Tadhkirah — Page 292
292 which was to produce the best results from the point of view of the world and faith. Suddenly, I saw thousands of people, all mounted on horses, advancing rapidly towards me. On seeing them, I felt as joyful as if I had won great spoils. I felt a great upsurge in my heart for opposing them and began to pursue them as a hunter stalks his quarry. Then, I galloped up to them to ascertain their condition and was certain in my mind that I would be victorious against them. As I came up to them, I discovered that their clothes were worn and torn. Their features were repulsive; they looked like pagans and were dressed like the rebellious. I noticed that they were manoeuvring their horses for the purpose of plunder and I was watching them carefully while I advanced rapidly towards them like a brave champion. My horse went forward so fast as if it was being urged by some invisible power, as camels are urged by the chanting of their drivers. I was also delighted by the charm and beauty of its paces. Then they turned suddenly to obstruct my power and my plan, to destroy the fruits of my garden, to uproot my trees and to plunder them. They advanced towards my garden and entered into it, which made me anxious and much perturbed as I gathered that they wanted to destroy the fruit of my garden and to cut its branches. I advanced towards them rapidly and realised that it was a time of great danger and my enemies had made their homes in my land. I began to entertain fear in my heart like one weak and afraid, but I advanced towards my garden so that I could assess the situation. When I entered my garden and looked carefully, I tried to discover the place where they had stationed themselves. I saw from a distance that they had all fallen down in the middle terrace of the garden scattered like dead people. Thereupon, my anxiety departed and I was reassured and advanced towards