REPLY OF NASSIR TO IIOULAGOU. 2G7 " You have indeed said such strange things, that little more was wanting that the earth should open, and the mountains be crumbled away. Tell your secretary, the composer of your letter, that notwithstanding his con- ciseness, he has not restrained himself within due bounds ; and in truth, we care no more for your prose than for the sound of the rabab " ( a kind of Persian violin), " or than for the buzzing of a fly ; for you have repayed your benefactor with ingratitude, and have merited severe chastisement. " Assuredly we will keep a register of these discourses, and we will make them bear the punishment with usury.* You are playing with us with your lying threats ; you have wished to show your eloquence. One might say to you ' You have remembered something ; but you have forgotten a great many things.' You write, The perverse shall one day know their fate. Such is your apostrophe, and here is our answer. The commandment of God shall be fulfilled ; do not hasten the fulfilment. " Prince Nassir and the generals and warriors of Syria will not decline the combat ; they await with impatience the neighing of your steeds, and the charge of your warriors : for they have made a vow to fight you. You had better not leap into hell, it is a bad resting place, nor strike with your sword upon a lion's mane. All will tell you that if you have arms strong in battle, that will be your best eloquence. You have no occasion to quote verses, nor compose letters, nor write histories. We await you, and God give the victory as it shall please him ; we do not scatter diamonds of words ; but
- Coran, chap. xix. ver. 78.
