32 Preface قالوا يا نوحُ قَد جادَلتَنا فَأَكثَرتَ جِدالَنا فَأتِنا بِما تَعِدُنا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصّادِقينَYusuf AliThey said: “O Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”1To Noah’s address the worldly Chiefs give a characteristic reply. In its aggressive spirit it is the very antithesis of the gentle remonstrances of Noah. Because he had gently and patiently argued with them, they impatiently accuse him of “disputing with them” and “prolonging the dispute”. They are unable to deal with his points. So they arrogantly throw out their challenge, which is a compound of hectoring insolence, unreasoning skepticism, and biting irony. “You foretell disaster to us if we don’t mend our ways! Let us see you bring it on! Now, if you please! Or shall we have to call you a liar?”