University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER I.

Ishmael, son of Abraham, was the father of
Adnan, who had a son called Maad; and Maad was
the father of Nizar, whose four sons, Rebeeah, Medher,
Ayad, and Anmar, reigned over the Arabs in
great glory for many years, and their descendants
continued to flourish and multiply till they amounted
to twenty thousand horsemen, when disturbances
arising among them, they separated, and migrated
from the valley of Mecca and the holy sanctuary,
and many of them settled in a spot called Ibreem-oobmootemim,
which was the furthermost point of Hijaz,
and the first in the land of Yemen. And they
had a king called Rebeeah, a man much respected
and feared, and he was of the tribe of Medher, a fair-raced
people: and he had five sons; the eldest was

called Nayil; the second, Taweed; the third, Mohelhil;
the fourth, Medher[1] ; and the fifth, Adee:
and their father was a stout and intrepid warrior; he
conquered the whole country by his bravery, and
ruled over the wilds and the deserts.

Again the Arabs disagreed amongst themselves
and dispersed, and every division had its chief and
its leader. They carried away their property and
their camels, and among them was Harith, son of
Obad the Yashkirite, with the tribe of Yashkir,
and the chief Dibyan with the tribe of Dibyan, and
the chief Abd Shems with his tribe, and Jazeemah
with the tribe of Abs[2] and Adnan, and Bahiej
with the tribe of Ghiftan; and it was Jazeemah,
King of the tribe of Abs and Adnan, that attacked
Rebeeah, and having slain him, appointed Mohelhil
to succeed his father. But on the death of Mohelhil
all his cousins went away with their property and
camels, afraid of the surrounding Arabs, and settled
with the tribe of Abs and Adnan, and their chief
Jazeemah; and among all the Arabs there was no
government better regulated than his, for he was
experienced in all affairs, and had ten sons, who were
all hardy lions, bold, endued with great bodily
strength, and in war they were unrivalled; they

courted battles and plunged into slaughter, and their
reputation was spread among the Arabs, and among
them were Amroo and Jancah, and Asyed and Zoheir,
and the rest of the ten brothers. But Amroo
was the eldest, and King Jazeemah hoped that
Amroo would reign at his death. But one day
Amroo went to the lake Zatool Irsad, early in the
morning, and with him was a slave called Nizah;
and Amroo had round his neck a chain of gold
studded with jewels and diamonds; and when he
came to the lake he stripped off his clothes, and took
off the string of jewels from his neck, and then going,
down into the lake left them all with his slave.
When he sprang into the water and plunged in, his
body disappeared, and was borne away.

The slave perceiving that his master remained too
long under water, felt assured that his breath was
extinct; so he ran away to Jazeemah, and told him
of this dreadful event. He was in the deepest grief,
and he dashed his fist against his face for the loss of
his son Amroo. Over the whole tribe the dismay was
general, the affliction was universal, and the lamentations
deep. Many days and nights they remained
in this state, when at last King Jazeemah, wishing
to relieve his mind from his anguish, went out to the
chase, and whilst he was thus occupied, lo! there
appeared a fawn, which he eagerly pursued; but as
it launched into the waste in full flight, he could not
catch it. Still he hoped to succeed; but at last it

entered a forest abounding in trees, and waters, and
thickets, and Jazeemah still pursued it. And whilst
he was struggling through the branches, behold, a
man quite naked stood before him! He fled away
in terror, fancying that it was a dæmon: O King!
exclaimed the man, be not afraid, for I am thy son
Amroo! If thou art my son, cried the King, follow
me, and quit this spot. Jazeemah issued from the
forest, and the man coming up with him, he gazed at
him, and lo! he was his son! He was greatly rejoiced,
and running up to him, O my son, said he,
what has happened to thee? who brought thee to
this place? and thou art naked! So he explained all
that had occurred to him, and the cause of his being
snatched away from the lake was a dæmon, who bore
him to this place. His father joyed in seeing him,
and clothed him in some of his own garments, and
returned with him to his tribe and companions, and
unbounded was the delight and satisfaction at the
return of Amroo. Acclamations were loud, and the
time passed happily away, and they forgot the evils
of fortune.

All the Arabs took refuge with King Jazeemah,
and paid him taxes and tribute, and there was not
one but obeyed him and submitted, save a single
Queen, who was called Robab. And this Queen
was very powerful, and had numerous armies and
slaves. She had subdued the heroes, and humbled
the bravest, and her tribe was the most intrepid

of the Arabs, and they were called the tribe of
Reeyan. And when they heard that King Jazeemah
was become powerful and had extended his influence,
and that the Arabs gave him tribute in cattle
and camels; We, said they, will not give any one
even a rope's end; and whoever demand goods of us,
nothing will we give them but blows and battle.

Upon hearing this, Jazeemah assembled his
armies and warriors, and the Arabs came to him
from all the vallies and the waters, and he marched
away with them in quest of the tribe of Reeyan, and
their Queen Robab, that he might send down destruction
and torments upon them, and leave their
property to be pillaged by the Arabs. Now when
the tribe of Reeyan saw those armies that were advancing
upon them, they set up a loud shout, and
they thronged in haste from all quarters, and the
mountains trembled at the uproar. This tribe was
exceedingly numerous, and moreover they had been
joined by a great multitude who came to them and
settled round them, to be under the protection of
that tribe and their Queen Robab; so great was her
reputation, and so far famed her name.

And when the armies arrived and were all established
about her, they waited in anxious expectation
of the event. So the Queen summoned one of
her tribe, a man of great consequence, and said to
him—I wish thou wouldst go to these advancing
people, and see what they are resolved to do, what
place they come from, and what they want. The

man went away; and when he came up with the
troops, they stopped. Whither in such haste? they
cried: speak ere thou art a lost man! Arabs, said
he, I am come as a messenger to ye; I want to see
your chief. Tell me what is your object; who are
you? how are you called? We are the noble tribe
of Abs, said they; and we are come to devastate
your lands, and plunder your property, and capture
your wives and families. Arab Chiefs, he replied,
show me your King, lead me to him, that I may
speak with him about the object of this expedition.
They accordingly introduced him to the King, and
he kissed the ground before him. Jazeemah asked
what he wanted, and what brought him there. So
he told him that Robab had sent him. O King!
he continued, what has brought thee forth from thy
country? What is the cause of thy departure from
home? He then informed him that he was come to
slay the people, and to plunder their property.
Mighty King! said the other, may God for ever
confirm thee in thy possessions! Why wouldst thou
act thus towards us? On account of your refractory
conduct towards me, said Jazeemah, and the language
I have heard; for all the Arabs have submitted
to my rule, and obeyed my call, and give me
tribute and taxes, all but you, ye cowards! and I
have heard of your base designs. But I must assail
you without further preparation, and I shall command
these armies, numerous as the locusts, to
assault you, and to grind you like grain, and to
ride you like lions. Return then to her who sent
thee, and tell her what I have said to thee.

So the messenger returned with this answer; and
when he reached Robab, he communicated all he
had heard to her. Away back to him, said she,
and tell him to-morrow morning to sally forth into
the plain, and to meet me in the field of battle
before these horsemen. If he subdues me, I will
submit to him, and pay him tribute; but if I vanquish
him, I will grant him his life, and take his
ransom; and by this means we shall spare the lives
of the people, and be released from war and carnage,
and then return home to our country.

The messenger returned to King Jazeemah, and
informed him of the conditions Robab had proposed.
He agreed, and consented, and immediately he came
down to the field, and he was like a furious lion;
he galloped and charged before the warriors, and
rushed in to the scene of blows and thrusts. Queen
Robab dashed down on him, mounted on a raven-coloured
steed, strong-sinewed. She charged with
him over the plain till the horsemen were amazed.
Then they began the storm and bluster, the sport
and exertion, the give and take, the struggle and
the wrestle; and every eye gazed intently on them,
and every neck was stretched out at them. Just
then passed between them two matchless spear-thrusts.
King Jazeemah's was the first, so roused
was he by the terrors and calamities that threatened

him. But when Robab beheld the spear-thrust
coming upon her, and that death was in it, she bent
herself forward till her breast touched the horse,
and the well-aimed thrust passed without effect.
She then replaced herself on her saddle, and dashed
furiously at him, and attacked him: she struck him
with horror, and drove the spear through his chest,
and forced out the point sparkling at his back. He
tottered from his horse, and his senses were annihilated.
Then the Arabs assailed one another, and
the earth shook beneath them. Blows fell right
and wrong, necks were hewn off, and hoary beards
were stained with blood. The struggle was intense;
and all the Arabs in those valleys were in universal
commotion, like so many Genii.

Soon fled the tribe of Abs and Adnan and all
their allies, and sought their homes and abodes in
fear of death and annihilation; neither did they
halt in their flight and rout till they reached their
own camp; and when they learnt the extent of their
misfortune, and how many kings and chiefs had
been slain, the lamentations were general. Calamities
struck them all; they threw down their tents
and pavilions; and thus they continued seven days
and nights, when King Amroo seated himself on the
throne of his father, and the Arabs came to condole
with him, and congratulated him on his kingdom.
But he lived only a short time, and when he died
his brother Zoheir succeeded him, and reigned in

glory and power. His authority was universally
acknowledged, and the Arabian tribes, far and near,
obeyed and feared him. His subjects were happy
under his dominion, on account of his great influence,
and chiefs hastened to testify their allegiance. As
soon as he was established on his throne he resolved
on taking his revenge, and for this purpose he assembled
his armies and auxiliaries, and demanded
the presene of all the Arabian princes.

In a short time his troops were all prepared, and
immediately he set out on his expedition against the
hostile tribe of Reeyan and their Queen Robab. He
stopped not till he entered their country. As soon
as the Princess was informed of this invasion, she
called together her adherents, who came from all
parts and from the mountains; but they feared for
their families, and their wives, and their cattle and
camels. They marched eagerly to the conflict, and
delayed not a moment till they attacked the tribe
of Abs: they rushed forwards with the intention
to destroy them. The two tribes soon engaged.
Fierce was the combat and loud the clamour on all
sides. The battle raged; dreadful were the blows
of the sabre, and frequent the rush of darts and
javelins; numbers were wounded; every warrior
stood firm; but the cowards fled: patient were the
noble-hearted, but the weak sought safety in flight.
Many drank the bitter poison of death. King

Zoheir encountered the Queen of Reeyan on the
field of battle, whilst she was encouraging her troops.
The King furiously assaulted her, and exclaimed,
"Revenge for King Jazeemah." He then hurled
his lance and struck her on the chest, and forced out
the weapon between her shoulders, and again cried
out—O by the noble Arabs! Their only reply was
a loud scream, and the battle still continued. But
when the tribe of Reeyan saw the Princess dead, and
perceived their attempts were frustrated, they were
alarmed. Then rushed forward the tribe of Abs, and
attacked them with renewed violence. The Reeyanians
were routed, and fled towards their habitations;—the
Absians pursued them, and spread desolation
among them; slew them with their swords,
and dispersed them amongst their wilds and deserts,
until they reached their country, where they took
possession of their tents and plundered their property.
Zoheir returned home, and rejoiced in the
execution of his vengeance. He divided the wealth
and lands of all that belonged to his enemies among
his own people, and all the spoil was given to the rich
and poor, to his slaves and his chiefs. Many of the
hostile leaders were put to death: all the Arabs far
and near were terrified at the extent of his dominion,
and the power of his arm.

At this period the Caaba and the holy Mecca
were visited, as at this day. Numerous were the

pilgrims at the shrine of Abraham. Sacred were the
months of pilgrimage; and had a man even killed
his father at that period, his crime was never mentioned.
Zoheir, after he had accomplished these
glorious deeds, wished to make a pilgrimage;
which he executed, attended by all the chiefs of
his tribe. His admiration was great in performing
the ceremony of walking round the Caaba, and
in kissing the sacred stone. On his return home, he
was anxious to erect a building similar to the sacred
altar, whither pilgrims should resort, where travellers
might be entertained, and the hungry fed,
and the fearful be in security; in whose precincts
no beasts of prey should be chased; no blood
should be shed; and a transgressor of my law shall
be instantly put to death with this sword, he exclaimed.
These sentiments he expressed to his
tribe assembled in council. All were in dismay at
this resolution, but no one dared to disapprove or
make any answer. But an old Sheikh, who had
passed all his days in perusing ancient chronicles,
and was well acquainted with all the sayings of the
wise men, who acknowledged the unity of God, the
maker of the heavens and the earth, ventured forth,
and expostulated with Zoheir, telling him the Caaba
was the mansion of the blessed Abraham, and were
he to presume to imitate it, a cruel death would
avenge the insult; and thus he addressed him:—

"O great King, O Son of noble chiefs! hold and

listen to my words, and renounce the habits of
the ignobly born. Mount not the horse of
Outrage, for it will not rescue thee from the
messengers of Death; and soon mayest thou expect
him, shouldst thou erect in the desert a
mansion like the sacred shrine of the Caaba;
shouldst thou establish similar rites and ceremonies
and resemblances to Menah and Zengein[3] and
the temple. Away, away, their land is the land of
a tribe superior to all mankind; and from them
shall appear a noted man, the prophet of God,
the torch of darkness, whose faith shall extend
east and west with the death-bearing sword of a
noble warrior. Away with what thou hast said,
for thy God is swift of vengeance."

The King was not easily dissuaded, but at last
gave way to the argument of the Chief, and no
longer persisted in his resolution: he was moreover
induced to resign his plan in compliance with all his
Chiefs, who seconded the word of the Sheikh. In
this situation remained King Zoheir for some years;
when he became anxious to marry, and to take a
wife eminent for her beauty and elegance of form,
and of a noble family. He made all inquiries on
the subject, and at last heard there was an Arab,
strong and mighty in arms, and a famous horseman,
called Amroo, son of Shedeed, and he had a daughter
whose name was Temadhur, whose equal was to

be found neither in the plains nor in the cities. Her
father was a severe man, and would let no one
address her, saying his daughter would not marry.
When Zoheir heard this, he longed for her as a
thirsty man wishes to have water. He pictured to
himself her perfections, before he had ascertained
her worth by inquiries. However, he did not send
to demand her in marriage, but made her father
some handsome presents, and evinced the greatest
fondness for him, making him one of his particular
companions, and thus gained his affections. He then
persuaded him to come and settle in his country,
expressing his great love for him; and thus he
never ate or drank but in his society.

The excess of his passion increased daily, to such
a degree, that he resolved to assemble a party of his
followers called the tribe of Ghorab, and instruct
them to attack the family of Amroo, and plunder
his property, but not to kill any one, or do any
personal injury. So by this stratagem he expected
to discover Temadhur among his prisoners, and then
have an opportunity of speaking to her. The tribe of
Ghorab were accordingly ordered on this expedition,
and instantly they set out, in number five hundred.
Without difficulty they seized the property, took
Amroo prisoner with his wife and family, and
plundered his camels and cattle, but refrained from
slaying any one. When the King heard what had
happened, he mounted his horse in order to behold

what he anxiously desired. He found them in dismay,
expecting assistance from the tribe of Abs. The
family were looking at their flocks dispersed about,
but Temadhur was standing at the door of the tent,
blooming as the dawning sun, and her forehead bright
as its rays, and her cheeks were red as the piony,
her hair dishevelled, black as night. When Zoheir
saw this, his passion greatly increased; he cried out,
and instantly his people rushed forward and furiously
attacked the tribe of Ghorab: the women fled, but
Zoheir ordered Rebia, son of Zeead, to hide Temadhur
under her veil, which was accordingly done.

Thirty prisoners were secured belonging to the
tribe of Ghorab; they and their property were delivered
up; and when quiet was restored, the King
ordered a magnificent feast to be prepared, that he
might make merry with his tribe and followers. They
and the father of Temadhur soon assembled together,
and in less than an hour grief was converted into
joy; the wine was plentifully distributed, and the
uproar was great. The King soon became intoxicated,
and launched out into violent praise of Amroo
the son of Shedeed; and he ceased not to extol and
laud his deeds till the tears came into his eyes, and
the wine disordered his senses. Then Amroo got
on his legs and addressed Zoheir:—O mighty and
magnanimous King, I am your slave. My tongue
fails in description of your virtues. God has given
me nothing that I prize but my daughter Temadhur,

from whom I have kept all suitors. I request of ye,
assembled Chiefs, that he may accept her as his
handmaiden.

As soon as Zoheir heard this, he rejoiced and was
glad; and the Absians answered, And we too will
beg King Zoheir to accept her, and to cause the
daughters of noble chiefs to wait on her. As soon
as Zoheir heard these words, he leaped up, and
taking the old man by the hand, most earnestly
entreated him to consent. He richly clothed him,
and made him handsome presents, and then said,
She shall be, O Chief, equal to the most elevated
in rank, and highest in dignity. The marriage
canopy was instantly pitched, and there was no
further demur. The damsels advanced, conducting
the concealed treasure. Her approach was at that
moment sweeter to him than sleep to the wearied
eyelids, and he beheld in her the stem of a tall reed,
and the rose of the soul. They were immediately
united: on the second day Zoheir arose and thanked
his fortune, for his anxieties were past. He made
presents, and distributed the gold and silver, and he
made Amroo's people remain with him, that he
might treat them for seven days, when he made the
marriage-feast, slaughtering camels and sheep.

The King's surprise and delight made him so
vain and conceited, that at last he imparted to his
wife the stratagem by which he had obtained her
without a dower or settlement. When she heard

this, her soul revolted at the act. She was a shrewd
sensible woman, but she said nothing to him about it
all the next day; when intoxicated he wished to caress
her; she repulsed him, and turning away from him,
said—Are you not ashamed of what you have
done? Do you pretend to liberality and generosity,
and thus seize the daughters of brave men by force,
and refuse them a dower?

These words irritated the Chief greatly, and he
answered, I have not been so avaricious; I had
recourse to this violent act, because your father
yielded not to my proposals, and repulsed all
suitors from you. I had therefore no other means
of dealing with him but by this outrage; and you
know, that had your father accepted my proposals
for marriage at first, then you would have seen what
I would have given you, and the dower I would
have presented. You have confessed the deed, she
replied, and you have won me by force; this is the
work of violence; but we are indeed more cunning
than you.

As soon as Zoheir heard these words he was
greatly enraged, and his anger exceeded all bounds:
he rose from his bed and exclaimed, Where have
you seen any folly in me? and where, as you say,
are you more sagacious than I am? Be not angry,
O King, said she; know that he who speaks too
freely will often have a bitter reply, and he who
contemptuously treats women will fall into difficulties.

Know then that I am the sister of that woman
you beheld, so beautiful and fair; you have not
succeeded with her, and have not obtained possession
of her charms. She is more beautiful than the
sun and moon. I am not worthy to be her hand-maid.
I do not possess a particle of her charms.
On the face of the earth there is not her equal:
amongst the daughters of Arabia there is not her
like. By your show of liberality you deceived my
father; he gave me to you; but my sister's name is
Temadhur, at the sight of whom every beholder is
amazed, and every heart is in raptures. But I am
called Khidaa; and between her and me there is a
vast distance, both in beauty and disposition; but
it is now too late: had you not done this, I would
not have informed you of what has passed.

The pleasing dream fled. How can I believe you?
said the King. If, said she, you wish to prove my
words, you have only to order some old woman to
go and look at my sister behind her veil, and then
the truth and mistake will be evident. No human
being can behold your sister, added he, but a merchant,
or a blacksmith, or an astrologer, or a
perfumer. You are right, she replied, for the
daughters of Arabia value the goods of a merchant,
a blacksmith, an astrologer, and a perfumer.
Then, said the King, there is no intelligence like
the eyes, and no sight like the hearing of the
ears. I am myself an Arab, and I must undertake

the business myself. I will execute all that
is necessary, and will go to your house in the disguise
of a perfumer.

He slept till the day dawned, when he said to his
attendants, If any one should demand admittance
to me to-morrow, say, You cannot enter to-day. He
undressed himself and took off his royal robes, and
habited himself as a poor man, and took with him
some perfumes and drugs; for he was greatly vexed
at what had passed. He departed from his tent, his
loins girt round, and his feet naked, and when he
was at some distance he quickened his pace.

But his wife Temadhur, as soon as the King was
gone, also rose, and threw off her veil, and putting
on the cloak of her husband, dressed herself as a
man, and leaving the tent, sought the tent of her
family. When she reached it, she sent for her
mother, and her father, and her brothers, and told
them all she had heard from the King her husband.
When her father and brothers heard this, they were
greatly surprised at her cunning and her disguise.
She kissed her father, and said to him, Do you and
my brothers withdraw instantly, and conceal yourselves
close at hand; and when King Zoheir
arrives and comes towards us, with his cloak-bag
over his shoulders, we will let him in and detain
him; do you also rush in, and instantly lay hold of
him, keep him fast, and do not let him go until
he makes good the marriage dower; or we shall

be a scandal among the Arabs. And if he abuses
you for this, tell him it is a return for his acts
towards us, and the disgraces his stratagem has
brought on your daughter. On this, they retired,
armed themselves with swords, and lay concealed.
Temadhur took off her man's attire, and put on the
robes of a secluded female, and drew her veil over
her eyes, and blackened her eyelids with antimony,
and sat down, expecting Zoheir would arrive, conversing
in the mean time with her mother.

Zoheir soon appeared from amongst the tents,
and his eyes were like the eyes of a fox. Temadhur's
mother cried out, Enter, merchant; have you
any perfumes that will suit my daughter? He
entered, and throwing down his cloak-bag off his
shoulders, and looking towards his wife, said, Are
the perfumes for this damsel? Yes, said she. He was
much confounded, but asked her name. She said,
Temadhur. He then asked, Have you any other
daughter? Yes, said she, her sister, whose name is
Khidaa; but when King Zoheir demanded her in
marriage, we did not consent to it, and so gave him
her sister. He knows nothing about it, but we
hope to marry her to one of the noblest chiefs.

The light became darkness in his eyes. He
thought within himself, verily I will carry off this
damsel, and her father and brothers shall die with
rage. And when he wished that they would choose
some of his drugs, that he might return, the father

and brothers rushed upon him like lions, seized
him, and bound him hand and foot. His wife stood
before him, and threw off her veil, and rejoicing in
her heart, O King, said she, what think you of your
situation and your artifices? Which of us is the most
cunning?

The King was in despair, and considered himself
as dead; but when he saw his wife, his life and
spirits revived. Well, said he, what do you intend
by this? Your disgrace for your acts towards us,
replied she, and for your boast in having got possession
of me by fraud and deceit; and we swear by God
and Abraham, we will not let you go, neither shall
you see me yield to you, or listen to you, or obey
you, until you grant me a favour, and swear by the
Holy Zemzem that you will give to my father and
brethren your protection, and confirm my marriage
with a grant of camels and other beasts. Do this
immediately, or you shall for ever remain in durance.

When Zoheir heard what she said, he smiled at
what she had done, and was ashamed of his own
deeds. I will give you, said he, five hundred camels;
so now let me go. It is not enough for one hour
that I have been your wife, said she. I will moreover,
continued he, add five hundred high-priced
camels. That, said she, will be even little for a
single day. If, O Temadhur, cried Zoheir, you
must reckon up every hour of each night, and each
day, and buy them as at a market, you will take

from me all my property, both my he-camels and
she-camels. Upon that she smiled, and let him loose,
and they settled the business between them, viz.
that he should give them a thousand he and she-camels,
twenty horses, fifty male slaves, and fifty
female. To this he swore by the God of the holy
shrine of Zemzem and Mekam. They then went
to dinner, and he remained with them until dark,
when he returned with his wife, her father and
brothers in company until they came to his tent;
there they separated, King Zoheir retiring to his
wife; and as his love for her greatly increased by
reason of her conduct, he gave her vast possessions;
but no one knew what had happened to him, and
things remained in this state until she brought forth
ten sons, all like lions; the names of whom were
Shas, Keseer, Cais, Nakshel, Malik, Nooful, Harith,
Khidash, Warcah, Jandil, and afterwards one
daughter, who was called Mootejeredah.

And it was a custom among the Arabs, that when
a woman brought forth ten male children, she should
be called Moonejeba, i. e. ennobled, and her name
be published amongst the Arabs; and they used
to say that the wife of such a one is ennobled. Now
Mootejeredah, the daughter of King Zoheir, was
the beauty of the age, and in wit and sense surpassed
all the daughters of Arabia. And Fatima, the
daughter of Hewseb, was also a Moonejeba, the
wife of Zeead, the son of Abdallah, and she also

brought forth ten sons; they were called Rebia,
Amarah, Ans, Hafiz, Talib, Ghalib, Dinrak,
Amroo, and Zitak. Thus the children of Zoheir,
and Carad, and Zeead, became the chiefs of the
tribe of Abs, and their noble leaders, particularly
the family of Carad, who consisted of Shedad,
Malek, and Zakhmet-ool Jewad, who were all illustrious
warriors. King Zoheir was established in his
dominions, and all the Arabs and Kings of the age
obeyed him, and sent him presents from every
quarter. And the tribe of Abs passed their time
in plundering and killing the chieftains, till all
Arabia was overawed by their power, and the
dwellers of the deserts feared them.

Now the narrators of this History, Asmaee, and
Joheinah, and Aboo Obeidah state, that ten horsemen
of the family of Carad quitted the country to
seek their fortunes, and among them was Shedad,
the son of Carad, and he was called the Knight of
Jirwet, for his mare was called Jirwet, whose like
was unknown. Kings negotiated with him for her,
but he would not part with her, and would accept
of no offer or bribe for her; and thus he used to
talk of her in his verses:

"Seek not to purchase my horse, for Jirwet is not
to be bought or borrowed. I am a strong castle
on her back, and in her bound are glory and greatness.
I would not part with her were strings of
camels to come to me with their drivers following

them. She flies with the wind without wings, and
tears up the waste and the desert. I will keep
her for the day of calamities, and she will rescue
me when the battle-dust rises."

The party set out from the land of Shoorebah;
the ten were all well reputed warriors and famed
horsemen; they were clothed in iron armour and
brilliant cuirasses; their object was to obtain horses
and camels. They continued their journey till
they entered the country of Cahtan: they lay concealed
all day, and only travelled by night. At
length they reached the mountains of Aja and
Selma; and there, between two hills, they discovered
a wealthy tribe, possessed of considerable property
and great riches; they were called the tribe of
Jezeela. Numerous were their tents, and their
dwellings, and their warlike weapons, &c., and the
camp was like the boisterous sea dashing its waves,
so numerous were their slaves, and attendants, and
their horses of various colours. It was a tribe under
no apprehension of a change of fortune.

And when the Absians perceived their vast wealth
and prosperous situation, they feared to attack them,
so they quitted them and made for their pasture
ground, where they perceived a thousand camels
grazing, there being much grass in that spot, and
with them was a black woman who was watching
them. She was of extraordinary beauty and well-shaped;
her appearance was elegant and striking;

and with her were two children, looking after the
camels and running about. As soon as the Absians
saw the camels, they attacked them, and hunted
them like hares with their spears, then drove them
away, together with the woman and children; yet
keeping in the rear, ready to attack whoever might
overtake them; and they had not gone far ere the
people came after them, crying out, Whither would
flight secure you, you wretches? here are we in
pursuit of you. Verily your feet have borne you to
your ruin and destruction. Upon this the Absians
fixed their spears, and gave the reins to their horses,
and met their assailants, pouncing down on them
like falcons. They stood firm of soul, and plied
their lances among them: blood flowed, and the
horsemen were stretched on the earth, where they
left them as carrion for the wild beasts of the desert.
The tribe of Jezeelah fled, unable to resist the foe,
and retreated to their own country, their heroes
being slain and their property captured.

The Absians drove away the camels and cattle,
and returning home, they halted by the side of a
stream, in order to divide the property. But the
woman who was carried off with the camels had
made a great impression on the heart of Shedad,
and he longed for her in his soul: her form was
delicate, her eye inspired love, her smile was
enchanting, and her gestures graceful. As the poet
has said, "In blackness there is some virtue, if you

observe its beauty well; thy eyes do not regard the
white or red. Were it not for the black of the mole
on a fair cheek, how would lovers feel the value
of its brilliancy? Were not musk black, it would
not be precious. Were it not for the black of
night, the dawn would not rise. Were it not for
the black of the eye, where would be its beauty?
and thus it is, that the black ambergris has the
purest fragrance." He therefore took the woman,
and gave them the booty, that they might renounce
her. So he kept her to himself.

This woman's name was Zebeeba, and the two
children were hers; the eldest was called Jareer,
and the youngest Shiboob. He remained with the
woman in the field, and the children tended the
flocks. Shedad visited her morning and evening;
and thus matters continued till she became pregnant;
and when her time came, she brought forth a boy,
black and swarthy like an elephant, flat-nosed, blear-eyed,
harsh-featured, shaggy-haired; the corners of
his lips hanging down, and the inner angles of his
eyes bloated; strong-boned, long-footed; he was like
a fragment of a cloud, his ears immensely long, and
with eyes whence flashed sparks of fire. His shape,
limbs, form, and make resembled Shedad; and Shedad
was overjoyed at seeing him, and called him
Antar, and for many days he continued to gaze on
him with delight. But when Zebeeba wished to
wean him, he grumbled and growled exceedingly,

and the corners of his eyes became fiery red, so that
he appeared like a mass of crimson blood; and this
was his condition till he was weaned. And he grew
up, and his name became known; but those who
had accompanied Shedad in the expedition, having
heard of him, all wanted to claim him as theirs.
So they all assembled and hastened to him, each
imagining he belonged to him, and gave him his
name; till at last they disputed about him, and
almost drew their swords, and would have fought,
had not respect for King Zoheir prevented them.
The circumstance soon reached the King, who
ordered them to his presence; and it happened on
that day that he had many guests with him at
dinner; and whilst they were sitting down, Shedad
and his companions came and kissed the ground
in the presence of the King. He asked them what
had happened, and what was the cause of the
quarrel. They then informed him, and related all
that had passed between Shedad and the woman in
their excursion; how he had taken her to himself,
and had given them the plunder; how she bare him
a son, whose shape and appearance resembled a
negro; and how they now all claimed the child as
their slave, because he was very stout and strong.

When Zoheir heard this adventure he was greatly
surprised, and he said to Shedad, I wish you would
produce the young slave that is the object of contention,
that I may see him. Upon that, Shedad

departed and brought Antar before him; and the
King beheld him, and lo! he was like a lion when
he roars. As soon as he saw him he gave a loud
scream, and threw a piece of meat at him; but a dog
that was there got before him, and snatched up the
meat like a hawk, and ran away. But Antar followed
him till he came up with him; he was greatly
enraged, and seized hold of him with all his strength.
He wrenched open his jaws, and tore them in
twain even to the shoulders, and snatched the
meat out of his mouth. When the King saw
this, he was astonished, and the Arab chiefs that
were present were amazed; and exclaimed, what ingenuity,
what power, strength, and ability! O my
friends, said King Zoheir, contend no more about
such a wretch as this! but if it is absolutely necessary
that this business should be decided, I must
refer you to the Cadi Bashar, son of Codha'ah the
Fazarean; let him give sentence on this point, and
settle to whom this slave belongs. Tell him the
story, for he is the Cadi of the Arabs.

When they heard King Zoheir's remarks, they
instantly withdrew their hands from their swords,
and mounting their horses, went before the Cadi,
to whom they explained what had happened. In
fine, the Cadi decided that the child should be the
property of Shedad; for he was their leader, and
no one but him had any knowledge of the woman.
You agreed to the partition, said he, and he affixed

his name to him; you have therefore resigned
the woman, and you took your share of the spoil
and plunder; besides, the child resembles Shedad.
Contend and be at variance no more, but return in
peace and quietness. Thus, as soon as the Arab
chiefs heard the Cadi's sentence, they yielded; and
when they reached their homes, they passed their time
in friendship and comfort. Soon after, Shedad made a
separate house for Zebeeba and her children, and he
gave her whatever she wanted, and consigned over to
her charge her two children, and also gave her particular
injunction about her youngest son called Antar.

Now Antar was becoming a big boy, and grew
up, and used to accompany his mother to the pastures,
and he watched the cattle; and this he continued
to do till he increased in stature. He used to
walk and run about to harden himself, till at length
his muscles were strengthened, his frame altogether
more robust, and his bones more firm and solid, and
his speech correct. He then began to tyrannize
over boys of the same age, and beat his brothers;
and when he returned from the pastures, he amused
himself with the servants and women; and he would
eat nothing but what he liked; and whoever
offended him he would thrash with a stick, till he
tortured him; and all the tribe were his enemies.
He used to employ himself in tending the flocks,
and as he conducted them, he wandered about the
deserts and plains, and loved solitude and retirement.

His days were passed in roaming about the mountains
sides, sometimes riding upon the dogs, by which
he acquired courage and intrepidity; and thus he
went on till he attained his tenth year. One day he
was wandering over the deserts with the flocks, and
when the sun was burning hot, he left his people,
and climbed up a tree and took shelter from the
heat, whilst the flocks grazed, and he watched them;
when, lo! a wolf started from behind the trees, and
dispersed them. But Antar seeing how the animal
had dispersed the herds, he descended and ran after
him till he overtook him, and struck him with his
staff between the eyes; he made the oil of his brains
fly out from between his ears, and slew him; he then
cut off his head and his legs, and returned growling
like an angry lion. And so thou wouldst devour
Antar's flocks? cried he, addressing himself to the
dead wolf; but thou dost not know that he is a
savage lion. He put the head and legs into the scrip
he had with him; leaving the carcass, he returned
to the flocks, and thus spoke:—

"O thou wolf, eager for death, I have left thee
wallowing in dust, and spoiled of life—thou wouldst
have the run of my flocks, but I have left thee
dyed with blood—thou wouldst disperse my sheep,
and thou knowest I am a lion that never fears.
This is the way I treat thee, thou dog of the desert.
Hast ever before seen battle and wars?"

About evening Antar reached his dwelling; his

mother took the basket from him, and there she
saw the wolf's head and legs. She was quite confounded,
but said nothing. She presented them to
Shedad, who only desired her not to let him stray
about. Do thou and he mind the cattle, and go not
far into the wilds, lest some foe meet thee. Zebeeba
promised obedience to the words of her lord, and
the next day she departed with her three children
to the pastures, whither they drove the herds to
graze among the plains and the hills. But Antar
rode about the country on the horses, and obtained
strength and agility by the exercise; he drove them
over the steeps, hurling his reed spear at the trunks
of the trees; and his mother concealed these circumstances
from his father, fearing he would beat him
or kill him. It was thus he became bold and hardy;
his limbs were robust, his bodily powers increased,
and his mind was improved by courage and intrepidity.
And when a camel would stray away, he
would cry out and make it stop, and he would
struggle with and subdue the mightiest of the herds;
and when he seized one by the tail, he tore it off;
and when they resisted him, he would strike them
on the back of the head, or tear open their mouths;
and thus he continued his feats till all the servants
were afraid of him, and every one far and near
dreaded him.

Now King Zoheir had two hundred slaves that
tended his herds of he and she-camels, and all his

sons had the same. Shas was the eldest of his sons,
and heir to his possessions, and Shas had a slave
whose name was Daji, and he was a great bully.
Shas was very fond of him, on account of his
vast bodily strength; and there was not a slave
but feared him and trembled before him: Antar,
however, made no account of him, and did not care
for him. One day the poor men, and widows, and
orphans met together, and were driving their camels
and their flocks to drink, and were all standing
by the water side. Daji came up and stopped them
all, and took possession of the water for his master's
cattle. Just then an old woman belonging to
the tribe of Abs came up to him, and accosted
him in a suppliant manner, saying, Be so good,
master Daji, as to let my cattle drink: they are all
the property I possess, and I live by their milk.
Pity my flock; have compassion upon me, grant my
request, and let them drink. But he paid no attention
to her demand, and abused her. She was
greatly distressed, and shrunk back. Then came
another old woman and addressed him, O master
Daji, I am a poor weak old woman, as you see;
time has dealt hardly with me, it has aimed its
arrows at me; and its daily and nightly calamities
have destroyed all my men. I have lost my children
and my husband, and since then I have been in
great distress: these sheep are all I possess; let
them drink, for I live on the milk they produce.
Pity my forlorn state; I have no one to tend them,
therefore grant my request, and be so kind as to let
them drink.

As soon as Daji heard these words, and perceived
the crowd of women and men, his pride increased,
and his obstinacy was not to be moved, but he
struck the woman on the stomach, and threw her
down on her back, and uncovered her, whilst all the
slaves laughed. When Antar perceived what had
occurred, his pagan pride played throughout all his
limbs, and he could not endure the sight. He ran
up to the slave, and calling out to him, You bastard,
said he, what mean you by this disgusting action?
Do you dare to violate an Arab woman? May
God destroy your limbs, and all that consented to
this act.

When the slave heard what Antar said, he
almost fainted from indignation; he met him, and
struck him a blow over the face that nearly knocked
out his eyes. Antar waited till he had recovered from
the blow, and his senses returned; he then ran at
the slave, and seizing him by one of the legs, threw
him on his back. He thrust one hand under his
thighs, and with the other he grasped his neck, and
raising him by the force of his arm, he dashed him
against the ground. And his length and breadth
were all one mass. When the deed was done his
fury was unbounded, and he roared aloud even as
a lion. And when the slaves perceived the fate of
Daji, they shrieked out to Antar, saying, You have
slain the slave of Prince Shas! What man on earth

can now protect you? They attacked him with
staves and stones, but he resisted them all; he
rushed with a loud yell upon them, and proved himself
a hardy warrior, and dealt among them with
his stick as a hero with his sword.

Now among the sons of Zoheir there was one
whose name was Malik, and because he was of a
mild and gentle disposition, he was beloved of men
and women; and his father Zoheir adored him for
the sweetness of his temper, and gentleness of
his conduct. It so happened that on this day he
went out with a numerous train to hunt, and passing
that way he heard some confused cries, and
perceived a great dust. On approaching the place,
he observed a number of slaves surrounding one
man, whom he discovered to be Antar: the blood
streamed from all parts of his body from the blows
they struck him with sticks and stones; yet he was
determined to die sooner than give way. When the
Prince saw this, his eyes filled with tears, and in pity
he cried out, God prosper thee for a noble slave;
how hard are thy blows, how vast thy power! and
then, addressing the slaves, he said, Accursed be
your fathers, and your abandoned mothers! Do you
not fear the punishment and condemnation of every
one far and near? Why have you collected in such
numbers, and all conspired against one poor fellow,
and thus to vent your fury on one much younger
than yourselves? Away, or I will destroy you
all, both high and low, with this sword. He then

went to Antar, to learn what was the matter, and he
heard him growling like a furious lion, and repeating
these verses.

"O my soul! strive not to fly; thou canst not
escape when death seeks thee: death is predestined;
it will come in some shape or other. Endure
then with the patience of one nobly born. Fly
not from the fears of death, or thou wilt remain
scorned among the Arab chiefs."

The Prince desired Antar to explain the business,
which he did, and told him all that had happened
between Daji and the old woman; how he had struck
her, and thrown her on her back; how he had
exposed her person, and made the people laugh at
her. I then came up to prevent him; he struck me
in the eye, and nearly killed me; but I seized him
with my hand, and dashed him against the ground. I
broke his bones, and then his slaves attacked me,
and wanted to seize me in revenge; but I thought
proper to defend myself: had you not arrived I
should have been killed.

When Prince Malik heard this, his admiration of
Antar increased, and he was convinced he was a
hero, and that there was not such another alive.
Walk by my side, said he; I will protect you against
every one that exists under the heavens, against all
who eat bread and drink water. Antar bowed down
before him, and kissed his feet in his stirrup, and
walked on with the slaves. But when they came
nigh the tents, there appeared his brother Shas: in

his hand was a dazzling sword, and under him
a steed swifter than a cloud when it rains, and his
bosom was charged with fury and indignation, and
he was about to slay Antar. When his brother
Malik saw him, he was aware if he did not keep him
away from Antar, he would destroy him. How is it
I see thee so disturbed? said he. Know, said Shas,
this accursed Antar has killed my servant, and I
am come to cut his body in pieces with this sword.
You must not touch him, said Malik; he who dares
to injure him is a dead man. I have given him my
protection; I will not be separated from him; sooner
will I forfeit my head.

Shas took no notice; but fixed his eyes on Antar,
who was walking by the side of his brother. He
no longer heeded his brother; but ran at Antar,
that he might put him to death with tortures.
Then, too, Prince Malik was enraged; he drew
his sword from the scabbard; the two brothers
soon became so violent that their disputes would
have ended in a battle, had not King Zoheir, who
had been informed of what was passing, instantly
joined them. Malik was abashed in the presence
of his father, and Shas also quitted his brother.
O my son, said Zoheir, give this slave to me and
to your brother Malik, and I will in lieu of him
give you ten of mine. Upon that, Shas retreated
in shame from the presence of his father. Why did
you kill my son's servant, said Zoheir to Antar, and

thus disgrace him? and Antar wept at these words:
he related what had occurred, how the servant had
thrown the woman on her back, and rendered her
an object of derision among the servants. The King
assured him he approved of his conduct, and turning
towards the Chiefs about him, This valiant fellow,
said he, has defended the honour of women; he will
shine a noble warrior, and destroy his opponents: and
then looking at Shedad, Your son's conduct reflects
credit on you, he added; his behaviour will remain
as a memorial to all generations; he has loathed
oppression and violence, and has followed the path
of propriety and virtue.

Shedad on that day, when in the presence of the
King, was much alarmed about his slave Antar,
because he was considered as compromising all
about him. Take away your son, said Zoheir to
him, I give him to you; take care of him until I
demand him of you again, and be not uneasy on
this account. From that day both King Zoheir
and his son Malik conceived a great affection for
Antar, and as Antar returned home, the women
and their daughters all collected round him to ask
him what had happened; amongst them were his
aunts, and his cousin, whose name was Ibla.

Now Ibla was younger than Antar, and a merry
lass; she was lovely as the full moon, and perfectly
beautiful and elegant. She frequently joked with
Antar, and was very familiar with him, as he was

her servant. As soon as she came up to him on that
day, O you base-born, she cried, why didst thou kill
the slave of Prince Shas? who can now protect thee
from him? Indeed, my mistress, he replied, I did no
more than he deserved, for he had insulted a poor
woman; he threw her down, and made the servants
laugh at her. Thou hast acted most properly, said
Ibla, smiling, and we are rejoiced that thou art safe,
for thou knowest our mothers consider thee as their
son, and we look on thee as a brother, on account
of thy services. On this the women and girls left
him.

Now it was always Antar's business to wait upon
the women of the family of Carad, after he had
finished his duty towards Semeeah, his father Shedad's
wife, whose attendant he was. It was a custom
among the Arab women at that period, to drink
camel's milk both morning and evening; it was the
servant's office to milk it, and cool it in the wind.
Now Antar always performed this office for Semeeah,
Shedad's wife, first, and then for his aunts,
the wives of his uncles Zakmet-ool Jewad and Malik,
and for Ibla, the daughter of the latter. He continued
to perform this service for a long time; but
one day he entered the house of his uncle Malik,
and found his aunt combing his cousin Ibla's hair,
which flowed down her back, dark as the shades of
night. Antar was quite surprised, but Ibla ran
away as soon as Antar had entered and seen her, as

her sable locks waved to the ground behind her.
This increased Antar's astonishment; he was greatly
agitated, and could pay no attention to any thing;
he was anxious and thoughtful, and when by himself
burst forth into the following strains:

"That fair maid lets down her ringlets, and she is
completely hid in her hair, which appears like the
dark shades of night. It is as if she were the
brilliant day, and as if the night had enveloped her
in obscurity. It is as if the full moon was shining
in its splendor, and all the stars were concealed
by its lustre. Her charms bewitch all around her,
and all are anxious to offer their services; they
live in her beauties and loveliness, and they are
imbued with sweetness from her perfections, and
receive new spirit from her graces. Revile me not
for my love of her, for I am distracted for her,
and live but as the victim of my love. I will
conceal my affection in my soul till I can see
that I am sufficiently fortunate one day to serve
her."

Antar's anguish daily became more oppressive.
It now happened to be the time of the pilgrimage to
the holy shrine, and the worship of their idols; and
the women and children being left behind in the
camp, the warriors and chiefs came out for the feast
at a spot called Zatool Irsad, whence they departed
for the sacred place. Accordingly they all met, and

the children sung and danced. Ibla was with them,
richly dressed, playing and singing amongst her
companions. She was decorated with necklaces and
jewels, and her countenance was brilliant and blooming—more
dazzling than the rays of the sun. When
Antar saw her in all her beauty and loveliness, he
was overwhelmed with surprise, his tears flowed,
and he thus addressed her in verse:

"The lovely virgin has struck my heart with the
arrow of a glance, for which there is no cure.
Sometimes she wishes for a feast in the sand-hills,
like a fawn whose eyes are full of magic. My
disease preys on me, it is in my entrails. I conceal
it; but its very concealment discloses it. She
moves; I should say it was the branch of the
tamarisk that waves its branches to the southern
breeze. She approaches; I should say it was the
frightened fawn, when a calamity alarms it in the
waste. She walks away: I should say her face
was truly the sun when its lustre dazzles the beholders.
She gazes; I should say it was the full
moon of the night when Orion girds it with its
stars. She smiles, and the pearls of her teeth sparkle,
in which there is the cure for the sickness of lovers.
She prostrates herself in reverence towards her
God; and the greatest of men bow down to her
beauties. O Ibla! when I most despair, love for
thee and all its weaknesses are my only hope.
Should fortune or my father assist me, I will

requite myself for its vicissitudes by my fearless
spirit."

When Ibla heard from Antar this description of
her charms, she was in astonishment; yet she still
continued to amuse herself and converse with her
companions. Before the feast was over he was violently
in love with her, and his affection completely
overpowered him. On the next day he came as
usual with the milk; but his heart and soul were so
pre-occupied and troubled, that he offered it to
Ibla before Semeeah, his father's wife; for his feet
went where his heart was interested. Ibla took the
cup from him, and fascinated him by her charms.
Semeeah was angry, and determined to complain of
him to his father; but Antar continued in this state
for days and nights, his love and anguish ever increasing.

A short time after, a slave called Zajir, who belonged
to Rebia, the son of Zeead, came to Shedad;
O master, said he, your slave Antar does nothing
but injure your property: he ranges about the
country, and all day long he keeps the cattle away
from the water and the pastures, riding and driving
them about, and reducing their flesh by incessant
exercise, and injuring the trees by spearing them;
and when I order him not to do so, he abuses me
and beats me, and were I to go near him he would
kill me. This made Shedad very angry. You tell
me the truth, my boy, he replied, for from the

time I have directed him to tend my herds, they do
not get fat, but have ulcers in their feet; and this is
a proof that he rides them and drives them about
the rocky places, and thus they lose their flesh.

As soon as Semeeah heard this, she sought to
punish Antar, and told Shedad what had occurred;
and complained that Antar had offered the milk to
Ibla before her. This added to the anger which Shedad
already felt in his heart, but he waited patiently
till Antar returned from the pasture; he then seized
fast hold of him, tied him up, and beat him with a
stick till he took the skin off. His mother saw all
this, but did not dare to speak to her master, not
knowing the cause of this cruel treatment; but she
afterwards inquired of other women, who told her
that Zajir had complained of him, and that Semeeah
also had complained of his having served the milk
to Ibla before her. Zebeeba treasured up all this
in her mind till the morning, when she went to
Antar, and told him the whole matter, how Zajir
had complained of him, and that Semeeah had stated
that she had been served with milk after Ibla. O
my son, said she, henceforward take care not to
offend her, but execute the office properly; and
moreover, do not cast thine eyes on Ibla, for she
will be thy ruin. No sooner had Antar heard this
than he struggled with the cords that bound him,
and bursting them, started forward like a lion, and
in wrath exclaimed in verse:

"This day will I slay Zajir, the accursed infamous
slave. I will leave him in the middle of the
waste, a prey for the devouring beasts. When he
is gone, my heart will be at rest, and my soul will
be appeased. Who told him to trouble himself
about this business, and to endanger me? If I do
not haste to the desert to slay him, my heart will
never be at rest, nor my eyes ever sleep."

Then went he forth in search of Zajir; he found
him in the pastures. Thou base-born, he cried,
thou son of a foul mother, thou didst instigate
my master to beat me. He said no more, but
seizing him by the small part of his belly, raised
him up, and dashing him on the ground, smashed
his bones to pieces. When he beheld him dead, he
recovered himself, and began to be alarmed; so he
went to the house of his friend Malik, the Prince
who relieved him when he slew the slave of his
brother Shas, and informed him of what had passed.
The prince was astonished, but quieted his fears,
promising to get him out of the scrape. He left
him sitting in the tent, and went to the habitation
of Rebia. On his arrival he only found the women
of the family: he inquired for Rebia; they answered
—He is gone by invitation to your father's. Immediately
he repaired to his father's house, and
the matter was just as he wished; for on his entering
he observed the Chiefs of the Absian tribe, all
seated, and the family of Zeead and Rebia standing

with their slaves and attendants close to King
Zoheir. He entered, and made his salutation; and
as no one was seated, but all standing, Rebia said
to him, Sit down in your place, for we are all standing
up because you continue so. Do you wish I
should sit down? said Malik; and do you love me?
Yes, said Rebia, by the lives of all that are present.
Then, replied Malik, I will not sit down till you
have given me your slave Zajir. What makes you
so anxious, said Rebia, to have him? Because, said
Malik, I have observed him to be a good hard-work-ing
slave, and very laborious in doing his duty. Sit
down, then, said Rebia; I will give him to you, and
if you wish, two more with him. Let all these assembled
Chiefs be witnesses to what you say, said
Malik. Yes, said Rebia, let the God who raised
the vaulted heavens, and levelled the expanded
earth, witness my grant to you, and that I will
never tell you of the favour rendered. Be witness
to it, O ye that are present, said Malik. Know,
then, O Rebia, that Antar has killed your slave,
and has sought my protection; do not therefore
seek his life.

When Rebia heard this, his affection was cooled,
and he was greatly indignant; he hid his head, and
felt ashamed before his assembled associates: great
was his wrath; and from that moment he cherished
in his heart a violent hatred against Antar. King
Zoheir then asked his son what had induced Antar

to kill the slave, and what was his intention and
object? Malik related all that had passed. The King
smiled, and soothing the heart of Rebia, gave him
two strong healthy slaves, and he was pacified.

When the slaves heard what Antar had done,
there was not one but feared him; and as soon as
the assembly had eaten and drank, they departed,
and in the evening Malik returned home, rejoicing
in the good tidings that he brought. He filled the
heart of Antar with gladness, and placed victuals
before him; they slept the whole night together,
and Antar repeated the following lines in praise of
the Prince:

"O thou, on whose lofty spirit, my hope, to the
exclusion of all the universe, depends! My anxieties
have weighed on thee, and my troubles have
been a burthen to thy noble mind! Thou hast
granted me favours—thou art my only refuge. O
thou, who hast rescued me from death and perdition,
all my life will I thank thee, till my bones
disappear in the earth."