388
PARTISAN REVIEW
The Almohade governor, 'Utman, still young, his position fragile; Abu ja'far
resenting him for reasons political and personal; Hafsa trying
to
protect Abu
ja'far, while cultivating 'Utman for whatever allures (charm, power, liberal–
ity) she might have divined in him. In 1162 there is a crisis: the Almohade
power in Granada is overthrown for a few months by rebel forces led by
Ibn Mardanis. The crisis over and Almohade authority restored, Abu ja'far's
father, who had opposed the Almohades (and whose brother had been gov–
ernor of Granada under the previous Almoravide regime) is duly thrown
into prison. During the coup, Abu ja'far himself would have gone over to the
rebels, even if only out of family loyalty. The restoration of Almohade
power now gives 'Utman his chance.
* * *
Al-Maqqari's commentary frames the next four poems. The first is one
which Abu ja'far sent to Hafsa by messenger:
Lady, whose name I keep to myself,
And to whom I gladly allude, but no more,
I do not see you keeping your promise.
I fear that the end of my life is approaching,
Yet I do not expect you
to
remain mine till the crack of doom.
If only you would see me when the shadow of night falls.
When doves go to rest I cry out with love and longing.
I want you with a love that prolongs desire,
Desire for a woman full of pride,
Who does not reply to my greeting.
If
you will not grant me your favors ,
Then let me rest,
Else my despair will break the bonds between us.
Hafsa detained Abu ja'far's messenger and wrote a reply for him to
take back. Discreet as ever, she told the messenger: "I have no idea why I
bother with you two rascals." Her words were conveyed to Abu ja'far, who
asked the messenger what other news he brought. The messenger (probably
bluffed by Hafsa's ostensibly dismissive remark) replied , "The news of one
who took a message from a rascal to a wordy woman: read the verses and
you'll see."
(5)
You who claim
to
be the best of lovers,
First in passion when it comes
to
women,
Your poem has reached me,
But I am not satisfied with your words.
You say that you are desperate for love,
