University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER VI.

On the next day when Monzar was seated on the
throne of his kingdom, and the horsemen of his clan
were around him, they consulted and deliberated,
and they were unanimous that the Arabs should be
written to, and precautions be taken against Nushirvan.
And when they had come to this resolution,
an attendant entered, and kissing the ground, said
—O King, excellent tidings for you in the arrival of
your Vizier Amroo, the son of Nefeela! Now this
Vizier was one of the oldest men of the age, for he
was four hundred years old; he was well versed in
history, and acquainted with every event, and he was
one of the wise men who had predicted the mission
of Mohammed, the seal of Prophets and delegates;
and he generally resided at Mecca, expecting his
appearance, that he might be directed by his light.

When Monzar heard of his arrival, he was rejoiced
and delighted at the good news. In a short
time he presented himself, and saluted him. Monzar
sprang up to meet him, congratulated him, and
saluted him. O Chief, said he, you are come just at
the very moment you are required, for I am overwhelmed
with anxiety; and for its removal I depend

first on God, and then on you. I am quite disconsolate
at the state of my affairs, and I have repented
of what I have done, and I wish for you, O Vizier,
to bear some of my burthens.

And when he had informed him of all that had
passed between him and Chosroe—You have indeed
acted wrong, O King, said Amroo, in this business;
verily as soon as I heard the news, I came as fast
as I could from the land of Mecca and the sacred
shrine, fearful lest your country should be laid
waste, and the Arab chiefs destroyed by the hands
of the worshippers of fire, and you would be thus
involved in disgrace and in misery. Indeed I have
recommended to you a thousand times not to make
the fire-worshippers your enemies, until you should
hear that Mecca is illuminated with the light and
appearance of the chosen Prophet to be sent from
Adnan, for then will the temples of fire be extinguished,
and the palace be rent: but now you
have only to bend to error, and take care to obey the
orders of this monarch, even should he outrage you.
For you have slain his satrap and cut up his horsemen;
so beware of his deceits. Moderation is now
most advisable: renounce writing to the Arabs,
but have patience till I go to Modayin, and observe
its inhabitants, and mark the state of affairs. I
will visit their minister, Mubidan, and request him
to give up this point, and direct him to avert from
us the ill-will of Nushirvan.

Your advice is most judicious, said Monzar: act,
O Vizier, as it seems fit to you; I will oppose nothing
you say. So Amroo went to repose himself; and
then Monzar reported to him the deeds of Antar,
how he had slain Khosrewan, and destroyed an army
of twenty thousand horse, and had given victory to
the Arab warriors after their defeat and flight. The
Vizier was astonished at Antar's acts and intrepidity,
so superior were they to any thing hitherto
known in deserts or towns.

On the third day the Vizier Amroo mounted his
horse and repaired to Modayin, having first recommended
Monzar to treat Antar with attention and
kindness, and to prevent him from returning to his
own country. He traversed the deserts and cultivated
places till he reached Modayin, when he
presented himself to Mubidan, the Cazi of the worshippers
of fire, without ceremony and without permission.
Mubidan rose up in haste to meet him,
and received him with the highest honour and distinction:
he made him sit by him, and spoke to him
in the most friendly manner, saying,—What has
induced you to visit me? What has made you
trouble yourself about me? I was not at hand when
these events took place, said the Vizier, and I was
not present at these occurrences: I was at Mecca,
and in those parts; but as soon as the news reached
me, and I heard how King Monzar had eaten the
dates with the stones, I was convinced that troubles

would arise between them. I came at full speed,
for I feared some great disaster, and I wished to
settle the business ere I died. But I did not arrive
till all was over; so I have hurried to you, in order
to arrange matters, fearing that these human considerations
would bring about unnecessarily disagreeable
consequences. Therefore, O Chief, be benevolent
as long as kindness is in your power, and be not
revengeful on account of a difference in religion.

Mubidan was pleased from his heart, and the
flame of his anger was extinguished. O Amroo,
said he, before you arrived, I had resolved to arrange
this business: the army has returned routed, and
its chief has been slain; but I have not reported
this circumstance to the just King, fearful that blood
would be shed, and men be slaughtered. I have
also my anxiety about events which have lately occurred,
and I wish to relieve the heart of the King
of some of his burthens; for governments sicken as
men sicken, and they have no other physician but
their Viziers; and these are acquainted with the
evils and the remedies.

What is it, cried Amroo, that has troubled the
heart of the just King; for he is the ruler of all the
tribes! You know that the emperor of Greece,
answered Mubidan, has always been accustomed to
send to Chosroe a vast quantity of goods, and precious
stones, and metals and jewels, and male and
female European slaves, and other objects; in short,

that the tongue fails in describing. At this present
time a Grecian chief is come with the treasure, and
in his suite are five hundred horsemen of his nation,
and ten priests, and five monks: he presented himself
before Chosroe in his palace, and spoke to him by an
interpreter, saying—O mighty King, I am indeed
come with the wealth and jewels and rich presents,
such as fire cannot consume, and beautiful virgins
and slaves; but I must make one stipulation with
you, viz. that I will not deliver them to you, unless
you have a horseman that can vanquish me in the
field of battle.

Now the cause of the arrival of this Chief, continued
Mubidan, and of his appearance before Chosroe,
was this extraordinary circumstance.—He had
quitted the Isles of the Sea, in order to visit the holy
shrine at Jerusalem, and the fountain of peace; and
when his pilgrimage was terminated, he heard a good
report of the cities of Syria, so he repaired thither,
and resided there some time; and one day being in
the presence of Harith, in the course, he exhibited
his horsemanship and intrepidity, far superior to
the other horsemen. Harith having remarked his
extraordinary prowess, sent for him and presented
him with a robe, and exalted him in rank above the
nobles of his court, accommodated him in a house
suitable to his station, and supplied him with provisions.

And Harith for a long time engaged him against

the warriors, and he overcame every antagonist in
force and ability, and in course of time he conquered
all the armies of Syria, who acknowledged his
intrepidity and superiority, and yielded to him the
highest honours, so that Harith greatly rejoiced in
him; and he said, this is indeed the sword of Jesus;
and he resolved to present him to the Roman Emperor.
So he wrote to the Emperor, and mentioned
what feats this Chief had performed. Keep him
with you, said he in his letter, and prevent his returning
to the Isles of the Sea, in order that you may
obtain, through him, what you wish and desire from
the Arabs and the worshippers of fire; and he sent
his letter by a messenger.

On the next day Harith despatched the Chief with
a party of his attendants to wait on the Emperor.
The messenger travelled with the letter till he
reached Antioch, and being admitted to the presence,
he delivered him the letter, which he took and
read, and having understood its secret meaning, was
rejoiced in the Chief. He even went out to meet
him with all the nobles of his court and ministers of
the kingdom. So when the Chief reached the suburbs,
he was greatly surprised, as were all his companions,
for he thought this meeting of the Emperor
was accidental, not being aware of the letter
Harith had sent forward. The Chief dismounted,
and crossing his face before he spoke, kissed the
earth in the presence of the Emperor, who, much

surprised at the courtesy of his manners, desired him
to remount his horse, and taking him by his side,
they all returned together to Antioch, every one
gazing on the Chief, and astonished at his gigantic
shape and stature, till they arrived at the city,
when all their anxiety and trouble being at an end,
every one returned home. And there being no one
present, the Emperor sat down, and made the
Chief do so likewise by his side, and invited him
to tell his adventures, and offered him riches and
possessions.

O most beneficent monarch, said the Chief, I left
not my country in search of wealth, but the reason
of my departure was to seek the reward of virtue
and meritorious acts. I have reached your presence,
and my wish is to exhibit my prowess before the inhabitants
of this land, that I may attain the object
of my desires. The Emperor showed the warrior
every possible attention.

Now the name of this Chief was Badhramoot: he
remained three days as the Emperor's guest; on the
third he appeared on the plain, and the horsemen
came out against him; but they retreated from before
him in shame and disgrace, and he remained galloping
about like a dæmon. For three days he continually
exhibited himself on the course, till he had
marked all the troops of the Emperor in the combat;
and when the Emperor perceived his superior
skill, he was much surprised, and wished to detain

him with him, that he might, through him, be victorious
over his enemies; and amongst other things he
thought of marrying him to his daughter, and of
sharing with him his dominions.

One day Badhramoot came to the Emperor,
and found him sitting down, and all his treasures
before him: he was selecting the best metals and
jewels, and was putting them in cups, and was
sealing them up, and was packing them up in boxes,
and was preparing them for a long journey by land.
Badhramoot was much agitated and surprised at
this. To whom do you intend sending this treasure?
he asked. To Chosroe Nushirvan, the lord
of the crown and palace, replied the Emperor, for he
is the King of Persia and Deelem, and the ruler
of nations. O monarch, this King, is he not of
the religion of Jesus, the son of Mary? the chief
asked. He is the great King, he replied, and he
worships fire; and he has armies and allies whose
numbers are incalculable, and on this account I
send him tribute, and keep him away from my
own country.

At these words the light became darkness in
Badhramoot's eyes. By your existence, O King,
said he, I cannot allow any one to adore aught but
the Messiah in this world. We must wage a sacred
war, and have a crusade against the inhabitants
of that land and those cities. How can you submit
to this digrace and indignity, and humble yourself

to a worshipper of fire; you, who are the Emperor
of the religion of the Cross, and the Priest's gown?
I swear by him[19] who withdrew a dead body from
the earth, and breathed into clay, and there came
forth birds and beasts, I will not permit you to
send these goods and presents, unless I go also
against those people, and fight them with the sword's
edge. I will engage the armies of Chosroe, and exert
my strength against them: if I am slain, then you
may stand to your covenant.

Rid us of this affair, exclaimed the Emperor;
avert and withdraw from us the supremacy of Chosroe
and his armies; but do not open upon us a gate
which we shall not be able to close: and if you wish
to make a journey to the land of the King, go with
these presents, and when you are in his presence,
tell him your own story,—examine the extent of his
dominion, and his horsemen, and the number of his
troops, and his allies. Ask him to let you fight his
bold warriors—whatever you desire, he will grant
you; and when you have engaged the horsemen and
succeeded in your attempt, then inform me, that I
may show you what I can do: but if you find that his
power is too great, conjure him to spare this land and
realm.

Badhramoot agreed to this proposal, and he departed
with the presents, and he arrived at Modayin,
his heart free from fear. He went to Chosroe and
presented his letter, and said through an interpreter,

O most glorious King, you know that Kings will not
submit to tribute until they have been vanquished in
battle. I am now come with all this property as presents
to you; but I wish to avert this disgrace from
the Christians, and I will engage your warriors in
your presence. If they slay me in the combat, my
blood is rightfully yours; but if I am superior to all
your heroes and combatants, then relieve us from tribute,
and do not expose mankind to difficulties and
hardships; for in all religions it is tyranny and oppression
to shed blood.

All this being interpreted to Chosroe, his anger
and indignation, though considerably excited, were
softened by the mildness of the Chieftain's representations.
He pondered the subject some time,
and then, being convinced that he had only made
a reasonable demand, he turned towards his satraps
and said—Take this Chieftain, and conduct him to
a mansion suitable to his rank, with his suite, and
provide them with every thing to eat and drink,
that we may comply with his requests: let the property
be left with him, that we may likewise fulfil his
intention: to-morrow we will go to the plain to view
the combat of the horsemen, and we will not receive
the presents but on his terms.

Accordingly the satraps conducted the Chief and
his suite to a spacious mansion, and left all the
property with them. The next day the armies
mounted and repaired to the plain, and all being
assembled, Chosroe mounted his horse, surrounded

by the standards and ensigns; and when the two
parties were drawn up, the Chief came forward like a
huge camel, his priests and monks attending him;
he urged on his horse into the field of contention,
and the brave heroes were rushing upon him from
all sides; but Chosroe issued orders to his people
that they should draw lots, and thus proceed in rotation
against him, and whoever should conquer him
should receive all the presents he brought with
him.

When the combatants heard this, they retired
from the scene of combat and drew lots, and the lot
fell upon the first of the generals named Shirkan,
son of Tirkan. He sallied out against the Chief;
but the Grecian warrior waiting till he came close
to him, drew his foot out of his stirrup, struck him
on the breast with his foot, and hurled him on the
ground. The whole body of horsemen were confounded,
and their limbs trembled within them.
Again they drew lots, and the lot fell upon a
sturdy warrior, one of the worshippers of fire: he
fought with various arms, and he was indefatigable
in the combat: he rushed at him, armed with a
mace, roaring like a lion: he opened wide his arm
as he came near to him, and endeavoured to strike
him, and knock him down; but the Chief struck
him with the butt-end of his spear, and dashed him
to the earth: he had already drawn out the barb
from his spear; and there was not a combatant that

came forward but he stretched him on the ground;
and before the close of the day he had vanquished
a hundred valiant warriors. Then Chosroe sent
for him, and received him kindly, and gave him
a robe. By the burning of fire and its flames, said
he, you have earned all this property from these vile
miscreants.

Chosroe then returned, and he was greatly
enraged with his own troops: but the Chieftain
was rejoiced, and he reposed that night in security.
The next day he returned to the contest, and Nushirvan
also mounted his horse, and the combat was
the same as the first day; and the Grecian quitted
not the scene of action till he had overcome more than
a hundred warriors, many with their ribs broken,
suffering the pangs of death and perdition. And
Chosroe was exceedingly wroth with his troops.

Thus continued the Chief to engage the heroes
of Persia for fifteen days, and he excelled them all;
and the armies of Chosroe were disgraced. In affliction
he passed the night, and he rose up to grief and
gloom. Matters were in this situation, when lo!
Mubidan entered. O Vizier, cried Chosroe, watch
over us in this important affair: behold what is
befalling us with respect to this experienced Greek,
for verily he will tear our empire in pieces with his
intrepidity; and we are unable to rid ourselves of
his power. I wish to write to Khosrewan, to come
to us with his horsemen against this Grecian devil.

Refrain from such expressions, O King, said
Mubidan, for you may still accomplish your wish,
and degrade and hold in contempt this Chieftain,
and the affair terminate to your glory and success.
How can that be? said the King, and what do you
propose? My opinion is, said he, that you write
to your lieutenant, King Monzar, the ruler of the
Arabs, under whose command are all the tribes, and
order him to send you a few of his slaves, and they
will subjugate for you this obstinate Chief, and will
accomplish what you covet and desire; for the Arab
horsemen are the horsemen of victory and conquest;
they only are brought up in plains and rocks, in
battle and slaughter: in such emergencies the horsemen
of Hijaz are most renowned; but our horsemen,
O King of the world, are only famed for magnificent
entertainments.

The King laughed, and said—How can this
be brought about, Mubidan? Monzar is irritated
against us by what has happened between me and
him, owing to the satrap Khosrewan, who is now
gone against him with his troops and forces, and I
have no intelligence of him. Live for ever, O King
of the world, said Mubidan; but for your Satrap,
the fire has received his soul, and its smoke and its
flames have consumed him. His army is returning,
routed and beaten. I have kept this circumstance
a secret from you, but now the fire has made me
think it proper to disclose it to you.

O Vizier, said Chosroe, greatly distressed—in
this extremity, what is your plan? how can I possibly
send to Monzar, now that he has rent in pieces
my honour, and slain a satrap of my government?

O King, said the Vizier, the honour of your Empire
is in his hands—he alone can save it; for he
possesses a warrior of the race of Adnan, who would
encounter every horseman and hero you possess.
Then informing him of all that concerned Antar
from beginning to end—It would, in my opinion,
be right, added he, to send to King Monzar a robe
and presents, and direct him to produce before you
this lion horseman, for he will surely destroy you
Chief, and will remove this distress and affliction
from your heart. But, said Chosroe, I fear Monzar
will not obey my orders, and he will suppose that
dismay has stricken us.

Be assured, O great King, said Mubidan, that
Monzar is terrified at your wrath and your vengeance,
and just now his Vizier Amroo, the son of
Nefeelah, came to me, and asked me to intercede
with you, and request you would pass over what he
has done, and forgive his improper conduct. Well,
said Chosroe, do what you think proper; perhaps
the difficulty may be removed. Order this horseman
into our presence, and promise him, on our
part, all manner of riches. So Mubidan departed,
and having acquainted the Vizier Amroo with what
had occurred on this important point, he desired

him to write to Monzar, and tell him what had
passed, ordering him to bring Antar into the presence
of the King at Modayin.

The Vizier wrote the letter, as follows—"To
him whom we acknowledge as King Monzar, King
of the Arabs, Ruler of the tribes Lakhm and Juzam
and Shiban! Know, O King, that the business on
which I came has been effected, and all your projects
are accomplished. Moreover, I have promised
Chosroe, the monarch of the world, that Antar
shall overcome this Grecian Chief, and shall relieve
his heart from his present distress and affliction:
come therefore hither without delay, and be there
no other answer to this letter but placing your foot
in the stirrup." He folded and sealed the letter,
and despatched it under the wings of a bird, and
they remained expecting the result. But the Chief,
as soon as the day dawned, sent some of his people
and horsemen to demand of Chosroe permission
to go out to the plain, that he might again engage
in his presence his armies and his warriors. So
Chosroe mounted, and all his people and horsemen
also came forth: and the Greek overpowered the
heroes of Persia, who combated with him even to
the close of the day, when they returned; and the
glory and honour of the Persians were tarnished.

The next day the two parties mounted and were
drawn up in order; and the Grecian fought, and
galloped, and charged, and sought for the combatants

and antagonists, when lo! a horseman from
Deelem, Bahram by name, the son of Johram, engaged
him, and he was a warrior rapid as a burning
flame, and he fought with different sorts of arms,
indefatigable in war. He was the son of the uncle
of that Khosrewan whom Antar had slain, Antar,
the destroyer of horsemen! On that day he fought
on the plain, and he wore a Davidean cuirass,[20] solid
and firm, that blunted the javelin's point, and in his
hand he bore a pike with which he gave the blow of
death. He was also girt with a cleaving falchion,
and under his thighs were four short javelins. He
assaulted the Chief with all his force, and engaged
with him in the combat.

Their engagement at first was sport and play,
but it ended in impetuosity and fury. They continued
their labours and exertions till mid-day, and
the Greek having experienced Bahram's might and
strength, at length put forth all his powers and
energies in the contest; and the pike of the Chief
was without a barb, as he had agreed on in the presence
of Chosroe Nushirvan. But he stretched his
hand over the pommel of his saddle, and plucked
out a barb like the tongue of a serpent, and fastened
it on the end of his pike, and rushed upon Bahram
in his rage: he extended the barb towards his

chest, and he gave a loud shout; but Bahram
struck it with his sword, and clipped it off. The
Greek threw away his pike, and drew forth his
sword from the scabbard, and they engaged with
their sabres till both were near partaking of the
draught of death. Then the ranks closed upon
them, and the Deelemites rejoiced in their warrior,
and their expectations were raised high. The
warriors ceased not the battle and the contest till the
end of the day, when they separated unhurt; and
neither had marked his adversary. So they retired,
and each related to his companions the circumstances
of the conflict. Chosroe sent for Bahram, and gave
him a robe.

Early next day Chosroe mounted, attended by
the Persians, and Turcomans, and Deelemites, drawn
up in ranks on the plain of battle. The Grecian
Chief came with all his suite, and charged and galloped
over the plain. Bahram came down upon
him, and they dashed at each other, and charged to
and fro, and ranged over the plain, extending their
long spears till every eye was sickened: then they
commenced the battle, and continued till sunset,
when they again separated unhurt. But Chosroe
was greatly distressed, and he ordered the Magi to
make a circuit of the fire in his presence, and to
throw aloe of Comorin into it, praising the unity of
the adored King; so they did as he ordered. And

the Chief performed the same ceremony, and his
priests and monks recited the Gospel, and marked
themselves with the Cross, and both parties reposed
in blasphemy and heresy.

The next day at dawn the horsemen were ready
for the contest, when lo! a dust arose and obscured
the land; and there appeared coming forth a hundred
horsemen, all sturdy Arabs, armed with long
spears and sharp swords, mounted on noble coursers.
King Monzar headed them, and by his side was
Antar. The Vizier and Mubidan went out to meet
them with a party of satraps and horsemen, and
the troops on all sides crowded to look at them.
Mubidan related to Antar all that had passed between
the Grecian and Bahram.

O Vizier, said the lion Antar, assure the just
King, whose beneficence and liberality are well
known, that I will encounter this Grecian, and Bahram,
and all the warriors of Persia, Turkistan, and
Deelem, and will not leave a man in Modayin.
Mubidan smiled, for he was convinced he could
execute what he said, observing the immensity of
his bulk, and the horror of his form, and the rolling
of his eyes, and the muscular powers of his
arms.

O Horseman of the age, said he, should you not
execute your engagement, and not slay this hero of
the Cross?—If I do not fulfil my agreement, cried

Antar, drag me by my feet through the temple of
fire, and make a sacrifice of me. Mubidan smiled,
and he introduced him to the officers of Government
who wore golden bracelets on their arms, and afterwards
to those who wore crowns on their heads.
King Monzar dismounted, and all his horsemen,
and then entered the apartments of the Nobles,
and the Viziers and Satraps, and Grandees, and
Dignitaries. Antar was in amazement at what he
saw, and the people also started and gazed at him;
and this continued till they came before Chosroe.
Monzar stepped forward and saluted him, and
prayed for a continuance of his glory and power.
Then Antar too paid his homage, and thus spoke:

"May God avert from thee the evils of fortune,
and mayst thou live secure from calamities! May
thy star be ever brilliant in progressive prosperity,
and increase in glory! May thy sword be
ever sharp, and cleave the necks of thy foes, O
thou King of the age! May thy renown be ever
celebrated in every land, for thou art just and
beneficent. So mayst thou ever live a Sovereign
in glory, as long as the dove pours forth its
plaintive note."

Chosroe was astonished at Antar's eloquence, and
was confounded at the height of his person, and his
prodigious form, and the rolling of his eyes, and the
strength of his arms. O King of the world, said

Mubidan, this is he who has slain your satrap Khosrewan,
and destroyed his army of twenty thousand
bridles, and he is come now take away the life of
this Greek, and to remove every grief and sorrow
from your heart, and no doubt he will slay all that
are with him. Should this be the case, said the
Monarch, we will pardon his fault, and ennoble
him with gifts. Let them repose: treat them with
all kindness and hospitality. And he sent for
King Monzar, and gave him a robe. O King of
the Arabs, said he, the error was mine at first, and
his who raised this rebellion amongst you; but the
fire has destroyed him in your presence. The
heart of Monzar was delighted at these words, and
his joy was great.

And when Mubidan wished to pitch tents for
them, that they might repose till the next day—By
the Holy Shrine, exclaimed Antar, I will not eat
meat with you, or drink wine with you, until I have
slain this foul-raced Greek, and made him drink the
cup of death; for he has moved the heart of the just
King. So he prepared his arms and his cuirass,
and sprang from the ground on the back of his
horse. Mubidan informed Chosroe of what Antar
had said, and he went forth with all his Viziers,
Satraps, Princes, and Deputies, to see the result of
the combat between the two warriors.

Mubidan also repaired to the Grecian Chief, and

said—Know that Chosroe has in his justice acted
towards you with the greatest impartiality, and he
has loaded you with favours, and he has only found
amongst his people Bahram, that can contend with
you; and the King observes even his inferiority.
But as he does not wish that his reputation should
be lost, his Vicegerent over the Arabs is arrived
this day, and with him a warrior, selected from the
heroes of Arabia, who says he will meet you, and
make your companions and comrades groan for you.
So prepare; and if you kill him or overcome him,
return to your master with all the property you
have brought with you.

Badhramoot was overjoyed at this; his bosom
swelled, and he was in ecstacy, and he said—Let
Chosroe order out this angry horseman—this day
will I haste against him, and make him drink the
cup of disgrace. And Mubidan added—Let the
persons of your faith bear witness for you. Antar
understood not what they were saying—Prepare for
battle, he cried; and immediately the Greek let go
the bridle, and assailed Antar the son of Shedad.
Antar was like a furious lion, as he thus spoke:

"This day I will aid King Monzar, and I will
exhibit my powers and my prowess before Chosroe;
I will break down the support of Greece
from its foundations, and I will sever Badhramoot's
head with my scimitar. I will exterminate

every lion hero with my sword: let him vaunt,
let him boast, let him scoff. Is it not known that
my power is sublime on high?—Is it not among
the stars in the vicinity of Jupiter? I am he
whose might is uncontrollable in battle. I am
of the race of Abs, the valiant lion of the cavern.
If thou art Badhramoot, I am called Antar among
men. It was easy for me to vanquish the armies
of Chosroe in the contest, and soon will I overthrow
Cæsar's self with my spear. Hear the
words of an intrepid lion, resolute, undaunted,
all-conquering. I am he of whom warriors can
bear witness in the combat under the turbid battle-dust.
My sword is my companion in the
night-shades, as are also my Abjer, and my
lance and my spear in the conflicts. Night is
my complexion, but day is my emblem; the sun
is unquestionably the mirror of my deeds. This
day thou shalt feel the truth of what I have said;
and I will prove that I am the Phœnix of the
age."

Then Antar rushed down upon the Grecian like
a cloud, and the Greek met him like a blazing
fire. They engaged like two lions; they maddened
at each other like two camels, and they dashed
against each other like two mountains, so that they
frightened every eye with their deeds. A dust
rose over them that hid them from the sight for

two hours. The Greek perceived in Antar something
beyond his capacity, and a sea where there
was no rest: he was terrified and agitated, and
exclaimed—By the Messiah and his disciples! this
biscuit is not of the same leaven—this is the hour
of contention; and now is the time for struggle and
exertion. So he shouted and roared at Antar, and
attacked him with his spike-pointed spear, and dealt
him a furious thrust; but Antar eluded it by a
dexterous movement, and struck him with the heel
of his lance under the arm, and made him totter on
the back of his horse; and he almost hurled him on
the ground: but Badhramoot with infinite intrepidity
sat firm on his horse's back, and galloped to the
further part of the plain. Antar waited patiently
till he had recovered and his spirit was renewed,
when he returned upon him like a ferocious lion,
and recommenced the conflict.

King Monzar was highly gratified at the deeds
of Antar, and felt convinced that he was only sparing
him, and dallying with him, and that had he
wished to kill him, he would have done it. But
the Monarch was perfectly astonished at Antar's
courage; and turning to his attendants, said to
them—By the essence of fire, this is indeed horsemanship
and intrepidity. Never have I remarked
such but in an Arab! And he advanced towards
the field of battle that he might observe what passed

between these dreadful combatants, and that he
might see how the affair would terminate.

Now Bahram, when he perceived that Antar was
superior to himself in strength, and was mightier
than the Greek in the conflict, felt assured that he
would obtain the promised reward; so he was seized
with the disease of envy, which preyed in flames upon
his heart and his body, particularly when he heard
that Antar had slain the son of his uncle; then he
resolved to betray Antar, and make him drink of
the cup of perdition. So he waited till both were
involved in dust, when he drew from under his
thigh a dart more deadly than the misfortunes of
the age; and when he came near Antar, he raised
his arm and aimed at him the blow of a powerful
hero. It started from his hand like a spark of fire;
but Antar was quick of mind, and his eyes were
continually turning to the right and to the left, for
he was amongst a nation that were not of his own
race, and that put him on his guard, and he instantly
perceived Bahram as he aimed his dart at him; and
then casting away his spear out of his hand, he caught
the dart in the air with his heaven-endowed force
and strength, and rushing at the Greek, and shouting
at him with a paralysing voice, he struck him
with that very dart in the chest, and it issued out
quivering like a flame through his back; then wheeling
round Abjer, like a frightful lion he turned down

upon Bahram; but Chosroe, terrified lest Antar
should slay Bahram, cried out to his attendants—
Keep off Antar from Bahram, or he will kill him,
and pour down annihilation upon him. So the
warriors and the satraps hastened after the dreadful
Antar, and conducted him to Chosroe; and as the
foam burst from his lips, and his eyeballs flashed
fire, he dismounted from Abjer, and thus spoke:

"May God perpetuate thy glory and happiness,
and mayst thou ever live in eternal bliss! O
thou King mighty in power, and the source of
justice on every occasion! I have left Badhramoot
prostrate on the sands—wallowing in blood.
At the thrust of my spear he fell dead, and his
flesh is the prey of the fowls of the air. I left
the gore spouting out from him like the stream
on the day of the copious rain. I am the
terrible warrior; renowned is my name, and I
protect my friend from every peril. Should
Cæsar himself oppose thee, O King, and come
against thee with his countless host, I will leave
him dead with his companions. True and unvarnished
is this promise. O King, sublime in
honours—illustrious and happy, thou art now my
firm refuge, and my stay in every crisis. Be
kind then, and grant me leave to go to my family,
and to prepare for my departure: for my anxiety,
and my passion for the noble-minded, brilliant-faced

Ibla are intense. Hail for ever—be at
peace—live in everlasting prosperity, surrounded
by joys and pleasures!"

Chosroe again marvelled at his eloquence, and
clothed him with an imperial robe, and presented
him five Arab horses, with saddles of burnished
gold, studded with pearls and jewels. He then addressed
Mubidan, and said—Deliver to this warrior
all that came with the Greek, whether merchandize
or beautiful maidens: and he knew no bounds
to his generosity, adding—Bring him to me to-morrow,
that I may exalt him with favours, and that I
may make him one of our Viceroys of the age. Do
ye want any thing further? cried he to the companions
of the Greek. Does any one wish for the
combat and the conflict? If so, let him hasten to
the field of battle.

No more talk we of war and contention, said they
all; we only came to this country with the Chief
to be witnesses of this event and conflict; and verily,
O King of the age, we have experienced every justice
from you. So they departed, and turned away
their steeds, and traversed the plains and deserts,
hardly crediting their escape.

Chosroe repaired to his palace, and Mubidan had
charge of Antar's affairs: he conducted him and
Monzar to the house of the Greek Chief, where
were the treasures and the presents. He opened

all the trunks, and presented to Aboolfawaris all
the pearls and the jewels and the precious stones.
Antar rejoiced and smiled, and exclaimed—O what
joy! where are thine eyes, O Ibla? but by the
faith of an Arab there is not in all the treasures of
the King one atom of her, no not one grain. And
as he regarded the maidens of Greece and of Europe
and the Cophtian slave girls, his joy was increased,
and he blessed the termination of his expedition;
and he kissed Mubidan's breast and beard, and he
praised him in these words:

"Thou hast granted me favours, and I must
publish my gratitude; thou hast accomplished
my every wish for happiness. I will thank thee
as long as I live, and if I die, my bones in their
grave shall praise thee."

Mubidan was truly gratified at Antar's praises.
Renowned hero, said he, we do not mean that you
should be content with this small gift, for this
is not our property. You shall soon behold our
beneficence; this is the wealth and these the jewels,
the blue-eyed Greek, whom you killed and made
to drink of the cup of death and disgrace, brought
with him. But we would not have consigned this
most precious property, and these maidens who resemble
the constellations, but to one who should
vanquish and debase him: and verily, you are
the irresistible one, that has done that, and the

property becomes your property, and you have obtained
it by your actions. He then ordered the
slaves to spread carpets in a splendid mansion, and
to arrange the vases and ewers; and they did as
they were ordered: they laid out the dinner tables
before Monzar and Antar and their companions.
And when Antar observed the variety of delicious
meats, of mutton and pigeons and thrushes, and
the quantity of doves, and the profusion of sweetmeats,
he turned towards Monzar, and said—My
lord, are these various viands their usual victuals?
are they at all times accustomed to such luscious
things? for I see here no camel's flesh. What art
thou talking of? cried Monzar; think no more of
the inhabitants of the wilds and deserts, and those
that drink camel's milk night and day; habituate
thyself to the inhabitants of towns and cities, for
thou must live in the vicinity of great Kings. So
Antar ate till he was satisfied; the glasses passed
round, and they killed the jovial hours in mirth
and merriment: and when the female slaves knew
they were the property of Antar, they came to offer
their service, and whenever he got up or sat down,
they surrounded him: but he would not take the
least notice of them, for no one but Ibla was in his
heart.

O Aboolfawaris, said Monzar, thou dost not delight
in, or seem to look on thy slaves with pleasure;

or feel sensible of thy high dignity. Remove all
painful reflections, or thoughts of thine own country,
for thou hast risen to the rank of princes; and
were the Chieftains of thy nation to see thee, how
they would envy thee! Antar heard this; he sighed
from his sorrowing heart, and tears flowed from his
eyes. O my lord, said he, I swear by your existence,
all this grandeur has no value, no charm in
my eyes; love of my native land is the fixed passion
of my soul, and he thus continued:

"The fresh breeze comes in the morn, and when
it blows on me with its refreshing essence, it is
more grateful to me than all which my power has
obtained in nightly depredations—than all my
property and wealth. The realms of Chosroe I
would not covet, were the phantom of my love to
vanish from my sight. May the showers of rain
ever bedew the lands and mounds of Shoorebah!
lands, where the brilliancy of the veiled full
moons may be seen in the obscurity of their sable
ringlets—where my heart chases among them a
damsel whose eyes are painted with antimony,
more lovely than the Houri. Thou mayst see
in her teeth a liquor when she smiles, where the
wine cup is studded with pearls. The fawn has
borrowed the magic of her eye, and it is the lion
of the earth that chases its prey for her beauty.
Lovely maid—delicately formed—beauteous—enchanting!

and at her charms is the brightness
of the moon abashed. O Ibla, the anguish of
absence is in my heart—thou mayst see the shafts
of death driven through my soul. O Ibla, did
not thy visionary form visit me by night, I should
pass the night in sorrows and restlessness. O
Ibla, how many calamities have I endured and
have plunged into them with my highly tempered
falchion, whilst the charging steeds and undaunted
warriors dive into the ever perilous ocean
of death."

Monzar was greatly surprised at Antar's fluency
of speech, and the force of his love and passion, and
he began conversing with him about what occupied
his mind; and thus they continued till it was
dark, and sleep came upon them. So they passed
the night there. In the morning came Mubidan to
them, accompanied by a troop of slaves. He complimented
them, and inquired about their night's
rest, and how they were pleased. Mount your
horses, he continued, to go and compliment Chosroe,
for he is prepared to go out hunting and amuse himself.
As to me, said Antar, I have no other desire
but speedily to return to my family and my country,
that my friends and companions may see me, and the
Asafeer camels I have with me as a marriage dower
for my uncle's daughter.

Mubidan smiled at these words, and knew his

wish and object. O Aboolfawaris, said he, your ex
pectations shall be gratified with respect to the Asafeer
camels, all laden, and many others besides; and
you shall not return to your native land, ere you receive
them all piled up with burthens. Antar expressed
his thanks, and with Monzar mounted, and
they all accompanied Mubidan, till on perceiving
Nushirvan they instantly dismounted. Antar presented
himself, and attempted to kiss Chosroe's feet
in the stirrup, but the King not only prevented him,
but stooped towards him, and kissed him between the
eyes; and never had Nushirvan conferred such a
mark of distinction on any one but Antar, the
destroyer of heroes, on account of his having vanquished
the Greek warrior, and having removed distress
and affliction from his mind. He ordered some
noble Arab horses to be brought before Antar; and
the satraps delivered to him some of the finest breed,
all glittering with housings of burnished gold. Antar
mounted, and Chosroe kept him by his side and
treated him as a companion, and conversed with him,
and inquired about his night's rest, and his love for
his tribe and friends. They continued their ride
till they reached the hunting spot; but no one entered
that place except Nushirvan, when he wished
to hunt and amuse himself; and guards were stationed
over it on all sides, fearful that any one
should enter; and as it was filled in all quarters
and directions, the wild beasts and deer ran away
from before them; and as the horsemen advanced,
the birds took to flight from every part; the warriors
galloped and the heroes raced their steeds, and
they spread abroad in all directions.

When Antar observed this sport, he urged on his
horse with the other riders, and pursued a herd of
deer with great eagerness, and at length overtook
them; he galloped among them, and stretched
many of them on the plain, and he was much amused
and pleased. But whilst he was thus occupied, behold
an horseman pounced down upon him like an
eagle, and as he came up to him, he opened wide his
arm, and stretching himself out, struck Antar a
violent blow: it fell between his shoulders; it staggered
him, and almost laid him prostrate; but he
recovered himself; he was however tottering from
the back of his horse, when,—Take that, thou Hedjaz
dog! cried the villain; and if thou hast any
breath of life in thee, come on and fight, for I must
slay thee, thou vile black, as thou slewest my cousin
Khosrewan, and the Greek, and made them drink
of the cup of death and disgrace; and thou hast
obtained possession of all that property and those
beauteous slaves, and thou art exalted in the presence
of Chosroe.

Now this horseman was Bahram, the chief of
Deelem. He conceived against Antar a deadly hatred

and envy, which consumed his heart and his
body; and when Chosroe ordered him not to get
into any disputes with Antar, warning him against
his superior powers, Bahram went to his own people,
and said to them—If this slave depart in safety with
all his spoil and plunder, our honour will be debased
among the tribes of the Cross and the Priest's
gown, and no one will have any respect for us. From
that time he indulged to such a degree his envy
against Antar, that he watched him till he thus
caught him alone in the hunt, and traitorously assailed
him. But he knew not that Antar was a
warrior, fixed as the mountain's roots; and as he
still saw him firmly seated on his horse, he grasped
his sword and advanced at him; but Antar, recovering
from the violence of the blow, wheeled round his
horse and waited till he recognised his foe: then he
sought him as a bird of prey the weakest dove, and
his assault was the assault of the fiercest lion; and
thus he addressed him:

"The Almighty has exposed thee to a lion
warrior, that thou mayest fall subdued by my
sword, O thou, sprung from the worshippers of
the sunbeams, and from those who adore the
blazing flames. Fate will repay thee, for it has
devoted thee to the fight with me, and to the horrors
of my strength. Despair; all thy hopes are
frustrated, founded on the crush of thy mace and

the warrior yell. Thou art indeed like the moth,
that when it sees the flame imagines its safety is
in its destruction. Stand firm then to the spear-thrust
of him whose force thou hast sought.
Thou wouldst insult a lion, powerful in every combat.
Take then the spear-thrust from the hand
of one to whom the dæmons of the desert have
bowed in submission, and from whom they implore
the aid of God."

Then he came down on him like a cloud, and he
aimed a slight thrust at him with the heel of his
spear, and broke his ribs, and threw him from the
back of his horse the distance of two spears' lengths.
The warriors of Deelem beheld the deed, and
thought he was dead and in a state of annihilation;
and they all rushed down upon Antar, crying at him
in their various dialects. But he met them like a flash
of lightning, and he began driving at them and repulsing
them—his eyeballs turned red, they appeared
like crimson blood—he grasped his never-failing
Dhami in his hand, resolved not to leave a
Deelemite alive. Just then came up Chosroe with
his visiers and satraps, and they cried out to the
Deelemites in Persian, for they had heard what
Bahram had done: and the Deelemites withdrew from
the combat, saying, This black slave has brought
disgrace upon us, and has slain our Chief! 'Tis
false, said Mubidan, ye foul wretches of Deelem,

your Chief is the aggressor; but he ought in duty
to have treated him kindly, and have waited on him
himself, for he has done for us what no human being
could do, and if he has slain your Chief, he is not to
blame.

Mubidan then requested Antar to advance, who
related all that had passed between him and Bahram;
and Chosroe believed his words, for he was
aware of the folly of his servant. He then ordered
his satraps to seize the Deelemites, and bring them
before him to strike off their heads. They seized
them all, and pinioned their shoulders and bound
their arms. But Antar, seeing Bahram's attendants
thus disgraced, dismounted from Abjer, and advanced
towards the great King, and kissing the
earth before him, begged him to pardon them,
saying, O my lord, pardon is becoming in you, and
most suitable for such as you—here I kiss your
noble hands, praying you to forgive them this crime,
for to-morrow I intend to return home: my objects
and wishes with respect to you are accomplished,
and I do not wish to be mentioned after my departure,
but for virtuous deeds; and let it not be
said of me, I went unto a tribe, and left it in disgrace
and clothed with shame.

Chosroe admired Antar's benevolence and generosity
of soul; he granted his request, and released
the Deelemites. At mid-day he returned from the

hunt, and repaired to a garden unequalled in any
city of the world, and in it was collected all that the
lip or the tongue can covet. It was a superb palace,
like a fairy pavilion—ninety cubits in length, and
seventy cubits wide, built of marble and red cornelian;
in the centre was a fountain filled with rosewater
and purest musk, in the middle of it was
a column of emerald, and on its summit a hawk
of burnished gold: its eyes were topazes and its
beak jasper; round it were various birds, scattering
from their bills upon Chosroe, and all that were
present, musk and ambergris. The whole edifice
was scented with perfumes, and the ceilings of
the palace glittered with gold and silver. It was
one of the wonders of the period, and the miracle of
the age. When Antar entered, his mind was bewildered
at the pictures and colours he saw, and he
thus expressed himself.

"A Palace—greetings and peace be on it—Time
has spread its beauties over it. A Palace—the
roofs of cities might stand beneath its roof. On
it are the directions for the paths of virtue.
Strong are its columns, gilded are its walls; mankind
may glory in its magnificence. Over its
gates have jewels and pure unalloyed gold disposed
their honours; there is nothing further to be desired.
On it are the wonders of every species of
miracle; the senses are bewildered in describing

it; beautifully perfect is every elegant device:
nothing can exceed its excellence. And the King
shines above all Kings in his acts and his justice—
May days and years endure for him!"

At the upper end of the gardens there was raised
for Chosroe a throne of burnished gold and pillars
of green emerald, and pedestals of silver that sent
forth refulgent rays in the darkest night. Round
it were stools of ivory and ebony inlaid with brilliant
gold. Chosroe seated himself on the throne,
and ordered Monzar and Antar to sit by him; thus
exalting him high above all that were present.
The attendants and suite also sat down; every one
took his place; and they were no sooner arranged
than the dinner tables were served with various
dainties, and a profusion of fruits and sweetmeats.
Chosroe advanced, and all that were present, and
partook of the repast. But Antar's eyes were
in confusion. He sat down on his knees, and
bared his arms, chucking the things into his mouth,
but never moved his jaws: he gorged himself like
an hungry Arab, and roared like a wild beast, to
the great amazement of Chosroe, who supplied him
with every variety that was before him: and Antar
devoured them, as he asked Monzar the name of
each. So they brought him meats of all kinds till
he had crammed his stomach; then raising his head
up he thus spoke:

"Hail, O King, whose bounties, in his age, stand
in lieu of the rain. O thou, the Kiblah[21] of petitioners—O
crown of glory—O full moon of this
period—O thou planet Saturn—O thou whose
seat is raised above Pisces—O thou the refuge of
all that sorrow—thy station is on high far above
the world—it is a rain-cloud that bestows its
showers on mankind. When he fights, all the
world fear his assaults, as if a lion were by his
side. He is the seat of justice in his age—liberality
and equity reign in his realms. O ye dwellers
in the land of Abs, I have received from Chosroe
and his munificence what cannot be described
or enumerated—no day can suffice to detail an
account of such goodness. The King has attained
the heights of virtue by his glory; and happiness
dwells in his palace. With him I am firmly
established in honour, and in his gardens I have
beheld a fountain whose waters abound like his
favours, and the liberality of his palm. His
garden contains every flower of every species,
and brilliant are their charms. The birds
in every note sing as if they were praising his
bounties to us. He is a King! whenever he
charges in the day of battle, the lions of the war are
astonished at his greatness, Victory is among his

companions, and Glory and Honour are his friends.
Amongst nations then will I speak my gratitude
for his favours, and I will engage the horsemen
on his side."

When Antar had delighted the King by his eloquence,
the slaves presented him the wine, and
they poured him out wine that was like fire, and resembled
the rosy cheeks of a mistress, till the liquor
played with his wits, and refreshed all the pleasures
he had enjoyed. Antar looked upon this jovial
feast as a dream: for his heart and soul were at
home, and all his desires centered in Ibla. After
some time Chosroe addressed him, and asked him
questions, and joked and laughed with him, inquiring
about his country and its habitations. Antar
related all that had passed with his uncle Malik and
the tribe of Abs and so forth; and when the King
was certain that his affection for Ibla was unshaken,
and that his love could not possibly admit of increase;
—I am truly surprised, O Absian, said he, at your
forbearance and your reserve, your grievanc s being
of such a nature. O my lord, said Antar, I swear
by the existence of your munificence, that is unbounded,
and the liberality of your hands, that can
never be forgotten, I am a dead man among the
living! O Aboolfawaris, added Monzar, abandon
the expressions of ignorant Arabs, and recollect that
you are in a place where decorum and civility are

expected. Fill your glass and drink, and listen to
the voice of the songstress who would soothe the
afflicted; and enjoy the happy hours. Ah! said
Antar, how delightful would be all you say were
my heart at ease, and thus he exclaimed:

"Wine cannot calm my heart, sickness will not
quit my body—my eyelids are ever sore—tears
ever stream in torrents from them. The songstress
would soothe my heart with her voice, but
my love-sick heart loathes it. The remembrances
of Ibla draw off my mind from her song, and I
would say to my friend, this is all a dream. In
the land of Hedjaz are the tents of my tribe, and
to meet them again is forbidden me. Amongst
the tents of that people is a plump-hipped damsel
that never removes her veil, and under her veil
are eyes that inspire sickness, and the pupils of
her eyes strike with disease. Between her lips is
the purest musk, and camphor diluted with wine.
My love and madness are dear to me, for to him
who loves, sweet is the pang of love. O daughter
of Malik, let my foe triumph in my absence; let
them watch or sleep. But in my journey I have
encountered events that would turn children grey
in their cradles. Pleasures have succeeded to
difficulties, and I have met a monarch whom no
words can describe—a King to whom all the
creation is a slave, and to whom fortune is a vassal,

whose hand distributes bounties, so that I
know not whether it is the sea or a cloud. The
sun has invested him with a crown, so that the
world need not fear darkness. The stars are his
jewels, in which there is a moon brilliant and luminous,
as at its full. Mankind is corporeal, and
he is spiritual. Let every joint and every member
laud his name. Live for ever, Prince of the
horsemen, long as the dove pours its plaintive
note, live for ever!"

Chosroe was greatly pleased and surprised at
these verses, for he was himself eloquent in the
Arabian dialect. Were I to give you my kingdom,
O Absian, said he, it would be a small gift in comparison
with your deserts, for what I can grant is
but transitory, like all other things; but your commendations
will endure for ages. Oblige me, and
demand of me what may gratify you, that I may at
any rate make you some compensation for your
praises. Indeed, said Antar, I have fallen by your
bounty into a sea that has neither length nor breadth,
and I shall not return but with what will raise my
glory amongst my countrymen; but I really do wish
my uncle's daughter, Ibla, had on her head a tiara
like this, for it would set her off finely; but I know
it is very ill-bred in me to make such a request.

Chosroe laughed and smiled at Antar's remark:
he spoke to one of his satraps, who rose up, and

in a short time returned, and with him were four
slaves bearing a canopy of silver: on the top of it
was a hawk formed of burnished gold; its eyes were
of topazes, and its feet emeralds. This canopy,
Aboolfawaris, shall serve your uncle's daughter to
sit in on the night of her marriage with you, and in
this tiara shall she be wedded to you; and he took
the tiara from his head, and untying his girdle and
mantle and his coronet, he laid them down in the
pavilion, desiring Antar to accept them all. Antar
advanced towards the King, kissed his hands, and
thus addressed him:

"O King of the universe, I thank thee for the
vast gifts thou hast bestowed upon me: thou hast
granted me favours I cannot bear; thou art the
most beneficent of all that tread the earth! thou
art the man to whom all Kings bow in the day of
battle; every Arab and every Persian. But thy
slave still lives in the agony he endures from his
love, his weakness, and his passion. He lives far
from his friends, for whom he thirsts; and languishing
for Ibla, he lives restless in torments."

The King's astonishment increased. Absian, said
he, oblige me by demanding what more you want;
I request of you, said Antar, the renewal of the appointment
of King Monzar. I will do it, Antar,
said Chosroe; and he directed it to be written
throughout the imperial dominions, that Monzar

should not be removed from his government of Massema;
and had he even a blind daughter, she should
be the ruler thereof. Have you any other want?
said he, delivering the letter to Antar. I have no
other wish, said Antar, but to return to my country
and home.

When those that envied and hated Antar among
the Persians, on account of the presents and honours
he had received, saw this, they conspired to destroy
him, and carry off his property. Now Chosroe
had a famous wrestler, called Rostam, and he was
celebrated for his pugilistic skill through various
realms and citieś. Antar's enemies went to him in
order to instigate him against Antar, saying—Know,
most expert of men, that this insignificant worthless
black slave has received Chosroe's tiara and immense
wealth, and is returning with it to his own
country. Rostam sprang up like a lion, and presenting
himself to the King without asking permission,
kissed the ground—O great King, said
he, if you have any consideration for me, let not a
slave of the desert be more dignified than I am.
You have made him one of your associates. I am
the pugilist of your throne, and therefore let not
that head be raised above me.

Antar heard and saw, but understood not what
was passing. Rostam, said Chosroe, abandon this
envious disposition, or thou wilt die of anguish. I

wish, said Rostam, he would present himself before
you, and then I will prove to you he is not worthy
your esteem. I will slay him with this mace, and
will unite him to the tribes of Aad and Themood[22] .

On hearing this, the King was greatly vexed.
Do you comprehend, said he to Antar, what he
says, Aboolfawaris? I have not understood what he
said, but I can perceive that he is very jealous, and
that his head is like the head of a camel, said Antar.
Let me hear what he wants, that I may comply
with his request. This man is my wrestler, said
Chosroe, and is come to try his strength with you
in wrestling, and prove your powers in the combat.
Is he not one of your warriors? asked Antar; and
those with him, are they not your men? Yes, said
Chosroe. I forbade his interference with you, but
he will not be dissuaded. Well, said Antar, I cannot
allow my arm to be extended to his injury, and
my heart will not allow me to hurt him on account
of your bounty and favour, and great kindness towards
me: not that this unwillingness on my part
originates in fear, or in any inferiority to him; but
that the Arabs should hear of me, and accuse me
of making troubles and dissensions; nor that the
noble Arabs may say of me that Antar, the son of
Shedad, presented himself to Chosroe, and partook
of his food, and then slew his subjects in his presence.

Aboolfawaris, said the King, much agitated, if you
wrestle with him, will you kill him? Yes, said
Antar, for he only seeks to wrestle with me, that
he may destroy me; and you know, O King, that
wrestling is one species of warfare; and justice and
propriety are required in it: and if one antagonist
prevails over the other antagonist, he abuses and
reviles him; but should his antagonist be angry at
him, he kills him.

Listen to me, said Chosroe to Rostam; do not
provoke this man. I fear for you, lest he overcome
you; and if you do not behave properly to him, he
will tear out your life from between your ribs. I
must wrestle with him, said Rostam: if he kills me,
let my blood and property be his, and esteemed
duly won among these warriors. Strip off your
clothes then, said Chosroe, his countenance inflamed
with wrath, and prepare for the combat. I will tell
him that he may engage with you, and that your
blood will be fairly his. So Rostam took off his
garments, and was stripped from his shoulders, that
were harder than a rock, and his twisted arms were
like columns.

Arise, Aboolfawaris, said the King, and wrestle
with him; and if he plays the fool with you, slay
him, and hasten his death, and mind not the consequences:
you are not answerable for his blood.

Antar sprang on his legs, and threw about his

arms, and twisted his skirts about his waistband;
and as he was about to begin, Aboolfawaris, said
Chosroe, you have not stripped, or put on the short
breeches, as every pugilist does. By your existence,
O King of the age, replied Antar, I never in my life
wrestled with short breeches, and never will I wrestle
but in the clothes of a horseman. Chosroe was greatly
troubled. By the burning of fire, he exclaimed,
never, in the course of my life, have I seen a man
wrestle as a horseman, without breeches. To-day,
said Antar, you shall see what I will do with Rostam
in the presence of these warriors.

Antar went up to Rostam. Rostam bent himself
like an arch, and appeared like a burning flame. He
rushed upon Antar with all his force, for he looked
on him as a common man, and he did not know that
Antar, even in his youth, used to wrestle with he
and she camels in the plains and the rocks. They
grasped each other with their hands, they butted with
their heads, they assaulted with their whole might,
like two lions or two elephants. Rostam stretched
out his hand at Antar's waistband, and clung to it,
and attempted to lift him up in his arms; but he
found him like a stone fixed in a tower, and he
tottered before him. Then he repented of what
he had done, and of having provoked Antar. He
slackened his hold, and he ran round him for an hour,
in the presence of Chosroe and his attendants. He
then sprang behind him, and thrust his head between

his legs, and attempted to raise him on the back of
his neck, and to dash him on the ground; but Antar
knew what were his intentions and his secret designs:
so he closed his knees on Rostam's neck, and
almost made his eyeballs start from their sockets,
and nearly deprived him of life. Rostam was terrified,
and wished to escape from between his legs,
but he could not; every attempt failed: Antar was
like a block of stone growing on a desert or a mountain.
Antar seized him by his breeches, and clung
to him, and raised him up in his hands, like a sparrow
in the claws of a bird of prey, and walked away
with him among the multitude, wishing to wrestle
quietly before the King. But Rostam, when he saw
his life was in Antar's hands, like a young child was
abashed and mortified before the warriors and satraps,
and the great King. He clenched his fist, and
struck Antar on the ear. Antar soon recovered
from the blow—he returned to the threshold of the
palace, and dashed him on the ground, and smashed
him to atoms. Then presenting himself to Chosroe,
he thus spoke:

"Death has resolved he should die slain, and
should be subdued and disgraced by me. Curses
on his hands! It was his arrogant folly that
pointed out the road by which he should be destroyed.
Had thy eyes beheld my deeds in the
combat, where the spears tear the hands of the
lancers, thou wouldst have feared for the extinction

of his days when he outraged me in this
lengthened action. O King, who hast enjoyed
every glory, listen to my story and the account
of my honours. He sought in every way to increase
his fame by his deeds; so I left him after
that reduced to infamy. Truly he hastened the
time of his own fate, and his destiny was at my
disposal. God ordained his death for his acts,
and determined it should be executed by my
hand. Hail, then, O King! live for ever in
protected happiness that may never fail thee."

Then was Nushirvan quite confounded at his
powers. O King, said Antar, I swear by the two
eyes of Ibla (to me the most sacred of oaths), that
when I raised him on my hands, my only intention
was to bring him before you and wrestle in your
presence; but as he transgressed the fair laws of
battle, there was nothing for him but death. Chosroe
believed what he said, and ordered Rostam's
property to be confiscated, and to be transferred to
Antar, and he gave him a written assignment of
his possessions and fiefs.

And when the day was spent, Monzar hemmed
the signal for rising: Antar arose and asked Chosroe's
permission to commence his journey: the
order being given for his being supplied with the
finest steeds, and all their golden accountrements and
rich housings. They went to the house that was
set apart for them; where Antar found treasures

of wealth, and horses and mules, and he and she
camels, and other goods no words can tell. Antar
asked whence they came: Aboolfawaris, said Monzar,
this is the property of Rostam: and they rcposed
till morning; when Mubidan came and complimented
them, and as he was going with them to
Nushirvan, said Antar to the Vizier, Indeed, my
lord, you have overwhelmed your slave with favours
and kindnesses, no tongue can describe; still
I have one wish that you would allow me to view
the Temples of Fire, that I may behold their ministers
and treasures, and the service required in
them. There let me observe its blazing, and how
the officers supply the flame; so that, on my return
home, I may be able to relate to my friends what
I have seen in the Temples of Fire. O Aboolfawaris,
replied Mubidan, I cannot possibly conduct
you to the Temples of Fire, because you scoff at
them. But if you are verily anxious to enter,
purify your thoughts towards the adored God,
and prostrate yourself in worship. I swear by the
Almighty God, added Antar, that I do not visit
them but with the purest views; for I am aware
they are one of God's miracles. Upon this, Mubidan
led him to the Chief Temple, where he beheld
a magnificent building, of yellow brass, raised
on pillars of steel, with precious stones in the interstices—the
wonder of the age, to astonish the
wisest of men. It had three stories, and to each
story were three portals, and to each portal were
slaves and servants, stationed over the edifice. Antar
gazed at these men with glittering forms; and
round the waists of each were leather coverings in
the form of short breeches; and they were standing
at the doors of the Temple, some near and
some at a distance. In their hands were pokers of
steel, with which they raised the flame, heedless of
the God of the two worlds, and uttering Magian
words, that ravished the soul: whilst their Sheikh,
seated on a bench of skin, chaunted in his own
tongue. The fire blazed before him; the fuel was
of aloe-wood; towards which they all addressed
their prostrations, saying, "I and you, we laud
the adored God." Mubidan accosted him with
salutations, and prostrated himself before the fire,
and walked round it, whilst Antar followed in great
astonishment and surprise at all he did. However,
he imitated him in every thing he observed him do;
at which Mubidan was extremely pleased, seeing
him thus walk round, and offer up his prayers.
Ever, O Aboolfawaris, said he, may you continue
your adorations to the fire, night and day; in it
have I ever found my safety and prosperity. Never
may any injury assail you! may no foe ever harm
your person! My lord, replied Antar, where can
we ever find a fire like your fire, for you kindle it
with aloe-wood and perfumes; thence proceeds a
delicious vapour, and thence issues this fragrant
essence, that exhilarates the heart. But our abode
is a barren waste, where nought is to be procured
but the dung of camels, and branches of green
wood, whence proceeds a smoke and smell, to blind
the sight and distract the brain, and to confuse the
senses. Mubidan laughed, and felt convinced that
Antar would never relinquish the worship of statues
and images. After this, they quitted the Temple
of Fire, and the fragrant odours, more exquisite
than ambergris. Just then the recollection of Ibla
occurred to his mind, and his imagination being
agitated with his passion, he thus spoke:

"The logs of aloe sparkle in the fire, and the
flames blaze high in the air; the sweetness of its
vapour refreshes my heart, when it is wafted
with a northerly wind. Its brilliancy and flame
are like the face of my beauteous Ibla. But,
O fire, blaze not—burn not—for in my heart is
a flame more furious than thee! Sleep has abandoned
my eyes by night, when I behold my
friends in the wings of darkness. Delightful
would be to me the abode of my tribe, were I
even poor, and not worth a halter. In a distant
land, I should feel no more anxiety for the song,
though all its cities were in my possession. The
smoke of the herbs at home, when it is scented
even with camel's dung, is sweeter to me than
the aloe-wood, and more brilliant to my eyes in
the obscurity of night. O my lord, my anxiety
increases to see my friends: so permit me to depart;
thou art my stay and my support; be merciful,
and compassionate my situation. I have

no succour in the world but thou, towards the
success of my projects. So grant me my request;
and mayst thou ever live happy; mayst thou
live long, and glorious, and great, in every felicity
and every honour."

After this, Mubidan conducted Antar to the
treasuries of the Persian monarch, where he opened
chests full of the precious metals, and jewels, and
pearls, and articles, that confounded the sight, and
amazed the senses. Come, Aboolfawaris, said he,
what do you want? What the king, in his munificence,
replied Antar, has already bestowed on me,
is sufficient for me. An Arab only prides himself
on the number of his horses, and his he and she
camels, and I have already obtained endless abundance;
but to show my obedience, I will take
these three strings, and this chaplet of jewels, for
the daughter of my uncle, Ibla. But as he cast
his eyes around, he beheld a pavilion, whose like
no king of the world possessed. It was called the
Hemisphere, and it was a load for forty camels.
It first belonged to Shedad the son of Aad; it
descended to Pharaoh, and afterwards to Nimrod,
the son of Canaan; and it continued to descend
from King to King till it came to the Emperor of
Greece. At that time Chosroe and Cæsar reigned
over the whole earth—and the Euphrates divided
them. The Emperor ruled over the countries of
Europe and the Christian tribes, and Chosroe Nushirvan
ruled over the Arabs and the Persians.

But at all times the Emperor was obliged to pay
tribute to the Monarch of Persia, for his orders
were obeyed in every land. But one year the
Emperor went to visit the Persian king; and as
amongst all his riches he had nothing to offer as a
present but this pavilion, he gave it to him; and
by the command of Chosroe it was pitched at
Modayin, and it occupied in its immensity half the
land of Modayin. The Persian king was greatly
astonished, and every beholder was amazed; for it
was of network, formed of plates of gold and silver
and emeralds; and there were painted on it all that
God had created—cities, villages, towns, trees,
birds, countries, waters, and rivers. And Chosroe,
as he looked at its beauties, was so overjoyed, that
he relieved the Emperor from the capitation and
tribute for ten whole years. It remained in the
treasury of the King till Antar came with Monzar
to Modayin, and slew the Greek warrior, and entered
the treasury of the Persian Monarch: and as
he looked at the pavilion, he said to Mubidan, I
wish to have that pavilion, that I may present it
to Ibla on the night of my marriage. Mubidan
smiled, and ordered the slaves to remove the pavilion
to the house; and they did as they were bid:
and as they were quitting the treasury, said Antar
to Mubidan, Know, my lord, that when I entered
the temples of the Fire, I asked of it a favour; I
know not whether it will grant it, or whether it
will detain me longer, and withhold it. What was
thy wish, horseman of the age? said Mubidan. I
requested, replied Antar, a speedy return to my
family and country. Know then, said Mubidan,
if the Fire consent to thy prayer, to-morrow, at an
early hour, preparations shall be made for the
journey. Upon this they proceeded to the King's
palace. He received them most graciously, and
seating Antar near him, inquired after his health,
and what he had received. Verily, said Antar, the
tongue fails in describing what I, your slave, have
received from your bounty and munificence; and
I have nothing further to demand, but a return to
my family and country. But the King, turning
towards Mubidan, threw him a roll of leaves, and
said, Put aside all that is noted in this roll, property
and jewels, for Aboolfawaris Antar. I have
written to the treasury for money—to the wardrobe
for superb stuffs—to the armoury for cuirasses and
arms—and to the keeper of the women for male
and female slaves; and let the whole be given over
to Antar, in addition to the confiscated property,
and with what he has chosen, and the pavilion
called the Hemisphere; so that no blame or reproach
be attached to me, but the reproach be on
you alone. His departure must still be delayed
three days: and when all is prepared for his journey,
inform me, that I may also go forth to bid him
farewell, and do towards him as he deserves at my
hands.

Early next day Antar started up, and having

kissed the ground, he and Mubidan went forth.
The latter sent for the treasurer, and told him what
quantity of money the king had assigned to Aboolfawaris
Antar; and he said, I have the Great King's
order for a hundred thousand imperial dinars, and
a hundred thousand Dakyanos dinars, each dinar
of the value of seven, and four hundred thousand
dirhems of silver to distribute; and five hundred
embroidered velvet robes, and a thousand silk vests,
of the royal manufacture, as presents; and, moreover,
four thousand pieces of light silk for khelaats,
to give away; and be all this property ready, in
chests and on mules. Mubidan called for the
armourer, and told him what the King had ordered
respecting pavilions, tents, and cuirasses, and arms,
for Aboolfawaris Antar, saying, I have received the
royal signet to assign over to Aboolfawaris Antar
twenty of the grandest pavilions, and pavilions-denominated
Quarter Globes; and four thousand common
tents, and four thousand cuirasses, and four
thousand breast-plates, and every thing of that description,
according to the list; and all with their
respective cases and camels. Mubidan sent for the
keeper of the women, and communicated the orders
of the Great King respecting Aboolfawaris Antar,
saying, I have received the royal signet to consign
over to Antar four hundred white male slaves, with
their clothes and accoutrements, and their horses
and their trappings: and four hundred strong black
slaves, fit for battle and war, with their Chief Aboolmout,
with all their horses and their accoutrements,
and their breast-plates, and cuirasses; and four
hundred Georgian female slaves, and four hundred
fair European slaves, and four hundred Copht, and
four hundred Persian slaves, and four hundred
slaves of Tibah; and let every slave be mounted
on a mule, and under every slave let there be two
chests of rich silk.

And Mubidan having directed his deputy to
prepare all he had enumerated in three days, Antar
and Monzar, and the heroes that were with them,
withdrew, preceded by servants loaded with presents,
and khelaats, and money. But when the
three days had expired, the slaves came forth with
their burthens, and prepared the camels and the
mules. And just as Antar was setting out, behold
Mubidan came towards him, and taking him by
the hand, conducted him to Nushirvan. As soon
as Antar entered the hall of audience, he kissed
the ground. The King directed him to be seated.
Aboolfawaris, said he, I have heard from King
Monzar that you slew in his presence one of the
lions of Khifan, your feet being fettered, and only
your hands at liberty.—Now this event is thus explained:—When
Bahram, the Chief of Dilem, saw
that Antar had acquired such an increase of wealth,
all that the Greek had brought with him from the
Emperor, and all the property of the wrestler Rostam,
and presents and donations which were in
Mubidan's possession, the disease of envy fell upon

him, and preyed upon his heart and body. He
presented himself to Chosroe, and exclaimed, O
most noble Monarch, the Kings of the world have
not received from you what you have bestowed on
this black slave; and he is a worthless, insignificant
wretch! He slew your satrap Khosrewan; he routed
his army of twenty thousand horse; and the Kings
of the age will say of you, that your munificence is
only the result of your fear of his sword and spear.
The Emperor will also be enraged against you,
because he has slain his warrior, and made him
drink of the cup of death and perdition; and he
will demand of you blood and revenge. My opinion
is, you should seize this wicked slave; take back
all the presents you have made him; and detain
him in slavery and bondage. Slay him, and make
him drink of the cup of annihilation. The King
was exceedingly wrath; And what, he exclaimed,
shall be my excuse with the Kings of the world,
when they shall say, Nushirvan gave a Bedoween
immense wealth, then betrayed him, and took back
all he had bestowed on him? I shall be called a
miser. Renounce such a project, O Bahram! If
you fear the reproaches of Kings, returned Bahram,
send for this slave into your presence! tell him you
have heard from King Monzar that he slew a lion
of Khifan before him when his feet were fettered,
and his hands alone at liberty. He will say, Yes,
O King! Then say you wish to see him combat
with a lion. Let loose at him your lion, that you
have brought up and named Khemees—huge as an
elephant: a beast, your armies and your horsemen
dare not face. Should he slay that ferocious lion,
he will have merited at your hands the wealth you
have bestowed on him. Should the lion destroy
him, all your property will revert to you. The
Kings of the wilds and the deserts will hold you
excused, and no reproach be attached to your name.
The Monarch hung his head towards the ground;
and after a little reflection, he exclaimed, But should
Antar slay the lion, and make him taste of the cup
of vengeance —. Should Antar slay the lion,
said Bahram, interrupting him, then let my blood
and my property be legally his. Chosroe joyed in
his heart, and ordered him to be seated; and Mubidan
was directed to produce the hero. So he
repaired to his dwelling, and, preventing his departure,
conducted him to the presence of the Great
King. When Antar entered the audience-chamber,
he made his salutation, and kissed the ground. The
King ordered him to sit down; and after talking
familiarly with him for a while, I have heard, he
continued, O Aboolfawaris, from King Monzar,
that you engaged a lion in his presence, your legs
being fettered, and only your hands at liberty. I
am very anxious to see you thus contend with a
lion which I have brought up, and named Khemees;
huge as an immense elephant—of amazing strength
and fierceness. O my lord, cried Antar, have you
only sent for me to meet a lion? He is the veriest
dog of the wilds and the plains. By your life, O
King of the age, I was thinking that you could
only have called on me in some great crisis, or
against a vast army, in order that I might destroy
them with my sword. But if it be only to encounter
this brute, come on, as you please! The Monarch
was struck with wonder at the strength of his heart,
and commanded the lion to be brought forth. A
concourse of people went out; and having bound
the beast of the forests with chains of iron, and
five stout warriors holding each a link of the chain,
they dragged him out. His body was of enormous
length, his make broad, his chest wide, his nostrils
flat, his mane yellow, and flashes of fire shot from
his eyes. Each fang was a horror, and his claws
terrors. At the sight, the King's indignation against
Bahram increased; but turning towards Antar,
Now, Aboolfawaris, he cried, descend; let me behold
your contest with this furious lion. Antar
instantly sprang up; and tucking the skirts of his
garments within his girdle, he grasped his sword in
his right, and his shield in his left hand, and, thus
armed, stalked towards the lion, his heart harder
than rock; and, as he thought of Ibla, he thus
spoke:

"O lion, stand firm—flinch not, attack me, for
I fear thee not—assault me, I will not shrink
from the fight with one like thee—I dread thee

not. If thou thinkest thy face stern, I am also
fierce of aspect, but no coward. This day thou
shalt lie prostrate—thou shalt be humbled low
in the dust.—Receive the blow from the arm of
Antar, and lie deeply dyed in thine own blood."

The mind of the King was rapt in astonishment
at these verses; and he felt more and more
the intrepidity of Antar, who stood in front of the
lion, and, shouting at him, began to draw him on,
as a ferocious lion does a weaker animal:—sometimes
he assailed him on the left, sometimes from
the right; and the lion knew not which way to
turn in the presence of Antar, who, at length, crying
out "O by Abs! O by Adnan! I am ever
the lover of Ibla!" struck the beast with Dhami
between the eyes, and the sword continued to slide
through his body till it issued out between his
thighs. Antar cut him in twain before the Hall of
Audience as if he had divided him with a scale;
then, coming forward, he prayed for the continuation
of the Monarch's glory. "Never be thy
hand paralysed!" cried Chosroe: "may no one
ever harm thee, O Aboolfawaris, thou ornament of
every assembly! for thou art indeed an undaunted
lion, and a victorious warrior! and thy enemies are
overthrown." He instantly ordered Bahram to be
seized and his head to be struck off, and his property
to be given to Antar—money, furniture, and
slaves; and though Antar wished to intercede for
him, "By the burning of the Fire, O horseman of

the world!" exclaimed the King, "he is a villain.
"It was he who persuaded me to order this combat:
but I only consented to his suggestions, that
all his possessions might devolve on you; and I
now grant you all his wealth. Take them, and
depart, but do not reproach me for my offence."
The officers struck off Bahram's head, and loaded
Antar with every article he possessed. Monzar
rejoiced at Antar's accession of wealth; for he had
been the cause of raising the honour and credit of
the Arabs among the worshippers of Fire. Thus
Antar departed from the land of Modayin with
boundless riches and incalculable wealth. The
Great King also mounted, with Mubidan and all
the Satraps, to take leave of Antar: and when they
were at some distance from Modayin, and had
plunged into the barren desert, Antar dismounted
from Abjer, and, moving towards the King, kissed
his feet in the stirrup, and begged him to return
with his attendants, thus addressing him:

"O thou whose station is sublime—in thy beneficence
above the height of Sirius and Aries!—
thou art the king like whom there is no king,
and whose munificence is renowned over hill and
dale. O thou, my hope! thou hast overwhelmed
me with favours. O thou whose largesses resemble
the beauteous rain-cloud! thou hast bestowed
gifts on me whose extent I cannot count;
so liberal is thy hand, O thou, my life and my
hope! thou art the man to whom all kings must

submit; and in thy justice thou hast surpassed
all thy predecessors."

Do not imagine, exclaimed the King with augmented
delight, that we have been able duly to recompense
you. What we have given you is perishable,
as every thing human is—but your praises
will endure for ages. He then kissed Antar between
the eyes, and bade him adieu, giving him as
a last token a rich robe: and begging him to visit
him frequently, he departed.

Monzar and Antar travelled side by side, traversing
the rocks and the deserts in social converse,
and reciting verses day and night until they reached
Hirah: and the day of their arrival was a general
festival. The flags and standards were waved over
their heads; and the Arabs were amazed when
they saw the immense wealth that accompanied
Antar. Monzar lodged Antar at a magnificent
mansion, and made a splendid entertainment and
feast for all classes. Antar, after a stay of three
days, on the fourth morning resumed his journey.
Monzar presented him a thousand Asafeer camels
and five hundred loads of the rarities of Irak, and
fifty noble steeds, of the most generous breed, with
their armour and coats of mail, and a hundred
female slaves and two hundred strong male slaves;
and the chief of all the slaves was Aboolmout. O
Aboolfawaris, said Monzar, will you take an escort
to protect you and conduct you home? What say
you? exclaimed Antar; is one like me in want of

a tax-gatherer? can one like me fear even a countless
host? Were even whole armies to assail me,
I would meet them! Were even Death to encounter
me, I would engage him! O my lord, he added,
I only consider all this wealth as proceeding from
you. I am now one of your freedmen and your
slave—for when you had power over me you
gave me liberty, and when I was a prisoner you
released me. May your sword be ever drawn in
conquest against your foes! and may your munificence
ever flow towards your suppliants! And
as he kissed the ground he thus continued:

"O great and renowned Monarch, be glorified!
for no one can ever vaunt himself superior to thy
glories. As to liberality, thy hand has grasped
it all: as to rain, thy palm bestows it—and thy
hand calms every woe. How many hast thou
relieved from sorrow, whose pains vanish as soon
as thy countenance appears! The copiousness
of generosity flows from thy hand in eternal
streams; and one may see thy fingers ever supplying,
ever showering. The armies of battle
are thy drawn sword, and wherever it moves
against the foe, it vanquishes. May the glory it
desires never fail it, and may the world ever be
at thy command! May thy lord ever grant thee
every favour, and mayst thou avert and subdue
all thy enemies! May the projects and efforts of
man ever fail against thy enterprises, and may
glory ever belong to the grasp of the hand and

the fingers of King Monzar! He has attained
every honour, every virtue, every excellence,
every felicity, and universal liberality."

Most marvellous! exclaimed Monzar: this is
indeed the man who has so nobly treated me, and
raised me to the highest dignity with his laudatory
poetry. Antar embraced Monzar, and bade him
farewell: whilst Monzar, dismounting from his
horse, took off all his clothes, and put them on
Antar, giving him also every thing else he had
with him on that day, and then returned home
with his attendants. But Antar traversed the deserts
and the wildernesses, his slaves marching before
him with all his property: and he rejoiced in
the accomplishment of his hopes, except when the
greatness of his anxious love afflicted him; and as
he approached the land of Hijaz his passions were
roused, and he thus spoke:

"Is it the breeze from the heights of the land of
Shurebah that revives me and resuscitates my
heart, or is it the gale from the tamarisks? Is
it the flame that consumes me for Ibla, or is it
the lightning's flash from her dwelling that deprives
me of my senses? O thou spot where she
resides, may thy hillocks be ever inhabited by
the families, and may thy plains be ever crowded
with friends! Have thine eyelids been seen to
watch at night, as my eyelids have watched ever
since I quitted thee? And has the turtle-dove's
moan filled thee with sorrow in thy sleeplessness,

as the turtle-dove's moan has distressed me? I
departed from thee not uneasy, or much in
anguish; but my uncle has outraged me, and
coveted my death. He has exposed me to a sea
of dangers, but I plunged into it with my glittering
two-edged blade. I have cut through the
neck of fortune, and the nocturnal vicissitudes
and the nightly calamities have trembled. My
good fortune has seated me in a mansion of glory,
man and genii could never attain. I have encountered
in Irak horsemen that may be accounted
as whole tribes when the battle rages. I am
returning with the wealth of Chosroe and Cæsar
—with he and she camels, horses, and slaves;
and, when I reach home, my enemies shall weep,
as one day they laughed when Shiboob announced
my death. They indeed sought my destruction
in a distant land; but they knew not that death
was—my sword and my spear!"