Impostures. al-Ḥarīrī

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      Imposture 4

      Euphues’ Damietta

      In this Imposture, Abū Zayd and his son discuss whether we should always expect our friends to reciprocate our kindness, or instead be willing to give without getting anything back. Reciprocity is also the theme of John Lyly’s (d. 1606) romance Euphues (1578), making the so-called euphuistic style, with its elaborate conceits, learned allusions, and long, delicately balanced sentences, a natural choice for the speakers in this episode.

      4.1Ben Hamam vttered this speache:

      It happened me to ariue, trailing the robes of a rich patrimonie, at Damietta, in a yeare of Clamour and Strife. In those days I was as much admired for the encrease of my Possessions as secure in the enioyment of true Friendship, for I wanted neither Meate, nor Musicke, nor any other pastime. I spent the flourishe of my gladdest Dayes in league wth a goodly companie of younge Gentlemen who loved Amitie and loathed Discord, and in whom sympathy of Manners so made coniunction of Mindes, that they kept all things in common betweene them. We were wont to journey on fleet She-Camills, as wth swiftest Wings, no sooner halted at each way-station but departed, and no sooner led to Water but agayne upon the Road.

      4.2And one night above the rest, at an houre as black as the raven haires of Youth, we ranged abrode until the Skie glowed as white as the hoary heade of Age. Wearied wth travel, and craving slumber, we came upon a breadth of land as delightful for the Dews that fell upon the Hills as for the Airs that sighed upon the Grass. As a halting-place for Camills, and a Camp for ourselves, the companye could wish itself no better, and so alighted.

      No sooner had the grvnting of Camills and the snoring of Men once abated, but I heard a Voice sounde from some other Tente hard by, asking his Fellow this Question: “What usest thou to bear of thy Feres, or suffer from thy Friends?”

      4.3The other answered him, “I show my dutie to my Neighbor, though he fall from his to me. By how much the more my Friend blvster and bellow, by so much the more do I protest my Regard; and take him by so much the more patiently, by howe much the more I doute his Faith. To him will I show Amity, even though he quat me wth his Slibber-Sawce, for no Blood-brother can be of more Valewe then a Friend. Doth one in whose bosome thou maist sleepe secure without Feare, not deserue thy Loyalty, although he pinch on thy Side? To whom shouldst thou show Courtesy, if not to him, that lodgeth wth thee? For whom shouldst thou strew green Rushes, if not for thy Guest? Hee who spendeth the night delighting me wth Talk is for that tract of tyme the Master of my house, and he who proclaimeth himself Friend has my Hand, my Heart, my Lands, and my Lyfe at his Commaundement. To him that disliketh me I speak gently, and of him that waxeth cold to me do I most eagerly enquire. If he requite Constancy wth Disdain, let him proffer but a Trifle in Amends; if he be penitent, I am content. Lions spare those that couch to them, and the Tigress biteth not when she is clawed.”

      4.4His fellowe replyed:

      “My Sonne! Wither art thou carried? Hee that lendeth to all that will borrow showeth great good Will but little Wit. I enter league only wth him whose trust I have tried, and care only for his Honour, that hath a care for mine. Why shouldst thou take for pleasure in prosperity one that giveth no solace in adversity? Or seek a merry companion in joy who giveth no comfort in grief? Wouldst thou contract amity wth him that giveth a cold countenance, and feedeth thee wth idle hope? Wouldst thou be accounted a meacock, a milksop, by one who under the show of a steadfast friend cloaketh the malice of a mortal foe, and under the cloud of simplicity shroudeth the image of deceit? Behold, my sonne, the falsehood in friendship, the painted sheath wth the leaden dagger, the fair words that make fools fain!

      4.5“Where is it ordained that thou shouldst sow and he shouldst reap? That thou be kind and he unkind? That thy heart should melt and his freeze? That thy flame should blaze while his embers cool? Nay, contract wth thy friend a reciprocal amity, each requiting the other grain for grain, as much alike as a pair of shoes! In such manner shall each no more be a fool then make one of his fellow, and no more fear a grudge than bear one. Else, one shall live in Joy and Merriment, and the other in Cark and Care, thou pinned to his Sleeve, and he standing on his Pantofles. Is Equity to be gained by Injury, more than is the Sunne to be seen in Darkenes? Why shouldst thou be taunted and retaunted, flouted and reflouted, wth intolerable Glee? Nay, pluck up thy Stomach, and heed thy Father’s Poem:

      4.6I loue no man but him that loueth me

      And requiteth what I give, Pound for Pound;

      I let no Frute fall freely from the Tree

      Nor strewe my Harvest heedlesse on the Grounde.

      Friend, if thou wouldst gather what we growe,

      Thou must needs with me till the Soyle I sowe.

      I seeke not to deceive, nor do I slide,

      But imagine not, that thou canst beguile me:

      I shall have from thy Purse, or from thy Hide

      An Account of all that I have rendered thee.

      I know not, whether he that steals thy Purse,

      Or he who never op’neth his, be worse!”

      4.7Ben Hamam continved:

      Thinking that the sight of these two Champions would be as much diverting to the Eye, as their Discourse was to the Ear, I went forth, when the Sunne had beset wth his Beames the Sky, ere the Companie mount, or the Crow fly, in the way whence came the Voices I hearde in the Night, sifting each Face I spied, till I beheld at last Aboo Zeid, clad in ragged Cloutes, speaking wth his Sonne; and knew them to be those that yesternight used the Dialogue I heard.

      As much eager to try their Curtesie, as moved to Pitie by their State, I approached near to them, and invited them to alight at my Camp,