 | CHAPTER VII. Antar : |  |
CHAPTER VII.
Antar continued to pass over the plains and wilds
until he arrived at a place called Zatool Menahil.
Now Antar, whenever he approached a halting-place,
always sent a slave forward, lest any one should be
concealed there. Accordingly he despatched a slave,
who on reaching the spot saw it already occupied by
five black slaves, of the colour of pitch and night;
and with them was a magnificent howdah, on the
summit of which was a golden crescent. Within
was a person weeping and sobbing from a wounded
heart, and screaming out, Woe unto these dastard
slaves! Where are thine eyes, O Antar, that they
might behold me? And thus she continued her
lament:
"Where are thine eyes, O knight of men and
genii? Oh! that thou couldst see me in the infamy
of despair with wretches who respect no protection.
No—no, and have no mercy! O that I had never
lived in this age of traitors, who only see in thee
my misery and dishonour! Why has God prolonged
my existence now the lion is gone, who
ever protected the country and the women? May
God ever bedew his grave with plenteous showers
that fail not! for, in truth, he was a knight and
beasts of the desert, and destroy the warriors in
the day of battle, whenever he appeared in the
plain of contention."
Antar arriving at that moment, was greatly surprised
at this address; and hastening up to the
slaves, Ye accursed wretches! he exclaimed, whose
are these tents? Who is it that intends to halt here?
Who is this that is crying and weeping, and is call
ing on the name of Antar? Go to thine own work,
replied one of them: Away! away! or thou wilt
soon be a corpse—Away to the desert, before the
Nocturnal Evil overtake thee, or the Depredator
of the Age take thee prisoner, and seize thy arms
and thy horse, and join thee to his other captives.
Antar's whole heart and soul throbbed at such language;
his agony and anguish were intense, when
lo! the stranger raised up the veil of the howdah,
and a damsel appeared, exclaiming, O my cousin!
art thou among the living, and I in the power of
the foe? Antar gazed earnestly, and behold it was
Ibla! She had thrown herself on the ground, and
was endeavouring to rise, but she could not stand,
so exhausted was she by her grief. At such a sight
Antar's distress and affliction augmented. What
means this dreadful event, this calamity? he cried:
Who is it that has forced thee to this desert?
Whence come these slaves with thee? He instantly
rode towards her; the slaves raised a loud scream,
but Antar roared like a lion: he slackened the bridle
him through the chest, driving his spear through
his back—he transfixed a second through the mouth,
and forced out the weapon at the back of his head—
a third he pierced through the right side, and impelled
his spear out on the left—and when the other
two perceived the effects of his thrusts, they fled to
the wilds and the deserts.
Now the occasion of this extraordinary event was
as follows: when Shiboob returned from the land
of Shiban, and quitted his brother, he launched into
the deserts and escaped. Day and night he mourned
for his brother, until he reached the country of the
tribe of Abs, where he announced the death of
Antar. On entering the tents he bared his head
and tore off his clothes, raising loud lamentations
and screams; and the weeping and the wailing were
universal. Shedad rent his garments, and was clamorous
in his sorrow and affliction; he threw down
his tent, his brother Zakhmetool Jewad did the same,
and all their friends and associates; and there was
not one but wept bitterly. The same did also the
sons of King Zoheir; and they assembled together
and came in a body to Shedad, and when he saw
them he thus mourned the death of Antar:
"The affliction is extreme! fixed is it in my heart.
Its intenseness blinds me—Evil is let loose upon
me—Murdered is the hero of the brave, Antar!
Alas! the misery and wretchedness that have fallen
on me. He is gone—how long will my tears flow
torture! O expedition in a luckless hour! How
fatal was that marriage to him! Alas! alas for
him, whose person has vanished from us; buried
low beneath the earth in the place where he
fought. Let the heavens weep his loss and death
in tears! May its showers be exhausted for ever!
Let the beauteous stars fall at his fatal end! Let
the air be darkened, and the sun be eclipsed! Let
the full moon be veiled also in her station through
grief, and may she ever be involved in obscurity!
Abandoned are the steeds and the camps by the
Absian youth; his dwelling has forfeited its possessor.
O race of Abs! ye have lost a chief—
How many were the heroes he slew! How many
the captives he rescued! He was the prostrator
of horsemen in the entanglement of spears, and
on the day of battle how many heads laid he low!
He was an intrepid lion in the day of contention—
the smiling, and the stern champion of his tribe.
Woe to the Absians! now that he is gone, soon
will ye encounter misery; and the grim-visaged
warriors will plunder ye. Gone is he who protected
the women from the foe! Hereafter never
will the trampling hostile steeds quit the dwellings;
he used to fell them down with his sword and
spear, and make them drink cups of death. Noble
and magnanimous was he in every act; high-prized
was he among men. Oh! I will weep for
him as long as the west wind blows, in tears that
shall stream and shall moisten the sands."
Prince Malik repaired to the tents of his father
King Zoheir, his tears streaming from his eyes; and
as he sobbed aloud, he sent for Shiboob, and made
every inquiry of him: O King of Kings, he ended
by saying, truly Ibla and her father have brought
ill luck on Antar, and the whole tribe of Abs. But
when King Zoheir inquired for Malik, Ibla's father
(for he wished to speak to him about this affair), he
was told that he and his son had been long absent,
and none but the women were in the tents. For
Prince Malik, and the companions that loved Antar,
ever reproached and abused them, saying, Why did
ye resolve on exposing the protector of the tribe to
an ocean of deaths and dangers? You have now left
the Arab hordes to plunder us in every plain and
wild; and by the truth of Lat, and Uzza, and the
great Hibel[23]
, every one that comes near us may slay
us, and make us drink the odious draughts of death.
So Malik, seeing how matters stood, determined to
pass some time in roaming about the deserts, and
not to remain with his family an object of scorn and
disgrace. Accordingly he took with him fifteen
horsemen and departed, with the view of gaining
some spoil among the Arab tribes. They set out,
and traversed the deserts and the sands, until they
reached the land of Kenanah, where water failed
them, and their thirst became intense. Truly, my
son, said Malik to Amroo, thirst grievously afflicts
me; gallop on, and descend into yonder valley.
with gushing springs. On one side of the
valley was a hovel, and at the entrance was a spear
fixed in the ground, and a horse ready saddled.
He halted, and, as he looked attentively around,
there issued forth an old woman, who screamed at
the sight of a stranger, exclaiming, What makes
thee stop at the dwelling of the outrageous lion,
thou son of infamy and disgrace? O mother of
horsemen, he replied, I thirst, and I am come hither
in quest of water. What people are ye? We are
of the tribe of Kenanah, said she, an honourable and
trust-worthy race; our habitation is in this spot, for
the lion only dwells in his lair. But whilst they
were thus conversing, lo! a youth started out of the
hovel, and shouted at Amroo. He was a horseman
of consummate bravery, and an intrepid hero. His
name was Vachid, son of Mesaar, the Kenanian;
and being just then displeased with his tribe, he had
removed to this place. He started at Amroo, and
seeing him talk with his mother, he became like one
frantic. Tell me who thou art? he roared. Amroo's
eyes shot fire. Check thy wrath, young man, he
replied, for we are of the tribe of the noble Abs,
horsemen of destruction and sudden death. Thou
son of infamy and disgrace, cried Vachid, to one like
me dost thou speak thus? to me whom the lions of
the forest dread? Dismount and be humbled, before
thou art extended a corpse on the earth. Amroo
was highly incensed. But Vachid vaulted on his
a lion: he assailed him, and tearing him off his
saddle, dashed him down at the door of the hut,
roaring and bellowing. The old woman pinioned
his shoulders, and Amroo was almost dead.
Now Malik, alarmed at his son's long absence,
went in search of him, accompanied by the others,
until they came to the valley, where they perceived
the flowing streams, and, not far off, the horseman
on the back of his steed, and Amroo bound with
cords. Alas! my son, exclaimed Malik. His eyes
rolled in horror, and he rushed down on Vachid,
who received him as the parched ground the first of
the rain. He shouted at him, and driving the heel
of his spear against his chest, threw him on his back.
He immediately plunged into the midst of his companions,
and hurled them to the earth; three only
were unhurt; and they all delivered themselves up
to him, seeing death flash from his eyes. Vachid
bound some, and as his mother secured the remainder
he thus spoke:
"When I degrade every horseman in the day of
battle, I defend my wife with my Indian blade.
Noble is the youth that braves every evil, and
knows that man is not eternal; that clads himself
in armour during the meridian heat, and wanders
during the nights and the thick darkness. Ask
the Absians of me, O Amimah! mark my conduct
towards them, and laud the glories of my birth;
I gave them to drink of bitter-flavoured blood
thirst; I cut down the chiefs of the party; blood
gushed from their wounds, and they were struggling
with their hands on the ground. Who
refuses such water to those who scour the wilds
where dwell and prowl the dæmons? I am the
night, though I am not black; I am the ocean,
though I do not foam. Kenanah is my tribe, the
door of every virtue; they are noble, high-minded,
and proud; and I have a spirit no other knight
ever attained—I am exalted above the Sun, and
Moon, and the Great Bear."
Vachid passed that night rejoicing in his triumph
over his enemies; but at the dawn of day, being
resolved to demand a ransom from his prisoners, lo!
fifty horsemen of the tribe of Kenanah joined him,
wishing to make peace with him; and he showed
them the captive horsemen of Abs; and treating
them kindly, he marched back with them, the whole
party driving the Absians before them, till they
reached their own country, where he was received
with great joy. Having pitched his tents, and
erected his standards, Vachid reposed that night with
his family; but early next day he summoned Malik,
son of Carad, and the captive warriors, and demanded
of them a heavy ransom in he and she
camels, threatening and menacing them with his
vengeance. O Arabs, cried Ghayadh, do not ask
of us beyond our means, for we are poor Arabs, and
the greatest of us all is only master of what his
only quitted our country from poverty and want;
not one of us possesses any he or she camels, I assure
you. I know very well, replied Vachid, when the
Arabs are taken prisoners and are in difficulty, they
always talk after this manner. But by the faith of
an Arab, if you do not guarantee to me all your
property, and hasten with all your he and she camels,
I will bring annihilation down upon ye all; not one
of ye will I spare. Whilst Vachid was thus haranguing,
up came the old woman, who recognizing
Malik among the captives, My son, said she to Vachid,
do you mark that prisoner? Yes! he replied.
By your existence, she continued, he has a daughter
called Ibla, whose equal in form and beauty the
heavens do not shadow. Take my advice, demand
her in marriage, and release him from bondage.
Arab, cried Vachid, addressing Malik, know that I
was determined on killing you; but I have just now
heard from this old woman that you have a daughter
called Ibla, lovely and beautiful; and she has
described her charms in the most extravagant manner;
I therefore desire you to marry her lawfully
to me. Malik, now considering his escape as secure,
eagerly replied; Arab, you deserve her more than
any one else, but we have in our family a thousand
rivals, and they will not permit me to wed her to a
stranger. Malik then related to Vachid all that had
passed about Antar, and all the extraordinary circumstances
that had occurred; how he had exposed
camels for the marriage dower; how he was assured
of his death, and that he was reduced to dust. But
there is still another man in the tribe, called Amarah,
who loves her; and I fear, continued Malik, he will
oppose your pretensions. This is but a juggle, cried
Vachid; I shall instantly set you free that you may
execute this engagement; but not one of your cousins
will I release until your daughter is mine: and beware,
for if you are not as good as your word, they
shall be laid low headless. Well! said Malik, I will
satisfy you. I swear to you, that I will perform
every thing I have promised. Let my son Amroo
and myself depart; my companions I will leave in
bondage. I will only be absent ten days, and if I
fail in my word, cut off the heads of my cousins,
and make me responsible for their blood, and I will
pay their families the compensation-money[24] . May
God never comfort thee! exclaimed Ghayadh, it is
solely on thy account we have fallen into this state
of captivity and torture, and our expedition will
terminate in the forfeiture of our lives. Cousin,
cried Malik, reproach me not; it is to save you that
I have promised my child; and my heart consents
to abandon my tribe and my brethren merely that
I may preserve you and myself. However I will
not let Vachid release one of ye till ye engage yourselves
most solemnly to keep the whole a secret from
Ghayadh, as to tell it? Who will venture to confess
that one horseman has thus reduced us to disgrace,
and has thus tied us up like so many mules? Soon
after, Malik and Amroo departed for the tribe of
Abs. Vachid followed him three days after, taking
with him a troop of noble Arabs; but when they
reached the tribe of Abs, they concealed themselves
among the rocks, that Malik might have time to
visit his daughter and his family. Malik having
thus given his hand and contracted the marriage,
and imagining that his affairs, though once in a
luckless state, were now in proper train, set out for
the land of Shurebah and Mount-Saadi; Ghayadh
having enjoined him not to delay his return. He
and his son Amroo hastened over the hills and the
sands; but they did not feel secure until they had
reached their country, where, under cover of the
night, they skulked among the tents, and found all
the families in grief and affliction on account of
Antar. Malik repaired to his own tents, near which
he perceived a newly-made grave, his daughter sitting
by it drowned in tears, in the deepest affliction,
and clothed in black. The tears flowed in torrents
down her cheeks, and she was tearing the flesh off
her wrists with her teeth, and beating her bosom
with her hands; and, as she dashed her head against
the grave, she addressed it in these words:
"O grave, my tears shall ever bedew thy earth!
my eyes have renounced sweet sleep! O grave,
is his sepulchre in my heart! Alas, alas for thee!
felled to the ground art thou, and the groans of a
distracted mourner survive. They slew him barbarously,
and his foes exult when they see my
agony and misery on his account. O, by God!
never will I surrender myself to another, were he
to come with a thousand charms."
Malik now feeling assured of Antar's death, displayed
all his artifice and hypocrisy by expressing
his grief and distress; and, as he entered his wife's
apartment, O my cousin, said he, what misfortune
is this? on whose account is all this lamentation and
wailing? Your nephew Antar! she replied: accounts
of his death arrived during your absence;
and there is not an individual in the whole tribe but
abuses you; never will you escape from the perils
that surround you. Upon this, Malik made show
of still more vehement sorrow; he rent his clothes,
and exclaimed, By the faith of an Arab, we rather
deserve their prayers, for many of us are slain, some
are now captives, and now that I am returned, I
find you in this afflicted state. Never can we
deliver ourselves from these troubles but by emigrating.
He then repaired to his daughter, and
kissing her head, My child, said he, let not this sad
affair prey upon thy mind, moderate thy grief and
distress: and whilst he pitied her, she blushed for
him. She sprang up from the tomb, and starting
off from him, Away! she cried, no one slew my
him to an ocean of perils; truly will thy treachery
soon share the evils thy arm has brought on him.
Her father made no reply, but hastened to the tents
of Shedad; and as he drew nigh, he heard Shedad
sobbing and sighing, and in tears, thus giving vent
to his sorrow:
"O my eyelids, let your tears flow abundantly,
weep for the generous, noble horseman; a knight
in whom I took refuge when my efforts failed, at
my up-risings and my down-sittings. My brother
exposed him to a sea of death in his malice, and
the hearts of the envious exult. He planned his
murder, and he has abandoned me. No more
will my honour and my engagements be respected.
He behaved cruelly to him in exacting the marriage
dower, and he now refuses to do him justice.
He was the drawn sword of the race of Abs,
cleaving through armour above the skin. He
used to fell the foe in every land, till the warriors
cried out for succour. Prostrate, fallen, bowed
to the earth is he now, beneath the shadow of
lances and the waving of banners. Now he is
gone, the Absian dames are in sorrow, dashing
their hands against their cheeks in fear of slavery;
dishevelled is their hair, streaming are their tears
over their fair necks decorated with chains; sighing
they mourn the hero of Abs in sobs of sorrow,
that give pleasure to the envious. Grieve they
must ever in tears from their eyes for him who
Malik, son of Carad, and make him suffer what
the tribe of Themood endured!"
Having listened to this lament, Malik entered:
he tore off his garments, and renewed his sighs and
his tears. Indeed, my brother, said he, we also
require your prayers. And he attempted to kiss
him; but Shedad turned away from him. Away
with this deceit and hypocrisy, said he. Who but
you sent my son to Irak? But there are who will
demand his blood at your hands, and will requite
you for his death. Malik shrunk away, and hot
coals were burning in his heart, as he sought for
pretexts to cover his guilt. He laid not down that
night before he told his wife what had happened to
him in his expedition; how he had betrothed his
daughter, and had by her means rescued his life
and soul; but that his cousins were still detained as
hostages; and how he had engaged them to keep
the whole affair a secret. Upon this they resolved
on emigrating, and Malik concealed himself, on account
of his companions whom he had left in captivity,
and lest Amarah or Rebia, on hearing what
he was doing, might mar his project; for these were
again bent on their former plans, the moment they
heard that Antar had fallen. Amarah indeed was
in ecstacies, and whispered to himself, "now then will
Ibla be mine." So taking with him Oorwah, son of
Wird, and ten other horsemen, he departed on a
plundering expedition for a marriage dower, from
Amarah's departure, than he made his preparations
for migrating. But the three days had scarcely
elapsed, when a slave arrived from Vachid, to inform
him that his master was already at the springs of
Zeba, accompanied by forty horsemen, concealed
hard by. Return! said Malik, return to him, and
tell him we are on our way. And at night Malik
struck his tents, and loaded the camels. What
means this? inquired Ibla. Whither, my father, are
you going? We cannot possibly remain here any
longer, replied Malik, for the very stones cry out
against us, and all the families are convinced that
you and I were alone the cause of Antar's destruction;
but I swear by the life of your eyes, that
I only despatched him for these Asafeer camels in
order to raise your dignity amongst the high and
low, and now our relations consider us as enemies.
It is my wish, therefore, to absent myself until this
is somewhat blown over, and then we will return
again home; but should we remain long here,
Amarah will come and demand you in marriage;
you do not like him, and I have no excuse by which
I can elude his pretensions; besides, I cannot ever
force you to a marriage with any one, not the object
of your choice. No one but Antar can my heart
ever love, said Ibla; and, moreover, what can that
wretch Amarah do? And thus she recited:
"O heart, be patient under the agonies I endure.
But how can my tears cease to flow! no balm is
soothed away! ever must they flow for the loss of
him who shamed the brilliancy of the loveliest.
High exalted are his glory and his exploits: noble
is his birth, permanent in the pinnacle of honour.
He who dwells in every life, he, the eternal
Cupbearer, has made him drink of the cups of
death. Oh! I shall weep for him for ever, as
long as the dove pours forth its lament on the
boughs and the leaves. O Aboolfawaris! I have
not a breath of life remaining: Oh! then, how
can I be patient under my transports and my
passion?"
Her sorrows burst forth anew, but her father
regarded her not. About midnight they departed,
traversing rocks and deserts, and before
morning they had quitted the country. When
King Zoheir heard of it, Wherever he goes, may
death overtake him! said he. God grant he may
never return, and never be seen or heard of more!
How diabolical are his malice and hypocrisy! how
detestable his art and deceit! By the faith of an
Arab, had we not been related, I would have ordered
him to be put to death, before he could have
escaped. But wherever he goes, his punishment
will overtake him for his conduct to Antar.
In the mean time, Malik travelled on till he
reached the Springs of Zeba, where Vachid was
concealed with his prisoners; their feet bare, their
bodies naked, and their heads uncovered: misery
Malik, with his loaded camels, and slaves, and all
his property. His male slaves led the camels. Ibla
was mounted on a howdah, and many attendants
walked by her side. Vachid, the moment he saw the
cavalcade, recognized them: he sprang out of his
concealment; he slackened his bridle, and grasped
his spear, followed by his horsemen; and when they
came close to Malik, they saluted him, who, in answer
to their inquiries, told them what had passed.
Salute your spouse, he added. I have faithfully
brought you the object of your wishes. Soothe her
heart, and then, perhaps, she will return your
affection; and if you request any thing of her, she
will not refuse you. Ibla was seized with horror
at hearing these words. Who are these people?
cried she; whom is my father addressing with so
much respect? who is this horseman? O my sister,
replied Amroo, we owe him our lives: he had
taken us prisoners, but has released us out of regard
for you; and we have married you to him.
He is your husband, and your protector; and it is
our intention to make his country our home; for
he is a man of honour, and he is one of the Chiefs
of the tribe of Kenanah. He then informed her of
their imprisonment and distresses; and that some
were even detained in captivity as hostages for her
marriage. We, he continued, are bound to him
by solemn engagements, and now we have fulfilled
his wishes. Ibla's agony was severe indeed: she
of her grief, hopeless of rescue. Who is he that
demands me in marriage of you? she cried. The
die is cast, he replied; receive him—deny him not;
he has not his equal—no one is to be compared to
him. And as he was about to return to the horsemen,
Ibla flung herself on the ground, weeping and
sobbing. She cast the sand over her head, exclaiming,
Alas, O Antar! may God destroy him
who destroyed thee! Now thou art gone, how infinite
is my misery. O by the Arabs! O for that
high-minded Chief! O for that renowned hero!
And in the midst of her tears and sighs she thus
complained:
"Copiously flow my tears; disease arises in my
frame; a fire is kindled in my bowels and my
liver. No support have I against my afflictions.
I have lost all patience, and anguish consumes
my body. Is there any hope for me in my
agonies, now that fortune has betrayed me in the
hero of the Battle of Lions—the cleaver of skulls,
and of ribs, and of armour—the scatterer of hostile
armies over the universe? Flow then, my
tears, in grief for him; increase, that I may see
my tears moisten every spot of rust. Mayst
thou, O Wild Beast, be drowned in the water of
my tears! O my tears, never be ye exhausted;
ever be ye multiplied. My dishonour in the
deserts shall never be accomplished by my consent.
complain to any one."
Whilst Ibla was thus speaking, Vachid stood
gazing at what God had given her of beauty and
loveliness; and his heart was pierced by the arrows
of her glances. Her brother would have beaten
her, and driven her back to the howdah; but Vachid
kept him off, for he began to pity her. Keep off,
he cried, for truly her heart is overcharged with
affliction; her distress and sorrow are great. Have
patience with me till we reach home, continued he,
addressing Ibla in a softened tone; I will appoint
slave-girls and free-born women to attend on thee.
And he attempted to kiss her between the eyes,
and raise her into the howdah. But she struck
him violently on the chest, and threw him on his
back. Avaunt, she exclaimed, thou vilest of Arabs!
basest of all that ever struck a tent-peg in the desert:
thy marriage with thine own mother is nearer
at hand than with me. Begone: never mayst thou
be respected! never protected! When her father
and brother heard these words, they stood abashed
in the presence of Vachid. Amroo ran towards
her, and, raising his arm, with a stick beat her over
the shoulders, saying, Is it in such terms you receive
your husband? he is indeed a noble Chief.
And he drew forth his sword, and beat her with
the flat part of it. Paralysed be thy hand! stiffened
be thy limbs and joints! thou foulest of men,
once, if thou art a horseman, and put off the garments
of infamy and disgrace; for truly thou art
degraded among the Arabs in every plain. Ye
have all been taken prisoners by these horsemen,
and have ransomed your lives by a shameful bargain,
sacrificing a poor girl, helpless and ignorant.
May God pour down on you all the miseries of the
age! At this her brother was still more exasperated;
and he beat her with his whip till he made
the blood flow. He then replaced her in the howdah.
Mind not what she says, said he to Vachid,
who also mounted his horse, and led her camel by
the bridle. But the prisoners being released, set
off on their way home. Ibla, in the mean time,
made the plains re-echo to her shrieks; and Vachid
thought he should never reach his tents: whilst Ibla
continually called on the name of Antar, looking
out to the right and to the left, and weeping till
evening came over them; and she remained three
days without food or sleep. On the fourth day she
was quite exhausted by hunger and watching, and
excess of grief. Often did she invoke her father
and her brother, exclaiming, O God, send down
enemies upon them, and dreadful calamities. Thus
she continued, till one morning a great dust arose,
and darkened the land; when lo! there appeared
thirty slaves like eagles, and they came down like
voracious hawks. They no sooner marked the
howdah, and the party with their camels, than they
their Chief directed himself towards the howdah,
crying out, Oh what a glorious morning! I am the
Nocturnal Evil, and the Depredator of the Age.
Now this slave was called Abooddegi, son of Nabih
the Kelbian, born in some of the corners of Yemen,
of a tribe named the tribe of Riyan. His constant
practice was to carry off the Arab maidens: he
acknowledged no protection, and made no distinction
between right and wrong. He only stayed three
days in one country, during which time he overwhelmed
it with blood and massacres; for he was
one of the prodigies of the time. The maiden whom
he made captive he kept for three days to himself,
and then consigned her to his slaves, who, when
they had glutted their barbarity, seized all she had,
murdered her, roasted her, and devoured her. They
afterwards departed for another country. Such was
their usual conduct towards the women of Arabia;
and their leader was surnamed the Nocturnal Evil,
the Depredator of the Age. As soon as he beheld
Ibla, and the horsemen of Kenanah, he darted towards
her, followed by his slaves like black eagles.
Vachid stared; his eyes became like burning coals,
Remain with your daughter's howdah, said he to
Malik: tell her to mark my deeds in the field of
battle: long have I wished to meet this warrior.
He galloped away, grasping his spear, and assaulted
the slave in the boldest style. But he found him
a tempestuous sea. The contest became general;
each other. Steel clashed against steel, and
the close and the distant met. Vachid fiercely engaged
the Chief, and a furious conflict ensued.
Vachid, fearing Malik would regard him with the
eye of inferiority, exposed himself to every peril:
he exerted every energy to attain victory and glory:
he poured down his thrusts with the utmost vehemence,
and he imagined his enemy must fall beneath
his blows. But his hopes were unavailing;
for the slave at length struck Vachid's lance, and
made it shiver into four pieces: he pierced him in
the chest, and forced his spear out behind his back.
Vachid fell prostrate on the earth. When Ibla's
father beheld this frightful accident, rage and indignation
possessed him; and exclaiming to Ibla,
Ah! what a wretch art thou! he and his son
mounted, wishing to keep off the Nocturnal Evil
from the women. But they were seized with the
greatest horrors. The slave shouted at Malik in a
voice like a peal of thunder; and quickly turning
round his spear, he struck him with the butt end—
overthrowing him, and nearly killing him: he then
drove at Amroo, his eyes rolling like burning coals.
Amroo delivered himself up without difficulty, crying
out, Young man, may God preserve thee!
Pity thy prisoner! take the women and the families;
but spare us the terrors of the combat. So
the slave pinioned him, and tied down his arms;
and having treated Malik in the same manner, he
rejoiced over her family, and her sorrows were relieved:
but the unhappy girl was distracted, not
knowing what to do, so overcome was she by fears
and terrors: but whilst she was conversing with her
mother upon this subject, Wretched woman, exclaimed
Malik to his wife, come to me, and unbind
me, for I am nearly dead. Let us mount these
scattered horses; let each of us take one; and let
us escape. His wife accordingly alighted, and unbound
him. Ibla did the same for her brother.
Malik and Amroo mounted two horses; and taking
each a female behind him, they sought the wilds
and the plains, considering themselves now beyond
every danger. In the mean time the slaves were
employed in combating the Kenanians. But Malik
and the rest were traversing the rocks and deserts,
happy in their deliverance from the enemy, when
on a sudden there appeared ten horsemen like
eagles, preceded by a string of camels, which they
were goading on with the spikes of their lances.
Now these were horsemen of the tribe of Abs
and Adnan, headed by Amarah and Oorwah, who
were returning from their expedition into the land
of Yemen, exulting and victorious. Amarah's sole
anxiety was to reach home, that he might again set
eyes on Ibla's face. At that moment he heard
Malik's shouts: he immediately advanced; and as
they came nigh they recognized each other. Amarah
dismounted, and hailed Malik and Amroo, who
discovered their friends. Amarah gazed at the
brilliant Ibla, and lo! her complexion and her face
turned from a bright red to a deadly pale. He was
amazed. What means all this, my cousins? said he.
O Amarah! replied Malik, hasten to your prize:
hurry over the plains before the troop of horsemen
overtake us, and you fall into the misery and distress
into which we also fell. Malik now recounted
his adventures: how he had betrothed his daughter
to Vachid, and what had occurred on the journey.
He also described the slave and Vachid, and
their intrepid conduct, so forcibly, that when he
finished his narrative, an universal trembling seized
Amarah and Oorwah. Just at that moment arose
a great dust; loud shouts struck them; and lo!
the blacks rushed on them—the terrible slave at
their head, roaring out, Whither, ye dogs, have ye
escaped? Behind ye, close, is the Nocturnal Evil,
and the Depredator of the Age! Having secured
Malik and Amroo with cords, he went to aid his
comrades, and attacked the people of Kenanah, who
amounted to forty horsemen, as we before stated.
It was not even mid-day when he had slain thirty-five
of them, and hurled them to destruction. The
other five escaped over the plain by the speed of
their horses. After this the victors turned back in
quest of the howdah, but they found no one in it;
for their prisoners had fled. The slave galloped in
pursuit of them, and sent forth a shriek that would
of rage. He hastened after the fugitives, followed
by his companions, till they perceived the party;
who no sooner discovered them, than they were
horror-struck. O my cousin, said they to Oorwah,
the slaves have overtaken us; and the Nocturnal
Evil and the Depredator of the Age is at their
head. Let us turn upon them: let us die like
brave men: let us not live like cowards. Amarah,
O Amarah, cried Ibla, this is the moment for energy
and exertion. He who once opposed you on my
account is dead, and crushed to the earth: had he,
indeed, been alive, never should I have been a
captive in the hands of enemies: greatly would it
have grieved him to have seen me in this state of
distress. In short, there is now no one but thee
to assist me. Exhibit before me this day a proof
of thy bravery, of which thou boastest so much:
let me see how thou canst fight these black slaves.
At these words, all the pride of an Arab sprang
into the heart of Amarah; death itself appeared
indifferent to him. By the life of thine eyes, O
thou joy of my heart, O thou dispeller of my sorrows,
replied he, this day will I exhibit before thee
all my prowess in its true blaze; and thou shalt
learn that all I have said of myself is true. So he
summoned up his courage, adjusted himself properly,
tucked up his skirts, twirled his whiskers,
and folded up his hair under his turban, drawing it
off from his shoulders. He then pulled forth his
spear, and set out on a full gallop, exclaiming,
he went off among the foremost, accompanied by
Oorwah, who cried out, Do you look out on the right,
I will to the left. But Amarah recited these verses:
"To-day I will exhibit my prowess and my
courage: the warriors and the horsemen shall
stand in awe of me. I will plunge into a sea of
blood, in quest of glory, and the heroes shall
behold my impetuosity and my thrusts. Ibla
shall mark the deeds of a ferocious lion. Now
that it is all over with that infernal black, I shall
be glorified among the Arabs, and they shall
acknowledge my valour in the field of battle."
Amarah had not finished his speech, when one
of the slaves gave him a blow that upset him, and
laid him sprawling on the ground. Abooddegi
attacked Oorwah, and shouted at him in a voice
like thunder: his assault was that of an eagle; and
a vigorous contest ensued, would turn an infant
grey. Abooddegi darted close up to him, so that
their stirrups grated: he seized Oorwah by the
breast-plate, and, dragging him towards him,
wrenched him out of his saddle, and held him
suspended in his hand. Dismounting, he pinioned
him, and bound his arms tight. The conflict continued
till the sun turned pale; and the slaves
having slain all that remained of the Absians, the
Nocturnal Evil hastened up to Ibla's father and
his son, and, wounding them severely, threw them
on the ground. He reposed in that spot for the
night, with his slaves and prisoners; but at daybreak
and the men tied on the backs of the horses,
plunged in infamy and disgrace. Do not be so
distressed, said the Nocturnal Evil, to calm their
sorrows; rather rejoice in your safety. I shall not
demand of you money or camels: but whoever has
a beautiful daughter or sister, let him send her to
me for three days and nights. Then will I set him
at liberty. But whoever does not consent to these
my terms, will instantly be my victim. Hast thou
ever, O my cousin, said Amarah to Oorwah (for
Amarah was bound by his side, stripped and exposed),
hast ever heard of a more iniquitous fellow
than this base slave? Thou, indeed, wilt be able
to escape: Malik, also, and Amroo: they will all
get well out of this scrape. But I, poor I, must
die under stripes and tortures. How so, thou foul
mustachioed fellow? cried Oorwah. Oh! continued
Amarah, you will give him your lovely sister Selma,
and Malik will surrender that woman of women,
Ibla; and the unhappy Amarah will die in misery
and wretchedness. I am sure there will be no
occasion to touch me once with a sword or a spear;
for were I but to see him alone with Ibla, my death
and dissolution would be instantaneous: indeed, I
should expire of anguish. Ibla cannot be otherwise
than of ill omen to him, said Oorwah, as she has
already been to others before him. To whomsoever
she is affianced, his mother will weep and
mourn for him. Whoever takes her will forfeit
his property, and have his throat cut. You have
how we obtained these camels; but as soon as we
beheld her face, misfortunes were let loose on us,
and miseries came down upon us. Whilst this was
passing between Amarah and Oorwah, the Nocturnal
Evil sent on before him five slaves; and
consigning over to their care Ibla's howdah, Hasten,
said he, to the spot of Zatool Menahil; pitch our
tents there; for there I intend to remain three days
with this lovely damsel. After which, mark what
I will do to these wretches when I have taken away
their property, and received their ransom. The
slaves rode forward, and Antar met them, as we
have already described: some of them he slew;
the rest he put to flight. Antar was now wholly
wrapped up in Ibla, frequently asking after her
health; for misery had impaired her charms. She
was bewildered at the sight of her beloved: her
tears flowed profusely. At last recovering, she thus
addressed him:
"All my misery—all my grief is past, now that
we have met after so long an absence. Time
now happily announces the existence of one who
had been trampled beneath the dumb grave.
Now the eyes of the age are illumined, after a
period of darkness, and I am returned to life
after my death. O Knight of men and Genii!
O thou that excellest every warrior in glory!
my eyes gladden at beholding thy liberality, and
the beauty of thy truth. I will implore God ever
to exalt thy glories, both morning and evening."
She concluded by relating to Antar what had
happened to her with the foul slave and Vachid:
how the latter had taken her father and brother
prisoners, and how they had ransomed themselves
by sacrificing her. As Antar listened, he wept.
In return, he detailed to her the horrors he had
undergone: what had happened to him with Chosroe,
and all that had passed in Persia: how he had
extricated himself from his troubles: and he described
the riches he had brought with him. Now
her soul seemed to revive after death. O my
cousin, said she, by my life that is in thy heart,
bear me away, and return to the nation that has
loaded thee with favours. Leave my father and
brother with this adulterous slave; let him treat
them as he pleases: return no more to the tribe of
Abs. Antar smiled at her expressions of love, and
rejoiced in her faith and constancy. Hail to all
that can give thee pleasure, he replied; dismiss
from thy mind whatever can pain thee; for by the
life of thine eyes and the black of thine eye brows,
I will subdue all the world for thee. I will make
thee supreme over the high and low. Then calling
to his attendants, whom he ordered to halt there,
Protect my cousin, said he, the mistress of all this
wealth. This day I will give you the joyous spectacle
of the destruction of her enemies. And he
advanced to meet the horsemen. The Nocturnal
Evil was following fast his companions, whom he
had sent forward to pitch his tents; and so happy
was he, he thought he should never arrive; when
gallop, not daring even to look behind them. What
has befallen you in this desert? he exclaimed: where
are my Absian damsel, and your other comrades?
Our comrades, they replied, are already a prey
to the birds and the eagles. But a black, not even
like a negro, has taken possession of your maiden.
His look terrifies the senses: his face is that of a
Ghoul. When he strikes a skull, he cleaves it;
when he thrusts at a horseman, he annihilates him.
He hears not what any one says; to no human
being does he deign to reply. His thrust is his
address; his blow is his answer. At hearing this,
Abooddegi hissed like a serpent; he roared and
bellowed, Does one like me fear man, dæmon, genii,
or the devil? and he instantly gave the rein to his
steed; and, poising his spear, he departed, in order
to clear up this mystery; and as he pursued his
way, he thus exclaimed:
"Were I afraid of the conflict of man, I should
not be called the Nocturnal Depredator. How
can I fear man or genii, I, who have a heart
harder than mountain rock? I dwell alone in
the wilds and the wastes, to chase the lions, the
inhabitants of gloomy haunts. How many nights
have I passed where the Ghouls watch with me,
and tremble at my shadow! How many horsemen
have I left felled to the earth, gnawing their
right hands and their left! Faith has no charms
for me; no pleasure has a guest in my favours.
I fear my evening repast may be but scanty.
I have no connexion with men, and they evince
their enmity to me on that account throughout
the world. I have no protection among man, for
treachery is the sole rule of my conduct. No
relative have I but my spear and my sword;
those two in the contest are my paternal and
maternal uncle. On the back of a steed was I
born by night. How then shall I fear nocturnal
calamities!'
He continued his course over the plains till he
met Antar the valiant lion. Who art thou, he
cried, that hast slain my companions, and hast
seized my Asbian maid? To-day thou shalt die;
to-day thou shalt fall into annihilation! Thou dastard—thou
offspring of an uncircumcised race, exclaimed
Antar, since when has Ibla been thy slave?
By God, thou foul Arab, had it not been for my
absence in quest of a marriage dower for her, thou
wouldst have waited long for such an opportunity.
Away with thee! thy success is but a dream. Heroes
have turned grey for her; and every one, on
foot or on horseback be he, has failed in his attempts
on her. Come on: let us to the field this instant.
Now to the battle of swords; and know, that this
will be the most inauspicious of days for thee.
Antar immediately assailed him: he galloped and
charged with him, and commenced the conflict.
As soon as Ibla's father beheld Antar in full contest
Adnan, he cried, release us from this dæmon:
make him drink of death, nephew! for he is a perfidious
wretch; and hadst thou not arrived thus
opportunely, Ibla would have been rendered infamous
among the Arabs for ever. O that thou
hadst never been born, nor Ibla either! exclaimed
Oorwah; for she brings ill luck on every one that
seeks her. By Heaven, said Amarah, she is not
too dearly purchased by the loss of lives or the
sacrifice of souls, or by the cleaving of skulls and
heads. This misery, this disgrace we endure, are
all on her account. But still never, oh never! shall
I be able to command one embrace or one kiss.
Yet I think it is only on account of this black slave
that she is so obdurate. Whilst they were conversing,
Antar was engaging his antagonist; and
a battle ensued between them that would have
daunted the boldest warriors. And they continued
the combat until Antar, observing his adversary
flag, pressed on him, wearied him, and terrified
him; then, extending his spear, pierced him between
the breasts, and forced the barb out through
his shoulders, crying out, O by Abs! O by Adnan!
I am ever the lover of Ibla! He hastened towards
the captives, and liberated them, expressing his delight
at meeting his uncle Malik. Rejoice at this
deliverance from death, he exclaimed, but know
that all your late sufferings are only a just punishment
for your past conduct. You promised your
despatched me to the land of Irak in search of her
dower, and you exposed me to a sea of perils and
dangers. In the meantime, you affianced her to a
horseman of Kenanah: but God has at last rewarded
your treachery and insult. Do not reproach
me, dear nephew, replied Malik; your brother
Shiboob returned home, and, announcing your
death, deprived us of every hope of seeing you
again. And Malik recounted all their adventures,
from the return of Shiboob to the encounter at
Zatoul-Menahil.
O Aboolfawaris! exclaimed Amarah, every one
gains his own in time. Praise be to God that you
came off victorious, and thus saved us from death.
Antar thanked him, and conducted them to his
tents, where they halted; and as they beheld his
countless profusion of wealth and jewels, their
minds were stupefied, their eyes were scared, and
their senses bewildered. Nephew, said Malik,
whence is all this property, this wealth, these
tents, and these pavilions? doubtless some of the
noble Kings of the land have stopped here. Uncle,
replied Antar, all this wealth belongs to your slave,
Antar. You demanded of me a thousand Asafeer
camels; I have brought them loaded, by the great
King their owner, with gold and money. Having
conducted them to the tents, he ordered his slaves
to slay camels and sheep, and to prepare a feast;
whilst he sat down to relate to them all his adventures
all the honours and dignities he had received. But
when the slaves advanced to attend on Antar, he
ordered them to offer their services to his illustrious
Chiefs. Antar soon after rejoined Ibla, inquiring
after her health, and sympathising in her sufferings.
He kissed her between the eyes: she threw herself
into his arms, and kissed his face and cheeks. Rejoice
in these riches, said he tenderly to her; such
a sight, my cousin, regales the eye, and enlivens
the heart and soul. Mark, too, these female slaves,
that resemble moons, and this silver litter, studded
with costly jewels; and rule me as thou wilt, night
and day. Truly the great King has enriched me
with this crown of jewels, which no human being
has as yet touched. Verily, replied Ibla, your
safety is more acceptable to me than all you have
described: no pleasure have I felt but in your
presence. Antar smiled, and his bosom expanded
with joy at the purity of her love. He quitted her,
having first stationed a guard over her, fearful of
any accident. And Antar's enemies reposed that
night under the protection of Antar, conversing
about his good fortune and exalted honours. Well!
said Amroo to his father, I can no longer remain
with the tribe of Abs; I shall set out for the land
of Yemen. I shall migrate; for I have not an eye
to look on this black slave, who even presumes to
take possession of Ibla—that full moon. What
can a man do, added Malik, when his projects are
wrath be more adverse to him, when I exposed him
to those oceans of perils? but he has escaped from
them all, and has, moreover, brought with him all
this wealth, and these precious ladings. Know,
my son, when we reach home, every one will love
Antar, and hate us; for you observed their behaviour
to us when they heard he was dead. Amroo,
said Oorwah, if Antar reaches the tribe of Abs
and Adnan, he will rule over it, and depose King
Zoheir: he will exalt himself to his station; the
clans, too, will obey and follow him. The greatest
Kings cannot produce such wealth. When Amarah
heard this, he wept in excess of envy and misery.
Disgraced, dishonoured, is the family of Zeead,
O my cousins, he cried; verily my gall is bursting
at this vile black slave, whom fortune favours. By
the truth of our idols, should he enter unto Ibla,
I shall expire of anguish. Oh that the Nocturnal
Evil of the Age had sacrificed me as a sheep, so
that I had never beheld this vile wretch return in
safety. And he wept till morning, and there was
not one of the party that slept or felt at ease, so
intense were their jealousy and hatred. At daylight,
Antar ordered the slaves to prepare for departure
and load the camels. Six hundred was the
number of his blacks, all headed by Aboolmout,
and he was a bold intrepid horseman. When the
mules and camels were loaded, and the female slaves
were mounted on them, Grecians, Persians, Cophts,
three variegated robes, studded with the precious
metals and jewels: he clothed her in them, and
placed on her head the diadem that the King of
Persia had given him. He also ordered forth for
her the magnificent silver litter, the supports of
which were of burnished gold; and eight mules
were required to carry it. At the sight of this
mass of splendour, Ibla was stupefied and amazed.
Her father Malik, as he surveyed it, was in the
greatest consternation and surprise: but as to her
mother, her tongue was tied up in her mouth, so
vast was her astonishment. Amarah! he wept, and
sighed, and groaned, and moaned. Antar cared
not for any of them, so entirely was he devoted to
Ibla; producing articles after articles in succession,
till she was bewildered. He raised her into the
litter, with her mother, and he commanded the
slaves to march forward, and to attend to them on
the journey. When Ibla was seated in the litter,
her countenance became radiant and illumined:
she smiled in the loveliest manner. Every charm
was heightened; and from her eyelashes she shot
arrows that penetrated the slayer of men and heroes.
Again Amarah cast his eyes upon her: he was
confounded. His rage became more intense: the
fiercest anguish and torture seized him. Alas, O
Amarah! said he to himself, from this moment
thou art indeed a wretch—a lost man. Now Antar
delivered Ibla over to her father, saying, Receive
in his praises and expressions of admiration,
exhibiting outwardly the reverse of what was in
his mind. Nephew, he replied, from this day Ibla
is your handmaid, and her father and her brother
are numbered among your slaves. Upon this,
Antar advanced, and kissed his uncle's hand, and
paid him every possible respect. Thus they continued,
till between them and the tribe of Abs
there remained only one day's journey; when, on
inquiring for Amarah, he was not to be found.
I imagine, said Malik, Amarah is gone on before
us, to announce our arrival. No, no, said Antar,
I am not in such favour with Amarah, that he
should do such an act; but if it be true, King
Zoheir will come out with all his family to meet
us. Well, said Malik, I will precede you, and
congratulate the tribe on your arrival; and I shall
thus conciliate your father and your uncles. It is
your own affair, added Antar; do as you please.
Malik accordingly changed his horse, and set off,
mounted on one of Antar's noble steeds, with his
son Amroo, and Oor and Ibla's mother; and
all those whose envy was consuming their bodies
and souls. Travelling with great speed, they arrived
early the next day in the land of the tribe of Abs.
Malik immediately repaired to the habitations of
Shedad, crying out, Good news, good luck to ye,
O family of Carad! Antar, son of Shedad, is returned.
Shedad looked up: Do you indeed speak
of empires, replied Malik. They all started up,
and mounted their horses. They were soon scattered
about; they seemed like a torrent, all exclaiming,
Welcome, joy! begone, sorrow! and they
sallied forth to meet Antar. The news soon reached
King Zoheir. Well! said he, this is the most wonderful
of all events: it must be noted down, and
written, as unheard of amidst the Arabs or the
Persians. By the truth of Lat, and Uzza, and
Hibel[25] , we must all go and meet him, and twitch
the noses of his enemies, and rejoice the hearts of
his friends. So he went forth, accompanied by his
sons, and the whole tribe of illustrious Arabs.
Antar, having separated from his uncle, stayed
behind till near midnight; when he set out, conversing
with Ibla, the most beautiful of human
beings, and feasting himself with looking on her
until it was daylight; when, riding close to her,
O my cousin, said he know that your father is
gone forward to announce our approach, and
to tell King Zoheir to come out and meet us.
I wish, also, to precede you, and to meet them
nearer home; for I now feel secure about you
against all the treacheries of fortune, and the calamities
of night. Having then given orders to
some slaves to protect her, and to keep off the
road, fearing that the dust of the horses might
too confined for him in the expansion of his love
and joy. He travelled on till mid-day, when lo!
a great dust arose, and the horsemen of Abs and
Adnan advanced: before them marched the slaves,
flourishing their swords, and damsels playing on
cymbals, and the standards floated over their heads.
First was seen King Zoheir, like a lion starting
from his den, and over his head waved the eagle
banner. The instant Antar beheld him, he dismounted
from Abjer, and the delight of this meeting
made him forget all his past troubles: and as
they drew nigh, they expressed their satisfaction in
one acclaim. Oh what a glorious day! was the
universal shout. Antar stood before the King,
kissed his hand, and prayed for his eternal glory
and happiness. And as he advanced towards Prince
Malik, he thus exclaimed:
"The age has removed its vizor from that radiant
form, glorious in perfect brilliancy, sparkling
in splendour; so that darkness is illumined
by it; like an hitherto unseen youth, glowing in
beauty, moving towards sublimity in matchless
lustre, and dashing to the earth all that would
rival him, like birds shot by the arrow of the
archer. Victory has firmly linked its banners to
his stirrups, to fell all thy foes with the waving
spear—O thou phœnix of this age! thou illustrious
hero of the period! thou attainer of all glory!"
O Aboolfawaris, exclaimed Prince Malik, may
besought him to mount his horse. The noble Absians
all surrounded him, whilst in reply to King
Zoheir's inquiries, he related his adventures. His
mother and his brothers wept, and sobbed, and
clamoured at the ecstacy of meeting, and in the excess
of their happiness after all their past alarms
and afflictions. When Antar had spoken to them
all, his slaves arrived conducting the camels, headed
by the fierce Aboolmout, who in front of the blacks
galloped round them to the right and to the left.
The whole land was involved in dust. In the rear
came Ibla's litter, all of silver studded with precious
stones; before her marched the imperial
steeds and beauteous slaves like the Houris of Paradise,
encompassing the lovely full-moon of Majesty,
as she approached. Antar dismounted from
Abjer, and girded his loins with a zone of gold
brocade worth a hundred thousand dirhems. He
directed the slaves to lead aside some camels and
mules that were laden with wealth, and also ten
fine coursers of unrivalled beauty, with their chests
and baggage, and presented them to King Zoheir;
and kissing the ground before him, he begged his
acceptance of them. The King received them, and
before each chest stood a slave-girl, either Grecian
or Abyssinian. To all the horsemen he distributed
robes and money, and gave them slaves and youths,
so that there was not one but partook of Antar's
bounty. King Zoheir was amazed and in the
By the truth of the holy Kabaa, said he, Antar
must have completely impoverished the King of
Persia; and he desired all the Absians, to whom
Antar had given something, to make a suitable
return To his father Shedad he presented abundance
of silver and gold, and many stout slaves;
but the remainder with the Asafeer camels he delivered
to Malik, his uncle. Thus they separated,
and every one sought his own tent. But Amroo,
Ibla's brother, made the camels that conveyed his
sister kneel down—he lifted up the curtain of the
litter—but Ibla was not there!—
| CHAPTER VII. Antar : | |