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Full text of "The history of the Saracens : containing the lives of Abubeker, Omar, Othman, Ali, Hasan, Moawiyah I. Yezid I. Moawiyah II. Abdolla, Merwan I. and Abdolmelick, the immediate succesors of Mahomet ; giving an account of their most remarkable battles, sieges, & c. particularly those of Aleppo, Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria, and Jerusalem ; illustrating the religion, rites, customs, and manner of living of that warlike people ;"

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Darlington  Memorial  Library 


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Profeflbr  OCKLET*^ 
HISTORY 

OF    THE 

SARACENS. 

IN   TWO  VOLUMES. 
To  which  is  prefixed. 

An  Account  of  the  Arabians  or  Saracens^ 
of  the  LIFE  of  MAHOMET, 
and  of  the  Mahometan  Religion  \ 

BY  A  LEARNED  HAND. 


THE 

HISTORY 

OF    THE 

S  A  RA  C  E  N  S, 

CONTAINING 

The  LIVES  q{ Ahubehr^Omar^Othman^ 
Ally  Hafan,  Moaiviyah  I.  Tezid  I.  Moawiyah  II. 
Abdolla^  Merwan  I.  and  Abdolmelick^  the  imme- 
diate Succeflbrs  of  MAHOMET. 

Giving  an  Account  of 

Their  moft  remarkable  Battles,  Sieges,  ^r. 
particularly  thofe  oi  Aleppo^  Antioch,  Damafcus, 
Alexandria^  and  yerufakm. 

ILLUSTRATING 

The  Religion,  Rites,  Cuftoms,  and  Manner  of  Living 
of  that  Warlike  People. 

Colle6ied  from  the  moji  authentic  Arabic  Authors^  efpecially  MSS, 
not  hitherto  publijh^d  in  any  European  Language. 

By  SIMON   OGKLEY,  B.D. 

Vicar  of  Swavefey  in  Cambridge/hire y  Profeflbr  of  Arabick  in 
the  Univerfity  of  Cambridge^  and  Chaplain  to  the  Right 
Hon.  Robert  Earl  of  Oxford  and  Earl  Mortimer. 

VOL.  I. 

THE  THIRD  EDITION. 


CA  MB  RI  DG  E, 
Printed  for  the  foie  Benefit  of  Mrs.  Anne  Ockley, 
by  Permiflion  of  Henry  Lintot,  Efqj 

M.DCC.LVII. 


-<-o<S 


\ 


A    LIST    of 

SUBSCRIBERS. 

A. 

RIGHT  Hon.  Lady  Andover 
Right  Hon.  Lady  Elizabeth  Areskine 
Sir  John  Aftley  Bar*. 
Mrs.  Mary  Adon. 
William  Adams  Efq; 
Rev.  Mr.  Adams 

Mrs.  Addcrfly  of  Hams,  Warvvickfhire 
Rev.  Mr.  Adkin  of  Weeling 
Mr.  Thoni  '5  Adney,  Apothecary 
Gilbert  Affleck  Efq; 
Jacob  Agace  Efq; 
Mifs  Dorcas  Albon  of  Harteft 
Ralph  Allen  Efq; 

Rev,  John  Allen  B.D.  Sen.  Fell.  ofTrin.  Coll.  Camb.    tnvoSefs. 
Charles  Allen  Efq;   Surgeon  in  Chief  to  the  Royal  Hofpital  at 

Greenwich 
Rev.  Mr.  Allen  M.A.  Fellow  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Allenfon,  Fellow  of  Jefus  College,  Cambridge 
William  Alllon  Efq;  of  Ipfwich 
Mr.  William  Altham  ofTrinity  Cqllege,Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Alvis  B.D.  Prefident  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Amhuril  of  Barnjett,  Kent 

Thomas  Amory  Efq;  of  Chewton  Abbey,  Richmondfliire 
Robert  Amory  Efq; 
Mr.  Amyas  of  Hingham,  Norfolk 
Mrs.  Amyas 

Townfcnd  Andrews  Efq;  LL.B.  ofTrin.  Hall,  Cambridge 
Arthur  Anfley  Efq; 
Mrs.  Anfon 

Rev.  Mr.  Auften,  Redor  of  Hawkcdon 
Chriftopher  Anftey  Efq;  of  Trumpington 
Mrs.  Anftey 

Rev.  Mr,  Apthorpe  of  Jefus  College,  Cambridge 
Robert  Arbuthnot  Efq; 

Mr.  Arbuthnot,  Apothecary  at  Cambridge,  t'-wo  Sets 
Mr.  Archdeacon  of  St.  Neots 
Mr.  William  Archer,  Apothecary 

Mr.  William  Arden,  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Thomas  Arnold  Efq; 
Dr.  John  Afh 

George  Afhby  Efq;  of  Quenby,  Leicederfhire 
Mrs  Afhby. 

Edward  Aflilcy  Efq;  of  Downing-ftreet 
Rev.  Dr.  Afhton,  Fellow  of  Eton 

Rev.  Mr.  Afhton  M.A.  Reflor  of  Aldinghara,  Leiceflerfhire 
Mrs.  Dorothy  Afhwood 

•f  A  Anthony 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Anthony  Askew  M.D.  t'woSets 

Dingley  Askham  Efq;  of  Connington,  tavo  Sets 

Mrs.  Askham 

Mifs  Askham 

Rev.  Mr.  Afpin  of  Harteft 

Mrs.  Afpin  of  Bury,  Suffolk 

Richard  Aftcll  Efq;  of  Everton 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Aftley  of  Repton,  three  Sets 

Mr.  Walter  Aftley 

Rev.  Dr.  Aflrey  Treafurer  of  St.  Paul's  '  ■.J 

Mr.  Atwood  of  Worcefter  College,  Oxon 

B. 
Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Balcarras 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Bruce 

Right  Hon.  Lord  VifcountBrome  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 
Hon.  Rowland  Bellafife  Efq; 
Sir  Hugh  Brigges  Bar'. 
Sir  Edward  Blacket  Bar^ 
Rev.  SirWilliam  Bunbury,  Bar*. 
Rev.  Mr.Baber  M.A.  of  Chefterford 

Rev.Jdme'^Backhoufe  M.x^.  Fellow  of  Trinity  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev,  Mr.  Backhoufe  of  Wootton,  Bedfordfhire 

Mifs  Bacon  of  Garboldifham,  Norfolk 

Mr.  Nicholas  Bacon  B.A.  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Bagge,  Minifter  of  Lynn 

Rev.  Mr.  Henry  Bagnell,  Reftor  of  Frittenden,  Kent 

George  Baker  M.D.  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  j. Baker 

Mr.  Ball  of  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Richard  Ball,  Surgeon  in  London 

Chu-les  Baldwin  Efq; 

Dr.  Balguy. 

ElmesBalgviy  Efq; 

Dr.  Balyny. 

Rev.  Dr.  Banfon 

Mr.  Barclay,  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Barford,  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  James  Barker  of  Redgrave,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Barker  Redtor  of  Pleafley,  Derby Ihire 

Mr.  John  Smith  Barling,  Attorney  at  Feverfham,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Barnes,  Fellow  of  Sidney  College  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Barnardifton,  Fellow  of  Bennct  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr. Barnard,  Head  Mailer  of  Eton  School 

Rev,  Mr,  Barnllone,  Prebendary  of  Chefter 

Mr.  Robert  Berry,  Advocate 

Rev.  Mr.  R,  Basket,  late  Fellow  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambridge     . 

Dr,  Battle 

Mr,  J.  BAtcheler 

Rev.  Mr.  Charles  Beaumont  of  Ipfwich 

Mr.  Matthew  Beal 

Rev.  Mr.Beadon,  Fellow  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge 

Mrs. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Mrs.  Beckingham  of  Boarn -place  in  Kent 

Rev.  Mr-  Bell  M.A.  Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge 

Matthew  Bell,  Efq;  of  Newcaftle 

Rev.  Mr.  Bellman,  Reftor  of  North  Rundon,  Norfolk 

Mrs.  Frances  Bendifh 

Rev.  Mr.  Bonnet,  Reftorof  St.  Peter's  on  the  Arches,  Lincoln 

Mrs.  Bennet  of  Hoddefdon,  Hertfordfliire 

Edward  Benfon  Efq;  of  the  Middle  Temple,  London 

Mr.  Benfon  of  Cambridge 

Mr.  Bentham  of  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Bentley  of  Deal  in  Kent 

Rev.  Charles  Beridge  LL.D. 

BafilBeridge  Efq; 

Dr.  Berington 

Rev.  Thomas  Bernard  M.A.  of  Earls-colne 

Mrs.  Sarah  Berney  of  Norwich 

Rev.  Mr.  Beft 

Rev.  Mr.Betham,  Fellow  of  King's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Harry  Bethune  of  Balfour  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr. George  Betts  of  Wortham,  Suffolk 

Samuel  Bcvcr  of  Hammerfmith  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  James  Bickham  B.D.  Fell,  of  Emman.  Coll.  Camb. 

W.BidleM.D.  atWindfor 

Rev.  Mr.  Bidwell  M.A.  of  Eynesbury 

Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Binnel 

Rev.  Mr.  Birch  Fellow  of  Sidney  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Bilhop,  oflpfwich,  Suffolk 

John  Blachford  Efq;  Alderman  of  London 

Rev.  Dr.  Bland,  Prebendary  of  Durham 

Mifs  Bletroe 

Henry  BoultCay  M.A.  Fellow  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

George  Blundell  Efq;  tiuo  Sets 

William  Boavvre  MA.  Fellow  of  Qiieen's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mrs,  Ann  Bockland  in  Curzon-ftrcet,  J!^e  Sets 
Mrs.  Bonfoy  of  Abbots-Ripton,  Huntingdonfhire 

Rev.  Dr.  Booth,  Dean  of  Windfor,  tnvo  Sfts 

Rev. Bofworth  M.A.  Reftor  of  Difs,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Boucherie,  Vicar  of  Swaffham,  Norfolk. 

William  Boynton  Efq; 

John  Bourryau  Efq;  Fell.Com.  of  Trin.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Francis  Bowyear  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Bradbury,  Reftor  of  Wicken 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Bradlhaw 

Mrs.  Bradlhaw  of  Cork 

William  Beal  Brand  Efq;  of  Suffolk 

Mr.  John  Brenchley  of  Maidftonc 

Mr.  William  Brereton  at  Eton 

Rev,  Mr.  Brett  of  Bamham  Broom 

Mifs  Brett 

Rev.  Mr.  Brett  of  Spring  Grove  in  Kent 

t  A  a  Ret. 


SUBSCRIBERS, 

Rev.  Mr.  Brigham  B.D. 

Mr.  Capel  Bringloe  of  Hingham,  Norfolk 

Mr.  Thomas  Bringloe,  Shipdham 

Rev.  Mr,  John  Broke  of  Haeton,  Suffolk 

Mifs  Molly  Brook  ofMirg.-i.te,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Brook  Rcdor  of  Framlingham,  Suffolk,  i'wo  Sets 

Mils  Brown  of  Chellerton,  Cambridgcfhire 

Rev.  Dr.  Browne,  Prof,  of  Arabic  in  the  Univ,  of  Oxford,  zSets 

Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  Reflor  of  Falkingham,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr  Brundifh,  Redor  of  little  Creffingham,  Norfolk 

Peter  Bvufliell  of  Hammerfmith,  Efq; 

Jacob  Bryant  Efq;  Secretary  to  the  Mafler  of  the  Ordnance 

George  Bryant  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Buck  Malter  of  Hingham  Free  School 

Mr.  Thomas  Buck  Attorney  at  Feverlham  in  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Buckle  Rc6for  of  Anmere  in  Norfolk 

Samuel  Bulkeley,  Efq;  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

Rev  Mr.  Bullock  Re6lor  of  Dry  Drayton 

Thomas  Bullock  Efq;  of  Southberg 

Mr.  Bullock  jun.  of  Hingham,  Norfolk 

Mrs.  Bunhury  of  Bramflon,  Huntingdonfhire 

Rev   Mr.  Burrough  of  Wisbeach 

Rev.  Mr.  Burrow  B.D.  fenior  Fellow  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambr. 

Edward  Burrow  Efq;  Colledtor  of  the  Cuftoms  at  Hull 

James  Burrough  Efq;  M.A.  Mafler  of  Gonvill  and  Gains  Coll. 

Rev.  Mr.  Burton  of  Riborough,  Norfolk 

Edmund  Burton  ^i^fq; 

Samuel  Bufh  Efq;  Mayor  of  Bath 

Thomas  Bufh  of  Cirenceller  Efq; 

Rev.  William  Bufh  of  Enfield 

Mr.  John  Bufh  of  Monkton  in  Thanet,  Kent 

Rev.  Dr.  Butler  of  Yarmouth 

Rev.  Mr.  Butler  Fellow  of  Worceff  er  College,  Oxon 

John  Buxton  Ei'q;  ofShadwell,  Norfolk 

Mr.  Byam  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge. 

C. 
Right  Hon.  Lord  John  Cavendifli,  tivo  Sets 
Right  Hon,  Lord  Charles  Cavendifli 
Baron  Cherckafoff 
Hon.  Charles  Sloane  Cadogan   Efq; 
Sir  John  Hynde  Cotton  Bar',  eight  Sets 
Lady  Cotton 

Sir  Botelcr  Charnock  Bar*. 
Caius  College  Library  at  Cambridge 
John  Cale  Efq;  of  Bermin,  Kent 
Alexander  Campbell  Efq; 
Rev.  Mr.  Richard  Canning  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 
Mr.  Richard  Cardan  of  I^ewes  in  Suffex 
Thomas  Carr    Efq; 
Rev.  William  Carr  of  Kimbolton 

Rev. 


SUB  SC  RIB  ERS. 

Rev.  Dr.  Carter  Reftor^of  Woodchurch,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Carter  of  Tersfield,  Norfolk 

Mifs  Carter  of  Deal,  Kent 

Rev.  Lynford  Caryl  D.D.  Regifter  to  the  Univerfity  of  Cambr. 

and  Prebendary  of  Southwell 
Rev.  Mr.  Casborne  Recflor  of  Elmefwell,  Suffolk 
Rev.  Mr.  Casborne  Redor  of  Goldhanger,  ElTex 
Mr.  William  Cavvthorne  of  Ely 
Caxton  Club 
Mr.  Robert  Chalmers 
Rev.  Mr.  Chace.  iivo  Sets 

Chalworth  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Chamberlayne  Reftor  of  Creflingham,  Norfolk 

Mrs.  Chambers  of  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr.  Chapman  Arch-deacon  of  Sudbury 

Mrs.  Chapman  of  Merfham  in  Kent,  t-Tvo  Sets 

Rev.  Thomas  Chapman  D.D.  Mailer  of  Migd.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Chapman  Vicar  of  Geftinthorpe,  Effex 

Mr.  William  Chapman  of  Grevile-ftreet,  London 

Rev.  Mr.  ChappelowB.D.  Prof.  Arab,  in  the  Univer.  of  Cambr. 

Dr.  Charlton  of  Bath 

Mr.  Charnley  Bookfeller  in  Newcaflle 

Mr.  William  Chafe  Bookfeller  in  Norwich 

Walter  Chetwynde  Efq;  in  Great  Pulteney  Street 

Rev.  Mr.ChevallierM.A.  Fellow  of  Magd.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Chevallier  Fellow  of  St. John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Nicholas  Cholwell  M.A.  Redor  of  Stevenage,  Hertf. 

Rev.  Mr.  Chrillian  of  Botefdale,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Dr.  Church 

Mr.  Churchman  of  Norwich 

Rev.  Mr.  Clagget  Fellow  of  Bennet  College  in  Cambridge 

Samuel  Clark  Efq; 

Godfrey  Clark  Efq; 

Mr.  Robert  Clerk  Merchant  at  Edinburgh 

Mr.  Clark 

Rev.  John  Clarke  D.D.  of  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge 

Jervoife  Clarke  Efq;  Fellow  Com.  of  Emman.  Coll.  Cimbridge. 

Mr.  Clarke  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Clarke  of  London 

J.  Clephane  M.D.  in  Golden  Square,  London 

Mr.  Clive  of  Mortlake  in  Surry 

Rev.  Mr.Alhford  Vicar  of  Alhford,  Kent 

Mr.  John  Clubb  of  Whatfield,  Suffolk 

Mifs  Cobb  of  Fevcrfliam,  Kent 

Rev.  Dr.  Cobden  Archdeacon  of  Middlefcx,  f^ur  Sets 

Thomas  Cockayne  Efq; 

Abraham  Cockfedge  Efq;  of  Drinkfton,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.Cockfedge  Redor  of  Drinkfton,  Suffolk 

Thomas  Coggcfhall  Efq;  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Cole  Rc6tor  of  Aldborough,  Norfolk 

John 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

John  Cole,  Efq;  of  Fenton 

Rev.  William  Cole  A.M.  ReaorofBlechley,  Bucks. 

Cornet  Coleman 

Rev.  Mr.  Collier  Re<?lor  of  Great  Swaffliam,  Cambridgeniire 

Charles  Collignon  M.D.  Profeffor  of  Anatomy  in  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Collignon 

Edward  Collingwood  Efq; 

Philip  Colman  Efq;  oflpfwich,  Suffolk 

Mr.  Edward  Colman  of  St.John's  Street,  London 

Robert  Colville  Efq; 

Dr.  William  Congreve 

Rev.  Mr.  Richard  Congreve  ofLeacroft 

Rev.  Mr.  Cooke 

Mr.  Roger  Cooke  Surgeon  of  Alhfield,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Cooper 

John  Corbett  Efq;  of  Sundon,  Shropfhire 

Mrs.  Cornewall 

Rev.  Mr.  Cornwallis  Reiflor  of  St.  Peter's,  Ipfwich 

Mifs  Cornwallis  of  Matlask 

John  Cotes,  Efq; 

Colonel  James  Cotes 

Rev.  Mr.  Shirley  Cotes 

Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Cotes 

Mifs  Mary  Cotton  of  Stratton,  Bedfordfhire 

Mifs  Cotton 

Rev.  John  Courtail  B.D.  Fellow  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

Rev.  "ifaac  Cowper  M.A.  of  Eye,  Suffolk 

Mr.  William  Craighton  Bookfeller  in  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 

Rev,  Dr.  Craddock 

Dr.  Craddock  Phyfician  at  Rochefter 

Rev.  Mr.  Crew  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.Mr.  Creffield  Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford 

Mr.Jolhua  Crompton 

Mr.  Croucher 

Rev.  Mr.  Crofs  Redor  of  Stow,  Cambridgefhire 

Francis  Cuft  Efq;  Recorder  of  Lincoln 

D. 
Right  Hon.  the  Countefs  of  Dalkeith 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Vifcount  Dupplin 
Hon.  Mr.  Digby 
Captain  Dalton 

Rev.  Mr.  Dalton  M.A.  Fellow  of  Cath.  Hall,  Cambridge 
George  Dempller  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Darby  Fellow  of  Jefus  College  Cambridge 
Two  Book  Societies  at  Derby,  tivo  Sets 
Mifs  Dafely 
Mrs.  L.  Davenport 

Rev.  Henry  Davies  D.D.  kfiior  Fellow  of  Trinity  Coll.  Cambr, 
R.  Davies  M.D. 
John  Davis  of  Wcthirgton,  Norfolk 

Monkhoufb 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Monkhoufe  Davifon  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Davy  Fellow  of  Caius  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Claudius  Daubuz  M.A.  Prebendary  of  Southwell 

Rev.  Mr.  Deane 

Rev,  Mr.  Debary  M.A.  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Deering 

Rev.  Mr.  De-Ladonefpe  Vicar  of  Eaft  Farley,  Kent 

Mifs  De-Lorge  of  the  Vale 

Mrs.  Demetrius 

Peter  Denis  Efq;  Commander  of  his  Majefty's  Ship  the  Mcdway 

Rev.  Mr.Denifon  B.D.  Principal  of  Magdalen  Hall  Oxen 

Rev.  William  Derham  D.D.  Prefident  of  St.John's  Coll.  Oxon 

Mrs.  De-Rouffel  of  Canterbury 

Mifs  Dewker  of  Monktcpn  in  Thanet,  Kent 

Mr.  Thomas  Deye  of  Eye,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Dickens 

Mr.  Dickman  of  SwafFham,  Cambridgelhire 

Rev.  Mr.  Dix  of  Gately,  Norfolk 

Woolftan  Dixie  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emman.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Captain  James  Doake 

Mr.  Dod  Bookfeller  in  London 

Mrs.  Dod 

Rev.  Mr.  Dod  Reftor  of  Billockby 

Rev  Mr.  Dodfworth  Chaplain  to  the  Archbilhop  of  York 

Mrs,  Donnallan  in  Charles-ftreet,  London 

Mr.  Thomas  Dove  of  Eye,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Richard  Dovey 

Mr.  Rupert  Dovey 

Rev.  Mr.Downcs  B.A.  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Douthwaite  Reaor  oi  Stoke,  Suffolk 

Mr.  Dowfe  Schoolmafter  of  Cheftenon,  Cambridgelhire 

Thomas  Earle  Drax   Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  George  Drury  of  Claydon,  Suffolk 

Samuel  Duckingfield  Efq; 

Thomas  Duncombe   Efq; 

Rev,  Mr.  Du-Quefne  of  Honingham 

Library  at  Durham. 

E. 
Right  Rev.  Matthias  Lord  Bifhop  ©f  Ely 
Lady  Elwes 

Mr.  Eagles  at  Mile-end,  London 
Millefon  Edgar  Efq;  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 
Robert  Edgar  Efq;  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 
Mr.  Edgar  Apothecary  in  Bolton-flreet,  Piccadilly 
Rev.  R.Edwards  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Mr.  John  Edwards 
Mr.  Geoffry  Ekins  of  Eton 

Rev.  Mr.  Eliot  M.A.  Fellow  of  Magd.CoU.  Cambridge 
Edward  Elifha  Efq; 
Rev.  Dr.  Ellis  of  Norwich 

RCAT. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Ellifon  M.A.  Vicar  of  Bcdlington 

Mr.  James  Elphenfton  of  the  Brumpton  Academy 

Rev.  Mr.  Emmerfon  of  Little  Hallingbury,  Effex,  tnuo  Setts 

William  Emperor  Efq;  of  Brooke,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Evans  of  Qiieen's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr.  Ewer  Prebendary  of  Windfor 

William  Howell  Ewin  Efq;  of  Cambridge 

Mifs  Ewin 

Rev.  Mr.  Venn  Eyre  Archdeacon  of  Carlifle 

F. 

Right  Hon.  Lady  Ferrers 

Lady  Frankland  ^  ^  ? 

Sir  Cordel  Firebrace,  Bar^ 

Mr.  John  Fagg  Attorney  atRamfgate,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  FaKtax  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Mifs  Fairfax  of  St.Ncors 

Rev.  Mr.  Farrington  of  Dines  near  Caernarvon 

Mifs  Farrof  Fevcrfham,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Fayle 

Mr.  ]of.  Fearnfide  Dep.  Comptroller  of  the  Cuftomhoufe,   LynH 

William  Fellows   Efq;  ofShortifham 

Rev.  Mr.  Fenton  Vicar  of  Brerewood,  Staffordlhire,   t<wo  Sets 

Mr.  Chirks  Finch  of  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Mary  Finch 

Mr.  Firmin  Surgeon  of  Sudbury 

Rev.  Mr.  Fifh  Redlor  of  Shimpiing 

Samuel  Fisk  Efq;  of  Rattlefden,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Fisk  Reftor  of  Wendon 

Edward  Fitzgerald,  Efq;  Fellow  Comm.  of  Tnn.Coll.  Carabr. 

Mrs.  Flasby 

Mr.  Fleetwood  of  Ludgate-hlll,  London 

Mrs.  Fleetwood  of  Leaden-hall  Street,  London 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Fleming 

Rev.  Mr.  George  Fletcher 

Rev.  Mr.  Walter  Fletcher 

"lartyn  Folkes    Efq; 

William  Forefter  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Pult.  Forefter  rr  .,  ^     , 

Rev.  Richard  Forefter  M.A.  Fellow  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambr. 

James  Forfter  Efq;  of  Peterborough 

Rev.  Mr.  Forfter  of  Elfon 

Rev.  Mr.  Forfter  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Robert  Forfter  of  Bennet  College,  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Bacon  Forfter  of  Chelfea 

Rev.  Mr.  Fowles 

Mr.  William  Fowles  in  Patcr-nofter  Row,  London 

Mrs.  Dorothy  Fowles 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  FowJes 

Rev.  Mr.  Frampton,  Fellow  of  St,  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Frankland,  Prebendary  of  Chichefter, 

^  Naphthali 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Naphthali  Franks,  Efq;  of  Mortlack,  two  Sets 

Mrs.  Franks 

Rev.  Mr.  Freeman  of  Norwich 

Mrs.  Freeman 

Rev,  Mr.  Fremolt  Reftor  of  Wootton,  Kent 

Mr.  Anthony  Froling 

Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin  Froft  of  Topcroft,  Norfolk 

Mifs  Fyftie 

G. 

Right  Hon.  the  Marquis  of  Granby 

Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Godolphin,  tivoSets 

Right  Hon.  Lord  Vifcount  Grey 

Sir  Alexander  Gilmour  Bart,  of  St. John's  College,  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Gambier  of  Craven-flreet 

Rev.  Mr.  Gamble  LL.B. 

Stephen  Gardiner  Efq;  of  Norwich 

John  Gardner,  Efq; 

Charles  Garth,  Efq;  of  the  Inner  Temple 

Rev.  William  Gee  B.A.  of  Eye,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Dr.  George,  lateProvoft  of  King's  College,  Cambridge,  and 

Dean  of  Lincoln 
Rev.  Mr.  Gibbs  of  Richinghall,  Suffolk 
Mifs  Giles  of  Huntingdon 
William  Gill,  Efq;  of  Eafhing  in  Surry 
Mr.  Samuel  Gilman  of  Hingham,  Norfolk 
Rev.  Mr.  Gisburn  Prebendary  of  Durham 
Mr.  Thomas  Gitton  Attorney 

R.  Glynn  M.D.  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Dr.Goddard  of  Fofton,  Yorklhire 
Rev.  Mr.  Goddard  of  Fornham,  All  Saints,  Suflblk 
Rev.  Richard  Godfrey  M.A.  of  Brinklcy,  Cambridge/hire 
George  Golding  Efq;  of  Poflingford,  Suffolk 
Rev.  John  Gooch  M.A.  Prebendary  of  Ely 
Thomas  Gordon  Efq;  of  Towerhill,  London,  tivo  Std 
Rev.  Mr.  Gerfuch  of  Salop 
Rev.  Mr.  Goftling  Redor  of  Brook,  Kent 
Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Gough 
Mrs.  Martha  Gough 

Charles  Gould  Efq;  of  the  Inner  Temple,  i<wo  Sets 
Rev,  William  Gould  M.A.  of  Home,  Suffolk 
Rev.  Dr.  Gower  Provofl  of  Worcefter  College,  Oxon 
John  Graham  of  Dugalfton  Efq; 
Rev.  Mr.  Graham  of  Eton 

Rev.  Mr.  Great,  Chaplain  to  the  Lord  Bifhop  of  Norwich 
Mr,  Thomas  Great 

William  Greaves  B.B.  Efq;  of  Fulbourn,  two  Sets 
Mrs.  Greaves,  tiuo  Sets 
Rev.  Dr.  Green,  Matter  of  Bennct  College,  Dean  of  Lincoln,  and 

late  Profeffor  of  Divinity  in  the  Univerfity  of  Cambridge 
Chriftophcr  Green  Eiq;  of  Cambridge 

t  B  Rev. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Green 

Mr.  Henry  Green  of  King's  Bench  Walks,  Temple 

Mifs  Green  of  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Gregory  of  Norvvell,  Nottinghamlhire 

Rev.  Dr.  Griffith  Prebendary  of  Canterbury 

Rev.  Mr.  Griffith  Redor  of  Wifton 

Rev.  Gyon  Griffiths  M.A.  Fellow  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

Mr  John  Grift'ths  of  Lombard-ftreet 

Mr.  Grove  Fellow  of  St  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  John  Grubb  fenior 

Mr.  Johr^  Grubb  junior 

Mr.  Samuel  Grubb 

Mr.  Edward  Grubb  Attorney  in  Abchurch-yard 

Dr.  Guerui7,r 

Rev.  Mr.  Gunnof  Dedhara,  EfTex 

Nathaniel  Gordon  Efq;  of  Stowmarket,  Suffolk 

Thornhagh  Gurdon  Efq;  ofLetton 

H. 
Her  Grace  the  Dutchefs  of  Hamilton  and  Brandon 
Hon.  and  Rev.  Mr.  John  Harley,  feur  Sets 
Sir  Thomas  Hatton,  Bar'. 
Lady  Hatton  junior 
Mr.Hadley  M.A.  Fellow  of  Queen's  College,  Cambridge,  and 

Profefforof  Chemirtry 
Mr.  Edward  Haiftvvell  of  Bennet  College,  C-ambridge 
Mrs.  Ann  Halfhyde 

William  Hall  Efq;  at  the  General  Poft-Office 
Philip  Hammond  Efq;  of  Hawkedon 
S.  Handly  Efq;ofMortlack 

Rev.  Mr.  Hinmcr  Fellow  of  King's  Coll.  Cambridge 
Mr.  Harcoun  Fellow  of  St.Peter's  College,  Cambridge 
Hugh  Hare  Efq;  ofHarfFham,  Norfolk 
Rev.  Mr.  H.U€  Redor  of  Duxford 
Rev  Mr.  James  Harris 
Rev.  Mr.  Harrilon  of  Oxford,  fivo  Sets 
Rev.  Mr.  Harrifon  of  Gold  hanger,  Eflcx 

Hartley  M.D.  of  Bath 

Rev.  Mr.  Harvey  of  Cockfield 

Mrs.  Harvey 

Mrs.  Hafell  of  Dalemain,  Cumberland 

Air.  Platch  of  Windfor 

Rev.  .Mr.HatHcId  Reclor  of  Lilly,  HcrtfordflxirC 

Mils  Hatton  of  Melbourne 

Mrs.  Hawker  of  Deal,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Hawkins  of  St. Ives 

C.  Hayes  M.D.  at  Windfjr 

Mr.  ]i.iyl£s  Surgeon  in  Cambridge 

Mr.s.  Hayles 

Mrs.  Havnes  of  Wolverli;;mpton 

William  Hcald  Efqj 

Rev. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr,  Heathcote  of  Morton,  Derby/hire 

Rev.  Mr.  Heathcote  M.A. 

Rev.  Mr.  Heathcote  of  LoHghborough,  Leicefterfhirc 

Mr.  Godfrey  Heathcote  junior  of  Chcllcrfield,  Derbyfhirc 

Mifs  Elizabeth  Heathcote! 

Mifs  Marv Heathcote         (riif.        t\    u   ru-  ^ 

Mifs  Grace  Heathcote       f  °f  ^1°^^°"'  Derbyfhirc 

Mifs  Dorothy  Heathcote  J 

Jfaac  Heaton  Efq; 

William  Heberden  M.D. 

George  Heneage  Efq; 

Henry  Cornifh  Henly  Kfq;  of  Sandrirgham,  Norfolk 

Mrs.  Henly  of  Docking 

Rev.  Mr.  Herring  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Tohn  Paul  Herringman  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.Hewett  of  Bucklefham,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Grigfon  Heyhoe  of  Hardingham 

Rev.  Dr.  Hinde  of  Bifhop-Stortford,  Hertfordfhire 

Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Hingeftone  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Peter  Hingeflone  of  CapcU,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Hirfl  Fellow  of  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr.  Hodges  Provofl  of  Oriel  College,  Oxon.     tnvo  Sets 

Rev.  Mr.  Hodgkinfon  of  Exeter 

Rev.  Mr.  Theophilus  Holbrook 

Mrs.  Frances  Holcombe 

Samuel  HolKvorthv  Efq;  of  Elfworth 

Rev.  Francis  Hooper  D.D.  fenior  Fellow  of  Trm.  Coll.  Cambr. 

Mr.  Hope  of  Rolvendcn,  Kent 

Ralph  Hopper  Efq;  of  the  Inner  Temple,  London 

Mr.  Hopkins  Surgeon  in  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Horton  of  Catton 

C.  Hoffach  M.D.  of  Sudbury 

Rev.  William  Hofte  M.A,  Reaor  of  Tittleflml 

Jacob  Houblon  Efq; 

Houblon  Efq;  Fell. Com.  of  Emman.  College,  Cambridge 

Thomas  Houghton  Efq;  of  St.  Ives 

Richard  Houghton  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambr. 

Mrs.  Howard  of  Grayflock  Caflle,  Cumberland 

Rev.  Mr.W"  Howdell  Chaplain  of  his  Majeily's  Ship  the  Defiance 

Rev.  Edward  Howkins  M.A.  Fellow  of  Trin.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mr.  George  Howland  of  St.  John's- flrect,  London 

Roger  Howman  M.B.  of  Norwich 

Rev.  Mr.Hubbard  B.D.  Fellow  ofEmmnn  Coll.  Cambr.  tixjoSets 

Rev.  Mr.  Hughes  Fellow  of  Queen's  College,  Cambridge 

Hume  of  Billy  Efq; 

Rev.  Dr.  Hunt  Canon  of  Chrilt-Church,  and  ProfefTor  of  Hebrew 

and  Arabick  in  the  Univcrfity  of  Oxford,  tivehe  Seti 
George  Hunt  Efq; 
George  Hunt  Efq; 

t  B  2  Mr. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Mr.  Hunt  Surgeon  in  Piccadilly 

Dr,  Hunter 

Mrs.  Sarah  Huntbach 

Rev.  Mr.  Hurd  B.D.  Fellow  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 

I. 
Mr.  John  Jackfon  of  Godmanchefler 
Rev.  Mr.  James  Fellow  of  Chrift's  College,  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Jeggon 

Rev.  Mr.  Jenkin  Reftor  of  Run£lon  Holm,  Norfolk 
Mr.  Jenkins  B.A.  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Dr.  Jenner  Prcfident  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxon. 
Mr.  Jennings  of  Bifhop-Stortford,  Hertfordfhire 
Mrs.  Jeflbn  of  Sutton  Coldfield,  Warwickfhire 
Francis  JefTop  Efq; 
Jefus  College  Library,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Ink  of  Norwich 
Mrs.  Henrietta  Inge 
Mrs.  Joans 

Rev.  Mr.Joddrel  Redior  of  Hingham,  Norfolk 
Samuel  Johnfon  Efq;  of  Norwich 
Rev.  Mr.  Johnfon  M.A   Reftor  of  NettleRead,  Kent 
Lewisjonesoneof  the  Prothonotaries  of  the  Court  of  Com.  Picas 
Mrs.  Jones  of  Feveriham,  Kent 
Mr.  Jones,  Surgeon  in  Fakenham,  Norfolk 
Edward  Jorden  Efq; 
I.afcelles  Raymond  Iremonger  Efq; 
James  Juriii  Efq;  M.A.  and  F  R.S. 

Mr.  Van  Kamp  of  Bungay,  Suftblk 

Mr.  Ambrofe  Kedington  of  Stansiield 

Rev.  Frederick  Keller  M.A.  of  St.Albans,  Hertfordlhire 

Rev.  Samuel  Kerrick  D.D  Rcaor  of  Wolferton 

William  Kilborn  Efq; 

Rev.  George  Kilby  M.A. 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Glyn  King  B  A.  of  Wi.sbcach 

Mr.  William  Kirby  of  wttnefham,  Suffolk 

S*  ^'f]J   V  u    }of  Thorne  inThanet,  Kent 
Mifs  Molly  Kirby  J 

Mifs  Kirk  of  Cambridge 

Mr.  Kitchin 

Mifs  Kitchin  of  Millbank,  WeflminJtcr 

Rev.  Samuel  Knight  M.A.  Redor  of  Fulhim 

Mr.  John  Knight  Mate  on  board  the  Caernarvon  Indiaman 

Richard  Knollys  Efq;  of  Mortlock 

Mrs.  Pen.  Kynnerflcy 

Mrs.  Dor.  Kynnerlley 

Right  Rev.  Thomas  Lord  Bifhop  of  London,  tnvoSets 
Right  Rev.  John  I-ord  BiHiop  of  Lincoln 
Kight  Rev.  Richard  Lord  Bifhop  of  LandafF 
Right  Rev.  John  Lord  Bifhop  of  Lcighlin  and  Ferns 

Sir 


SUBSCRIBERS, 

Sir  George  Lyttleton  Bar^ 

Sir  Edward  I.yttlcton  Bar'. 

Sir  William  Lowther  Bar',   tivo  Sets 

Sir  Robert  Ladbroke  Knight  Alderman  of  London 

Rev.  Mr.  Lane  Reftor  of  Town  Barningham 

Mr.  Lane  B.  A.  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Richard  Lane 

Mr.  Thomas  Langley  Wine  Merchant  in  Covcnt  Garden 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lauder 

Rev.  Dr.  Law  Mafter  of  9t.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Law  of  St  Peter's  College  Cambridge 

Robert  Lawley  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emmanuel  Coll.  Cambridge 

Daniel  Peter  Layard  M.D.  of  Huntingdon 

Mr.  Robert  Layman  of  Difs,  Norfolk 

Mr.  Lee  Bookfeller  in  Lynn 

Michael  Leheup  Efq;  of  HefTet,  SufFolk 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Leman  of  Kinftead,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Leman  of  Ellough,  Suftbllc 

Benjamin  Lethieullier  Efq; 

Mrs.  Lethulier  of  Mortlack 

Mifs  Maria  Georgina  Lidderdale  of  Lynn 

Rev.  Mr.  Lidgould  of  Colchefter 

Rev.  Mr.  Lipyeatt  B.D.  Fellow  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Lipyeatt  Reftor  of  Bovinger 

Rev.  Mr.  Littlehales  M.A. 

St. John  Livefey  Efq;  of  Hinwich,  Bedfordfliirc 

William  Lock  Efq;  of  Henrictta-llreet,  Covent  Garden 

Thomas  Lockhart  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emmanuel  Coll.Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Loggan  of  Lopham,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Dr.  Long  Mafter  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge 

Ifrael  Long  Efq;  of  Dunfton 

Rev.  Mr.  Long  of  Spickfworth 

Rev.  Mr.Longmire  Fellow  of  St.Peter's  College,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Lombe  Attorney  at  Law  in  Cambridge 

Rev.  Michael  Lort  M.A.  Fell,  of  Trin.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Robert  Lowther  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  St.Peter's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Loyd  Reftor  of  Stanilead 

James  Lumifdaine  of  Rannyhill  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Lunn  Redor  of  Elfworth,  Cambridgedaire.  zSets] 

Rev.  Mr.  Lyndon  Rcftor  of  Lyminge,  Kent 

William  Lynch  Efq;  of  Ipfwich,  SufFolk 

Mrs.  Lynch  of  Canterbury 

Rev.  Dr.  Lyttleton  Dean  of  Exeter 

M. 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Manchefter 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Vifcount  Mandcvillc 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Maynard 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Montford 
Hon.  William  Montagu,  Ef^; 
Hon,  Mrs.  Montagu 


SUB  SCRIB  ERS. 

Hon.  Henry  Monfon  LL.D.  Regius  Profeffor  of  Civil  Law,  and 

Fellow  of  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge 
Sir  Philip  Mufgrave,  Bart. 
Sir  Humphry  Monoux,  Bart. 
Sir  William  Maynard  Bart. 
Magdalen  Hall  Library 
Lady  Monoux  fenior 
Mrs.  Hefter  Malabar 
Mrs  Malbon  of  Uttoxeter,  four  Sets 
Rev.  ^obertMalyn  B.A.  Redorof  Occold,  Suffolk 
William  Manner,,  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emman.  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Manning  late  Fellow  of  Queen's  Coll.  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Manihip 
Mifs  Manfhip,  /aw  Scfs 

Mr  Benjamin  Brundilri  Marker  of  Caius  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Marfh  Vicar  of  Feverfham,  Kent 
Robert  Marfham,  Efq; 
Mrs.  Martin  of  Fannington,  Suffolk 
Rev.  Charles  Mafon  D.D.  Woodvvardian  Profeffor  and  fen.  Fell. 

of  Trinity  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Mafon  Fellow  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge 

Maffey  M.D.  of  Wisbeach 

Mr.  ]ames  Maffey  of  Wisbeach 

Captain  Mawhood  of  Feverfham,  Kent 

Mr.  Mawhood  of  the  Strand 

Rev.  Mr.  May  Fellow  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  SeeleMafey  Reftor  of  Northill,  Bedfordlhire 

Mrs.  Mead  of  Quex  in  Thanet,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Meades  Rcdlor  of  Rampton,  Cambridgefliire 

Mr.  Philip  Meadows  of  Difs,  Norfolk 

Rev  Mr.Medcalfeof  Taaft,  Cambridgcfhire 

Rev.  Mr.  Monteath  of  Hothfield,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Meredith  M.A.  Vicar  of  Chefterton,  and  Fello'.v    oF 

Trinity  College,  Cambridge 
William  Metcalfe,  Efq; 
Jeaffrefon  Miles,  Efq;  of  the  Tower,  London 
Mr.  Andrew  Miller 

Mr.  Miller  of  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge 
Mr.  Miller  Surgeon  to  General  Wolte's  Regiment 
Mrs.  Minffiall  of  Ipfwich,  Suffolk 
Charles  Mitchell,  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Mitchell  Fellow  of  Queen's  College,  Cambridge 
William  Mitchell,  Efq;  of  Hemmingford 
Knightley  Mitchell,  Efq; 
William  Mixton,  Efq;  of  Lynn 
MaftcrMole  of  Greenwich 
Mr.  Benjamin  Molineux 

Rev.  Mr.Monnings  B.A.  Fellow  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambridge 
Dr.  Monfey  Phyfician  to  Chelfca  Hofpital 
George  Montgomerie,  Efq^; 

Mr. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Mr.  J.Moore  Apothecary 

Captain  Morgan 

Mifs  Mornay  of  Shelford  Park 

Rev,  Mr.  Morris  B.D.  Fellow  of  Queen's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mr,  John  Mortlock  in  Cambridge 

Rev,  Jacob  Morton  M.A.  of  Well-wratting,  Cambridgefliire 

James  Mofeley  Efq; 

Mr.  Michael  Mofeley  Apothecary 

Wr.  Afton  Mofeley  Efq; 

Mofely  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  St. John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr.  Mofs  Re£tor  of  St.  James's,  Weftminfter,  tivo  Sets 

Frederick  Montague  Efq;  Fell  Com.  of  Trin.  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mifs  Moyfer  of  St.  Saviour's  Gate,  York 

Richard  Muilman  Efq;  tivo  Sets 

James  Muncafter  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Murdock  Reftor  of  Stradifhall,  tiuoSefs 

Rev. Mufgrave  D.D.  Fellow  of  All-Souls,  Oxoh. 

Mr.Emmerfon  MuiTared  of  Birchinton  inThanet,  Kent. 

N. 
Right  Rev.  Thomas  Lord  Biihop  of  Norwich,  tnvo  Sets 
Hon,  William  Napier  Efq; 
Francis  Nailour  Efq; 
William  Nailour  Efq; 
Rev.  Mr.  George  Nailour 
Mrs.  Nailour 
Mifs  Frances  Nailour 
Mifs  Maria  Nailour 
Mifs  Sarah  Nailour 
Mifs  Anne  Nailour 
Rev.WilliamNafliM.A. 
Francis  Naylor  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr,  Naylor  Redor  of  Morpeth,  Northumberland 
•  ■    -     ■  Needham  Fellow  Com.  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
George  Nelfon  Efq;  Alderman  of  London 
Gabriel  Neve  Efq;  of  Hayes  in  Kent,  t-wo  Sets 
Rev.  Mr.  John  Nevile  B.D.  Fellow  of  Emman.ColI,  Cambridge 
Rev.. Richard  Newbon  M.A,  Fellow  of  Trin,  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev,  Dr.  John  Newcome  Mailer  of  St.John's  College.Cambridge, 

and  Dean  of  Rochcfter 
Mrs.  Newcome 

Rev,  Mr.  Newcome  Fellow  of  Queen's  College,  Cambridge 
Rev,  Mr.  Newcomen 
Rev.  Mr.  Newfon  of  Elme  nearWisbeach 
Rev.  Mr.  Newton  M.A.  Fellow  of  jefus  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev,  Mr.  Newton  Vicar  of  Melkfliam,  Wiklhire 
Mr.  Nobbs  of  the  Strand,  London 

1 — Northey  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  King's  Coll,  Cambridge 

William  Norris  Efq; 

Rev,  Mont.^gu  North  M.A.  Rcflor  of  Sternfield,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Nourfe  M.A.  Fellow  of  St, Peter's  College,  Cambridge 

O. 


!•  of  OiFord,  Huntingdonlhire 


SUBSCRIBERS. 
o. 

Rev.  Mr.  Oakly  Reflor  of  Holton,  Qmbridgefhlre 

Dr.  Thomas  Okes 

William  Oliver  junior  M.D.  of  Bath 

A^rs.  Omer  of  Margate,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Oram  Fellow  of  Bcnnet  College,  Cambridge 

John  Ord  Efq; 

Richard  Orlebar  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Chrift's  Coll.  Cambridge. 

Ed\v;ird  Osborne  Efq;  of  Seething,  Norfolk 

Hugh  Owen  Efq; 

Mrs.  Amu  Maria  Owen  of  Millbank,  Wcftminfter 

P. 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Portland,  ten  Sets 
Her  Grace  the  Dutchefs  of  Portland,  ten  Sets 
Sir  Thomas  Peyton  Bart. 

Sir  Samuel  Prime  Knight,  his  Majefty's  Prime  Serjeant  at  Law 
Rev.  John  Pack  LL.B.  late  Fellow  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge 

Palmer  Phyfician 

John  Palmer  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emmanuel  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mifs  Palmer  of  Mortlack 

Thomas  Parker  Efq; 

Rev.  Dr.  Parris  Mafter  of  Sidney-Suflex  College  Cambridge 

Mr.  Parrot  Surgeon  of  Birmingham 

Mrs.  Parfons  of  Weftminftcr 

Rev.  Mr.  Pattefon  of  Birmingham 

Mr.  John  Peacock 

Mr.  Richard  Pearce  of  Weftminftcr 

Wharton  Peck  LLD.  Chancellor  of  Ely 

Rev.  Mr.  Pegge  Redlor  of  Whitrington,  Derbyfhirc 

Mr.  John  Peiarce  of  Wcftminller 

Rev.  Mr.  Jeremy  Pemberton  of  Trumpington,  Cambridgefhire 

Mr.  Chriftopher  Pemberton  Fellow  of  Cath.  Hall,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Pemberton  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.Penneck,  tn.uo  Sets 

Mrs.  Penny  of  Norwich 

Penton  Efq;  Fellow  Com.  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

Mifs  Pcpys  of  Cambridge 

Mr.  William  Perks  Attorney 

Col.  Perry 

Mr.  George  Perry 

Library  of  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge 

Peter  Petit  Efq;  of  Little  A(ton,  St.iffordlhire 

Rev.  Mr.  Phipp  Redor  of  Croxton,  Cambridgefhire 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Pickering  Reftor  of  Weft-Bermin,  Kent 

Charles  Pigot  Efq; 

Robert  Pigot  of  Chetwyn  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Pigot 

Mrs.  Pitcairn 

Thomas  Pitt  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Francis  Pitt 

John  PLunpin  Efq; 


SUB  SCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.PIeiis  of  Stowmarket,  Suffolk 

.  ...  --  Plummer  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge 
Ruflel  PlumptrcM.D.  Profe/Tor  ofPhyfick  in  the  Univ.  of  Cambr. 
Kev.  Mr.Robert  Plumptre  Redlor  of  Wimple 
John  Poley  Efq;  of  BoxtcdHull 

John  Polhill  Efq;  Fellow  Com.  of  Queen's  Coll.  Cambridge 
Mr.  John  Pope  of  Lombard-llreet,  London 
George  Port,  Efq; 
Mr.  John  Porter  of  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Porter' of  Shel ford,  Cambridgefhire 
Rev.  Mr.  Pote  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Thomas  Powlett  Efq;  of  Kelvedon,  Eflex 
Rev.  Dr.  Prefect  Mafter  of  Catharine  Hall,  Cambridge" 
Rev.  Dr.  Price  Fellow  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Primate,  t-zuoSets 

Rev.  Mr.  Prior  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Pritzler  in  Well-clofe-Square,  London 
Rev.  Dr.  Price  Prebendary  of  Ely 
Mr  Price  Surgeon  of  Lichfield 
Mifs  Purbeck  of  Southampton 
R. 
Sir  John  Rous  Bart. 
Sir  John  Ramfden  Bart. 
Lady  Ram  fd  en 
Rev.  Dr.Randolph  Prefidcnt  of  Corpus  Chrifti  College,  and  Vice- 

Chancellor  of  the  Univerfity  of  Oxford 
Mifs  Elizabeth  Randolph 
Mrs.  Rain 

George  Rait  M.D.  of  Huntingdon 
Mrs.  Ramfden 

Rev.  Dr.  RatclifF  Mafter  of  Pembroke  College,  Oxon. 
Thomas  Rawlinfon  Efq;  Alderman  of  London 
Richard  Ray  Efq;  of  Gray's  Inn 
Rev.  Mr.  Ray  Vicar  of  Kenton,  Suffolk 
Mr.  Richai  dfon  Rayment  of  St.Neots 
Mrs.  Ravmer  of  Feverfham,  Kent 
Rev.  Mr.  Read  Reftor  of  Onehoufe,  SufFolk 
John  Reade  Efq;  Fellow  of  King's  Collcge.Cambridge 
Ifaac  Martyn  Rebow  Efq;  /our  Sets 
Rev.  Dr.  Regis  Canon  of  Windfor 
Rev.  Mr.  Richards  M.A.  Vicar  of  Manuden 
Mifs  Elizabeth  Richards  of  St.Matthews,  Ipfwich 
Rev.  Mr.  Richardfon  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Richardibn  Fell,  of  Emmanuel  Coll.  Cambr. 
Rev.  Mr.  Richmond  Redtor  of  Walton,  Lancafhirc 
Rev.  Mr.  Richmond  LL.B.  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Ridley  of  Stransficld 

Rev.  William  Ridlington  LL.D.  Fell.ofTrin.  Hall,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Rilartd  Rector  of  Swtton  Coldfield,  Warwickfhire 
Mr.  William  Roberts  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

I C  Kev. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Robinfon  of  St.Germans,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Robinfon 

Thomas  Robinfon  Efq;  FeU.Com.  of  Chrift's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mr.  Robinfon  of  Richmond 

Rev.  Mr.  Rollefton  of  Afton 

Thomas  RoltEfq;  of  Northampton 

Rev.  Mr.  Romaine  M.A.  of  London 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Rooke  M.A.  Vicar  of  Willian,  Hertfordfliirc 

Mr.  William  Roots  Surgeon  of  Maidftone,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Role  Redor  of  Icklingham 

Mr.  Robert  Rofe  Surgeon  of  Harteft 

Rev.  Mr.  Rowning  Redtor  of  Anderby,  Lincolnfhire 

George  Ruck  Efq;  in  Jcrmyn-ftreet 

Thomas  Rudd  Efq; 

Mrs.  Ruffle  of  Weftminftcr 

Rule  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Mifs  Ann  RufTel  of  Norw^ich 

Mifs  Mary  Ruffel  of  Barningham 

Rev.  Mr.  Ruftat  M.A.  Redtor  of  Stutton,  SufFolk 

Nathaniel  Ryder  Efq;  M.A.  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge 

S. 
Right  Hon.  the  Countefs  of  SuiFolk  and  Bcrkfhire 
Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Stamford 
Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Selkirk 
Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Scarborough 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Stourton 
Right  Hon.  Lord  St. John  of  Bletfoe 
Hon.  John  St.John  Efq; 

SirJohnThomas  Stanley  Bart,  Fell.  Com.  of  THn.  Coll.  Cambr. 
Sir  George  Suttie  Bart. 
General  St.Clair 
Henry  St.John  Efq; 
Rev  Mr.  Salt 
Rev.  Mr.  James  Salt 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Salt  ^  Vof  Cheftcrton,  Cambridgefhire 

Mr.  John  Siilt,  four  Sets 
Mifs  Salt 

Mifs  Sandcroft  of  Norfolk 
Rev,  Mr.  William  Sanders  of  Hertfordlhire 
Admiral  Saunders 
Rev.  Mr.  William  Bill  Saunders 
Mr.  Sawbridge  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  William  Sawry 
Mr.  Scarborough  of  St.Neats 
Ralph  Schomberg  M.D.  of  Yarmouth 
Mr.  Henry  Scot 
David  Scott  of  Scotftarvett  Efq; 
George  Lewis  Scott  Efq; 

.Rev.  Dr.  Secly  Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxon. 
Dr.  Self 

Rev, 


?MA.  / 
Uf 


SUB  SCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Semington  of  Burg,  Lincolnfhirc 
John  Sergeant  Efq; 
Rev.  Mr.  Walter  Sericold 
Mifs  Sericold 

Kev.  Mr.  Seward  Redtor  of  Eyam,  Derbyfhire,  and  Canon  of 
Lichfield 

iacob  Shard  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Queen's  College,  Cambridge 
lev.  Dr.  Sharp  Principal  of  Hertford  College,  Oxon.  tnvo  Sets 
Rev.  Dr.  Sharp  Archdeacon  of  Northumb.  and  Preb.  of  Durham 
Rev.  Mr.  Sharp  M.A.  Vicar  of  Hartburne 

Mrs.  BeitrixShaw  of Weftrninfter 

Rev.  Anthony  Shepherd  M.A.  Fell,  of  Chrift's  Coll.  Cambridge 

Mr.  Thomas  Sheriffe  of  Difs,  Norfolk 

Francis  Simpfon  Efq;  LL.B.  of  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge 

Mr.  Charles  Simpfon  of  Difs,  Norfolk 

Guy  Sindrey  Efq;  of  Hiflon,  Cambridgelhire 

Mrs  Singleton  —  The  Old  Maid 

Rev.  Mr.  Sivanne  Fellow  of  Mag.  College,  Oxon. 

Robert  Aglionby  Slaney  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Joiiah  Smart  Prebendary  of  Lichfield 

Rev.  Robert  Smith  D.D.  Mafterof  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr,  Smith  of  W,  Harling 

Mr.  Smith  of  King's  College,  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Smith  of  Gerard-ftrcet,  London 

Mrs.  Smith  of  Deal,  Kent 

Mrs.  Smith  of  Edmonthorp,  Leicefterftiirc 

Mifs  Smith  of  Mortlack,  Surry 

John  Cockayne  Sole  Efq;  High  Sheriff  of  Kent 

Philip  Southcote  Efq;       1 

Edward  Southcote  Efq;   S- of  Hildcrfham,  Cambridgelhire 

Mrs.  Southcote  3 

Rev.  Mr.  Southernwood  Fellow  of  Eton 

Edward  Southwell  Efq;  Fell. Com.  of  Pembroke  Hall,Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Sparhawke  B.A.  Redor  of  Radwell,  Hertfordfliirc 

Rev.  Mr.  George  Sparrow 

Mifs  Anna  Catharina  Sparrov/ 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sprott 

George  Speke  Efq;  Fell. Com.  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Dr.  Squire  Archdeacon  of  Bath,  &c. 

Mr.  Staddart  of  St.  Ives 

Rev.  Mr.  Stanfeir 

Thomas  Staunton  Efq;  ofStampford,  Eflex 

Nathaniel  Stephens  Efq; 

Mr.  Stephens  of  St.Ives,  I  luntingdonfhire 

Mr.  Stephens  B.A.  of  St.John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

William  Stephenfon  Efq;  Alderman  of  London 

Henry  Stephenfon  Efq;  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Stephenfon  M.A.  of  Waldeuj 

Mifs  Stephens  of  Deal,  Kent 

Dr.  Gilbert  Stcuart 

g.«v,  Mr.  Stilcman  of  Norwich 

C  g^  Thomas 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Thomas  Stifled  Efq;  of  Ipfwich 

Rev.  Mr.  George  Stockvvell  of  Broxbourn,  Hcrtfordfliire, 

Rev.  Mr.  Story  Reftor  of  Carlton 

■  Strickland  junior  Efq; 

Mr.  John  Strutt  junior  of  Maiden,  EfTex 

Nicholas  Styleman  Efq;  of  Snettifham,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Suker  Reflor  of  Tafley 

Mr.  R.  Sumner  of  Eton 

Mr,  Sumpter  Stationer  in  London 

Mr  Daniel  Swaine  Merchant  of  Lynn 

Mr.  George  Svvinton  Advocate 

Rev.  Mr.  Sykes  Vicar  of  Prefton,  Kent 

Robert  Symer  Efq; 

Rev.  Dr.  Symonds  of  Bury  St. Edmonds,  Suffolk 

Rev.  John  Symonds  M.  A.  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge 

T. 
Hon.  George  Townfhend  Efq; 
Hon.  Charles  Townfhend  Efq; 
MaflerTappenden  of  Feverfliam,  Kent 
Rev.  Mr.  Tapps  of  Norwich 
Mifs  Talh  of  Orchard-flreet,  Weftminfter 

Taylor  M.D.  of  Lynn 

Robert  Taylor  MD. 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Taylor 

Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  Fellow  of  St.John's  College,  Cambridge, 

Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  of  Bifrons,  Kent 

Mrs.  Taylor  of  Bifrons 

Mr.  Peter  Taylor  of  Cambridge 

Mrs.  Taylor  of  Bridge-place 

Dr.  Taylour  of  Ifleworth 

Mifs  Nancy  Templer 

Rev.  Mr.  Tench  Reftor  of  Chellerton,  Huntingdonfhire 

Thomas  T'enifon  Efq;  Fell. Com.  of  Queen's  College,_Cambridgc, 

Rev.  Dr.  Terrick  Refidentiary  of  St.Paul's 

Rev.  Dr.  Tew  of  Bolden  in  Northumberland 

Mrs.  Theobald  of  York-Buildings 

Michael  Thirkle  junior  Efq;  of  Ipfwich 

Rev.  Mr.  Thirlow  of  Long-Stratton,  Norfolk 

Rev.  Hugh  Thomas  D.D  Mafter  of  Chrift's  College,  Cambridge 

Noah  Thomas  M.D,  of  Leicellerfields 

Rev.  Edward  Thomas  M.  A.  ofRaynham,   Kent 

Mr,  John  Thompfon  in  Cambridge 

Mifs  Thomfon  of  Somerfliam,  Huntingdonfhirc 

John  Thornton  Efq;  of  Wclhninfter 

Nicholas  Toke  Efq;  of  Godington,  Kent 

George  Tompfon  M.D.  in  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Toofey  Redor  of  Heffet,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Charles  Torriano  M.A.  Regius  Profeflbr  of  Hebrew,  and 

Fellow  ofTrin.Goll.  Cambridge 
Mrs.  Townfcnd, 
Mrs.  Trevor 

Mr. 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Mr.  Samuel  Trew  of  Kelvedon,  EfTex 

Rev.  Mr.  Triftram  M.A.  Vicar  of  Tcmeux,  Pelham 

William  Trotman  Efq;  of  Ipfvvich,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Trotter  Reclor  of  Gravely 

Rev.  Mr.  Tucker  2d  Mafter  to  tke  King's  School  at  Canterbury 

Rev.  James  Tunftall,  D.  D.  Redor  of  Great  Charte,  Kent 

Mrs.  "Turner  of  Margate,  Kent 

Edward  Twells  Efq;  of  Royfton 

Mr.  Tyler  B.A.  of  Oriel  College,  Oxon. 

Mifs  Tyrell  of  Stowmarket,  Suffolk 

Mr.  William  Tytler  Writer  to  the  Signet 

V,  U. 

Hon.  Charles  Vane  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  Vade  Reftor  of  Croydon,  Surry 

Mrs.  Sobrina  Vanbrugh 

Rev.  Mr.  Vaughan  Reftor  of  Papworth,  Cambridgefhirc 

Mifs  Vaughan 

Captain  Ventrifs 

Rev.  Mr.  Edward  Ventrifs  of  Rickinghall,  SuiFolk 

Mr.  Edward  Ventrifs  of  Clifford's  Inn,  London 

Henry  Vernon  Efq;  of  Great  Thurlow,  Suffolk 

Colonel  Vernon 

Robert  Viner  junior  Efq; 

Rev.  Mr.  William  Vyk  Archdeacon  of  Salop 

John  Upton  Efq;  Fell,  of  King's  College,  Cambridge; 

Mrs.  Underdown  of  Deal,  Kent 

Edward  Usburn  Efq; 

W. 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Windfor 
Hon.  Lady  Dowager  Wrottefley 
Hon.  Lady  Mary  Wrottefley 

Hon. Wafley  Ea^; 

Lady  Wodehoufe 

Sir  Cecil  Wray  Bart. 

Rev.  Sir  Richard  Wrottefley  B.ut. 

Sir  Hutchin  Williams  Bart. 

Lady  Whitmore 

Rev.  George  Robert  Wadfworth  M.A.  Fell.of  Caius  Coll.  Camb. 

Walden  Club 

Rev.  Richard  Walker  D.D.  fen.  Fell,  and  Vice-Mafter  of  Trinity 

Coll.  Cambridge 
Thomas  Walker  LL.D.  of  Doflors  Commons 
Rev.  Mr.  Walker  Reftor  of  Bletfoe,  Bedfordfhirc 

Dr. Wall 

Mr.  Gill  Wall  ApotKecary  at  Cambridge 

Mr.  Waller  of  St. Neots 

Mr.  Thomas  Want  of  St.  Ives 

Rev.  Mr.  Warburton  Vicar  of  Eimftead,  Eflex 

Rev.  Dr.  Warburton,  /bur  Sfft 

jVlrs.  Warburton,  Mvv  Sets 

Rev; 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev  Mr.  Wareham  of  Svvavefey 

Rev.  Theodore  Waterland  D.D.  of  Long  Stanton 

Mr.  Watfon  of  Lincoln's  Inn-Fields 

Rev.  Dr.  Waugh  Dean  of  Worceftcr 

Francis  Wayce  Efq; 

Mr.  Luke  Wayman  Surgeon  in  Royftoti 

Arthur  Weaver  Efq; 

Webb  Efq;      1 

Thomas  Weddell  Efq;  J  Fell.iCom.  of  St.  John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

William  Weddell  Efq;  } 

Mr.  Alexander  Wedderburn  Advocate,  t'Wi  Sets 

Captain  Wedderburn 

Samuel  Wegg  Efq; 

George  Wegg  Efq; 

Mr.  Edward  Welch 

Walter  Wemys  of  Lathoker  Efq; 

Rev,  Mr.  John  Weft  Redlorof  Mepal,  Cambridgefhirc 

Mrs.  Wefternof  Abington  Hall,  Cambrldgcfhire 

Mifs  Weftern 

Rev.  Mr.  Wefton  B.D.  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge 

Dr.  Thomas  Wharton 

Whichcott  Efq; 

Rev.  Stephen  Whiffon  B.D.  Fellow  and  feniorBurfar  of  Trinity 

Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Whifton  Vicar  of  Orby,  Lincolnfhire 
Mrs.  Whifton 
Mrs.  Jane  Whitby 

Thomas  White  Efq;  of  Tattingftone,  Suffolk 
Rev.  Richard  White  M.A.  of  Eye,  Suffolk 
Mils  White  of  Cambridge 

Kev.  John  White  M.A.  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 
Rev.ThomasWhite  M.A.  princ.  Librarian  ofTrin.  Coll.  Cambr. 
Rev.  Mr.  Whitehoufe  of  Bridgnorth 
Mr.  John  Whitfield  Surgeon 
Mr.  Richard  Whitren 
Mrs.Wiatof  Quex  in  Thanet,  Kent 

Rev.  Thomas  Wickens  M.A.  Fell.  ofTrin.  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev.  Jonathan  Wigley  B.D.  Fellow  of  Chrift's  College,  Cambr. 
Richard  Wilkes  M.D.  of  Willenhall,  Stafibrdfhire 
John  Wilkes  Efq; 
Mrs.  Wilkinfon  of  Steeple  Gidding,  Huntlngdonfhire 

Rev, Willey  M.A.  Fellow  of  Chrift's  College,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Wilmot  M.A.  t^o  Sefs 

Mr.  Wilmot  of  Bethcrfdcn  in  Kent,  Ji've  Sett 

Mr.  Edward  Wilmot  of  Betherfden 

Enfign  Nevil  Williamfon 

Mr.  Williamfon  of  Queen's  College,  Oiou. 

Thomas  Willis  Efq; 

Archdalc  Wilfon  Efq; 

Thomas  Wilfoa  Elq;  ofBotefdalc,  Suffolk 

Rev; 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Wilfon  Reftorof  Fulbourn,  Cambridgcfhire 

Rev.  Daniel  Wilfon  M.A.  t'wo  Sets 

Mr.  Edward  Wilfon 

Mrs.  Winchefter  of  Netherfdale,  Kent 

Rev.  Mr.  Winfield  M.A.  Fellow  of  St.  John's  Coll.  Cambridge 

John  Wogan  fenior  Efq;  of  Gaudy  Hall,  Norfolk 

John  Wogan  junior  Efq;  Fell.  Com.  of  Emman.  Coll.  Cambridgo 

Rev.  Mr.  Wolhfton  Fellow  of  Sidney  College,  Cambridge 

Charlton  Wollafton  M.B. 

Mrs.  Worlidge  of  Batterfea 

Mifs  Wray 

Mifs  Ifabella  Wray 

Mifs  Frances  Wray 

Rev.  Thomas  Wray  M.A.  Fellow  of  Chrift's  Coll, Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  Wright  Reftor  of  Birkin  Yorklhirc,  and  Chaplain  in 

ordinary  to  his  Majefty 
Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Wright  of  Harling,  Norfolk 
Mr,  Wright  of  Lawfhall 

Rev.  Mr.  Wynn  Reftorof  Gumley,  Leicellcrlhlre 
Rev.  Mr.  Wynne  M.A. 
John  Wyrley  Efq; 

Richard  Yerbury  Efq;  of  Kingfton  upon  Thame? 

Rev.  Philip  YongeD.D.  Mafterofjefus  Coll.  Cambridge,  and 

Refidentiary  of  St.Paul's 
Rev.  Mr.  Young  Redior  of  St.Michael  Royal,  London 
Rev,  Thomas  Young  M.A.  Fellow  of  Caius  Coll.  Cambridge 
Rev,  William  Young  M.A.  Redor  of  Nefton 
Mr.  John  Young  of  Lynn 
Mr.  E,  Young  of  Eton 
Mrs.  Young  of  Standlinch  in  Wiklhirc. 


SBU^ 


SUBSCRIBERS    NAMES 
IVhich  came  too  late  to  be  inferted  in  the  foregoing  Lift. 

The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Vifcount  Ncwnham 

Sir  Thomas  Reynell  Bar*. 

Sir  Thomas  Salufbury  Knight,  Judge  of  the  Admiralty 

Rev.  Mr.  Adams 

Rev.  Mr.  Anftis 

Rev.  Mr.  Ault,  Reftor  of  Aftwick 

Mr.Thomas  Baicer,  of  Cheapfide,  London 

Henry  Bromfield,  Efq;  of  Chancery  Lane 

Mr.  Cartwright  of  Leverington,  in  the  Iflc  of  Ely 

Mr.  Jofeph  Clarke 

Mr.  James  Cooper 

Mr.  Samuel  Davis 

Rev.  Mr.  Gaines  of  Weetham,  Norfolk 

Mr.  Benjamin  Goodifon  of  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge 

Rev.  Mr.  George  Harveft,  Fell,  of  Magd.  Coll.  Camb.  i^o  Sets 

W/lIiam  Jackfon,  Efq; 

Henry  Jones,  Efq; 

George  Onflow,  Efq;  i^o  Sets 

Rev.  Dr.  Osborn,  Rector  of  Clifton 

John  Palgrave,  Efq;  of  Eye,  Suffolk 

Rev.  Mr.  Peck,  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge 

Rev  Mr.  Porter  of  Mayfield,  Suflex 

Dr.  Pitman  of  Market  Street 

Richard  Reynell,  Efq; 

Mr.  Roots,  Surgeon  at  Maidftone,  tavo  Sefs  more 

Rev.  Mr.  Skynner,  Publick  Orator  of  the  Univerfity  of  Cambridge, 

and  Fellow  of  St. John's  College 
Mr.  William  Slade,  of  London 
ThomasSmith,  Efq; 

&!„tE':,f ''^  }of  Leveri„g.o„  in  *e  Ifle  of  Ety 

Mr.  Daniel  Swaine  of  Lynn,  Norfolk 

Mr.  William  Taylor  of  Tottenham,  Middlefex 

Henry  Temple,  Efq;  Fellow  Commoner  of  Clare-Hail,  Camb. 

Rev.  Mr.  Francis  Ventrifs  of  Redgrave,  Suffolk 

Mr.  Jacob  Ward 

Mr.ThomasWhite 

Rev.  Mr.Wrigley,  B.  D.  Redor  of  Cockfield  in  Suffolk,  fix  Sets. 


T  O 

THE    REVEREND 

Dr.  Henry  Aldrich^ 

DEAN  of  Chrift-Church 
in  Oxford^ 

AND   . 

One  of  Her  MAJESTY'S 
Chaplains  in  Ordinary, 


IT  would  have  been  a  great  Breach 
of  Good  Manners  and  Gratitude  in 
me,  not  to  have   returned   this  little 
Book  to  that  Place  to  which  it  is  chiefly 
due ;  To  Oxford  I  mean,  to  which  we 
a  owe 


DEDICATION. 

owe  .that  Incomparable  Archbilliop 
Laudj  whofe  inexhauftible  Bounty  has 
furniihed  the  Bodleian  Library  with 
fuch  a  vaft  Plenty  of  the  Beft  Oriental 
Authors,  thofe  particularly  which  I  have 
here  made  ufe  of  in  this  flender  Perfor- 
mance :  To  which  we  owe,  befides  a 
Multitude  of  Learned  Men  and  Emi- 
nent Promoters  of  Eaftern  Learning, 
the  Great  Dr.  Pocock^  to  whofe  Learned 
Labours  how  much  we  are  indebt- 
ed can  never  be  too  frequently  re- 
peated. 

Since  therefore  upon  thefe  Accounts, 
I  could  do  no  lefs  than  fend  it  to  Your 
Famous  Univerfity ;  To  whofe  Hands 
fhould  I  commit  it  rather  than  to  Yours, 
Sir,  whofe  Dignity,  Learning,  and  ex- 
treme Courtefy  to  all,  efpecially  Stran- 
gers and  Scholars,  entitle  you  juftly  to 
the  utmoft  Refped:  ? 

I 


DEDICATION, 

1  have  the  greater  Reafon  to  hope, 
Sir,  that  this  Attempt  of  mine  will  not 
be  unacceptable  to  you,  from  the  Senfe 
which   you  were   pleafed  to    exprefs, 
when   you   honoured   me  with    your 
Learned  Converfation  at  Oxford^  of  the 
great  Defed  in  the  prefent  Accounts  of 
Oriental  Affairs.     I  declare  fincerely, 
that  it  grieves  me  to  the  Heart,  to  fee 
the  Intent  of  Noble  Benefactors  fo  dif- 
appointed:     To   fee   Men,    otherwife 
Learned,   contenting   themfelves   with 
the  moft  Trifling  Legendary  Accounts 
of  things  which  deferve  to  be  handled 
by  the  ableft  Pens,   and  if  they  read 
Paulus  Fenetusy    Jacobus   a  Vitriacoy 
Pojiellusy  &c.  think  they  have  exhauft- 
ed  whatever  is  worth  knowing  of  thofe 
Matters.  What  Pity  it  is,  that  we  ftiould 
content  our  fclves  with  Jejune  Accounts 
at  fecond  hand,  and  live  upon  Glean- 
a  2  ings 


DEDICATION. 

ings  in  the  mid  ft  of  a  plentiful  Har- 
veft! 

How  would  it  rejoice  me  to  fee  Al- 
bochdriy  Rbn  Chalecdn^  Meiddni^  la- 
bari,  Mircond^  and  other  eminent  Ori- 
ental Authors  correctly  publifhed,  and 
take  their  Places  in  the  Studies  of  the 
Learned !  It  would  be  altogether  imper- 
tinent in  me  to  reprefent  to  a  Perfon.of 
your  comprehenfive  Genius  and  Know- 
ledge, what  poor  Accounts  we  have  had 
hitherto  of  the  'Circajfmn  Ma7?2alukes^ 
yenkiz  Kaany  Hulacu^  Tamerlane^  nay 
even  of  the  Holy  War  itfelf,  in  which 
the  Europeans  found  to  their  Coft,  that 
they  were  but  too  much  concerned. 
And  not  to  confine  our  felves  to  Maho- 
metan Authors,  what  Satisfaction  muft 
it  be  to  fee  the  moft  Learned  of  the 
Eaftern  Jews  (who  have  written  in  Ara- 
bick)  publiflied  in  a  Language  more 

in- 


DEDICATION, 

intelligible  to  Europeans  ?  What  an  in- 
expreffible  Delight  would  it  afford  to 
a  Chriftian  Divine  to  be  throughly  ac- 
quainted with  the  Eaftern  Liturgies,  the 
whole  Rites  and  Cuftoms  of  the  Eaftern 
Chriftians,  not  only  Orthodox,  but 
IVeJiorianSy  Etitychians^  6cc.  as  they  are 
now  in  ufe  ?  And  how  agreeable  would 
it  be  to  obferve,  that  notwithftanding 
their  Difference  among  themfelves,  they 
all  concur  unanimoufly  againft  our 
Schifmaticks  ? 

Not  to  trouble  you.  Sir,  with  expa- 
tiating too  tedioufly  upon  this  Topick, 
I  jQiall  only  crave  leave  to  add,  that  I 
have  prefumed  to  prefent  you  with  this 
little  Book,  as  a  Token  of  fincere  Re- 
fpedl.  I  make  no  Apology  to  you.  Sir, 
for  the  Imperfedlions  of  this  poor  Per- 
formance ;  knowing  you  to  be  a  Per- 
fon  of  fuch  a  generous  Spirit,  that  in  a 
a  3  thing 


DEDIC  AT  I  ON. 

thing  which  is  well  intended,  however 
unfuccefsfully  performed,  your  Sagaci- 
ty cannot  be  fo  quick  in  difcovering  a 
Fault,  but  your  Candour  is  more  ready 
to  excufe  it, 


Swavefey^ 

Auguft  16, 

1708, 


/  amy 
SIR, 

Tour  mojl  humble  Servant^ 


SIMON  OCKLEY, 


THE 

PREFACE, 


nr"HE  ARABIANS,  a  People  as  little  taken 
Notice  of  by  the  Greek  and  Roman  Authors^ 
as  could  well  be  fuppofed,  confidering  their  Near^ 
nefs^  and  the  Extent  of  their  Country,  have,  fmce 
the  time  of  Mahomet,  rendered  themfelves  fo 
'very  confiderable,  both  by  their  Arms  and  Learn- 
ing, that  the  underflanding  their  Affairs  feems 
no  lefs,  if  not  more  necejjdry  than  the  being  ac- 
quai?ited  with  the  Hiftory  of  any  People  whatfo- 
ever,  who  have  flourijioed  fnce  the  Declenfwn  of 
the  Roman  Empire :  Not  only  becaufe  they  have 
had  as  great  Men,  and  performed  as  conjidcrable 
A5lio7is,  as  any  other  Nation  under  Heaven ;  but, 
what  is  of  more  Concern  to  us  Chrijiians,  be- 
caufe they  were  the  firfl  Ruin  of  the  Eaflern 
Church. 

It  might  reafonably  have  been  expedied,  that 
the  Greeks,  who  bore  the  greatefl  Jhare  of  that 
grievous  Calamity,  and  whofe  Vices  and  Divifons, 
it  is  to  be  feared,  brought  it  upon  the  Chrifian 
Worlds  Jlmild  have  taken  particular  Care  to  have 
a  4  given 


PREFACE. 

given  a  juji  Acceiint  of  if.  Whereas^  on  the  con- 
traryt  they  have  been  as  jejime  and  /paring  in 
this  Particular,  as  any  tolerable  Hijiorian  could 
have  been  fuppofed,  relating  Matters  at  a  much 
greater  dijiance.  Not  to  enumerate  a  Catalogue  of 
their  Defe6ls^  I  Jhall  content  my  felf  with  pro- 
ducing the  Words  of  an  s  ingenious  Author^  who 
ivas  very  well  aware  of  the  ItnperfeBions  of  the 
Greeks  with  relation  to  this  Hijiory,  and  fidly 
exprefj'es  the  true  Senfe  of  that  Matter  in  thefe 
Words :  This  (fays  he)  in  Subftance  is  the  Ac- 
count of  thofe  Wars,  and  the  Beginning  of  the 
Saracenical  Empire,  left  us  by  the  Grecian  Wri- 
ters of  that  Age,  who  are  juftly  to  be  accufed 
for  their  Succindtnefs  and  Obfcurity,  in  a  Sub- 
je6t  that  deferved  to  be  more  copioufly  handled  5 
for  undoubtedly  it  muft  needs  have  been  various 
as  well  as  furprizing  in  its  Circumftances,  con- 
taining no  lefs  than  the  fubduing  whole  Nations, 
altering  antient  Governments,  and  introducing 
a  new  Face  of  Affairs  in  the  World.  T'here  is 
nothing  more  juft  than  this  Obfervation,  and  what 
lame  Accounts  miifi  we  then  expeB  from  thofe  who 
compile  Hifiories  of  the  Saracens  out  of  the  Byzan- 
tine Hiftorians  ? 

*  Continuation  of  Eachard's  Roman  Hiflory,  Vol.  2. 
p.  304.  at  the  Year  of  our  Lord  637, 


PREFACE.  xi 

I  was  no  fooner  convinced  of  this,  hiit^  having, 
by  the  Study  of  their  Language,  fitted  my  f elf  in 
fome  Meafure  for  the  7'eadi?ig  their  Authors,    I 
bad  a  great  Dejtre  to  attempt  the  communicating 
fome  Fart  of  this  hitherto  unknown  Hijlory  to  the 
JVorld'j    being  equally  affeBed  with  Wonder  and. 
Concern,  that,  confidering  the  Multitude  of  Learn- 
ed Men  which  the  lafl  Age  produced,    it  fmdd 
have  been  fo  long  negleBed.   But  I  conceive  the 
Reafon  of  that  to  have  been,  becaufe  thofe  very 
few  who  were  Majlers  of  the  Arahick  Learning 
have  been  otherwife  employed,    and  fpent  their 
^ime  in  paving  the  way  for  Pojierify,  by  publijlj'  - 
ing  fuch  Books  as  were  abfolutely  Necejfary  in  or- 
der  to  the  attaining  a  Competent  Skill  in  that 
Difficult  Language  :  Others,  who  have  not  been 
fufficiently  acquainted  with  that  Nation,  have  en- 
tertained too  mean  an  Opinion  of  them,  looking 
upon  them  as  mcer  Barbarians,  which  mijiaken 
Notion  of  theirs,  has  hindered  all  further  Enquiry 
concerning  them. 

As  for  thofe  Great  Men  who  firfl  reftored  that 
learned,  copious  and  elegant  Language  in  this  lafl 
Age  to  us  'Europeans-,  I  mean  Erpenius,  Gig- 
geius,  Golius,  Sionita,  and  our  incomparable 
Dr.  Pocock  J  it  is  not  to  be  exprefjed  how  much 
we  are  indebted  to  them  for  their  Learned  La- 
bours, without  which  the  Arabick  Tongue  would 
Jiill  have  been  inaccefjible  to  us.   But  fmce  there 

are 


PREFACE. 

are  other  Perfom  of  a  quite  different  Tafte,  who^ 
for  want  of  due  Information^  have  conceived  a 
wrong  Opinion  of  the  Arabians  j  it  will  not  be  a- 
mifs,  before  we  give  a  particular  Account  of  our 
prefent  Vfidertaking^  to  fpeak  fomething  concern- 
ing that  People, 

Before  Mahomet*^  time  they  were  Idolaters, 
^hey  were  always  a  Warlike  People^  feldom  bei?ig 
at  Peace  either  with  one  another  or  their  Neigh- 
bours, ^hey  were  divided  into  two  forts ;  fome  of 
them  living  in  'Towns  and  Villages,  others  having 
no  fixed f  fettled  Habitations y  lii}ed  in  Tents ^  and 
removed  from  one  part  of  the  Country  to  another ^ 
according  as  their  Neceffties  compelled,  or  Conve- 
nie?2cies  invited  them.  Their  chief  Excellency  con- 
fifted  in  Breeding  and  Managing  Horfes,  and  the 
Ufe  of  Bows,  Swords  and  Lances:  Their  Learn- 
ing lay  wholly  in  their  Poetry,  to  which  their  Ge- 
nius did  chief y  incline  them,  MAHOMET 
aitd  his  Succeffors  foon  rooted  out  Idolatry,  and 
united  thofe  jarring  Tribes  in  the  Profejfion  of  that 
new  Superjlition,  which  he  pretended  to  have  re- 
ceived by  Infpiration  from  God,  delivered  to  him 
immediately  by  the  Angel  Gabriel. 

For  about  Two  Hundred  Tears,  little  elfe  was 
minded  but  War,  except  what  concerned  the  In- 
terpretation of  the  Alcoran,  and  the  SeBs  and 
Divifions  among  themfelves  upon  that  Account y 
which  daily  multiplied  and  increafed  upon  them : 

But 


PREFACE. 

But  there  was,  as  yet,  720  Curiojity  of  enquiring 
into  Foreign  Learning,  nor  defire  of  being  ac- 
quainted  with  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  At  lajl,  in 
Almamoun'i  Reign,  who  was  the  twenty  feventh 
after  Mahomet,  and  was  inaugurated  Caliph  in 
the  4  One  Hundredth  and  Eighth  Tear  of  the  He- 
girah.  Learning  began  to  be  ctdtivated  to  a  'very 
great  Degree,  Mathematicks  efpe  daily  and  Afro- 
nomy :  And  in  order  to  promote  it,  that  Noble 
Caliph  fpared  no  cofi,  either  to  procure  fuch 
Greek  Books  as  were  ferviceable  to  that  Purpofe, 
or  to  encourage  Learned  Men  to  the  Study  of  them. 
Nor  did  the  Sagacity  and  Application  of  that  in- 
genious penetrating  People  in  the  leaft  difappoint 
the  Defigns  of  their  munificent  BenefaSlor ;  their 
Progrefs  in  Learning,  after  they  had  once  entered 
upon  it,  feeming  no  lefs  wonderful  than  that  of 
of  their  Conquefis ;  for  in  a  few  Tears  time  they 
had  Pkftty  of  Tranfiations  out  of  Greeks  not  only 
Mathematicians  and  Afironomers,  hut  Philofo- 
phers,  Botanifis  and  Phyficiaiis.  Which  Lo'ue  of 
Learning  was  not  confined  to  the  Eafiern  Parts, 
but  difiufed  throughout  the  whole  Dominions  of  the 
Saracens,  being  firfi  carried  into  Africa,  (where 
they  ereBed  a  great  many  Uni'verfities)  and  from 
thence  into  Spain :  fo  that  when  Learning  was 
quite  lofi  in  thefe  Wefiern  Parts,  it  was  rejiored 
by  the  Moors,  to  whom  what  Philofophy  was  un- 

"  A.D.813. 

derfiood 


PREFACE. 

derftood  by  the  Chriftians  luas  owtJig,  Greek  not 
being  under  flood  in  this  Part  of  the  World  till  the 
taking  of  Conftantinople  by  the  Turks,  which 
was  in  the  Tear  of  our  Lord  One  Thoufajid  Four 
Hundred  and  Fifty  T'hree.  At  which  time  fede- 
ral Learned  Greeks  efcaping  with  their  Libraries , 
and  coming  IVeJiward,  that  Language  was  re- 
flored :  Our  former  Philofophers  and  Schoolmen 
ha^-oiiig  contented  thcmfelves  with  Latin  Tranfa^ 
tioj'is,  not  07ily  of  Avervocs,  Alpharabius  and  AU 
gazali,  and  other  Mahometan  Authors^  but  alfo  of 
Ariftotle  a?id  other  Philofophers,  which  I'ranjla- 
tions  of  Greek  Authors  were  not  made  out  of  the 
Original  Greeks  but  out  of  the  Arabick  Verfions 
which  were  immediately  tranflated  from  the 
Greek. 

Had  they,  after  hanging  taken  the  Pains  to  learn 
the  Greek  T'ongue,  with  equal  Care  applied  them- 
felves  to  the  Hijlorians,  as  they  did  to  the  Philo^ 
fophers ;  and  ftudied  Herodotus,  Thucydides, 
Xenophon,  and  fuch  other  Maflers  of  correSi 
Writing  as  that  Language  could  have  afforded 
them  ;  we  might  have  expeBed  from  them  a  Sue- 
cefjion  of  Hiftorians  worthy  to  write  thofe  great 
ABions  which  have  been  performed  amofig  them: 
But  they  never  turned  their  Thoughts  that  way, 
fludying  Greek  only  for  the  Jake  of  the  Sciences, 
atid  not  valuing  either  that  or  any  other  Lunguage 
in  refpeB  of  their  own.  Which,  though  it  mujl  be 

granted. 


PREFACE.  xiii 

granted^  is  extremely  fine  and  copious^  fo  as  to 
afford  Words  fiifficient  to  treat  handfomely  upon 
any  SiihjeB  whatfoever^  is  not  Jufficient  of  it  ft- If 
any  more  than  any  other  Language^  to  make  a 
Man  an  Author.  There  being  a  manifefi  Differ^ 
ence  between  Language  and  Stile ^  infomuch  that 
a  Mail  may  write  in  the  bejl  Language  in  the 
World^  and  ufe  the  moft  proper  and  fignificant 
Words  in  that  Language,  and  at  the  fame  time 
not  be  fit  to  be  read.  For  befides  Propriety  of 
Exprejfion,  there  mufi  a  Jufinefs  and  ExaBnefs 
{not  only  witb  refpe6l  to  the  Choice  of  Materials, 
but  to  the  Compofitiofi)  finne  through  the  whole, 
which  is  not  to  be  attained  without  being  well  ac~ 
quainted  with  fuch  Authors  as  are  excellent  that 
way. 

The  great  Efieem  which  I  have  for  the  Eafiern 
Learning,  makes  me  heartily  wifh  that  we  had 
not  too  much  Caufe  to  complain  of  our  Arahick 
Hifiorians,  as  to  this  Particular  i  who  for  the 
aforefaid  Reafon  have  deprived  us  of  a  great  deal 
of  the  Pleafure,  and  fometimes  Profit,  which  we 
might  otherwife  have  'expedled  from  the  reading 
them  ',  They  not  having  regard  to  the  due  ^ali- 
fications  of  an  Hifiorian,  but  telling  things  after 
a  carelefs  manner,  and  ftufjing  their  Works  with 
a  great  many  trifling  Materials,  at  other  times 
fingling  upon  Words,  and  to  Jhow  the  Ccpioufnefs 
of  their  Language,  and  Variety  of  Exprcfficn, 

Jpinning 


PREFACE. 

fphming  out  a  Jlejider  Matter  ofFadi  info  a  long 
Story,  So  that  it  is  a  Work  of  Difficulty  to  fol- 
low or  compile  thefe  Authors^  which  neverthelefs 
deferves  'very  well  to  be  undertaken^  ajid  will 
abundantly  recompenfe  the  Tains^  at  leaji  of  the 
Reader, 

For  in  thefe  Authors  is  contained  an  Account  of 
all  the  mojl  remarkable  ASiions  done  in  the  Eajl 
and  other  Parts  far  above  One  ^houfand  Tears, 
During  which  fpace  of  Time  Afia  and  Africa 
have  been  the  Scene  of  as  great  Performances  as 
ever  they  were  in  the  Time  of  the  Roman  Empire ^ 
to  which  that  of  the  Saracens  was,  in  many  re- 
fpedis^  equal.  And  certainly  it  is  a  great  deal  of 
Pityy  that  we  have  not  thefe  things  more  enquired 
into,  efpecially  fnce  they  may  be  fo  eafily  come  at. 
Were  our  Ignorance  invincible^  it  would  be  ex- 
cufable,  but  fnce  fo  many  Noble  BenefaBors  have 
furnified  us  with  fuch  Variety  of  excellent  Au- 
thors in  this  Kind^  why  fjould  we  Jlarve  our 
felves  in  the  midfi  of  Plenty  ? 

It  were  moft  heartily  to  be  wified^  that  we  had 
a  Compleat  Ilifory  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Eaft^  ef- 
pecially to  the  Fall  of  the  Saracenical  Empire,  It 
would  be  very  well  worth  obferving,  how  Learn- 
ing fir/l  came  in^  grew  and  increafed  among  the 
Saracens ;  and  what  Great  Men  they  have  had 
among  them  ;  all  which  would  be  very  well  co7n- 
pr  eh  ended  in  a  Ilifory  of  the  Caliphs  or  Succeffors 

of 


PREFACE.  XV 

o/*  Mahomet,  of  which  I  here  prefent  the  Reader 
with  a  Specimen. 

I  ought  indeed  to  have  begun  with  the  Life  of 
Mahomet,  but  that  is  already  written  by  the 
Reverend  and  Learned  Dr,  Prideaux,  now  Dean 
cf  Norwich  j*  in  which  Life^  bejides  what  does 
immediately  concern  Mahomet'j  Perfon,  there  are 
interfperfed  other  things  Nece/fary  to  be  known  {by 
any  Perjbn  that  is  defiroiis  to  be  acquainted  with  the 
Hijiory  of  the  Eajl)  which  I  have  not  repeated  in 
my  Book,  but  fuppofed  to  be  already  known  to  the 
Reader :  Proceeding  to  write  the  Lives  of  the 
three  immediate  Succejfors  o/'Mahomet,  in  which 
the  Reader  will  plainly  fee  by  what  Steps,  and 
from  how  fmall  Beginnings,  that  once  cofttemp- 
tible  People  rofe  to  fuch  a  formidable  Great- 
nefs. 

In  order  to  profecute  my  Defgn,  after  I  had 
made  fuch  a  Draught  out  of  Elmakin,  Abu'l- 
pharagius  and  Eutychius,  as  the  Scantnefs  of  my 
Materials  would  afford,  I  was  obliged  to  go  to 
the  Bodleian  Library,  which  is,  without  queflion, 
the  beft  furnified  with  Oriental  Manufcripts  of 
any  in  Europe.  For  befides  a  great  Number  of 
the  beft  Authors  purchafed  by  the  Univerftty  of 
Oxford,  out  of  the  Studies  of  Dr. Hyde,  Dr.Hun- 

*  That  Life  being  very  imperfeil,  it  was  judg'd  a  pro- 
per Compliment  to  the  Subfcribers  to  this  Edition  of  Mr. 
Odlc^'s  Hiftory,  to  improve  it  with  a  new  one. 

tington, 


XVI  PREFACE. 

tington,  aud Dr.Pocock,  not  to  mention  ikfr. Sa- 
muel Clark' J,  GraviusV  or  Selden'j,  there  is  an 
vroaliiahle  ColleBion  given  by  that  incomparable 
Prelate  and  Martyr  of  Blejed  Memory^  Arch^ 
bijhop  Laud  ♦,  of  whofe  great  Virtues  it  would 
be  fuferfluous  to  fay  any  thing  here,  they  be- 
ing fo  well  known  and  admired  by  all  that 
know  how  to  fet  a  juji  Value  upon  Learning  and 
Piety. 

But  his  princely  Mimificence  in  being  at  that 
prodigious  Expence  to  rejlore  Oriental  Learning 
in  thefe  Northern  Climates^  both  by  purchafing 
fuch  an  excellent  ColleBion  of  Authors  in  that  kindy 
and  encouraging  Men  of  Abilities  to  apply  them- 
fehes  that  way,  cannot,  without  the  greatefi  In- 
gratitude, be  pajfed  by  in  Silence,  by  any  one  that 
has  any  due  Regard  to  Oriental  Learning.  It  was 
among  the  Manufcripts  of  that  Reverend  Prelate 
that  I  found  the  5  beji  Copy  of  that  Author,  which 
1  have  here  endeavonrcd  to  make  fpeak  Englijhy 
and  of  whom  I  am  fiow  going  to  give  an 
Account. 

His  Name  is  Abu  Abdo'llah  Mohammed  Ebn 
Omar  Alwakidi.  At  what  time  he  lived  I  have 
7iot  yet  found  any  Information,  nor  coidd  I,  by  the 
diligent  Reading  of  him,  make  any  Obfervation  by 
which  I  could  give  a  probable  Guefs,  Perhaps  the 

5  MSS.  Laud.  Num.  A.  ii8, 

puh-^ 


PREFACE.  xvii 

publijhing  an  Author  without  giving  an  Account 

of  his  Age,  may  feem  tofome  Readers  to  require  an 

Apology  'y  but  I  would  defire  Juch  to  confider,  that 

the  Cafe  is  not  the  fame  in  thcfe  Studies  as  it  is  in 

Greek  a7id  Latin :  In  which  there  is  fuch  Plenty 

of  excellent  Editions  of  moft  Authors  eajy  to  be 

come  at ;  atid  fuch  Numbers  of  Critics y  Di^io- 

narieSy  Chronologers  a?id  copious  Indexes  j   that  a 

Man  {though  ?io  great  Scholar)  that  does  but  know 

bow  to  make  ufe  of  a  Book  when  he  has  it,  may  be 

almojlfure  of  finding  what  he  looks  for .  But^  alas! 

the  Cafe  is  vaftly  different  here ;  we  have  but  juji 

as  it  were  learned  the  Alphabet ^  and  tf  we  will 

know  almofi  any  thing  further  than  the  Rudiments 

of  the  Language,  we  mufi  look  for  it  in  dufiy  Ma- 

nufcriptSy   without  T^ranfiation,  without  Index  ', 

defiitute  altogether  of  thofe  Helps  which  facilitate 

other  Studies. 

However  y  though  I  cannot  precifely  fix  his  Age, 
it  is  mojl  certain  that  he  lived  above  two  hundred 
Tears  after  the  Matter  of  Fa6i  which  he  relates. 
For  pag.  3 1 3 .  /'f  mentions  Almotafem  the  Caliph, 
whofe  Reign  began  in  the  Tear  of  our  Lord  ^2)1)' 
and  iffoy  'tis  the  fame  thing  as  if  he  had  lived  fix 
hundred  Tears  after.  For  that  Author  that  lives 
one  thoufand  Tears  after  any  Matter  of  FaB,  is 
as  much  a  Witnefs  of  it,  as  he  that  lives  but  at 
two  hundred  Tears  Difiance.  I^hey  are  both  of 
them  obliged  to  take  upon  trufi,  and  if  there  be  no 
h  Lof 


PREFACE. 

Lofs  of  good  Authors  during  that  Interval.,  he 
that  writes  latejl  is  as  credible  an  Hijiorian  as 
thefrji. 

Befides^  the  Particulars  relating  to  the  firfi  rife 
of  Kingdoms  and  Empires  are  generally  obfcure. 
The  Reafon  of  which  is,  becaiifc  Arms  take  Place 
firfi,  and  a  Government  mujl  bewellejlablified,  be- 
fore  Learning  can  get  room  to  breath  in  it.  Where- 
fore- in  thefe  Cafes,  it  is  allowed  by  all,  that  thofe 
Accounts  which  have  been  handed  down  from  time 
to  time,  and  received  hy  the  bejl  Judges,  ought  to 
be  looked  upon  as  Authentick ;  nor  was  there  ever 
any  Perfon  yet   that  enquired  after  the  Age  of 
Livy,  in  order  to  know  how  far  he  might  be  ac- 
counted a  competent  Relator  of  what  was  done  in 
the  Reigns  o/'Romulus  ^yWNuma  Pompilius. 

In  thefe  Cafes  it  is,  as  that  excellent  Author 
'Very  well obferveSy  Famae  rerum  ftandum  eft,  ubi 
certam  derogat  vetuftas  fidem:  When  a  long  In- 
terval of  time  has  fet  things  at  too  great  a  Di- 
Jiance,  we  muft  be  content  with  the  cwrent  Re- 
port, and  reft  fatisfied  with  the  beft  Account  we 
can  get.  However,  that  Author  cojtfults  his  own 
Reputation,  and  his  Readers  SatisfaSlion  moft,  who 
does  not  without  DiftinBion  fet  down  every  thing 
he  meets  with,  but  ufes  as  much  Caution  as  the 
Circumftances  of  the  Matter  will  admit.  Our  Au- 
thor Alwakidi  has  not  been  wanting  in  this  Par- 
ticular. Sometimes  he  iijhers  in  a  Story  after  this 


PREFACE.  xix 

manner,  I  have  been  informed  by  a  credible  Pcr- 
fon.  In  another  Place  he  fays  j  "  We  are  inform- 
"  ed  by  Mofes  Ebn  Afcm,  who  had  it  from  Joyias 
"  Ebn  Abdolldh,  who  had  it  from  his  Grand- 
*'  father  Abdorrahmdn  Ebn  Afuim  Arrdbii,  who 
**  was  in  the  Wars  of  Syria^.  In  that  Place 
where  he  gives  an  Account  of  Derar  and  fome 
others,  who  were  put  into  Chefls  at  Arrean,  he 
fays,  "  I  was  informed  by  Ahmed  Almatin  Al~ 
'■'■  jorhami,  who]  had  it  from  Raphda  Ebn  Kais 
"  Aldmiri,  who  had  it  from  Saiph  Ebn  Jabalah 
"  Alchdtgami,  who  had  it  from  I'habet  Ebn  Al- 
kamah,  who  faid  he  was  prefent  at  the  Adion. 
Thefe  Expreffwns,  {not  to  infinuate  that  they  may 
afford  a  Hint  to  guefs  at  the  Age  of  the  Author') 
are  mofi  evident  Proofs  that  he  was  as  careful  as 
he  coidd,  neither  to  be  impofed  upon  himfelf  nor  to 
deceive  his  Reader.  And  though  there  are  a  great 
many  fuch  like  Exprefjions  difperfed  throughout  his 
whole  Work,  yet  I  have  not  thought  fit  to  intermix 
them  in  the  Hijlory,  hecaife  it  is  fuch  a  different 
way  from  what  we  are  ufed  to.  However,  I 
thought  it  7iecefjary  to  give  a  Tafi  of  it  here  for 
the  Vindication  of  my  Author.  And  certain  it  is, 
that  fuch  things  as  thefe,  nay  of  lefs  Confideration, 
were  thought  a  good  Defence  o/'Herodotus  againfl 
Plutarch'j  ObjeSlions,  by  no  lefs  a  Perfon  than  the 
Learned  Harry  Stephens. 

*  Pag.  2 14. 

Alwakidi'; 


XX  PREFACE. 

Alwakidi'j  Defign  was  not  to  'Write  the  Life 
of  any  particular  Caliph,  but  to  give  an  Account 
of  the  Conqueft  of  Syria.  I  JJjoidd  have  been  very 
glad  if  he  had  given  me  an  Opportunity  of  com- 
paring him  with  fo me  noble  Greek  or  Latin  Hi- 
fiorian^  but  his  manner  of  Writing  ivill  not  allow 
it.  He  is  chiefly  valuable  for  this,  that  we  find 
Materials  in  him  which  we  have  no  where  elfe, 
and  he  is  not  fo  fparing  of  them,  but  there  is  Li- 
berty enough  to  pick  and  chufe.  How  I  have  fuc- 
ceeded  in  this  Performance  I  mufl  fubmit  to  the 
'judgment  of  the  Learned  Reader ;  only  taking 
the  Liberty  to  fay,  that  though  I  have  not  tranf- 
cribed  my  Author  in  every  Particular,  yet  I  have 
done  him  ?20  Injury  in  any  thing  that  I  have  re- 
lated ;  7ior  have  I  taken  a  Liberty  of  Writing 
carelefly,  in  hopes  of  being  fe  cure  from  Di [cover y 
(the  Language  not  being  generally  underjiood)  but 
have  ufed  the  fame  Diligence  as  I  would  have  done^ 
were  Ifure  that  every  one  of  my  Readers  would 
inftantly  have  collated  my  Book  with  the  Manu- 
fcripts. 

The  Archbifhop''s  Copy  which  1  chiefly  ifed  is 
250  Tears  old-,  being  written  in  the  Tear  of  the 
Hegirah  863.  of  our  Lord  i^^'^.  There  is  another 
Copy  of  it  among  Dr.  Pocock's  MSS.  D'  Her- 
htXoi  fays  there  is  one  in  the  King  0/"  France  his 
Library,  which  are  all  that  I  know  of  in  Eu- 
rope. 

/ 


PREFACE.  xxi 

/  have,  as  Occafion  Jerqued ,  made  fuch  Ufe  of 

other  Authors  that  were  for  my  purpofe^  as  the 

Shortnefs  of  the  Time  I  could  allow  my  felf  at 

Oxford  would  permit.  Alwakidi  writ  alfo  a  Hi- 

flory  of  the  Conquejl  of  iEgypt,  which  I  have  not 

met  with  ;  otherwife  my  Account  of  that  Matter 

might  have  been  more  compleat.    All  that  I  can 

fay  is^  that  I  have  done  what  I  could  \  and  if  this 

fmall  Beginning  /hall  be  a  means  to  excite  any 

Perfon  of  greater  Abilities  and  more  Opportunity 

to  bring  to  light  any  Part  of  the  Eajlern  Hijiory^ 

I  Jhall  have  Reafon  to  think  my  Time  very  well 

fpent. 


SIMON  OCKLEY, 


iV.  B.  That  in  the  Arabick  Words,  y  Confonant 
and  ou  are  pronounced  as  in  French, 


A  Chronological  Table  for  35  Years, 


Tears  of 

Tears  of  the\{t^\- 

Tears 

Chrif, 

rah  orFljghtofcAz- 

of  the 
Julian 

reckoning 
from  the 

homet,    ^ith  the 
iays  of  the  Month 

Grecian  Emperors. 

Saracenical 
Caliphs. 

Period. 

firftdayof 

on  nvhich  they  begin 

Januarv. 

'« the  So/ar  Tear.    ] 

5335 

622 

I.    July      16 

HERACLIUS.      13 

6 

623 

2.   Ju/y        5 

H 

7 

624 

3.  Jun.     24 

15 

8 

625 

4.  Jun.      13 

16 

9 

626 

5-  7««-       2 

'7 

5340 

627 

6.  May     23 

18 

MAHOMET.  I 

I 

628 

7.    M<2))       II 

19 

2 

z 

629 

8.  May       I 

20 

3 

3 

630 

g.  April  20 

21 

4 

4 

631 

10.    /^/ir//      9 

22 

5 

5345 

632 

I  I .   March  29 

23 

ABUBEKER.    i 

6 

633 

1 2     M^r  J;- 1  8 

24 

2 

7 

634 

13.  March   7 

25 

OMAR.             I 

8 

635 

14-  i^'^^.     25 

26 

2 

Q 

636 

iS-Feh.      ,4 

27 

3 

j    5350 

637 

16.    F^^.        3 

28 

4 

1 

638 

17-  7^«-   23 

29 

5 

2 

639 

1 8.   Jan.     12 

30 

6 

3 

640 

-5  ig-J''"-    2  7 
(  20.  Dec.  21  5 

?    7 

\    8 

4 

64. 

21.  Dec.     10 

32 

9 

.      Conftantine 

I    reigns  ^  Months,      1 

5555 

642 

22.  JV01;.    30 

<    Heracleonas  6,   L  i 

10 

,  •  CONST  ANS  5o«    , 

*-  0/ Conftantine.     J 

6 

643 

23.    Noru.     19 

2 

OTHMAN.      I 

7 

644 

24.   A'ci;.       7 

3 

4 
5 

2 

8 

645 

25.    0^.      28 

3 
4 

0 

646 

26.  0^.     17 

53bo 

647 

27.  0^.       7 

6 

5 
6 

I 

648 

28.  Sept.     25 

7 
8 

2 

649 

29.   5^//.     14 

7 

3 

650 

30.  Sept.       4 

9 
70 

8 

4 

6^ 

31.   Jug.     24 

9 

5  3^5 

652 

32.   ^«?.      12 

II 

10 

6 

653 

33.    Jug.        2 

12 

II 

7 

654 

34-  7«/j    22 

'3 

12 

81      6<;5 

35-  7u/y     u 

14 

ALT.                  I 

A  Chro7iological  Table  for  3  5  Years. 
Remarkable  Adions  or  Accidents. 


r.  H. 


Mahomet  overpowered  at  Meccah,  flees  to  Medinah.  This  fame  Year 
All  marries  Phatemah,  Mahomet's  only  Daughter.  In  the  Second 
Year  of  the  Hcgirah  was  the  Battle  of  Beder. 


Mahomet  is  inaugurated  by  his  Followers,  and  made  Supream  in  all  Matters  both 
Sacred  and  Civil.  The  fame  Year  there  was  a  Truce  made  between  the  Cora- 
fhitei  and  Mabomet,  In  the  jtb  Year  Mahomet  takes  Cbaihar,  where  Zeinab  <t 
Jewifh  Young  Woman  gave  him  the  Poifon  of  which  he  died. 

The  Cora/hires  breaking  the  Truce,  Mabomet  goes  againlt  them  with  iccoo  Men, 
and  takes  M:ccah. 

Mafeilamah  pretends  to  Prophecy.    Mahomet  goes  his  laft  Pilgrimage  to  Meccab. 


Mahomet  dies  at  Medinah,  and  is  buried  in  Ayejha\  Houie. 

DAMASCUS  taken. 

Baalbec  taken.    Bafora  and  Cufa  are  walled  by  Omars  Command. 

The  great  Battle  at  Termoith. 


JE  R  USAL  E  M  furrendered  into  the  Hands  of  the  Saracens  by  So- 

phronius.    The  Perjians  are  beaten. 
Antioch  taken. 
Abu  Obeidab  dies  of  the  Plague  at  Emaus.  Amrou  Ebno"!  /^as  invades  Aegypt, 

>  Ifpakan  taken  by  the  Saracens. 


OMAR  is  killed. 


[the  Hands  af  the  Saracens. 
Tazdejerd,  the  laft  of  the  Perfian  Kings  is  killed  :  All  Perfui  falls  into 


^^1  About  this  time  the  Saracens  began  to  complain  o^Othman,  who  to 
^^1  appenfe  them,  put  Mahemet  Son  oi  Abubcker  into  the  Lieutenancy 
^^1  of  ^gypt,  inrtead  of  Abdollah  Ebn  Said.  OtJyman  is  killed,  and  Ali 
fucce^d    liim. 


35 


A 


A  TABLE  of  the  Months  both  in  the 
Julian  Solar,  and  the  Arabian  Lunar  Year, 
with  the  Days  colleded. 


Roman 
Months. 

lb 

1^ 

Arabian  Months. 

5 

— 

31 

31 

31 

30 

30 

January, 

Moharram, 

February, 

28 

59 

60 

Saphar, 

29 

59 

March, 

31 

90 

91 

Rebiyah  the  Firji, 

30 

89 

April, 

30 

izo 

121 

Rebiyah  the  Second, 

29 

iiS 

May, 

31 

'5' 

152 

Jornada  the  Firjl, 

30 

148 

6 

June, 

30 

181 

182 

Jornada  the  Second, 

29 

177 

7 

July, 

31 

212 

213 

Rejeb, 

30 

207 

8 

Augujl, 

31 

243 

244 

Shaaban, 

29 

236 

9 

September, 

30 

273 

274 

Ramadan, 

30 

266 

lO 

Oaober, 

31 

304 

305 

Sjewal, 

29 

295 

II 

November, 

30  334 

335 

Du'lkaadah, 

30 

325 

1 2     December,  \ 

3«      365 

366     Dulhhegjah,          I 

29 

*354 

*  In  that  Year  which  is  Intercalated  (of  which 
there  are  11  in  every  30,  viz,  2,  5,7, 10, 13, 15,  18, 
21,  24,  26,  29.)  Dulhagjah  has  30  Days. 


The  Arabian  Year  being  Lunar,  runs  through  the 
Solar  Year,  as  the  Reader  may  obferve  in  the  fore- 
going Chronological  Table.  See  Dr.  Prideaux's  Life 
oi Mahomet^  ^,%^. 


THE 


A  N 

ACCOUNT 

OF    THE 

Arabians  or  Saracens y 

OF  THE 

LIFE  o^  MAHOMEt, 

AND   OF    THE 

Mahometan  Religion. 


THE 

LIFE  of  MJHOMET. 

THOUGH  our  author  had  good  reafbn  to 
take  but  little  notice  of  the  adions  of  Ma- 
homet, becaufe  the  life  of  that  impoftor  had,  but  a 
few  years  before,  been  publilhed  by  the  learned 
Dr.  Prideaux  ;  yet,  as  the  prefent  impreilion  of 
the  Saracenic  hiftory  will  probably  fall  into  the 
hands  of  many  perfons  who  have  not  an  oppor- 
tunity of  reading  that  excellent  work,  it  is  thoughc 
proper  to  premife  a  (hort  account  of  the  Arabiatis^ 
the  principal  agents  in  the  tranfadions  hereafter 
related,  of  Mahomet  and  the  progrefs  of  his  arms 
which  paved  the  way  for  the  atchievements  of  his 
fuccefTors,  and  of  that  falfe  religion  founded  by 
him,  which  has  fince  overfpread  fo  great  a  part  of 
the  earth.  Thofe  who  are  defirous  to  be  more  fully 
informed  of  thefe  matters  may,  befides  Dr.  Pri- 
deaux and  the  authors  quoted  by  him,  have  re- 
courfe  to  the  books  of  later  date  mentioned  in  the 
margin  ^ 

The  Arabians,  who  are  alfo  by  the  greek,  and 
in  imitation  of  them,  by  latin  writers,  called  Sa- 
racens, are  divided  by  their  hiflorians  into  three 
clafTes:  i.  The  primitive  yfr^^/j«i  v^^ho  inhabited 
Arabia  immediately  after  the  flood :  of  thefe  no- 
thing now  remains  but  the  names  of  their  tribes, 
as  Adites,  I'hamudites,  &c.    and   fome  traditional 

*  Maraccli  prodromus,  et  refutatio  Alcorani :  DHcrhelot 
Bibliotheque  OrieiUale :  Relandus  de  religione  Mohammedica  ; 
Abulfeda  devita  &  rebus  freftis  Mohammedis,  cum  verfione  cc 
notis  Joanuis  Gagn'ier :  La  vie  de  Mahomet  par  Gagr/icr  :  Salt's 
preliminary  difcourfe  and  notes  upon  the  Coran. 

*  A  (lories 


2  ne  Life  of  Mahomet. 

ftories  of  their  punifliment  for  not  hearkening  to 
the  prophets  fent  to  reclaim  them ;  which  ftories 
how  fabulous  foever,  have  not  only  ferved  to  fur- 
ni(h  the  Arabian  poets  with  fubjedts  and  allufions, 
but  are  mentioned  in  a  ferious  manner  by  Maho- 
met in  the  Alcoran^  in  order  to  deter  his  followers 
from  difbelieving  his  million,  and  rejedling  his 
dodtrine.  2,  The  fecond  clafs  are  the  pure  Ara- 
biafis,  defcended  from  Kaktan  or  JoBan  the  fon  of 
Heber  fpoken  of  Geti.  10.25.  The  Arab  hiflorians 
make  '^o5fan  the  father  of  two  fons,  not  menti- 
oned in  the  bible,  or  mentioned  under  different 
names :  one  of  them  called  Taarab  they  fay  was 
the  father  of  the  Arabs  who  inhabited  Taman^  or 
Arabia  Feliic  j  and  the  other  fon  Jorham^  fettled 
in  the  province  of  Hejaz ;  hither  they  tell  us  A- 
braham,  upon  Sarah's  complaint,  carried  Ifmael^ 
who  married  Ra'ala  the  daughter  of  the  twelfth 
king  of  the  Jorhamites :  by  whom  he  had  twelve 
fons.  From  thefe  and  their  pofterity  intermarry- 
ing with  the  pure  Arabiam  fprang  the  moft  Arabes 
or  mixt  Arabians^  called  Ifmaelites  and  Hagarens : 
this  does  not  agree  with  the  fcripture,  which  tells 
us,  the  mother  of  Ifmael  took  him  a  wife  out  of 
the  land  oi  Egypt ^  Gen.  21.  21.  But  here  I  would 
have  it  once  for  all  obferved,  that  we  fhall  often 
find  the  Arab  writers  give  different  accounts  of 
perfons  and  things  from  what  we  meet  with  in  the 
lacred  hiftory:  they  had  no  ancient  writings, 
their  memorials  of  ancient  times  were  delivered 

a  Coran^xgm^t^  a  book,  Jlh  the y/r^Z'/V  article  the-y  howe- 
ver, as  the  woxd  Alcoran  has  been  adopted  long  fince  into  all 
the  European  languages  as  well  as  the  Englifh,  I  have  retain'd 
it  here. 

down 


7he  Life  of  Mahomet.  3 

down  to  them  by  tradition^,  they  are  befides 
much  given  to  fable  ;  no  wonder  then  they  de- 
viate fo  from  the  truth :  thus  they  tell  monftroully 
abfurd  ftories  of  Adam  and  Eve :  they  mention 
Noah's  flood,  but  inftead  of  eight,  as  the  fcripture 
informs  us,  pretend  eighty  perfons  were  faved  in 
the  ark  :  they  will  have  it  that  it  was  not  IJaac 
but  Ifmael  whom  Abraham  was  about  to  offer,  C^c, 
in  general,  though  Mahomet  profeffed  great  regard 
for  the  old  and  new  Teftament,  he  miferably 
corrupted  the  hiftories  of  them  both,  by  fables ; 
fome  of  which  are  borrowed  out  of  the  Jewi(h 
I'almtid^  others  from  fpurious  authors,  and  fome 
probably  were  forged  in  his  own  brain,  or  that  of 
his  affiftants. 

The  Arabs  are  now,  as  they  were  in  ancient 
times,  of  two  forts;  fome  of  them  inhabit  towns, 
maintaining  themfelves  by  their  flocks,  agriculture, 
the  fruit  of  their  palm-trees,  by  trade  or  merchan- 
dife ;  others  live  in  tents,  removing  from  place  to 
place,  as  they  find  grafs  and  water  for  their  cattle, 
feeding  chiefly  upon  the  milk  and  flelh  of  ca- 
mels, a  diet  which  is  faid  by  an  Arabian  phyficiaa 
to  difpofe  them  to  fiercenefs  and  cruelty  "^ :  thefe 
latter,  though  ftridly  jufl:  among  themfelves,  often 
commit  robberies  upon  merchants  and  travellers  5 
and  excufe  themfelves  by  alledging  the  hard  ufage 
of  their  progenitor  Ifmael^  and  think  they  have  a 
right  to  indemnify  themfelves,  not  only  upon  the 
pofterity  of  Ifaac,  but  alfo  upon  every  body  elfe 
who  falls  in  their  way :  the  Arabs  were,  before 
the  time  of  Mahomet^  divided  into  feveral  tril")es ; 
each  tribe  had  a  king  or  head :  they  were  often 

^  PocQck.  Specim.  Arab.  Hiftor.  pag.  55.     <=  Idem.  p.  88- 
A  2  at 


4  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

at  war  with  one  another  :  a  farther  account  of 
them  may  be  feen  in  our  author's  preface. 

The  religion  of  the  ancient  Arabians  their  tra- 
ditions derived  from  Abraham  and  Ifmael:  by  them 
they  pretended  was  built  the  temple  oi  Mecca, 
from  its  form,  called  the  Caaba  or  Square  j  this 
was  their  Kebla^  or  place  towards  which  they 
turned  their  faces  when  they  prayed,  as  the  Jews 
turned  theirs  towards  the  temple  of  Jerujalem. 
The  Caaba  was  held  by  them  in  great  veneration, 
as  it  is  alfo  by  the  preient  Mahometans  :  they  are 
perfuaded  it  is  almoft  coeval  with  the  world,  for 
they  fay  that  when  Adam  was  caft  out  of  Para- 
dife,  which  they  place  in  the  feventh  heaven,  he 
begged  of  God  that  he  might  erect  upon  earth  a 
building  like  that  he  had  feen  the  angels  go  round 
in  heaven  ;  upon  which  a  reprefentation  of  that 
houfe  in  curtains  of  light  was  let  down,  and  placed 
at  Mecca,  diredtly  under  the  original,  that  he 
might  go  round  it,  and  turn  his  face  towards  it 
when  he  prayed :  that,  after  Adams  death,  Seth 
built  the  Caaba  of  flone  and  clay,  in  the  fame 
place ;  which,  being  deftroyed  by  the  deluge,  was 
rebuilt  by  Abraham  and  Ifmael.  The  Caaba  has 
been  feveral  times  rebuilt  or  repaired ;  it  is  a  fquare 
flone  building,  the  length  whereof  from  north  to 
fouth  is  24  cubits,  the  breadth  from  call:  to  weft  23, 
and  the  height  27  cubits :  the  door  is  on  the  eaft 
fide,  the  thre(hold  is  four  cubits  above  the  ground, 
fo  that,  there  being  no  fteps*  adjoining  to  it,  they 
who  come  to  worfliip  may  touch  the  ihreftiold 

a  There  are  moveable  fteps  to  ufe  when  the  Caaba  is  to  be 
cleaned,  or  the  lamps  lighted  up  therein. 

with 


liye  a/2  MaA<rmt^,      p.  ^. 


•^  16.  K/Ae/^/a^e  n/Aere  y  at>/dert 

■<W2         21.  ^cUe  crt/t?eac^ 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  5 

with  their  foreheads,  or  kifs  it:  the  Black  ^tone 
is  a  fmall  ftone  fet  in  Silver  and  fixt  in  the  fouth- 
caft  corner  of  the  Caaba^  about  four  feet  from  the 
ground  ;  the  Mahometans  hold  it  in  great  reve- 
rence, bcHeving  it  to  be  one  of  the  flones  of  Pa- 
radife,  which  fell  down  with  Adam  from  heaven; 
it  is  faid  to  be  white  within,  but  to  have  been 
turned  black  on  the  outfide  by  the  fins  of  the 
people,  more  probably  by  the  kiffes  of  the  pil- 
grims. Upon  the  ground  on  the  north-fide  of  the 
Caaba  there  is  a  ftone  called  the  fipulchre  of  If- 
mael ;  there  is  another  flone  called  the  Jiation  of 
Abraham^  which  they  fay  was  made  ufe  of  by  him 
for  a  fcaffold,  and  rofe  higher  with  him  as  the  walls 
of  the  building  rofc  ;  and  that,  after  he  had  done 
building,  he  flood  upon  it  and  prayed,  and  left  the 
prints  of  his  feet  thereon.  The  Caaba  is  furround- 
ed,  though  not  entirely,  at  a  little  diflance,  by  an 
inclofure  of  pillars,  joined  at  the  bottom  by  a  low 
baluftrade,  and  towards  the  top  by  bars  of  filver ; 
juft  without  this  inclofure,  are  buildings  made  ufe 
of  for  oratories,  by  diifcrent  feds  oi  Mahometans^ 
there  is  alfo  the  Treafury,  and  a  fmall  edifice  over 
the  facred  well  Zemzem.  All  thefe  buildings  are, 
at  a  conliderable  diflance,  inclofed  in  a  magnifi- 
cent colonade  covered  with  fmall  cupolas,  and 
at  the  four  corners  there  are  as  many  fteeples  a- 
dorned  with  gilded  fpires  and  crefcents  j  as  are 
alfo  the  cupolas ;  between  the  pillars  of  both  in- 
clofures  hang  a  great  number  of  lamps,  which  are 
conftantly  lighted  up  at  night.  * 

3  The  print  of  the  Caaba  is  from  Gagnlcr^  Sale  has  one  a 
little  diftercnt,  but  does  not  fay  from  whom  he  took  it. 

A3  The 


li/e  o/Z  f(o/i<rmff~      p  ^ 


3.^ ate  arZ/oKia ^^/m  lo.  yyAa/ei:ted  xJ^toon. 

^.  *f77ie  (^  cv^A  12,.  ^y/ie  /¥e^Z,e'm2cenv 


1^.  kJAc  ^^i/piit' 

ig .  ^a/€  o^^A/^y^/^'i 

21.  ^4iie  (fr peace 


The  Life  of  MaJmnet.  5 

with  their  foreheads,  or  kifs  it :  the  Black  Stone 
is  a  fmall  (lone  fet  in  Silver  and  fixt  in  the  fouth- 
caft  corner  of  the  Caaba^  about  four  feet  from  the 
ground  ;  the  Mahometans  hold  it  in  great  reve- 
rence, believing  it  to  be  one  of  the  flones  of  Pa- 
radife,  which  fell  down  with  Adam  from  heaven; 
it  is  faid  to  be  white  within,  but  to  have  been 
turned  black  on  the  outfide  by  the  fins  of  the 
people,  more  probably  by  the  kiffes  of  the  pil- 
grims. Upon  the  ground  on  the  north-fide  of  the 
Caaba  there  is  a  ftone  called  the  fepulchre  of  If- 
mael'y  there  is  another  ftone  called  the  fiation  of 
AbrahajYiy  which  they  fay  was  made  ufe  of  by  him 
for  a  fcaffold,  and  rofe  higher  with  him  as  the  walls 
of  the  building  rofe  ;  and  that,  after  he  had  done 
building,  he  flood  upon  it  and  prayed,  and  left  the 
prints  of  his  feet  thereon.  The  Caaba  is  furround- 
ed,  though  not  entirely,  at  a  little  diftance,  by  an 
inclofure  of  pillars,  joined  at  the  bottom  by  a  low 
baluftrade,  and  towards  the  top  by  bars  of  filver ; 
juft  without  this  inclofure,  are  buildings  made  ufe 
of  for  oratories,  by  different  feds  oi  Mahometans^ 
there  is  alfo  the  Treafury,  and  a  fmall  edifice  over 
the  facred  well  Zemzem.  All  thefe  buildings  are, 
at  a  confiderable  diftance,  inclofed  in  a  magnifi- 
cent colonade  covered  with  fmall  cupolas,  and 
at  the  four  corners  there  are  as  many  fteeples  a- 
dorned  with  gilded  fpires  and  crefcents  j  as  are 
alfo  the  cupolas ;  between  the  pillars  of  both  in- 
clofures  hang  a  great  number  of  lamps,  which  are 
conftantly  lighted  up  at  night.  * 

2  The  print  of  the  Caaba  is  from  Gagn'ur^  Sale  has  one  a 
little  different,  but  does  not  fay  from  whom  he  took  it. 

A3  The 


6  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

The  Caaba  IS  fupported  by  pillars  of  aloes  wood, 
between  which  hang  filver  lamps :  the  rain  wa- 
ter runs  off  the  roof  in  a  fpout  of  gold,  the  walls 
on  the  outfide  are  covered  with  a  rich  black  da- 
mafk  adorned  with  a  band  of  gold,  this  covering 
is  changed  every  year,  at  the  expence  of  the 
Turkifh  emperor  J  this  is  properly  the  temple,  but 
the  whole  territory  of  Mecca  is  held  facred,  and 
diftinguifhed  by  fmall  turrets,  fome  at  feven  and 
others  at  ten  miles  diftance  from  the  city  :  within 
thefe  precind:s  it  is  not  lawful  to  attack  an  enemy, 
or  even  to  hunt  or  fowl. 

Mahomet,  or  as  his  name  is  pronounced  in  A- 
rabic  Mohamfned,  was  born  at  Mecca  an  ancient 
city  o?  Arabia,  about  the  year  of  our  Lord  571, 
for  hiftorians  do  not  agree  about  the  precife  year : 
he  was  of  the  tribe  of  Coreijh,  the  noblefl:  of  that 
part  of  the  country  :  the  Arab  writers  make  him 
defcended  in  a  right  line  from  Jftnael  the  fon  of 
Abraham  5  but  do  not  pretend  to  any  certainty  in 
the  remote  part  of  his  genealogy  :  it  is  enough 
for  our  prefent  purpofe  to  fay  that  the  prefidency 
over  the  Caaba,  and  what  went  with  it  the  go- 
vernment of  Mecca,  which  had  been  fome  time  in 
the  tribe  of  the  Coreijhites,  came  to  Hafiem  the 
great  grandfather  oi  Mahomet,  whofe  defcendants 
were  from  him  called  Hafiefnites ;  after  his  death 
it  went  to  his  fon  Abdol  Motalleb,  who  had  thir- 
teen Sons,  I  fhall  here  fet  down  their  names,  be- 
caufe  we  fliall  meet  with  fome  of  them  in  the  fol- 
lowing hiftory.  Abdolla,  Ha?nza,  Al  Abbas,  Abu 
Taleb,  Abu  Laheb,  AlGidak,  AlHareth,  Jahel^ 
Al  Mokawam,  Dorar,  Al  Zobeir,  Kelham,  Abdol 
Caaba.  The  eldeft  of  them  Abdolla  is  faid  to  have 

been 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  7 

been  his  father's  favourite,  upon  account  of  the  in- 
tegrity of  his  behaviour,  and  the  comelinefs  of  his 
perfon,  he  married  Emina,  of  the  tribe  alfo  of  the 
CoreifiiteSy  by  whom  he  had  Mahomet :  upon  his 
marriage,  no  fewer  than  two  hundred  young 
damfels  who  were  in  love  with  him  are  faid  to 
have  died  in  defpair.  It  fhould  be  obferved  here 
that  the  Mahometan  hiftorians  are  often  very  ex- 
travagant in  their  accounts  of  perfons  and  things 
that  have  any  relation  to  their  falfe  prophet :  A- 
biil  Feda  one  of  the  gravefl:  of  them  tells  us  of  four 
miraculous  events  that  happened  at  his  birth : 
I,  That  the  palace  of  Co  [roes  king  of  Ferfia  was 
fo  {haken,  that  fourteen  of  the  towers  thereof  fell 
to  the  ground.  2,  That  the  facred  fire  of  the  Per- 
fians  which  had  been  kept  inceflantly  burning  for 
1000  years  went  out  all  at  once.  3,  That  the  lake 
Sawa  funk.  4,  That  the  river  T'igris  overflowed 
its  banks :  and  that  Co/roes^  alarmed  by  thefe  pro- 
digies and  by  a  dream  of  the  high  prieft  of  Ferpay 
which  feemed  to  forebode  fome  calamity  would 
be  brought  upon  them  by  Arabia  ;  fent  for  a  fa- 
mous diviner  to  enquire  what  thefe  prodigies  por- 
tended :  the  anfwer  was,  that  fourteen  kings  and 
queens  fhould  reign  in  Ferjla,  and  that  then  what 
was  to  come  to  pafs  would  happen.  Some  legen- 
dary writers  on  this  occafion  relate  a  great  many 
more  wonderful  things,  enough  to  fliock  the  be- 
lief of  the  moft  credulous ;  they  may  be  feen  in 
Maracci,  I  fhall  give  only  two  of  them  as  a  fam- 
ple  of  the  reft,  i.  That  Mahomet  came  into  the 
world  furrounded  with  a  hght  which  not  only  il- 
luminated the  chamber  wherein  he  lay,  but  the 
whole  country  alfo  round  about.  2,  That  as  fooh 
A  4  as 


8  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

as  he  was  born  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  bend- 
ing all  except  his  two  fore-fingers,  lifted  up  his 
hands,  and  turned  his  face  towards  heaven,  and 
pronounced  diflindly  thefe  words,  Allah  acharh.z, 
that  is,  God  is  great :  there  is  no  other  God  but  one^ 
and  I  ar/i  his  Prophet. 

Abdolla  dying  while  Mahomet  was  an  Infant,  or 
according  to  fome,  before  he  was  born,  he  was  by 
his  mother  put  to  a  wet  nurfe  named  Halima  j  here 
again  we  have  more  miracles  even  in  Abu  I  Feda, 
His  nurfe,  while  this  bleffed  infant  was  with  her, 
was  in  greater  affluence  than  ever  {he  had  been  be^ 
fore,  but  was  one  day  put  in  a  great  fright  by  her 
fon,  who  came  running  out  of  the  field,  and  told 
her  two  men  in  white  had  juft  then  taken  hold  of 
Mahomet  J  laid  him  on  the  ground,  and  ripped  open 
his  belly  ;  upon  this,  fhe  and  her  hufband  went 
out  to  him,  and  found  him  upon  his  legs,  and  afk- 
ed,  what  is  the  matter  with  you,  child?  he  con- 
firmed the  tale  of  his  belly  being  cut  up.  Hear- 
ing this,  the  hufband  of  Halima  faid,  I  am  afraid 
he  has  contracted  fome  bad  difeafe  :  and  Halima 
who  had  before  fliewn  herfelf  very  defirous  to 
keep  the  child  with  her,  was  now  as  eager  to  get 
rid  of  him,  and  carried  him  home  to  Emina-,  and 
being  afked  what  was  the  reafon  (he  had  thus 
changed  her  mind,  faid  (he  was  afraid  the  devil 
liad  made  fome  attack  upon  him  ;  out  upon  you 
replyed  the  mother,  what  has  the  devil  to  do  to 
hurt  my  child  ?  fome  authors  tell  us,  that  when 
the  angels  ripped  up  Mahomet'^  belly  at  this  time 
they  took  out  his  heart,  and  fqueezed  out  of  it  the 
black  drop,  which  they  believe  is  the  confequence 
of  original  fin,  and  the  fource  of  all  finful  thoughts, 

and 


The  Life  of  Mahomet*  9 

and  is  to  be  found  in  the  heart  of  every  perfon 
defcended  from  Adam^  except  only  the  Virgin 
Mary  and  her  fon  Jefiiu  It  is  a  wonder  they  did 
not  except  Mahomet  alfo,  whom  they  look  upon  to 
be  the  moft  perfe<ll  creature  that  God  ever  made  ; 
but  we  fhall  find  in  the  fequel  his  heart  was  not 
entirely  cleanfed  from  the  black  drop. 

When  Mahomet  was  fix  years  old,  his  mother 
dying,  his  grand-father  Abdol  Motalleb  took  him 
into  his  care,  and  at  his  death,  which  happened 
two  years  after,  left  him  in  the  tuition  of  his  fon 
Abu  Taleb,  whofe  bufinefs  was  merchandife ;  by 
him  he  was  brought  up,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
went  with  him  into  Syria :  at  fourteen  years  of 
age,  he  was  with  his  uncle's  kindred  in  the  im- 
pious war,^  where  the  Coreijhites  had  the  vidory ; 
he  continued  with  Abu  I'akb  till  twenty  five,  and 
then  went  to  be  a  fador  to  Cadigha  the  widow  of 
a  rich  merchant  at  Mecca,  who  had  left  her  all 
his  wealth  :  he  managed  her  affairs  fo  well,  and 
infinuated  himfelf  fo  into  her  favour,  that  after 
three  years  being  in  her  fervice,  flie  gave  herfelf 
to  him  in  marriage  ;  and  here  the  legendary  wri- 
ters tell  us  Cadigha  fell  in  love  vf'iihMahomet  upon 
account  of  the  wonderful  things  that  befel  him 
in  his  laft  journey  from  Bojira  in  Syria,  fome  of 
which  were  related  by  the  flaves,  fhe  fent  with 
him,  and  fome  (he  faw  herfelf ;  particularly,  that 
the  angel  Gabriel  carried  all  the  way  a  cloud  over 
his  head,  to  fcreen  him  from  the  heat  of  the 
fun,  in  that  country  very  fcorching :    but  fure- 

a  The  Jrabs  had  four  months  in  which  it  was  not  lawful  to 
go  to  war,  this  war  was  in  oiis  of  thofe  months. 


lo  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

ly  there  was  no  need  of  a  miracle  to  perfwade  a 
widow  of  forty-five,  that  had  buried  two  hulbands 
to  take  for  a  third  a  young  man  of  twenty-eight, 
handfome  and  agreeable,  as  Mahomet  is  faid  to 
have  been. 

From  the  age  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  to  twenty- 
five,  there  is  very  little  faid  of  Mahomet^  except  a 
fabulous  ftory  of  his  being  feen  when  very  young 
at  Boflra  in  Syria  by  a  monk  called  Bahira,  who 
foretold  his  future  grandeur.  But  Boulamviliiers, 
who  left  an  unfiniihed  account  of  his  life,  has 
thought  fit  to  fill  up  that  chafm  with  inventions 
of  his  own ;  he  tells  us  his  uncle  ^ki  Taleb,  dur- 
ing that  time,  prepared  him  for  the  wars  he  was 
afterwards  to  be  engaged  in,  by  inuring  him  to 
hunting  and  martial  exercifes :  contrary  to  all  hi- 
ftory,  he  makes  him  travel  into  Syria  at  the  age 
of  twenty,  and  not  before :  he  carries  him  to  Da^ 
mafciis^  to  BalbeCy  to  Elia  or  yerufakm^  and  to 
the  capital  of  Perfia^  places  at  which  no  writer 
mentions  him  ever  to  have  been  j  and  he  pretends 
to  have  taken  thefe  accounts  from  Arabian  au- 
thors, but  does  not  name  any  one  :  in  fhort, 
Boidai?2villieri^^  inftead  of  hiftory,  has  given  the 
world  a  kind  of  politico-theological  romance 
founded  upon  the  life  oi  Mahomet,  whomhefup- 
pofes,  in  thefe  imaginary  voyages,  to  have  made 
fuch  obfervations,  and  to  have  furnifhed  his  mind 
with  fuch  political  ideas  as  enabled  him  to  form 
thofe  great  defigns  he  afterwards  put  in  execution. 

a  Gagnier  fays  he  could  find  no  hiftorians  that  verify  the 
account  given  hy  BoulahivlUiers  ;  and  expofes  the  bad  defign 
he  feems  to  have  had  in  view,  in  the  encomiums  he  lavifhes 
oil  the  impoftor  and  his  falfe  religion.  Pref.  au  vie  de  Mahomed, 

Where- 


l^he  Life  of  Maho?net.  1 1 

Whereas  the  truth  of  the  cafe  feems  to  be  this ; 
by  the  advantageous  match  with  Cadigha^  he  found 
himfelf  raifed  to  an  equahty  with  the  principal 
men  of  the  city  ;  and  this  might  naturally  put 
him  upon  aiming  at  the  government  of  it,  which 
had  been  in  his  family,  and  in  a  regular  fuccefli- 
on,  would  have  come  to  him ;  for  it  fell  to  his 
uncle  Abu  'Taleb,  by  his  father  and  grand-father, 
both  dying  while  he  was  a  minor.  From  his  mar- 
riage to  near  the  time  of  his  pretended  revelation,  all 
we  hear  of  him  is,  that  hyCadigha  he  had  four  fons, 
the  eldeft  was  named  Gt/^/w,  upon  whofe  birth  ac- 
cording to  the  cuftom  oi  the  Arab/a?2Sj  he  took  the 
{urname  Abu  i  Cafem,  i.  e.  the  father  ofCafem:  his 
fons  all  died  in  their  infancy  ;  his  daughters  were 
Fatema,  Zainab,  Rokaia^  and  0mm  Colthum,  they 
were  all  married,  and  will  be  mentioned  hereafter, 
as  there  fhall  be  occafion. 

It  is  probable  he  employed  himfelf  for  fome 
years  in  the  care  of  his  family,  and  carrying  on  his 
trade  ;  conforming  all  the  while  to  the  idolatrous 
fuperftition  of  his  countrymen  :  by  the  chriftian 
writers  he  is  faid  to  have  been  profligate  in  his  mo- 
rals, (it  cannot  be  expected  any  Mahometan  author 
ihould  tell  us  any  fuch  thing)  however  that  be, 
in  the  38  th  year  of  his  life  he  began  to  affed: 
folitude,  retiring  frequently  into  a  cave  of  mount 
Hara  near  Mecca^  to  fpend  his  time  in  fafting, 
prayer,  and  meditation,  and  is  here  fuppofed  to 
have  cooked  up  fo  much  of  the  Alcoran  as  he 
firft  publiflied.  It  is  agreed  on  all  hands  Mahotnet 
could  neither  write  nor  read ;  it  is  evident  he  bor- 
rowed many  things  from  the  old  and  new  Tefta- 
ment,  and  from  the  Jewilh  Talmud:  his  afliftants 
are  faid  to  have  been  Abdia  fon  of  Salem  a  Periian 

Jew, 


12  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

Jew,  and  a  Neflorian  monk  named  Bahlra  by  the 
eaftern,  Sergius  by  the  vveftern  writers.   By  what' 
here  follows  out  oiAbulFeda^   it  feems  probable 
Waraka  was  alfo  in  the  fecret,  if  he  did  not  lend 
an  helping  hand:  the  impoflor  complains  in  his 
Alcoran,  chap.  i6,  that  his  enemies  charged  him 
with  being  aflifted  by  that  Perfian  JeWy  and  en- 
deavours to  clear  himfelf  in  thefe  words :  they  fay^ 
certainly  fome  man  teaches  him :  he  whom  they  mean 
fpeaks  a  barbarous  language  %  but  the  Alcoran  is  in  the 
Arabic  tongue^  full  of  inJlruSiion  and  eloquence.^  As 
forthemonk,  he  is  faid  to  have  murdered  him, when 
he  had  no  further  occafion  for  him.    No  doubt  he 
took  what  care  he  could  to  conceal  his  being  aflifted. 
AhuH  Feda  after  relating  his  marriage  with  Ca- 
digha,  has  a  digreflion,  wherein  he  fpeaks  of  the 
prefediure  of  the  Caaba  going  from  Nabet  the  fon 
of  Jfmael  to  the  Jorhamites,  next  to  the  Cozaites, 
and  from  them  to  the  Coreifhites ,  and  fays  thefe 
lafl  mentioned,  having  pulled  down  the  temple, 
and  begun  to  rebuild  it,  when  the  walls  were  got 
up  to  the  height  at  which  the  black  ftone  was  to 
be  fet,  could  not  agree  which  of  the  tribes  fhould 
have  the  honour  of  placing  it :  and  that  Mahomet 
being  by,  ordered  them  to  fpread  a  garment  upon 
the  ground,  lay  the  ftone  in  the  middle  of  it,  and 
each  tribe  take  hold  round  the  edges  and  lift  it  up ; 
which  when  they  had  done  to  the  proper  height, 
the  prophet  took  the  ftone  and  put  it  into  its  place. 
By  the  manner  of  relating  this  tranladion,   the 
time  of  it  is  not  any  way  fixed  to  this  part  of  his 
life ;  an  Arab  writer  cited  by  Gagnier  fays  it  was 
when  Mahomet  was  a  little  boy.  It  is  probably  only 

*  Alcoran^  ch.  i6. 


T^he  Life  of  Mahomet.  1 3 

a  fidion  invented  to  raife  an  high  opinion  of  his 
wifdom. 

The  following  account  is  verbatim  from  Abu'l- 
Feda.    *  When  the  apoftie  of  God,  whom  God 

*  blefs,  ^  was  forty  years  old,  God  fent  him  to  the 

*  black  and  the  red  j   [i.e.  to  all  mankind)  that  by 

*  a  new  law,  he  might  abolifli  the  ancient  laws. 

*  His  iirft  entrance  into  this  prophetic  office  was 

*  by  a  true  night  vifion ;  for  the  moft  high  God  had 

*  infpired  him  with  a  love  of  retirement  and  foli- 

*  tude,  fo  that  he  fpent  a  month  every  year  in  the 

*  cave  of  mount  Hara.  When  the  year  of  his  mif- 

*  fion  was  come,  in  the  month  Raniada?i  he  went 

*  to  his  cave  with  fome  of  his  family  :  and  when 

*  the  night  came  wherein  the  glorious  God  very 

*  greatly  honoured  him,  Gabriel^  upon  whom  be 

*  peace,  came  to  him  and  faid  read:  he  anfwered 

*  /  cannot  read :  he  faid  again  read,  in  the  name  of 

*  the  Lord  who  hath  created,  &c.  reciting  the  words 

*  as  far  as,  he  taught  man  what  he  knew  not,  v.  5.** 

a  In  the  Alcoran  the  followers  of  the  impoftor  are  forbidden 
when  they  addrefs  him  to  call  him  by  his  name  Mahomet^  this 
was  too  familiar,  they  are  therefore  commanded  to  fay,  O 
prophet,  or  O  Apoftle  of  God.  This  author  never  mentions 
the  Apoftle  of  God  without  adding  thefe  words,  vuhom  God  blefs, 
or  the  initial  letters  of  thofe  words  v/.  G.  b.  in  general  the  Ma- 
hometan  writers  very  feldom  name  an  Angel,  or  any  perfon 
whom  they  think  a  prophet,  or  eminent  for  piety,  without 
adding  peace  be  to  him.  ^  This  is  generally  believed  to  be  the 
firft  pafTage  of  the  Alcoran  revealed  to  Mahomet.,  thout^h  it  be 
the  beginning  of  the  9&th  chap,  of  that  book.  It  runs  thus,  as 
divided  into  verfcs  \n  MarcccVz  edition.  l.  Read  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  ivLo  bath  created.  2.  He  hath  created  ?tian  of  coa- 
gulated blood.  3.  Read  by  thy  mojl  beneficent  Lord.  4.  IVljo 
taught  by  the  pen.  5.  Who  taught  man  luhat  he  did  not  know. 
The  reft  of  the  chapter  has  no  conne(5tion  with  the  beginniiifi::, 
but  is  taken  up  in  upbraiding  and  threatning  one  of  his 
enemies,  fuppoi'd  to  hsAbujehel, 

*  then 


t4  '^he  Life  of  Mahomet, 

*  then  the  prophet  w.  G.  b.  went  to  the  middle  of 

*  the  mountain  and  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  fay- 

*  ing,  O  Mahomet  thou  art  the  apoftle  of  God  and 

*  I  am  Gabriel,  and  flood  ftill  in  his  place  looking 

*  upon  Gabriel,  till  at  length  Gabriel  departed,  and 

*  then  the  prophet  v^.  G.  b.  v^^ent  av^^ay.  Soon  after 

*  he  came  to  Cadigha,  and  told  her  what  he  had 

*  feen,  (he  faid  I  am  very  glad  of  this  good  news : 

*  I  fwear  by  him  in  whofe  hand  the  foul  of  Cadigha 

*  is,  I  verily  hope  you  are  the  prophet  of  this  na- 

*  tion  :  and  when  fhe  had  faid  this  fhe  went  to  her 

*  kinfman  Waraka  fon  of  Nawfali  :  Now  JVaraka 
'  had  read  the  books  and  heard  many  difcourfes  of 

*  Jews  and  Chriftians,    to  him  Cadigha   related 

*  what  the  apoftle  of  God  w.  G.  b.  had  faid  :  PFa- 
'  raka  replyed  by  the  moft  holy  God  and  by  him  in 
'  whofe  hand  is  the  foul  oi  Waraka,  what  you  fay 

*  is  true,  Cadigha ,  for  the  glorious  law  brought  by 

*  Mofes  the  fon  oi  Amran  foretold  his  coming.  No 

*  doubt  he  is  the  prophet  of  this  nation.  Then  Ca- 

*  digha  returned  to  the  apoftle  of  God  w.  G.  b.  and 

*  told  him  what  Waraka  faid,  then  the  Apoftle  of 
'  God  w.G.b.  faid  a  prayer,  and  went  and  com- 

*  pafled  the  Caaba  feven  times,  and  then  went  to 

*  his  own  houfe. 

*  After  this,  frequent  revelations  followed  one 

*  after  another.  Cadigha  was  the  firft  of  mortals 
«  that  embraced  Jjlam  "=  fo  that  no  body  preceded 

*  her.   In  the  book  called  al  Sahih  there  is  a  tradi- 

*  tion  that  the  apoftle  of  God  w.  G.  b.  faid,   a- 

*  among  men  there  are  many  perfect  j  but  among 

"  Mahomet  called  his  religion  Ijlariiy  the  word  is  by  Prideaux 
faid  to  fignify  the  faving  religion  :  by  Saky  refigning  cnesfelf  to 
God  ;  by  Pocock,  obedience  to  God  and  his  prophet. 

women 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  1 5 

*  women  there  have  been  but  four ;  AJia  the  wife 

*  of  Pharaohy  Mary  daughter  of  Amran^   Cadigha 

*  daughter  of  Cowalledy  and  Fatema  daughter  of 

*  Mohammed. 

We  have  feen  that  Cadigha  was  the  firft  difciplc 
of  Mahomet^  though  fome  authors  fay  flie  did  not 
come  in  fo  readily  as  is  here  related,  but  for  fome 
time  rejedled  the  ftories  he  told  her  as  delufions  of 
the  devil  j  others  fay  (he  declared  fhe  would  not 
believe  except  {he  alfo  fliould  fee  Gabriel-^  but  upon 
his  faying  fhe  had  not  vertue  enough  to  fee  an  an- 
gel, (he  was  fatisfied,  and  became  a  believer.  His 
fecond  convert  was  his  coufm  Ali^  who  had  lived 
with  him  fome  time,  and  was  then  not  above  ten 
or  eleven  years  old  :  his  third  was  his  llave 
Zaid^  to  whom  he  gave  his  freedom ;  from 
whence  it  became  a  law  among  the  Mahometans 
to  make  their  Haves  free,  whenever  they  turn  to 
their  religion :  the  fourth  convert  was  Abubeker 
one  of  the  moft  confiderable  men  in  Mecca^  his 
example  was  foon  followed  by  Othman  fon  oi  Affan 
Abdol  Rahman  fon  oiAws^  Saad  fon  oi  Abu  IVakas^ 
Zobeir  fon  of  Al  Awam,  and  Telha  fon  ofObeidoUa, 
and  Abu  Obeida.  Thefe  were  fome  of  the  princi- 
pal men  of  the  city,  and  were  afterwards  the  ge- 
nerals of  his  army,  and  affifted  him  in  eftablifhing 
his  impofture  and  his  empire  together  in  thofe 
parts  of  the  world.    Abu  I  Feda  fays,  '  Mahomet 

*  made  his  converts  in  fecret,  for  3  years ;   after 

*  which  he  was  commanded  to  preach  to  thofe  of 

*  his  tribe ;  whereupon  he  ordered  AH  to  invite  his 

*  kinfmen,  about  40  in  number,  to  an  entertain- 

*  ment,  and  to  fet  before  them  a  Iamb  and  a  large 
[  veflel  of  milk.   And  when  they  had  done  eating 

*  and 


i'6  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

*  and  drinking,  he  was  beginning  to  preach,  but 

*  being  interrupted  by  Abu  Laheby  invited  them 

*  to  a  like  feaft  the  next  day,  and  when  it  was  over, 

*  he  harangued  them  in  thefe  words.    I  do  not 

*  know  any  man  in  Arabia  who  can  make  you  a 

*  better  prefent  than  I   now  bring  you,  I  offer 

*  you  the  good  of  this  world,  and  of  the  other  life  j 

*  the  great  God  has  commanded  me  to  call  you  to 

*  him  :  who  then  will  be  my  mzir,  (/,  e.  take  part 

*  of  the  burthen  with  me)  my  brother  my  deputy? 

*  when  all  were  filent,^//  faid  I  will  ^  and  I  will  beat 

*  out  the  teeth,  pull  out  the  eyes,  rip  up  the  bel- 

*  lies  and  break  the  legs  of  all  that  oppofe  yoUy  I  will 

*  be  your  vizir  over  them.   Then  the  apoftle  of 

*  God  w.  G.  b.  embracing  AU  about  the  neck  faid, 

*  this  is  my  brother,  my  ambaffador,  my  deputy, 

*  pay  him  obedience :  at  this  they  all  fell  a  laugh- 

*  ing,  and  faid  to  Abu  Taleb^  you  are  now  to  be 
'obedient  to  your  fon. 

*  Mahomet,  not  at  all  difcouraged  by  the  op- 

*  pofition  of  his  tribe,  continued  to  upbraid  them 

*  with  their  idolatry,  and  the  perverfenefs  and  infi- 

*  delity  of  their  anceftors  and  of  their  nation :  this 
'  provoked  them  to  that  degree  that  they  came  to 
'  Abu  Taleb  to  complain  of  his  nephew,  and  de- 

*  fired  him  to  interpofe  j  he  gave  them  a  civil 

*  anfwer,  but  Mahomet  perfifting  in  his  purpofe, 

*  they  came  a  fecond  time,  and  threatned  to  ufe 

*  force.  Abu  T^akb  faid  to  him,  nephew,  thus  and 

*  thus  have  your  countrymen  fpoken  to  me,  he, 

*  imagining  his  uncle  to  be  againfi:  him,  replyed, 

*  uncle,  if  they  could  fet  the  fun  againft  me  on  my 

*  right  hand,  and  the  moon  on  my  left,  I  would 

*  never  drop  the  affair,    Well,  fays  Abu  'Taleb,  tell 

'  me 


*The  Life  of  Mahomet,  1 7 

*  me  what  anfwer  I  fliall  give  them :  as  for  me  I 

*  will  never  give  you  up :  and  fwore  to  it.  Then 

*  the  whole  tribe  confuked  about  baniihing  all  who 

*  embraced  IJlam:    but  Abu  'Talcb  prote(5ted  his 

*  nephew,  though  he  did  not  come  into  his  new 

*  religion,*  After  this,  Hamza  another  of  his  un- 
cles, refenting  an  affront  that  Abu  Jehel  had  of- 
fered to  Mahomet^  to  whom  he  was  a  moft  bitter 
enemy,  became  one  of  his  profelytes ;  as  did  alfo 
Omar  the  (on  of  AlKetah\  another  of  the  princi- 
pal men  of  Mecca,  who  afterwards  fucceeded  A^ 
bubeker  in  the  government :  Omar  was  violently 
fet  againft  the  prophet,  had  girded  on  a  fword,  and 
was  going  in  fearch  of  him  with  an  intent  to  kill 
him  :  by  the  way,  he  called  in  at  his  own  iirters, 
where  the  twentieth  chapter  of  the  Alcoraji  was 
reading ;  Omar  demanded  to  fee  the  book,  and 
upon  his  fifter's  refufal,  gave  her  a  violent  flap  on  the 
face,  then  fhe  gave  it  him  into  his  hand,  upon  his 
promife  to  reftore  it  to  her  again  ;  when  he  had 
read  in  it,  he  cryed  out,  O  how  fine  is  this  !  how  I 
reference  it !  I  have  a  great  defire  to  be  a  believer  : 
then  aflced  where  Mahomet  was,  and,  being  told, 
went  to  the  apoftle,  who  took  hold  of  his  cloaths 
and  pulled  him  forcibly  to  him,  and  faid,  O  fon  of 
AlKetabi'y  what  .do  you  flop  at  ?  why  would  you 
flay  till  the  roofof  thehoufe  falls  upon  your  head? 
Omar  replyed,  I  come  hither  that  I  may  believe 
in  God  and  his  apoflle :  then  the  apoflle  praif- 
cd  God  :  thus  the  converfion  of  Omar  was  com- 
pleated. 

And  now,  finding  he  made  fuch  progrefs,  the 

Coreijlntes  fo  perfecuted  the  followers  oi Mahomet, 

that  he  gave  leave  to  as  many  of  them  as  had  no 

*  B  family 


1 8  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

family  to  hinder  it  to  leave  Mecca,  which  they 
did,  to  the  number  of  83  men  and  18  women, 
with  their  httle  ones  j  and  fled  to  the  king  of  E- 
thiopia :  the  Coreijhites  fent  two  pbrfons  with  a 
prefent  of  ikins  to  the  king,  and  denred  him  to 
fend  the  fugitives  back,  which  he  refufed  to  do  -, 
and,  as  the  Mahometan  writers  fay,  embraced  IJlanp 
himfelf.  In  the  eighth  year  oi Mahomet's  milfion, 
the  Coreijhites  entered  into  a  written  agreement^ 
that  none  of  them  would  intermarry  with  the 
Hajhemites,  or  have  any  dealings  with  them  :  and 
put  the  deed  into  the  Caaba,  where,  it  is  faid,  a 
worm  eat  out  every  word  of  the  deed,  except  the 
name  of  God  :  and  that  they  had  a  public  meet- 
ing thereupon,  and  made  void  the  agreement. 
*  In  the  tenth  year  of  the  miffion  of  the  pro- 

*  phet,  dyed  Abu  "Taleb;   when  he  grew  very  ill^ 

*  the  apoftle  of  God  w.  G.  b.  faid  to  him,  uncle^ 

*  make  the  profeffion  which  will  entitle  you  to 

*  happinefs  at  the  day  of  the  refurre(5tion :  Abu 

*  'Taleb  anfweredj  fo  I  would  nephew,  if  it  were 

*  not  for  the  difgrace  ;  for  if  I  fhould  do  fo,  the 
'  Coreijhites  would  fay  I  did  it  for  fear  of  death; 
*■  In  his  laft  moments  he  began  to  move  his  lips, 

*  and  Al  Abbas,  putting  his  ear  clofe  to  them,  faid 

*  O  nephew,  he  repeated  the  words  that  you  ex- 

*  horted  him  to  fay  :   then  the  apoftle  of  God  w. 

*  G.  b.   faid,    praifed  be  God  who  has  fo  direded 

*  you,  dear  uncle/ 

Very  foon  after,  dyed  Cadigha  alfo:  whereupon, 
Mahomet,  meeting  with  more  and  more  oppofition 
at  Mecca,  where  Abu  Sophy  an  his  mortal  enemy 
now  bore  the  greateft:  fway,  took  a  journey  to 
7'aify  a  town  about  fixty  miles  eafl  of  Mecca, 

wherein 


'The  Life  of  Mahomet,  19 

wherein  Al  Abbas  another  of  his  uncles  often  re-^ 
lided,  to  try  if  he  could  make  any  converts  there; 
but,  having  no  fuccefs,  returned  to  Mecca,  where 
his  followers  were  greatly  mortifyed  by  the  re«. 
pulfe  he  had  met  with. 

Mahomet  continued  his  preaching,  even  at  the 
hazard  of  his  life,  fays  Abu' I  Feda ;  getting  fome- 
times  among  the  pilgrims,  and  calling  to  them,  O 
ye  of  fuch  a  tribe  (which  he  named)  I  ani  the  a- 
poftle  of  God  who  commands  you  to  ferve  God, 
and  not  to  allbciate  any  other  with  him ;  and  to 
believe  and  teftify  that  I  am  a  true  Apojile.  One 
time  he  was  at  a  place  called  Alkaba,  a  mountain 
north  of  Mecca,  where  there  were  fome  pilgrims 
from  Tathreb,  he  addreffed  himfelf  to  them,  and 
made  converts  of  fix  ;  who  returning  to  Tathreb 
fpread  his  fame  there,  and  propagated  IJlam  with 
great  fuccefs. 

The  chief  points  of  religion  which  Mahomet  at 
firft  infilled  upon  were,  befides  fome  moral  duties, 
the  unity  of  God,  a  refurredion,  and  a  future 
ftate  of  rewards  and  punifhments :  the  profeflion 
neceffary  to  be  made  in  order  to  be  one  of  his  dif- 
ciples  confifted  only  of  thefe  two  articles,  there  is 
no  God  but  one,  and  Mahomet  is  bis  apojile.  The 
firft  of  thefe  is  in  oppofition,  not  only  to  all 
who  worlhip  idols,  or  own  a  plurality  of  gods,  but 
againft  the  chriftians  alfo,  who  hold  the  divinity  of 
our  blefled  Saviour,  and  the  do(5lrine  of  the  Tri- 
nity :  the  belief  of  the  fecond  article,  was  the 
moft  effedlual  means  he  could  take  to  prevail  on 
his  followers,  to  fwallow  every  thing,  how  abfurd 
foever,  that  he  fliould  propofe  to  be  believed,  or 
pradifed  by  them.  He  declared  that  Iflam  was 
B  2  not 


20  7he  Life  of  Mahomet. 

not  a  new  religion,  but  a  reftoration  of  the  ancient 
religion,  taught  and  pradifed  by  the  prophets,  A~ 
dam,  Abraham,  Mofes,  David  and  Jefus,  to  its  o- 
riginal  purity.  He  did  indeed  purge  the  religion  of 
the  Arabians^  which  in  his  time  was  rank  idola- 
try, from  fome  grofs  abufes ;  as  Sabiifmy  or  the 
worftiip  of  the  hofl  of  heaven,  the  worfhip  of 
idols,  and  divination :  but  in  order  to  make  his  new 
fyflem  be  the  more  eafily  received  by  his  country- 
men, he  retained  feveral  of  their  old  faperflitious 
obfervances,  fuch  as  frequent  wafhing  ^  the  pilgri- 
mage to  Mecca,  with  the  abfurd  ceremonies  ap- 
pendant to  it,  of  going  feven  times  round  the  Caaba^ 
throwing  ftones  to  drive  away  the  devil,  &c. 

The  few  things  he  propofed  to  their  profeflion 
and  belief  certainly  made  it  more  eafy  for  him  to 
gain  profelytes ;  the  paradife  he  promifed  them 
was  indeed  very  grofs  and  fenfual,  as  we  (hall  fee 
hereafter,  but  very  well  fuited  to  the  tafte  of  the 
people  he  had  to  deal  with :  the  hell  he  threatened 
to  unbelievers  was  terrible^  and  he  may  be  fuppofed 
to  have  dwelt  much  upon  that  fubjedl,  as  it  is  fo 
frequently  repeated  in  the  Alcoran.  By  his  artful 
infinuating  addrefs,  in  which  he  is  faid  to  have  ex- 
ceeded all  men  living,  he  furmounted  all  difficul- 
ties that  lay  in  his  way.  At  his  firft  fetting  out 
upon  his  prophetic  office,  he  bore  all  affronts  with- ' 
out  feeming  to  refent  them,  and  when  any  of  his 
followers  were  injured  he  recommended  patience 
to  them  ;  and,  it  is  faid,  for  that  purpofe,  pro- 
pofed the  chriflian  martyrs  to  their  imitation.  He 
was  obliging  to  every  body :  the  rich  he  flattered ; 
the  poor  he  relieved  with  alms  :  and  by  his  beha- 
viour appeared  thq  mofl  hutpaQC  friendly  perfon  ia 

the 


l*he  Life  of  Mahomet, 


21 


the  world,  fo  long  as  he  found  it  neceflary  to  wear 
them  afk,  which  we  fhall  hereafter  find  him,  upon 
Ibme  occafions,  pull  off  and  throw  afide. 

In  the  tenth  year  of  his  miffion,  Mahomet  gave 
his  daughter  Fatema,  then  nine  years  old,  to  AH  in 
marriage  :  the  dowry  given  by  Alt  upon  that  oc- 
cafion  was  twelve  ounces  of  oftrich  plumes,  a 
thing  of  fome  value  in  that  country,  and  a  breaft- 
plate;  all  indeed  that  he  had  to  give  '  :  the  fame 
year,  according  to  Elmakin,  for  authors  vary  as  to 
the  precife  year  of  many  of  his  mofl  conliderable 
tranfadlions,  Mahomet^  to  ftrengthen  his  intereft, 
as  well  as  perhaps  to  gratify  his  inclination,  mar- 
ryed  Ayejha  daughter  oiAbubeker^  Sawda  daughter 
of  Zama^  and,  fome  time  after,  Haphfa  daughter 
oiOmar:  Ayejha  was  then  but  feven  years  old,  and 
therefore  he  did  not  confummate  his  marriage 
with  her  till  two  years  after,  when  fhe  was  nine 
years  old,  at  which  age,  we  are  told,  women  are 
ripe  for  marriage  in  that  country,  hxi  Arabian 
author  cited  by  Maracci^,  fays  that  Ahiikeker  was 
very  averfe  to  the  giving  him  his  daughter  fo 
young,  but  that  Mahomet  pretended  a  divine  com- 
mand for  it :  whereupon,  he  fent  her  to  him  with 
a  bafket  of  dates :  and  when  the  girl  was  alone 
with  him,  he  ftretched  out  his  bleffed  hand,  (they 
are  the  author* i  words)  and  took  hold  of  her 
cloaths,  and  laid  her  down ;  upon  which  flie  look- 
ed fiercely  at  him,  and  faid,  people  call  you  the 
faithful  man  %  but  your  behaviour  to  me  fhews 

a  It  feems  to  have  been  a  cuftom  among  the  Arabs  for  the 
bridegroom  to  make  a  prefent    to   the  father  of  the  bride. 

^  Marac.  vita  Mahometis^  P«23-  ^  MuH  Fcda  fays  he  was 
called  Al  Amin^  the  faithful  one^  when  he  was  young,  p.ii- 

B  3  you. 


/ 


2  2  7he  Life  of  Mahomet. 

you  a  perfidious  one ;  and,  compofing  her  cloaths, 
got  out  of  his  hands,  and  went  and  complained  to 
her  father:  the  old  gentleman,  to  calm  her  re- 
fentment,  told  her  (he  was  now  betrothed  to  Ma- 
homet, and  that  made  him  take  liberties  with  hefj^ 
as  if  ihe  had  been  his  wife. 

T^he  Story  of  Mahomef^  a/cent  into  Heaven. 
The  Mahometan  writers  are  not  agreed  about 
the  time  of  this  tranfadion,  nor  as  to  the  manner 
of  it,  whether  it  were  only  a  vifion  or  a  real  jour- 
ney. The  moft  received  opinion  is,  that  it  was  in 
the  1 2th  year  of  his  miffion:  and  the  moft  ortho- 
dox belief  is,  that  it  was  a  real  journey  taken  by 
him  : '  I  (hall  give  it  in  the  words  of  j^bul  Feda^ 
who  took  his  relation  out  of  Al  Boktoari.    ^ '  Hodba 

*  the  fon  of  Caled  faid,  that  Hamman  fon  ofjahia 

*  faid,  that  Cottada  had  it  from  Anas  the  fon  of 

*  Malek  the  fon  of  Sefa,  that  the  prophet  of  God 

*  w.  G.  b.  gave  them  a  relation  of  his  night-jour- 

*  ney  to  heaven  in  thefe  words:  As  I  was  within 
^  the  inclofare  of  the  Caaba^  or  as  he  fometimes 

*  told  the  flory,  as  I  lay  upon  a  ftone,  behold  one 

*  came  to  me  {Gabriel)  with  another,  and  cut  me 

*  open  from  the  pit  of  the  throat  to  the  groin  :  this 

*  done,   he  took  out  my  heart,  and  prefently  was 

*  brought  near  me  a  golden  bafon  full  of  the  water 

*  of  faith  :  and  he  wafhed  my  heart,  fluffed  it,  and 
'  replaced  it :  then  was  brought  to  me  a  white  beaft 
'  lefs  than  a  mule  but  larger  than  an  afs,  I  mounted 

*  him,  and  Gabriel  went  with  me  till  I  came  to  the 
'  firll:  heaven  of  the  world :  and  he  knocked  at  the 

'"'  According  to  a  tradition  from  Ayejlm,  it  mufl:  have  been 
n  dream,  for  fhe  fiiid  he  was  in  bed  with  her  all  that  night. 

''  The  author  of  the  book  of  the  moft  authentic  traditions  ^ 
xn  account  will  be  given  of  him  hereafter,  p.  30,  note  o. 

'  door. 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  2  3 

'door,  it  was  faid  to  him,  who  is  there?  he  an- 

*  fwered,G^^r/V/,and  who  is  with  you?  he  anfwered, 

*  Mohammed:  it  was  faid,  has  the  apoftle  had  his 

*  miiTion  ?  he  anfwered,  yes :  it  was  faid,  may  it  be 
'  fortunate  to  him,  he  will  now  be  very  welcome  -, 

*  and  the  door  was  opened :  and  behold,  there  was 

*  Adam^  and  Gabriel  faid  to  me,  this  is  your  father 
^  Adam,  greet  him,  and  I  did  fo,  and  he  returned 

*  it,  faying,  may  my  bed  fon  and  the  beft  prophet 

*  be  profperous.   Then  he  went  up  with  me  to  the 

V  fecond  heaven,  and  knocked  at  the  door,  it  was 

*  faid  to  him,  who  is  there  ?  he  anfwered,  Gabriel^ 
'  it  was  faid  to  him,  and  who  is  with  you  ?  it  was 

*  faid,  Mahommed :  it  was  faid,  has  the  apoftle  had 

*  his  miffion  ?  he  anfwered,  yes  :  it  was  faid,  may 

*  it  be  fortunate  to  him,  he  will  now  be  very  wel- 

*  come  :  and  the  door  was  opened,  and  behold  there 

*  wasjahia  (i.e.  John,)  and  Ifa  {Jefus-y)  and  they 

V  both  coufm  germans :  '^  Gabriel  faid  to  me,  thefe 

*  are  Jahia  and  Ifa,  greet  them,  and  I  did  fo :  and 

*  they  both  returned  it,  faying,  may  our  beft  bro- 

*  ther  and  the  beft  prophet  be  fuccefsful.'  It  would 
be  naufeous  to  an  Englifti  reader  to  repeat  in  the 
fame  manner,  as  my  author  does,  the  knocking  at 
the  door,  the  queftion  and  anfwer,  the  greeting 
and  returning  of  it,  through  the  following  five 
heavens :  it  is  fufficient  to  fay  that  Mahomet  be- 
ing with  Gabriel  let  into  the  third  heaven  found 
Jofeph  there:  Ef20ch  in  the  fourth  heaven  :  Aaron 
in  the  fifth  :  Mo/es  in  the  fixth  :  and  Abraham  in 
the  feventh  :  and  that  when  he  was  near  Mo/es, 
Mofes  wept :  and  being  afked  the  reafon  of  his 
weeping,  faid  it  was  becaufe  a  young  man  whofe 

*  Here  Mahomet  was  miftakcn,  the  virgin  Mary  and  Eliza- 
beth  were  not  rilters, 

B  4  <  miffion 


24  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

^"mifllon  was  pofterior  to  his  would  have  a  greater 

*  number  of  his  nation  enter  into  jiaradife  than 

*  there  would  be  of  his  countrymen.    Then  I  was 

*  carried  up  to  the  tree  Sedrat^  beyond  which  it  is 

*  not  lawful  to  go,  the  fruit  thereof  is  as  large  as 

*  the  water  pots  of  Hagjira,  and  the  leaves  as  big 

*  as  the  ears  of  an  elephant :  there  were  alfo  four 

*  rivers ;    and   I  aiked  Gabriel  what    rivers   are 

*  thefe  ?  he  anfwered,  two  of  them  run  within 

*  paradife  quite  through  it,  the  other  two  that  run 

*  on  the  outfide  of  it  are  the  Nile  and  the  Euphrates. 
'  Then  he  took  me  to  the  hoiife  ofvifitation  ^  into 

*  which  70000  angels  go  every  day :    then  were 

*  fet  before  me  three  vefTels,  one  of  wine,  another 
'  of  milk,  and  the  third  of  honey :  I  drank  of  the 

*  milk,  whereupon  Gabriel  faid  to  me,  this  is  the 

*  happieft  for  thee  and  thy  nation/  Another  tradi-^ 
tion  adds,  if  you  had  ckofen  the  wine^  your  nation 
nvould  have  Jirayed  from  the  right  way.   *  Laftly, 

*  when  I  came  to  the  throne  of  God,  I  was  or- 

*  dered  to  pray  fifty  times  a  day.    In  my  return 

*  from  thence,  being  near  M?/?^,  he  afked  me  what 

*  I  had  been  commanded  to  do ;  I  told  him  to  pray 
'  fifty  times  a  day  ?  and  are  you  able,  faid  he,  to  pray 

*  fifty  times  a  day  ?  and  fwore,  I  have  made  the  ex- 
'  periment  among  mankind,  for  I  have  endeavoured 

*  to  bring  the  children  of  Jfrael  to  it,  but  never 

*  could  compafs  it :  go  back  then  to  your  Lord  and 

*  beg  an  abatement  for  your  nation,  fo  I  went  back, 

*  and  he  took  off  ten  prayers;  and  coming  to Mofes 

*  he  advifed  me  as  before^  and  I  went  back  again 

*  and  had  ten  more  abated:  then  coming  to  Mofis 

*  he  repeated  the  fame  advice  j  I  therefore  return- 

a  This  houfe  is  the  original  whereof  a  copy  was  fcnt  down 
to  Jdarr.^  as  is  mentioned  beibre,  page  4. 

«ed. 


T^he  Life  of  Mahomet,  25 

\  ed,  and  was  commanded  to  pray  ten  times  a  day  : 

*  upon  Mofes's  repeating  what  he  had  faid  before, 

*  I  went  back  again,  and  was  commanded  to  fay 

*  prayers  five  times  a  day,  and  when  Mofes  was  in- 

*  formed  of  this  laft  order,  he  would  have  had  me 

*  go  back  again  to  my  Lord  and  beg  a  ftill  farther 

*  abatement :  I  replied,  I  have  fo  often  petitioned 

*  my  Lord  that  I  am  afhamed  :  and  fo  faying,  I 

*  took  my  leave  of  him,  and  prayed  for  him  . 

The  foregoing  account  of  Mahomet's,  night's 
journey  is  modeft,  in  comparifon  of  what  fome 
authors  give  us,  who,  from  other  traditions,  add 
many  other  wonders  3  as,  that  the  beaft  Alhorac 
would  not  let  Mahomet  mount,  till  he  had  promifed 
liim  a  place  in  paradife  ;  that  then  he  took  him 
quietly  on  his  back,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  Gabriel  leading  him  all  the  way  by  the  bridle, 
carried  him  to  yerufakm :  that  there  a  number  of 
the  prophets  and  faints  departed  appeared  at  the 
gate  of  the  temple,  faluted  him,  and,  attending 
him  into  the  chief  oratory,  defired  him  to  pray  for 
them  :  that  when  he  came  out  from  thence,  there 
was  a  ladder  of  light  ready  fet  for  them,  on 
which  Gabriel  and  Mahomet  went  up  to  the  hea- 
vens, having  firft  tied  Alborac  to  a  ring,  where  he 
ufed  to  be  tied  by  the  prophets  who  rode  him. 
That  befides  what  is  already  mentioned,  Mahomet 
m  the  firft  heaven  which  was  made  of  pure  filver, 
faw  the  ftars  hanging  from  it  by  chains  of  gold, 
each  ftar  as  large  as  mount  Nobo  near  Mecca^  and 
that  in  thefe  ftars  angels  kept  watch  and  ward,  that 
devils  might  not  come  near,  to  liften  and  hear  what 
was  doing  in  heaven.  As  he  went  farther  on,  hz 
faw  a  multitude  of  angels  of  all  manner  of  fhapes, 
which  prcfided  over  and  interceded  for  the  feveral 

kinds 


26  The  Life  of  Mahofnet. 

kinds  of  birds  and  beads  in  whofe  fhapes  they  ap- 
peared :  that,  amongft  thofe  of  the  birds,  there 
was  a  cock,  the  angel  of  the  cocks ^  fo  large,  that 
his  feet  (landing  upon  the  firfl  heaven,  his  head 
reached  up  to  the  fecond,  which  was  at  the  diftance 
of  a  500  days  journey,  according  to  the  common 
rate  of  travelling  upon  earth :  and  this  he  makes 
the  diftance  of  every  one  of  the  feven  heavens  from 
the  heaven  next  to  it  in  order :  others  are  ftill  more 
extravagant,  and  fay,  the  head  of  the  cock  reached 
through  all  the  feven  heavens,  up  to  the  throne  of 
God;  that  his  wings  which  are  large  in  proportion 
to  his  height,  are  deckt  with  carbuncles  and  pearls  : 
that  every  morning  when  God  fings  an  holy  hymn, 
this  cock  joins  in  it,  and  crows  fo  loud  as  to  be 
heard  by  all  the  creatures  upon  the  earth,  except 
men  and  fairies :  and  that  upon  hearing  him  all 
the  cocks  upon  earth  crow  alfo.  That  in  the  fe- 
cond heaven,  which  was  all  of  pure  gold,  he  faw 
an  angel  fo  large  that  his  head  reached  up  to  the 
third  heaven.  The  third  heaven  was  all  made  of 
precious  ftones,  there  he  found  Abraham^  who  re- 
commended himfelf  to  his  prayers;  there  he  faw 
more  angels  than  in  either  of  the  former  heavens, 
and  one  of  them  of  fo  prodigious  a  ftature  that  the 
diftance  between  his  two  eyes  was  equal  to  the 
length  of  a  journey  of  70000  days ;  ^  this,  Ga- 
briel- told  him  was  the  angel  of  death,  who  had 
a  table  before  him  of  an  immenfe  bignefs,  where- 
on he  was  continually  writing  down  the  names  of 
thofe  who  were  to  be  born,  and  blotting  out  the 

*  Here  Prideux  obfervcs  that  the  diftance  between  a  man's 
eyes  is  in  proportion  to  his  height.,  as  i  to  72.  So  that  the 
height  of  this  angel  muft  have  been  4  times  as  much  as  the 
height  of  all  the  feven  heavens,  and  therefore  he  could  not 
ftand  in  one  of  them. 

names 


I'be  Life  of  Mahomet,  27 

names  of  thofe  who  were  to  die.  The  fourth  hea- 
ven was  all  of  emerald,  therein  he  found  JoJepJj 
the  fon  oi  Jacobs  who  defired  him  to  pray  for  him: 
the  number  of  angels  was  greater  in  this  than  in  the 
third  heaven ;  one  of  them  whofe  head  reached 
to  the  fifth  heaven,  was  always  weeping  for  the  fins 
of  mankind,  and  the  miferies  they  thereby  bring 
upon  themfelves.  The  fifth  heaven  was  made  of 
adamant,  here  he  found  Mofes^  who  defired  his 
prayers.  The  fixth  heaven  was  of  carbuncle,  here 
was  John  theBaptiJi,  who  begged  his  prayers.  In 
the  feventh  heaven,  which  was  made  of  heavenly 
light,  he  found  Jefus  ;  whofe  prayers  he  defired 
for  himfelf :  here,  fays  Frideaiix^  Mahomet  changes 
his  fiyle,  and  acknowledges  Jefus  for  his  fuperior  : 
Gagnier  thinks  this  improbable,  as  he  taught  Jefm 
to  be  no  more  than  a  creature,  and  pretended  that  he 
himfelf  was  the  moft  perfect  of  all  creatures ;  per- 
haps it  will  folve  this  difficulty  to  obferve,  that  this 
privilege  was  not  yet  granted  to  Mahomet,  In  this 
heaven  were  more  angels  than  in  all  the  reft  of 
the  heavens ;  and  among  them  one  a  very  extra- 
ordinary angel,  who  had  70000  heads,  and  in 
every  head  70000  mouths,  in  every  mouth  70000 
tongues,  and  every  tongue  uttering  70000  diftind: 
voices,  with  which  he  was  day  and  night  incefilint- 
ly  praifing  God. 

(j^/^r/V/ having  brought  him  thus  far,  told  him 
he  was  not  permitted  to  go  any  farther,  and  di* 
reded  him  to  afcend  the  reft  of  the  way  by  him- 
felf; which  he  did  through  water  and  fnow,  and 
other  difficulties,  'till  he  heard  a  voice  fiy,  Ma- 
homet y}z/«/^  thy  Creator,  Afcending  higher,  he 
came  into  a  place  of  that  exceeding  brightnefs  that 

his 


28  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

bis  eyes  could  not  bear  it ;  and  tbere  tbe  tbronc 
of  the  Almighty  was  placed,  on  tbe  rigbt-fide 
whereof  was  written,  La  ellah  ellalla  Mohammed 
refill  allah,  T^here  is  no  God  but  God,  Mahomet 
is  the  Prophet  of  God:  the  fame  Infcription  was 
alfo  upon  all  tbe  gates  of  the  feven  heavens.  Hav- 
ing approached  to  the  prefence  of  God,  as  near  as 
within  two  bow-fhots,  be  faid,  be  faw  bim  fitting 
upon  bis  throne,  with  a  covering  of  70000  veils 
upon  his  face:  that,  in  token  of  favour,  he  put 
forth  bis  band  and  laid  it  on  bim,  which  was  of 
that  exceeding  coldnefs  as  to  pierce  to  the  very 
marrow  of  his  back:  that,  after  this,  God  talked 
familiarly  with  bim,  taught  bim  many  myfteries, 
inftruded  bim  in  tbe  whole  of  bis  law,  gave  bim 
many  things  in  charge  concerning  bis  teaching  it, 
and  beflowed  feveral  privileges  upon  bim,  as  that 
he  fliould  be  the  moft  perfect  of  all  creatures;  that, 
at  the  day  of  judgment,  he  fbould  be  advanced 
above  all  the  reft:  of  mankind,  and  that  be  fhould 
be  tbe  redeemer  of  all  who  believed  in  bim.  Then 
returning  to  Gabriel,  they  went  back  tbe  fame  way 
they  came,  through  all  the  heavens;  and,  going 
to  jerufakm,  found  Alborac  where  be  bad  been  left 
tied,  and  was  brought  back  by  bim  to  Mecca  in  tbe 
fame  manner  as  be  bad  been  carried  from  thence, 
and  all  this  in  tbe  tentb  part  of  a  night. 

On  his  relating  this  extravagant  ftory  to  the 
people  tbe  next  morning  after  he  pretended  this 
had  happened,  it  was  received  by  them,  as  it  de- 
ferved,  by  a  general  boot :  fome  laughed  at  the  ri- 
diculoufnefs  of  it,  others  were  moved  with  indig- 
nation at  bis  offering  to  impofe  upon  them  with 
fuch  an  abfurd  and  impudent  lie,  and  bade  him 

afcend 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  29 

afcend  up  to  heaven  before  their  eyes,and  they  would 
believe  :  and  ibme  of  his  difciples  were  fo  {hocked 
at  fo  improbable  a  fiction,  that  they  left  him :  but, 
to  prevent  farther  defeftion  from  him,  Abubeker 
came  and  vouched  for  the  truth  of  all  Mahomet 
had  related;  upon  which  account  he  had  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  title  of  Ajfaddick,  the  juji 
man:  but  as  this  was  a  great  ftumbling-block 
even  to  his  friends,  he,  not  thinking  Abubeker  s 
afleveration  fufficient,  brings  God  himfelf  to  bear 
witnefs  to  the  truth  of  the  tranfadiions  of  this 
night's  journey  in  two  places  of  the  Alcoran. 

How  abfurd  foever  this  flory  feems,  Mahomet 
was  fure  to  find  his  account  in  it,  if  he  could  but 
once  get  it  believed  j  as  it  would  raife  his  authority 
among  his  followers  to  that  height,  that  they  could 
never  refufe  to  receive  any  dodrine  he  fhould 
afterwards  advance,  nor  refufe  him  obedience, 
whatever  he  Ihould  think  proper  to  command. 
And  here,  befides  the  Alcorany  or  written  law,  was 
a  foundation  laid  for  an  oral  law,  of  the  fame  nature 
with  that  which  the  Jeivs  have,  confifting  of  tra- 
ditions of  fuch  directions  as  they  i-^yMofes  received, 
befides  the  written  law,  during  his  forty  days  ftay 
upon  mount  Sinai ^  and  were  by  him  didated  by 
word  of  mouth  to  thofe  about  him  j  accordingly 
the  Mahometam  pay  as  great  a  regard  to  many 
traditions  of  the  fayings  and  adtions  of  Mahomet^ 
as  to  the  Alcoran  itfelf :  and  as  the  Jews  have  feve- 
ral  books  in  which  their  oral  law  is  recited  and  ex- 
plained, fo  have  the  Mahometans  their  Sunnab, 
or  tradition ;  in  which  the  fayings  and  doings  of 
Mahomet ,  any  way  relating  to  religion  or  law,  arc 
related  in  the  manner  fct  down  pag.  22,  from  Al 

Bokhari^ 


30  ^e  Life  of  Mahomet, 

Bokhari  ^,  fo  as  to  be  carried  from  the  colle<5tor 
of  the  tradition  through  feveral  hands  up  to  one 
of  Mahomefs  intimate  companions,  who  had  the 
faying  from  his  own  mouth;  or  was  prefent  at 
his  doing  the  adtion  related.  They  have  alfo  many 
commentators  upon  that  Siinnah. 

We  may  obferve  different  traditions  give  diffe- 
rent accounts  of  the  placing  the  prophets,  Abra^ 
ham^Mofes,  &c.  Gagnier^  has  a  much  longer  re- 
lation of  the  night-journey  from  Abu  Horaira,  one 
of  the  fix  authors  of  traditions^,  who  had  every  thing 
from  the  mouth  oi  Mahomet  himfelf:  fome  of  the 
principal  things  not  mentioned  in  the  other  tradi- 
tions are  thefe;  I,  Gabriel's  appearing  in  the  form 
he  was  created  in ;  his  complexion  white  as  fnow, 
•white  hair  finely  plaited  and  hanging  in  curls  about 
his  fhoulders,  ^c.  upon  his  forehead  were  two 
plates,  on  one  was  written,  I'here  is  770  God  but 
God -J  on  the  other,  Mahomet  is  the  Apojile  of  God: 
he  had  about  him  ten  thoufand  little  perfume  bags 
full  of  mufk  and  faffron :  five  hundred  pair  of 
wings ;  and  from  one  wing  to  the  other  there  was 
the  diflance  of  a  journey  of  five  hundred  years. 
2,    a  fuller  defcription  of  the  ht2i^Alborac;  he 

a  This  famous  Doctor  was  from  Bokhara  the  place  of  his 
birth,  or  his  chief  refidence,  called  Al  Bokhari,  His  col- 
lection of  traditions  is  of  the  greateft  authority  of  all  that  have 
ever  been  made:  He  called  it  JlSahih^  i.e.  genuine;  becaufc 
he  feparated  the  fpurious  ones  from  thofe  that  were  authentic. 
He  fays,  he  feleded  7275  of  the  moft  authentic  traditions  out 
of  icoooo,  which  he  looked  upon  to  be  true,  having  rejected 
200000  as  being  falfe.      D^Hcrbelot,  M.Bockhari  &  Jl  Sahib. 

^  Vie  dc  Mahomet.  c  The  fix  perfons  from  whom  the 

moft  authentic  traditions  come,  are  i,^'^;^  the  prophet's 
wife,  2,  Jbu  Horaira  his  particular  friend.  3,  Abu  Abbas.  4, 
Ebn  Omar  fon  of  the  Caliph  Qmar,    5,  Giakr  fon  of  Abdol- 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  3 1 

had  the  face  of  a  man,  his  mane  of  fine  pearls, 
£?<:.  his  eyes  two  large  emeralds,  bright  as  flars, 
^c.  two  large  wings,  enamelled  with  pearls,  and 
precious  ftones,  bordered  with  light :  he  had 
an  human  foul,  and  underftood  what  was  faid,  but 
could  not  fpeak;  only  fpeech  was  given  to  him, 
at  this  time,  to  afk  Gabriel  to  intercede  with  Ma- 
homet that  he  might  have  a  place  in  paradife,  which 
he  promifed  him.  3,  Gabriel  made  the  prophet 
flop  and  alight  upon  mount  Sinai^  and  pray  with 
two  bowings,  and  get  up  again,  and  go  on  till  he 
was  over  Bethlehem^  and  there  he  was  ordered  to 
alight,  and  fay  the  prayer  with  two  bowings.  4,  as 
he  went  along,  he  had  twice  an  earneft  call  to 
ftop  J  then  a  young  woman  finely  drefied  accofted 
him,  offered  her  hand,  and  told  him  fhe  was  en- 
tirely at  his  fervice:  h\it  Alborac  continued  his 
pace.  Gabriel  afterwards  told  him,  if  he  had  obey- 
ed the  firft  call,  his  nation  would  all  have  become 
Jev«^s  J  if  the  fecond,  they  would  have  been  Chri- 
flians :  and  that  the  woman  who  tempted  him  was 
the  world :  and  that  if  he  had  ftopt  to  anfwer  her, 
his  nation  would  have  chofen  the  enjoyment  of 
this  world  preferably  to  eternal  happinefs,  and  fo 
have  been  cafl:  into  hell.  5,  he  met  a  venerable  old 
man  of  the  finefl:  look  that  could  be  feen  ;  he  em- 
braced the  prophet  tenderly,  who  returned  it ;  Ga- 
briel told  him  this  was  IJlam.  6,  they  wxnt  to  the 
temple  of  the  refurredlion  [in  Jerufalem)  and  met 
there  a  man  with  three  pitchers,  one  of  water,  one 
of  milk,  the  third  of  winej  Malmnet^  being  order- 
ed to  chufe,  drank  of  the  milk ;  the  confequence 
of  which  was  that  his  nation  would  be  directed  in 
the  right  way,  to  the  day  of  refurrc(5lion :   but 

hearing, 


32  Hhe  Life  of  Mahomet^ 

hearing,  that  if  he  had  drank  it  all,  none  of  his  na- 
tion would  ever  have  gone  to  hell ;  he  begged  he 
might  take  the  milk  again,  and  drink  it  all  up : 
but  Gabriel  faid,  it  is  too  late,  the  thing  is  deter- 
mined. 7,  a  ladder  wiih.  fteps  of  gold  and  precious 
ftones  was  placed  where  Jacob's  ladder  was  fet, 
whereon  he  faw  angels  going  up  and  down  j  on 
this  Gabriel  afcended,  hugging  Mahomet  clofe  to 
his  bofom,  and  covering  him  with  his  wings.  8, 
in  the  fifth  heaven  he  faw  an  angel  fo  large  that 
he  could  have  fwallowed  the  feven  heavens  and 
feven  earths  as  eafily  as  a  pea :  and  another  angel 
of  a  moft  frightful  afped:,  who  was  the  governour 
of  hell,  of  which  he  had  alfo  a  fight.  9,  in  the 
fixth  heaven  he  faw  an  angel  half  fnow  and  half 
fire ',  upon  which,  he  prayed  him  who  could  join 
together  things  fo  contrary  to  unite  his  feveral  be- 
lievers, in  obedience  to  him.  10,  in  the  feventh 
heaven  the  impoflor  has  the  impudence  to  fay,  he 
heard  God  and  one  of  the  angels  alternately  repeat 
the  profeflion,  God  is  one^  and  Mahomet  is  his 
^poftle.  1 1 ,  Gabrielh^idi  flopped  at  the  tree  Sedrat^ 
it  not  being  permitted  to  any  angel  to  go  any  far- 
ther ;  but,  VL^on  Mahomet  being  frighted  at  his  leav- 
ing him  alone,  was  ordered  to  condu(fl  him  farther; 
which  he  did,  till  he  came  to  a  fea  of  light,  up  to 
the  angel  who  prefided  over  it :  then  this  angel 
took  him  and  carried  him  to  another  fea  of  light, 
where  another  angel  prefided,  of  fuch  a  ftature, 
that  if  every  thing  created  in  heaven  and  earth 
were  put  into  his  hand  it  would  be  but  as  a  grain 
of  muftard  feed  in  a  large  field. 

Then  he  was  carried  to  a  large  black  fea,  and, 
going  a  Ihore,  paffed  by  feveial  different  choirs  of 

angels. 


^e  Life  of  Mahomet,  33 

angels,  till  he  came  to  Ajraphel,  an  angel  with  a 
million  of  wings,  and  a  million  of  heads  j  in  every 
head  a  million  of  mouths,  {s?^.  he  fupported  the 
throne  of  God  on  the  nape  of  his  neck  :  Mahomet^ 
being  bidden  to  look  up,  faw  upon  the  throne 
every  thing  that  is  contained  in  heaven  and  earth, 
in  epitome.  10,  befides  the  angel  of  the  cocks 
before  mentioned,  he  Hiw  angels  of  fuch  gigantic 
ftature,  that  the  diftance  from  the  center  of  the 
earth  to  the  feventh  heaven  would  not  equal  the 
height  of  their  ancles.  Then  he  was  conducted  by 
a  retinue  of  70000  angels  within  the  70000  veils; 
and,  the  laft  veil  of  the  unity  being  lifted  up,  faw 
feventy  millions  of  angels  proftrate,  adoring  the 
fupreme  being  -,  befides  feventy  thoufand  more, 
who  had  the  care  of  the  veils.  There  was  a  pro- 
found filence,  when  a  voice  faid,  Mahomet  come 
near  the  powerful  and  glorious  God  :  upon  which 
he  advanced,  at  one  ftep,  a  journey  of  five  hundred 
yearsj  and,  the  fame  command  being  twice  more  re- 
peated, took  two  more  fuch  fceps :  then  the  ground 
he  ftood  upon  was  lifted  up,  fo  that  he  was  within 
the  Light  of  his  Lord,  and  was  quite  abforbed  by 
it,  and  dazled  ;  and,  fearing  he  fliould  be  blinded, 
fhut  his  eyes  j  and  God  opened  the  eyes  of  his 
heart :  and  now,  being  within  the  veil,  he  faw 
many  things  unutterable  :  then  the  Lord  laid  one 
hand  on  his  breaft,  and  the  other  upon  his  flioulder, 
upon  which  a  cold  penetrated  into  his  bowels,  but 
at  the  fame  time  he  was  regaled  with  an  inex- 
preffible  fweetnefs,  and  an  odour  infinitely  charm- 
ing :  and  now,  the  apoflle  being  admitted  to  a 
converfation  with  his  Creator,  I  (hall  take  notice 
of  fome  of  the  principal  parts  of  it  only  :  feeing  a 
*  C  fword 


34  7*^^  L^f^  of  Mahomet, 

fword  hanging  all  bloody,  he  begged  it  might  not 
hang  over  his  nation :  and  was  anfwered,  I  fend 
thee  with  the  fword,  but  thy  nation  fhall  not  pe- 
ri(h  by  the  fword.  Then  he  begged  fomc  degree 
of  excellence  might  be  given  to  him,  as  had  been 
done  to  other  prophets,  as  Abraham^  Mofes^  &c. 
the  anfwer  was,  there  are  two  chapters  in  the  Al- 
coran^ which  whoever  reads  fhall  have  every  thing 
neceffary  in  this  world,  and  enter  into  paradife  in 
the  life  to  come:  as  for  you  Mahomet,  I  have 
written  your  name  in  heaven  along  with  my  own : 
no  mention  is  made  of  me  in  heaven  or  earth  but 
you  are  mentioned  alfo  :  no  cryer  {hall  call  to 
prayers  without  faying,  God  is  but  one,and  Ma^ 
hornet  is  the  Apoftle  of  God,  nor  will  I  accept  any 
prayers  if  that  profefiion  is  not  made :  then  he 
delired  pardon  for  his  nation,  and  was  promifed  a 
pardon  for  feventy  thoufand  of  them  j  and,  upon 
his  requeft  the  number  might  be  increafed,  God 
took  three  handfuls  of  infinitely  fmall  duft,  and 
fcattered  it,  to  {hew  fo  many  Mollems  would  be 
faved  that  none  but  God  alone  was  able  to  tell  the 
number  of  them. 

The  fir{l  perfon  to  whom  Mahomet  related  his 
night-journey  was  Al  Abbas ^  who  advifed  him  by 
all  means  to  keep  it  to  himfelfj  for,  faidhe,  if  you 
fpeak  of  it  in  public  you  will  be  called  a  lyar,  and 
be  otherwife  infulted:  0mm  Hana  daughter  of 
Abu  'Taleb  earneftly  intreated  him  to  the  fame 
purpofe,  and  laid  hold  on  his  veft,  to  detain  him  ; 
but  he  angrily  broke  from  her,  and  went  and  de- 
clared it  in  a  large  company,  and  met  with  a  good 
many  affronts,  particularly  from  Abu  Jehel,  who 
called  out  to  him  and  faid,  Mahomet  you  fay  you 

have 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  35 

have  been  in  the  temple  of  Jerufalemy  pray  give 
us  fome  defcription  of  it  •,  as  for  me  I  have  been 
in  it  more  than  once :  hearing  this  Abubeker  was 
in  fuch  a  confternation  that  he  fell  to  the  ground, 
and  Mahomet  whifpered,  in  his  ear,  that  he  was 
quite  at  a  lofs  what  to  fay  ;  becaufe  it  was  in  the 
night  that  he  was  there ;  but  foon  got  out  of  this 
difficulty,  by  the  help  of  his  friend  Gabriel^  who 
held  in  his  view,  unfeen  by  every  body  elfe,  a 
model  of  the  temple,  which  enabled  him  to  an- 
fwer  all  queftions  they  put  to  him  about  the  num- 
ber and  fituation  of  the  doors,  lamps,  Gfr.  fo  ex- 
adly  according  to  the  truth,  as  to  ftrike  the  hear- 
ers with  aftonilhment.  So  much  may  fuffice  from. 
Abii  Horaira,  whofe  tradition  is  accounted  of  great 
authority,  and  will  by  every  reader  be  thought  a$ 
credible  as  the  other  from  Anas  fon  of  Makk, 

In  the  thirteenth  year  of  his  miffion,  Miifaab 
fon  oiOmair  with  feventy  men  and  eighteen  wo- 
men, believers,  and  fome  others  not  yet  converted, 
came  to  Mecca,  and  promifed  the  apoftle  to  meet 
him  at  night  at  a  place  called  Akaba  :  he  went  to 
them,  and  with  him  his  uncle  Al  Abbas,  who  had 
not  yet  embraced  IJlam ;  but  favoured  his  ne- 
phew's intereft  :  Al  Abbas  made  a  fpeech,  where- 
in he  recommended  to  them  to  ftand  by  his  ne- 
phew, whom  they  had  invited  to  come  among 
them.  Mahomet  propofed  that  they  (hould  take  an 
oath  to  defend  him  as  they  would  their  wives  and 
children  :  they  demanded.  What  fliall  we  get,  if 
we  be  killed  upon  your  account?  he  anfwered  Pa^ 
radife :  Stretch  out  your  hand  then,  fiid  they ;  he 
did  fo,  and  they  took  the  oath,  and  returned  to 
Tathrcb,  Then  the  prophet  ordered  his  Mecca 
c  2  con- 


36  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

converts  to  get  away  fecretly  to  Tathreb,  but  ftaid 
himfelf  at  Mecca,  till  he  fhould  have  the  divine 
permiffion  to  go  from  thence  j  Abubeker  and  Ali 
ftaid  with  him. 

The  Coreijhites,  finding  the  prophet  had  thus 
entered  into  a  league  with  thofe  oiTathreb,  and 
that  his  party  at  Mecca  ftuck  clofe  to  him,  took,  a 
refolution  to  allaffinate  him  :  whereof  being  in- 
formed, he  made  his  efcape,  by  throwing  a  hand- 
ful of  dull  upon  the  heads  of  the  infidels,  fays  my 
author,  having  firft  put  his  own  green  veil  upon 
Ali,  and  ordered  him  to  lie  down  in  his  place, 
which  he  did  :  the  aflaffins  peeped  in  through  a 
crevife  of  the  door,  and  feeing  the  green  veft, 
thought  themfelves  fure  of  him,  till  Ali  came  out 
in  the  morning,  and  then,  finding  their  miftake, 
fent  out  parties  in  purfuit  of  him  ;  here  Mahomet 
n^'-rrowly  efcaped,  he  and  Abubeker  hiding  them- 
felves three  days  in  a  cave  :  fome  tell  us,  a  fpider 
fpread  a  web  over  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  and  a 
pigeon  laid  two  eggs  there,  the  fight  of  which 
made  the  purfuers  not  go  in  to  fearch  for  them. 
When  their  purfuers  were  returned  home,  they 
came  out;  and,  by  the  help  of  a  guide,  got  fafe  to 
Tathreb;  there  they  met  with  a  kind  reception,  for 
fome  of  the  helpers  eager  to  entertain  him,  laid  hold 
of  the  bridle  of  his  camel ;  Let  her  go,  faid  he,  fhe 
is  obftinate :  at  laft,  when  (lie  came  to  a  certain 
place  %  flie  kneeled,  and  the  prophet  lighted,  and 

a  Some  chriftian  writers  quoted  by  Prldeaux,  fay  the  ground 
belonged  to  two  orphans,  whom  Maho7net  violently  difpofleir- 
ed  of  it,  to  build  a  mofque  thereon,  for  the  exercife  of  his  new 
religion  ;  but  Gagnler  brings  Arab  writers  that  fay  he  bought 
the   ground   and    paid  for  it.         Not.  in  AhuH  Fd.  pag.  53. 

walked 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  3  7 

walked  till  he  met  Abu  Aiub  one  of  the  helpers, 
who  took  his  baggage  off  his  camel,  and  received 
him  into  his  houfe.  He  lived  with  Abu  Aiub  till  he 
had  built  an  houfe  of  his  own,  and  fettled  there, 
till  his  death  :  whereupon  the  town  loft  its  ancient 
name  Tnthreb,  and  was  called  Medinatdl  Ncibi,  the 
town  of  the  prophet^  and  at  laft  Medina,  the  town, 
by  way  of  eminence  ;  in  the  fame  manner  as  Lon- 
don is  often  called  the  town. 

Mahomet  had  hitherto  propagated  his  religion 
by  fair  means  only  :  during  his  ftay  at  Mecca  he 
had  declared  his  bufinefs  uras  only  to  preach  and 
admonifh  ;  and  that  whether  people  believed  or 
not  was  none  of  his  concern  :  he  had  ufed  only 
the  arts  of  perfwafion,  promifing  the  joys  of  Pa- 
radife,  to  all  who  believed  in  him,  and  who  (liould, 
for  the  hopes  of  them,  difregard  the  things  of  this 
world,  and  even  bear  perfecution  with  patience  and 
refignation:  and,  to  deter  his  hearers  from  infide- 
lity, as  he  called  it,  he  fet  before  them  the  pu- 
niihments  inflicted  in  this  world  upon  Pharaoh 
and  others,  who  had  defpifed  the  warnings  of  the 
prophets  fent  to  reclaim  them;  and  the  torments 
of  hell,  which  would  be  their  portion  in  the  world 
to  come  :  but  now,  when  he  had  got  a  confiderable 
town  at  his  command,  and  a  good  number  of  fol- 
lowers firmly  attached  to  him,  he  began  to  fing 
another  note :  now,  Gabriel  brings  him  melfages 
from  heaven,  that,  whereas  other  prophets  had 
come  with  miracles  and  been  reje(5ted,  he  was  to 
take  different  meafures,  and  propagate  IJlam  by 
the  fword :  and  accordin2,ly,  within  a  year  after 
his  arrival  at  Medina,  he  began  what  was  called 
the  holy  war.  He  firft  infticuted  a  brotherhood, 
c  3  join- 


38  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

joining  his  Anfars  or  helpers  and  his  Mohajerins  Of 
refugees  together  in  pairs ;  he  himfelf  took  AH  for 
his  brother,  which  made  Ali^  afterwards  preaching 
at  Ciifa,  fay,  1  am  the  fervant  of  God,  and  brother 
to  the  apoftle  of  God.  This  Hejira  or  flight  of 
Mahomet  is  the  Mra  from  which  the  Mahometans 
date  the  times  of  all  tranfadions. 

In  the  fecond  year  of  the  Hejira^  Mahomet 
changed  the  Kebla  of  the  Mojlems  which  had  be- 
fore been  towards  Jerufalem,  and  ordered  them  to 
turn  towards  Mecca,  when  they  prayed  ^ :  the  fame 
year,  he  appointed  the  faft  of  the  month  Ramadhan, 

Mahomet  having  a  pretty  large  congregation  at 
Medhia,  was  thinking  of  calling  them  to  prayers 
by  an  horn,  or  fome  inftrument  of  wood,  which 
fhould  make  a  noife  when  it  was  ftruck  upon  ^  but 
this  year,  one  of  his  difciples  had  a  dream  that  a 
man  in  a  green  veft  recommended,  as  a  better  way, 
to  have  the  people  fummoned  to  prayers  by  a  cryer, 
■who  fhould  call  out,  Allah  acbar  Allah  acbar,  &c, 
God  Is  great  fiod  Is  great,  there  is  but  one  God,Maho^ 
met  is  his  prophet  \  ^  come  to  prayers^  come  to  pray^ 
ers :  Mahomet  approved  of  the  fcheme,  and  this 
very  form  is  in  ufe  to  this  day  among  the  Mojlems: 
in  the  call  to  morning  prayers,  they  add  thefe 
words,  prayer  is  better  than  Jleep,  prayer  is  better 
than  Jleep :  a  fentiment  not  unworthy  the  confide- 
ration  of  thofe  who  are  profeflbrs  of  a  better  re- 
ligion. 

a  This  was  partly  out  of  averfion  to  the  Jews,  his  mortal 
enemies,  and  partly  to  pleafe  the  idolatrous  Jrabs,  whofe  an- 
cient Kebla  was  Mecca,  b  The  Perfians  add  thefe  words,  and 
AH  is  the  friend  of  God :  Kouli  Khan  having  a  mind  to  unite 
the  two  differing  fedls,  ordered  them  to  be  omitted,  Frafer^s 
life  of  Kouli  Khan.  pag.  124. 

The 


l*he  Life  of  Mahomet »  3  9 

The  fame  year,  the  apoftle  fent  fome  of  his 
people  to  plunder  a  caravan  going  to  Mecca^  which 
they  did,  and  brought  two  prifoners  to  Medina : 
this  was  the  firft  adl  of  hoftihty  committed  by  the 
Mojlems  againft  the  idolaters :  the  next  was  the 
battle  of  5^^^^ ;  the  hiftory  of  it  is  as  follows,  from 
AbiilFeda.  The  apoftle  hearing  that  a  caravan  of 
the  Meccam  was  coming  home  from  Sjria^  efcort- 
ed  by  Abu  Eophimi  at  the  head  of  thirty  men,  placed 
a  number  of  foldiers  in  ambufcade  to  intercept 
them  :  Abu  Sophian,  being  informed  of  this  by  his 
fpies,  fent  notice  of  it  to  Mecca ^  whereupon  all  the 
principal  men  came  to  his  affiftance,  except  Abu 
Laheby  who  fent  Al  Afum  fon  of  Hefiam  in  his 
ftead  J  they  were  in  all  950  men,  whereof  200 
were  cavalry.  The  apoftle  of  God  w.G.  b.  went 
out  againft  them  with  313  men,  jj  of  them  re^ 
fugees  from  Mecca ^  the  reft  helpers  from  Medina  : 
they  had  with  them  only  two  horfes  and  feventy 
camels,  upon  which  they  rode  by  turns.  Theapoftle 
encamped  near  a  well  called  5^^<?r,  from  the  name 
of  the  perfon  who  was  owner  of  it,  and  had  a  hut 
made  where  he  and  Abubeker  fat :  as  foon  as  the 
armies  were  in  fight  of  each  other,  three  champi- 
ons came  out  from  among  the  idolaters,  Otha  fon 
of  Rabia^  his  brother  Shaiba^  and  Al  Walid  fon  of 
Otha :  the  prophet  fent  Obeida  fon  of  Hareth  a- 
gainft  the  firft  of  thefe,  Hamza  againft  the  fecond, 
and  AH  againft  the  third  :  Hamza  and  AH  flew 
each  his  man,  and  then  went  to  the  affiftance  of 
Obeida^  and  killed  his  adverfary,  and  brought 
Obeida  off,  who  foon  after  died  of  a  wound  in  his 
foot.  All  this  while  the  apoftle  continued  in  his 
hut,  in  prayer,  beating  his  breaft  fo  violently  that 
c  4  his 


40  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

his  cloak  fell  off  his  fhoulders,  and  was  taken  (yx^- 
denly  with  a  palpitation  of  the  heart,  but  recover- 
ed, and  then  comforted  Abiibeker^  telling  him  God's 
help  was  come ;  and  forthwith  ran  out  of  his  hut, 
and  encouraged  his  men,  and  took  a  handful  of 
duft  and  threw  towards  the  Coreijhites^  and  faid, 
May  their  faces  be  confounded;  and  immediately 
they  fled:  after  the  battle,  y^/^^i?//^  the  fon  of  ilf/2/«i 
brought  the  head  of  Abujehel  to  the  apoftle,  who 
gave  thanks  to  God  :  Al  As  brother  to  Abujehel 
was  alfo  killed.  Upon  the  qews  of  this  defeat,  Abu 
Laheb  died  of  grief,  in  a  weeks  time  :  the  number 
of  idolaters  flain  was  feventy  :  my  author  names 
fome  of  chief  note;  among  them  was  Hantala 
fon  oi  Abu  Sophim^  and  Nawfal,  brother  to  Cadig- 
ha  :  All  flew'f^  of  them  with  his  own  hand. 

Al  Abbas  the  prophet's  uncle,  and  Ocail  fon  of 
Abu  Taleb  were  taken  prifoners  :  the  prophet  or- 
dered the  dead  bodies  of  the  enemy  to  be  drawn 
into  a  pit :  Of  the  Mojlems  died  fourteen  martyrs^ 
(fo  they  call  all  fuch  as  die  fighting  for  IJlarn)  the 
apoftle  ftaid  three  days  upon  the  field  of  battle 
dividing  the  fpoil ;  on  occafion  whereof  a  quarrel 
arofe  between  the  helpers  and  the  refugees :  to  quiet 
them,  the  8th  chapter  of  the  Alcoraii  was  brought 
from  heaven  :  it  begins  thus,  T^hey  will  ajk  thee 
concerning  the  fpoils :  fay,  the  /polls  belong  to  God 
and  his  apojlle  :  and,  after,  runs  thus,  and  know  that 
whenever  ye  gain  a-ay.  a  fifth  part  belongeth  to  God, 
and  fo  the  apofh\  and  his  kindred,  and  the  orphans, 
and  the  poor.  The  other  4  fifths  are  to  be  divided 
among  thofe  who  are  prefent  at  the  adion.  The 
apoftle,  when  he  returned  to  Safra  in  his  way  to 
Medina^  ordered  All  to  behead  two  of  his  prifopers. 

The 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  41 

The  vidory  at  Beder  was  of  great  importance  to 
Mahotuet,  to  encourage  his  men,  and  increafe  the 
number  of  his  followers :  he  pretended  two  mi- 
racles were  wrought  in  his  favour,  in  this,  and  in 
feveral  fubfequent  battles  :  i,  that  God  fent  his 
angels  to  fight  on  his  fide,  and  2,  made  his  army 
appear  to  the  enemy  much  greater  than  it  really 
was.  He  mentions  both  thefe  miracles  in  the  AU 
coran,  ch.  8.  Al  Abbas  fud,  he  was  taken  prifoner 
by  a  man  of  a  prodigious  fize  ;  {an  angel  to  be  jure) 
no  wonder  then  he  became  a  convert. 

*  Ommia  the  fon  of  Abu  I  Salaf  was  one  of  the 

*  chief  of  the  unbelievers :  being  one  who  could 

*  read,  he  had  objeded  to  the  mifilon  of  the  pro- 

*  phet  w.  G.  b.  and  was  arrived  to  that  pilch  of 

*  madnefs,  as  to  hope  to  be  received  for  an  apoftle 

*  himfelf :  he  had  been  in  Syria,  and,  returning 

*  home  near  the  well  where  they  told  him  the  car- 

*  cafes  of  the  llain,  and  among  them  two  of  his 

*  near  relations,  had  been  thrown,  in  token  of  grief, 

*  cut  off  the  ears  of  his  camel ;  and,  ftanding  by 

*  the  well,  recited  a  long  elegy,'  of  which  the  foi- 

*  lowing  lines  are  a  part :  Abu  I  Feda  vit.  Mahom, 

^  Have  I  not  wail'd  th'  heroic  fons  of  nobles, 

*  their  wounded  bodies  and  their  fradur'd  ribs, 

*  in  the  thick  wood  as  mourns  the  lonely  dove  ? 

*  like  her,  with  me,  lament  ye  mourning  women, 
<  with  fighs  and  groans,  low  fitting  on  the  ground. 
^  Alas  1  the  peers  and  princes  of  the  people 

*  how  fall'n,  at  Beder  and  Al  Kandali  ! 

*  all  night  expos'd  lie  there  both  old  and  young, 

*  naked  and  breathlefs. 

*  Oh  what  a  change  is  come  to  Mecca's  vale! 

^  cv'n  fandy  defart  plains  are  drencht  in  tears. 

As 


42  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

As  foon  as  the  Mojlems  returned  to  Medina^  the 
Coreijlntes  fent  to  offer  a  ranfom  for  their  prifoners, 
which  was  accepted,  and  diffributed  among  thofe 
who  had  taken  them,  according  to  the  quality  of 
the  prifoners:  fome  had  looo  drachms  for  their 
fhare  j  thofe  who  had  a  fmall  or  no  part  of  the 
ranfom  Mahomet  rewarded  with  donations,  fo  as  to 
content  them  all. 

The  Jews  had  made  a  treaty  with  Mahomet^  and 
lived  peaceably  at  Medina ;  till  a  Jew,  having  af- 
fronted an  Arabian  milk-woman,  was  killed  by  a 
Mojlem  :  to  revenge  this,  the  Jews  killed  the  Mo- 
Jlem,  whereupon  a  fkirmifh  enfued  :  the  Jews  lied 
to  their  caftles,  and  after  a  fiege  of  fifteen  days, 
were  forced  to  furrender  at  difcretion  :  Mahomet 
ordered  their  hands  to  be  tied  behind  them,  de- 
termined to  put  them  all  to  the  fword,  and  was 
with  great  difficulty  prevailed  upon  to  fpare  their 
lives,  and  take  all  they  had.  Caab  fon  of  AJhraf^ 
was  one  of  the  moft  violent  among  the  Jews  a- 
gainff  Mahomet :  he  had  been  at  Mecca^  and  with 
jome  pathetic  verfes  upon  the  unhappy  fate  of 
thofe  flain  at  Beder,  ffirred  up  the  Meccans  to  take 
up  arms :  and  upon  his  return  to  Medina^  rehearfed 
thofe  verfes  among  the  lower  fort  of  people,  and 
the  women  :  Mahomet  was  told  of  thefe  underhand 
pradifes,  and  fa  id  one  day,  Who  will  rid  me  of  the 
fon  of  Afiraf?  Mohammed^  fon  of  Mofalama^  one 
of  the  helpers^  anfwered,  I  am  the  man,  O  apoftle 
of  God  that  will  do  it :  and  immediately  took 
with  him  Salcan  fon  of  Salama^  and  fome  other 
Mojlems  who  were  to  lie  in  ambufh ;  and,  the  bet- 
ter to  decoy  Caab  out  of  his  caffle,  which  was  a 
very  flrong  one,  Salcan,  who  was  his  fofter-bro- 

ther. 


l^he  Life  of  Mahomet,  43 

ther,  went  alone  to  vifit  him  in  the  duflc  of  the 
evening  j  and,  entering  into  converfation,  told 
him  fome  little  ftories  oi  Mahomet^  which  he  knew 
would  pleafe  him  :  when  he  got  up  to  take  his 
leave,  Caab^  as  he  expeded  he  would,  waited  upon 
him  to  the  gate ;  and,  continuing  the  converfation, 
went  on  with  him  till  they  came  near  the  am- 
bufcade ;  where  Mohammed  and  his  companions 
fell  upon  him  and  itabbed  him. 

Abu  Sophia?:,  meditating  revenge  for  the  defeat 
at  Beder,  fwore  he  would  neither  anoint  himfelf  nor 
come  near  his  women  till  he  was  even  with  Maho^ 
met :  and  fet  out  towards  Medina  with  200  horfe, 
and  ordered  a  party  of  them  near  the  town,  where 
one  of  the  helpers  fell  into  their  hands,  and  was 
killed:  Mahomet,  being  informed  of  it,  went  out  a- 
gainft  them,  but  they  all  fled,  and,  for  the  greater 
expedition,  threw  away  fome  facks  of  meal,  part 
of  their  provifion  ;  from  which  this  was  called  ihe 
meal-war. 

Abu  Sophian,  refolved  to  make  another  and  more 
effectual  effort,  got  together  a  body  of  3000  men, 
whereof  700  were  cuiraffiers,  and  200  cavalry  : 
his  wife  Heuda  with  a  number  of  women  follow- 
ed in  the  rear,  beating  drums,  and  lamenting  the 
fate  of  thofe  flain  at  Beder,  and  exciting  the  idola- 
ters to  fight  courageoufly.  The  apoftle  would  have 
waited  for  them  in  the  town,  but  his  people  were 
for  advancing  towards  the  enemy  :  he  did  fo,  and 
fet  out  with  1000  men,  but  100  of  them  w^nt 
back,  disheartened  at  the  fuperior  number  of  the 
enemy ;  he  encamped  at  the  foot  of  mount  Ohud 
having  the  mountain  in  his  rear  :  of  the  900  men 
with  him  only  100  had  armour  on,  and  as  for 
horfes,  there  was  only  one  befides  that  which  he 

himfelf 


44  7^^  Life  of  Mahomet. 

himfelf  rode  upon  ;  Mofaab  carried  his  ilandard. 
Caled  fon  of  Al  Walid  led  the  right  wing  of  the 
idolaters,  Acrema  fon  of  Abu  Jehel  the  left :  the 
women  kept  in  the  rear,  beating  their  drums. 
Hcnda  cried  out  to  them,  Courage  ye  fo?is  of  Abdol 
Dari,  courage  I  fmite  with  all  your  fwords. 

The  apoftle  placed  fifty  archers  in  his  rear,  and 
ordered  them  to  keep  their  poll:.  Then  Hamza 
fought  floutl}^  and  killed  Arta  the  ftandard  bearer 
of  the  idolaters;  and  Seba  fon  of  Abdol  Uzza 
coming  near  him  Hamza  liruck  off  his  head ;  but 
was  himfelf  immediately  after  run  through  with  a 
ipear,  by  Wabjha  a  flave,  who  lurked  behind  a 
rock  with  that  intent.  Then  'Ebn  Kamia  flew 
Mofaab  the  apoftle's  ftandard-bearer ;  and  taking 
him  for  the  apoflle,  cried  out,  I  have  killed  Maho- 
met. When  Mofaab  was  llain  the  prophet  gave  the 
ftandard  to  AH. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  adion  the  Mofems,  at- 
tacked the  idolaters  lb  furioufly,  as  to  make  them 
give  ground,  and  fall  back  upon  their  rear,  and  put 
it  into  diforder :  the  archers  feeing  this,  and  ex- 
peding  a  compleat  vidory,  contrary  to  the  exprefs 
orders  that  had  been  given  them,  left  their  ports 
and  came  forward,  that  they  might  not  loofe  their 
ihare  of  the  plunder:  in  the  mean  time,  C<^W ad- 
vancing with  his  cavalry,  fell  furioufly  upon  the 
rear  of  the  Mofems^  and  cried  out  aloud  at  the 
fame  time,  that  Mahomet  was  flain :  this,  and  the 
finding  themfelves  attacked  on  all  fides,  threw  the 
Moflems  into  a  confternation  ;  fo  that  the  idolaters 
made  great  havock  among  them,  and  preffed  on  fo 
near  the  apoftle,  as  to  beat  him  down,  with  a 
fhower   of  ftones  and  arrows :  he   had   his  lip 

wound« 


I'he  Life  of  Mahomet.  45 

wounded,  and  two  heads  of  arrows  ftuck  in  his 
face  :  Abu  Obeida  pulled  out  firft  one,  and  then 
the  other  j  at  each  operation,  one  of  the  apoflle's 
teeth  came  out :  Sonan  Abu  Said  wiped  the  blood 
off  his  face  ;  then  the  apoflle  faid,  he  that  touches 
my  blood  and  handles  it  tenderly  {hall  not  have  his 
blood  fpilt  in  the  fire  {of  hell.)  In  this  adlion,  it  is 
faid,  Telhah,  whilft  he  was  putting  a  breaft-plate 
upon  Mahomet^  received  a  wound  upon  his  hand, 
and  continued  lame  on  it  ever  after.  Omar  and 
Abubeker  were  alfo  wounded.  When  the  MoJIems 
{2iw Mahomet  fall,  they  concluded  he  was  killed; 
and  fled  upon  it :  Othman  was  carried  away  with 
the  croud  of  thofe  that  fled  ;  but  in  a  little  time 
finding  Mj/^fjOT^"/  was  alive,  a  great  numbsr  of  them 
returned  to  the  battle ;  and,  after  a  very  obflinate 
fight,  brought  him  off,  and  carried  him  to  a  neigh- 
bouring village.  The  MoJIems  had  feventy  men  kill- 
ed, the  idolaters  loft  only  two  and  twenty. 

The  CoreiJJntes  had  no  other  fruit  of  their  vic- 
tory but  the  gratifying  a  poor  fpirit  of  revenge  : 
Henda  and  the  women  who  had  fled  with  her,  up- 
on the  firft  diforder  of  the  idolaters,  returned  now ; 
and  committed  great  barbarities  upon  the  dead  bo- 
dies of  the  apoftles  friends  :  they  cut  off  their  ears 
and  nofes,  and  made  bracelets  and  necklaces  of 
them  :  Henda  pulled  Hamzas  liver  out  of  his  bo- 
dy, and  chewed  and  fwallowed  fome  of  it.  Abu 
Sophian  cut  pieces  off  the  cheeks  of  Hamza^  put 
them  upon  the  end  of  his  fpear,  and  cried  out  a- 
loud,  The  fuccefs  of  war  is  uncertain ;  after  the 
battle  oi  Bedcr  comes  the  batde  of  Ohud  \  now 
Hobal^  thy  religion  is  victorious:  notwithftanding 

a  The  name  of  an  idol  worlhipped  by  the  Arabs. 

this 


46  I'he  Life  of  Mahomet. 

this  boafting,  he  decamped  the  fame  day ;  which 
yannabi  afcribes  to  a  panic  :  however  that  were, 
Abu  Sophian  fent  to  propofe  a  truce  for  a  year, 
which  was  agreed  to. 

When  the  enemy  were  retreated  towards  Mecca^ 
Mahomet  went  to  the  field  of  battle  to  look  for  the 
body  oiHamza :  and,  finding  it  (hamefully  mang- 
led, as  has  been  before  related,  ordered  it  to  be 
wrapped  in  a  black  cloak,  and  prayed  over  it,  re- 
peating feven  times  Allah  acbar,  &c.  God  is  great, 
&c.  then  he  prayed  over  every  one  of  the  martyrs 
in  the  fame  manner,  naming  Hamza  again  with 
every  one  of  them  j  fb  that  Hamza  had  the  pray- 
ers faid  over  him  feventy  two  times :  and,  as  if  this 
were  not  enough,  he  declared  that  Gabriel  told 
him,  he  had  been  received  into  the  feventh  heaven, 
with  this  elogium,  Hamza  the  lion  of  God,  and 
the  lion  of  the  apoftle  of  God. 

The  Mojlems  were  much  chagrined  at  this  de- 
feat :  fome  exprelTed  a  doubt  of  the  apoftle  being 
fo  much  in  the  divine  favour  as  he  pretended,  fince 
he  had  fufifered  fuch  an  overthrow  by  infidels : 
others  murmured  at  the  lofs  of  their  friends  and  re- 
lations ;  he  ufed  various  arguments  to  pacify  them : 
he  told  them,  the  fins  of  fome  of  them  were  the 
caufe  of  their  difgrace :  that  they  had  been  difobe- 
dient  to  orders,  in  quitting  their  poft,  for  the  fake 
of  plunder  :  that  the  devil  put  it  into  the  minds  of 
thofe  who  turned  backj  which,  however,  was  for- 
given, becaufe  God  is  merciful :  that  it  was  to  try 
them,  and  fliew  who  were  believers  and  who  not : 
that  the  event  of  war  is  uncertain:  that  the  enemy 
had  fufifered  as  well  as  they :  that  other  prophets 
had  been  worfled  in  battle:  that  death  is  unavoid- 
able : 


The  "Life  of  Mahomet,  47 

able :  and  here  his  dodrine  of  fate  was  of  great 
fervice  to  him,  as  it  was  afterwards  to  his  fucceflbrs, 
to  make  his  people  fearlefs,  and  even  defperate  in 
fight :  for  he  taught  them,  that  the  time  of  every 
man's  death  is  fo  unalterably  fixt,  that  he  cannot 
die  before  the  appointed  hour  ;  and,  when  that  is 
come,  no  caution  whatever  can  prolong  his  life  one 
moment :  *  fo  that  they  who  were  flain  in  battle 
would  certainly  have  died  at  the  fame  time,  if  they 
had  been  at  home  in  their  houfes :  but,  as  they 
now  died  fighting  for  the  faith,  they  had  thereby 
gained  a  crown  of  martyrdom,  and  entered  imme- 
diately into  paradife,  where  they  were  in  perfect 
blifs  with  their  Lord. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  next  year,  Mahomet^ 
hearing  the  Afadites  had  a  defign  againft  the  coun- 
try about  Medina^  fent  a  party  of  fifty  men  who 
ravaged  their  country,  and  brought  away  a  great 
number  of  fheep ;  and  fo  many  camels  that  every 
man  had  feven  for  his  (hare.  About  that  time, 
being  informed  that  Sophia?i  fon  of  Ceded  the  Hod- 
hailtte  was  raifing  men  againft  him,  he  ordered  Ab- 
doUah  fon  of  Onais^  a  determined  bravo,  to  go  and 
affaflinate  him ;  which  he  performed,  and  was  re- 
warded by  Mahomet  with  his  walking-ftick  :  which 
Abdollah  carried  with  him  ever  after,  and  ordered 
it  to  be  buried  with  him. 

Mahomet  fent  alfo  Amru  with  an  afilftant  to 
Mecca,  to  afiafiinate  Abu  Sophia?! ;  but  Amru  was 
difcovered,  and  forced  to  fly,  with  his  companion, 
and  returned  to  Medina  without  fuccefs.  This  year, 
the  prophet  had  a  revelation  to  prohibit  wine, 
and  games  of  chance :  fome  fay,  on  account  of  a 
quarrel  thereby  occafioned  among  his  followers. 

a  An  opinion  as  ancient  as  Homr.  Iliad.  6.  v.  487. 

This 


4^  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

This  year  alfo,  the  people  oi Edlo  and  Al-Kara 
fent  a  deputation  to  delire  the  prophet  to  fend  fome 
Mojlems  to  inftrud:  them  in  his  religion ;  he  fent 
fix  men  with  them,  three  of  whom  they  treache- 
roufly  maflacred,  and  took  the  other  three  prifo- 
ners  :  one  of  the  prifoners  was  killed  as  he  endea- 
voured to  make  his  efcape  j  the  other  two  were  fold 
to  the  CoreifiiteSj  who  put  them  to  a  cruel  death. 

In  the  fifth  year  of  the  Hejira,  Mahomet,  in- 
formed by  his  fpies  of  a  defign  againft  Medina, 
furrounded  it  with  a  ditch,  which  was  no  fooner 
finished  than  the  Mecca fis  with  feveral  tribes  of 
Arabs  fat  down  before  it,  to  the  number  of  loooo 
men  j  the  appearance  of  fo  great  a  force  threw  the 
Mojlems  into  a  confternation  :  fome  were  ready  to 
revolt,  one  of  them  faid  aloud,  yefterday  the  pro- 
phet promifed  we  fliould  get  the  wealth  of  Co/roes 
and  Ccefar,  and  now  he  is  forced  to  hide  himfelf  in 
a  nafty  ditch.  In  the  mean  time,  Mahomet  zot'^QtA- 
ing  his  concern,  fet  as  good  a  face  upon  the  matter 
as  he  could,  marched  out  with  3000  Mojlems,  and 
formed  his  army  at  a  little  diftance  behind  the  in- 
trenchment.  The  two  armies  continued  facing 
each  other  for  twenty  days,  without  any  adion  ; 
except  fome  arrows  difcharged  on  both  fides.  At 
length,  fome  champions  of  the  Coreijlntes,  Amru 
fon  of  Abd'Wodd,  Acrema  fon  of  Abu  Jehel,  and 
Naivjal  fon  ofAbdoUa  came  to  the  ditch,  and  leaped 
over  it;  and,  wheeling  about  between  the  ditch  and 
xhtMoJlem  army,  challenged  them  to  fight:  AH  rea- 
dily accepted  the  challenge,  and  came  forward  a- 
gainft  his  uncle  Amru,  who  faid  to  him,  Nephew 
what  a  pleafure  am  I  now  going  to  have  in  killing 
you  ?  AH  replied,  no,  it  is  I  that  am  to  have  a  much 

greater 


"The  Life  of  Mahomet,  49 

greater  pleafure  in  killing  you  :  Amru  immediate- 
ly lighted  and  ham-rtringed  his  horfe,  and  advanc- 
ed towards  Ali^  who  had  alfo  quitted  his  horfe,  and 
was  ready  to  receive  him  :  they  fought,  and,  in 
turning  about  to  flank  each  other,  raifed  fuch  a 
duft  that  they  could  not  be  diftinguifhed,  only  the 
ftrokes  of  their  fwords  might  be  heard;  till,  the  duft 
being  laid,  Alt  was  feen  with  his  knee  upon  the 
bread  of  his  adverfary,  cutting  his  throat :  upon 
this,  the  other  two  champions  went  back  as  faft  as 
they  came :  Nawfal,  in  leaping  the  ditch,  got  a 
fall,  and  was  overwhelmed  with  a  fhower  of  ftones; 
and  cried  out,  I  had  rather  die  by  the  fword  than 
thus :  AH  heard  him,  and  leaped  into  the  ditch 
and  difpatched  him.  He  then  purfued  Acrema,  and 
wounded  him  with  a  fpear  ;  and  drove  him  and 
his  companions  back  to  the  army :  there  they  re- 
lated what  had  happened  ;  which  put  them  in  fuch 
fear,  that  they  were  ready  to  retreat :  fome  of  their 
tents  were  overthrown  by  a  ftorm,  and  there  arofe 
fuch  a  difcord  among  them,  that  the  Coreifiites, 
finding  themfelves  forfaken  by  their  auxiliaries,  re- 
turned to  Mecca.  Mahomet  made  a  miracle  of  the 
retreat ;  and  publifhed  upon  it  this  verfe  of  the  Al- 
coran, Godjent  ajlorm,  and  legions  of  angels^  which 
you  did  not  fee. 

Upon  the  apoftlc's  returning  into  the  town,  lay- 
ing jjy  his  armour  and  wafliing  himfelf,  Gabriel 
came  and  afked  him.  Have  you  laid  by  your  arms? 
we  have  not  laid  by  ours  j  go  aiid  attack  them,  point- 
ing to  the  CoraiditeSy  a  jewi(h  tribe  confederated 
againft  him  :  whereupon,  he  went  and  fo  clofely 
befieged  them  in  their  caftles,  that,  after  twenty- 
five  days,  they  furrendered  at  difcretion  ;  he  referr- 
*  D  ecj 


50  The  Life  of  Mahojnet. 

ed  the  conditions  to  be  fettled  by  Saad  (on  o^Moadi 
who,  being  wounded  by  an  arrow  at  the  ditch,  had 
wifhed  he  might  only  live  to  be  revenged  ;  and  ac- 
cordingly gave  judgment  j  that  the  men,  who  were 
between  600  and  700,  fliould  all  be  put  to  the 
fword,  the  women  and  children  fold  for  Haves,  and 
their  goods  given  to  the  foldiers  for  a  prey :  Ma- 
hornet  extolled  the  juftice  of  this  fentence,  as  a  di- 
vine diredion  fent  down  from  the  feventh  heaven; 
and  had  it  pundually  executed;  Saad  prefently 
after  died  of  his  wound :  Mahomet  performed  his 
funeral  obfequies,  and  made  an  harangue  in  praife 
of  him. 

One  Sala?n,  a.  jew,  having  been  very  ftrenuous 
in  rtirring  up  the  people  againft  the  prophet,  fome 
zealous  Cafregites  came  to  him  and  defired  leave  to 
go  and  aiTaffinate  him  ;  he  gave  them  leave,  and 
they  went  to  his  houfe,  and,  being  let  in  by  his 
wife,  upon  their  pretending  they  wanted  to  buy 
provifions,  barred  the  door,  murdered  him  in  his 
bed,  and  made  their  efcape. 

Towards  the  end  of  this  year,  Mahomet,  goJ^g 
into  the  houfe  of  Zaid,  did  not  find  him  at  home, 
but  happened  to  fpy  his  wife  Zainab  fo  much  in 
difl}abille,  as  to  difcover  beauties  enough  to  touch 
the  heart  of  one  fo  amourous  as  he  was :  he  could 
not  conceal  the  impreflion  made  upon  him  ;  but 
cried  out,  Praifed  be  God  who  turneth  mem  hearts 
as  be  pleafes  I  Zainab  heard  him,  and  told  it  to  her 
hufband  when  he  came  home  :  Zaid,  who  had 
been  greatly  obliged  to  Mahomet,  was  very  defirous 
to  gratify  him,  and  offered  to  divorce  his  wife  ; 
Mahomet  difuaded  him  from  it,  butZ^/^eafily  per- 
ceived it  was  only  a  copy  of  his  countenance,  and 

a(5tu- 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  5  i 

actually  divorced  her  :  then  Mabornet  took  her  to 
wife,  and  celebrated  the  nuptials  with  extraordina- 
ry magnificence,  keeping  open  houfe  upon  the  oc- 
cafion  :  notwithflanding  which,  this  Hep  gave  great 
offence,  that  a  prophet  fliould  marry  his  fon's  wifej 
for  he  had  before  adopted  Zaid  for  his  fon  :  to  falve 
the  affair,  he  had  recourfe  to  his  ufual  method  : 
Gabriel  brings  him  a  revelation  from  heaven,  that 
God  had  commanded  him  to  take  the  wife  of  his 
adopted  fon,  on  purpofe  that,  for  the  future,  be- 
lievers might  have  no  fcruple  to  marry  the  divorced 
wives,  or  widows  of  their  adopted  fons ;  which 
the  Arabs  had  before  looked  upon  as  unlawful  : 
and  the  apoftle  is  v&^xovt<^  for  fearing  men^  in  this 
affair,  whereas  he  ought  to  fear  God,  Ale.  c.  33. 

In  the  fixth  year  he  fubdued  feveral  tribes  of  the 
Arabs :  among  the  captives  was  a  woman  of  great 
beauty,  named  Juweira,  her  Mahomet  took  to  wife, 
and,  by  way  of  dowry,  releafed  all  her  kindred  that 
were  taken  prifoners.  At  the  fame  time  a  fervant 
oiOmar  fighting  with  one  of  the  helpers  occafion- 
ed  a  quarrel  between  the  helpers  and  the  refugees : 
v/hcrtupon J  Abdollah y  {on  of  Abu  Solul^  zMedinian 
unbeliever  reflected  upon  the  refugees^  as  a  people 
that  would  encroach  upon  the  Medinians,  if  they 
did  not  prevent  it  in  time  ;  as  now  they  might 
eafily  do  :  what  he  faid  was  carried  to  the  apoftle  ; 
and  Omar^  being  by,  would  have  had  him  fend  fome 
body  to  flrike  off  his  head  :  what  will  people  fay, 
faid  the  apoftle,  may  Mahomet  put  to  death  thoj'e 
that  are  with  him  ?  as  he  pleafes  ?  prefently  after, 
the  fon  of  Abdolla,  who  had  heard  of  the  affair, 
came  in,  and  faid,  O  apoftle  of  God,  I  am  told 
you  have  fome  thoughts  of  condemning  my  father 
D  2  to 


52  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

to  death  :  if  that  be  your  intent,  command  me, 
and  I  will  immediately  bring  you  his  head.  So 
well  had  this  youth,  who  had  embraced  IJlanty  been 
inftrudled  in  the  humane  dodrine  taught  in  the 
Alcoran,  chap.  47,  in  thefe  words,  if  ye  meet  with 
any  unbelievers,  Jirike  off  their  heads,  till  you  have 
made  a  great  Jlaughter  of  them  :  and  bind  them  in 
flrong  bonds:  and  give  them  their  liberty  freely,  or 
take  a  ranfom,  till  the  nveapofis  of  war  are  laid 
down.  The  apoftle,  who  knew  when  it  was  for 
his  intereft  to  appear  merciful  and  placable,  bade 
the  young  man  be  kind  to  his  father,  and  not  take 
any  thing  amifs  of  him. 

When  Mahomet  went  upon  any  expedition,  it 
was  generally  determined  by   lots  which  of  his 
wives  fhould  go  with  him  5  at  this  time  it  fell  to 
Ayejha'^  lot  to  accompany  him  :  upon  their  return 
to  Medina,  Ayefia  was  accufed  of  having  an  in- 
trigue with  one  of  the  officers  of  the  army,  which 
occafioned  her  to  be  under  great  difgrace,   for  a- 
bout  a  month  :  the  prophet  was  exceedingly  cha- 
grined to  have  his  beil  beloved  wife  accufed  of 
adultery,  but  his  fondnefs  for  her  prevailed  over 
his  refentment ;  and  fhe  was  reftored  to  his  favour, 
upon  her  own  proteftation  of  her  innocence  :  this 
did  not  quite  fatisfy  the  world,  nor  fet  the  prophet's 
mind  perfectly  at  eafe ;  till  Gabriel  brought  him  a 
revelation,  wherein  fhe  is  declared  innocent  of  the 
crime  laid  to  her  charge :  and  thofe  who  accufe 
believers  of  any  crime,  without  proof,  are  feverely 
reproved  ;  and  a  command  given,  that  whofoever 
accuies  chafte  women  and  does  not  produce  four 
eye-witneflcs,  {hall  receive  eighty  ftripes  :  Alcor, 
chap,  24.    accordingly,  all  thofe  who  had  raifed 

this 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  ^i 

this  report  upon  Ayefia  were  fcourged  in  that 
manner,  except  Abdolla  fon  oi  Abu  Solul,  who  was 
too  confiderable  a  man  to  be  fo  dealt  with,  though 
he  had  been  remarkably  induftrious  in  fpreading 
the  fcandal. 

Mahomet  being  now  increafed  in  power  marched 
his  army  againft  Mecca,  and  by  the  way  had  an  en- 
gagement, wherein  neither  fide  getting  the  advan- 
tage, a  truce  for  ten  years  was  agreed  upon  ;  the 
conditions  whereof  were  that  all  within  Mecca^ 
who  had  a  mind  to  it  might  join  Mahomet :  and 
thofe  who  had  a  mind  to  leave  him  and  return  to 
Mecca  might  have  the  liberty  to  do  fo :  but,  for 
the  future,  if  any  Meccaiis  deferted  to  him,  they 
ihould  be  fent  back  upon  demand  ;  and  that  Ma- 
hornet  or  any  of  his  Mojlems  might  come  to  Mecca ^ 
provided  they  came  unarmed,  and  tarried  not  a- 
bove  three  days  at  a  time. 

Mahomet  was  now  fo  well  confirmed  in  his 
power,  that  he  took  upon  himfelf  the  authority  of  a 
king  J  and  was,  by  the  chief  men  of  his  army,  in- 
augurated under  a  tree  near  M^-^/w^ :  and,  as  he 
had,  by  the  truce,  obtained  for  his  followers  free  ac- 
cefs  to  Mecca,  he  ordained  they  {hould,  from  that 
time,  make  their  pilgrimages  thither*.  It  had 
been  an  ancient  ufage  among  the  Arabs  to  come 
once  a  year  to  the  Caaba,  to  worfhip  their  heathen 
T>€\t\QS',  Mahomet  thought  proper  to  comply  with  a 
cuftom  they  were  fo  fond  of,  and  that  was  fo  benefi- 
cial to  his  native  place,  by  the  great  concourfe  of 
pilgrims  that  frequented  it :  and,  when  he  came 

a  He  once  thought  to  have  ordered  the  pilgrimage  to  Jerri- 
falein-y  but,  finding  the  Jews  fo  inveterate  apainll  him,  thought 
it  more  advifcablc  to  oblige  the  Arabs, 

©3  to 


54  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

to  be  mafler  of  Mecca,  eftablifhed  the  pilgrimage, 
with  moft  of  the  old  ceremonies :  and  only  took 
away  the  idols,  and  aboliilied  the  wordiip  of  them. 
When  he  took  upon  him  the  fovereign  command, 
and  the  infigjiia  of  royalty,  he  ftill  retained  the 
facred  character  of  chief  Pontiff' o^  his  religion,  and 
tranfmitted  both  thofe  powers  to  his  Caliphs  or  Suc- 
cejfors  ',  who,  for  fome  time,  not  only  ordered  all 
matters  of  religion,  but  ufed  to  officiate  in  praying 
and  preaching,  in  their  Mofques  :  efpecially  upon 
publick  occafions.  In  procefs  of  time,  this  came 
to  be  all  the  authority  the  Caliphs  had  left,  for, 
about  the  year  of  the  Hejira  325,  the  governours 
of  provinces  feized  the  regal  authority,  and  made 
themfelves  kings,  each  in  his  particular  govern- 
ment :  they  paid  indeed  a  deference  to  the  Caliph, 
who  ufually  refided  at  Bagdat^  but  often  depofed 
him.  At  this  prefent  time,  mod  Mahometan  prin- 
ces have  a  perfon  in  their  refpedive  dominions,who 
bears  this  facred  charad:er ;  and  is  called  the  Mufti 
in  Turkey,  and  in  Ferfia  the  Sadre:  he  is  often  ap- 
pealed to,  as  the  interpreter  of  the  law  ;  but,  as  a 
tool  of  ftate,  ufually  gives  fuch  judgement  as  he 
knows  will  be  moll:  acceptable  to  his  prince. 

Mahomet  at  firft  ufed  to  preach  in  his  Mofque 
at  Medina,  leaning  upon  a  poft  of  a  palm-tree 
drove  into  the  ground  ;  but,  being  inverted  with 
this  dignity,  by  the  advice  of  one  of  his  wives,  had 
a  pulpit  made,  which  had  two  fteps  up  to  it,  and 
a  feat  within :  when  Othman  was  Caliph,  he  hung 
it  with  tapeftry;  and  Moawiyah  raifed  it  lix  fteps 
higher,  that  he  might  be  heard  when  he  fat  down, 
as  he  was  forced  to  do,  being  very  fat  and  heavy : 
whereas  his  predecefTors  all  ufed  to  fland. 

Mahomet 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  5  5 

Mahomet  had  now  a  dream,  that  he  had  the  key 
of  the  Caaba  in  his  hand,  and  that  he  and  his  men 
made  the  circuits  round  it,  and  performed  all  the 
ceremonies  of  the  pilgrimage  :  next  morning  he 
told  his  dream,  and  they  were  all  in  high  fpirits 
upon  it ;  taking  it  for  an  Omen^  that  they  fliould 
(hortly  be  mafters  of  Mecca  :  accordingly,  great 
preparations  were  made  for  this  expedition  :  the 
prophet  declared  his  intent  was  to  make  the  pil- 
grimage ;  and  provided  feventy  camels  for  the  fa- 
crifice,  which  were  condaiSted  by  700  men,  ten  to 
each  camel :  and  becaufe  he  apprehended  he  fliould 
meet  with  oppofition  from  the  Coreijhitcs^  he  took 
with  him  his  beft  troops  to  the  number  of  1400 
men,  befides  an  incredible  number  of  wandring 
Arabs  from  all  parts.  The  Coreifjites  alarmed  at 
the  march  oi  ihQMoJle?m,  got  together  a  confider- 
able  force,  and  encamped  about  fix  miles  from 
Mecca.  Mahomet  continued  his  march,  but  finding, 
by  his  fpies,  the  enemy  had  pofl:ed  their  men,  fo 
as  to  flop  the  paffes,  by  feints  and  counter  marches, 
came  to  a  place  where  his  camel  fell  upon  her 
knees :  the  people  faid  flie  was  relly ;  but  the 
prophet  took  it  for  a  divine  intimation  not  to  pro- 
ceed any  farther  in  his  intended  expedition,  but  to 
wait  with  refignation,  till  the  appointed  time ;  and 
turned  back,  and  encamped  without  the  facred 
territory,  at  Hodaibia.  The  Cnrcijlntes  fent  three 
feveral  mefiTengers,  the  two  latl  men  of  confe- 
quence,  to  demand  what  was  his  intent  in  coming 
thither :  the  anfwer  was,  purely  out  of  devotion 
to  vifit  the  facred  hoiife ;  and  not  with  any  hortile 
defign :  Mahomet  fent  one  of  his  men  to  give  them 
the  fame  affurance,  but  they  cut  the  legs  of  his 
D  4  camel. 


5  6  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

camel,  and  would  have  killed  the  man,  if  the  Aha- 
bijhites  had  not  interpofed,  and  helped  him  to  ef- 
cape.  Then  he  would  have  had  Omar  go  upon  the 
fame  errand ,  but  he  excufed  himfelf,  as  not  be- 
ing upon  good  terms  with  the  Coreipites  :  then 
Othman  was  fent,  who  delivered  his  meflage,  and 
was  coming  awayj  when  they  told  him  he  might 
make  his  circuits  round  the  Caaba,  if  he  pleafed  : 
he  replied,  he  would  not,  before  the  apoflle  of  God 
had  firft  performed  his  vow  to  make  the  holy  cir- 
cuits :  this  provoked  them  fo,  that  they  laid  him  in 
irons :  it  was  reported  in  the  Mojlem  army  that  he 
was  killed:  v^\\zx^2X  Mahomet  was  much  afBicled, 
and  faid  aloud,  we  will  not  flir  from  hence  till  we 
have  given  battle  to  the  enemy.  Then  the  whole 
army  took  an  oath  of  obedience  and  fealty  to  the 
prophet :  and  he,  by  the  ceremony  of  clapping  his 
hands  one  againil  the  other,  took  an  oath  to  ftand 
by  them,  as  long  as  there  was  one  of  them  left. 

The  Coreijhites  fent  a  party  of  eighty  men  to- 
wards the  camp  of  the  Mojlems  to  beat  up  their 
quarters :  being  difcovered  by  the  centinels,  they 
were  furrounded,  taken  prifoners,  and  brought  be- 
fore Mahomet;  who,  thinking  it  proper  at  that 
time  to  be  generous,  releafed  them  :  upon  this 
Sohail,  fon  of  Amru  was  fent  to  him  with  propo- 
fals  of  peace,  which  were  agreed  to  :  in  wording 
the  treaty  AH  had  written,  articles  agreed  upon  be- 
tween Mahomet  the  apojile  of  God  and  Sohail  fon  of 
Amru\  Sohail  ^ytditA  to  that  title,  and  faid,  if  I 
owned  you  for  an  apoflle  of  God  I  fhould  be  to 
blame  to  oppofe  youj  write  your  own  name  and 
your  fathers :  Mahomet,  not  being  in  a  condition 
to  difpute  the  matter  with  him,  bade  AH  blot  out 

the 


I'he  Life  of  Mahomet.  5  7 

the  words  apoflle  of  God  j  but  he  bluntly  fwore 
he  would  not  fo  difhonour  his  glorious  title : 
whereupon,  M^^ow^r  took  the  pen,  and  blotted 
out  the  words  himfelf,  and  wrote  Jon  of  Abdolla  : 
this,  my  author  fays,  was  one  of  his  miracles;  for 
he  never  had  learned  to  write.  While  they  were 
drawing  up  the  treaty,  Abu,Jandal,  fon  oi  Sohail, 
who  had  embraced  Ijlam,  and  been  confined  by  his 
father  ?it  Mecca,  got  loofe,  and  came  among  the 
Mojlems^^in^,  being  difcovered,was  reclaimed  by  his 
father,  in  virtue  of  the  articles.  Sohail  beat  his 
fon  feverely,  for  this  elopement,  but  Mahomet  ex- 
horted the  young  man  to  have  patience,  for  God 
would  foon  give  liberty  and  profperity  to  him  and 
all  Mojlems  in  his  condition  :  Mahomefs  men  were 
greatly  difgufted  at  the  difappointment  they  had 
met  with  :  for  they  expeded,  from  his  dream,  and 
the  promifes  he  had  made  them,  a  com  pleat  vic- 
tory ;  whereas,  after  a  great  deal  of  fatigue,  they 
were  now  forced  to  be  contented  with  what  they 
thought  a  difhonourable  peace. 

Mahomet  had  encamped  without  the  precln6ls 
oi  Mecca,  but  fo  near  the  facred  territory,  that  he 
went  thereon  to  fay  his  prayers.  He  gave  the  word 
of  command  to  his  people,  Jlay  the  viBims  and 
Jkave  your  heads,  but  no  body  llirred,  to  do  as  he 
had  bidden  them  :  telling  this  to  his  wife  Omm- 
Salama,  {he  advifed  him  thu?,  go  among  them, 
and  fay  nothing  to  any  body,  but  flay  your  camels, 
and  make  your  facrifice ;  and  fend  for  your  barber 
and  {have  your  head  :  he  did  fo,  and  all  his  people 
immediately  followed  his  example :  the  apoflle 
cried  out,  God  be  merciful  to  the  foaved  heads :  they 
anfwered,  and  to  the  fjaved  beards  too,  O  apoftle  of 

God: 


58  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

God:  he  repeated  his  prayer,  and  they  repeated 
their  refponfe. 

Mahomet,  pretending  he  had  a  divine  promife  of  a 
great  booty,  returned  to  Medina  j  and,  having  con- 
cluded a  peace  for  ten  years  v;ith  the  Coreifiites, 
was  the  better  enabled  to  attack  the  Jews,  his  ir- 
reconcileable  enemies :  accordingly,  he  went  to 
Catbar,  a  ftrong  town  about  fix  days  journey  north 
eaft  of  Medina,  and  took  that,  and  feveral  other 
ilrong  places,  whereto  the  Jews  had  retired,  and 
brought  a  vaft  deal  of  wealth  :  this  all  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Mojlems.  Being  entertained  at  Caibar, 
2l  young  Jewcfs,  to  try  whether  he  were  a  prophet 
or  not,  as  ftie  faid  afterward,  poifoned  a  fhoulder 
of  mutton,  a  joynt  Mahomet  was  particularly  fond 
of  5  fo  that  one  at  the  table  named  Bajher  died  up- 
on the  fpot :  Mahomet,  finding  fomething  difagree- 
able  in  the  tafte,  fpat  it  out,  and  faid,  this  mutton 
tells  me  it  is  poifoned  :  the  miracle-mongers  im- 
prove this  into  a  ftory  that  the  fhoulder  of  mutton 
fpoke  to  him;  but  if  it  did,  it  fpoke  too  late,  for 
he  had  fwallowed  fome  of  it,  and  complained  of 
the  effefts  of  that  morfel,  in  his  laft  illnefs,  of  which 
he  died  three  years  after. 

In  this  year,  Jamiabi^  mentions  Mahomets  being 
bewitched  by  the  Jews,  who  had  made  a  waxen 
image  of  him,  and  hid  it  with  a  comb  and  a  tuft 
of  hair  tied  in  eleven  knots  in  a  well ;  the  prophet 
was  in  a  very  wafting  condition,  till  he  had  a  dream 
that  informed  where  thefe  implements  of  witch- 
craft were,  and  had  them  taken  away :  to  untie 

a  Gagnier  vie  de  Mahomet-  v.  2.  p.  43.    Sale  on  the  Cor  an. 
p.  508. 

the 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  59 

the  knots,  Gabriel  read  to  him  the  two  laft  chap- 
ters of  the  Alcoran,  confiding  of  eleven  verfes  j 
each  verfe  untied  a  knot,  and,  when  all  were  un- 
tied, he  recovered. 

This  year  Mahomet  had  a  feal  made  with  this 
infcription,M?/;<?;;^w^^  the  apoftle  of  God:  this  was  to 
feal  his  letters  with,  which  he  now  took  upon  him 
to  write  to  divers  princes,  to  invite  them  to  IJlam  : 
his  firft  letter  was  fent  to  Badham  viceroy  of  Te- 
men,  to  be  forwarded  to  Cofroes  King  of  Perjia  : 
Cofroes  tore  the  letter,  and  ordered  Badham,  to  re- 
ftore  the  prophet  to  his  right  mind,  or  fend  him  his 
head.  Cofroes  was  prefently  after  murdered  by  his 
fon  Siroes:  Badham  with  his  people  turned  Moflems^ 
and  Mahomet  continued  him  in  his  government. 

He  fent  a  letter  alfo  to  the  Roman  Emperor 
Herdclius,  to  the  fame  purpofe  :  Hcraclius  receiv- 
ed the  letter  refpedfully,  and  made  fome  valuable 
prefents  to  the  melTenger.  He  fent  another  to 
Makawkas  viceroy  oi  /Egypt,  who  returned  in  an- 
fwer  he  would  confider  of  the  propofals,  and  fent, 
with  fome  other  prefents,  two  young  maidens :  one 
of  thefe  named  Mary  of  fifteen  years  of  age,  Ma- 
homet debauched :  whereat  two  of  his  wives 
Haphfa  and  Ayejha  were  greatly  enraged,  and  he 
to  pacify  them,  promifed  upon  oath  to  do  fo  no 
more ;  but  was  again  taken  by  them  trajifgreffing 
with  Mary :  and  now,  that  he  might  not  iland  in 
awe  of  his  wives  any  longer,  down  comes  a  reve- 
lation in  the  Sixty  fixth  chapter  of  the  Alcoran,  to 
releafe  the  prophet  from  his  oath,  and  allow  him 
to  lye  with  his  maid  ;  and  the  two  wives  o^  Ma- 
homet, who,  upon  the  quarrel  about  Mar\,  had  gone 
home  to  their  fathers,  being  threatned  in  the  fame 

chapter 


6o  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

chapter  with  a  divorce,  were  glad  to  fend  their  fa- 
thers to  him  to  make  peace  for  them ;  that  they 
might  return  to  him  again  :  and  came  and  fubmit- 
ted  to  live  with  him  upon  his  own  terms. 

Mahomet  fent  letters  at  the  fame  time  to  the  king 
of  Ethiopia^  who  had  before  profefled  IJlam,  and 
repeated  his  profefTion  of  it  in  his  anfwer.  He 
wrote  to  two  other  Arabian  princes,  who  fent  him 
difagreeablc  anfwers,  which  provoked  him  to  curfe 
them  :  and  to  AlMondar,  king  of  Bahrain,  who 
came  into  his  religion,  and  afterwards  routed  the 
Perjians,  and  made  a  great  flaughter  of  them :  and 
now  all  the  Arabians  of  Bahrain  became  converts 
to  his  religion. 

Among  the  captives  taken  at  Caibar,  was  Saphia, 
betrothed  to  the  fon  of  Kenana,  the  king  of  the 
yews,  Mahomet  took  her  to  wife;  and  put  Kenana 
to  the  torture,  to  make  him  difcover  his  treafure. 
In  the  adtion  at  Caibar,  it  is  faid,  Ali,  having  his 
buckler  ftruck  out  of  his  hand,  took  one  of  the 
gates  off  its  hinges,  and  ufed  it  for  a  buckler,  till 
the  place  was  taken :  he  that  told  this  ftory  faid, 
that  he  and  feven  men  tried  to  ftir  the  gate,  and 
were  not  able. 

One  of  the  articles  of  the  peace  being,  that  any 
Mejlem  might  be  permitted  to  perform  his  pilgri- 
mage 2XMecca,  the  prophet  went  to  compleat  the 
vifitation  of  the  holy  places,  which  he  could  not  do 
as  he  intended  when  at  Hodaiba :  the  Meccans  were 
talking  to  one  another  of  his  being  weakened  by 
the  long  marches  he  had  made  ;  he,  to  fhew  the 
contrary,  in  going  round  the  Caaba  feven  times, 
went  the  firft  three  rounds  in  a  brifk  trot,  {baking 
his  fhoulders ;  but  the  four  laft  circuits  in  a  com- 
mon 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  6 1 

mon  walking  pace  :  and  this  was  the  reafon  of  the 
feven  circuits  round  the  Caaba,  being  ever  after  per- 
formed by  the  Mojletns  in  the  fame  manner. 

In  the  eighth  year  of  the  llejira,  Caled  fon  of 
Al  IValtd^  Amrii  fon  of  At  As,  2Xi^  Othman  fon  of 
Telha,  who  prcfided  over  the  Caaba^  became  Mo- 
Jlems :  this  was  a  conliderable  addition  to  Mahomet's 
power  and  interefl.  The  fame  year  Mahomet,  hav- 
ing fent  a  letter  to  the  governour  oiBoJira  in  Syria ^ 
as  he  had  to  others,  and  his  meffenger  being  flain 
there,  fent  Zaid,  fon  of  Hareth,  with  3000  men 
to  Muta  in  Syria  againfl  the  Roman  army,  which 
with  their  allies  made  a  body  of  near  1 00000  men: 
Zaid  being  killed,  the  command  fell  to  yapher-, 
and,  he  being  killed,  \.q  Abdollah  fon  of  Rawahas, 
who  was  alfo  killed :  then  the  Mojlems  unanimoully 
chofe  Caled  to  lead  them  :  he  defeated  the  enemy, 
and  returned  to  Medina  with  a  confiderable  booty : 
on  which  account  Mahomet  gave  him  the  title  of 
the  fword  of  God, 

The  fame  year,  the  Coreijhites  aflifted  fome  of 
their  allies  againfl:  the  Cozaites,  who  were  in  alli- 
ance with  Mahomet  j  this  he  refented  as  an  infrac- 
tion of  the  peace  :  Abu  Sophian  was  fent  to  try  to 
make  up  matters,  but  Mahomet  would  not  vouch- 
fafe  to  give  him  any  anfwer ;  but  made  prepara- 
tion to  fall  upon  them,  before  they  could  be  pre- 
pared to  receive  him  :  when  he  was  near  Mecca  he 
had  about  loooo  men  with  himj  AbuSophian  came 
out  to  reconnoitre,  in  the  evening,  when  Al  Abbas, 
who,  out  of  friendfliip  to  his  countrymen,  had  rode 
from  the  army,  with  an  intent  if  he  faw  any 
flragling  ilffrr^«  to  bid  him  go  back  with  the  news 
of  Mahomet^  approach,  and  advife  the  Meccans  to 

fur- 


62  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

furrender  ;  hearing  Abu  Sophiajis  voice,  called  io 
him,  and  advifed  him  to  get  up  behind  him,  and 
go  with  him ;  and  in  all  hafte  make  his  fubmiflion 
to  Mahomet ;  which  he  did,  and,  to  fave  his  life 
profefTed  IJlam  :  and  was  afterwards  as  zealous  in 
propagating  as  he  had  hitherto  been  in  oppodng  it. 

Mahomet  had  given  orders  to  enter  Mecca  peace- 
ably ;  but  Caledj  meeting  with  a  party  who  let  liy 
fome  arrows  at  him,  fell  upon  them,  and  flew 
twenty  eight  of  them  :  Mahomet  fent  one  of  his 
helpers  to  bid  him  defift  from  llaughter ;  but  the 
meflenger  delivered  quite  contrary  orders,  that  he 
fhould  fall  upon  them  without  mercy  :  after- 
wards, when  Mahomet  faid  to  the  helper,  did  not  I 
bid  you  tell  Caled  not  to  kill  any  body  in  Mecca  ? 
it  is  true,  faid  the  helper,  and  I  would  have  done 
as  you  direded  me,  but  God  would  have  it  other- 
wife  J  and  God's  will  was  done. 

When  all  was  c^xtt,  Mahomet  went  to  the  Caaba, 
and  rode  round  it  upon  his  Camel  feven  times  ; 
and  touched  with  his  cane  a  corner  of  the  black 
flone,  with  great  reverence  :  he  then  lighted  and 
went  into  the  Caaba,  and  found  there  images  of 
angels,  and  a  figure  oi  Abraham  holding  in  his 
hand  a  bundle  of  arrows,  which  had  been  made 
ufe  of  for  deciding  things  by  lot. ;  thefe  he  had 
thrown  down  and  broken  in  pieces.  He  went  into 
the  Caaba,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  Allah  acbar, 
feven  times,  turning  round  to  all  the  fides  of  the 
Caaba :  then  he  appointed  this  to  be  the  Kehla, 
or  place  toward  which  the  Mojletm  are  to  turn 
themfelves  when  they  pray.  There  were  on  the 
outfide  of  the  Caaba  360  idols,  all  which  he  de- 
ilroyed  j  and,  mounting  his  Camel,  he  rode  once 

more 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  63 

more  feven  times  round  the  Caaba^  and,  lighting, 
bowed  himfelf  twice,  and  went  to  the  well  Zem- 
zem,  and  from  thence  to  the  ftation  of  Abraham^ 
where  he  ftopt,  and  had  a  pail  of  water  brought 
from  Zemzet)},  of  which  he  drank  large  draughts, 
and  made  the  holy  walhing  called  Wodhu^  and  im- 
mediately his  followers  came  running,  and  did 
likewife :  purifying  themfelves  and  wafhing  their 
faces.  After  this,  Mahomet^  {landing  at  the  door 
of  the  Caaba,  made  an  harangue  to  this  effed:, 
there  is  no  other  God  but  God,  who  has  fulfilled 
his  promife  to  his  fervant,  and  who  alone  has  put 
to  flight  his  enemies,  and  put  under  my  feet  every 
thing  that  is  vifible  around ;  men,  animals,  goods, 
riches  j  except  only  the  government  of  the  Caaba, 
and  the  keeping  of  the  cup  for  the  pilgrims  to  drink 
out  of:  O  ye  Coreifiites  God  hath  taken  from  you 
the  pride  of  paganifm,  which  caufed  you  to  wor- 
fhip  our  fathers  Abraham  and  Ifmael,  as  Deities ; 
though  they  were  men  defcended  from  Adam,  who 
was  created  out  of  the  earth.  He  had  a  mind  to 
difpofe  of  the  overfeeing  of  the  Caaba^  and  took 
the  keys  of  it  from  Othman  the  fon  of  T^dha^  and 
was  going  to  give  them  to  Al Abbas,  who  had  alked 
for  them ;  but  a  diredion  came  from  heaven,  in 
rhefe  words.  Give  the  charge  to  whom  it  belongs : 
whereupon  he  fent  the  keys  by  Ali  to  Othman  : 
Othman,  agreeably  furprifed,  thankedM^?/?^?^^/',  and 
made  a  new  profelTion  of  his  faith.  The  care  of 
the  pilgrim's  cup  he  gave  to  Al  Abbas,  it  is  here- 
ditary. 

Then  all  the  Meccans  were  fummoned  to  the  hill 
Al  Safa,  Xo  Mahomet's  inauguration,  where  the 
prophet  firft  took  an  oath  to  them  ^  and  then  they 

all. 


64  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

all,  firft  the  men  and  then  the  women,  took  an 
oath  to  be  faithful  and  obedient,  to  whatfoever  he 
fhould  command  them:  after  this,  calling  an  ex- 
traordinary afTembly,  he  declared  Mecca  fhould  be 
hence  forward  an  afylum  or  inviolable  fandluary, 
where  it  fhould  not  be  lawful  to  {bed  the  blood 
of  man,  or  even  to  cut  down  a  tree. 

ThQ  Meccans^  after  telling  them  they  were  his 
flaves  by  conqueft,  he  pardoned,  and  declared  them 
free :  he  profcribed  eleven  men  and  fix  women, 
of  his  mod:  inveterate  enemies  3  ordering  his  fol- 
lowers to  kill  them  whereever  they  were  found  : 
mofl  of  them,  embracing  IJlaffi,  got  their  pardon  : 
and  were  zealous  Mojlems  ever  after :  one  of 
them  Abdolla,  who  had  greatly  offended  him,  was 
brought  to  Mahomet  by  Othman,  who  interceded 
for  him  j  Mahomet  pardoned  him,  and  he  profefl 
IJlatn :  but,  before  he  granted  his  pardon,  he  kept 
filencea  long  time,  in  expedlation,  as  he  afterwards 
owned,  that  feme  of  thofe  about  him  would  have 
fallen  upon  Abdolla  and  killed  him  :  Three  of  the 
women  embraced  IJlatn^  and  were  pardoned,  the 
refl  were  killed  :  one  of  them  crucified. 

Mahomet  fent  out  Caled  and  others  to  deflroy  the 
remaining  idols  among  fome  of  the  tribes ;  and  to 
invite  them  to  JJlam :  Caled  executed  his  com- 
miflion  with  great  brutality  ;  the  yodhatnites  had 
formerly  robbed  and  murdered  Caled' s  uncle  com- 
ing from  Arabia  Felix  j  Caled  propofed  IJlam  to 
them,  but  they  cried  out,  they  profefTed  Sabiifm: 
this  was  what  he  wanted,  and  immediately  fell 
upon  them  j  killing  fome,  and  making  others  pri- 
foners,  of  whom  he  diftributed  fome  among  his 
men:  as  for  thofe  he  kept  for  himfelf,  he  tied 

their 


^e  Life  of  Mahomet,  65 

their  hands  behind  them,  and  put  them  all  to  the 
T'S^ord.  On  hearing  of  it,  Mahomet  Hfted  up  his 
eyes,  and  protefted  his  innocence  as  to  this  murder; 
and  fent  AH  with  a  fum  of  money  to  make  fatis- 
fadion  for  the  blood  flied  :  and  to  reftore  the  pil- 
lage: All  paid  to  the  furviving  Jodhamites  as  much 
as  was  demanded,  and  generoufly  gave  the  over- 
plus among  them ;  which  action  Mahomet  applaud- 
ed, and  reproved  Caled  afterwards. 

Upon  Mahomefs  having  made,  a  conqueft  of 
Mecca,  many  of  the  tribes  of  the  Arabs  came  and 
fubmitted  to  him  ;  but  the  Hawazanites,  the  Tha^ 
kijites,  and  part  of  the  Saadites,  alTembled  to  the 
number  of  4000  effeftive  men,  befides  women 
and  children,  to  oppofe  him.  Mahomet  went  a- 
gainfl  them  at  the  head  of  12000  fighting  men: 
at  the  firft  onfet,  the  Mojlems  were  received  with  a 
fhower  of  arrows,  and  put  to  flight;  Mahomet^  with 
great  courage,  rallied  his  men,  and  obtained  the 
vicflory.  Among  the  captives  there  was  one  who 
faid  fhe  was  the  daughter  oi  Mahomet*s  nurfe,  the 
prophet,  being  by  fome  mark  fatisfied  of  the  truth 
of  her  pretenSons,  held  out  his  cloak  towards  her, 
in  token  of  his  good  will,  gave  her  leave  to  return 
home,  and  furniflied  her  liberally  for  her  journey. 
The  next  confiderable  action  was  the  fiege  oiT^aief, 
a  town  fixty  miles  eaft  from  Mecca  :  the  Mojlems 
lay  before  it ;  and,  having  made  feveral  breaches 
.  with  their  engines,  marched  refolutely  up  to  them, 
but  were  vigoroufly  repulfed  by  the  befieged  : 
Mahomet  bade  an  herald  cry,  that  if  any  of  their 
flaves  came  to  him,  they  fliould  have  their  liberty; 
this  brought  over  twenty  three  of  them;  he 
^iTigned  to  each  2<MoJlem  for  a  comerade:  io  incon- 
*  E  fiderable 


66  I'he  Life  of  Mahomet. 

fiderable  a  defertion  did  not  in  the  leaft  abate  the 
courage  of  the  befieged  ;  fo  that  the  prophet  bgi  • 
gan  to  defpair  of  reducing  the  place,  and,  after  a 
dream,  which  Abiibeker  interpreted  unfavourably  to 
the  attempt,  determined  to  raifc  the  liege  3  and 
ordered  his  men  to  prepare  for  a  retreat :  this  oc- 
cafioned  a  murmuring  5  whereupon,  he  gave  orders 
for  them  to  be  ready  for  an  affault,  the  next  day : 
the  affault  was  made,  but  the  affailants  were  beaten 
back,  with  great  lofs :  to  confole  them,  he  fmiled 
and  faid,  we  will  come  here  again,  if  it  pleafe 
God.  When  he  came  to  Jefana  where  all  the 
booty  taken  from  the  Hawazanites  had  been  left, 
there  came  a  deputation  from  them,  to  beg  it  might 
be  reftored :  the  prophet  gave  them  their  option, 
of  having  either  the  captives  or  their  goods  5  they 
chofe  to  have  their  wives  and  children  again  ;  and 
their  goods  were  divided  among  the  Mojlems :  then, 
to  indemnify  thofe  who  had  parted  with  any  flaves, 
he  gave  among  them  his  own  fhare  of  the  goods  j 
and  fignified  to  Make  fon  of  AwfihciT  general,  that, 
if  he  would  come  into  I/Iamy  he  fhould  have  all 
his  goods  as  well  as  his  family,  and  a  prefent  of 
100  camels  befides:  this  brought  him  over  to  be 
fo  good  a  Mojlem^  that  he  had  the  command  given 
him  of  all  his  countrymen  who  were  converts; 
and  was  very  ferviceable  againft  the  H'hakefites, 

The  prophet,  after  this,  made  an  holy  vifit  to 
Mecca^  where  he  appointed  Otab  fon  of  OJaid 
governour,  though  not  quite  twenty  years  of  age; 
Maad  fon  ofjabal  Imam,  or  chief  prieft,  to  teach 
the  people  IJlamy  and  direct  them  in  folemnizing 
the  pilgrimage  :  and  returned  to  Medina ^  where  his 
concubine  Mar^  brought  him  a  fon,  whom  he 

named 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  67 

named  Ibrahim :  celebrating  his  birth  with  a  great 
feaft :  he  lived  but  fifteen  months. 

In  the  ninth  year  of  the  Hejira  there  came  feve- 
ral  envoys  from  all  parts  of  Arabia  to  Mahomet  at 
Medina^  to  declare  their  readinefs  to  profefs  his  re- 
ligion: at  this  time,  Caab  fon  o(  Zohair,  who  had 
been  profcribed  for  fome  fatyrical  verfes  upon  Ma^ 
hornet,  came  and  made  his  peace,  with  a  poem  in 
praife  of  him:  it  began  thus. 

Now  does  my  happinefs  draw  near  ; 
th'  accepted  day  is  in  my  view : 
Mahomet,  befides  his  pardon,  gave  him  his  cloak 
off  his  back  ;  which  precious  relique  was  purchafed 
of  his  family  by  Moawiyah  the  Caliph,  at  an  high 
price,  and  was  worn  by  the  Caliphs,  on  folemn 
occafions,  till  the  irruption  of  the  I'artars,  in  the 
year  ofiheHejira  656.  Gagnier,  mAbulFed.  p.  122. 

The  fame  year,  Mahomet,  with  an  army  of 
30000  men,  marched  towards  Syria,  to  a  place  call- 
ed T'abuc,  againft  the  Romans  and  Syriafis,  who  were 
making  preparation  againft  him  j  but,  upon  his 
approach,  retreated :  and  the  Mojlems  went  back 
towards  Medina  :  by  the  way,  they  took  feveral 
forts  of  the  chriftian  Arabs,  and  made  them  tribu- 
taries :  at  his  return  to  Medina,  the  I'hakejites,  hav- 
ing been  blocked  up  in  T'aief  by  the  Mojlem  tribes, 
fent  deputies  to  offer  to  embrace  IJlam,  upon  con- 
dition, they  might  retain  an  idol  their  people  were 
much  bigotted  to,  a  little  longer;  Mahomet  infifted 
upon  its  being  immediately  demolifhed :  then  they 
defired  to  be  excufed  from  ufing  the  Mojlems  pray- 
ers; he  anfwered  very  juftly,  that  a  religion  without 
prayers  was  good  for  nothing  :  then  they  fubmitted 
abfolutely, 

E  2  In 


68  l^he  Life  of  Mahomet. 

In  the  ninth  year  of  the  Hejira^  Mahomet  fent 
Abubeker  to  Mecca^  to  perform  the  pilgrimage,  and 
facrifice  twenty  camels  on  his  account.  After  him, 
he  fent  AH  to  publifli  the  ninth  chapter  of  the  Al- 
coran^ which,  though  fo  placed  in  the  prefent  con- 
fufed  copy,  is  generally  fuppofed  to  be  the  laft  that 
was  revealed ;  it  is  called  Barat^  or  Immunity  ;  the 
purport  of  it  is,  that  the  ajfociators  ^  with  whomMz- 
homet  had  made  a  treaty,  were  obliged,  after  four 
months  liberty  of  confcience,  to  embrace  IJlam,  or 
pay  tribute  :  the  command  is  when  thofe  holy  months 
are  expired^  kill  the  idolaters  wherever  ye  fiall  find 
them :  afterwards  come  thefe  words,  if  they  repent 
and  obferve  the  times  of  prayer  and  give  alms  they 
are  to  be  looked  upon  as  your  brethren  in  religion : 
here  we  find  the  impoftor,  who  at  firft  pretended 
only  to  perfuade,  now  he  thought  himfelf  fuffi- 
ciently  ftrong  to  compel  men  into  his  religion,  de- 
clare for  making  converts  by  force  of  arms:  'to 
publifh  this  doctrine  he  could  not  have  found  a 
more  proper  perfon  than  his  vizir  AH,  fee  pag.  i6. 
In  the  fame  chapter  it  is  ordered,  that  no  body 
fhould  perform  the  holy  circuits  round  the  Caaba, 
without  having  on  the  facred  habit :  and  that  no 
idolater  fhould  make  the  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  Irl 
confequence  of  this,  no  perfon  except  a  Mahometan, 
dares  approach  the  Caaba,  on  pain  of  death. 

The  following  account  of  Mahomefs  farewel 
pilgrimage,  is  from  faber  fon  of  Abdolla,  ^  who 
was  one  of  the  company.  The  Apoftle  of  God 
w.  G.  b.  had  not  made  the  pilgrimage  of  nine 
years;  {for  when  he  conquered  Mecca  he  only  made 
a  vifitation.)  In  the  tenth  year  of  the  Hejira,  it  was 

'•»  V.  p.  77.      b  Cannier ,  Not,  in  MuU  Fedanii  p.  130. 

pub- 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  69 

publidied  that  he  intended  to  go  the  pilgrimage  : 
whereupon  a  prodigious  multitude  of  people  {fome 
make  the  number  near  1 00000)  flocked  from  all 
parts  to  Medina :  our  chief  defire  was  to  follow 
the  apoflle  of  God,  w.  G.  b.  and  imitate  him : 
when  we  came  to  Dhul  Holaifa  *  the  apoftle  of 
God,  w.  G.  b.  prayed  in  the  mofque  there ;  then 
mounted  his  camel,  rode  haftily  to  the  plain  Baida^ 
and  there  began  to  praife  God,  in  the  form  that 
profefTes  his  unity,  faying,  Here  lam^  O  God,  ready 
to  obey  thee^  thou  hafi  no  partner^  &c.  when  we 
came  to  the  Caaba,  he  kifled  the  corner  of  the 
black  ftone,  went  feven  times  round,  three  times 
in  a  trot,  four  times  walking,  then  went  to  the 
ftation  of  Abraham,  and  came  again  to  the  black 
ftone  and  kiffed  it :  then  went  through  the  gate  of 
the  fons  oi  Madhumi  to  the  hill  Safa  j  and  went  up 
it,  till  he  could  fee  the  Caaba,  and,  turning  towards 
the  Kebla,  profelTed  again  the  unity  of  God  ;  fay- 
ing, there  is  no  God  but  one,  his  is  the  kingdom,  to 
him  be  praifes,  he  is  powerfull  above  every  thi7igy 
Cfc.  then  he  went  down  towards  the  hill  Merwan, 
I  all  the  way  followed  him :  in  the  valley  he  went 
faft,  and  flow  up  the  hill,  till  he  came  to  the  top 
o£Merwan:  from  thence  he  went  to  the  hill  Ara^ 
fa ;  and,  it  being  towards  funfet,  preached  till 
the  fun  was  fet  :  then  he  went  to  Mofdalefa,  be- 
tween Arafa  and  the  valley  of  Mefia,  and  made 
the  evening  prayer,  and  the  late  prayer,  with  two 

*  There  are  different  places  where  the  pilgrims  from  differ- 
ent parts  put  off  their  cloaths,  and  put  on  the  facred  habit  ; 
which,  being  a  penitential  one,  confilts  of  two  courfe  woollen 
wrappers,  according  to  Sale:  Bobovius  fays,  it  is  made  like  a 
furplice :  if  fo,  it  is  only  one  large  wrapper  j  for  it  muft  not 
be  fcwcd.   v.Pecod;  fpeg.hift.  Arab.  9.316. 

E  3  calls- 


70  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

calls  to  prayer,  and  two  rifings  up  :  then  he  lay 
down  till  the  dawn,  and  made  the  morning  pray- 
er :  then  went  to  the  enclofure  of  the  Caaba ^  and 
flood  there  till  it  grew  very  light :  and  then  went 
haftily,  before  the  fun  was  up,  to  the  valley  called 
Mena  j  and  threw  fcven  flones,  repeating  at  each 
throw,  God  is  great.  Sec,  and  from  thence  went 
to  the  place  of  facrificing ;  and  flew  fixty  three 
vidims  ^  with  his  own  hand,  being  then  fixty  three 
years  old  j  he  alfo  made  free  lixty  three  flaves : 
then  he  ordered  j4li  to  facrifice  fo  many  more  vic- 
tims as  to  make  the  number  loo:  ^  then  the  apofllc 
fhaved  his  head,  beginning  on  the  right  fide  of  it, 
and  finifhing  on  the  left,  and  caft  his  hair  upon  a 
a  tree,  that  the  wind  might  fcatter  it  among  the 
people :  Cakd  fnatched  part  of  the  forelock  and 
fixed  it  upon  his  turban,  the  virtue  whereof  he 
experienced  in  every  battle  he  afterwards  fought  : 
then  the  apoflle  ordered  the  limbs  of  the  vid:ims 
to  be  boiled,  fat  down,  only  he  and^//,  to  eat  fome 
of  the  flefh ;  and  drank  fome  of  the  broth :  then  he 
mounted  his  camel  again  and  rode  to  the  Caaba, 
where  he  made  the  noon-tide  prayer,  and  drank 
feven  large  draughts  of  the  well  Zemzem,  made 
feven  circuits  round  the  Caaba,  and  concluded  his 
carreer  between  the  hills  Safa  and  Merwan, 

The  ninth  day  of  the  feaft,  he  went  to  perform 
his  devotions  on  the  hill  Arafa  i  this  hill,  fituated 

*  Mahomei*^  vi6^ims  were  camels  :  Jannalt  apud  Gagnier  vie 
<3e  Mahomet^  vol,  2.  p.  265.  they  may  be  fheep  or  goats ; 
then  they  muft  be  male  :  if  camels  or  kine,  female.  Sale  pre- 
lim, difc.  p.  120.  ''  Ludovicus  Patricius  Romanus,  who  feign- 
ing himfelf  a  Mojlem,  wasprefent  at  a  pilgrimage,  fays  the  re- 
mainder of  the  Sacrificed  (heep,  that  was  not  eaten  by  thofe 
who  furnifhed  them,  was  given  to  the  jpoor,  who  were  very 
numerous,  lib.  i.  cap.  13. 

about 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  7  r 

about  a  mile  from  Mecca,  is  held  in  great  venera- 
tion by  the  Mojlems,  as  a  place  very  proper  for  pe- 
nitence i  becaufe  they  believe  that  Adam  and  Eve, 
when  banifhed  out  of  paradife,  were  parted  from 
each  other,  in  order  to  do  penance  for  their  tranf- 

^  greflion  ;  and  after  a  feparation  of  fix  fcore  years, 
met  again  upon  this  mountain. 

At  the  conclufion  of  this  farewell  pilgrimage ,  as 
it  was  called,  being  the  laft  he  ever  made,  Maho- 
met reformed  the  calendar  in  two  points  :  i ,  he 
appointed  the  year  to  be  exadly  lunar,  con fi fling 
of  twelve  lunar  months,  whereas,  before,  they  ufed 
to  make  every  third  year  confifl  of  thirteen  months; 
in  order  to  reduce  the  lunar  to  the  folar  year  :  2, 
whereas  the  2J^c\tvit  Arabians  held  4  months  facred, 
wherein  it  was  unlawful  to  commit  any  ad:  of 
hoflility,  he  took  away  that  prohibition,  by  this 
command,  attack  the  idolaters  in  all  the  months  of 
the  year,  as  they  attack  you  in  all.  Alcor.  c.  9: 

In  the  nth  year  of  the  Hejira,  there  arrived  an 
ambaffagc  {torn  Arabia  Fcelix,  of  about  100  who 
had  embraced  Jflam,  The  fame  year,  Mahomet  or- 
dered Ofama  to  go  to  the  place  where  Zaid  his  fa- 
ther was  flain  at  the  battle  of  Muta,  and  revenge 
his  death :  this  was  the  laft  expedition  ordered  by 
him ;  for,  two  days  after,  he  was  taken  ill ,  and 
died  in  thirteen  days :  the  beginning  of  his  ficknefs 
was  a  flow  fever,  which  made  him  delirous ; 
whereupon  he  called  for  pen  ink  and  paper,  and 
faid.  He  would  write  a  book  that  JJjould  keep  them 

from  erring  after  his  death,  Omar  oppos'd  it,  fay- 
ing the  Alcoran  is  fufficient,  and  that  the  prophet, 
through  the  greatnefs  of  his  malady,  knew  not 
what  he  faid :  others  expreft  a  defire  he  might 
E  4  write; 


7  2  7he  Life  of  Mahomet, 

write ;  whereon  a  contention  arofe,  that  fo  diflurb- 
ed  Mahomet  that  he  bid  them  be  gone :  during  his 
illnefs,  he  complained  of  the  bit  he  had  fwallowed 
at  Caibar.  Some  fay,  when  he  was  dying,  Gabriel 
told  him,  the  angel  of  death,  who  never  before 
had  been,  nor  would  ever  again  be  fo  ceremonious 
towards  any  body,  afked  his  leave  to  come  in ; 
Mahomet  anfwered,  I gi've  him  leave :  the  angel  of 
death  farther  complimented  the  prophet,  and  told 
him,  God  was  very  defirous  to  have  him,  but 
had  commanded  he  {hould  take  his  foul  or  leave 
it,  ju ft  as  he  himfelf  fhould  pleafe  to  order  :  Ma- 
homet replied,  Take  it  then. 

On  his  death,  there  was  great  confufion  among 
his  followers  :  fome  faid,  he  was  not  dead,  but  only 
taken  away  for  a  feafon  ;  and  would  return  again 
as  Jefus  did.  And  called  out,  do  not  bury  the 
apoftle  of  God,  for  he  is  not  dead :  Omar  was  fo 
much  of  that  mind,  that  he  drew  his  fword,  and 
fwore  he  would  cut  any  body  in  pieces  who  fhould 
fay  the  prophet  was  dead.  Ahubeker  came  in  and 
faid,  T)o  you  worjhip  Mahomet  or  the  God  of  Ma- 
homet f  the  God  of  Mahomet  is  immortal  -,  but  as 
for  Mahomet  he  is  certairily  dead :  and  proved,  by 
feveral  places  in  the  Alcoran,  that  he  was  to  die  as 
well  as  other  men ;  and  not  to  return  to  life  till 
the  general  refurredion  :  this  fhews  that  it  is  a  vul- 
gar error  to  believe  the  Mojlems  exped:  Mahomef^ 
return  upon  earth,  When  this  diforder  was  over, 
another  and  more  violent  conteft  arofe  about  his 
burial  :  the  refugees,  who  had  accompanied  him 
in  bis  flight  froiii  Mecca,  would  have  had  him  bu- 
ried there,  the  place  of  his  birth  :  the  helpers  or 
Medinians  were  for  burying  him  at  Medina^  where 

he 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  j^ 

he  had  been  kindly  received,  in  his  flight :  the  dif- 
pute  ran  fo  high,  that  they  were  near  coming  to 
blows  J  when  Abuheker  put  an  end  to  it,  by  tell- 
ing them,  he  had  often  heard  the  apoftle  fay,  that 
prophets  fliould  be  buried  in  the  place  where  they 
died  :  accordingly,  his  grave  was  digged  under  the 
bed  whereon  he  lay,  in  the  chamber  of  AyeJJm. 
Tht  Arabian  writers  are  very  particular  in  their  ac- 
counts of  wafhing  his  body,  and  perfuming  it;  who 
digged  his  grave,  who  put  him  in,  &c,  GagnierJ^ 

They  minutely  defcribe  Mahomet's  perfon :  they 
fay  he  was  of  a  middle  ftature,  had  a  large  head, 
thick  beard,  black  eyes,  hook'd  nofe,  wide  mouth, 
a  thick  neck,  flowing  hair.  They  mention  what 
was  called  the  feal  of  his  apoftlefliip  to  have  been 
an  hairy  mole  as  large  as  a  pigeon's  egg,  between 
his  (boulders,  which  difappeared  at  his  death  : 
From  whence,  it  feems,  fome  who  would  not  be- 
lieve it  before,  concluded  he  was  dead.  His  inti- 
mate Abu  Horaira  faid,  he  never  faw  a  more  beau- 
tiful man  than  the  prophet.  He  was  fo  reverenced 
by  his  bigotted  difciples,  that,  when  he  fpat,  they 
would  gather  it  up  and  fwallow  it.  Abu  I  Fed. 

The  fame  writers  extoll  Mahomet  for  a  man  of 
fine  parts,  and  a  ftrong  memory,  of  few  words,  of 
a  cheerful  afped:,  affable  and  complaifant  in  his 
behaviour  ;  they  celebrate  him  for  his  juflice,  cle- 
mency, generofity,  modefly,  abflinence,  and  humi- 
lity ;  and,  as  an  inflance  of  the  laft  mentioned  vir- 
tue, tell  us  he  mended  his  own  cloaths  and  ilioes : 
whereas,  from  his  acftions  related  by  the  fame  wri- 
ters, we  muft  be  convinced,  that  he  was  a  very  fubtlc 

ft  Not.  v^Abu'lPedam,  p.  140.  &  vie  deAMmi,  vol.  2.  p-igg. 

and 


74-  ^ke  Life  of  Mahomet. 

and  crafty  man,  who  put  on  the  appearance  only 
of  thofe  good  qualities  j  while  the  governing  prin- 
ciples of  his  foul  were  ambition  and  lufl :  for  we 
fee  him,  as  foon  as  he  found  himfelf  flrong  enough 
to  be  upon  the  offenfive,  plundering  caravans  ;, 
and,  under  a  pretence  of  fighting  for  the  true  re^ 
ligion,  attacking,  murdering,  enflaving,  and  making 
tributary  his  neighbours,  in  order  to  aggrandife  and 
enrich  himfelf  and  his  greedy  followers:  and  with- 
out fcruple  making  ufe  of  affaflination  to  cut  off 
thofe  who  oppofed  him.  Of  his  luftful  difpofition, 
we  have  a  fufficient  proof,  in  the  peculiar  privi- 
ledges  he  claimed  to  himfelf,  of  having  as  many 
wives  as  he  pleafed ;  and  fome  of  them  fuch  as 
were  within  forbidden  degrees  of  affinity :  they 
that  mention  the  fmalleft  number  of  his  wives,  own 
him  to  have  had  fifteen  ;  whereas  the  Alcoran  al- 
lows v\oMoJlem  above  four;  he  ufed  to  fay  his  chief 
pleafures  were  perfumes  and  women. 

The  Alcoran  is  held  by  the  Mahometans  in  very 
great  veneration :  the  book  mufl:  not  be  touched 
by  any  body  but  a  Mojlem ;  nor  by  him,  except  he 
be  free  from  any  legal  pollution  :  it  has  been  a  con- 
troverfy  among  them  which  has  been  the  occafion 
of  fome  violent  perfecutions,  whether  it  be  created 
or  uncreated  ;  the  moft  orthodox  opinion  is,  that 
the  original  has  been  written  from  all  eternity  on 
the  preferved  table.  They  believe  that  a  tranfcript 
of  it  entire  was  brought  down  to  the  lower  heaven, 
{of  the  moon)  by  the  angel  Gabriel  \  and  from  thence 
taken  and  (hewn  to  Mahomet^  once  every  year  of 
his  miffion ;  and  twice  the  laft  year  of  his  life  : 
but  that  the  feveral  parts  of  it  were,  by  the  fame 
angel,  revealed  to  him  by  piece-meal  5  at  which 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  -75 

times,  he  didated  what  was  revealed  to  his  fecreta- 
ry,  who  wrote  it  down :  and  what  was  thus  writ- 
ten was  communicated  to  his  difciples,  to  get  by 
heart ;  and  then  depofited  in  what  he  called  the 
cheft  of  his  apoftlefhip:  which  chcft  was  left  in  the 
cuftody  of  his  wife  Haphfa.  How  the  prefent  book 
was  compiled,  partly  out  of  thefe  detached  fcraps, 
and  partly  out  of  the  memories  of  his  companions, 
may  be  fcen  in  our  author,  vol.  i,  p.  10 1. 

When  we  confider,  in  what  manner  the  Alco- 
ran was  compiled,  we  cannot  wonder  it  fliould  be 
fo  incoherent  a  piece  as  we  find  it :  the  book  is  di- 
vided into  chapters  -,  fome  of  them  very  long  ones : 
a  few  of  them,efpecially  towards  the  end,  very  fliort: 
each  chapter  has  a  title  prefixt,  taken  from  the  firft 
word,  or  from  fome  particular  thing  mentioned 
therein ;  rarely  from  the  fubjed  matter  of  it :  for, 
if  a  chapter  be  of  any  length,  it  ufually  runs  into 
various  fubjedts  that  have  no  connexion  one  with 
another,  A  celebrated  commentator  divides  the 
contents  of  the  Alcoran  into  three  general  heads : 
I,  precepts  or  directions  -,  relating  either  to  religion ; 
as  prayers,  fafting,  pilgrimages  :  or  civil  polity,  as 
marriages,  inheritances,  judicatures :  2,  hijiories  : 
whereof  fome  are  taken  from  the  fcriptures, 
but  falfified  with  fabulous  additions  :  others  are 
falfe  ftories,  that  have  no  foundation  in  hiftory. 
3,  admonitions :  under  "which,  come  exhortations  to 
receive  IJlam ;  to  fight  for  it :  to  pradife  the  du- 
ties of  it,  prayer,  alms,  &c.  to  pradtife  moral  du- 
ties ;  juftice,  temperance,  &c.  promifes  of  everlaft- 
ing  felicity  to  the  obedient :  difuafives  from  fin  ; 
threatnings  of  the  puniQiments  of  hell  to  the  un- 
believing and  difobedient.  Many  of  the  threatnings 


are 


76  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

are  levelled  againfl  particular  perfons,  and  thofe 
fome  times  oi  Mahomet's  own  family,  who  had 
oppofed  him,  in  propagating  his  religion. 

In  the  Alcoran  God  is  brought  in  faying,  we  have 
given  you  a  book :  by  this  it  appears,  that  the  im- 
poftor  publiflied  early,  in  writing,  fome  of  his  prin- 
cipal dodrines :  as  alio  fome  of  his  hiftorical  rela- 
tions. Thus,  in  his  life,  p.  17,  we  find,  his  difciples 
reading  the  20th  chapter  of  the  Alcoran,  before  his 
flight  from  Mecca  -,  after  which  he  pretended  many 
of  the  revelations  inferted  in  other  chapters  were 
brought  to  him :  undoubtedly,  all  thofe  faid  to  be 
revealed  at  Medi?ia  muft  be  pofterior  to  what  he 
had  then  publifhed  at  Mecca  ;  becaufe  he  had  not 
yet  been  at  Medina,  Many  parts  of  the  Alcoran  he 
declared  were  brought  by  the  angel  Gabriel  occa- 
jfionally  -,  whereof  we  have  had  fome  inftances  in 
his  life  :  the  commentators  often  explain  paflages 
in  that  book,  by  faying  on  what  occafion  they  were 
revealed ;  which,  without  that  key,  would  be  per* 
fedly  unintelligible. 

There  are  feveral  contradidions  in  the  Alcoran ; 
to  reconcile  which,  the  Mojlem  doctors  have  invent- 
ed the  dodrine  of  abrogation :  i.  e.  that  what  was 
revealed  at  one  time,  was  revoked  by  a  new  reve- 
lation. A  great  deal  of  it  is  fo  abfurd,  trifling,  and 
full  of  tautology,  that  it  requires  fome  patience  to 
read  much  of  it  at  a  time.  Notwithflanding  which, 
it  is  cried  up  by  the  Mojlems,  as  inimitable  :  and 
in  the  17th  chapter  of  the  Alcoran,  Mahomet  is 
commanded  to  fay,  Ferily  if  men  and  genii  were  pur  ^ 
pofely  ajfemblcd,  that  they  might  produce  any  thing 
like  the  Cor  an,  they  coidd  not  produce  a?iy  thing  like 
unto  it  J  though  they  ajijled  one  another ;  according- 


The  Life  of  Mahomet.  7  7 

ly,  when  the  Impoftor  was  called  upon,  as  he  often 
was,  to  work  miracles,  in  proof  of  his  divine  mif- 
iion ;  he  excufed  himfelf,  by  various  pretences  : 
and  appealed  to  the  Alcoran^  as  a  ftanding  miracle. 
Each  chapter  of  the  Alcoraji  is  divided  into  verfes ; 
that  is,  lines  of  different  length,  terminated  with  the 
fame  letter,  fo  as  to  make  a  rime :  but  without 
any  regard  to  the  meafure  of  the  fyllables,  as  to 
long  and  fhort. 

T^he  Mahometan  religion  confifts  of  two  parts, 
faith  and  pradice,  faith  they  divide  into  fix  articles : 
I,  a  belief  in  the. unity  of  God,  in  oppofition  to 
thofe  whom  they  call  ajfociators ;  by  which  name 
they  mean  not  only  thofe  who,befides  the  true  God, 
worfhip  idols,  or  inferior  gods  or  goddeffes,  but  the 
chriftians  alfo,  who  hold  our  bleffed  Saviours  divi- 
nity, and  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  2,  a  belief 
of  angels  j  to  whom  they  attribute  various  fliapes, 
names,  and  offices,  borrowed  from  the  Jeivs  and 
Perjians,  3,  the  fcriptures.  4,  the  prophets:  the 
.Alcoran  teaches  that  God  revealed  his  will  to  vari- 
ous prophets,  in  divers  ages  of  the  world,  and  gave 
it  in  writing  to  Adam,  Setb,  Enoch,  Abraha?n,  &c. 
but  thefe  are  loft :  that  he  gave,  afterwards,  the 
pentateuch  to  Mofes,  the  pfalms  to  David,  the  gof- 
pel  to  Jefus,  and  the  Alcoran  to  Mahomet :  it  fpeaks 
with  great  reverence  of  Mofes  and  Jefus,  but  fays 
the  fcriptures  left  by  them  have  been  greatly  mu- 
tilated and  corrupted ;  under  this  pretence,  it  adds 
a  great  many  fabulous  relations  to  the  hiltory  con- 
tained in  thofe  facred  books ;  and  charges  the  Jews 
and  Chrijlians  with  fuppreffing  many  prophecies 
concerning  Mahomet :  a  calumny  eafily  refuted,  the 
fcriptures  having  been  tranflated  into  various  lan- 
guages. 


y8  The  Life  of  Mahomet. 

guages,  long  before  Mahomet  was  born.  5,  the  fifth 
article  of  belief  is  the  refurredtion  and  day  of  judg- 
ment, the  Mahometan  divines  have  various  opinions 
about  an  intermediate  ftate :  the  happinefs  promi- 
fed  to  the  Mojlems  in  paradife  is  quite  fenfual ;  as 
iine  gardens,  rich  furniture,  every  thing  fparkling 
with  gems  and  gold,  delicious  fruits,  and  wines  that 
neither  cloy  nor  intoxicate,  but  above  all,  the  frui- 
tion of  amorous  delights,  with  women  having  large 
black  eyes,  and  every  way  of  exquifite  beauty,  who 
fhall  ever  continue  young,  and  without  any  imper- 
fedion  :  and  here  the  impoftor  confulted  the  tafte 
of  his  countrymen,  who  are  noted  by  a  Roman 
hiftorian  ^  as  much  given  to  lechery.  Some  of  their 
writers  fpeak  of  thefe  females  of  paradife  in  very 
high  ftrains ;  as,  that  if  one  of  them  were  to  look 
down  from  heaven  in  the  night,  (he  would  illumi- 
nate the  earth  as  the  fiin  does :  and  if  (he  did  but  fpit 
into  the  ocean,  it  would  immediately  be  turned  as 
fweet  as  honey.  Thefe  delights  of  paradife  were  all, 
at  firfl:,  certainly  underftood  literally  :  ^  though  the 
Mahometan  divines  have  iincc  allegoriz'd  them  into 
a  fpiritual  fenfe.  The  punifliments  threatned  to  the 
wicked  are  hell  fire,  breathing  hot  winds,  drinking 
boiling  and  (linking  water,  eating  briars  and  thorns, 
and  the  bitter  fruit  of  the  tree  Zacom^  which  will 
be  in  their  bellies  like  boiling  pitch :  and  thefe  to 
be  everlafting,  except  to  thofe  who  embrace  IJlam  : 
for  they,  after  fuflfering  a  number  of  years,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  demerits,  if  they  have  had  but  fo 
much  faith  as  is  equal  to  the  weight  of  an  ant,  are 
to  be  releafed  by  the  mercy  of  God,  and  the  inter- 
ce(rion  of  Mahomet,  and  admitted  into  paradife. 

a  Ammlanus  Marcellimts,     *»  See  the  hiftory  vol.  I.  p.  iSq* 

voL  2.  p.  168,  300. 

The 


The  Life  of  Mahomet,  79 

The  fixth  article  of  belief  is,  that  God  decrees 
every  thing  that  is  to  happen,  not  only  all  events, 
but  the  adions  and  thoughts  of  men,  their  belief, 
or  infidelity :  that  every  thing  that  has  or  will  come 
to  pafs  has  been,  from  eternity,  written  in  the  pre- 
ferved  or  fecret  table^  which  is  a  white  ftone  of  an 
immenfe  largenefs,  in  heaven,  near  the  throne  of 
God  J  agreeably  to  this  notion,  one  of  their  poets 
thus  exprefTes  himfelf  3 

*  Whatever  is  ivritten  againji  thee  will  come  to 
* pafsy   what   is  written /or  thee  Jhall  not  fail-, 

*  refign  thyfelf  to  Gody    and  know  thy  Lord  to  be 
^ powerful y    his  decrees  will  certainly  take  place-, 

*  his  fervants  ought  to  be  Jilent.* 

Of  their  four  fundamental  points  of  pradice,  the 
firft  \% prayer y  this  duty  is  to  be  performed  five  times 
in  the  twenty  four  hours :  i,  in  the  morning  be- 
fore fun-rife.  2,  when  noon  is  paft.  3,  a  little  be- 
fore fun-fet.  4,  a  little  after  fun-fet.  5,  before  the 
firft  watch  of  the  night.  Previous  to  their  prayers, 
they  are  always  to  purify  themfelves  by  wajhi?ig  : 
on  occaiion  of  fome  kinds  of  pollution,  the  whole 
body  muft  be  immerfed  in  water,  but  commonly 
fome  parts  only,  the  head,  the  face  and  neck,  hands 
and  feet,  are  to  be  wafhed  :  in  this  latter  ablution, 
called  JVodhUy  fine  fand  or  duft  may  be  ufed,  when 
water  cannot  be  had ;  laying  the  palm  of  the  hand 
upon  the  fand,  and  then  drawing  it  over  the  part 
required  to  be  wafhed.  The  Mahometans^  though, 
out  of  refpedt  to  the  divine  Majefty  before  whom 
they  are  to  appear,  they  muft  be  clean  and  decent, 
when  they  go  to  publick  prayers,  in  their  ?nofques ; 
are  forbidden  to  go  in  fumptuous  apparel,  particu- 
larly cloaths  trimmed  with  gold  or  filver  3  left  they 

ftiould 


Bo  The  Life  of  Mahomet, 

fiiould  feem  vain  or  arrogant :  their  women  are  not 
allowed  to  be  in  their  mofques,  at  the  fame  time 
with  the  men  :  they  think  this  would  make  their 
thoughts  wander  from  their  proper  bufmefs  there  ; 
and  reproach  the  Chriftians  with  the  impropriety 
of  the  contrary  ufage.  The  next  point  of  pradice 
is  ahm-giving  :  which  is  frequently  commanded  in 
the  Alcoran^  and  looked  upon  to  be  highly  merito- 
rious :  and  many  of  them  have  been  very  exem- 
plary in  the  performance  of  this  duty.  The  third 
point  of  pradical  religion  is  fajling  the  whole 
month  Rafjiadaity  during  which,  they  are  every 
day  to  abflaiii  from  eating,  or  drinking,  or  touch- 
ing a  woman,  from  day-break  to  fun-feti  after  that, 
they  are  at  liberty  to  enjoy  themfelves,  as  at  other 
times :  old  perfons  and  children  are  excepted  :  any 
one  that  is  fick  or  on  a  journey  in  this  month  is 
excufedj  as  are  women  alfo  that  are  breeding,  or 
giving  fuck :  but  then  the  perfon  thus  difpenfed 
with  muft  expiate  the  omiffion,  by  fafting  an  equal 
number  of  days,  in  fome  other  month  ;  and  by  giv- 
ing alms  to  the  poor.  There  are  alfo  fome  other 
days  of  fafting,  which  are,  by  the  more  religious, 
obferved  in  the  manner  above  defcribed.  The  laft 
pradical  duty  is  going  the  pilgrimage  to  Mecca  : 
this  every  man  who  is  able  is  obliged  to  perform 
once  in  his  life :  in  the  ceremonies  of  it,  they  copy 
after  the  pilgrimage  oi  Mahomet ^  defcribed  p.  68. 
a  pilgrimage  can  be  made  only  in  the  month 2)/)/^/- 
hagja  ;  but  a  'vifitation  to  Mecca  may  be  made  at 
any  other  time  of  the  year. 


€11 

•ft* 


T  H  E 

SARACENS  CONQUEST 

OF 

Syriay  Perfta^  and  JEgypt. 

* 

Abubehr^  Firft  Caliph  after  Mahomet,   Abubeker. 

MAHOMET,  the  great  Impoftor,  and  HegjrahXI. 
Founder  of  the  Saracenical  Empire,  A.  D. 3^62.^ 
died  at  Medinab,  on  '  Monday  the 
fixth  oijuney  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  Six  Hun- 
dred and  thirty-two  ;  being  the  twenty-fecond 
Year  of  the  Reign  of  Heraclius  the  Grecian 
Emperor.  After  he  was  dead,  the  next  Care 
to  be  taken  was  for  a  Succeflbr  j  and  it  was 
indeed  very  neceflary  that  there  fhould  be  one 
provided  as  foon  as  might  be :  for  their  Go- 
vernment and  Religion  being  both,  as  yet,  very 
tender,  and  a  great  many  of  Mahormt\  Fol- 
lowers being  no  great  Bigots,  as  not  having  yet 
forgotten  their  ancient  Rites  and  Cuftoms,  but 
rather  forced  to  leave  them  for  Fear,  than  up- 
on any  Convidion  j  Affairs  were  in  fuch  a 
Pofture  as  could  by  no  means  admit  of  an  In- 

'  ElmakiTij  chap.  i. 

A  ierregfjum. 


l*he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

terregnum.  Wherefore  the  ^  fame  Day  that  he 
expired,  the  Muflemans  met  together  in  order 
to  the  Eledlion  of  a  Caliph  or  SuccefTor.  In 
which  Affembly  there  had  like  to  have  been 
fuch  a  Fray,  as  might,  in  all  Probability,  had 
not  Omar  and  Abuheker  timely  interpofed,  have 
greatly  endangered,  if  not  proved  the  utter  Ruin 
of  this  new  Religion  and  Polity.  For  this  falib 
Prophet  of  theirs  having  left  no  poiitive  Direc- 
tions concerning  a  Succeffor,  or  at  leaft,  they 
not  being  known  to  any  but  his  Wives,  who  in 
all  Probability  might  conceal  them  out  of  their 
Partiality  in  Favour  of  Omar^  a  hot  Difpute 
arofe  between  the  Inhabitants  of  Meccah  and 
Medinah :  Thofe  of  Meccah  claiming  moft 
Right  in  the  Prophet,  as  being  his  Countrymen 
and  Relations,  and  having  embraced  his  Reli- 
gion firft  ;  and  not  only  fo,  but  having  accom- 
panied him  in  his  Flight  for  Religion  from 
Meccah  to  Medinah^  when  he,  being  perfecuted 
at  Meccah^  was  forced  to  make  his  Efcape  with 
manifefl:  Hazard  of  his  Life.  They  urged  that 
nothing  could  be  of  fo  great  Ufe  to  his  Perfon 
and  Caufe,  as  this  Service  of  theirs,  and  confe- 
quently  none  could  pretend  to  have  fo  great  a 
Right  of  naming  a  SuccclTor  as  themfelves. 
The  Inhabitants  of  Medinah^  with  no  lefs  Ve- 

?  Elmakvu    AhuHpharaglm. 

hemency. 


Sjriay  Perfia^i  and  /Egypt*  3 

hemency,  urged  that  the  Prophet  and  their  Re-  Abubeker. 
ligion  were  as  much  oblig'd  to  them  as  to  the 
others,  becaufe  they  had  received  him  in  his 
Flight,  and  by  their  Help  and  Afliftance  put 
him  in  a  Capacity  of  making  Head  againft  his 
powerful  Enemies  j  and  that  they  had  as  much 
a  Right  in  the  Prophet  as  any  others  whatfo- 
ever,  for  proteding  him  in  the  time  of  his  Ad- 
verfity,  and  upon  that  fcore  infifted  upon  the 
Right  of  electing  a  Caliph.  In  (hort,  they  came 
to  Daggers  drawing,  and  were  juft  upon  falling 
from  Words  to  Blows,  when  one  of  the  ^  An- 
fars^  or  Inhabitants  oi  Medinah,  a  Man  fome- 
thing  more  modera:te  than  the  rell,  fearing  the 
Confequences  of  this  Difturbance,  call'd  out  in 
the  midft  of  the  Company,  that  they  would 
have  two  Caliphs,  that  is,  each  Party  one.  But 
Abubeker  and  the  reft  of  the  Mohagerins  or  In- 
habitants of  Meccahj  did  by  no  means  approve 
of  fuch  an  Accommodation,  being  defirous  that 
the  whole  Government  (hould  remain  in  the 
Hands  of  their  own  Party.  Then  Abubeker 
ftepped  forth  and  told  them,  that  he  would 
name  two  Perfons,  and  they  fhould  chufe  which 
of  them  both  Parties  could  agree  upon.  The 
one  was  Omary  the  other  Abu  Obeid.  Upon 
which  Motion  the  Company  was  again  divid- 

'  Arab.  Vie  Helpers,  becaufe  they  helped  Mahomet  when 
he  fled  to  Mtd'mah. 

A2  ed. 


l^he  Saracens  Co^tqueft  of 

ed,  and  the  Contention  renewed  afrefli,  on& 
Party  ftill  crying  out  for  the  one,  and  the  other 
for  the  other.  At  laft  Omar  being  wearied  out, 
and  feeing  no  Likelihood  of  deciding  the  Mat- 
ter, was  willing  to  give  over,  and  bad  Abubeker 
give  him  his  Hand  j  which  he  had  no  fooner 
done,  but  Omar  promifed  him  Feahy.  The 
reft  all  followed  his  Example,  and  fo  by  the 
Confent  of  both  Parties  Abubeker  was  at  laft: 
faluted  Caliph,  and  acknowledg'd  the  rightful 
Succeflbr  of  their  Prophet  Mahomet^  and  was 
now  abfolute  Judge  of  all  Caufes  both  Sacred 
and  Civil.  And  thus  that  Difference  was  at 
laft,  with  much  ado,  compofed,  which  had  like 
to  have  been  fatal  to  Mahometanifm.  And  cer- 
tainly it  was  a  very  great  Overfight  in  Mahomet 
not  to  name  a  Succeflbr  pofitively  and  publick- 
ly  all  the  time  of  his  Sicknefs ;  which  if  he 
had  done,  his  Authority  had  without  queftion 
determined  the  Bufinefs,  and  prevented  that 
Difturbance,  by  which  the  Religion  which  he 
had  been  planting  with  fo  much  Difficulty  and 
Hazard,  had  like  to  have  been  endanger'd. 

'^  One  Author  tells  us,  that  Mahomet^  when 
he  was  fick,  commanded  fome  that  were  about 
him  to  bid  Abubeker  fay  Prayers  publickly  in 
the  Congregation  :  Which  Delire  of  his  to  have 

♦  Ahmed  Ebn  Mohammed  Eh  Mdi  Rabhihly  M.  S.  Arab. 
Huntington.  Num.554. 

Abubeker 


Syriay  Perjtay  and  j^gypt, 

Ahuheker  officiate  in  his  Place,  looks  very  much 
as  if  he  defign*d  he  fliould  fucceed  him  j  and 
was  fo  underftood  by  his  Wives  AyeJJja  and 
Haphfah,  who  were  both  prefent  when  Ma- 
hornet  gave  this  Order,  and  endcavour'd  what 
they  could  to  have  it  revok'd.  For  as  foon  as 
Mahomet  had  fpoken,  Ayejha  told  him,  that  if 
Abubeker  went  into  his  Place  (meaning  the 
Pulpit  from  which  he  us'd  to  fpeak  to  the  Peo- 
ple) the  Congregation  would  not  be  able  to  hear 
him  for  weeping,  and  defir'd  him  to  order 
Omar  to  go  upj  which  he  refufmg,  Ayejl^a 
ipoke  to  Haphfah  to  fecond  her.  The  Impor- 
tunity of  them  both  put  the  Prophet  into  fuch 
a  violent  Paffion,  that  he  told  them  they  were 
as  bad  as  Jofeph's  Miftrefs,  and  commanded 
them  again  to  fend  Abubeker.  To  which  Haph- 
fah anfwer'd,  O  Apojlle  of  God,  now  thou  art 
Jick,  and  hafl  preferred  hhwh^ktv.  He  anfwer'd, 
*Tis  not  I  that  have  given  him  the  Preference^ 
but  God. 

The  Conteft  which  happen'd  immediately 
after  his  Deceafe  makes  it  evident,  that  thefe 
Words  of  his  had  no  Influence  in  the  Ele(5lion 
of  Abubeker y  but  that  it  was  chiefly  owing  to 
Omar's  Refignation.  Who  notwithftanding  that 
he  was  the  firfl  that  propofed  Abubeker  to  the 
Aflembly,  and  own'd  him  as  Caliphy  did  not  fo 
well  approve  afterwards  of  that  Choice,  which 
A  3  Neceffity 


The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Ncceffity  put  him  upon  at  that  critical  Junc- 
ture, as  appears  by  what  he  feid :  The  Con- 
tents of  which  were,  5  «  That  he  pray'd  to  God 
"  to  avert  the  ill  Confequences,  which  it  was 
"  to  be  feared  would  follow  upon  fuch  an  in^ 
"  difcreet  Choice.  That  if  ever  any  one  (hould 
"  do  fuch  a  Thing  again,  he  would  deferve 
"  Death;  and  if  any  one  fliould  ever  fwear 
"  Fealty  to  another  without  the  Confent  of  the 
*'  reft  of  the  Muflemans,  both  he  that  took  the 
«*  Government  upon  him,  and  he  that  fwore  to 
"  him,  ought  to  be  put  to  Death."  Thefe,  and 
other  fuch  like  Expreflions,  were  evident  Signs 
of  his  Diflike ;  but  it  being  done  and  paft, 
there  was  no  other  Remedy,  but  to  fit  down  at 
quiet,  and  reft  himfelf  contented. 

Now  though  the  Government  was  adually 
fettled  upon  Abubeker,  yet  all  Parties  were  not 
equally  fatisfied^  for  a  great  many  were  of 
Opinion,  that  the  Right  of  Succeffion  did  be- 
long to  Ali,  the  Son  oi  Abu  Taleb,  Upon  which 
account  the  Mahometans  were  ever  fince  that 
time  divided  ;  fome  maintaining  that  Abubeker, 
and  thofe  other  two,  Omar  and  Othman,  that 
came  after  him,  were  the  rightful  and  lawful 
Succeflbrs  j  and  others  difclaiming  their  Title 
altogether  as  Ufurpers,  and  conftantly  afterting 
the  Right  of  Alt,    Of  the  former  Opinion  are 

*  Mn'lpharaglus. 

the 


5)^/^,  Perfia^  and  Mgypt, 

the  ^urh  at  this  Day  j  of  the  latter,  the  Per- 
fians.  Which  makes  fuch  a  Difference  between 
thofe  two  Nations,  that  notwithftanding  their 
Agreement  in  other  Points  of  their  Superftition, 
they  do  upon  this  account  treat  one  another  as 
moft  damnable  Hereticks.  Alt  had  this  to  re- 
commend him,  that  he  was  Mahomet's,  Coufin 
German,  and  was  the  ^  firft  that  embrac'd  his 
Religion,  except  his  Wife  Cadijah,  and  his  Slave 
Xeidy  and  befides  was  Mahomet's,  Son-in-Law, 
having  married  his  Daughter  Phatemah.  Abu- 
beker  was  Mahomet's  Father-in-Law,  and  was 
very  much  refpe^ed  by  him,  fo  that  he  gave 
him  the  Sirname  of  AJJiddick^  which  fignifies  in 
Arabick^  one  that  is  a  great  Speaker  of  Truth  ^^ 
becaufe  he  refolutely  afferted  the  Truth  of  that 
Story  which  Mahomet  told  of  his  ^  going  one 
Night  to  Heaven.  And  oftentimes  he  ufed  to 
exprefs  a  great  deal  of  Kindnefs  for  him  9. 
Once  as  he  faw  him  coming  towards  him,  he 
faid  to  thofe  that  were  about  him  :  If  any  one 
takes  delight  in  looking  upon  a  Man  that  has 
ffcapedfrom  the  Fire  of  Hell,  let  him  look  upon 
Abubeker.  God,  whofi  Name  be  blejjed,  hath 
given  Man  his  Choice  of  this  World  or  that  "which 
is  with  Him,  and  Jhis  Servant  (meaning  Abube- 

•  Elmaktn,  '  Elmahin.  "  Alcoran,  cahp.  XVII.  i. 
•  Ibrahim  Ebn Mohammed Ebn Dokmak,  M.S.  Arab.  Laud. 
Num.  806.  II, 

A  4  ker) 


l^e  Saracens  Conquefi  of 

ker)  hath  chofen  that  which  is  with  God.  Such 
Marks  of  Efteem  as  thefe  muft  needs  procure 
him  a  great  Refped:  from  thofc  who  look'd 
upon  Mahomet  as  a  Perfon  infpired,  and  the 
Apoflle  of  God  ;  and  did  without  queftion  fa- 
cilitate his  Promotion  to  the  Dignity  of  Caliph. 

Ali  was  not  prefent  at  this  Eledion,  and 
when  he  heard  the  News,  was  not  well  pleas'd, 
as  hoping  that  he  (hould  have  been  the  Man. 
Ahuheker  fent  *  Omar  to  Fhatemah\  Houfe^ 
where  Ali  and  fome  of  his  Friends  were,  with 
Orders  to  compel  them  to  come  in  by  Force, 
if  they  would  not  do  it  by  fair  means.  Omar 
was  jufi:  a  going  to  fire  the  Houfe,  and  Phate- 
tnah  afk'd  him,  what  he  meant  ?  He  told  her, 
that  he  would  certainly  burn  the  Houfe  down, 
unlefs  they  would  be  content  to  do  as  the  reft 
of  the  People  had  done.  Upon  which  Ali  came 
forth  and  went  to  Abuheker  and  acknowledged 
his  Sovereignty  ^,  tho*  he  did  not  forget  to  tell 
him,  that  he  wondered  he  would  take  fuch  a 
thing  without  his  notice.  To  which  Abuheker 
anfwer'd,  that  the  Exigency  of  the  Matter  was 
fuch  as  would  by  no  means  admit  of  Delibera- 
tion, becaufe  if  it  had  not  been  done  on  a  fud- 
den,  *twas  to  be  fear'd  that  the  Government 
would  have  been  wrung  out  of  their  Hands  by 

*  Ifmael  AbuHpheda  Kitah  Almo£lafer  phi  AcharV Ihajhar ^ 
M.S.  Arab.  Pocock.  Num.330.       *  Abu* Ipbaragius , 

the 


SyriUy  Perfia^  and  ^gypt, 

the  oppoflte  Party.  And,  to  make  things  Aide 
the  more  eafily,  feem'd  to  be  dcfirous  of  quit- 
ting his  Charge  and  refigning  the  Government : 
And  fo  goes  up  into  the  Pulpit,  and  there  open- 
ly before  them  all  defir'd,  that  they  would  give 
him  Leave  to  refign  and  confer  that  Charge  up- 
on fome  more  worthy  Perfon  5  but  Alt,  fearing 
the  ill  Will  of  the  People,  3  whofe  Minds  he 
perceiv'd  were  eftranged  from  him,  for  having 
already  flood  it  out  fo  long,  and  being  loath  to 
make  any  new  Difturbance,  utterly  refus'd  to 
hear  of  it,  and  told  him,  that  they  would  neither 
depofe  him  themfelves,  nor  defire  that  he 
fhould  refign.  And  thus  things  were  pretty 
well  accommodated,  and  thofe  oi  Medinah^  as 
well  as  thofe  oiMeccah^  confented  to  ovinAbu- 
beker,  as  the  true  and  rightful  Succeflbr  of  their 
Prophet  Mahomet  j  only  AU^  tho'  he  made  no 
ftir,  look'd  upon  himfelf  as  injur 'd  +,  and  there 
is  a  Story  told  by  Tradition,  which  is  re- 
ported to  have  been  deliver'd  by  Ayejka^  that 
All  did  not  come  in  till  after  the  Deceafe  of 
his  Wife  Phatemah^  who  liv'd  6  Months  after 
the  Death  of  Mahomet  her  Father. 

5  Abubeker  being  thus  fix'd  in  his  new  Go- 
vernment, had  Work  enough  to  fecure  it  j  for 
the  Mahometan  Religion  had  not  as  yet  taken 

'  ElmakiTiy  Chap.  2.       *  Abu'lpktda      *  Jbulpharagius. 

luch 


I  o  l%e  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Abubeker.  fuch  deep  Root  in  the  Hearts  of  Men,  but  that 
they  would  very  willingly  have  ihaken  it  ofF 
again,  if  they  had  known  how.  The  Arabians 
therefore,  being  a  People  of  an  uniquiet  reftlefs 
Difpofition,  would  not  omit  this  Opportunity  of 
rebelling,  which  they  thought  was  fairly  offer'd 
them  by  the  Death  of  Mahomet^  but  imme- 
diately take  Arms,  and  refufe  to  pay  the  ufual 
Tribute,  Tithes  and  Alms,  and  begin  to  negledt 
thofe  Rites  and  Cuftoms,  which  had  been  im- 
pos'd  upon  them  by  Mahomet,  Abubeker ^  and 
thofe  about  him  2XMedinab^  took  the  Alarm,  and 
fearing  a  general  Revolt,  and  expedting  no  lefs 
than  to  be  befet  on  every  Side,  began  to  confider 
which  way  they  might  beil:  provide  for  the  Se- 
curity of  themfelves  and  their  Families.  In  or^ 
der  to  which,  they  difpos'd  of  their  Women 
and  Children,  and  fuch  others  as  were  not  able 
to  bear  Arms,  in  the  Clefts  and  Cavities  of  the 
Rocks  and  Mountains,  and  put  themfelves  in  a 
Pofture  of  Defence.  In  the  mean  time,  Abubeker 
fends  Caled  Ebn  Waled^  with  an  Army  of  four 
thoufand  and  five  hundred  Men,  to  fupprefs 
the  Rebels,  who  having  routed  them  in  a  fet 
Battle,  brought  off  a  great  deal  of  Plunder,  and 
made  Slaves  of  their  Children. 

^  The  chief  amongft  thofe  that  refus'd  to  pay 
the  Zacdt^  which  is  that  part  of  a  Man's  Sub^ 

*  Jbu'lphcda. 

■   ilance, 


Syria^  Perfa^  and  ^gypt.  1 1 

ilance,  which  is  confecrated  tq  God,  as  Tithes,  Abubekcr. 
Alms,  and  the  like,  and  is  ftridly  enjoyn'd  by 
the  Mahometan  Law,  was  Make  Ebn  Noweirah 
a  Man  that  made  a  conliderable  Figure  in  thofe 
Days,  being  the  chief  of  an  eminent  Family 
among  the  Arabs^  and  celebrated  for  his  Skill 
in  Poetry,  as  well  as  his  Manhood  and  Horfe- 
manfhip.  Abubeker  fent  Caled  to  him,  to  talk 
with  him  about  it,  Make  told  him,  that  he 
could  fay  his  Prayers  without  paying  that.  Cakd 
ask'd  him,  if  he  did  not  know  that  Prayers  and 
Alms  muft  go  together,  and  that  the  one  would 
not  be  accepted  without  the  other  ?  What !  does 
your  Mafter  fay  fo?  fays  Make?  Then  don't 
you  own  him  for  your  Mafter  ?  faid  Cakd;  and 
fwore  that  he  had  a  good  Mind  to  ftrike  his 
Head  off.  They  difputed  the  Matter  a  while ; 
and,  at  laft,  Cakd  told  him  he  {hould  die.  Did 
your  Mafter  fay  fo  ?  fays  Make.  What!  again? 
fays  Cakd,  and  refolv'd  upon  his  Death,  tho* 
Abdollah  Ebn  Amer  and  Kobddah  interced- 
ed for  him  in  vain.  When  Make  faw  there 
was  no  way  for  him  to  efcape,  he  turn'd 
him  about,  and  look'd  upon  his  Wife,  who 
was  a  Woman  of  admirable  Beauty,  and  faid, 
jT/j/j  Woman  has  kill'd  me.  Nay^  fays  Cakd^ 
God  has  kiWd  thee,  beeaufe  of  thy  Apojiaey  from 
the  true  Religion.  Iprofefs  the  true  Religion,  fays 
M^l^c^  meaning  the  Mahometan.  The  Word 

was 


1 2  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  was  no  fooncr  oiit  of  his  Mouth,  but  Caled  or- 
der'd  Derar  Ben  Alazwar,  a  Perfon  we  (hall 
fee  more  of  hereafter,  to  flrikc  his  Head  off. 
At  which  Abtibeker  was  very  miich  concern- 
ed, and  would  have  put  Caled  to  Death,  if 
Omar  had  not  interceded  for  him  ;  And  indeed 
he  did  out  of  his  great  Zeal  exceed  the  Limits  of 
his  Commiffion  ;  for  Mahomet  himfelf  would 
have  pardon'd  an  Apoftate,  provided  he  had 
been  very  well  affur'd  of  his  Repentance. 

Having  this  Opportunity  of  mentioning  this 
great  Man  Caled^  we  muft  not  pafs  him  by,  with- 
out taking  fome  Notice  of  his  Charafler.  He  was 
the  beft  General  of  the  Age  he  liv'd  in,  and  it 
was  to  his  Courage  and  Condud  that  the  Sara- 
cens chiefly  owe  the  fubduing  of  the  Rebels,  the 
Conqucft  of  Syriay  and  the  Eflablifhment  of 
their  Religion  and  Polity.  'Tis  to  be  queftion'd 
whether  his  Love  and  Tendernefs  towards  his 
own  Soldiers,  or  his  Hatred  and  Averfion  to 
the  Enemies  of  the  Mahometan  Religion,  was 
greateft  ;  for  upon  all  Occafions  he  us'd  to  give 
very  fignal  Inftances  of  both.  He  was  a  mod 
irreconcileable  and  implacable  Enemy  to  thofc 
who  had  once  embrac'd  the  Mahometan  Reli- 
gion, and  then  apoftatiz*d  j  nor  would  he  fpare 
them,  tho'  {hewing  the  greateft  Signs  of  un- 
feigned Repentance.  His  Valour  was  fo  fur- 
prifing,  that  the  Arabs  call'd  him  ^ke  Sword  of 

Godi 


Syria^  Perjjay  and  ^gypt,  1 3 

Ced'y  which  Sir-name  of  his  was  known  alfo  to  Abubekcr. 
his  Enemies,  and  is  '  mention'd  as  well  by 
Greek  as  Arab  Authors.  If  it  did  at  any  time 
(which  was  not  often)  carry  him  beyond  the 
Bounds  of  his  Condu<5t,  it  always  brought  him 
off  fafe  again.  He  never,  in  the  greateft  Danger 
loft  his  wonted  Prefence  of  Mind,  but  could  as 
well  extricate  himfelf,  and  his  Men  from  pre- 
fent  Difficulties,  as  prevent  future  ones. 

By  him  the  Rebels  being  fupprefs'd,  the 
Mahometans  were  in  fome  meafure  eas'd  of  the 
Fear  they  ftood  in  before,  but  there  were  ftill 
more  Difficulties  behind  j  for  about  this  time 
feveral,  perceiving  the  Succefs  and  Profperity 
of  Mahomet  and  his  Followers,  fet  up  for  Pro- 
phets too,  in  Hopes  of  the  like  good  Fortune, 
and  making  themfelves  eminent  in  the  World: 
Such  were  Ofud  Alabbaji  and  Tuleihah  Eb?i 
Choweieed,  with  feveral  others,  which  quickly 
came  to  nothing.  But  the  moft  confiderable  of 
thefe  was  Mofeilami  who  had  emulated  Mahomet 
in  his  Life-time,  and  trumpt  up  a  Book  in  Imi- 
tation of  the  Alcoran.  He  had  formerly  been 
*  with  Mahomet^  and  profefs'd  himfelf  of  his 
Religion,  and  might  have  been  Partner  with 
him  in  his  Impofture ;  but  looking  upon  that  to 
be  beneath  him,  he  utterly  renounc'd  all  further 

Theophanes,  p  278.  Edit.Parif.      *  JbuUpheda. 

Fami- 


1 4  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Familiarity  and  Correfpondence  with  him,  and 
was  refolv'd  to  fet  up  for  himfelf,  which  he  did 
the  Year  before  Mahomet  died.  He  had  now  ga- 
ther'd  together  a  very  confiderable  Body  of  Men 
in  Tema?nah,  a  Province  of  ^/'^<^/^,  and  began 
to  be  fo  formidable,  that  the  Mullemans  were 
under  fomeApprehenfions  of  his  growing  Great- . 
nefs,  and  did  not  think  it  any  way  confiftent 
with  Prudence  tonegledt  him  any  longer,  know- 
ing very  well,  that  as  foon  as  he  (hould  be  ^ 
ftrong  enough,  they  and  their  Religion  would 
quickly  come   to   nothing.     They   therefore 
thought  it  moft  advifeable  to  fet  upon  him  firft, 
and  rather  hazard  the  Event  of  a  Battle  at  the 
Beginning,  than  by  fufFering  him  to  go  on  too 
long,  and  gather  more  Strength,  fruftrate  all 
Manner  of  Hopes  of  a  vidory.  Upon  this  they 
move  Abtibeker  to  fend  fufficient  Forces,  under 
the  Condu(5t  of  fome  experienc'd  Commander, 
in  order  to  deftroy  him.   Abukeker  forthwith 
difpatches  Akramab  and «  Sergil^  with  an  Army, 
and  Order  to  march  dire(Stly  towards  Temamah, 
After  them  he  fends  Caled,    the  Scourge  of 
Rebels,  Apoftates  and  falfe  Prophets,  who  ha- 
vingjoin'd  Forces  with  them,  they  had  an  Army 
of  '  forty  thoufand  Muflemans.    Mojeilamy  in 
the  mean  time,    was  not   idle,  and  knowing 
that  his  Life  and  Reputation  were  now  at  Stake, 

*  Or  rather,  Sgrjabil.      '  Elmakhu 

prepared 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  ^gypt,  15 

prepar'd  to  give  them  Battle.  The  Muflemans  Abubeker. 
*  encamped  at  a  Place  called  Akreba  ;  and  Mo- 
feilam  with  his  Army,  was  juft  oppofite  to  them. 
They  drew  near  as  faft  they  could,  and  Mofeilam 
charged  the  Muflemans  with  fuch  Fury,  that 
they  were  not  able  to  make  good  their  Ground 
againft  him,  but  were  forced  to  retire  with  the 
Lofs  of  twelve  hundred  Men.  The  Muflemans 
rather  provoked  than  difcouraged  by  this  Defeat, 
not  long  after  renewed  the  Fight,  and  then  be- 
gan a  moft  bloody  Battle,  Mofeilam  all  the 
while  behaving  himfelf  courageoufly,  was  at  laft 
thrufl:  thro*  with  a  Javelin,  (3  the  fame  with 
which  Hamza^  Mahomefs  Uncle,  was  kill'd) 
by  a  Slave,  a  Black.  He  being  dead,  the  Victory 
eafily  cnclincd  to  the  Muflemans  ;  who  having 
killed  the  falfe  Prophet,  and  ten  thoufand  of 
his  Men,  and  obliged  thofe  that  were  left  to 
turn  Mahometans,  returned  to  Medinahy  the 
Seat  of  the  Caliph^  richly  laden  with  the  Spoil 
of  their  Enemies. 

This  fame  Year,  being  the  firft  oi  Abubeker  s 
Reign,  Al  Ola  was  fent  with  a  confiderable 
Army  to  reduce  the  Rebels  in  Bahrein ^  which 
he  did  without  any  great  Difficulty,  killing  a 
great  many  of  them,  and  feizing  their  Effedls, 
fo  that  a  great  many  of  them  chofe  rather  to  re- 
turn to  the  Mahometan  Superftition,    which 

*  Jbu*lpharagius,       '  Jbu'lphtda. 

upon 


i6  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  upon  the  Death  oi  Mahomet  they  had  forfaken, 
than  expofc  themfelves,  by  obftinately  (landing 
it  out,  to  all  the  Miferies  and  Calamities  of 
War. 

'Tis  flrange  and  furprifing,  to  confider  frorfi 
how  mean  and   contemptible  Beginnings  the 
greateft  things  have,  by  the  Providence  of  God, 
been  raifed  in  a  fhort  time,  of  vvrhich  the  Sara- 
cenical  Empire  is  a  very  confiderable  Inftance ; 
for  if  we  look  back  about  eleven  Years,  we  (hall 
find  how  Mahomet^  unable  to  fupport  his  Caufc, 
routed  and  opprefs'd  by  the  powerful  Party  of 
the  Korafiiies  at  Meccah,  attended  by  a  very 
fmall  Number  of  his  defpairing  Followers,  fled 
to  Medinah,  no  lefs  for  the  Prefervation  of  his 
Life,  than  his  Impollure  ;  And  now,  within  (o 
{hort  a  time  after,  we  find  the  Undertakings  of 
his  Succeffor  profper  fo  much  beyond  Expe<5ta- 
tion,  as  to  become  a  Terror  to  all  his  Neigh- 
bours }  and  the  Saracens  in  a  Capacity,  not  only 
of  keeping  in  their  own  Hands  their  Peninfula 
of  Arabia,  but  of  extending  their  Arms  over 
larger  Territories,  than  ever  were  fubje<fl   to 
the  Romans  themfelves.   Whilil:  they  were  em- 
ployed in  Arabia,  they  were  little  regarded  by 
the  Grecian  Emperor,  who  now  too  late  felt 
them  pouring  in  upon  him  like  a  Torrent,  and 
driving  all  before  them.  The  proud  Ferjiari  too, 
who  fo  very  lately  had  been  domineering  in 

Syria^ 


Syrtay  Perjiay  and  Mgypt,  ly 

Syria,  and  facked  Jerufakm  and  Damafcus,  Abubeker. 
mud  be  forc'd  to  part  with  his  own  Dominions, 
and  fubmit  his  Neck  to  the  Saracenic  Yoke.  It 
may  be  reafonably  fuppos'd,  that,  had  the  Em- 
pire been  in  the  fame  flourifhing  Condition  as 
it  had  been  formerly,  they  might  have  been 
checked  at  leaft,  if  not  extinguifhed :  But  be- 
fides  that  the  Weflern  Empire  had  been  torn 
away  by  the  barbarous  Goths,  the  Eaftern  part 
of  it  had  received  fo  many  Shocks  from  the 
Hunm  on  the  one  fide,  and  the  Perfians  on  the 
other,  that  it  was  not  in  a  Capacity  to  flop  the 
Violence  of  fuch  a  powerful  Invafion  +.  In  the 
Emperor  Mauricius  his  Time,  the  Empire  paid 
Tribute  to  the  Chagdn  or  King  of  the  Hunm  5. 
And  after  Phocas  had  murder'd  his  Mafter,  fuch 
lamentable  havock  there  was  among  the  Sol- 
diers, that  when  Heradius  came  (not  much  a- 
bove  fcven  Years  after)  to  mufler  the  Army, 
there  were  only  two  Soldiers  left  alive,  of  all 
thofe  who  bore  Arms  when  Phocas  firfl  ufurped 
the  Empire.  And  tho'  Heradius  was  a  Prince 
of  admirable  Courage  and  Condudt,  and  had 
done  what  pofTibly  could  be  done  to  reflore  th© 
Difcipline  of  the  Army,  and  had  had  great  Suc- 
cefs  againft  the  Perfians,  fo  as  to  drive  them 
not  only  out  of  his  Dominions,  but  even  out 

♦  TheophylaSIus  Simocatta^  Hijior,  AhurUian.     '  Theo- 
phanes  in  the  Life  of  Heradius. 

B  of 


1 8  iTse  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  of  their  owH;  yet  ftill  the  very  Vitals  of  the  Em- 
pire feem'd  to  be  mortally  wounded  j  that  there 
could  no  time  have  happen'd  more  fatal  to  the 
Empire,  nor  more  favourable  to  the  Enterprifes 
of  the  Saracens^  who  feem  to  have  been  raifed 
up  on  purpofe  by  God  to  be  a  Scourge  to  the 
Chriftian  Church,  for  not  living  anfwerably  to 
that  moft  Holy  Religion  which  they  had  re- 
ceived. 

Abubeker  had  now  fet  Affairs  at  home  in 
pretty  good  Order.  The  Apoftates,  which  up- 
on the  Death  of  Mahomet  had  revolted  to  the 
Idolatry  in  which  they  were  born  and  bred  up, 
were  reduced.  The  Forces  of  MofeiJamah,  the 
falfe  Prophet,  were  broken  to  Pieces,  and  him- 
felf  killed;  fo  that  there  was  little  or  nothing 
left  to  be  done  in  Arabia,  For  tho'  there 
were  a  great  many  Chriftian  Arabs ^  as  particu- 
larly the  Tribe  of  Gajfdn,  yet  they  were  gene- 
rally employ'd  in  the  Grecian  Emperor's  Service. 
So  that  the  next  Bufinefs  the  Caliph  had  to  do, 
was,  purfuant  to  the  Tenor  of  his  Religion,  to 
make  War  upon  his  Neighbours  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  the  Truths  (for  fo  they  call  their  Su- 
perftition)  and  compel  them  either  to  become 
Mahometans  or  ^  Tributaries  7.  For  their  Pro- 
phet Mahomet  had  given  them  a  Commiffion  of 

*  Alcoran^  Chap.  IX.  29.  '  See  tjie  Alcoran^  Chap. 
Vin.  40. 

a 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  1 9 

a  very  large,  nay  unlimited  Extent,  which  was,  Abubeker. 
to  fight  till  all  People  were  of  their  Religion.  A'^^'^''^'- 
And  thofe  Wars  which  are  undertaken  upon 
this  account,  they  call  Holy  JVars,  with  no  lefs 
Abfurdity  than  we  call  that  fo  which  was  once 
undertaken  againft  them  by  the  Europeans, 
Abubeker  therefore  fends  Caled  with  fome  For- 
ces into  Irak  or  Babylonia ;  but  his  greatefl: 
Longing  was  after  Syria^  which  being  a  deli- 
cate, pleafant,  fruitful  Country,  and  near  to 
Arabia,  feem'd  to  lie  very  conveniently  for 
him  ^.  After  he  had  fully  refolv'd  to  invade  it, 
he  call'd  his  Friends  about  him,  and  made  a 
Speech ;  in  which  he  fet  before  them  the  great 
Succefs  they  had  been  profper'd  with  already, 
and  told  them  that  the  Prophet  [Mahomet]  had 
affur'd  him  before  his  Deceafe,  that  their  Reli- 
gion {hould  make  a  great  Progrefs,  and  their 
Territories  be  vaftly  enlarged,  and  that  he  had 
Thoughts  himfelf  of  invading  Syria  :  But  fince 
it  had  pleas'd  God  to  prevent  the  Prophet's  De- 
figns  by  taking  him  away,  and  he  was  left  Suc- 
ceflbr,  he  defired  their  Advice.  They  anfwer'd 
unanimoufly,  that  they  were  all  at  his  Service, 
and  ready  to  obey  to  the  utmoft  of  their  Power 

*  Photouhhojham.,  i.e.  The  Conquefts  of  5>r/i7,  written 
by  Abu  Abdollah  Mohammed  Ben  Omar  Alwakidi^  M.  S. 
Arab.  Loud.  Num.  A.  ii8.  And  there  is  another  Copy  of 
it  among  DT.Pocock''s  MSS,  Num.  326.  Out  of  this  Author 
>vh<tcver  relates  to  Syria  is  taken  for  the  moft  part. 

B  2  what' 


20  'The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker  whatever  he  fliould  be  pleas'd  to  command 
Alwakldi.  tj^ejj,^  Upon  this  he  fends  circular  Letters  to 
the  petty  Princes  oi  Arabia  FaliXf  and  other 
Mahofnetan  Officers  and  PraEfe(5ts,  and  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  Meccah  In  particular,  to  com- 
mand them  to  raife  the  utmofl  of  their  Forces, 
and  with  all  pofiible  fpeed  repair  to  him  at 
Medmah,  The  Contents  of  the  Letter  were  as 
follows. 

In  the  Name  of  the  mojl  merciful  God, 
9  Abdollah  Athik  Ebn  Abi  Kohapha,  to  the 
reft  of  the  true  Believers.  Health  and  Happinefs, 
end  the  Mercy  and  Blejjing  of  God  be  upon  you.  I 
praife  the  mofi  high  God^  and  I  pray  for  his  Fro- 
phet  Mahomet.  T^his  is  to  acquaint  you^  that  I 
intend  to  fend  the  true  Believers  into  Syria,  to 
take  it  out  of  the  Hands  of  the  Infidels,  And  I 
would  have  you  know^  that  the  fighting  for  Reli- 
gion is  an  Aul  of  Obedience  to  God. 

He  had  fent  this  Letter  out  but  a  few  Days, 
e'er  the  Meflenger  that  carried  it  returned,  and 
brought  him  word,  that  he  had  not  deliver'd 
his  Letter  to  any  one  Perfon  but  what  had  re-i  i 
ceiv'd  it  with  great  Expreflions  of  Satisfadion, 
and  a  Readinefs  to  comply  with  his  Commands. 
And  accordingly  in  a  fhort  time  after,  a  very 
confiderable  Army,  raifed  out  of  the  feveral  Pro- 

*  Thefe  were  Abuheker's  Sirnames. 

vinces 


Syr  lay  Perjia^  and  ^gypt.  2  r 

vinces  of  Arabia^  came  to  wait  upon  him  at  Abubeker. 
Med'mah^  and  pitched  their  Tents  round  about  ^l^'^^^iJ'- 
the  City.  They  waited  fome  time,  without  re- 
ceiving any  Orders  from  the  Cahph.  But  the 
Weather  was  fo  extremely  hot,  and  the  Coun- 
try fo  barren,  that  they  were  very  hard  put  to 
it  for  Provifion  both  for  themfelves  and  their 
Horfes.  Which  made  them  complain  to  their 
Officers,  and  defire  them  to  fpeak  to  Abubeker 
about  it.  Upon  which  one  of  them  made  bold 
to  tell  him,  Tou  were  pleas  d  to  fend  for  us^  and 
ive  obeyd  your  Commands  with  all  pofjible  fpeed-y 
and  now  we  are  come  here  we  are  kept  in  fuch  a 
barren  Place^  that  we  have  nothing  to  fubfft  our 
Army.  Therefore  if  your  Mi?id  be  altered^  and 
you  have  no  further  Occafion  for  us^  be  pleas' d  to 
difmifs  us.  The  reft  of  the  Fleads  of  the  Tribes 
feconded  him.  Abubeker  told  them,  that  he  was 
far  from  defigning  them  any  Injury  in  detaining 
them  fo  long,  but  only  he  was  willing  to  have 
his  Army  as  compleat  as  he  could.  To  which 
they  anfwered.  That  they  had  not  left  a  Man 
behind  them  that  was  fit  for  Service.  Then 
Abubeker  went  with  fome  of  his  Friends  to  the 
Top  of  a  Hill,  to  take  a  View  of  the  Army, 
and  pray'd  to  God  to  endue  them  with  Courage, 
and  afTift  them,  and  not  deliver  them  into  the 
Hands  of  their  Enemies.  Afterwards  he  walked 
on  Foot  wiih  them  a  little  way,  and  the  Gene- 
B  3  rals 


2  2  H^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  rals  rode.  At  laft  they  told  him,  that  they  were 
Alwakidi.  afham'd  to  ride  whilft  he  was  on  Foot.  To 
which  he  anfwer'd,  IJhalljind  my  Account  mth 
God  for  ihefe  Steps,  and  you  ride  for  the  Service 
of  God:  meaning,  that  there  was  no  DifFerencc 
in  that  Matter,  fo  long  as  they  were  all  con- 
cern'd  in  the  propagating  their  Religion.  Then 
he  took  his  Leave  of  them,  and  directed  his 
Speech  to  Tezid  Ebn  Abi  Sophyan,  whom  he 
had  appointed  General  of  thefe  Forces,  after  this 
manner.  Yezid,  be  fure  you  do  not  opprefs  your 
own  People,  nor  rtiake  them  uneafy,  but  advife 
with  them  in  all  your  Affairs,  and  take  Care  to 
do  that  which  is  right  andjuji,  for  thofe  that  do 
otherwife  jhall  not  profper.  When  you  meet  with 
your  Enemies,  quit  your  fehes  like  Men,  and 
don't  turn  your  Backs ;  and  if  you  get  the  ViBory, 
kill  no  little  Children,  nor  old  People,  nor  Women. 
Dejlroy  no  Palm-Trees,  nor  burn  any  Fields  of 
Corn.  Cut  down  no  Fruit-Trees^  nor  do  any  Mif- 
chief  to  Cattle,  only  fuch  as  you  kill  to  eat. 
When  you  make  any  Covenant  or  Article,  Jiand 
to  it,  and  be  as  good  as  your  Word.  As  you  go 
on,  you  will  find  fome  religious  Perfons,  that  live 
retired  in  Monafieries,  who  propofe  to  themfelves 
to  ferve  God  that  way  :  Let  them  alone,  and 
neither  kill  them,  nor  deftroy  their  Monafieries^ 
And  you  will  find  another  fort  of  People  that  be- 
long to  the  Synagogues  of  Satan,  who  have  p^aven 

Crowns ; 


Sjria^  Perfiay  and  ^gypt,  23 

Crowns ;  be  Jure  you  cleave  their  Skulls,    and  Abubeker. 
give  them  no  garter,  till  they  either  turn  Ma-  ^Iwakidi. 
hornet ans  or  pay  Tribute.  When  he  had  given 
them  this  Charge,  he  went  back  to  Medinah, 
and  the  Army  marched  on  towards  Syria. 

The  News  of  this  Preparation  quickly  came 
to  the  Ears  of  the  Emperor  HeracliuSy  who 
call'd  a  Council  forthwith,  and  inveighed  againA: 
the  Wickednefs  and  Infincerity  of  his  Subjedls, 
and  told  them  that  thefe  Judgements  were  come 
upon  them  becaufe  they  had  not  lived  anfwera- 
bly  to  the  Rules  of  the  Gofpel.  He  reprefented 
to  them,  that  whereas  in  former  times,  power^ 
ful  Princes,  as  the  Turk  and  Ferfian,  had  not 
been  able  to  overcome  them,  they  were  now 
infulted  by  ^t  Arabs,  a  pitiful,  contemptible 
People.  Then  he  fent  fome  Forces  with  all 
poflible  fpeed,  but  with  ill  Succefs,  for  their 
General  with  twelve  hundred  of  his  Men  was 
kill'd  upon  the  fpot,  and  the  reft  routed,  the 
Arabs  in  that  Battle  lofing  only  one  hundred 
and  twenty  Men.  There  were  afterwards  a 
great  many  Skirmifhes,  in  which  the  Chriftians 
came  off  by  the  worft.  The  Arabs  enriched 
with  Spoil,  concluded  to  make  the  Caliph  a 
Prefent  of  all  they  had  gotten,  as  the  firft  Fruits 
of  their  Expedition  ;  Arms  and  Ammunition 
only  excepted.  As  foon  as  Abubeker  had  recei- 
ved the  Spoil,  he  fent  a  Letter  to  the  Inhabi- 
B  4  tants 


24  1^3^  Saracens  Conquefl  of 

Abubeker.  tants  ofMeccah,  and  the  adjacent  Territories,  in 
AlwakidK  y^^l^i^,J^  j^g  acquainted  them  with  the  good  Suc- 
cefs  of  his  Forces,  and  call'd  upon  them  not  to 
be  behind  hand  in  fighting  for  the  Caufe  of  God. 
The  good  Succefs  of  their  Brethren  gave  them 
fuch  Encouragement,  that  they  obey'd  the  Mo- 
tion with  as  much  Chearfulnefs,  as  if  their  be- 
ing called  to  war  had  been  nothing  elfc  but  be- 
ing invited  to  partake  of  the  Spoil.  Whereupon 
they  quickly  raifed  an  Army,  and  waited  upon 
Abubeker  at  Medinah^  who  forthwith  ordered 
them  to  join  thofe  Forces  which  he  had  before 
fent  into  Syria.  He  had  made  Said  Ebn  Caled 
General  of  this  Army;  but  when  Omar  ex- 
prefs'd  his  Diflike  of  it,  the  Caliph  was  in  a 
Streight,  being  loth  to  take  away  Saeds  Com- 
miffion  as  foon  as  he  had  given  it  him  ;  and  on 
the  other  hand,  not  willing  to  difoblige  Omar. 
In  this  Difficulty  he  applies  himfelf  to  Ayejha^ 
{Mahomet's  Widow)  for  whom  they  had  a  great 
Refped  upon  the  Account  of  her  near  Relation 
to  their  Prophet  Mahomet^  and  us'd  frequently 
to  confult  her  after  his  Deceafe,  fuppofing  that 
fhe,  being  his  beft  beloved  Wife,  might  be  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  his  Thoughts  both  of  Per- 
fons  and  Things  than  any  other.  When  he  came 
to  her,  (he  told  him,  that  for  Omars  part  he 
meant  for  the  beft  when  he  gave  that  Advice, 
and  that  (he  was  fure  he  did  not  fpeak  it  out  of 

any 


Syrhy  Perjiaj  and  JEgypt,  25 

any  Hatred  or  ill  Will.  Upon  this  Ahuheker  Abubekcr. 
fends  a  Meffenger  to  Said,  to  remand  the  Stan-  ^l^^'^''^'- 
dard,  which  he  very  patiently  refigned,  and  faid, 
He  cared  not  who  had  the  Standard ;  let  whofo- 
ever  will  have  it,  he  was  refolvd  to  fight  under 
it  for  the  Propagation  of  Religion.  So  vehement 
and  earneft  were  thofe  Men  whom  God  had 
raifed  up  to  be  a  Scourge  to  the  Church,  that  no 
Affront  whatfoever  could  difoblige  them  fo  far 
as  to  make  them  lay  afide  their  Refolutions. 

Whilfl:  the  Caliph  was  in  doubt  how  to  dif- 
pofe  of  this  Commiffion,  Amrou  Ebnol  Ads,  a 
very  good  Soldier,  who  afterwards  conquered 
Mgypt,  went  to  Omar,  and  defired  him  to  make 
ufe  of  his  Intereft  with  the  Caliph,  that  it 
might  be  conferred  upon  him.  But  Otnar, 
whether  out  of  any  Antipathy  to  hisPerfon,  or 
becaufe  he  thought  no  Man  worthy  of  a  Charge 
that  fought  after  it,  utterly  refus'd  to  meddle 
in  it.  And  when  Amrou  perfifted,  and  was 
very  inftant  with  him,  Omar  bad  him  ?iGt  feek 
for  the  Superiority  and  'Dominion  of  this  J V or  Id', 
and  told  him,  Tihat  if  he  was  not  a  Prince  to 
Day,  he  would  be  one  to  Morrow  -,  meaning  in 
a  future  State.  And  now  Amrou  was  out  of  all 
Hopes  of  having  any  Command  j  when  prefent- 
ly  the  Caliph,  of  his  own  accord,  made  him 
General  of  this  Army,  and  bad  him,  "  Take 
*'  Care  to  live  religioufly,  and  let  the  enjoying 

"  the 


26  Ihe  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Abubeker.  "  the  Prefence  of  God  and  a  future  State,  be 
^j^^"^';  "  the  End  and  Aim  of  all  his  Undertakings,  and 
"  look  upon  himfelf  as  a  dying  Man,  and  al- 
"  ways  have  regard  to  the  End  of  things ;  and 
'*  remember  that  we  muft  in  a  fliort  time  all 
"  die,  and  rife  again,  and  be  called  to  an  account. 
**  He  ordered  him  not  to  go  where  the  other 
*'  Mullemans  had  been  before  him,  but  march - 
*'  into  Falefline,  And  that  he  fliould  take  care 
•*  to  inform  himfelf  of  Abu  Oheidah'%  Circum- 
"  fiances,  and  affifl  him  what  he  could.  That 
**  he  fhould  not  be  inquifitive  abut  Mens  pri- 
"  vate  Concerns ;  but  take  care  that  his  Men 
**  were  diligent  in  reading  the  Alcoran,  and  not 
**  fuffer  them  to  talk  about  thofe  Things  which 
"  were  done  in  the  T'imes  of  Ignorance  (fo  they 
"  call  all  the  time  hdoxo.  Mahomet)  becaufe  that 
<*  would  be  the  Occafion  of  Diffention  among 
**  them," 

After  he  had  difmifs'd  Amrou,  he  fent  Abu 
Obeidah  into  Syria,  to  command  all  the  Forces 
there,  and  told  him,  that  there  was  no  need  of 
faying  any  thing  new  to  him,  fince  he  had  heard 
the  Charge  he  had  given  to  Amrou.  One  of  the 
Grecian  Emperor's  Generals  had  the  good  For- 
tune to  beat  the  Mullemans  in  Syria  j  and  Abu 
Obeidah,  apprehenfive  of  the  Emperor's  Power, 
durlt  not  a6t  offeniively.  Which  as  foon  as  the 
Caliph  underftood,  he  judg'd  him  unworthy  of 

that 


Syrtay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt,  27 

that  Pod,  and  recalled  Cakd  from  Irak  to  take  Abubcker. 
his  Place.  Caled  had  performed  great  Things,  Alwakidi. 
confidering  the  fliort  time  he  had  been  gone. 
He  had  taken  Hirah,  (afterwards  the  Imperial 
Seat  of  Alfeffah)  and  feveral  other  Places,  not 
able  to  endure  a  Siege,  had  fubmitted  to  him, 
and  paid  Tribute.  Elmaktn  fays,  that  this  was 
the  firft  Tribute  that  was  ever  brought  to  Medi^ 
nab.  He  had  fought  feveral  Battles  in  which  he 
never  fail'd  of  Succcfs,  and  would  without  doubt 
have  puflied  on  his  Conqueft  if  he  had  not  been 
recalled.  When  he  came  into  Syria,  he  took 
different  Meafures  from  thofe  which  had  been 
ufed  before;  and  the  Soldiers  found  a  great 
DitFerence  between  a  pious  and  a  warlike  Ge- 
neral. Aitu  Obeidah  was  patient,  meek  and 
religious ;  Caled  courageous  and  enterpriz- 
ing.  At  that  time  when  he  came  to  the  Army, 
Abu  Obeidah  had  fent  Serjabil  with  four  thou- 
fand  Horfe  towards  Bofira,  a  City  of  Syria  Da^ 
mafcena^  and  very  populous,  in  which  there 
were  at  that  time  twelve  thoufand  Horfe. 
It  was  a  great  trading  Town,  which  the  Arabs 
ufed  to  frequent  much.  The  Governour'a 
Name  was  Romanus,  who,  as  foon  as  he  heard 
that  the  Saracens  were  upon  their  March,  went 
to  meet  them,  and  afked  Serjabil  the  Reafon  of 
his  Coming,  and  feveral  other  Queftions  relating 
to  Mahomet  and  his  SuccefTor.  Serjabil  told  him, 

that 


29  l^e  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Abubeker.  that  the  Reafon  of  their  Coming  was  to  give 
A.lwakidi.  jj^gj^  ^j^gjj.  Choice  of  becoming  Mahometans  or 
Tributaries;  and  added,  that  they  had  taken 
Aracah,  Sachnah^  Tadmor^  and  Hawran,  and 
would  not  be  long  before  they  came  to  Bofira, 
The  Governour,  hearing  this  melancholy  Story, 
went  back,  and  would  have  perfwaded  the 
People  to  have  paid  Tribute.  They  utterly 
refufed  it,  and  prepared  themfelves  for  a  vigo- 
rous Defence.  Serjabil  continued  his  March  till 
he  came  before  Bojira ;  the  Befieged  fallied  out, 
and  gave  him  Battle.  The  Prayer  which  he 
ufed  was  this :  O  thou  Eternal  Being !  O  thou 
Creator  of  Heaven  and  Earth  I  0  thou  who  art 
Great  and  Munificent !  who  hafi  promifed  us 
Vidiory  by  the  T'ongue  of  thy  F raphe t  Mahomet, 
and  the  Conquefi  of  Syrh,  Irak,  and  Perfia  !  O 
God,  confirm  our  Hopes ^  and  help  thofe  who  ajfert 
thy  Unity  againfi  thofe  that  deny  thee,  O  God, 
affifi  us  as  thou  didfi  thy  Prophet  Mahomet.  O 
Lord,  endue  us  with  Patience,  and  ^  keep  our  Feet 
fure,  and  help  us  againfi  the  Infidels*  The  Chri- 
ftians  had  the  Advantage  by  much  in  the  Battle, 
and  the  Saracens  were  like  to  have  been  beaten 
off,  if  Caled  had  not  come  feafonably  to  their 
Relief:  But  his  Arrival  turn'd  the  Fortune  of 
the  Day,  and  the  Befieged  were  forced  to  retire 
into  the  City.    Then  Caled  asked  Serjabil,  v/hat 

'  Alcoran,  III.  i\\. 

he 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  Egypt.  29 

he  meant  by  attacking  fuch  a  Place  as  Bojlra^  Abubeker. 
which  was  as  it  were  the  Market- Place  o^ Syria,  Alwakidi. 
Irak,  and  Hejaz,  and  where  there  was  always 
fuch  a  great  Refort  of  all  forts  of  Perfons,  and 
a  great  many  Officers  and  Soldiers,  with  fuch 
an  handful  of  Men?  Serjak'I told  him,  that  he 
did  not  go  of  his  own  Accord,  but  by  Alfu  Ob.ei^ 
daJfs  Command.  Jbu  Obeidah,  faid  Caled,  is  a 
very  honejl  Maij,  but  underjiands  nothing  of  mili- 
tary Affairs.  Then  Caled  took  Care  and  re- 
frefhed  his  Men,  and  ordered  them  to  reft,  for 
they  were  all  extreamly  fatigu'd,  as  well  thole 
that  had  marched  that  Day  with  him,  as  thofc 
that  had  fought  under  Serjabil;  only  he  took  a 
frefh  Horfe  himfelf,  and  rode  about  all  Night, 
fometimes  going  round  the  City,  and  fometimes 
round  the  Camp,  for  fear  the  Befieged  fliould 
make  any  Excurfions,  efpecially  at  fuch  a  time 
as  his  Men  were  tired,  and  out  of  Order.  In 
the  Morning,  about  break  of  Day,  he  came  in- 
to the  Camp,  and  the  Muflemans  arofe,  and, 
according  to  their  Cuflom,  fome  of  them  pu- 
rify'd  themfelves  with  Water;  and  others,  who 
could  not  conveniently  furnifli  themfelves  with 
Water,  rubb'd  themfelves  with  Sand,  (for  that 
is  allowed  in  Cafe  of  Neceffity,  and  is  frequent- 
ly ufed,  efpecially  by  fuch  Mahometans  as 
travel  in  thofe  defert  Countries,  where  there 
is  great  Scarcity  of  Water)  and  their  general 

Celled 


30  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Cakd  faid  the  Morning-Prayer  among  them, 
Alwakidi.  ^j^j  ^^^  ^jjgy  ^qqJj  Horfe  immediately,  for  the 

Befieged  had  fet  open  the  Gates  of  the  City, 
and  drawn  out  their  men  into  the  Plain,  and 
taken  an  Oath  to  be  true  to  one  another,  and 
fight  it  out  to  the  laft  Man;  which  when  Caled 
faw,  he  faid,  Hhefe  Villains  come  out  now,  be- 
caufe  they  know  we  are  weary :  Come,  let  us  go 
en,  and  the  Bleffing  of  God  go  along  with  usi 
Both  Armies  were  fet  in  Battle  Array,  and 
now  Romanus  the  Governour,  who  thought  h 
the  beft  way  to  fecure  himfelf  and  his  Wealth, 
tho'  at  the  Expence  of  Honour,  Soul,  and 
Confcience,  took  an  Oppertunity  to  let  Caled 
know,  that  he  had  more  Friends  than  he  was 
aware  of.  He  rides  before  the  reft  of  the  Ar- 
my, and  with  a  loud  Voice  challenges  the  Sa- 
racen General,  who  quickly  came  forth  to 
him;  he  tells  him,  that  he  had  for  a  long 
time  entertained  a  favourable  Opinion  of  the 
Mahometan  Religion,  and  feemed  to  be  very 
willing  to  renounce  his  ov^n,  upon  Condition, 
that  Caled  would  fecure  him,  and  what  belong'd 
to  him ;  which  he  readily  promifed.  Romanus 
added,  that  he  had,  upon  Serjabir%  fir  ft  coming 
to  befiege  the  Town,  advis'd  the  Inhabitants  to 
fubmit  to  the  Muflemans,  and  pay  Tribute; 
bat  that  inllead  of  being  heard,  he  had  only 
purchafed  the  ill  Will  of  the  Citizens  by  his 

good 


Syria  J  Perfia^  and  Mgypt.  31 

good  Counfel.  In  fliort,  he  faid  whatever  he  Abubeker. 
could  think  on  that  might  ingratiate  himfelf  f^^^f^'' 
with  the  Saracen,  and  proffer'd  his  Service  to 
go  back  again,  and  perlwade  the  Befieged  to 
furrender.  Caled  told  him,  that  it  would  not 
be  fafc  for  him  to  go  back  again,  without  hav- 
ing firfl:  fought  with  him,  bccaufc  then  it  would 
appear  plainly  how  well  they  were  agreed, 
which  might  occafion  fome  Danger  to  him 
from  his  own  People :  So  they  agreed  to  make 
a  Shew  of  fighting,  to  colour  the  Matter  the 
better;  and  after  a  while  RomanuSy  as  being 
beaten,  was  to  run  away.  The  armies  on  both 
iides  faw  them  together,  but  no  body  knew 
what  they  faid.  Immediately  this  Mock-Com- 
bat began,  and  Caled  laid  on  fo  furioufly,  that 
Romanus  was  in  danger  of  his  Life,  and  afk'd 
Caledy  whether  that  was  his  way  of  fighting  in 
jeft,  and  if  he  defigned  to  kill  him?  Caled  {mil- 
ed,  and  told  him,  No,  but  that  it  was  neceffary 
for  them  to  fliow  fomething  of  a  Fight,  to 
prevent  their  being  fufpeded.  Romanus  made  his 
Efcape;  and  indeed  it  was  high  time,  for  the 
Saracen  had  handled  him  fo  roughly,  that  who- 
foever  had  feen  him  after  the  Combat,  would 
have  had  little  Reafon  to  have  thought  he  had 
fought  in  jeft,  for  he  was  bruis'd  and  wounded 
in  feveral  Places.  As  foon  as  he  came  back,  the 
Citizens  a(ked  him,  what  News  ?  He  told  them 

what 


3  2  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Al  ubcker.  what  a  brave  Soldier  Caled  was,  and  extolled 
Alwakidi.  jj^g  Valour  and  Hardinefs  of  the  Saracens,  and 
and  defired  them  to  be  ruled  and  advifed  in 
time,  before  it  was  too  latej  concluding  that  it 
would  be  altogether  in  vain  to  make  any  Op- 
pofition.  But  this  enraged  the  Befieged,  and 
they  afked  him,  if  he  could  not  be  content  to 
be  a  Coward  himfclf,  but  he  mufl:  needs  make 
them  fo  too  ?  They  would  certainly  have  kil- 
led him,  if  it  had  not  been  for  fear  of  the  Em- 
peror. However  they  confined  him  to  his 
Houfe,  and  charged  him  at  his  Peril  not  to 
meddle  nor  interpofe  in  their  Affairs,  and  told 
him,  that  if  he  would  not  fight,  they  would. 
Romaniis^  upon  this,  went  home,  diverted  of  all 
Power  and  Authority,  but  he  ilill  comforted 
himfelf  with  the  Hopes  of  being  fecured  and 
exempted  from  the  common  Calamity,  if  the 
Saracens  fhould  take  the  Town,  as  he  expedled 
they  would.  The  Befieged  having  deprived 
him,  fubflituted  in  his  Room  the  General  of 
of  thofe  Forces,  which  the  Emperor  had  fent 
to  their  Affiftance,  and  defired  him  to  chal- 
lenge Caled^  which  he  didj  and  when  Caled 
was  preparing  himfelf  to  go,  Abddrrhamdn^ 
the  Caliph's  Son,  a  very  young  Man,  but  of 
extraordinary  Hopes,  begged  of  him  to  let  him 
anfwer  the  Challenge.  Having  obtained  Leave, 
he  mounted  his  Horfe,  and  took  his  Lance, 

which 


Syriay  Perjta^  and  Mgypt.  33 

which  he  handled  with  admirable  Dexterity,  Abubeker. 
and  when  he  came  near  the  Governour,  he  faid,  Alwabdu 
Come^  thou  Chrijlian  Dogy  come  on.  Then  the 
Combat  began  -,  and  after  a  while,  the  Gover- 
nour finding  himfelf  worfled,  having  a  better 
Horfe  than  the  Saracen,  ran  away,  and  made 
his  Efcape  to  the  Army.  Abdo'rrahmdm^  hearti- 
ly vexed  that  his  Enemy  had  efcaped,  fell 
upon  the  reft,  fometimes  charging  upon  the 
Right  Hand,  fometimes  upon  the  Left,  making 
way  where  he  went.  Caled  and  the  reft  of  the 
Officers  followed  him,  and  the  Battle  grew  hot 
between  the  Saracens  and  the  miferable  Inha- 
bitants of  Boftra^  who  were  at  their  laft  Strug- 
gle for  their  Fortunes,  their  Liberty,  their  Re- 
ligion, and  whatfoever  was  dear  to  them,  and 
had  now  feen  the  laft  Day  dawn,  in  which 
they  were  ever  to  call  any  thing  their  own, 
without  renouncing  their  Baptifm.  The  Sara- 
cens fought  like  Lions,  and  Caled  their  Gene- 
ral ft  ill  cry'd  out,  Alhdmlah^  Alhdmlah^  Aljan- 
nahy  Aljdnnah;  that  is.  Fight,  Fight,  Paradife, 
Paradife.  The  Town  was  all  in  an  Uproar, 
the  Bells  rung,  and  the  Priefts  and  Monks  ran 
about  the  Streets,  making  Exclamations,  and 
calling  upon  God,  but  all  too  late;  for  his  af- 
flidling  Providence  had  determin'd  to  deliver 
them  into  the  Hands  of  their  Enemies.  Caled 
and  Serjabil  (for  the  Saracens  could  pray  as  well 
C  as 


34-  nj6  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Abubeker.  ^s  fight,  and  Englafjd  as  well  as  Arabia  has  had 
Alwakidi.  fome  that  could  do  fo  too)  faid,  O  God!  thefe 
vile  Wretches  pray  with  idolatrous  ExpreJJionSy 
and  take  to  them/elves  another  God  hefides  thee-, 
but  we  acknowledge  thy  Unity y  and  affirm^  that 
there  is  no  other  God  but  thee  alone;  help  us,  we 
befeech  thee,  for  the  Sake  of  thy  Prophet  Maho- 
met, againfi  thefe  Idolaters,  The  Battle  conti- 
nu'd  for  fome  time;  at  laft  the  poor  Chriftians 
were  forc'd  to  give  way,  and  leave  the  Field  ta 
the  vidlorious  Saracens,  who  loft  only  230 
Men.  The  Befieged  retired  as  faft  as  they  couldj, 
and  fhut  up  the  Gates,  and  fet  up  their  Banners 
and  Standards,  with  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs  upon 
the  Walls,  intending  to  write  fpecdily  to  the 
Grecian  Emperor  for  more  AfTiftance. 

And  now  we  muft  leave  the  poor  Inhabitant* 
of  Bojlra  in  their  melanchoUy  Circumftances, 
and  come  to  the  depofed  Governour  Romanus^ 
who  was  extreamely  well  fatisfy'd  with  the 
Succefs  of  the  Saracens,  and  was  now  going  to 
ad  a  Mafter-piece  of  Villany.  The  Saracent 
kept  Watch  in  their  Camp  all  Night;  and  as 
they  went  their  Rounds,  they  faw  a  Man  come 
out  from  the  City,  with  a  Camlet-Coat  on» 
wrought  with  Gold.-  Abdo'rrahmdn,  who  hap- 
pen'd  to  be  that  Night  upon  the  Watch,  was 
the  firft  that  met  him,  and  fet  his  Lance  to  his 
Breaft.  Hold,  faid  he,  lam  Romanus,  the  Go- 
vernour 


Syriay  Perfta^  and  Mgypt,  35 

vernour  of  Boftra^  bring  me  before  Caled  the  Ahuhekcr; 
General,  Upon  this  Abdo'rrhaman  went  with  Alwakidi. 
him  to  the  General's  Tent.  As  foon  as  Caled 
faw  him  he  knew  him,  and  aiked  him,  hovv 
he  did  ?  aS/>,  faid  he,  my  People  have  been  difo^ 
hedient^  and  mutiny' d^  and  depcfed  me^  and  con^ 
fined  me  to  my  Houfe,  and  threatned  me  with 
Death  if  I  intermeddled  with  any  of  their  Af- 
fairs, Wherefore^  that  I  may  chajiife  them  ac- 
cording  to  their  Deferts,  I  have  ordered  my  Sons 
and  Servants  to  dig  a  Hole  in  the  Wall  (for  his 
Houfe  flood  upon  the  Wall  of  the  Town)  and 
ifyoupleafe  to  fend  fiich  Perfons  as  you  can  trufi^ 
I  will  take  care  to  deliver  the  Tiown  into  your 
Hands,  Upon  this  Caled  immediately  difpatch'd 
AbdoWrahmdn  with  an  Hundred  Men,  and  or- 
dered him,  fo  foon  as  he  had  taken  PoiTeffion, 
to  fall  upon  the  Chriftians,  and  open  the 
Gates.  Romanus  condu(5led  them  to  the  Wall, 
and  took  them  into  his  Houfe;  and  after  he 
had  given  them  a  Treat,  he  brought  every  one 
of  them  a  Suit  of  fuch  Cloaths  as  the  Chriftian 
Soldiers  us'd  to  wear,  and  difguifed  them.  Then 
Abdo^rrahmdn  divided  them  into  four  Parts, 
five  and  twenty  in  a  Company,  and  ordered 
them  to  go  into  different  Streets  of  the  City, 
and  commanded  them,  that  as  foon  as  they 
heard  him,  and  thofe  that  were  with  him,  cry 
c  2  our. 


36  'the  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  o^t,  »  Allah  Acbar,   they   (hould  do  fo  too. 

Alwakidi.  Then  AbdoWrahmdn  afked  Romanus,  where 
the  Governour  was  which  fought  with  him, 
and  ran  away  from  him  ?  Romanus  profered  his 
Service  to  fhow  him,  and  away  they  march*d 
together  to  the  Caftle,  attended  with  five  and 
twenty  Muflemans.  When  they  came  there, 
the  Governour  afked  Romams,  what  he  came 
for  ?  Who  anfwer'd,  that  he  had  no  Bufinefs 
of  his  own,  but  only  came  to  wait  upon  a 
Friend  of  his,  that  had  a  great  Defire  to  fee  him. 
Friend  of  mine!  fays  the  Governour;  What 
Friend?  Only  your  Friend  Abdo'rrahman,  faid 
RomanuSy  is  come  to  fend  you  to  Hell,  The  un- 
happy Governour  finding  himfelf  betray'd,  en- 
deavoured to  make  his  Efcape.  Nay,  hold,  fays 
AbdoWrahmdn,  tho*  you  ran  away  from  7ne  once 
in  the  Day-time,  you  muji  notferve  mefo  again ', 
and  ftruck  him  with  his  Sword,  and  killed 
him.  As  he  fell,  Abdo'rrahman  cry'd  out  AMh 
Acbar,  The  Saracens  which  were  below  hear- 
ing it,  did  fo  too;  fo  did  thofe  which  were  dif- 
perfcd  about  the  Streets,  that  there  was  nothing 
but  Allah  Acbar  heard  round  about  the  City. 
Then  thofe  Saracens  which  were  difguis'd 
kill'd  the  Guards,  opened  the  Gates,  and  let  in 
Caled  with  his  whole  Army.  The  Town  being 
now  entirely  lofl:,  the  conquering  Saracens  fell 

*  God  is  moft  mighty, 

upon 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  37 

upon  the  Inhabitans,  and  killed  and  made  Pri-  Abubeker. 
foners  all  they  met  withj  till  at  lafl  the  chief  Alwakidi. 
Men  of  the  City  came  out  of  their  Houfes 
and  Churches,  and  cry'd  ^arter^  garter. 
The  General,  Caled,  immediately  commanded 
them  to  kill  no  more;  for,  faid  he,  the 
Apoflle  of  God  us'd  to  fay.  If  any  one  be  kil- 
led after  he  has  cried  outy  ^artery  'tis  none  of 
my  Fault, 

Thus  was  the  Condition  of  Bojlra  altered  on 
a  fudden,  and  they  which  had  been  before  a 
wealthy  and  flourifhing  People,  were  now 
brought  under  the  Saracenical  Yoak,  and  could 
enjoy  their  Chriftian  Profeffion  upon  no  other 
Terms  than  paying  Tribute.  Some  of  the  In- 
habitants afked  Caled  the  next  Morning,  who 
it  was  that  betray'd  the  City  to  him.  To  which 
he  making  no  Anfwer,  as  being  unwilling  to 
expofe  the  Perfon  that  had  done  him  fuch  fig- 
nal  Service ;  Romanus,  the  Traytor,  with  mofl 
unparalleird  Impudence,  ftarted  up  himfelf, 
and  faid,  O  you  Enemies  of  Gody  and  Enemies  of 
his  Apoflle y  I  did  it,  defring  to  pleafe  God.  To 
whom  they  anfwered,  Are  not  you  one  of  us  ? 
Noy  faid  he,  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  you y  either 
in  this  World  or  that  which  is  to  come.  And  I 
deny  him  that  was  crucifedy  and  whofoever  wor- 
Jhips  him.  And  I  chufe  God  for  my  Lord,  Ma- 
hometanifm  for  my  Religiony  the  I'emple  of 
c  3  Meccah 


38  'The  Saracens  Conquefi  of 

Abubeker.  Meccah  for   the  3  Flace  of  my   WorflAp^   the. 

Alwakidi.  Muflemamfor  my  Brethren,andM2homtX.for  my 
Prophet  and  Apoflle.  And  I  witnefs  that  there 
is  hut  one  God,  and  that  he  has  no  Partner^  and 
that  Mahomet  is  his  Servant  and  Apojile^  whom' 
he  fent  with  Dire5iion  into  the  right  Way  and 
the  true  Religion^  that  he  might  exalt  it  above 
every  Religion,  in  fpite  of  thofe  who  join  Part^ 
Tiers  with  God,  After  he  had  given  fuch  an 
ample  Teftimony,  and  made  io  full  a  Confef- 
fion  of  his  Faith,  Caled  appointed  fome  Men 
to  take  Care  of  his  EfFedts,  for  he  durft  not 
venture  himfelf  any  longer  in  Bojlra,  after  hav- 
ing been  guilty  of  fuch  unexampled  Villany. 

Then  Caled  wrote  to  Abu  Obeidah,  to  ac- 
quaint him  with  his  Succefs,  and  withal  to 
command  him,  to  bring  thofe  Forces  which  he 
had  with  him,  that  they  might  all  march  to- 
gether to  the  Siege  of  Damafcus,  Then  he  put 
a  Garrifon  of  four  hundred  Horfe  into  Bof-^ 
tra,  and  fent  Abubeker  the  News  of  his  Vic- 
tory, and  his  Intention  to  befiege  Damafcus, 

^  Arab.  Kehtah^  which  fignifies  the  Place  towards  which 
they  turn  themfelves  when  they  fay  their  Prayers.  For  as 
the  Jews,  though  in  Captivity,  ufed  to  turn  their  Faces 
towards  the  Temple  of  JerufaUm  when  they  pray'd  ;  fo  do 
the  Mahometan  towards  the  Temple  at  Meccah.  And  there 
are  Books  in  Arahick  (one  of  which  I  have  feen  in  the  Bod- 
hian  Library)  teaching  how  to  find  out  the  Ztnith,  or  Ver-r 
tical  Point  of  the  Kehlah,  or  Temple  oi Meccah,  Mathema- 
tically:  Thatlet  aMuflemanbewhere  he  will,  he  may  know 
which  way  to  fet  his  Face  when  he  fays  his  Prayers. 

There 


Syria^  Perjiay  and  /Egypt.  39 

There  were  at  that  time  feven  thoufand  Sara-  Abubeker. 
tens  with  Amrou  Ebnol  Ads  in  Palejiine;  and  Alwdkid 
with  Abu  Obeidah  thirty-feven  thoufand,  which 
had  been  raifcd  at  feveral  times  out  of  Hejaz^ 
Temeriy  Hadramuty  the  Sea-Coafts  of  Amman ^ 
and  the  Territories  of  Meccah  and  7bayef.  Ca- 
led  had  with  him  only  fifteen  hundred  Horfe, 
which  he  brought  with  him  out  of  Irak,  He^ 
radius,  the  Grecian  Emperor,  was  now  at 
Antiochy  and  being  informed  what  Havock  the 
Saracens  had  made  in  his  Dominions,  thought 
it  time  to  look  about  him.  He  could  not  en- 
dure to  think  of  lofing  Damafcus^  but  fends  a 
General,  which  our  Arabick  Author  (not  ex- 
a(St  at  all  in  the  Names  of  the  Chriftians)  calls 
Calous,  and  with  him  five  thoufand  Men,  to 
defend  it.  Calous  came  firft  to  Hens^  formerly 
called  Emeja,  being  the  chief  City  of  the  adja- 
cent Territory  which  is  called  by  the  fame 
Name.  It  lies  between  Aleppo  and  Damafcus^ 
diftant  five  Days  Journey  from  each  of  them  j 
a  Place  of  a  mod  healthful  and  pleafant  Air, 
compafTed  about  with  beautiful  Gardens  and 
fruitful  Orchards,  which  are  plentifully  water- 
ed by  a  Rivulet  drawn  from  the  River  Orontes^ 
called  by  the  Arabian  Geographers,  Aldfi, 
which  pafiTes  by  the  City  at  the  Diftance  of  a- 
bout  half  a  Mile.  When  he  came  there,  he 
found  the  Place  very  well  provided  both  with 
c  4  Soldiers, 


40  The  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

bubeker.  Soldiers,  Arms,  and  Ammunition.  For  the  Con- 
quefts  of  the  Saracens  had  ftriick  fuch  a  Terror 
into  all  the  Country,  that  every  Place  had  forti- 
fy'd  itfelf  as  well  as  poflible.  He  flayed  a  Day 
and  a  Night  at  Hems^  and  pafTed  from  thence  to 
Baalbec.  He  no  fooner  came  near  that  Place,  but 
there  came  out  to  meet  him  a  mixed  Multitude 
of  Men  and  Women,  with  their  Hair  about  their 
Ears,  weeping  and  wringing  their  Hands,  and 
making  moft  pitiful  Lamentation.  Cahus  afked 
them  what  was  the  Matter.  Matter?  faid  they. 
Why,  the  Arabs  have  over-run  all  the  Country, 
and  taken  Aracahy  and  SacJonah  and  Tadmor,  and 
Hawran^  and  Bojlra^  and  are  now  fet  down 
before  Damafcus.  He  a{ked  them,  what  was 
their  General's  Name,  and  how  many  Men  he 
had?  They  told  him  that  his  Name  was  Caled^ 
and  that  he  had  but  fifteen  hundred  Horfe.  Ciz- 
Jotis  defpifed  fo  inconfiderable  a  Number  of 
Men,  and  bad  the  People  be  of  good  Chear, 
and  fwore,  that  when  he  came  back  again  he 
would  bring  Caled's  Head  along  with  him  up- 
on the  Point  of  his  Spear. 

As  foon  as  he  came  to  Damafcus y  he  produc- 
ed the  Emperor's  Letter,  and  told  the  People, 
that  he  expedled  to  have  the  whole  Command 
of  the  Town  himfelf :  and  would  have  had  If- 
rally  the  former  Governour,  fent  out  of  Town : 
But  the  Damafcens  did  by  no  means  approve 

of 


Syr  lay  Perfta^  and  jEgypt,  41 

of  that,  for  they  lik'd  their  old  Governour  v.ry  Abubeker 
well,  and  would  not  hear  of  parting  with  him  in  Alwakidi 
fuch  a  time  of  Extremity,  when  they  had  as  great 
Occafion  for  Men  of  Courage,  as  ever  they  had 
13 nee  they  were  a  People.  Upon  this  they 
were  divided  into  Fa(5lions  and  Parties,  and  con- 
ti^iu'd  wrangling  and  quarrelling  one  with  ano- 
ther, at  that  very  time  when  there  was  the  great- 
est need  of  Unity  and  a  right  Underftandingj 
for  now  the  Saracens  were  expe(5ted  every  Mo- 
ment. It  was  not  long  before  they  came;  the 
Chriftians  went  forth  to  meet  them,  and  both 
Armies  were  drawn  up  in  order  of  Battle. 

When  both  were  ready  to  fight,  Caled  call- 
ed out  to  Derar  Ebriol  Azwar^  and  faid,  Notn) 
Derar  quit  thyfelf  like  a  Man,  and  follow  the 
Steps  of  thy  Father^  and  others  of  thy  Country- 
men^ who  have  fought  for  the  Caufe  of  God, 
Help  forward  Religion,  and  God  will  help  thee. 
Derar  was  mounted  upon  a  fine  Mare,  and 
Caled  had  no  fooner  fpoken,  but  he  immediate- 
ly charged  the  Horfe,  and  killed  four  Troopers, 
and  then  wheeled  off,  and  fell  upon  the  Foot, 
and  kiird  fix  of  them,  and  never  left  charging 
them  till  he  had  broken  their  Ranks,  and  put 
them  into  Diforder.  At  lafl  they  threw  Stones 
at  him,  and  prefTed  upon  him  fo  hard,  that  he 
was  forced  to  retire  among  his  own  Men, 
where  he  received  due  Thanks.    Then  Caled 

called 


42  T^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Ab  b  k  r  call'd  out  to  Abdorrahmdn^  the  Caliph's  Son, 
Alwakidi.  whom  wc  havc  mention'd  before,  who  did  the 
like.  Caled  himfelf  infulted  the  Chriftians,  and 
gave  them  reproachful  Language,  and  chal- 
lenged any  of  them  to  fight  with  him.  IzraU 
upon  this  called  to  Calous^  and  told  him,  that 
it  would  be  very  proper  for  him,  who  was 
the  Protedor  of  his  Country,  and  whom  the 
Emperor  had  fent  on  purpofe  to  fight,  to 
anfwer  the  Challenge:  However  Cahus  would 
rather  have  ftaid  behind,  if  he  had  not  been  in 
a  manner  compell'd  to  go  by  the  Importunity 
of  the  People.  At  laft,  with  much  ado,  he 
arms  himfelf,  and  goes  forwards  j  and  becauie 
he  had  a  mind  to  difcourfe  with  his  Adverfa- 
ry,  he  takes  an  Interpreter  along  with  him.  As 
they  went  on  together,  Calous  began  to  (hake 
in  his  Harnefs  for  Fear  of  the  Saracen^  and 
would  fain  have  perfwaded  the  Interpreter, 
with  large  Promifes,  to  have  taken  his  Part,  if 
the  Saracen  fhould  fall  upon  him.  The  Inter- 
preter begg'd  his  Pardon,  and  told  him,  that 
as  far  as  Words  would  go,  he  was  at  his  Scr- 
voice,  but  he  did  not  care  for  Blows;  and 
therefore,  fays  he,  look  to  your  felf  Sir ;  for  7jiy 
fart  I  will  not  be  concerned:  For  if  I  Jhottld 
meddle  y  and  be  knocked  on  the  Head  for  my  pains 
I  pray  what  Good  would  all  your  fair  Promifes 
do  me  f  When  they  came  to  Caled,  the  Inter- 
preter 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  Mgypt,  43 

prcter  began  after  this  manner;  ^/r,  faid  he,  27/  Abubeker 
tell  you  a  Story :  I'here  was  a  Man  had  a  Flock  Alwakidi.^ 
of  Sheep,  and  he  put  them  to  a  negligent  Shep- 
herd,  and  the  wild  Beajls  devoured  them.  Which 
when  the  Owner  perceived,  he  turnd  away  the 
Shepherd,  and  got  another,  that  was  a  Man  of 
Application  and  Courage-,  then  when  the  wild 
Beaji  came  again,  the  Shepherd  kiWd  him. 
Have  a  care  that  Ithis  does  not  prove  to  be  your 
Cafe '.  Tou  Arabians  were  a  contemptible,  vile 
People,  and  went  about  with  hungry  Bellies^ 
naked  and  barefoot,  and  liv'd  upon  Barly-bread^ 
and  what  you  coidd  fqueeze  out  of  Dates,  Now 
fmce  you  are  come  into  our  Country,  and  have 
fared  better,  you  begin  to  rebel.  But  now  the 
Emperor  has  taken  Care  to  fend  a  Man  that  is 
a  Soldier  indeed,  and  therefore  it  concerns  you  to 
look  to  your  felves.  And  he  has  brought  me  along 
with  him  to  talk  with  you,  out  of  Compafjion  to- 
wards  you.  Prithee,  fays  Caled,  don't  tell  me 
thy  Stories-,  as  for  what  thou  fafjl  of  our  Coun-' 
try,  *tis  true  enough.  But  you  fhall  find  that 
times  are  well  amended  with  us,  and  that  infiead 
of  our  Barley-Bread  and  courfe  Fare,  you  twit 
us  withal,  we  Jhall  be  Majlers  of  all  your 
Wealth  and  good  things,  nay  your  Perfons, 
and  Wives,  and  Children  too.  And  as  for  this 
fame  great  Man  thou  fpeakejl  of-,  what  dofi 
tell  me  of  a  great  Man  for,  who  have  taken 

Tadmor, 


44-  ^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubcker.  Tadmor,  Hawran  and  Boftra?  Let  him  be  as 
Alwakidi.  gf.^^^  ^^  fjg  ^///j  if  he  be  the  Support  of  your 
Kingdom,  fo  am  I  of  our  Religion,  Calous  did 
not  like  the  Mien  and  Behaviour  of  his  Adver- 
fary  at  all,  and  bad  the  Interpreter  afk  him  to 
defer  the  Combat  till  the  next  Day ;  intending, 
if  he  had  once  made  his  Efcape,  never  to  have 
come  fo  near  him  any  more.  But  the  Saracen 
did  not  defign  to  part  with  him  io,  but  faid, 
that  he  would  not  be  fool'd,  and  immediately 
got  between  him  and  the  Chriftian  Army,  to 
prevent  his  running  away,  and  began  to  lay  a- 
bout  him  with  his  Spear  moft  vehemently. 
They  both  fought  bravely  for  a  while  j  in  the 
mean  time  the  Interpreter  perceiving  them  en- 
gaged, mov'd  off,  and  efcaped  to  the  Chriftian 
Camp.  At  laft  Calous  grew  weary,  and  be^ 
gan  to  ftand  altogether  upon  the  defenfive  part. 
The  Saracen  perceiving  that  he  flood  upon  his 
Guard,  left  off  pufhing  him,  and  came  up  clofe 
to  him,  and  dextroufly  (hifting  his  Spear  from 
his  Right  Hand  to  his  Left,  laid  hold  on  him, 
and  drew  him  to  him,  and  flung  him  from  his 
Saddle  to  the  Ground.  The  Saracens  immedi- 
ately fhouted  out,  Allah  Acbar,  which  made 
the  whole  Camp  echo,  and  the  poor  Chriftians 
tremble.  Caled  took  Care  of  his  Prifoner,  and 
and  changed  his  Horfe,  and  took  a  frefli  one, 
which  the  Governour  of  'Tadmor  had  prefented 

him 


Sjna^  Perfiay  and  M.gypt*  45 

him  with,  and  went  into  the  Field  again.  Be-  Abubeker. 
rar  defired  him  to  ftay  behind,  for,  fays  he,  Alwakidi. 
you  have  tired  your  felfivith  fighting  with  this 
Dogy  therefore  refi  your  felf  a  little,  and  let 
me  go.  To  which  Caled  anfwered,  O  Derar,  ive 
ftjoll  reft  in  the  World  to  come  5  he  that  labour i 
to-day,  Jhall  refi  to-morrow,  and  rode  for- 
wards. He  was  but  juft  gone,  when  Romanus, 
the  treacherous  Governour  of  Boftra,  called 
him  back,  and  told  him,  that  Calous  would 
fpeak  with  him  j  who,  even  in  thofe  calamitous 
Circumftances,  had  not  laid  afide  his  refent- 
ment.  When  he  came  back,  Calous  gave  him 
fome  Account  of  the  Difference  which  had 
been  between  him  and  Izrail  the  Governour 
ofDamafcus,  and  told  him,  that  if  he  (hould 
overcome  him,  it  would  be  of  great  Moment, 
in  order  to  the  taking  the  Cityj  he  advis'd  him 
therefore  to  challenge  him,  and  get  him  out  to 
fingle  Combat,  and  kill  him  if  he  could.  Caled 
told  him,  that  he  might  be  fure  he  would  not 
fpare  any  Infidel  or  Idolater. 

Calous  being  now  a  Prifoner,  his  five  thou- 
fand  Men,  which  he  had  brought  to  the  Relief 
of  Damafcus,  were  very  urgent  with  Izrail  to 
go  out,  andanfwer  Caled's  Challenge;  which 
he  declined  at  firft;  But  afterwards,  when  they 
threaten'd  him  with  Death,  if  he  perfilled  in 
his  Refufal,  he  told  them,  that  the  Reafon  why 

he 


46  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

bubeker.  ^^  refufed  at  firft,  was  not  becaufe  he  was  a- 
fraid,  but  becaufe  he  had  a  Mind  to  let  their 
Mafter  Calous  try  his  Valour  firfl.  Then  he 
armed  himfelf,  and  mounted  upon  a  good 
Horfe,  rode  up  to  the  Saracen  j  who,  amongft 
other  Difcourfe,  afked  him  his  Name?  He 
anfwered,  My  Name  is  Izrail,  (which  is  the 
Name  of  that  Angel,  whom  the  Mahometans 
fuppofe  to  take  care  of  the  Souls  of  Perfons  de- 
ceafed.)  Caled  laugh'd,  and  faid,  Well^  your 
Najnes-Sake  Izrail  is  juft  ready  at  your  Service^ 
to  convey  your  Soul  to  Hell.  Izrail  afked  him 
what  he  had  done  with  his  Prifoner  Calous  f 
He  told  him,  that  he  had  him  bound.  Why 
did  you  not  kill  him?  faid  IzraiL  Becaufe^  faid 
the  Saracen,  /  intend  to  kill  you  both  together* 
Then  the  Combat  began,  and  was  managed  on 
both  Sides  with  great  Dexterity  and  Vigor. 
Izrail  behaved  himfelf  fo  well,  that  Caled  ad- 
mired him.  At  lafl:  the  Vidory  inclined  to  Cz- 
led'i  and  Izrail  finding  himfelf  over- matched, 
and  having  the  better  Horfe  of  the  two,  turn'd 
his  Back,  and  rode  away.  Caled  purfued  him 
as  fafi:  as  he  could,  but  could  not  overtake 
him.  When  Izrail  perceived  that  his  Advcrfa- 
ry  did  not  come  up,  imagining  that  this  Slack- 
nefs  of  his  proceeded  from  an  Unwillingnefs  to 
fight,  he  refum'd  his  Courage,  and  faced  about, 
in  hopes  to  have  taken  him  Prifoner j    which 

Caled 


Alwakidi. 


Sjria^  Perjiay  and  Mgypt,  47 

Caled  perceiving,  alighted  from  his  Horfe,  and  Abubeker, 
chofe  rather  to  fight  on  Foot;  and  as  Izrail 
rufhed  upon  him,  he  flruck  at  the  Legs  of  his 
Horfe,  and  brought  him  down  to  the  Ground, 
and  took  him  Prifoner.  Having  now  in  his 
Pofleffioa  both  the  General  and  the  Governour, 
he  aiked  them,  if  they  were  willing  to  re- 
nounce their  Chriftianity ,  and  turn  Mahometans  ? 
Which  they  both  conftantly  refufing,  were  incon- 
tinently beheaded.  Caled  having  ordered  the 
Heads  to  be  brought  to  him,  took  them,  and 
threw  them  over  the  Walls  into  the  Town. 

There  were  feveral  Battles  fought  before 
DamafcuSy  in  which  the  Chriftians  for  the  moft 
part  were  beaten.  At  laft,  when  they  faw  that 
by  fallying  out  they  had  many  Men  killed  and 
taken  Prifoners,  they  determined  to  fave  the 
Remainder  for  the  Defence  of  the  Walls,  and 
expofe  themfelves  no  more  to  the  Hazard  of  a 
Field-Fight.  Thus  they  {hut  up  themfelves 
within  the  Town,  and  Caled  pitched  his  Tents 
over  againft  the  Eaft  Gate,  and  Abu  Obeidab 
fet  down  before  the  Gate  which  they  call  Al^ 
jdbiyah.  The  City  being  thus  ftreightly  befieg- 
cd,  and  the  Inhabitants  not  daring  to  depend 
altogether  upon  thofe  Forces  which  they  had 
at  prefent,  they  refolved  to  difpatch  a  Meflen- 
ger  fpeedily  to  the  Grecian  Emperor  Heraclius, 
then  at  AiUioch;   So  they  wrote  a  Letter  to 

him. 


48-  7%e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  ^^"^>  ^^  which  they  acquainted  him  with  what 
Alwakidi.  had  pafs'd,  and  the  Death  of  Calous  and  Izrail^ 
and  what  Conquefts  the  Saracens  had  made  on 
that  Side  of  the  Country.  When  they  had 
clofed  the  Letter,  they  delivered  it  into  the 
Hands  of  a  fit  Perfon,  and  let  him  down  on 
the  Outfide  of  the  Wall  in  the  Night.  The 
Meflenger  managed  his  bufinefs  fo  well,  that 
he  efcaped  the  Saracens,  who  were  a  People 
not  very  negligent  in  their  Watch.  When  he 
came  to  Antioch^  and  delivered  his  Letter,  the 
Emperor  was  extreamly  concerned,  and  fent 
Werdan  with  an  hundred  thoufand  Men,  to  re- 
lieve Damafcus, 

Our  Author  tells  us,  that  Werdan  refufed  to 
accept  of  this  Commiffion  at  firft,  as  thinking 
himfelf  flighted,  becaufe  the  Emperor  had  not 
employed  him  at  the  Beginning  of  the  War. 
But  I  never  give  much  Credit  to  Authors  that 
ipeak  of  things  done  in  foreign  Courts,  and  out 
of  their  Knowledge,  however  worthy  of  Cre- 
dit they  may  be,  when  they  write  of  things 
done  by  their  own  Countrymen,  and  give  an 
Account  of  fuch  Tranfadlions,  as  they  may 
reafonably  be  fuppofed  to  have  fufficient  Op- 
portunities of  informing  themfelves  about.  For 
this  reafon  I  would  as  little  heed  an  Arabick 
Author,  writing  about  the  Affairs  of  the 
Chriftians,  as  I  would  a  Greek  or  Latin  one, 

giving 


Syriay  Perfiuy  and  M,gypt,  49 

giving  an  Account  of  the  Arabians-,  becaufe,  Abubeker. 
in  this  Cafe,  both  muft  needs  take  a  great  deal  ^^^^ 
upon  Truft,  by  hearfay,  and  uncertain  Reports, 
and  confequcntly  be  impofed  on  themfelves, 
and  deceive  their  Readers.  Wherefore  I  have 
rather  chofen  to  take  this  Hiftory  out  of  their 
own  Authors,  than  depend  upon  the  Chriftian 
Writers,  who  were  very  little  acquainted  with 
the  Affairs  of  the  Saracens. 

Werdan,  however,  undertook  the  Command 
of  that  Army;  and  after  the  Emperor  and 
ibme  of  the  Nobility  had  gone  part  of  the 
Way  with  him,  and  taken  their  Leave,  he 
inarched  with  all  poffible  Speed  towards  Da-- 
mafcus',  the  Emperor  having  given  him  parti- 
cular Charge,  to  take  Care  to  cut  off  all  Sup- 
plies from  the  Saracen  Army,  which  was  with 
Caled  and  Abu  Obeidah* 

Within  a  (hort  time  after,  the  Saracens  heard 
that  the  Emperor's  Army  was  upon  their 
March,  near  Ajnadin,  Caled  immediately  goes 
to  Abu  Obeldah,  to  advife  with  him  what  was 
proper  to  be  done  in  this  Cafe.  Caled  was  for 
having  the  Siege  raifed,  and  the  Saracens  go  in 
a  full  Body  againft  the  Grecian  Army;  and 
then,  if  they  got  the  Vidlory,  return  to  the 
Siege  again:  But  Abu  Obetdah,  told  him,  that 
he  was  by  no  means  of  that  Opinion,  becaufe 
the  Inhabitants  of  Damafcus  were  already  in  a 
D  very 


50  ''Ih  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

bubeker.  very  great  Strelght,  and  their  going  away 
would  only  give  them  an  Opportunity  of  get- 
ting frefh  Supplies,  both  of  Arms  and  Provi- 
fion,  into  the  Town,  and  enable  them  to  pro- 
long the  Siege:  With  which  Anfwer  the  Gene- 
ral was  very  well  fatisfied. 

IVer dan's  Army  was  very  flow  upon  their 
March,  and  the  poor  belieged  Chriftians  were 
now  in  great  Diftrefs.  Finding  no  Affiftance  from 
the  Emperor,  they  propofed  Terms  to  the  Ge- 
neral, and  would  have  given  him  a  thoufand 
Ounces  of  Gold,  and  two  hundred  Suits  of  Silk, 
upon  Condition  that  he  would  raife  the  Siege. 
To  which  he  anfwered,  that  he  would  not 
raife  the  Siege,  unlefs  they  would  either  become 
Tributaries  or  Mahometans;  If  neither  of  thefe 
Conditions  pleafed  them,  they  muft  be  content 
to  fight  it  out.  About  fix  Weeks  after  this,  the 
Saracens  heard  an  unufual  Noife  in  the  City, 
great  Exclamations  and  Exprefiions  of  Joy. 
They  could  not  imagine  what  fhould  be  the 
Meaning  of  it,  but  in  a  very  fliort  time  they 
were  fatisfied,  for  their  Scouts  brought  them 
Word,  that  the  Emperor's  Army  was  at  hand. 
Caled  again  would  very  willingly  have  gone  to 
meet  themj  but  Abu  Obeidah  would  by  no 
Means  confent  that  the  Siege  fliould  be  raifed,^ 
At  laft  they  agreed  to  choofe  fome  very  good 
Soldier,  and  fend  him  with  part  of  their  Forces, 

to 


Syria^  Perfiay  and  j^gypt,  5 1 

to  give  the  Emperor*s  Army  Diverfion,  that  Abubeker. 
they  might  not  come  and  difturbthe  Siege.  The  Alwakidi 
Man  that  Cakd  pitched  upon  to  have  the  Ma- 
nagement of  this  Expedition,  was  Derar  Ebn'ol 
Azwat\  an  excellent  Soldier,  and  moft  mortal 
Enemy  of  the  Chriftians,  (as  indeed  all  of  them 
were,  Abu  Obeidah  only  excepted)  who  ac- 
cepted of  this  Port:  very  cheerfully,  and  cared 
not  how  many  or  how  few  Men  he  had  with 
him,  provided  he  might  be  employed  in  fome 
glorious  Adion  againft  the  Chrillians.  But  Cab- 
led told  him,  that  though  they  were  obliged 
to  fight  for  their  Religion,  yet  God  had  com- 
manded no  Man  to  throw  himfelf  away,  and 
therefore  bad  him  be  content  to  accept  of  fuch 
Afliftance  as  he  (hould  think  fit  to  fend  along 
with  him ;  and  ordered  him,  in  cafe  of  great 
Danger,  to  retire  to  the  Army.  Derar  imme- 
diately prepared  to  go  j  and  as  they  were  upon 
their  March,  the  Emperor's  vaft  army  drew 
near.  When  the  Saracens  faw  fuch  a  Multitude, 
they  were  afraid,  and  would  willingly  have  re- 
tired 3  but  Derar  fwore,  I'hat  he  woidd  not  fiir 
a  Step  back  without  Jighti?jg,  And  Raphi  Ebn 
Omeirah  told  them,  That  it  was  a  common  thing 
for  the  Mujlemans  to  rout  a  great  Army  with  an 
Handful  of  Men.  The  Armies  drew  near,  and 
notwithftanding  the  vaft  Difproportion  of  their 
Numbers,  Derar  advanced,  without  fhowing 
D  2  the 


5  2  n^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

)ubeker.  the  leaft  Token  of  Fear  or  Concern ;  and  when 
he  came  up,  he  always  fought  moft  where 
Werdan  the  General  was.  And  firft  of  all  he 
killed  his  Right-hand  Man,  and  then  the  Stan- 
dard-bearer. The  Standard  had  in  it  the  fign  of 
the  Crofs,  and  was  richly  adorned  with  precious 
Stones.  As  foon  as  Derar  faw  it  fall,  he  com- 
manded his  Saracens  to  alight,  and  take  it  up, 
whilft  he  defended  them.  Immediately  they 
obeyed,  and  he  in  the  mean  time  laid  about 
him  fo  furioufly,  that  none  durfl  come  within 
his  reach  to  favc  the  Standard.  Werdm^  the 
Emperor's  General,  had  a  Son  that  was  his 
Father's  Lieutenrnt  in  Hems^  who  marched 
with  ten  thoufand  Men  when  he  heard  that  his 
Father  was  going  againft  the  Muflemans;  and 
had  the  Fortune  to  join  him  whilft  the  Armies 
were  engaged.  He  obferving  Derar  s  Adivity, 
and  what  Execution  he  did  amongfl:  the  Greeks, 
watched  his  Opportunity,  and  wounded  him  in 
the  left  Arm  with  a  Javelin.  Derar  turned  him- , 
felf  about,  and  ftruck  him  with  his  Lance  fo 
violently,  that  when  he  drew  it  back  again,  he 
left  the  Point  of  it  flicking  in  the  Bones.  Not- 
withflanding  which  he  made  as  vigorous  a  De- 
fence as  could  be  expedted  from  a  Man  difarm- 
cd  J  but  the  Greeks  prelTed  hard  upon  him,  and 
with  much  ado  took  him  Prifoner.  When  the 
Sardce?is  faw  their  Captain  taken  Prifoner,  they 

fought 


Syria^  Perfa^  and  ^gypt.  53 

fought  as  long  as  they  could,  in  hopes  of  reco-  Abubeker. 
vering  him,  but  all  in  vain  :  Which  difcourag-  Alwakidi.^ 
ed  them  fo  much,  that  they  had  like  to  have 
run  avs^ay.  Which  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah  per- 
fceiving,  called  out  to  them  v^^ith  a  loud  Voice, 
and  faid,  What  I  don* f  you  know^  that  whofoever' 
turns  his  Back  upon  his  Enemies,  offends  God  and 
his  Prophet?  And  that  the  Prophet  f aid,  that 
the  Gates  of  Paradife  Jhould  be  open  to  none  but 
fuch  as  fought  for  Religion  ?  Come  on  !  Til  go  be- 
fore you.  If  your  Captain  be  dead  or  taken  Pri- 
finer,  yet  your  God  is  alive,  and  fees  what  you  do. 
With  thefe  Words  he  reftored  the  Battle.  In 
the  mean  time  News  came  to  Caled,  that  Derar 
was  taken.  Upon  which  he  immediately  ap- 
plies himfelf  to  Abu  Obeidah,  to  know  what 
v^^as  beft  to  be  done.  Abu  Obeidah  fent  him 
word,  that  he  {hould  leave  fome  body  in  his 
Place,  and  go  himfelf  to  refcue  Derar.  Upon 
this  he  leaves  Meifarah  Ebn  Mefrouk  in  his 
Place,  with  a  thoufand  Horfe,  and  taking  a  con- 
fiderable  Force  along  with  him,  went  with  all 
pofTible  fpeed  to  relieve  the  Saracens.  When 
thofe  that  were  engaged  faw  the  Recruit  come 
up,  they  fell  on  like  Lions ;  and  Caled  charged 
in  the  thickeft  part  of  them,  where  there  were 
moft  Banners  and  Standards,  in  hopes  of  find- 
ing D^rjr  Prifoner  there,  but  all  in  vain.  At 
laft  there  revolted  a  Party  of  them  that  came 
D  3  with 


54  7^^  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Abubeker.  vvith  Werdan%  Son  from  Kemi^  and  begged  of 
Alwakidi.  (7^/^^  Protedion  and  Security  for  themfelves  and 
their  Families.  C^Wtold  them,  Hhat  he  would 
confider  that  when  he  came^HetnSy  and  not  in 
this  Place.  Then  he  afked  them,  if  they  knew 
what  was  become  of  Derar  ?  They  told  him, 
that  as  foon  as  he  was  taken  Prifoner,  JVerdan^ 
the  Genera],  had  fent  him  with  a  Guard  of  an 
Hundred  Horfe  Prifoner  to  Hems,  in  order  to 
make  a  Prefent  of  him  to  Heraclius  the  Em- 
peror. Caled  was  glad  to  hear  it,  and  immediate- 
ly difpatched  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah  with  an  hun- 
dred Horfe,  to  retake  Derar,  They  made  all 
poffible  hafl:,  and  took  the  dired  Road  to  Hems-, 
at  laft  they  overtook  them,  and  killed  and  rout- 
ed them,  and  recovered  their  Friend  Derar, 
and  haftened  back  to  join  Caled,  who  by  this 
time  had  entirely  defeated  the  Grecian  Army. 
They  purfued  them  as  far  as  Wadi'l  Hdyat,  and 
brought  off  what  Plunder,  and  Horfes,  and 
Arms  they  could,  and  returned  to  the  Siege  of 
Damafcus,  which  had  now  but  little  Hopes  of 
holding  out  long, 

Th^i  Emperor  Heraclius  not  willing  to  part 
with  Syria  thus,  fent  to  Werddn  again,  and  gave 
him  the  Command  of  feventy  thoufand  Men  at 
Ajnadin  \  and  commanded  him  to  go  and  give 
the  Saracens  Battle,  and  raife,  if  pofTible,  the 
Siege  oi  Damafcus.    When  the  News  of  this 

Pre. 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  ^gypt,  55 

Preparation  came  to  Caled\  Ears,  he  went  to  y\i,„ijck  r 
Abu  Obeidahy  to  confult  what  was  proper  to  be  Ahvakidl. 
done  J  who  told  him,  that  he  knew  that  mod: 
of  their  'great  Men  were  abfcntj  and  that  it 
would  be  his  beft  way  to  fend  for  them  as  foon 
as  he  could,  that  having  joined  their  Forces, 
they  might  in  a  full  Body  give  the  Emperor's 
Army  Battle.  Tezid  Ebn  Abi  Bophyan  was  then 
in  BaJka,  a  Territory  upon  the  Confines  of 
Syria-,  Serjabil Ebn  Hafanah  in  Palefline-y  Mead 
in  Harrdn  -,  Nomdn  Ebno'l  Mundir  at  Tadmor ; 
and  Amrou  Ebno'l  Ads  in  Irak,  Upon  this  Ga- 
ted wrote  the  following  Letter. 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God, 

From  Caled  Ebno'l  Waled  to  Amrou  Ebno*l 
Aas,  Health  and  Happinefs.  Know  that  thy  Bre- 
thren the  Mujlemans  defign  to  march  to  Ajnadin, 
inhere  there  is  an  Army  confijling  of  feventy 
thoufand  Greeks,  who  purpofe  to  come  againji  us, 
*  that  they  may  extinguifh  the  Light  of  God 
with  their  Mouths ;  but  God  preferveth  his 
Light  in  fpite  of  the  Infidels.  As  foon  therefore 
as  this  Letter  of  mine  fhall  come  to  thy  Hands , 
come  with  thofe  that  are  with  thee  to  Ajnadin, 

*  Arab.  Kobarao  AJhhah  Refoul  Allah,  i.  e.  The  great 
Men  of  the  Companions  of  the  ApoftleofGod.  ^  Thefe 
Words  are  a  Text  of  the  Alcoran.  See  Alcoran^  Chap.  IX. 
32.  and  LXI.  8. 

D  4  where 


Alwakidi. 


56  T*he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Inhere  thou  Jhalt  find  us,  ifitpJeafes  the  Moji 
High  God. 

The  like  he  fent  to  the  reft  of  the  Generals, 
and  immediately  gave  Orders  for  the  whole 
Army  to  march  with  Bag  and  Baggage.  Caled 
himfelf  went  in  the  Front,  and  Abu  Obeidah 
brought  up  the  Rear.  The  Damafce?is  perceiv- 
ing the  Siege  raifed,  and  their  Enemies  upon 
their  March,  took  Courage,  and  ventured  out 
upon  them  with  an  Army  of  fix  thoufand 
Horfe,  and  ten  thoufand  Foot ;  the  Horfe  un- 
der the  Command  of  Paul-,  the  Foot,  of  Peter. 
As  foon  as  Paul  came  up,  he  fell  upon  Abu 
Obeidah,  and  kept  him  employ'd,  whilft  Peter 
went  to  feize  the  Spoil  3  for  all  their  Baggage, 
and  Wealth,  and  Women,  and  Children  were 
in  the  Rear.  Peter  brought  off  a  good  part  of 
it,  and  fome  of  the  Women ;  and  taking  a 
Guard  both  of  Horfe  and  Foot,  returned  to^ 
wards  Damafcus,  leaving  his  Brother  Paul  with 
the  refl  of  the  Army  to  engage  the  Muflemans. 
Paul  behaved  himfelf  fo  well,  that  he  beat  Abu 
Obeidah,  and  thofe  that  were  in  the  Rear,  who 
now  wiflied  at  his  Heart  that  he  had  taken 
Caled\  Advice,  when  he  would  have  perfwaded 
him  at  fjrft  to  have  marched  In  the  Front,  and 
would  have  brought  up  the  Rear  himfelf.  The 
Women  and  Children  made  grievous  Lamen- 
tation, and  all  Things  went  ill  on  that  fide. 

Upon 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  /Egypt,  5  7 

Upon  this  Sa'idEbn  Sabahb,  being  well  mount-  Ahubeker. 
ed,  rode  as  hard  as  he  could  to  the  Front  of  the  Alwakidi. 
Army,  where  Caled  was,  and  gave  him  an  Ac- 
count how  Matters  went ;  and  defired  him 
with  all  pofTible  fpeed  to  fuccour  Abu  Obeidah, 
JVelly  faid  Caled ^  God's  ivill  be  done ;  I  would  have 
been  in  the  Rear  at  Jirji,  but  he  would  not  let  me ; 
and  now  you  fee  what  is  come  on  it.  Immediately 
he  difpatches  Raphi  with  two  thousand  Horfe, 
to  relieve  the  Saracens  in  the  Rear,  and  after 
him  Kais  Ebn  Hobeirah  with  two  thoufand 
more  J  then  AbdoWrahmdn  with  two  thoufand 
more ;  then  Derar  Ebno'l  Azwar  with  two 
thoufand  more ;  the  reft  of  the  Army  he 
brought  up  himfelf.  When  Raphi,  Derar ,  and 
Abddrrahmdn  came  up,  the  State  of  the  Mat- 
ter was  quite  altered ;  and  the  Chriftians  which 
had  the  better  of  it  before,  were  beaten  down 
on  every  fide,  and  their  Standards  and  Colours 
turned  upfide  down.  Derar  purfued  Faul  the 
General,  who  durft  not  encounter  him ;  for  he 
had  feen  how  he  behaved  himfelf  at  the  Siege 
of  Damafcus,  and  heard  how  he  had  fought  a- 
gainft  Werddn.  Derar  turned  himfelf  about, 
and  faid  to  Abu  Obeidah,  Did  not  I  tell  you  that 
this  '  Devil  would  not  jland  me  ?  and  followed 
up   clofely.    Paul  being  purfued  hard,   flung 

'  Arab.  Shaithan,  which  is  the  fame  with  the  Hebrew 
Word  Sai(m. 

himfelf 


5  8  ^he  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Abubeker.  himfelf  ofF  from  his  Horfe,  and  endeavoured  to 
^^^!^^^  get  away  on  Foot.  Derar  alighted  too,  and  had 
juft  overtaken  him,  and  was  a  going  to  chine 
himi  but  he  cryed  out,  Hold!  for  infaving  me^ 
youfave  your  Wives  and  Children  which  we  have 
taken.  Derar  upon  this  forbore,  and  took  him 
Prifoner.  The  Chriftians  were  all  routed;  fo 
that  of  thofe  fix  thoufand  Horfe  which  came 
out  of  DamafcuSy  there  efcaped  only  one  Hun»- 
dred  ;  as  they  were  afterwards  informed  when 
the  City  was  taken. 

Among  thofe  other  Captives  which  Pefer 
had  taken,  it  fortuned  that  Caulah,  Derar*s 
Sifter,  a  brave  Virago,  and  a  very  beautiful 
Woman,  was  one.  Derar  was  extreamly  con- 
cerned for  the  Lofs  of  his  Sifter,  and  made  his 
Complaint  to  Caied :  Who  bad  him  be  of  good 
cheer  ;  for,  fays  he,  we  have  taken  their  Gene- 
ral^  andfoiue  other  PrifonerSy  which  wejhallex" 
change  for  our  own  j  and  there  is  no  qtieflion  but 
we  Jloall  find  them  all  at  Damafcus.  However, 
they  refolved  to  go  and  fee  if  they  could  reco- 
ver them  before  they  got  thither.  Caled,  Raphi^ 
Meifarah^  and  Derar,  went  in  fearch  of  the 
Captives ;  and  ordered  Abu  Obeidah  to  march 
on  flowly  with  the  Army.  There  were  among 
the  Women  which  were  taken  Prifoners,  fome 
of  the  Hainyarites  (a  Tribe  fo  called  amongft 
the  Arabs)  which  the  Arabians  fuppofe  to  be 

de. 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  ^gypu  5  9 

defcended  from  the  ancient  Amalekites.  Thefe  Abubcker. 
Women  are  ufed  to  ride  on  Horfcback,  and  Alwakidi. 
fight  as  the  Amazons  did  of  old.  Peter ^  when 
he  had  got  his  Prifoners  and  Plunder  at  fome 
convenient  Diftance,  did  not  make  haft  to  con- 
vey them  to  DamafcuSy  but  ftayed  by  the  way, 
being  defirous,  if  poflible,  to  hear  of  his  Bro- 
ther Paul's  Succefs  before  he  went  home. 
Whilft  they  refted,  they  took  an  Account  of  the 
Women,  and  what  elfe  they  had  gotten ;  and 
Pefer  chofe  Caulab,  Derars  Sifter,  for  himfelf, 
and  told  his  Men,  that  ftie,  and  no  other  fliould 
be  his,  and  nobody's  clfc.  The  reft  chofe  each 
of  them  one  as  long  as  they  lafted.  The  Greeks 
went  into  their  Tents  to  refrefti  thcmfclves, 
and  in  the  mean  time  the  Women  got  altoge- 
ther, and  Caulah  faid  to  them  :  What!  will  you 
fuffer  your  fehes  to  be  ahufedby  thefe  Barbarians^ 
and  become  Hand-maids  and  Slaves  to  thefe  Idol- 
aters? Whereas  your  Courage?  For  tny  party  Til 
fooner  die  than  any  of  thefe  idolatrous  Slaves  pall 
touch  me.  Opheirah,  who  was  one  of  them,  told 
her,  that  their  Patience  was  not  the  Effedt  of 
Cowardice,  but  Neceffity.  For,  fays  flie,  we  are 
defencelefs  j  we  have  neither  Sword  nor  Spear y  nor 
Bow,  nor  any  thing  elfe.  But  cannot  we,  fays 
Caulah y  take  each  of  us  a  Tent-pole ,  and  fl and 
upon  our  Guard?  Who  knows  but  that  it  may 
plcaft  God  to  give  us  the  ViBory,  or  deliver  us  hy 

fome 


6o  l}}e  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Abubeker.  7^^*^  Wf^«i  or  other  f  If  not  ^  wejhalldie,  and  he 
Alwakidi.  at  refi^  and preferve  the  Honour  of  our  Country, 
Opheirah  fworc  flie  was  much  in  the  right  of 
it.  They  inftantly  refolved  upon  it,  and  provid- 
ed themfelves  with  Staves,  and  Caulah  com- 
manded in  chief.  Come^  fays  fhc,  Jiand  round  in 
a  Circle^  and  be  Jure  you  leave  no  Space  between 
you  for  any  of  them  to  come  in  and  do  us  a  Mif 
chief.  Strike  their  Spears  with  your  Staves,  and 
break  their  Swords  and  their  Sculls,  As  (he  fpoke, 
ihe  flepped  forwards  one  Step,  and  ftruck  a 
Fellow  that  flood  within  her  Reach,  and  fhat- 
tered  his  Scull.  Immediately  there  was  a  great 
Uproar,  and  the  Greeks  came  running  out  of 
their  Tents  to  fee  what  was  the  Matter.  When 
they  came  out,  there  flood  the  Women  all  up 
in  Arms.  Peter  called  out  to  Caulah,  whom  he 
had  chofen  for  his  Miftrefs,  What's  the  Mean^ 
ing  of  this,  my  Dear .?  Woe  be  to  thee,  faid  fhe, 
and  to  all  of  you,  thou  '  Chrijlian  Dog.  The  mean^ 
ing  of  it  is,  that  we  defign  to  preferve  our  Hon- 
our,  and  to  beat  your  Brains  out  with  thefe  Staves: 
Come,  why  don't  you  come  to  your  Sweet-heart 
now,  for  which  you  referved your  felf?  It  may  be 
you  may  receive  fomething  at  her  Hands,  which 
may  prove  worth  your  while.  Peter  only  laughed 
at  her,  and  ordered  his  Men  to  compafs  them 
round,  and  not  do  them  any  Harm,  but  only 

^  Arab.  Ya  kdho'nnafraniyah. 

take 


I 


Syriay  Ferjia^  and  Mgypt.  6 1 

take  them  Prifoners,  and  gave  them  an  efpecial  Abubeker. 
Charge  to  be  careful  of  his  Miftrefs.  They  en-  ^^^ 
deavoured  to  obey  his  Commands,  but  with 
very  ill  Succefs  j  for  when  any  Horfeman  came 
near  the  Women,  they  let  drive  at  the  Horfes 
Legs,  and  if  they  brought  him  down,  his  Ri- 
der was  fure  to  rife  no  more.  When  Peter  per- 
ceived that  they  were  in  earneft,  he  grew  very 
angry,  and  alighted  from  his  Horfe,  and  bid  his 
Men  do  fo  too,  and  fall  upon  them  with  their 
Cymitars.  The  Women  flood  clofe  together, 
and  faid  one  to  another,  Come^  let  us  die  honour- 
ably,  rather  than  live  fcandaloujly ,  Peter  looked 
with  a  great  deal  of  Concern  upon  his  Miftrefs, 
and  when  he  viewed  her  Beauty  and  comely 
Proportion  and  Stature,  loath  to  part  with  her, 
he  came  near,  and  gave  her  good  Words,  and 
would  fain  have  perfwaded  her  to  defift  from 
her  Enterprize.  He  told  her,  that  he  was  rich 
and  honourable,  that  he  had  a  great  many  fine 
Seats,  and  the  like,  which  fhould  all  be  at  her 
Service  j  and  defired  her  to  take  Pity  of  herfclf, 
and  not  to  be  acceffary  to  her  own  Death.  To 
which  fhe  anfwered,  ^hou  Infidel^  Scoundrel^  vile 
Rafcaly  why  dojl  not  come  a  little  nearer ^  that  1 
may  beat  thy  Brains  out  ?  This  nettled  him  to 
purpofe ;  fo  he  drew  his  Sword,  and  bid  his 
Men  fall  upon  them;  and  told  them,  that  it 
would  be  a  very  fcandalous  thing  to  them  in  all 

the 


62  72^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  the  Neighbourhood  of  Syria  and  Arabia^  if 
Alwakidi.  they  (hould  be  beaten  by  the  Women.  The 
Women  were  juft  now  at  their  laft  Prayers,  but 
they  held  up  bravely  j  and  it  happened  fortu- 
nately, that  whilft  they  were  thus  engaged,  Caled 
and  his  Party  came  up.  They  wondered  what 
was  the  Matter  when  they  faw  the  Duft  fly,  and 
the  Swords  glitter.  Calid  fent  Raphi  to  enquire 
into  the  Bufinefs;  who  rode  in  great  hafl:,  and 
came  back  quickly,  and  gave  him  an  Account 
how  things  Hood.  Caled  faid,  he  did  not  at  all 
wonder  at  it,  for  the  Women  of  thofe  Tribes 
were  ufed  to  it.  As  foon  as  Derar  heard  the 
News,  he  put  forward  his  Horfe  in  all  hafte  to 
go  and  help  the  Women.  Softly^  Derar,  fiftly^ 
faid  Caled',  not  fofajl :  A  man  that  goes  kifurely 
about  his  Bufinefs,  Jhall  fooner  gain  his  Pointy 
than  he  that  goes  to  work  rajhly,  Derar  anfwer- 
cd,  Ihatit  Patience,  Imuft  go  and  help  my  Sifter. 
Then  Caled  fet  his  Men  in  order,  and  com- 
manded them,  as  foon  as  they  came  up,  to  en- 
compafs  their  Enemies.  As  foon  as  Caulah  faw 
the  Saracens  appear,  (he  cried  out,  Look  ye,  my 
Girls,  God  has  fent  us  Help  now.  When  the 
Greeks  faw  the  Saracens  draw  near,  they  were 
in  a  pitiful  Condition,  and  began  to  look  upon 
one  another  very  forrowfully.  Peter  was  now 
willing  to  contrive  fome  way  for  his  own  Safe- 
ty, and  called  out  to  the  Women,  Heark  ye, 

faid 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  63 

fald  he,  I  pity  your  Condition,  for  we  have  Sijiers  Abubeke 
and  Mothers,  and  Wives  of  our  own ;  therefore  Alwakidi 
/  let  you  go  freely  for  Chriji's  Sake :  Wherefore^ 
when  your  People  come  up,  let  them  know  how 
civil  I  have  been  to  you.  Having  faid  thus,  he 
turned  towards  the  Saracens,  and  faw  two 
Horfemen  coming  apace  before  the  reft.  One 
of  them  (Caled)  was  compleatly  armed,  the 
other  [Derar)  naked,  with  a  Lance  in  his  Hand, 
upon  a  Horfe  without  a  Saddle.  As  foon  as 
Caulah  faw  her  Brother,  flie  called  out,  Come 
hither  Brother,  though  God  is  fujicient  without 
thy  Help,  Then  Peter  called  out  to  her,  and  faid. 
Get  thee  to  thy  Brother,  I  give  thee  to  him,  and 
turned  away  to  get  off  as  faft  as  he  could.  She 
called  after  him,  and  faid,  I'his  Ficklenefs  of 
yours  is  not  like  the  Maimer  of  us  Arabians : 
Sometimes  you  are  wonderfully  fond  of  me,  and 
exprefs  a  great  deal  of  Love,  and  then  again  you 
are  as  cold  and  indifferent  as  may  be.  Away  with 
thee,  fays  he,  I  am  not  fo  fond  of  thee  now  as  I 
was  before.  Well,  fays  (he,  I  am  fond  of  you ,  and 
muft  have  you  by  all  Means,  Then  (he  ran  up 
to  him,  and  Caled  and  Derar  were  juft  at  hand. 
As  foon  as  Peter  faw  Derar,  he  called  out  to 
him,  and  faid,  'There's  your  Sijler,  take  her,  and 
much  good  may  fie  do  you  ;  I  make  a  prefent  of 
her  to  you.  Derar  anfwered,  /  thank  you.  Sir,  I 
accept  of  your  kind  Prefent  >  but  I  have  nothiiig 

to 


64  7^^  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Abubeker.  '^  return  you  in  lieu  ofity  but  only  the  Point  of 
Alwakidi.  //,/j  Spear,  therefore  be  pleafed  to  accept  of  it.  At 
the  fame  time,  Caulah  ftruck  the  Legs  of  his 
Horfe,  and  brought  him  down.  Derar  took  him 
as  he  fell,  and  ftruck  him  through  and  through, 
and  cut  offhis  Head,  and  put  it  upon  his  Lance. 
Then  all  the  Saracens  fell  on,  and  fought  till 
they  had  killed  three  thoufand  Men.  The  reft 
ran  away,  and  the  Saracens  purfued  them  to  the 
Gates  of  Damafcus,  and  returned  enriched  with 
Plunder,  Horfes  and  Armour.  Caled  now 
thought  it  high  time  to  return  to  Ahu  Obeidah, 
fearing  that  Werdan  fhould  have  fallen  upon 
him.  They  marched  forthwith,  and  as  foon  as 
the  Army  faw  Caled  and  his  Company,  they 
•fhouted  out  an  Allah  Acbar,  and  Caled  anfwer- 
ed  them  again.  When  they  came  up  to  the 
Army,  they  gave  them  a  particular  Account  of 
their  whole  Adventure,  efpecially  the  Battle  of 
the  Women,  with  which  they  made  themfelves 
very  merry.  Then  Caled  called  for  Paul,  who 
was  taken  Prifoner  before,  and  bid  him  turn 
Mahometan,  or  elfe  he  would  ferve  him  as  he 
had  done  his  Brother.  Whafs  that  ^  faid  Faul, 
Why,  fays  Cakd,  I  have  killed  hi?n,  and  here  is 
his  Head.  When  he  faw  the  Head  he  wept,  and 
faid,  that  he  did  not  defira  to  furvive  him : 
Upon  which  C.'^led  commanded  him  to  be  be- 
headed. 

The 


Sjriay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  65 

The  above-mentioned  Saracen  Captains,  which  Abubeker, 

Cakd  wrote  to,  to  meet  him  at  Ajnadm^  pre-  , .-^-.^ 

pared  to  come  as  foon  as  they  had  received  the 
Letter:  And  that  which  was  moft  remarkable, 
was,  though  they  were  at  Places  of  a  different 
Diftance,  yet  they  all  happened  to  meet  there 
the  fame  Day,  being  Friday  the  13^^  of  July^  HegirahXII. 
in  the  Year  633,  which  they  all  interpreted  as  a  *  '  ^^* 
iingular  Providence.  The  Armies  came  within 
Sight  of  one  another,  and  the  Saracens  were 
fomething  at  a  ftand,  when  they  faw  the  Em- 
peror's Army,  confiding  of  no  lefs  than  feventy 
Thoufand.  Thofe  who  had  been  in  Perfia^  and 
feen  the  vaft  Armies  of  Cofroes,  confefled  that 
they  had  never  feen  any  thing  beyond  this, 
either  in  refpe(ft  of  their  Number,  or  Military 
Preparation.  They  fat  down  in  light  of  one 
another  that  Night,  and  early  the  next  Morning 
prepared  for  Battle.  Cakd  rode  about  amongft 
the  Ranks  of  his  Men,  and  told  them,  "  That 
"  they  now  faw  the  biggeft  Army  of  the 
**  Greeks,  that  ever  they  were  like  to  fee  ; 
"  That  if  they  came  off  Conquerors,  all  was 
"  their  own,  and  nothing  would  be  able  to 
"  ftand  againfl  them  for  the  time  to  come : 
therefore,  adds  ht.Jight  in  goodeameji,  arid  take 
Religion's  Part :  And  '  be  Jure  that  you  do  not 
turn  your  Backs,  andfi  he  damned  for  your  Fains  ^ 

'^/csr^w,  Chap, VIII.  jf'.i5,i6. 

E  Stand 


66  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Stand  clofe  together,  and  don't  make  any  AJlaiilt, 
Alwakidi.  ^m^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  Word  of  Command ',  and  fee  that 
you  mind  your  Buftnefsy  and  have  your  Wits  and 
your  Hearts  about  you.  Nor  was  Werddn,  on  the 
other  fide,  negligent  in  encouraging  his  Men  to 
do  their  beft.    He  called  his  Officers  together, 
and  faid,  Tou  know  thai  the  Emperor  has  a  great 
Concern  upon  him  for  you,  and  if  you  Jhould 
Jhrink  now  you  come  to  face  your  Enemies,  and 
lofe  the  Field,  'twould  he  fuch  a  Blow,  as  could 
never  more  be  recovered,  and  thefe  Arabs  will 
take  Fofjejfion  of  all,  and  kill  your  Men,  and  make 
Slaves  of  your  Wives  and  Children.    All  is  now 
at  Stake  j  therefore  fland  to  itfioutly,  and  don't 
finch,  but  fight  unanimoufiy  and  courageoufiy  : 
Bejides  we  have  three  to  their  one  for  your  Com^ 
fort,  a?2d  call  upon  Chrifi,  and  he  will  help  you, 
Caled  was  very  apprehenlive  of  that  great  Army, 
and  therefore  was  willing  to  go  to  work  as  wa- 
rily as  he  could.    He  afked  his  Men,  which  of 
them  would  go  and  take  a  View  of  the  Army, 
and  bring  him  an  Account  of  their  Order  and 
Number  ?  Derar,  who  was  never  backward  in 
any  thing  that  belonged  to  a  Soldier,  proffered 
his  Service.  Well  then,  fays  Caled,  thou  JJ:alt  go, 
and  God  go  along  with  thee  j  but  I  charge  thecy 
Derar,  that  thou  do  ?70t  ajfault  them,  ?ior  flrike  a 
Stroke  without  my  Order,  and  fo  be  acceffory  to 
thy  own  Dejiru^ion,  Away  he  goes,  and  views 

their 


Syr  lay  Perjia^  and  ^gypt.  6  7 

their  Order,  their  Arms  and  Standards,  and  Ban-  Abubcken 
ners  difplayed,  and  Colours  flying.  Werdan  caft 
his  Eye  upon  him,  and  imagining  him  to 
be  a  Scout,  fent  a  Party  of  thirty  Horfe  to  feize 
him,  and  bring  him  into  the  Army.  When 
they  advanced,  Derar  ran  away,  and  they  after 
him ;  till  he  had  drawn  them  a  good  way  from 
the  Army,  and  then  he  faced  about,  and  fell 
upon  them  like  a  Lion.  Firft  he  puflied  one 
through  with  his  Lance,  and  then  another;  and 
terrify'd  them,  and  beat  them  grievoufly,  till  of 
thirty  he  had  unhorfed  feventeen.  The  reft  fled 
before  him,  till  they  came  pretty  near  the  Gre- 
cian Camp,  and  then  he  turned  off,  and  came  back 
to  Caled.  Did  not  I  warn  you  not  to  fight  with-- 
out  Order  f  faid  Caled.  Nay,  faid  Derar ,  I  did 
not  begin  firft,  but  they  came  out  to  take  me,  a?id 
I  was  afraid  that  God  JJjould  fee  me  turn  my 
Back  ;  and  indeed  I  fought  in  good  earnefi,  and 
without  doubt  God  afjifted  me  againfi  them  ;  and 
if  it  had  not  been  for  difobeying  your  Order,  1 
Jhould  not  have  come  away  as  I  did-,  and  I  per  ^ 
ceive  already  that  they  will  fall  into  our  Hands, 

Then  Caled  fet  his  Army  in  good  Order. 
Mead  Ebn  Jabal,  and  Nomdn  Ebno' Imokarren 
led  the  Right  Wing ;  and  Said  Ebn  Amer,  and 
Serjabil  Ebn  Hafanah  the  Left.  Tezid  Ebn  Abi 
Sophy  an  with  four  thoufand  Horfe  guarded  the 
Baggage,  Women  and  Children.  Caulah  and 
E  2  Opheirahy 


68  TX^  Saracens  Conqtieft  of 

Abubeker  Qphetrah,  and  feveral  other   Women  of  the 
Alwakldi.  j^.^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  chief  Families  of  the  Arabian 

Tribes,  with  a  great  many  more  of  inferiour 

Note,  prepared  themfelves  for  the  Battle,  Caled 

turned  about  to  them,  and  faid,  Noble  Girls ^ 

ajfure  your  fehes,   that  what  you  do  is  'very  ac» 

ceptable  to  God  and  his  Apojlle^  and  the  Mujle- 

mam\  you  will  hereby  pur  chafe  a  lajling  M<?- 

mory^  and  the  Gates  of  Paradife  will  be  opened 

to  you.    And  affure  your  felves,  that  I  repofe  a 

great  deal  of  Co?ifidence  in  you.    If  any  Party  of 

the  Greeks  fall  upon  you^  fight  for  your  fehes  5 

and  if  you  fee  any  of  the  Mufiemans  turn  his 

Backy  flay  him^  and  afk  him,  whether  he  runs 

from  his  Family  and  Children ;  for  by  this  means 

you  will  encourage  the  Mufiemans  to  fight.  Ophei- 

rah  told  him,  that  they  were  all  ready  to  fight 

till  they  died. 

Then  he  rode  about,    and  encouraged  his 

Men,  and  bid  them  fight  for  the  fake  of  their 

Wives  and  Children,  and  Religion,  and  ftand 

clofe  to  it  J  for  if  they  were  beaten,  they  had 

no  Place  to  efcape  to,  nor  any  thing  left  to  trufl 

to.  After  this  he  went  into  the  main  Body  of 

the  Army,  and  flood  there  with  Amrou  Ebno'l 

Ads^  Ahdorrahmdn  the  Caliph's  Son,  Kais  Eb?i 

Hobeirahj  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah^  and  feveral  other 

Saracens  of  Note.  The  two  Armies  covered  all 

the  Plains :  The  Chriflians  made  a  great  Noife, 

and 


Syriaj  Perjta^  aitd  Egypt,  69 

and  the  Saracens  repeated  as  faft  as  they  could,  Abubeker. 
La  Tlaha  ilia  Allah,  Mohammed  Rejcul  Allah  :  ^l^^'^'^'- 
That  is,  7'here  is  but  otte  God  i  Mahomet  is  the 
Apojile  of  God,  Our  Author  tells  us,  that  jufl 
before  the  Battle  began,  there  came  out  a  grave 
old  Man  from  the  Chriftian  Army,  and  went 
towards  the  Saracens,  and  enquired  for  the  Ge- 
neral. Ca led  czme  forth  to  him,  and  the  old 
Man  afked  him,  if  he  was  the  General  ?  They 
kok  upon  me  asfuch  (faid  Caled)fo  long  as  I  con- 
tinue  in  my  Duty  towards  God,  and  the  Obfer- 
vance  of  what  he  has  left  us  by  his  Prophet  Ma- 
homet of  blejfed  Memory  j  ctherwife  I  have  no 
Command  or  Authority  over  them.  The  old  Man 
told  him,  that  they  were  come  to  invade  a 
Land,  which  had  been  attempted  oftentimes 
before,  but  with  very  ill  Succefs.  That  thofe 
who  had  undertook  the  Conquefl:  of  it,  had 
found  their  Sepultures  in  that  very  Place  where 
they  defigned  to  eredt  their  Empire.  That, 
though  they  had  lately  obtained  a  Vidtory  over 
the  Chriftians,  yet  they  muft  not  expedt  that 
the  Advantage  would  long  continue  on  their 
fide :  That  the  Emperor  had  fent  a  very  nu- 
merous Army :  That  the  General  however  had 
fent  him  to  acquaint  him,  that  if  they  would 
depart  without  any  A£ts  of  Hoflility,  he  would 
prefent  every  Saracen  in  the  Army  with  a  Suit 
of  Cloaths,  a  Turbant,  and  a  Piece  of  Money, 
E  3  and 


70  'The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  and  thc  General  himfelf  with  ten  Suits,  and  an 
^^'  hundred  Pieces.  And  to  their  Mafter  Abubeker, 
the  Caliph,  an  hundred  Suits,  and  a  thoufand 
Pieces,  No,  faid  the  Saracen,  no  Peace,  but  ei- 
ther become  T'ributaries  forthwithy  or  elfe  Maho- 
metans ;  otherwife  the  Sword  mujl  determine  the 
Controverfy  betwixt  us.  And  as  for  your  great 
Army  that  you  /peak  of-,  we  are  promifed  the 
ViSiory  by  our  Prophet  Mahomet,  in  the  Book 
which  wasfent  down  to  him.  And  then  for  your 
Proffer  of  giving  us  Vefis,  I'urbants  and  Money, 
we  JJoall  in  a  fjort  time  be  Majiers  of  all  your 
Cloaths,  and  all  the  good  Things  you  have  about 
you.  Mead  encouraged  the  Saracens  with  the 
Hopes  of  Paradife,  and  the  Enjoyment  of  ever- 
lafting  Life,  if  they  fought  for  the  Caufe  of 
God  and  Religion.  Softly,  faid  Caled,  let  me  get 
them  all  into  good  Order  before  you  fet  them  upon 
fighting.  When  he  had  done  fetting  them  in 
Order,  he  faid.  Look  to  it,  for  your  Enemies  are 
two  to  your  one,  and  there  is  no  breaking  them, 
but  by  out-winding  them.  Hold  out  till  the  Even- 
ing, for  that  is  the  time  in  which  the  Prophet 
obtained  the  Vidtory,  Have  a  care  you  dont  turn 
your  Backs,  for  God  fees  you.  The  Armies  were 
now  come  very  near,  and  the  Armenian  Archers 
(hot  at  the  Saracens,  and  killed  and  wounded 
a  great  many ;  but  Caled  would  not  let  a  Man 
Air,    Dcrar,  at  laft,  impatient  of  Delay,  faid, 

What 


Sj/riay  Per/ta,  and  ^gypt,  71 

What  do  we  Jiand  Jiill  for  ?  I'he  Enemy  w/// Abubeker. 
think  we  are  afraid  of  him ;  prithee  give  us  the 
Word  of  Command^  and  let  7cs  go.  Caled  gave 
him  leave,  and  he  began  the  Battle  5  and  in  a 
little  time  a  great  Part  of  both  the  Armies  were 
engaged,  and  a  great  many  fell  on  both  fides, 
but  more  Chriftians  than  Saracens.  Werdan  per- 
ceiving the  great  Difadvantage  his  Men  labour- 
ed under^  was  in  great  Perplexity,  and  advifed 
with  his  Officers  what  was  bell:  to  be  done.  For 
no  Art  of  a  General,  nor  any  Terms  he  could 
propofe,  were  fufficient  to  encourage  the  Chrift- 
ans  to  fight  fo  defperately  as  the  Saracens,  who 
cared  not  for  their  Lives,  being  all  of  them  fully 
perfwaded,  that  whofoever  was  .killed  in  fight- 
ing for  the  Propagation  of  their  Religion,  fhould 
certainly  receive  a  Crown  of  Martyrdom.  And 
it  is  mofl  true,  that  nothing  will  make  Men  ex- 
pofe  themfelves  unconcernedly  to  the  greatefl 
Dangers,  like  a  Spirit  of  Enthufiafm.  It  was 
agreed,  that  the  befl  thing  they  could  do,  would 
be  to  circumvent  the  General  of  the  Saracens 
by  fome  Stratagem,  which  would  extremely  dif- 
courage  the  reft,  and  facilitate  the  Vidory.  This 
was  attempted  after  this  manner :  A  MefTen- 
ger  was  to  be  fent  to  Caledy  to  defire  him  to 
found  a  Retreat,  and  let  the  Battle  ceafe  for  that 
Day,  and  meet  Werdan  the  next  Morning,  at  a 
certain  Place  within  View  of  both  the  Armies, 
E  4  where 


7  2  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

where  they,   the  two  Generals  alone,  might 
treat,  in  order  to  find  out  fome  Expedient  for 
the  preventing  the  EfFufion  of  fo  much  Blood, 
as  muft  of  necefllty  be  loll:  on  both  fides,  if 
the  War  continued.    There  was  to  be  an  Am- 
bufcade  often  Men  conveniently  placed,  to  feize 
the  Saracen.  The  MefTagc  was  delivered  to  one 
David,  who  was  privy  to  the  Secret.  When  he 
had  received  his  Errand,  he  went  and  enquired 
for  Caled,  who  rode  to  him,  and  with  a  ftern 
Look  prefented  his  Lance.    Sir,  faid  David,  I 
am  no  Soldier,  but  have  only  a  Mejjage  to  deliver 
to  you  j  therefore  pray  turn  your  Latice  away 
whilji  I  am  talking  with  you.  Upon  which  Ca^ 
led  laid  his  Lance  a-crofs  upon  the  Pummel  of 
his  Saddle,  and  faid.  Speak  to  the  Purpofe  then^ 
and  tell  no  Lyes,    So  I  will,  fays  David,  if  you 
mill  promife  me  Security  for  my  f elf  and  my  Fa- 
mily, Which  Caled  had  no  fooner  done,  but  he 
acquainted  him  thoroughly    with  the  whole 
Bufinefs.  Well,  faid  Caled,  go  atid  tell  him,  itjhall 
be  fo,    Prefently  after  Abu  Oheidah  met  Caled^ 
and  obferving  an  unufual  Brifknefs  and  Gaiety 
in  his  Countenance,  aiked  him.  What  was  the 
Matter  ?  Caled  told  him  the  Contrivance,  and 
added,  Jdurjl  venture  to  go  alone,  and  engage  to 
bring  thee  all  their  Heads  along  with  me.    Abu 
Oheidah  told  him,  that  he  was  a  Perfon  likely 
enough  to  do  fuch  a  thing  j  but  fince  the  Pro- 
phet 


Syria^  Perfiay  and  Mgypt.  73 

phet  had  no  where  commanded  them  to  ex-  Abubekcr. 
pofe  themfelves  to  unneceflary  Danger,  he 
would  have  him  take  ten  Men  to  anfwer  them. 
Derar  thought  it  not  the  befl:  way  to  defer  it 
till  the  Morning,  but  was  for  going  that  Even- 
ing to  furprize  that  Ambufcade.  Having  ob- 
tained Leave,  he  went,  after  it  was  dark,  to- 
wards the  Place  whether  Werdan  had  fent  his 
Ambufcade  before.  When  he  came  near,  he, 
ordered  his  Men  to  fland  ftill,  whilil:  he  went 
to  obferve  their  Pofture.  Then  he  put  off  his 
Cloaths  (for  he  was  as  often  ufed  to  go  with- 
out as  with)  and  took  his  Sword,  and  went 
creeping  along,  till  he  came  fo  near  as  to  hear 
them  fnoar,  for  they  were  all  drunk  and  afleep, 
and  their  Arms  lay  under  their  Heads.  Having 
fo  fair  an  Opportunity,  he  had  much  ado  to 
forbear  killing  them  himfelf  j  but  confidering 
that  one  of  them  might  poflibly  awaken  the 
other,  he  came  back,  and  brought  his  Compa- 
nions along  with  him,  who  took  each  of  them 
his  Man,  and  difpatched  the  Ambufcade  with 
all  imaginable  Silence  and  Secrecy.  The  next 
thing  to  be  done,  was  to  ftrip  thefe  Men,  and 
put  on  their  Cloaths,  for  fear  any  of  the  Greeks 
fhould  chance  to  come  by  the  Place,  and  fee- 
ing them  in  their  Arabian  Habit,  make  a  Dif- 
covery.  Derar  told  them,  that  it  was  a  good 
Omen,  and  that  he  did  not  at  all  queftion  but 
that  God  would  fulfil  his  Promife  to  them. 

About 


74  "^he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  About  break  of  Day,  Caled  faid  the  Morn- 
Alwakidi.  pj.^y^j.  jj^  jj^g  Camp,  and  drew  up  his  Army  in 
order  of  Battle  :  Then  he  put  on  a  yellow  Silk 
Vefl  and  a  green  Turbant.  As  foon  as  the 
Chriftians  faw  the  Saracens  in  order,  Werdan 
fent  an  Horfeman,  who  rode  up  to  the  Front  . 
of  the  Saracen  Army,  and  cried  out,  Heark  ye^ 
you  Arabians ;  Is  this  fair  Play  ?  Have  you  fir-  • 
got  your  Agreement  you  made  with  us  Tejlerday  ? 
Howl  faid  Caled ^  what!  charge  us  with  Breach 
of  Protnife  ?  The  General,  anfwered  the  Meffen- 
ger,  expeSis  you  Jhould  be  as  good  as  your  Word, 
and  meet  him^  in  order  to  treat  of  a  Peace,  Go 
and  tell  him,  fays  Caled,  that  I  amjufl  a  coming. 
Quickly  after,  Caled  faw  Werdan  go  out  upon 
a  Mule,  very  richly  dreffed  and  adorned  with 
Gold  Chains  and  precious  Stones.  Hahl  fays 
he,  this  will  be  all  ours  by  and  by,  if  it  pleafe 
God.  Then  he  went  after  him,  and  when  he 
was  almoll:  at  him,  they  both  alighted.  When 
Werdan  had  drawn  him  pretty  near  the  Place 
where  the  Ambufh  lay ;  they  fat  down  oppo- 
fite  to  one  another  to  difcourfe,  but  Werdan  ftill 
ftill  kept  his  Hand  upon  the  Hilt  of  his  Sword, 
for  fear  the  Saracen  {hould  chance  to  fall  upon 
him  on  a  fudden.  Come,  fays  Caled,  now  let  us 
hear  what  you  have  to  fay ;  but  be  fure  you  deal 
fairly,  and  like  a  Man,  and  tell  no  Lyes  -,  for  it 
does  not  at  all  become  Men  in  eminent  Stations  to 

deal 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  Mgypt,  y^ 

deal  deceitfully^  atjd  ufe  Tricks.  What  I  dejire  of  hhwhtkcv, 
you,  faid  Werdan,  is,  that  you  would  let  us  know  ^^  '  '* 
*what  you-  would  have,  and  come  to  fome  reafona- 
ble  Terms,  that  we  may  have  Peace,  and  live  at 
quiet  on  both  Sides  -,  and  whatfoever  you  dejire  of 
us,  we  will  give  you  freely,  for  we  know  that  you 
are  a  poor  fort  of  People,  and  live  in  a  barren 
Country,  and  in  great  Scantinefs  and  Scarcity  ; 
therefore  if  a  fmall  Matter  will  content  you,  we 
will  give  it  you  willingly.  Alas!  for  thee,  thou 
Chrijlidn  Dog,  faid  Caled,  we  blefs  God  that  he 
has  provided  a  great  deal  better  for  us  than  to 
live  upon  your  Charity,  and  what  you  pleafe  to 
fpare ;  for  he  has  given  all  that  you  have  freely 
to  us,  nay  even  your  Wives  and  your  Children  to 
be  divided  among Ji  us,  unlefs  you  can  fay,  LA 
I L  A  H  A,  ^c.  There  is  but  one  God,  Mahomet 
is  the  Apoftle  of  God  :  Or  if  you  do  not  like  that, 
pay  Tribute,  If  that  will  not  do,  then  let  the 
Sword  determine  between  us,  and  God  give  the 
ViBory  to  which  Side  he  pleafes.  There  are  no 
other  Terms  to  he  had  of  us.  As  for  your  talking 
of  Peace  to  us,  we  for  our  parts  take  more  De- 
light in  War ;  and  for  your  faying  that  we  are 
fuch  a  contemptible  People,  I  would  have  you 
know  that  we  reckon  you  no  better  than  Dogs. 
Tou  fee  I  don't  talk  like  a  Man  that  is  much  in- 
clined to  Peace  ;  and  if  the  Meaning  of  your  call- 
ing me  hither,  was,  that  you  might  have  me  alo?ie ; 

here 


76  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

here  we  are  in  a  Place  by  ourfehes,  far  enough 
both  from  my  Army  and  yours  :  Come  and  fight 
with  me  if  you  dare.    Immediately  upon  this, 
Werdan  rofe  up,  but  trufting  to  the  Ambufcade, 
made  no  hafte  to  draw  his  Sword,   Caled  feized 
him  forthwith,,  and  {hook  him,   and  turned 
him  about  every  way.  Then  he  cried,  Come  out^ 
come  hither^  this  Arab  hasfeiz'd  me^   Affoon  as 
they  heard  his  Voice,  they  came  forth,  and 
Werdan,  at  firft  Sight,  took  them  to  be  his  own 
Men ;  but  when  they  came  nearer,  and  he  faw 
Derar  before  them,  with  nothing  on  but  a  Pair 
of  Breeches,  and  (baking  his  Sword  at  him,  he 
began  to  be  extreamly  uneafy,  and  faid  to  Caledy 
I  beg  of  you  not  to  deliver  me  into  the  Hands  of  that 
'  Devil',  I  hate  the  Sight  of  him,  it  was  he  that 
killed  my  Son,  Caled  {vj ore  by  God,  that  when  he 
came  up,  he  would  kill  him  too.   By  this  time 
Derar  was  come  up,  and  faid.  Now  thou  curfed 
Wretch,  what  is  become  of  thy  Deceit,  with 
which  thou  wouldfi  have  enfnared  the  Companions 
of  the  Apojile  ofGod^   And  was  juft  a  going  to 
kill  him.    Hold,  faid  Caled ^  let  him  alone  till  I 
give  you  the  Word,    When  he  faw  himfelf  in 
the   midft  of  his  Enemies,  he  fell  upon  the 
Ground,  and  began  to  cry  garter:  But  Caled 
anfwered,  La  Amdn  ilia  Be'imdn  j  No  ^larter^ 
(or  Security)  where  there  is  no  Faith  kept,    Tou 

'  Arab.  Shalt h an. 

pretended 


Syriuy  Perjtay  and  j^gypt,  77 

fret  ended  to  Peace  ^  and  at  the  fame  time  de-  Abubeker. 
Jigned  to  murder  me  treacheroujly.  The  Word  ^Alwakidi. 
was  no  fooner  out  of  his  Mouth,  but  Derar 
flruck  his  Head  off.  Then  they  ftript  him,  and 
put  his  Head  upon  the  Point  of  Cakd's  Lance, 
and  marched  towards  the  Army.  As  foon 
as  the  Chriftians  efpied  them,  they  thought 
they  had  been  their  own  Men,  and  that  PFer- 
ddn  had  brought  the  Saracen's  Head  along 
with  him.  The  Saracens  thought  fo  too,  and 
were  under  great  Concern  for  Caled,  AfToon  as 
ever  they  came  near,  they  charged  the  Chriftians, 
and  Abu  Oheidah  (who  commanded  the  Army 
in  Cakd's  Abfence)  knew  them,  and  told  his 
Men.  Then  they  fell  on,  and  engaged  in  all  Parts 
with  all  the  Vigour  imaginable.  The  Fight,  or 
rather  the  Slaughter,  continued  till  Evening, 
The  Chriftian  Army  was  entirely  routed  and  de- 
feated. The  Saracens  killed  that  Day  fifty  thou- 
fand  Men.  Thofe  that  efcaped  fled,  fome  of 
them  to  Ccefarea,  others  to  Damafcus^  and  fome 
to  Antioch.  The  Saracens  took  Plunder  of  in- 
eftimable  Value,  and  a  great  many  Banners,  and 
Crofles  made  of  Gold  and  Silver,  precious  Stones, 
Silver  and  Gold  Chains,  rich  Cloaths,  and  Arms 
without  Number  i  which  Caled  faid  he  would 
not  divide  till  Damafcm  was  taken.  Upon  this 
Caled  fends  a  MeflTenger  with  the  following  Let- 
ter, to  ^^«W^r  the  Caliph. 

In 


7  8  n^e  Sarace?ts  Conqueft  of 

Abubeker.       In  the  Name  of  the  moji  merciful  God. 

Alw^Udi.  <c  Pj.oj„  the  Servant  of  God,  Caled  Ebn  JVa- 
"  led,  to  the  Succeflbr  of  the  Apoftle  of  God, 
*'  upon  whom  be  the  Bleffing  of  God,  I  praife 
"  God,  who  is  the  only  God,  and  there  is  none 
"  other  befides  him  j  and  I  pray  for  his  Prophet 
"  Mahomet,  upon  whom  be  the  Bleffing  of  God : 
"  And  I  praife  him,  and  give  Thanks  to  him 
"  ftill  more,  for  his  delivering  the  True  Believers, 
"  and  deftroying  the  Idolaters,  and  extinguifli- 
"  ing  the  Light  of  thofe  that  err.  I  acquaint 
"  thee,  O  Emperor  of  the  Faithful,  that  we  met 
"  with  the  Grecian  hxmy  2XAjnadm,  with  Wer- 
"  dan  the  Prefed  of  Hems;  and  they  fwore  by* 
"  Chrift,  that  they  would  not  run  away,  nor 
"  turn  their  Backs,  though  they  were  killed  to 
"  the  lafl  Man :  So  we  fell  upon  them,  calling 
t*  upon  God,  and  trufting  upon  him,  and  God 
«*  fupported  us,  and  gave  us  the  Vidtory,  and  our 
"  Enemies  were  decreed  to  be  overcome,  and 
"  we  killed  them,  on  all  Sides,  to  the  Number 
**  of  fifty  thoufand  Men  j  and  we  loft  of  the 
**  Muflemans  in  two  Battles,  four  hundred  and 
*'  feventy-four  Men ;  and  this  Letter  is  written 
"  on  the  fifth  Day  of  the  Week,  being  the  thir- 
"  tieth  of  the  fird  Jomddah ;  and  we  are  now 
'*  returning  to  Damafcus,  if  it  pleafe  God.  Pray 
**  for  our  Succefs  and  Profperity.  Farewell.  The 

*  Arab,  B!ili?uhim,  'u  e.  by  their  Religion, 

**  Peace 


Syriay  Perfm,  and  Mgypt,  79 

«*  Peace  and  BlelTing  of  God  be  upon  thee  and     Abubeker, 
««  all  the  Muflemans. 

As  foon  as  the  Meflenger  told  the  Caliph  the 
News,  he  fell  down  and  worfhipped  God.  Then 
he  opened  the  Letter,  and  read  it  over  firft  to 
himfelf,  and  then  to  thofe  that  were  about  him. 
The  News  immediately  flew  through  all  the 
Country ;  and  the  hungry  Arabians  came  throng- 
ing to  iiff^/W/6,  to  beg  Leave  of  the  Caliph  to 
go  into  Syria,  all  of  them  expeding  great  Places 
and  large  Polfeffions,  and  were  very  willing  to 
exchange  the  uncultivated  Defartsof  y^r^^/^  Pe- 
trcea,   for  the  Delicacies  of  Damafcm,    Omar 
did  by  no  means  approve  of  their  Motion,  but 
faid  ioAbubeker,  "You  know  what  fort  of  Fel- 
"  lows  thefe  were  to  us,  when  time  was :  When 
"  they  were  able  to  oppofe  us,  and  we  were 
**  but  few  in  Number,  they  endeavoured,  to  the 
"  utmoft  of  their  Power,  to  ruin  our  Religion, 
**  and  put  out  the  Light  of  Godj  and  when 
«*  they  did  turn,  it  v^^as  only  to  fave  themfelves  j 
«'  and  now  they  fee  God  has  been  pleafed  to  blefs 
"  our  Forces  with  Succefs,  they  are  willing  to 
"  (hare  in  the  Spoil,  and  they'll  go  and  make  a 
"  Difturbance  among  thofe  who  have  got  it  with 
"  their  Swords.    Therefore  I  pray  let  none  of 
"  them  go  J  but  let  thofe  that  have  won  it,  wear 
**  it.  *•    Abubeker  was  of  his  Mind.  As  foon  as 
the  Inhabitants  of  Meccah  heard  it,  they  were 

greatly 


8o  Hoe  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  g^atly  concerned,  and  thought  themfelves  very 
AlwaM.  ^  much  affronted.  Some  of  the  Coreiftce  (a  noble 
Tribe  among  the  Arabs^  and  which  had  violent- 
ly oppofed  Mahomet  at  his  fir  ft  fetting  out,  and 
made  him  flee  from  Meccah  to  Medinah)  came 
in  a  Body,  to  make  their  Complaint  to  Abubeker 
the  Caliph,  whom  they  found  fitting  with  fome 
Muflemans,  and  Ali  on  his  Right-Hand,  and 
Omar  on  his  Left.  When  they  had  paid  due  Re- 
verence to  the  Caliph,  Abu  Sophyan  accofiied 
Omar  after  this  manner.  It  is  true^  in  the  Times. ' 
of  Ignorance y  there  ufed  to  be  Clafiing  and  Diffe^ 
rence  among Ji  us-,  and  we  did  what  we  could  a- 
gainjl  you^  and  you  the  like  to  us,  Butnowjince 
it  has  f  leafed  God  to  diredi  us  both  into  the  true 
Religion^  that  ought  to  dejiroy  all  Hatred  andA- 
nimojities  between  us.  For  the  Faith  dejlroys  Ha^ 
tred  and  Variance,  as  well  as  Idolatry,  And  yet 
you  continue  your  Hatred  Jlill,  notwithjlanding 
we  are  your  Brethren  in  Religion,  and  your  near 
Relatiofis  befides.  What  is  the  Meaning  of  this 
Spite  both  formerly  and  now  f  Is  it  not  time  to 
purify  your  Hearts  from  Envy  ?  That  you  did 
come  into  the  Frofejjion  of  the  true  Religion  before 
us  we  confefsy  and  are  willing,  upon  that  fcore^ 
to  pay  you  all  the  RefpeB  which  is  due.  Having 
faid  thus,  he  held  his  Peace,  and  Arak  com- 
mended him,  and  feconded  him.  Then  Abu 
Sophyan  defired  the  Caliph  and  all  the  Muflemans 
'  So  thev  call  all  the  Time  before  Mahomet. 

to 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  ^gypt,  8 1 

to  bear  witnefs,  that  he  took  upon  himfelf  freely  Abubeker 
to  fight  for  the  Caufe  of  God:  The  like  did  all  ^JJ^ 
the  Chief  of  Meccah  which  were  prefent.  This 
fatisfied  the  Caliph,  and  made  him  be  content  to 
let  them  go.  Upon  which  he  prayed  to  God  to 
confirm  them  in  their  good  Refolutions,  and  blefs 
them  with  anfwerable  Succefs.  Then  he  wrote 
a  Letter  to  Caled,  in  which  he  acquainted  him, 
that  he  had  received  his  with  great  Satisfaction ; 
and  that  he  had  fent  to  him  fome  of  the  Chief 
of  Meccah,  and  the  adjacent  Country,  particu- 
larly Amrou  Ebn  Maadi,  and  Malek  Alafitar: 
And  ordered  him,  after  he  had  conquered  Da- 
mafcus,  to  go  on  to  HetnSy  Mearrah,  and  Anti- 
och ;  and  bid  him  be  kind  to  the  Muflemans,  and 
think  upon  Mortality,  and  fo  concluded.  When 
he  had  done,  he  fealed  it  with  Mahomet's  Seal, 
and  delivered  it  to  Abdorrhmdn,  the  fame  that 
brought  him  the  Letter  from  Cakd. 

When  Caled  fent  the  Letter  to  Abubeker,  he 
was  upon  his  March  from  Ajnadin  to  Damn  feus. 
The  poor  Inhabitants  had  heard  the  lamentable 
News  of  the  Lofs  of  the  Emperor  s  General  and 
Army.  In  the  mean  time,  whilll  the  Saracens 
were  abfent,  a  great  many  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  neighbouring  Villages,  to  fecure  themfelves, 
got  into  Damafcus,  The  Return  of  the  Saracens 
was  exped:ed  daily,  and  all  manner  of  Warlike 
Preparation  was  made  for  the  enduring  a  Siege. 
F  Their 


8  2  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Their  Engines  were  planted  upon  the  Walls,  and 
Alwikidi.  Banners  difplayed.  In  a  little  time  their  Hearts 
akcd,  when  they  faw  the  Saracens  appear  with  a 
formidable  Army,  fluflied  with  Succefs,  and  en- 
riched with  the  Spoils  of  their  Countrymen  and 
Neighbours.  Amrou  Ehnol  Ads  led  the  Front, 
confiding  of  above  nine  thoufand  Horfe.  After 
him  came  Abu  Sophyan  with  two  thoufand :  Then 
Serjabil  Ebn  Hafanah  (who  was  one  of  Maho- 
tnefs  Secretaries  when  he  wrote  ih^  Alcoran:) 
After  him  Omar  Ebn  Rebiyah.  C^/^-i  marched 
in  the  Rear,  and  brought  up  the  reft  of  the 
Army  under  the  Standard  of  the  Black  Eagle. 
When  they  were  within  a  Mile  of  the  City, 
Caled  called  all  the  Generals  together,  and  gave 
them  their  refpedive  Charges,  and  faid  to  APu 
Obeidahy  "  You  know  very  well  the  Villainy  and 
"  Deceit  of  thefe  People,  and  how  they  came 
"  and  fell  upon  our  Rear,  as  we  were  in  our 
"  March  to  Ajnadin,  Have  a  care  of  them  there- 
"  fore,  and  don't  be  fo  favourable,  nor  agree  to 
**  give  them  Security,  for  they  will  certainly 
"  play  fome  Trick  with  you.  Go  and  fit  down 
<*  before  the  Gate  Jabiyah^  at  a  good  Diftance, 
'*  and  affault  them  frequently,  and  don't  let  the 
*'  Length  of  the  Time  make  you  uneafy,  for 
"  Vidory  is  the  Reward  of  Patience."  Abu 
Obeidah  went  according  to  Order,  and  pitched 
his  Tent,  which  was  made  of  Hair  i  for  he  would 

by 


Sjria^  Perjja^  and  JEgypt.  83 

by  no  means  fufFer  them  to  fet  up  one  of  thofe  Abubeker. 
rich  Tents  which  they  had  taken  from  the  Greeks 
^iAjfjadm.  Which  my  Author  fays,  "  Proceed- 
"  ed  from  his  great  Humility  to  God,  and  the 
"  '  Shortnefs  of  his  Hope,  and  that  he  might 
"  not  pleafe  himfelf  with  the  gay  Things  of  this 
*'  World,  and  the  Poffeflions  of  it.  For  they  did 
*'  not  fight  for  Dominion,  but  in  hopes  of  re- 
"  ceiving  a  Reward  from  God,  and  having  their 
"  Portion  in  a  future  State.  And  they  ufed  to 
"  fet  thofe  Tents  and  Spoil  which  they  had  ta- 
**  ken,  at  a  great  Diftance  from  them  j  and  if 
**  at  any  time  they  found  any  Viduals  of  the 
*'  Chriftians,  they  would  not  eat  it,  becaufe 
*•  the  Name  of  God  was  not  mentioned  over  it 
**  when  it  was  killed.*'  Abu  Sophyan  was  placed 
over  againft  the  Little  Gate ;  Serjabil  Ebn  Ha-- 
fanah  at  St.  T'homas's,  Gate  with  2000  Horfe; 
Amrou  Ebri  ol  Aas  at  Paradife  Gate;  Kais  Ebn 
Hobeirah  fat  down  before  the  Gate  Kaifdn, 
There  was  another,  which  was  called  St.  Mark's 
Gate;  where  there  never  was  any  fighting, 
(whether  becaufe  of  the  Incommodioufnefs  of 
the  Place,  or  for  what  other  Reafon,  I  know 
not)  which  upon  that  Account  was  called  Bao'b- 
'fsaldmah,  T'he  Gate  of  Peace.  After  he  had 
given  Orders,   he  went  himfelf  and  fat  down 

•  Arab.  Kefra'laml. 

F  2  before 


Ahubeker 
Alwakidi. 


84  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

before  the  Eaft  Gate.  Then  he  called  Derar  to 
him  ;  and  gave  him  the  Command  of  two  thou- 
find  Horfe,  and  ordered  him  to  keep  riding 
round  about  the  Camp,  and  never  ftand  flill 
long  in  any  Place,  for  fear  any  Succours  fliould 
come  from  the  Emperor,  and  furprize  the  Camp: 
And  (fays  he)  if  they  be  too  hard  for  thee^  fend 
to  ine^  and  Til  help  thee.  Ifuppofe  then  (faid  De- 
rar) that  I  am  to  fi  and  flill  the  mean  while!  No, 
no^  (faid  Caled)  I  don't  mean  fo  neither.  There 
were  none  of  the  Saracens  on  Horfe-back,  but 
thofe  which  were  with  Derar y  whofe  Bufinefs 
it  was  to  ride  round  the  Camp,  and  guard  it :  For 
the  Saracens,  if  they  engaged  Horfe,  ufed  their 
Horfes:  If  otherwile,  they  for  the  moft  part 
fought  on  Foot.  Caled  having  thus  formed  his 
Siege,  the  next  Morning  early  the  Befieged  fal- 
Hed  out,  and  the  Fight  continued  till  the  Even- 
ing. That  fame  Day  Caled  received  Abubekers 
Letter,  and  after  the  Fight  was  over,  fent  it  to 
the  Generals,  who  were  ported  at  the  feveral 
Gates. 

The  poor  Inhabitants  perceiving  themfelves 
now  befieged  in  good  earned,  began  to  think  of 
coming  to  Terms,  and  rather  fubmit  to  pay  Tri- 
bute, and  fo  fecure  their  Lives  and  Fortunes, 
than  by  ftanding  it  out,  expofe  themfelves  to 
inevitable  Death.  The  chief  of  them  met,  and 
a  confiJerable  part  of  them  were  very  much  in- 
clined 


Syria,  Perjia,  and  ^gypt.  85 

clincdtofurrender.  T'/6(5«7^i,  the  Emperor's  Son-   Abubek 
in-law,  lived  then  in  Damajcus^  but  as  a  private   Ahvak^ 
Man,  not  in  any  Commiffion  ;  for  though  the 
Emperor  had  offered  him  honourable  Ports,  he 
refufed  to  accept  of  any  Employment^  but  was 
neverthelefs  a  Perfon  of  great  Courage,  and  an 
excellent  Soldier.    Out  of  Refped  to  his  Quality 
and  Abilities,  the  Citizens  thought  it  advifeable 
to  do  nothing  rashly,  without  having  firft  con- 
fulted  him.    When  they  came  to  his  Palace,  he 
feemed  to  wonder,  That  thefe  vile  Arabs,  poor 
Wretches,  naked  and  barefoot ,  and  far  from  com- 
pletely  armed,  Jhould  be  able  to  put  them  infuch  a 
Confternation.    He  told  them,   nat  the  Arabs 
ijoere  Majiers  of  no  Courage,  but  what  was  wholly 
owing  to  their  Fear :    That  there  was  a  great 
deal  of  Difference,  both  in  refpeSl  of  Number, 
Arms,  and  every  thing  elfe  that  made  an  Army 
conjiderable,  between  them  and  the  Damafcens. 
Adding,  That  they  had  no  Reafon  to  defpair  of  the 
ViBory,    The  Citizens  told  him,  with  Submif- 
fion,  that  he  was  under  a  great  Miftake  :    For 
the  late  Vi Tories  of  the  Arabs  had  furnified  them 
very  well  with  Arms.    Befides,  (faid  they)  they 
all  fight  like  mad  Men-,  for  they  encounter  us  na- 
ked, or  any  way,  though  under  never  fo  great  Dif 
advantages ',  for  they  ftedfaftly  believe,  that  ever^ 
one  of  their  own  Men  that  is  killed,  paffes  imme- 
diately to  Paradife,  and  every  one  of  ours  to  Hell, 
F  3  and 


86  7"/5f?  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  ^^d  this  makcs  them  defperate.  To  which  'tho- 
Aiwakidi^.^  w^i  anfwered,  T^hat  it  was  plain  'from  thence, 
that  they  had  no  true  Courage,  who  were  forced 
to  make  ufe  offuch  an  Artifice  to  encourage  them- 
f elves  to  fight.  Well,  Sir,  faid  they,  if  you  will 
be  pleafed  to  help  us,  and  put  us  in  a  way  to  make 
a  Defence,  we  Jloall  be  at  your  Service,  otherwife 
we  muflfurrender.  I'homas  was  afraid  they  (hould 
be  in  earneft  j  and,  after  a  little  Paufe,  he  pro- 
mifed  to  go  out  with  them  the  next  Morning. 

They  kept  Watch  all  the  Night,  and  fupplied 
the  Abfence  of  the  Sun  with  numberlefs  Lights 
placed  in  the  Turrets.  The  Saracens  were  en- 
couraging one  another  to  do  their  utmoft  againft 
the  Enemies  of  God,  as  they  ufed  to  call  all  but 
themfelves.  In  the  Morning  early  they  prepared 
for  Battle ;  and  the  Saracens  were  ready  to  make 
a  General  Aflault.  All  the  Generals  faid  their 
Prayers  among  their  Men,  and  Caled  bad  them 
hold  out,  for  theyJJmdd  refi  after  Death  j  adding, 
^hat  is  the  befiRefi  which  fiall  never  be  fucceeded 
by  any  Labour.  Thomas  was  ready  in  the  Morn- 
ing, and  jufl  as  he  was  a  going  out,  they  fet  up  a 
Crucifix  at  the  Gate,  and  the  Bifhop,  attended 
with  fome  other  of  the  Clergy,  brought  the  New 
Teftament,  and  placed  it  at  a  little  Diftance  from 
the  Crucifix.  As  Thomas  went  out  at  the  Gate, 
he  laid  his  Hand  upon  the  Cover  of  the  Tefta- 

menr, 


Alwiikidi. 


ment,  and  faid,  0  Godl  if  our  Religion  be  true^  Abubeker. 
help  us,  and  deliver  us  not  into  the  Hand  of  our 
'Enemies ;  but  overthrow  the  Oppreffor,  for  thou 
hjoweji  hitn.  O  God,  help  thofe  which  profejs  the 
I'ruth,  and  are  in  the  right  way,  Serjabil  heard 
him  fay  fomething,  but  could  not  tell  what ; 
and  when  Rornanus  (who  was  the  treacherous 
Governour  of  Bofira,  and  ufed  to  be  their  In- 
terpreter) had  explained  it  to  him,  he  was  very 
angry,  and  cried  out  j  nou  liefi,  thou  Enemy  of 
Godl  for  Jefus  is  of  no  more  account  with  God 
than  Adam.  He  created  him  out  of  the  Dufi,  and 
made  him  a  living  Man^  walking  upon  the  Earth, 
and  afterwards  raifed  him  to  Heaven.  The  Battle 
was  joined  forthwith,  and  Thomas  fought  admi- 
rably well;  he  was  an  incomparable  Archer,  and 
(hot  a  great  many  of  the  Saracens.  Among  the 
reft  he  wounded  Abdn  Ebn  Said  with  a  poifon- 
ed  Arrow.  Abdn  drew  out  the  Arrow,  and  un- 
folding his  Turban,  bound  up  the  Wound.  But 
he  quickly  felt  the  Effect  of  the  Poifon  in  his 
Body,  and  not  being  able  to  hold  up  any  longer, 
was  carried  into  the  Camp,  where  his  Friends 
would  by  all  means  unbind  the  Wound,  to  drefs 
it ;  but  he  told  them,  if  they  did,  he  fhould  die 
inftantly.  Which  accordingly  happened,  for 
they  had  no  fooner  opened  it,  but  he  immediate- 
ly langui{hed ;  and  when  he  could  fpeak  no  long- 
er, continued  teftifying,  by  Signs,  the  Stedfaft- 
F  4  nefs 


S6  77je  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

>ubeker.  "e^s  of  his  Belief  in  God  and  Mahomet,  He  was 
newly  married  j  no  longer  ago  than  when  the  Sa- 
racens were  at  Ajnadin^  to  a  brave  Virago,  one 
of  the  fighting  fort,  who  could  ufe  a  Bow  and 
Arrows  very  well.  As  foon  as  fhe  heard  the 
News  of  his  Death,  (he  came  running  in  great 
Hafte ;  and  when  {he  faw  him,  flie  bore  it  with 
admirable  Patience,  and  faid,  Happy  art  thou^ 
my  Dear,  thou  art  gone  to  thy  Lord,  who  firft 
joined  us  together,  and  then  parted  m  a/under : 
I  will  revenge  thy  Death,  and  endeavour  to  the 
utmoji  of  my  Power  to  come  to  the  Place  where 
thou  art,  becaufe  I  love  thee.  Henceforth  Jl:all  no 
Man  ever  touch  me  more,  for  I  have  dedicated 
myfelf  to  the  Service  of  God.  Then  they  wa{hed 
him  (as  is  their  Cuftom)  and  buried  him  forth- 
with, with  the  ufual  Solemnities.  She  never 
wept  nor  wail'd,  but  with  a  Courage  above  what 
could  be  expeded  from  the  Weaknefs  of  her 
Sex,  armed  herfelf  with  his  Weapons,  and  went 
into  the  Battle  without  Caled's  notice.  When 
file  came  into  the  Field,  flie  afked  whereabouts 
it  was  that  Abdn  was  kill'd.  They  told  her,  over 
againR  St.Thomas's  Gate,  and  that  Thomas,  the 
Emperor's  Son-in-law,  was  the  Man  that  did  it. 
Away  (he  went  towards  the  Place,  and  with 
the  tirft  Arrow  fliot  the  Standard-bearer  in  the 
Hand.  The  Standard  fell  down,  and  the  Sara- 
cens indantly  fnatch'd  it  up,  and  carried  it  oif. 

Thomas 


Syr i ay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  89 

l^homas  was  grievoufly  concerned  at  the  Lofs  of  Abubeker. 
the  Standard,  and  laid  about  him  furioufly,  and  Alwakidi. 
ordered  his  Men  to  look  about  them  narrowly, 
to  fee  if  they  could  find  it  any  where,  and  retake 
it,  if  poffible.  When  the  Saracens  that  had  it 
iaw  themfelves  hard  befet,  they  (hifted  it  from 
one  to  another,  till  it  came  to  Serjabil'*%  Hands. 
The  Damafcens  followed  T^homas  with  a  great 
deal  of  Courage  and  Vigour,  and  there  began  a 
moft  bloody  Battle  j  and  all  the  while  the  En- 
gines played  from  the  Walls  upon  the  Saracens, 
and  threw  Stones  and  Arrows  as  thick  as  Hail, 
They  plied  them  fo  well  from  the  Walls,  that 
the  Saracens  were  forced  to  retreat,  and  fight  out 
of  the  reach  of  the  Engines.  Thomas  at  laft  fpied 
the  Standard  in  Serjabil'%  Hand,  and  made  up  to 
him,  and  fell  upon  him  like  a  Lion.  Upon  which 
Serjabil  threw  the  Standard  away,  and  engaged 
his  Adverfary.  Whilft  they  were  fighting,  and 
every  one  admired  T'homas's  Valour,  Abdn\^i{e 
faw  him,  and  afked  who  it  was :  They  told  her, 
it  was  the  fame  Man  that  killed  her  Hufband. 
As  foon  as  (he  heard  that,  (he  levelled  an  Ar- 
row at  him,  and  (hot  him  into  the  Eye  5  fo  that 
he  was  forced  to  retire  into  the  City.  The  Sa- 
racens followed  him  clofe,  and  killed  three  hun- 
dred in  the  Purfuit,  and  would  have  gone  after 
him  further,  but  they  durft  not  for  the  En- 
gines. 

Thomas 


90  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

ubekcr.  ^homas  had  his  Eye  drefled,  but  would  by  no 
means  be  perfwaded  to  go  to  his  Houfe,  though 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  intreated  him  very 
much,  and  told  him,  that  there  was  no  Good 
to  be  done  with  thefe  Arabs,  but  that  the  beft 
way  would  be  to  furrender  the  Town.  But  he, 
being  a  Man  of  undaunted  Courage  and  Refo- 
lution,  faid,  they  fhould  not  come  off  fo  j  that 
they  fhould  not  take  his  standard,  and  put  his 
Eye  out  unrevenged.  He  confidered  what  a 
Refledion  it  would  be  upon  his  Honour,  and 
how  the  Emperor  would  look  upon  it,  if  he 
fhould  fufFer  himfelf  to  be  difheartned  and 
daunted  by  the  Arabs,  The  Battle  continued 
till  Night  parted  them  j  I'homas  all  the  while 
continued  in  the  Gate,  meditating  Revenge. 
When  it  was  dark,  he  fent  for  the  Chief  Men 
of  the  City,  and  not  at  all  daunted,  faid  to  them. 
Look  ye,  you  have  to  do  with  a  People,  who  have 
neither  good  Manners,  nor  Religion,  nor  any 
Faith  or  Honejiy  belonging  to  them,  (for  which 
Words  my  Author  is  very  angry  with  him, 
and  gives  him  an  hearty  ^  Curfe)  and  if  they 
Jhould  make  any  Agreement  with  you,  and  give 
you  Security,  they'll  never  Jiand  to  their  Word, 
but  lay  the  Country  wajle:  And  how  can  you  bear 
to  fee  what  is  dearejl  to  you  invaded,  and  your 

'  Arab.  Kadaha' lldin  Achzaho'lldh  ;  that  is.  The  accurf- 
ed  (meaning  Thomas)  lyed,  God  confound  him. 

poor 


Syria^  Ferfta^  and  ^gypt-  91 

foor  Childrm  made  Slaves,  and  your  fekes  turned  Abubeker. 
out  of  Houfe  and  Harbour,  and  deprived  of  all  Alwalddi. 
the  Conveniencies  of  Life  ?  They  told  him,  they 
were  ready  at  his  Service,  either  to  fight  upon 
the  Walls,  or  to  fally.  Then  he  ordered  them 
every  Man  to  make  ready  with  all  poflible 
fpeed  and  all  the  Silence  imaginable,  that  they 
might  not  give  the  leaft  Alarm  to  the  Saracens. 
All  the  armed  Men  were  drawn  up  at  the  feveral 
Gates,  and  upon  a  Signal  given  by  one  fingle 
Stroke  upon  a  Bell,  the  Gates  were  all  opened 
at  the  fame  inftant  5  the  Chriftians  (fome  few 
only  excepted,  who  were  left  to  fecure  the 
Gates  and  the  Walls)  fallied  out  all  together, 
and  poured  in  upon  the  Saracen  Camp  like  a 
Torrent,  in  hopes  of  finding  them  wounded  and 
tired,  and  altogether  unprovided  to  receive  (o 
vigorous  an  Attack.  The  whole  Camp  was  im- 
mediately alarmed  j  and  as  foon  as  Caled  knew 
it,  he  faid,  O  God,  ivho  never  JJeepeJi,  look  upon 
tJjy  Servants,  and  do  7iot  deliver  them  into  the 
Hands  of  their  Enemies.  Then  he  ordered  Phel- 
jdn  Ebn  Zeydd  to  fupply  his  Place,  and  rode 
with  four  hundred  Men  as  faft  as  he  could,  and 
the  Tears  lay  upon  his  Cheeks  for  the  Concern 
he  had  upon  him  for  his  dear  Saracens.  The 
Care  of  Serjabil  and  Abu  Obeidah  made  him 
very  anxious,  being  well  aware  of  T'homas^ 
Valour.    When  he  came  near  the  Gate,   he 

found 


92  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

ubeker.    found  how  things  flood  J    nomas  had  fallen 
violently  upon  the  Saracens,  and  before  he  came 
out,  commanded  his  Men  to  give  Quarter  to 
none  but  the  General.  The  'JewSy  v^rhich  were 
in  Dama/cus,  plaid  the  Engines  upon  the  Sara- 
cens. Thomas  was  again  engaged  with  his  for- 
mer Adverfary  Serjabil.    Abdn'%  Wife  was  a- 
mong  SerjabiN  Men,  and  did  great  Execution 
with  her  Bow  and  Arrows,  till  fhe  had  fpent 
them  all  but  one,  which  fhe  kept  to  make  Signs 
with  as  fhe  faw  Occafion,  Prefently  one  of  the 
Chriftians  advanced  up  towards  her,  fhe  fhot 
him  in  the  Throat,  and  killed  him,  and  was 
then  taken  Prifoner.    Serjabil  at  laft  flruck  a 
violent  Stroke,  which  Thomas  receiving  upon  his 
Buckler,  Serjabil^  S  word  broke.  Thomas  thought 
himfelf  fure  of  him,  and  had  certainly  either 
killed  him,  or  taken  him  Prifoner,  but  AbdoW^ 
rahmdn  and  Abdn  {Qthmaii^  Son,  who  was  af- 
terwards Caliph)  came  up  at  that  inftant  with  a 
Regiment  of  frefh  Horfe,  and  refcued  both  him 
and  Abdn\  Wife.    Thomas  perceiving  the  Sara- 
cens came  in  fo  fafl  upon  him,  retired  into  the 
City.    We  faid  before  that  Abu  Obeidah  was 
pofled  at  the    Gate  Jabiyah ;   he  was  in  his 
Tent  when  the  Chriilians  hrft  fallied  out,  and 
went  to  Prayers.    Afterwards,  whilft  his  Men 
were  engaged,  he  took  a  Party,  and  got  be- 
tween the  Chriilians  and  the  City  j  fo  that 

they 


Alwakidi. 


Syria^  Perjtay  and  JEgypt.  93 

they  were  furrounded,  and  charged  on  both  Abubeker. 
Sides.  They  made  a  quick  Difpatch  for  them, 
for  never  a  Man  that  went  out  at  that  Gate, 
returned  again :  And  though  thofe  that  fallied 
at  the  other  Gates  efcaped  fomething  better, 
yet  the  Chriftians  had  no  Reafon  to  boaft  of  any 
Advantage,  having  loft  that  Night  feveral  thou- 
fand  Men. 

The  Chriftians  now  quite  diflieartned,  came 
about  Thomas^  with  repeated  Intreaties  to  fur- 
render  ^  they  told  him,  they  had  loft  above 
half  their  Men,  and  what  were  left  were  not 
fuflicient  for  the  Defence  of  the  Town :  They 
told  him  at  laft,  in  plain  Terms,  that  as  to  what 
concerned  himfelf,  he  might  manage  as  he 
pleafed,  but  for  their  Parts  they  were  refolved 
to  get  as  good  Terms  for  themfelves  as  they 
could.  Thomas^  however,  endeavoured  to  per- 
fwade  them  to  ftay  till  he  fhould  write  to  the 
Grecian  Emperor,  and  accordingly  did  write. 
The  Saracens  continued  fighting  hard,  and  re- 
duced the  Befieged  to  very  great  Streights,  who 
now  every  Day  made  a  worfe  Defence  than 
other.  They  delired  Caled  to  leave  off  the  Af- 
fault,  that  they  might  have  a  little  time  to  con- 
fider :  But  he  turned  a  deaf  Ear  to  them,  for 
he  had  rather  take  them  by  Force,  put  them  to 
the  Sword,  and  let  his  Saracens  have  the  Plun- 
der, than  that  they  ftiould  furrender,  and  have 

Security 


94  ^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Abubeker.  Security  for  themfelves  and  their  Fortunes.  But 
Alwakidi.^  jijju  Qheidah  was  of  a  quite  different  Difpofi- 
tion,  a  well  meaning,  merciful  Man,  who  had 
rather  at  all  times  that  they  (liould  furrender,and 
4)ecome  Tributaries,  than  be  expofed  to  any 
Extremity  -,  and  this  the  Befieged  knew  very 
well :  Wherefore,  one  Night  they  fent  a  Mef- 
fenger  that  underftood  Arabick^  out  at  that 
Gate  where  Ahu  Obeidah  was  ported,  who  call- 
ed out  to  the  Centinels,  and  defired  fafe  Con- 
dud  for  fome  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Damafcus 
to  come  to  their  Mafter  Abu  Obeidah,  in  order 
to  talk  of  an  Agreement.  As  foon  as  Abu  Obei- 
dah was  acquainted  with  the  News,  he  was 
very  glad  to  hear  it,  and  fent  Abu  Hobeirah  to 
the  Damafce?is,  to  let  them  know  that  they 
fhould  have  free  Liberty  to  go  where  they 
pleafed.  They  afked  him  whether  or  no  he  was 
one  oi Mahomef  s  Companions,  that  they  might 
depend  upon  him  ?  He  told  them,  that  he  was, 
but  that  made  no  Difference  ^  for  if  the  meanefl: 
Slave  among  them  had  given  them  Security,  it 
v/ould  have  been  all  one,  for  they  fliould  have 
performed  it,  becaufe  God  had  faid,  in  the 
Book  which  he  fent  to  their  Prophet  Mahomet, 
^Perform  your  Covenant,  for  that  fiall  be  called 
10  an  Account.  Upon  this,  about  an  hundred  of 
the  Chief  of  the  Citizens  and  Clergy  went  out, 

•    /f/jcr^w,  Chr,p.XVII.36. 

and 


Syria^PerJiay  and  j^gypt.  95 

and  when  they  came  near  the  Camp,  fome  of  Abubeker. 
the  Saracens  met  them,  and  took  off  their  Cir-  Alwakidi. 
cingles,  and  conduced  them  to  Abu  Obeidah'% 
Tent  3  who  ufed  them  very  civilly,  and  bid 
them  fit  down,  and  told  them  that  their  Pro- 
phet Mahomet  had  commanded  them  to  pay  Re- 
fpedt  to  Perfohs  of  Rank  and  Quality.  They 
were  very  glad  to  find  him  fo  courteous,  and 
when  they  came  to  talk  of  terms,  they  iirfl  de- 
fired  that  their  Churches  might  be  fecured  to 
them,  and  not  any  way  alienated.  He  granted 
them  feven  Churches,  and  gave  them  a  Writ- 
ing, but  did  not  fet  his  own  Name  to  it,  nor 
any  Witneffes,  becaufe  he  was  not  General. 
Then  he  went,  attended  with  about  an  hundred 
Men,  to  take  PoiTeffion,  When  he  came  to  the 
Gates,  he  demanded  Hoftages  j  which  being 
delivered,  he  entered  into  the  City. 

Caled  was  altogether  ignorant  of  this  Tranf- 
adion,  and  was,  at  the  very  fame  time  when 
this  Bufinefs  was  concluded,  making  a  fharp 
Affault  at  the  Eaft  Gate,  being  efpecially  pro- 
voked at  the  Lofs  of  Calcd  Ehn  Said  {Amrou 
Ebno'l  Ads  his  Brother,  by  the  Mother's  Side) 
whom  one  of  the  Befieged  had  (hot  with  a  poi- 
foned  Arrow.  In  the  mean  time,  there  came  to 
Caled  from  the  Town  one  Jojias  a  Priefl,  who 
told  him,  that  having  been  long  converfant  with 
ancient  Writings  and  Prophecies,  and  efpecially 

the 


g6  7%e  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Abubeker.  ^^  Prophet  Daniel^  he  was  abundantly  fatisfied 
Alwakidi.  of  the  future  Greatnefs  of  the  Saracen  Empire  ; 
and  proffered  his  Service  to  introduce  him  and 
his  Army  into  the  Town,  upon  Condition 
that  Caled  would  grant  him  Security  for  him 
and  his.  Whether  any  Convidion  that  he  had 
met  with  in  reading  that  Prophet,  or  the  De- 
fire  he  had  to  preferve  himfelf,  was  the  prevail- 
ing Motive  with  him,  I  (hall  not  determine. 
Neither  did  Caled  much  trouble  himfelf  about 
that,  but  gave  him  his  Hand  to  perform  the 
Condition,  and  fent  with  him  an  hundred  Men, 
mod  of  them  Homerites,  (a  warlike  Tribe  of 
the  Arabs)  and  bid  them  as  foon  as  they  were 
entered  to  cry  out  as  loud  as  they  could  Allah 
Acbar^  and  make  themfelves  Mailers  of  the 
Gates,  and  break  the  Bolts,  and  remove  the 
Chains,  that  he  with  the  reft  of  the  Army 
might  march  into  the  City  without  any  Diffi- 
culty. This  was  accordingly  performed.  The 
poor  Chriftians,  as  foon  as  ever  they  heard  the 
T'echtr^  (fo  the  Arabs  call  the  crying  out  Allah 
Acbar)  were  fenfible  that  the  City  was  loft ; 
and  were  feized  with  fuch  an  Aftoniftiment, 
that  they  let  their  Weapons  fall  out  of  their 
Hands.  Caled  entering  at  the  Eaft  Gate  with 
the  Saracens,  put  all  to  the  Sword,  and  Chriftian 
Blood  ftreamed  down  the  Streets  of  Damafcus, 
They  went  on  thus  murdering  all  they  found, 

till 


Syriay  Perjiay  and  ^gypu  97 

till  they  came  to  St.  Mary\  Church,  where  Abubeker. 
they  met  with  Abu  Ohetdah  and  his  Company.  Alwakidi. 
When  Caled  faw  Abu  Obeidah,  and  his  Men  in 
their  March,  and  the  Priefls  and  Monks  before 
them,  and  all  the  Saracens  with  their  Swords  by 
their  Sides,  not  (o  much  as  one  drawn,  he  won- 
dered what  was  the  Matter.  Abu  Obeidah  per- 
ceived in  him  Tokens  of  Diflike,  and  faid,  God 
has  delivered  the  City  into  my  Hands  by  way  of 
Surrender,  and  faved  the  Believers  the  Trouble 
of  Jightittg,  At  which  Caled  was  very  angry, 
and  faid,  that  he  had  taken  it  by  the  Sword, 
and  they  {hould  have  no  Security.  Abu  Obeidah 
told  him,  that  he  had  given  them  an  Article  in 
writing,  which  they  had  here  to  (hew:  And 
how  (faid  Caled^  came  you  to  agree  with  them, 
without  acquainting  me  fir  ft  t  Did  not  you  knolo 
me  ?  Did  not  you  know  that  I  am  your  General, 
and  '^Mafter  of  your  Counfels  f  And  therefore  III 
put  them  every  one  to  the  Sword.  I  did  not  think 
(faid  Abu  Obeidah)  that  when  I  had  made  an 
Agreement,  or  ^defgned  to  do  any  thing,  you 
would  ever  have  contradiBed  me,  or  have  gone 
about  to  make  it  void.  But  youftiallnot  make  it 
lioid,  for  I  have  given  all  thefe  People  my  Pro- 
teSiion,  and  that  in  tbe  Name  of  God  and  his 
Prophet }  and  all  the  Mufiemans  that  were  with 

^  Arab.  Sahhibo  Ryecha.     >  ♦  Arab.  Raaito  Ray  an. 

G  me 


9  8  The  Saracens  Co7iqueJl  of 

Abubeker.  ^^  ^^^^^  ^"^j  ^^^^  approved  it,  and  we  don't  life  to 

Alwakidi.    l^  u'Orfe  than  our  Word, 

There  was  a  great  Noife  made  on  both  fides, 
and  Caled  would  not  abate  an  ace.  The  hungry 
Arabs  that  were  with  him  were  eager  to  fall 
on,  and  thirfted  after  Blood  and  Plunder.  The 
poor  Inhabitants  were  now  in  a  very  calamitous 
Condition,  for  every  Man  of  them  had  been 
murdered,  or  made  a  Slave,  if  Abu  Obeidah  had 
not  ftood  their  Friend  ;  who  feeing  the  Arabs 
fall  on,  killing  fome  and  taking  others  Prifoners, 
was  extremely  concerned,  and  called  out  in  a 
Paffion ;  ^  By  God,  my  Word  is  looked  upon  as 
nothing,  the  Covenant  which  I  make  is  broken. 
Then  he  turned  his  Horfe,  and  rode  about  a- 
mong  the  Soldiers,  and  faid,  I  adjure  you  by  the 
Apojile  of  God,  that  you  meddle  with  none  of  them  ^ 
till  you  fee  how  Caled  and  lean  adjuji  this  Mat ^ 
ter.  With  much  ado  he  made  them  forbear; 
then  the  chief  Officers  came  to  them,  and  they 
all  went  together  into  the  Church,  to  debate 
this  Affair.  Several  of  them  enclined  to  the 
more  merciful  fide,  for  which  they  gave  this 
very  fubftantial  Reafon,  viz.  That  there  were  a 

*  Arab.  Wallah,  an  Oath  frequently  ufed  by  the  Arabs., 
v/ho  do  not  account  it  any  Profanation  of  the  Divine 
Name,  to  fwear  by  it ;  but  rather  an  Acknowledgment  of 
his  Omnipotence  and  Omniprefence  ;  and  therefore  we 
find  it  ufcd  by  the  moft  religictes  among  them. 

great 


Syria^  Perjtay  and  ^gypt-  99 

trreat  mam  Cities  ftill  to  be  taken,  and  if  it  Abubeker. 

n      11  1  17  7      ^  .;    .  Alwakidi. 

jhoiild  once  be  reported  about  the  Country^  that 
the  Saracens  had  broke  their  Promife,  after  they 
had  given  Security ;  they  mufi  never  expeB  to 
have  any  other  Place  furrender,  but  make  the 
moji  objiinate  Defence  imagitiable.  At  laft  fome 
advifed,  that  Caled  fhould  have  the  Difpofal  of 
that  part  of  the  Town  which  he  had  taken  by 
the  Sword,  and  Abu  Obeidah  of  that  which  he 
had  taken  upon  Articles  j  at  leafl:  till  fuch  time 
as  they  could  appeal  to  the  Caliph,  and  be  de- 
termined by  his  Sentence.  This  was  fo  reafon- 
able  a  Propofal^  that  Ca/ed  could  not  refufe  it ; 
fo  at  laft  he  confented  that  the  People  fliould 
have  their  Protedlion,  but  would  give  no 
Quarter  to  Thomas  and  Herbis,  nor  any  of  their 
Soldiers.  Abu  Obeidah  told  him,  that  they  were 
all  included,  and  begged  of  him  not  to  make  any 
further  Difturbance  about  it. 

And  now  we  have  feen  Damafcus,  the  moft 
noble  and  ancient  City  of  Syria,  taken  by  the 
Saracens;  we  muft  leave  the  Conquerors  in  Pof- 
feffion,  and  the  miferable  Inhabitants  in  their  de- 
plorable Circumftances,  and  take  a  View  of  Af- 
fairs at  Medinah,  ^  Abubeker  the  Caliph  died  the 
the  fame  Day  that  Damafcus  was  taken  *,  which 
was  onFriday  the  twenty- third  oi  Augufi^  in  the 

*  Alwakidi,        *  Elmakin, 

G  2  Year 


loo  Tl^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hundred  and  thirty-four; 
and  of  the  Hegirah  the  thirteenth  3.  There  are 
various  Reports  concerning  his  Death :  Some 
fay,  that  he  was  poifoned  by  the  Jews^  eating 
Rice  with  Hareth  Ebn  Caldab,  and  that  they 
both  died  of  it  within  a  Twelvemonth  after*. 
But  Ayejha  fays,  that  he  bathed  himfelf  upon  a 
cold  Day,  which  threw  him  into  a  Fever,  of 
which  he  died  within  fifteen  Days :  All  which 
time  Omar  faid  Prayers  publickly  in  his  Place, 

5  When  he  perceived  himfelf  near  his  Depar- 
ture, he  called  his  Secretary,  and  gave  him  Di- 
redions  to  write  as  follows. 

In  the  Name  of  the  tnoji  merciful  God, 

"  This  Is  the  Teftament  oi  Abubeker  EbnAbi 
"  Kohdphay  which  he  made  at  that  time  when 
"  he  was  juft  a  going  out  of  this  World,  and  en- 
**  tering  into  the  other.  *  A  time  in  which  the  Infi- 
"  del  {hall  believe,  and  the  wicked  Perfon  (hall  be 
"  airured,and  the  Liar  (hall  fpeakTruth.  lappoint 
"  Omar  Ebno'l  Chitdb  my  SuccefTor  over  you  -, 
"  therefore  hearken  to  him,  and  obey  him.  If  he 

»  Abu'lpheda.  ♦  Ahmod  Ebn  Mohammed  Ehn  Abdi 

Rabbihi  &  Abu'lpheda. 

*  Author  of  the  Hiftory  of  the  Holy  Land,  M.S.  Arab. 
Pocock.  Num.  362. 

*  That  is,  the  Infidel  and  Wicked  (hall  then  be  af- 
fured  of  the  Reality  of  thofe  Things  relating  to  a  future 
State  which  they  difbelieved  and  ridiculed  in  their  Life- 
time. 

"  does 


Syria^  Perjtay  and  Mgypt,  i  o  i 

**  does  that  which  is  right  and  juft,  'tis  what  I  Abubeker. 
**  think  and  know  of  him.  If  he  does  otherwifc, 
«  every  Man  mufl  be  rewarded  according  to  his 
**  Works.  I  intend  to  do  for  the  beft,  but  I 
"  don't  know  hidden  Things :  But  thofe  who  do 
"  Evil  (hall  find  the  Confequences  of  it.  Fare 
"  ye  well,  and  the  Mercy  and  Blefling  of  God 
**  be  upon  you. " 

When  he  defigned  to  make  Omar  his  Succef- 
for,  Omar  defired  to  be  excufed,  and  faid,  he 
had  no  need  of  that  Place.  To  which  Abubeker 
anfwered,  that  the  Place  had  need  of  him,  and 
fo  appointed  him  Caliph  againft  his  Will.  Then 
he  gave  him  fuch  Inftrudions  as  he  thought  pro- 
per ;  and  when  Omar  was  gone  out  of  his  Pre- 
fence,  he  lifted  up  his  Hand,  and  faid,  0  God! 
I  intend  nothing  hy  this  but  the  People* s  Goody  and 
I  fear  leji  there  Jhould  be  any  Difference  among 
them  J  and  I  have  Jet  over  them  the  bejl  Man  among 
them.  They  are  thy  Servants-,  unite  them  with 
thy  Handy  and  make  their  Affairs  profperous,  and 
make  him  a  good  Governour ;  and  fpread  abroad 
the  DoBrine  of  the  Prophet  of  Mercy  y  and  make 
bis  Followers  good  Men, 

Elmakin  fays,  that  he  was  the  firft  that  ga- 
thered together  the  fcattered  Chapters  of  the 
Alcoran,  and  digefted  it  into  one  Volume.  For 
in  Mahomet'^  Time  they  were  only  in  loofe  and 
difperfed  Writings.  But  when  in  the  War  which 
G  3  they 


10  2  I'he  Saracens  Conqueji  oj 

AbubeVcer.  they  had  with  Mofeila?nab^  of  which  we  have 
already  given  an  Account,  a  great  many  of  thofe 
who  could  read  and  repeat  the  Alcoran  were  kill- 
ed: Ahubeker  was  afraid  left  any  part  of  it  ftiould 
be  loft  J  and  gathered  together  what  was  extant 
in  Writing,  or  what  any  of  the  Muflemans  could 
repeat,  and  making  one  Volume  of  it,  called  it 
Muf'haph;  which  in  the  Arabick  Tongue  figni- 
fies  a  Book  or  Volume^,  This  Book  was  commit- 
ted to  the  Cuftody  of  Haphfah,  0;«Jr's  Daugh- 
ter, and  one  of  Mahomefs  Wives.  But  Joannes 
Andreas^  who  was  himfelf  a  Moor  by  Birth, 
and  Alfaqui  or  chief  Do6lor  of  the  Muflemans 
in  Sciatifiia,  in  the  Kingdom  oiFalencia'mSpain^ 
and  afterwards  converted  to  the  Chriftian  Reli- 
gion in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  1487.  fays,  that 
this  was  not  done  till  the  time  of  Othman,  the 
third  Caliph  after  Mahomet,  Eutychius  in  his 
Annals  fays  the  fame.  I  believe  them  both  to 
be  miftaken,  becaufe  I  find  m^  AbiClpheda,  that 
when  Othman  came  to  be  Caliph,  he  obferving 
the  Variety  of  different  Readings  which  were 
fpread  abroad,  copied  this  Book  which  had  been 
delivered  to  Haphfah^  andabolifh'd  and  deftroy'd 
all  other  Copies  which  had  different  Readings 
from  this;  obliging  all  iht Mahometans  to  receive 
this  Copy  as  the  only  authentick  Alcoran.  Which 
Adion  of  his,  I  am  fully  perfuaded ,  gave  occa- 

♦  Abu'lphcda.         ^Kitab  JlmoHafcr  phi  Jbbari  7  baj})ar. 

fioq 


Syria^  Perjia^  and ^gypt,  103 

iion  to  fome  to  report,  that  Othman  was  the  firft  Abubeker. 
that  gathered  the  Chapters  of  it  into  oneVolume; 
a  Piece  of  Work  of  that  Importance,  that  it  can 
fcarcely  be  beheved  to  have  efcaped  the  Zeal  and 
Diligence  of  Abubeker  and  Omar. 

^  As  to  theCharader  of  this  Caliph;  he  was 
a  tall,  lean  Man,  of  a  ruddy  Complexion,  and  a 
thin  Beard,  which  he  ufed  to  tinge  with  fuch 
Colours  as  are  frequently  ufed  in  the  Eaftern 
Countries,  to  make  it  look  more  graceful.  He 
never  faved  any  Money  in  the  publick  Treafury; 
but  every  Friday  at  Night,  diftributed  what 
there  was  among  Perfons  of  Merit ;  to  the  Sol- 
diers firft;  and  after  them,  to  thofe  that  were 
any  other  way  deferving.  His  Chaftity,  Tem- 
perance, and  Negledl  of  the  Things  of  this  Life, 
were  exemplary.  He  defired  Ayejha  to  take  an 
Account  of  all  that  he  had  gotten  fince  he  was 
Caliph,  and  diftribute  it  among  the  Mullemans; 
being  refolved  not  to  be  enriched  by  his  Prefer- 
ment, but  ferve  the  Publick  gratis-,  only  he 
took  three  Drachmce  (a  Piece  of  Gold  in  ule 
among  the  Arabs  at  that  time ;  the  true  Value 
of  which  is  now  unknown  to  us)  out  of  the  pub- 
lick Treafury,  as  a  Reward  of  his  Service.  His 
whole  Inventory  amounted  to  the  Value  of  no 
more  than  five  of  thofe  Drachma -,  which  when 
Omar  heard,  he  faid,  ThdX Abubeker  had  left  his 
SuccefTor  a  hard  Pattern. 

*  Elmakln. 

c  4  Tis 


Hoe  Saracens  Conqueft^  ^c. 

'Tis  ufual  with  fome  Authors,  when  they  give 
Chara(5ters  of  great  Men,  to  mention  fome  of  their 
Sentences,  or  wife  Sayings.  The  Arabs  have  not 
been  deficient  in  this  Particular,  Nifaburienjis^ 
(called  fo  from  Nifabour^  the  Metropolis  of  Cho^ 
rafan-,  as  it  is  moft  common  for  ^r^^/V^  Authors 
to  be  diftinguiflied  by  the  Place  of  their  Birth  as 
much  as  by  their  Names)  has  coUedled  in  a  little 
Book  the  grave  and  witty  Sayings  of  Mahomet 
and  his  Succeflbrs,  and  fome  of  the  Kings  of 
Terfia.  Among  fome  others  which  he  has  re- 
corded oi  Ahubeker^  there  are  thcfe  two  very  re- 
markable ones  J  ^GoodActiotis  are  a  Guard  againjl 
the  Blows  of  Adverfity.  And  this^  Death  is  the 
eqfieji  (or  leaft  confiderable)  of  all  things  after  it, 
and  the  hardejl  of  all  things  before  it. 

He  was  fixty-three  Years  old  when  he  died; 
having  reigned  two  (Lunar)  Years^  three  Months 
and  nine  Days, 

•  Ntfahurii  M.  S.  Arab.  Pomh  Num,  ^%i 


Omar 


Omar  Ehndl  Chitab^ 

The  Second  Caliph  after  MAHOMET. 


jfBUBEKER  having  taken  care  of  the 
"^^  Succeffion  by  his  laft  Teftament,  all  that 
Difturbance  was  prevented,  which  happened  be- 
fore upon  the  Death  of  Mahomet,  I  do  not  find 
in  any  Author,  that  AH  or  his  Party  made  any 
Oppofition;  but  the  fame  Day  that  Ahiibeker 
died,  Omar  was  inverted  with  the  Regal  and 
Pontifical  Dignity,  and  faluted  by  univerfal  Con- 
fent,  ^T!he  Caliph  of  the  Caliph  of  the  Apofile  of 
God;  that  is.  The  Succejfor  of  the  Succejfor  of 
Mahomet.  But  when  they  confidered,  that  this 
Title  was  fomething  too  long;  and  that  at  the 
coming  on  of  every  new  Caliph,  it  would  grow 
longer  ftill,  they  invented  another,  which  (hould 
ferve  for  all  the  Caliphs  to  come,  and  that  was, 
Amiro' I  Mumenina ',  Imperator  Credefitium^  Em- 
peror  of  the  Believers.  Which  afterwards  was 
ufed  to  the  fucceeding  Caliphs  3  Omar  being  the 
firft  that  was  ever  called  by  that  Title. 

Being  thus  confirmed  in  his  new  Dignity,  he 
goes  into  the  Pulpit,  to  make  a  Speech  to  the 
People.  He  did  not  fay  much ;  but  the  Sub- 
ilance  of  it  was^  "  That  he  fliould  not  have 

*  Elmakin, 

**  taken 


105 

Omar. 


io6  I'he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  «'  taken  fuch  a  troiiblefome  Charge  upon  him^ 
'"'•  "  felf,  had  it  not  been  for  the  good  Opinion  that 
**  he  had  of  them,  and  the  great  Hopes  which 
**  he  had  conceived  of  their  Perfeverance  in  their 
"  Duty,  and  doing  that  which  was  commend- 
**  able  and  Praife-worthy."  Thus  the  Ceremony 
being  over,  which  in  the  Infancy  of  that  Go- 
vernment, whiift  they  had  not  yet  attained  that 
Grandeur  which  their  SuccefTors  afterwards  ar- 
rived at,  was  not  very  great  -,  every  Man  went 
home  very  well  fatisfied. 

Omar  having  taken  upon  him  the  Govern- 
ment, was  defirous  of  nothing  more  than  to  make 
fome  Conqucfts  in  Irak  -,  and  in  order  to  this, 
fends  Abu  Obeid  with  an  Army,  joining  to  him 
Almothanna^  Amrou^  and  Salit^  who  marched 
with  their  Forces  till  they  came  to  T'haalabiyab^ 
where  they  pitched  their  Tents  juft  by  the  River. 
Sality  confidering  all  things  well ;  and  juftly 
fearing  that  the  Forces  of  the  Perjians  were  too 
great  for  them  to  encounter  withal,  did  what  he 
could  to  perfuadeyf^w  Obeid  not  to  crofs  the  Ri- 
ver ',  telling  him,  that  lince  the  Perfians  were 
apparently  too  ftrong  for  them,  it  would  be  more 
advifable  to  referve  themfelves  for  a  fairer  Op- 
portunity, and  retire  into  the  Deferts,  and  there 
fecure  themfelves  as  well  as  they  could,  till  they 
had  fent  to  the  Caliph  for  frefli  Supplies.  But  Abu 
Obeid  was  fo  far  from  being  perfuaded  by  what 

he 


Sjria^  Ferfm-i  and  ^gypt. 

he  faid,  that  he  called  him  Coward.  Mothanna 
took  him  up,  and  told  him,  that  what  Salit  had 
faid  was  not  the  EfFedl  of  Cowardice,  but  that 
he  had  told  him  what  he  thought  the  heft  way ; 
adding,  that  he  was  alfo  of  the  fame  Opinioa 
himfelf,  and  bad  him  have  a  care  how  he  pafTed 
over  to  the  Enemies,  for  fear  he  fhould  bring 
himfelf  and  thofe  that  were  with  him,  into  fuch 
Danger  as  he  could  not  bring  them  out  of  again. 
But  Ahii  Obeid,  deaf  to  all  good  Counfel,  and 
impatient  of  Delay,  forthwith  commands  a 
Bridge  to  be  made,  and  marches  over  his  Army. 
Salit  and  Mothanna^  though  they  did  not  at  all 
approve  of  his  Condud:,  yet  having  fpoke,  what 
they  thought  to  no  purpofe,  went  over  after  him. 
The  Soldiers  followed  him  with  an  heavy  Heart, 
grieved  at  the  Rafhnefs  of  their  General,  which 
they  had  juft  reafon  to  fear  would  prove  fatal  to 
them. 

As  foon  as  they  were  got  over  the  Bridge, 
Abu  Obeid  put  his  Men  in  Battle-array,  as  well 
as  the  Shortnefs  of  the  time  would  permit  j  for 
the  Perfian  Archers  lay  very  hard  at  him,  and 
wounded  the  Muflemans  grievoully.  However 
Abu  Obeid  having  got  fome  part  of  his  Army  in 
tolerable  Order,  charged  the  Perfiam  fo  furiouf- 
ly,  that  they  could  no  longer  keep  their  Ground, 
but  ran  away.  Abu  Obeid  purfued,  as  being  now 
aflijred  of  tlie  Vidoryj  but  the  Perjicms  rallying 

again. 


ic8  7%e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  again,  and  renewing  their  Charge,  killed  Ahu 
^"""^  Obeid^  and  routed  the  Muflemans.  Thofe  that 
remained  of  them  made  up  to  the  Bridge ;  Mo- 
thanna  all  the  while  behaving  himfelf  like  an 
experienced  Captain,  fought  in  the  Rear,  and 
brought  them  off  with  as  little  Lofs  as  could  be 
expeded.  At  laft  they  got  over  the  Bridge,  and 
Mothama  after  them;  who  was  no  fooner  over, " 
but  he  ordered  the  Bridge  to  be  cut  down,  to 
prevent  the  Purfuit  of  the  Perfians. 

Mothanna  having  now  fecured  himfelf,  fent 
the  Caliph  an  account  of  the  w^hole  Matter;  and 
having  acquainted  him  with  Abu  Obeid's  Rafli- 
nefs  in  paffing  the  River  with  fo  fmall  a  Num- 
ber, contrary  to  the  Judgment  of  all  the  Offi- 
cers, together  with  the  Succefs  which  had  fol- 
lowed fo  unadvifed  an  Undertaking,  ftaid  ex- 
peding  further  Orders.  The  Caliph  command- 
ed him  to  fecure  himfelf  in  his  Camp  as  well  as 
he  could,  and  not  ftir  till  he  (hould  receive  the 
Supplies  which  he  w^ould  take  care  to  raife  for 
him  with  all  poffible  Expedition.  Mothanna 
obeys  the  Order ;  in  the  mean  time  the  Caliph 
fends  fpecial  Meffengers  to  the  Tribes  of  the 
Arabs ^  to  raife  Men  for  the  Service,  which  they 
fpeedily  performed.  The  new-raifed  Soldiers 
were  muftered  2XMedinah,  and  Jarir  Ebn  Ab- 
doMh  was  appointed  their  General,  and  fent 
with  Orders  to  )QAXi  Mothanna  and  the  reft  of  the 

Forces, 


SyriUy  Perjia^  and  Mgypt,  109 

Forces,  and,  as  Opportunity  (hould  ferve,  give     Omar. 
Battle  to  the  Perftans.     Janr  being  come  to   ^--v-^J 
Ihaalabiyahy   where  the  reft  of  the  Army  was, 
they  marched  to  Dir  Hind,  where  they  encamp- 
ed, and  made  frequent  Excurfions,  plundering 
and  deftroying  that  Part  of  Irak,  which  lies  next 
the  River  Euphrates,   Arzemidocht,  Queen  of 
the  Perjiam^  perceiving  the  great  Damage  which 
fhe  every  Day  received  from  the  Arabian  Army, 
thought  it  high  time  to  look  about  her,  and  out 
of  all  the  Chevalry,  chofe  twelve  thoufand  of 
the  beft  Horfe,  and  appointing  Mahran  General 
of  them,  fent  them  to  reprefs  the  Infolencies 
and  Outrages  of  the  Arabs.   They  marched  till 
they  came  ioHirah-y  where  ih^  Arabians,  hav- 
ing called  back  thofe  Troops  which  were  gone 
to  forage,  met  them.    Both  Armies  were  imme- 
diately joined.    Mothanna  fought  amongft  the 
thickeft  of  the  Perjians,  and  was  gotten  into  the 
midft  of  their  Army,  but  bravely  recovered  him- 
felf,  and  returned  to  his  own  Men.    The  Per- 
fians  behaved  themfelves  fo  well,  that  fome  of 
the  Arabs  gave  Ground.    Mothanna  perceiving 
\i\%  Arabs  flinch,   tore  his  Beard;  labouring  as 
much  as  in  him  lay,  to  ftay  the  Flight  of  his 
Men,  and  reftore  the  Battle,  which  he  did  in  a 
great  meafure :  And  then  began  a  moft  furious 
Engagement,  which  lafted  from  Noon  till  Sun- 
fet,  neither  Party  giving  way,  or  retreating.    It 

is 


no  TTje  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  IS  hard  to  guefs  which  Side  would  have  prevail- 
^'^'^n^  e(j^  liad  not  the  Death  of  Mahran  determined 
iti  for  Mothanna  meeting  him  in  the  Battle, 
they  fought  Hand  to  Hand.  Mahran  ftruck  at 
Mohanna^  but  his  Sword  did  not  pierce  his  Ar- 
mour :  Then  immediately  Mothanna  gave  him 
fuch  a  Blow  upon  his  Shoulder,  that  he  fell  down 
dead.  The  Perjiam  having  loft  their  General, 
were  quite  difheartened,  quitted  the  Field,  and 
fled  to  Madayen.  The  Arabs  contented  vv'ith 
their  Vidory,  did  not  purfue  them  far,  but  re- 
turned to  cure  their  wounded  Men,  and  bury 
their  Dead. 

The  Perfian  Nobility  perceiving  the  Saracens 
every  way  too  hard  for  them,  and  that  they  had 
now  made  themfelves  Mafters  of  the  Borders  of 
their  Country,  and  were  very  likely  to  get  more, 
began  to  be  very  uneafy,  and  laid  all  the  Blame 
upon  their  Queen,  Arzemidochf»  'Tis  very  com- 
mon in  thofeEaftern  Countries  to  meafure  things 
by  the  Succefs;  and  if  things  go  ill,  neither  the 
Grand  Signior  himfelf,  nor  the  Sultan  of  Perjia, 
nor  the  Emperor  of  the  Mogids^  can  be  fecured 
from  the  Murmurs,  and  oftentimes  Muti- 
nies of  their  Subjects  j  who,  though  things  be 
managed  with  all  the  Care  and  Circumfpedion 
that  Human  Capacity  can  be  Mafter  of,  yet  if 
the  Succefs  does  not  anfwer  their  Expediation, 
never  fail  to  complain  of  Male-adminillration, 

and 


Syriay  Perfla^  and  j^^gypt. 

and  reprefent  their  Princes  as  Perfons  unfit  for 
Government,  either  for  want  of  Abilities,  or 
elfe  becaufe  they  look  upon  them  to  be  unlucky 
and  unfortunate^  in  which  Matter  the  Eaftern 
Nations  are  extremely  fuperflitious.  This  the 
Queen  experienced ;  for  after  this  Battle  was  loft, 
and  things  went  ill  on  all  fides,  the  next  thing 
they  faid,  was,  ms  we  get  by  fuffering  a  Woman 
to  rule  O'ver  us;  as  if  all  their  Misfortunes  had 
been  owing  to  her  Mifmanagement^  or,  as  if 
they  might  not  have  met  with  the  fame  ill  Suc- 
cefs,  under  the  Government  of  the  wifeft  Prince 
in  the  World.  However  they  confidered  nothing 
of  this,  but  refolved  to  depofe  the  poor  Queen : 
Which  they  did,  and  placed  Tazdejerd  upon  the 
Throne  in  her  ftead,  who  was  a  young  Man  of 
the  Royal  Family,  defcended  from  Cofroes  the 
Son  of  Hormifdas.  But  they  did  not  much  mend 
the  Matter,  for  the  Government  of  this  new 
King  of  theirs  was  more  inaufpicious  than  that 
of  the  Queen  could  be;  for  in  her  Reign,  the 
Confines  of  the  Empire  were  only  invaded,  but 
in  his,  all  was  entirely  loft,  and  the  whole  King- 
dom and  Country  of  the  Perjians  fell  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Muflemans. 

Tazdejerd  being  King,  forthwith  raifed  an 
Army  out  of  the  feveral  Provinces  of  his  King- 
dom, and  made  Rujiam  their  General,  who  was 
defcended  of  a  noble  Family,  and  had  Years 

and 


112  TTje  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Omar.  ^"^  Experience  fufficient  to  recommend  him  to 
*— "v**  fuchaPoft.  2^2r^^y^r^gave  him  Orders  to  march 
to  Hirah,  where  the  v^^^i  lay  j  and  at  the  fame 
time  fent  another  great  Army,  under  the  Com- 
mand oi  Alharzaman,  a  Perfian  Nobleman,  to 
EbiuaSy  where  y^ifu  Mufa  Alajhari^  another  of 
Omars  Captains,  lay  foraging  and  fpoiling  the 
Country.  But  all  to  no  purpofe :  The  Perjiam, 
as  if  the  Period  of  their  Empire  was  at  hand, 
could  have  no  Succefs,  but  were  forced  to  fub- 
mit  to  the  rifing  Greatnefs  of  the  Saracenical 
Empire.  Both  thefe  P^;r^j;z  Generals  were  killed, 
and  both  the  Armies  entirely  routed  and  defeated. 
Abu'lpharagius^  from  whom  I  have  taken  this 
Account  of  the  Tranfadions  r-elating  to  Perfia^ 
is  miftaken  two  Years,  as  to  the  time  in  which 
they  were  done ;  for  he  places  them  at  the  Be- 
ginning of  Omars  Reign,  which,  as  we  have 
fhewn  before,  was  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  fix 
hundred  and  thirty-four.  Now  it  is  very  well 
known  that  the  Perjian  lEra.  (which  they  ufc 
to  this  Day)  bears  Date  from  the  Beginning  of 
that  Year,  in  which  this  fame  Tazdejerd,  the 
laft  of  the  Perfian  Kings,  came  to  the  Crown  ; 
which  was,  *  as  is  confeiTed  on  all  Hands,  the 
1 6^''  Day  of  JunCy  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  {ix 
hundred  and  thirty-two.  However,  fince  Abu'l' 
fbaragiiis  has  placed  thefe  Adions  in  Omar*s 

*  GoHus\  Notes  upon  AlferganuSy  p.  30,  Gravii  Epocha 
Celdriores, 

Life, 


Syria^  PerfiU'^  and  ^gypt,  113 

Life,  I  have  contented  myfelf  with  giving  the  omar. 
Reader  this  Hint,  and  followed  that  Author  in  ^— 'V*-*^ 
this  Particular ;  efpecially,  becaufe  I  could  not 
find  any  Place  fo  proper  for  the  interrupting  the 
Hiftory  of  Syridy  as  the  Taking  of  DamafcuSy 
and  the  Death  oiAbubeker-y  both  which  happen- 
ing at  the  fame  time,  (according  to  Alwdkidiy 
who  differs  in  that  Particular  from  other  Authors) 
made  a  fort  of  a  Period,  and  gave  me  a  fair  Op- 
portunity of  inferting  whatever  was  done  by  the 
Saracens  in  any  other  Country  within  that  Com- 
pafs  of  time. 

And  now  the  Series  of  our  Hiftory  requires  Alwakidi. 
us  to  return  to  the  Damafcens,  whom  we  left  juft 
at  that  time  when  Abu  Obeidah  had  with  great 
Intreaty  fcarcely  prevailed  with  Caled  to  ratify 
the  Articles  which  he  had  made  with  the  Be- 
fieged.  Having  obtained  it  at  laft  with  much 
ado,  he  told  them,  that  they  were  at  their  Li- 
berty to  go  where  they  pleafed;  but  when  they 
were  out  of  the  Bounds  of  that  Part  of  the  Coun- 
try, which  was  taken  by  the  Muflemans,  they 
were  alfo  out  of  their  Protedion,  and  free  from 
any  Article  or  Agreement  whatfoever.  The 
Chriftians  not  content  with  this,  defired  their 
Protedlion  for  the  fpace  of  three  Days,  which 
way  foever  they  went,  and  that  none  of  the  Sa- 
racens (hould  purfue  them  during  that  time;  af- 
ter which  they  muft  be  content  to  take  their  For? 
H  tune. 


114    -  ^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

>mar.       tunc.    To  which  Propofal  Caled  confented,  but 
][^J^*     told  them  withal,  that  they  fhould  carry  nothing 
with  them  out  of  the  City,    but  Provifion ; 
which  provoked  Ahu  Qbeidah  afrefh,  who  an- 
fwercd,  that  to  ufe  them  fo,   would  flill  be  a 
Breach  of  Promife,  he  having  engaged  to  give 
them  leave  to  go  out  with  Bag  and  Baggage. 
^heriy  (faid  Caled)  if  they  have  thaty    they  Jhall 
have  no  Arms.   To  which  Herbis  anfwered,  that 
they  mufl  have  Arms,  it  being  impoffible  for 
them  to  travel  fafely  without.   Abu  Oheidah  faid, 
nen  let  every  one  of  them  have  fome thing  j  he  that 
has  a  Lance  fiall  have  no  Sword ^  and  he  that  takes 
a  Bow  JJjall  have  no  Lance -,    With  which  they 
were  pretty  well  contented.    I'homas  and  Her  bis 
were  the  Captains  of  this  unhappy  Caravan,  who 
had  now  loft  all  but  what  they  could  carry 
away;  and  inftead  of  lofty  and  ftately  Palaces, 
pleafant  Gardens  and  delicious  Fare,  mufl  be  glad 
to  fliift  about  where  they  can,  and  expofe  them- 
felves  to  all  the  Difficulties  and  Hazards  of  a  te- 
dious Journey,  without  any  Regard  had  to  Age, 
Sex  or  Degree.     The  tender  and  delicate  Lady 
that  once  fcarce  knew  how  to  fet  her  Foot  upon 
the  Ground,  muft  now  be  forced  to  go  through 
inhofpitable  Deferts  and  craggy  Mountains,  de- 
prived not  only  of  her  Superfluities,  but  of  all 
the  Conveniences,  and  even  the  very  NecefTaries 
of  Life.   I'homas  pitched  a  Tent  on  the  Out- fide 

of 


mar. 
AlwdkiJr. 


Syria^  Perfia^  a?id  j^gypt.  \  1 5 

of  the  City,  and  ordered  his  Men  to  bring  the  O 
beft  of  the  things,  the  Plate,  Jewels,  Silk,  and 
the  like,  into  it,  in  order  to  pack  them  up,  and 
carry  them  away.  The  Emperor  Heraciius  had 
then  in  Damafcus  a  Wardrobe,  in  which  there 
were  above  three  hundred  Loads  of  dyed  Silks 
and  Cloath  of  Gold,  which  were  all  pack'd  up. 
The  poor  miferable  Wretches  took  every  one 
what  they  could  anyway  carry,  of  the  beft  things 
they  had,  and  made  all  poffible  Hafte  to  be  gone. 
DamafcuSj  once  their  Joy  and  Delight,  could 
now  no  more  be  thought  on  without  Regret. 
The  Emperor  Heraciius' s  Daughter  went  out 
among  the  reft,  which  followed  Thomas  and 
Herbis.  Derar  (who  was  vexed  at  his  Heart  be- 
c^u(cAbuObeidah  had  let  them  come  offfo  well) 
flood  by  as  they  went  out,  and  gnaftied  hisTeeth 
for  Spite  and  Indignation.  The  Princefs  thought 
that  the  Reafon  of  his  Anger  was  becaufe  of  the 
Spoil,  and  faid  to  him  as  ftie  palTed  by,  What's 
the  Reafon^  Derar,  that  you  mutter  thus  ?  Dont 
you  know  that  ^  with  God  there  are  more  and  bet- 
ter thitigs  than  thefe  are  ?  Derar  fwore,  that 
it  was  ?iot  the  'Plunder  that  he  valued ;  but  wl^at 
vexed  him  was  the  People's  efcaping^  and  not  he^ 
ing  all  murdered',  adding,  that  Abu  Obeidah  had 
done  a  great  Injury  to  the  Muflemans,  in  giving 
them  Quarter.    Athi  Ebn  Animdr  hearing  him 

^  Arab.  Ind'allab. 

H  2  4ay 


Alwakidi. 


1 1 6  ZS<?  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar,  fay  fo,  anfvvered,  That  Sk^xa  Oh€\^2h  had  done 
for  the  beft^  in  preventing  the  Effujion  of  the  Blood 
of  theMuflemans,  [the  mofi  fa  ere  d  thing  under  the 
Sun)  a  fid  giving  them  Reji  from  their  Labours, 
Befdes^  God  has  made  the  Hearts  of  the  true  Be- 
lievers the  Seat  of  Mercy ,  and  thofe  of  the  Infidels 
the  Seat  of  Cruelty :  And  God  has  faid  in  fome  of 
the  infpired  Books,  that  he  was  mofi  merciful -^ 
and  that  he  would  not  fi^ew  Mercy,  but  only  to  the 
mcrcfuL  Then  he  quoted  a  Paflage  in  the  Al- 
coran, to  prove  to  him  \kv!X^ Agreement  vi2iS  bet- 
ter. Dcrar  told  him,  that  he  talked  like  an  ho- 
ned Man,  but  he  fvvore,  that  for  his  part  he 
would  never  have  Mercy  upon  any,  that  faid  that 
God  had  a  Son,  and  joined  a  Partner  with  God- 
T^homas  and  Herhis  paid  Abu  Obeidah  what  they 
had  bargained  with  him  for,  as  the  Redemption 
of  their  Lives  and  Liberties ;  and  then  thofe  of 
them  who  chofe  to  (lay  behind,  and  be  Tribut- 
aries, ftaidi  the  reft,  which  were  by  fi\r  the 
greater  Number,  went  away:  Whom  we  muft 
leave  upon  their  March  a  while,  and  prepare 
our  Ears  for  a  very  remarkable  Relation. 

Caled,  O  bloody  and  infatiable  Saracen  !  faw 
thefe  poor  Wretches  carry  away  the  fmall  Re- 
mainder of  their  plentiful  Fortunes,  with  a  great 
deal  of  Regret :    So  mortally  did  he  hate  the 

*  Alcoran,  Chap.  IV.  27.  AffiMo  Cha'iron. 

Chriflians^ 


Syriay  PerJ^dy  and  Mgypt.  i  1 7 

Chriftians,  that  to  fee  any  of  them  alive,  was 
Death  to  him.  What  does  he  do?  Why!  he 
orders  his  Men  to  keep  themfelves  and  their 
Horfes  wellj  and  told  them,  that  after  the  three 
Days  were  expired,  (for  they  had  Security  for 
that  time)  he  defigned  to  purfue  them  j  and  faid, 
that  his  Mind  gave  him,  that  they  fhould  ftill 
overtake  them,  and  have  all  the  Plunder:  For, 
fays  he,  they  have  left  nothing  valuable  behind 
them,  but  have  taken  all  the  beft  of  their  Cloaths j 
and  Plate,  and  Jewels,  and  whatever  is  worth 
carrying  along  with  them.  Having  thus  pre- 
pared for  his  Journey,  there  happened  another. 
Controverfy  between  him  and  the  Townfmen 
that  ftaid  behind,  concerning  a  great  Quantity^ 
of  Wheat  and  Barley.  The  Townfmen  which 
had  furrendered  to  Ahu  Oheidah^  faid,  that  it  " 
belonged  to  them ;  Caled  faid,  that  it  was  his, 
(and  indeed  fo  was  every  thing  elfe  of  the  Chri- 
ftians  that  he  could  lay  his  Hands  upon. )  Abu 
Obeidah^  who  was  always  more  courteous  to  the 
Chriftians  than  could  have  been  expeded  from 
a  Saracen,  took  the  Citizens  Part.  The  Conten- 
tidn  grew  fo  high,  that  they  had  like  once  more 
to  have  fallen  together  by  the  Ears,  till  at  laft 
they  determined  to  write  to  Abubeker  about  it, 
not  having  yet  received  the  News  of  his  Death. 
This  Difturbance  detained  Caled  from  purfuing 
the  poor  Damafcens;  for  there  were  now  four 
H  3  Days 


1 1 8  ^he  Saracens  Co7iqueJl  of 

Omar.  Pays  and  as  many  Nights  pafTed  fince  they  went 
^_,..^.,^^*  away,  and  there  were  but  Uttle  Hopes  of  over- 
taking them  ;  for  he  was  well  affured,  that  aflbon 
as  poliibly  they  could  they  would  fecure  them- 
felves  in  fome  walled  Town;  io  that  he  had 
quite  laid  afide  the  Thoughts  of  following  them, 
had  it  not  been  for  a  very  unfortunate  Circum- 
flance,  which  was  thus : 

The  Reader  may  be  pleafed  to  remember,  that 
Derar  Be?2  Alazwdr,  daring  the  Siege,  had  two 
thoufand  Men  given  him  to  ride  round  about, 
and  furvey  the  Camp,  left  they  (hould  be  fur- 
prized,  either  by  any  Succours  from  the  Empe- 
ror, or  Sallies  from  the  Town.  It  chanced  one 
Night,  as  fome  of  thefe  Men  were  upon  Duty, 
they  heard  a  Horfc  neigh,  which  came  out  of 
the  Gate  Keijdn,  They  ftood  flill,  and  let  him 
alone  till  he  came  up  clofe  to  them,  and  took  his 
Rider  Prifoner.  Immediately  after,  there  came 
another  Horfeman  out  of  the  fame  Gate ;  who 
called  the  Man,  that  was  taken  Prifoner,  by  his 
Name.  The  Saracens  bad  him  anfwerhim,thathc 
might  come  up,  and  they  might  take  him  too. 
But  in  {lead  of  that,  he  fpoke  out  aloud  in  Greek, 
The  Bird  is  taken.  ThePerfon  he  fpoke  to  under- 
flood  his  Meaning  very  well,  and  returned  back 
into  the  City.  The  Saracens  could  not  tell  what 
he  faid ;  only  they  knew  that  they  had  loft  another 
Prifoner  by  his  means :  Upon  which  they  had  like 

to 


AIwakL'i 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  JEgypt,  119 

to  have  killed  him,  but  upon  better  Confide-  ^9"3?'^*r 
ration  they  refolved  to  carry  him  to  the  General 
Caled^  that  he  might  difpofe  of  him  as  he  pleaf- 
ed.  Caled  afked  him,  what  he  was  ?  1  amy  faid 
he,  a  Nobleman y  and  I  married  a  young  Lady^ 
which  I  loved  as  my  Life  j  ajid  when  I  fent  for 
her  home^  her  Parents  gave  a  flight  Anfwer,  and 
faidy  T'hat  they  had  fojne thing  elfe  to  do.  Where* 
fore  I  took  a  convenient  Opportunity  of  fpeaking 
with  her,  and  we  agreed  to  come  out  in  the  Even^ 
ingy  and  give  a  good  round  Sum  of  Money  to  him 
that  was  upon  the  Guard  that  Night.  I  coming 
out  firfly  was  furprized  by  your  Men,  and  to  pre- 
vent her  falling  into  your  Hands,  I  called  out. 
The  Bird  is  taken,  She  apprehending  my  Mean- 
ing, went  back  with  the  two  Servants  that  were 
with  her ;  and  who  can  blame  me !  Well,  faid 
Caled,  and  what  have  you  to  fay  to  the  Mahome- 
tan Religion  ?  If  you  like  that,  when  we  take  the 
City,  you  fiall  have  your  Wife  :  If  not,  you  area 
dead  Man.  The  poor  Wretch  being  furprized, 
and  not  having  Faith  enough  to  die  a  Martyr, 
renounced  his  Chriftianity,  and  made  Confeflion 
of  his  Mahometanifm  in  thefe  Words ;  Iteftify, 
T!hat  there  is  but  one  God;  he  has  no  Partner ; 
and  Mahomet  is  the  Apoftle  of  God.  Then  he 
was  entirely  theirs,  and  ufed  to  fight  among 
them  valiantly.  When  the  City  was  furrender- 
ed,  he  went  with  all  fpeed  to  find  his  Beloved. 
H  4  Upon 


120  I'he  Saracens  Conqtiejl  of 

Dmar.  Upon  Enquiry,  he  received  Information,  that 
fhe  had  fliut  her  felf  up  in  a  Nunnery ;  which 
was  true  enough.  For  fhe  never  expected  to 
fee  him  more,  after  he  was  once  fallen  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Saracens ;  and  fince  all  her  Joy 
and  Delight  in  this  World  was  gone,  (he  re- 
folved  to  fpend  the  reft  of  her  Days  in  the  Con- 
templation of  a  better.  He  goes  to  the  Church 
where  fhe  was,  expecting  to  be  received  with  a- 
bundance  of  Joy  j  in  which  he  was  very  much 
deceived :  For  when  he  had  afked  her  the  Rea- 
fon  why  (he  turned  Nun  ;  and  (he  had  told 
him ;  he  no  fooner  made  himfelf  known,  and 
acquainted  her  with  the  Change  of  his  Religion, 
but  flie  treated  him  with  the  utmoft  Contempt 
and  Averfion,  worthily  thinking  that  he  ought 
himfelf  to  be  renounced  by  her,  who  had  firft 
renounced  his  Chriftianity  j  nor  would  the  Re- 
membrance of  former  Love,  nor  the  Confide- 
ration  of  that  Extremity  which  had  obliged  him 
to  it,  move  her,  nor  beget  in  her  one  charitable 
Thought  towards  him  j  but  /he  ftill  continued 
firm  in  her  Refolution  to  bid  adieu  to  all  the 
Enjoyments  of  this  prefent  Life,  and  never  con- 
verfe  with  him  any  more.  Wherefore,  when 
Thomas  and  Herbis^  attended  with  the  reft  of 
the  miferable  Damafcem^  went  away,  ftie  went 
along  with  them.  Her  Departure  wounded  her 
Hufband  {Jonas)  to  the  Heart :  He  was  very 

inftant 


Alwakidi, 


Syr  lay  Per/lay  and  j^gypt,  121 

inftant  with  Caled  to  detain  her  by  Force ;  who  ^O'"^'** 
anfwered,  T^hat  fince  they  had  fur  rendered  them- 
felves^  it  could  not  be  done  j  but  they  mujl  all  of 
them  have  free  Liberty  to  go  where  they  pleafed. 
Here  then  is  the  main  Spring  of  this  Adion. 
As  foon  as  Jofias  under ftood  that  Cakd  had  a 
Defign  of  purfuing  the  Damafcens^  he  was  very 
forward,  and  teazed  him  to  go,  and  proffered  his 
Service  to  be  their  Guide.  But,  as  we  have  faid 
before,  Caled^  who  was  willing  to  purfuc  tliem 
after  three  Days  were  expired,  being  obliged  to 
ftay  longer  upon  the  account  of  the  Controverfy 
concerning  the  Corn,  thought  four  Days  too 
much  Advantage  on  their  fide,  and  had  infallib- 
ly laid  afide  the  Thoughts  of  it,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  inceflant  Importunity  of  this 
damn'd  Apoftate,  who  was  refolved  to  gratify 
his  own  Humour,  though  it  were  by  betraying 
into  the  Hands  of  mercilefs  and  unrelenting  Sa- 
racens, Thoufands  of  his  innocent  Countrymen, 
Women,  and  Children,  who  had  already  la- 
boured under  the  Calamities  and  DiftrelTes  of  a 
confuming  War.  However  nothing  would  fa- 
tisfy  him  but  this  Woman  j  and  when  Caled 
told  him  they  were  too  far  gone,  he  never  ceaf- 
ed  fpurring  him  forwards,  telling  him,  I'hat  he 
knew  all  the  Country^  and  how  to  follow  them  the 
nearejl  way  ;  and  whatever  elfe  he  could  think  on 
to  encourage  the  Undertaking,    Caled,  who  was 

not 


122  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  '^^^  backwards  of  himfelf  to  go  about  any  thing 
that  afforded  the  leafl  profpedt  of  Succefs,  yield- 
ed to  his  Importunity,  and  fo  the  Journey  was 
concluded  upon. 

Caled  chofe  out  four  thoufand  of  the  bed 
Horfe,  which  Jonas  ordered  to  be  cloathed  in 
the  Habit  of  Chriftian  Arabs  j  that,  being  to 
travel  in  the  Enemies  Country,  they  might  pafs 
unfufpe(5ted.  Then,  committing  the  Care  of  the 
Town  and  Army  to  Abu  Obeidahy  they  depart- 
ed. It  was  no  hard  Matter  to  follow  fuch  a  great 
Mukitude  of  People  as  went  out  of  Damafciis\ 
for  befides  that  the  Footfteps  of  their  Mules 
were  vifible  enough,  they  fcattered  things 
enough  in  their  hafly  Flight,  to  diredl  thofe 
who  came  after  which  way  to  purfue.  The  Sa- 
racens kept  riding  Night  and  Day,  and  never 
flood  ftill,  but  only  in  Prayer- time.  For  a  long 
time  together  they  could  trace  them  very 
plainly ;  but  at  lall:  there  appeared  no  Footfteps 
at  all,  nor  any  Signs  by  which  they  might  make 
any  Guefs  which  way  they  were  gone.  Whafs 
the  News  now  ?  faid  Caled  to  Jonas.  Oh,  fays 
he,  they  are  turn'd  out  of  the  great  Road,  for 
fear  of  being  purfud :  Tou  are  in  a  manner  as 
fure  of  them^  as  if  you  had  already  taken  them. 
So  he  turns  them  out  of  the  high  Road,  and 
leads  them  among  the  Mountains,  where  it  was 
very  bad  travelling.  The  Way  was  fo  extreamly 

rough 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gyft.  123 

rough  and  uneven,  that  they  could  not  ride  Omar. 
without  the  greateft  Hazard.  The  Horfes  ^^^^ 
fir uck  Fire  at  every  ftep,  they  beat  off  their 
Shoes,  and  battered  their  Hoofs  to  Pieces,  that 
it  was  almoll  impolTible  for  them  to  travel. 
They  were  forced  to  alight  from  their  Horfes, 
and  then  they  could  fcarce  get  forwards  on 
Foot,  and  thofe  who  had  ftrong  Boots  on,  well 
foaled  with  Iron,  had  the  Soals  torn  off  from  the 
Upper- Leathers.  The  Saracens  who  had  been 
ufed  to  a  great  many  Hardfhips,  began  to  be 
extremely  uneafy,  and  wifhed  themfelves  again 
in  the  right  Road.  In  fhort,  every  Man  was 
heartily  tired,  but  the  indefatigable  Lover.  Caled 
himfelf  could  not  tell  what  to  think  on't;  but 
complained  to  'Jonas ^  and  told  him,  that  it  was 
all  his  doing.  At  laft  they  perceived  a  great 
many  Footfteps,  which  made  them  imagine  that 
the  People  were  gone  before  them.  The  Guide 
told  Calcd^  that  he  was  fure  they  could  not  be 
far  before,  becaufe  the  Dung  of  their  Horfes 
was  not  yet  dry.  Upon  this  Caled  called  to  his 
Men,  to  mend  their  Pace ;  but  they  told  him, 
they  were  quite  tired  and  worn  out,  and  muft 
of  neceffity  flay  and  bait  a  while  before  they 
went  any  further.  When  they  had  refreflied 
their  Horfes,  they  kept  going  on  ;  and  where- 
cver  they  paffed,  the  Country  People  miflook 
them  for  Chriflian  Arabs,   The  Guide  brought 

them 


1 24  TZ^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  them  to  Jabalah  and  Laodicea;  but  they  diirft 
not  pafs  through  thofe  Towns,  for  fear  of  be- 
ing difcovered.  Jonas  at  laft  enquired  of  a 
Country-man  ;  who  told  them,  that  the  Em- 
peror hearing  that  the  Damafcens  were  upon 
their  March  towards  Antiochy  was  fearful  left 
by  their  coming,  and  giving  a  terrible  Account 
of  the  Sharpnefs  of  the  Siege,  and  the  Courage 
of  the  Saracens,  thofe  about  him  fhould  be 
difheartened  ;  and  had  therefore  fent  an  Ex- 
prefs  to  forbid  their  coming  any  nearer  to  An- 
tiocb,  and  commanded  them  to  go  to  Co?iJianti- 
nople.  He  told  him  alfo,  that  the  Emperor  was 
raifing  Forces  to  fend  to  ^  Termouk.  When 
yonas  had  received  this  Intelligence,  he  was  at 
a  Lofs,  and  could  not  tell  what  to  do.  Caled 
enquired  of  him  what  News  ?  and  he  told  him 
how  it  was,  and  that  there  was  no  hope  of  over- 
taking them ;  and  befides,  that  there  was  but 
one  Mountain  between  them  and  that  Place 
where  the  Emperor's  Officers  were  raifmg 
rbrces  to  fend  againft  them.  As  foon  as  Caled 
.heard  him  mention  the  Forces,  he  turned  as 
pale  as  Afhes.  Derar^  who  had  never  obferved 
in  him  any  Signs  of  Fear  before  in  all  his  Life- 
time, afked  him,  what  was  the  Matter  ?  Alas^ 
fays  he,  'tis  not  that  I  fear  Deaths  or  any  thing 
that  may  befall  my  felf  but  becaufe  I  am  afraid' 

'Sept.  1.634. 

lejf 


Syria,  Perfia,  and  j^gypt,  125 

lejl  the  'Emperor's  Forces  Jhould  get  to  Damafcus,  Omar 
mid  do  our  People  fome  Mifchief  i?i  my  Abfence ;  Alwakidi 
efpecially  remembring  a  Dream  which  I  had  not 
long  fmce^  and  I  cannot  tell  the  Meaning  of  it. 
One  of  the  Men  asked  him  what  it  was? 
When  he  had  told  him,  AbdoWrahmdn^  Sol- 
dier like,  interpreted  it  all  in  Favour  of  the  Sa- 
racens. So  they  continued  their  March,  and 
there  fell  abundance  of  Rain  that  Night,  which 
put  them  to  a  great  deal  of  Inconvenience,  but 
the  poor  Damafcem  to  much  more.  In  the 
Morning,  after  a  tedious  March,  the  Damafcens 
found  a  pleafant  Meadow,  and  the  Sun  fhined 
comfortably  upon  them.  Glad  of  this  Opportu- 
nity, they  fat  down  to  reft  their  weary  Limbs, 
and  fpread  out  their  wet  Cloaths  to  dry  them. 
A  great  many  of  them,  quite  tired  and  fatigued, 
lay  down  to  fleep. 

In  this  Pofture  the  Saracens  found  them.  As 
foon  as  Caled  underftood  the  Matter,  he  divid- 
ed his  four  thoufand  Men  into  four  Regiments. 
The  firft  was  commanded  hy  Derar  Ebn  Alaz^ 
war ;  the  fecond  by  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah  y  the 
third  by  Abddrrahmdn^  Abubeker^  Son.  Caled 
himfelf  brought  up  the  fourth,  having  firft 
charged  the  Officers,  that  they  (hould  not  make 
their  Appearance  all  at  once,  but  leave  a  little 
fpace  one  between  the  other,  which  was  a  very 
proper  way  to  ftrike  Terror  into  the  Damafcens ; 
and  was  frequently  ufed  by  the  Saracens,  both 

in 


126  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  i"  their  Field-Fights,  and  when  they  came  to 
Alw^kidi.  ^  inveft  any  Town.  He  bad  them  not  begin  till 
they  faw  him  fall  on  firft,  and  not  touch  any 
of  the  Plunder  till  the  Fight  was  over.  The 
fight  of  the  Meadow  was  fo  pleafant  and  divert- 
ing, efpecially  after  they  had  been  fo  harrafs'd 
with  that  difmal  Journey  thro'  the  Rocks  and 
Mountains,  that  they  had  like  to  have  forgot 
what  they  came  about.  There  they  faw  the 
purling  Streams,  the  fine  Flowers,  and  unfpeak- 
able  Variety  of  rich  Silks  of  all  forts  of  Colours, 
curioufly  wrought,  fpread  all  over  the  Meadow; 
all  which  together  afforded  them  a  very  enter- 
taining Profpe(5t,  extremely  delightful  and  re- 
frefhing.  After  a  little  Paufe,  Caled  began  the 
Attack,  more  like  a  Lion  or  a  Tyger  than  a 
Man,  and  bad  his  Men  fall  upon  the  Enemies 
of  God.  The  Chriftians  quickly  knew  who  they 
were,  but  feeing  but  a  few  of  them  at  firft, 
defpifed  the  Smallnefs  of  the  Number,  and  pre- 
pared to  fight.  'Thcmas  and  Herbh  encouraged 
their  Men,  and  put  them  in  as  good  Order  as 
the  time  would  permit.  Thomas  engaged  Caled 
with  five  thoufand  Men,  and  after  a  Hiarp  Dif- 
pute  was  killed,  and  his  Men  routed.  As  foon 
as  AbdoWrahmdn  faw  Tho}?uis  fill  from  his 
Horfe,  he  alighted,  and  cut  off  his  Head,  and 
put  it  upon  the  Point  of  the  Standard  of  the 
Crofs,  and  faid,  Alas  for  you^  you  Grecian  Dogs, 
here's  your  Majlcrs  Head, 

Whiin: 


Syria^  Perfta^  and  Mgypt,  \%'^ 

Whilft  they  were  thus  engaged,  it  is  no  hard  Omar. 
Matter  to  guefs  what  was  become  of  'Jonai :  AlwSkidi. 
He  was  engag'd  too,  but  after  a  different  man- 
ner, being  among  the  Women,  in  Search  of  his 
Lady.  Rapbi  Ebn  Omeirah  came  up  that  way, 
and  faw  him  and  his  Lady  fighting  j  and  at  laft 
he  threw  her  violently  againft  the  Ground,  and 
took  her  Prifoner.  Whilfl:  Raphi  was  making 
up  to  them,  the  Women  flood  upon  their  De- 
fence, and  pelted  him  with  Stones.  At  lafl  a 
young  Lady  happen'd  to  hit  his  Horfe  in  the 
Forehead,  and  killed  him.  Raphi  ran  after  her 
with  his  Sword  drawn,  and  was  jufl  about 
flriking  her  Head  off,  but  fhe  cry'd,  garter ; 
fo  he  took  her  Prifoner.  She  was  a  Perfon  of 
no  lefs  Dignity  than  the  Emperor's  Daughter, 
and  T!homas'%  Wife  ;  a  Princefs  of  incomparable 
Features,  richly  drefs'd,  and  had  a  great  many 
Jewels  about  her  Head.  When  Raphi  had  dif- 
pos'd  of  this  rich  Prifoner,  he  came  to  the  Place 
where  'Jonas  was,  and  found  him  bath'd  ia 
Tears,  and  his  Lady  weltering  in  Blood.  RapU 
enquiring  what  was  the  Matter  ?  Jonas  wrung 
his  Hands,  and  faid,  Alas  for  me^  the  moji  mi» 
ferableMan  in  the  World!  I  came  to  this  Woman^ 
whom  I  loved  above  all  thi?igs  in  this  Life^  and 
would  fain  have  perfwaded  her  to  retur?i  with 
me  5  but  Jhe  continuing  objiinate  becaufe  1  had 
changd  my  Religion ^  and  vowing  Jhe  would  go 

ta 


128  *I})e  Saracens  Conqnejl  of 

Omar.  ^^  Conftantinople,  and  there  end  her  Dayi  in  a 
Alwakidi.  J^unner)\  1  refolvd  if  I  could  not  perfwade  her 
by  fat}-  Means ^  to  make  my  felfMaJier  of  her  by 
Force  :  So  I  threw  her  down,  and  took  her  Pri^ 
finer.  When  Jhe  faw  that  Jhe  was  in  my  Power ^ 
fie  fat  quietly  a  while,  and  fecretly  drawifig  out 
a  Knife,  flabb'd  her  felf  in  the  Breaji  before  I 
was  aware,  and  fell  down  dead  immediately. 
Raphi  hearing  this  lamentable  Story,  wept  too, 
and  faid,  God  did  not  defign  that  you  Jhould  live 
with  her,  and  therefore  has  provided  better  for 
you.  What's  that?  faid  fonas.  Flljloow you,  an- 
fwered  Raphi,  a  Prifoner  have  I  taken,  a  Perfon 
of  admirable  Beauty,  and  richly  drefsd,  which  I 
willprefent  to  you  to  recompenfe  your  Lofs.  When 
they  came  together,  Jonas  and  the  Princefs 
talk'd  together  in  Greek,  and  Raphi  freely  gave 
her  to  him. 

In  the  mean  time  Caled  was  employed  in  the 
Search  of  Herbts.  At  lafl:  he  faw  a  huge  tall 
Man  richly  drefs'd,  which  he  imagined  at  firft 
to  have  been  the  fame,  and  beat  him  down  to 
the  Ground  with  his  Lance,  faying,  Alas  for 
thee,  Herbis,  didjl  thou  think  to  efcape  me  f  The 
Man  could  fpeak  Arabick  well,  and  told  him, 
that  he  was  not  Herbts,  but  another  j  and  if  he 
vf  ould  fpare  him,  he  would  give  him  more  than 
he  was  aware  of.  No  garter,  fays  Caled,  un^ 
lefs  you  dire&  me  to  Herbis,  that  I  may  kill  him ; 

and 


Alwakidi. 


Syrta^  Perflay  and  Mgypt.  129 

and  if  fo,  Ifiall  let  yon  go  your  way  without  any  omar. 
Ranfom.  Well,  fays  the  Man,  III  tell  you;  but 
make  Jirft  a  firm  Agreement  with  me^  that  if  I 
fiew  you  where  he  is,  you  will  let  me  go.  Tes, 
fays  Calid,  if  be  falls  into  my  Hands,  T'his  is 
one  of  your  Tricks,  faid  the  Chriftian,  fo  you  gave 
us  Security  and  FroteSiion,  and  then  afterwards 
followed  us  to  this  Place,  whe?2  we  never  expeBed 
any  one  fjould  have  purfud  us ;  and  now  you  tell 
me,  that  if  Herbis  falls  into  your  Hands,  you 
will  let  me  go,  I  can  tell  you  where  he  is,  but 
how  can  Ipromife  that?  At  this  Caledw2i%  angry, 
and  faid,  Thou  Chrifiian  Dog  I  dofl  thou  accufe  us 
of  Breach  of  Promife,  who  are  the  Cotnpanions  of 
the  Apojile  of  God  ?  When  we  promife  any  thing, 
we  are  as  good  as  our  Word.  We  did  not  come  out 
after  you,  till  the  fourth  Day  was  expired.  The 
Chriftian  defired  him  to  get  off  from  him,  that 
he  might  fhew  him  where  Herbis  was ;  for 
Caled,  when  he  had  beaten  him  down,  fat  upon 
him  all  the  while.  Then  he  look'd  about,  and 
fhew'd  him  a  Party  of  Horfe  at  a  Diftance,  and 
told  him,  that  Herbis  was  among  them.  Caled, 
upon  this,  called  a  Saracen  to  him,  and  bad  him 
take  Care  of  the  Chriftian  ;  and  if  Herbis  was 
among  that  Company,  he  ftiould  let  him  go, 
but  if  he  was  caught  in  a  Lye,  he  fhould  ftrikc 
his  Head  off.  When  Caled  came  thither,  he 
alighted,  and  betook  himfelf  to  his  Sword  and 
I  Target  i 


130  Tloe  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Target ;  and  whilfi;  he  was  fighting  among  the 
thicked:  of  the  Chriflians,  Herbts  came  behind 
him,  and  gave  him  fuch  a  Blow,  that  he  cleav'd 
his  Hehnet  through  to  his  Turbant,  and  with 
the  Violence  of  the  Stroak,  his  Sword  fell  out 
of  his  Hand.  About  this  time,  Caled's  Men 
came  in  timely  to  his  Afliftance,  and  fell  upon 
the  Chriftians,  and  cut  them  all  to  Pieces, 
When  they  had  now  entirely  ruin'd  and  de- 
ftroy'd  thofe  miferable  Creatures,  which  had 
efcaped  at  the  taking  of  Damafcus,  Caled  called 
for  the  Man  that  had  fhewn  him  the  way  to 
Herbhy  and  told  him,  that  fince  he  had  per- 
formed what  he  had  promis'd  to  them,  they 
would  do  the  fame  to  him  ;  only  they  were 
obliged  to  exhort  and  admoniih  him  firft : 
Wherefore  he  afk'd  him,  whether  he  could  find 
in  his  Heart  to  become  ojie  of  the  Fajling  and 
Fraying  People,  the  Followers  of  Mahomet  ? 
Upon  his  refufing  to  change  his  Religion,  they 
difmifs'd  him,  and  he  took  the  Road  towards 
Conjlantinople,  being  the  only  Perfon  that  the 
Saracens  knew  of,  that  efcaped  the  being  killed 
or  taken  Prifoner,  of  all  that  numerous  Train 
that  followed  Thomas  and  Herbh  out  of  the 
Gates  of  Damafcus. 

Caled,  when  he  came  back,  ask'd  Jotias  what 
was  become  of  his  Wife  ?  who  gave  him  an 
Account  of  that  difmal  Story,  which  we  have 

al- 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  ^gypt,  131 

already  related.    Hearing  that  the  Princefs  was 
taken  Prifoner,  he  commanded  her  to  be  brought 
into  his  Prefence  j  and  when  he  beheld  her  ex- 
cellent Beauty,  comely  Proportion  and  agreeable 
Mein,  he  turned  away   his  Head,  and  faid. 
Glory  be  to  thee^  O  God!  we  praife  thee^  who 
createfi  what  thou  pleafefl.    Then  he  told  Jonas^ 
that  if  the  Emperor  did  not  redeem  her,  he 
fhould  have  her  :  Jojias  accepted  his  Prefent 
very  thankfully,  and  withal  told  him,  that  they 
were  in  a  ftreight  narrow  Place,  and  that  it  was 
high  time  to  be  marching ;  for  they  might  be 
fure  that  what  they  had  done  was  noifed  about 
the  Country,  and  it  would  not  be  long  before 
they  (liould  be  purfued.    Before  they  got  back 
to  DamafcuSy  they  faw  a  great  Duft  behind 
them.   Upon  which  C^/?^  difpatches  a  Scout,  to 
enquire  what  was  the  Matter?  Who  quickly 
difcover'd   the   Crofles    in    the    Colours,    and 
brought  him  Word  :  But,  contrary  to  the  Ex- 
pectation of  the  Saracens,  there  was  no  Hoftili- 
ty  intended  ;  only  there  came  an  old  Man  from 
among  the  Chriftians,  who  being  at  his  Requefl 
conducted  to  the  General,  begg'd  of  him,  in 
the  Emperor's  Name,  to  difmifs  the  Princefs 
his  Daughter.     Cakd  having  advis'd  with  Jofias 
about  it,  confented  to  let  her  go ;  and  faid  to 
the  Old  Man,   "tell  your  MaJIer  that  there  will 
?tever  be  any  Peace  between  him  and  me^  till  I 
I  2  have 


132  The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

have  gotten  every  Foot  of  hand  he  has  j  and  tho 
I  have  fe fit  him  his  Daughter  now^  I  hope  to  have 
him  injiead  of  her  one  of  thefe  Days. 

It  was  not  long  before  they  came  to  Damaf- 
cuSy  where  they  were  fo  much  the  more  wel- 
come, becaufe  their  long  Abfence  had  made 
their  Friends  there  defpair  of  their  Return.  Old 
Abu  Obeidah  was  furpriz'd  at  Caled's  Valour. 
Caled^  referving  a  fifth  part  of  the  Spoils  to  be 
fent  to  the  Caliph,  and  put  into  the  publick 
Treafury,  according  to  their  Precept  in  the 
*  Alcoran,  diftributed  the  rert:  among  the  Sol- 
diers. He  2^2iVQ  Jonas  a  good  round  Sum  to  buy 
him  a  Wife  withal :  But  fonas  anfwered  him  in 
a  very  melancholy  Tone,  that  he  would  never 
entertain  any  fuch  Thoughts  again  in  this  World, 
but  his  next  Wife  {hould  be  one  of  thofe  black- 
ey'd  Women  mention'd  in  the  *  Alcoran.  He 
continued  among  the  Saracens,  and  was  fervice- 
able  to  them  ;  till  at  laft  at  the  Battle  of  Ter^ 
mouk^  he  was  fhot  in  the  Breaft.  Thus  fell  the 
Apoftate.  However  my  Author,  for  the  En- 
couragement of  new  Profelytes,  (for  more  forts 
of  People  than  one  will  lye  for  Religion)  tells 
us,  that  after  he  was  dead,  he  was  feen  in  a 
Vifion  by  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah  very  richly 
cloathed,  and  with  gold  Shoes  upon  his  Feet, 

*  Surato'l  Anphal.  Chap.  VIII.  15.  *  Chap.  LII.  19. 
LVI.  22. 

walking 


nar, 
Alwakidi. 


Syrta^  Perjia^  arid  j^gypt.  133 

walking  in  a  moft  beautiful  verdant  Meadow  ;  o 
and  when  Raphi  afked  him  what  God  had  done 
for  him  ?  Jo7jas  anfwered,  that  he  had  given 
him  feventy  young  Women,  fo  bright  and  beau- 
tiful, that  if  any  one  of  them  fhould  appear  in 
this  World,  the  Sun  and  Moon  could  not  be 
feen  for  the  Refplendency  of  her  Beauty.  When 
Caled  heard  of  this  Vifion,  he  faid,  This  it  is  to 
be  a  Martyr^  happy  is  he  that  attains  to  it, 

Caled ^  not  having  yet  receiv'd  Advice  of 
Abiibeker\  Death,  wrote  a  Letter  to  him,  to  ac- 
quaint him  with  the  taking  of  Damafcus^  the 
Controverfy  between  him  and  Abu  Obeidah^  and 
the  Recovery  of  the  Spoil  which  the  Damafcens 
had  carried  away.  The  MelTenger  being  come 
to  Medinah^  wondered  to  find  Ojnar  in  Abiibe- 
kerh  flead  5  and  Omar  finding  the  Letter  direct- 
ed to  Abiibeker,  wonder'd  the  Saracens  in  Syria 
ihould  be  flill  ignorant  of  the  Alteration  in  the 
Government,  and  told  the  MefTenger,  that  he 
had  written  to  Abu  Obeidah  about  it,  and  given 
him  the  chief  Command  over  the  Muflemans  in 
Syria  J  and  depofed  Caled,  tho'  he  thought  that 
Abu  Obeidah  was  not  fond  of  that  Employ. 
The  truth  of  it  is,  Abu  Obeidah  had  received  the 
Letter,  but  kept  it  private  :  for  being  a  very 
modeft  Man,  and  one  that  had  not  the  leaft 
Spark  of  Ambition  in  him,  he  was  very  unwil- 
ling to  take  the  CommifTion  out  of  Caled's 
1  3  Hands : 


Alwakidi. 


134  7%e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Hands :  Wherefore  he  took  no  Notice  of  it  to 
him,  nor  faid  any  thing  to  hinder  his  writing 
to  the  Caliph,  after  his  Return  from  the  Pur- 
fuit  of  the  Damafcens.  Omar  liked  Abu  Obeidah 
for  his  Piety,  but  had  no  Opinion  at  all  oiCaled, 
One  Day  as  he  was  fpeaking  to  the  People  from 
the  Pulpit,  (as  it  was  ufual  for  the  Caliphs  then 
to  talk  about  what  concern'd  the  Publick,  in  a 
very  familiar  manner)  he  mention'd  the  taking 
away  Caled\  Commiflion,  and  conferring  that 
Charge  upon  Abu  Obeidah,  A  young  Man  that 
was  prefent,  took  the  Freedom  of  telling  him, 
that  he  wonder'd  he  would  deprive  fuch  a  Per- 
fon  as  had  been  the  Inftrument  of  fo  good  Suc- 
cefs  to  the  Muflemans  j  and  that  when  Ahube^ 
hr  was  moved  by  fome  about  him  to  depofe 
hini,  his  Anfwer  was,  That  he  would  not  lay 
afide,  nor  fieath  that  Sword^  which  God  had 
drawn  for  the  AJjifiance  of  the  true  Religion : 
And  withal  told  Omar^  That  if  he  did  it,  he 
muft  anfwer  it  to  God.  Omar  made  but  very 
little  Anfwer,  but  came  down  from  the  Pulpit, 
and  confider'd  of  it  that  Night.  The  next  Day 
he  came  again,  and  told  them,  that  fince  the 
Care  and  Charge  of  the  Muflemans  was  com- 
mitted to  him,  he  thought  himfelf  oblig'd  to 
take  the  beft  Care  of  them  he  could,  as  one 
that  muft  give  an  Account ;  and  for  that  Rea- 
fon  was  refolv'd  to  difpofe  of  Places  of  Truft  to 

fuch 


Syria^  Perfta^  and  /Egypt,  135 

fuch  as  defer v'd  them,  and  not  to  fuch  as  did  Omar. 
not;  That  he  would  give  the  Command  of  the  Alwakiji. 
Army  to  Abu  Obeidah^  whom  he  knew  to  be 
a  Man  of  a  tender  and  gentle  Difpofition,  and 
one  that  would  be  kind  to  the  Muflemans : 
That  he  did  not  approve  of  Caled^  becaufe  he 
was  prodigal  and  extravagant ;  adding,  I  would 
not  have  your  'Enemies  think  that  it  is  ever  the 
better  for  them,  becaufe  I  have  deposed  a  fierce 
Man,  and  put  a  mild  one  in  his  Place  j  for  God 
will  be  with  him,  and  ajjift  and  fre?igthen  him. 
Then  he  came  down  from  the  Pulpit,  and  took 
a  Sheet  of  Parchment,  and  wrote  to  Ahu  Obei- 
dah  a  large  Letter,  full  of  good  Advice.  He 
told  him,  that  he  had  given  him  the  chief  Com- 
mand of  the  Army,  and  bad  him  not  be  too 
model!: ;  and  that  he  fliould  take  care  not  to  ex- 
pofe  the  Muflemans  to  Danger,  in  hopes  of  get- 
ting Plunder.  By  which  laft  Words  he  very 
plainly  grated  upon  Calcd^  following  the  Da- 
mafcens  into  the  Enemies  Country.  He  charged 
him  not  to  be  deceived  with  this  prefent  World, 
and  by  that  means  to  perifli,  as  a  great  many 
had  done  before  him,  and  bad  him  look  upon 
thofe  who  had  gone  before,  and  afllire  himfelf, 
that  he  mufl  follow  them.  Then  he  adds,  Ai 
for  the  Wheat  and  Barley,  it  belongs  to  the  Mujle^ 
mans,  and  fo  does  the  Gold  and  Silver,  but  there 
muft  be  a  '  fifth  taken  out  of  it.    As  for  the 

'  Alcoran,  Chap.  VIII.  15. 

1 4  Co?l- 


136  Hoe  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

3mar.  Controvcrfy  between  you  and  Caled,  concerning 
the  City  5  being  jurrendered  or  taken  by  the 
Sword -J  it  was  Jurrendered.  Tou  mufi  have  it 
your  way  :  Tou  are  Commander  in  chiefs  and 
have  the  Tower  of  determining  that  Matter.  If 
the  T^ownjmen  did  furrender^  upon  Condition  that 
they  Jhould  have  the  Wheat  and  Barley^  let  them 
have  it.  As  for  Caled'j  purfuing  the  Damafcens, 
it  was  a  rajh  Undertaking  ;  and  if  God  had  not 
been  the  more  merciful^  you  had  not  come  off  fo 
well.  T^hen  the  taking  the  Emperor's  Daughter, 
and  letting  her  go  unranfomed^  was  prodigally 
done.  Tou  might  have  had  a  large  Sum  of  Money 
for  her,  which  would  have  done  a  Kindnefs  among 
the  poor  Mujlemans.    Farewell,  &c. 

Having  feal'd  it  up,  he  call'd  Shadddd  Ebn 
Aus,  and  ordered  him,  that  as  foon  as  he  came 
to  the  Army,  he  {liould,  after  the  Letter  was 
read,  caufe  the  Muflemans  to  proclaim  him 
Caliph  in  Damafcus,  and  bad  him  be  his  Repre- 
fentative.  Shadddd  Ben  Aus  and  Amrou  Ben  Abi 
Wakkds  made  what  hafte  thy  could  to  Damaf- 
cus,  and  came  to  Caled's  Tent,  and  paid  their 
Refpecfts,  and  told  him  how  the  Government 
was  difpos'd  of,  and  that  they  had  a  Letter  from 
the  Caliph,  which  was  to  be  read  in  the  hearing 
of  the  Mullemans.  C^/^^did  not  like  that  very 
well,  for  he  knew  that  Omar  was  not  well  af- 
fected towards  him.  They  all  wept  when  they 

heard 


Syria-iPerfta^  and  Mgypt,  137 

heard  of  Abubekers  Death.    Caled  fwore,  T'hat    Omar. 
tho"  there  was  nothing  upon  the  Earth  dearer  to  ^Iwakidi. 
him  than  Abubeker  ;  '  nor^  that  he  had  a  greater 
Averfion  to  than  to  Omar.     But  fmce  Abubeker 
"ivas  dead^  and  had  appointed  Omar  his  Succejfor^ 
be  ivas  very  willing  to  fubmit  to  God  and  to 
Omar.  Then  the  Letter  was  read,  and  the  fame 
day  *  being  the  firft  of  05lober,  in  the  Year  of 
cur  Lord  634,   Shadddd  was  proclaim'd  Caliph 
at  Damafcus  in  Omars  ftead.    Upon  this  Caled 
refigns  his  Commilllon,  and  Abu  Obeidah  takes 
the  whole  Charge  of  the  Army,  and  all  the  Af- 
fairs of  the  Muflemans  in  Syria  upon  himfelf. 

'  I  am  in  great  doubt,  whether  I  have  render'd  thefe 
Words  (nor  that  he  had  a  greater  Averfion  to  than  to  Omar^ 
right,  according  to  the  Senfe  of  the  Original;  but  being 
now  at  a  great  diftance  from  the  Manufcript,  I  am  forced 
to  follow  my  foul  Copy.  *  Hegirah  13.  A.  D.  634.    I 

take  the  Liberty  as  to  this  Date  to  differ  from  my  Manu- 
fcript, which  fays,  that  i'/j^^rt'^^  was  proclaim'd  in  DamaJ- 
cus^  in  the  I4.th  Year  of  the  Hegirah,  which  anfwers  to  the 
Year  of  our  Lord  635.  But  all  the  Circumftances  make  it 
plain  that  it  could  not  be  done  fo  late.  For  Jbubehr  (ac- 
cording to  Ehnakin)  died  the  23d  oi  Anguji,  634.  and,  ac- 
cording to  Akvak'uli,  Darnafcus  was  taken  the  fame  Night 
that  Abubeker  died.  Caled's  Letter  was  fent  as  foon  as  he 
return'd  from  purfuing  the  Damafcens  ;  and  Omar  wrote 
his  Anfwer  foon  after.  Wherefore  Shadddd  could  not  be 
proclaim'd  Caliph,  on  the  third  of  Shaabdn,  in  the  14th 
Year  of  the  Hegirah,  but  it  mufl  be  on  the  thirteenth, 
which  anfwers  to  the  firft  of  our  O^ober,  and  fuits  exadljr 
V'eli  with  the  Circumftances  of  the  Hiflory, 

Abu 


Alwakidi 


138  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Abu  Obeidah  was  afraid  that  Caled  would  have 
taken  Difgufl  at  his  Removal ;  and,  (which  is 
generally  the  Effedt  of  want  of  Encouragement) 
have  been  remifs  in  his  Bufmefs;  but  he  made 
the  contrary  appear  fufficiently,  in  that  great 
Adion  perform'd  at  2)^/ry^/^/7X(3^(3i;  or,  T^hs 
Monajlery  of  the  Holy  Father. 

Dair  Abil  Kodos  lies  between  Tripoli  and 
Harran.  There  lived  in  that  Place  a  Prieft 
eminent  for  his  fingular  Learning,  Piety  and 
Auflerity  of  Life,  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  all 
forts  of  Perfons,  Young  and  Old,  Rich  and 
Poor,  ufed  to  frequent  his  Houfe,  to  afk  his 
Bleffing,  and  receive  his  Inftrudlions;  There 
was  no  Perfon  of  what  Rank  or  Quality  foever, 
but  thought  themfelves  happy  if  they  had  his 
Prayers  J  and  when-ever  any  young  Couple 
amongft  the  Nobility  and  Perfons  of  the  higheft 
Rank  were  married,  they  were  carryed  to  him 
to  receive  his  Bleffing.  Every  Eafter  there  ufed 
to  be  a  great  Fair  kept  at  his  Houfe,  where 
they  fold  rich  Silks  and  Sattins,  Plate  and 
Jewels,  and  coftly  Furniture  of  all  forts.  Abu 
Obeidah^  now  poffefTed  of  Damafcus^  was  in 
doubt  whether  to  go  next.  One  while  he  had 
Thoughts  of  turning  to  yerufalem  ;  another,  to 
Antioch.  Whilfl  he  was  thus  deliberating,  a 
Chriftian  that  was  under  the  Saracens  Protedi- 
on,  informed  him  of  this  great  Fair,  which  was 

about 


Syrta^  Perfia^  and  jEgypt.  139 

about  thirty  Miles  diftant  from  Damafcus,  Omar. 
When  he  underftood  that  there  never  ufed  to  ^iwakidi. 
be  any  Guards  at  the  Fair,  the  Hopes  of  an 
eafy  Conqueft,  and  large  Spoil,  encouraged  him 
to  undertake  it.  He  looked  round  about  upon 
the  Muflemans,  and  afked  which  of  them  would 
undertake  to  command  the  Forces  he  fhould 
fend  upon  this  Expedition;  and  at  the  fame 
time  caft  his  Eye  upon  Caled,  but  was  afham- 
ed  to  command  him,  that  had  been  his  General 
fo  lately.  C^/d'^  underftood  his  Meaning;  but 
his  being  laid  afide  ftuck  a  little  in  his  Stomach, 
fo  that  he  would  not  proffer  his  Service.  At  laft 
Abdo'llah  Ebn  Jaafar  (whofe  Mother  was,  af-^ 
ter  his  Father  Jaafar  was  killed  in  the  Wars, 
married  to  Abubeker)  offered  himfelf.  Abu 
Obeidah  accepted  him  chearfully,  and  gave  him 
a  Standard  and  five  hundred  Horfe.  There  was 
never  a  Man  among  them  but  had  been  in  fe- 
veral  Battles.  The  Chriftian  who  had  firft  in- 
formed them  of  this  Fair,  was  their  Guide, 
And  whilft  they  ftaid  to  reft  themfelves  in  their 
March,  he  went  before  to  take  a  View  of  the 
Fair.  When  he  came  back,  he  brought  a  very 
difcouraging  Account;  for  there  had  never  been 
fuch  a  Fair  feen  before.  He  told  them,  that 
there  was  a  moft  prodigious  Number  of  Peo- 
ple, Abundance  of  Clergy,  Officers,  Courtiers 
and  Soldiers.  The  occafion  of  which  was,  that 

the 


Alwakidi. 


140  T}>e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  the  Prefed  of  Tripoli  had  marryed  his  Daugh- 
ter to  a  great  Man,  and  they  had  brought  the 
young  Lady  to  this  reverend  Prieft,  to  receive 
the  Communion  at  his  Hands.  He  added,  that 
taking  them  altogether,  Greeks^  Armeneans^ 
CophtieSy  yews^  and  Chrijiians,  there  could  be 
no  fewer  than  ten  thoufand  People,  befidcs  five 
thoufand  Horfe,  which  were  the  Lady's  Guard. 
Abddllah  afked  his  Friends  what  they  thought 
of  it  ?  They  told  him,  that  it  was  the  beft 
way  to  go  back  again,  and  not  to  be  accefTary 
to  their  own  Deftrudion.  To  which  he  anfwer- 
cd,  That  he  was  afraid,  if  he  Jhoiild  do  foy  God 
would  be  angry  with  him,  and  reckon  him  a- 
mongft  the  Number  of  thofe  who  are  backward  in 
his  Service-,  and  fo  he  Jhould  be  miferable.  J  am 
not  (faid  he)  willing  to  go  back  before  I  fight ; 
and  if  any  one  will  help  me,  God  reward  him :  If 
not,  Ifjall  not  be  angry  with  him.  The  reft  of 
the  Saracens  hearing  that,  were  afliamed  to 
flinch  from  him  j  and  told  him,  he  might  do  as 
he  pleafed,  they  were  ready  at  his  Command. 
Now  (fays  Abddllah  to  the  Guide)  come  along 
with  us,  and  you  Jhall  fee  what  the  Cojnpanions 
of  the  Apoflle  of  God  are  able  to  perform.  Not  7, 
anfwered  the  Guide,  go  your  felves ;  I  have  no- 
thing  to  fay  to  you,  Abdo'llah  perfwaded  him, 
with  a  great  many  good  Words,  to  bear  them 
Company  till  they  came  within  fight  of  the 

Fair. 


Syriat  Perjla^  and  ^gypt,  141 

Fair.  Having  conduced  them  as  far  as  he  omar. 
thought  fit,  he  bad  them  flay  there,  and  He  Alwakidi 
clofe  till  Morning.  In  the  Morning  they  con- 
fuked  which  way  to  attack  them  to  the  beft 
Advantage.  Otnar  Eb?i  Rebiyah  thought  it  moft 
advifeable  to  flay  till  the  People  had  opened 
their  Wares,  and  the  Fair  was  begun,  and  then 
fall  upon  them  when  they  were  all  employed. 
This  Advice  of  his  was  approved  by  all.  Ab~ 
do'llah  divided  his  Men  into  five  Troops,  and 
ordered  them  to  charge  in  five  different  Places, 
and  not  regard  the  Spoil,  nor  taking  Prifoners, 
but  put  all  to  the  Sword.  When  they  came 
near  the  Monaflery,  the  Chriftians  flood  as 
thick  as  pofTible.  The  Reverend  Father  had 
begun  his  Sermon,  and  they  thronged  on  all 
fides  to  hear  him  with  a  great  deal  of  Atten- 
tion. The  young  Lady  was  in  the  Houfe,  and 
her  Guard  flood  round  about  it,  with  a  great 
many  of  the  Nobility  and  Officers  richly 
cloathed.  When  Abdo'llah  faw  this  Number  of 
People,  he  was  not  in  the  leafl  difcouraged,  but 
turned  himfelf  about  to  the  Saracens,  and  faid, 
T:he  Apoftle  of  God  has  faid,  "That  Paradfe  is 
under  the  Shadow  of  Swords  i  either  we  fiall  fuc- 
ceed,  and  then  we  Jhall  have  all  the  Plunder  -,  or 
elfe  die,  and  fo  the  next  way  to  Paradife.  The 
Words  were  no  fooner  out  of  his  Mouth,  but  he 

fell 


142  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  fell  upon  them,  and  made  a  bloody  Slaughter. 
Alwakidi.^  When  the  Chriftians  heard  the  Saracens  make 
fuch  a  Noife,  and  cry  out,  Allah  Acbar,  they 
were  amazed  and  confounded,  imagining  that 
the  whole  Saracen  Army  had  come  from  Da- 
mafcus^  and  fallen  upon  them  j  which  put  them 
at  firft  into  a  moft  terrible  Confternation.  But 
when  they  had  taken  time  to  confider  and  look 
about  themfelves  a  little,  and  faw  that  there 
was  but  an  Handful  of  Men,  they  took  Cou- 
rage, and  hemmed  them  in  round  on  every 
fide  J  fo  that  Abddllah  and  his  Party  were  9  like 
a  little  Ifland  in  the  midfl  of  the  Ocean.  As 
foon  as  Abdollah  Ebn  Anis  (the  Reader  is  de- 
fired  to  obferve  the  Diftindtion  of  Names,  for 
a  great  many  of  them  are  very  much  alike) 
perceived  that  Abdollah  Ebn  Jaafar  was  in  fo 
much  Danger,  he  immediately  turn'd  his  Horfe, 
and  rather  tiew  than  rode  to  Abu  Obeidah^  who 
afked  him,  what  News  ?  Ebn  Anis  told  him, 
that  Abdollah^  and  all  the  Mujlemans  with  him 
were  in  apparent  Hazard  of  being  lojl ;  and 
if  they  were  not  fuccoured  injlatitly,  would  infal- 
libly be  cut  all  to  Pieces.  And  now  'twas  high 
time  to  look  out  for  Caled;  (none  like  him  and 

®  yfrab.  Were  like  a  white  Spot  In  a  Black  Camel's  Skin. 
A  Camel  being  a  Creature  very  frequent  and  very  fervice- 
able  in  the  Eaftcrn  Countries,  they  often  mention  and  al- 
lude to  it  in  their  Proverbs. 

Derar 


Syria^Perfta^  and  JEgypt.  143 

'Derar  in  a  Cafe  of  Extemity)  fo  Abu  Oheidah  Omar. 
turned  to  him,  and  faid,  I  beg  of  thee ^  for  God's  ^^^^^ 
fake,  not  to  fail  in  this  Exigency,  but  go  and 
help  thy  Brethren  the  Muflejnans.  Caled  fwore, 
that  if  Omar  had  given  the  Command  of  the 
Army  to  a  Child,  he  would  have  obeyed  him  ; 
adding,  That  he  would  not  contradict  him,  but 
refpeSled  him  as  one  that  came  into  the  ProfeJJton 
of  the  Mahometan  Religion  before  himfelf  All 
that  were  prefent  were  wonderfully  pleafed  with 
Caled's  modeft  Anfwer  ;  which  does  indeed  de- 
ferve  to  be  particularly  taken  notice  of,  efpe- 
cially  confidering  how  lately  he  had  been  turn- 
ed out  of  his  Commiffion.  Abu  Obeidah  haften- 
cd  him,  and  he  immediately  put  on  his  Armour. 
His  Coat  of  Mail  was  that  which  he  took  from 
Mofeilamah,  the  falfe  Prophet.  Then  he  put 
on  his  Helmet,  and  over  that  a  Cap,  which  he 
called  the  Blejfed  Cap  -,  it  having  received  Ma- 
homet's Benedidion.  Upon  which  he  valued  it 
more  than  all  his  Armour  befides,  and  ufed  fre- 
quently to  attribute  his  Security  and  Succefs  to 
it.  His  Men  were  inftantly  ready,  and  away 
they  flew  with  all  poffible  fpeed  :  And  if  we 
confider  the  Circumftances,  they  had  need  make 
as  much  Hafte  as  they  did  ;  for  that  fmall 
Number  of  Saracens  which  had  made  the  firfl 
Attack,  was  quite  drowned  and  overwhelmed 
in  that  great  Multitude  of  Chriftian?,  and  there 

was 


144-  ^^  Saracens  Conqiiejl  of 

was  fcarce  any  of  them  but  what  had  more 
Wounds  than  one.  In  fhort,  they  were  at  their 
laft  Gafp,  and  had  nothing  left  to  comfort  them 
but  Paradife.  Fighting  in  this  defperate  Condi- 
tion, about  Sun-fet  they  faw  the  Duft  fly,  and 
Horfemen  coming  full  fpeed,  which  did  rather 
abate  than  add  to  their  Courage  \  they  imagin- 
ing at  firft  that  they  might  be  Chriflians.  At 
laft  Caled  appear'd,  fierce  as  a  Lyon,  with  his 
Colours  flying  in  his  Hand,  and  made  up  to 
Abdo'llahy  who  with  much  ado  had  born  up  his 
Standard  all  this  while,  and  was  now  quite 
fpent.  But  as  foon  as  they  heard  CaleiH 
Voice,  and  faw  the  Mahometan  Banner,  the 
finking,  drooping  Saracens,  who  were  fcarce 
able  to  hold  their  Swords,  as  if  they  had  had 
new  Blood  and  Spirits  infufed  into  them,  took 
frefli  Courage,  and  all  together  rent  the  Skies 
with  Allah  Acbar,  Then  Abdo'llah  charged  the 
Guard,  which  was  round  the  Monaftery,  on 
the  one  fide  -,  and  Derar  Ebno'l  Azwdr  on  the 
other.  The  Prefed:  of  Tripoli  himfelf  was  en- 
gaged with  Derar y  and  was  too  hard  for  him, 
got  him  down,  and  lay  upon  him  ;  at  which 
time  Derar  fecretly  drew  a  Knife,  which  he 
ufed  to  carry  about  him  againft  fuch  Occafions, 
and  ftabbed  him.  Then  he  mounted  the  Pre- 
fed's  Horfe,  and  cried  out,  Allab  Acbar.  Whilft 
Derar  was  engaged  with  the  Prefe(5V,  Abdo'llah 

Ebn 


Alwakidi. 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  Mgypt,  145 

Ehn  Jaafar  had  taken  PofTeffion  of  the  Houfe,  Omar. 
but  meddled  with  nothing  in  it,  till  Caled  came 
back,  who  was  gone  in  purfuit  of  thofe  Chri* 
flians  he  had  beaten,  and  followed  them  to  a 
River  which  was  between  them  and  I'ripoli. 
The  Greeks,  as  foon  as  they  came  to  the  River^ 
took  the  Water.  Caled  purfued  them  no  far- 
ther i  but  when  he  came  back,  found  the  Sa*- 
racens  in  the  Monaftery.  They  feized  all  the 
Spoil,  Silks,  Cloaths,  Hou(hold-StufF,  Fruits 
and  Provifion,  that  were  in  the  Fair  5  and  all  the 
Hangings,  Money  and  Plate  in  the  Houfe  5.  and 
took  the  young  Lady,  the  Governour's  Daugh- 
ter, and  forty  Maids  that  waited  upon  her.  So 
they  loaded  all  their  Jewels,  Wealth  and  Furni- 
ture, upon  Horfes,  Mules  and  Afles,  and  re- 
turned to  Damafcus^  having  left  nothing  behind 
them  in  the  Houfe  but  the  old  Religious. 

While  the  Saracens  were  driving  away  the 
Spoil,  Caled  called  out  to  the  old  Prieft  in  the 
Houfe,  who  would  not  vouchfafe  him  an  An- 
fwer.  When  he  called  a  fecond  time  j  JVhat 
would  you  have  ?  (faid  the  Prieft)  Get  you  gone 
about  your  Bujlnefsy  and  ajfure  your  Jelf\  that 
God*5  Vengeance  will  light  upon  your  Head,  for 
fpilling  the  Blood  of  fo  many  Chriflians.  How 
can  that  be  (faid  Caled)  when  '  God  has  com^ 
manded  us  to  fght  with  you,  and  kill  you  f  And 

•  y/Zfortfw,  Chap.VIir.40. 

K  if 


f  4^  7Z^  Saracens  Conqtieji  of 

Omar,  if  the  Apofik  of  God  (of  BlefTed  Memory)  had 
^■!^^-!ifj  ^^^  rc/«w^«^(?^  «i  /o  let  fuch  Men  as  you  are  alone  ^ 
youjhouldmt  have  efcaped  any  more  than  the  reji^ 
but  I  would  have  put  you  to  a  moji  cruel  Death, 
The  poor  Religious  held  his  Peace  at  this,  and 
anfvvered  him  never  a  Word. 

Abu  Obeidah  was  all  the  while  waiting  with 
great  Impatience,  to  hear  what  News.  When 
they  returned,  he  received  them  with  all  ima- 
ginable Expreflions  of  Kindnefs  and  AiFedlion, 
taking  moft  particular  Notice  "of  Caled  and  Ah^ 
do'llah.  Having  taken  out  a  *  Ffth^  he  diflri- 
buted  the  reft  of  the  Spoil  among  the  Soldiers. 
He  gave  to  Derar  Ebno'l  Azwdr  the  Prefedt  of 
^ripolH  Horfe  and  Saddle,  who  made  a  Pre- 
fent  of  them  to  his  Sifter  Caulah.  She,  as  foon 
as  (he  had  them,  picked  out  all  the  precious 
Stones  and  Jewels,  of  which  there  was  a  great 
Number  in  the  Trappings  and  Saddle,  and  di- 
vided them  among  the  Women  of  her  Acquain- 
tance. Then  they  prefented  the  Prifoners  to 
Abu  Obeidah^  among  which  was  the  Prefed's 
Daughter.  Abdo'llah  afked  that  he  might  have 
her  J  but  Abu  Obeidah  defired  him  to  ftay  till  he 
could  write  to  the  Caliph  about  it,  and  have  his 
Leave.  Omar  ordered  him  to  let  him  have  her, 
and  he  kept  her  till  Tezid's  Reign,  (which  be- 
gan in  the  Year  679.)  who  begged  her  of  him, 

•  ^A-^m«,  Chap. VIII.  42. 

and 


Syriay  Perjtay  andMgypt.  147 

and  had  her.  There  were  a  great  many  rich  Omar. 
Cloaths  curioufly  wrought,  upon  one  of  which  ^^^^ 
was  our  Blefled  Saviour,  which  was  carried 
with  the  reft  into  Arabia  Falix^  and  fold  for 
ten  times  its  Weight  in  Gold.  '  Whether  the 
Efteem  they  had  for  the  Perfon  it  rcprefented, 
or  the  Finenefs  of  the  Work,  raifed  it  to  fuch 
a  Price,  my  Author  does  not  determine  ;  but  I 
believe  it  was  both.  Then  Abu  Obeidah  fent  a 
Letter  to  the  Caliph,  in  which  he  gave  him  a 
particular  Account  of  this  laft  Vidory,  and 
praifed  Caled  extremely  ;  telling  him  how  mo* 
deftly  and  obediently  he  behaved  himfelf,  and 
how  well  he  performed  j  and  defired  that  he 
would  be  fo  kind  as  to  write  to  him,  and  en- 
courage him,  and  keep  up  his  Spirits :  But  I 
never  yet  have  met  with  any  Anfwer  to  that 
Particular  ;  for  the  old  Gentleman  always  turn- 
ed a  deaf  Ear  to  every  thing  that  was  faid  in 
Praife  oi  Caled-,  whatever  the  Reafon  was,  'tis 
moft  certain  he  did  not  like  him.  Among  other 
Particulars  which  Abu  Obeidah  wrote  of  to  the 
Caliph,  he  defired  that  he  might  either  go  and 
befiege  Afttioch,  (then  the  Seat  of  the  Grecian 

*  Indeed  there  is  no  abfolute  NecefHty  of  underftanding 
that  Price  to  be  given  only  for  that  Piece,  which  had  our 
Saviour  wrought  upon  it  ;  for  the  Author  fays.  The  em- 
broider*d  Cloath  was  fold  fo,  but  whether  he  means  only 
that  Piece,  or  all  the  reft  that  was  embroider'd,  is  un- 
certain. 

K  2  Em- 


14^  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Emperor,  who  upon  the  taking  of  Damafcus 
had  *  removed  from  Hems  thither)  or  elfe  Je^ 
rufakm^  which  he  pleafed.  He  acquainted  him 
alfo,  that  the  Muflemans  had  learned  to  drink 
Wine  in  ^yria.  The  MelTenger  went  with  the 
Letter  to  Medhtah,  and  found  Omar  with  his 
Friends  in  the  Mofque.  When  Omar  had  read 
the  Letter,  and  came  to  that  laft  Particular,  he 
ihewed  it  to  Ali^  (afterwards  Caliph)  and  afked 
him,  what  he  thought  on't  ?  Alt  gravely  an- 
fwered,  that  whoever  drank  Wine,  fliould  have 
fourfcore  Stripes  upon  the  Soles  of  their  Feet. 
Omar  fent  word  to  Abu  Obeidab  to  deal  with 
them  accordingly,  and  fwore.  That  nothing 
would  fuit  with  thofe  Fellows,  but  Poverty  and 
Hardjhip  ;  whereas  it  would  better  become  them 
to  diredl  their  Intentions  aright^  and  obferve  the 
Commands  of  their  mofi  mighty  Lord,  and  ferve 
him,  and  believe  in  him,  and  give  him  T^hanks, 
Abu  Obeidah  having  received  the  Letter,  pu- 
nifhed  the  Offenders  according  to  Order  j  and 
defired  his  Men,  that  if  any  of  them  were  con- 
fcious  to  themfelves  of  having  been  guilty  of 
this  Fault,  they  would,  as  a  Teftimony  of  the 
Sincerity  of  their  Repentance,  offer  themfelves 
to  undergo  this  Pennance  of  their  own  Accord. 
Upon  which  a  great  many  came  in,    and  fub- 

*  Though  fome  fay  his  Refidcnce  was  at  Antioch  before 
the  Saracens  came  into  Syria. 

mitted 


Syrta,  Perjia^  and  j^gypt. 

initted  to  the  Punifhment  voluntarily,  having 
no  Accufer  but  their  own  Confcience.  Then  he 
told  them,  that  his  Defign  was  to  march  to 
Antiocb,  againfl:  the  Grecian  Dog,  (for  that  was 
the  b^t  Compliment  they  could  afford  the  Em- 
peror.) The  Saracens,  according  to  their  wont- 
ed Cuftom,  encouraged  him  to  fight  againfl 
the  Enemies  of  God,  and  told  him,  they  were 
ready  at  his  Service.  He  told  them,  that  he 
would  go  to  Aleppo  firfl:,  and  then  to  Antiocb' 
When  they  were  ready  to  march,  he  called 
Caledy  and  ordered  him  to  go  in  the  Front,  and 
take  the  Flag  which  Abubeker  had  given  him  at 
firfl,  viz.  the  Black  Eagle.  With  him  went 
Derar,  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah^  and  feveral  others 
of  Note,  with  a  confiderable  Number  of  Men. . 
Abu  Obeidah  having  placed  in  Damafcus  a  Gar- 
rifon  of  five  hundred  Horfe,  under  the  Com- 
mand of  Sefwdn  Ebn  Amtr,  marched  after 
them.  When  he  overtook  them,  he  ordered 
Caled  to  ravage  the  Country  all  about  Hems  and 
Kennifrm,  while  he  himfelf  fhould  go  to  Baal^ 
bee,  (formerly  called  Heliopolis,)  As  he  was 
upon  his  March  towards  Baalbec,  when  he 
came  near  Jupiyah,  the  Governour  oi  Ji/fiiyah 
came  to  meet  him  witji  a  Prefent,  and  made  a 
Truce  with  him  for  one  whole  Year ;  telling 
him,  that  if  they  conquered  Baalbec^  Hems^  and 
Labwah,  he  fhould  not  fland  in  Oppofition  to 
K  3  him. 


Alwakidi. 


150  The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.  him.  Abu  Obe'tdah  confented,  upon  Condition, 
that  he  fhould  pay  him  down  four  thoufand 
Pieces  of  Gold,  and  fifty  Silk  Vefts,  This  done, 
he  goes  forward  in  his  March  :  As  he  was  go- 
ing, there  came  one  upon  a  Camel,  ridipg  to- 
wards him  full  fpeed.  When  he  drew  near, 
Abu  Obeidah  knew  him  to  be  Afdmah  Ebn  Zeid\ 
who  making  his  Camel  kneel,  alighted  j  afnd, 
having  paid  his  Refpeds,  delivered  him  the  fol- 
lowing Letter. 

In  the  Name  of  the  mojl  merciful  God. 
From  the  Servatit  of  God,  Omar  Ebn  Alchi- 
tab,  to  his  Lieutenant,  Greeting.  I  praife  the 
only  God,  befides  whom  there  is  no  other  j  and  I 
pray  for  his  Prophet  Mahomet,  upon  whom  be 
the  Blefjing  of  God.  There  is  no  turning  back  the 
Decree  and  Determbiation  of  God ;  and  he  that 
is  written  an  INFIDEL  in  the  ^  fecret Book 
Jhall  have  no  Faith,  My  fpeaking  thus  is  occa- 
fioned  by  Jabalah  Ebno*l  Ay  ham,  of  the  Tribe  of 
Gaffan,  who  came  to  us  with  his  Relations,  and 
the  chief  Men  of  his  Tribe,  whom  I  received  and 
entertained  kindly.  They  made  Profejion  of  the 
True  Religion  before  me  3  and  I  was  glad  that 

'  The  Mahometans  believe  that  there  is  kept  in  Heaven 
a  Regifter  of  all  Perfons  and  Things,  which  they  call  M- 
lauh  ho'hnehphoud,  the  Table  which  is  kept  fecret.  In  thisi 
Book  all  the  Decrees  of  God,  and  whatfoever  fhall  come 
to  pafs,  are  fuppofed  to  be  written, 

God 


Alwakidl 


SyriUy  Perjtay  and  y^gypt,  151 

God  had  flrengthened  the  T^rue  Religiouy  and  the  ^n^f;. 
Profejfors  ofit^  by  their  Coming  in,  not  knowing 
what  was  in  ''■  Secret,  We  went  together  on  FiU 
grimage  to  Meccah,  and  Jabalah  went  round  the 
Temple  s  feven  times :  As  he  was  going  round 
it  chanced  that  a  Man  of  the  Tribe  of  Fezarah 
trod  upon  his  Vef,  fo  that  it  fell  from  his  Shoul" 
ders,  Jabalah  turned  himfelf  about^  and  faid. 
Woe  be  to  thee!  Thou  haft  uncovered  my 
Back  in  the  facred  Temple  of  God.  The  Man 
fwore  that  he  did  not  defign  it :  But  Jabalah 
loxed  him,  broke  his  Nofe,  and  beat  out  four  of 
his  Fore-Teeth.  The  poor  Man  haftened  to  me, 
and  made  his  Complaiiit,  defiring  my  Afjijlaiice, 
I  commanded ]2h2\2h  to  be  brought  before  me^  and 
cfked  him  what  moved  him  to  heat  his  Brother 
Mufleman  after  this  Fajhion,  and  knock  his  Teeth 
out,  and  break  his  Nofe,  He  told  me,  that  the 
Man  had  trod  upon  his  Vejl,  and  uncovered  his 
Back ;  adding,  that  if  it  had  not  been  for  the 
Reverence  he  bore  to  the  holy  temple,  he  would 
have  killed  him,  I  told  him  he  had  made  a  fair 
ConfeJJion  againfi  himfelf-,  and  if  tbe  injured 
Perfon  would  not  forgive  him,  Iniujl  proceed  with 

*  hx2^,Algaib^  which  fignlfies  whatfoever  is  fecret  and 
unknown  to  us,  as  things  fpiritual,  invifible  and  future.  It 
is  frequently  in  Arab.  Authors  oppofed  to  what  falls  with- 
in the  Compafs  of  our  Senfes  and  Underftanding.  '  This 
is  a  Religious  Ceremony  ufed  by  all  that  go  on  Pilgrimage 
to  Meccah. 

K  4  him 


Alwakidi, 


152  7Z^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  ^  him  by  way  of  ^  Retaliation.  He  an/were  J,  that 
he  was  a  King,  and  the  other  a  Peafant,  I  told 
himy  no  Matter  for  that,  they  were  both  Mujle- 
tnans,  and  in  that  Refpe5i  equal  Upon  which  he 
defred  that  his  Punijhment  might  be  deferred  till 
the  next  Day,  I  afked  the  injured  Perfon,  whe^ 
ther  he  was  willing  tofiayfo  long  ?  To  which  he 
gave  his  Confent.  In  the  Night ,  Jabalah  and  his 
Friends  made  their  efcape,  and  he  is  gone  to  the 

3  Retaliation,  or  Lex  Talionis,  whereby  the  ofFending 
Perfon  is  obliged  to  fufFer  the  fame  Hurt  which  he  doth  to 
another,  was  commanded  the  Jews,  Exod.  XXI.  24.  Eye 
for  Eye  ^  Tooth  for  Tooth,  Hand  for  Hand,  Foot  for  Foot : 
And  is  exprefly  enjoined  by  Mahomet,  Alcoran  II.  173. 
who  inferted  a  great  many  things  which  he  had  from  the 
Jews,  The  modern  Rabbins  interpret  this  Command  of 
the  MofaicaHjZW,  as  if  it  were  only  a  pecuniary  Mul(5l. 
Don  Ifaac  Jbarbanel  has  a  great  many  Arguments  to  prove 
that  it  ought  not  to  be  underftood  in  a  literal  Senfe.  To 
inftance  in  one  or  two  :  He  a(ks,  Whether  if  the  ofFend- 
ing Perfon  ftiould  have  but  one  Eye  or  one  Hand,  he 
ought  to  be  deprived  of  either,  becaufe  he  had  ftruck  out 
an  Eye  or  cut  off  another  Man's  Hand  that  had  two  ?  A- 
gain,  How  would  it  be  poffible  for  a  Judge  to  inflid  a  Pu-^ 
niftiment,  which  fhould  be  exadly  the  fame  with  the  In^ 
jury,  fmce  that  Stroke  might  prove  mortal  to  one  Man, 
which  was  not  {o  to  another ;  and  fo  a  Man  might  pay 
for  a  Wound  which  was  not  not  mortal,  with  the  Lofs  of 
his  Life?  Thus  far  Abarbanel  But  the  PracSticc  of  the  Ma- 
hometans is  contrary.  Only  the  injured  Perfon  may  if  he 
pleafes  accept  of  any  other  Satisfadtion  ;  but  if  he  comes  to 
a  Judge,  and  demands  Retaliation,  he  is  obliged  to  let  him 
have  it. 

Grecian 


Syria^  Perjiay  and  u^gypt,  153 

Grecian  Dog  ;  but  I  hope  in  God  that  he  will     Omar. 
give  thee  the  ViSfory  over  him.    Sit  down  before      ^^ 
Hems,  and  keep  clofe  to  it  -,  and  fend  thy  Spies 
towards  Anliochy  for  fear  of  the  Chrijlian  Arabs, 
Health  ajid  Happinefs,  and  the  Blefpng  of  God^ 
he  upon  thee^  and  all  the  Mujlemans, 

What  might  not  be  expcded  from  a  Go- 
vernment, in  which  there  flourifhed  fuch  im- 
partial Adminiftration  of  Juftice  ?  Abu  Obeidah 
having  read  over  the  Letter,  firft  to  himfelf, 
and  then  to  the  Muflemans,  went  on  towards 
Hems^  (whether  Caled  was  gone  before  with  a 
third  Part  of  the  Army)  and  fat  down  before  it 
in  November y  in  the  'Year  of  our  Lord  635. 
The  Governour  of  the  Town  chanced  to  die 
that  fame  Day  that  Caled  came  before  it.  The 
Inhabitants  expeded  that  the  Saracens  would 
have  taken  Baalbec  in  their  Way,  before  they 
fhould  have  had  their  Company  at  Hems ,  and 
therefore  were  not  fo  well  provided  to  endure  a 
Siege.  Upon  which  Confideration,  in  hopes  of 
gaining  Opportunity  to  augment  their  Stores, 
they  conclude  to  make  Application  to  Abu  Obei^ 
dah,  to  make  a  Truce  with  them,  telling  him, 
that  if  the  Saracens  conquered  Haleb  (Aleppo) 
Alhddir^  and  Kinnafrtn^  and  beat  the  Emperor's 
Forces,  they  (hould  willingly  fabmit.  Abu  0- 
beidah  confented  to  make  a  Truce  with  them 

*  Hegirah  14.  A.  D.  635. 

for 


154  755^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

3mar.  for  the  fpacc  of  one  whole  Year,  and  no  longer, 
which  was  to  commence  on  the  firft  Day  of 
Dulhagjah  of  the  prefent  Year,  and  expire  on 
the  lafl  Day  of  the  Month  Sjewal,  in  the  foU 
lowing  Year,  being  the  fifteenth  of  the  Hegirah; 
upon  Condition  that  they  fhould  pay  him  down 
ten  thoufand  Pieces  of  Gold,  and  two  hundred 
Silk  Vefts.  The  CefTation  of  Arms  was  no 
fooner  concluded  upon,  than  the  Hemejfens 
opened  their  Gates,  and  came  out  and  kept  a 
Market  in  the  Saracen  Camp.  The  Arabians, 
now  enriched  with  the  Spoils  of  the  Country, 
gave  them  what  they  afked,  and  never  flood 
for  a  Price  J  fo  that  the  Citizens  turned  the 
Fenny  well.  In  the  mean  time  the  Arabian 
Horfe  foraged  all  about  the  Country,  both  far 
and  near.  Among  the  reft  Mefab  Ebn  Mohdrib 
brought  in  abundance  of  Spoil,  Sheep  and  Oxen, 
with  a  great  many  Horfes  and  Camels  loaden 
with  Furniture,  and  four  hundred  Captives, 
making  moft  pitious  Lamentation  for  the  Ca- 
lamity which  had  fallen  upon  them.  Abu  Obei- 
dahyVnovcd  with  Compaflion,  alked  them,  why 
they  did  not  come  into  the  Profeffion  of  the 
Mahometaji  Religion  ?  and  by  that  means  fecure 
their  Lives  and  Fortunes,  Wives  and  Children. 
They  told  him,  that  they  were  altogether  fur- 
prized,  not  expedting  any  Hoftilities  from  the 
Satacens,  at  that  Diftanoe  they  lived.  Abu  Obei^ 

dah^ 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  155 

dahy  having  aflced  Advice  of  the  Muflemans,  Omar. 
and  they  referring  it  wholly  to  hinifelf,  fet  Alwakidi, 
four  Pieces  of  Gold  upon  every  Head,  as  Omar 
had  ordered  him  to  do  in  fuch  Cafes,  and  lay- 
ing Tribute  upon  them,  and  obliging  them, 
every  one  in  his  refpedive  Capacity,  to  aflift  the 
Muflemans  as  Opportunity  fhould  ferve,  gave 
them  all  their  Cattle,  Furniture,  Wives  and 
Children  back  again,  having  firft  entered  their 
Names,  and  the  Places  of  their  Habitation,  in 
a  Book  kept  for  that  purpofe.  The  poor  Peo- 
ple were  overjoyed  to  find  themfelves  in  fuch  a 
happy  Condition,  after  having  been  plunged 
into  the  Depth  of  Defpair,  and  acquainted  their 
Neighbours  with  what  an  unexpedled  Favour 
they  had  received  at  the  Hands  of  the  Saracens. 
This  Conduct  did  greatly  facilitate  the  Conqueft 
of  the  Arabians  J  for  whereas  an  unrelenting 
Cruelty  would  have  made  every  one  defperate, 
and  have  fought  it  out  to  the  lafl  drop  of 
Blood  J  when  they  faw  that  there  was  a  Pofli- 
bility  of  enjoying  their  Religion,  and  a  Com- 
petency, by  fubmitting  themfelves  to  thofe  who 
would  otherwife  have  taken  all  that  they  had 
by  Force,  and  either  have  murdered  them 
every  one,  or  at  beft  made  them  Slaves ;  a  great 
many  chofe  rather  to  embrace  the  former  Con- 
dition while  it  might  be  had,  than  run  the 
Hazard  of  falling  into  the  latter.  By  this  means 

the 


1^6  T^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

On,3r.  ^^  Saracens  were  ftrengthened,  for  they  made 
Alwakidi.  ufe  of  thefe  People  on  all  Occafions.  They 
ferved  them  for  Interpreters,  for  Guides  when 
they  marched,  and  feveral  other  Purpofes ;  and 
from  them  they  received  Advice  of  all  the  Mo- 
tions of  the  Chriftians,  and  Intelligence  of 
whatever  was  debated  or  taken  in  hand  to  their 
Difadvantage.  Quickly  after,  the  News  o^  Abu 
Obeidah's  gentle  Behaviour  flew  about  the 
Country,  a  great  many  of  the  Greeks  came  in 
upon  the  fame  Terms,  whom  he  booked  and 
difmiffed  peaceably.  The  Inhabitants  oi  Alhddir 
and  Kinnifrm  hearing  this,  entertained  fome 
Thoughts  of  following  their  Example;  but 
privately,  and  without  the  notice  of  '  Luke 
their  Governour,  who  was  a  warlike  Man,  and 
refolved  to  make  a  vigorous  Refiftance.  This 
Luke  had  an  Antipathy  again  ft  the  Governour 
of  Aleppo ;  infomuch  that  when  HeracUus  fent 
for  them  both  to  confult  which  way  was  beft 
to  manage  the  War,  and  both  of  them  had  af- 
fured  him,  they  would  do  their  beft;  they 
would  not  neverthelefs  join  their  Forces  toge- 
ther, but  looked  each  Man  to  the  Defence  of 
his  own  Province.  As  foon  as  Luke  underftood 
that  his  People  were  difpofed  to  fubmit  them- 

*  Some  Arab.  Authors  call  him  Matthias  ;  but  they  are, 
as  I  have  obferved  before,  very  negligent  in  the  Names  pf 
the  Chriftians. 

felves 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  JEgypt.  157 

felves  to  the  Saracens,  he  was  very  much  dif-     omar. 
pleafed  j  but  diffembling  his  Anger,  in  hopes  Alwakidi. 
of  preventing  their  Defign  by  Stratagem,  he 
calls  a  Council,  and  alked  their  Advice.    They 
told  him,  that  they  underflood  that  the  Arabs 
were  a  People  that  received  into  their  Protec- 
tion fuch  as  came  to  them,  and  ufed  to  ftand 
to  their  Word  :  That  fince  they  had  come  into 
Syria^  their  conftant  Practice  had  been,  to  kill 
and  make  Slaves  of  all  that  oppofed  them  5  at 
the  fame  time  protedling  thofe  in  the  peaceable 
Enjoyment  of  their  Pofleflions  who  fubmitted 
to  them.    For  which  reafon  they  thought  it 
mofl:  advifeable  to  follow  the  Example  of  their 
Neighbours.    He  anfwered,  that  they  were  in 
the  right,  and  therefore  he  defigned  to  make  a 
Truce  with  them,  till  the  Emperor's  Succours 
fhould  come  up,  and  then  opprefs  them  when 
they  leaft  fufpeded  it.    Upon  this  he  difpatches 
AJlachar^  a  Priefl,  a  very  learned  Man,  Mafter 
of  the  Arabick  Tongue,  and  thoroughly  verfed 
in  the  Jewifh  and  Chriftian  Theology,  with  a 
Letter  to  the  Saracen  General  j  in  which  he 
magnified  the  Greatnefs  of  the  Emperor,  and 
the  Strength  of  the  Place  ;  adding,  that  all  At- 
tempts upon  it  would  be  in  vain,  not  only  upon 
the  Account  of  its  being  well  fortified  and  fur- 
ni{hed  with  Plenty  of  Military  Stores,  but  be- 
caufe  the  pmperor  was  now  railing  a  vail  Army 


111 


158  72^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  in  Europe,  which  were  fliortly  to  be  tranfport- 
Alwakidi.  ^^  q^^j.  ^^^  BofpboruSy  and  rauftered  at  I'yre, 
for  the  Relief  of  Syria  :  That  notwithftanding 
all  thefe  Advantages,  they  were  neverthelefs 
defirous  to  live  at  quiet,  and  were  willing  to 
have  a  Year's  Truce,  and  the  General  (hould  fet 
a  Mark  at  their  Bounds ;  that  when  any  of  the 
Saracen  Horfe  that  foraged,  came  that  way  and 
faw  the  Sign,  they  (hould  go  no  further  to  do 
any  Mifchief  in  their  Country.  That  this  A- 
greement  of  Truce  was  a  Secret,  and  muft  not 
be  known  to  He  radius  the  Emperor,  for  fear  of 
his  Difpleafure.  With  thefe  Inflrudtions  j^Jia-* 
char  goes  to  Hetns,  where  he  found  the  Ma- 
hometans at  Prayers.  Prayers  done,  Abu  Ohei- 
dab  admits  him,  and  when  he  offered  to  bow 
down  to  the  Ground,  would  not  fufFer  him. 
When  Caled  had  heard  the  Contents  of  the 
Letter,  he  did  not  like  it,  but  fhaked  his  Head, 
and  faid,  That  this  did  not  look  like  the  Stile  of  a 
Man  thai  dejired  Peace  in  earnejl ;  and  would 
fain  have  perfwaded  Abu  Obeidah  not  to  hearken 
to  him.  But  (faid  he)  let  us  go  the  Place,  and 
by  *  Mahomet  /'//  7mike  that  City  a  Prey  to  the 
Mujlemans,  if  it  pleafe  God,  and  a  Terror  to  the 
reji.    Softly!  (faid  Abu  Obeidah)  No  Man  Iviows 

*  Arab.  Wahakki  dini  Refoul  Allah.  By  the  Veracity  or 
Truth  of  the  Religion  of  the  Apodle  of  God.  Sometime? 
JVahakki  Refauljllah.    As  it  niay  be  in  this  Place. 

the 


Syr  lay  P  erf aj  and  Mgypt.  159 

the  Hearts  of  Men,  but  God  only.  Well  then,  Omar, 
anfwered  Caled,  make  no  Agreement  with  them,  /^^^akidi.^ 
unlejs  it  be  for  good-and-all ;  and  if  they  will 
accept  of  this,  well  and  good-,  if  not,  let  them 
alone.  I  hope,  by  the  Help  of  God,  I  fhall  be  a 
Match  for  them*  Aftachar  was  furprized  at  Ca- 
Ied*s  Roughnefs,  and  faid,  That  the  CharaBer 
which  be  had  beard  of  the  Arabs  was  not  true  ; 
for  the  Chrijiians  had  been  informed  that  they 
were  very  gentle  and  courteous  to  allfuch  Perfons 
as  came  tofeek  their  ProteBion  :  But  now  (adds 
he)  I  fnd  the  contrary,  for  I  come  to  propofe 
Terms  of  Peace,  and  you  are  not  willing  to  ac^ 
cept  them.  To  which  Gz/<?^  anfwered,  that  they 
were  not  willing  to  be  impofed  upon,  but  had 
great  reafon  to  fufped:  the  Sincerity  of  thefe 
Overtures ;  and  if  there  (hould  come  any  Af- 
fiftance  from  the  Emperor,  and  they  faw  any 
Advantage  on  their  own  fide,  they  would  be 
the  firft  that  would  take  up  Arms  againft  the 
Saracens,  notwithftanding  their  prefent  pre- 
tended Defire  of  Peace.  However  a  Ceffation 
of  Arms  Ihould  be  granted  for  a  Twelve- 
month, upon  Condition,  that  if  any  Forces 
were  fent  by  the  Grecian  Emperor,  the  Inha- 
bitants of  the  City  fliould  keep  themfclves 
within  their  own  Walls,  and  not  ftir  out  to 
their  Afliftance.  This  done,  AJlachar  afked  for 
a  Copy  of  the  Agreement,  which  Abu  Obeidah 

having 


i6o  'The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  having  given  him,  he  defircd  that  there  might 
^  -^-1^'  be  fome  Sign  fet  up  at  the  Limits  of  their 
Territories,  that  when  the  Soldiers  faw  it  they 
might  not  forage  in  the  Country.  Abu  Obeidah 
faid,  he  would  take  Care  to  have  it  done :  But 
AJiachar  told  him,  he  need  not  trouble  any  of 
his  own  Men,  for  they  intended,  with  his 
Leave,  to  do  it  themfelves.  Accordingly  the 
Greeks  eredted  a  3  PJUar,  upon  the  Top  of 
which  they  carved  the  Grecian  Emperor  fit- 
ting upon  his  Throne.  All  Things  being  thus 
made  eafy  for  a  while,  between  the  Saracens 
and  the  Governour  of  Kinnifnn^  there  happen, 
ed  an  unlucky  Accident,  which  had  like  to 
have  occaiioned  a  Mifunderftanding  between 
them.  Some  of  the  Saracen  Horfe  pafling  that 
way,  and  obferving  the  curious  Workmanfhip 
of  the  Pillar,  admired  it.  They  fpent  fome 
Time  in  viewing  it,  riding  paft  it  backward  and 
forward,  and  exercifing  themfelves  round  about 
it.  At  laft,  as  one  of  them  pall  by  it  in  a  fuli 
Career,  with  his  Javelin  in  his  Hand  ;  the  Iron 
which  was  faftened  in  the  lower  End  of  the 
Javelin,  accidentally  ftruck  out  one  of  the  Eyes 
of  the  carved  Emperor.  This  taking  Air  was 
mifconftrued  by  the  Greeks  as  a  moft  vile  In- 
dignity offered  to  the  Emperor  in  Effigie,  and 
a  manifeft  Breach  of  the  Truce.    Upon  this 


3  This  fame  Story  is  in  Eutyckius  his  Annals. 


MefTengers 


Syria^  Perjtay  and  ^gypt,  1 6 1 

MeiTengers  are  difpatched  to  Abu  ObeidahiVtho  Omar. 
cxpoftulate  with  him  upon  the  Injury  with  a  Alwakidl. 
great  deal  of  Clamour,  and  infift  upon  Satis- 
faction. He  declares,  that  his  Intent  was  to 
keep  his  Word  inviolably,  and  that  he  was  well 
aflured,  that  whoever  did  it,  had  no  defign  to 
fliew  any  Difrefpedl  to  the  Emperor ;  and,  that 
the  Sincerity  of  his  Intentions  might  appear, 
profered  any  reafonable  Satisfadion.  Nothing 
would  fatisfy  them  but  Retaliation,  and  the 
Affront  offered  to  the  Emperor  mufl  be  return- 
ed upon  the  Caliph.  In  which  Demand,  when 
he  that  fpoke,  expreffed  himfelf  unwarily,  and 
talked  of  putting  out  one  of  Omar\  Eyes,  the 
rude  Saracens  thinking  he  meant  literally  as  he 
fpoke,  were  fo  inflamed,  that  had  not  Abu  Obei^ 
dab  reflrained  them,  by  telling  themj  that  thefe 
People  wanted  Senfe,  and  muft  be  borne  with, 
they  had  rufhed  upon  them  inftantly,  and  killed 
them  upon  the  fpot.  Abu  Obeidah  told  them, 
that  they  might  fet  up  his  Statue  if  they  would, 
and  do  what  they  pleafed  with  it :  But  nothing 
would  ferve  but  the  Statue  of  the  Caliph,  To 
which  at  laft,  wearied  with  Importunity,  he 
confented.  They  having  made  a  Statue  to  re- 
prefent  Omar^  and  put  two  Glafs  Eyes  in  the 
Head  of  it,  ordered  one  of  their  Men  to  ftrike 
out  one  of  them  with  a  Lance.  And  thus,  hav- 
ing received  fufficient  Reparation  for  the  Injury 
received,  they  were  pacified. 

L  Abu 


Alwakidi 


162  T*he  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.  Ahu  Obeidah  continued  at  Hems,  fending  out 

his  Horfe  to  forage,  and  expeding  with  great 
Impatience  the  Expiration  of  the  Truce^  which 
had  tied  up  his  Hands  from  offering  any  Hofti- 
licy  within  the  Territories  of  Hems,  Alhddir  and 
Kinnijrin,  Omar  in  the  mean  time  wondered 
at  Abu  Obeidah\  Silence,  and  not  having  heard 
of  any  confiderable  Adion  a  long  time,  grew 
very  angry :  At  laft  he  wrote  a  fhort  fnapping 
fort  of  a  Letter  to  Abu  Obeidah,  as  follows  : 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God, 
From  Omar  Ebno'l  Chitab,  to  Abu  Obeidah 
Ebno'l  Jerahh,  his  Lieutenant  in  Syr'n,  Greeting* 
I  praife  God,  befides  whom  there  is  no  other  ;  and 
I  pray  for  his  Prophet  Mahomet,  upon  whom  be 
the  BleJJing  of  God.  I  command  thee  to  put  thy 
Trujl  in  God',  and  I  bid  thee  take  heed  that  thou 
be  not  one  of  thofe,  concerning  whom  God  ^  fays  j 
9  "  SAY,  If  your  Parents,  or  Children,  or 
**  Friends,  or  Wives,  or  Families,  or  the  Riches 
"  you  have  gained,  or  the  Merchandife  which 
*'  you  are  afraid  you  fhould  not  fell,  or  the 
**  Houfes  which  you  delight  in  be  dearer  to 

•  So  they  quote  the  Alcoran,  but  when  they  mention  any 
of  Mahomet's,  Sayings,  they  fet  down  his  Name.  '  This 
is  the  twenty  fourth  Verfe  of  the  Ninth  Chapter  of  the 
Alcoran.  In  which,  (as  alfo  in  a  Multitude  of  other  Places) 
Mahomet  introduces  God  fpeaking  to  him  thus,  SAY,  [to 
the  People]  If  your  Parents,  Sec. 

"  you 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  163 

"  yoQ  than  God  and  his  Apoftle,  and  the  fight-     ^'^.f ',. 

^      .  *  .  ^         ...  ^     t   /I    11  Alwakidi. 

**  ing  for  his  Services  ftay  till  God  fhall  accom- 
"  plifh  what  he  has  decreed.  God  does  not  di- 
"  red:  thofe  that  do  wickedly. 

The  Muflemans  had  no  fooner  heard  the 
Letter,  than  they  perfedly  underftood  that  0/«<2r 
defigned  by  it  to  rebuke  them  for  their  Negli- 
gence. Abu  Obeidah  repented  himfelf  heartily 
that  he  had  granted  a  Truce  to  the  Inhabitants 
oi  Alhddir  and  Kinnifrin^  and  all  the  Mufle- 
mans wept  for  Sorrow,  becaufe  they  had  been 
fo  remifs  in  their  Duty ;  and  afked  Abu  Obei^ 
dab,  why  he  fat  ftill,  and  did  not  lead  them 
forth  to  fight  the  ^  Battles  of  the  Lord  ?  defir- 
ing  of  him  at  the  fame  time  to  leave  Kinnifrin, 
and  march  either  to  Aleppo  or  Antioch  -,  before 
either  of  which  were  taken,  the  Truce  would  be 
expired.  Upon  this  he  had  Thoughts  of  going 
to  Aleppo }  and  having  left  Salmah  with  a  Party 
of  Horfc  at  Hems^  the  firft  Place  he  came  at  was 
Arrejidn ;  from  thence  he  marched  to  Hamah, 
(afterwards  the  Seat  of  the  famous  Abulpheda) 
and  from  thence  to  Shaizar-,  with  all  which 
Places  he  made  Truce  upon  Conditions.  At 
Shaizar^  he  received  Information,  that  the  Go- 
vernour  of  Ki?2?iifrm  (contrary  to  the  Articles 
of  Truce)  had  wrote  to  the  Emperor  for  frefh 

*  Arab.  Jehad.  Bellum  Sacrum. 

L  2  Sup- 


164  The  Sarac&m  Conquejl  of  . 

Omar.  Supplies  ;  who  had  fent  Jabalab  Ebnol  Ayham 
Alu^akidL  to  his  Affiftance.  Upon  which,  Abu  Obeidah 
defers  his  intended  March  to  Aleppo,  defigning 
to  fall  upon  Kinnifrin,  as  foon  as  the  Truce 
fliould  be  expired,  which  did  not  now  want 
quite  a  Month.  The  Governour  of  Kinnifrin 
going  out  to  meet  Jabalab,  and  the  Prefe6l  of 
Ammoiiriyah  coming  to  his  Affiftance,  was  un- 
fortunately intercepted  by  Caled-,  who,  having 
ventured  upon  that  Undertaking  with  an  incon- 
fiderable  Number  of  Men,  efcaped  the  greatefl 
Danger,  being  on  every  fide  furrounded  with 
the  Chriftians :  After  he  had  killed  the  Prefed: 
of  Kinnifrin,  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah  faid  to  him, 
7  Our  l!ime  is  come.  To  which  he  anfwered. 
That  he  believed  fo,  becaufe  he  had  forgot  his 
Cap,  which  ufed  to  do  him  fuch  fmgular  Service  5 
and  which  he  Jhould  not  have  left  behind  him,  if 
it  had  not  been  fo  decreed ;  But  fpeedy  Relief 
coming  from  Abu  Obeidah,  they  were  delivered 
beyond  all  Expectation. 

Abu  Obeidah  fully  refolving  now  to  befiege 
Kinnifrin,  fent  a  Party  of  Horfe  before,  who 
foraged  and  wafted  all  the  Country  round  a- 
bout.  The  Prifoners  which  they  took  were  fent 
to  the  Caliph,  and  he  took  Care  to  put  the  Boys 
to  the  Writing  School,  according  to  the  Com- 
mand of  their  Prophet  Mahomet  -,  who,  though 

''Arab.  Jaa  Ajahna. 

he 


mar. 
AJv/akitli 


Syria^  Perjta^  and  JEgypt,  165 

he  could  neither  write  nor  read  himfelf,  was  O 
very  well  fenfible  of  the  ufe  of  it.  The  Inhabi- 
tants of  Ktnnifrm  having  loft  their  Governour, 
and  being  altogether  out  of  Hopes  of  efcaping, 
fued  for  Protection,  and  fubmitted  to  pay  Tri- 
bute, being  firft  polled,  according  to  Omar'% 
Order,  at  the  Rate  of  four  Ducats  an  Head. 
Kinnifrin  being  taken,  Abu  Obeidah  called  his 
Muflemans  together,  and  faid,  I'ell  me  (God 
hlejs  you)  your  Advice ;  for  God  has  faid  in  the 
mighty  Booky  (meaning  the  Alcoran)  to  his  Pro^ 
phet  Mahomet,  ASK  THEIR  ADVICE 
IN  A  MATTER,  AND  TRUST 
UPON  GOD;  and  the  Apoftle  of  God  has 
faid,  HE  THAT  TAKES  ADVICE 
IS  SECURE;  fiall  we  go  to  Aleppo,  or 
Antioch?  They  told  him,  that  the  time  of  the 
Truce  which  he  had  made  with  the  neighbour- 
ingPlaces  was  almoft  expired,  and  therefore  they 
were  of  Opinion,  that  it  would  be  moft  advife- 
able  to  take  them  in  their  way,  before  they 
moved  any  further  into  the  Country  ;  efpecially 
they  chofe  to  go  to  Baalbec,  where  they  had 
Reafon  to  expert  a  vigorous  Oppofition.  Abu 
Obeidah  hereupon,  leaving  Cakd to  befiege  Hems, 
marched  himfelf  to  Baalbec  j  where,  when  the 
Saracens  came,  they  found  themfelves  not  at  all 
difappointed  in  their  Expedation  ;  for  the  Place 
was  very  well  fortified,  and  ftored  with  warlike 
L  3  Pro- 


1 66  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Pfovifion.  The  Saracens  intercepted  a  Caravan, 
Alwakidi.  ^  ^jth  four  hundred  Loads  of  Silks  and  Sugars, 
upon  their  Journey  to  Baalbec.  Abu  Oheidah  put 
none  of  them  to  Death,  (as  not  bearing  Arms) 
but  gave  them  Leave  to  ranfom  themfelves. 
Some  of  them  going  to  Baalbec^  acquainted  the 
Inhabitants  with  the  Lofs  of  the  Caravan  j  wrho, 
under  the  Conduct  of  Herbis  their  Governour, 
went  out  in  Hopes  of  recovering  it,  to  the 
Number  of  fix  thoufand  Horfe,  attended  with 
a  Rabble  of  the  undifciplined  Multitude ;  who, 
imagining  that  the  main  Body  of  the  Saracen 
Army  had  ftill  continued  at  Hems,  and  that  the 
Caravan  had  been  fpoiled  only  by  a  Party  of 
Foragers  ^  encountring  with  Abu  Obeidah  under 
fo  great  a  Difadvantage,  were  overthrown  and 
routed,  Herbis,  their  General,  receiving  no  lefs 
than  feven  Wounds,  and  with  great  Difficulty 
and  Hazard  retiring  to  the  City.  When  Abu 
Obeidah  came  before  it,  the  Saracens  refolved  to 
befiege  it  ftreightly.  Mead  Ebn  Jabal  told  Abu 
Obeidah,  that  he  knew  the  People  of  the  Towa 
were  ready  to  tread  one  upon  another,  and  he 
thought  it  could  fcarce  contain  them  all  j  add- 
ing, If  we  hold  out  againji  it,  we  hope  that  God 
will  deliver  it  into  the  Hands  oj  the  Mujlemans ; 
for  God  will  not  ceafe  to  give  the  Earth  for  an 
Inheritance  to  his  Servants  the  Saints,  becaufe 
*  he  has  /aid,   IVE  have  written  in  the  Pfalms, 

*  Alcoran,  Chap.  XXI.  105. 

that 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  j^gypt,  167 

that  my  Servant i  the  Saints  Jhall  inherit  the  Omar. 
Earth,  The  next  Day  Abu  Obeidab  wrote  a  ,-^Jl^ 
Letter  to  the  Befieged,  in  which  he  put  them 
in  Mind  of  the  Vidlories  which  God  had  alrea- 
dy granted  to  the  Faithful,  over  thofe  which 
oppofed  them,  and  offered  to  receive  them, 
paying  Tribute  as  others  had  done  before  them. 
This  Letter  he  gave  to  a  Country- man  that  was 
under  their  Protedion,  and  a  Reward  of  twen- 
ty Pieces  of  Silver,  faying,  nat  he  was  none  of 
thofe  that  would  make  ufe  of  any  Man's  Service y 
and  not  pay  him  for  it.  The  Meffenger  coming 
to  the  Wall,  they  let  down  a  Rope,  which  he 
having  tied  about  his  middle,  they  drew  him 
up.  The  Letter  being  read,  (for  Abu  Obeidab^ 
when  he  wrote  to  the  Greeks,  made  ufe  of  a 
Greek  Secretary)  the  Befieged  were  divided  in 
their  Opinions,  and  a  great  many  of  them  in- 
clined to  furrender  j  which  Herhis  the  Gover- 
nour  was  fo  averfe  to,  that  he  tore  the  Letter 
in  Pieces,  and  threw  it  to  the  MeiTenger,  com- 
manding him  to  be  forthwith  fent  back  again, 
which  was  all  the  Anfwer  he  vouchfafed  to  give 
to  it. 

The  Saracens,  upon  this,  befieging  the  City, 
were  bravely  repulfed  by  the  Befieged,  who  did 
them  a  great  deal  of  Damage  w^ith  their  Engines 
planted  upon  the  Walls.  The  Valour  of  the  Ci- 
tizens, together  with  the  extreme  Coldnefs  of 
L  4  the 


68  *The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

nar:  the  Weather,  made  the  Saracens  glad  to  lay  by 
their  AfTault.  The  next  Morning,  after  Prayers 
were  over,  a  Cryer  went  round  the  Camp,  com- 
manding in  the  General's  Name,  that  never  a 
Man  of  them  (hould  ftir,  or  do  any  thing  elfe, 
before  he  got  himfelf  ready  fome  hot  Vidtuals. 
The  Order  was  no  fooner  heard  than  obeyed, 
and  every  Man  went  to  work  for  himfelf. 
Whilft  they  were  in  the  midil:  of  their  Cookery, 
the  Befieged  fallied.  The  Saracens  were  imme- 
diately alarmed.  Among  the  reft,  Ahmed  Ebn 
Afed  was  juft  a  going  to  put  his  Hand  to  his 
Mouth,  when  Abu  Obeidah  ftruck  him  a  good 
Blow  with  a  Truncheon,  and  gave  him  an 
hearty  Curfe  into  the  Bargain.  The  poor  Man 
ftarted  up  on  a  fudden,  and  like  one  feared  out 
of  his  Wits,  fnatched  up  a  Tent- pole,  and  ran 
and  charged  the  Enemy,  fcarce  knowing  where 
he  was,  till  he  was  got  in  the  midft  of  them. 
The  Saracens  furprized  in  this  Diforder,  did 
with  much  ado  beat  back  the  Befieged,  who  ne- 
verthelefs  carried  off  with  them  fome  Prifoners 
and  Plunder.  In  the  Evening  the  Chief  of  the 
Saracens  met  at  Abu  Obeidah\  Tent,  and  faid. 
Toll  fee  the  Courage  of  thcfe  People^  what  do  you 
think  to  do  in  this  Cafe  ?  To  which  he  anfwer'd, 
T'hat  the  Damage  fufiain'd  by  the  Saracens  was 
decreed  by  God^  who  was  pleafed  to  honour  thofe 
ferfons  that  were  killed  with  the  Degree  ofMar- 

tyr- 


Syria^  Perjla^  and  JEgypt.  169 

iyrdom.  Then  he  commanded  them  to  remove  Omar, 
their  Tents  to  a  greater  Diftance  from  the  City,  Alwakidi. 
that  they  might  have  a  larger  Space  for  their 
Horfes  to  courfe  in.  He  gave  to  SdidEbn  Zeid 
the  Command  of  five  hundred  Horfe,  and  three 
hundred  Foot,  with  Orders  to  go  into  the  Val- 
ley, and  keep  the  Greeks  in  Play  at  that  Gate, 
which  was  oppofite  to  the  Mountains,  that  their 
Forces  might  be  divided,  and  they  obliged  to 
fight  in  Parcels.  Derar  was  placed  at  that  Gate 
which  looks  towards  Damafcus,  with  three  hun- 
dred Horfe  and  two  hundred  Foot.  The  next 
Morning  about  Break  of  Day,  Herbh  the  Go- 
vernour,  with  a  ftrong  Body  of  Men,  fallied 
out  at  the  Gate  where  Abu  Obeidah  himfelf  was 
pofted  i  encouraging  his  Men,  and  telling  them, 
that  the  Saracens  were  afraid  of  them,  and  bid- 
ding them  remember,  that  they  fought  for  their 
Religion,  Wives,  Children,  and  Fortunes ;  in  a 
Word,  whatfoever  was  dear  to  them.  They 
anfwered  him  chearfully.  That  though  they 
were  afraid  of  the  Arabs  at  firft,  yet  they  were 
not  fo  now,  being  a  little  better  acquainted  with 
their  manner  of  fighting :  Befides,  the  Arabs 
were  half  naked  j  fome  of  them  fighting  with- 
out Armour,  others  with  fcarce  Cloaths  enough 
to  cover  them ;  whereas  (faid  they)  we  have 
good  Helmets,  Breafl-plates,  and  Coats  of  Mail. 
Abu  Obeidah  on  the  other  fide  was  not  wanting 

to 


j^o  TThe  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar,  ^o  tell  the  Saracens  that  they  muft  have  Pati- 
Alwakidi.  gnce  ;  for  God  had  promifed good  Succefs  to  thofe- 
that  held  out  to  the  laji.  The  Greeks  encou- 
raged with  Yefterday's  Vidory,  charged  the  Sa- 
racens home,  and  the  Battle  was  maintained 
with  great  Obflinacy  on  both  Sides,  yet  fo  as 
the  Greeks  had  apparently  the  Advantage.  At 
that  time  Sohail  Ebn  Sabah  received  a  Wound  in 
his  Right  Arm,  which  difabled  him  fo,  that  he 
could  not  hold  up  his  Sword :  Upon  which  he 
alighted  from  his  Horfe,  and  having  told  his 
Friends  that  he  was  no  longer  able  to  defend 
himfelf,  retired  out  of  the  Battle  to  a  neigbour- 
ing  Hill;  which  having  clambered  up,  not 
without  fome  fome  Pain  and  Difficulty,  he  had 
a  clear  Profpedl  of  both  the  Armies.  The 
Greeks^  as  we  faid,  having  fallied  out  upon  Abu 
Obeidah*^  Quarters,  there  was  nothing  to  do  at 
thofe  Gates  where  Derar  and  Said  Ebn  Zeid 
were  pofted.  Sohail  obferving  this,  and  that 
Abu  Obeidah  was  forced  to  give  Ground,  with- 
out any  Order  from  the  General,  or  any  Per- 
fon's  knowing  it,  kindled  a  Fire,  and  with  fome 
green  Sticks,  made  a  great  Smoak  upon  the 
Top  of  the  Hill-  As  foon  as  Said  and  Derar 
perceived  it,  they  imagined  it  to  have  been  a 
Signal  from  the  General  for  them  to  come  up, 
that  being  the  moft  ufual  Signal  among  the  Sa- 
racens by  Day,  as  Fire  was  by  Night,  when 

they 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  171 

they  had  a  Mind  to  call  thofe  together,  who  Omar, 
were  ported  at  any  Diftance.  Upon  this  Derar  ^|^^ 
and  Said  rode  with  their  Men  full  fpeed,  and 
came  feafonably  to  the  Relief  of  their  Brethren: 
For  the  Greeks  by  this  Time  thought  them- 
felves  fecure  of  the  Victory ;  but  finding  them- 
felves  furrounded,  the  Cafe  was  quite  altered 
with  them  j  and  they  who  fo  few  Minutes  ago 
expefted  to  have  won  the  Field,  now  defpaired 
of  getting  back  to  their  own  City  :  However, 
they  joining  clofe  together,  and  fighting  brave- 
ly, made  an  impenetrable  Phalanx;  which, 
maugre  all  Oppofition,  gained  the  Top  of  an 
Hill,  on  which  there  flood  an  old  deferted  Mo- 
naftery,  whither  Herbis  and  his  Men  retired, 
and  flood  upon  their  own  Defence.  Abu  Obei- 
dab,  who  as  yet  knew  nothing  of  Sdid^nd  De- 
rar s  being  come  from  the  Places  where  he  had 
ported  them,  perceiving  with  what  undaunted 
Courage  thefe  Men  fought,  imagined  their  Re- 
treat feigned,  only  with  a  Defign  to  draw  the 
Saracens  out  of  Order,  and  therefore  would  not 
let  his  Men  purfue  them.  But  Sd'id  Ebn  Zeid 
hearing  nothing  of  the  General's  Order,  follow- 
ed them  to  the  Top  of  the  Hill.  There  leaving 
one  in  his  Room  with  Orders  not  to  fuffer  a 
Man  to  ftir  out  of  the  Houfe,  he  with  twenty 
of  his  Men  went  to  acquaint  Abu  Obeidah  with 
the  News.  "Who  feeing  him  come  with  fo  few, 

was 


172  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  was  furprized,  and  afked  him  what  was  become 
of  the  reft.  Said  told  him,  they  were  all  fafe 
and  found,  and  had  befieged  the  Enemies  of 
God  (a  Compliment  they  are  very  liberal  of  to 
the  Chriftians)  in  an  old  Houfe,  acquainting 
him  with  all  the  Circumftances  of  the  Story. 
Then  Abu  Obeidah  enquired  of  him  and  Derar 
what  made  them  ftir  from  their  Pofts?  Said 
fwore,  that  he  did  nothing  contrary  to  order, 
for  he  never  ftirred  till  he  faw  the  Smoak.  Abu 
Obeidah  confeffed  that  it  was  well  they  came, 
for  he  was  afraid  the  Greeks  would  have  feized 
their  Camp,  and  wifhed  for  them,  or  for  fome 
Body  to  make  a  Smoak.  Said  again  pofitively 
affirming  that  there  was  a  Smoak,  Abu  Obeidah 
was  aftonifhed,  and  made  Proclamation  through- 
out the  Camp,  Whoever  be  he  that  kindled  the 
Firey  and  Smoak  upon  the  Hilly  let  him  /peak  ; 
and  this  with  an  Adjuration.  Upon  this  Sohail 
came  forth,  and  confeffed  it,  and  told  the  rea- 
fon  why  he  did  it.  Abu  Obeidah  was  very  glad 
it  happened  fo  well,  but  charged  them  all  ftrid:- 
ly,  that  none  of  them  (hould  ever  dare  to  at- 
tempt any  fuch  thing  again,  without  the  Per- 
miflion  of  their  General. 

Whilft  Abu  Obeidah  was  talking  to  Sohail^  a 
Saracen  came  with  all  fpeed  from  the  Moun- 
tain, and  alarm'd  the  whole  Camp.  Herbis 
perceiving  by  how  fmall  a  Number  he  was  be- 

fieged 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  173 

fieged  in  the  Houfe,  being  now  fewer  than  omar. 
five  hundred,  took  Courage,  and  Tallied,  in  Alwakidi^ 
hopes  of  recovering  the  City.  They  fought 
bravely,  and  handled  the  Saracens  at  fuch  a 
rate,  that  Mefab  Ebn  Adi,  who  was  prefent  in 
moft  of  the  Battles  fought  in  Syriay  faid,  that 
of  all  he  ever  beheld,  he  never  faw  any  Men 
behave  themfelves  better,  nor  ftand  clofer  to  it, 
than  thofe  Greeks  which  were  then  with  the 
Governour.  It  was  he  that  rode  and  gave 
notice  to  Abu  Obeidah^  who  had  no  fooner 
heard  it,  than  he  dispatched  Said  with  an 
Hundred  Archers,  and  commanded  Derar  to 
afiift  him.  When  they  came  to  the  Hill,  they 
found  their  Friends  in  a  pitiful  Condition,  for 
there  were  no  lefs  than  feventy  Saracens  upon 
the  Ground,  wounded  or  killed,  and  the  Greeks 
laid  about  them  very  eagerly.  But  overpower- 
ed with  frefh  Numbers  of  their  Enemies,  they 
were  forced  once  more  to  retire  to  their  Mo- 
naftery,  where  they  were  watched  with  fuch  a 
vigilant  Eye,  that  one  of  them  could  not  fo 
much  as  offer  to  peep  out  but  the  Saracens  let 
fly  an  Arrow  at  him. 

Abu  Oheidah  leaving  Said  Ebn  Zeid  to  take 
Care  of  the  Governour,  drew  up  his  Men,  and 
ordered  them  to  pitch  their  Tents  about  the 
City ;  For  (fays  he)  God  has  circumvented  your 
Enemyy  and  performed  that  Promife  which  he 

made 


1 74  l^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  made  to  us,  to  help  us ;  and  this  is  becaufe  God 
is  a  ProteBor  of  thofe  who  put  their  Truji  in 
him ;  but  as  for  the  Infidels,  they  have  no  Pro- 
tecior,  llerbis,  the  Governourj  finding  himfelf 
ftrcightened,  began  to  repent  himfelf  that  ever 
he  came  into  that  old  Houfe.  He  confidered 
with  great  Concern,  that  in  a  very  (hort  time 
he  and  his  Men  maft  needs  be  reduced  for 
want  of  Provifion.  Nor  could  any  about  him, 
fuppofing  they  could  have  found  a  Poflibility 
of  fending,  think  of  any  Perfon  capable  of  af- 
fifting  them  in  thcfe  deplorable  Circumdances. 
The  Saracens  having  taken  fo  many  Places  al- 
ready, had  fpread  fuch  a  Terror  around  the 
Country,  that  thofe  which  remained  were  un- 
der too  great  a  Concern  for  their  own  Prefer- 
vation,  to  be  at  leafure  to  lend  an  helping  Hand 
to  their  diftreffed  Neighbours.  A  great  many 
others  had  by  Agreement  to  a  Truce,  rendered 
themfelves  incapable  of  bearing  Arms  at  that 
time  againft  the  Saracens.  In  this  miferable 
State,  no  other  Profped  offering  itfelf,  compel- 
led by  Neceffity,  they  were  forced  to  furrender 
themfelves  into  the  Hands  of  their  Conquerors. 
JJerbis  calls  out  aloud,  and  afks  if  there  were 
any  Perfon  that  underftood  him.  Being  afked 
by  an  Interpreter  what  he  would  have  j  he  de- 
fired  that  he  might  be  fecured  from  Danger  of 
the  Archers,  and  that  Said  would  come  near 

and 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  M,gypt.  175 

and  talk  with  him.  ^did  anfwered,  that  he  omar. 
owed  him  no  fuch  Refped:  j  but  if  he  had  any  Alwakidi. 
thing  to  fay,  he  might  come  to  him.  Loath  to 
venture  himfelf,  he,  by  means  of  the  Interpre- 
ter, got  leave  to  fend  a  MefTenger,  who  coming 
before  Sdid^  offered  to«fall  down  upon  his  Face 
by  way  of  Refpedl.  ^did  made  a  Sign  to  him 
to  forbear,  and  the  Saracens  came  about  him, 
and  held  him  from  doing  it :  Of  which  he  hav- 
ing aiked  the  reafon,  Sdid  faid  to  the  Interpre- 
ter, Becaufe  both  he  and  I  are  Servants  of  God^ 
and  it  is  not  lawful  to  ufe  Adoration  and  Wor~ 
Jhip  to  any  but  God,  who  is  the  proper  Objedi  of 
Worjhip,  Being  examined  about  his  Errand,  he 
faid,  that  he  came  to  defire  Protection  for  Her^ 
his  and  his  Men ;  which  was  accordingly  grant- 
ed, upon  Condition,  that  they  fliould  lay  down 
their  Arms,  and  furrender  themfelves.  The 
MefTenger  afked,  whether  that  Security  was 
only  from  himfelf,  or  from  the  General  too? 
Said  told  him,  from  all  the  Saracens.  When 
Herbis  heard  this,  he  came  out,  and  my  Au- 
thor tells  us,  that  he  has  learnt  from  Perfons 
worthy  of  Credit,  that  Herbis  when  he  came 
out  to  furrender  himfelf,  put  off  all  his  Silks, 
and  exchanging  with  fome  of  his  Men,  put  on 
Woollen  Apparel,  fuiting  his  Habit  to  the 
Meannefs  of  his  prefent  Condition.  Said  feeing 
him   come  along   in  this  humble  Mien,  fell 

down 


176  72^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

down  and  wordiipped  God,  faying,  Praifed  be 
God^  who  hath  humbled  their  great  Ones  before 
us,  and  given  us  Domimon  over  their  Rulers, 
Then  he  went  to  meet  him,  and  bad  him 
come  nearer,  and  fit  down  by  him  5  and  afked 
him,  whether  that  which  he  had  on  was  his 
proper  Habit  ?  To  which  he  anfwered,  That  he 
tiever  had  any  Woollen  on  before  in  his  Life,  nor 
knew  what  it  was  to  wear  any  thing  but  Silk, 
He  demanding  of  Said,  whether  he  had  Pow- 
er, or  was  willing  to  grant  Security,  as  well  for 
tbofe  in  the  City  as  thofe  prefent  with  him? 
Saul  told  him,  That  as  for  thofe  which  were 
with  him  he  would  grant  them  Security,  upon 
two  Conditions-,  "Either  that  they  fiould  turn 
Mahometans,  and  fo  have  one  com?non  Litereji 
with  them :  Or,  if  they  chofe  rather  to  continue 
in  the  ProfeJ/ion  of  their  own  Religion,  they 
jhould  never  more  bear  Arms  againjl  the  Mufle- 
mans.  But  as  for  thofe  in  the  City,  they  were  at 
the  General's  Difpofal;  to  whom  if  he  was  wil- 
ling to  go,  he  profered  his  Service  to  conduB 
him  J  and  if  they  could  agree  upon  any  Terms, 
well  and  good '.  If  not,  he  fiould,  if  he  dejired  it, 
have  free  Leave,  with  as  many  of  his  Men  as 
were  willing  to  go  back  with  him,  to  return  to 
his  Monajiery  again  ^  there  to  be  befieged  till  God 
Jhould  determine  the  Matter  between  them. 

Being   brought    into   the    Prefence  of  Abu 
Obeidah,    and  taking  a  View  of  the  Saracens  a- 

bout 


Syrm^  Perfta^  and  ^gypt»  177 

bout  him,  confidering  at  the  fame  time  what  a 
Condition  they  had  brought  him  and  his  Men 
into,  he  fhaked  his  Head,  and  bit  his  Fingers 
Ends  for  Indignation.  Being  alked  what  was 
the  reafon  of  that  Behaviour?  he  anfwered, 
That  he  thought  their  Number  had  been  much- 
greater  than  he  found  it  was^  ?iow  he  was  come 
among  them.  Abu  Obeidah  bad  his  Interpreter 
tell  him,  That  the  Number  of  the  true  Believers 
feemed  greater  in  the  Eyes  of  the  Idolaters  than 
it  really  was-,  becaufe  the  Angels  helped  them,  as 
they  did  at  the  Battle  of  Beder,  which  is  the 
Grace  of  God  towards  us ;  a72d  by  this  means 
God  gives  us  the  ViBory  over  your  Country,  and 
makes  your  Armies  fee  before  us.  That  the  An- 
gels helped  Mahomet  in  Battle,  he  has  exprefly 
told  them  in  the  *  Alcoran ;  and  they  believed 
and  depended  upon  the  fame  Affiftance,  and 
oftentimes  attributed  their  Succefs  to  it  5  not 
that  any  of  them  pretented  ever  to  have  feen 
thefe  Auxiliary  Troops  of  militant  Angels ;  it 
being  fufficient  for  their  Purpofe  to  be  feen  by 
their  Enemies.  Herbis  offered  for  the  whole 
City  of  Baalbec  one  thoufand  Ounces  of  Gold 
two  thoufand  of  Silver,  and  one  thoufand  Silk 
Vefts.  Abu  Obeidah  told  him,  If  they  would 
have  Peace,  they  muji  double  the  Sum,  and  add 
to  it  a  Thoufand  Swords,  and  all  the  Arms  be- 
'Chap.  IX. 26. 40. 

M  '  longing 


178  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  longing  to  thofi  men  that  were  JImt  up  in  the  Mo- 
Alwakidi.  nafler)\  and  pay  Tax  and  Tribute  the  next  Tear, 
and  never  bear  Arms  for  the  time  to  come,  nor 
write  to  the  Emperor,  nor  attempt  either  diredily^ 
or  indireBly  any  thing  againjl  the  Saracens,  nor 
build  a?iy  Churches  or  Monajieries.  Herbis  com- 
plaining of  the  Severity  of  the  Articles,  as  being 
all  in  Favour  of  the  Saracens^  defired  that  the  Be- 
fieged  might  at  leafl  have  this  one  Article  on 
their  fide  j  viz,  That  whofoever  Jhould  be  appointed 
Lieutenafit  over  Baalbec,  JJmild  not  come  into 
the  City,  nor  any  of  his  Men ;  but  pitching  his 
Tents  on  the  out  fide  of  the  Walls,  fiould  there 
receive  the  Tribute  impofed  upon  the  Inhabitants, 
This  being  granted,  all  v;^as  agreed  upon,  only 
there  wanted  the  Townfmens  Confent;  who, 
having  heard  the  Articles,  did  not  approve  of 
them,  and  faid,  they  would  never  furrender  the 
ftrongeft  City  in  Syria  into  the  Hands  of  the 
Saracens,  upon  fuch  Terms :  But  when  Herbis 
had  remonftrated  to  them  the  Danger  to  which 
he  and  his  Men  muft  be  expofed,  if  there  were 
not  fome  Agreement  made,  and  the  Provifion 
he  had  made  for  their  Repofe  and  Quiet,  in 
excluding  all  the  Saracens  from  once  entering 
into  the  Town  j  adding  withal,  that  he  would 
lay  down  a  fourth  part  of  what  was  impofed 
upon  them  himfelf,  they  at  laft  confented. 
Herbis  alone  going  into  the  City  to  raife  the 

pro- 


Syria^PerJia^  and  JEgypt.  179 

promifed  Sum,  Abu  Obcidah  detained  all  the  Omar. 
reft  of  his  Men  as  Hoftages,  till  it  (hould  be  ^Iwakidi. 
paid.  In  twelve  Days  time  he  brought  it;  upon 
which  Abu  Obeidah  difmifled  the  Men,  and 
calling  for  Raphi  Ebn  Abdollah^  left  him  to 
take  Care  of  Baalbec  with  five  hundred  Sara^ 
cens,  giving  him  a  moft  ftrift  Charge  to  dp 
nothing  but  what  was  right  and  juft,  telling 
him  that  he  had  heard  the  Prophet  fay,  Thajt 
God  had  commanded  Mofes  and  David  the 
fame  thing.  He  bad  him  prevent  all  manner 
of  Difturbance  between  his  Men  and  the  Inha- 
bitants of  the  City,  and  have  an  Eye  to  the 
Sea-fhore,  and  pillage  all  thofe  Places  in  the 
Neighbourhood,  which  had  not  entered  into 
Articles.  Having  left  him  with  this  Charge,  he 
moved  towards  Hems ;  and  before  he  came  thi- 
ther, the  Prefedl  of  Jujhiyah  met  him  with  a 
Prefent,  which  he  accepting,  renewed  the 
Truce  with  him. 

Rapht  very  punctually  executed  his  Charge, 
and  both  he  and  his  Men  behaved  themfelves 
\Q  inofFenfively,  that  the  Citizens  and  the  Sara- 
cens grew  very  well  acquainted.  The  Saracens, 
according  to  their  Cuftom,  plundering  all  the 
Neighbourhood,  fold  what  they  got  to  the  Ci- 
tizens, who  began  to  be  in  a  fair  way  of  grow- 
ing rich  with  the  Spoils  of  their  Country-men 
and  Fellow- Chriftians.  Herbis^  formerly  their 
M2  Go- 


i8o  7'he  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.   Governour,  perceiving  this,  began  to  confider 

^IXS  which  way  he  might  bring  himfelf  in  for  a 
Share  of  the  Gains :  Wherefore,  calling  them 
together,  he  reprefented  what  Hazard  he  had 
expofed  himfelf  to  for  their  Prefervation,  whilft 
it  was  in  his  Power,  and  what  Pains  he  had 
taken  to  procure  them  thofe  Articles  of  Peace, 
of  which  they  now  reaped  the  Benefit  j  befides 
the  paying  down,  at  his  own  proper  Expence, 
the  fourth  part  of  what  was  impofed  upon  them 
all ;  adding,  that  he  thought  it  nothing  but 
reafonable,  that  fince  they  were  in  a  Capacity, 
he  fliould  be  reimburfed.  This  was  confented 
to  without  any  Oppofition  ;  but  he  told  them, 
that  he  did  not  defire  to  deprive  any  of  them 
of  any  part  of  their  Subftance,  but  only  they 
ihould  agree  to  pay  him  the  Tenth  of  what 
they  faved  in  their  Trading  with  the  Arabs, 
They  were  at  firfl  very  unwilling  to  come  to 
this ;  but  after  Debate,  confidering  his  Quality, 
as  having  been  once  their  Governour,  though 
now  reduced  to  the  fame  Condition  with  them- 
felves,  and  that  when  Neceffity  required  it,  he 
had  not  fpared  his  own  private  Subftance  for 
the  publick  Good,  they  at  laft  agreed  to  it.  This 
done,  he  appoints  a  Tythe-man  to  gather  it, 
and  in  a  few  Days  it  amounted  to  a  very  con- 
fiderable  Sum.  The  Sweetnefs  of  this  Gain,  in- 
ftead  of  extinguifhing,  encreafed  his  Thirft; 

where- 


Alwakidi. 


Syria,  Pef^Jta,  and ^gypt.  i8i 

whereupon  in  a  fecond  Meeting  he  told  them,  Omar, 
that  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  what  he 
had  laid  out  would  be  repaid  at  this  Rate,  and 
propofed,  that  either  they  fhould  admit  him 
one  of  their  Company,  or  elfe  inftead  of  a 
Tenth,  pay  him  a  Fourth  Part  of  all  their 
Gains.  The  People,  vexed  to  the  Heart  at  this 
fqueezing,  infatiable  Temper,  cryed  out.  Away 
with  him,  and  allfuch  unreafonable  Wretches^  we 
had  better  be  governed  by  the  Saracens  than  fuch-, 
for  they  are  better,  a?id  more  jufl  j  and  with  a 
great  Noife  and  Shout  rufhed  upon  him,  and 
killed  him.  The  Saracens  without  heard  the 
Noife,  but  did  not  know  what  was  the  Matter; 
neither  would  Raphi  go  into  the  City  contrary 
to  the  Agreement,  but  faid,  if  there  was  any 
Difference  between  them,  and  they  came  out 
to  him,  he  would  endeavour  to  make  them 
Friends.  Prefently  after  they  came  thronging 
out  to  him,  and  acquainted  him  with  what  they 
had  done  ^  how  civil  they  were  to  their  Prefedt, 
inanfwering  his  firfl:  Demand,  and  how  unrea- 
fonable he  had  been  in  coveting  more,  defiring 
Raphi  to  come  into  the  City,  and  govern  it 
himfelf  i  which  he  refufed,  till  he  had  wrote 
to  Abu  Obeidah 'y  who  fent  him  Word,  that 
fince  the  People  were  willing,  he  ought  not  to 
fcruple  it :  Upon  which  he  and  his  Men  went 
into  ^BaalbeCy  on  the  twentieth  Day  oi  January ^ 

^  Hegirab  I sth.  A.  D.  6 f,. 

M  3  in 


1 8  2  ^he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.      In  the   Year  of  our  Lord,    fix  hundred  and 
thirty  fix. 

Leaving  Baalbec,  we  muft  now  march  to 
Hems  5  before  which  Abu  Obeidah  having 
brought  his  Army,  before  any  Attempt  made 
upon  it,  fent  to  the  Governour  the  following 
Letter. 

In  the  Name  of  the  moji  merciful  God. 
From  Abu  Obeidah  Ebn  Aljerahh,  Lieut e- 
ndnt  in  Syria  to  the  Emperor  of  the  Faithful 
Omar,  Ebn  Alchitab,  {uhom  God  blefs)  and  Ge- 
neral of  his  Forces.  The  mojl  mighty  God  hath 
conquered  fever al  Places  by  our  Hands  j  where- 
fore do  not  let  the  Greatnefs  of  your  City^  nor  the 
Strength  of  your  Buildings,  nor  the  Plenty  of 
your  Stores,  nor  the  Bignefs  of  your  Bodies,  de- 
ceive you :  For  your  City  is  no  more  iji  our 
Hands,  when  we  cotne  to  war  againjl  it,  than  if 
we  fiould  fet  a  Pot  upon  a  Stone  in  the  midjl  of 
our  Camp,  and  all  the  Army  fiould  come  round 
dbout  it,  to  take  every  one  of  them  a  mouthful, 
in  the  firfl  Place  therefore,  I  invite  you  to  our 
Religion,  and  that  Law  which  our  Prophet  Ma- 
homet, of  bleffed  Memory ,  brought  us.  Which  if 
you  Jhall  receive,  then  Jhall  you  partake  with  us 
in  all  our  Fortunes,  good  and  bad  j  and  we  will 
fend  yoii  Men  to  inftruSi  you  in  your  Religion,  as 
God  has  commanded  us.  If  you  refufe  the  Maho- 
metan Religion,  we  fall  continue  you  in  your 

Pofefjions, 


Syria^  Perjta^  atid Mgypt,  183 

Pojfejpons,  paying  'tribute.    If  neither  of  thefi    Om^r. 
Conditions  pleafe  you,  come  out  and  fight  tis^  till  ,_,^ — \ 
God,  who  is  the  beft  Judge,  Jhall  determine  be^ 
iween  us. 

This  being  no  fooner  received  than  rejeded 
with  the  utmoft  Scorn,  both  Sides  prepared 
themfelves,  the  Saracens  for  an  Aflault,  the  Be- 
fieged  for  their  Defence.  The  Befiegcd  fally- 
ing,  made  fo  good  a  Days  Work  of  it,  that  the 
Saracens  had  little  Reafon  to  boaft  of  their 
Vidory.  There  was  prefent  a  great  Man  among 
the  Arabs,  a  Perfon  of  extraordinary  Sagacity 
and  Penetration,  and  had  himfelf  many  times 
commanded  an  Army  with  good  Condu6t  and 
Succefs  :  He,  confidering  well  the  Strength  of 
the  Place,  and  the  Courage  and  Refolution  of 
the  Inhabitants,  told  Abu  Obeidah  privately,  that 
he  might  fooner  ex'pedl  to  conquer  Hems  by 
Stratagem,  than  Force  of  Arms,  and  propofed 
to  him  to  raife  the  Siege,  if  he  could  induce 
the  Befieged  to  let  him  have  five  Days  Provi- 
fion  for  his  Men  and  Horfes,  upon  that  Con- 
dition :  By  which  Means  their  Stock  of  Provi- 
fion  would  be  very  much  diminifhed,  and  he 
might  take  a  fit  Opportunity  of  furprizing 
them.  This  Advice  being  approved,  Abu  Obei- 
dah acquainted  the  Befieged  with  his  Defign  of 
intermitting  the  Siege  of  Hems,  and  trying  his 
Fortune  at  other  Places,  of  which  there  ftill 
M  4      .  re- 


X  84  *The  Saracens  Conqmjl  of 

Omar.      remained    unconquercd    a   great    Number   in 
Sjria  very  well  fortify ed,  upon  the  Condition 
afore-mentioned.    The  People  willing  at  any 
Rate  to  get  rid  of  fuch  troublefome  Neighbours, 
confidering  withal  thofe  many  Accidents  that 
might  prevent  their  ever  returning  thither,  or 
at  leaft  defer  it  a  long  time,  eafily  affented.  The 
Governour  himfelf  being  as  willing  as  any  to 
compound  with  the  Saracens  upon  thefe  Terms, 
told  his  People,  That  the  Arabs  were  like  wild 
Beafts,  greedy  of  Prey  i  wherefore  he  thought 
It  the  befl:  way  to  give  them  fomething  to  fill 
their  Bellies,  and  fend  them  packing.  Upon  this 
he  fends  fome  of  the  chief  Clergy  to  Abu  Obei-  • 
dah,  to  make  the  Agreement,  and  take  a  Copy 
of  the  Articles :  Which  being  done,  the  Citi- 
zens brought  out  their  Provifion,  according  to 
the  Agreement.    Abu  Obaidah  told  them,  that 
fince  their  intended  March  was  likely  to  be  te- 
dious, he  fhould  be  very  glad  to  buy  the  Re- 
mainder of  their  Provifion.    The  People  were 
willing  to  fell,  and  the  Mahometans  bought  as 
long  as  they  had  any  thing  left  to  buy  withal, 
or  exchange  for. 

Some  Spies  belonging  to  the  Emperor,  be- 
ing at  that  time  in  the  Saracen  Camp,  and  per- 
ceiving the  Emejjens  fet  open  their  Gates,  and 
bring  out  their  Provifions,  without  taking  time 
to  inform  themfelves  thoroughly  of  the  Caufe 

of 


Syria^  Perfiuy  and  Mgypt,  185 

of  it,    went  and  fpread  a   Report  about    the    Omar. 
Country,  that   Hems  was  furrendered,  to  the  Alwakidi. 
great  Surprize  and  Difcouragement  of  the  reft, 
who  had  their  Hearts  daily  filled  with  the  in- 
creafing  Terror  of  the  Saracens.    Abu  Obeidah 
from  Hems  went  to  Arrejldn^  a  ftrong  Place, 
well  watered,  and  full  of  Soldiers  j  where  his 
Summons  being  rejected,  he  defired  the  Favour 
of  the  Governour  of  the  Caftle  to  leave  fome 
old  Lumber,  which  would  be  troublefome  and 
cumberfome  to  them  in  their  fpeedy  March. 
This  was  without  much  Scruple  granted,  all 
being  defirous  oftheir  Abfence  upon  any  Terms. 
Upon  this  he  takes  twenty  Chefts,  and  enclof- 
ing  in  them  twenty  chofen  Men  5  to  prevent 
all  Sufpicion,  puts  Locks  upon  the  Qut-lides  of 
them,  the  Bottoms  of  the  Chefts  being  fo  con- 
trived, as  to  flip  backward  and  forward  as  he 
within  pleafed.    Thefe  received  into  the  Caftle, 
the  Saracens  marched,  only  Caled  was  left  with 
fome  Forces,  by  way  of  Ambufcade,  to  afiift 
thofe  in  the  Chefts.    The  Saracens  gone,  the 
Chriftians  went  to  Church  to  give  Thanks  for 
the  Departure   of  their    Enemies,   and   were 
heard  finging  Pfalms  by  Derar^  AbdoWrhamdn^ 
and  Abdo'llah  in  the  Chefts,  who  taking  this 
Opportunity,  came  forth,   and  having  feized 
the  Governour's  Lady,  demanded  the  Keys  of 
the  Gates.    From  thence  they   went  to  the 

Church, 


1 86  The  Saracens  Conquefl  of 

^"^?V  Church,  where  they,  without  Difficulty,  fur- 
prized  the  unarmed  Multitude.  Then  Abdo*llah 
Ebn  Jaafar,  who  commanded  them,  fent  five 
of  them  with  the  Keys  to  open  the  Gates,  and 
ci^  out  Allah  Acbar  \  which  done,  Caled^  who 
was  within  hearing,  came  up,  and  Arrejidn  was 
taken  without  Opporition. 

This  made  the  Conditions  much  more  eafy 
to  the  Inhabitants,  the  Saracens  not  expeding 
fuch  an  unbloody  Conqueft.  Wherefore,  they 
refigning  themfelves  without  any  more  to  do, 
had  their  Liberty  granted  to  go  where  they 
pleafed.  Some  of  them  changed  their  Religion, 
though  the  greater  Number  ftill  retained  their 
Chriflianity,  and  went  to  Hems, 

Two  Thoufand  Men  being  left  in  Garrifon 
at  Arrejldrty  Abu  Obeidah  moves  with  his  Army 
to  Shaizar,  He  had  no  fooner  fent  his  Sum- 
mons, than  there  arofe  a  great  Difpute  a- 
bout  furrendering  the  Place  :  The  Conqueft  of 
Arrejidti,  BaalbeCy  Damafcus^  Bojiray  and  as 
they  fuppofed  of  HemSy  gave  them  juft  reafon 
to  fear,  that  they  fhould  not  be  able  to  defend 
Sbaizar,  not  fuperior  to  thofe  Places,  either  in 
Strength  of  its  Situation,  or  Number  of  its  Sol- 
diers. The  Governour  held  out  obflinately,  and 
gave  them  a  great  deal  of  reproachful  Language, 
fwearing  and  curfing  them,  and  commanded  his 
Servants  to  ftrike  fome  of  them.    The  chief 

Men, 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  Mgypt,  187 

Men,  provoked  at  this  tyrannical  Ufage,  drew    Omar. 
their  Swords,  and  fell  upon  him  and  his  Party.  AIwakidF. 
Having  made  a  quick  Difpatch  of  them,  they 
opened  the  Gates,  and  furrendered  to  Abu  Ohei^ 
dab,  who  received  them  very  gladly,  and  gave 
them  hearty  Thanks  for  faving  him  the  Trouble 
of  Fighting:  adding,  'That  fince  they  had  beha^ 
'ved  thcmjchei  Jo  well^  and  exprejfed  fiich  a  De- 
Jire  of  living  tinder  the  Government  of  the  Sara^ 
cens^  he  would  not  difmifs  them  without  fonte  di- 
Jlinguifiing  Mark  of  his  Favour,    Upon  which 
he  told  them.  That  he  would  not  force  any  of 
them  to  change  their  Religion  againft  their  Will^ 
nor  put  them  to  any  Extremities  -,  but  if  any  of 
them  would  come  in  of  their  own  accord^  they 
jhouldfay  no  Tax  or  Cuftom,  as  other  Maho?netans- 
did,  for  two  Tears.    If  they  chofe  to  continue  in 
their  old  Religion,  they  Jhould  pay  no  Tribute  for 
the  fpace  of  one  Tear, 

Shaizar  was  now  taken  into  Pofleffion,  and 
j4bu  Obeidah  reminded  his  Muflemans,  that 
they  were  no  longer  under  any  Obligation  to  the 
People  of  Hems,  having  pundlually  performed 
whatever  they  had  promifed  them.  The  Go- 
vernour  of  Hems  was  not  fo  well  fatisfied,  for 
as  foon  as  the  Saracen  Army  came  to  appear  be* 
fore  the  City,  he  fent  a  MefTenger  to  expoftu- 
late  with  Abu  Obeidah  concerning  his  Perfidy 
and  Breach  of  Promife:  Who  gave  him  no 

other 


1 8  8  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  other  Anfwer,  than  that  he  defired  thofe  Cler- 
gy who  had  made  the  Agreement  with  him  firft 
fhould  come  to  him  again,  and  let  themfelves 
be  Judges  whether  or  no  he  had  fulfill'd  his 
Promife  to  a  Tittle.  Upon  their  coming,  he 
a{ked  them,  Tiid  not  I  make  an  Agreement  with 
you,  to  leave  Hems,  till  I  had  conquered  fome 
other  City  o/'  Syria  ?  A?id  was  it  not  left  to  my 
Liberty  after  that,  either  to  go  to  any  other 
Place,  or  return  to  you  f  When  this  could  not 
be  denied.  Well  then,  anfwered  he,  fmce  we  have 
conquered  Arreftan  and  Shaizar,  we  are  under  no 
further  Obligation  to  you,  and  there  remains  no- 
thing,  but  that  you  furrender. 

There  being  no  Remedy  left,  nor  any  one 
whom  they  might  juftly  blame  but  themfelves, 
for  not  having  taken  better  Care  at  firft,  they 
prepared  to  fight.  The  Inhabitants,  though  not 
a  little  difheartened  when  they  refledted  upon 
their  Scarcity  of  Provifion,  to  which  their  un- 
feafonable  Credulity  had  expofed  them ;  encou- 
raged by  their  Governour,  refolved  to  try  their 
Fortune  in  the  Field.  That  Evening  they  went 
to  Prayers,  to  implore  the  Divine  Affiftance, 
the  Governour  himfelf  receiving  the  Commu- 
nion at  St.  George  %  Church,  (fince  turned  into 
a  Mofque.)  When  he  came  back,  he  eat  for 
his  Supper  a  whole  roafted  Kid,  and  fat  up 
drinking  Wine  all  Night.    Thus  prepared  for 

Battle, 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  189 

Battle,  having  put  on  very  rich  Cloaths,  he  fal-  Omar. 
lied  out  in  the  Morning  at  the  Head  of  five  Alwakidi. 
Thoufand  Horfe,  compleatly  armed,  all  Men 
of  approv'd  Courage,  and  refolv'd  to  die  for 
the  Defence  of  their  Country.  And  though  the 
Saracens  came  out  againfl  them  with  a  much 
greater  Number,  yet  they  neverthelefs  flood 
their  Ground,  without  the  leaft  Expreffion  of 
Fear  or  Concern.  The  Chriftian  Archers  galled 
the  Saracens  terribly  with  poifoned  Arrows,  and 
charged  them  with  fuch  Courage,  that  they 
were  forced  to  give  way.  Whilft  Caled  was  la- 
bouring to  reftore  the  Battle,  he  made  a  very 
narrow  Efcape  j  for,  engaging  with  one  of  the 
Greeks^  his  Sword  broke  in  his  Hand  :  Upon 
which,  clofing  with  his  Adverfary,  he  fqueezed 
him  fo  clofe  to  him,  that  he  broke  his  Ribs,  and 
and  threw  him  down  dead  off  from  his  Horfe. 
About  Noon,  Mirkdl  and  Meifarah  made  an 
Impreflion  upon  the  Right  Wing  of  the  Chri- 
ftians,  and  Kais  Ebn  Hobeirah  upon  the  Left. 
But  among  all  the  Saracens,  none  fignalized 
himfelf  fo  much  that  Day  as  Tkrimah,  Caled'% 
Coufin :  He,  thiriling  after  the  imaginary  Joys 
of  Mahomet'^  Fools  Paradife,  cried  out  aloud, 
Methinks  I  fee  the  black-eyed  Girls  looking  upon 
tne,  one  of  which ^  if  fie  fiould  appear  in  this 
Worlds  all  Mankind  would  die  for  the  Love  of  her. 
And  I  fee  in  the  Hand  of  one  of  them  an  Hand- 

ker^ 


1 90  T%e  Saracc^is  Cojiqiiejl  of 

Omar,  kerchief  of  green  Silk,  and  a  Cup  made  of  pre- 
cious Stones,  afid  fie  beckons  me,  and  calls  out, 
Come  hither  quickly,  for  I  love  thee.  With  thefe 
Words  charging  the  Chriftians,  he  made  Ha- 
vock  where  he  went,  till  obferved  at  lafb  by  the 
Governour  of  Hems,  he  was  ftruck  through 
with  a  Javelin.  When  Night  parted  them,  the 
Saracens  returned  to  their  Camp,  having  had 
the  worft  of  it  all  that  Day.  Caled,  afluring 
himfelf  that  this  Succefs -would  cafily  induce 
the  Greeks  to  believe  the  Saracens  afraid  of  them, 
perfwaded  Abu  Obeidah  to  fly  before  them  the 
next  Morning,  to  draw  them  into  Diforder. 
Nor  did  this  Advice  fail  of  the  defired  Succefs ; 
for  the  Greeks  had  beaten  them  too  well  the 
Day  before,  to  entertain  the  leaft  Sufpicion  that 
their  Flight  was  feigned.  Whereupon,  purfu- 
ing  them  unwarily,  and  out  of  Order,  they 
were  about  Noon  furrounded  by  the  returning 
Saracens ;  Who,  to  ufe  my  Author's  own  Ex- 
preffion,  fell  upon  them  like  Eagles  upon  a  Car- 
cafe.  Some  of  the  Greeks  had  ventured  to  plun- 
der the  Saracens  Tents ,  but  whilft  they  were 
differently  employed,  fome  in  the  Purfuit,  others 
in  the  Spoil,  the  far  greater  part  of  them  were 
intercepted  by  the  Saracens;  nor  had  any  of 
them  efcaped,  unlcfs  relieved  by  fome  of  the 
Befieged  fallying  from  the  City.  The  Gover- 
nour fell  among  the  reft,  eafily  diflinguiflied  by 

his 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt  jgi 

his  red  Face,  large  Size,  and  rich  Apparel,  per-  Omar. 
fumed  with  Muik,  This  Defeat  determined  Alwakidi. 
the  Befieged  to  furrender;  but  the  Saracens^ 
who  having  heard  fo  often  of  the  Emperor's 
Preparation  againft  them,  expeded  a  bloody 
Battle  daily,  had  no  leifure  to  ftay  and  take 
PofTeffion,  nor  any  Men  to  fpare  by  way  of 
Garrifon  :  Wherefore  they  took  the  Chriftians 
at  their  Word,  and  never  a  Man  of  them  went 
into  the  City,  till  after  the  great  Battle  of  2?r- 
moukf  which  determined  the  Fate  of  Syria^  and 
put  the  Saracens  out  of  all  Fear  of  ever  meet- 
ing from  the  Emperor  the  like  Oppofition.  The 
Saracens  departed  from  HemSy  having  lofl:  that 
Day  two  hundred  and  thirty  five  Men.  The 
Chriftians  burying  their  Dead,  found  them  a- 
bove  one  Thoufand  fix  hundred. 

HERACLIUSy  wearied  with  a  conftant 
and  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  MelTengers  of  ill 
News ',  which,  like  thofe  of  Job,  came  every 
Day  treading  one  upon  the  Heels  of  another ; 
grieved  at  the  Heart  to  fee  the  Roman  Empire, 
once  the  Miftrefs  of  the  World,  now  become 
the  Scorn  and  Triumph  oi  Barbarian  Infolencej 
refolvcd,  if  poflible,  to  put  an  End  to  the  Out- 
rages of  the  Saracens  once  for  all  j  and,  in  order 
to  it,  raifed  fuch  an  Army  out  of  all  Parts  of 
his  Dominions,  as,  fince  the  firft  Invafion  of  the 
Saracens^  had  never  appeared  in  Syria  before. 

Not 


ip2  7he  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Omar.  Not  much  unlikc  one  engaged  in  fingle  Combat, 
Alwikidi^  who,  diftruftful  of  his  own  Abilities,  and  fear- 
ing the  worft,  fummons  together  his  whole 
Strength,  in  hopes  of  ending  the  Difpute  with 
one  determining  Stroke.  Forces  were  fent  to  all 
defenfible  Places,  which  this  Inundation  of  the 
Saracens  had  as  yet  left  untouched  :  Particular- 
ly to  Cafarea,  and  all  the  Sea-coaft  of  Syria ; 
as  Tyre  and  Sidon,  Accah,  Joppa,  Tripolis,  Bei^ 
rout,  and  Tiberias,  befides  another  Army  to  de- 
fend yerufakm.  But  the  main  Body  of  all, 
which  was  defigned  to  give  Battle  to  the  whole 
Forces  of  the  Sarace?is,  was  commanded  by  one 
Mahdriy  an  Armenian,  whom  I  take  to  be  the 
very  fame  that  the  Greek  Hiftorians  call  ManueL 
When  the  Emperor  had  given  the  Generals  his 
beft  Advice,  and  charged  them  te  behave  them- 
felves  like  Men,  and  efpecially  to  take  Care  that 
there  was  no  Differences  nor  Diffentions  among 
themfelves ;  He  afked  them  what  fhould  be  the 
Reafon  of  this  furprizing  Succefs  of  the  Arabs^ 
inferior  to  the  Greeks  both  in  Number,  Strength, 
Arms  and  Difcipline  ?  After  a  fhort  Silence,  a 
grave  Man  flood  up,  and  told  him.  That  the 
Reafon  was,  becaufe  the  Greeks  had  walked  un- 
worthy of  their  Chrijlian  ProfeJJion,  and  changed 
their  Religion  from  what  it  was  when  Jefus 
Chrift  frji  delivered  it  to  them,  injuring  and 
opprefjing  one  another,  taking  Vfury^  committing 

For- 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  j^gypt.  193 

Fornication,  ajid  fomenting  Strife  and  Variance  Omar. 
among  themfehes.  And  indeed  the  Vices  of  thefe  ^^^'^ 
Chriftians  were  at  that  time  fo  flagrant,  as  to 
make  thenfi  ilink  in  the  Noftrils  of  the  very 
Infidels,  '  confefl!ed  by  the  Greek  Writers  them- 
felves,  and  aggravated  by  the  Arabick  ones.  The 
Emperor  anfwered,  T^hat  he  was  too  fenfibJe  of 
it  i  adding,  That  he  had  'Thoughts  of  continuing 
with  them  there  no  longer ;  but  leaving  his  Army 
to  their  Management,  would  withdraw  himfelfto 
Conftantinople.  In  anfwer  to  which,  they  re- 
prefented  to  him,  how  much  his  Departure 
would  refled  upon  his  Honour,  what  a  lefTen- 
ing  it  would  be  to  him  in  the  Eyes  of  his  own 
Subjects,  and  what  occalion  of  Triumph  it 
would  aflfbrd  to  his  Enemies  the  Saracens.  Upon 
this  they  took  their  Leave,  and  prepared  for 
their  March :  Mahdn,  befides  a  vaft  Army  of 
Afiaticks  and  Europeans,  having  joined  to  him 
Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ay  ham.  King  of  the  Chriftian 
Arabs,  who  had  under  him  fixty  Thoufand 
Men.  Thefe  Mahdn  commanded  to  march  al- 
ways in  the  Front,  faying,  There  was  nothing 
like  Diamond  to  cut  Diamond.  This  great  Army, 
raifed  for  the  Defence  of  Chriftian  People,  was 

*  'OuT«  5e  fcj  T>J?  txx>.r,<Tixi;  Tore   u-aro  T£  Tuv  $x<n\iuv  jtj  iuv 

»/xa?  Ton  halv  ts  X^»r«>  t^  'yivelxi  v^utyi  ^o^cc  iflbxrii  ra  ^uyixiKH 
"Zrfma,  5?  KUTx  TO  VxQi^xi  hiyu  t^  'U^fAH^^f  x^  To?»  aOifl-fioK  «?- 
ftfltlsvuyiav.  Tkeot>baft.  V.  276. 

N  little 


Alwakidi. 


1 94  T^e  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar,  little  lefs  Infupportable  than  the  Saracens  them- 
felves,  committing  all  manner  of  Diforder  and 
Outrage  as  they  pafled  along,  efpecially  when 
they  came  to  any  of  thofe  Places  which  had 
made  any  Agreement  with  the  Saracens,  or  fur- 
rendered  to  them,  they  fwore  and  curfed,  and 
reviled  the  Inhabitants  with  reproachful  Lan- 
guage, and  compelled  them  by  Force  to  bear 
them  Company.  The  poor  People  excufed  their 
Submiflion  to  the  Saracens,  by  their  Inability 
to  defend  themfelves,  and  told  the  Soldiers,  that 
if  they  did  not  approve  of  what  they  had  done, 
they  ought  themfelves  to  have  come  fooner  to 
their  Relief. 

The  News  of  this  great  Army  having  reach- 
ed the  Saracens  Ears,  whilft  they  were  at 
Hems,  filled  them  full  of  Apprehenfions,  and 
put  them  to  a  very  great  Sreight  which  way  to 
manage  in  this  critical  Juncture.  Some  of  them 
would  very  willingly  have  Shrunk  back,  and 
returned  to  Arabia;  In  which  they  propofed  to 
themfelves  a  double  Advantage,  fpeedy  Aflift- 
ance  from  their  Friends,  and  the  great  Scarcity 
to  which  the  numerous  Army  of  the  Enemy 
mufl  needs  be  reduced  in  that  barren  Country; 
but  Abu  Qbeidah  fearing  left  fuch  a  Retreat 
might  by  the  Caliph  be  interpreted  Cowardice 
in  him,  durll  not  approve  of  this  Advice. 
Others  rather  chofe  to  die  in  the  Defence  of 

thofe 


Alwakldl. 


Syria,  Perjia,  and  j^gypt.  195 

thofe  ftately  Buildings,  fruitful  Fields,  and  plea-  Omar. 
fant  Meadows  they  had  won  by  the  Sword, 
than  retire  Volunteers  to  their  former  flarving 
Condition  J  and  propofed  to  flay  there  where 
they  were,  and  exped:  the  Approach  of  the 
Enemy.  Caled  was  not  for  flaying  there,  it  be- 
ing too  near  Cafareay  where  Conjiantine  the 
Emperor's  Son  lay  with  forty  thoufand  Men; 
but  propofed  to  march  to  Termouk^  where  they 
might  expedl  Afliftance  from  the  Caliph.  As 
foon  as  Conjiantine  heard  of  their  Departure,  he 
fent  a  chiding  Letter  to  Mahdn,  and  bad  him 
mend  his  Pace.  Mahdn  advanced,  but  made 
no  hafl  to  give  the  Saracens  Battle,  having  re- 
ceived Orders  from  the  Emperor  to  make  O- 
vertures  of  Peace,  which  were  no  fooner  pro- 
pofed than  rejedled  by  Abu  Obeidah,  There 
paffed  feveral  MefTages  between  them.  The 
Saracens  endeavouring  to  bring  their  Country- 
man jfabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham^  with  his  Chriflian 
Arabs,  to  a  Neutrality,  were  anfwered,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  ferve  the  Emperor,  and 
refolved  to  fight.  Upon  this,  Caled^  contrary  to 
the  Advice  of  all,  prepared  to  give  him  Battle 
firft,  before  Mahdn  fhould  come  up,  with  a 
very  inconfiderable  Number  of  Men,  picked 
out  of  the  whole  Army;  urging  that  the 
Chrijliam  being  the  Army  of  the  Devil,  had 
no  Advantage  by  their  Numbers  again  ft  the 
N  2  Sa- 


Alvvakidi. 


196  T*he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Saracens,  the  Army  of  God.  It  was  obferved, 
that  Cakd  in  choofing  his  Men,  called  out 
more  ^  Aufers  than  *  Mohagerins^  which  occa- 
sioned fome  grumbling  among  them,  being  in 
doubt  whether  it  was  becaufe  he  refpedted 
them  moft,  or  becaufe  he  had  a  Mind  to  expofe 
them  to  the  greateft  Danger,  that  he  might  fa- 
vour the  others :  A  very  impertinent  Scruple, 
in  my  Opinion,  fince  he  was  to  go  with  them 
himfelf.  CaJed  told  them,  that  he  had  chofen 
them  without  any  fuch  regard,  only  becaufe 
they  were  Perfons  he  could  depend  upon, 
whofe  Valour  he  had  proved,  and  who  had  the 
Faith  rooted  in  their  Hearts.  One  Cathib  hap- 
pening to  be  called  after  his  Brother  Sahal, 
looking  upon  himfelf  to  be  the  better  Man, 
refented  it  as  an  high  Affront,  and  abufed  Cakd, 
who  gave  him  very  gentle  modeft  Anfwers,  to 
the  great  Satisfaction  of  all,  efpecially  Abu  Obe- 
idahy  who,  after  a  fhort  Contention,  made 
them  (hake  Hands.  Cakd  indeed  was  admirable 
for  this,  that  he  knew  no  lefs  how  to  govern 
his  Paffions,  than  command  an  Army ;  the  lat- 
ter of  v;hich  proves  to  moft  great  Generals  the 

'  Thcfe  of  Medlnah  are  called  by  that  Name,  becaufe 
tliey  helped  Mahomet  in  his  Flight  from  Meccah, 

^  Tiiofe  that  fled  with  him  are  called  Mohager'ms ;  and 
by  thefe  Names  the  Inhabitants  of  Meccah  and  Med'tnah 
are  often  diflinguifhed,  as  has  been  obferved  in  the  begin- 
ing  of  this  Book. 

eafier 


Syria^  Perjla^  and  ^^gypt»  197 

cafier  Tafk  of  the  two.  His  Succefs  in  this  Omar. 
very  hazardous  Undertaking  was  beyond  all  Aiwakidi. 
Expedtation,  for  he  put  Jabalah\  Arabs  into 
Diforder,  and  killed  a  great  many,  lofing  very 
few  of  his  own  upon  the  Spot,  and  five  Pri- 
foners,  three  of  which  were  Tezid  Ebn  Abi 
Sophyatiy  Raphi  Ebn  Omeirab^  and  Derar  Ebm'l 
Azwar-y  all  Men  of  great  Note,  and  frequently 
mentioned  before.  Abu  Obeidah  fent  AbdoHlah 
Ebn  Kort  with  an  Exprefs  to  Omar,  acquaint- 
ing him  with  their  whole  Circumftances,  beg- 
ging his  Prayers,  and  fome  frefh  Recruits  of 
5  UNITARIANS,  a  Title  they  glory  in, 
reckoning  themfelves  the  only  Afferters  of  the 
Unity  of  the  Deity.  Omar  and  the  whole 
Court  were  extremely  furprifed,  but  comforted 
themfelves  with  the  Promifes  made  to  them  in 
the  Alcoran,  which  feemed  now  to  be  all  they 
had  left  to  truft  to.  To  encourage  the  People, 
he  went  into  the  Pulpit,  and  fhewed  them  the 
Excellency  of  fighting  for  the  Caufe  of  God^ 
and  returned  an  Anfwer  to  Abu  Obeidah,  full 
of  fuch  ipiritual  Confolation  as  the  Alcoran 
could  afford.  Omar  commanded  AbdoHlah,  that 
as  foon  as  ever  he  came  near  the  Camp,  before 
he  delivered  the  Letter,  he  (hould  cry  out. 
Good  News,  to  comfort  the  Muflemans,  and" 
eafe  them  in  fome  meafure  of  thofe  perplexing 
'  Arab.  Mowahhidina, 

N  3  Ap- 


198  1})&  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Apprchenfions  they  laboured  under.  He  having 
Alwakidi.  received  his  Letter  and  MefTage,  together 
with  Omar's  Blefling,  fet  forv^ards  on  his 
Journey  towards  the  Army  5  but  recolleding 
himfelf,  he  remembered  that  he  had  forgot  to 
pay  his  Refpedts  at  Mahomefs  Tomb,  which 
whether  or  no  he  ftiould  ever  fee  again,  was 
very  uncertain:  Upon  which  he  haftens  to 
Ayefia's  Houfe,  (the  Place  where  Mahomet 
was  buried)  and  finds  her  fitting  by  the  Tomb, 
with  All  and  Abbas,  and  Hafan  and  Hofein^  ' 
(All's  Sons)  one  upon  Alts  Lap,  the  other  up- 
on AbbdCs.  All  was  reading  the  Chapter  of 
B^afls,  being  the  fixth  of  the  Alcoran -y  and 
Abbas  the  Chapter  of  Hud,  which  is  the  ele- 
venth. Abdo'llah  having  paid  his  Refpeds  to 
Mahomet^  Alt  afked  him,  whether  he  did  not 
think  of  going?  He  anfwered,  Yesj  but  he 
feared  he  fliould  not  get  to  the  Army  before 
the  Battle,  which  he  willingly  would  do,  if 
poflible.  If  you  dejired  a  fpeedy  'Journey^  (an-r 
f we  red  All)  why  did  not  you  ajk  Omar  to  pray 
for  you?  Don't  you  know,  that  the  Prayers  of 
Omar  will  not  be  turned  back?  Becaufe  the 
Apojlle  of  God  fald  of  him,  "  If  there  were  a 
"  Prophet  to  be  expedled  after  me,  it  would  be 
•'  Omar,  whofe  Judgment  agrees  with  the 
*'  Book  of  God.  T'he  Frophet  fald  of  him  bejldes,^ 
•  y  li  any  [univerfal]  Calamity  were  to  defcend 

^?  from 


Syria^  Perjia^  a7id  IRsgypt^  199 

**  from  Heaven  upon  Mankind,  Omar  would  Omar. 
*'  efcape  from  it."  Wherefore  if  Omar  prayed 
for  theCy  thou  Jhalt  not  ft  ay  long  for  an  Anfivcr 
from  God,  Ahdo'llah  told  him,  Hhat  he  had  not 
fpoken  one  Word  in  Praife  of  Omar,  but  what 
he  was  very  fenfible  of  before^  only  he  defired  to 
have  his  Prayers  and  thofe  of  the  reft  of  the 
Muftemans  added  too,  efpecially  being  at  the  'tomb 
ef  the  Prophet,  All  that  were  prefent  lifting  up 
their  Hands  to  Heaven,  AH  faid,  O  Godl  I  be- 
feech  thee,  for  the  fake  of  this  chofert  Apoftle  (in 
whofe  Name  Adam  prayed^  and  thou  anfweredft 
bis  Petition,  and  forgaveft  his  Sins)  that  thou 
wouldeft  grant  to  Abdo'Uah  Edn  Kort  a  fafe 
and  fpeedy  Return,  and  affft  the  Followers  of  thy 
Prophet  with  Help,  0  thou  who  alone  art  great 
and  munificent  I  Immediately  he  fet  forth,  and 
returned  to  the  Camp  vi^ith  fuch  incredible 
Ipeed,  that  the  Saracens  there  were  furprifed. 
But  their  Admiration  ceafed,  when  he  inform- 
ed them  of  Omar'i  Blefling,  and  Ali%  Prayers 
at  Mahomet's  Tomb. 

Recruits  were  inftantly  raifed  to  fend  out  of 
Arabia  to  the  Army.  Said  Ebn  Amir  com- 
manded them,  having  received  a  Flag  of  red 
Silk  at  the  Hands  of  Omar,  who  told  him  that 
he  gave  him  that  Commiffion  in  hopes  of  his 
behaving  himfelf  well  in  it  j  advifing  him,  a- 
mong  other  things,  not  to  follow  his  Appetites; 
N4  not 


Alwakidi 


20O  ^The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar,  not  forgetting  to  put  him  in  hopes  of  further 
Encouragement,  if  he  fhould  deferve  it.  Said 
thanked  him  for  his  Advice ;  adding,  that  if 
he  followed  it,  he  fliould  be  faved.  And  now 
(fays  Said)  as  you  have  advifed  me^fo  let  me  ad' 
vife  you.  Speak  on^  fays  Qmar^  Ibid  you  then, 
(added  the  other)  y^^r  God  more  than  Men^  and 
not  the  contrary  -,  and  love  all  the  Mujlemans  as 
your  f elf  and  your  Family,  as  well  thofe  at  a  Di* 
Jlance,  as  thofe  'near  you.  And  command  that 
ivhich  is  Traije -worthy,  and  forbid  that  which 
is  otherwife,  Omar,  all  the  while  he  fpoke,  flood 
looking  fledfaftly  upon  the  Ground,  leaning 
his  Forehead  upon  his  Staff.  Then  he  lift  up 
his  Head,  and  the  Tears  ran  down  his  Cheeks, 
and  he  faid,  Who  is  able  to  do  this  without  the 
Divine  Affiftance.  AH  bad  Said  make  good  uie 
of  the  Caliph's  Advice,  and  difmifled  him.  Said 
marching  towards  the  Army  loft  his  Way,  un- 
fortunately for  the  Chriftians;  for  by  that 
means  he  happened  upon  the  Prefedl  of  Amman 
with  live  thoufand  Men.  Said  cut  all  the  Foot 
to  Pieces  j  the  Prefedl  flying  with  the  Horfe, 
was  intercepted  by  a  Party  fent  out  from  the 
Saracen  Camp  to  forage.  Said  at  firft  thought 
they  had  fallen  together  by  the  Ears  among 
themfelves,  but  when  he  came  up,  and  heard 
the  Tccbir^  he  was  well  fatisfyed.  Xobcir  thruft 
the  Prefed  through  with  a  Lance  ;  of  the  reft 

never 


Alwakidi 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  Mgypt.  201 

never  a  Man  efcaped.  The  Saracens  cut  ofF  ^  Omar. 
all  their  Heads,  then  flayed  them,  and  fo  car- 
ried them  upon  the  Points  of  their  Lances,  pre- 
fenting  a  moft  horrible  Spectacle  to  all  that  part 
of  the  Country,  till  they  came  to  the  Army, 
which  received  new  Courage,  by  the  Acceflion 
of  this  Recruit  fent  from  the  Caliphy  conlifting 
of  eight  thoufand  Men. 

However  their  Satisfadlion  was  very  much 
allayed  by  the  Lofs  of  thofe  five  Prifoners, 
which  Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham  had  taken.  It  for- 
tuned that  Mahdn  defired  Abu  Qbeidah  to  fend 
fome  body  to  him  to  difcourfe  with  j  which 
being  granted,  Caled  profered  his  Service,  and 
by  Abu  Obeidah's  Advice  took  along  with  him 
an  hundred  chofen  Men,  of  the  befl:  Soldiers  in 
the  Army.  Being  met  by  the  Out-Guards,  the 
Chief  of  which  was  Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham,  and 
examined,  they  were  ordered  to  ftay  there  till 
the  General's  Pleafure  fliould  be  known.  Mahdn 
would  have  had  Caled  come  to  him  alone,  and 
leave  his  Men  behind  him  :  Which  he  refufing, 
they  were  commanded,  when  they  came  near, 
to  alight  from  their  Horfes,  and  deliver  their 
Swords  5  to  which  when  they  would  not  fub- 
mit,  they  were  at  lafl  permitted  to  enter  as  they 
pleafed.  They  found  Mahdn  fitting  upon  a 
Throne,  and  there  were  Seats  prepared  for 
them.  But  they  refufed  to  fit  on  them,  and  re- 
moving 


202  TX^  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

moving  them,    fat  down  upon  the   Ground, 
Mabdn  afked  them  the  Reafon  of  their  doing 
fo,  and  taxed   them  with  want  of  Breeding. 
To  which  Caled  anfwered,  'that  that  was  the 
bejl  Breeding  which  was  from  God,  and  what 
God  has  prepared  for  us  to  ft  down  upon,  is 
purer   than   your   tapefiries -,   defending  their 
Pradice  from  a  Sentence  of  their  Prophet  M/- 
homet,  backed  with  this  Text  of  the  Alcoran^ 
^Out  of  it,  (meaning  the  Earth)  we  have  creat- 
ed  yoUj  and  to  it  we  fall  return  you,  and  out  of 
it  we  fiall  bring  you  another  time.    Mahdn  be- 
gan then  to  expoftulate  with  Caled,  concern- 
ing their  coming  into  Syria,  and  all  thofe  Hofti- 
lities  which  they  had  committed  there  -,  but  the 
Account  is  too  tedious  to  be  inferted,  efpecially 
fince  I  have  before  given  an  Account  of  fome 
Conferences  much  of  the  fame  Nature.    Only 
this  may  be  obferved,  that  Mahdn  feemed  fa- 
tisfyed  with  Caled's  way  of  talking,  and  faid, 
that  he  had  before  that  time  entertained  a  quite 
different  Opinion  of  the-^r^^j,  having  been  in- 
formed that  they  were  a  foolifli  ignorant  Peo- 
ple.   Caled  confeffed,  that  that  was  the  Condi- 
tion of  moft  of  them,   till  God  fcnt  their  Pro- 
phet Mahomet  to  lead  them  into  the  right  Way, 
and  teach  them  to  diftinguifh  Good  from  Evil, 
pnd  Truth  from  Error.    Sometimes  they  argu- 

5  Alcoran^  CT1ap.XX.57. 

ed 


Syria  J  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  203 

ed  very  cooly,  and  then  again  flew  into  a  vio-  Omar. 
lent  PalTion,  till  at  laft  Caled  told  Mahdn,  that  Alwakidi.^ 
he  fhould  one  Day  fee  him  led  with  a  Rope  a- 
bout  his  Neck  to  Omar,  to  be  beheaded.  Mahdn 
told  him,  that  the  received  Law  of  all  Nations 
fecured  AmbafTadors  from  Violence,  which  he 
fuppofed  had  encouraged  him  to  take  that  inde- 
cent Freedom  ;  however  he  was  refolved  to 
chaflize  his  Infolence  in  the  Perfons  of  his 
Friends  the  five  Prifoners,  who  fliould  inftantly 
be  beheaded.  Caled  bid  him  attend,  and  fwore 
by  God,  by  Mahomet ,  and  the  holy  Temple  of 
Meccah,  that  if  he  killed  them,  he  fhould  die 
by  his  Hands,  and  every  Saracen  prefent  (hould 
kill  his  Man,  let  the  Confequences  be  what 
they  would  i  and  immediately  rofe  from  his 
Place,  and  drew  his  Sword.  The  like  did  all 
the  reft  of  the  Saracens,  But  when  Mahdn  told 
him,  that  he  would  not  meddle  with  him  for 
the  aforefaid  Reafons,  they  fheathed  their 
Swords,  and  talked  calmly  again  j  after  which 
Mahdn  made  Caled  a  Prefent  of  the  Prifoners, 
and  defired  him  to  give  him  his  Scarlet  Tent, 
which  Caled  had  brought  with  him,  and  pitch- 
ed hard  by.  Caled  freely  gave  it  him,  and  re- 
fufed  to  take  any  thing,  (though  Mahdn  gave 
him  his  Choice  of  whatever  he  liked  beft) 
thinking  his  Kindnefs  abundantly  recompenfed 
in  the  reftoring  the  Prifoners. 

Both 


Alwakidi. 


204  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Both  fides  now  prepared  for  that  Fight  which 

was  to  determine  the  Fate  of  Syria.  The  Par- 
ticulars are  too  tedious  to  be  related,  for  they 
continued  Fighting  fevcral  Days.  Abu  Oheidah, 
refigned  the  whole  Command  of  the  Army  to 
Caled^  flanding  himfelf  in  the  Rear,  under  the 
yellow  Flag,  which  Ahubeker  had  given  him  at 
his  firft  fetting  forth  into  Syria  j  being  the  fame 
which  Mahomet  himfelf  had  fought  under  at 
the  Battle  of  Chaibar,  That  was  judged  by  Ca- 
led  the  propereft  Place  for  him,  not  only  be- 
caufe  he  was  no  extraordinary  Soldier,  but  that 
the  Reverence  of  him  might  prevent  the  Flight 
oitht Saracens ^-whovjtvQ  now  like  to  be  as  hard 
put  to  it,  as  at  any  time  fince  they  firft  bore 
Arms.  For  the  fame  Reafon  the  Women  were 
placed  in  the  Rear.  The  Greeks  charged  fo 
courageoufly,  and  with  fuch  vaft  Numbers,  that 
the  Right  Wing  of  the  Saracen  Horfe  was  quite 
born  down,  and  broken  off  from  the  main  Bo- 
dy the  Army.  But  no  fooner  did  they  turn 
their  Backs,  but  they  were  fo  warmly  received 
by  the  Women,  who  ufed  them  fo  ill,  and 
loaded  them  with  fuch  Plenty  of  Reproaches, 
that  they  were  glad  to  return  every  Man  to  his 
Poft,  and  chofe  rather  to  face  the  Enemy,  than 
endure  the  Storm.  However  they  had  much 
ado  to  bear  up,  and  were  prefTed  fo  hard  by  the 
Greeks,  that  they  were  fometimes  obliged  to 

forget 


Syriay  Perfta^  and  Mgypt.  205 

forget  what  their  Generals  had  faid  a  little  be-  Omar, 
fore  the  Fight,  who  told  them,  That  Faradife  ^'''^^'^'^'' 
was  before  them^  and  the  Devil  and  Hell-Jire  be- 
hind them,  Abu  Sophyan,  who  had  ufed  that 
very  Expreflion  himfelf,  was  forced  to  retreat, 
and  received  from  one  of  the  Women  an  hearty- 
Blow  over  the  Face  with  a  Tent-pole  for  his 
Pains.  Night  at  lad  parted  them,  about  fuch 
time  as  the  Vidlory  began  to  encline  to  the  Sa^ 
racenSy  who  had  been  thrice  beaten  back,  and 
as  often  reflored  by  the  Women.  Then  Abu 
Obeidah  faid  at  once  thofe  Prayers  which  belong- 
ed to  two  feveral  Hours  ;  I  fuppofe  becaufe  his 
Men  fhould  have  the  more  time  to  reft,  which 
he  was  very  tender  of  5  walking  about  the 
Camp,  looking  after  the  wounded  Men,  and 
oftentimes  binding  up  their  Wounds  with  his 
own  Hands ;  telling  them,  T'hat  their  Enemies 
fuffered  the  fame  Fain  which  they  did^  but  had 
not  that  Reward  to  expe5f  from  God  which  they 
had. 

Among  other  fingle  Combats,  of  which  there 
were  feveral  fought  between  the  two  Armies ; 
it  chanced  that  Se?jabil  Ebn  Shahhnah  was  en- 
gaged with  an  Officer  of  the  Chriftians,  who 
was  much  too  ftrong  for  him.  The  Reafon  our 
Author  affigns,  is,  becaufe  Serjahil  was  wholly 
given  up  to  Watching  and  Fafting.  Derar 
thought  he  ought  not  to  ftand  flill  and  fee  the 

Pro- 


20 6  Udc  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.  Prophet's  Secretary  killed  ;  and  took  his  Dag- 
^^  '  '  g^r,  whilft  the  Combatants  were  over  Head 
and  Ears  in  Duft,  and  coming  behind  the  Chri- 
flian,  ftabbed  him  to  the  Heart.  The  Saracem 
gave  Derar  Thanks  for  his  Service  j  but  he 
faid  that  he  w^ould  receive  no  Thanks  but  from 
God.  Upon  this  there  arofe  a  Difference  be- 
tvi^een  Serjabil  and  Derar  concerning  the  Spoil 
of  this  Officer.  Derar  claimed  it,  as  being  the 
Perfon  that  killed  him.  Serjabil^  as  having  en- 
gaged him,  and  tired  him  out  firfl.  The  Mat- 
ter being  referred  to  Abu  Oheidah^  he  propofed 
the  Cafe  to  the  Caliph,  concealing  the  Names 
of  the  Perfons  concerned  j  v^ho  fent  him  word, 
that  the  Spoil  of  any  Enemy  was  due  to  hint 
that  killed  him  :  Upon  which  Abu  Obeidah  took 
it  from  Serjabil^  and  adjudged  it  to  Derar,' 

Another  Day,  the  Chriftian  Archers  did  fuch 
Execution,  that  befidcs  thofe  Saracens  which 
were  killed,  and  wounded  in  other  Parts,  there 
were  feven  hundred  which  loft  each  of  them 
one  or  both  of  their  Eyes  j  upon  which  Account, 
the  Day  in  which  that  Battle  was  fought  is  call- 
Taumo'ttSwiry  The  Day  of  Blinding  :  And  if  any 
of  thofe  that  loft  their  Eyes  that  Day,  were  af- 
terwards a/ked  by  what  Mifchance  he  was  blind- 
ed ?  He  anfwered,  that  it  was  not  a  Mi/chance, 
but  a  Token  of  Favour  from  God ;  for  they 
gloried  as  iiiuch  in  thofe  Wounds  they  received 

in 


Syria  J  Perjiuy  and  Mgypt,  207 

in  the  Defence  of  their  Superflition,  as  our  En-  Omar. 
thufiafts  do  in  what  they  call  Perfecution,  and  Alwakidi. 
with  much  the  fame  Reafon.  Jbd'ollah  Ebn 
Korty  who  was  prefent  in  all  the  Wars  in  Syria^ 
fays,  that  he  never  faw  fo  hard  a  Battle  as  that 
which  was  fought  on  that  Day  at  Termouk  ;  and 
though  the  Generals  fought  moft  defperately,yet 
after  all  they  had  been  beaten,  if  the  Battle  had 
not  again  been  reftored  by  the  Women.  Caulab, 
Derar's  Sifter,  was  wounded  and  fell  down. 
Opheirah  revenged  her  Quarrel,  and  ftruck  off 
the  Man's  Head  that  did  it ;  and  afking  her 
how  fhe  did,  fhe  anfwered,  Very  well  with  God, 
but  a  dying  Woman,  However,  fhe  proved  to 
be  miftaken,  for  in  the  Evening  fhe  was  walk- 
ing about  as  if  fhe  had  ailed  nothing,  and  look- 
ing after  the  wounded  Men. 

The  Greeks  in  the  Night  had  another  Cala- 
mity added  to  their  Misfortune  of  lofing  the 
Victory,  drawn  upon  them  by  their  own  inhu- 
man Barbarity.  There  was  at  Termouk  a  Gentle- 
man of  a  very  plentiful  Fortune,  who  had  re- 
moved from  Hems  thither  for  the  Sweetnefs  of 
the  Air.  When  Mehdn'^  Army  came  thither, 
this  Gentleman  ufcd  to  entertain  the  Officers, 
and  treat  them  nobly.  To  requite  him  for  his 
Courtefy,  whilft  they  were  revelling  at  his 
Houfe,  they  bad  him  bring  out  his  Wife  to 
them  ',  which  he  refufing,  they  took  her  by 

Force, 


Alwakid 


208  The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.  Force,  and  abufed  her  all  Night ;  and,  to  [add 
to  his  Afflidlion,  they  took  a  little  Son  of  his, 
and  cut  his  Head  off.  The  poor  Lady  took  her 
Child's  Head,  and  carried  it  to  Mahdn ;  and 
having  given  him  an  Account  of  the  Outrages 
committed  by  his  Officers,  demanded  Satisfac- 
tion. He  took  but  little  Notice  of  it,  and  put 
her  off  v^^ith  a  (light  Anfwer.  Upon  which  her 
Husband,  refolved  to  take  the  firft  Opportuni- 
ty of  being  revenged,  went  privately  over  to 
the  Saracens,  and  acquainted  them  with  his 
Defign.  Returning  back  to  the  Greeks,  he  told 
them,  it  was  now  in  his  Power  to  do  them  An- 
gular Service  :  He  takes  a  great  Number  of 
them,  and  brings  them  to  a  great  Water,  very 
deep,  and  fordable  only  at  one  Place.  Five  hun- 
dred Saracen  Horfe,  inftru(n:ed  by  him,  came 
over  where  the  Water  was  (hallow,  and  attack 
the  Greeks,  but  in  a  very  little  time  return  or- 
derly the  fame  way  they  came.  The  injured 
Gentleman  calls  out,  and  encourages  the  Greeks 
to  purfue,  '  who  plunging  into  the  Water  con- 
fufedly,  and  not  at  all  acquainted  with  the  Place, 
periflied  in  great  Numbers.  In  thofe  Battles 
fought  afterwards  at  Tcrmouk,  (which  were  all 
'mNove?7iber,6ib,)  the  Chriftians  had  the  worfl, 
till  at  laft  Mahdn  s  vaft  Army  being  broken,  and 

iKi7  dnuX^tTQ   K.fJrf.  Theoph.  p-  280. 

fhat- 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  j^gypt.  209 

ihattered  to  Pieces,  he  was  forced  to  fly,  and    Omar 
leave  the  Saracens  Mafters  of  the  Field,  now 
quite  delivered  from  thofe  terrible  Apprehen- 
fions,  which  the  News  of  this  great  Preparation 
had  filled  them  with  at  firft. 

A  fhort  time  after  Abu  Obetdah  wrote  to  the 
Caliph  the  following  Letter. 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God,  &c: 
^his  is  to  acquaint  thee,  that  1  encamped  at 
Yermouk,  and  Mahan  was  near  us\  with  fuch 
an  Army  as  the  Mujlemans  never  beheld  a  greater  '^ 
but  God  overthrew  this  Multitude,  and  gave  us 
thiViBory  over  them,  out  of  his  abundant' Grace 
and  Goodnefs,  We  killed  of  them  about  an  hun- 
dred  and  fifty  thoufand,  and  took  forty  thoufand 
Trifoners.  Of  tbe  Mufiemans  were  killed  four 
thoufand  and  thirty,  to  whom  God  has  decreed  the 
Honour  of  Martyrdom.  I  found  fame  Heads  cut 
off,  not  knowing  whether  they  belonged  to  the 
Mufiemans  or  Chrifiians,  and  I  prayed  over  them 
and  buried  them.  Mahan  was  afterwards  killed 
at  Damafcus  by  Noman  Ebn  Alkamah.  There 
was  one  Abu  Joaid,  that  belonged  to  them  before 
the  Battle,  that  came  from  Hems,  he  drowned 
of  them  a  great  Number,  unknown  to  any  but 
God,  As  for  thofe  that  fied  into  the  Deferts  and 
Mountains,  we  have  dejlroyed  them  all,  and  fiop- 
ped  all  the  Roads  and  Faffages,  and  God  has  made 
O  us 


210  *The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Qn,af,  US  Maftcn  of  their  Country,  and  Wealthy  and  Chil- 
dren. Written  after  the  Vidlory  from  Damafcus, 
ivhere  I  ft  ay  expeBing  thy  Orders  concerning  the 
Divifwn  of  the  Spoil,  Fare  thee  well,  and  the 
Mercy  and  Blejjtng  of  God  be  upon  thee^  and  all 
the  Muflemans, 

Omar,  in  a  {hort  Letter,  expreffed  his  Satis- 
fadtion,  and  gave  the  Saracens  Thanks  for  their 
Perfeverance  and  Diligence  5  commanding  Ahu 
Obeidah  to  continue  where  he  was  till  further 
Orders,  but  mentioned  nothing  concerning  the 
Spoil :  Upon  which  Abu  Obeidah  looking  upoix 
it  as  left  to  his  own  Difcretion,  divided  it,  with- 
out flaying  for  further  Orders.  To  an  Horle- 
man  he  gave  thrice  as  much  as  to  a  Footman, 
and  made  a  farther  Difference  between  thofe 
Horfes  which  were  of  the  right  Arabian  Breed, 
(which  they  looked  upon  to  be  far  the  beft)  and 
thofe  that  were  not,  allowing  twice  as  much  to 
the  former  as  to  the  latter ;  with  which  Divilion 
they  not  being  fatisfied,  Ahu  Obeidah  told  them, 
that  the  Prophet  did  the  fame  after  the  Battle 
oiChaihar-,  which,  upon  Appeal  made  to  Omar, 
was  by  him  confirmed.  Zobeir  had  at  the  Battle 
of  Termouk  two  Horfes,  which  he  ufed  to  ride 
by  turns :  He  received  five  Lots,  three  for  him- 
felf,  and  two  for  his  Horfes.  If  any  Slaves  had 
run  away  from  their  Mafters  before  the  Battle, 
and  were  afterwards  retaken,  they  were  reftored 

to 


Syriaj  Perjta^  and  j^gypt,  2 1 1 

to  their  proper  Mafters,  who  neverthelefs  re-    Omar, 
ceived  an  equal  Share  of  the  Spoil  with  the   sl^^^^ 
reft. 

The  Saracens  having  refted  a  Month  at  Da^ 
mafcus,  and  refreshed  themfelves,  Abu  Oheidah 
fent  to  Omar,  to  know  whether  he  fliould  go 
to  Cafarea  or  Jerufalem.  Alt  being  prefent 
when  Omar  was  deliberating,  faid,  to  Jerufaletn 
firft  i  adding,  that  he  had  heard  the  Prophet 
fay  as  much.  This  City  they  had  a  great  Long- 
ing after,  as  being  the  Seat  and  Burying-place  of 
a  great  many  of  the  ancient  Prophets,  in  whom 
they  reckoned  none  to  be  fo  much  interefted  as 
themfelves.  Abu  Obeidah  having  received  Or- 
ders to  befiege  it,  fent  Tezid  Ebn  Abi  Sofyan 
thither  firft,  with  five  thoufand  Men  ;  and  for 
five  Days  together  fent  after  him  confiderable 
Numbers  of  Men,  under  fuch  Officers  as  he 
thought  fit  to  appoint.  The  lerefoly mites  ex- 
prefled  no  Signs  of  Fear,  nor  would  they  vouch- 
iafe  fo  much  as  to  fend  out  a  Meflenger  to  par- 
ley, but  made  Preparation  for  a  vigorous  De- 
fence, and  planted  their  Engines  upon  the 
Walls.  Tezid  at  laft  v^^ent  near  the  Walls,  with 
an  Interpreter,  to  know  their  Minds,  and  pro- 
pofe  the  ufual  Terms;  which  being  rejedled, 
the  Saracens  would  willingly  have  afiaulted  the 
Befieged,  had  not  Tezid  told  them,  that  the 
General  had  not  commanded  them  to  make  any 
O  2  AfTault^ 


212  The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.  Affault,  but  only  to  fit  down  before  the  City  ; 
and  thereupon  Tent  to  Abu  Obeidah^  who  forth- 
with gave  them  Order  to  fight.  The  next 
Morning  the  Generals  faid  the  Morning  Prayer, 
each  at  the  Head  of  his  Men  j  and,  as  it  were 
with  one  Confent,  it  feems  every  one  of  them 
quoted  this  Verficle  out  of  the  Alcoran^  as  be- 
ing very  appofite  and  pertinent  to  their  prefent 
Purpofe,  ^  0  People  !  enter  ye  into  the  holy  Land 
which  God  hath  decreed  for  you  ;  being  the  twen- 
ty fourth  Verfe  of  the  fifth  Chapter  of  the  Al- 
coran, where  the  Impoftor  introduces  Mofes 
fpeaking  to  the  Children  of  IJrael :  Which 
Words  the  Saracens  dexteroufly  interpreted  to 
belong  no  lefs  to  themfelves,  than  to  their  Pre- 
decefibrs  the  Jfraelites.  Nor  have  thefe  Parts  of 
the  World  been  altogether  deftitute  of  fuch  able 
Expofitors,  who,  whatever  they  find  in  Scrip- 
ture graciouily  exprefl^ed  in  Favour  of  the  People 
of  God,  apply  to  themfelves,  without  Limita- 
tion or  Exception  :  Whatever  is  faid  of  the 
Wicked  and  Ungodly,  and  all  the  Terrors  and 
Judgments  denounced,  with  a  liberal  Hand  they 
beftow  upon  their  Neighbours.  After  their 
Prayers  were  over,  they  began  their  AfTault. 
The  lerefolymites  never  tiinched,  but  fent  them 
Showers  of  Arrows  from  the  Walls,  and  main- 
tained the  Fight  with  undaunted  Courage,  till 

•  Alcorariy  Chap .  Y.  24. 

the 


Alwakidi 


Syria^  Perjta^  and  j^gypt,  213 

the  Evening.  Thus  they  continued  fighting  ten  Omar. 
Days,  and  on  the  eleventh,  Abu  Obeidah  came 
up  with  the  Remainder  of  the  Army  j  he  had 
not  been  there  long,  before  he  fent  the  Befieged 
the  following  Letter,  which  I  have  copied,  not 
out  of  Alwakidi y  but  3  the  Author  of  the  Hijio-. 
ry  of  the  Holy  Land. 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God, 
From  Abu  Obeidah  Ebn  Aljerahh,  to  the 
chief  Commanders  of  the  People  of  MX\z^  and  the 
Inhabitants  thereof  *  Health  and  Happinefs  to 
every  one  that  follows  the  right  way,  and  be- 
lieves in  God  and  the  Apojile.  We  require  of  you 
to  tejiify,  T!hat  there  is  but  one  God,  and  Maho- 
met is  his  Apojile,  and  that  there  JJjall  be  a  Day 
of  Judgment,  when  God  Jhall  raife  the  Dead  out 
of  their  Septdchres ;  and  when  you  have  born  Wit- 
nefs  to  this,  it  is  unlawful  for  us  either  to  fjed 
your  Blood,  or  meddle  with  your  Subfance  or  ChiU 
dren.  If  you  refufe  this,  confent  to  pay  Tribute, 
and  be  under  us  forthwith ;  otherwife  I  Jhall 
bring  Men  againji  you,  who  love  Death  better 
than  Tou  do  the  drinking  of  Wine,  or  eati?2g  Hogs 
Flejh :  Nor  will  lever  Jlir  from  you,  if  it  pleafe 

3  MSS.Arab.Pocock.  Num,  362  .    *  Alcoran,  Chap.  XX;. 
49.  They  ufe  it  almoft  always  when  they  write  to  Chriftians ;" 
and  fo  the  King  of  Fez  writes  to  our  Princes  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. 

O  3  God, 


214  7>5^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.       ^^^>  ^'^^  //^^w  dejlroyed  tbofe  that  Jight  for  you ^ 
and  made  Slaves  of  your  Children. 

The  eating  ^  Swines  Flefli,  and  *  drinking 
Wine,  are  both  forbidden  in  the  Alcoran^ 
which  occafioned  that  Refledlion  of  Abu  Ohei- 
dah  upon  the  Pracflice  of  the  Chriftians.  The 
former  Prohibition  is  borrowed  from  the  Jew- 
ifh  Lawi  and  as  for  the  latter,  the  Reader  may 
fee  more  in  the  3  Life  of  Mahomet.  The  Be- 
fieged,  never  a  whit  daunted,  held  out  four 
Months  entire;  in  all  which  fpace,  there  did 
not  one  Day  pafs  without  fighting;  and  it  be- 
ing Winter  time,  the  Saracens  fuffered  a  great 
deal  of  Hardfliip  through  the  Extremity  of  the 
Weather.  At  laft,  when  the  Befieged  had  well 
confidered  the  obftinacy  of  the  Saracens;  who, 
they  had  good  Reafon  to  believe,  would  never 
raife  the  Siege  till  they  had  taken  the  City, 
whatever  time  it  took  up,  or  coft  them  Pains ; 
Sophronhis  the  Patriarch  went  to  the  Wall,  and 
by  an  Interpreter  difcourfed  with  Abu  Obeidah, 
telling  him,  that  Jerufalem  was  the  Holy  City^ 
and  whoever  came  into  the  Holy  Land  with 
any  hoflile  Intent,  would  render  himfelf  ob- 
noxious to  the  Divine  Difpleafure.  To  which 
Abu  Ob d dah  anfwered.  We  hiow  that  it  is  a 
noble  City^  and  that  our  Prophet  Mahomet  went 

^J/ccran,  Chap.  II.  i68.  *  Jlcorau,  Chap.  V.92.93. 

'  Dr.  Pri^eaux's  Life  of  Mahomet,  p.  106, 

from 


Syria^  Pcrjia^  and  ^gypf,  215 

from  it  in  ^  one  Night  to  Heaven,  and  approach-  Omar. 
ed  within  two  Bows  Shot  of  his  Lord,  or  nearer -,  Alwakidi 
and  that  it  is  the  Mine  of  the  Prophets,  and 
their  Sepulchres  are  in  it,  and  we  are  more  wor- 
thy to  have  it  in  Fo£eJ]ion  than  you  are  -,  neither 
will  we  leave  bejieging  it,  till  God  delivers  it  up 
to  us,  as  he  hath  done  other  Places,  before  it.  I 
fiiall  not  here  tranfcribe  the  Story  of  Mahomet's 
Journey  to  Heaven  5  the  Reader  may  find  a 
fufficient  Account  of  it  in  the  Learned  Dr.  Pr/- 
deaux's  5  Life  of  Mahomet.  At  lafl  the  Patri- 
arch confented  that  the  City  fhould  be  furren- 
dered,  upon  Condition  that  the  Inhabitants 
fhould  receive  the  Articles  of  their  Security 
and  Protection  from  the  Caliph*^  own  Hands, 
and  not  by  Proxy.  And  their  infifting  upon 
this,  I  take  to  have  been  the  principal  Motive 
of  Omar's  Coming,  rather  than  believe  a  blind 
Story  fabled  by  fome  Arab,  Authors,  of  an  old 
Prophecy  kept  in  yerufalem  concerning  Omar; 
in  vi^hich  his  Name  and  Religion  were  fpecifi- 
ed,  and  his  Perfon  defcribed,  and  that  he  was 
the  only  Man  that  could  take  Jerufalem: 
Which,  however  ftrange  it  may  fcem,  is  never- 
thelefs  not  fo  abfurd  and  ridiculous  as  what 
they  tell  of  Sophronius%  giving  an  Account  of 
all  this  to  Abu  Obeidah,  who  thereupon  fent 
for  Omar,    I  rather  {hould  believe,   that  this 

♦  Alcorm,  Chap.  XVII.  i.  and  LIII.  lo.     '  P.  53. 

O  4  idle 


Alwakid 


2i6  The  Saracens  Gonquejl  of 

Omar.       idle  Story  of  the  Prophecy  may  be  better  ex- 
plained by  Theophanes,  who  tells  us,  that  when 
the  City  was  taken,  the  Patriach  faid  ^  T'his  is 
of  a  Truth  the  Abomination  of  Defolation  fpoken 
of  by  Daniel  the  Prophet  jlandijig  in  the  Holy 
Place.    The  Saracens  hearing  afterwards,  that 
the  Patriarch  had  confeffed  them  to  have  been 
prophefied  of,  made  the  foregoing  Story  out  of 
it.    "^  Jelalo'ddin  AJjbyi'iti  a  celebrated  Arabick 
Author,  who,  among  other  Works,  has  writ- 
ten an  Hiftory  of   Jerufaleniy    confefles,   that 
there  is  great  Variety  and  Difference  in  the 
Accounts  of  the  taking  it :   However,  all  agree 
in  this,  that  Omar  was  there.    The  fame  Jela- 
lo'ddin  agrees  with  Alwakidi,  where  he  tells  us, 
that  upon  Abu  Obeidah's  writing  to  Omar  to 
come,  he  advifed  with  his  Friends.    Othmany 
who  afterwards  fucceeded  him  in  the  Govern- 
ment,  diffwaded    him   from   going,    that  the 
lerefolymites  might  fee  themfelvcs  defpifed,   and 
thought  beneath  his  Notice  j  but  Ali  was  of  a 
quite  different  Opinion,  urging  that  the  Mufle- 
mans  had  endured  great  Hardfhip  in  fo  long  a 
Siege,   and  fuffered  much  from  the  Extremity 
of  the  Cold  J  that  •  the  Prefence  of  the  Caliph 

Tw?  l^YiyLoo'iuq  TO  ^Yi^tv  ^ict  AafUjX  TS  'Erfo(pv5T«,  erw?  Iv  roTTco 
eiy'iu'  no^^o^^^T£  ^acK^vari  to  }(^^irioc,vov  ^tXon  ixTri^v^tro  rr,g  Ivae- 
^licc;  5  m-i-ii/.ctx'^-    Theoph.  p  281.  Edit.  Par.  ^  MSS.  Arab. 

JIunthigton  Numb.  510. 

would 


Syriaj  Perjta^  and  Mgypt,  217 

would  be  a  great  Refrefliment  and  Encourage-  Omar, 
ment  to  them ;  adding,  that  the  great  Refped:  ^^wdkidi. 
which  the  Chriftians  had  for  yerufalem,  as  be- 
ing the  Place  to  which  they  went  on  Pilgri- 
mage, ought  to  to  be  confidered  5  that  it  ought 
not  to  be  fuppofed  that  they  would  eafily  part 
with  it,  but  foon  be  reinforced  with  frefh  Sup- 
plies. This  Advice  of  Alt  being  preferred  to 
Othmans,  the  Caliph  refolved  upon  his  Journey; 
which,  according  to  his  frugal  Management, 
required  no  great  Expence  or  Equipage.  When 
he  had  faid  his  Prayers  in  the  Mofque,  and  paid 
his  Refpedts  at  Mahomet's  Tomb,  he  fubftitut- 
ed  Ali  in  his  Place,  and  fet  forwards  with  fome 
Attendance;  the  greatefl:  part  of  which,  having 
kept  him  Company  a  little  way,  returned  back 
to  Medinah.  He  rode  upon  a  red  Camel,  with 
a  Couple  of  Sacks;  in  one  of  which  he  car- 
ried that  fort  of  Provifion,  which  the  Arabs 
call  Sawtk^  which  is  either  Barly,  Rice,  or 
Wheat,  fodden  and  unhulked;  the  other  was 
full  of  Fruits.  Before  him  he  carried  a  very 
great  Leather  Bottle,  (very  neceffary  in  thofe 
defart  Countries  to  put  Water  in)  behind  him 
a  large  wooden  Platter.  Thus  furniflied  and 
equiped,  the  Caliph  travelled,  and  when  he 
came  to  any  Place  where  he  was  to  reft  all 
Night,  he  never  went  from  it  till  he  had  faid 
the  Morning  Prayer.     After    which,   turning 

him- 


2 1 8  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omnr.  I^imfelf  about  to  thofe  that  were  with  him,  he 
AK\'akidi.  faid,  Praife  be  to  God,  who  has  Jlrengthened  us 
with  the  true  Religion,  and  given  us  his  Pro- 
phet, and  led  us  out  of  Error,  and  united  us 
(who  were  at  Variance)  in  the  ConfeJJton  of  the 
^^th,  and  given  us  the  ViSlory  over  our  Ene- 
my, and  the  Pojfefjlon  of  his  Country,  O  ye  Ser- 
vants of  God!  Praife  him  for  thefe  abuftdant 
Favours-,  for  God  gives  Increafe  to  thofe  that 
ask  for  it,  and  are  defirous  of  thofe  thifigs  which 
are  with  him  j  and  fulfils  his  Grace  upon  thofe 
that  are  thankful.  Then  filling  his  Platter  with 
the  Sawik,  he  very  liberally  entertained  his 
Fellow-Travellers,  who  did,  without  Diftinc- 
tion,  cat  with  him  all  out  of  the  fame  Difh. 

Whilft  he  was  upon  his  Journey,  there  came, 
at  one  of  his  Stages,  a  Complaint  before  him 
of  a  Man  that  had  marryed  two  Wives,  that 
v/ere  Sifters  both  by  Father  and  Mother;  a 
thing  which  the  old  Arabians,  fo  long  as  they 
continued  in  their  Idolatry,  made  no  fcruple  of, 
as  appears  from  that  PafTage  in  the  Alcoran^ 
where  it  is  forbidden  for  the  time  to  come,  and 
cxprefTed  after  fuch  a  manner,  as  makes  it  evi- 
dent to  have  been  no  uncommon  Pradice  a^ 
mong  them.  Omar  was  very  angry,  and  cited 
him  and  his  two  Wives  to  make  their  Ap- 
pearance before  him  forthwith.  After  the  Fel- 
lovv   had  confeflTed  that   they  were  both  his 

Wives, 


Syriay  Perjta^  and  JEgypt.  219 

Wives,  and  fo  nearly  related,  Omar  afked  him    Omar 


what  Religion  he  might  be  of,  or  whether  he 
was  a  Mujleman?  Tes,  faid  the  Fellow.  And  did 
you  not  know  ihen^  faid  Omar,  that  it  was  un- 
lawful for  you  to  have  them,  when  God  has  faid, 
* "  Neither  marry  two  Sifters  any  more." 
The  Fellow  fwore,  that  he  did  know  that  it 
was  unlawful,  neither  was  it  unlawful.  Omar 
fwore,  he  lyed,  and  that  he  would  make  him 
part  with  one  of  them,  or  elfe  ftrike  his  Head 
off.  The  Fellow  began  to  grumble,  and  faid, 
nat  he  wifloed  he  had  never  been  of  that  Reli' 
giony  for  he  could  have  done  as  well  without  if, 
and  had  never  been  a  whit  the  better  for  it  fmce 
he  had  firfi  profefj'ed  it.  Upon  which  Omar 
called  him  a  little  nearer,  and  gave  him  two 
Blows  upon  the  Crown  with  his  Stick,  to  teach 
him  better  Manners,  and  learn  him  to  fpeak 
more  reverently  of  Mahomet anifm  5  faying,  O 
thou  Enemy  of  God ^  and  of  thy  f elf  doji  thou  re^ 
vik  3  Iflam  ;  which  is  the  Religion  that  God  and 
his  Angels y  and  Apojiles,  and  the  heft  of  the  Crea- 
tion  have  chofen  f  And  threatened  him  feverely, 
if  he  did  not  make  a  quick  Difpatch,  and  take 
which  of  them  he  loved  beft.  The  Fellow  was 
fo  fond  of  them  both,  that  he  could  not  tell 

*  Moran,  Chap. IV.  27.  '  That  is  the  Word  by 

which  thcyexprefs  what  we  call  the  Mahometan  Religion; 
and  fignifies,  delivering  a  Man's  felf  ti^  to  God. 

which 


Alw^kidi. 


2  20  7^^  SaraceTis  Conquejl  of 

Omar  vvhich  he'd  rather  part  with:  Upon  which 
Alwakidi.  fome  o^Omars  Attendants  caft  Lots  for  the 
two  Women.  The  Lot  falling  upon  one  of 
them  three  times,  the  Man  took  her,  and  was 
forced  to  dlfmifs  the  other.  Omar  called  him  to 
him,  and  faid,  Pray  mind  what  I  fay  to  you  ;  if 
any  Man  makes  Profeffion  of  our  Religion,  and 
then  leaves  it,  we  kill  him  j  therefore  fee  you  do 
not  renounce  Iflam.  And  take  heed  to  your  f elf 
for  if  ever  I  hear  that  you  lie  with  your  Wife's 
Sifier,  which  you  have  put  away,  you  fhall  be 
floned. 

PaiTing  on  a  little  further,  he  happened  to  fee 
fome  poor  Tributaries,  whom  their  hard  Ma- 
kers, the  Saracens,  were  puiiifliing  for  Non- 
payment, by  fetting  them  in  the  Sun  -,  which 
in  that  Torrid  Zone  is  very  grievous.  When 
Omar  underftood  the  Caufe  of  it,  he  afked  the 
poor  People  what  they  had  to  fay  for  them- 
felves  ?  Who  anfvvered,  that  they  were  not  able. 
Upon  which  he  faid.  Let  them  alone,  and  dont 
compel  them  to  more  than  they  are  able  to  bear', 
for  1  heard  the  Apoflle  of  God  fay,  DO  NOT 
affiiB  Men  ;  for  thofe  who  affiiSi  Men  in  this 
World,  God  /hall  puuif:  them  in  Hell-Fire  at  the 
Day  of  Judgment.  And  immediately  command- 
ed them  to  let  them  go. 

Before  he  got  to  his  Journey's  End,  he  was 
informed  of  an  old  Man  that  fuffered  a  young 

one 


Syria^  Ferfia^  and  ^gypt.  2  21 

one  to  go  Partner  with  him  in  his  Wife  j  fo  that  Omar, 
one  of  them  was  to  have  her  four  and  twenty  ^^ 
Hours,  and  then  the  other,  and  fo  fucceffively. 
Omar  having  fent  for  them,  and  upon  Exami- 
nation found  them  to  be  Muflemans,  wondered 
at  it,  and  afked  the  old  Man,  if  he  did  not 
know  that  it  was  forbidden  by  the  Law  of 
God  ?  They  both  fwore,  that  they  knew  no 
fuch  thinR-.  Omar  afked  the  old  Man,  what 
made  him  confent  to  fuch  a  beaflly  thing? 
Who  anfwered,  that  he  was  in  Years,  and  his 
Strength  failed  him,  and  he  had  never  a  Son  to 
look  after  his  Bufinefs,  and  this  young  Man  was 
very  ferviceable  to  him  in  watering  and  feeding 
his  Camels,  and  he  had  recompenfed  him  that 
way  ;  but  lince  it  was  unlawful,  he  promifed 
that  it  (liould  be  fo  no  more.  Omar  bid  him 
take  his  Wife  by  the  Hand,  and  told  him,  T^hat 
no  body  had  any  thing  to  do  with  her  but  himjelf: 
And  for  your  part  ^  young  Man  (fays  he)  if  ever 
I  hear  that  you  come  near  her  again ^  ^ff  g^^^  y^^^ 
Head. 

Omar,  having  all  the  Way  he  v/ent,  (ct 
Things  aright  that  were  amifs,  and  diflributed 
JuiHce  impartially,  for  which  he  was  fingularly 
eminent  among  the  Saraceiis^  came  at  laft  into 
the  Confines  of  Syria,  and  when  he  drew  near 
fferufalem  he  was  met  by  Abu  Obeidah,  and 
conducted  to  the  Saracen  Camp  with  abun- 
dance 


Alwakidi. 


22  2  735^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  dance  of  Joy.  He  did  not  reach  it  the  fame 
Day  Abu  Obeidah  met  him.  In  the  Morning 
he  faid  the  ufual  Prayers,  and  if  we  may  take 
my  Author's  Word  for  it,  preached  a  good 
Sermon.  In  which,  as  he  quoted  this  Text  out 
of  the  Alcoran  j  ^  He  whom  God  jhall  direSi  is 
led  in  the  right  Way  ;  but  thou  Jhalt  not  find  a 
Friend  to  direSl  him  aright  whom  God  Jhall  lead 
into  Error,  A  Chriftian  Priefl  that  fat  before 
hijTi  flood  up,  and  faid,  God  leads  no  ManJnto 
Error ;  and  repeated  it;  Omar  laid  nothing  to 
him,  but  bid  thofe  that  flood  by  ftrike  his  Head 
off  if  he  fhould  fay  io  again.  The  old  Man 
underftood  what  he  faid,  and  held  his  Peace 
whilft  0?}iar  proceeded  in  his  Sermon. 

Omar  met  with  fome  of  the  Saracens  richly 
drefled  in  Silks  that  they  had  taken  by  way  of 
Plunder  after  the  Battle  of  Termouk.  He  fpoil- 
ed  all  their  Pride,  for  he  caufed  them  to  be 
dragged  along  in  the  Dirt  with  their  Faces 
downwards,  and  their  Cloaths  to  be  rent  all  to 
Pieces.  As  foon  as  he  came  within  fight  of  the 
City,  he  cry'd  out,  Allah  Acbar :  O  God  give  us 
an  eafy  Conquefi.  Pitching  his  Tent,  which  was 
made  of  Hair,  he  fat  down  in  it  upon  the 
Ground.  The  Chriftians  hearing  that  Omar 
was  come,  from  whofe  Hands  they  were  to  re- 
ceive their  Articles,  were  defirous  of  feeing  him; 

*  Alcoran,  Q\^^.X\l\\,i(i, 

Upon 


Syria^  Perjia^  and Mgypt.  223 

Upon  which  the  Muflemans  would  have  per-  Omar. 
fwaded  him  not  to  expofe  his  Perfon,  for  fear  Alwakidi 
of  fome  treacherous  Defign.  But  Omar  refo- 
lutely  anfwered,  in  the  Words  of  the  Alcoran  -, 
3  SAT^  Inhere  jhall  nothing  befall  us  but  what 
God  hath  decreed  for  us  5  he  is  our  Lord,  and  in 
God  let  all  the  Believers  put  their  Truji.  After- 
wards upon  Parley,  the  Befieged  refigned,  and 
becaufe  thofe  Articles  of  Agreement  made  by 
Omar  with  the  lerefolymites  are,  as  it  were,  the 
Pattern  which  the  Mahometan  Princes  have 
chiefly  imitated,  I  fliall  not  think  it  improper 
to  give  the  Senfeof  them  in  this  Place,  as  I  find 
it  in  the  3  Author  of  the  Hiftory  of  Jerufaleni 
(or  the  Holy  Land)  which  I  have  mentioned 
before. 

The  Articles  were  thefe  j  "  ^hat  the  Chrifti- 
^*  ans  Jhould  build  no  new  Churches ,  either  in  the 
^*  City^  or  the  adjacent  Territory :  Neither  fl:)0uld 
*'  they  refufe  the  Muflemans  E?2trance  into  their 
"  Churches,  either  by  Night  or  Day.  That  they 
*^  Jhould  fet  open  the  Doors  of  them  to  all  Pajfen- 
**  gers  and  Travellers*  If  any  Mufleman  fdoukl 
**  be  upon  a  fourney,  they  Jhould  be  obliged  to 
"  entertain  him  gratis  the  fpace  of  three  Days, 
"  That  they  Jldould  not  teach  their  Children  the 
"  Alcoran,  mr  talk  openly  of  their  Religion,  nor 

»  Jkoran,  Chap.  IX.  51.  ^-  M.  S.  Arab.  Pocock. 

Num.  362. 

^*  pcrfwade' 


2  24  The  Saracens  Conqiieji  of 

Omar.  <'  perfwade  any  one  to  be  of  it  j  neither  Jhould 
Alwalcidi.  tt  ff^^y  }jij2der  any  of  their  Relations  from  becom- 
"  ing  Mahomet anSy  if  they  had  an  hcli?iation 
"  to  it.  1'hat  they  JJmdd  pay  RefpeB  to  the 
*'  Muflemans,  and  rife  up  to  them  if  they  had  a 
"  mind  to  ft  down,  I'hat  they  Jhould  not  go  like 
"  the  Mufemam  in  their  Drefs  -,  nor  wear  fuch 
"  Caps^  Shoes  nor  ^urbants^  nor  part  their  Hair 
"  as  they  do,  nor  fpeak  after  the  fame  manner ^ 
**  7tor  be  called  by  the  fame  9  Names  ufed  by  the 
"  Mufemans.  Neither  JJoould  they  ride  upon  Sad- 
*'  dies,  nor  bear  any  fort  of  Arms,  nor  ufe  the 
"  Arabick  T^ongue  in  the  Infcriptions  of  their 
*'  Seals  :  nor  fell  any  Wine.  I'hat  they  fsould  be 
"  obliged  to  keep  to  the  fame  jort  of  Habit  where- 
^^  foever  they  went,  and  always  wear  Girdles  upon 
"  their  Wafes.  That  they  fiould  fet  no  Crojfes 
*'  upon  their  Churches,  nor  flow  their  Crojfes  nor 
"  their  Books  openly  in  the  Streets  of  the  Mufle- 
"  mans.  That  theyfmdd  not  ring,  but  only  toll 
"  their  Bells.  Nor  take  a?2y  Servant  that  had 
"  once  belonged  to  the  Mufemans.  Neither  Jhould 
"  they  overlook  them  in  their  Houfes.  Some  fay, 
**  that  Omar  commanded  the  Inhabitants  of^z- 
"  rufalem  to  have  the  fore  Parts  of  their  Heads 
^'  faven,  and  obliged  them  to  ride  upon  their 
*'  Funnels  fideways,  and  not  like  the  Mufemans  ^ 

^  Arab.  Kinaon^  Cognom'ina. 

Upon 


Syfia^  Perfia^  and ^gypt,  225 

Upon  thefe  Terms  the  Chriftians  had  Liberty  Omar. 
of  Confcience^  Paying  fuch  Tribute  as  their  Ma- 
ilers thought  fit  to  impofe  upon  them  j  and  y^- 
rufalem^  once  the  Glory  of  the  Eafi^  was  forc- 
ed to  fubmit  to  a  heavier  Yoke  than  ever  it  had 
born  before.  For  though  the  Number  of  the 
Slain,  and  the  Calamities  of  the  Befieged  were 
greater  when  it  was  taken  by  the  Romans;  yet 
the  Servitude  of  thofe  that  furvived  was  nothing 
comparable  to  this,  either  in  refped  of  the 
Circumftances  or  Duration.  For  however  it 
might  feem  to  be  utterly  ruined  and  deftroyed 
by  T!itus^  yet  was  it  very  much  recovered  be- 
fore Adrian'^  Time.  Now,  it  fell  as  it  were* 
once  for  all,  into  the  Hands  of  the  moft  mor- 
tal Enemies  of  the  Chriflian  Religion,  in  which 
it  has  continued  ever  fince ;  excepting  only  that 
Interval  of  near  ninety  Years,  in  which  it  was 
poflefled  by  the  Chriftians  in  the  Holy  War, 

-^The  Chriftians  having  fubmitted  to  the 
Terms,  Omar  gave  them  the  following  Writ- 
ing under  his  Hand.  ' 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God, 
From  Omar  Ebno'l  Alchitab  to  the  Inhabit 
tants  of  MX\2i.  T!hey  Jhall  be  protested  andfecur- 
ed  both  in  their  Lives  and  Fortunes,  and  their 
Churches  Jhall  neither  be  ptdkd  down,  nor  made 
ufe  of  by  any  but  themfehes, 
*  Elmakin,  Eutychius. 

P  Im- 


2  26  Ihe  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Immediately  upon  this  the  Gates  were  open- 
ed, and  the  Caliph  and  thofe  that  were  with 
him  went  in.  The  Patriarch  kept  them  Com- 
pany, and  the  Caliph  talked  with  him  familiar- 
ly, and  afked  him  Queftions  concerning  the 
Antiquities  of  the  Place.  Among  other  Places 
which  they  vifited,  they  went  into  the  Temple 
of  the  RefiirreSlion^  and  Omar  fat  down  in  the 
midft  of  it.  When  the  time  of  Prayers  was 
come  (the  Mahometam  have  five  fet  times  of 
Prayer  in  a  Day)  Omar  told  the  Patriarch,  that 
he  had  a  mind  to  pray,  and  defired  him  to 
fhow  him  a  Place  where  he  might  perform  his 
Devotion.  The  Patriarch  bad  him  pray  where 
he  was;  but  he  altogether  refufed  it.  Then  he 
brought  him  out  from  thence,  and  went  with 
him  into  Conjlantines  Church,  and  laid  a  Matt 
for  him ;  but  he  would  not  pray  there.  At  laft 
he  went  alone  to  the  Steps  which  were  at  the 
Eaft  Gate  of  St.  Conftantine^  Church,  and 
kneeled  by  himfelf  upon  one  of  them.  Having 
ended  his  Prayers,  he  fat  down,  and  afked  the 
Patriarch  if  he  knew  why  he  had  refufed  to 
pray  in  the  Church;  The  Patriarch  confefled 
that  he  could  not  tell  what  (hould  be  the  Rea- 
fon  of  it.  Why  then  (fays  Omar)  I  will  tell  you. 
Tou  know  I  promijed  you  that  7i07ie  of  your 
Churches  Jhould  be  taken  away  from  you,  but 

*  Year  of  the  Hegjrah  i6.  j1.  D.  637, 

that 


Syria ^  Perfia^  and  j^gypt,  227 

that  you  Jhould  poffefi  them  quietly  your  fehes.  omar. 
Now  if  I  had  prayed  in  any  one  ofthefe  Church^ 
es,  I  JJjould  no  fooner  have  been  gone  from  hence ^ 
but  the  Mujlemans  would  infallibly  have  taken  it 
away  from  you.  And  notwithftanding  all  you 
could  have  alledged^  they  would  have  faid^  this  is 
the  Place  where  Omar  prayed^  and  we  will  pray 
here  too.  And  fo  you  would  have  been  turned  out 
of  your  Churchy  contrary  both  to  my  Intention 
and  your  Expedlation:  But  becaufe  my  praying  fo 
much  as  upon  the  Steps  may  perhaps  give  fome 
Occafion  to  the  Mujlemans  to  give  you  fome  Dif- 
turbance ;  I  pall  take  what  Care  I  can  to  pre^ 
vent  that.  So  he  called  for  Pen,  Ink  and  Pa- 
per, and  wrote  exprefly.  That  none  of  the  MuJIe^ 
mans  fhould  pray  upon  the  Steps  in  any  Multi- 
tudes^ but  one  by  one,  That  they  fhould  never 
meet  there  to  go  to  Prayers.  And  that  the  Mu- 
ezzin, or  Crier ^  that  calls  the  People  to  Prayers 
(for  the  Mahometans  never  ufe  Bells)  Jhould 
not  ftand  there.  This  Paper  he  gave  to  the  Pa- 
triarch for  a  Security,  left  his  praying  upon  the 
Steps  of  the  Church  fliould  have  fet  fuch  an 
Example  to  the  Mu  lie  mans  as  might  occafion 
any  Inconvenience  to  the  Chriftians.  A  noble 
Inftance  of  fingular  Fidelity  and  religious  Ob- 
fervation  of  Promife.  This  Caliph  did  not 
think  it  enough  to  perform  what  he  engaged 
himfelf,  but  ufed  all  poffible  Diligence  to  oblige 
P  2  others 


2  2  8  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Others  to  do  fo  too.  And  when  the  unwary- 
Patriarch  had  defired  him  to  pray  in  the 
Church,  not  well  confidering  what  might  be 
the  Confequence;  the  Caliph  well  knowing 
how  apt  Men  are  to  be  fuperftitious  in  the 
Imitation  of  their  Princes  and  great  Men,  efpe- 
cially  fuch  as  they  look  upon  to  be  SuccefTors 
of  a  Prophet,  made  the  beft  Provifion  he  could, 
that  nothing  which  might  be  pretended  to  be 
done  in  Imitation  of  him,  might  any  way  in- 
fringe the  Security  he  had  already  given. 

*  There  goes  a  Story,  that  the  Caliph  defired 
the  Patriarch  to  aflign  him  a  Place  where  he 
might  build  a  Mofque  for  the  Celebration  of 
the  Mahometan  Service;  and  that  the  Patriarch 
fliewed  him  the  Place  where  Jacob'?,  Stone 
lay,  which  he  flept  upon  when  he  faw  the 
^  Vifion.  It  feems  the  Stone  was  quite  covered 
with  Dirt,  and  the  Caliph  took  up  much  as  he 
could  of  it  in  his  Veft,  and  removed  it.  The 
Muflemans  perceiving  what  the  Caliph  did, 
very  readily  afljfted  him;  fome  filling  their 
Bucklers,  fome  their  Vefls,  others  Bafkets; 
that  in  a  fliort  time  they  had  removed  all  the 
Rubbifh   and   Dirt,  and  cleared   the   Stone  3. 

*  Elmakin^  GoUus  his  Notes  upon  Alferganm^  P-  r37« 

*  Gcnefis  28.         3  theoph.  p.  281.  His  Words  are  thefe, 

Sii*n^^£»<^,    To»  vaoc   l^i^T^tTiv    Ta»  'laJ'at&.i'    iSuv,    ov   JxoJt//!*»)ff't 

Omar 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  229 

Omar  leaving  the  Churches  to  the  Chriftians,  Omar, 
built  a  new  Temple  in  the  Place  where 
Solojnons  formerly  flood,  and  confecrated  it  to 
the  Mahometan  Superftition.  From  thence  he 
went  to  Bethlehem,  and  going  into  the  Church, 
prayed  there  j  and  when  he  had  done,  he  gave 
the  Patriarch,  under  his  Hand,  the  fame  Secu- 
rity for  the  Church,  as  he  had  done  before  at 
Jenifalem,  ftridtly  forbidding  any  of  the  Maho- 
met am  to  pray  there,  unlefs  one  fingle  Perfon 
at  a  time  J  and  that  no  Muezzin  Should  ever 
call  the  People  to  Prayers  there.  But  notwith- 
ftanding  all  the  Caliph's  Precaution,  the  Sara- 
cens afterwards  feized  the  Church  for  their  own 
Ufe ;  and  fo  they  did  St.  Conjlantine's  Church 
at  yerufalem-,  for  they  took  half  the  Porch 
where  thofe  Steps  were  which  Omar  had  pray- 
ed upon,  and  built  a  Mofque  there,  in  which 
they  included  thofe  Steps:  And  had  Omar 
faid  his  Prayers  in  the  Body  of  the  Church, 
they  would  without  all  queftion  have  taken 
that  too. 

9  This  fame  Year  in  which  Jerufalem  was 
was  taken,  SaedEbn  Abi  JVakkds,  one  of  Omar's 
Captains,  was  making  Havock  in  the  Territories 
of  Ferfia.  He  went  to  Madayen,  formerly  the 
Treafury  and  Magazine  of  Co/roes,  King  of  Per- 
fia  J  where  they  found  Money  and  rich  Furni- 

'' Elmakin^  Hegjrah,  lb.  A.  D. by]' 

P3  ture 


230  'The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,     tufc  of  all  forts,  ineflimable.  Elmakin  fays,  that 
Alwakidi.   ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^  j^^g  ^^^^  ^^^^^  thoufand  MiU 

lion  of  Ducats,  bcfides  Co/roes  Crown  and  Ward- 
robe, which  was  exceeding  rich,  his  Cloaths 
being  all  adorned  with  Gold  and  Jewels  of  great 
Value.  Then  they  opened  the  Roof  of  Cofroes 
his  Porch,  where  they  found  another  very  con- 
fiderable  Sum.  They  plundered  his  Armory, 
well  ftored  with  all  forts  of  Weapons.  Among 
other  things  they  brought  to  Omar  a  Piece  of 
Silk  Hangings,  fixty  Cubits  fquare,  all  curioufly 
wrought  with  Needle  work.  That  it  was  of 
great  Value,  appears  from  the  Price  which  ^li 
had  for  that  Part  of  it  which  fell  to  his  Share 
when  Omar  divided  it  -,  which  though  it  was 
none  of  the  beft  of  it,  yielded  him  twenty  thou- 
fand Pieces  of  Silver.  After  this,  in  the  fame 
Year,  the  Per/ia?is  were  defeated  by  the  Sara- 
cens in  a  great  Battle  near  yaloulah.  Tazdejerd 
perceiving  things  grow  every  day  worfe  and 
worfe,  retired  to  Ferganah,  a  City  of  Perjia, 

We  muft  now  proceed  with  the  Conqueft 
of  Syria,  Omar  having  taken  Jertifakmy  con- 
tinued there  about  ten  Days,  to  put  things  in 
Order.  Here  my  Author  tells  us  a  Story  of  one 
Caab,  a  Jew,  who  came  to  him  to  be  profelyted, 
and  told,  that  his  Father,  who  was  thoroughly 
{kill'd  in  the  Law  of  MofcSy  had  told  him  con- 
cerning MahomeV%  being  the  Seal  of  the  Pro- 
phets, 


Syria  J  Perfta^  and  ^gypL  231 

phets,  and  that  after  him  all  Infpiration  was  to  Omar. 
ceafe.  Among  other  things,  Caab  afked  him  ^^  ' 
what  was  faid  concerning  the  Mahometan  Reli- 
gion in  the  Alcoran,  Omar  quoted  fuch  Texts 
out  of  it  as  were  fuited  to  his  Palate,  as  having 
been  brought  up  a  Jew,  namely,  '  Abraham 
commanded  his  Sons  concerning  it ;  and  fo  did 
Jacob  i  faying,  O  Children  !  God  has  made  Choice 
of  a  Religion  for  you  j  *  wherefore  do  not  die  be^ 
fore;  you  be  Mujlemans,  Again,  3  Abraham  was 
neither  a  Jew  nor  Chriftian^  but  a  Religious 
^Mujleman^  and  was  not  of  the  Number  of  thofe 
who  join  Partners  with  God,  And  then,  *  He 
that  Jhall  defire  any  other  Religion  but  Iflam,  it 
Jloall  not  be  accepted  of  him.  Again,  s  J^m  they 
defire  any  other  than  God's  Religion,  to  whom 
every  thing  in  Heaven  and  Earth  ^  fubmits  it 
felf^  And  then,  7  T^he  Religion  o/'Abraham  your 
Father  :  He  gave  you  the  Name  of  Mujlemans. 
The  Kabbi  convinced  with  fo  many  pregnant 
Texts,  that  the  Mahometan  Religion  was  no 
other  than  that  of  Abraham  and  the  Patriarchs, 
repeated  inftantly,  La  Ilaha,  Sec.  There  is  but 
one  God,  and  Mahomet  is  his  Apojile.  Omar  was 
very  well  pleafed  with  his  new  Profelyte,  and 
invited  him  to  go  along  with  him  to  Medinah, 
to  vifit  the  Prophet's  Tomb ;  to  which  he  con- 

■  Mcoran,  Chap.  II.  126.         *  IH.  96.         '  III.  60. 
MIL  78.      nil.77.      ^  Axzh.Aflama.      ^XXII.77. 
p  4  fented. 


Alwalcidi. 


232  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Rented.  I  have  inferted  this  Story  in  the  Place 
where  I  found  it  in  my  Author,  becaufe  I  would 
not  willingly  omit  any  thing  that  might  any  way 
contribute  to  the  illuflrating  the  Manners  or  Re- 
ligion of  that  People  concerning  whom  I  write  : 
Notwithftanding  which,  I  have  a  ftrong  Sufpi- 
cion  that  this  is  the  very  fame  Caab  who  was 
profelyted  in  Mahomet^  Time,  above  ten  Years 
before  Omar  took  Jerufalemy  and  concerning 
whom  the  Reader  may  fee  a  larger  Account  in 
the  ^  Life  o/' Mahomet.  For  our  Authors  are 
not  always  fo  very  accurate ;  efpecially  thofe 
who  write  the  Hirtories  of  the  Beginnings  of 
the  Saracenical  Empire. 

Now  Omar  thought  of  returning  to  Medinah^ . 
having  firft  difpofed  his  Affairs  after  the  follow- 
ing manner.  Syria  he  divided  into  two  Parts ; 
and  committed  all  that  lies  between  Haurdn  and 
Aleppo  to  Abu  Obeidah,  with  Orders  to  make 
War  upon  it  till  he  conquered  it.  Tezid  Ebn 
Abi  Sofyan  took  the  Charge  of  all  Palejiine  and 
the  Sea-fiore.  Amrou  Ebno'l  Ads  was  fent  to 
invade  Mgypt,  no  inconfiderable  Part  of  the 
Emperor's  Dominions,  which  now  mouldered 
away  continually.  The  Saracens  at  Medijtah 
had  almoft  given  Omar  over ;  and  began  to  con- 
clude that  he  would  never  flir  from  Jerufalem, 
confidering  the  Richnefs  of  the  Country,    and 

the 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  233 

the  Sweetnefs  of  the  Air  j  but  efpecially  it  being  Omar. 
the  Country  of  the  Prophets,  and  the  Holy  Land,  ^^^ 
and  the  Place  where  we  muft  all  be  fummoned 
together  at  the  Refurredtion.  At  laft  he  came, 
fo  much  the  more  welcome,  by  how  much  he 
was  the  lefs  expeded.  Abu  Obeidah  in  the 
mean  time  received  Kinnifrin  and  Alhadir  -,  the 
Inhabitants  paying  down  five  thoufand  Ounces 
of  Gold,  and  as  many  of  Silver,  two  thoufand 
Suits  of  Cloaths  of  feveral  forts  of  Silk,  and  five 
hundred  AfTes  Loads  of  Figs  and  Olives.  Tezid 
inarched  againfl  Ccefarea  in  vain,  that  Place  be- 
ing  too  well  fortified  to  be  taken  by  his  little 
Army,  efpecially  fince  it  had  been  reinforced  by 
the  Emperor,  who  had  fent  Store  of  all  forts  of 
Provifion  by  Sea,  and  a  Recruit  of  two  thoufand 
Men.  The  Inhabitants  of  Aleppo  were  much 
concerned  at  the  Lofs  of  Kinnifrin  and  Alhadir, 
knowing  very  well  that  it  would  not  be  long 
before  it  would  come  to  their  turn,  to  experi- 
ence themfelves  what  they  had  known  till  then 
only  by  Report.  They  had  two  Governours, 
Brothers,  who  dwelt  in  the  Caftle,  (the  flrong- 
eft  in  all  Syria)  which  was  not  then  encompaffed 
by  the  Town,  but  flood  out  at  a  little  Diftance 
by  it  felf.  The  Name  of  one  of  thefe  Brethren, 
if  my  Author  miftakes  not,  was  Toiikinna-;  the 
other  John.  Their  Father  held  of  the  Emperor 
Jleraclius  all  the  Territory  between  Aleppo  and 


234  ^^  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Omar.    Euphrates^  after  whofe  Deceafe  his  Son  Toukima 

Alwakidi.  j^^naged  the  AfFairs ;  "John  not  troubling  him- 
felf  with  fecular  Employments,  did  not  meddle 
with  the  Government,  but  led  a  Monkifli  Life ; 
fpending  his  Time  in  Retirement,  Reading,  and 
Deeds  of  Charity.  He  would  have  perfwaded 
his  Brother  to  have  fecured  himfelf,  by  com- 
pounding with  the  Arabs  for  a  good  round  Sum 
of  Money  3  who  told  him,  that  he  talked  like  a 
Monk,  and  did  not  underftand  what  belonged 
to  a  Soldier.  That  he  had  Wealth  and  Warlike 
Preparation  enough,  and  was  refolved  to  make 
the  beft  Oppofition  he  could.  Accordingly  the 
next  Day  he  called  his  Men  together,  among 
which  there  were  feveral  Chriftian  Arabs,  and 
having  armed  them,  and  for  their  Encourage- 
ment diflributed  fome  Money  among  them,  told 
them,  that  he  was  fully  purpofed  to  a6l  offen- 
fively,  and  give  the  Saracens  Battle,  if  poflible, 
before  they  (hould  come  too  near  Aleppo,  That 
the  Saracen  Army  was  weakened  by  their  Divi- 
iion,  fome  of  them  being  gone  to  Cafarea^  other's 
to  Damafcus,  and  fome  into  JEgypt,  Thus  en- 
couraging his  Men,  he  marched  forwards  with 
twelve  thoufand.  Abu  Obeidah  had  fent  before 
him  Caab  Ebn  Damarah  with  one  thoufand 
Men,  but  with  exprefs  Orders  not  to  fight  till 
he  had  received  Information  of  the  Strength  of 
the  Enemy.   Toukinna*s  Spies  found  Caab  and 

his 


Syr i ay  Perjiay  and  JEgypt,  235 

his  Men  refting  themfelves,  and  watering  their  Omar. 
Horfes,  fecure,  and  free  from  Apprehenfions  of  ^^^^'^''^*- 
Danger :  Upon  which  he  lays  an  Ambufcade, 
and  falls  upon  them  with  the  reft  of  his  Men. 
There  was  a  (harp  Engagement,  in  which  the 
Saracens  had  the  better  of  it  at  firft  j  but  the 
Ambufcade  breaking  in  upon  them,  they  were 
in  great  Danger  of  being  overpowered  with 
Multitude  j  one  hundred  and  feventy  of  them 
were  killed  upon  the  Spot,  and  moft  of  the  reft: 
grievoufly  wounded,  that  they  were  upon  the 
very  Brink  of  Defpair,  and  cried  out,  Ta  Ma- 
hommed!  Ta  Mahommedl  O  Mahomet !  O  Ma- 
homet!  However,  with  much  ado  they  made 
Shift  to  hold  up  till  Night  parted  them,  earneft- 
ly  expeding  the  Coming  of  Abu  Obeidah, 

In  the  mean  time,  whilft  Toukinna  was  gone 
out  with  his  Forces  to  engage  the  Saracens^  the 
wealthy  and  trading  People  of  Aleppo^  knowing 
very  well  how  hard  it  would  go  with  them  if 
they  ftiould  ftand  it  out  obftinately  to  the  laft, 
and  be  taken  by  Storm,  upon  Debate,  refolved 
to  go  and  article  with  Abu  Obeidah,  that,  let 
Toukinna^  Succefs  be  what  it  would,  they 
might  be  fecure.  Thirty  of  the  chief  of  them 
went  to  him,  being  then  at  Kinnljrin,  and  juft 
upon  his  March;  and  as  foon  as  they  came 
near,  cried  out  hegoun,  Legowiy  Abu  Obeidah 
underftood  that  it  meant  ^artei\  and  had  for- 
merly 


Alwakidi. 


236  ''The   Saracens  Co7tqueJl  of 

^Omar.  merly  written  to  the  Captains  in  Syria^  that  if 
any  of  them  heard  any  Man  ufe  that  Word, 
they  fhould  not  be  hafty  to  kill  him,  otherwife 
they  muft  anfwer  it  at  the  Day  of  Judgement, 
and  the  Caliph  would  be  clear.  They  were 
brought  before  Abu  Obeidah^  and  perceiving 
that  there  were  Fires  in  the  Camp,  and  fome 
were  faying  their  Prayers,  others  reading  the 
Alcoran^  and  all  very  eafy  and  fecure,  one  of 
them  faid,  ^hey  have  mofl  certamly  gotten  the 
ViBory.  An  Interpreter  that  ftood  by  told  Abu 
Obeidah,  who  till  then  knew  nothing  of  the 
Battle.  Upon  Examination  they  told  him,  that 
they  were  Merchants,  and  the  chief  Traders  of 
Aleppo,  and  were  come  to  make  Articles  for 
themfelves;  that  ToiiHnna  was  a  Tyrant;  that 
he  marched  out  againft  the  Saracens  Yefterday. 
Abu  Obeidah  hearing  this,  gave  Caab  Ebn  Da- 
marah  over  for  loft,  which  irjide  him  at  firft 
the  more  unwilling  to  article  with  the  Aleppi- 
nnsj  but  upon  their  earneft  and  repeated  Intrea- 
ty,  and  being  always  naturally  inclined  to 
Companion,  and  withal  confidering  that  thefe 
Perfons  (for  there  were  feveral  belonging  to 
the  neighbouring  Villages  that  had  joined 
themfelves  with  them)  might  be  ferviceable  in 
helping  the  Army  to  Provifion  and  Provender, 
he  cried  out.    *  God  loves  thofe  that  are  inclined 

»  Alcoran,  Cbap.II.  190.III.  129,  141.  V.  16. 

to 


Syria^  Perjiay  aitd  Mgypt.  237 

to  do  good;  and  turning  himfelf  to  the  Saracens,    omar. 
he  reprefented  the   Advantages   which   might  Alwakidi. 
accrue  to  them,   by  receiving  thefe  People  into 
their  Proteiftion :  But  one  that  was  prefent  told 
him,  that  the  Town  was  very  near  the  Caftle, 
and  he  did  not  believe  they  were  in  earneft,  or 
ought  to  be  trufled;  for,  fays  he,  they  come  to 
impofe  upon  us,  and  no  queftion  but  they  have 
trapanned  Caab,    To  whom  Abu  Obeidah  an- 
fwered,  Entertain^    Ma?!,  a  better  Opinion  of 
Gody  who  will  not  deceive  us,  nor  give  them  the 
Dominion  over  us.    Then  he  propofed  to  them 
the  fame  Conditions  which  they  of  Kinnifrin 
and  Hader  had  agreed  to  5  but  they  defired  to 
be  excufed,  alledging,  that  through  the  Oppref- 
fion  and  Tyranny  of  Toukinna,  their  City  of 
Aleppo  was  nothing  near  fo  well  peopled,  nor 
half  fo  rich  as  Kinnifrin ;   but  if  he  pleafed  to 
accept  of  half  fo  much,   they  would  endeavour 
to  raife  it:  Which  was  accepted,  upon  Con- 
dition, that  they  {hould  take  Care  to  furnifli 
the  Camp  with  all  things  necelTary,  and  give 
all  poffible  Intelligence  that  might  be  of  any 
Ufe  to  the  Muflemans,  and  alfo  hinder  27??^- 
kinna  from  returning  to  the  Caftle.    They  un- 
dertook all  but  the  laft   Article,    which  they 
faid  was  altogether  out  of  their  Power.    Then 
he  fwore  them  every  one,  (fuch  an  Oath  as 
they  had   been  ufed   to)  and   bad  them  take 

Care 


238  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Care  how  they  broke  it,  for  if  they  did,  there 
Alwakidi.  would  be  no  Quarter.  When  they  were  going 
away,  he  profered  them  Guard  to  fee  them 
fafe  home;  but  they  told  him,  they  would,  if 
he  pleafed,  fave  him  that  Trouble,  fince  they 
could  go  home  the  fame  way  they  came,  with- 
out any  fear  of  Toukinna. 

As  they  were  going  back,  they  chanced  to 
meet  with  one  of  Toukinna'^  Officers,  who  en- 
quiring, what  News?  They  gave  him  an  Ac- 
count of  the  whole  Tranfadion.  Upon  this  he 
goes  with  all  poflible  fpeed  to  his  Mafter;  who 
was  with  Impatience  expedling  the  Morning, 
that  he  might  difpatch  Caab  and  his  Men, 
whom  the  coming  of  the  Night  had  prefer ved : 
But  hearing  this  News,  he  began  to  fear  left 
there  fhould  be  any  Attempt  made  upon  the 
Caftle,  and  thought  it  fafeft  to  make  the  befl 
of  his  way  homeward.  In  the  Morning  the  Sa- 
racens were  furprifed  to  fee  no  Enemy,  and 
wondered  what  was  the  matter  with  them- 
Caab  would  have  purfued  them,  but  none  of 
his  Men  had  any  Inclination  to  go  with  him ; 
fo  they  refted  themfelves,  and.  in  a  little  time 
Caled  and  Abu  Obeidah  came  up  with  the  reft 
of  the  Army.  Then  they  went  about  burying 
their  Martyrs,  as  they  call  them,  and  put  them 
into  the  Ground  all  bloody  as  they  were,  with 
their  Cloaths,  Arms,  and  all  together.    Jbti 

Obe- 


SyriUy  Perjlay  and  j^gypt,  239 

Obeidah  faid,  that  he  had  heard  the  Apoftle  of  Omar. 
God  fay,  that  ^he  Martyrs  and  thofe  who  are  Alwakidi. 
killed  in  the  Service  of  God,  Jhall  be  raifed  at  the 
Day  of  Judgement  with  their  Blood  upon  their 
T^hroats^  which  Jhall  have  the  Colour  of  Bloody 
and  the  Smell  of  Musk,  and  they  Jhall  be  led  di" 
redlly  into  Paradife,  without  being  called  to  an 
Account, 

As  foon  as  they  were  buried,  Abu  Obeidah 
reminded  Caled  of  the  Obligation  they  were 
under  to  protedl  the  Aleppians,  now  their  Con- 
federates, who  were  likely  to  be  expofed  to 
the  utmoft  Outrage  and  Cruelty  of  Toukinna^ 
who,  in  all  probability,  would  feverely  refent 
their  Defertion.  They  Marched  as  fafl  as  they 
could,  and  when  they  drew  near  Aleppo,  found 
that  they  were  not  at  all  deceived  in  what  they 
feared.  Toukinna  had  drawn  up  his  Soldiers 
with  a  Defign  to  fall  upon  the  Townfmen, 
and  threatened  them  with  prefent  Death,  un- 
lefs  they  would  break  their  Covenant  with  the 
Arabs,  and  go  out  with  him  to  fight  them, 
and  bring  out  to  him  the  Perfon  that  was  the 
firfl:  Contriver  and  Propofer  of  it.  At  lafl:  he 
fell  upon  them  in  good  earned,  and  killed  a- 
bout  three  hundred  of  them.  His  Brother 
John,  who  was  in  the  Caftle,  hearing  a  piteous 
Outcry  and  Lamentation,  came  down  from  the 
Caftle,  and  intreated  his  Brother  to  fparc  the 

People, 


240  72^  Sarace7ts  Co?iqueJl  of 

Omar.  People,  reprefenting  to  him,  that  Je[m  Chriji 
Alwakidi.  1^2,^  commanded  us  not  to  contend  with  our 
Enemies,  much  lefs  with  thofe  of  our  own 
Religion.  Toukinna  told  him,  that  they'  had 
agreed  with  the  Arabs,  and  affifted  them. 
Which  JoJm  excufed,  telling  him,  Tte  what 
they  did  was  only  for  their  own  Security,  becaufe 
they  were  no  fighting  Men.  In  fliort,  he  took 
their  part  fo  long,  till  he  provoked  his  Brother 
to  that  degree,  that  he  charged  him  with  being 
the  chief  Contriver  and  Manager  of  the  whole 
Bufinefsi  and  at  laft,  in  a  great  Paffion,  cut  his 
Head  off:  But  our  Author  fays,  that  he  firfl: 
made  Profeflion  of  the  Mahometan  Religion, 
and  went  forthwith  to  Paradife.  But  very  hke- 
ly  the  Reafon  of  his  faying  fo,  is,  becaufe  he 
was  a  fober  Man,  and  of  a  good  Charadler, 
and  he  grudged  that  any  fuch  fliould  die  a 
Chriftian,  and  therefore  made  a  Mahometan  of 
him,  envying  the  Chriftians  the  Credit  of  hav- 
ing a  good  Man  among  them.  Whilft  he  was 
murdering  the  unhappy  Aleppians,  Caled,  (bet- 
ter late  than  never)  came  to  their  Relief. 
Which  Toukimia  perceiving,  retired  with  a 
confiderable  Number  of  Soldiers  into  the  Caftle. 
The  Saracens  killed  that  Day  three  thoufand 
of  his  Men:  However  he  prepared  for  a  Siege, 
and  planted  Engines  upon  the  Caftle- Walls. 
The  Aleppians  brought  out  forty  Prifoners,  and 

de- 


Syria^  Perfiuy  and  Mgypt,  241 

delivered  them  to  Abu  Obeidah,  who  bad  his  Omar. 
Interpreter  afk  them,  why  they  had  made  Pri-  ^'^^jf 
foners  of  them  ?  They  anfwered,  Becaufe  they 
belonged  to  Youkinna,  and  having  fled  to, them, 
they  durft  not  conceal  them,  not  being  included  in 
the  Articles.  Abu  Obeidah  commended  their 
Fidelity,  and  told  them,  ney  floould  find  the 
Benefit  of  it-,  and  for  their  further  Encourage- 
ment, added.  That  what  Blunder  foever  they  got 
from  any  of  the  Chrifiiajis  fljould  be  their  own, 
as  a  Reward  of  their  good  Service,  Seven  of 
thefe  Prifoners  turned  Mahometans-,  the  reft 
were  beheaded. 

Abu  Obeidah  next,  in  a  Council  of  War,  de- 
liberated what  Meafures  were  moft  proper  to 
be  taken.  Some  were  of  Opinion,  that  it 
would  be  the  beft  way  to  befiege  the  Caflle 
with  fome  part  of  the  Army,  and  let  the  reft 
be  fent  out  to  forage.  Caled  would  not  hear  of 
it,  but  was  for  having  the  Caftle  attacked  with 
their  whole  Force  at  once;  that,  if  poflible,  it 
might  be  taken  before  frefti  Supplies  fhould 
come  from  the  Grecian  Emperor.  This  con- 
cluded upon,  they  made  a  moft  vigorous  Af- 
fault,  and  had  as  hard  a  Battle  as  any  in  all  the 
Wars  of  Syria.  The  Befieged  made  a  noble 
Defence,  and  threw  Stones  from  the  Walls  in 
fuch  Plenty,  that  a  great  many  of  the  Saracem 
were  killed,  and  a  great  many  more  maimed. 
Q_  Touk^ 


Alwakidi. 


242  I'he  Saracens  Conquefl  of 

Omar.  Toukmna,  encouraged  with  his  Succefs,  defign- 
ed  to  a6l  offenfively,  and  take  all  Advantages. 
The  Saracens,  looked  upon  all  the  Country  as 
their  own,  and  knowing  that  there  was  no 
Army  of  the  Enemy  near  them,  nor  fearing 
any  thing  from  the  Befieged,  kept  Guard  neg- 
ligently. Toukiftna,  in  the  dead  of  the  Night, 
fent  out  a  Party,  who,  as  foon  as  the  Fires 
were  out  in  the  Camp,  fell  upon  the  Saracens, 
and  having  killed  about  fixty,  carried  off  fifty 
Prifoners.  Caled  purfued  and  cut  off  about  an 
hundred  of  them  -,  the  reft  efcaped  to  the  Caftle 
with  the  Prifoners,  who,  by  the  Command  of 
Toukinna,  were  the  next  Day  beheaded  in  the 
fight  of  the  Saracen  Army.  Toukinna  upon  this 
ventured  once  more  to  fend  out  another  Party, 
having  received  Information  from  one  of  his 
Spies  (moft  of  which  were  Chriftian  Arabs) 
that  fome  of  the  Muflemans  were  gone  out  to 
forage.  They  fell  upon  the  Muflemans,  killed 
a  hundred  and  thirty  of  them,  and  feized  all 
their  Camels,  Mules  and  Horfes,  which  having 
killed  or  hamftringed,  they  retired  into  the 
Mountains,  in  hopes  of  lying  hid  that  Day, 
and  returning  to  the  Caftle  in  the  Silence  of 
the  Night.  In  the  mean  time,  fome  that  had 
efcaped  brought  the  News  to  Abu  Obeidah, 
who  fends  Caled  and  Derar  to  purfue  them. 
Coming  to  the  Place  where  the  Fight  had 

been, 


Syriuy  Perjjay  and  j¥lgypt.  243 

been,  they  found  their  Men  and  Camels  dead,  Omar. 
and  the  Country  People  making  great  Lamen-  Alwakidi. 
tation,  for  they  were  afraid  left  the  Saracens 
fhould  fufpe(Sl  them  of  Treachery,  and  revenge 
the  Lofs  of  their  Men  upon  them.  Whereup- 
on they  fell  down  before  Cakd,  and  told  him 
they  were  altogether  innocent,  and  had  not  any 
way,  either  diredly  or  indiredlly,  been  inftru- 
mental  in  it  -,  but  that  it  was  done  by  a  Party  of 
Horfe  that  fallied  from  the  Caftle.  Caled  hav- 
ing fworn  them  that  they  did  not  know  any 
thing  more,  and  taking  ibme  of  them  for 
Guides,  befet  the  only  Paflage  by  which  the 
Befieged  could  return  to  the  Caftle.  When  a- 
bout  a  fourth  Part  of  the  Night  was  paft,  they 
perceived  them  coming,  and  falling  upon  them^ 
took  three  hundred  Prifoners,  and  killed  the 
reft.  The  Prifoners  would  have  redeemed  them- 
felves,  but  they  were  all  beheaded  the  next 
Morning  before  the  Caftle. 

The  Saracens  laid  a  clofe  Siege,  but  perceiv- 
ing that  they  got  no  Advantage,  Abu  Obe't^ 
dah  removed  the  Camp  about  a  Miles  Diftance 
from  the  Caftle  j  hoping  by  this  means  to  tempt 
the  Befieged  to  Security  and  Negligence  in  their 
Watch,  which  might  at  fome  time  afford  him 
an  Opportunity  of  taking  the  Caftle  by  Sur- 
prize. But  all  would  not  do^  for  Toukinna 
kept  a  very  ftri(5^  Watch,  and  fuffered  not  a 
0^2  Man 


244-  ^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Man  to  ftir  out.  Abu  Obeidah  thought  that 
^^^^^^  there  might  be  fome  Chriftlan  Spies  in  the 
Army  J  whereupon  he  and  Caled  walked  about 
the  Camp,  to  fee  if  they  could  pick  up  any 
fufpicious  Perfons.  Caled  at  laft  obferved  a  Man 
fitting  with  a  Vefl  before  him,  which  he  turn- 
ed firfl:  on  the  one  fide,  and  then  on  the  other. 
Caled  ftept  to  him,  and  afked  him,  what  Tribe 
he  was  off?  The  Fellow  defigned  to  have 
named  another  Tribe,  if  he  had  not  been  fur- 
prifedj  but  having  the  Queftion  put  to  him  on 
a  fudden,  the  Word  flipt  out  of  his  Mouth,  and 
he  anfwered,  oiGuJjdn,  Sayejl  thou  Jo ^  (anfwer- 
ed  Caled)  thou  Enemy  of  Gody  thou  art  a  Chrif- 
tian  Arab,  and  a  Spy,  and  feized  him.  The 
Fellow  faid,  that  he  was  not,  but  a  Mufleman. 
Caled  carried  him  to  Abu  Obeidah,  who  bad 
him  examine  him  in  the  Alcoran,  and  make 
him  fay  his  Prayers.  But  the  poor  Fellow  had 
not  one  Word  to  fay  for  himfelf,  being  alto- 
gether ignorant  of  thofe  things:  Upon  which, 
without  much  arguing,  he  confeffed  himfelf  a 
Spy,  and  that  he  was  not  alone,  but  there  were 
three  of  them  in  all,  two  of  which  were  re- 
turned to  the  Caftle.  Abu  Obeidah  bad  him 
take  his  Choice,  either  of  Mahometanijm  or 
Death,  and  he  readily  embraced  the  former. 

The  Siege  continued  four  Months,  and  fome 
fay,  five,    hi  the  mean  time  Omar  was  very 

much 


Syriay  Perfta^  and  Mgypt.  245 

much  concerned,  having  heard  nothing  from  ^T^aj*. 
the  Camp  in  Syria,  He  writes  to  Abu  Obeidah^ 
to  let  him  know  how  tender  he  was  over  the 
Mujlewans,  and  what  a  great  Grief  it  was  to 
him  to  hear  no  News  of  them  in  fo  long  a 
time.  Abu  Obeidah  anfwered,  that  Kinnifnn, 
Hader  and  Aleppo  were  furrendered  to  him, 
only  the  Caftle  of  Aleppo  held  out,  and  that 
they  had  loft  a  confiderable  Number  of  Men 
before  it.  That  he  had  feme  Thoughts  of  raif- 
ing  the  Siege,  and  pafling  forwards  into  that 
Part  of  the  Country  which  lies  between  Aleppo 
and  Antiochy  but  only  he  ftayed  for  his  An- 
fwer.  About  the  time  that  Abu  Obeidah)  %  Mef- 
lengers  got  to  Medinah^  there  came  out  of  the 
feveral  Tribes  of  the  Arabs  a  confiderable 
Number  of  Men,  who  profered  their  Service 
to  the  Caliph,  Omar  ordered  feventy  Camels 
to  help  their  Foot,  and  difpatched  them  into 
Syria^  with  a  Letter  to  Abu  Obeidah ;  in  which 
he  acquainted  him,  That  he  ivas  varioujly  af- 
feBedy  according  to  the  different  Sttccefs  they  had 
had  I  but  charged  them  by  no  means  to  raife  the 
Siege  of  the  Cajlle,  for  that  "uoould  make  them 
look  little^  and  encourage  their  Enemies  to  fall 
upon  them  on  all  fides.  Wherefore ^  adds  he,  con- 
tinue  befieging  it,  till  God  pall  determine  the 
Event,  and  forage  with  your  Horfe  round  about 
the  Country. 

0^3  Among 


Alwakidi 


24.6  Tie  Saracens  Cofiquejl  of 

Omar.^  Among  thofe  frefli  Supplies  which  Omar 
fent  laft  to  the  Saracen  Camp,  there  was  a  very 
remarkable  Man,  whofe  Name  was  DameSy  of 
a  Gigantick  Size,  and  an  admirable  Soldier, 
When  he  had  been  in  the  Camp  forty  feven 
Days,  and  all  the  Force  and  Cunning  of  the 
Saracens  could  do  nothing  to  the  Caftle,  he  de- 
fired  Abu  Obeidah  to  let  him  have  the  Com* 
mand  of  thirty  Men,  and  he  would  try  his 
beft.  Caled  had  heard  much  of  the  Man,  and 
told  Abu  Obeidah  a  long  Story  of  a  wonderful 
Performance  of  this  Dames  in  Arabia  \  that  he 
was  looked  upon  as  a  very  proper  Perfon  for 
fuch  an  Undertaking.  Abu  Obeidah  bad  thofe 
who  were  to  go  with  him  not  defpife  their 
Commander,  becaufe  of  the  Meannefs  of  his 
Condition,  he  being  a  Slave  j  and  fwore,  that  if 
the  Care  of  the  whole  Army  did  not  lye  upon 
him,  he  would  be  the  firft  Man  that  fhould  go 
under  him  upon  fuch  an  Enterprize.  To  which 
they  anfwered  with  entire  Submiflion  and  pro- 
found Refpedt.  Dames,  who  lay  hid  at  no  great 
Diftance,  went  out  feveral  times,  and  brought 
in  with  him  five  or  fix  Greeks^  but  never  a 
Man  of  them  underftood  one  Word  of  Arabick, 
which  made  him  angry,  and  fay,  God  curfc 
thefe  Dogs!  What  a  firange  barbarous  JLan-^ 
guage  they  ufe. 

At  laft  he  went  again,  and  there  fell  a  Man 
down  from  the  Wall  3  him  he  took,  and  by  the 

Help 


Syria^  Perfm^  and  ^gypt.  247 

Help  of  a  Chriftian  Arab^  which  he  took  af-  Omar, 
terwards,  examined  him;  who  gave  him  an 
Account,  that  immediately  upon  the  Departure 
of  the  Saracens,  Toukinna  began  to  abufe  the 
Townfmen  that  had  agreed  with  the  Arabs, 
and  exadt  large  Sums  of  Money  of  them  3  that 
he  was  one  of  them,  and  had  endeavoured  to 
make  his  Efcape  from  the  Oppreflion  and  Ty- 
Tanny  of  Toukinna,  by  leaping  down  from  the 
Wall.  They  let  him  go,  as  being  under  their 
Protedion  by  virtue  of  the  Articles  made  be- 
tween Abu  Obeidah  and  the  Alepfians-,  but  be- 
headed all  the  reft. 

Dames  then  takes  out  of  a  Knapfacka  Goats 
Skin;  with  this  he  covers  his  Back  and  Shoul- 
ders, and  takes  a  dry  Cruft  in  his  Hand,  creep- 
ing upon  all  Fours  as  near  to  the  Caftle  as  he 
could;  and  if  he  heard  any  Noife,  or  fufpeded 
any  Perfon's  being  near,  to  prevent  being  dif- 
covered,  he  made  fuch  a  Nolle  with  his  Cruft, 
as  a  Dog  makes  that  is  gnawing  a  Bone.  The 
reft  of  his  Company  came  after,  fometimes 
fculking  and  creeping  along,  at  other  times 
walking.  He  had  fent  two  of  his  Men  to  Abu 
Obeidah,  to  fend  him  fome  Horfe  about  Sun- 
rife.  When  they  came  to  the  Caftle,  they  found 
it  in  a  manner  inacceflible.  However  Dames 
was  refolved  to  leave  nothing  unattempted. 
Having  found  a  Place  where  he  thought  it 
0^4  might 


Alwakidi 


248  The  Saracens  Conquefi  of 

Omar,  might  be  eafiefl:  getting  up,  he  fits  down  upon-- 
the  Ground,  and  orders  another  to  fit  upon  his 
Shoulders  3  and  fo  till  feven  of  them  were  got- 
ten up,  and  fat  one  upon  the  others  Shoulders, 
all  of  them  leaning  againfl  the  Wall  with  all 
their  ftrength.  Then  he  that  was  uppermoft  of 
all  flood  upright  upon  the  Shoulders  of  the  fe- 
cond.  The  fecond  arofe  next,  and  fo  on  all  in 
order,  till  at  lad  Darner  himfelf  flood  up,  who 
bore  the  Weight  of  all  the  refl  upon  his  Shoul- 
ders, unlefs  they  could  relieve  him,  by  bearing 
any  part  of  their  Weight  againfl  the  Wall.  By 
this  time  he  that  was  uppermoft  could  make  a 
fhift  to  reach  the  Top  of  the  Wall.  They  all 
faid,  O  Afoftle  of  God  help  us  and  deliver  us  I 
When  he  was  got  up,  he  found  a  Watchman 
drunk  and  afleep.  He  feized  him  Hand  and 
Foot,  and  threw  him  down  among  the  Sara- 
cens^  who  immediately  cut  him  to  Pieces.  Two 
other  Watchmen,  whom  he  found  in  the  fame 
Condition,  he  ftabbed  with  his  Dagger,  and 
threw  down  from  the  Wall.  Then  he  let 
down  his  Turbant,  and  drew  up  the  fecond; 
they  two  the  third,  till  at  laft  they  drew  up 
Dames  too,  who  enjoined  them  Silence,  till  he 
fhould  bring  them  further  Information.  He 
went  and  peeped  in,  where  he  found  Toukinnay 
richly  dreffed,  fitting  upon  a  Tapeftry  of  Scar- 
let Silk  flowered  with  Gold,  and  a  large  Com- 
pany 


Syria)  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  249 

pany  with  him  eating  and  drinking,  and  very  omar. 
merry.  He  came  and  told  his  Men,  that  he  did  Alwakidf. 
not  think  it  advifeable  to  fall  upon  them  then 
becaufe  of  the  great  Inequahty  of  their  Num- 
bers, but  had  rather  take  the  Advantage  of 
them  about  Break  of  Day;  at  which  time  there 
was  no  fear  but  there  would  come  fome  Help 
from  the  Army.  In  the  mean  time  he  went  a- 
lone,  and  privately  ftabbing  the  Porters,  and 
fetting  open  the  Gates,  came  back  to  his  Men, 
and  bad  them  haften  to  take  Pofleffion  of  the 
Gates.  This  was  not  done  fo  fecretly,  but  they 
were  at  laft  taken  notice  of,  and  the  Cadle  alar- 
med. There  was  no  Hopes  of  efcaping,  but 
every  one  of  them  expected  to  perifli.  It  was 
now  towards  Morning;  Darner  behaved  him- 
felf  bravely,  but  overpowered  with  Multitude, 
they  were  not  able  to  hold  up,  when  Cakd 
came  to  their  Relief.  As  foon  as  the  Belieged 
perceived  the  Saracens  rufhing  in  upon  them, 
they  threw  down  their  Arms,  and  cried  ^^r- 
ter!  Abu  Obeidah  was  not  far  behind  with  the 
reft  of  the  Army.  Having  taken  the  Caftle, 
and  propofed  Mahometanifm  to  the  Chriftians, 
the  firft  that  embraced  it  was  Toukinna^  and 
fome  of  the  chief  Men  with  him,  who  imme- 
diately had  their  Wives  and  Children,  and  all 
their  Wealth  reftored  to  them.  Abu  Obeidah 
fet  the  old  and  impotent  People  at  Liberty,  and 

having 


2^o  The  Saracens  Conquefl  of 

Omar.  having  taken  out  a  Fifth  part  of  the  Spoil  of 
Alwakidi.  the  Caftle,  (which  was  of  great  Value)  divided 
the  reft  among  the  Muflemans.  Dames  was 
talked  of,  and  admired  by  all,  and  Abu  Obeldah 
paid  him  the  Refpedt  of  making  the  Army 
continue  in  that  Place,  till  he  and  his  Men 
were  perfedly  cured  of  their  Wounds. 

Having  taken  the  Caftlc  of  Aleppo,  he  had 
Thoughts  of  marching  next  to  Antioch,  then 
the  Seat  of  the  Grecian  Emperor.  But  Toukin- 
na,  the  late  Governour  of  the  Caftle  oi  Aleppo, 
with  the  changing  of  his  Religion,  being  be- 
come an  utter  Enemy  to  the  Chriftian  Intereft, 
perfwaded  him  to  defer  his  March  to  Antioch, 
till  they  had  firft  taken  the  Caftle  of  Aazdz, 
held  by  T'heodoms  his  Coufm- Germany  a  Place 
of  Importance,  and  which,  if  not  taken,  would 
prove  a  great  Nufance  to  the  Saracens  on  that 
fide  the  Country;  and  profered  his  Service. 
The  way  that  he  propofed,  was  to  take  with 
him  an  hundred  Saracens,  drefled  in  the  Greci- 
an Hahit,  and  with  him  to  ride  to  Aazdz. 
Thefe  hundred  were  to  be  purfued  at  a  little 
Interval  by  a  thoufand  other  Saracens  in  their 
proper  Habit.  He  faid,  ^hat  he  did  not  at  all 
quejiion  a  kind  Reception  at  the  Hands  of  bis 
Kin/man  Theodorus.  Whom  he  was  to  tell, 
^hat  he  had  only  feigned  himfelf  a  Mahometan, 
till  he  could  find  an  Opportunity  of  efcaping-, 

that 


Syria^  Perjia^  and^gypt,  251 

that  he  was  purfued  by  the  Saracens,  (^c.  If  Omar, 
they  were  received,  of  which  there  was  no  ^^|^^ 
doubt,  they  would  in  the  Night  fall  upon  the 
Inhabitants i  and  thofe  other,  who  pretended  to 
purfue  them,  and  {hould  be  ordered  to  ftay  at 
a  Village  called  Morah^  not  far  diftant  from 
Aazaz^  fhould  come  to  their  Affiftance.  Abu 
Obeidah  afked  Caled  what  he  thought  of  it, 
who  approved  of  the  Stratagem,  provided  they 
could  be  well  aflured  of  Toukinna'%  Sincerity  in 
the  Execution  of  it.  Toukinna  ufed  a  great 
many  very  earneft  Expreffions  to  fatisfy  them 
of  his  Integrity ;  and  after  Abu  Obeidah  had,  in 
a  long  Difcourfe,  fet  before  him  the  Danger  of 
being  treacherous  on  the  one  hand ;  and  on  the 
other,  the  Benefits  that  would  accrue  to  him 
by  faithfully  ferving  the  Saracejis-j  they  refolv- 
ed  to  venture  him,  and  chofe  ten  a  Piece  out 
of  ten  feveral  Tribes  of  the  Arabs-,  each  ten 
being  commanded  by  a  Decurion,  and  all  of 
them  committed  to  Toukinna,  When  they 
were  gone  about  a  League,  Abu  Obeidah  fent 
after  them  a  thoufand  Men,  under  Make  A~ 
tdjhtari,  with  Order  to  lie  ilill  by  way  of  Am- 
bufh,  when  they  came  near  to  Aazdz^  till 
Night.  They  found  the  Village  void  of  Inha- 
bitants, which  the  Terror  of  the  Saracens  had 
feared  further  up  into  the  Country.  Whilft 
Make  was  at  that   Village,   he  intercepted  a 

Chriftian 


Alwakidi. 


252  ^e  ISaracem  Conqueji  of 

Oman  Chriftlan  Arab^  who  upon  Examination  told 
him,  That  he  and  his  Men  miijl  look  to  them- 
felveSj  for  all  their  Dcjign  was  difcovered:  That 
there  was  a  Spy  in  the  Camp,  who  had  heard  all 
YoukinnaV  Contrivance^  and  given  the  Gover- 
nour  of  hzz2.z  fecret  Intelligence  ofit^  by  a  Let- 
ter  tied  under  the  Wing  of  a  tame  Pigeon  (a 
Pradice  not  uncommon  in  thefe  Parts.)  Upon 
which  he  (meaning  himfelf)  had  been  fent  to 
Lucas,  Govcrmur  of  Arrawendan,  to  defire  his 
Afjijlance,  That  he  was  comings  and  could  not  be 
far  off  with  five  hundred  Horfe.  Tbukinna  in 
the  mean  time  coming  to  Aazdz^  found  the 
Town  and  Caftle  in  a  Pofture  of  Defence,  and 
his  Coufin  Theodorus^  the  Governour,  at  the 
Head  of  three  thoufand  Greeks^  and  ten  thou- 
find  ChrilHan  Arahs^  befides  others  that  came 
out  of  the  Villages.  Theodorus  made  up  to 
Toiikinna,  and  alighting  from  his  Horfe,  made 
profound  Reverence,  as  if  he  would  have  kifTed 
Toukinfia's  Stirrup.  In  the  mean  time,  he  flily 
cut  his  Girth,  and  with  one  Pufh  threw  him 
flat  on  his  Face  upon  the  Ground.  Then  he 
and  all  his  Men  were  immediately  taken  Pri- 
foners.  Theodorus  fpit  in  his  Face,  and  re- 
proached him  with  his  apoftatizing  from  the 
Chriflian  Religion ;  threatning  Death  to  all  his 
Arabs^  and  to  fend  him  to  anfwer  for  himfelf 
before  his  Mailer  the  Grecian  Emperor.    All 

this 


Syria^  Perfiay  and  Mgypt,  2^1 

this  while  I'heodorm  knew  nothing  of  Make's  Omar, 
being  fo  near  j  his  Spy  having  only  informed  Alwakidi. 
him  of  Toukinna's  intended  Treachery,  and  not 
one  Word  of  Make's  feigned  Purfuit.  The 
Prefed:  of  Arrawenddn  came  in  the  Night,  ac- 
cording as  he  had  promifed  I'heodorus,  with  his 
five  hundred  Men,  and  were  all  intercepted  by 
MakCy  who  had  two  to  their  one.  Having 
made  Prifoners  of  them,  they  difguifed  them- 
felves  in  their  Cloaths,  and  took  the  Chriftian 
Colours  in  their  Hands.  Then  Make  afked  the 
Spy  to  turn  Mahometan-,  which  he  did.  He 
had  been  one  before,  at  the  fame  time  when 
Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham  made  Profeflion  of  that 
Superftition  -,  but  Jabalah  thinking  himfelf  af- 
fronted by  Omar,  and  revolting,  thofe  Chriflian 
Arabs  that  depended  upon  him,  went  off  along 
with  him;  among  which  Number,  this  Spy 
taken  by  Make  at  Morah,  was  one.  He  told  Ma- 
/<?r,  that  he  had  heard  that  Mahomet  had  faid, 
I'hat  whofoever  cha?iged  his  Religion  jhould  be 
killed.  Make  faid  it  was  true,  but  God  had  faid. 
Ilia  man  tdba  Waamdna ;  "Except  he  that  repents 
and  believes 'y  adding,  That  the  Prophet  himfelf 
had  accepted  of  IFahJIjfs  Repentance,  notvvith- 
ftanding  he  had  killed  his  Uncle  Hamzah, 
I'hdrik  Algajjdni  (that  was  the  Spy's  Name) 
hearing  this,  repeated  the  La  Ilaha,  &c.  and 
Make  faid.  May  God  accept  thy  Repentance,  and 

Jlrengthen 


254  7^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  ftrengthen  thy  Faith^  This  done,  he  bad  him  go 
and  tell  the  Governour  of  AazaZy  that  the  Co- 
ver nour  of  Arrawendcin  was  coming  to  his  Af- 
fiftance;  which  he  undertook,  and,  attended 
only  by  one  Companion,  went  till  he  came 
near  the  Walls,  where  they  heard  a  very  great 
Noife  of  Shouting  and  Trumpets,  which  was 
occafioned  after  this  manner. 

Theodonis^  Governour  of  Aazdz,  had  a  Son, 
whofe  Name  was  Leon  j  whom  he  ufed  to  fend, 
now  and  then,  for  a  Month  or  two,  to  be  with 
his  Uncle  Toukinna  at  Aleppo-CMe.  There  he 
fell  in  Love  with  his  Uncle's  Daughter,  a  very 
beautiful  Lady.  Returning  back,  he  acquaints 
his  Mother  with  his  Paflion ;  who,  very  ten- 
derly, was  willing  to  contribute  any  thing  that 
might  be  a  means  of  procuring  the  proper  Re- 
medy. His  Father  Theodorus  had  put  thefe  Pri- 
foners,  Toukinna  and  his  hundred  difguifed  Sa- 
racens into  Leon%  Appartment.  He,  glad  of 
this  Opportunity  of  ingratiating  himfelf  with 
his  Uncle,  came  and  told  him,  that  he  had  a 
Mind  to  releafe  him  and  his  Friends.  Toukinna 
told  him,  that  if  he  had  any  Inclination  to  turn 
Mahometan^  he  ought  not  to  do  it  upon  any 
Profpe<^  of  worldly  Advantage,  To  which  the 
young  Villain,  fired  with  Luft,  and  refolved 
upon  the  Match,  anfwered.  That  his  Family  and 
Rilations  were  dear  to  kirn  \  but  the  Faith  was 

dearer. 


Syr i ay  Perfia^  and  Mgypt.  255 

dearer.  In  (hort,  he  fet  them  all  at  Liberty,  Omar. 
gave  them  their  Arms,  and  bad  them  go  in  the  Alwakidf 
Name  of  God,  whilfl  he  went  and  killed  his 
Father,  whom  he  was  fure  to  find  drunk  and 
afleep.  Immediately  the  Sarace?iSy  now  enlarg- 
ed, fall  upon  the  Greeks^  who  made  a  ftout  Re- 
fiftance.  During  which  time  the  Spies  went 
back  to  Make,  to  acquaint  him  how  things 
flood,  who  rode  on  a-pace,  and  came  time 
enough  to  relieve  their  Friends,  and  take  the 
Caftle.  They  gave  great  Thanks  to  Toukinna^ 
who  bad  them  thank  God,  and  this  young  Man ; 
meaning  his  Kinfman  Leon,  and  told  them  all 
the  Story :  To  which  Make  anfwered,  JVhen 
God  will  have  a  Taking  done,  he  prepares  the 
Caufes  of  it.  Then  he  alked,  who  killed  l^heo- 
dorus  ?  Leon  anfwered.  My  elder  Brother  Luke. 
Make  wondered,  and  afked  him,  how  that 
came  about,  fince  fuch  a  Thing  was  fcarce  ever 
heard  of  among  the  Greeks,  that  a  Child  fhould 
murder  his  own  Father.  Luke,  it  feems,  told 
them,  That  it  was  out  of  Love  to  them,  thein. 
Prophet  and  Religion,  That  they  had  a  Priejl 
who  ufed  to  bring  them  up,  who  had  told  him 
long  Jince  of  Mahomet ;  and  that  the  Saracens 
Jimdd  moft  certainly  conquer  the  Country ;  and 
that  they  had  fever al  Prophecies  relating  to  it ; 
and  much  to  that  purpofe  :  Wherefore  he  was 
glad  of  this  Opportunity  of  becoming  one  of  them ; 

and 


256  He  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  and  had  defigned  to  have  Jet  his  Uncle  Youkinna 
Alwakidu  ^^^  ^^^  Prifoners  at  Liberty,  if  his  Brother 
Leon  had  not  prevented  him.  Hopeful  Youths ! 
who  had  prevented  each  other  in  a  mafterly 
Piece  of  Villany  ;  the  one  in  murdering  his  Fa- 
ther ^  the  other,  in  fetting  at  Liberty  his  moft 
mortal  Enemies,  and  betraying  all  his  Friends ! 
Make  gave  him  his  BlefTing,  and  having  fet 
Said  Ebn  Amer  over  the  Cafl:le,'with  that  hun- 
dred Men  that  came  along  with  Toukinna^ 
marched  with  the  Spoils  to  Aleppo.  There  were 
in  the  Caftle  of  Aazdz,  when  the  Muflemans 
took  it,  one  thoufand  young  Men,  Greeks,  two 
hundred  forty-five  old  Men  and  Monks,  one 
thoufand  young  Women  and  Girls,  and  one 
hundred  and  eighty  old  Women. 

Juft  as  Make  was  upon  his  March,  the  Sa- 
racens upon  the  Caftle-Wall  gave  fuch  a  ftiout, 
as  alarmed  all  the  refl,  and  gave  them  notice, 
that  they  faw  a  great  Duft  not  far  off.  When 
they  came  near,  it  appeared  that  they  were  only 
one  thoufand  Sarace?iSy  which  Abu  Obeidah  had 
fent  under  the  Command  o^  AlphadlBfio'l  Abbas, 
to  plunder  round  about  Menbigz  (formerly 
Hierapolis)  and  the  adjacent  Villages,  which 
they  had  done,  and  brought  off  the  Spoil.  Make 
and  Alphadl  marched  together  ;  but  Toukinna 
having  had  fuch  bad  Succefs,  could  not  be  per- 
fwaded  to  go  along  with  them,  being  refolved 

not 


Syrtay  Perjia^  and  ^gypt,  257 

not  to  appear  at  the  Camp,  nor  fhow  himfelf  ^^^\' 
to  the  Army,  till  he  had  by  fome  fignal  Service 
made  amends  for  his  Mifcarriage,  and  retrieved 
his  Credit ;  but  chofe  rather  to  go  to  Antioch^ 
And  though  Alphadl  endeavoured  to  convince 
him  that  he  was  in  no  Fault,  neither  ought  to 
be  concerned  for  it,  and  proved  it  by  a  Text  of 
the  Alcoran  ;  yet  he  could  not  be  fatisfyed  nor 
reconciled  to  himfelf.  Among  Alphadl's  Men 
there  v^^ere  two  hundred  Renegade's^  who  had, 
as  well  as  their  Mafter  Toukinna^  renounced 
their  Chriftianity,  and  entered  into  the  Service 
of  the  Saracens^  and  had  their  Families  and  Ef- 
fects in  the  Caftle  oi  Aleppo  :  Thefe  feemed  to 
him  to  be  the  moft  proper  Inflruments  to  work 
*  withall.  With  thefe  he  marches  towards  An- 
tiock  After  the  firft  Watch  of  the  Night  was 
paft,  he  took  four  of  his  Relations,  and  com- 
manded the  reft  to  keep  the  diredt  high  Road 
to  Antiochy  ufed  by  the  Caravans^  and  to  pre- 
tend that  they  fled  from  before  the  Saracens  j 
telling  them,  That  they  f mild  fee  him  at  An- 
tioch,  if  it  pleafed  God,  He  with  his  Friends 
going  another  way,  was  examined  by  fpme  of 
the  Emperor's  Men,  who  no  fooner  underftood 
that  he  was  the  late  Governour  of  Aleppo^  but 
they  fent  him  with  a  Guard  of  Horfe  to  Antioch, 
Heraclius  wept  at  the  fight  of  him,  and  told 
him,  l^hat  he  was  informed  he  had  changed  his 
R  Religion, 


258  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Religion,  To  which  he  anfwercd,  I'hat  'what  he 
Alwakidi.  jj^^  jQjjg  ^^j  Qfjiy  jf2  order  to  referve  himjelffor 
his  Majejly  s  further  Service :  That  he  had  taken 
this  Opportunity  of  flying  to  him  from  Aazaz  : 
That  the  vigorous  Defence  he  had  made  at  Alep- 
po, was  a  fuficient  Teftimony  of  his  Zeal  for 
his  Religion  and  his  Fidelity  to  his  Majefly.  The 
Emperor  received  the  Apoftate  with  great Ten- 
dernefs  and  Refpedt,  and  the  greateft  part  of  the 
Court  were  inclined  to  entertain  a  charitable 
Opinion  of  him.  Nay,  fo  favourably  did  the 
Emperor  judge  of  him,  "that  he  not  only  made 
him  Commander  over  thofe  two  hundred  which 
belonged  to  him,  when  they  came  to  Antioch ; 
but  when  his  youngeft  Daughter,  who  was  then 
in  another  Place,  had  fent  to  her  Father,  the 
Emperor,  for  a  Guard  to  condudl  her  fafe  to 
Antioch,  Toukinna  was  entrufted  with  this 
Charge,  and  had  under  him  for  this  purpofe  two 
thoufand  two  hundred  Men.  Whilft  they  were 
upon  this  Expedition,  as  he  was  in  his  Return, 
about  Midnight,  the  Greek  Horfes  pricked  up 
their  Ears,  and  began  to  neigh,  and  fome  of  his 
advanced  Guards  brought  him  Intelligence  of  a 
Party  of  Saracens  in  a  very  negligent  Pofture, 
moft  of  them  being  afleep,  and  their  Horfes 
feeding.  Toukinna  feemingly  encouraged  his 
Men ;  but,  that  he  might  do  the  Saracens  what 
fecret  Service  he  could^  commanded  them  not 

to 


Syrhy  Perjiay  and  Mgyft,  259 

to  kill  but  take  them  Prifoners,  that  they  might  Omar, 
afterwards  ferve  to  exchange  for  the  Chriftians. 
When  they  came  a  little  nearer,  they  found 
themfelves  miftakenj  for  thofe  which  they  took 
to  be  Mahometans^  proved  to  be  one  thoufand 
ChrilHan  Arabs ^  under  the  Command  oiHa'im, 
Son  oi  Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham^  who  had  far- 
prized  Derar^  and  taken  him  Prifoner,  and 
"with  him  two  hundred  Saracens,  fent  out  by 
Abu  Obeidah,  to  forage  in  the  Northern  Parts 
oi Syria.  Upon  vf\\iQhToukinna  alights  from  his 
Horfe,  and  pays  his  Refpeds  to  Ha'im,  hypo* 
critically  congratulating  his  good  Succefs.  Abu 
Obeidah  now  refolved,  purfuant  to  the  CalipJfs 
Command,  to  march  without  delay  to  Antioch, 
The  Emperor  in  the  mean  time  was  acquainted 
with  the  Approach  of  his  Daughter,  and  Ha'ims 
good  Succefs,  which  caufed  great  Rejoycing  in 
Antioch,  The  Prifoners  were  brought  into  the 
Emperor's  Prefence,  and  being  commanded  to 
fall  down  in  a  Poflure  of  Adoration,  they  took 
no  notice  of  thofe  that  fpoke  to  them,  nor  look- 
ed that  way,  nor  made  any  Anfwer.  At  laft 
being  urged  to  it,  Derar  anfwered,  ^hat  they 
did  not  think  Adoration  was  due  to  any  Creature ; 
befides  our  Prophet  has  forbidden  us  to  pay  it. 
The  Emperor  afked  fevcral  Qoeftions  concern- 
ing their  Prophet,  and  they  beckoned  to  Kais 
Ebn  Amery  an  old  Man,  and  thoroughly  ac- 
R  2  quainted 


Alwakidi. 


260  I'he  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.      quainted  with  thofe  Matters,  to  anfwer  him." 
Among  other  Qucflions,  the  Emperor  aflced 
him,   after   what  manner  Infpiration  ufed   to 
come  upon  their  Prophet,  at  his  firft  fetting 
forth  ?  Kais  told  him,  that  Mahomet  himfelf 
having  been  formerly  afked  that  Queftion  by  an 
Inhabitant  oi  Meccah,  anfwered,  I'hat  fometimcs 
it  iijcdto  be  like  the  Sound  of  a  Bell^  but  Jlronger 
andfiarper  ;  fometimes  an  Angel  appeared  to  me 
in  hmnan  Shape ^  and  difcourfed  with  7}ie,  and  1 
committed  to  Memory  what  he /aid.  Ay  t(ha.faid^ 
that  once  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  defcended  upon 
him  on  a  'uery  cold  Day,  and  when  it  was  gone  off 
from  him,  his  Forehead  ran  down  with  Sweat. 
'Thefrjl  MeJ/age  he  received  was  in  a  Dreafn-, 
and  whenever  hefaw  a  Vifion,  it  appeared  to  him 
like  the  breaking  forth  of  the  Mor 7ii?ig- Bright ~ 
nefs.  T'hen  he  JlMt  himfelf  up  in  a  clofe  Place  a- 
lone,  where  he  continued  till  the  TR  Ul^H  cajne 
to  him.    An  Angel  came  to  him,  being  thus  fmt 
up,  and  faid.  Read.    To  which  he  anfwered,  I 
cannot  read.    T'hen  the  Angel  repeated  it,  and 
havi?ig  inJiruBed  him  in  T^hings  to  come,  fent  him 
forth,  arid  faid  to  him,  ^  Read  in  the  Name  of 
thy  Lord  who  created,  &c.  With  which  the  A- 
poflle  of  God  (Mahomet)  returned  to  his  Place, 

2  Jllcoran,  Chap.  XCVI.  -ji.  I.  According  to  the  Order 
of  the  Copies  now  in  ufc;  though  the  Mahometans  take 
it  for  the  firlt  Chapter  of  the  whole  Alioran, 

with 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  j^gypt,  26 1 

with  his  Fleih  trembling.  The7i  he  iioeiit  into  Omar. 
the  Houfe  to  Chadijah,  and  f aid,  Zammilomi,  ^^'^^^''^'^ 
Zammilouniy  Wrap  me  up,  wrap  me  up.  Upon 
nvhich  they  wrapped  him  up  in  Blankets,  till  he 
came  to  himfelf,  and  his  Fear  was  gone  off:  Af- 
ter which  he  gave  an  Account  of  the  whole  Mat" 
ter  to  Chadijah,  after  this  manner. 

As  I  was  walking  (faid  he)  /  heard  a  Voice 
from  Heaven 'j  and  lifting  up  my  Eyes,  If  aw  the 
fame  Angel  which  came  to  me  before,  fitting  upon 
a  Thro72e  between  Heaven  and  Earth,  Being  a- 
f raid  of  him,  I  went  home,  and  faid,  Zammilou^ 
ni,  Datthirouhi,  wrap  me  up  in  Blankets  and 
Matts.  And  at  that  time  God  fent  down  to  me 
that  Chapter  which  begins  with  thefe  Words,  '  O 
thou  that  art  wrapped  in  Blankets:  And  part  of 
that  which  begins  with  thefe  Words,  *  O  thou 
that  art  wrapped  in  Matts,  to  thefe  Words,  And 
flee  from  the  Punifhment ;  which  is  the  fifth 
Verfe  of  that  Chapter. 

The  Byzantine  Hlftorians,  and  thofe  other 
Writers  who  have  followed  them  blindfold  in 
their  Account  of  Mahomet,  will  needs  have  it, 
that  Mahomet  was  troubled  with  the  Fallings 
Sicknefs :  And  ^  Hottinger  takes  his  being 
wrapped  up  in  Matts  and  Blankets  for  an  unde- 
niable Proof  of  it.   As  for  the  Byzantines,  their 

*  It  is  the  LXXIII.  of  the  Alcoran.  *  Alcoran, 

Chap.  LXXIV.  ^  Hljloria  Orlenialh,  Lib.  i.  Cap. 

2.  p.  10,  II. 

R  3  Au- 


262  7T}e  Saracefts  Conqueji  of 

Qn^ar.  Authority  in  this  Matter  is  of  no  great  weight, 
Aiwakidi.  efpccially  confidering  they  always  make  it 
their  Bufinefs  to  reprefent  Mahomet  as  full  of 
all  manner  of  I  m  per  fed  ions,  both  of  Body  and 
Mind  as  poflible  ;  as  if  the  Chriftian  Religion 
was  beft:  ferved  by  perverting  of  Hiftory.  As 
to  his  being  wrapped  up  in  Blankets,  there 
might  be  many  Occafions  of  that  befides  the 
Falling- Sicknefs  j  and  his  being  troubled  with 
that  Difeafe  having  no  Foundation  in  any  Ara- 
b'lck  Hiftorian,  it  ought,  till  it  be  better  made 
appear,  to  be  rejeded  among  the  reft  of  thofe 
idle  Stories  which  have  been  told  of  Mahomet 
by  the  Chriftians. 

To  return  to  our  Hiftory.  The  Emperor  af- 
terwards afked  him,  what  he  had  feen  of  Ma-^ 
homef^  Miracles.  Kais  told  him,  that  being 
once  upon  a  Journey  with  him,  there  came  an 
Arabian  up  to  them,  whom  Mahomet  afked,  if 
he  would  teftify,  that  there  was  but  one  God^ 
end  that  he  was  his  Prophet.  The  Arabian  afked 
him,  what  Witnefs  he  had  that  what  he  faid  was 
true  ?  To  which  Mahomet  anfwered,  Jhis  Tree: 
And  calling  the  Tree  to  him,  it  came  upright, 
plowing  the  Ground  up  with  its  Roots.  Maho- 
met  bad  it  bear  Witnefs:  Which  it  did;  faying 
three  times,  Thou  art  the  Apojlle  of  God.  After 
which  it  returned,  and  ftood  in  its  Place  as  be- 
fore, Heraclius  faid,  He  had  heard,  that  it  was 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  JEgypt»  263 

a  part  of  their  Religion  to  believe,  that  if  any  Omar. 
of  them  did  any  Good,  it  fliould  be  returned  to  Alwakidi. 
them  ten-fold ;  If  evil,  only  once.  Kah  told 
him,  that  it  was  true,  and  quoted  this  Text  out 
of  the  Alcoran  ;  3  He  that  does  Good  /hall  re- 
ceive  ten  times  Jo  much  -,  but  he  that  does  Evil, 
/ha//  receive  on/y  fo  much.  The  Emperor  allced 
him,  if  their  Prophet  was  not  called  the  Witnefs, 
To  which  Kais  anfwered.  That  he  was  the 
JVitnefs  in  this  World,  and  the  Witnefs  againft 
Men  in  the  World  to  come,  becaufe  God  fays, 
^  O  Prophet  I  we  have  fent  thee  a  Witnefs, 
and  a  Preac/jer  of  good  News,  and  a  JVarner, 
The  Emperor  afked  him  concerning  Mahomefs 
Nights  Journey  to  Heaven,  and  his  difcourfing 
there  with  the  moft  High  :  Which  Kais  affirm- 
ed to  be  true,  and  proved  it  from  the  firft  Verfe 
of  the  feventeenth  Chapter  of  the  A/cor  an.  Then 
the  Emperor  alked  him  concerning  their  fading 
in  the  Month  Ramadan-,  in  which,  Mahomet 
affirmed,  that  the  Alcoran  came  down  from 
Heaven ;  which  Kais  acknowledged.  A  Bifhop 
who  was  prefent  at  this  Conference,  fpeaking 
fomething  to  the  Difparagement  of  Mahomet^ 
provoked  Derar  Ebjtoi  Azwdr  (one  of  the  Pri- 
foners)  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  he  gave  him  the 
Lye,  and  reviled  him  in  a  moft  reproachful 

3  Chap.  VI.  161.  XL.  43.       ♦  Alcoran,  Chap.  XLVIII. 
8.  &  XXXIII.  44, 

R  4  Lan- 


264  7^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Qn^ar.     Language,   affirming  that  Mahomet  was  a  Pro- 

Aiwakidi.  phet,  but  the  Veil  of  Infidelity  hindered  them 
from  the  Knowledge  of  him.  Upon  which 
fome  of  the  Chriftians  drew  their  Swords,  to 
chaftize  his  Infolence :  But  it  feems  he  had  a 
mod  wonderful  Deliverance  ^  for  though  they 
ftruck  at  him  fourteen  times,  he  efcaped  fafe; 
However,  if  Toukinna  had  not  interceded  for  a 
Reprieve  till  the  next  Day,  he  would  certainly 
have  been  executed  by  the  Emperor's  Com-, 
mand. 

In  the  mean  time  Abu  Oheidah  proceeded  in 
his  March,  receiving  by  Surrender  thofe  Places 
which  remained,  till  he  came  to  that  Bridge 
which  they  called  the  Iron  Bridge,  very  near 
Antioch.  The  Emperor  commits  the  Care  of 
the  Army,  and  the  City  to  Toukinna,  and  deli- 
vered to  him  a  Crucifix  out  of  the  Church, 
which  was  never  fhown  publickly,  but  upon 
extraordinary  Occafions.  Then  he  called  for 
the  Prifoners.  But  Toukitma  told  him,  that  it 
would  be  the  beft  way  to  fpare  them,  becaufe 
if  any  of  the  Chriftians  {hould  be  taken,  they 
might  be  exchanged  :  Upon  which  Suggeftion 
their  Execution  was  deferred,  and  by  the  Ad- 
vice of  the  pidiops,  they  were  carried  into  the 
Great  Church,  to  fee  if  any  of  them  woul4 
embrace  the  ChrilHan  Religion,  and  be  baptiz- 
ed.   Ania\  the  Son  of  Rephda  turned}  but  our 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  265 

Author  will  needs  have  it,  that  it  was  the  Drefs     Omar. 
and  Beauty  of  the  Grecian  Ladies  influenced  the    Alwakidi. 
young  Man  more  than  any  Convidlion  of  Con- 
fcience.   When  his  Father  Rephda  heard  of  it, 
he  broke  out  into  this  paffionate  Exclamation  : 
What !  turn  Infidel  after  having  embraced  the 
Faith  !  Alas  for  thee !  Thou  art  driven  from 
the  Gate  of  the  mofl  Merciful.    Alas  for  thee, 
thou  haji  denied  the  King^  the  fudge.    Alas  for 
thee,  thou  Reprobate !   How  haJi  thou  denied  the 
Lord  of  Might  and  perfeB  Power  !  I  fwear  by 
Gody  that  I  weep  not  for  thee,  becaufe  I  mufi  • 
fdrt  with  thee  in  this  World,  hut  becaufe  I  muji 
part  with  thee  in  the  next-,  when  thou  mujl  go 
jDue  way,  and  I  another.    When  thou  fhalt  go  to 
the  Habitation  of 'Devils,  and  be  placed  with 
thefe  Priejis  and  Deacons  in  the  '  loweji  Manfon 
of  Hc^\  I  Jhall  go  with  the  Followers  ofM.2ho- 
vntX.^!  (upon  whom  be  theBleJing  of  God)  to  meet 
thof  spirits  which  converfe  with  hitn.    O  Son  1 
Ch  fe  not  the  Delights  of  this  prefent  World  be- 
fd  e  that  to  come.  Oh  !  How  Jhall  I  be  ajlonijhed 
i  td  confounded  for  this  that  thou  hafl  done,  when 
'  hou  comejl  to  f  and  in  the  Pre  fence  of  the  Lord  of 
}  2II  Power  ajid  Might,  the  King  of  this  World y 
\  and  that  to  come  !  And  how  Jhall  I  be  ajlmmed 
^before  Mahomet,    the  eledl  Prophet    of  God! 
O  Son !  From  whom   wilt  thou  feek  Inter cejjion 

\  Arab,  Sadlfatl  i,  e.  The  Sixth. 


266  7^^  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

Omar.  ^anothcrBay  I  The  young  Man  was  baptized,  and 
Alwakidi.  received  with  great  Courtefy  both  by  the  Em- 
peror and  the  Biihops.  The  Emperor  gave  him 
a  Horfe,  and  a  young  Woman,  and  hfted  him 
into  yabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham\  Army,  confifting 
of  Chriftian  Arahs.  The  Patriarch  afked  the 
reft,  what  hindered  them  from  turning  Chri- 
Jftians  too.  To  which  they  anfwered,  T'he  'Truth 
of  our  Religion,  The  Patriarch  reprefented  to 
them  the  Danger  they  incurred,  by  difpleafing 
*yejus  Chrijl.  To  which  Rephda  replied,  That  it 
would  one  Day  be  determined,  which  Party  was 
rejeSied,  and  which  in  the  Favour  of  God.  Hera^ 
cliiis  told  them,  that  he  had  been  informed  that 
their  Caliph  ufed  to  wear  very  mean  Apparel ; 
adding,  That  he  had  gotten  enough  from  the 
Chriftians  to  afford  himfelf  a  better  Drefs,  and 
aiked,  what  fliould  hinder  him  from  going  like 
other  Princes.  Rephda  told  him,  That  the  Con- 
fideration  of  the  other  World,  and  the  Fear  of  God 
hindered  him.  To  the  other  Queftions  propofed 
by  the  Emperor,  they  anfwered  in  a  Cant  fo 
very  much  like  what  our  Ears  have  for  fome 
late  Years  been  ufed  to,  that  were  it  not  for  the 
Difference  of  the  Language,  we  might  juftly 
have  fufpeded  them  to  have  been  nearer  Neigh- 

*  Arah.  Gadan.  i.  e.  7c?  Morroiu.  It  is  ufed  to  exprcfs 
future  Time}  and  fignifies  in  this  Place  the  Day  of  Judg- 
pient. 

hours. 


Syrta^  Perfia^  and  /Egypt.  267 

bours;  The  Emperor  alked  them.  What  fort  Omar. 
cf  a  Palace  their  Caliph  had?  They  faid,  it  was  Alwakidf. 
made  of  Mud.  And  who  (faid  the  Emporor) 
are  his  Attendants?  The  Beggars  and  poor 
People.  What  Tapejlry  does  he  Jit  upon  ?  Juftice 
and  Uprightnefs.  And  what  is  his  Throjie  ?  Ab- 
ilinence  and  certain  Knowledge.  And  what  is 
his  Treafure?  Truft  in  God.  And  who  are  his 
Guard?  The  ftouteft  of  the  UNITARIANS. 
They  added,  Dojl  thou  not  know,  O  King  I  that 
feveral  have  faid  unto  him^  O  Omar !  Lo^  thou 
pojj'ejfeji  the  Treafures  of  the  Caefars;  and  Kings 
and  great  Men  are  fubdued  unto  thee  :  Now 
therefore  why  puttefi  thou  not  on  rich  Garments? 
He  faid  unto  them,  Te  feek  the  outward  World, 
but  I  feek  the  Favour  of  him  that  is  Lord  both  of 
this  World,  and  that  to  come. 

The  Emperor  having  difcourfed  with  them 
as  long  as  he  thought  fit,  remanded  them  to 
Prifon,  and  went  to  take  a  view  of  his  Army, 
which  he  found  drawn  up  without  the  City  in 
very  good  Order.  At  the  Head  of  every  Regi- 
ment there  was  a  little  Church  made  of  Wood, 
for  the  Soldiers  to  go  to  Prayers  in.  On  a  fud- 
den,  he  was  informed  that  the  Arabs  were 
Mafters  of  the  Iron  Bridge.  He  was  very  much 
furprized  to  hear  that  they  had  taken  two  Tow- 
ers, in  which  there  were  no  fewer  than  three 
hundred  Officers^   in  fo  fhort  a  time  3  but  it 

feems 


Alwakidi 


268  T'he  Saracens  Conquefi  of 

Omar,  feems  they  were  betrayed  :  Which  was  occa- 
fioned  thus ;  A  great  Officer  at  Court  ufed  to 
'70  every  Day  to  fee  that  thefe  Towers  were 
well  guarded,  and  not  neglcded.  One  Day  he 
found  thofe  whofe  Bufinefs  it  was  to  take  care 
of  thefe  Towers,  drinking  and  revelling,  and 
no  Body  upon  Duty.  Provoked  with  this  in- 
tolerable Negligence,  he  ordered  them  fifty 
Lafhes  a-piece.  This  fevere  Difcipline  made 
them  ftudy  Revenge  ;  and  accordingly,  when 
Abu  Obeidah  and  his  Army  drew  near,  they 
made  Articles  for  themfelves,  and  delivered  the 
Towers  into  the  Hands  of  the  Saracens. 

The  Emperor  having  now  no  Hopes  left, 
affembled  the  Bifhops  and  great  Men  together 
in  the  Great  Church,  and  there  bewailed  the 
unhappy  Fate  of  Syria.  Jabalah  told  him,  that 
if  the  Caliph  was  killed,  the  Affairs  of  the  Sara- 
cens would  be  embroiled,  and  it  would  be  of 
great  moment  towards  the  Recovery  of  what 
he  had  loft.  Having  obtained  Leave,  he  fent' 
one  of  his  Chriftian  Arabs,  whofe  Name  was ' 
IVathek  Ebn  Mojapher,  a  refolute  young  Man, 
\vith  Orders  to  take  a  convenient  Opportunity 
of  killing  the  Caliph,  Omar,  after  Prayers,  went 
out  of  the  City,  to  take  a  Walk,  according  to 
his  Cuftom.  Wathek  went  before  him,  and  got 
upon  a  Tree,  where  he  fat  privately,  till  at  laft 
he  obfcrved  Omar  lie  down  to  fleep  very  near 

him. 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  j^gypt,  269 

him;  Having  this  fair  Opportunity,  he  drew  Omar. 
his  Dagger,  and  was  juft  coming  down,  when  ^^'^'<^'- 
cafting  his  Eyes  about,  he  faw  a  Lion  walking 
round  about  Omar^  and  licking  his  Feet ;  who 
guarded  him  till  he  awoke,  and  then  went  away. 
Surprized  at  this,  and  flruck  with  a  profound 
Reverence  for  the  Caliph,  whom  he  now  look- 
ed upon  as  the  peculiar  Care  of  Heaven,  he 
came  down  and  kifled  his  Hand,  and  having 
told  him  his  Errand,  made  Profeffion  of  the 
MahomefanV<.Q[igion  immediately,  being  ftrange- 
\y  afFecfted  with  this  wonderful  Deliverance. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Armies  before  Antioch 
drew  near  to  Battle,  and  the  Chriftian  Gene- 
ral's Name  was  Nejiorius.  He  went  out  firfl-, 
and  challenged  any  Saracen  to  fingle  Combat. 
Dames  anfwered  him ;  but  in  the  Engagement, 
his  Horfe  tumbling,  he  was  feized  before  he 
could  recover  himfelf,  and  being  taken  Prifoner, 
was  conveyed  to  Nejiorius  his  Tent,  and  there 
bound.  Nejiorius  returning  to  the  Army,  and 
offering  himfelf  a  fecond  time,  was  anfwered  by 
one  Dehac,  The  Combatants  behaved  themfelves 
bravely,  and  the  Vidlory  was  doubtful,  which 
made  all  the  Soldiers  defirous  of  being  Specta- 
tors. The  juftling  and  thronging  both  of  Horfe 
and  Foot  to  fee  this  Engagement,  threw  down 
Nejiorius  his  Tent  and  Chair  of  State.  He  had 
three  Servants  left  in  the  Tent,  who  fearing 

they 


270  7^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  they  fhould  be  beaten  when  their  Mafter  came 
Alwakidi.  ^^^^j^^  ^^^  Vzs'm^  no  body  elfe  to  help  them, 
told  Dafnes,  that  if  he  would  lend  them  an 
Hand  to  fet  up  the  Tent,  and  put  things  in  or- 
der, they  would  unbind  him,  upon  Condition 
that  he  fhould  voluntarily  return  to  his  Bonds 
again,  till  their  Mafter  came  home,  at  which  time 
they  promifed  to  fpeak  a  good  Word  for  him. 
He  readily  accepted  the  Terms  j  but  as  foon  as 
he  was  at  Liberty,  he  immediately  feized  two 
of  them,  one  in  his  Right  Hand,  the  other  in 
his  Left,  and  dafhed  their  two  Heads  fo  violent- 
ly againft  the  third  Man's,  that  they  all  three 
fell  down  dead  upon  the  Place.  Then  he  open- 
ed a  Cheft,  and  took  out  a  good  Suit  of  Cloaths, 
and  mounting  a  good  Horfe  of  Ne/lorius's,  he 
wrapped  up  his  Face  as  well  as  he  could,  and 
made  towards  the  Chriftian^^r^^j,  where  y^^^- 
iah  with  the  chief  of  his  Tribe  flood  on  the 
Left  Hand  of  Heraclius,  In  the  mean  time, 
Debac  and  Nejiorius,  being  equally  matched^ 
continued  fighting,  till  both  their  Horfes  were 
quite  tired  out,  and  they  were  obliged  to  part 
by  Confent,  to  reft  themfelves.  Nejiorius  return- 
ing to  his  Tent,  and  finding  things  in  fuch  a 
Pofture,  eafily  guefTed  that  it  muft  be  Dames 
his  doing.  The  News  flew  inftantly  through  all 
the  Army,  and  every  one  was  furprized  at  the 
Strangenefs  of  the  Adion.  Dames^  in  the  mean 

time, 


Alvvakidi. 


Syria^  Perjiay  and  j^gypt,  271 

time,  had  gotten  among  the  Chriftian  Arabs^     Omar, 
and  ftriking  off  at  one  Blow  a  Man's  Head  that 
flood  next  him,  made  a  fpeedy  Efcape  to  the 
Saracen  Army. 

All  this  while  Toukinna  was  contriving  which 
way  to  do  the  Saracens  Service ;  and  when  Derar 
and  his  Companions  had  been  Prifoners  eight 
Months,  and  were  juft  about  being  beheaded, 
he  interceded  with  the  Emperor  to  fpare  them  ; 
afluring  him,  that  if  he  put  them  to  Death,  the 
Saracens  would  never  more  give  Quarter  to  any 
Chriftian,  when  ever  any  of  them  fhould  fall 
into  their  Hands.  The  Emperor  not  fufpecSling 
any  Treachery,  committed  them  to  his  Care  j 
who,  watching  a  convenient  Opportunity,  ief- 
them  at  Liberty,  and  gave  them  their  Arms,, 
afluring  them,  that  there  were  a  great  many 
Perfons  of  the  higheft  Quality  in  the  Emperor's 
Service,  who  were  fully  refolved  to  go  over  to 
the  Saracens.  The  Em,peror  didieartened  with 
a  conftant  Courfe  of  ill  Succefs,  and  terrified 
with  a  Dream  which  he  had  of  one  thrufting 
him  out  of  his  Throne,  and  his  Crown  falling 
from  his  Head,  took  fome  of  his  Domefticks, 
and  efcaping  privately  to  the  Sea-fliore,  embark- 
ed for  Conjiantinople, 

Our  Author  tells  us  a  ftrange  Story  of  the 
Emperor's  turning  Mahometan,  which  was  oc- 
cafioned  by  a  great  Pain  in  his  Head,  for  which 

he 


Alwakldi. 


272  The  Saracens  Conquefl  of 

Omar,  he  could  get  no  help,  till  he  applied  himfelf  to 
Omar^  who  fent  him  a  Cap,  which  fo  long  as 
he  wore,  he  was  well  j  but  when  he  took  it  off, 
it  returned  again.  The  Emperor  wondering  at 
this  il:range  EfFeft,  would  have  the  Cap  ripped 
open  J  but  found  nothing  in  it  but  a  little  Piece 
of  Paper,  with  Bifmillah,  Arrahmdni  Wrahhimiy 
In  the  Name  of  the  moji  merciful  God^  written 
upon  it.  This  Cap,  it  feems,  was  pofTeffed  by 
the  Chriftians  till  the  Reign  oiAlmotdfem  (which 
began  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  833.)  who  be- 
fleging  Ammoytriyahy  was  grievoufly  afflidted 
with  the  Head-Ach  j  upon  which  the  Gover- 
nour  of  the  Town  promifed  him  the  Cap,  upon 
Condition  that  he  fhould  raife  the  Siege.  The 
Caliph^  Almotdfem^  undertook  it,  provided  the 
Cap  produced  the  defired  EfFedt,  which  it  did 
incontinently,  and  the  Siege  was  accordingly 
raifed.  The  fame  Curiofity  which  moved  the 
Emperor  Haraclius  to  have  the  Cap  opened, 
made  this  Caliph  do  fo  too  j  but  he  found  no- 
thing in  it  but  the  above-mentioned  Scrip  of  Pa- 
per, whofe  Vertue  was  not  in  the  leafl:  impaired 
or  dimiflied  in  the  fpace  of  two  hundred  Years; 
which  Period  of  Time,  would,  in  all  Probabili- 
ty, have  made  fome  Alteration  in  an  ordinary 
Medicine.  But  the  Cafe  is  quite  different  here, 
for  we  have  been  told  by  other  Hands,  that  the 
Relicks  of  holy  Men  are  never  the  worfe  for 

wear- 


SyrlayPerfiay  and  jEgypt,  273 

wearing.   What  is  it  that  Men  will  not  believe    Omar. 
and  write  when  once  bigotted  to  Superftition  !    f"^^ 

To  return  to  the  Army.  Antioch  was  not  loft 
without  a  fet  Battel ;  but  through  the  Treachery 
o^Toukinna,  and  feveral  other  Perfons  of  Note, 
together  with  the  affiftance  of  Derar  and  his 
Company,  who  were  mixt  with  Toukinna'% 
Men,  the  Chriftians  were  beaten  entirely.  The 
People  of  the  Town  perceiving  the  Battle  loft^ 
made  Agreement,  and  furrendered,  paying 
down  three  hundred  thoufand  Ducats.  Upon 
which  Abu  Obeidah  entered  into  Antioch  on 
Tuefday,  being  in  the  twenty  firft  Day  of  Au- 
'giift^  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hundred  and 
thirty  eight. ' 

Thus  fell  that  ancient  and  famous  City,  the 
Seat  of  fo  many  Kings  and  Princes,  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Infidels.  The  Sweetnefs  of  the 
Situation,  and  Abundance  of  all  things  contri- 
buting to  Delight  and  Luxury,  was  fo  great, 
that  Abu  Obeidah^  fearing  left  his  Saracens,  ef- 
feminated with  the  Delicacies  of  that  Place 
fhould  remit  any  thing  of  their  wonted  Vi- 
gour and  Bravery,  durft  not  let  them  continue 
there  long  j  but  after  three  Days  Refrefh- 
ment,   withdrew  them  from  thence. 

Then  he  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Caliph^  in 
which  he  gave  him  an  Account  of  his  great 

S  Succefs 


2  74  ^^  Saracem  Cojiquejl  of 

Q  Succefs  in  taking  the  Metropolis  of  Syria^  and 

Alwakidi.  Heraclius  his  Flight  to  Conjlantimph',  Telling 
him  withal,  what  was  the  reafon  why  he  ftaid 
no  longer  there.  He  added.  That  the  Saracens 
were  defirous  of  marrying  the  Grecian  Wo- 
men, which  he  had  forbidden.  That  he  was 
afraid  left  the  Love  of  the  things  of  this  World 
fliould  take  PoiTeffion  of  their  Hearts,  and 
draw  them  off  fi'om  their  Obedience  to  God. 
That  he  ftaid  expeding  further  Orders,  ^c. 

Having  written  this  Letter,  he  afked  who 
would  carry  it.  Zeid  Ebn  JVaheb,  who  was 
Omar  Ebn  Aiif^  Slave,  profered  his  Service. 
Abu  Obeidah  told  him,  that  fince  he  was  a 
Slave,  he  could  not  any  cafe  difpofe  of  his  Ser- 
vice, but  mufl  firft  alk  his  Mafter's  Leave. 
Zeid  hereupon  went  to  his  Mafter,  and  bowed 
himfelf  down  to  the  Ground,  to  touch  it  with 
his  Forehead,,  according  to  the  manner  of  Pro- 
flration  in  the  Eajlern  Countries :  But  his  Maf- 
ter  forbad  him,  being  a  Man  altogether  abftracft- 
ed  from  the  Love  of  the  Things  of  this  World,. 
ahd  not  defiring  any  fuch  Refpedl,  being  whol- 
ly intent  and  fixed  upon  the  other  World.  He- 
v;as  abftinent  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  his  whole 
Inventory  confifted  in  thefe  few  Neceflariesj  a 
Sword,  a  Launce,  a  Horfe,  a  Camel,  a  Knap- 
fack,  a  Platter,  and  an  Alcoran.  When  any 
pait  of  the  Spoil  fell  to  his  Share,,  he  never  laid 

up 


Alv/akidi. 


Syriay  Perjia^  and  j^gypt,  275 

up  any  thing  for  himfelf,  but  always  divided  It  Omar, 
amongft  his  Friends;  and  if  there  was  any 
thing  left,  he  fent  it  to  the  Caliph,  to  be  diftri- 
buted  among  the  Poor.  Zeid  having  afked  his 
leave  to  carry  the  Letter,  he  was  fo  well  pleaf- 
ed  to  fee  fuch  a  good  Inclination  in  his  Slave, 
to  be  a  Meflenger  of  good  News  to  the  Caliph ^ 
that  he  immediately  gave  him  his  Freedom* 
When  Zeid  came  near  to  Medinah,  he  was  fur- 
prized  with  an  unufual  Noife;  but  upon  En- 
quiry, he  was  informed,  that  the  Caliph  was 
going  on  Pilgrimage  to  Meccah^  and  the  Pro-^ 
phet's  Wives  along  with  him.  Omar^  having 
heard  the  News,  fell  down  and  worfhipped, 
faying,  O  God  I  Praife  and  thanks  be  to  thee,  for* 
thine  abundant  Grace,  Having  read  the  Letter, 
he  wept,  and  faid,  that  Abu  Obeidah  had  not 
been  kind  to  the  Mujlemans,  Then  fitting 
down  upon  the  Ground,  he  wrote  an  Anfwer 
to  Abu  Obeidah 'y  in  which,  after  having  ex- 
preffed  with  what  Satisfadion  he  received  the 
News  of  his  good  Succefs;  he  blamed  him,  for 
not  having  been  more  indulgent  to  the  Mufle- 
mam  j  adding,  T!hat  God  did  not  forbid  the  life 
of  the  good  ^hi?tgs  of  this  Life  to  faithful  Men^ 
and  fuch  as  performed  good  Works :  Wherefore 
he  ought  to  have  given  them  leave  to  reft  them^ 
f elves y  and  partake  freely  of  thofe  good  Things 
which  the  Country  afforded,  That  if  any  of  the 
s  2  Sa- 


^The  Saracens  Conqueji  of 
Saracens  had  no  Family  in  Arabia,  they  might 
marry  in  Syria  j  and  ivhofoever  of  them  wanted 
any  Female- S  laves ,  might  pur  chafe  as  many  as 
he  had  Occafion  fir.  He  ordered  him  to  purfue 
tlie  Enemy,  and  enter  into  the  Mountainous 
part  of  the  Country  -,  and  then  concluded. 

Zcid  returning  to  the  Army  with  the  Ca^ 
liph's  Letter,  found  the  Saracens  full  of  Joy; 
occafioned  by  Caled's  good  Succefs,  who  had 
gone  through  the  Country  as  far  as  the  Eu^ 
phratesy  and  taken  Menbigz,   and  fome  other 
neighbouring  Towns,  as  Berda  and  Bales,  up- 
on  Surrender;    the   Inhabitants   paying  down 
one  hundred  thoufand  Ducats  for  their  prefent 
Security,   and   fubmitting  to  Tribute  for  the 
time  to  come.    This  was  done  in  the  Month 
Moharram,  of  the  eighteenth  Year  of  the  Heg- 
irah;  which  anfwers  partly  to  Jatiuary,  of  the 
Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hundred  and  thirty  eight, 
according  to  our  Account.    Our  Author  muft 
here,  as  in  fome  other  Places,  anfwer  for  his 
own  Chronology ;    for  the  Meflenger  Xeid  was 
fent  to  Medifiah  prefently  after  the  taking  of 
Antioch,  which  was  in  Aiigujl',  and  there  is  no 
account   given  of  any  Bufinefs   extraordinary 
that  detained  him  there:   Which  makes  it  look 
fomcthing   ftrange,     that    he   fliould   be    four 
Months  going  and  returning  for  Antioch  (or 
Aleppo)  to  Medlnah  efpecially  confidering  with 

what 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  j^gypL  277 

what  quick  Difpatch  the  Saracens  ufed  to  move     Omar. 

upon  fuch  OccafionS.  Alwakidi. 

Abu  Ohetdah  having  received  the  Caliph's 
Letter,  afked  the  Mujlemam  which  of  them 
would  undertake  to  make  an  Attempt  upon 
the  mountainous  part  of  the  Country.  Whe- 
ther the  Difficulty  of  the  Service,  or  what  o- 
ther  Reafon  difcouraged  them,  is  uncertain; 
but  no  body  anfwered  him  the  two  firft  times. 
At  laft  Meifarah  Ebn  Mefroiik  proffered  his  Ser- 
vice, and  received  at  the  Hands  of  the  General 
a  black  Flag,  with  his  Infcription  up  it  in 
white  Letters,  THERE  IS  BUT  ONE 
GOD:  MAHOMET:  IS  THE  APO- 
STLE OF  GOD.  He  took  along  with  him 
three  hundred  chofen  Arabs ^  befides  a  thoufand 
Slaves,"'  Blacks,  commanded  by  Dames.  They 
found  it  a  very  uneafy  Undertaking;  for  though 
the  Summer  came  on  a-pace,  they  were  forced 
to  make  ufe  of  all  the  Cloaths  they  had,  and 
knew  very  well  what  to  have  done  with  more; 
for  they  met  with  nothing  but  Frofl  and  Snow 
amongft  the  Mountains;  which  was  extreamly 
difagreeable  to  their  Bodies,  who  had  been 
brought  up  under  the  T'orrid  Xone.  Marching 
a  long  way,  they  came  to  a  Village;  but  find- 
ing no  body  in  it  (for  the  Country  fled  before 
them)  they  took  what  there  w^as,  and  moved 
forwards.  At  laft  they  took  a  Prifoner,  who 
S3  in- 


278  'The  Saracens  Conqtieji  of 

Omar,  informed  them,  that  there  were  Forces  of  the 
Emperor,  to  the  number  of  thirty  thoufand, 
fent  to  guard  that  part  of  the  Country,  not  a- 
bove  three  Leagues  diftant.  They  afked  him, 
whether  it  was  mod  advifeable  to  advance  to- 
wards them,  or  ftand  their  Ground.  To  which 
he  anfvvered,  I'hat  it  were  better  for  them  to 
Jiay  where  they  wcre^  than  to  hazard  themfehes 
by  going  any  further  amo?jg  the  Mou7itains.  The 
Saracens  having  examined  him  as  long  as  they 
thought  fit,  offered  him  the  Mahometan  Reli- 
gion J  which  he  refufing,  was  beheaded.  In  a 
fliort  time  after,  the  Greeks  came  within  fight, 
and  the  Battle  was  joined.  Meifarah^  over- 
powered with  Multitudes,  was  foon  furrounded, 
Hovvevei  lie  it'M  a  MefiTeno^er  to  Abu  Obeidah^ 
who  made  fuch  hafle,  that  as  foon  as  he  came 
into  his  Prelcnce,  he  was  not  able  to  fpeak  a 
Word,  but  fell  down  in  a  Swoon.  Abu  Obeidah 
having  caufed  fome  Water  to  be  fprinkled  on 
his  Face,  and  refreflied  him  with  meat  and 
Drink,  he  came  to  himfelf,  and  delivered  his 
Errand.  Upon  which  Abu  Obeidah  fent  Caled 
to  Meifarah's  Affjilance  with  three  thoufand 
Horfe;  and  after  him  Aydd  Ebn  Ga;iam  with 
two  thoufind  more.  But  before  ihey  came  up, 
Ahdolldh  Ebn  Hoddpha^  a  Saracen  of  Note,  and 
much  beloved  by  the  Caliph^  was  taken  Pri- 
foncr,    and   fent  away  towards  Co?iJia?itinople^ 

The 


Syr  lay  Perjla^  and  JEgypt.  279 

The  Greeks  perceiving  there  were  frefh  Sup-  oman 
plies  come  to  the  Saracens,  durft  not  run  the  Aiwakidi. 
hazard  of  another  Battle  the  next  Day,  but 
withdrew  in  the  Night,  and  left  their  Tents 
to  the  Saracens,  They  not  thinking  it  a  pru- 
dent part  to  purfue  the  Enemy  any  further  in 
that  Mountainous  County,  returned  to  Abu 
Obeidah,  who  writing  an  Account  of  the  whole 
Bufinefs  to  Medinah,  the  Caliph  was  extremely 
concerned  at  the  Lofs  of  Abdolldh  Ebn  Hodd- 
pha,  which  occafioned  his  writing  the  follow- 
ing Letter  to  the  Emperor  Heraclhis. 

In  the  Name  of  the  moft  merciful  God. 
'  Praife  be  to  God,  Lord  of  this  and  the  other 
World*:  Who  has  neither  3  Female-Confort, 
nor  Son.  And  the  Blejjing  of  God  be  upon  Ma- 
homet, his  Prophet  and  Apofile  ^  divinely  aj/ijied. 
From  the  Servant  of  God,  Omar  Ebn  Alchitab 
to  Heraclius  King  of  Greece.  As  foon  as  thii 
Letter  ofminejhall  come  to  thy  Hajids,  fend  to 
me  the  Prifoner  that  is  with  thee  j  whofe  name 
/i  Abdollah  Ebn  Hodapha :  Which  ifthoujhalt 
do,  I  Jhall  hope  that  God  will  dire 51  thee  ittto  the 
^  right  Way.  But  if  thou  refufefl,  I  fiall  fend 
thee  Men,^  whom  Trade  and  Merchandize  fhall 

'  Alcoran,  Chap.  I.  r.  *  Alcoran,  Chap.  LXXII.  j. 

3  Arab.  Sahhlbah.         '^  Arab.  Almowayad.        ^  That  is, 
into  the  Profeffion  of  the  Mahometan  Religion,  *  Al- 

coran, Chap.XXlV.37.LXIII.9. 

s  4  not 


sSo  The  Saracens  Conqmjl  of 

Omar.       "ot  divert    from  the  Remembrance  of  God, 
Alwakidi.^  7  Health  and  Happinefs  be  upon  every  one  that 
follows  the  right  Way. 

I  do  not  queftlon  but  the  Reader  will  think 
this  Letter  writ  in  a  very  particular  Stile ;  but 
it  is  no  other  than  what  might  be  expe(5ted  from 
thofe  mofl  inveterate  and  mortal  Enemies  of 
of  Chriftianity,  who  made  it  always  their  Bu- 
finefs  to  treat  the  Profeflbrs  of  it  with  the  ut- 
moft  Contempt  and  Averfion.  This  Prifoner, 
Ahdolldh  Ebn  Hoddpha  was  Mahomef^  Coufin- 
German.  Our  Author  tells  us,  that  the  Em- 
peror made  him  very  large  Proffers,  if  he  would 
have  renounced  his  Mahometanijm ;  but  all  in 
vain.  Nor  were  his  Threats  more  influencing 
than,  his  Promifes.  It  feems  he  proffered  him 
his  Liberty,  if  he  would  but  have  made  one 
fingle  Adoration  before  a  Crucifix.  The  Em- 
peror would  have  perfwaded  him  to  have  drunk 
Wine,  and  eat  Hogs  Flefh  \  which  he  refufing, 
was  fliut  up  into  a  Room  where  he  had  no^ 
thing  elfe.  Upon  the  fourth  Day  they  vifited 
him,  and  found  all  untouched;  The  Emperor 
alTced  him,  what  hindred  him  from  Eating  and 
Drinking?  To  which  he  anfwered,  The  Fear 
of  God  and  his  Apojile  :  NotwitljJia?idi?ig  (added 
be)  I  fjiighi  lawfully  have  eat  it  after  three  Days 
^bjUnence,  yet  I  abjlained^  becavfe  I  ivould  Jiot 
*  Alcoran,  Chap.  XX.  49. 

be 


Sjria^  Perjtay  and  Mgypt,  281 

he  reproached  by  the  Mujlemans,  Heraclius  hav- 
ing received  Omai-'s  Letter,  not  only  difmifTed 
the  Prifoner,  but  gave  both  him  and  the  Mef- 
fenger  that  brought  the  Letter,  feveral  Prefents, 
and  rich  Cloaths,  and  allov^ed  them  a  fufficient 
Guard  to  conduct  them  fafe  through  his  Terri- 
tories. Befides  all  this,  he  made  a  Prefent  of  a 
coftly  Jev^el  to  Omar,  who  offered  it  to  the 
Jevi^ellers  at  Medinah  ;  but  they  were  ignorant 
of  the  Worth  of  it.  The  Mujlemans  would  have 
perfwaded  him  to  have  kept  it  for  his  own 
Ufe^  but  he  faid,  he  could  not  anfwer  that  to 
the  Public,  Wherefore  it  was  afterwards  fold, 
and  the  Price  of  it  put  into  the  public  Trea- 
fury ;  of  which  the  Caliph  was  in  thefe  Days 
only  the  Steward  or  Manager :  For  though  it 
was  all  at  his  Difpofal,  yet  he  very  feldom  ap- 
plyed  any  of  it  to  his  own  private  Ufe,  much 
lefs  to  Extravagance  and  Luxury ;  but  took 
care  to  lay  it  out  fo  as  it  might  do  moil  Service 
to  the  Publick. 

We  have  before  acquainted  the  Reader,  that 
after  Omar  had  taken  yenifalem,  he  divided  the 
Army,  and  fent  one  part  of  it  under  Abu  Obei^ 
dahy  towards  Aleppo;  the  other  wnd^v  Amrou 
E.bno'1  Ah  to  /Egypt.  Amrou  did  not  march 
diredly  to  /Egypt,  but  continued  a  while  in 
Faleftine,  to  take  fome  Places  there  which  as 
yet  held  out.    As  he  was  marching  towards 

Ccefarcd^ 


282  7^^  Saracens  Cojiquejl  of 

Omar.       Cafarea,  the  Saracefis  found  the  Weather  ex- 
^^^^^^  treamly  cold.  Sobeih  Ebn  Hamzah,  eating  feme 
Grapes  at  that  time,  was  fo  chilled,  that  he  was 
fcarce  able  to  endure  it.    An  old  Chriftian  that 
was  prefent,  told  him,  that  if  he  found  himfelf 
cold  with  eating  the  Grapes,  the  beft  Remedy 
would  be  to  drink  fome  of  the  Juice  of  them, 
and  withal  produced  a  large  VelTel  of  Wine. 
Sobeih  and  fome  of  his  Friends  took  the  old 
Man's  Advice,  and  drank  fo  freely  of  his  Li- 
quor, that  they  went  daggering  to  the  Army. 
Jlmroii  underftanding  their  Condition,  wrote  to 
Jbii  Obeidah  -,  by  whofe  Order  they  all  receiv- 
ed a  fufficient  Number  of  Stripes  upon  the 
Soles  of  their  Feet.   The  refrefhment  they  re- 
ceived by  drinking  the  Wine,   was  fo  far,   in 
their  Opinion,  from  counter-balancing  the  Se- 
verity of  the  Punifhment,  that  Sobeih  fwore  he 
would  kill  the  Fellow  that  helped  him  to  it  5 
and  had  been  as  good  as  his  Word,  if  one  that 
was  prefent  had  not  told  him,  that  the  Man 
was  under  the  Protedtion  of  the  Saracens. 

Conjiantine,  the  Emperor  HeracUus  his  Son, 
guarded  that  part  of  the  Country  where  Amrou 
lay,  with  a  confiderable  Army  ;  and  frequently 
fent  Spies  (Chriftian  Arabs)  into  his  Camp. 
One  of  them  went  one  time,  and  fat  down  a- 
niongft  fome  Arabs  of  Ayamnn,  or  Arabia  Fee- 
li^j  that  had  made  them  a  Fire.    Having  con- 

verfed 


Syria^  Perfia^  and  Mgypt.  283 

verfed  with  them  as  long  as  was  for  his  Pur-  Omar. 
pofe,  without  being  fufpedted  j  as  he  was  rifing  -^^wakidf. 
to  go  away,  he  trod  upon  his  Veft  and  tumb- 
led j  upon  which  he  fwore.  By  Chrifty  unawares. 
The  Oath  was  no  fooner  out  of  his  Mouth,  but 
they  immediately  knew  him  to  be  a  Chriftian 
Spy,  and  cut  him  to  Pieces  in  an  inftant.  Amrou 
was  angry  when  he  heard  it,  becaufe  he  would 
have  had  the  examining  him  firft.  Befides,  he 
told  them,  T!hat  it  oftentimes  happened,  that  a 
Spy,  when  put  to  it,  came  over  to  them,  andem^ 
braced  the  Mahometan  Religion,  Upon  which 
he  gave  a  flri(fl  Order  throughout  the  Camp, 
that  if  ever  they  met  with  a  Stranger  or  Spy, 
they  fhould  convey  them  to  him. 

The  Armies  drawing  near,  there  came  a 
Chriftian  Priell:  to  the  Saracens,  who  defired 
that  an  Emir,  or  Principal  Officer,  might  be 
fent  to  Cojtjiantine,  to  difcourfe  with  him.  There 
was  a  huge,  monflrous  Fellow,  a  Black,  whofe 
Name  was  Beldl  Ebn  Rebah,  who  proffered  his 
Service.  But  Amrou  told  him,  that  it  would  be 
better  to  fend  an  Arabian,  who  could  talk  more 
politely  than  an  /Ethiopian,  Beldl,  refolving,  if 
poflible,  to  take  no  Denial,  adjured  him  by  God 
to  let  him  go.  To  which  Amrou  anfwered,  T!hat 
Jince  he  had  adjured  him  by  the  mofi  Mighty,  it 
JJjould  befo.  This  Beldl  h2id  formerly  been  Ma- 
homet's Crier  j  that  is,  the  Perfon  that  calls  the 

People 


Alwalcidi. 


284  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  People  together  to  Prayers.  And  never  exer- 
cifed  that  Office  (as  the  ^Author  of  the  Hiftory 
of  Jcmfalem  fays)  after  Mahomefs,  Death,  but 
only  once,  when  Omar  commanded  him  to  per- 
form that  Service  at  the  taking  of  Jernfalem  : 
Otherwife,  I  fuppofe  it  v^rould  have  been  be- 
neath him  to  have  ferved  any  other  Perfon, 
who  had  been  employed  after  that  manner  by 
the  Prophet  J  but  the  taking  oi  J en^faiem, which 
had  been  the  Seat  of  the  ancient  Prophets,  and 
was  a  Place  very  much  reverenced  by  the  Ma^ 
homeiam,  was  an  extraordinary  Occafion.9  When 
he  came  to  the  Prieft,  he  difdained  to  have  an 
JEthiopian  fent,  and  bad  him  go  back  again,  tell- 
ing him,  that  his  Mafter  Conjlantine  had  not 
lent  for  a  Slave,  but  an  Officer.  Beldl^  who  va- 
lued himfelf  very  much  upon  his  Office,  and 
expedled  every  one  fhould  do  fo  too,  thought 
himfelf  affi-onted  ;  and  let  him  know,  that  he 
had  been  no  lefs  a  Perfon  than  the  Muezzin  of 
the  Apoftle  of  God,  and  that  he  was  able  to 
give  his  Mafter  an  Anfwer.  But  this  not  being 
received,  he  was  forced  to  go  back  again  ;  and 
at  laft  Amrou  refolved  to  go  himfelf.  It  will  not 
be  amifs  to  infert  a  fhort  Account  of  their  Con- 
ference, as  delivered  by  our  Author,  that  the 
Reader  may  fee  what  fort  of  a  Notion  the  Ma^ 
hometans  have  of  ancient  Hiftory. 

'  MS.  Arab.  Pococ.  Num.  362.  "  AlwahUl. 

When 


Syrta^  Perjiay  and  Mgypt.  285 

When  Amrou  came  into  Conjiantine's  Pre-    Omar, 
fence,  he  offered  him  a  Seat,  but,  according  to  f^^_^^^ 
the  Pradice  of  the  Saracens,  he  refufed  to  make 
ufe  of  it ;  chuling  rather  to  fit  crofs-legged  up- 
on the  Ground,  with  his  Sword  upon  his  Thigh, 
and  his  Launce  laid  a-crofs  before  him.   G?«- 
jlanttne  told  him,  that  the  Arabs  and  Greeks 
were  near  Kindred,  and  that  it  was  pity  they 
{hould  make  War  one  upon  the  other.    Amrou 
anfwered,    '^hat  their  Religion  ivas  different -, 
upon  which  /core  it  was  lawful  for  Brothers  to 
quarrel.    However^  he  faid,   he  defred  to  know 
'which  way  the  ^  Koreifhas  came  to  be  fo  near 
akin  to  the  Greeks  ?   Conjiantine  anfwered  (ac- 
cording to  our  Author)  Was  not  our  firfl  Fa- 
ther Adanty   then  Noah,   then  Abraham,   then 
"Efauy  then  Ifaac^  which   were  both  Sons   of 
Abraham  ( "^  the  Bleffing  of  God  be  upon  them 
all.)   Now  one  Brother  ought  not  to  do  Inju- 
ftice  to  another,  and  quarrel  about  that  Divifion 
which  was  made  for  them  by  their  Fore- fathers. 
Tte  far  you  fay  true,  anfwered  Amrou,  ^hat 
^  Efau  begot  Ifaac,  and  Ifhmael  is  EfauV  XJncle  ; 
and  fo  we  are  the  Sons  of  one  Father,  and  Noah 

*  A  noble  Tribe  among  the  Arabs,  of  which  Mahomet 
was.  '  This  is  an  Expreflion  ufed  by  the  yfr^^  Writers^ 
whenever  they  mention  any  of  the  ancient  Prophets.  °  He 
makes  Arrange  Work  of  this  Genealogy ;  but  the  Jrablck 
may  be  read,  Efau  Walado  IJhaCy  i.  e.  Efau  is  the  Son  of 
Jfaac  ;  not  walada,  begot  Ifaac.  But  if,  to  help  him  out, 
we  fliould  read  it  fo,  we  contradict  him,  for  juft  before^  he 
reckons  Efau  before  ifaac, 

was 


Alwakidi. 


286  T^h  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  ^^j;  our  Father,  Now  Noah  divided  the  Land 
into  Farts  when  he  was  angry  with  his  Son  Ham  j 
with  which  Divijion  they  were  Jiot  pleafed,  but 
quarrelled  about  it :  And  this  Land  in  which  you 
arc,  is  not  yours  properly,  hut  belongs  to  the  Ama- 
le kites,  who  had  it  before  you.  For  Noah  divided 
it  among  his  three  Sons,  Sem,  Ham,  ^«^  Japhet; 
and  gave  his  Son  Sem,  Syria,  and  what  lies  round 
it,  from  Arabia  Foelix  and  Hadramut  to  Am- 
man; and  all  the  Arabs  are  the  Offspring  of 
Sem  and  Kahtan,  and  Tefm,  and  Jodais,  and 
Amalek  who  is  the  Father  of  the  Amalekites. 
^0  his  Son  Ham  he  gave  the  Wefl  and  Sea-Jhore-, 
and  he  left  Japhet  between  the  Eaji  and  Weft  -,  * 
For  the  Earth  is  the  Lord's,  he  gives  it  an  In- 
heritance to  which  of  his  Servants  he  pleafes, 
and  the  latter  End  is  to  the  Faithful.  We  tfoere^ 
fore^  adds  Amrou,  defire  to  have  this  ancient  Di" 
'vifion  refored,  and  make  things  equal  after  this 
manner.  We  will  take  what  is  in  your  Hands, 
and  you  Jhall  take  the  Stones  and  Thorns,  and 
barren  Grounds  which  we  poffef,  in  lieu  of  thefe 
pleafant  Rivers,  rich  Fafturcs,  and  Jlately  Build- 
ings.  Confantine  told  him,  that  the  Divifion 
was  already  made,  and  that  it  would  be  great 
Injuflice  in  them  not  to  be  content  with  what 
had  fallen  to  their  Share.  To  which  Amrou  an- 
fwered,  'that  they  liked  the  Frovifion  and  manner 
of  Living  in  Syria,  fo  much  better  than  their 

*  Alcoran,  Chap.  VII.  125, 


own 


Syrta^  Perjla^  and j^gypt,  287 

own  courfe  Fare  at  homey  that  they  could  never  Omar 
fhmk  of  leaving  the  Country  till  they  had  con-  Alwakidl. 
quered  it,  and  could  Jit  down  at  quiet  under  thofe 
jhady  Trees,  A  little  while  after,  he  told  thofe 
that  were  prefent,  That  it  would  be  no  hard 
matter  for  them  to  continue  in  the  FoJJeJjion  of 
what  they  had\  for  it  was  only  chafiging  their 
Religion^  and  the  Bufnefs  was  done.  But  both 
that  and  Payment  of  Tribute  being  refufed, 
Amrou  told  them.  That  there  was  nothiitg  now 
lefty  but  to  determine  it  by  the  Sword.  God  knows ^ 
faid  he,  that  I  have  called  you  to  the  means  by 
which  you  might  fave  your  fehes,  but  you  are 
rebellious y  jujl  as  your  Father  3  Efau  was  difobe- 
dient  to  his  Mother  :  Tou  reckon  your  f elves  akin 
to  uSy  but  we  defire  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
your  Affinity,  fo  long  as  you  continue  Infidels,  ToUy 
befdeSy  are  theOff-fpring  o/'Efau,  we  <9/"4lfhmael : 

^  This  the  Mahometans  have  from  the  "JcwSy  who  believe 
moft  Europeans  to  be  the  OfFspring  of  Efau,  Abarbanel 
takes  a  great  deal  of  Pains  to  prove  it,  and  thofe  Jems  I 
have  converfed  with  are  of  the  fame  Opinion.  "*  Amongft 
other  blind  Stories  which  fome  of  the  Chriftian  Writers 
have  told  of  the  Saracens^  this  is  one,^iz.  That  they  called 
themfelves  Saracens,  becaufe  they  would  have  the  World 
believe  that  they  were  defcended  from  Sarah,  Abraham's 
lawful  Wife  J  being  aftiamed  of  Hagar  his  Slave.  But  the 
contrary  is  moft  evident,  for  they  are  neither  afhamed  of 
IJhmael  nor  Hagar,  as  for  IJlvnael  we  have  an  inftance  in 
this  very  place  and  for  Hagar,  the  Reader  may  confult  the 
Jauharlan,  (a  famous  Arab  Lexicographer)  who  in  the 
Word  Agara,  fays,  Hagar  is  the  Mother  oi  J/hmael,  upon 
whom  be  Peace, 

And 


Alwakidi. 


288  77je  Sarace?ts  Conqueft  of 

Omar.  ^  And  God  chofe  our  Prophet  Mahomet/row  Adam ,' 
to  the  time  that  he  came  out  of  the  Loim  of  his 
Father ;  and  made  him  the  befi  of  the  Sons  of 
Iflimael,  (and  his  Father  Ifhmael  was  the  frjl 
that  fpoke  Arabick)  and  he  made  the  ^ribe  of 
Kenanah  the  befi  of  the  Arabs  5  and  the  Family  of 
Koreidiae  the  befi  of  Kenanah  5  and  the  Off-fpring 
of  Hafhem,  the  befi  of  the  Korcifhae  ;  and  the 
be/i  of  the  Sons  c/Ha{hem,  Abdo'lmutaleb  the 
Prophet's  Grandfather ;  and  fent  the  Angel  Ga- 
briel down  to  him  [Mahomet]  with  Infpiration, 
The  Conference  ending  without  any  Hopes 
of  Accomodation,  Amrou  returned  to  his  Army, 
and  both  fides  prepared  for  Battle,  as  foon  as  a 
convenient  Opportunity  fhould  offer  it  felf.  One 
Day,  there  came  forth  out  o{Confiantine\  Army, 
an  Officer  very  richly  dreffed,  which  made  fe- 
veral  of  the  Saracens  defirous  of  fighting  with 
him,  in  hopes  of  carrying  off  his  Spoil.  Amrou 
ufed  to  fay,  7 hat  he  would  have  no  Man  go  to 
fight  out  of  Greedifiefs ;  for  the  Reward  which 
was  to  be  expected  from  God^  was  7?iuch  better 
than  the  Spoil  of  the  Enemy.  He  added,  That 
whofocver  was  killed  in  Battle,  lofi  his  Life  either 
for  the  fake  of  God,  or  elfe  for  fof?ie  other  End 
which  he  propo/ed  to  hi tn felf  If  the  former,  then 
God  would  be  his  Reward  j  but  if  he  propofed  any 
tempera!  Thing,  he  was  to  expeB  nothing  elfe^ 
and  that  he  had  heard  the  Prophet  fpcak  to  the 

fame 


Syrian  Perjtay  and  j^gypt,  289 

fame  Purpofe,  There  came  forth  to  this  Officer  ^,^fl: .. 
a.  beardlefs  Stripling,  whofe  forward  Zeal  had 
prompted  him  on  to  leave  Arabia  Fc^lix,  and 
venture  himfelf  in  the  Wars.  His  Mother  and 
Sifter  had  hitherto  bore  him  Company  in  his 
Travels.  This  Youth  ufed  to  fay,  That  it  was 
not  the  Delights  of  Syria,  that  moved  him  to  go 
thither y  (becaufe  the  Delights  of  this  World  were 
fadings  hut  thofe  of  the  other  durable^  But  that 
his  Defire  was  to  fight  for  the  Service  of  God^ 
feeking  the  favour  of  God  and  his  Apoflle,  Be- 
caufe he  had  heard  one  fay,  that  the  Martyrs  Jhall 
be  maintained  with  their  Lord.  How  can  that  be, 
anfwered  his  Sifter,  how  can  they  be  maintained 
when  deadf  He  anfwered,  T'hat  he  had  heard 
me  that  was  acquainted  with  the  Apoftle  of  God^ 
fay,  That  the  Spirits  of  the  Martyrs  fhall  be  put 
into  the  Crops  of  green  Birds  that  live  in  Para-- 
dife,  which  Birds  Jhall  eat  the  Fruits  of  Para^ 
dife,  and  drink  the  Rivers  ;  this  is  the  Mainte- 
nance which  God  has  provided  for  them.  He  went 
out  to  fight  with  the  Chriftian,  after  he  had  ta- 
ken his  laft  Leave  of  his  Mother  and  Sifter,  and 
told  them,  that  they  {hould  meet  again  at  that 
9  large  Water  which  belongs  to  the  Apoftle  of 
God  in  Paradife.  The  Chriftian  Officer  not  only 
killed  this  Youth,  but  two  or  three  more.  At 
laft  Serjabil  Ebn  Hafanah  came  forth  to  him  > 

^  Jrab.  Hhaud, 

T  but 


290  Hoe  Saraceiis  Conquefl  of 

Omar,  but  he  was  fo  emaciated  with  Watching  and 
Alwakidi.  Parting,  that  he  was  not  able  to  ftand  before 
him.  The  Chriftian  at  lafl  got  him  down,  fat 
upon  him,  and  was  jufl  going  to  cut  his  Throat ; 
when  on  a  fudden  there  came  a  Horfeman  out 
of  the  Grecian  Army,  who  immediately  kicked 
the  Chriftian  off,  and  taking  him  at  Advantage, 
ftruck  his  Head  off.  Serjabil,  furprized  at  this 
unexpedled  Deliverance,  afked  him,  who  he  was, 
and  from  whence  he  came  ?  1  am,  faid  he,  the 
unhappy  Tuleiha  Ebn  Chowailed,  ^who  pretended 
to  prophefy  like  the  Apojlle  of  God ;  and  lyed  ^- 
gatJifi  God,  faying,  that  Infpiration  catne  down 
to  me  from  Heaven.  Serjabil  anfvvered,  O  BrO' 
ther !  God's  Mercy  is  infinite  ;  and  he  that  re- 
pents, and  for  fakes,  and  turns  himfef  to  God-, 
he  accepts  of  his  Repentatice,  and  forgives  him 
what  he  has  done  j  for  the  Prophet  fays.  Repen- 
tance takes  away  what  was  done  before  it.  And 
dofl  thou  not  know,  0  Ebn  Chowailed,  that  God 
faid  to  our  Prophet,  My  Mercy  is  extended  to 
every  Creature  that  defires  it  ?  adding  moreover 
whatever  he  could  to  comfort  him.  Notwith- 
ftanding  which,  confcious  to  himfelf  of  the 
Groffnefsofhis  Crime,  he  could  not  find  in  his 
Heart  to  return  to  the  Sarace?is ;  but  being 
very  much  preffed  to  it  by  Serjabil,  he  at  laft 
told  him  in  plain  Terms,  that  he  was  afraid  of 
Caled,    (the  Scourge  of  falfe  Prophets,    who 

broke 


Syria  J  Perfia^  and  Mgypt.  291 

broke  them  to  Pieces  at  firil,  and  killed  Mofei-  Omar. 
lamah,  the  Chief  of  them)  SerjahiU^Mx^d.  him,  ^^'^'^'''^' 
that  Caled  was  not  prefent,  but  ftaid  at  Aleppo 
with  Abu  Obeidah.  At  lafl:,  with  much  ado,  he 
perfwaded  him  to  go  with  him  to  the  Army. 
This  Tuleiha^  after  Mofeilamah  was  killed,  with- 
drew himfelf  out  o^  Arabia,  which  would  then 
have  been  foon  too  hot  for  him,  and  went  and 
lived  privately  with  a  Mahometan  in  Syria,  who 
maintained  him  for  a  while  ;  till  at  laft  they  be- 
ing very  familiar,  and  thoroughly  acquainted, 
Tuleiha  made  himfelf  known,  and  gave  him  an 
Account  of  his  whole  Story.  His  Landlord,  as 
foon  as  he  underftood  his  Charad:er,  treated  him 
with  the  utmoft  Averfion,  and  would  entertain 
him  no  longer,  but  turned  him  out  of  Doors. 
Reduced  to  this  Extremity,  he  was  almofl:  at 
his  Wits  End,  and  had  fome  Thoughts  of  taking 
Ship,  and  retiring  into  fome  Ifland :  But  Conjlan^ 
tine's  Army  coming  into  thofe  Parts  before  he 
could  put  his  Defign  in  Execution,  he  chofe 
rather  to  lift  himfelf  under  him,  in  hopes  of 
finding  an  Opportunity  of  ingratiating  himfelf 
with  the  Muflemans. 

Being  at  laft  prevailed  upon  to  go  back  to  the 
Saracens,  he  was  very  courteoufly  received  by 
Amrou ;  who  not  only  gave  him  Thanks  for 
his  fmgular  Service,  but  upon  his  exprefling  his 
Apprehenfions  oi Caled,  promifed  to  fecure  him, 
T  2  and 


Alwakidi. 


292  I'he  Saracens  Conqmjl  of 

Omar,     and  wrotc  a  recommendatory  Letter  to  Owjr, 
acquainting  him  with  the  fignal  Proof  which 
T'liUiha  had  given  of  his  fmcere  and  unfeigned 
Repentance.    Tuleiha  found  the  Caliph  at  Mec- 
cab  :  Dehvering  the  Letter,  and  withal  telling 
him  that  he  repented,  Omar  afked  who  he  was? 
and  had  no  fooner  heard  his  Name  mentioned, 
but  he  made  off  as  faft:  as  he  could,  faying,  Alas 
for  thee!  If  I  forgive  thee^  how  fhall  I  give  an 
Account  to  God  of  the  Murder  of  Ocafah  ?  TuUiha 
.  anfwered,  Ocafah  indeed  fiiffered  Martyrdom  by 
my  Ha?idSy  which  J  am  very  forry  for,  and  I 
hope  that  God  will  forgive  me  what  I  have  done, 
Omar  defired  to  know  what  Proof  he  could  give 
of  his  Sincerity  ;  but  having  perufed  Amrou\ 
Letter,  he  was  abundantly  fatisfied,  and  kept 
him  with  him  till  he  returned  to  Medinah,  after 
which  he  employed  him  in  his  Wars  againft  the 
Perfians. 

To  return  to  ConJianti?te"s  Army.  The  Wea- 
ther was  very  cold,  and  the  Chriftians  were 
quice  difheartened,  having  been  frequently  beaten 
and  difcouraged  daily  with  the  encreafing  Power 
of  the  Saracens  I  fo  that  a  great  many  grew 
weary  of  the  Service,  and  withdrew  themfelves 
from  the  Army.  Conjiantine^  having  no  Hopes 
of  the  Vidory,  and  fearing  left  the  Saracens 
fliould  feize  Ccvfarea^  took  an  Opportunity  in  a 
tempefluous  Night  to  move  off  j  and  left  his 

Camp 


Syr  lay  Perjia^  and  JEgypt.  293 

Camp  to  the  Saracens.  Amrou  acquainting  Abii  Omar. 
Obeidah  with  all  that  had  happened,  received  ^il!!^' 
exprefs  Orders  to  march  diredly  to  Cafarea^ 
where  he  promifed  to  join  him  fpeediiy,  in  or- 
der to  go  againft  T^ripoli^  Accah  and  Tyre,  In  a 
little  time  after  l!rtpoli  was  furprized  by  the 
Treachery  of  Toukinna,  who  having  gotten  it 
on  a  fudden,  and  without  any  Noife,  there 
came  thither  a  little  while  after,  about  fifty 
Ships  with  Provifion  and  Arms  for  Cyprus  and 
Crete,  which  were  to  go  to  Conjlantine,  The 
Officers  not  knowing  that  'Tripoli  was  fallen 
into  the  Hands  of  new  Mafters,  made  no  fcru- 
ple  of  landing  there,  where  they  were  courte- 
oufly  received  by  Toukinna,  who  proffered  the 
iitmoffc  of  his  Service,  and  promifed  to  go  along 
with  them.  But  immediately  feized  both  them 
and  their  Ships,  and  delivered  the  Town  into 
the  Hands  of  Caled,  who  was  juft  come. 

With  thefe  Ships  the  Traytor  Toukhma  goes 
to  Tyre,  where  he  tells  the  Inhabitants,  that  he 
had  brought  Arms  and  Provifion  for  Conjlan- 
tine\  Army.  Upon  which  he  was  kindly  re- 
ceived, and  he  with  nine  hundred  of  his  Men 
landed,  and  were  entertained.  But  being  be- 
trayed by  one  of  his  own  Men,  he  and  his 
Crew  were  feized  and  bound;  receiving  all  the 
while  fuch  Treatment  from  the  Soldiers,  as 
tjieir  villainous  Pradices  befl  deferved.  In  the 
T  3  mean 


294-  ^^  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Q^^^r.       ^^^^  ^^^^^  Tezid  Ebn  Ahi  Sophyan,  being  fent 
Alvvakidi.    by  Ahu  Obciddh  from  the  Siege  of  Ccefarea^ 
came  within  Sight  of  Tyre.   The  Governour 
perceiving  this,  caufed  Touktfina  and  his  Men 
to  be  conveyed  to  the  Caftle,  and  there  fecured. 
Having  done  this,  he  prepares  for  the  Defence 
of  the  Town  j  and  perceiving  that  Tezid  had 
but  a  fmall  Number,  (his  Army  not  exceeding 
two  Thoufand)  he  refolved  to  make  a  Salley. 
In  the  mean  time,   the  reft  of  the  Inhabitants 
ran  up  to  the  Walls,   to  fee  the  Engagement. 
Whilft  they  were  fighting,   Toukinna  and  his 
Men  were  fet    at    Liberty  by   one  Bqfil^   of 
whom  they  give  the  following  Account :   'viz, 
"  That  this  Bafil  going  one  Day  to  pay  a  Vifit 
*'  to  Boheirah  the  Monk,  the  Caravan  of  the 
"  Koreifjce  came  by,    with   which   were   Ca- 
**  dijaljs  Camels,   which  were  looked  after  by 
"  Mahomet,    He  looked  towards  the  Caravan, 
**  in  the  Middle  of  which  was  Mahomet,  and 
*'  there   was  a  Cloud  upon  him   to  keep  him 
*^  from  the  Sun.    Then  the  Caravan  alighted, 
*'  and  Mahomet,  leaning  againfl:  an  old   wither- 
*'  ed  Tree,  it  immediately  brought  forth  Leaves, 
"  Boheirah  perceiving  this,  made  an  Entertain- 
*'  ment  for  the  Caravan,   and  invited  them  in 
**  to  the   Monaftery;    Mahomet  ftaying  behind 
**  with  the  Camels.  Boheirah  mifllng  him,  afk- 
''  cd  if  there  were  all  of  them?   Yes,  they  fud, 

"  all 


Syria^  Perjla^  a?id  j¥lgypt, 

«  all  but  a  little  Boy  they  had  left  to  look  af- 
"  ter  their  Things,  and  feed  the  Camels.  What 
"  is  his  Name ;  fays  Boheirah.    They  told  him 
"  Mahommed  Ebn  Abdo'llah.    Boheirah  afked, 
**  if  his  Father  and  Mother  was  not  dead,  and 
*«  and  if  he  was  not  brought  up  by  his  Grand- 
"  father  and  his  Uncle.    Being  fatisfied  that  it 
"  was  fo,  he  faid,  0  Koreifh !  Set  a  great  Value 
**  upon  him,  for  he  is  your  Lord^  and  by  him  will 
*'  your  Power  he  great  both  in  this  World,  and 
*'  that  to  come-,  for  he  is  your  Ornament  and 
**  Glory,    They  afked  him  how  he  knew  that? 
**  Becaufe,    anfwered   Boheirah,   as  you   were 
*'  comings  there  was  never  a  T'ree,  nor  Stone ^ 
*'  nor  Clod,  but  bowed  it f elf  and  worjhipped  God* 
**  Boheirah  be  fides  told  this  Bafl,  that  a  great 
"  many  Prophets  had  leaned  againft  this  Tree, 
**  and  fat  under  it,  but  it  never  bore  any  Leaves 
**  before,  fince  it  was  withered.    And  I  heard 
*^  him  fay^   (fays  this  fame  Baftl)  "This  is  the 
*'  Prophet,  concerning  whom  I  fa  (fefus)  fpake, 
*■*  happy  is  he  that  believes  in  him,  and  follows 
**  him,  and  gives  Credit  to  his  Mifjion''    This 
Bafil,  after  the  Vifit  to  Boheirah,  had  gone  to 
Conftantinople ,  and  other  Parts  of  the  Greek  Em- 
peror's Territories,  and  upon  Infarmation  of 
the  great  Succefs  of  the  Followers  of  this  Pro- 
phet, was  abundantly  convinced  of  the  Truth 
pf  his  Miffion.    This  inclined  him,  having  io 
T  4  flur 


Alwakidi. 


296  n^e  Sarace7ts  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  fair  an  Opportunity  offered,  to  releafe  Toukinna 
and  his  Men ;  who  fending  word  to  the  Ships, 
the  reft  of  their  Forces  landed  and  joined  them. 
In  the  mean  time,  a  Meffenger  in  Difguife 
was  fent  to  acquaint  Yezid  with  what  was 
done.  As  foon  as  he  returned,  Toukinna  was  for 
falling  upon  the  Townfmen  upon  the  Wall  3 
but  Bafil  faid,  Perhaps  God  might  lead  fo?ne  of 
them  i?ito  the  right  Way-,  and  perfwaded  him/ 
rather  to  place  the  Men  fo,  as  their  cominf/ 
down  from  the  Wall  might  be  prevented.  Th:  \ 
done,  they  cry  out  La  Ilaha,  &c.  The  Peopl  ^ 
perceiving  themfelves  betrayed,  and  the  Pri- 
foners  at  Liberty,  were  in  the  utmoft  confufi- 
on  J  none  of  them  being  able  to  ftir  a  Step,  or 
lift  up  an  Hand.  Thofe  in  the  Camp,  hearing 
the  Noife  in  the  City,  knew  what  was  the  Oc- 
cafion  of  it,  and  Toukinna  opened  the  Gates 
and  let  them  in.  Thofe  that  were  in  the  City, 
fledi  fome  one  way,  and  fome  another;  and 
were  purfued  ,by  the  Saracens^  and  put  to  the 
Sword.  Thofe  upon  the  Wall,  cried,  garter: 
Tezid  told  them.  That  fince  they  had  not  fur- 
reridered,  but  the  City  was  taken  by  Force, 
they  were  all  Slaves.  However^  faid  he,  we  of 
our  0%'n  accord  fet  you  free,  upon  Conditio?!  you 
pay  Tribute  j  and  if  any  of  you  has  a  mind  to 
change  his  Religion,  he  fiall  fare  as  ivell  as  we 
4o.  The  greatert  part  of  them  turned  Mahome- 


Syria^  Perfta^  and  jEgypt.  297 

tans.  When  Conftantine  heard  of  the  Lofs  of  Omar. 
Tripoli  and  Tjr^,  his  Heart  failed  him,  and  Alwakidl 
taking  fliipping  with  his  Family  and  Wealth, 
he  departed  for  Conjiantinopk,  All  this  while 
Amrou  Ebnd'l  Ads  lay  before  Ccejarea.  In  the 
Morning,  when  the  People  came  to  enquire  af- 
ter Conftantine y  and  could  hear  no  tidings  of 
him  nor  his  Family ;  they  advifed  together,  and 
with  one  Confent  furrendered  the  City  to  Am- 
rou^ paying  down  for  their  Security  two  thou- 
fand  Pieces  of  Silver,  and  delivering  into  his 
Hands  whatfoever  belonged  to  Conftantine,  that 
he  had  not  carried  away  with  him.  Thus  was 
Ccefarea  loft,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hun- 
dred and  thirty  nine,  being  the  feventeenth 
Year  of  the  Hegirahy '  and  the  fifth  of  0?nar's 
Reign  5  which  anfwers  to  the  twenty  ninth 
Year  of  the  Reign  of  the  Emperor  HeracUiis, 
Upon  which,  thofe  other  Places  in  Syria, 
which  as  yet  held  out,  namely,  Ramlah,  Ac- 
cahy  Joppe,  Afcalon,  Gaza,  Sichem  [or  Nabo- 
/w]  and  Tiberias  furrendered,  and  in  a  little 
time  after,  the  People  of  Beirout,  Zidon,  Jaba- 
lab,  and  Laodicea,  followed  their  Example  i  fo 
that  there  remained  nothing  more  to  be  done 
in  Syria,  but  all  was  entirely  fubdued  to  the 
Saracens,  who  had  not  fpent  above  fix  Years 
(from  the  time  of  their  firft  Expedition  in  Abu- 

■  Hegirah  ij.J.  D.629- 

bekers^ 


298  Tfh  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Omar.      beker'^  Reign)  in  fubduing  that  large,  wealthy 
and  populous  Country. 

THUS  have  I  given  the  Reader  the  beft 
Account  I  v^^as  able,  of  the  Saracens  Conqueft 
of  Syria ;  following  all  along,  as  to  Matter  of 
Fad,  my  Author  Alwdkidi^  who  has  written 
the  mofl  particular  Relation  of  that  part  of  the 
Hiftory  that  I  have  yet  met  with ;  or  that  is 
extant,  to  the  beft  of  my  Knowledge,  As  for 
that  little  which  remains,  in  order  to  the  com- 
pleating  the  Lives  of  this  and  the  fucceeding 
Caliph,  fince  the  fhort  time  of  my  Continuance 
at  Oxford  would  not  permit  me  to  fearch  for, 
or  excerp  any  more  Manulcripts,  I  mud  be 
content  to  depend  upon  thofe  Authors  which 
have  been  already  publilhed^  as  "^  Enty chins , 
Elmakm,  and  Abulpharagius:  In  which,  tho* 
we  have  not  fo  large  and  particular  an  Account 
fls  in  the  former  Part  of  our  Hiftory^  yet  the 
Reader  will  find  fomething  which  fhall  ftill 
contribute  to  the  better  Knowledge  of  that 
People,  and  increafe  his  Admiration,  at  the 
wonderful  Succefs  of  their  Arms,  by  which 
they  arrived  at  that  ftupendious  Greatnefs. 

Syria,  being  conquered,  remained  not  long 
in  the  PofTeflion  of  thofe  Perfons  who  had  the 
chief  Hand  in  fubduing  itj   for  in  the  cigh- 

^  Eutychiusy  Elmakin,  ajid  AbiClpharagim. 

tcenth 


Syriay  Perfta^  and  Mgypt.  299 

teenth  Year  of  the  Hegirah,  which  anfwers  Omar. 
moftly  to  the  Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hundred 
and  thirty  nine.  There  was  fuch  terrible  Mor- 
tality both  of  men  and  Beafls,  in  Syria,  parti- 
cularly at  Emdus,  and  the  adjacent  Territory, 
that  the  Arabs  called  that  Year,  3  rhe  Tear  of 
DeJiruBion,  by  way  of  Di(lin«5tlon.  The  Sara- 
cens  loft  by  that  Plague  five  and  twenty  Thou- 
fand  Men,  among  which  were  Abu  Obeidab, 
(who  was  then  fifty  eight  Years  old)  Serjabil 
Eb?i  Hafanah,  formerly  Mahomefs  Secretary, 
and  Tezid  Ebn  Abi  Sophyan,  with  feveral  other 
Saracens  of  Note.  *  Caled  furvived  them  about 
three  Years,  and  then  died^  but  the  Place  of 
his  Burial  (iconfequcntly  of  his  Death,  for  they 
did  not  ufe  in  thofe  Days  to  carry  them  far) 
is  uncertain;  fome  fay  at  Hems-,  others  at  Me- 

dinah. 
\  AmrouEbno'l  Ads,  having  ftaid  as  long  in 
Syria  as  was  neceffary,  purfuant  to  the  Caliph's 
Command,  prepared  for  his  Expedition  into 
Mgypt.  Whilft  he  was  upon  his  March, 
whether  it  proceeded  from  Envy,  which  al- 
ways attends  great  Men,  or  whether  O^hman 
Ebn  Affdni  did  not  think  him  fo  proper  a  Per- 
fon  for  fuch  a  Service;  certain  it  is,  that  Omar 
was  perfwaded  by  fome  that  were  about  him, 

3  AmoH  remHah.  '^  Author  of  the  Hiftory  of  Jem, 

jahn,  above  cited. 


The  Saracens  Co7iqueJl  of 
to  recall  him.    That  Omar  himfelf  entertained 
'  a  good  Opinion  of  him,   and  that  he  wrote  to 
him  rather  to  gratify  the  importunate  Humour 
of  his  Friends,  than  out  of  any  Diflike,  feems 
plain  from  the  Contents  of  the  Letter.    For 
whereas  he  could  have  commanded  him  pofi- 
tively  to  have  returned,  he  writes  only  thus : 
If  this  Letter  comes  to  you  before  you  get  into 
iEgypt,  return.    But  if  you  be  entered  into  JE- 
gypt,   ivben  the  Mefenger  comes  to  you,  go  on 
with  the  Blejmg  of  God,  and  affure  yourfef,  that 
if  you  want  any  Supplies,   I  will  take  Care  to 
fend  them.   The  Meflenger  overtook  Ajtirou  be- 
fore he  was  out  of  Syria ;   who  either  fufpe^- 
ing,   or  having  received  fecret  Information  of 
the  Bufinefs,   ordered  him  to  wait  upon  him, 
till  he  iliould  be  at  leifure  to  read  the  Letter. 
In  the  mean  time  he  haftens  his  March,  fully 
refolved  not  to  open  it  till  he  came  into  the 
Confines  of  Mgypt.    When  he  came  to  a  Place 
called  Arijh,  having  afTembled  the  Officers  in 
his  Tent,   he  called  for  the  MefTenger,   and 
opened  the  Letter  with  the  fame  Gravity  and 
Formality  as  if  he  had  been  altogether  ignorant 
of  the  Contents  of  it.  Having  read  it,  he  told 
the  Company  what  was  in  it,  and  enquired  of 
them,  whether  the  Place  where  they  then  were, 
belonged  to  Syria  or  Mgypt.    They  anfwercd, 
to  Mgypt.    The??,  fiid  A?n?-Qu^   ivc  will  go  on. 

fVom 


Syrta^  Perjta^  and  Mgypt. 

From  thence  he  went  to  Pharmah-,    which  he 
took  after  a  Month's  Siege.    From  thence  to 
Mifrah,  (formerly  Memphis)  now  Cairo,  fitu- 
ate  on  the  Wejiern  Bank  of  the  River  ISlilmi 
and  which  had  been  the  Seat  of  the  ancient 
/Egyptian  Kings.    This  Place  the  Greeks  had 
fortified,  as  being  the  moft  confiderable  (except 
Alexandria)  in  all  that  Kingdom.    There  was 
an  Ancient  Caflle  there,  of  great  Strength.  The 
Greeks  made  a  large  Moat  or  Trench  round  a- 
bout  it,  into  which  they  threw  great  Quantities 
of  Nails,  and  Iron  Spikes,  to  make  it  more  dif- 
ficult for  the  Mujlemans  to  pafs.    Amrou  with 
four  thoufand  Men  laid  hard  Siege  to  it;   but 
when  he  had  been  there  about  feven  Months, 
and  could  do  nothing,  he  was  forced  to  fend  to 
the  Caliph  for  frefh  Supplies 5  who,  as  foon  as 
might  be,  recruited  him  with  four  thoufand 
more.  The  Prsefed:  or  Lieutenant  of  Mifrah, 
that  held  it  for  the  Emperor  Heraclius,  was 
one  Mokaukas,  of  the  Se(5t  of  the  'Jacobites, 
and  a  mortal  Enemy  to  the  Greeks.    He  had 
no  defign  at  all  to  ferve  the  Emperor,  but  to 
provide  for  himfelf ;  having  behaved  himfelf  fo 
ill,  that  he  durft  not  come  into  the  Emperor's 
Prefence.    For  when  Cofroes,  the  Ferfian,  had 
befieged   Conjlantinople^    Mokaukas    perceiving 
the  Emperor  in  Diftrefs,  and  daily  expedling 
his  Ruin,  thought  he  had  a  fair  Opportunity 

of- 


Tlje  Saracens  Conqueji  of 
offered  of  making  his  Fortune,  and  took  all  the 
Tribute  of  Mgypt  into  his  own  Hand,  without 
giving  Account  to  the  Emperor  of  one  Penny. 
From  that  time,  being  confcious  to  himfelf  of 
his  Deferts,  he  ufed  all  the  means  he  could  to 
prejudice  and  hinder  the  Emperor;    fo  natural 
is  it  for  Men  to  hate  thofe  whom  they  have 
injured.  I  fliall  not  interrupt  the  fmooth  Courfe 
of  Hiftory  with  examining  how  far  this  Ac- 
count agrees  with  the  Greek  Hiftorians;   but 
only  fay,  that  my  Author,  Etitychius,  was  him- 
felf Patriarch  of  Alexandria:     Mokaukas  his 
chief  Care  was   not  to  defend  the   Caflle  ia 
good  earned:,  but  to  furrender  it  fo  as  to  pro- 
cure good  Terms  for  himfelf,  and  fecure  that 
vaft  Treafure  which  he  had  fo  ill  gotten,  what- 
ever became  of  all  the  Greeks  and  the  Ortho- 
dox Chriftians,  whom  he  mortally  hated.  There 
was  in  the  River,  between  the  befieged  Caftle  1 
and  the  oppofite  Bank,  a  little  Ifland :   Mokau^  \ 
kas  perfwades  the  Greeks  to  go  with  him  out 
of  the  Caftle  into  that  Ifland:  telling  them, 
^hat  fince  Ainrou  had  frejh  Supplies  Jcnt  him^  ' 
it  would  be  impojfible  for  them  to  defend  the  Cajlle  : 
much  lojiger-,    and  that  if  they  went  into  that  1 
If  and,   the  River  would  be  a  much  better  Secu- 
rity for  them,  than  the  Cajlle,    This  he  did  on 
purpofe  to  leave  the  Caftle  naked,   that  the  Sa- 
racens  might  take  it  the  more  eafily,  and  upon 

that 


Syriay  Perjtaj  and  JEgypt* 

that  account  grant  him  the  better  Terms,  At 
lafl  he  prevailed,  and  they  went  out  of  the 
South-Gate,  and  going  aboard  fome  little  Vef- 
fels  which  they  had  there,  they  quickly  landed 
in  the  Ifland,  having  left  only  a  few  Greeks  to 
defend  the  Caftle,  for  all  the  Cophties  went  out 
with  Mokaukas.  The  Nile  then  began  to  over- 
flow. Then  Mokaiikas  fent  Meflengers  to  Am- 
rou  with  Orders  to  this  Effed;  *' You  Arabia 
"  am  have  invaded  our  Country,  and  given  us  a 
"  great  deal  of  Trouble  and  Difturbance,  with- 
"  out  any  Provocation  on  our  Side :  And  now 
"  affure  yourfelves,  that  the  Nile  will  quickly 
**  furround  your  Camp,  and  you  will  all  fall 
"  into  our  Hands.  However,  fend  fome  body 
"to  treat  with  us,  and  let  us  know  your 
*'  Bulinefs,  and  what  you  demand;  perhaps 
"  when  we  come  to  talk  about  the  Matter, 
"  Things  may  be  fo  fettled,  as  both  Parties 
**  may  be  made  eafy,  and  a  Peace  concluded." 
Mokaukas  his  MefTengers  had  no  fooner  deli- 
vered their  Errand,  but  Amrou  difpatched  Aba- 
dah  RbhaH  Samet^  a  Black,  with  Orders  to  go 
to  Mokaukas  with  the  MefTengers,  and  tell  him 
his  Mind.  Abadah  coming  into  Mokaukas  his 
Prefence,  he  bad  him  fit  down,  and  afked  him 
what  they  (meaning  the  Arabs)  meant,  and 
what  they  would  have.  Abadah  gave  him  the 
fame  Anfwer  as  the  Saracens  always  ufed  to  do 

to 


304  The  Saracens  Conquefi  of 

Omar.  ^^  ^ll  that  afked  them  that  Queftion;  telling 
him,  T!bat  he  had  three  things  to  propofe  to  him 
by  the  Command  of  Amrou,  loho  had  received 
the  fame  Order  from  his  Majier  Omar  the  Ca- 
liph-y  viz.  That  they  JJjould  either  change  their 
Religion,  and  become  Mahometans ,  and  fo  have  a 
Right  and  Title  to  all  Privileges  in  common  with 
them-,  Or  elfe  pay  perpetual  Tribute  Tearly,  and 
fo  come  U7ider  their  Protedlion-,  Or  elfe  they  muji 
fight  it  out  till  the  Sword  decided  the  Coiitrover- 
fy  between  them,  Thefe,  as  we  have  obferved 
before,  were  the  Conditions  which  they  pro- 
pofed  to  all  People  where  they  came:  The 
propagating  their  Religion  being  to  them  a  jufl 
Occafion  of  making  War  upon  any  Nation, 
whatfoever.  To  thefe  hard  Terms  Mokaukas 
made  Anfsver,  That  as  to  the  firfi  of  them  they 
would  never  fubmit-,  but  he  and  his  Frietids  the 
Cophties  would  willingly  pay  Tribute,  The 
Greeks  obftinately  refufed  to  become  Tributa- 
ries, and  were  refolved  to  fight  it  out  to  the 
laft :  but  Mokaukas  cared  not  what  became  of 
them,  fo  he  might  fave  himfelf  and  his  Money. 
Abadah  having  finifhed  this  Bufinefs,  returned 
from  the  Caftle  to  the  Campj  and  when  he 
had  acquainted  Amrou  with  all  that  had  pafied, 
and  that  there  were  only  a  few  Greeks  in  the 
Cadle;  the  Saracens  renewed  their  Aflault,  and 
Xobair  fcaled  the  Walls,  and  cried  out,  Allah 

Acbari 


SyrlayPerfia^  and  Mgypt.  305 

Acbar,  The  Greeks  perceiving  that  the  Caftle  Omar. 
was  loft,  went  into  their  Boats  as  faft  as  they 
could,  and  efcaped  to  the  Ifland.  The  Saracens^ 
poflefTed  of  the  Caftle,  killed  and  took  Prifoners 
thofe  few  that  remained.  The  Greeks  now 
plainly  underftanding  Mokaukas  his  Fraud, 
durft  truft  themfelves  no  longer  fo  near  him^ 
but  going  aboard  their  Ships,  got  to  Shore,  and 
marched  to  Keratril  Shoraik^  a  place  between 
Cairo  and  Alexandria^  and  put  themfelves  into 
as  good  a  Pofture  of  Defence  as  they  could.  In 
the  mean  time  Mokaukas  difcourfed  with  Am- 
rou  about  the  Conditions  of  Peaces  which  were, 
That  all  the  Cophties  which  lived  both  above 
and  below  Cairo  Jhall  pay  yearly  two  Ducats, 
without  any  Difference  or  DiJiin6ion  to  be  made 
between  Rich  or  Poor-,  only  Boys  under  Jixteen 
Tears  of  Age,  decrepit  old  Men,  and  all  Women, 
were  exempted  from  paying  any  thing.  The 
Number  of  the  Cophties  which  were  then  pol- 
led, was  fix  Millions;  according  to  which  Ac- 
count, the  yearly  Tribute  of  Cair,  and  the 
neighbouring  Territory,  amounted  to  twelve 
Millions  of  Ducats.  M?^^/^;^^7i  begged  of  Am- 
rou,  that  he  might  be  always  reckoned  among 
the  Cophties,  and  taxed  as  they  were ;  declaring, 
that  he  defired  to  have  nothing  in  common 
with  the  Greeks,  for  he  was  none  of  them,  nor 
of  their  Religion;  but  had  only  for  a  while  dif- 
U  femblcd 


Hjc  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

fembled  the  Matter,  for  fear  of  his  Life;  and 
intreated  him  never  to  make  Peace  with  the 
Greeks ^  but  perfecute  them  to  Death;  and  for 
his  own  part,  he  defired  that  when  he  died,  he 
might  be  buried  in  St.  John's  Church  in  Alex- 
andria.  All  this  Amrou  promifed  to  perform, 
upon  Condition  that  the  Cophties  {hould  be 
obliged  to  entertain  any  Mujleman  whatfoever, 
who  had  occafion  to  pafs  through  the  Country, 
three  Days  gratis^  and  repair  two  Bridges  which 
were  broken,  and  prepare  Places  for  the  Enter- 
tainment of  himfelf  and  his  Army,  and  take 
care  that  the  Country  People  fhould  bring  in 
Provifion  to  be  fold  in  the  Camp,  and  clear  the 
Way  from  Cairo  to  Alexandria^  (which  he  was 
then  going  to  befiege)  building  fuch  Bridges  as 
were  neceffary  for  the  Army  to  march.  Thefe 
Terms  were  readily  accepted  by  the  Cophties^ 
who  aflifted  them  with  every  thing  they  want- 
ed. Amrou  marched  till  he  came  to  Keramo'l 
Sboraiky  where  the  Greeks  that  fled  from  Cairo 
were.  They  fought  three  Days  continually, 
but  at  laft  the  Greeks  were  forced  to  give  way. 
They  had  fome  other  Battles  before  they  came 
to  Alexandria,  in  which  the  Saracens  were  al- 
ways fuperior,  Thofe  Greeks  which  efcaped, 
retired  to  Alexandria,  where  they  made  the 
beft  preparation  they  could  for  a  Siege. 

Amrou 


SyriUy  Per^a^  and  Mgypt,  307 

Amrou  was  not  long  after  them,  but  quickly  Omar, 
came  up,  and  laid  Siege  to  the  City.  However,  '^''^ 
the  Greeks  made  a  ftout  Refinance,  and  fallied 
out  frequently,  fo  that  there  was  a  great  many 
killed  on  both  fides.  The  Saracens  at  laft  made 
a  vigorous  Attack  upon  one  of  the  Towers,  and 
entered  it  ;  the  Greeks  all  the  while  defending 
it  to  their  utmoll.  They  fought  a  confiderable 
time  in  the  Tower,  till  the  Saracens  at  laft  were 
preffed  upon  fo  hard,  that  they  were  forced  to 
retire.  In  this  Attempt,  Amrou  the  General, 
Mujlemah  Ebno'l  Mochalledy  and  Werdan^  Am^ 
rou's  Slave,were  taken  Prifoners.  3  Being  brought 
before  the  Governour,  he  afked  them  what 
they  meant  by  running  about  the  Country  after 
this  manner,  and  difturbing  their  Neighbours? 
Amrou  anfwered  according  to  the  ufual  Form, 
and  told  him,  that  they  defigned  to  make  them 
either  Muflemans  or  Tributaries  before  they 
had  done.  But  this  refolute  Anfwer  of  his  had 
like  to  have  coft  him  his  Life  ;  for  the  Gover- 
nour having  taken  notice  of  his  Behaviour,  con- 
cluded that  he  was  no  ordinary  Perfon,  and 
fpoke  to  fome  that  flood  near  him  to  cut  off 
his  Head.  JVerdan,  his  Slave,  underflood  Greek; 
and  as  foon  as  he  heard  what  the  Governour  faid,. 
took  his  Mafler  Amrou  by  the  Collar,  and  gave 

3  The  fame  Story  is  told  with  fome  Variation  ©f  Cir- 
cumftances  both  by  Elmaktn  and  Alwakidi, 

u  2  him 


JO 8  Tl^e  Saf-acem  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  ^^11"^  ^  Box  on  the  Ear  j  telling  him,  ^hat  he 
•""sT^^  ivas  always  putting  himfelf  forward^  and  f  rat- 
ijig,  when  'twould  better  beco?ne  him  to  hold  his 
Tongue  :  That  he  was  a  ??iean  contemptible  Fel- 
low,  and  that  he  would  advife  him  to  learn  more 
Man?iers^  and  let  his  Betters  /peak  before  him. 
By  this  time,  Mujlemah  Ehno'l  Mochalled  had 
bethought  himfelf,  and  told  the  Governour, 
That  their  General  had  Thoughts  of  raifing  the 
Siege :  That  Omar  the  Caliph  had  wrote  to  hijn 
touching  that  Matter  5  and  defigned  to  fend  an 
honourable  Embajfy,  confifting  of  fever al  worthy 
Perfons,  a?jd  Men  of  Note ^  to  treat  with  him 
about  Matters ;  and  if  he  plea  fed  to  let  them  go, 
they  would  acquaint  their  General  how  courteouf- 
ly  they  had  been  ufed,  and  etnploy  the  utmoft  of 
their  Endeavours  to  promote  an  Accommodation* 
He  added.  That  he  did  not  in  the  leaf  quejiion, 
tut  when  the  Caliph's  Embafadors  had  treated 
with  hiwy  things  would  be  made  very  eajy  on  both 
Sides,  and  the  Siege  fpecdily  raifed.  Our  Hifto- 
rian  tells  us,  that  this  impolitic  Governour  ob- 
ferving  how  Werdan  treated  his  Mafter,  conclud- 
ed him  to  have  been  as  mean  as  Werdan  repre- 
fented  him,  and  believed  the  Story  that  Mufe- 
viah  had  told  him,  concerning  Omars  fending 
fome  of  the  chief  Arabs  to  treat  with  him. 
Wherefore,  confidering  that  it  would  be  of 
greater  Confequence  to  kill  fix  or  ten  confide- 

rable 


Syriuy  Perjia,  and  j^gypt, 

table  Men,  than  three  or  four  of  the  vulgar  j 
he  difmiffed  thefe,  in  hopes  of  catching  the 
other.  They  were  no  fooner  out  of  Danger, 
but  they  fhouted  out  a  loud  as  they  could,  Allah 
Acbar :  And  when  the  Greeks  upon  the  Wall 
perceived  thofe  great  Tokens  of  Joy,  which 
were  fhewn  in  the  Camp  upon  their  Return, 
they  knew  very  well,  that  they  were  not  fuch 
Perfons  as  the  Governour  had  taken  them  for, 
and  too  late  repented  their  letting  them  go. 
Quickly  after,  the  Saracens  renewed  their  Af- 
fault,  and  fo  ftreightned  the  Alexandrians,  that 
they  were  not  able  to  hold  out  any  longer.  At 
laft  the  City  was  taken,  and  the  Greeks  which 
were  in  it,  were  difperfed  j  fome  confiderable 
Parties  of  them  going  up  further  into  the 
Country,  others  getting  off  to  Sea  ;  fo  that  the 
Saracens  entered,  and  ^  took  PofTeflion,  after 
they  had  befieged  it  fourteen  Months,  and  loft 
twenty-three  thoufand  Men  before  it. 

AmroUy  to  make  all  things  fecure,  and  pre- 
vent any  Alarm  or  Difturbance  which  might 
follow  5  thought  it  proper  to  fecure  thofe  Greeks^ 
which,  efcaping  from  the  Siege  of  Alexandria, 
had  gone  further  up  into  the  Country  ;  reafon- 
ably  concluding,  that  fo  long  as  there  was  any 
Body  of  them  in  Arms,  the  Saracens  could  not 
enjoy  their  new  PoffeiTions  in  Peace  and  Secu- 

I  Hrgirah  20.  A,  D.6:\0. 

u  3  fity. 


3 1  o  TT^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  rity.  He  therefore  marches  out  of  Alexandria 
^'"'^^"^  upon  this  Defign,  leaving  but  a  few  of  his  Sa^ 
raccns  behind  him  in  the  Town,  as  apprehend^ 
ing  no  Danger  on  that  fide.  During  his  Ab» 
fence,  the  Greeks  who  had  gone  aboard  their 
Ships  at  the  taking  the  Town,  and  whofe  Re- 
turn was  not  in  the  leaft  feared  or  fufpefted  \ 
came  on  a  fudden,  and  furprized  the  Town,  and 
killed  all  the  Saracens  that  were  in  it.  This 
quickly  came  to  Amroiis  Ear  j  upon  which  he 
returned  to  Alexandria  with  the  greateft:  Speed  j 
where  he  found  the  Remnant  of  the  Greeks 
which  came  back  from  Sea,  already  pofTefled  of 
tlie  Caftle.  They  gave  him  a  warm  Reception, 
and  fought  bravely  :  At  laft,  being  over- pow- 
ered, as  many  of  them  as  could  get  fairly  off, 
were  obliged  to  retire  to  their  Ships,  and  try 
their  Fortune  at  Sea  once  more,  leaving  Amrou 
and  his  Saracens  in  full  and  quiet  PoffefTion. 
This  done,  Amrou  acquaints  the  Caliph  with  his 
Succefsj  letting  him  know  withal,  that  the 
Miijlemam  were  defirous  of  plundering  the  City. 
Omar  having  received  his  Letter,  gave  him 
Thanks  for  his  Service;  but  blamed  him  for  fo 
much  as  once  mentioning  the  plundering  of  fb 
rich  a  City;  and  charged  him  ftridly,  that  he 
fi-iould  by  no  means  fuffer  the  Soldiers  to  make 
any  Wa(lc,  or  fpoil  any  thing  in  it ;  but  that 
he  fliould  carefully  treafurc  up  what  was  valu- 
able^ 


Syria^  Per/my  and  Mgypt.  311 

iable,  to  help  him  to  defray  Charges  in  the  time      Omar. 
of  War :  And  that  the  Tribute  which    was    '     ^ 
raifed  in  that  Part  of  the  Country  fhould  be  laid 
up  at  Alexandria^  to  fupply  the  Neceflities  of 
the  Mujlemans, 

Then  they  polled  the  Inhabitants  of  Alexan- 
dria \  which  being  taken,  all  ^^v/*/ followed 
the  Fortune  of  its  Metropolis^  and  the  Inhabi- 
tants compounded  for  their  Lives,  Fortunes, 
and  free  Liberty  of  living  in  the  Profefllon  of 
their  own  Religion,  at  the  Expence  of  two  Du- 
cats a  Year,  without  any  Diftindion  j  except 
any  Man  held  any  Land,  Farm  or  Vineyard. 
For  in  fuch  Cafes,  every  one  paid  proportionab- 
ly  to  the  yearly  Value  of  what  he  held.  So  that 
there  arofe  a  moft  prodigious  Revenue  to  the 
Caliph.  After  the  Saracens  were  once  arrived  to 
this  pitch,  it  is  no  wonder  if  they  went  further; 
for  what  would  not  fuch  a  Revenue  do  in  fuch 
Hands  ?  They  knew  very  well  how  to  hufband 
their  Money,  being  fumptuous  at  that  time  in 
nothing  but  their  Places  of  publick  WorQiip. 
Their  Diet  was  plain  and  fimple :  No  Wine, 
nor  any  of  thofe  Dainties,  the  Products  of  mo- 
dern Luxury,  which  fpoil  the  Stomach,  and  de- 
ftroy  Mens  Conftitutions,  appeared  upon  their 
Tables.  Their  chief  Drink  was  Water ;  their 
Food  confifted  in  a  great  meafure  in  Milk,  Rice, 
and  the  Fruits  of  the  Earth. 

u  4  The 


312  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar.  Thc  Arabians  had  as  yet  applyed  themfelves 

"^"^"^  to  no  manner  of  Learning,  nor  the  Study  of 
any  thing  but  Poetry  in  their  own  Language, 
which  they  underflood  very  well,  after  their 
way,  and  valued  themfelves  upon,  long  before 
Mahomet^  time,  being  altogether  ignorant  of 
the  Sciences,  and  every  Language  but  their  own. 
Amrou  however,  though  no  Scholar,  was  a  Man 
of  quick  Parts,  and  a  good  Capacity,  and  one 
that,  when  his  Affairs  would  give  him  leave^ 
was  more  delighted  with  the  Converfation  of 
learned  Men,  and  Rational  and  Philofophical 
Difcourfes,  than  Men  of  his  Education  common- 
ly ufed  to  be.  ^  There  was  at  that  time  in  Alex^ 
andria^  one  John,  firnamed,  T'he  Grammarian ; 
a  Man  eminent  for  Learning  >  with  whofe  Con-, 
verfation  Amrou  was  very  well  pleafed,  and 
would  oftentimes  take  delight  in  hearing  him 
difcourfe  in  feveral  Sciences,  and  a(k  him  Quefti-P 
ons.  This  Man  perceiving  the  great  Refpedk 
fhown  him  by  Amrou^  ventured  one  Day  to  pe- 
tition him  for  the  Books  in  the  Alexandrian  Li- 
brary J  telling  him,  T^hat  he  perceived  he  had 
taken  an  Account  of  all  Things  which  he  thought 
"valuable  in  the  Cit)\  and  fealed  up  all  the  Repoji- 
tories  and  Treafuries^  but  had  taken  no  jiotice  of 
the  Books.  That^  if  they  would  have  been  any  way 
ufeful  to  him,  he  would  not  have  beenfo  bold  as  to 

*  Abu'hharaglui, 

fffk 


Syria,  Per/a,  and  ^gypt. 

ajkfor  them ;  butfince  they  were  not^  he  dejired 
he  might  have  them.  Amrou  told  him,  T^hat  he 
had  dejired  a  thing  which  was  altogether  out  of 
his  Power  to  grant ;  and  that  he  could  by  no 
means  difpofe  of  the  Books,  without  having  frji 
ajked  leave  of  the  Caliph :  However,  he  faid,  he'd 
write,  and  fee  what  might  be  done  in  it.  This  he 
accordingly  performed,  and  having  given  a  due 
Character  of  the  Abilities  of  this  learned  Man, 
and  acquainted  him  v^^ith  his  Petition  3  the  Ca- 
liph returned  this  Anfwer,  What  is  contai?ied  in 
thefe  Books  you  mention,  is  either  agreeable  to  what 
is  written  in  the  Book  of  God  (meaning  the  Al- 
coran) or  it  is  not :  If  it  be,  then  the  Alcoran  is 
fiifficiejit  without  them  :  Ifotherwife,  'tis  fit  they 
Jhould  be  dejtroyed.  Amrou,  in  Obedience  to 
the  Caliph's  Command,  diftributed  the  Books 
throughout  all  the  City,  amongft  thofe  that  kept 
warm  Baths,  (of  which  there  was  at  that  time 
in  Alexandria  no  fewer  than  four  thoufand)  to 
heat  the  Baths  with.  And  notwithllanding  the 
great  Havock  that  mufi:  needs  be  made  of  them 
at  this  rate  j  the  Number  of  Books  which  the 
Diligence  of  former  Princes  had  colleded  was 
fo  great,  that  it  was  fix  Months  before  they  were 
confumed.  A  Lofs  never  to  be  made  up  to  the 
learned  World.  This  John,  the  Grammarian, 
was  an  Alexandrian  by  Birth,  of  the  Sedl  of  the 
Jacobites:  Afterwards  he  denyed  the  Trinity. 

Being 


3^4  7he  Saracem  Conqueji  of 

0:nar.      ^^ing  admoniflied  by  the  Bifhops  of  JEgypt  io 
^--v—'    renounce  his  erroneous  Opinions,  he  was,  upon 
his  Refufal,  excommunicated. 

Amrou  being  now  polTeffed  oi  JEgypt,  began 
to  look  a  little  further  towards  the  Wejlem  part 
o(  Africa-,  and  in  a  fhort  time  made  himfelf 
Mafter  of  all  that  Country  which  lies  between 
Barcah^nd.  Zeweilah  •  the  Inhabitants  of5^r- 
^     cah  bringing  in  the  Tribute  impofed  upon  them 
pundually  at  the  time  prefixed,  without  any 
Colledors  going  among  them  to  gather  it.  While 
thefe  Things  were  doing  in  Mgypt,  there  was 
a  Dearth  in  Arabia-,  (o  that  the  Inhabitants  of 
MeJwab  and  the  neighbouring  Country,  were 
reduced  to  a  flarving  Condition.   Upon  which 
Omar   wrote  to  Amrct^,  and  acquainting  him 
vvith  their  Extremity,   ordered  him  to  fupply 
the^r^^j  with  Corn  out  of  Mgypt.    Which 
Amrou  m  in  fuch  Plenty,   that  the  Train  of 
Camels  which  were  loaden  with  it,  reached  in 
a  continued  Line  from  ^gypt  to  Medi^ab-,  fo 
that  when  the  foremolt  of  them  were  got  to 
Mccii;iab,  the  latter  part  of  the  Gang  were  ftill 
in  the  Bounds  of  Mgypf.    But  this  way  of  con- 
veying their  Provifion  being  too  tedious  and 
chargeable,   the  Ca/ip/j  commanded  Amrou  to 
dig  a  PafTage  from  the  the  Ni/e  to  the  Re^  Sea, 
for  the  more  fpeedy  and  eafy  Conveyance  of 
their  Provifion  to  the  Arah'ari  Shore.    Shortly 

after 


Syriay  Perjta^  and  j^gypt, 

after  Amrou  took  I'ripoli :  And  if  we  fhould 
confider  the  Greatnefs  of  his  Succefs,  it  might 
feem  wonderful,  though  there  had  been  nothing 
done  in  any  other  Part.  But  their  victorious 
Arms  made  no  lefs  Progrefs  Eafiwardy  and  the 
Mahometan  Crefcent  began  now  to  flied  its  ma- 
lignant Influence  upon  as  large  and  confiderable 
Dominions,  as  had  ever  been  flown  over  by  the 
Roman  Eagle.  ^ About  this  time,  Aderbijdn^ 
Ainwerdah,  Harrdn^  Roha,  Rakkah,  Nifibin^ 
EhwdZy  Siwdsy  and  Cbordfan,  were  all  brought 
under  Subjedion  to  the  Saracens-,  in  which 
Conquefts  there  were,  without  doubt,  a  great 
many  noble  Anions  performed,  and  well  worth 
the  relating;  but  the  particular  Hiftory  of  that 
part  of  their  Conquefts  not  being  yet  come  into 
my  Hands,  the  Reader  is  delired  to  excufe  me. 
About  two  Years  after,  Omar  the  Caliph  was 
killed.  The  Account  we  have  of  it  is  this : 
There  was  one  Phirouz,  a  Ferfian^  of  the  Sedt 
of  the  Magiy  or  Perfees ;  who  having,  as  being 
of  a  different  Religion  from  the  Mujlemans^  a 
Tribute  of  two  Pieces  of  Silver  impofed  upon 
him  daily  by  his  Mafter,  made  his  Complaint  to 
Omar,  to  have  fome  part  of  it  remitted.  Omar 
told  him,  he  did  not  think  it  at  all  unreafonable 
confidering  he  might  well  afford  it  out  of  what 
he  earned.    Phirouz  was  fo  provoked  with  this 

3  Heglrahii,  A.D,  64.I. 

Anfwer, 


^ha  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Anfwer,  that  he  did  as  good  as  threaten  the 
Caliph  to  his  Face ;  but  he  took  little  notice  of 
it.  Not  long  after,  he  waited  his  Opportunity ; 
and  whilft  Omar  was  faying  the  Morning  Prayer 
in  the  Mofque,  he  ftabbed  him  thrice  in  the 
Belly  with  a  Dagger.  '^The  Saracein  in  the 
Mofque  immediately  rufhing  upon  him,  he 
made  a  defperate  Defence,  and  ftabbed  thirteen 
of  them,  of  which  feven  died.  At  laft,  one  that 
ftood  by,  threw  his  Veft  over  him,  and  feized 
him  :  He  perceiving  himfelf  caught,  ftabbed 
himfelf.  Omar  lived  three  Days  after  it,  and 
then  died,  in  the  Month  Diilhagjaht  in  the 
twenty  third  Year  of  the  Hegirah ;  ( which 
Year  began  on  the  eighteenth  Day  of  Novem- 
ber^ in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  fix  hundred  and 
forty  three.  5)  after  he  had  reigned  ten  Years, 
fix  Months,  and  eight  Days,  and  was  fixty  three 
Years  old  j  which  is  the  fame  Age,  at  which, 
according  to  fome  ^Authors,  Mahomet^  Abuhe- 
ker^  and  A^ejha^  Mahomet's  Wife  died. 

He  was  of  a  dark  Complexion,  very  tall,  and 
had  a  bald  head.  As  to  his  Behaviour  in  the 
Government,  the  Arabic k  Authors  give  him  an 
extraordinary  Charader.  His  Abftinence  from 
the  Things  of  this  Life,   Piety  and  Gravity  of 

*  Jhned  Ebn  Mohammed  Ehn  Abdi  Rabh'ihi.  MS.  Arab. 
Huntington  Num.  554.  *  A.D.  643.  "^  Piillory 

oi  the  Holy  Land,  MS.  Arab.  Poc.  Num.;262. 


Syria^  Perjiay  and  ^gypt. 

Behaviour,  procured  him  more  Reverence,  than 
his  SuccefTors  could  command  by  their  Gran- 
deur. His  Walking-Stick  (fays  TAlwdkidi)  ftruck 
more  Terror  into  thofe  that  were  prefent,  than 
another  Man's  Sv^^ord.  His  Diet  was  Barley- 
Bread  ;  his  Sauce,  Salt  j  and  oftentimes  by  way 
of  Abftinence  and  Mortification,  he  eat  his 
Bread  without  Salt.  His  Drink  was  Water.  He 
was  a  conftant  Obferver  of  religious  Duties  ; 
and  in  thofe  ten  Years  he  reigned,  went  nine 
times  on  Pilgrimage  to  Medinah.  His  Admi- 
niflration  of  Jujiice  was  very  impartial,  his 
Ears  being  always  open  to  the  Complaints  of 
the  Meaneft  j  nor  could  the  Greatnefs  of  any 
Offender  exempt  him  from  Punifhment.  In  his 
Decilions  he  always  kept  pundtually  to  the 
Senfe  of  the  Alcoran^  and  the  Traditions  o^  Ma- 
homet ;  in  whofe  Time  he  gave  a  fignal  Proof 
of  the  Senfe  he  had  of  the  Duty  of  Inferiors 
to  their  Governours,which  was  occalioned  thus. 
^An  obftinate  Mufleman  had  a  Suit  at  Law 
with  a  Jew  before  Mahomet.  The  Jew  being 
in  the  right,  Mahomet  pronounced  Sentence  a- 
gainft  the  Mufleman ;  who  faid,  Hhat  he  would 
not  be  Jo  fatisfyed^  unlefs  Omar,  who  was  then 
only  a  priijate  Man,  had  the  rehearing  and  ex- 
amining the  Caufe,  The  Plaintiff  and  Defen- 
dant went  both  together  to  Omar  j  whom  they 

7  Ahvakidi,        *  D*Herhelot  Bibliotheque  Orientale. 

found 


3 1 8  *The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Omar,  found  at  his  own  Door  and  opening  their  Cafe, 
^''**'  and  acquainting  him  with  the  decifion  of  it,  de- 
fined him  to  examine  it  again.  Omar  going  into 
his  own  Houfe,  bad  them  flay  a  Moment,  and 
told  them  he  would  difpatch  their  Bulinefs  in  a 
trice.  Coming  back,  he  brings  his  Cymiter  a- 
long  with  him,  and  at  one  fingle  Stroke  cuts  off 
the  Miijleman's  Head,  that  refufed  to  be  deter- 
mined by  Mahomet' %  Decifion;  faying,  with  a 
loud  Voice,  See  what  they  deferve,  who  will  not 
acqidejce  in  the  Determi?jation  of  their  Judges, 
It  was  upon  this  Occafion  that  Mahomet^  in-  '-•. 
formed  of  the  Fadl,  gave  him  the  Tide  or  Sir- 
name  q{ Farouk',  intimating,  that  Omar  knew  as 
well  how  to  diftinguifli  Truth  from  Falfhood, 
and  Juftice  from  Injuftice,  as  he  did  to  feparatc 
the  Head  of  that  Knave  from  his  Body. 

The  Conquefts  gained  by  the  Saracens  in  his 
Reign  were  fo  confiderable,  that  though  they 
had  never  been  extended  any  further,  the  Coun- 
tries they  had  fubdued  would  have  made  a  very 
formidable  Empire.  He  drove  all  the  Jews  and 
Chrijliam  out  oi  Arabia-^  fubdued  Syria ^  /Egypt y 
and  other  Territories  in  Africa-,  befides  the 
greateft  part  of  Perfa,  And  yet  all  this  Great- 
rief%  which  would  have  been  too  weighty  for 
an  ordinary  Man  to  have  born,  efpecially  if  we 
confider,  that  it  did  not  defcend  to  them  as  an 
hereditary  PofTefHon,  for  the  ruling  of  which 

they 


Syria^Perfia^  and  j^gypt.  319 

they  had  been  prepared  by  a  fuitable  Education,  Omar, 
but  was  gotten  all  on  a  fudden  by  Men  that  had  '^ '>''^^ 
been  acquainted  with  nothing  Great  before,  had 
no  Effedt  upon  the  Caliph  ;  but  he  ftill  retained 
his  old  Way  of  Living  ;  Nor  did  the  Increafe 
of  his  Riches  ever  appear  by  his  Retinue  or  Ex- 
pences.  He  built  a  Wall  about  Cufa^  and  re- 
paired, or  rebuilt  rather,  the  Temples  of  yeru- 
falem  and  Medinah,  He  was  the  firft  of  the  Sa^ 
racem^  that  made  Rolls  to  enter  the  Names  of 
all  that  were  in  military  Service,  or  that  re- 
ceived any  Stipend  from  the  Publick.  He  firft 
made  ufe  of  the  Date  of  the  Hegirah ;  con- 
cerning which  the  Reader  may  fee  more  in  the 
^Life  c/'Mahomet,  which  I  {hall  not  here  tran- 
fcribe.  He  was  the  firft  of  them  that  forbad 
that  any  Woman,  who  had  ever  born  a  Child, 
Ihould  be  fold  for  a  Slave.  The  Author  of  the 
Hiftory  of  Jerufalem,  abovementioned,  adds, 
^hat  if  he  had  nothing  elfe  to  recommejid  him  be- 
Jides  his  Taking  Jerulalem,  and  purging  it  from 
Idolatry^  en^en  that  had  beenjuficient. 

He  never  ufed  to  fave  any  Money  in  the 
Treafury,  but  divided  it  every  Friday  at  Night 
amongft  his  Man,  according  to  their  feveral  Ne- 
ceffities.  In  which  Particular,  his  Pradice  was 
preferable  to  Abubeker'^ ;  for  Abubeker  ufed  to 
proportion  his  Dividends  to  the  Merit  of  the 

*  Dr.  Fridsaux\  Life  oi  Mahomet ^  pag.  76. 

Perfons 


H^e  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Perfons  that  were  to  receive  it ;  but  Omar  had 
regard  only  to  their  NecefTities  j  faying,  T^hat 
the  Things  of  this  World  were  given  us  by  God 
for  the  Relief  of  our  NeceJJities,  and  not  for  the 
Reward  of  Virtue -y  becaufe  the  proper  Reward 
of  that  belonged  to  another  JVorld, 


OTHMAN 


Syria^  Perjia^  and  Mgypt.  321 


OTHMAN  EBN  AFFAN, 

Third  Caliph  after  MAHOMET, 

IN  the  Space  of  thofe  three  Days  which  Omar  Otbman. 
lived,  after  he  had  received  his  mortal 
*  Wound,  his  Friends  came  about  him,  foilicit- 
ing  him  to  make  his  Will,  and  name  a  Suc- 
ceflbr.  To  which  he  anfwered,  That  if  Salem 
were  alive,  he  fhould  approve  of  none  To  well 
as  him.  Then  they  named  feveral  to  him,  but 
he  ftill  found  fome  Fault  or  other  with  all  they 
propofed.  Some  recommended  AH,  upon  the 
Account  of  his  near  Relation  to  Mahomet ;  be- 
fides  his  Valour  and  other  Qualifications :  But 
Omar  did  not  think  him  ferious  enough  for  fuch 
a  weighty  Charge.  Then  Othman  Ebn  Affdn 
being  named,  Omar  rejeded  him,  as  a  Perfon 
too  much  inclined  to  favour  his  own  Friends 
and  Relations.  When  they  perceived  that  it  was 

■  Heglrah  23.  Which  Year  beginning  on  the  eighteenth 
of  November,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  643.  The  greateft 
part  of  it  anfwers  to  the  Year  644. 

X  im- 


The  Saracens  Co?jqueJi  of 
impoflible  for  them  to  pitch  upon  any  Perfon, 
againft  whom  he  would  not  make  an  Excep- 
tion 3  they  had  good  Reafon  to  think,  that  this 
proceeded  from  a  Defire  that  his  Son  (hould 
fucceed  him.  But  his  Son  being  mentioned  to 
him,  he  anfwered.  That  it  was  e?iough  for  one 
in  a  Family,  to  have  an  Account  to  give  of  fi 
weighty  a  Charge,  as  the  Governing  the  Mujle- 
?nans  was.  At  laft",  when  they  could  not  per- 
fwade  him  to  name  a  SucceiTor,  he  appointed 
fix  Perfons,  to  whom  he  allowed  three  Days 
time  to  confult  about  the  Matter,  after  his  De- 
ceafe.  He  ordered  his  Son  to  be  prefent  whilft 
they  debated,  but  gave  him  no  Liberty  of  Vot- 
ing. The  fix  Commiflioners  were  Othman,  Ali^ 
Telhha,  Azzobeir,  "^Abdorrahmdn  Ebn  Auf  and 
SaedEbn  Abi  Wakkds  j  All  which  had  been  the 
familiar  Acquantance  and  Companions  of  Ma- 
hornet.  Omar  being  dead,  they  met  to  confult ; 
and  Abddrrahndn  faid,  That  for  his  part  he 
would  willingly  lay  afide  all  Fretenjions  to  it,  pro- 
*iyided  they  would  agree  to  chufe  one  of  thofe  that 
were  prefent.  All  of  them  confented  to  it  but 
AH,  who  thought  himfelf  injured,   becaufe  he 

"^  Abu'lpharagtus,  inftead  of  thb  Abdo^rrahmCm  puts  in 
Abu  Obeidah  ;  but  I  have  chofen  rather  to  follow  Eutych'ms 
and  Elmokin-,  becaufe  there  are  more  Authors  than  one, 
who  fay  pofitively  that  Abu  Obeidah  died  of  the  Plague  in 
Syria,  in  the  eighteenth  Year  of  the  Hegirah. 

was 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  Mgypt, 
was  not  the  immediate  Succeffor  of  Mahomet^ 
At  laft  he  confented  toOj  after  Abdorrahmdn 
had  fworn  to  him,  that  he  would  neither  vote 
for,  nor  favour  any  Man  whatfoever  that  (hould 
offer  himfelf.  Ahdorrahmdn^  upon  this,  advifes 
with  the  reft,  who  inchning  to  Othman  Ehn 
Affdn,  he  was  chofen  Caliph^  and  inaugurated 
3  three  Days  after  Omars  Death.  Abii'lpharagius 
fays,  that  Abu  Obeidah  (whom  he  puts  in  the 
Room  of  AbdoWrahmd)!)  came  to  Ali^  and  afk- 
ed  him.  If  he  would  take  the  Go'vernment  upon 
him,  upon  Condition  that  he  fiould  be  obliged  to 
adminifier  accordifjg  to  what  was  contained  in  the 
Book  of  God,  "The  Tradition  of  his  Prophet, 
and  the  Determination  of  two  Seniors.  AH  an- 
fwered,  ^hat  as  for  the  Book  of  God,  ajid  the 
Tradition  of  his  Prophet,  he  was  contented ;  but 
he  would  not  be  obliged  to  be  determined  by  the 
Conjiitutions  of  the  Seniors.  The  fame  Terms 
being  offered  to  Othman,  he  embraced  them 
without  Exception,  and  was  immediately  chofen 
Caliph. 

Being  eftabliftied  in  the  Government,  he  fol- 
lows the  Example  of  his  Predeceffors,  and  fends 
his  Forces  abroad,  to  enlarge  his  Dominions. 

"^  There  is  fome  Variety  in  the  Accounts  of  tiie  time  of 
Othman's  Inauguration.  Some  fay  there  was  but  one  Day 
left  of  the  laft  Month  in  the  twenty-third  Year  of  the  He- 
girah.  Others  fay  it  was  on  the  twentieth  Day  of  the  firit 
Month  {Moharram)  of  the  twenty-fourth  Year. 

X  2  In 


7^^  Saracens  Conqueft  of 

In  a  fhort  time  MahoH  Bafora,  and  what  re- 
mained of  the  Borders  of  Ifphahdn  and  Raya 
was  taken  ;  fo  that  the  poor  Ferfian  King  was 
now  eaten  up  on  all  Sides,  and  had  very  little 
left  him.  The  fame  Year  that  Othman  was 
made  Caliph^  Blrah  and  Hamden  were  taken, 
and  Moawiyah,  who  was  then  Prefect  of  Syria^ 
and  afterwards  Caliph^  invaded  the  Territories 
of  the  Grecian  Emperor,  took  a  great  many 
Towns,  and  wafted  the  Country. 

We  have  obferved  before,  that  Othman  was  , 
taken  notice  of,  for  being  too  much  inclined  to 
favour  his  Friends )  Upon  which  Account  Omar 
judged  him  unworthy  to  fucceed  him  :  Which 
Inclination  now  appeared  plainly,  when  he  had 
got  the  Government  into  his  Hands,  and  was 
in  a  Capacity  of  obliging  them.  For  notwith- 
flanding  Amrou  Ebtiol  Ads  had  done  the  ^ara^ 
cem  fuch  fingular  Service,  and  added  Mgypt  to 
their  Empire,  yet  Othman  ^  depofed  him,  and 
took  away  his  Prsefecture,  or  Lieutenancy  of 
Mgypt,  from  him,  without  any  juft  Reafon  at 
all  that  ever  I  could  learn  ;  but  only  becaufe  he 
had  a  mind  to  prefer  Abdo'Uah  Ebn  Said,  his 
Fofter-Brother,  to  a  Place  of  fuch  Dignity  and 
Profit :  Than  which,  there  could  fcarce  be  a 
greater  Imprudence  j  for  Amrou,  having  been  a 
confiderable  time  in  Mgypt,  had  made  both  the 

'  A.H.  25.  oa.27.  AD. 645. 

Per- 


Syria^  Perjta^  and  Mgypt. 

Perfons  and  the  Cuftoms  of  the  /Egyptiam  fa- 
miliar to  him,  and  was  very  well  beloved  by 
them :  Upon  which  Account,  and  his  admirable 
Skill  in  military  Affairs,  he  was,  without  doubt, 
the  fitteft  Man  for  fuch  a  Charge,  that  the  Sa- 
racens had.  However,  the  Order  of  the  Caliph 
muft  be  obeyed  ;  but  it  was  not  attended  with 
very  good  Succefs.  For  Conjiantine^  the  Gre- 
cian Emperor,  fent  one  Manuel,  an  Eunuch, 
with  an  Army,  to  retake  Alexandria  -,  which 
was  accordingly  performed  by  the  Affiftance  of 
the  Greeks  in  the  City ;  who  keeping  fecret 
Correfpondence  with  the  Emperor's  Army,  then 
at  Sea,  received  them  at  their  landing ;  and  Alex- 
andria, which  Amrou  had  taken  four  Years  be- 
fore, was  now  once  more  in  the  Hands  of  the 
Grecian  Emperor.  And  now  it  was  evidently 
feeri  of  what  Ufe  Amrou  was  in  Mgypf.  He  was 
immediately  reftored  to  his  former  Dignity ;  for 
the  /Egyptians,  confcious  to  themfelves  of  deal- 
ing treacheroufly  with  the  Emperor,  fearing, 
left  falling  into  the  Hands  of  the  Grecians,  they 
ihould  be  punifhed  according  to  their  Deferts, 
humbly  petitioned  the  Caliph,  that  they  might 
have  their  old  General  Amrou  reftored,  both 
upon  the  account  of  his  being  well  acquainted 
with  the  State  of  that  Kingdom,  and  his  Expe- 
rience in  War.  This  was  no  fooner  alked,  than 
granted  -,  the  Exigency  of  Affairs  indifpenfably 
X3  re- 


iToe  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

requiring  it.    Amrou  being  now  in  full  Power, 
goes    againft    Alexandria  with  his   Army,    in 
which   were  a  great  many   CophtieSy    and  a- 
mong  them  the  Traitor  Mokaiikas,  whofe  Bu(i- 
nefs  it  was  to  provide  things  necefTary  for  the 
Army  in  their  March.   Amrou  being  come  be- 
fore Alexandria^  found  the  Greeks   in  a   good 
Pofture  of  Defence.  They  gave  him  Battle  fe- 
veral  Days  together,  and  held  out  bravely.  The 
Obftinacy  of  their  Defence  provoked  him  fo, 
that  he  fwore.  If  God  gave  him  the  ViBory,    he 
ivould  pull  down  the  JValh  of  the  Town^  afidrnake 
it  as  eafy  of  Accefs  as  a  Bawdy-houfe.     He  was 
as  good  as  his  Word  j    for  when  he  had  taken 
the  Town,  which  was  not  long  after,  he  demo- 
lifhed  all  the  Walls  and  Fortifications,  and  en- 
tirely difmantlcd  it.    However,   he  dealt  very 
mercifully  with  the  Inhabitants,  and   faved  as 
many  of  their  Lives  as  he  could.    And  built  a 
Mofqiie  in  that  very  Place,  where  he  flayed  the 
Fury  of  the  Saracens^  who  were  killing  all  they 
met;   which  Mofque  was  upon   that  Account 
called,  ^  ^he  Mojque  of  Mercy.  Ma?iuel^  the  Gre^ 
dan  Emperor's  General,  being  quite  routed,  rc^ 
tired,  with  fo  many  of  his  Men  as  he  could  car- 
ry off,  to  the  Sea-lliore :  where  weighing  An- 
chor with  all  polTiblc  fpeed,  they  hoifted  Sail, 
and  returned  to  Conftantinople.   From  that  time, 
that  moft  flourifliing  City,  once  the  Metropolis 

*  4^(ih.  "JamVorrahhrnaii, 

of 


Synaj  Per/ta,  and  ^gypt. 

oi  Mgypt^  dwindled  away  and  declined  a- pace; 
fo  that  there  is  little  belonging  to  it  that  is  worth 
taking  notice  of,  only  a  good  Haven,  and  fome 
Merchants  Store-houfes. 

3  About  this  time,  Moawiyah  invaded  Cyprus^ 
and  agreed  with  the  Inhabitants  upon  this  Con- 
dition, That  he  fhould  fliare  the  Revenues  of 
that  Ifland  with  the  Grecian  Emperor.  So  that 
the  Cypriatts  were  obliged  to  pay  feven  thoufand 
and  two  hundred  Ducats  every  Year  to  Moawi- 
yah, and  the  like  Sum  to  the  Emperor.  ThtMa^ 
hometans  enjoyed  this  Tribute  near  two  Years, 
a«d  were  then  dirpoffeffed  by  the  Chriftians. 

The  fame  Year  that  Moawiyah  agreed  with 
the  Cyprians,  Othman  fent  Abdo'llah  Ebn  Amir 
and  Said  Ebno'l  Ads  to  invade  Chord/an ;  and, 
to  encourage  their  Diligence,  told  them,  That 
which  of  them  foever  got  thither  Jirjl^  fhould  have 
the  FrefeBure  of  that  territory.  They  took 
a  great  many  flrong  Places,  and  fo  ftreightened 
Tazdejerd,  the  Terfian  King,  that  he  was  now 
fo  far  from  being  able  to  meet  the  Saracens  in 
open  Field,  that  he  was  forced  to  fhift  about 
every  way  to  fave  himfelf.  And  left  any  Mis- 
fortune fliould  be  wanting  to  compleat  his  Ruin, 
he  was  at  laft  betrayed  by  a  treacherous  Servant ; 
an  Unhappininefs  which  frequently  happens  to 
Princes  in  Diftrefs :   For  thofe  who  have  any 

3  Hegirah  27.  Oaob.  6.  A.  D.  647. 

X  4  private 


'3;28  iToe  Saracens  Conqueji  of 

Othn  n.  private  Pique  againft  them,  take  the  Opportu- 
nity offered  by  their  Misfortunes  of  being  re- 
venged :  Others,  hoping  to  ingratiate  themfelves 
with  the  conquering  Party,  ftick  to  do  nothing 
that  will  oblige  them,  though  to  the  utter  Ruin 
of  their  former  Mafters. 

For  Tazdejerdy  diftreffed  on  every  Side,  call- 
ed in  Tarchdfjy  the  Turk,  to  his  Afliftance,  who 
came  accordingly  with  an  Army.  But  their 
Stay  was  fhort,  for  Tazdejerd^  upon  a  frivolous 
Account,  affronted  Tarchdn,  and  fent  bim  back 
again:  Imprudently  done  in  thofe  defperate  Cir- 
cum (lances.  He  had  aded  a  much  wifer  Part, 
in  putting  up  a  great  many  little  Affronts,  ra- 
ther than  fend  away  thofe  Allies,  which  he 
could  not  fubfifl  without.  Mahwa^  a  Perfon  of 
Note,  who  had  a  fpite  againft  his  Mafter  Tazde- 
jerdy  takes  the  Advantage  of  the  Turk's  Indig- 
nation, who  highly  refented  the  Affront,  and 
fends  to  Tarchdn^  telling  him,  T^hat  if  he  would 
come  back  and  revenge  the  Affront ^  he  would  not 
be  wanting  to  his  Affijiance.  Upon  this  Tarchdn  jj 
returns  ;  Tazdejerd  meets  him  with  the  befl 
Preparation  he  could  make  j  but  was  beaten. 
In  his  Flight,  theTraytor  Mahwa  fets  upon  him, 
and  quite  deftroys  and  difperfes  the  fhattered 
Remains  of  his  Army  which  hadefcaped.  27/2;- 
dejerd  got  off  himfelf,  and  coming  to  a  Mill, 
proffered  the  Miller  his  Belt,  his  Bracelets,  and 

his 


Syriay  Perfia^  and  JEgypt, 
his  Ring :  But  this  churliih  Brute,  not  confi- 
dering  the  Worth  of  the  Things  which  were 
offered  him,  much  lefs  the  CompaiTion  which 
Humanity  obliges  us  to  (how  to  all  in  Diftrefs, 
Specially  our  Princes,  told  him,  nat  he  earned 
four  "Pieces  of  Silver  with  his  Mill  every  Day^ 
and  if  he  would  give  him  fo  much  Money,  he 
would  let  it  Jiand  Jiill  upon  his  Account:  If  not  ^ 
he  would  720t.  Whilft  they  were  debating  this 
Matter,  a  Party  of  Horfe,  which  were  in  fearch 
of  him,  happened  to  come  to  this  Place,  where 
they  found  him,  and  killed  him.  He  was  the 
laft  King  of  the  Ferjians  3  and  at  the  Beginning 
of  his  Reign,  the  Perjian  Mra^  or  Date,  which 
they  ufe  to  this  Day,  begins  5  which  is  from  him 
called  Tazdejerdica.  Thus  the  P  erf  an  Govern- 
ment was  entirely  deftroyed,  and  all  the  Terri- 
tories belonging  to  it  fell  into  the  Hands  of  the 
Caliph' %  in  the  Thirty  firfl  Year  of  the  ^Hegirah, 
which  began  on  the  Twenty  third  Day  q{  Au- 
guji,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  651. 

OTHMAN,  though  a  religious  Man  in  his 
Way,  and  of  a  good  Difpofition,  was  neverthe- 
lefs  very  unfit  for  Government  3  for  he  did  a 
great  many  very  impolitick  Things,  which  alie- 
nated the  Minds  of  his  Subjeds  from  him,  and 
gave  Occafion  to  his  Enemies  both  to  open  their 
Mouths  and  take  up  Arms  againft  him.   The 

*  Hegirah  21.  Aug.  23.  A.D.  651. 

firft 


330  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Othman.  fofl  that  we  hear  of,  who  began  to  make  a  Stir, 
and  talk  publickly  againft  the  Caliph^  was  one 
Ahudar  Alacddi^  who,  in  the  3 1  ft  Year  of  the 
Hegirah^  openly  railed  at  him,  and  made  it 
his  Bufinefs  to  defame  him.  Othman  took  no 
other  notice  of  it,  than  only  to  forbid  him  com- 
ing into  his  Prefence.  Upon  this,  Abudar  goes 
into  Syria^  where  he  continued  detrading  from 
the  Caliph,  and  aggravating  every  Thing  that 
might  be  objeded  againft  him.  Moawiyah,  at 
that  time  Lieutenant  oi Syria ^  wrote  to  Othman-, 
who  thereupon  fent  for  Abudar  to  Medinah,  ^ 
and  put  him  into  Prifon  j  in  which  he  continued 
till  his  Death,  which  was  but  the  Year  after. 

But  this  was  only  the  Beginning  of  Troubles 
to  the  Caliph ;  for  the  Saracais  grew  every  Day 
vvorfe  than  other.  Fadious  and  uneafy  Spirits, 
when  once  they  begin  to  difturb  any  Govern- 
ment, never  reft  till  they  be  either  entirely 
cruihed  themfelves,  or  elfe  obtain  their  Ends. 

*  Arab.  Faraddaho'l Mureidah,  The  Difficulty  lies  in  the 
word  Muretdah :  Erpenius  in  his  Tianflation  of  Elmakin 
makes  a  proper  Name  of  it  ;  and  fo  it  muft  be  read  thusj 
And  fent  him  to  Ahiiureidah.  But  I  very  much  doubt  it ; 
for  1  find  no  fuch  Place  in  the  Dominions  of  the  Saracens. 
i  ratjier  chufe  to  read  it,  Merhadah  from  Rahada^  which 
fignifies,  to  bind;  or  rejiain  ;  from  whence  Merbadah  will 
fignify  the  Place  of  Reftraint ;  i.e.  a  Prifon.  This  fecms 
to  me  to  be  moft  agreeable  to  the  Senfe  of  the  Author,  and 
1  take  the  Liberty  to  recede  from  the  common  Reading, 
ithe  rather  becaufe  Erpenius  followed  a  very  faulty  Copy. 

The 


Syriay  Perfta^  and  Mgypt.  331 

The  murmuring  encreafed  daily,  and  almoft  Othman^ 
every  Province  in  the  Empire  had  fomething 
or  other  to  complain  of,  peculiar  to  it  felf,  be- 
fides  thofe  Grievances  v^^hich  v^ere  common  to 
them  all ;  fo  that  in  the  *  five  and  thirtieth 
Year  of  the  Hegirah,  all  Things  v^'ere  in  a 
Flame.  Every  Man's  Mouth  was  full  of  grie- 
vous Accufations  againft  the  Caliph^  and  Com- 
plaints of  his  Male-Adminiftration.  Thofe 
Things  which  they  principally  laid  to  his  Charge, 
were  ;  "  That  he  had  recalled  Hhakem  Ebno'l 
**  Ads  to  Medhiah^  who  had  been  banifhed  by 
"  the  Prophet,  and  had  not  been  recalled  by 
"  either  of  his  Predeceffors,  Abubeker  or  Omar, 
**  That  he  removed  Said  Ebn  Abi  Wakkds  one 
"  of  thofe  fix  to  whom  Omar  had  committed 
"  the  Elediion  of  a  Caliph  from  his  Prefedure, 
**  and  put  in  another  Man  of  fcandalous  Conver- 
"  fation,  a  Drinker  of  Wine,  and  notorious  for 
*'  other  Debaucheries.  That  he  had  been  too 
■  ^  lavifli  of  the  Publick  Treafure  to  his  Friends, 
"  and  had  given  AbdoHlah  four  hundred  thou- 
"  fand  Ducats  and  Hhakem  one  hundred  thou- 
"  fand.  That  he  had  removed  Amrou  EbnolAds 
"  from  the  Lieutenancy  o^  JEgypt,  and  put  Said 
''  Ebn  Abi  Sbdrehh  into  his  Place."  This  Said 
had  been  one  of  thofe  that  had  helped  to  write 
the  Alcoran^  and  afterwards  apoflatiz'd  and  left 

*  Hegirah  35.  July  lO.  655, 

the 


The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

the  Profeflion  of  Mahometanifm  :  Whereupon 
Mahomet  refolved  to  kill  him  when  he  took 
M'xcahy  which  was  in  the  eighth  Year  of  the 
Hegirah  j  but  at  Othmafis  Intreaty,  fpared  his 
Life,  and  was  content  to  baniOi  him.  "  That 
*'  when  he  was  firfl  made  Caliph y  he  prefumed 
"  to  fit  upon  the  uppermoft  part  of  the  Sug- 
"  gejium  or  Pulpit,  where  Mahomet  himfelf  ufed 
"  to  fit ;  whereas  Abubeker  always  fat  one  Step 
•'  lower,  and  Omar  two."  Thefe  and  a  great 
many  other  things  made  the  People  murmur  at 
him.  At  laft,  in  a  publick  Aflembly,  he  told 
them  from  the  Pulpit,  "  That  the  Money  which 
**  was  in  the  Treafury  was  facred,  and  belong- 
*'  ed  to  God  -,  and  that  he  [as  being  the  Succef- 
**  for  of  the  Prophet]  would  difpofe  of  it  to 
*'  whomfoever  he  thought  fit,  in  fpight  of  them; 
**  and  threatened  and  curfed  whofoever  fhould 
*'  fliow  any  Didike  of  what  he  had  faid."  Am- 
mar  Ebn  Tafer  declared  that  he  difliked  it.  Up- 
on which  Othman  commanded  him  to  be  beaten^ 
and  immediately  fome  that  flood  by,  fell  upon 
him,  and  beat  him  till  he  fwooned.  This  fort 
of  Treatment  fo  incenfed  the  Arabs,  that  they 
gathered  together,  took  Arms,  and  encamped 
within  a  League  oi  Medinah.  From  their  Camp 
they  fent  an  infolent  Meffage  to  the  Caliph^  de- 
manding of  him,  either  to  do  that  which  was 
right  and  jufl,   (/.  e.  what  they  thought  fo)   or 

or 


Syria^  Perjia^  and ^gypt.  333 

or  elfe  refign  the  Government.  The  poor  Ca-  Othman. 
liph  would  now  have  done  any  thing  with  all 
his  Heart,  to  have  been  at  quiet.  But  this  is 
obfervable,  that  the  Rilings  of  feditious  Subjeds 
are  not  to  be  laid  by  complying  with  their  De- 
mands, for  the  more  is  granted  by  the  Prince  in 
fuch  Circumftances,  the  more  they  crave.  He 
goes  into  the  Pulpit  which  was  in  the  Mofque  at 
Medinah,  and  there  folemnly  before  the  whole 
Congregation,  calls  God  to  witnefs,  that  he  was 
heartily  forry  for  what  was  paft,  and  that  he  re- 
pented. But  all  to  no  purpofe  5  for  by  this  time 
all  the  Provinces  were  in  an  uproar,  and  the 
Strength  of  the  Rebels  encreafed  daily.  There 
were  few  Provinces  but  what  fent  fome  confi- 
derable  Men,  who  met  together  at  Medinah,  to 
depofe  Othman :  Make  Alajhtar  brought  two 
hundred  Men  with  him  from  Cufa\  there  came 
one  hundred  and  fifty  from  Bafora  ;  fix  hundred 
from  /Egypt ^  all  upon  this  Occafion.  The  Ca- 
liph being  now  in  great  Perplexity,  fent  Mogei- 
rah  Ebn  Shabah,  and  Amrou  Ebno'l  Ads^  to  treat 
with  the  Malecontents,  and  endeavour  to  per- 
fwade  them  to  be  determined  by  the  Alcoran 
and  the  Stmnk  j  that  is,  the  Traditions  of  Ma- 
homet J  but  they  had  very  little  Thanks  for  their 
Pains,  for  the  Rebels  ufed  them  fcurvily.  Then 
he  fent  AH  to  them,  (who  ever  fince  the  Death 
of  Mahomet  had  expected  to  be  Caliph^  and  had  a 

very 


The  Sarace?2s  Conqueji  of 

very  confiderable  Party)  him  they  received  with 
more  Reverence,  and  he  bound  himfelf  to  fee 
that  all  that  Othtnan  promifed  them  fliould  be 
performed  j  and  to  make  them  the  more  cafy, 
Othman  and  Alt  fet  both  their  Hands  to  a  Paper, 
in  which  they  promifed  to  remove  the  Caufes  of 
their  Grievances.  Then  the  JEgyptiam  demand- 
ed to  have  Abdo'llah  Ebn  Said  removed  from 
the  Lieutenancy  of  Mgypt^  and  Mahammed,  the 
Son  of  Abubeker,  put  in  his  Room  :  Which 
Othman  readily  complied  with,  and  figned  his 
Commiffion.  This  Condefcenfion  of  the  Caliph^ 
feemingly  fatistied  them  pretty  well  j  fo  that 
the  Parties  were  diffolved,  and  every  Man  re- 
turned to  his  own  Country.  The  Storm  feemed 
to  be  blown  over,  and  any  Man  would  have 
thought  that  the  Caliph  had  no  reafon  to  doubt 
of  going  to  the  Grave  in  Peace.  But  what  will 
not  Treachery  do  ?  There  was  nothing  omitted 
by  the  Caliph's  Enemies,  which  might  foment 
thefe  Prejudices  in  the  People,  that  they  had  al- 
ready conceived  againil  hiin.  Aye/fja^  Mahomet^ 
Widow,  was  his  mortal  Enemy.  Certainly  it 
would  much  better  have  become  one  that  pre- 
tended to  have  been  the  Wife  of  an  infpired 
Prophet,  to  have  fpent  the  Days  of  her  Widow- 
hood in  Devotion  and  good  Works,  rather  than 
in  doing  Mifchief,  and  embroiling  the  State. 
But  fhe  was  fo  prejudiced  in  Favour  of  Telba 

the 


Syrtay  Perfiuy  and  jEgypt, 

the  Son  of  ZobetVy  whom  {he  would  fain  have 
raifed  to  the  Dignity  of  Caliphy  that  no  Confi- 
deration  of  Goodnefs  or  Decency  could  hinder 
her  from  defigning  the  Death  of  Othman.  Ano- 
ther of  his  greateft  Enemies  was  Mahomet ^  Abu- 
beker^  Son,  the  fame  whom  the  Mgyptians  had 
defired  for  their  Prefed:.  But  none  did  him  more 
harm  than  Me r wan  Ebno'l  Hhakem^  his  Secre- 
tary, who  may  juftly  be  looked  upon  as  the 
principal  Caufe  of  his  Ruin,  which  was  occa- 
iioned  thus. 

As  the  /Egyptians  which  were  gathered  to- 
gether to  depofe  Othman^  were  upon  their 
Journey  homewards  from  Medinah,  with  Ma- 
hornet,  the  Son  of  Abubeker,  their  new  Lieute- 
nant; they  met  with  a  Meflenger  carrying  Let- 
ters from  the  Caliph  to  Abdollah  Ebn  Said,  at 
that  time  Lieutenant  of  Mgypt,  Him  upon 
Examination  they  detained  and  opened  his  Let- 
ters J  In  which  they  found  Orders  given  to  Ab- 
dollah  to  this  EfFedl.  "  As  foon  as  Mahomet , 
*'  the  Son  of  Abubeker,  and  A^.  and  N.  &c, 
*'  fliall  arrive  in  Mgypt,  cut  off  their  Hands 
**  and  Feet,  and  impale  them.  This  Letter  had 
Othman^  Seal  and  Superfcription ;  the  whole 
Bufinefs  being  managed  by  the  Villany  of  the 
Secretary  Merwdn,  who  contrived  this  Letter 
himfelf,  (as  he  had  done  many  others  to  the 
Caliph's  great  Difadvantage)  and  ordered  it  fo  as 


336  The  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

Othman.  it  might  fall  into  the  Hands  of  the  Mgyptiam^ 
en  purpofe  to  re-inflame  the  Difference  which 
had,  by  the  Care  of  Ali^  and  the  Condefcen- 
fion  of  the  Caliph^  been  in  a  great  meafure 
compofed.  It  is  no  hard  matter  to  guefs  how 
Mahomet y  Abubekers  Son,  and  the  Mgyptians 
that  were  with  him,  were  affeded  with  this 
Letter.  They  were  ftark  madj  and  no  ill  Lan- 
guage, no  Revenge,  was  thought  fufficient  for 
him,  that  defigned  fuch  Cruelty  to  them.  They 
immediately  haften  back  to  Medinahy  making 
large  Speeches  all  the  way,  of  the  Treachery 
and  Perfidioufnefs  of  the  Caliph,  and  how  nar- 
rowly and  accidentally  they  had  efcaped  fo  im- 
minent a  Danger.  Such  Stories  as  this  feldom 
lofe  any  thing  in  the  telling,  efpecially  coniider- 
ing  that  the  Wound  was  but  juft  fkinned  over, 
and  not  healed  j  there  being,  befides  the  Fadion 
at  Court,  a  great  many  difafFe(5ted  Perfons, 
who  fpared  not  to  fay  the  worft  of  the  Caliph; 
The  News  of  the  /Egyptians  returning,  flies 
immediately  all  over  the  Country ;  and  how,  if 
they  had  not  accidentally  intercepted  Othmari% 
Letter  to  Abdo'llah,  they  muft  have  fuffered 
the  utmofl;  Cruelty.  Upon  this,  all  People  una- 
nimoufly  detefted  the  Pcrfon  of  the  Caliph : 
And  thofe  who  had  come  before  from  Cufa  and 
Bafora^  and  had  returned  upon  the  Accommo- 
dation that  was  made,   were  fcarce  got  home, 

be- 


Syr  lay  Perjia^  and  j^lgypt. 
before  alarmed  with  this  News,  they  came  back 
again  to  alTift  the  Mgyptians  in  the  depofing 
Othman,  This  Letter,  they  thought,  excufed 
whatfoever  they  did,  and  thofe  who  did  not 
believe  that  the  Caliph  wrote  it,  could  make 
Ufe  of  that  Pretence  to  vilify  him,  in  order  to 
gain  their  End.  At  laft-,  they  befieged  him  in 
his  own  Houfe  -,  He,  in  the  mean  time,  prof- 
fering all  manner  of  Satisfadion  that  could  rea- 
fonably  be  demanded,  and  declaring  his  Repen- 
tance for  what  he  had  done  amifs.  But  all  in 
vain  ;  they  were  refolved  to  be  revenged  on 
him ;  who  indeed  had  never  intended  them  any 
Injury.  When  he  perceived  himfelf  ftreightened, 
he  fent  to  his  Coufin  Alt,  and  afked  him ;  "  If 
"  he  had  a  Defire  to  fee  his  Coufm  murthered, 
"  and  his  own  Kingdom  rent  in  Pieces  ?"  Ali 
anfwered,  By  no  means :  And  upon  this  fent  his 
two  Sons,  Hafan  and  Hofein^  to  defend  him, 
and  keep  the  Gate,  that  he  might  not  fuffer  any 
Violence.  I  am  verily  perfwaded,  that  Ali  did 
not  mean  any  Harm  to  the  Caliph  ;  but,  whe- 
ther it  was  becaufe  he  had  a  Profpedl  of  fuc- 
cceding  him,  and  upon  that  account  was  loath 
to  difoblige  the  Muflemans  j  who,  he  perceived, 
were  altogether  fet  againft  Othman,  or  for  what 
other  Reafon,  It  is  plain,  that  he  did  not  afliil 
him  with  that  Vigour  and  Earneflnefs  which 
might  otherwife  have  been  expected.  'Tis  true, 
y  he 


Tloi  Saracens  Conquejl  of 

he  Tent  Hafan  and  Hofein ;  but  they,  when  the 
Befiegers  had  ftreightened  the  Caliph  for  want 
of  Water,  left  him  to  their  Mercy.  Then  Ma- 
homet^ Ahiibeker'^  Son,  ^and  Ammar  Ebn  Tafer 
with  feveral  others,  entered  the  Houfe,  where 
they  found  the  Caliph  with  the  Alcoran  in  his 
Lap.  They  immediately  fell  upon  him,  and 
one  of  them  wounded  him  in  the  Throat  with 
a  Dart :  A  fecond  ftabbed  him  with  his  Sword. 
As  foon  as  he  fell,  another  fat  upon  his  Breaft, 
and  wounded  him  in  nine  Places,  s  Thus  died 
Othmaiiy  the  Third  after  Mahomet,  when  he  was 
eighty  two  Years  old,  of  which  he  had  reigned 
near  twelve.  Authors  differ  concerning  the 
time  of  his  being  befieged  in  his  Houfe  j  but  it 
feems  to  have  been  about  fix  Weeks.  He  lay 
unburied  for  three  Days ;  at  laft  he  was  remov- 
ed, (by  whofe  Order  I  find  not)  bloody  as  he 
was,  and  buryed  in  the  fame  Cloaths  he  was 
killed  in,  without  fo  much  as  being  waflied,  or 
the  leafl  Funeral  Solemnity.  A  remarkable  In- 
flance  of  the  Vanity  of  Human  Greatnefs,  and 
the  Uncertainty  of  all  worldly  Felicity. 

As  to  his  Perfon,  he  was  very  tall,  of  a  good 
Countenance,  dark  Complexion,  and  a  large 
Beard.  His  way  of  living  was  commendable 
enough  for  a  Saracen.  He  was  very  condant 
and  diligent  in  performing  religious  Exercifes  5 

fre- 


Syr i ay  Perjia^  and  Mgypt. 

frequent  in  reading  and  meditating  the  Alcoran^ 
and  fafted  very  often.  His  Charity  was  very 
extenfive,  his  Riches  very  great.  Though  he 
was  very  hardly  ufed,  yet  it  mufl  not  be  denied, 
that  he  had  given  fome  Occafions  for  the  People 
to  think  ill  of  him  ;  which  a  Politick  Gover- 
nour  would  have  avoided  :  For  he  was  fo  much 
inclined  to  prefer  his  own  Family  and  Friends, 
that  he  fcarce  ever  confidered  their  Merit.  From 
whence  this  Inconvenience  muft  neceifarily  fol- 
low, that  a  great  many  Men  would  at  this  rate 
be  put  into  Places  of  the  greateft  Truft,  which 
were  no  way  qualified  for  the  Difcharge  of  their 
Duty ;  and  if  they  did  any  thing  amifs,  the  Ca- 
liph  who  preferred  them,  was  fure  to  bear  a 
great  {hare  in  the  Refledions  which  were  made. 
Befides,  through  the  Treachery  of  that  Villain 
Merwdn^  his  Secretary,  a  great  many  ill  things 
were  laid  to  his  Charge ;  which  he  had  no  hand 
in.  For  it  was  a  common  thing  with  him  to  fet 
Othman"%  Seal  to  Letters,  which  oftentimes  con- 
tained very  fcandalous  Commands  to  Governours 
of  Provinces;  by  which  means  the  People  were 
kept  in  an  Averfion  to  him;  and  thefe  Diftur- 
bances  being  conftantly  fomented  by  his  Ene- 
mies, they  never  ceafed,  till  at  laft  they  depriv- 
ed him  both  of  Government  and  Life. 

•       FINIS. 


Y  2 


INDEX, 


A. 

AAzaz,  The  Name  of  a  ftrong  Caftle  in  Syrian  Page 
250. 

4hadah  Ehnol  Samet,  303. 

Jbar  Ebn  Said  killed  with  a  poifoned  Arrow,  87; 
The  admirable  Courage  of  his  Wife,  88. 

j4han,  Othman's  Son,  92. 

Ahlas,  198.  I 

Abddllah  Ebn  Ants,  142. 

Abddllah  Ebn  Hodapha  taken  Prifoner,  278.  Releafed, 
281. 

AbdSllah  Ebn  Jaafar  goes  with  five  hundred  Men  to 
Bair  Abil  Kodos,  139.  Is  relieved  by  Caled,  144. 

Abdo'llah  Ebn  Kort,  i^y. 

Abdo'llah  Ebn  Said,  324.  Removed  from  the  Lieute- 
nancy o^^gypty  334. 

Abdc'rahman,  Abubekefs  Son,  kills  the  Governour  of 
Bojirat  36. 

Abubeker,  2.  Chofen  Caliph,  or  immediate  Succeffor 
oi  Mahomet,  4..  Was  Mahomet's  Father-in- Law, 
7.  Why  called  Ajfiddik,  ibid.  Invades  Babylonia 
sind  Syria,  19.  Dies,  100.  U'lsYJ ill,  ibid.  He  was 
the  firft  that  reduced  the  fcattered  Chapters  of  the 
Alcoran  into  one  Volume,  10 1.  His  Character,  103. 
And  Age,  104. 

Abiidar  Alacadi  rails  utOthman,  330.  His  Death, /^. 

Abu  Hobeirah,  94. 

Abu  Mufa  Alajhari,  112; 

Ahu  Obeid  fent  into  Irak,  106. 

y  3  Al^u 


INDEX. 

Jbu  Oheidah  made  General  of  the  Saracens  Army  in 
Syria,  26.  Is  removed  from  that  Poft,  27.  His  Ab- 
ftinence,  82.  And  gentle  Difpofition,  94.  His 
Conteft  with  Caled  about  the  Surrender  of  I)^;;;^/- 
€us^  97.  His  Modefty,  133.  Is  again  made  Ge- 
neral of  the  Forces  in  Syria^  by  Omar^  ibid.  Sits 
down  before  Hems^  153.  Sends  a  Summons  to  Je- 
rufalem^  21^.  Takes  ^«/i^c^,  273.  His  Death,  299. 

Ahulpharagitis^  a  Chriftian  Phyfican,  who  wrote  a 
learned  Hiftory  in  Arahick^  from  the  Beginning  of 
the  World  to  his  own  Time,  112. 

j^hiClpheda,  Prince  of  Hamah  in  Syria^  a  celebrated 
Hiftorian  and  Geographer,  102. 

Ahu  Sophy an^  205. 

Accahf  192. 

Adam,  believed  by  the  Mahometans  to  have  prayed 
in  Mahomet's  Name,  199. 

Aderhijan,  315.  A  Province  containing  part  of  Mtf- 
dia,  and  part  of  Armenia. 

Mjuration,  how  much  regarded  by  the  Mahometans, 
172. 283. 

Ahmed  Ebn  Afed,  168. 

^jnadin,  a  Place  in  Syria,  famous  for  a  great  Battle 
fought  there  between  the  Chrijiians  and  Saracens, 
49.71. 

u^inwerdah,  315. 

Akreba,  15. 

Alaji,  the  Arabick  Name  of  the  River  Or^»/^J,  39. 

Alcoran,  y/hen  colle6ted  into  one  Volume,  loi. 

^kppians  make  Articles  for  themfelves  with  Abu 
Obeidah,  236. 

Aleppo,  39.  ThtC^^lto^ Aleppo  befieged,  241  .Taken, 

.    249. 

^/i?;^<?«ir/^  befieged  by  the  Saracens,  307.  Taken, 309. 
Retaken  by  the  Greeks,  325.  Taken  again  by  the 
Saracens,  326. 

Alfaqui,  103.  An  Arabick  Word,  which  fignifies  a, 
Chief  Potior,  or  Superintendent  among  the  Ma- 
hometans, 


INDEX. 

homeians,  and  Is  ftill  in  life  among  the  Spaniards 
in  the  fame  Signification. 
j^Ifinadir,  153.   Is  ftiiTendered,  233. 
Alharzaman^  a  Per/tan  Nobleman,  112. 
Ali,  Son  of  yibu  Talcb^  Candidate  for  the  Caliphate^  6. 
Is  difpleafed  at  his  Difappointment,  8.    Prays  ac 
Mahomet'^  Tomb /for  AbdoHlah'%  good  Journey, 
199.  Perfwades  Omar  to  go  to  the  Siege  oi  Jeru- 
falem,  216.   AlTifts  Othman  in  his  Troubles,  ^'^^, 
Aljahiyah^  the  Name  of  a  Gate  of  Damafciis^  82. 
Allah  Acbar,   God  is  moji  mighty  ;   an  ExprefTion  fre- 
quently ufed  by  the  Arabians)  when  they  have  any 
good  Succefs,  36. 
Almotajim^  Caliph^  2j2. 
uilmothanna  joined  with  Abu  Obeid^  and  fent  into  Irak, 

106. 
Alola^  reduces  the  Rebels  in  Bahhrein,  1 5. 
Alphadybndl  Abhas-i  2^6. 
^Iwakidiy  Author  of  The  Hifiory  of  the  Saracens  Con- 

quejl  of  Syria,  113. 
Amer,  the  Son  ofRephaa,  turns  Chriftian,  264. 
Amir 0' I  Mumenina,  Emperor  of  the  Believers  ;  a  Title 

firft  ufed  to  Omar-,  105. 
Amman.  See  Oman. 
Ammar  Ebn  Tafer^  332.   One  of  the  Murderers  of 

Othman,  388. 
Amrou  EbnolAas  fent  into  Palejiine,  25, 26.  His  Con- 
ference with  Con/iantine,2S^.  Takes  C^farea,  297. 
Invades  y^^jyp/,  301.  Takes  Mifra,  304.  Alexan- 
dria, 309.  And  Tripolis  in  Barbary,  315.  Is  de- 
prived of  his  Commiflion  by  Othman,  324.  Reftor- 
ed  to  it,  325.  Retakes  Alexandria,  326. 
Angels,  affirmed  by  the  Mahometans  to  affift  them  in 

Battle,  177. 
Anfars,  an  Arabick  Word,  which  fignifies  Helpers^ 
and  the  Inhabitants  of  Medinah  are  diftinguilhed 
by  that  Name,  3. 

Y  4  Antiochi 


INDEX. 

Antioch^  a  famous  City  of  Syria^  called  by  the  Arabians 
Anthakia^  the  Seat  of  the  Grecian  Emperor,  39. 
Taken,  273. 

Arahiayis^  upon  Mahomet'?,  Death,  rebel,  and  are  fub- 
dued  by  Caled,  10. 

Aracahy  the  Name  of  a  Town  taken  by  the  Saracens^ 
40. 

Arijh,  300. 

Arrawendan,  253. 

Arreftan  taken,  186. 
rzemidochi^  Queen  of  the  Ferfians^  109.    Is  mur- 
mured at  by  her  Subjects,  1 1 1.  And  depofed,  ibid, 

A f amah  Ebn  Zeid,  150. 

AJiachar,  a  Prieft  fent  by  the  Governour  ofKinrnfian, 
to  treat  with  the  Saracens,  157. 

Ay  ad  Ebn  Ganam,  278. 

Ayejha,  Mahomet's  beft  beloved  Wife,  3.  Much  re- 
fpefbed  by  the  Mahometans,  24,  Her  Houfe  was 
Mahomet's  Burying-Piace,  198.  Her  Enmity  to 
Othman,  334. 

B. 

Baalbec,  formerly  Heliopolisy  149.  Is  fummoned  to 
furrender  by  tht  Saracens,  167.  Is  furrenderedjiyS. 

Bahdjfalamahy  St.  Mark's,  Gate  at  Damajcus,  was  call'd 
fo,  becaufe  there  was  no  fighting  at  it  during  the 
Siege,  83. 

Bahhrein,  a  Sea-Port  Town,  fituate  upon  the  Arabian 
Shore,  near  the  Gulph  of  Ormus^  15. 

Bare  ah,  314. 

Bafil,  his  Account  of  M?^^wf/,  294.  He  betraysTyre, 
296. 

Beder,  177. 

Bciront,  192. 

Belal  Ebn  Rebah,  Mahomet's  Muezzin,  or  Cryer,  283. 

Bells,  not  ufed  by  the  AIahometa?is,  227. 

Black  Eagle,  Caled's  Standard,  149. 

Blejfed  Cap,  a  Cap  which  Caled  wore,  called  fo,  be- 
caufe ic  had  received  Mahomet' %  Bleffing,  143. 


INDEX. 

Bobeirab,  a  Monk,  294. 

Bojira,  a  City  of  Syria  Damafiena,  betrayed  to  the 

Saracens,  36. 
Byzantine  Htprians,  261. 

C. 

Caahf  a  Jew,  turns  Mahometan,  230,231. 

Caab  Ebn  Damarah  engages  mthToukinna,  235. 

Cadijah,  Mahomet's  Miftrefs  firft,  afterwards  hisWifc, 
who  firft  raifed  his  Fortunes,  and  was  the  firft  Per- 
fon  in  the  World  that  believed  him  to  be  an  infpir- 
ed  Prophet,  7. 

Caled  Ebn  Said  is  killed,  gc,. 

Caled  Ebno'lJValed  fubdues  the  rebellious  Arabs,  10. 
S\^n2imt&^he  Sword  of  God,  12.  'Routs  Mofeilamab 
the  falfe  Prophet,  15.  Invades  Irak,  19.  From 
whence  being  recalled,  he  is  made  General  of  the 
Forces  in  Syria,  27.  Beats  the  Chriftians  at  Jjna- 
din,  ji.  Enters  Damafcus,^^.  Contends  with  Jbu 
Obeidah,  ^j.  Purfues  the  Damafeens,  122.  Over- 
takes and  deftroys  them,  1 2  6.  His  Continence,  131. 
Deprived  of  his  CommifTion  by  Omar,  137.  In- 
tercepts the  Governour  ofKinniJrin,i64.,  Beats  Ja- 
Ifalah  Ebno'l  Jyham,igy,  Has  a  Conference  with 
Mahan,  201,202.  Commands  the  Saracen  Army 
at  the  Battle  o^  Termouk,  204.  Relieves  the  Jlep 
pians,  24.0.  Subdues  the  Country  as  far  as  £«• 
phrates,  277.    His  Death,  299. 

Caliph,  in  the  Arabick  Tongue,  fignifies  Succejfor, 10^, 

Calous,  one  of  Heraclius\  Generals,  39.  Is  taken  Pri- 
foner  by  Caled, ^^.   And  killed.  47. 

defarea,  192.   Surrendered  to  the  Saracens,  297. 

Caulah,  Berafs  Sifter,  a  Woman  of  extraordinary 
Courage,  58.  Arms  the  Women,  and  ftands  upon 
her  own  Defence,  59. 

Chrijiians  beaten  at  JJnadin,  yy.  Reckoned  by  th« 
Mahometans  as  the  Army  of  the  Devil,  195. 

Chat  bar,  204. 

Con- 


INDEX. 

Conditions  upon  which  the  Chrijiians  live  under  the 
Mahometans^  223. 

Conjiantine  the  Emperor  Heraclius\  Son,  195.  His 
Conference  with  AmroUy  285.  He  goes  to  Conjlan- 
tinople,2<^y.    Is  Emptror,  325. 

Conjiantinis.  Church,  226. 

Cophtiesy  ^Egyptian  Qhvi^mn^^ -^01,  Become  Tribu- 
taries, 305. 

Cofroes,  King  of  the  Perjiansy  65.  1 1 1. 

Qifa,  a  famous  City  of  Irak,  ^ic). 

Cyprus  invsided  by  the  Saracens,  ^26* 

D. 

Dair  Ahtl  Kodos,  the  Monaftery  of  the  Holy  Father, 

138. 
Damafcus,  39 .  Is  befieged  by  the  Saracens^ 4 1 .  Taken, 

Damafcens,  or  Inhabitants  of  Damafcus,  fally  out  upon 
the  Saracens,  ^6.  Inclining  to  furrender  are  hindered 
by  Thomas,  85.  Surrender  to  Jbu  Obeidah,  96.  Go 
out  of  Damafcus,  1 15.  Are  overtaken  by  the  Sa- 
racens, and  murdered,  130. 

Dames  is  employed  by  Abu  Obeidah  to  take  the  Caftle 
of  Aleppo,  246.  Takes  it,  249.  Is  taken  Prifoner, 
269.  His  ftrange  efcape,  270. 

David,  179.    ■ 

David,  the  Name  of  a  Chrifiian,  72. 

Daniel  the  Prophet  produced  to  prove  the  Greatnefs 
of  the  Saracenical  Empire,  96. 

Decrees  of  God,  168.  223.  255. 

Dehac,  269. 

Derar  EbnoH  Azwar  beheads  Make  Ebn  Noweirah, 
12.  Is  taken  Prifoner,  52.  And  refcued,  54.  Re- 
covers his  Sifter  Caulah,  who  was  taken  Prifoner, 
6^,  Deftroys^'^^r^^w's  Ambufcade,73.  HisSpight 
to  the  Chriftians,  115.  Kills  the  Praefeft  of  Tri- 
polis,  144.  Is  put  into  a  Cheft  at  Arrejian,  186. 
Taken  Prifoner,  197.  Has  a  Conteft  with  Serjabil 
about  the  Spoil  of  a  Chrijiians  2q6.  Is  taken  Pri- 
foner 


INDEX. 

foner  by  Hamyis^-    Narrowly  cfcapes   Death, 

264. 
Vir  Hind,  109. 

Divifion  of  the  World  by  Noah^  285. 
Drachma^  a  Coin  ufed  among  the  Arabs,  and  by  them 

called  Di^ham,  which  is   a  Corruption  from  the 

Greek  word,  103. 
Du'Wha^ah,  the  Name  of  the  laft  Month  of  the  A- 

rabick  Year,  154. 

E. 

Earth,  why  the  Mahometans  fit  upon  it  rather  than 

upon  Seats,  202. 
Ehwas,  a  Territory  belonging  to  the  Kingdom  of 

Perjia,!  12, 
Elmakin,  loi.  a  Chriftian  Author,  who  wrote  an  E- 

pitome  in  Arahick  of  the  Laws  of  the  Caliphs.  See 

more  in  Dr.  Trideaux  his  Catalogue  of  Authors 

fubjoined  to  his  Life  of  Mahomet. 
Emaus  vifited  with  the  Plague,  299. 
Empire,  (in  this  Hiftory  is  to  be  underftood  only  of 

the  Eaftern  part  of  it,)  is  tributary  to  the  King  of 

the  Hunns  in  Mauri dus  his  time,  1 7. 
Enemies  of  God,  a  Title  which  the  Mahometans  give 

to  all*  that  are  of  a  different  Religion  from  them- 

felves,  172. 
Eutychius,  Patriarch  o\  Alexandria,  who  wrote  Annals 

in  Arahick,  102. 

F. 

Ferganah,  a  City  in  PerJia,2'^o, 
Fifth  of  all  the  Spoils  referved  for  the  Caliph,  accord* 
ing  to  a  Precept  in  the  Alcoran,  146. 


Gajfan,  the  Name  of  a  Tribe  of  Chriftian  Arabs 1 2  44. 
Goths,  1 7. 

Creeks,  in  this  Hiftory,  does  not  only  fignify  Perfons 
born  in  Creecey  but  thofe  which  were  in  the  Gre- 
cian 


INDEX. 

cian  Emperor's  Service,  unlefs  any  other  Nation 
be  fpecified  :  fo  in  Latin  Authors  the  Roman  Sol- 
diery was  called  Romans,  though  confifting  of  fe- 
veral  different  Nations. 
Greeks,  their  Barbarity  revenged  at  Termouk,  207. 
They  furprize  Alexandria,  309. 

H. 

Hadramut,  a  Province  in  Arabia,  famous  for  Frank- 

incenfe  and  Myrrhe,  39.  286. 

Haim,  Jahalah  Ebno'l  Ayham's,  Son,  259; 

Hamah,  163. 

Hamgarites,  a  Title  of  the  Arabians,  fuppofed  to  be 
defcended  from  the  Ancient  Amalekites,^%, 

Hamza,  Mahomet's  Uncle,  15. 

Haphfab,  one  of  Mahomet's  Wives,  Omar's  Daugh- 
ter, 5.  Intrufted  with  the  Authentick  Copy  of  the 
Alcoran,  102. 

Harran,!'^^. 

Hareth  Ebn  Caldah,  100. 

Hafan  one  oi  Ali's  Sons,  198. 

Hauran,  232. 

Hegirah,  an  Arabick  word  which  fignifies  Flight,  and 
with  the  Article  Al  added  to  it,  denotes  particu- 
larly Mahomet's  Flight  from  Meccah  to  Medinah ; 
from  which  time  the  Mahometans  date  all  their 
Writings,  154. 

Ilejaz^  Part  of  Arabia,  lying  between  Tihamah  and 
Negjdah,  bounded  on  the  North  by  Arabia  Defertay 

39- 
Hems,  a  famous  City  of  Syria,  formerly  called  Emejfa, 

^g.  Makes  a  Truce  with  the  Saracens,  153.  Isbe- 

fieged,  183.  Surrendered,  191. 

Heraclius,  Emperor,  i.  Refides  at  Antioch,^g.  His 
Wardrobe  at  Damafcus,  1 1 5.  Raifes  a  great  Army, 
191.  Departs  to  Conjiantinople,  2yi.  Reported  by 
tlie  Saracens  to  have  dyed  a  Mahometan,  ibid. 

Her  bis,  a  Chriftian  Officer  at  Damafcus,  gg.  Leaves 
Damafcus,  1 14..  Is  killed,  130. 

Herbis, 


INDEX. 

Herbh,  Govemour  of  Baalbec,  rejedls  Abu  Obei Jab's 
Summons  with  fcorn,  167.  Behaves  himfelf  brave- 
ly, 169.  Is  befieged  in  a  Monaftery,  171.  Makes 
Articles  for  Baalbec,  and  is  difmiffed,  178.  Killed 
by  his  own  Men,  181. 

Hirahy  A  City  of  Irak  or  Babylonia,  a  League  diftant 
from  C«/rt,Weflward,  taken  by  Caledyiy. 

Hormifdas,  King  of  the  Perfmns,  1 1 1 . 

Horfeman  receives  thrice  as  much  of  the  Spoil  as  a 
Footman,  2 10. 

Hofeitty  one  of  Alt's  Sons,  198. 

Hottinger,26i. 

Hud,  193.  The  Eleventh  Chapter  of  the  Alcoran  bears 
his  Name;  he  is  the  fame  Perfon  which  we  call  Eber, 

Hums,  17. 

J. 

Jabalah  Ebno'l  Ayham.  having  turned  Mahometan^ 
leaves  that  Profeflion,  and  goes  into  the  Emperor 
Heraclius  his  Service,  153.  Is  fent  to  affifl  the  Go- 
vernour  of  Kinnifrin,  1 64.  Joins  Mabdn,  the  Em- 
peror's General?  193.  Is  beaten  by  Cakd,  197.  Con- 
trives to  kill  the  Caliph y  26^. 

Jacob's  Stone,  228. 

Jaloulahyi^o. 

Jarir  Ebn  Abdo'llah,  fent  with  Supplies  againft  the 
Perfian,io8. 

Jelalo'ddin  AJfoynti,  216. 

Jerufalem  facked  by  the  Perfiansyiy.  Befieged  by  the 
Saracens,  211.  Surrendered  ,223.  Suppofed  by  the 
Mahometans  to  be  the  Place  where  we  ihall  be  af- 
fembled  at  the  Refurreflion. 

Jefus,  87. 

Jews  fight  for  the  Chriftians  againfl  the  Saracens  at 
Damn  feus,  92. 

Ikrimab  fights  defperately  in  hopes  of  Paradife,  an.d 
is  killed,  1 89, 190. 

Joannes  Andreas,  a  converted  Mahomefan,  102. 

John; 


INDEX. 

JohUi  youkinnas  Brother  perfwades  him  to  agree  with 

the  Arabs,  234.    Is  by  him  killed,  240. 
John  the  Grammarian,  ^12.     Is  Excommunicated, 

314- 

Jonas^  a  Chriftian  Nobleman  of  Damafcus,  136.  Is 
taken  Prifoner  by  the  Saracens,  and  turns  Maho- 
metan, 118,119.  Inftigates  Caled  to  purfue  the  Da- 
mafcens,  121.  Lofes  his  Wife,  127.  Is  (hot  at  Ter- 
mouk,  132.  Is  feen  in  a  Vilion  by  Raphi  Ebn  O- 
meirah,  1^2. 

Joppe,  ig2. 

Jojias,  a  Prieft,  betrays  Damafcus,  95. 

Irak,  the  fame  Tradl  of  Land  which  is  called  Bal!>y- 
lonia  by  Ptolemy,  bounded  on  the  Northern  part 
by  Mefopotamia,  on  the  Weft  by  the  Arabian  De- 
fart  ',  on  the  South  partly  by  the  Perftan  Sea,  partly 
by  Sufiana.  On  the  Eaft  it  has  ChouriJta7i,  Suftana^ 
part  of  Jffyria,  Media,  and  Choromithrena ;  is  firft 
invaded  by  Caled,  ig. 

/ro;?  Bridge,  264.  Taken  by  the  Saracens^  267. 

Ifhmael,  2^ c^.  The  firft  that  fpoke  Jrabick,2S8» 
Which  muft  not  be  underftood  as  if  he  was  the  firft 
Author  of  that  Language.  But  the  firft  Perfon  of 
Note  that  laid  afide  theUfeof  his  MotherTongue, 
(for  the  Hebrew  was  IJhmaeh)  and  exchanged  it 
for  the  Arabick. 

Jujhiyah,  149.  A  Territory  in  Syria. 

Izrail,  Governour  of  Damafcus j  40.  Is  taken  Prifoner 
by  Caled,  and  killed,  47. 

K. 

Kais  Ebn  Amer  examined  by  the  Emperor  concerning 
the  Mahometan  Religion,  259. 

Kais  Ebn  Hobeirah,^j,i'ig. 

Kenanah,  A  Family  of  the  Arabs,  2SS. 

Keramo'l  Shoraik,  a  place  between  Cairo  and  Alexan- 
dria, 305. 

Kinnifrinj 


INDEX. 

Kinnifrin,  (an  ancient  City  of  Syria,  diftant  a  Days 
Journey  from  Aleppo)  is  taken  by  the  Saracens^iG^. 
Goliiis  takes  the  Province  called  by  that  Name  to 
to  be  the  fame  with  Ptolemy\  Cyrrejiica ;  becaufc 
Ptolemy  places  there  Bercsa  and  Hierapolis^  which 
are  the  fame  which  the  Arabs  call  Aleppo  and  Men- 
higZy  and  do  both  belong  to  the  Territory  of  Km- 
mfrin. 

Koreijh^,  or  Korajhites,  a  noble  Tribe  among  the 
Arabs,  of  which  Mahomet  was,  285. 

L. 

Labwahi  149. 

Legoun,  fignifies  garter, 2^^. 

Leon,  Theodorus  his  Son,  releafes21/«^/»»^,255.- 

Library  at  Alexandria  burntj  313. 

Lucas  GovernoLir  of  Arrawendan,i^2, 

Luke  Governour  di  AlHadir  and  Kinnifrin,  156. 

Luke,  Theodorus  his  Son,  murders  his  Father,  255. 

M. 

Madayen,  a  City  of  Perfta,  110.  Plundered  by  the 
Saracens, 22^. 

Mahan,  or  Armenian,  General  of  the  Emperor's  For- 
ces, 192.  His  Conference  with  Caled,  201.  His 
Injuftice,207.  He  is  killed  at  Damafcus, 20^. 

Mahol  Bafer a, ^24.. 

Mahomet,  Author  of  the  Mahometan  Superftition, 
and  Founder  of  the  Saracenical  Empire,  dies,  i. 
His  Journey  to  Heaven  in  one  Night,  7. 2 15. 263. 
His  Tomb  reverenced  by  the  Mahometans,  ig^, 
217.  Invoked  by  his  Followers,  2 3 5.  What  Ac- 
count he  gave  of  his  Infpi ration,  260.  His  Mira- 
cles, 262. 

Mahometans,  commanded  in  the  Alcoran  to  kill  the 
Chriftians,  145. 

Mahran,  General  of  the  Pcrfians,  109.  Is  killed,  1 10.' 

Make  Alajhtar, 251.  Rebels  againft  Qthman,  233- 

Make 


INDEX. 

Make  Ebn  Noweirah^  refufing  to  pay  the  Zacat^  is 
killed  by  Caled's  Order,  12. 

Manuel  retakes  Alexandria,  325.  Being  beaten,  he  flies 
to  Co7iJlantincple,  -^16. 

Marrying  two  Sifter s^  forbidden  by  the  Akoran^iig. 

Martyrs,  fo  the  Mahometans  call  all  that  are  killed  in 
a  War  undertaken  for  the  Propagation  of  their  Re- 
ligion, 13  3.  Their  way  of  Burying  them,  2  3  8.  Their 
Maintenance  in  the  other  World, 289. 

Saint  Marys  Church  in  Damafcus^gy. 

Mauricius,  17. 

Meccah,  the  City  from  whence  Mahomet  fled  to  Me- 
dinah,  from  which  it  is  diftant  ten  Days  Journey ; 
famous  for  the  Pilgrimages  of  the  Mahometans jwho 
are  all  of  them  obliged  to  go  thither,  once  at  leaft 
in  their  Uves,2. 

Medinah,  formerly  called  Tathreb  •,  after  Mahomet'^ 
Time,  Medinah.  A  City  of  Arabia  Petraa,  or  the 
Stony;  diftant  about  thirty  Miles  from  the  Red 
Sea,  and  the  Place  of  Mahomet's,  Burial,  2. 

Meifarah  Ebn  Mefrouk,i8g.  Invades  the  Mountain- 
ous part  of  Syria,  2yy. 

Menb':gz,  formerly  Hierapolis,2^6. 

Merwan  Ebno'l  Hh^akem^  Othmans  Secretary,  335. 

Mefab  Ebn  Adi,  173. 

Mefab  Ebn  Moharib,  154. 

Mirkal,  189. 

Mifrah,  formerly  Memphis,  now  Cairo, ^oi.  Taken 
by  the  Saracens,  304. 

Moawiyah  invades  Cyprus,  327. 

Mohajerins,  an  Arahick  Word,  which  fignifies  Flyers ; 
and  by  that  Name  the  Inhabitants  oi  Meccah  are 
diftinguifhed  from  the  Anfars,  or  Inhabitants  of 
Medinah,  becaufe  they  bore  Mahomet  Company  in 
his  Flight  from  Meccah  to  Medinah,  3. 

Mohammed  Ebn  Abibeker  made  Lieutenant  ofASgypt^ 

334- 
MokaukaSi  Lieutenant  of  Mifrajf>30i-  His  Perfidy, 
302. 

Morah^ 


INDEX. 

Moraby  a  Village,  251. 

Mofeilamah,  an  Arabimi,  who  pretended  to  have  the 

Spirit  of  Prophecy  at  the  fame  time  with  Mahomet, 

13.   Is  killed,  15. 
Mofesy  179. 
Muezzin,  an  Arabick  word,  which  fignifies  a  Praco, 

or  Crier  -,  and  he,  whofe  Bufinefs  it  is  to  call  the 

People  to  Prayers,  is  diftinguifhed  by  this  Title, 

227. 
Mujleman  Ebn  Moch ailed,  307. 
Mufljhaph,  an  Arabick  word  fignifying  a  Volume',  and 

with  the  Article  Al  added  to  it,  diftinguilhes  the 

Jlcoran  from  all  other  Volumes,  102. 

N. 
Nejiorius,  a  Chriftian  General,  269, 
Nifabourienfts,  a  Collector  of  the  remarkable  Sayings 
of  fome  of  the  Caliphs  and  Kings  of  Perfta,  104. 
Noah,  285. 


Oaths  ufed  by  the  Mahometans^  98,  209. 

Oman,  part  o{'  Arabia,  lying  upon  the  Per/ian  Sea,  39. 
Which  is  fometimes  called  Amman,  but  there  is  a- 
noi\\tv  Amman  in  *9)'n^.    See  Page  231. 

Omar,  Candidate  for  the  Caliphate  after  Mahomet'% 
Deceafe,  3.  S\vt2LVSX.o  Abubeker,  4.  And  compells 
Ali  to  do  the  fame,  8.  Says  Prayers  publickly  dur- 
ing ^i^^M^rs  Sicknefs,  100.  Is  appointed  Caltph 
by  Abubekers  Will,  100.  Inaugurated  Caliph,  105. 
Firft  intituled  Amiro'l  Mumenina,  or  Emperor  of  the 
Faithful,  ibid.  Sends  his  Forces  into  Irak,  106. 
VuisAbu  Obeidah  into  Commiflion  in  Caled's  Room, 
135.  His  Averfion  to  Caled,  147.  Rebukes  Abu 
Obeidah  and  the  Saracens  for  not  fighting,  162.  His 
manner  of  Travelling  to  Jerufalem,  217.  His  Ex- 
ecution of  Jultice,  218,  219,  220,  221,  222.  He 
preaches,  222.  ^nm^  Jerufalem,  226.  Builds  a 
Temple  where  Solomon's  ftood,  229,  Returns  to 
Z  "  Mi' 


INDEX. 

Medinah  from  Jerufakm,  232.  His  wonderful  De- 
liverance, 269.  His  Letter  to  the  Emperor,  279. 
He  accepts  of  Tuleibas  Repentance,  292.  His  Opi- 
nion of  all  other  Books  except  the  Alcoran,  313. 
He  is  killed,  315.    His  Charader,  3 16  et  feq. 

Opheirnbi  a  Woman  of  great  Courage,  59. 

Or  antes  ^  a  famous  River  in  Syria^  39. 

Ofud  Alabhaft,  one  of  thofe  that  emulated  Mahomet  in- 
his  Pretenfions  to  Prophecy,  13. 

Othnan  Ebn  Affan  diflwades  Omar  from  going  to  Je- 
rufalem,  216.  Is  chofen  Caliph,  323.  Takes  away 
Jmroii?,  CommifTion,  324.  The  Murmurs  of  the 
Saracens  again  ft  him,  330,  &c.  His  Death  and 
Charader,  389. 

P. 

Paradife^  the  Rewards  of  good  Men  there,  according 
to  the  Mahometan  Sui^tr^'iixon,  132,  139. 

Paul^  a  Chriftian  Officer  at  Damafcus,  fallies  out  upon 
the  Saracens,  ^6.   And  is  killed,  84. 

Perfiansy  aflfertcrrs  of  the  Right  of  Ali^  as  the  only 
immediate  lawful  Succeflbr  o^  Mahomet,  7.  Had 
before  Mahomet's  Time  conquer'd  Syria  [and 
yEgypt']  17.  Are  beaten  by  the  jirahians,  111,112. 
Their  Date  or  ^ra  whence,  112.  Are  totally  fub- 
dued  by  the  Saracens,  329. 

Peter,  z  Chrijlian  Officer  at  Damafcus,  fallies  out  upon 
the  Saracens,  ^6.   And  is  killed,  64. 

Phatemah,  Mahomet's  Daughter,  7. 

Pheljan  Ebn  Zeyad,  9  r . 

Phirowz  kills  Omar,  316. 

P  hoc  as,  17. 

Pidgeons  in  the  Eafl:  carry  Letters,  253. 

Pillar,  ereded  to  preferve  the  Peace  occafions  Diftur- 
bance,  160. 

Plague  in  Syria,  299. 

Prayers  among  the  Mahometans  five  times  a  Day,  272  c 

PrideauXi  Author  of  the  Life  o£  Mahomet,  215. 

Prin- 


INDEX. 

Princefs,  Heraclius  his  Daughter  and  Thomas  his  Wife, 
ksLves  Damafcus,  115.  Is  taken  Prifoner,  and  af- 
rerwards  dilmifs'd  without  Ranfom,  131. 

R. 

Rapbi  Ebn  Ahdo'llah  is  made  Lieutenant  of  Baalbec^ 
181. 

Raphi  Ebn  Omeirah,  5 1 .  Takes  the  Emperor*s  Daugh- 
ter Prifoner,  127.  His  Vifion  o^  Jonas,  132.  He 
is  taken  Prifoner,  197. 

Repbaa,  bewails  his  Son's  turning  Chriftian,  265. 

Retaliation  in  ufe  among  the  Mahometans,  152. 

Romanus,  Governour  of  Bojlra,  betrays  it  to  the  Sa- 
racens, 36. 

Riiftan,  General  of  the  Perfians>  1 1 1 . 

S. 

Saed  Ebn  Caled,  patiently  refigns  his  CommilTion, 
25. 

Saed  Ebn  JUJVakkas,  229.  Appointed  by  Omar  one 
of  the  fix  CommifTioners  who  were  to  chufe  a  Ca- 
liph after  his  Deceafe,  322. 

Saed  Ebn  Amir,  made  Captain  of  the  Recruits  fent  by 
Omar,  a  little  before  the  Battle  at  I'ermouk,  199. 
Beats  the  Prefeft  of  Amman,  200. 

Saed  Ebn  Sharehh,  331. 

Saed  Ebn  Sabahh,  ^y. 

Said  Ebn  Zeid,  169.  Befieges  Her  bis,  Governour  of 
Baalbcc  in  a  Monaftery,  171. 

Saints  Jhall  inherit  the  Earthy  quoted  by  the  Mahome- 
tans to  juftify  their  making  War  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  Religion,  167. 

Salit  fent  to  Irak,  106. 

Saracens,  invadQ  Sjria,  21.  BQ(]egQ  Damafcus,  41. 
Flay  the  Heads  of  the  Chriftians,  201.  Seize  the 
Church  at  Bethlehem,  and  St.  ConJla?itine's  at  Jeru- 
falem,  229. 

Sawiky  2L  fort  of  Food  in  Ufe  among  the  Arabians, 
217. 

Sef wan  Ebn  Amir,  149. 

z  2  Ser- 


INDEX. 

SerjahilEhn  Hafanah,  ('formerly  Mahomet' ^Stcitizxy) 

goes  to  Bojir a,  27.    Narrowly  efcapes,  290.    His 

Death,  299. 
Serjabil  Ebn  Shahhnah   has  a  Conteft  with  Derar, 

205. 
She.ddad  Ehno'lJus  is  proclaim'd  Caliph  at  Damafcus, 

as  Omar's  Reprefentative,  137. 
Skiizar,  163.  Is  taken  by  the  Saracens,  187. 
Szdon,  192. 
^•V-jx;^/,  the  Name  of  the  tenth  Month  of  the  Arabick 

Year,  154. 
Slaves  reftor'd  to  their  proper  Mafters,  210,  211. 
Smcak,  a  fign  iis'd  by  the  Saracens  to  gather  difpers'd 

Troops  together,  170. 
Sokih  Ebn  Hamzah,  282. 

6'ohail  Ebn  Sabahb,  by  a  Breach  of  Difcipline  fortu- 
nately preferves  the  Saracen  Army,  170. 
So?t  of  God  deny'd  by  the  Saracens,  116. 
Sophronius  Patriarch  o^  Jerufalem^  214.  Is  willing  to 

furrendcr  the  City  into  the  Hands  of  Omar,  215. 

Spies  of  the  Chriftians,   Chriftian  Arabs,  one  of 

them  taken,  244. 
Sunnet,  the  Colledion  of  the  Tradidons  of  Mahomet, 

333- 
Swine's  Flefh  forbidden  in  the  Alcoran,  214. 

Syria  invaded  by  the  Saracens,  23.    Entirely  con- 

quer'd,  297. 

T. 

Tadmor,  the  fame  City  which  was  formerly  called  Pal- 

myraj  28. 
^archan,  a  Turk,  ^328. 
Techtr,  a  Verb  Adive  of  the  fecond  Conjugation, 

from  Kabbara,  which  fignifies  faying  Allah  Jcbary 

God  is  mojt  mighty,  96,  200. 
Telhha  Ebn  Zobeir  favour'd  by  Ayejha,  334. 
Temple  of  the  Refurre6lion,  226. 
Thaalabiyah,  106.   The  J^«W/««  (a  famous  Arabick 

Lexicographer)  fays,  That  it  is  a  Town  in  the 

Road 


INDEX. 

Road  to  Meccah  ;  which  Words  cannot  be  undcr- 
ftood  without  relation  to  the  Place  where  the  Jau- 
harian  was  when  he  wrote  his  Lexicon,  which  was  in 
Irak,  (or  Babylonia)  as  appears  by  his  Preface  to 
that  Book. 
Tbarick  Algajfani,  a  Chriftian  Spy,  turns  Mahometan, 

253- 

Theodorus,  Governor  of  the  Caftle  Qi  Aaza-z,  250. 
Takes  Toukinna  Prifoner,  252.  Is  killed  by  his 
own  Son,  255. 

Ihomas,  Heraclius  his  Son  in  Law,  hinders  the  Damaf- 
cens  from  furrendring,  85.  Engaging  with  the  Sa- 
racens, is  wounded  by  y^/^^«'s  Wife,  89.  Goes  out 
of  Damafcus,  114.   Is  killed,  126. 

Time  of  Ignorance-,  All  the  Time  before  Mahomet y 
26. 

TripoUs,  a  noted  Town  in  Syria,  138.  Surpriz'd  by 
Toukinna^  Treachery,  293. 

Tripolis  in  Barhary  taken  by  the  Saracens,  315. 

Tuleihha  Ebn  Choweiled,  a  Friend  of  Mofeilamah,  the 
falfe  Prophet,  who  oppos'd  Mahomet,  13.  Is  re- 
ceived into  Favour  by  the  Saracens,  291,292. 

Turks  different  in  their  Opinion  from  ihePer/ians,  con- 
cerning the  Right  of  the  three  firft  Succeflbrs  of 
Mahomet,  7. 

Tyre  taken  by  the  Saracens,  296. 

V. 

Valencia,  102. 

Unitarians,  a  Title  which  the  Mahometans  glory  in, 
197,  267. 

W. 

PVar  undertaken  to  propagate  the  Mahometan  Religi- 
on, is  call'd  Holy  War,  or  the  Battles  of  the  Lord, 

163. 

IVathek  Ebn  Mofapher,  being  fent  to  kill  Omar,  turns 

Mahometan,  268,  269. 
Werdan,  a  General  fent  by  the  Grecian  Emperor  to 

relieve 


INDEX. 

relieve  Damafcus,  48.  Proffers  the  Saracens  Vefts 
and  Money  to  ceafe  their  Hoftilities,  but  is  reject- 
ed, 70.  Endeavours  to  circumvent  Caled,  71. 
Which  Enterprize  proves  fatal  to  himfelf,  yy. 

fVerdan  Anrous  Slave,  307. 

Wine  forbidden  in  the  Alcoran,  and  the  drinking  of  it 
punifli'd,  148,  282. 

Women  take  Arms,  and  defend  themfelves  againfl:  the 
Greeks t  59.   Reftore  the  Battle  at  Termouk,  207. 

Wotnen^  beautiful  and  black- ey'd,  expeded  by  the 
Mahometans  in  Paradife,  132. 

Y. 

Tawmo'itewir,  the  Day  of  Blinding  •,    why  fo  call'd, 
206. 

Tazdejerd,  eleded  King  of  the  Terfians  by  a  Fadlion 
of  the  Rebels,  in.    The  Perftan  Mr  a  begins  at 
his  Acceflion  to  the  Throne,  112.    He  retires  to 
Ferganah,  230.  His  Death,  329. 
Temamah,  the  Name  of  a  City  and  Territory  in  Ara- 
bia, famous  for  being  the  Seat  of  Mofeilamah  the 
falie  Prophet,  14. 
Temen,  the  Arabick  Name  o^  Arabia  Fcelix,  39. 
Termouk,  a  Place  in  Syria,  famous  for  a  decifive  Bat- 
tle between  the  Chriftians  and  the  Saracens,  124, 
191,  204. 
Tezid  Ebn  Abi  Sophyan  made  General  of  the  Saracen 
Army  in  Syria,  22.    Is  taken  Prifoner,  197.  fent 
to  befiege  Jerufalem,  211.    His  Death,  299. 
Tezid  Cahph,  147. 

Toukinna  Governor  of  the  Caftle  of  Aleppo,  233.  En- 
gages Caab  Ebn  Damarah,  235.  Perfecutes  the 
Aleppians,22C).  Kills  his  Brother  Ji?^;^,  240.  Turns 
Mahometan,  249.  Is  taken  Prifoner  by  Theodorus 
his  Coufin,  252.  Releas'd  by  Leon,  254.  Goes  to 
Antioch,  258.    Surprizes  TVi/'o//,  293. 


Z. 


INDEX. 

Z. 

Zacat,  that  part  of  a  Man's  Subftance,  which  is  con- 

fecrated  to  Religious  Ufes,  lo. 
Zeid^  Mahomet's  Slave,  who  was  the  fecond  Perfon 

that  acknowledg'd  his  Infpiration,  upon  which  he 

gave  him  his  Liberty,  7. 
ZeidEbnWaheh,  274. 
Zeweilab,  314. 
Zokir  kills  the  Praefed  of  j4mman,  200. 


FINIS. 


i 


I 


^'  ,. 


iJ