Abstract

In spite of its renown in literary circles, the collection of 59 maqāmāt written by al-Saraqusṭī has only attracted scant attention among Western critics. The aim of this short article is to fill that void, at least partially, and help publicise the contents and style of al-Saraqusṭī´s work. This article includes an annotated translation of the maqāma of Tarifa, one of the most interesting as far as narrative structure is concerned. The translation is preceded with a series of comments on two particular aspects that constitute, in fact, two alternative methods of analysis: the structured arrangement of narrative material and the rhythmic patterns that characterise the rhymed prose used in the work, marked by the length and syllabic quality of verses and couplets.