For I knew, that because of the floods and the rain,
To the stud-grazing ground, none could access obtain.
In no other way could provision be planned,

For only this horse, at the time, was at hand.

It appeared to me mean, by the customs I keep,

That guests, with their hearts sore from hunger, should sleep.

My name in the regions about must be known,

Though another famed steed I may never more own."
He gave the men gold, steeds and dresses of state-
Kind actions are never acquired, but innate.

To Rum went the news of the liberal Tai;

The Sultan applauded his nature, so high.

With this one trait of Hätim, remain not content!
But hear me relate a more noble event!

The Testing of Hatim Tai's Generosity by the King of Yemen.

(HĀTIM TAI AND THE ASSASSIN.)

I forget who narrated this story to me,
That in Yemen, a monarch there happened to be.
Fortune's ball he abducted from others renowned,
For in scattering treasure his peer was not found.
Generosity's cloud, you might call him, with gain,
For his hand sprinkled direms, like showers of rain.
If one spoke in his presence of Hatim's good name,
Towards Hatim, wild rage to his head quickly came.
"How long will you talk of that wind-weigher, pray!
Who neither has country, nor treasure, nor sway?"
For a banquet, I've heard that he issued behests;
At the feast, like a harp, he delighted his guests.

Some one started the mention of Hatim Tai's fame,
And another continued his praise to proclaim.
In the monarch, vile Envy a wicked thought hatched,
And a person to shed Hatim's blood he despatched.
For he said, "While this Hatim exists, in my days,
My name will not travel, united with praise."
On the road to the Tai tribe the hireling set out,
And to kill the kind Hätim, went searching about ;
Before him a young man approached on the road,
From whose visage, the odour of heartiness flowed.
He was handsome and wise; a sweet tongue he possessed;
He took the man home for the night, as his guest.
He was kind, sympathized and apologies made,
And by goodness, the fiend in the wretch's heart laid!
He kissed in the morning his hands and his feet;
Saying, "Tarry some days with me here, I entreat!"
He answered, "I cannot now halt in this spot,
For before me, a work of importance I've got!"

"If you
mention the business to me," he then said;
"Like friends of one heart, with my life I will aid.”
"Oh liberal man! to my statement give ear!
For I know that the gen'rous can secrets revere.
Perhaps, in this district you know Hatim Tai,
Of fortunate name and.of qualities high?
The monarch of Yemen has asked for his head;
I know not what hate has between them been bred.

To where he resides, will you kindly direct?

This much from your favour, oh friend! I expect."
The youth, smiling, said, "I am Hatim! and lo!
Here's my head-cut it off with your sword, at a blow!
It is wrong that when morning dissolves into day,
You should suffer a wrong, or go hopeless away."
When Hatim so gen'rously offered to die,
There arose from the soul of the youth a loud cry.

He fell to the earth; jumped again on the ground;
Kissed his feet and his hands and the dust all around.
He threw down his sword; cast his quiver away,
And with hands, slave-like, folded, proceeded to say,—
“Did I dare but to strike 'gainst your body a rose,
I'd be woman, not man, as our noble faith shows."
He kissed Hatim's eyes; gave a parting embrace,
And went towards Yemen, away from that place.

By the face of the man, the king instantly knew That he had not performed what he said he would do. He said, "Come along, now! what news do you bring? You did not his head with your saddle-strap sling? Perhaps the renowned one attacked you, instead? And, from weakness, you failed in the combat, and fled?" The clever, magnanimous man kissed the ground; Praised the monarch and rendered obeisance profound. "Oh king! full of justice and reason, I pray !

Give ear unto what about Hatim I

say !

In him I discovered a generous youth;

Accomplished, kind-visaged and handsome, forsooth!
I saw he was lib'ral, and wise notions held;

And found that in courage myself he excelled.
The load of his favour, my back crookèd made!

He killed me with kindness and Favour's keen blade."
He told what he saw of his generous ways.

On the household of Hatim, the king showered praise.
He gave silver and gold to the messenger chaste;
Saying, "Bounty's a seal upon Hatim's name placed."
If people bear witness, this much he can claim,
That his acts and the rumour thereof, are the same.

Story of Hatim's Daughter in the Time of the Prophet.

(ON HIM BE SAFETY !)

I have heard that the Tai,1 in the Prophet's own time,
Refused to receive the religion sublime.

His enlight'ning and threatening army he sent,
And captured a number who would not repent.
He ordered them all to be put to the sword;
For rev'rence they lacked and their faith was abhorred.
"I'm a daughter of Hätim," a woman exclaimed,

'They request my release from this governor famed.
Oh revered one! have mercy upon me, I pray!
For my father was gen'rous enough, in his day!"

Obeying the pure-minded Prophet's commands,
They severed the chains from her feet and her hands.
They put all the rest of the tribe to the sword,
And a torrent of blood, without pity, outpoured.
To a soldier, the woman in agony said—

"As you've done to the others, cut off, too, my head!
For I feel it ungen'rous, that I should be loose

By myself, and my friends all confined in the noose."
To the brothers of Tai, she was speaking through tears,
When the sound of her voice reached the "prophet's"
sharp ears.

He gave her the tribe and some presents of note;

66

A pure nature," he said, "will not error promote."

1 Tai, the tribe over which Hatim was chief.

On the Generosity of Hatim, and Praise of

the King of Islām

(HATIM TAI AND HIS WIFE.)

At Hatim's store tent, an old pauper, distressed,
For ten direm's weight of kaniz1 made request.
From a writer, I thus recollect the event,
That a sackful of sugar before him he sent.

From the tent, Hatim's wife shouted, "What is this plan?
But the weight of ten direms required the old man."
This remark reached the ears of the chieftain of Tai,
Who smiling, replied, "Oh heart-soother from Hai!2
If he asked in accordance with what was his need,
Where is Hatim's magnanimous nature, indeed?"
Like Hatim, in true liberality, none

Through the changes of Time has appeared, except one-
Abu-Bakar-Sád, whose reward-giving hand,

Places pray'rs for himself in the mouth of Demand.
Oh protector of subjects, may joy fill your heart!
To Islam may your labours fresh glory impart !
By your efforts, the dust of this fortunate home,
Excels the dominions of Greece and of Rome.
If you cannot to Hatim's unique fame come nigh,
None has borne in the world a renown like to Tai.
That famed person's praises in records remain.;
Your praise and good works, too, will mention obtain.
Then Hatim's desire was a popular name;

Your zeal has the glory of God for its aim.

There is nothing to make the poor suffer distress,
And in stating your fame, not a word's in excess.

1 Kaniz, sugar candy of fine quality.

2 Hai, the name of the tribe to which Hatim's wife belonged.