Ibn Sa'Oud Of Arabia by Rihani

Author:Rihani [Rihani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780710307859
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2005-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

H.M. KING ABD’UL AZIZ (THIRD FIGURE FROM LEFT) LEAVING HIS CAR

We went in an easterly direction about ten miles from the palm-groves, till we had reached an elevation topped with a massive rock, which is carved by the storms of time into a sort of triumphal arch about twenty feet high and twenty deep. Under this arch the Sultan has his outings, of which he is very fond, particularly for the sake of the children. They were clambering joyously up the hill, when we descended from our car; and Faisal, whom the Sultan had chafed on the way, said to me: ‘Abd’ul-Aziz is dizzy.’ Overhearing which, the Sultan parried with the remark: ‘Faisal speaks the truth only when he says, “I am hungry.”’ And as we were going up the hill he drew from his bosom a paper rolled like a scroll. ‘See what is here, and praise Allah,’ he said, as he unfolded it; and Faisal, taking the sheet with his two hands, gazed at it rapturously, and lifted it to his lips. It was the picture of a girl’s face—a coloured print—advertising perfumery.

After we were seated under the arch, the children were brought before him to salaam; and there was a baby of two among them, whom the slave had carried before him on the horse. This was at that time the youngest of the Sultan’s children. The others, about ten, were not all his. But he kissed them all, and pointed to four of them, saying: ‘These are the children of Sa’oud (Ibn ’ur-Rashid)’1 ‘But they are all ours—there is no distinction,’

The rajajil, who were preparing what was brought for the luncheon, now went around with plates of white sweet butter, and dates, and thin round loaves—leaves rather—of bread, which they call raqiq.2 The butter is the best I have ever tasted, and the Najdis eat it with the dates as well as the bread,

‘Nothing have we here,’ said the Sultan, ‘that will satisfy Faisal. He prefers the meat always—and he has a fondness for heads.’ In both remarks His Highness was punning, and he was particularly cruel in the latter. For many years had passed since that fatal day, the day of the famous hunting party outside of Haiel. But he qualified his remark after a pause, after it had its effect, by saying: ‘sheep’s heads, which he pulls to pieces with wondrous skill.’ Faisal smiled and said nothing. But His Highness pursued him: ‘His handful of rice, ya Ustaz, goes into his mouth like a cannon-ball. He is a hero at the spread.’ Faisal dug the araak1 tooth-brush into his mouth, rubbed it up and down, and said: ‘After all this, you will give me that picture, aye, billah.’ ‘That is all you deserve,’ said the Sultan, throwing it over to him; and he with those around him stopped eating to look at and admire the beautiful face. Meanwhile, His Highness, in an aside to me: ‘We joke with Faisal. But of a truth, O my friend, he eats—he eats!’ The repetition was in an intense whisper.

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