by an actual survey of the people, the cattle, and | ish cavalry, in the nineteenth year of his unhappy the fruits of the earth; and this monument, which attests the vigilance of the caliphs, might have instructed the philosophers of every age.k

reign. His son Firuz, an humble client of the
Chinese emperor, accepted the station of captain of
his guards; and the Magian worship was long pre-
served by a colony of loyal exiles in the province
of Bucharia. His grandson inherited the regal
name; but after a faint and fruitless enterprise, he
returned to China, and ended his days in the
palace of Sigan. The male line of the Sassanides
was extinct; but the female captives, the daughters
of Persia, were given to the conquerors in servitude,
or marriage; and the race of the caliphs and imams
was ennobled by the blood of their royal mothers."
After the fall of the Persian king-
dom, the river Oxus divided the terri-
tories of the Saracens and of the Turks.
This narrow boundary was soon overleaped by the
spirit of the Arabs: the governors of Chorasan ex-
tended their successive inroads; and one of their
triumphs was adorned with the buskin of a Turkish
queen, which she dropped in her precipitate flight
beyond the hills of Bochara. But the final con-

The conquest of
Transoxiana,

A. D. 710.

The flight of Yezdegerd had carried Death of the last king, him beyond the Oxus, and as far as A. D. 651. the Jaxartes, two rivers of ancient and modern renown, which descend from the mountains of India towards the Caspian sea. He was hospitably entertained by Tarkhan, prince of Fargana, a fertile province on the Jaxartes: the king of Samarcand, with the Turkish tribes of Sogdiana and Scythia, were moved by the lamentations and promises of the fallen monarch; and he solicited, by a suppliant embassy, the more solid and powerful friendship of the emperor of China." The virtuous Taitsong," the first of the dynasty of the Tang, may be justly compared with the Antonines of Rome: his people enjoyed the blessings of prosperity and peace; and his dominion was acknowledged by forty-four hordes of the barbarians of Tartary. His last garrisons of Cashgar and Khoten maintained a frequent intercourse with their neigh-quest of Transoxiana, as well as of Spain, was bours of the Jaxartes and Oxus; a recent colony of Persians had introduced into China the astronomy of the Magi; and Taitsong might be alarmed by the rapid progress and dangerous vicinity of the Arabs. The influence, and perhaps the supplies, of China revived the hopes of Yezdegerd and the zeal of the worshippers of fire; and he returned with an army of Turks to conquer the inheritance of his fathers. The fortunate Moslems, without unsheathing their swords, were the spectators of his ruin and death. The grandson of Chosroes was betrayed by his servant, insulted by the seditious inhabitants of Merou, and oppressed, defeated, and pursued, by his barbarian allies. He reached the banks of a river, and offered his rings and bracelets for an instant passage in a miller's boat. Ignorant or insensible of royal distress, the rustic replied, that four drams of silver were the daily profit of his mill, and that he would not suspend his work unless the loss were repaid. In this moment of hesitation and delay, the last of the Sassanian kings was overtaken and slaughtered by the Turk

i After the conquest of Persia, Theophanes adds, аv7w δε τῷ χρόνῳ εκέλευσεν Ουμαρος αναγραφηναι πασαν την ύπ' αυτόν οικουμένην εγένετο δε ή αναγραφή και ανθρωπων και κτηνων και φυτων. (Chronograph. p. 283.)

k Amidst our meagre relations, I must regret, that D'Herbelot has not found and used a Persian translation of Tabari, enriched, as he says, with many extracts from the native historians of the Ghebers or Magi. (Bibliotheque Orientale, p. 1014.)

1 The most authentic accounts of the two rivers, the Sihon, (Jaxartes,) and the Gihon, (Oxus,) may be found in Sherif al Edrisi, (Geograph. Nubieos, p. 138.) Abulfeda, (Descript. Chorasan. in Hudson, tom. iii. p. 23.) Abulghazi Khan, who reigned on their banks, (Hist. Genealogi. que des Tatars, p. 32. 57. 766.) and the Turkish Geographer, a MS. in the king of France's library. (Examen Critique des Historiens d'Alexandre, p. 194-360.)

m The territory of Fargana is described by Abulfeda, p. 76, 77.

n Eo redegit angustiarum eundem regem exsulem, ut Turcici regis, et Sogdiani, et Sinensis, auxilia missis literis imploraret. (Abulfed. Annal. p. 74.) The connexion of the Persian and Chinese history is illustrated by Freret, (Mem. de l'Academie, tom. xvi. p. 245-255.) and de Guignes, (Hist. des Huns, tom. i. p. 54-59. and for the geography of the borders, tom. ii. p. 1-43.)

o Hist. Sinica p. 41-46. in the third part of the Relations Curieuses of Thevenot.

I have endeavoured to harmonize the various narratives of Elmacin, (Hist. Saracen. p. 37.) Abulpharagius, (Dynast. p. 116.) Abulfeda,

reserved for the glorious reign of the inactive Walid; and the name of Catibah, the camel driver, declares the origin and merit of his successful lieutenant. While one of his colleagues displayed the first Mahometan banner on the banks of the Indus, the spacious regions between the Oxus, the Jaxartes, and the Caspian sea, were reduced by the arms of Catibah to the obedience of the prophet and of the caliph. A tribute of two millions of pieces of gold was imposed on the infidels; their idols were burnt or broken; the mussulman chief pronounced a sermon in the new mosch of Carizme; after several battles, the Turkish hordes were driven back to the desert; and the emperors of China solicited the friendship of the victorious Arabs. To their industry, the prosperity of the province, the Sogdiana of the ancients, may in a great measure be ascribed; but the advantages of the soil and climate had been understood and cultivated since the reign of the Macedonian kings. Before the invasion of the Saracens, Carizme, Bochara, and Samarcand, were rich and populous under the

(Annal. p. 74. 79.) and D'Herbelot. (p. 485.) The end of Yezdegerd was not only unfortunate but obscure.

The two daughters of Yezdegerd married Hassan, the son of All and Mohammed, the son of Abubeker; and the first of these was the father of a numerous progeny. The daughter of Phirouz became the wife of the caliph Walid, and their son Yezid derived his genuine of fabulous descent from the Chosroes of Persia, the Cæsars of Rome, and the Chagans of the Turks or Avars. (D'Herbelot, Bibliot. Orientale, p. 96. 487.)

It was valued at 2000 pieces of gold, and was the prize of Obeidollah, the son of Ziyad, a name afterwards infamous by the murder of Hosein. (Ockley's History of the Saracens, vol. ii. p. 142, 143.) His brother Salem was accompanied by his wife, the first Arabian woma (A. D. 680.) who passed the Oxus: she borrowed, or rather stole, the crown and jewels of the princess of the Sogdiaus, (p. 231, 232.)

A part of Abulfeda's geography is translated by Greaves, inserted in Hudson's collection of the minor geographers, (tom. iii.) and entitled, Descriptio Chorasmie et Mawaralnahre, id est, regionem extra fluvium, Oxum, p. 80. The name of Trans.oxiana, softer in sound, equivalent in sense, is aptly used by Petit de la Croix, (Hist. de Gellgiscan, &c.) and some modern orientalists, but they are mistaken in ascribing it to the writers of antiquity.

The conquests of Catibah are faintly marked by Elmacin, (Hist, Saracen. p. 84.) D'Herbelot, (Bibliot. Orient. Catbah, Samarcand, Valid,) and De Guignes. (Hist. des Huns, tom. i. p. 58, 59.)

Yes the da

the

yoke of the shepherds of the north.
were surrounded with a double wall; and the ex-
terior fortification, of a larger circumference, en-
closed the fields and gardens of the adjacent district.
The mutual wants of India and Europe were sup-
plied by the diligence of the Sogdian merchants;
and the inestimable art of transforming linen into
paper, has been diffused from the manufacture of
Samarcand over the western world."

Invasion of Syria,
A. D. 632.

ment, than he
Arabian tribes.

Destroy no

These cities | with the blood of women or children.
palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn. Cut down
no fruit-trees, nor do any mischief to cattle, only
such as you kill to eat. When you make any
covenant or article, stand to it, and be as good as
your word. As you go on, you will find some reli-
gious persons who live retired in monasteries, and
propose to themselves to serve God that way: let
them alone, and neither kill them nor destroy their
monasteries: And you will find another sort of
people, that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who
have shaven crowns; be sure you cleave their
skulls, and give them no quarter till they either turn
Mahometans or pay tribute." All profane or fri-
volous conversation, all dangerous recollection of
ancient quarrels, was severely prohibited among
the Arabs: in the tumult of a camp, the exercises
of religion were assiduously practised; and the
intervals of action were employed in prayer, medi-
tation, and the study of the Koran. The abuse, or
even the use, of wine was chastised by fourscore
strokes on the soles of the feet, and in the fervour
of their primitive zeal many secret sinners revealed
their fault, and solicited their punishment. After
some hesitation, the command of the Syrian army
was delegated to Abu Obeidah, one of the fugitives
of Mecca and companions of Mahomet; whose
zeal and devotion were assuaged, without being
abated, by the singular mildness and benevolence
of his temper. But in all the emergencies of war,
the soldiers demanded the superior genius of Caled;
and whoever might be the choice of the prince, the
sword of God was both in fact and fame the fore-
most leader of the Saracens. He obeyed without
reluctance; he was consulted without jealousy ;
and such was the spirit of the man, or rather of the
times, that Caled professed his readiness to serve
under the banner of the faith, though it were in the
hands of a child or an enemy. Glory, and riches,
and dominion, were indeed promised to the vic-
torious mussulman; but he was carefully instructed,
that if the goods of this life were his only incitement,
they likewise would be his only reward.

II. No sooner had Abubeker restored the unity of faith and governdespatched a circular letter to the "In the name of the most merciful God, to the rest of the true believers. Health and happiness, and the mercy and blessing of God be upon you. I praise the most high God, and I pray for his prophet Mahomet. This is to acquaint you, that I intend to send 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 religion is an act of obedience to God." His messengers returned with the tidings of pious and martial ardour which they had kindled in every province; and the camp of Medina was successively filled with the intrepid bands of the Saracens, who panted for action, complained of the heat of the season and the scarcity of provisions, and accused with impatient murmurs the delays of the caliph. As soon as their numbers were complete, Abubeker ascended the hill, reviewed the men, the horses, and the arms, and poured forth a fervent prayer for the success of their undertaking. In person, and on foot, he accompanied the first day's march; and when the blushing leaders attempted to dismount, the caliph removed their scruples by a declaration, that those who rode, and those who walked, in the service of religion, were equally meritorious. His instructions to the chiefs of the Syrian army were inspired by the warlike fanaticism which advances to seize, and affects to despise, the objects of earthly ambition. "Remember," said the successor of the prophet, "that you are always in the presence of God, on the verge of death, in the assurance of judgment, and the hope of paradise. Avoid injustice and oppression; consult with your brethren, and study to preserve the love and confidence of your troops. When you fight the battles of the Lord, acquit yourselves like men, without turning your backs; but let not your victory be stained

2

jes

A curious description of Samarcand is inserted in the Bibliotheca
Arabico-Hispana, tom. i. p. 208, &c. The librarian Casiri (tom. ii. 9.)
relates, from credible testimony, that paper was first imported from
China to Samarcand, A. H. 30. and invented, or rather introduced, at
Mecca, A. H. 88.
The Escurial library contains paper MSS. as old as

the fourth or fifth century of the Hegira.

A separate history of the conquest of Syria has been composed by Al Wakidi, cadi of Bagdad, who was born A. D. 748. and died A. D. 822. he likewise wrote the conquest of Egypt, of Diarbekir, &c. Above the meagre and recent chronicles of the Arabians, Al Wakidi has the double merit of antiquity and copiousness. His tales and traditions afford an artless picture of the men and the times. Yet his narrative Le too often defective, trifling, and improbable. Till something better shall be found, his learned and spirited interpreter (Ockley, in his history of the Saracens, vol. i. p. 21-342.) will not deserve the petulant animadversion of Reiske. (Prodidagmata ad Hagji Chalifa Tabulas, p. 236.) I am sorry to think that the labours of Ockley were consum. mated in a jail. (See his two prefaces to the first vol. A. D. 1708. to the second, 1718. with the list of authors at the end.)

y The instructions, &c. of the Syrian war, are described by Al Wakidi

Siege of Bosra.

One of the fifteen provinces of Syria, the cultivated lands to the eastward of the Jordan, had been decorated by Roman vanity with the name of Arabia; and the first arms of the Saracens were justified by the semblance of a national right. The country was enriched by the

and Ockley, tom. i. p. 22-27, &c. In the sequel it is necessary to contract, and needless to quote, their circumstantial narrative. My obligations to others shall be noticed.

z Notwithstanding this precept, M. Pauw (Recherches sur les Egyptiens, tom. ii. p. 192. edit. Lausanne) represents the Bedoweens as the implacable enemies of the christian monks. For my own part I am more inclined to suspect the avarice of the Arabian robbers, and the prejudices of the German philosopher.

a Even in the seventh century, the monks were generally laymen: they wore their hair long and dishevelled, and shaved their heads when they were ordained priests. The circular tonsure was sacred and mysterious: it was the crown of thorns; but it was likewise a royal diadem, and every priest was a king, &c. (Thomasin, Discipline de l'Eglise, tom. i. p. 721-758, especially p. 737, 738.)

b Huic Arabia est conserta, ex alio latere Nabathæis contigua; opima varietate commerciorum, castrisque oppleta validis et castellis, quæ ad repellendos gentium vicinarum excursus, solicitudo perviget veterum per opportunos saltos erexit et cautos. Ammian. Marcellin. xiv. 8. Reland. Palestin. tom. i. p. 85, 86.

successful intrepidity gave an easy entrance to their companions. After Caled had imposed the terms of servitude and tribute, the apostate or convert avowed in the assembly of the people his meritorious treason: "I renounce your society," said Romanus, "both in this world, and the world to come. And I deny him that was crucified, and whosoever worships him. And I choose God for my Lord, Islam for my faith, Mecca for my temple, the Moslems for my brethren, and Mahomet for my prophet; who was sent to lead us into the right way. and to exalt the true religion in spite of those who join partners with God."

h

Siege of Damas
A. D. 633.

various benefits of trade; by the vigilance of the emperors it was covered with a line of forts; and the populous cities of Gerasa, Philadelphia, and Bosra, were secure, at least from a surprise, by the solid structure of their walls. The last of these cities was the eighteenth station of Medina: the road was familiar to the caravans of Hejaz and Irak, who annually visited this plenteous market of the province and the desert: the perpetual jealousy of the Arabs had trained the inhabitants to arms; and twelve thousand horse could sally from the gates of Bosra, an appellation which signifies, in the Syriac language, a strong tower of defence. Encouraged by their first success against the open The conquest of Bosra, four days' towns and flying parties of the borders, a detach-journey from Damascus, encouraged cus, ment of four thousand Moslems presumed to sum- the Arabs to besiege the ancient capimon and attack the fortress of Bosra. They were tal of Syria.s At some distance from the walls, oppressed by the numbers of the Syrians; they they encamped among the groves and fountains of were saved by the presence of Caled, with fifteen that delicious territory, and the usual option of hundred horse: he blamed the enterprise, restored the Mahometan faith, of tribute or of war, was prothe battle, and rescued his friend, the venerable posed to the resolute citizens, who had been lately Serjabil, who had vainly invoked the unity of God strengthened by a reinforcement of five thousand and the promise of the apostle. After a short Greeks. In the decline as in the infancy of the repose, the Moslems performed their ablutions military art, an hostile defiance was frequently with sand instead of water; and the morning offered and accepted by the generals themselves prayer was recited by Caled before they mounted many a lance was shivered in the plain of Damason horseback. Confident in their strength, the cus, and the personal prowess of Caled was signalpeople of Bosra threw open their gates, drew their ized in the first sally of the besieged. After an forces into the plain, and swore to die in the de- obstinate combat, he had overthrown and made fence of their religion. But a religion of peace was prisoner one of the christian leaders, a stout and incapable of withstanding the fanatic cry of "Fight, worthy antagonist. He instantly mounted a fresh fight! Paradise, paradise!" that re-echoed in the horse, the gift of the governor of Palmyra, and ranks of the Saracens ; and the uproar of the town, pushed forwards to the front of the battle. "Rethe ringing of bells, and the exclamations of the pose yourself for a moment," said his friend Derar priests and monks, increased the dismay and dis- "and permit me to supply your place: you are order of the christians. With the loss of two hun- fatigued with fighting with this dog." "O Derar!" dred and thirty men, the Arabs remained masters replied the indefatigable Saracen, "we shall rest of the field; and the ramparts of Bosra, in exin the world to come. He that labours to-day shall pectation of human or divine aid, were crowded rest to-morrow." With the same unabated ardour, with holy crosses and consecrated banners. The Caled answered, encountered, and vanquished a governor Romanus had recommended an early sub- second champion; and the heads of his two capmission: despised by the people, and degraded tives who refused to abandon their religion were infrom his office, he still retained the desire and op- dignantly hurled into the midst of the city. The portunity of revenge. In a nocturnal interview, he event of some general and partial actions reduced informed the enemy of a subterraneous passage the Damascenes to a closer defence: but a messenfrom his house under the wall of the city; the son ger whom they dropt from the walls, returned with of the caliph, with a hundred volunteers, were the promise of speedy and powerful succour, and committed to the faith of this new ally, and their their tumultuous joy conveyed the intelligence to

e With Gerasa and Philadelphia, Ammianus praises the fortifications of Bosra, firmitate cautissimas. They deserved the same praise in the time of Abulfeda, (Tabul. Syriæ, p. 99.) who describes this city, the metropolis of Hawran, (Auranitis,) four days' journey from Damascus. The Hebrew etymology I learn from Reland, Palestin. tom. ii. p. 666.

d The apostle of a desert, and an army, was obliged to allow this ready succedaneum for water; (Koran, c. iii. p. 66. c. v. p. 83.) but the Arabian and Persian casuists have embarrassed his free permission with many niceties and distinctions. (Reland de Relig. Mohammed. 1. i. p. 82, 83. Chardin, Voyages en Perse, tom. iv.)

The bells rung! Ockley, vol. i. p. 38. Yet I much doubt whether this expression can be justified by the text of Al Wakidi, or the practice of the times. Ad Græcos, says the learned Ducange, (Glossar. med. et infim. Græcitat. tom. i. p. 774.) campanarum usus serius transit et etiamnum rarissimus est. The oldest example which he can find in the Byzantine writers is of the year 1040; but the Venetians pretend, that they introduced bells at Constantinople in the ninth century.

f Damascus is amply described by the Sherif at Edrisi; (Geograph. Nub. p. 116, 117.) and his translator, Sionita; (Appendix, c. 4.) Abulfeda; (Tabula Syriæ, p. 100.) Schultens; (Index Geograph. ad Vit. Saladin.) D'Herbelot; (Bibliot. Orient. p. 291.) Thevenot; (Voyage

du Levant, part i. p. 688-698.) Maundrell; (Journey from Alepp Jerusalem, p. 122-130.) and Pocock. (Description of the East, val. tip. 117-127.)

Nobilissima civitas, says Justin. According to the oriental tradi tions, it was older then Abraham or Semiramis. Joseph. Antiq. Jud. I. i. c. 6, 7. p. 24. 29. edit. Havercamp. Justin, xxxvi. 2. Η Έδει γαρ οιμαι την Διος πόλιν άληθως, και της Ένας απασης οφ θαλμοι, την ιεραν και μεγίςην Δαμασκον λέγω, τους τε άλλοις συμπασία, διον ἱερων καλλει, και νέων μεγέθει, και ώρων ευκαρνία, και πη αγλαία, και ποταμών πλήθει και της εφορια νικώσαν, δε με epist. xxiv. p. 392. These splendid epithets are occasioned by the firs of Damascus, of which the author sends a hundred to his friend Serapion, and this rhetorical theme is inserted by Petavius, Spanheim, &c. (p. 390-396.) among the genuine epistles of Julian. How could they overlook that the writer is an inhabitant of Damascus, (he thrice affirms, that this peculiar fig grows only rap' uv,) a city which Julian never entered or approached?

Moslems st i Voltaire, who casts a keen and lively glance over the surface of the heroes of the Iliad; the siege of Troy and that of Damascus. (Hist.

Generale, tom. i. p. 348.)

で

ㄓ

ཙཽ、ས

the camp of the Arabs. After some debate it was resolved by the generals, to raise, or rather to suspend, the siege of Damascus, till they had given battle to the forces of the emperor. In the retreat, Caled would have chosen the more perilous station of the rear-guard; he modestly yielded to the wishes of Abu Obeidah. But in the hour of danger he flew to the rescue of his companion, who was rudely pressed by a sally of six thousand horse and ten thousand foot, and few among the christians could relate at Damascus the circumstances

contempt of danger, were the ruling passions of the audacious Saracen; and the prospect of instant death could never shake his religious confidence, or ruffle the calmness of his resolution, or even suspend the frank and martial pleasantry of his humour. In the most hopeless enterprises, he was bold, and prudent, and fortunate: after innumerable hazards, after being thrice a prisoner in the hands of the infidels, he still survived to relate the achievements, and to enjoy the rewards, of the Syrian conquest. On this occasion, his single lance maintained a

66

tached by Werdan; and after killing or unhorsing seventeen of their number, Derar returned in safety to his applauding brethren. When his rashness was mildly censured by the general, he excused himself with the simplicity of a soldier. Nay,” said Derar, "I did not begin first: but they came out to take me, and I was afraid that God should see me turn my back; and indeed I fought in good earnest, and without doubt God assisted me against them; and had I not been apprehensive of disobeying your orders, I should not have come away as I did; and I perceive already that they will fall into our hands." In the presence of both armies, a venerable Greek advanced from the ranks with a liberal offer of peace; and the departure of the Saracens would have been purchased by a gift to cach soldier, of a turban, a robe, and a piece of gold; ten robes and a hundred pieces to their leader; one hundred robes and a thousand pieces to the caliph. A smile of indignation expressed the refusal of Caled. "Ye christian dogs, you know your option; the Koran, the tribute, or the sword. We are a people whose delight is in war, rather than in peace; and we despise your pitiful alms, since we shall be speedily masters of your wealth, your families, and your persons." Notwithstanding this apparent disdain, he was deeply conscious of the public danger: those who had been in Persia, and had seen the armies of Chosroes, confessed that they never beheld a more formidable array. From the superiority of the enemy, the artful Saracen derived a fresh incentive of courage:

of their defeat. The importance of the contest re-flying fight against thirty Romans, who were dequired the junction of the Saracens, who were dispersed on the frontiers of Syria and Palestine; and I shall transcribe one of the circular mandates which was addressed to Amrou, the future conqueror of Egypt. "In the name of the most merciful God: from Caled to Amrou, health and happiness. Know that thy brethren the Moslems design to march to Aiznadin, where there is an army of seventy thousand Greeks, who purpose to come against us, that they may extinguish the light of God with their mouths; but God preserveth his light in spite of the infidels. As soon therefore as this letter of mine shall be delivered to thy hands, come with those that are with thee to Aiznadin, where thou shalt find us if it please the most high God." The summons was cheerfully obeyed, and the forty-five thousand Moslems who met on the same day, on the same spot, ascribed to the blessing of Providence the effects of their activity and zeal. About four years after the triumphs A. D. 633. of the Persian war, the repose of HeJuly 13. raclius and the empire was again disturbed by a new enemy, the power of whose religion was more strongly felt, than it was clearly understood, by the christians of the east. In his palace of Constantinople or Antioch, he was awakened by the invasion of Syria, the loss of Bosra, and the danger of Damascus. An army of seventy thousand veterans, or new levies, was assembled at Hems or Emesa, under the command of his general Werdan ;' and these troops, consisting chiefly of cavalry, might be indifferently styled either Syrians, or Greeks, or Romans: Syrians, from the place of their birth or warfare; Greeks, from the religion and language of their sovereign; and Romans, from the proud appellation which was still profaned by the successors of Constantine. On the plain of Aiznadin, as Werdan rode on a white mule decorated with gold chains, and surrounded with ensigns and standards,

Battle of Aizna

he was

din,

surprised by the near approach of a fierce and naked warrior, who had undertaken to view the state of the enemy. The adventurous valour of Derar was inspired, and has perhaps been adorned, by the enthusiasm of his age and country. The hatred of the christians, the love of spoil, and the

These words are a text of the Koran, c, ix. 32. lxi. 8. Like our fanatics of the last century, the Moslems, on every familiar or important occasion, spoke the language of their scriptures; a style more natural in their mouths, than the Hebrew idiom transplanted into the climate and dialect of Britain.

1 The name of Werdan is unknown to Theophanes, and, though it

You see before you," said he, "the united force of the Romans: you cannot hope to escape, but you may conquer Syria in a single day. The event depends on your discipline and patience. Reserve yourselves till the evening. It was in the evening that the prophet was accustomed to vanquish.” During two successive engagements, his temperate firmness sustained the darts of the enemy, and the murmurs of his troops. At length, when the spirits and quivers of the adverse line were almost exhausted, Caled gave the signal of onset and victory. The remains of the imperial army fled to Antioch, or Cæsarea, or Damascus; and the death of four

might belong to an Armenian chief, has very little of a Greek aspect
or sound. If the Byzantine historians have mangled the oriental
names, the Arabs, in this instance, likewise have taken ample revenge
on their enemies. In transposing the Greek character from right to
left, might they not produce, from the familiar appellation of Andrew,
something like the anagram Werdan?

hundred and seventy Moslems was compensated by | Saracens, till their death was revenged by a female the opinion that they had sent to hell above fifty thousand of the infidels. The spoil was inestimable; many banners and crosses of gold and silver, precious stones, silver and gold chains, and innumerable suits of the richest armour and apparel. The general distribution was postponed till Damascus should be taken: but the seasonable supply of arms became the instrument of new victories. The glorious intelligence was transmitted to the throne of the caliph, and the Arabian tribes, the coldest or most hostile to the prophet's mission, were eager and importunate to share the harvest of Syria.