Ali ibn el Hussein

[tr ed p 178], pastel, Kennington, 240 x 161 mm

'Ali ibn el Hussein' typeset trc in border. Main colours: yellow/orange background, brown tones in face, hands and sword, red and blue streaks and dark grey in robes, white head-dress. Narrow grey border, from 3-11 mm, all round.

p 370 [tr ed p 388] - 'He was physically splendid: not tall nor heavy, but so strong that he would kneel down, resting his forearms palm-up on the ground, and rise to his feet with a man on each hand. In addition, Ali could outstrip a trotting camel on his bare feet, keep his speed over half a mile and then leap into the saddle. He was impertinent, headstrong, conceited; as reckless in word as in deed; impressive (if he pleased) on public occasions, and fairly educated for a person whose native ambition was to excel the nomads of the desert in war and sport.'

p 419 [tr ed p 437] - 'The greatest asset of Feisal's cause in this work up North was Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein. The lunatic competitor of the wilder tribesmen in their wildest feats was now turning all his force to greater ends. The mixed natures in him made of his face and body powerful pleadings, carnal, perhaps, except in so far as they were transfused by character. No one could see him without the desire to see him again; especially when he smiled, as he did rarely, with both mouth and eyes at once. His beauty was a conscious weapon. He dressed spotlessly, all in black or all in white; and he studied gesture.'

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