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"That there lived in the time of Hatim, a king of Arabia, named Naufal, who bore great enmity towards Hatim, on account of his renown, and having assembled many troops, he went up to give him battle.
H. Who were the most skilful in horsemanship in all Arabia, the most valiant, and of best conduct in war? S. The tribe of Hashim. H. Why think you so? S. Because my grandfather Imaum Ali, son of Abou Talib, was one of it. H. What tribe of Arabs is most famous for benevolence, and celebrated for liberality? S. The family of Tai. H. Wherefore? S. Because Hatim belonged to it.
"Thy Hatim, O eloquent Arab, was warrior and poet, and, as thou hast shown him to me, he was also a philosopher. In what age did he live?" "He was a shining light in the darkness preceding the appearance of the Prophet. That period is dateless with us." "It is of little consequence," she continued.
Now when Dhoulkeraa, King of Himyer, going forth of his tribe, came to the valley, he halted to pass the night there and drawing near the mountain, heard the crying and said, 'What lamenting is that on yonder hill? They answered him, saying, 'This is the tomb of Hatim et Tai, over which are two troughs of stone and stone figures of girls with dishevelled hair; and all who camp in this place by night hear this crying and lamenting. So he said jestingly, 'O Hatim et Tai, we are thy guests this night, and we are lank with hunger. Then sleep overcame him, but presently he awoke in affright and cried out, saying, 'Help, O Arabs!
"In short, Naufal having rewarded all of them according to their desserts, thought it contrary to gentlemanly conduct and manliness of character to harbour enmity and strife towards a man like Hatim, from whom multitudes received happiness, and who, for the sake of the necessitous, did not even spare his own life, and was entirely devoted to the ways of God.
"I thank you," she said, adding presently: "In saying I regret the story ended so soon, I pray you receive my opinion of its telling. I doubt if Hatim himself could have rendered it better." The Arab recognized the compliment with the faintest of bows, but made no reply in words. Irene then raised her veil, and spoke again.
Foreseeing the advantage of their company, Burton sagaciously lent each of them a little money at high interest, not for the sake of profit, but with a view to becoming a Hatim Tai, by a "never mind" on settling day. This piece of policy made "the Father of Moustaches," as they called him, a person of importance among them.
'Where is Dhoulkeraa, prince of Himyer? 'This is he, replied they, and he said to the prince, 'Take this camel in place of thine own, which my father slaughtered for thee. 'Who told thee of this? asked Dhoulkeraa, and Adi answered, 'My father appeared to me in a dream last night and said to me, "Harkye, Adi; Dhoulkeraa, King of Himyer, sought hospitality of me and I, having nought to give him, slaughtered him his she-camel, that he might eat: so do thou carry him a she-camel to ride, for I have nothing." And Dhoulkeraa took her, marvelling at the generosity of Hatim et Tai, alive and dead.
They answered him, saying, "Verily this be the tomb of Hatim al-Tayy, over which are two troughs of stone and stone figures of girls with dishevelled hair; and all who camp in this place by night hear this crying and keening." So he said jestingly, "O Hatim of Tayy! we are thy guests this night, and we are lank with hunger."
The recitation, it is to be remarked, had been without action, or facial assistance a wholly unornate delivery; and now he kept stately silence. His eyes, intensely bright in the shadow of the kufiyeh, may have produced the spell which held the Princess throughout; or it may have been the eyes and voice; or, quite as likely, the character of Hatim touched a responsive chord in her breast.
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