Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/210

Rh professing his own religion. Saïf then repaired to the court of the Persian monarch, Kesra Anowshirwân, who gave him promises of assistance, but owing to other wars delayed their fulfilment. In the meanwhile Saïf died, but his son, Maʾady-Karib, animated by the same zeal as his father, once more sought Kesra's presence. The latter armed all the malefactors in the prisons, amounting to 3,600 men, organized them into an army, and placed them under the command of Horzád-ibn-Narsee, surnamed Wahráz, one of themselves, but superior to them by birth and education. This party, together with Maʾady-Karib, sailed for el-Yémen; the courage of the native Arabs was excited by the sight of the troops, and the presence of a descendant of their ancient kings; and those who had suffered from the persecution of Masrûk, a cruel and tyrannical prince, flocked to the standard of Maʾady-Karib, who soon found himself at the head of an army of 20,000 men. Masrûk prepared to oppose their advance with a force of 120,000 men, but during the battle which ensued was killed by an arrow shot by Wahráz, the Abyssinian army was thrown into the utmost confusion, and finally routed with great slaughter. Maʾady-Karib was, by order of Kesra, installed as viceroy of el-Yémen, agreeing to pay tribute as a vassal of the Persian monarch. These events occurred about 575, and thus was the Christian power in el-Yémen overthrown, though many Abyssinians still remained there. These, Maʾady-Karib began by persecuting, but afterwards changed his policy and surrounded himself with Abyssinian guards. One day, however, when he was out hunting, these guards fell upon him and slew him, and thus finally extinguished the dynasty of Himyar. An Abyssinian, whose name is not mentioned, then seized the supreme power, and el-Yémen was for some time filled with violence and bloodshed. In 595, however, Wahráz, earnestly to his Lord in a loud voice. And when they drew near, and saluted him, he raised his head,