Chapter II: Story of Hatim-Tai and his Generosity

I have heard that in Hatim Tai's days, there appearedIn his stables a smoke-coloured horse he had reared ;As the morning breeze rapid—a thunder-voiced steed,That was more than a match for the lightning in speed.While he ran, he show'red hail over mountain and plain—You'd have said that a cloud had, in passing, dropp'd rain.A crosser of deserts and torrent-like fleet ;For the wind lagged behind, like the dust, from his feet.Men, famed for their knowledge, were talking in praiseWith the Sultan of Rum, about Hatim's kind ways.They remarked that, in kindness, he beat ev'ry one;Like his horse in careering and war, there was none :Desert trav'lling, resembling a ship on the deep ;No crow on the wing, o'er his running could keep.The king thus addressed his enlightened vizier :—"A claim without proof sounds absurd in my ear.From Hatim that charger, of pure Arab breed,I will ask, and if, kindly, he gives me the steed,Of the grandeur of greatness, I'll know he's possessed ;If not, he's a loud-sounding drum, at the best.A messenger, wise and accomplished, he sentTo Tai, and ten men in his retinue went.On the ground, dry and lifeless, the clouds had wept rain,And the cool morning breeze made its life fresh again.To the rest-house of Hatim, he came as a guest ;Like the thirsty by Zinda's cool stream, he took rest.Hatim spread the food-trays and a charger he killed ;He put sweets in their laps and with gold their hands filled.They remained for the night, and, the following day,What the messenger knew, he proceeded to say.Then Hatim replied—while he raved as if drunk—And the teeth of Regret, in his hand deeply sunk—"Oh sharer in. wisdom, and happy in name !Why did you not sooner this message proclaim?That courser, so choice, swift as Duldul in flight,On account of your coming, I roasted last night.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 Hatim, remain not content!But hear me relate a more noble event !