To finish with the modern literature of the northwest of Africa, I should
mention a style of writings which played a grand role some five centuries
ago, but that sort is too closely connected with those composing the poems
on the Spanish Moors, and of them I shall speak later. It remains now to
but enumerate the enigmas found in all popular literature, and the satiric
sayings attributed to holy persons of the fifteenth century, who, for
having been virtuous and having possessed the gift of miracles, were none
the less men, and as such bore anger and spite. The most celebrated of all
was Sidi Ahmed ben Yousuf, who was buried at Miliana. By reason of the
axiom, "They lend but to the rich," they attributed to him all the
satirical sayings which are heard in the villages and among the tribes of
Algeria, of which, perhaps, he did pronounce some. Praises are rare:
"He whom you see, wild and tall,
Know him for a child of Algiers,"
"Beni Menaur, son of the dispersed,
Has many soldiers,
And a false heart."
"Some are going to call you Blida (little village),
But I have called you Ourida (little rose).
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