Al-Hariri of Basra

270px|thumb|My native soil's Serugium,Where flows the stream of happiness. Abū Muhammad al-Qāsim ibn Alī ibn Muhammad ibn Uthmān al-Harīrī (1054– 9 September 1122) was an Arab poet, scholar of the Arabic language and a high government official of the Seljuk Empire. Quotes Poetry Serugium My native soil's Serugium,Where flows the stream of happiness.The produce there of high esteem:The mart of plenty justly nam'd.The waters exquisitely sweet:Like those that spring from paradise.The deserts to the eye appear,Like verdant meadows beautiful.Th'inhabitants and houses shine,Like stars and starry mansions bright.The air they breath delicious smells:The prospect pleasing, large and wide.The highest hills are strew'd with flow'rs,When once the sun dissolves the snow.Visit Serugium - you'll seeThe feat of this world's paradise. Maqamat of al-Hariri, translated by Leonard Chappelow, p. 17 Response to a stranger's request Thou'rt not the first night-wand'rer,Deceive'd by treach'rous moon-light:Nor the first starv'd Purveyor,Pleas'd with the spacious surfaceOf dunghill's outward verdure,The greedy eye attracting:When all within is nauseous.In choosing a companion,Thy choice, I find, directs theeTo one of diff'rent aspect;For I am like old Moaid,Deform'd in ev'ry member.Hear then what I shall dictate;But let thine eye not see me;For prejudice will frustrateThe wisest, best instructions. Maqamat of al-Hariri, translated by Leonard Chappelow External links Leonard Chappelow: Six Assemblies, English translation of Maqamat of al-Hariri, Cambridge, 1767 Ḥarīrī Al-Hariri Category:1050s births Category:1122 deaths Category:People from Basra Category:Poets of the Abbasid Caliphate Category:10th century Arabic poets Category:11th century Arabic poets Category:Muslims from Iraq