The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-24
Fl QUEEN OF SHEBA
CURIOUS MoHAMMEDAN LEGEND OF
HER VISIT TO KING SOLOMON.
Ii Differs from the Biblical Version
and Sounds More Like n Dazzling
Arabian Nights TnIe.


Sheba's historic visit to the court OF Solo
mon Is comprised In twelve verses Oh.
Chronicles H1 We are led to infer that
the magnificent potenate from the East had
been deeply stirred by the fame Of the
Jewish Kings wisdom, and, impelled, no
doubt. by womanly curiosity, she journeyed
10 Jerusalem simply to test Solomon with
hard questions. And King solomon gave
TO the Queen of Sheba all her desire. what
soever she asked, beside that which she
brought unto the King. So she turned
away unto her own land. she and her
servants" Verse ~ But who was this
wonderful and dazzling Queen? Where did
her Kingdom lie? And what became OF her
afterwards? We search the book OF
Chronicles in vain for answers to these
and countless other questions that might
suggest themselves. And yet the celebra-
ton OF this same visit has been a favorite
theme in the poetry and song of many
nations ever since. Surely, therefore, the
biblical version has failed to preserve the
original story in it's entirety, Or else the
event has come to be unduly magniied by
succeeding generations.
However this may be, 1t will be interest
ing to glance at the picturesque and highly
colored legend OF the Mohammedans. which,
to say the least, will be found to contain a
~ FoAASNS VI A 1dllO lAidt - ldCkluS
In the Bible.
1t seems that solomon had tust accom-
plished a pilgrimage to Mecca, according
10 the injunction Of Abraham, who APP
peared TO the King in a dream and told
MIN 70 visit the city OF Mecca as the des-
tined birthplace of the greatest of prophets.
Now Solomon was enabled to converse with
all the birds Of the air and beasts Of the
field at will and he had chosen for his
intimate companions the peewit and the
eagle. The former acted as a sort of con-
nAHrf h0d~ na~nn -s-A~- -
himself, while the monarch of the feath-
cred tribe was responsible for the safe
Keeping or the vast concourSe of animals
that accompanied this expedition.
When Solomon prepare TO return TO
Jerusalem ne was greatly, annoyed To dis
missing. So he bade the eagle soar aloft
10 seek the runaway, that 1 may strip
him OF his feathers and send him naked
forth into the sun, to become the prey
OF insects" The eagle finally spied the
Reewit coming from the south and speed
the august presence.
How canst thou excuse thy absence
without my consent?' asked Solomon.
sire. 1 bring thee news of a land and
a Queen Of which thou hast not heard the
nemes-the land Of Sheba, the Queen,
The Kings curiosity was aroused at this
and he forthwith babe the peewit relate
the strange tale of his wanderings. The
substance of the birds recital was to the
effect that he had met a lapwing in his
course. who had told him of the marvels
49, 0ACCcs ~ Q0CCAl
commanded an army generated by twelve
thousand officers. Finally the lapwing be-
gufled the peewit into accompanying him
back to this wondrous land and on the
way thither recounted to him the history
OF its queen.
SUN w-ORSHIPERS.
Sheba was also the name of the remote
founder OF the kingdom. who was a wor-
eAiper OF the sun. The last of this kings
dynasty was Scharabel. a dissolute tyrant
Uno uoo faoroJ hxr al HE e,b5oo+- NJ
had a vizier Of such singular beauty that
Q damsel of the Jinns (the Jinns were sup
posed to be the offspring of Lilith by her
union with Satan, and were reputed to pos
sess supernatural powers), Umeria by
name. fell in love with the high official
and induced him to fly with her to an
island in the midst of the ocean. In the
ter. whom She named Baikis. one dav The
vizier forgot a promise which he had made,
and asked the beauteous Jim to what race
she belonged No sooner had he uttered
the fatal question than with a wall of sor-
row Umeria vanished forever from his
sight. The vizier then returned to his ma
tive country, and dwelt with his child in a
secluded vale far from the capital.
As Balkis grew up she developed into a
Der father was Obliged to guard her care
fully, and never allowed her to appear in
public without being. closely yelled. Now.
The wicked Scharabel was in the habit of
travelling about his empire in disguise. in
order the better TO prosecute his funhal-
lowed designs. SO 1t happened that on one
occasion. while dressed as a mendicant, he
knocked at the door OF the e~x-viZier for
aims, and thus obtained a glimpse Of Bal
rushed out and the two men recognized
each other. The result was that soon after
wards the ex-vizler found himself re-estab-
atshed I'm his own office. Nevertheless. he
was fun OF vague disquietude, and warned
his daughter that a dreadful fate might be
IN store for her: Balkis. however, kept her
own counsel and said nothing.
Within a few days Scharabel sent a de-
mand for the hand of the vizier's daughter.
The maiden, strange to say, complied with
out hesitation, and requested that the we'd
ding be celebrated as soon as possible. and
with becoming pomp. After a magnificent
banquet the bride was left alone with the
King. who was already drunken with wine.
the astate Baik,s Piled him With still more,
the floor, and then she stabbed him to the
heart. She at once communicated with her
father, and told him to issue orders that
the fairest daughters OF every citizen must
be brought before the King. Wild commo-
ton and revolt Immediately ensued among
the populace, when suddenly Balkis ap-
peared at a window and showed the ty-
rants head, which she had cut of. A cry of
e of E sheb shro snd BaI Ike ie Mas n ana 6Tsaadn
elected Queen of the realm. which she had
governed wisely ever since.
The peewit told all these things to Solo,
mon, and omitted not to expatiate on the
splendors OF the city and the beauties of
s own V syss s ~nacn ne sil nad wit IN ;se with his his
~ lin AaA oLAO
attentively throughout; then he wrote a let
ter, and sealed IL with his ring. and d.
rected the bird to carry the missive to the
Queen of Sheba. Having done this, he re-
turned to Jerusalem with his company.
The next day the Queen received the let
ter from the beak Of the peewit, and read
this message: Solomon. son of David, and
servant to the Most High God. to Balkis,
Queen Of Sheba, sendeth greeting. In the
name OF the merciful and gracious God.
peace be to those who walk in His ways.
Do what I bid thee: submit Immediately
to my scepter."
SHE SENT GIFTS.
The Queen was somewhat startled at
this peremptory mmo and called a
council OF her ministers. They urged her
to follow her own devices Finally, she de-
cided TO dispatch a messenger to the stern
monarch and propitiate him with gifts. IF
he accepts them" she wisely remarked.
he Is not above other kings; IL he re-
Jects them he is q prophet, and we must
yield to his sway"
The Queen then commanded that FIVE
hundred boys be dressed as girls and five
hundred girls as boys. She collected for
presents a thousand carpets of gold and
silver tissue, a crown studded with pearls
and diamonds and an immense ouantitv of