Read Ebook: The adventures of Hatim Taï a romance by Alger William Rounseville Editor Forbes Duncan Translator

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 523 lines and 89432 words, and 11 pages

o has a daughter of surpassing beauty, resembling the full moon. One day I went to the city in the way of business, and happened to pass by the dwelling of Harith the merchant. The daughter was at that moment looking out at one of the windows, and all at once my eyes were attracted towards her. The instant I beheld this beauty my heart rebelled beyond my control, and reason abandoned my mind; in a word, I was taken captive in the fetters of love.

"I inquired of some of the people in the city, 'Pray, sirs, whose house is this?'--'It is,' said they, 'the residence of Harith's daughter.' I asked them further, 'Can you tell me whether the lady be married or not?' They replied, 'Truly, sir, she is unmarried as yet; her father has three questions, and has resolved to bestow his daughter on that man only who can answer them.' My uneasiness was so great that I straightway went to Harith's gate, and sent him a message announcing my object. Harith replied, saying, 'I have no control over my daughter in this case, she is left to choose for herself. She has three questions to propose, and she will accept as her husband the man who can answer them to her satisfaction.'

"I thence proceeded to the door of the apartment of Harith's daughter, and by message announced my attendance. The lady invited me to enter, and having caused me to be seated in an elegant chamber, she sent me word to this effect: 'First you must sign an agreement with me, and then I will converse with you.' To this I replied, that I was ready to obey whatever she should command. The lady then informed me, 'If you solve my three questions, I shall become entirely yours; but if you succeed not, all your wealth shall be mine.' In my ardor I at once agreed to these conditions, and requested her further commands.

"She proceeded, saying, 'My first question is this: in the vicinity of our city is a cave the inside of which no one has hitherto explored, nor is it known how far it extends; examine this cave, and let me know the result.

"'My second question is as follows: on the night of Jumat a voice is heard in the wilderness of some one who exclaims, "I have done nothing which can benefit me this night." Bring me an account of this person, and tell me why he reiterates such an exclamation.

"'My third question: There is a fairy named Mahpari, who has in her possession the precious stone called the Shahmuhra; find out this fairy's abode, and procure for me the jewel.'

"When she had finished her commands, I returned to my house and conveyed to her the whole of my wealth, of which she is now in possession. I then quitted the city, and made my way into this desert. Here I wander involved in calamities: on the one hand, I have parted with all my substance, and have deprived myself of a home; and on the other, the arrow of love still pierces my heart."

Hatim, on hearing the young man's history, said to him, "Let your mind be easy as to this affair; only conduct me to that city, and I shall endeavor to put you in possession of your mistress, and restore to you your lost property." The youth said, "In my present state my wealth would be useless; let me but gain my mistress, for without her my life will be insupportable."

Hatim took the youth by the hand, and both set out for the city. When they arrived, they rested a little at a caravansera?; there Hatim left his companion, and having gone to the gate of Harith's daughter, he addressed the porter, saying, "Tell your mistress that I wish to speak with her on matrimonial affairs." The attendants immediately conveyed the intelligence to their mistress, that a youth had arrived at the gate who longed to converse with her. The lady, on hearing this, threw on her veil, and gave orders that Hatim should be introduced. She then stated to him the three queries above-mentioned, concerning which Hatim replied, "If your father will enter into a written agreement with me, I will solve your questions. The terms are as follows: when I shall have brought satisfactory answers to your questions, you must submit to be bestowed by me on whomsoever I please, and the choice of your disposal shall be left entirely with me."

Hatim took leave of the lady, and taking with him some of her people as guides, he set out from the city, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, which was situated about three farasangs distant. When the guides had brought Hatim to the mouth of the cave, he said to them, "Now, whether will you return to the city, or remain here till I come out?" They answered him, saying "We are ordered not to quit this spot till you come out, so here we shall remain; meanwhile one of us shall return to the city, in order to procure food."

Hatim threw himself into the cave, and began to explore his way. For the whole of that, and several successive days, he continued to advance, till at last he saw a glimmering light. He then supposed that he had reached the extremity of the cave, and bethought himself that he ought to return. But on further consideration, he said in his own mind, "If people ask of me aught concerning the mysteries of its interior, what answer can I give?" He therefore issued out from the extremity of the cave, and continued to advance. Before him lay a boundless desert, through which flowed rivulets of water. Hatim had brought with him from the city two bags full of kernels of almonds, and a flask full of water. Of these he ate a few every day, and after expressing his thanks to the Creator, he pursued his route, and when his flask full of water was exhausted, he supplied himself from the streams that flowed through the desert.

After journeying for several days, Hatim beheld a lofty and extensive rampart, and after examining it all around he discovered that there was a town within it. He entered within the walls, and as he advanced towards the town found traces of its being inhabited; and when he approached still nearer, he saw that the natives were demons.

The moment that Hatim was perceived by the demons they rushed upon him, male and female, and having surrounded him, they seized him with the intention of tearing him to pieces, in order to devour him. One of the demons interfered, saying, "This is one of Adam's race, and his flesh is a most delicious morsel; if you appropriate him to your own use, and our king should know of it, he will certainly annihilate every soul of you. You must not therefore touch a hair of him without the king's permission." The demons asked, in return, "Who is he that will convey the information to the king?" The other replied, "Among us there are many enemies; therefore listen to my advice, and lay not a finger on this man."

The demons accordingly left Hatim and retired to their haunts. Hatim then proceeded onwards through the city, and was very soon surrounded and laid hold of by others. Here his case was truly desperate, for they were ready to devour him. One of them, however, again interfered, and thus addressed them: "The deed you are about to do will be fatal to you. You must so proceed in this affair that the earthly man be conveyed to the king. His Majesty's daughter is sick, and he himself is afflicted with an inward pain, from which he never enjoys a moment's respite. Thousands of the human race have been procured, and are now kept in confinement by our monarch, but as yet he has found no remedy; and at the same time his Majesty says that he is to be cured by one of the sons of Adam. If, in short, the king should hear that in such a town a man should have arrived and been devoured by you, he would punish with death both yourselves and your wives and children. If, on the other hand, his Majesty's health should be restored, what can be more gratifying? And if otherwise, why, then, this man will be kept in confinement along with the rest of his species."

To this replied another of the demons: "We lately conveyed such a being as this to his Majesty, but no cure was the consequence; so we had nothing but reproaches for our trouble. Why should we concern ourselves with this man? Since he has once entered our country he cannot escape, and it is best to let him make his way to the king of his own accord, and I shall watch him in order that no one else may assail him."

When Hatim had listened to this conversation of the demons, he said in his own mind, "Now, I wonder what can be the nature of their monarch's disease? I must inquire into his case, as well as that of his daughter." Having made this resolution, he departed and left the town. Shortly after he beheld at a distance another of their towns; and as he approached it, the demon inhabitants came upon him and carried him before their chief. Now it happened that the wife of the chief had a violent pain in her eyes, from which water constantly flowed.

When the demons entered with Hatim, the chief raised his head, which was bent downwards in sorrow for his wife, and thus addressed them: "Why have you brought hither this man? Release him, and let him go where he pleaseth." When Hatim beheld the anguish of the chief, his heart was moved with pity, and he said to himself, "I must inquire into the cause of his affliction." He approached, and said, "Most worthy chief, what grieves thee, and why sittest thou thus melancholy?"--"Son of man," replied the demon chief, "what avails my telling thee? My wife is tormented with a pain in her eyes, without any interval of relief."--"If," said Hatim, "thou wilt conduct me to her presence, I will cure her of her pain."

The demon rose up, and seizing Hatim by the hand, led him forthwith into his wife's apartment. In passing, Hatim was struck with admiration as he viewed the princely couches that lined the spacious galleries laid out with neatness and regularity; and a splendid throne with piles of cushions, on which reclined the wife of the chief. As they approached her, the demon said to Hatim, "Behold in what a sea of affliction she is involved!"--"Of that," said Hatim, "I will completely cure her, if thou wilt promise to conduct me to the king of the demons."

The chief swore by the seal of Solomon, the prophet of Iram, and said, "Nothing can be more agreeable to me than to conduct thee before his Majesty, for it will afford me an opportunity of paying him my respects, and besides he is desirous to have some one of thy race that may cure him of his disease." Hatim had brought with him the pearl which his wife had given him at parting with strict injunctions to preserve it, telling him at the same time, "This is a token of my affection, and is possessed of many virtues." He now drew forth this pearl, and having immersed it in pure water, he applied the latter to the eyes of the chief's wife. The instant this remedy was applied, her pain was alleviated, and the swelling of her eyes diminished, and they dried up. For some time previous she had been quite blind; but she now opened her eyes, and after two or three applications of this remedy she experienced a complete cure.

When the chief of the demons saw that his wife was cured, he with the utmost kindness detained Hatim some time at his house, and hospitably entertained him, and bestowed upon him every attention in his power. After some days he conducted him into the presence of the king, whose name was Farokash. When the demon chief was honored with an audience from his king, having made a low obeisance, he respectfully stood before his Majesty, and thus represented his errand: "Sire, one of the human race is come into my possession; he is the most learned of the age, and the most skilful of physicians, possessed of a most benevolent heart. My wife was so afflicted with a pain in her eyes that her life was despaired of, and in one day he completely cured her."

When Farokash, the monarch of the demons, heard this intelligence, his heart rejoiced, and he gave orders to the chief to produce this learned man with all speed. Hatim was presented to the king, who treated him with great courtesy, and made him sit beside him. His Majesty then stated his case, saying, "For some time I have been afflicted with a pain in my stomach, and amidst my own subjects no one has been successful in curing me. Remediless, I have had recourse to the human race, but none of them has as yet afforded me the least relief."

Hatim said to the king, "Pray tell me, Sire, are there many of your servants usually in attendance when you sit down to take food?" His Majesty replied, that every one of his servants usually stood in his presence at such times. Hatim then requested that he should be allowed to be present on that day when his Majesty should dine, which request was readily granted.

When the time of eating arrived, the table was laid out, and the food was placed upon it. When his Majesty was about to commence eating, Hatim requested him to desist for a little. He then took a joint of meat, and held it up so that every eye in the house might look upon it. He then ordered them to lay it aside under cover for about the space of an hour, after which he caused the cover to be removed, and lo! all the meat on the joint had in that short time become worms. Farokash was an observer of this wonderful occurrence, and remarked to Hatim, "Most learned Sir, this is truly strange."--"This, Sire," said Hatim, "accounts for the pain you suffer, and the cause of it is that a malignant eye has fallen upon the meat. Henceforth it will be necessary that you eat in private, and that all your attendants be previously satisfied with food; then your Majesty may eat to advantage, for the consequence will be a complete cure, and the pain will be removed."

The king was highly pleased with Hatim's advice, which he forthwith put in practice; and in a short time his pain entirely left him, and he enjoyed perfect health. He gratefully clasped Hatim to his bosom, and placed him upon a throne similar to his own. Hatim, thus honored, ventured to petition the king of the demons as follows: "Sire, you are now restored to health; may I beg that you will liberate such of my fellow-creatures as are now your prisoners, in order that they may return to their own country?"

His Majesty ordered that all the sons of Adam then in his possession should be ushered into his presence, which was done. He bestowed on each of them a splendid dress, and having furnished them with necessaries for their journey, dismissed them. The king then addressed Hatim, saying, "Learned Sir, I have a favor to ask of you, if it be not too much trouble for you to grant it."--"It will afford me a sincere pleasure," said Hatim, "to comply with your commands."--"I have a daughter," rejoined the king, "who has been sick for some time, and my wish is, that you will for an instant visit her." To this Hatim readily assented, and the king, taking him by the hand, conducted him into the more private apartments of the house, and gave orders that his daughter should attend.

As the daughter of Farokash entered, Hatim viewed her face, the color of which had become pale and yellow. He gave orders to bring some water and sugar. These he mixed together so as to form a pleasant draught; he then dropped into it the charmed pearl, and handed the goblet to the king's daughter to drink. In a short time she experienced great relief, and when night came she enjoyed a most profound sleep. At length her father, somewhat alarmed, said to Hatim, "Pray tell me, most learned man, what means this long sleep?"--"Sire, rest you satisfied; if this sleep had not ensued, we should have had cause to fear."

For the space of three days Hatim continued to administer this draught to his patient, after which period she was allowed some small quantity of light food; and in the course of ten or fifteen days she was restored to perfect health, and her countenance assumed its natural appearance. Hatim then addressed Farokash, saying, "Your daughter is completely cured, so I hope you will allow me to depart, in order that I may look after my affairs."

Farokash brought for Hatim's acceptance such a mine of wealth, in gold and jewels as to be beyond calculation. His Majesty at the same time apologized to Hatim for such an offer, saying, "This dross is indeed unfit to be presented to you, but it will suit your servants and attendants; I therefore hope you will accept it as a mark of my regard." Here Hatim observed, "I am alone; how then shall I be able to carry it?" On hearing this, the king gave orders to his demon subjects, saying, "Let all this wealth be carefully packed up, and you shall accompany this worthy man, in order to carry it to whatsoever place he may desire."

Hatim took leave of the king, and taking the jewels and gold, departed under the guidance of the demons. In about six months he arrived at the extremity of the cave through which he had entered the dominions of Farokash. The guides accompanied him through the cave, and in the space of three days landed him safe at its mouth. Hatim asked them, "Have you any objections to go further?" They replied, "Our orders will not permit us to accompany you beyond the mouth of the cave"; and accordingly they laid down their burdens of gold and jewels on that same spot, and forthwith began to retrace their steps.

When the people that had been stationed at the mouth of the cave by Harith's daughter saw the demons, they all ran off. Hatim shouted after them, "Good people, be not afraid; I am Hatim, the man who some time ago entered in order to explore this cave. I am now safely returned; why then do you run away from me?" The people looked back, and seeing Hatim, they recognized him and returned.

Hatim having sent for the youth whom he had left in the caravansera? at his departure, said to him, "On you I bestow all this money and these jewels which I have procured." He then caused the valuable effects to be conveyed into the city to the young man's residence. The youth fell at Hatim's feet, but the latter raised him up, and clasped him to his bosom.

Meanwhile the people belonging to Harith's daughter conveyed to their mistress the news of Hatim's arrival. The merchant's daughter immediately sent for him, and requested to know the result of his adventure. He minutely detailed to her the nature of the cave, and every circumstance connected with his journey among the demons. He then said to her, "Thus I have answered one of your questions; let me now hear your next, that I may immediately set about its solution."

While he was thus uncertain as to his route, he happened to espy a village on the confines of the desert. Thither he bent his steps, in order to take some repose till the night of Jumat should again arrive. When it came to the appointed hour, Hatim once more heard the sound repeated, and speedily set out in order to make up to it. He entered the desert, and for the whole of that night continued to advance without arresting his steps for an instant.

When daylight shone upon him, he halted for the purpose of repose, and soon after his ears were assailed with the voice of sorrow and lamentation. He started up, and after advancing some distance he beheld a village, the inhabitants of which were all assembled together weeping and lamenting bitterly. Hatim approached, and asked one of them, "What is the cause of your weeping and lamentation?" They answered him, "Once a week a monstrous giant comes to our village, and devours one of our number; and if we do not appease him by the sacrifice of a human creature, he will raze our abodes to the dust, and destroy us all. At present the lot has fallen on the son of our chief; on Thursday the monster will come, and the four days that intervene till that time are devoted to weeping and mourning. The youth's relations are at this moment standing around him, extolling his virtues and lamenting his fate. This, Sir, is the cause of the grief that now overwhelms our village."

Hatim inquired of the people, "Which of this assembly is the chief's son, and which the parents and relatives?" These were pointed out to Hatim, who approached the chief, and said to him, "Honored Sir, pray tell me what sort of monster is this, and what form does he assume? Meanwhile be under no anxiety, for I, as substitute for your son, will face the giant." The chief replied, "Brave youth! may heaven reward your generosity; you seem a stranger too in our village."--"Suffice it for the present," said Hatim, "that I have drunk of your waters; you have therefore a claim upon my friendship; only describe to me in what form this monster appears."

The chief of the village drew a sketch of the monster upon the sand; on seeing which, Hatim observed, "This must be the giant Hal?ka; he is invulnerable against all weapons, but if you will follow my directions, I trust that, if it please God the Supreme, I may be able to overcome him." The people anxiously asked, "How is this to be done?" Hatim, addressing the chief, said, "Are there any manufacturers of glass in your village?"--"There are," said the chief, "two or three houses for that purpose."

Immediately Hatim, accompanied by the chief, proceeded to the houses of the glass manufacturers, and gave orders to the latter to this effect: "Within four days you must make a mirror of two hundred feet in length and one hundred feet in breadth. Such a mirror will be necessary for the expulsion of the giant, and if you comply not he will destroy the whole of your village." The glass manufacturers replied, "If you furnish us with the materials, we shall be able to have your mirror ready within the time specified." Here the chief said to them, "Whatever amount of money may be of use to you, I shall furnish"; and he immediately sent them the sum they demanded. They then set about the forming of the mirror, and in the space of three days their task was finished.

When Hatim was informed that the mirror was ready, he commanded the men of the city to assemble, in order to convey the mirror to a certain spot without the city by which the giant usually entered. The people obeyed him, and conveyed the mirror safe to the appointed spot, and there erected it. Hatim then told them to bring as many sheets as when sewed together would cover the surface of the mirror, which order was speedily executed by the chief and his attendants.

Hatim now addressed the multitude, saying, "My good friends, you may in the meantime retire to your houses without the least uneasiness of mind. This night you may sleep in security; and if any of you is desirous to see the result of my stratagem, let him remain here with me." The son of the chief promptly spoke out, "I will be your companion"; but his father forbade him, saying, "Already my wealth is expended in order to purchase your safety; why then do you venture to face the giant?"

On hearing this remark, Hatim said to the chief, "There is nothing to fear; you may rest satisfied that no harm will befall your son. If he should suffer the least injury, you shall be at liberty to do with me what you choose." Here the youth himself boldly answered, "A few days ago, you had all resolved to sacrifice me to this monster; you will allow, then, that I am under no great obligations to you. I prefer the society of this brave man, who has been the means of my preservation. Would you be thought void of religion and reckless of fame? When a man who is an utter stranger places himself in so perilous a situation in order to avert the evil that threatens you, is it consistent with religion and honor to leave him alone, and retire to your houses?"

All the people, on hearing this address, insisted on remaining in company with Hatim; and having dressed some food in the open plain, they ate and rejoiced, saying, "This night the giant shall be destroyed." The whole of that day passed, and when night arrived, a most terrific yell assailed their ears, such as usually accompanied the approach of the giant. They shuddered, and their faces assumed a yellow hue. "Fear not," said Hatim; "keep strict silence, and be not under the least apprehension. You shall soon behold rare sport; the monster is coming, as is indicated by that howl."

In the course of an hour the giant was so near as to be distinctly seen in shape like an immense dome. He had neither hands nor feet, but a tremendous mouth situated in the midst of his body. He advanced with a revolving motion, and from his jaws issued volumes of flame and clouds of smoke. When the people saw this terrific spectacle they trembled, and attempted to fly. "You have nothing to fear," said Hatim, "stand quiet and look on; not the least harm will befall you." Encouraged by Hatim's address they stood silent as the dead, and trembling beheld the approach of the giant.

Hatim stood with his eye fixed on Hal?ka as he rolled towards him; and when the giant was within a few paces of the mirror, the curtain that covered it was suddenly pulled off. When Hal?ka beheld his own monstrous form in the glass, his breath was stopped from anger; he uttered a single yell, so loud as to make the desert and the mountains shake. Choking with rage, he remained for a short time, till at last his confined breath so inflated him that he burst with a noise like the crash of the thunderbolt, so that the hearers were struck senseless, and the echoes of the wilderness reverberated far and wide.

When the people were restored to their senses, what a spectacle they beheld! The desert was overspread with the entrails of Hal?ka, who now lay dead before them. The whole assembly, including the chief and his son, gathered around Hatim and prostrated themselves at his feet. They then addressed him: "Most learned Sir, tell us the reason why the monster has thus died as it were of his own accord."--"You see," replied Hatim, "the giant has come by his death, not from any weapon, but merely by the viewing of his own image, for he had never seen his own likeness in any other creature; rage stopped his breath so effectually that he burst."

The chief observed, "For some time now that voice has been heard by us also, but we do not know whence it proceeds." Hatim remained in the village for the whole of that day, and at the usual time at night the voice reached his ear, and he instantly proceeded in the direction whence it came. For the whole of the night he continued to advance as he supposed towards the sound, and when daylight came he found himself still in the desert, where he again halted.

In short, Hatim thus journeyed onwards week after week for the space of two months, at the expiration of which period he at last came to a mound of sand of about five hundred feet in diameter. He ascended to the summit, and soon discovered that the voice issued from its interior. He halted and looked around him; and lo! a body of men consisting of about five hundred horsemen, and as many on foot, appeared drawn up in array before him. He approached them, but found that they were all statues of marble, being as he conjectured monuments of the illustrious dead. Among these tombs Hatim rested for a week, until the time of hearing the voice should again come round.

Hatim stood near and witnessed the whole scene, and rejoiced that his inquiries were now likely to prove successful. When the hour of midnight arrived, a table miraculously placed itself before each of them. On every table was laid a large vessel full of rice and milk, with a goblet full of pure water. But there stood a table apart from the rest furnished in like manner, and one of the company said, "Come, my friends, this traveller is our guest for the time, let him be introduced, and seated at this unoccupied table." On hearing this, one of them arose, and advancing to Hatim, took him kindly by the hand, and conducting him to a couch, placed food before him.

Hatim, addressing the company, said, "Most worthy sirs, I have one request which, with your permission, I wish to state." The whole assembly requested him to speak. Hatim then proceeded: "How comes it, worthy sirs, that you are seated on thrones, exalted in dignity, and regaled with such heavenly and delicious fare? And, on the other hand, tell me the reason why, instead of such food, the juice of the zakk?m with the most loathsome of dregs has been allotted as the portion of this miserable man who lies stretched on the bare earth?" To this they replied, "From us that mystery is utterly hidden; seek information from the sufferer himself."

Hatim arose, and coming up to the man, said, "Pray, friend, what is the meaning of this mysterious exclamation which you utter? From what cause are you become involved in such misery? For heaven's sake inform me of your condition." The man of woe replied, "My kind friend, I am the chief of all this assembly. My name is Yusuf, and my occupation has been that of a merchant. I was journeying with goods and stores to the city of Khwarzim, and those whom you see here were my servants that attended me. In my disposition I was so great a miser that I never gave away in charity a single farthing of my money, nor one rag of apparel, nor a morsel of food; nay, not even a drop of water would I bestow on my fellow-creatures. These my attendants, on the other hand, were wont to give of their food to the hungry, and they clothed the naked, and bestowed their gold in charity upon the poor and the needy, and all such as were destitute. I used to chide them severely, saying, 'Pray, for what purpose do you thus squander your money, and give away your food without any return?' Their reply was: 'This we do as a service acceptable to our Creator, and due to our fellow-creatures; a service of which we shall receive the reward and reap the advantages in a future state.' On receiving from them such answers, I used to beat them, and often did I threaten them with punishment on account of their liberality. I also argued with them, but to no effect; and whenever any of them ventured to give me salutary advice, I paid not the least regard to him.

"On our journey a gang of robbers surrounded and overpowered us, and seized the whole of my property. They then murdered myself and all my attendants, and having buried us in this spot, they departed. Here we rest, alike martyrs: but my servants are, as you observe, crowned with glory for their charitable and generous disposition; and I, on account of my baseness and avarice, am plunged into the lowest depth of misery. After the robbers had murdered us, it was their intention to mutilate and leave exposed our corpses; but one of them said: 'Have you not already seized their property, and slain them without cause? How inhuman then it would be to leave them unburied on the highway! Do you imagine that after such a savage deed you can ever enjoy the least portion of their wealth!' The robbers listened to this address, and accordingly interred us in this desert.

"In my native country, my grandchildren and descendants are now living in a state of abject poverty. My residence was in the capital of China, in such a quarter , and in a certain chamber of the house is buried an immense treasure in gold and jewels, of which no one has any information. This, too, is an instance of my avaricious disposition, and accounts for the state in which you now behold me. See what an exalted rank my servants have attained! They are seated upon thrones; they fare upon the most delicious food, and drink of the purest and coolest streams, and are clothed in the apparel of angels, while I am doomed to suffer the pangs of misery and despair."

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet