stile poets, such as Hobeira and the woman Karitha, were
killed at the taking of Mecca, whilst Zibary and the woman Hertlemah
saved their lives only by making a profession of Islam. Muhammad had,
however, also his panegyrists, the chief of whom was Ka'b bin Zoheir,
the composer of the celebrated Kasida called 'The Poem of the Mantle,'
as a reward for which the Prophet threw his own cloak over him, under
the following circumstances, as related by Mr. J.W. Redhouse in the
preface to his translation of the poem published in the 'Arabian
Poetry for English Readers'[1] alluded to above.

[Footnote 1: In this same work will also be found a
translation by Mr. Redhouse of another poem, also called
'The Poem of the Mantle,' but written by Sharaf-uddin
Muhammad Al-Busiri, who was born A.D. 1211, and died between
A.D. 1291 and 1300.]

Ka'b was a son of Zoheir, already mentioned as the author of one of
the pre-Islamite poems known as the 'Mua'llakat.' He had a brother
named Bujeir, and, like their father, both brothers were good poets.
Bujeir was first converted, and embraced the faith of Islam. Ka'b was
angry at this, and composed a lampoon on his brother, on the Prophet,
and on their new religion. This he sent to his brother by the mouth of
a messenger. Bujeir repeated it to Muhammad, who commented on it as
favourable to the new faith and to himself, but at the same time
passed a sentence of death on the satirist.

Bujeir well knew that his brother's life was in danger, and warned him
accordingly, advising him at the same time to renounce his errors, and
come repentant to the Prophet, or to seek a safe asylum far away. Ka'b
found out that his life would really soon be taken, and set out
secretly for Madinah. There he found an old friend, claimed his
protection, and went with him next morning to the simple meeting-house
where Muhammad and his chief followers performed their daily
devotions. When the service was ended, Ka'b approached Muhammad, and
the two sat down together. Ka'b placed his own right hand in that of
the Prophet, whom he addressed in these words: 'Apostle of God, were I
to bring to you Ka'b, the son of Zoheir, penitent and professing the
faith of Islam, wouldst thou receive and accept him? The Prophet
answered, 'I would.' 'Then,' said the poet, 'I am he!'

Hearing this, the bystanders demanded permission to put him to death.
Muhammad ordered his zealous followers to desist, and the poet then,