd Zarrin Kamar, rules over Antaqia, and their youngest brother, Saam, is the ruler of Antakia. Should you wish it, I would willingly lead you along your way there and see you to safety!”
Amir richly rewarded him, and they charted their way out of that place with the man as their guide. After they had exited the forest and reached the banks of the ravine they discovered that its water had turned green. Amir asked the guide, “Has this water recently turned green or did it always have this coloration?” He replied, “It seems that someone has contaminated it with poison grass and now this water has become a deadly poison itself and is no longer potable!”
Amir’s army then dug out several wells, and quenched their thirst. The next day they pitched their tents near the fort of Antabia.
Now hear of Qaran, that viper who poisoned all the ravines and wells in Amir’s path with poison grass. He presented himself before Haam, gave him Naushervan’s letter, and said, “If Hamza asks you for tribute, you should refuse it and instead kill both Hamza and Landhoor or take them captive in any manner you see fit. No tribute will be levied on you for three years as a reward for producing their heads.” Qaran later communicated the same message to Saam and Mehd Zarrin Kamar, and then marched away with his troops.
Haam sent a communiqué to his brothers asking them to join him urgently for deliberations.
Saam and Mehd Zarrin Kamar arrived at Haam’s fort, and after they had consulted together, Haam said, “I propose that we call on Hamza with mementos and gifts. It would be little wonder if Hamza showed us favor and received us nobly in accordance with the traditions of hospitality. Kings and illustrious men comprise his entourage, and brave men always show honor and esteem to those who are valiant.”
Saam and Mehd Zarrin Kamar found Haam’s counsel to their liking. The following day they presented themselves in Amir Hamza’s court carrying mementos and gifts, and ennobled themselves with his audience.
OF HAAM, SAAM, AND MEHD ZARRIN KAMAR CONVERTING TO THE TRUE FAITH AND SWEARING ALLEGIANCE TO AMIR, AND OF THEIR PAYING THE TRIBUTE AND BECOMING HIS FOLLOWERS
The charging pen gallops forth in the domains of composition, and thus recounts with great ardor Amir’s journeys through the stations and stages. Amir Hamza received the three brothers in the finest traditions of hospitality.
They recited the Act of Faith and converted to the True Faith. Then Haam and his brothers showed Amir the letters that Qaran had brought them. Thinking that perhaps the letters had been forged by Qaran, Amir did not allow them to cloud the mirror of his heart, and drew no conclusions.
He said to the brothers, “Tell me what the name of the land we shall come upon next is, who its ruler is, and how long a journey will take us there.” Haam replied, “Fifteen days’ journey will bring you to Alania, whose ruler goes by the name of Anis Shah.”
Amir then said to the brothers, “Adieu now! You may return to your affairs of state while I head for Alania.” They replied, “We have sworn ourselves into your slavery now! Pray grant us leave to be your riding companions!”
Thus all three brothers joined Amir’s entourage.
When Anis Shah learned of Hamza’s arrival, he drew battle arrays with the intention to skirmish with them. Then he reasoned that he would be wiped out of existence by an encounter with Amir’s powerful force. He recited the Act of Faith and converted to the True Faith in fear for his life.
Amir welcomed him into his camp and that knave remained in Amir’s presence for several days, fawning on Amir and flattering him. Finding the opportunity one day, he said to Amir, “Your slave has constructed a most pleasant and agreeable bathhouse. I desire that you visit it some day and divest yourself of both the fatigue of your journey and your bodily pollutions.” Amir Hamza could not prevail against Anis Shah’s insistence and, finally acquiescing to his wishes, paid him a visit.
That bath attendant’s child (deserving to be burnt!) had constructed a bathhouse of a marvelous design. The roof was raised on iron pillars and suspended by a contraption [?] with four chains minded by four slaves. If they let go of the chains the roof collapsed on the bathers below and they were buried underneath without even a winding-sheet. That day Anis Shah appointed four sturdy Nubian slaves to mind the chains and instructed them that the moment he struck the drum and they heard its sound, they should let go of the chains and flee. Amir Hamza had brought Landhoor, Muqbil, and others along with him and they occupied themselves with bathing. Amir invited Amar and Aadi to join, but they would not consent to set foot in the bathhouse.
It suddenly occurred to Amar to investigate the bathhouse from the inside. He entered by the back door disguised as an old man. The Nubians took pity on him and called out, “Run for your dear life, old man! We will let go of the chains at the sound of the drum and then, as the saying goes, the weevils will be ground in the mill with the wheat, and we will have your innocent blood on our necks!”
Upon hearing these words Amar immediately retraced his steps and, arriving at the gate of the bathhouse, communicated the whole story to Amir Hamza, who stepped outside and got dressed. Anis Shah said, “There is an adjacent private chamber where I have laid out fruit both fresh and dried for Your Honor!” Amir replied, “Pray arrange for everyone to be served. Then we will do justice to those delicacies and enjoy your hospitality.”
The moment Anis Shah set foot into that private chamber, Amar struck the drum with the mallet with all his might, whereupon the Nubian slaves let go of the chains. The roof of the bathhouse collapsed on Anis Shah. And thus Anis Shah landed in the pit he had dug with his own hands.
Hamza greatly extolled Amar’s wisdom. He converted Anis Shah’s underage son along with his whole army to the True Faith and gave him to the tutelage of Mehd Zarrin Kamar.
The commanders of Anis Shah’s army then disclosed that Qaran had brought a note from Naushervan ordering the deaths of Hamza and King Landhoor. After delivering the letter that perjurer had left for Aleppo, to the kingdom of Hadees Shah. Upon hearing this, Amir’s heart filled with rage and he dispatched the advance camp toward Aleppo the same day.
Now hear of that unsurpassable Qaran. Upon arr
iving in Aleppo Qaran filled up Hadees Shah’s ears with all manner of gossip and after poisoning his mind sufficiently toward Hamza, prepared to depart for Greece.
Hadees Shah said to him, “Wait and see how I kill Hamza before your eyes and relieve that rebel’s neck of the burden of his head!” Qaran replied, “It is mere wishful thinking that you will conquer Hamza in the battlefield and hand him a resounding defeat!”
Hadees Shah replied, “If you advise against open combat, I will have a pit dug in the arena filled with pointed arms and sharp-edged weapons. I will play horse-shinty with Hamza and lead him to it, and put paid to his existence before long.”
Qaran replied, “Indeed this is a much preferable strategy, and one certain to yield results!”
When Amir’s army arrived near Aleppo, Hadees Shah came to them with gifts and mementos and made an offering of three years’ land revenue to Amir. He willingly recited the Act of Faith, and to all appearances acted out the rituals of obedience and allegiance. Amir Hamza arranged a feast in his honor, and conferred a costly robe of honor upon him.
One day Hadees Shah said, “This slave had come to learn that you hold your own in the arts and crafts of the war. I nurse a desire in my heart to match my talent with yours, and be initiated in the finer points of the game of horse-shinty!” Amir Hamza replied, “I am at your command.”
The next morning Hadees Shah addressed his troops and gave them these stern orders: “Disguise the pit by skillfully covering its mouth with grass so that nobody will harbor the least suspicion that a pit or a moat has been dug there. The moment Hamza falls into it, fall upon the armies of the True Faith and put them to the sword!”
When the horse-shintier of the heavens bore away the ball of the moon and the world-illuminating sun descended on Earth sporting its lance of rays, Hadees Shah and Amir Hamza stepped from either side into the arena. Amir said, “My preceptor instructed me against taking the lead in any matter. You should strike the ball first and then I shall handle the stick next!” Hadees Shah made a bow and spurred his steed.
When he had advanced by a distance of a bow shot, Amir grabbed his stick and urged his horse onward. Hadees Shah was left behind, and Amir went forward toward the pit without entertaining the least suspicion of that knave’s treachery. Amir’s horse, Siyah Qitas, vacillated at approaching the pit whereupon Amir gave him a cut with Prophet Daud’s lash. While the horse did its best to clear the chasm it could not fully escape it, and its hind legs landed on the inner walls of the pit. Amir exited the saddle and, holding the reins and clucking his tongue, brought the horse out and leapt back into the saddle. Suddenly Amir found himself face-to-face with Qaran, who was standing close by keeping an eye on things. At the sight of Amir, Qaran fled toward the nearby mountain range and Amir gave him pursuit.
Thinking that the waters of death had closed over Amir Hamza in the pit, Hadees Shah fell upon the armies of the True Faith with his twenty thousand troops, and many a follower of the True Faith met martyrdom at the hand of the infidels. In the end, however, Hadees Shah died at Landhoor’s hand, and his army took flight.
Amar set out to took for Hamza following the tracks made by Siyah Qitas.
Qaran reached a field of melons and, taking a melon from the field’s farmer and lacing it with poison, addressed him thus: “Make an offering of this melon to the rider who comes behind me, and accept what he gives you in return! If he eats it, I will give you a hundred gold pieces as a reward!” The wily Qaran then headed for the mountain pass.
When Amir reached the field in pursuit of him, the farmer made him the offering of the melon. Amir accepted it and asked him, “A rider passed this way before me. Which direction did he take?” The man replied, “He went toward the mountain pass over there, but the path offers no refuge to the one who travels there as a ferocious lion stalks those parts!”
As he was extremely parched, Amir made to eat the melon and quench his thirst. The farmer stopped him and submitted, “O youth! That first rider laced this melon with something, and I am certain that it was some kind of poison. He told me to feed it to the one who comes following him, and he would give me a hundred gold pieces as a reward if you died through this device!” Amir threw the melon from his hands, and conferred jewels worth a thousand gold pieces on the farmer. Then he spurred his horse toward the mountain pass.
He had hardly entered the pass when a lion leapt at him with a mighty roar. Amir dealt him a blow of his sword and the beast fell in two parts to the ground. When Amir entered the mountain pass he saw Qaran hiding behind a rock. Amir was of a mind to strike him with his dagger and cut off the rogue’s neck when Qaran said, “O Hamza! If you spare my life I will confer three things on you!” Amir Hamza answered, “Give me whatever you have to offer and thus take out another short lease on your life!” Qaran produced a dagger from his belt and presented it to Amir. He said, “This dagger belonged to Tahmuras Deoband!” Then he took off his armband, which sported twelve carbuncles, each weighing three mithcals. After handing Hamza these objects, Qaran said, “The third object is kept in a cavern in this mountain. Come, let me lead you to it and make a present of it to you as well!”
Amar arrived there in the meanwhile. After securing Qaran’s hands, Hamza delivered him to Amar and said, “See what treasure it is that he was going to divulge, or if it was one of his fibs.” Amar bound a rope around Qaran and led him out of the pass. As Qaran tried to escape from Amar’s clutches, Amar said to him, “Why do you exert yourself needlessly? Lead me to the treasure and I shall plead on your behalf to Hamza. You will surely be freed!” Qaran replied, “I mentioned the treasure only to purchase more time. However, if you were to set me free I would confer two hundred thousand tomans on you when I reach Ctesiphon!”
Amar answered, “O tyrant! Now that you are in my power, do you expect me to let you go free?” Amar drew out his dagger and killed Qaran then and there.
OF AMIR MARCHING ON GREECE, AND OF HIS BETROTHING HIS HEART-RAVISHINGLY BELOVED NAHEED MARYAM
The beautifiers of discourse adorn their rhetoric with the ornament of narrative, and evoke in multitudinous new ways the beauty of the story. With Amir’s heart filled with pleasure from his triumph, he returned to the fort of Aleppo and indulged in festivities and celebrations for seven days. He sent Muqbil Vafadar to Naushervan’s court with the tribute from the five lands, along with a missive describing events with Qaran and other incidents. Then he marched toward Greece and, having arrived at the frontiers of that land in a few days, pitched his tents.
Faridun Shah, the potentate of Greece, had already come to learn of Hamza’s exploits through his chroniclers’ reports, and upon hearing of Amir’s arrival he gathered together a worthy offering and came forth with his brothers to meet him, and ennobled himself by converting to the True Faith along with his brothers.
One day Faridun Shah said to Amir Hamza, “O Amir! I am faced with three challenges, each of which I find most daunting! If you were to help resolve them, it would be a supreme token of indulgence from you toward this slave!” Amir said, “What are these challenges?” He replied, “The first is posed by a dragon on whose account whole lands have been depopulated! The second challenge is Shankavah, a pitch-faced Nubian, who raids the surrounding area every hundredth day, putting thousands of people to the sword. Once these two challenges have been resolved, I shall tell you the details of the third!”
Amir answered, “Accompany me in the morning, and lead me to the dragon’s lair. Then you may stand aside and witness what unfolds.” Landhoor said, “It would not become Your Honor’s eminence to challenge the pitch-faced Shankavah! Pray order me to produce his rebellious head to you!”
When the pitch-skinned dark night was laid low by the Turk of the bright morn, and the Emperor Sun routed the armies of the stars, the Sahibqiran sallied forth to kill the dragon, taking along Faridun Shah and some of his devoted followers. Landhoor marched against Shankavah with Faridun Shah’s brother, Asif.
Three farsangs fro
m the dragon’s lair, Faridun Shah dismounted his horse and said to Amir Hamza, “Pray witness that the whole expanse of the mountain and the forest has been scorched! When that abominable creature awakens from his slumber and exhales, the tongue of flame reaches as far as this spot from his hiss.”
Amir also dismounted and, taking Amar and Faridun Shah with him, went toward the dragon’s lair. When they approached, they beheld a dark hillock and upon closer inspection discovered it to be the dragon himself. Amir said, “It is contrary to the traditions of chivalry to kill an enemy in his sleep, let alone a despicable worm!” He broke the dragon’s sleep with a loud cry, and the dragon raised his head, which was the size of a Palmyra palm. Seeing Amir there, the beast rushed hissing and charging at him. Amir took out his bow and let fly a two-pronged arrow at the dragon’s eyes, which soon became the arrowhead’s nest. As the dragon pounded his head against the ground in agony, Amir stepped close and dealt him a blow of his dragon-slaying sword so that one hillock became two, and all signs of life departed the monster. Faridun Shah rushed forward and kissed Amir’s hands.
Amir then headed back. The moment he entered the fortifications of the city, he saw Landhoor arrive there bearing Shankavah’s head and treasure. Faridun Shah arranged for an assembly of revelry, where they all remained occupied with festivities and celebrations for a long time.
Toward the end of the night, Faridun Shah said to Amir, “Two of my troubles have ended. My third petition is that Your Honor take your slave’s daughter, Naheed Maryam, as his handmaiden and make her an attendant in your harem, so that I may gain eminence among my peers.” The Sahibqiran replied, “I shall be unable to agree to it because I promised Princess Mehr-Nigar that until I have married her I will never have eyes for another woman.”
Faridun Shah was thwarted in his plan. After he found privacy, he said to his brother, Asif, “Now the whole world will come to learn that Amir refused Faridun Shah’s daughter’s hand because he deemed the king unworthy of such an alliance. They will think that to be the real reason he did not betroth my daughter. Death would be a far better prospect than a life such as mine!”
The Adventures of Amir Hamza Page 24