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of the air, the creeping things of the earth, the demons from above and the
Genii, to be brought, that they might dance around him, in order that all the
kings waiting upon him might behold his grandeur. And all the royal scribes
summoned by their names before him; in fact, all were there except the captives
and prisoners and those in charge of them. Just then the Red-cock, enjoying
itself, could not be found; and King Solomon said that they should seize and
bring it by force, and indeed he sought to kill it. But just then the cock
appeared in presence of the King, and said: O Lord, King of the earth! having
applied thine ear, listen to my words. It is hardly three months since I made a
firm resolution within me that I would not eat a crumb of bread, nor drink a
drop of water until I had seen the whole world, and over it make my flight,
saying to myself, I must know the city and the kingdom which is not subject to
thee, my Lord King. Then I found the fortified city Q�t�r in the Eastern lands,
and around it are stones of gold and silver in the streets plentiful as rubbish,
and trees planted from the beginning of the world, and rivers to water it,
flowing out of the garden of Eden. Many men are there wearing garlands from the
garden close by. They shoot arrows, but cannot use the bow. They are ruled by a
woman, called Queen of Sheba. Now if it please my Lord King, thy servant, having
bound up my girdle, will set out for the fort Q�t�r in Sheba; and having
"bound their Kings with chains and their Nobles with links of iron,"
will bring them into thy presence. The proposal pleased the King, and the
scribes prepared a despatch, which was placed under the bird's wing, and away it
flew high up in the sky. It grew strong surrounded by a crowd of birds, and
reached the Fort of Sheba. By chance the Queen of Sheba was out in the morning
worshipping the sea; and the air being darkened by the multitude of birds, she
became so alarmed as to rend her clothes in trouble and distress. Just then the
Cock alighted by her, and she seeing the letter under its wing opened and read
it as follows: "King Solomon sendeth to thee his salaam, and saith, The
high and holy One hath set me over the beasts of the field, etc.; and the kings
of the four Quarters send to ask after my welfare. Now if it please thee to come
and ask after my welfare, I will
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set thee high above them all. But if it please thee not, I will send kings
and armies against thee; the beasts of the field are my people, the birds of
the air my riders, the demons and genii thine enemies, to imprison you, to
slay and to feed upon you." When the Queen of Sheba heard it, she again
rent her garments, and sending for her Nobles asked their advice. They knew not
Solomon, but advised her to send vessels by the sea, full of beautiful ornaments
and gems, together with 6000 boys and girls in purple garments, who had all been
born at the same moment; also to send a letter promising to visit him by the end
of the year. It was a journey of seven years but she promised to come in three.
When at last she came, Solomon sent a messenger shining in brilliant attire,
like the morning dawn, to meet her. As they came together, she stepped from her
carriage. "Why dost thou thus?" he asked. "Art thou not
Solomon?" she said. "Nay, I am but a servant that standeth in his
presence." The queen at once addressed a parable to her followers in
compliment to him, and then was led by him to the Court. Solomon hearing she had
come, arose and sat down in the Palace of glass. When the Queen of Sheba saw it,
she thought that the glass floor was water, and so in crossing over lifted up
her garments. When Solomon seeing the hair about her legs, cried out to her: Thy
beauty is the beauty of women, but thy hair is as the hair of men; hair is good
in man, but in woman it is not becoming. On this she said: My Lord, I have three
enigmas to put to thee. If thou canst answer them, I shall know that thou art a
wise man: but if not thou art like all around thee. When he had answered all
three, she replied, astonished: Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath placed
thee on the throne that thou mightest rule with right and justice. And she gave
to Solomon much gold and silver; and he to her whatsoever she desired.
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In the Jewish statement, we see that the Queen put several enigmas for
Solomon to solve; and though this is not mentioned in the Qur'an, it is in the Muslim
traditions. And so with the story of her legs; for in the Ar�ish al
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