The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 07 (of 10)
General
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 07 (of 10)
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
Mura’ash, said, “Oh my brother, let the Marids bear thee back to thine
own country and leave me to fight the battles of the Faith against the
Infidels, that I may be lightened of my sin-load.” But Gharib rejoined
“By the virtue of the Clement, the Bountiful, the Veiler, I will not go
hence till I do to death all the misbelieving Jinn; and Allah hasten
their souls to the fire and dwelling-place dire; and none shall be
saved but those who worship Allah the One, the Victorious! But do thou
send Sahim back to the city of Oman, so haply he may be healed of his
ailment.” For Sahim was sick. So Mura’ash cried to the Marids, saying,
“Take ye up Sahim and these treasures and bear them to Oman city.” And
after replying, “We hear and we obey,” they took them and made for the
land of men. Then Mura’ash wrote letters to all his Governors and
Captains of fortresses and they came to him with an hundred and sixty
thousand warriors. So they made them ready and departed for the City of
Carnelian and the Castle of Gold, covering in one day a year’s journey
and halted in a valley, where they encamped and passed the night. Next
morning as they were about to set forth, behold, the vanguard of
Barkan’s army appeared, whereupon the Jinn cried out and the two hosts
met and fell each upon other in that valley. Then the engagement was
dight and there befel a sore fight as though an earthquake shook the
site and fair plight waxed foul plight. Earnest came and jest took
flight, and parley ceased ’twixt wight and wight,[FN#41] whilst long
lives were cut short in a trice and the Unbelievers fell into disgrace
and despite; for Gharib charged them, proclaiming the Unity of the
Worshipful, the All-might and shore through necks and left heads
rolling in the dust; nor did night betide before nigh seventy thousand
of the Miscreants were slain, and of the Moslemised over ten thousand
Marids had fallen. Then the kettle-drums beat the retreat, and the two
hosts drew apart,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
saying her permitted say.
When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-seventh Night,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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