Note 95 — HIND DAUGHTER OF AL-NU’MAN AND AL-HAJJAJ.[94]

Here the old Shiah hatred of the energetic conqueror of Oman crops out again. Hind’s song is that of Maysum concerning her husband Mu’áwiyah which Mrs. Godfrey Clark (’Ilâm-en-Nâs, p. 108) thus translates:—

A hut that the winds make tremble

Is dearer to me than a noble palace;

And a dish of crumbs on the floor of my home

Is dearer to me than a varied feast;

And the soughing of the breeze through every crevice

Is dearer to me than the beating of drums.

Compare with Dr. Carlyle’s No. X.:—

The russet suit of camel’s hair

With spirits light and eye serene

Is dearer to my bosom far

Than all the trappings of a queen, etc. etc.

And with mine (Pilgrimage iii. 262):—

O take these purple robes away,

Give back my cloak of camel’s hair

And bear me from this towering pile

To where the black tents flap i’ the air, etc. etc.