University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XV.

Bostam ordered his men to drive on the flocks, and
they separated in joy and happiness; and as he engaged
Antar in conversation and social intercourse,
on the subject of Ibla, Let no man imagine, said
Antar, that he has ever endured an equal share of
anguish with me. Then he wept, and sighed, and
complained, and thus spoke:

"My patience and my transports exist when I am
moving, and when I am at rest; but my love for
Ibla is the companion of my heart. In her face, and
in the roses of her cheeks is my full moon, brilliant,
sparkling, and luminous. Her figure is graceful
as the ا (alef), and her light limbs are round
as the ن (noon), and her seat of smiles is budding
as the م (meem); musk is her smell, and from
her juices and her breath are sweet liquors
and perfumes. How is it that my heart ever pursues
its love, as we wish for the hot water in the
bath? But patience! perhaps the breezes that
pass over her residence may blow a breath from
her embraces. They are resolved to betray me;
their treachery is their faith, for perfidy is a disease
inherent in their bowels. They are wicked,
but I have to ask their pardon—and they still

increase their insults. I still act justly towards
them; but they ever deal in invectives, as if I
could not endure to be absent from them, and as
if I should die for love of them, and as if I could
not to endure say, ye have outraged me; for God
well knows I am indeed wronged."

They continued their journey till mid-day, when
Antar suddenly checked his progress, and said to
Bostam, O my brother, my heart is very uneasy
about the tribe of Kendeh, for should they learn
our situation, and that we all have taken different
routes, they may pursue my cousins, and may
chance to slay some of King Zoheir's sons. Do
order your horsemen to drive away these flocks,
and you and I with ten horsemen will return towards
my cousins, that we may be assured of their
security. As you please, said Bostam; and he ordered
his people to drive away the camels and
flocks; and after he had selected ten horsemen,
they set out traversing the deserts, Shiboob going
before them, pointing out the roads till they reached
the valley, where, on their first arrival, they had
been concealed. Here they attentively contemplated
the roads and tracks, but they could perceive
nothing but the print of the horses feet turned towards
home. Thus were Bostam and Antar: but
as to the Absians, as soon as they were at a distance
wandering over the deserts, their bosoms felt distressed
on account of the loss of Antar. Well,
said Shas, to Malik, Ibla's father, this business has

turned out just as you wished, and Antar must
remain alone in a foreign land. And soon their
conversation and animosity increased in violence,
when Prince Malik came up and separated them,
saying, My cousins, do not quarrel in this land, for
we are still amongst our enemies, and he about
whom you are quarrelling has preferred quitting us
to living with you. Thus they continued till they
left the land of Kendeh, but Shas's rage and indignation
were intense. He marched on ahead
with half of the army, and also Shedad, Antar's
father, whilst Malik, King Zoheir's son, remained
behind with five hundred men, and Ibla went quietly
on with him, for his mind was superior to Shas's,
and he showed courtesy to all. At length they
came into a country called Riyab, abounding in
lakes, and the wild animals were ranging far and
wide. It happened that the party were in want of
provisions on account of their distant journey, and
many of them were hungry. Being much distressed,
they stated their complaints to Malik; so he told
them to mount their steeds: Come on to the hunt,
said he, and let not one return, but with sufficient provisions
for himself, and his comrades, and associates.
Malik mounted a swift mare, and employed himself
in spearing the beasts and stretching them on the
sands, galloping among them right and left, until he
separated from his party and his troops, and as he
was much engaged with the immense quantity of
game, he roamed far among the wilds, watching his
opportunity. At last he halted, and cast his eyes
round the desert right and left, and whilst he was
contemplating the wastes and sand-hills, behold,
one of the desert standing in the plain, and before
him a camel lying down, and behind him a damsel,
and she held the Bedoween's horse. As soon as the
damsel saw Malik standing on the top of a sandhill,
she made signs to him with her hand, that she
demanded his aid. Malik understood her wishes,
but he would not assent to her demand, for, said he
to himself, haply she may be his wife or sister, and
something may have occurred, that may render it
improper to assist her, so he resolved on returning
to his party, fearful of the accidents of fortune.
But the damsel let go the horse from her hand,
and struck it on the face, and it fled over the wilds.
O Arab, catch your horse, cried she to the Bedoween.
Upon that he quitted the camel, and pursued the
horse till he overtook it; he caught it by the halter
and returned. But no sooner had the Bedoween
departed in quest of his horse, than the damsel ran
up to Malik and demanded his assistance. Wherefore,
said Malik, do you demand my protection
against him? Is he your husband or your relation?
No, said she, I and my countrymen were returning
home, when this demon met us; he slew my cousins;
and she wept. When Malik heard this, his
heart pitied her, for he was a prince, and the son of
a prince, and a noble Absian. Well, said he, congratulate
yourself on the end of your troubles and
misery. But lo! the Bedoween returned mounted
on his horse, and perceiving Malik in conversation
with his damsel, his eyeballs started into the top of
his head; he grasped his spear, and rushed upon
him: Foul Arab! said he, what horseman art thou
that dost venture to converse with the damsels of
the brave? I am surnamed the crashing thunder
and the deluging cloud, and called Feyaz the depredator!
Instantly each attacked his adversary,
and they commenced the fight and contest. Malik
met him with a spear, and cried out in a loud voice.
The Bedoween parried his thrust, and twisting the
spear out of his hand, he attacked him like a lion,
and seizing Malik by the rings of his corslet, he
cried out, O by Cahtan! and dragged him off his
horse's back; he took him captive and bound him,
degraded and in misery: but when he remarked
the beauty of his person, and his garments, and his
armour, he was convinced he was some great personage:
Youth, said he, of what tribe art thou?
Speak the truth, or I will make thee drink of the
cup of death and perdition. Truth becomes the
noble, and falsehood is repugnant to the generous
Arab chief, replied Malik, I am of no despicable
birth, nor is my wealth mean. I am Malik, son of
Zoheir, King of the tribes of Abs and Adnan, and
Fazarah and Ghiftan, and Marah and Dibyan.
Bravo, bravo! cried the other, thou, by heaven,
wert one of my chief objects; through thee will I
take my revenge, and will liberate my cattle. Upon
this he bound tighter the cords, and fastened down
his arms and shoulders, and tied him on the back of
his horse, and marched towards his own country,
saying, Never shalt thou be released from my power,
till thou deliverest up to me thy father and thy slave
Antar, that I may sacrifice them as I would a ram,
otherwise I will execute every cruelty upon thee.
What is the reason of this? inquired Malik. Know,
said he, that I am the lover of one of our damsels,
and I demanded her in marriage of her father, to
whom I offered all my property, sheep, he and she
camels: but he refused me, saying, I will not marry
you to my daughter, unless you bring me the head
of him who murdered my son, and avenge his fate.
On whom, said I, is your vengeance to be taken?
On a black of the tribe of Abs, he answered, he is
their herdsman, and their horseman, and their protector,
for he plundered our flocks and captured our
wives and families, and he slew my son, and he is
but a camel-driver, and now I have sworn not to
marry my daughter, but to him who shall bring me
his head. Upon this I engaged to slay this son of
filth, your black Antar, and I quitted not my tents
till I had made a contract upon this point with him.
So I set out on my way to your country, and fell
by chance on this girl; I slew her countrymen, and
carried her off. Again I set out, and fell by chance
on you, Prince Malik, and through you will I succeed
in my projects. When Malik heard this, he
rested all his hopes on a stratagem, and sought his
deliverance by art and cunning. Arab, said he,
the road is nigh, for last night only I quitted Antar
in the land of Riyab, and with him were but ten
horsemen. Away against your enemy, if you are,
as you proclaim yourself, a noble horseman! O by
the Arabs! was all the Bedoween's reply, for he
was highly delighted and rejoiced. If you have
spoken the truth, said he, I will release you from
this bondage. Could but my eyes light upon Antar,
I would take him prisoner were there even a thousand
brave horsemen with him; but I shall now
rest till morning, and your black will then appear,
for as soon as he is aware of your disappearance, he
will not proceed on his journey, but will undoubtedly
come and seek you, and he must pass by this road,
for his good luck and fortune have abandoned him.
Upon this he dismounted and reposed till the day
dawned, when he lashed the damsel and Prince
Malik to the backs of two of his horses, and proceeded
without further delay. About three hours
after, behold a man on foot speeding over the desert,
and before him fled the deer, whom he overtook
and grasped by the horns, and when the Bedoween
saw him, he stared at him in amazement, surprised
at the force of his muscles and the strength of his
knees; and whilst he was looking at him, behold
ten horsemen advanced towards him, all immersed
in steel, and enveloped in breastplates of bright
metal, and in front of them was a knight like an
hyena. When the Bedoween remarked the magnificence
of their accountrements, and the excellence
of their steeds, and the smallness of their numbers,
he made towards them, eager to seize them. They
also observed with surprise the camel and the man
bound with cords to the back of a horse. The
troop halted, and the Bedoween moved towards
them to demand their object. What horsemen are
ye? he exclaimed, and to what Arabs are you connected?
Upon this their leader shouted out, and
he was the conquering hero, Antar, son of Shedad.
I am one, he cried, that will wither your soul!
known amongst honourable men, as the chosen
knight; the far-famed slayer—the knight of tumults
and uproars—the chief Antar, son of Shedad,
and what coward art thou? And who is this prisoner
bound on that horse? Who is this damsel
that is crying out, and demands assistance? O by
the Arabs! cried the Bedoween, shaking himself with
joy upon his horse. I greet thee—I welcome thee,
black in complexion, fair in deeds, knight of the
tribes, I am called Feyaz the depredator! I am
the tempestuous blast! I am come to assault thee.
And he related his story; how he demanded the
damsel, and was sent by her father for her marriage
donation: he would not admit, he added, of any
thing but thy death, and the annihilation of thy
life. And who, said Antar, is this prisoner? Your
lord, Prince Malik, son of King Zoheir. As soon
as Antar heard this, the light became dark in his
eyes. Bostam soon joined him, and demanded of
him the cause of this long parley. He informed him
of all the Bedoween had said. God is with you, O
Aboolfawaris! said Bostam, how he has inspired
you with forethought, and how he has intimated to
you the revolutions of fate!

Now Antar, as he was returning from the land
of Kendeh, in his fears for Ibla, had bid Shiboob
early in the morning to cut off through the defiles
into the land of Riyab; and Antar, followed by Bostam
and his people, was proceeding to the vicinity of
the land of Abs, eager to catch some news of Ibla,
for lovers and the devotees of passion sigh fondly
for news of their love, and Antar's love in the excess
of his anxiety enchained him with the bonds of
desire and solicitude, as he thus expressed himself:

"When the zephyr gently blows, its breath relieves
the sickened heart, and brings me news of
the damsel and of those I love, who are travelling
on their journey: regardless are they of whom
they have left behind, cast down and dead in the
land of love: one who has quitted their country
and roams anxious about them, wheresoever they
drive their baggage camels. Indeed, O Ibla,
they have betrayed my vows. It is thy father
that is ungrateful for favours. I have borne sorrows
and absence patiently, even in my weak
state, and I have defied the railers. I am accustomed
to grief, so that my body, were it to
lose its pains, would sigh after its emaciated state.
The ravens taunt it, as if it had been one that

had destroyed its plundered young; it weeps,
and the torrents of my tears sympathise with it—
it sighs, and my woes cruelly increase—it passes
the night in anguish for the loss of its mate, for
whose absence it moans the live-long night. I
said to it, thou hast wounded the inmost recesses
of my heart. Ever is thy grief a mental disease.
I have shed tears from my eyes, and my native
home and country excite all my interest. Absence
has left me no soul, no body, in which,
miserable as I am, I can live. Wert thou to
take off the armour from it, thou wouldst see
beneath it only a ruined vestige; and on those
worn-out remains is a coffin-sword, whose edge
would notch the bright polished scimitar. I am
so accustomed to the calamities of fortune, that
all their vastness appear but trifling to me, (numerous
as they are, they appear few)."

Thus they continued traversing the deserts till
they approached the land of Riyab, and met the
knight Feyaz, and heard his adventures, and saw
Prince Malik in his power. And Antar was occupied
with Feyaz in the conflict, till the brightness
of the day darkened over their heads. But Shiboob
quitted his deer, and moved towards Prince Malik,
who was groaning from the pain of his wounds.
Alas! alas! cried Shiboob, and came up to him,
and untied the cords, and placed him again on
his horse, saying: Seek the field of battle, that you
may console your heart. As soon as Antar saw
Prince Malik, he exerted himself in the contest

with Feyaz, and exhausted him, and smote him
through the neck, and drew out his sword glittering
through his joints. He then issued out of the dust,
and congratulating Malik, thus spoke:

"I say to my enemy when he contends with me,
and advances like a towering well-built bastion,
much good may it do to thee, the glass thou hast
drank. Thou hast laid down thy cheek where
there is no pillow. As soon as I have unsheathed
my sword, its edge draws forth blood, and every
chief becomes its victim. I am Antar the unraveller
of every difficulty, the destroyer of foes
with my Indian blade. Horsemen pride themselves
in me in every contest, and the brave with
their chieftains are humbled before me. If the
most virtuous of my associates regard my actions,
they will see the multitude prostrate before my
glory. I am raised far above all mankind by
my scimitar, my spear, by my blows in battle,
and by my father."

Approaching the prince, he kissed him, and exalted
his honour and reputation: What has happened
to you, my lord, said he, has been the means
of augmenting my glory; never may the day be that
can bring evil on you, and I be still grasping the
bridle. O Aboolfawaris, said Malik, thanking him,
thou art indeed our greatest friend and sincerest
ally. May God destroy him who would estrange
your lucky stars from us, and deprive us of your
councils! Then he related all that had passed with

Malik, Ibla's father, and how he had separated from
them entirely, that his brother had advanced with
his party, and that he had been occupied in hunting,
and all that occurred with Feyaz. It is my opinion,
said Antar, you should return to the Absians immediately,
and say nothing about what has happened
to you; only tell them that you were occupied in
hunting until evening, when you chanced to meet
some Arabs, who entertained you, and treated you
kindly, so that no one may blame you. Prince
Malik having approved of these hints, Antar turned
towards the damsel who had been with Feyaz, and
giving her all Feyaz's plunder and camels, he said
to her, Go home under my protection, secure from
every one, man or demon; and should even Persia's
monarch oppose you, his balcony shall totter. Antar's
expressions made Bostam seriously reflect, and
he felt aware that he could actually execute all he
said.

Prince Malik retraced his way, and Antar marched
with him, fearful of any unlucky event, till they
reached the land of Riyab. Here Antar cast his
eyes around, and he saw birds fighting, and wild
beasts combating in the plain over the carcases of
the slain. This, said Antar, is a bad omen; it is a
circumstance that gives evidence of death and destruction.
And when they had advanced into the
middle of the meadow, they perceived the dead
scattered about on all sides, and blood that had
changed the hue of vegetation, broken spears, and

shivered scimitars. Woe! woe! Antar exclaimed:
Truly this intelligence is authentic, and the revolutions
of fate and destiny have happened to our comrades.
Alas! I can scarcely expect to overtake my
Ibla. As they turned over the carcases, they said
one to another, This is such an one—this is such an
one, till the groans issuing from a tortured heart
reached their ears—they advanced and looked about,
and lo! it was Ibla's father, Malik! He was almost
dead; his blood was clotted with the sand, and the
birds and the flies were hovering over him. Whither
are you going, my brother? cried Shiboob; here is
your uncle weltering in his blood, and his iniquities
have reduced him to what he himself projected.
Antar and his followers came up, and beholding
Ibla's father in that state, they bound up his wounds
and poured briny water upon his face. He opened
his eyes, and seeing his countrymen around him, his
life crept into his body, and his senses returned.
Of this, said Antar, I was afraid; but you still continue
to pursue the road of outrage against me.
O nephew, said Malik, in a feeble voice, what is
past is past; but I will never quit you again; my
heart will study your pleasure, and I will ever be
your slave. Congratulate yourself on this good
luck, my uncle, said Antar; but who was it that
did these deeds? where is Ibla, and your son, and
the others? All, said Malik, are in the hands of
Anis, son of Madraka the Khitaamite, for he came
upon us with a thousand horse. We were in a state
of excessive fatigue and distress; and, moreover,
Prince Malik and many others were dispersed in
pursuit of game, when, behold! Anis surrounded
us with his horse, and attacked us in all directions:
he levelled his blows against the chiefs, and took the
rest prisoners.

Now this knight was a man no man could encounter,
and a warrior of warriors: and when he
resolved on an expedition from place to place, the
horsemen followed him, and his companions exposed
their lives for him on account of his extraordinary
intrepidity. At this time he had departed with a
thousand horse; and he roamed with them, ravaging
the Arab tribes, till he reached the land of Balka
and the mountains of Nika. He was on his return,
and before him went the slaves, the boys and camels,
and the young camels, till they reached the land of
Riyab, where he saw the Absians scattered about
the meadows and the lakes. Anis was marching at
the head of his party, for he treated horsemen with
contempt. As soon as he spied the Absians he recognized
them by their clothes, and their horses,
and their standards, for the Arabs could always
distinguish each other by their horses and banners.
Now, said he to his countrymen, now you will be
talked of by both men and women on account of the
quantity you will gain in flocks, and he and she
camels, if you vanquish this party of Absians, whose
name is so great among the Arabs; and for every
one you capture you will receive an immense ransom.

Come on—Come on! And separating the
thousand into four divisions, he attacked them,
loudly vociferating, and their horses pressed on in
crowds. When the Absians saw this, they exerted
all their powers. Anis exhibited his whole strength:
he encouraged the horsemen by his own deeds, and
by his impetuosity he overwhelmed the Absians.
He took fifty prisoners, after having slain a vast
number. Amongst the captives were Oorwah and
Amroo, Ibla's brother. He seized the property and
the men, and departed, ordering his slaves to drive
on the horses and camels. Ibla too was made captive
with her camel: she was, indeed, accustomed
to captivity, and had experienced the reverses of
fortune: and as she saw her father covered with
wounds and torn with spears, she proceeded at the
head of the slaves and women, amongst the other
prisoners. Oft she bewailed her native land in the
obscurity of the night, and thus eased her heart:

"O God of Zemzem and Mina, my heart is worn
with grief, captivity, and anguish; my frame is
exhausted, and I have no powers of body to bear
the garments of affliction. I have lost my father,
who was once kind and generous. He continued
his obstinacy till he drank the cup of perdition.
Foreign hands have overpowered him with swords
and spears. Here am I in a strange land in captivity,
bewailing my distresses; and cruel Fortune
has thwarted me, and the world has abandoned
me, as if there was no such beautiful person as

myself in the world. O protector of Abs! couldst
thou see me, thou wouldst know what I endure.
The day on which we separated from you, I was
separated from all my hopes. Our warriors are
now plundered of their lives by the spear, and I
am in a strange land, suffering anguish as a captive.
If thou hearest in the night the complaint
of the drooping dove, be assured it is weeping
for us."

Ibla continued her tears and lamentations till the
dawn of day. Anis dismounted to repose, and ordering
his slaves to prepare dinner, they slaughtered
the camels and the sheep, and prepared a repast;
and they supplied also the prisoners and women
with food of camel's flesh. But as to Ibla, she renounced
all nourishment, and would not sleep.

The greatest part of the day had now passed,
and but little remained of it; and as the companions
of Anis were describing Ibla's beauty, and charms,
and shape, and form—Countrymen, he cried, have
I not often desired you a thousand times never to
talk of women before me,—not a free-born or a
slave,—and never to converse with me but of feats
of arms and battles? And can any thing degrade
man like the humiliation of love and passion?

When they had satisfied their hunger, about
nightfall they travelled on till the sun rose, when
they alighted at the waters of the tribe of Helal.
And Ibla's grief and lamentations increased upon
her, and she despaired of her cousin; and when

Anis heard her loud cries during the night, he demanded
of his attendants about her: My cousins,
asked he, who is this damsel that was groaning in
the tranquillity of the night? O Chief, they said,
this is the Absian damsel, whose beauty and charms
we described to you. Never did we see a more
agonized heart. Night or day she desires no nourishment:
she renounces sleep: her grief and sorrows
are not to be pacified. Bring her before me, said
Anis, that I may learn her story. Upon that, the
female slaves brought Ibla into his presence; he
raised up her veil, and looked at her face; he saw
the tears streaming from her black eye-lashes; he
was smitten, and his heart fluttered with the violence
of his passion—at the instant the state of his mind
was changed. What is your name, damsel? said
he. She answered, Ibla. Who was slain that belonged
to you? he asked. My father, she replied;
and again she hid her face with her hands, and
threw herself upon the ground. Bring hither her
family, cried Anis, that I may demand her of them
in marriage, and be married to her; and instead of
a dower or settlement, I will release her countrymen
and herself; for as soon as I saw her, I became
enamoured of her. And the mind and senses of
Anis were from this moment all occupied with Ibla;
and he suddenly tasted of love. They now veiled
her face, and introduced her relations, towards
whom Anis turned, and telling them what had
passed, was civil to them, and demanded Ibla in
marriage. Seeing them hesitate in giving an answer,
Why are you silent? he asked. Magnanimous
Chief, they replied, we cannot speak for her, there
is only her brother here; her father is absent. Oorwah
at that moment was close to Amroo, Ibla's
brother, and he said to him, Amroo, if you wish
that Anis should be put to death, and his neck be
cut off, marry him instantly to your sister; perhaps
God will send Antar to darken his life and silence
his name, and he may still release us from captivity.
I have often experienced the effects of promising
her in marriage, and I well know what her misfortunes
have produced. But where is Antar? said
Amroo. By this time he is in the land of Shiban,
and far from us; we have behaved so ill to him,
that he has quitted us for ever, and I am afraid
of the consequences; for if I marry her to Anis, I
fear that Antar may come hither and join me to my
father, were I even concealed in the apartments of
Nushirvan; and if I do not marry her, this devil
will put us to death. Listen to me, said Oorwah;
marry her, and do not talk nonsense. Bargain with
him that he shall not enter unto her here, until he
reach his native land and home: tell him that she
has been wedded to her cousin some time ago, and
lengthen out the business; perhaps Antar will come
and make his wedding so inaüspicious, that it may
perhaps only be followed with the dawn of ill-luck
to him; and his stars may set in the mansions of
inversion.

Now Anis, seeing them falter in their reply, became
troubled. He perceived they were consulting
with Amroo, and that he was much disturbed. Do
you consent that I become your sister's husband?
he asked. My lord, replied Amroo, you are the
consent, and you are above consent; but know
that this damsel's father has already married her to
her cousin, and has taken the marriage donation;
but her father has taken advantage of him, and the
devil has coloured his stratagems with the appearance
of kindness and liberality, so he fled with her
from place to place; and should I marry her to you,
I dread the consequences. If I go home, I fear he
will come upon me and kill me, and make me drink
of the cup of death, were even the Kings of Abs
and Adnan to protect me, and Fazarah and Dibyan;
for he is one of the calamities of the world—no
knight can oppose him in the field, and he fears
neither man nor demon.

Anis became furious at this description. What!
said he, is the name of this knight, for dost thou not
know all the horsemen of Arabia? O mighty Prince,
replied Amroo, this is he who slew Khalid, son of
Moharib, and brought down misfortunes on him
and his clan; who dispersed his warriors and his
armies. To whom do you allude by this discourse?
demanded Anis. To him of whom you questioned
me, said Amroo. But what hero is he? asked
Anis. I mean, said Amroo, the Knight of the world;
myrrh to the taste; the insufferable coloquintida.

His name is known throughout Hedjaz and Irak,
he who killed Mas-hil, son of Tarak, and exterminated
his tribe. But what is his name? repeated
Anis. He is the lord of the black steed, and the
broad scimitar and long spear, said Amroo; the
furious lion who has disgraced the necks of the Arab
and the Persian. Verily, you amaze me, cried Anis,
with this horseman and this trampling hero; but
explain to me his name among the knights of the
age. He is, continued Amroo, the noble warrior
who has vanquished the stoutest heroes with his
sword. He is the serpent of the bowels of the desert,
the Chief Antar, son of Shedad. I have only
told you the truth.

Upon this Anis raised up his head to those that
were seated by him, and said, Is there any one of
ye that is acquainted with this man, whose description
frightens me? O Anis, said a noble Sheikh, I
have heard of this terrible knight; and it was indeed
a man honest in his speech that informed me
of him, and told me he was a black knight, but that
he had crushed the necks of the Arab chiefs with
his sword, and had made the kings of power bow
down to him; the Persian and the Arab fear his
might, and his uncle has only married his daughter
to him through fear of his impetuous strength: and
as soon as he inveigles him by his artifices, he wanders
with her from place to place. Her father has
espoused her to a thousand horsemen, but the marriage
has never succeeded; and the last person to

whom he wedded her was Mas-hil, son of Tarak.
But Antar went against him with one hundred
friends, and waylaid him, and extinguished his
glory and prosperity: and he has driven away from
her every lover and every suitor, and to venture to
speak of espousing her is a sufficient cause of death.
And he who flies from him, flies cruelly wounded;
and by the faith of an Arab, O Anis! should you
make any attempt on this damsel, I shall tremble
for you. Be not then excited by the charms and
loveliness you have beheld in her.

And would you, O Sheikh, exclaimed Anis, make
me forget my love for her by the description you
have given me of her cousin? I consent, however,
to abstain from her, until her cousin and his party
come in quest of her; then will I try myself against
him. Accordingly, he ordered Ibla to be treated
with all honours, and said within himself, If this
girl even in misery and captivity is so beautiful,
what will she be when her heart is at ease, and when
plumped up with good feeding?

They journeyed on till mid-day, when lo! a dust
sprang up behind them very rapidly. My cousins,
said he to his people, bring me news of this dust,
and let me know what there is beneath it. Upon
this a hundred horsemen immediately advanced.
Now beneath this dust was the serpent of the desert,
the Chief Antar, with Bostam and his party;
for as soon as Antar heard Anis described by his
uncle Malik, he and Bostam immediately galloped

on till they came up with the Khitaamites,
and prepared for the contest; and when Bostam
perceived the horse that had separated from the
troops, O Lion of the Forest, by the life of Ibla's
two eyes, said he to Antar, let me engage these advancing
horsemen. There are an hundred of them,
but when you in your strength are in my rear, I
would even meet a thousand horsemen in front.
Antar smiled; Do as you please, said he, for you
have adjured me by the most sacred of oaths.

Upon that, he slackened the bridle of his steed,
and encountered the hundred horse. Among them
was an obstinate warrior and a valiant lion, called
Mubadir, son of Ghaylem, and he was Anis's cousin.
He headed the troops till they came close up to
Bostam, when he cried out, Tell me who thou art,
and whence thou comest, before I silence thy life,
and make thy head fly afar off. Bostam returned
him no answer, but plunged down upon him like an
eagle, and pierced him through the chest with the
barb of his spear, and it issued out through his
back. As soon as his cousins saw this thrust, they all
rushed against Bostam like ravenous lions, saying,
O Mubadir, now thou art no more, the tribe of
Khitaam is disgraced. They came down upon Bostam
like a cloud, crying out to each other, Come on,
to this demon; take him prisoner. And they separated
into two divisions.

Antar saw this, and attacked in aid of Bostam.
Seventy assaulted him, and thirty rushed against

Bostam. Antar received them with the chest of
Abjer, and where he struck he cleaved asunder;
and where he pierced, he annihilated; and when he
shouted at the horses, their feet shook with horror;
and when the warriors crowded upon him, he severed
their skulls.

Anis heard of the death of Mubadir; he advanced
towards the dust, anxiously expecting the
return of his people with the prisoners, that he might
console his heart by slaughtering them, and avenge
his cousin, when lo! out of the seventy horsemen
that attacked Antar, there appeared only eleven;
the rest having drank of the cup of perdition. What
is the matter? cried Anis, may the curse of God be
on the father of your beards!

Do not reproach us, O Anis, said they, for our
actions; had we resisted, our necks also had been
smote off. And has all this happened to you at the
hands of ten horsemen? asked he. By the life of
your head, they replied, all these calamities are
owing only to one hero; but be not roused in thy
anger, be not indignant, for the like of this knight
can never be found. His blows would burst mountains;
his thrusts are death, and truly have we experienced
horrors at his hands; for he snatches up
a horseman from the field of battle, and strikes another
with him, and on the instant the two are dead.

Whilst they were thus conversing, behold five out
of the thirty that assailed Bostam came up, and two
were wounded, crying out "O misery! O ruin!"

Now Anis roared, and his heart was rent, and his
alarms and terrors increased; And what is the catastrophe?
he cried. Talk no more, said they, for his
like we have never seen among the Arabs; and had
we followed our own wishes, we had left him alone.
Then said one of the eleven that had engaged Antar,
Wretches! had you gone with us, you would have
been well provided for; not one of ye had returned,
neither great norsmall. Anis, in the rage and phrensy
of his heart, burst into a laugh: No one, he cried,
can credit such nonsense. I think, had this been Antar,
whom the Sheikh described, who with a hundred
horse encountered the whole tribe of Kendeh, and
slew Mas-hil, son of Tarak, not one of ye had returned
to mention the fact, or tell the tale. Be
not enraged, be not indignant, O Anis, they exclaimed,
the equal of this Knight cannot be possibly
found. We heard him crying out, Unworthy
cowards! I am Antar, son of Shedad. He would
tear up a horseman from the back of his horse, and
raise him like a tent-pole, and dashing him on the
earth, confound his breadth with his length.

This then is the slave, cried Anis, whom we were
mentioning this day; and should I not slay him and
extinguish his life, I shall not gain possession of his
bride. But now he is come in quest of her, exclaimed
they. Anis returned to the spot where they
had alighted, and his heart boiled like a cauldron;
and they reposed till morning.

Now when the prisoners knew of Antar's deeds

in the conflict, joy and gladness visited them. Well,
what think you of my advice now? said Oorwah to
Ibla's brother Amroo. Did I not tell you to marry
your sister to Anis, if you wished his neck to be
hewn off, and you and your comrades to be released?
Now see what has happened to his party; and never
will the knot of his marriage be tied, for Antar will
render his morrow unlucky, and had you given her
to him and betrothed her to him as a woman is betrothed,
this would have been no evening to him.

And now when Bostam returned to Antar, he found
the dead strewed before him. Had we arrived, Aboolfawaris,
he cried, a little sooner in the day, not an
eye of our companions had slept in captivity and in
bondage. What is, is; replied Antar. Let us repose
and consult till to-morrow; and they thus continued
conversing till the mantle of darkness was dispersed.

And as the day shone at the return of dawn,
Anis shouted to his horsemen, and immersed himself
in steel and a bright cuirass: he mounted his
horse, and advanced towards his troops. Antar and
Bostam were both mounted with their nine horsemen.
Anis poured down, anxious to engage Antar.
Antar also assaulted Anis, his eyes burning in the
crown of his head like firebrands. He marked him
admiring his limbs and surveying his own shape and
form, and as he was dragging his spear behind him
he thus recited:

"My morning draught is the cleaving of heads
and breasts; my scimitar is my cup—no cup of

wine. My wine is of the blood of warriors, quaffed
to the music of sword-blades and spears. When
I arise in spirits and in joy, I feel a flame of burning
coals in my entrails. I am Anis, son of
Madraka, styled the destroyer of men in armour!
In me is a heart bold in battle with heroes. My
custom is to chase the hungry lion from his den.
Beware, beware! my garments, my Ibla, are of
steel; my sword is sharp, and my spear penetrating.
I shall be raised in glory among men by
your death; and by it they will learn my valour."
Antar listened to his discourse, and was surprised
at the insanity of his passion. Son of a two-thousand-horned
cuckold, he cried, hast thou not heard
what has happened to others before thee on account
of Ibla, and in the pursuit of her, that thou too art
inflamed with love and distraction for her?—Yes,
thou son of a coward, I have heard of thee before
this day, cried Anis; after tending camels, thou
hast been fortunate and prosperous, and thou hast
slain a number of vagabond Arabs, and hast demanded
thy cousin in marriage by frauds and deceits.
But fate has driven thee to me, that I may
hasten thy destruction, and lower thy honours with
my sword, for I have vowed within myself not to
enter unto thy cousin, till I have made thee drink
of the cup of death, and joined thee to those who are
gone and are dead. And now may God favour my
revenge, and prosper my enterprise! Having ceased,
he assailed Antar, and conceived he was to attain
his wishes and conquer. Antar was much astonished
at his actions, and launching out into the plain, as
he galloped with him and charged, he thus replied:

"Behold the sport of passion in every noble person!
but I have thanked my forbearance, applauded
my resolution, and the slave has been
elevated above his master: for I have concealed
my passion, and kept my secret. I will not leave
a word for the railers; and I will not ease the
hearts of my enemies by the violation of my
honour. I have borne the evils of fortune, till I
have discovered its secret meaning, before even it
was concealed. Fortune has been my guide where-ever
I am. I have met every peril in my bosom,
and the world can cast no reproach on me for my
complexion: my blackness has not diminished my
glory. Were this not the colour of my skin, the
morning's dawn would not bow before me at hearing
my name. Tribes talk of genealogy as an
honour, but the blow of the sword in the battle is
my glory. Others have laboured, but have returned
confounded as soon they beheld the traces
of my form."

No sooner had he finished his verses than he
rushed upon Anis like an impregnable mountain;
they commenced striking and piercing, they engaged
with the cleaving sword for an hour, and
then vanished from the sight, the dust rising over
them like smoke. The necks of the horsemen were
extended out towards them, and the birds of death

hovered over their heads. Various shouts burst forth
among them, and the Khitaamites vociferated to
their lord, and opposed his disastrous fate.

Upon this, Bostam and the Shibanians prepared
for the fight. This is the day of battle, my cousins,
cried he. Ibla screamed out with a loud voice, for
her soul had revived. Haste, my cousin, she cried,
to the destruction of thy antagonist, and rescue thy
maid from captivity, for truly her situation is deplorable,
and her friends have been slain. Antar's
heart was sorely grieved at her complaints, so he
shouted at his adversary, and attacked him furiously.
He exhausted him; he terrified him; he drew his
foot out of his stirrup; he seized hold of him by his
girdle; threw down his horse under him, and held
him suspended in his hand like a sparrow.

When the Khitaamites saw their Chief a prisoner,
they made an assault hoping to liberate him, but the
eight horsemen encountered them, headed by Bostam,
all roaring out like lions, and driving their
spears through the horsemen's chests. Guard your
prisoner, Aboolfawaris, cried Bostam; and I will
satisfy you in the carnage of the Khitaamites, and
will make their chiefs drink of the cup of revenge.

Antar having captured Anis, wished to bind him
fast, but he was prevented by his violent exertions,
and he tried to escape out of his hands, so Antar
smote him on the shoulder, and almost killed him:
and having thus wounded him, he left him stretched
on the ground, and joined Bostam in the conflict,

and plied his sword among the foe. The dust and
the sand arose over them; skulls lay under their
feet; and unexpected calamities overpowered the
tribe of Khitáam.

In those days there were knights who could encounter
a thousand, and even two thousand of the
most obstinate horsemen; having always the advantage,
and ever unhurt. Now Antar was one of
those warriors at that period; for the adored God
had thus endowed him, and given him a lucky star
at his birth. Moreover, the historians state in their
Chronicles, that the King of Heroes had created
Antar the instrument of his vengeance over all the
giants of Arabia.

When the tribe of Khitáam saw that his blows
were more impetuous than thunderbolts, and that
his thrusts rent open coats of mail, their resolution
failed: they abandoned their property and their
flocks, and they dispersed over the desert like wild
beasts, dastards and cowards as they were; whilst
Antar and his comrades pursued them till they drove
them out of that country and desert. Three hundred
of them were slain, and only three of the Shibanians.
Ibla and her maidens had released Oorwah
and her brother from bondage, and as they returned
to their friends, Antar saluted Ibla, saying,
Think not, my cousin, that I forget thee, although
thy father is oppressive and hostile to me. Ibla
wept at the mention of her father: O my cousin,
she said, then truly his treachery has destroyed him.

No, answered Antar, thy father is well: I left Malik,
son of King Zoheir, with him. And he related
to her all that had happened to him; how he had
found him lying among the dead severely wounded;
what he had done to relieve his afflictions; and that
he had left with him his brother Shiboob. At this
detail Ibla's sorrows were calmed, and her distresses
were lightened. Antar ordered Anis into his presence.

Oorwah and Amroo hastened to the field of carnage,
but could not find him; for Anis having recovered
from the shock that had stunned him, and
seeing an immense number of his comrades lying
dead, instantly mounted one of the scattered horses,
and fled from the scene. Having in vain searched
for him, they returned to Antar and told him. I
was too indulgent to him, said Antar; and I was
wrong in sparing him. Oh that instead of merely
wounding him, I had put him to death.

Aboolfawaris, cried Oorwah, repent not of having
spared him. Consider yourself as having liberated
him, and taken his property as his ransom. For
he will be the poorest of all the Arabs: every
grievance and every evil have befallen him. God
has driven this booty towards you without trouble.
And all this is on account of your cousin, the grazing
fawn: for certainly you will never effect your marriage
with her till there shall not be a rich Bedoween
throughout the desert.

Antar smiled at this address. Drive on these

flocks, said he, and let us return to the land of
Riyab, for my heart is with my uncle and Prince
Malik.

So the Absians drove the flocks and the cattle,
Antar at their head, and Bostam by his side; and
the flame in his heart was appeased. They continued
on till they came nigh unto Prince Malik,
and Ibla's father, and Shiboob. As soon as they
saw them, they congratulated each other, and Malik,
Ibla's father, thus recited:

"Alas! the sea of thy generosity has flowed towards
us; the mountain of thy mercy is raised
sublime on high. Thou art truly Antar the victorious
warrior in the day of battle, where foes
are destroyed. Thine are labours that equal the
stars, ever fixed but incorporeal. God is with
thee. Behold the cloud of battle is spread out,
and the plain flows with the blood of thy foes.
Horses trample down their riders through the
dust, like the lions in the forests. There are the
heroes disgraced by thy spear; there thou meetest
them firm and staunch. O Aboolfawaris, son of
my brother, in the loveliness of a smiling face,
thou hast proved thy kindness unto me. Thou
hast revived me after extinction. Thou hast
exerted thyself, and the tribe has been annihilated.
Thou hast resuscitated me, after I had tasted of
death from wounds, from misery, and sorrow.
O! I will applaud thee in retirement and in public
to the world, to my family, and to the tribes.

Mayst thou, persevering hero, never fail; let us
shadow ourselves beneath thy shade—let us swear
by thy generosity, the best of oaths."

For this once Malik spoke with sincerity: for
Prince Malik had softened his heart with regard
to Antar, during the time he was left with him.
They reposed that night, joying in each other;
at dawn they proceeded homewards. But Antar
took off a large proportion of the camels, male
and female, and presented them to Bostam, saying,
Aboolyaczan, you have indeed overwhelmed
me with kindnesses, so take this share and seek your
own country and your family. And they bade each
other adieu, Antar proceeding home with his comrades.
It will be proper, said Prince Malik to
Antar, to send forward your brother Shiboob to inform
our clan of our arrival, so that my father and
all the tribe of Abs and Adnan may come out to
meet us, and our friends rejoice, and our enemies
grieve.

Antar gave this commission to his brother,
who shot forth like an eagle, till he came into the
presence of King Zoheir, and informed him of the
news. All the tribe of Abs mounted, and in an
hour they met Prince Malik and Antar. Shouts
arose from the tribe of Abs, and joy came upon
them all. King Zoheir embraced his son, and turning
to Antar, already on foot: O Aboolfawaris!
said he, you abandoned your friends and native
land; you have passed your time in wandering

about, and shall we never see an end of your adventures?
My lord, cried Antar, by the assistance
of God, my circumstances are improved, and my
affairs are more tolerable: and he informed him of
all that had passed between him and his uncle in
his passion and rage, and what he had done in a
strange land, till he had rescued his uncle from
death. King Zoheir applauded his liberality, and
his exertions, and his forbearance, and his modesty;
and when they saw the incalculable quantity of
cattle he brought with him, they knew he was born
under a lucky star: and they all went down to their
tents, and friends assembled with friends: the women
and men rejoiced in the arrival of Antar, but
he did not go home till he had made a division of
the property, and given the largest share to Oorwah
and his men, and the rest he gave to his father and
to his uncles, that they might further his wishes.

Ibla returned home, to the great delight of her
friends and slaves. Ibla had conceived a great affection
for a slave girl that Antar had brought away
as a captive from Kendeh; her name was Rabiat,
and she was more beautiful than the rising sun.
Ibla used to seek consolation in her society, and
used to complain of all her cousin had suffered, and
for hours together she would sit and talk with her.
But Amarah, from the day of Antar's arrival, took
to his bed and couch of affliction, it was the consummation
of his griefs: he renounced food and
sleep; his mother nursed him, but all her cares

only added to his pains. O my son, she said, what
calamity oppresses thee? perhaps I may discover
the means of effacing thy afflictions. Mother, the
origin of this my feeble state and my weakness
springs from a flame in my heart, and the prime
cause of all is the safety of that Antar, son of Shedad.
Had Ibla even been slain in any one of those
affrays, then would the business have been settled
for ever. Brother, said Rebia, if thy purpose is the
death of Ibla, I will contrive a scheme for her destruction,
and prevent Antar from ever seeing her
again. Execute, my brother, exclaimed Amarah,
this dreadful deed, and put her to death by some
stratagem on Antar. Rebia entered his tents and
began to meditate his plot (we have before stated,
Rebia was full of deceit and fraud), and having assembled
all his slaves, male and female, he called
them into his tents: Who of ye has any connexion,
said he to them, with the slaves and girls of the
family of Carad, let him inform me, and I will
fulfil all his wishes. My lord, said one of them,
Khemisah, Ibla's handmaiden, loves me ardently.
Bring her here, said Rebia, and conceal her in my
tents, till I tell you what she must do. The slave
expressed obedience, and added, If I give her that
order, she will never, I am sure, on any occasion,
quit our dwellings. Rebia filled the slave's wallet
with kabab[10] and sugar-plums, and having instructed
him in the artful tale he should tell Khemisah,
he sent him to the pastures with the camels,
saying, Be alone with her, and if you like her,
I will demand her of her master in marriage for
you, and if any thing particular should be required,
it shall be done out of kindness for you, and I will
marry you to her. As soon as the slave heard this,
he was overjoyed, and ran till he reached the pastures,
where he soon made up to Khemisah, and
told her all. She was much delighted. He brought
her home with him, and when the day was spent,
Khemisah prepared to return; but Rebia entered:
Have you forgotten me? Khemisah, said he. Indeed
I have been very remiss in my attentions to
you, but we shall be many a day together, and I
am resolved to purchase you to-morrow morning,
and will wed you to my slave, this Miftah. Now
Rebia had a much-loved friend in Shiban; they
had been long mutually attached, and he was called
Mooferridj, son of Helal. After he had taken his
measures with Khemisah, he sent to his friend,
Mooferridj, to request he would send ten horsemen
to him, that he might return by them a most valuable
deposit. Mooferridj immediately complied
with the demand, and despatched his cousin, Sinan,
with nine horsemen, under the guidance of Rebia's
slave, saying, Whatever he may order you, oppose
him not. The men travelled on with the slave,
and when they arrived, he showed them into a
tent in his neighbourhood, and passing on to his
master, informed him they were come. So he let
them all into his tents, and receiving them with the
greatest attention, he entertained them for three
days. On the fourth day the men said, Rebia,
what is the urgent business for which you sent for
us? He then ordered Khemisah into his presence:
My purpose, said he to her, entirely rests with you,
and I intend it should be all settled by your means.
My lord, what is your business with me? said she-Know,
Khemisah, continued Rebia, that my brother,
Amarah, is desperately in love with your lady Ibla,
and is near his death. I visit him every day, and
ask him what it is he wants. I wish only, he says,
to cast my eyes once more on Ibla before the departure
of my soul from this world. Now you are
the only person that can possibly aid him on this
point. As to me I am quite puzzled, and cannot
get rid of him. As soon as Khemisah heard Rebia's
discourse: Let your brother, she cried, walk out
this night to the lake, whilst I arrange matters for
my mistress also to go forth. Rebia smiled, and
felt assured his plan had succeeded. So he feigned
great fondness for her, and presented her an armlet
of gold, saying, Take this, it is a free gift to you.
But she refused it, and returned home. Rebia then
went to the Shibanians and told them, how the
business was settled: Go with them to the lake,
said he to his slave, and when Ibla comes forth in
the night, let the troop seize her and carry her off,
and return to their own country with her. And
what is this maiden's crime? said the Shibanians.
She is an adulteress, he replied, and has clothed her
lord in shame, and he is anxious she should be put to
death in another land. Upon this, Sinan and his
people went away and concealed themselves in the
vicinity till night, and they had not been stationed
an hour there, when Ibla approached. For when
Khemisah returned to Ibla, she said, Know then,
my mistress, that your cousin Antar met me just
now, and desires you will walk out to the lake
to-night by way of exercise and recreation, for he is
very anxious to communicate something to you.
When he told me this, he went home to my lord
Malik's, and I really cannot say whether he was in
earnest, or whether it was intoxication that set him
on this plan. Ibla waited till it was dark, and took
with her the two maids, Rabiat and Khemisah, who
walked before her till they came to the lake, when,
behold! Sinan ran towards her, drawing his sword
upon her, and snatching her off the ground, placed
her behind him. The horsemen dismounted, and
bound the maids fast, and left them lying on the
earth; then returning to the horses, and having
mounted, they traversed the wilds and wastes, till
they reached the land of Shiban.