Joined to me as my hand is to my arm.
Then when I look back at my death,
I shall see what is written in my book,
To destine me to heaven or to hell.
Shumul, here is a lover sick with love;
Show generosity to such a man!
Do not begrudge union to one like him,
And do not think it right to shed his blood.
‘Well done, cousin! How eloquent you are!’ exclaimed Shumul, adding: ‘But dawn has broken and it is time to go.’ At that Sul heaved a deep sigh and recited these lines:
Dawn is at hand and wrongly forces me to leave;
Would that I knew if I shall meet my love
Once more within an orchard to embrace,
And would that God had not created parting and its bitterness.
I pray that He may grant relief to me
From sufferings that other lovers share.
Light of my eyes, what do you want to do
With one whose heart has leaped out from his breast?
Grant me your love and so preserve my life;
Have pity on the length of my distress.
‘Well done, cousin!’ said Shumul. ‘Now show patience, for patience is followed by relief.’ She left and Sul went back to his family and spent some days without seeing her. He then talked to his nurse, Hamama, who had suckled him and raised him and who loved him as a mother loves her son. ‘Nurse,’ he said, ‘thanks to Shumul I feel what is like the prick of a needle in my heart or like burning fire. As I have not seen her for days, would you go to her as my messenger?’ ‘My son, I would not grudge you my own life,’ she told him, and he asked her to take Shumul these lines:
Though you are kept from me, yet in my heart
The coals of longing are stirred by your memory.
You torture me, and yet I long for you,
With longing felt by mothers for their sons.
Light of my eyes, my hearing and my sight,
Your love has made endurance play me false.
Do not go too far, you who torture me,
Whose memory is in my inmost heart.
I swear by the One, Everlasting God,
To seek Whose favour we come to His house,
My love for you will not cease while I live,
Until the breath of life has left my breast.
I hope for your forgiveness, stretching out my hand.
I ask that I may ever be with you,
For honey is less sweet to me than this.
I send my greeting to you every time a dove
Coos to lament a dear one it has lost.
He sprinkled musk with crushed saffron and camphor on the note, sealed it with amber and passed it to Hamama. She took it and went to Shumul, who realized as soon as she saw her that she was coming from him and winked at her, as her mother was present. Her mother and Hamama exchanged greetings, and Hamama sat there talking for a long time until everyone except Shumul’s mother had left. She then stayed, sitting at her ease, until the mother had gone off about some business of her own.
At this point Shumul asked Hamama how she was, adding: ‘And how is my beloved, the delight of my eyes, Sul?’ The nurse was a cultured woman, one of the finest scions of a noble house. She said: ‘Sul is infatuated with you and he longs to be close to you. This is his letter to you,’ and, producing it, she passed it to Shumul, who kissed it and placed it over her eyes. She then broke the seal, opened the letter and studied its contents.
She broke into tears and said: ‘By God, nurse, I was kept away from him for a reason, but I can find no comfort without him, and he is the one who knows of the love we shared in our youth.’ ‘My little daughter,’ said Hamama, ‘were you to let me ask your father and your brothers for your hand, God might bring comfort to the two of you by allowing you union, with you as his wife and him as your husband.’ ‘I’m afraid that my father would not allow that or consent to it,’ Shumul replied.
She took a sheet of paper, scented it with musk and saffron, and wrote these lines:
The letter that I read from you brought me delight,
Serving my body as the breath of life,
And it was better than health to the sick.
Light of my eyes, my hearing and my sight,
You are my prop in this world and my life.
Within my body and my soul your love has pride of place.
I swear by the One God, for me you are unique.
You are my hope; I cannot turn away.
She scattered perfumes of all sorts on it before sealing it and handing it to Hamama, to whom she gave a sum of money, saying: ‘Be patient, Hamama, and tell him that we shall meet after two nights.’
Hamama took the letter and brought it to Sul, who kissed it and placed it on his eyes before falling down in a faint. Hamama went to him, and some time later, after she had lifted his head on to her knees and given him perfume to sniff, he recovered and opened his eyes. He then sat up, took the letter, broke the seal and read it. When he had finished, he turned to Hamama and said: ‘Nurse, what did the delight of my eyes say to you?’ She told him that he could take heart and be happy and said: ‘Shumul loves you more than you love her, and she promises to visit you after two nights.’
On hearing this, Sul sprang up delightedly, kissed her head and her eyes and gave her a large sum of money together with a fine robe of honour. Two days later Shumul sent him a message to say that she would meet him that night. He spent a long day waiting, and when night began to fall he went to the agreed spot. On seeing him she jumped up to greet him, and after they had exchanged lengthy embraces they both fell unconscious. Both Hamama and Shumul’s maid sprinkled them with rose-water until they had recovered.
After they had sat talking for a long time, Shumul asked Sul what new poetry he had composed about her. He recited these lines:
I pledge my life to ransom a gazelle from Sa‘d,
A sheltered Arab girl, whose love imprisons me.
She rises with the light of the full moon,
And it is like this that her splendour shines,
A tender girl, full-fleshed and innocent,
Who when she smiles shows teeth that shine like pearls.
Her lovely cheeks rob lovers of their wits,
Like perfumed roses; her mouth is a ring
Which her Lord has adorned with lovely teeth.
When she smiles sweetly, you would think that here
Were jewels hid away in oyster shells.
She is the mistress of all excellence,
As she deserves to be, and she holds me in thrall.
I long for her with every star that shines,
And with the moon illumining the dawn,
As long as God the Merciful is called by name,
And as long as men travel over land and sea.
I long for her whenever darkness falls,
When lightning flashes or when the dove coos.
I shall protect her while I live, and when I die
My love for her will cheer me in my tomb.
Then when the dead are raised it will be part of me,
Either to lead me on to Paradise,
Or else to take me to the fires of Hell.
‘Well done, cousin!’ repeated Shumul, and she again called for more. At that Sul recited:
The floods of tears bring wounds to my eyelids,
When they appear like rain upon my cheeks.
For long I had no burden on my heart
And I enjoyed my life amongst the chiefs.
The search for knowledge was my only care,
And to explore how God’s verses came down.
I spent my time in ignorance of love,
And lived unwounded by the beautiful,
Until a swelling-breasted girl afflicted me,
Looking at me with magic in her eyes.
She was fourteen years old and her glance enticed men.
She was without a match in loveliness.
I ask for union, telling her to pity me,
But she has shown no pity for my tears,
Leaving me sunk in drunkenness of care.
I boasted over lovers and was false to them.
Do you have mercy on me in my wretchedness,
For in this you are now my only hope.
And rescue me from this fatal disease.
Either you grant your lover happiness,
Or, if you do not, I shall surely die.
‘Well done, cousin!’ repeated Shumul, and she again called for more. At that Sul recited:
Who will secure me justice from a young girl of Sa‘d,
Bright as the moon, whose smile shows lovely teeth?
When I saw her amongst the women, she was like
A full moon shining in the dark of night,
Gazelle, enchantress, her glance captures hearts,
Hunting them down with magic as they melt with love.
Within her languorous eyelids is a Yathrib sword.
To you I hold my hand out, hoping for a gift.
‘Well done, cousin!’ repeated Shumul, and again she called for more. At that Sul recited:
Shumul, dawn tells us we must part,
And when it breaks, it adds love to my love.
Would that the light of day would never gleam,
And I might never have to leave my eyes’ delight.
Although I am your ransom, have I any hope
From you or do you mean to leave me dead?
I ask the King of Heaven for His grace,
Which He grants to the pilgrims of His House.
I ask mercy and favour from the One,
Eternal God, for I swear by my love
For you that cannot be undone,
And has no bounds, that this wears me away.
Shumul, do not reject or treat me with harshness,
For you will kill me if you break with me.
Now may the peace of God Almighty rest on you!
Sul left for home, and his mother said: ‘I am afraid that this affair may endanger you, as before you people have been destroyed thanks to love, whose path no one can follow in safety. Tell your father, al-Khattaf, about it so that he may do his best to get his brother to give you the girl’s hand, and she may be your wife and you her husband.’ ‘Mother,’ he said, ‘I would be ashamed to approach my father, as I hold him in awe and respect.’
He then recited these lines:
My tears reveal the secrets of my heart
When they pour down like floods of rain.
If you could only know my growing cares,
The burning pain of my abandonment,
Mother, you would bemoan my fated love.
Do me whatever good you can,
So that you may obtain goodwill from God.
After this he burst into violent tears, in which his mother joined out of pity for him. ‘Be patient, my son,’ she told him. ‘It may be that God will bring this about through your father, so wait to see what answer he gives me.’ Sul, however, continued to weep, and he recited:
How can I bear this when I have no patience left,
And in my heart burn raging fires of love?
I showed endurance but it drained away,
Thanks to the love that never gives me rest.
Mother, do quickly what you promised me,
In order to win mercy from Almighty God.
His mother agreed willingly and said: ‘I shall speak to your father and then tell you what he says.’ When al-Khattaf came she talked to him about this and told him that Sul was in a state of great distress, as Shumul was being kept away from him, and she feared for his life. ‘Where is he?’ his father asked and when she told him that it was only shyness that kept him from coming to him he said: ‘I shall settle the affair for him, God willing.’ His mother left joyfully and went to Sul, who was weeping. ‘Take comfort and be happy,’ she told him, ‘for I spoke to your father, and, God willing, this affair of yours is settled.’
Sul recited these lines:
My flooding tears reveal my inmost thoughts.
If you knew, mother, how my heart is burned,
You would bemoan this wretched fate of mine.
He shed tears and his mother wept out of pity for him and swore to him that she would get him what he wanted even if it cost her everything she had.
When al-Khattaf had dismounted she provided him with food as usual. Sul was sitting at the table, and she told al-Khattaf to discuss the affair with him. ‘What do you have to say, Sul?’ he asked. ‘Is it true what your mother says?’ Sul felt too ashamed to lift his head and speak, but his father said: ‘By God, my son, I have taken this to heart and I shall do it, for I can never abandon you. I swear that whatever you want you shall have and at this very moment I shall go about your affair.’ Sul got up, kissed his hand and thanked him.
Al-Khattaf rose immediately, mounted and rode off in search of his brother, whom he found surrounded by many of his family. When they saw him they rose to their feet, presented their respects and helped him to dismount, before giving him a courteous welcome. His brother was pleased to see him and told him to come close, calling for food as soon as he was seated.
When the food came and al-Muhadhdhab had invoked the name of God everyone stretched out their hands to it with the exception of al-Khattaf. ‘Why aren’t you doing the same as the others?’ asked his brother, at which al-Khattaf replied: ‘I shall not eat any food of yours until you fulfil my need.’ ‘You can have anything you want from me, including my daughter Shumul,’ al-Muhadhdhab told him. ‘It is she whom I do want,’ al-Khattaf said and he then stretched out his hand and began to eat.
‘By God, brother,’ said al-Muhadhdhab, ‘it was not because I disliked him that I kept your son away but because I was afraid of disgrace. Why did he not come himself to ask for my daughter’s hand? I don’t know whether he wants this marriage or not.’ At that al-Khattaf ordered Sul to be fetched, and when he came he gave profuse greetings to his uncle, who told him to approach. ‘Sul,’ he said, ‘ask for what you want.’ Sul said: ‘I know that you are my uncle and that you brought me up. I want to join my wing to yours so that our close bonds may never be severed. I want you to marry me to my cousin, Shumul. Do not frustrate me or dash the hope that I have placed in you, for I have a better right to her than anyone else.’
He then recited these lines:
Join with me, uncle, for those who join are best,
And do not look to put another in my place.
You know how close I am to you, so strengthen this.
Those who join with their kin are shown mercy by God,
While those who break this tie act unjustly.
I place my hope in you, so join with me,
And do not let my expectations fail.
His uncle praised him and said that he was very dear to him. He then asked what dowry he would provide for his cousin. ‘I myself, my wealth and my life are all yours, Uncle,’ Sul assured him. ‘As you say,’ his uncle told him, ‘but just now people want to hear what you are offering at this moment.’ Sul then recited:
My Lord is great and generous beyond compare,
And He created every class of man to be unique;
He is the Lord of grace and generosity,
The Great and Glorious God, Pre-eminent.
He sent His prophets to reveal His truth,
And rescued us from error and ruin.
He gave us His pure Prophet, to adorn mankind.
Through him the unbelievers were destroyed,
And we were led to doing what was best.
I have asked for your daughter’s hand; say what you want,
For in this matter I shall not delay.
Hear what I have to say, Uncle, and judge;
You can have all the silver that you want,
As well as every other type of wealth.
I shall give fifty servants for her, fifty slaves,
With fifty horses and as many mules,
Together with a thousand dinars on the spot.
‘Take heart and be happy!’ said his uncle when he heard this. ‘Tomorrow, God willing, I shall get you what you want in the presence of your relatives and the tribesmen, and I shall marry you to Shumul on the terms that you have mentioned. I, my wealth and Shumul will be yours and at your service.’
The narrator continued: While this was happening Shumul was listening from inside the house and she was almost delirious with joy. Sul sent word to have camels, cows and sheep brought up to be slaughtered and he prepared a splendid feast, with butter and honey. Carpets were laid out and censers were used to spread perfume. The food was produced with plenty of wine; glasses and drinking bowls circulated as musical instruments and drums were played, while the guests began to eat, drink, dance and enjoy themselves.
It was then that al-Khattaf called to his son. ‘This is your time, Sul,’ he said. ‘Get to your feet and kiss your uncle’s head.’ Sul stood up and gestured for silence, at which everyone obediently stopped talking. Then he said: ‘Cousins, I want you to help me with the request that I am making to my uncle that he unite me to his daughter Shumul.’ They shouted their approval calling on al-Muhadhdhab to add to their delight. He agreed and, rising to his feet, he shook Sul’s hand again in the presence of them all. This added to their joy and, as the noise rose, people came up from all sides.
Sul left them to it and kissed the heads of his father and mother in gratitude for what they had done. He then told his mother that he wanted to go off on a journey. ‘My son,’ she said, ‘what makes you think of going on a journey just now? Don’t do it!’ He insisted that he had to go to Iraq, and Shumul, on hearing of this, sent to him in distress appealing to him not to go. When he insisted that he would have to do this she said: ‘Cousin, do not forget our covenant; guard against difficulties on the way and may God keep you safe.’
He took leave of his father, his cousins and everyone who was there but he was only away for a short time before he came back, bringing gifts, treasures, wealth, jewels with much else besides to the delight of his parents and his kin. He then produced a banquet even more magnificent than the first, providing food, drink, robes of honour and gifts. For seven days the people ate and drank, and on the eighth his uncle ordered the marriage to be consummated.
The people spent most of the night dancing, amusing themselves and enjoying their food. Then Shumul came out with bridesmaids attending to her needs, swaying between them in her delight like a branch of the ban tree or a thirsty gazelle. With her smooth cheeks, kohl-black eyes and heavy buttocks she was fascinating as she advanced and devastating as she retired.
Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange (Hardcover Classics) Page 32
