University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XXXI.

Now Locait, son of Zararah, was an uncontrollable
knight; he was the bold one of the age and period,
and the Arabs called him the Eagle of War, and the
Knight of Woe. Locait had nineteen brothers by
the same father and mother, and he was the eldest;
and their father was conspicuous among men for his
birth and parentage.

One day, their father being seated in his tent, his
sons came to him, and complained of their brother
Locait's excessive pride and haughtiness, and stated
their resolution to emigrate. He sent for Locait,
who in fact was a great coxcomb in his gait, and
most ostentatious in his general deportment. My
son, said he (for he was exceedingly angry and indignant
at such conduct), you are indeed a most
self-sufficient fellow, and behave in a most overbearing
manner towards your brothers and your
comrades. Had you even in your pastures a thousand
of the Asafeer camels, or were you possessed of
Bedret-ul-Yemen, the daughter of Moazzem, the lord
of the Pavilion and the Palace, or could you even
overcome in battle the Chief Antar, the Knight of
Hidjaz, you would not even then strut about as at
present, neither would you swagger your limbs in

this bragging, blustering style. What! father, said Locait,
then these are the three accomplishments which
should a man attain, he would acquire the highest
glory among the brave and the heroic? What can
be superior to these three acquisitions? added his
father. At the instant, up started Locait and went
to his uncle, and asked his assistance. This uncle
was also a brave and valiant hero, and he promised
to aid him.

They mounted their steeds, and taking with them
two she camels to carry water and provisions, and
two sturdy slaves, they quitted their tents under the
cover of the night; and when they were at some
distance, after consulting which they should attempt
first, they were unanimous in the opinion, that they
should first of all proceed to the King Moazzem.

Now this king was a mighty monarch, and a stout
horseman. He was the lord of armies, and troops, and
lands, and cities; his country lay on the borders of
the cities of Nihas, and it was called the land of As,
where he possessed a strong impregnable fortress,
in which was an idol named Jebbar, which this
king and his people worshipped. He had also a
daughter called Bedret-ul-Yemen, of whom he was
very fond; and out of his great affection, he consigned
her over to the idol, and rejected every suitor
and every wooer.

Locait and his uncle travelled on till they reached
the country of King Moazzem, where they beheld
populous cities, abundant cultivation, and tents and

dwellings, and spears and swords, at which sight
Locait was much disordered; he turned towards the
fountains and the waters, and having bathed, and
clothed himself in magnificent robes, he with his
uncle proceeded to King Moazzem. Near his palace
they met the officers and satraps, to whom Locait
addressed himself: My wish, said he, is to visit your
King. The satraps entered: the King deliberated,
but at last exclaimed, Go out, and ask him his name;
for if it be Locait, son of Zararah, invite him in; if
any one else, turn him away: for thus has the idol
ordered. Moreover, I saw a dream, in which I was
standing in front of the idol, and I demanded of it a
husband for my daughter. In these days, it replied,
there will be sent for thy daughter a valiant husband,
and a brave hero, called Locait, son of Zararah.
Marry him to thy daughter, and let him
share in thy favours (but this dream was the result
of his fears about his daughter).

So the attendants went out, and asked Locait his
name. He said, Locait! The King Moazzem admits
thee, said they: and he entered in the presence
of the King, who directed him to be seated; and
having also imparted to him the dream he had seen,
he prepared feasts for three days, after which he
pitched the marriage canopy, and introduced Locait
to his daughter, without marriage, any dower,
or donations. Locait went to her, and saw she was
a full moon no description can attain; but he was
ashamed to approach her without a wedding present,

lest he should become a scandal in every land. So
he turned his back towards her, and slept till the
damsel also fell asleep; when he started up, and
awoke his uncle. Arise, my uncle, said he, let us
repair to King Numan to procure a marriage dower:
and they sallied forth by night.

They rapidly continued their journey till they
reached the city of Numan, and by great good fortune
they met Harith, roaming like one distracted
among the deserts, for they had heard of his adventures.

Locait no sooner saw Harith, than he pounced
down upon him like an eagle, crying out, Eh! son
of Zalim, whither wouldst thou seek refuge from
the great King and the lion warrior? Harith, on
hearing this address, and seeing him alone, felt his
courage rise against him, and shouted out, Hola!
O Arab, What man art thou? tell me quick. Surrender,
said Locait, ere thou diest!

Upon that, Harith poised his spear, and let out
his horse on its speed, and charged at him. Each
rushed upon his antagonist, and commenced the
combat, that lasted till the day was darkened, when
Harith being exhausted by the contest, Be generous,
thou Arab, he cried, and outrage not a man, whom
the sufferings of this widely-extended desert have
debilitated. Take me prisoner, and perhaps it may
be productive of good. And he threw away his
spear, and stood still. Locait thinking he had surrendered
himself, Dismount, said he, that I may

pinion thee. Promise me, said Harith, that thou
wilt not concert with King Numan for my blood.

And he continued his insidious importunities (his
intention being only to protract the contest a little),
till he drew forth his sabre Zoolhyyat, like a flash
of lightning, and fell upon Locait, like the descent
of an overwhelming calamity, and smote him. He
cleft his casque, and the chains, and wounded him;
and had not Harith been previously exhausted, he
would have slain him.

Locait repented of what he had done; the world
seemed darkened in his eyes, and the blood streamed
down his face: but when Locait's uncle saw him in
this condition, he rushed upon Harith, and occupied
him in the contest till Locait had recovered, and regained
his senses; and his return was like the return
of a lion. He shouted at Harith, and drove at him
with the heel of his spear, and hurled him on the
ground: his uncle dismounted and pinioned him.

Early next day, Locait resumed his journey till
he reached the land of Irak. In the excess of Locait's
good fortune, he arrived during Numan's days
of festivity[3] , when he clothed every one in splendid

robes; and as soon as the slaves beheld him, they
crowded towards him from every direction, and continued
to load him with robes of honour till his
horse could move no further.

King Numan being informed of the circumstance
immediately mounted, his heart bounding with joy,
as he exclaimed, This is indeed a joyous day, and
a real triumph over foes and enemies. He received
Harith from him, and cast him into a subterraneous
cave, and there left him. But Locait presented
himself to Numan, who complimented him, and
asked his rank, and parentage, and his tribe, and
his Arab connexion. My lord, said he, I am of the
tribe of Darem, lords of honours, and distinctions,
and spears, and swords; and I am Locait, son of
Zararah. Be so obliging, said Numan, as to demand
what you want, and be sure of attaining it in
these days of joy. Upon this Locait took courage,
and informed Numan of his marriage, and the cause
of his expedition; and I ask of you a marriage
dower for my wife Bedret-ul-Yemen. By the protection
of an Arab, said Numan, had you demanded
my kingdom, I would have made it over to you.
And he ordered him a thousand Asafeer she camels,
to which he added an infinity of other things, as he
said to his attendants, Do ye also give this youth all
the cattle and flocks that you drove to the pastures
this day. After this, he ordered them to pitch tents
for him without the city, and convey him wine and
meat.

Three days Locait passed very merrily, but on
the fourth he departed, habited like a powerful
monarch, with horses, and mules, he and she camels,
and slaves, and cattle; and with his uncle he continued
his journey over the deserts; and the world
was too compressed for the excess of his joy and
exultation. As to the father of his bride, his misfortune
was severe; for his countrymen irritated his
heart with reproaches; yet he expressed outwardly
his resignation, and concealed his affliction and vexation
till Locait's return with the cattle and the
camels. The whole country was in confusion with
delight: the King himself went out to meet him,
with the grandees of the tribe, and saluting him, inquired
whither he had been? O my lord, answered
Locait, you acted towards me on my arrival here
as no one ever acted before, and heaped upon me
obligations beyond my powers to bear; you even
married me to your daughter Bedret-ul-Yemen;
but I could not submit to the idea of possessing the
daughter of a king without a marriage-donation, and
I be called too the Knight of the Universe: so I
went away to seek some gain, and the God of old
has bestowed on me these favours.

Thus saying, he gave orders to his slaves, and
they led away the noble steeds, decorated with
housings of gold, and the Asafeer camels, which are
the wonders of wonders, and exhibited all he had of
garments, and cattle, and high-priced jewels. The
King was astonished at the extraordinary things he

beheld, and he gloried in such an illustrious husband
for his daughter. He made splendid feasts,
and sent for musicians, and made his daughter a second
marriage-banquet. He married her to Locait,
and all his griefs and troubles were at an end.
Thus they caroused and feasted till the day dawned.

After a stay of seven days, Locait prepared for
his departure. The King granted his permission,
and made him immense presents in cattle. Bedret-ul-Yemen
having taken leave of her father and
mother, they raised her on the back of the camel;
but the King accompanied her one whole day, as a
last farewell of her. On the second day Locait requested
him to return; and he continued his course,
having succeeded in all he had coveted, and as he
travelled on, passing over the wilds and the wastes,
he thus recited:

"I have succeeded in my object and demands of
fortune, for I have possessed myself of Bedret-ul-Yemen
by my sword. She is indeed the full moon
when it rises over her tent; the rosy-coloured
moon, that lights up the desert for my distracted
love. It is as if the sword of her father flashed
from her eyes, that vanquish hearts without laws,
human or divine. Her beauty is so perfect, the
sun might envy it, when it rises in all its splendour
over the dwellings and the lands. It is, as
if beauty's self fraternised and associated with her,
as the soul of life associates with the body. Were
she to call a ghost from the tomb it would answer,

and from its shroud would say, Here am I.
I have possessed myself of her by my sword, having
broken the hearts of all her suitors by my venturous
trials. To-morrow will the spectators be
amazed at my ambition, when I draw along the
train of my glory in my native land. When I
draw my sword in the battle, I make knights bow
to it from Senaa to Aden."

When Locait had finished, he continued over the
deserts, when lo! Antar's nephew, Hatal, and his
companions, drew nigh. Seeing Locait, and the cattle
he had with him, his avidity was excited, and he
ordered his men and warriors to desire him to abandon
his property. But Locait, in the pride of his
character, paid no attention, but rushed upon him
with all his impetuosity; and they fiercely engaged,
till eight warriors being slain, and twelve more being
prisoners, he assailed Hatal, and exhibited against
him all his wonderful powers and terrors; but they
were not long engaged, before he took him captive,
and united him to his comrades. Being much surprised
at his prowess, Of what tribe art thou, said
he, for I never yet beheld thy equal? O Chief, replied
Hatal, I am called Hatal, and my maternal
uncle is Antar, son of Shedad, the knight of battle
and war: it was he who instructed me in this horsemanship
and dexterity in the spear-thrust and sword-blow.
O my uncle, said Locait, turning towards
him, there never was so fortunate an expedition as
this; for thou knowest the cause of my departure

from home was the scandal of my father, who, when
my brothers complained of me, said to me, Were
even a thousand Asafeer camels in thy pastures,
and wert thou to marry Bedret-ul-Yemen, the
daughter of the lord of the palace and great pavilion,
and wert thou to overcome in battle Antar,
the Knight of Hijaz, thy deportment would not be
such as this, nor wouldest thou swagger thy limbs
in all this presumption. I am now arrived at two of
these distinctions, and I am now reaching the third,
as I have taken this lion-youth prisoner; for he is
the son of Antar's sister, and his uncle will unquestionably
come to release him as soon as he hears
what has happened to him; and then will I fight
him in the presence of my father.

After this he set out, traversing the mountains
and valleys in ecstasies of delight, till he reached his
native land. The good tidings had preceded them;
his father had been very anxious on his account, till
being informed of his son's approach, he went out to
meet him with his brothers, and the aged Sheiks of
the tribe. As soon as he saw him and the quantity
of cattle he had with him, he was overjoyed, and
inquired what had happened. Locait related his
adventures; he established himself in the dwellings,
and the horsemen of the horde stood in awe of
him. He made entertainments for them all, and in
the excess of his self-admiration, and his anxiety to
meet Antar, he despatched a slave to Hatal's mother,
as if from her son.

But now let us return to our former narrative.
Antar and his father Shedad continued their journey
with two hundred horsemen of the family of Carad
and Oorwah, and his men, seeking the land of the
tribe of Darem; and as they hastened over the sandhills,
Antar was very melancholy at this interruption
of his joys, and thus he spoke:

"My transports are silent; but my grief, how
can I conceal it? In my heart is the flame of
love, that consumes it. How can I disguise my
situation? it is evident. How can I deny it?
My tears disclose it. I say, my heart is at rest
about my love of thee; but it is a prey to anxiety,
and it cannot change. Oft, as I say, my fortune
is bright and pure, the nights of absence return
to renew its sorrows. O Ibla, how can I endure
with patience my distraction? My fate resists
me with every open outrage. I am seeking Hatal,
to rescue him from captivity, and I will disgrace
whoever puts him in fear. I will make Locait
see the exploits of the lion Antar: he shall shrink
from me, and I will expose him to peril."

They travelled on till they came nigh unto the
land of the tribe of Darem, where they repaired to a
lake, and halted to consult on what they should do.
My opinion, said Shiboob, is that you ride on for
the rest of this day, till you know that you have
passed beyond the abodes of the tribe; and when
you are in their rear, conceal yourselves whilst I
depart for the tents, and on my return I will explain

to you how to surprise them, and seize their property,
and rescue Hatal and his companions; thus you
may succeed in all your wishes, and we return home.
You are perfectly right, Shiboob, said Antar.

Shiboob accompanied them till he was certain
that he had conducted them beyond the dwellings
of Darem. Now, pursue your way, said he, to the
valley of Ramla, which is ahead of ye; there conceal
yourselves, and move not till I return. He took
with him his brother Jareer, and clothed himself in
a jacket of coarse cloth, with wide sleeves, and put
on an immense turban, that closed over his face.

Thus they went on till they reached the tents,
when the slaves sprung towards them in all directions,
inquiring who they were. We are messengers
from the tribe of Aamir, said Shiboob to Locait,
son of Zararah; where shall we find him?
Repair to that great pavilion, said the slaves. Upon
that Shiboob advanced, and Jareer followed him;
and they found Locait seated at the door of his tent,
and his brothers round him, and all his cattle scattered
about. Shiboob penetrated through the crowd,
but before Locait could question him, May God
grant long life to the noble Chief, he exclaimed; the
honoured Prince, the Lord of great emprise, the
Chief Locait, Chieftain of the tribe of Darem. Hail
to thee, too, said Locait (to whom this discourse was
very gratifying, and who was greatly surprised at the
fluency of his speech), O Arab born, speak thy purpose,
make known thy demands. What manner of

man art thou? I am, my lord, of the tribe of Aamir,
your friends and allies, said Shiboob; and I am come
to you with intelligence that is exactly to your wish.
My master Ahkwedh, son of Giafer, has sent me to
you out of his great regard for you, saying to me,
Go to my brother Locait, and tell him that Antar is
proceeding with a party of warriors in order to rescue
his nephew Hatal, and his companions; and I
am alarmed on account of his violence; but if there
should be any good opportunity, make him drink
of horrors to suffocation, and should he know any
thing of Harith, who slew my brother Khalid, in the
sacred hospitality of King Numan, let him secure
him for me; and if Hatal is still with him, let him
despatch him hither, and I will send in his stead as
much cattle as he desires.

By the faith of an Arab, said Locait, in admiration
at the sweetness of his language, this slave is
an eloquent fellow. May God bless the tribe that
makes its slaves resemble princes and chiefs: as to
Harith, said he to Shiboob, I took him prisoner,
and I presented him to King Numan, and I have
received in his stead camels and horses. As to
Hatal, he is with me in bondage and confinement,
and when his uncle Antar comes to release him, I
will accelerate his death, and thus will I accomplish
the three distinctions, on account of which my
father shamed me; and I will not leave one of the
Absians to tell the tale. Moreover, I am determined
to depart to-morrow morning to meet this black slave.

O my lord, continued Shiboob, expressing his thanks,
if you would but be so obliging as to make over to
me those foul wretches, I should be so glad to have
the chastisement of them whilst they are in confinement,
till you return from this expedition, bringing
with you the tribe of Abs and Adnan in chains and
captivity, and at their head their slave Antar: then
will I return to my master Ahkwedh, son of Giafer,
and tell him all about it. Youth, said Locait to
Shiboob, did your spies say with how many horsemen
Antar was coming against us? Yes, my lord,
said Shiboob, he is coming against you with a thousand
horsemen of Ghitfan, and the tribes of Abs
and Adnan. Locait laughed and smiled at this;
May God disgrace the mustachios of that bastard
slave, cried he. And he ordered his slaves (according
to the decrees of fate) to deliver Hatal and his
companions over to Shiboob.

As soon as the sun had risen over the mountains,
he took away with him three thousand of his choice
warriors, leaving five hundred horsemen to protect
the cattle and families. He departed, roaring in his
rage against Antar; and he knew not that he whom
he sought was concealed in his rear. No sooner
were the dwellings deprived of their protectors, than
Shiboob sent his brother Jareer to inform Antar of
all we have mentioned.

Jareer traversed the deserts in quest of his brother,
and told him of Shiboob's contrivances, and that
Locait had set out with his warriors and horsemen.

Greatly delighted, Antar ordered his comrades
to equip themselves with their arms, and to prepare
for the contest. He instantly departed, and by
morning reached the lands of the tribe of Darem,
where he saw the cattle grazing, which his men attacked,
and drove away all they could of he and she
camels, whilst the slaves ran home exclaiming, Woe
and death! The horsemen mounted, and the troops
hastened from every direction, intending to redeem
the plunder, all clad in armour and corslets, well
accoutred, and determined to resist. But Antar
having already sent the cattle away with fifty lion
horsemen, stopped with the remainder; and when
the enemy came up, heroes shouted out at heroes,
and they stretched out their spears, and commenced
a furious battle, driving with their lances, that
wrenched out lives. They smote each other with
scimitars till blood gushed forth, and streamed, and
filled the whole desert.

Antar overpowered them with his impetuosity and
intrepidity, forcing them back till the fight was continued
close to the tents, and the women were nearly
reduced to slavery and infamy. Screams arose; the
slaves rushed out; maidens sought their protectors
and defenders; and existence seemed annihilated.
Shiboob had made himself known to Hatal and the
rest, and told him the real state of the case, and the
plans he had adopted; at which they were much delighted,
rejoicing at the prospect of release from
captivity and ignominy.

Now Shiboob seeing the tents vacated by the
horsemen, and every one employed in the contest,
released his friends from their fetters, and brought
them horses, and a sufficient supply of arms, saying
to them, Now, away to your cousins, and aid them.
Accordingly, Hatal rushed on, followed by the
others. They shouted, they assaulted, they bellowed,
they fought, till the people of the dwellings
resolved on flight, having resisted till evening; but
Antar goaded them so fiercely, that they were all
huddled together with the women. Upon that he
retired, and night coming on with darkness, My
cousins, said he, our companions are released from
captivity; and it would ill become us to enslave
women in the absence of the warriors. It will be
better for us to return hence, and renounce all outrage
and violence. And I, said Shiboob, will conduct
you over the extent of the desert, and by cutting
across the mountains and the plains, by morning I
will bring you out in a distant land. Do, O Shiboob,
as you please, said Antar; perhaps we may
soon reach our own country.

Shiboob set off with them early in the night,
whilst he himself kept in their rear till sun-rise,
when he conducted them down to the waters of
Caiwan; here they halted, and rested their horses.

Shiboob still directed them across the deserts and
wastes by unfrequented paths, till he approached
the land of the tribe of Aamir, where he made them
travel along by-roads, and halt till night, when he

desired them to drive on the camels and horses, and
pursue their way in haste, and before morning he
had left the enemy behind him, but he said not a
word about it to his brother. Well, Shiboob, said
Antar, what are the dangers we have left behind?
Son of my mother, replied Shiboob, you know well,
that between you and the tribe of Aamir there is an
enmity of long standing, and particularly that Brandisher
of Spears, and Ahkwedh, son of Giafer. At
hearing this Antar was much disordered. Thou
son of a dog, said he, and so thou art afraid of a
numerous body of men! By the faith of an Arab,
had I known what thou wert about, I would not
have left the tribe of Aamir in peace and quietness.
They halted, till the day was spent, and then departed,
seeking their native land: now Shiboob cast
round his eyes, and behold a dust arose, and closed
up every vent in the country. It will be as well
to prepare for battle, said he to Antar, and not move
hence till we exactly know what all this means.

Having stationed the he and she camels in their
rear, they advanced towards the dust, and waved
their spears. Soon the cloud cleared away from
an army like the drifting sand, and horsemen like
fragments of a mountain. All were in coats of mail,
and breastplates of great weight, and with them were
camels, and horses, and cattle, and women, and
children, and the shrieks of woe convulsed the mountains.
Now then it is all evident,—The truth is apparent,
cried Shiboob to Antar, our property and

our families, my brother, have been a prey to calamities;
our abodes and our lands have been pillaged;
and if my apprehensions are right, this army is of
the tribes of Aamir, of Ghani, and Kelab. They
have vanquished our country, and have rooted out
every vestige of us. Thou art right, brother, said
Antar, and now I hear the voice of Ibla, and the
women of the Carad family. On this day shall be
made known the virtue of the brave. This calculation
was correct, and the cause of it was Ahkwedh,
son of Giafer, in whose heart was a sparkling flame
against the tribe of Abs. In his fury against them,
and his alarms of their invasion, he stationed spies
and scouts over them to bring him news. Thus
matters continued, till he was informed that Antar
was gone to the tribe of Darem, and with him some
of the noblest warriors. He also learnt that Rebia
and his brothers were still with the tribe of Fazarah.
Well, said he to the Brandisher of Spears, what say
you, O Gheshm, to an expedition against our foes,
thus insuring retaliation during the absence of their
slave? Very right, said Gheshm, and accordingly
they assembled the Aamirite horsemen, and those of
Ghani and Kelab, and there came six thousand well
equipped, all brave fellows. Leaving one thousand
to protect the dwellings and the country, he marched
till he reached the land of the tribe of Abs; where,
dividing his army into three corps, he surprised the
Absians under the veil of the night, when, most of
the people being asleep, he put them to the sword,
and before the morning rose in smiles, he had possessed
himself of the tents and dwellings. King
Cais had fled with his brothers, and those who were
able to escape. The horsemen were scattered
about, and sought the land of the tribe of Ghitfan;
some betook themselves to Fazarah, and the tribe
of Abs was completely disorganized, and ruined.
In the morning the Aamirites returned home, after
having taken prisoners the women, and plundered
their property. They travelled in haste, triumphing
in the success of their wishes, for the greatest part
of the Absians had been driven away in despair;
many of their horsemen were wounded, and no people
were ever reduced to such a miserable state. The
Brandisher of Spears being under some alarm, lest
King Cais might turn upon them, and bring troops
and armies against him, hastened their march, till
they met Antar and the Absian horsemen. Now
the whole tribe appeared through the dust, and
Antar heard the screams of the women, and the
lamentations of Ibla. He rushed towards the quarter
of the women, and pounced down upon them like an
eagle. His noble horsemen followed him, for he
was chiefly anxious to release the prisoners from
torments. When the tribe of Aamir recognised
him, they shouted, and the Brandisher of Spears
exclaimed, How lucky is this rencounter, than which
none more beautiful was ever traced on the leaves
of history! Attack this slave-dæmon, my cousins,
he continued, that we may erase out for ever every
vestige of the tribe of Abs. Come on! come on!
Antar made at him with his whole might; then
rushed on the whole army. Antar met them with
the horsemen of his tribe, for they were horsemen
that would mount even lions; they received the
spears on their chests, harder than stones and rocks.
Antar was at their head, with spear-thrusts that
made their very skins shrivel with horror, and in
an hour, their ensigns and standards were upset,
and his horsemen were like one man on that celebrated
day. Spears were extended; the stern-faced
heroes assailed, and the most tenacious of
existence were prodigal of their lives; whilst they
all tasted of sorrow and wounds. Antar roared at
their head and shouted; horsemen drank cups from
death; the women instantly heard his shouts, and
they exclaimed, Oh glorious morning! Antar, the
grasper of lives, is come! and they prayed for his
victory and triumph to the Source of the Clouds and
the Conqueror of the Winds, who opens for his servants
the gates of life without a key. Praise be to
him! may he grant sinners repentance and grace!
They continued in this dreadful state, till the brilliancy
of the day being converted into the darkness
of night, the two armies separated from the blow and
the thrust, after they had been engaged in a contest
that would have turned youth to age. There were
laid low of the tribes of Aamir, and Ghani, and
Kelab, about seven hundred horsemen, over the face
of the land, and five-and-twenty of the Absians
were slain, and as many wounded. Yet they retired
from the combat, like wild beasts when they
start from their dens, and behind them was the
lion Antar, and his nephew Hatal. And having
alighted, they began to consult and deliberate how
they should engage that numerous host. As for
me, said Antar, were the battle to last a whole year,
and around me were to assemble all the tribes and
hordes of the desert, I will not stir hence, till I
release the women from the hands of the foe, and I
disperse them over the wastes, and the wilds. As
for me, by the faith of an Arab, I will not leave of
all these five thousand, no not an old or a young
one; as for me, I will offer myself alone as their
antagonist, and I will make them taste deep of
misery. After all their exultations, their warriors
and their chieftains will I slay. Thus he remained,
watching over them in the obscurity of the night.

As to the tribe of Aamir, when they quitted the
combat and halted at their post, bewildered at the
tribe of Abs, and at their assault, they complained
of their situation to Ahkwedh. If this dæmon continues
to assail us, he will not leave one of us alive,
particularly since he knows Ibla is with us. O my
cousins, said Ahkwedh, if we do not make a general
attack upon them to-morrow, the Brandisher of
Spears being with us, we can never hope to succeed.
Speak not, O chief, said the elders, in this manner:
we never can succeed against Antar, we cannot overcome
him, whilst he has behind him men like wild

beasts, all of whom protect his rear. Were I not
afraid, said the Brandisher of Spears, of Shedad, and
Oorwah, and Hatal, I would go out against him tomorrow,
and would engage him, and take off his
attention from you, till his companions might be all
destroyed. But I also fear King Cais may overtake
us with the Arabs of Hijaz, and powerful
armies, which we shall be unable to resist; we shall
be obliged to fly, and abandon all this booty. My
cousins, if the business is indeed, as it is represented,
said Ahkwedh, I will send away the prisoners with
one hundred valiant horsemen, and when morning
dawns, we will by some means contrive the destruction
of Antar; and if there comes an irresistible force
against us, and we resolve on flight, we shall, at any
rate, have the advantage of the property and booty.
This will do, said the Brandisher of Spears; for
Antar, if he knows this, will go after them, and then
we will attack his companions and destroy them:
but should he stop, after he receives this news, his
heart will be so pre-occupied with Ibla, that his
resolution will fail, and he will be in despair. We
will make a sudden attack, and complete our
wishes, for he never could engage this tempestuous
ocean but when Ibla is present. After this harangue,
they despatched the captives with one hundred
horsemen, and sent with them the guide, Kimhar,
who led them away under the veil of obscurity;
and when daylight shone, the first that started forth
to the fight was Antar, and he knew nothing of what
had happened. The armies of the tribe of Aamir
arose, like the ocean when it roars. Ahkwedh
shouted out towards them, and assured them of the
entire ruin of the Absians, for they consisted of
four thousand well known horsemen, and the Absians
only amounted to one hundred and fifty; but their
hearts ever anticipated victory and conquest, relying
on the intrepidity of Antar. With such
resolutions they engaged; they pierced each other
with Redeinian spears, and they smote each other
with their edged scimitars. Calamities and evils
were magnified, and men felt anguish as they expired.
But God aided Antar and his deeds, that
day. How many warriors laid he low! How many
heroes and brave men did he reduce to despair!
They continued in this state till mid-day, when
Antar seeing the Brandisher of Spears plying his
cleaving sword among his comrades, instantly fell
upon him, like the descent of a ravenous eagle—he
closed with him; and as he exhibited all his wonderful
prowess and courage, he shouted at him in a
voice that terrified him; he manœuvred with him
for an hour, till having exhausted him, he thrust out
his hand towards the rings of his corslet, and was
about to throw him on the ground, when lo! a dust
arose, and a black cloud of sand mounted on high,
and beneath was seen the glitter of armour, and the
gleam of spears, and men fearless of death, and
undaunted, exclaiming, O by Darem! and at their
head was Locait, son of Zararah, like a frantic eagle,
and round him were his brothers, like devouring
vultures; and when they came nigh to the field of
battle, and saw the engines of war revolving, they
rushed upon the Absians, like greedy lions, for they
had heard the shouts and cries, and had distinguished
friends from foes. When Antar marked
this occurrence, and saw all the troops directing their
lances towards him, he let go the Brandisher of
Spears, and turned to defend himself. The horsemen
encompassed him on all sides, whirling their
sharp sabres about his body, and he felt assured of
death. But the Absians fought like men in despair;
the thin blades laboured among them; death and
annihilation were let loose upon them; and had
not the God of heaven assisted them, not one of
them had survived to taste of water.

They continued in this dreadful contest till the
darkness separated them, after the Absians had lost
twenty valiant fellows. Shedad and Oorwah, and a
number of the Carad family, were wounded: they
were surrounded by the foe on every side, and
every way of access and egress was cut off. Locait
having rescued his property, and rejoicing in the
accomplishment of his object, hastened to Ahkwedh.
The Aamirite Chiefs thanked him for what he had
done, and, to their inquiries about the cause of
his arrival, he told them what had passed. When
Antar heard of the departure of Ibla and the
women for the land of the Aamirites, he laid down;
he was sorely afflicted for his companions and the

captivity of their women: grief and melancholy,
such as no heart of man or fiend ever felt, fell upon
his soul, and his gall was bursting. Turning towards
the noble Absians that survived; Although
I feel, said he, as if my life could not last beyond
this night; yet to-morrow morning I will challenge
these armies that surround us on all sides—I will
shame them with their numbers—I will call them
forth by hundreds and more. If they do this, I
shall succeed in my project, were they even as numerous
as the sands of the desert: if they assault,
I will destroy these armies in your presence, and I
will rescue you with spears and cleaving scimitars;
I will protect you with my vehemence and perseverance
till you reach the land of Shureba and
Mount Saadi; then will I return alone against
them, and I will overwhelm them with my strength
and my power, or my skin shall be flayed off with
the barbs of their spears. O my son, said Shedad,
there is not one of us that will abandon thee whilst
thou art alive, were our lives to be reduced to collarbones
and shoulder-blades. Thus also said his
nephew Hatal, and all the rest. The two armies
reposed, some feeling secure, and some apprehensive,
till, day dawning, the fierce Absians arose for the
contest, and their souls bade adieu to their carcasses.
The universe was convulsed with shouts; the foe
resolved to attack them with swords and spears,
when lo! Antar started forth into the field, and
rushed forward, determined in his mind to do something
that might be recorded of him, and perhaps
remove his grief and distress; then he thus recited:

"We are a tribe that fear not annihilation; we
regard not the results of calamities. How should
we? Death draws up his skirts, and we encounter
him with our noble spirits. There is not
one of us that fears death; for death is predestined
to every one alive. Come forth, then!
behold the lion of the den, resolved on chasing
the wild beasts in the midst of the deserts.
He dreads not the warriors in the field of battle;
he fears not the most numerous hosts; he comes,
and this day ye shall feel his powerful thrusts,
and his blows that cleave skulls. If I live, I
will succeed; if I die, I shall fall, slain by the
separation from my beloved. The peace of God
be with thee, daughter of Malik; and now this
day will I ply my sword-blows among them."

Antar had not finished, when, from the quarter
of the tribe of Aamir, there arose a dust that darkened
the day; and lo! there arose another dust,
and it appeared from the quarter of the tribe of
Abs and Adnan, and it was more extensive than
the former, and the shouts more tumultuous and
more terrific; and the horsemen, who were beneath
it, were eagerly pursuing their march, headed by
King Cais. As to the first dust, it discovered the
captives of the tribe of Abs and Adnan, and all their
property, and their leader was a knight, with shouts

and roars, vociferating, I am Harith, son of Zalim.
Victory and conquest are thine, O Aboolfawaris!
for the lion-warrior is at hand. The cause of this
event was, that when Harith had slain Khalid in
the private apartments of Numan, and had also
murdered his son Shirjibeel, as we mentioned,
Locait took him captive, and delivered him over to
King Numan, who confined him till the days of
festivity should expire. Mootejeredah learnt what
had happened, and was not grieved at it, for he had
killed the murderer of her father. So she sent to
him five slaves, who had been brought up with her
as her brothers, and ordered them to exert themselves
in his liberation. Tell him, said she, to go
to the tribe of Abs, and proceed to my brother
Cais, and Antar, and demand their protection.
The slaves went forth accordingly, and waiting till
they found an opportunity, they entered, and slaying
the guards placed over him, they gave him his
liberty, and mounted him on a horse.

Harith set out, travelling over the wastes, not
crediting his escape till he had passed the tribe of
Aamir, when lo! he met the Absian captives, and
their property under the conduct of the hundred
horsemen. Harith was delighted. The Aamirites
did not recognise him, but they made at him, and
surrounded him. He stood firm, and cried out,
Well! would ye exhibit your cowardly superiority
against me, a single person? Ye are ignorant of my
rank; for I am he who slew your Chief Khalid, son

of Giafer, and clothed ye with the greatest shame.
Calamities were easy to him; he assaulted them,
and his vehemence became still more furious, till
mid-day, when he had slain seventy of their bravest
horsemen, and the remainder resolved on flight.
The Absian slaves released their chiefs, and the
women also assisted them. The nobles being liberated
from the chains and disgrace, started forth like
ravenous lions, and surrounded the remainder of the
Aamirites, whom they destroyed to the last, and
left not one alive. With expressions of gratitude
to Harith for this deed, they alighted in that place,
when Harith related to them the various accidents
that had happened to him, and what Mootejeredah
had done for him; and I am now going, he continued,
to your King, to demand his protection.
Alas! said Malik, Ibla's father, such distresses as
have befallen our King and people were never felt
by the heart of man. And he informed him of their
captivity, and that Antar was now fighting. Return
with me, said Harith, this moment to Antar,
that we may join him in the contest, and aid him in
these adversities.

But as to the second dust, it was the dust of
King Cais, who arrived with three thousand of the
renowned Arabs of the tribe of Ghiftan, and they
were come to rescue their property and families;
but they were abandoned this time by the tribe of
Fazarah. As soon as King Cais approached the
troops and armies, he uncovered his head and attacked,

his companions doing the same, and shouting,
O by Abs! O by Adnan! whilst Harith and
his followers shouted, O by Marah! O by Dibyan!
At this cry, Antar's heart took courage, and was
calmed. He roared and bellowed in his well known
voice: Hail then the day, so inauspicious to the
foe! As Locait had already imparted to Ahkwedh
the occurrences between him and Harith, he was
greatly amazed at his release; shouting out to the
tribe of Darem, he rushed upon Antar and Harith.
King Cais assailed the foe with his party, and confronted
the tribe of Aamir. In less than an hour
the two armies were promiscuously thronged—
the dust arose—the scimitars laboured—the barbs
pierced the sockets of eyes—blood gushed out from
the nostrils—the noble steeds were thrown down—
the swords hacked right and wrong—ribs were
broken, and waists cut through. Antar and Harith
performed deeds that confounded beholders. Harith's
heart was full of rage against Locait, so he
sought him over the plain, as he hewed off necks
and throats with his sabre, till the earth was crammed
with carcasses. Antar also wished to bear
himself the weight and evil of the battle; so the
flame of war blazed furiously, and the blows continued
among them till the light departed; and on
that day the tribe became a proverb. At last the
two forces divided, and the tribes of Aamir and
Darem were defeated. Locait retreated in repentance;
for six hundred of his horsemen were slain,
and three times as many of the Aamirites, who were
annihilated; and when they halted, the battle was
calmed, furious as it had been. Antar met Harith,
and to his inquiries about him, he related his adventures
from beginning to end; and now, he
added, I am come to demand your protection, O
Aboolfawaris, and the protection of King Cais.
Antar having tranquillised his mind, and promised
him security, Harith was rejoiced, and thanked
him. Antar went to King Cais, accompanied by
Harith, and told him what he had narrated, and
how he had aided them with his exploits. Cais
thanked him for his friendly exertions, and promised
him assistance, and the extinction of his oppressors.
At hearing this, Harith thus addressed him:

"Hola! hail to your lands and your tents; as
long as ye live, hail! hail to the man who seeks
your asylum, whom troubles and adversities have
oppressed! I have endured things not to be expressed
in words, not to be described by all my
powers of speech. I have plunged into horrors,
and I am come in haste to a King who extinguishes
fos and heroes. O Cais, thou art an
active hero, and a knight whose accomplished
wisdom defies all imitation. I must tell thee,
that I slew Khalid, and made him drink to the
dregs the cup of death. Truly thy sister released
me by force from prison, when I was watching,
and all around were asleep. I retaliated for thee
with my scimitar—I have redeemed thy due from

him who was thy foe—I have travelled over the
deserts till I reached a party of Aamirites, with
whom were thy captives: they were in ignominy;
they were mourning in anguish the cruel vehemence
of the dusty fight. Ibla too was shrieking
in captivity, and her tears were streaming down
her cheeks. She was exclaiming in her disgrace,
Where is Antar, that he might see my dishonour,
and what I suffer in my debasement? I released
the captives from them with my furious assault,
and in my heart I loved and pitied them. I am
now come from the land of Irak, bent towards
thee to seek thy protection, thou noble-born!
Art thou not the brave in war, Antar, to whom
the stalking lions bow in submission? O knight
of Abs, to thee I make my complaint, my sorrow,
and griefs; to thee, who feelest no affliction. Be
my support then, O Absian youth, and aid me;
for he who seeks thee, is soon free from pain.
Protect me against Numan; there is none but
thou to defend me from myself and from dreadful
events; for when thou appearest, thou art feared
and dread; and thy perseverance resists every
attack. How many are the horses thou hast left
plundered of life, and their riders sleeping on the
earth! When they hear thy name on the day of
battle, fear may be seen fluttering in their hearts.
Every tribe knows, that where thou art the battlement,
there dwells no affliction. All the kings
of the earth fear thee in battle, for thou standest
alone brave among men. Asylum and refuge
can never fail mankind: thou art the protection
against the adversities of fate—thou art raised up
to the brilliant shooting stars by courage—thou
hast raised thy station above Pisces. Mayst thou
never decline in glory, in eminence, and honour,
whilst the sun shines, and darkness disappears!
O Cais! O crown of Kings! one whose exaltation
no one can attain, protect me, for this day I am
come to thee to try thy protection, thy faith, and
thy engagement."

King Cais was much pleased at Harith's verses.
By the faith of an Arab, said he, were Chosroe or
the Emperor of Rome to demand thee, they shall
never set eyes on thee; and thus also Antar swore,
saying, Extinguish all thy fears and apprehensions,
and be afraid of no mortal man. They then reposed
in joy and happiness, and their enemies in
sorrow and affliction, till the day dawned, when
they renewed the fight, and bodies and souls were
spoiled by swords and spears. It was a dreadful
calamity, and a scene that would have turned infants
grey, till about mid-day, the tribes of Aamir
and Daren being defeated. Antar mangled their
horsemen with his irresistible thrusts, and made skulls
fly off with his sword: he chopped off hands and
wrists, and hewed off wrists and joints. The Brandisher
of Spears encountered Harith—they engaged—the
combat raged between them till their
blood flowed—they saw woe and misery, and the

earth and sky disappeared from them—they continued
till the day closed; still they persisted in
their deadly spear-thrusts; but at last the tribes of
Aamir and Darem took to flight. The Absians,
seeing their confusion, pursued them, destroying
them with the cleaving scimitar, till the whole
country was obscured. Then the Absians retiring
with the spoils of the warriors, and their arms and
corslets, and dispersed horses, reposed in that spot,
after they had expressed their thanks and gratitude;
every one congratulating his neighbour on his
safety.

In the morning they departed with the women
and families, and plunder, and cattle, and set out
for their own homes. Antar delivered the booty he
had taken from the tribe of Darem to his uncle
Malik, saying, O uncle, when I possessed myself of
this plunder, I laid it aside for the celebration of
the wedding-feast. My nephew, said his uncle, we
will soon accomplish your wishes, and on reaching
home, we will occupy ourselves only in our pleasures.
Antar's heart was comforted at these words, and
soothed at this promise; but the words of his uncle
were all fraud and guile, and his heart was full of
rage and resentment. When we arrive, said King
Cais, who also heard this, we will only wait three
days, and then we will marry Ibla to Antar, before
any other impediment comes upon us; for our foes
are many, and we have traitors amongst us: moreover,
the calamities of fortune are not to be trusted,

for we are not secure from King Numan, should he
demand the aid of Chosroe, King of the Persians,
against us, or should he invade us on account of
Harith, son of Zalim. Then they hastened over
the wastes and wilds; as Antar, by the side of
Harith, thus recited:

"I have opposed the revolutions of incontrovertible
destiny. I have endured absence and
separation. I show the sentiments of love for a
tribe that would renounce me, and truly their
hearts evince no sincerity. I ease with hope my
sickened mind, and with exemplary patience that
never ends. My foes abuse me for my swarthy
complexion; but some of my deeds should wipe
off that blackness. Ask the tribe of my acts, O
Ibla, and those who witnessed my exploits and
warlike deeds. I repulsed the horse and the warriors
round me as they brandished their long
spears in their hands. I plunged impetuously
into a sea of death, whilst the flame of war was
furiously blazing: I returned tinged with the
blood of foes, and the foam of war, that drenched
my steed. How many did I rescue from the
dreadful scene in the glorious path of firmness,
reviving hearts with my sword two-edged
and luminous, whose point would cleave the
hardest rock, and a spear, whoever was pierced
with it, the perfect light never revisited his eyes!
Were it not for my sword, and the barb of my
spear, I could never have raised a firm support

for the Absians. I am Antar; well known is my
reputation, that I am the knight of the noble
steeds."

At hearing Antar's verses, Harith's heart was
gladdened, and he extolled him (for Harith was the
vilest of men, and full of guile, and it was only his
fear of Numan that made him humiliate himself: he
also knew that all the united Arabs could not protect
him, so he humbled himself to the tribe of Abs,
and confided in Antar). They continued their
journey till they reached their country. As to Malik,
Ibla's father, all his projects had failed; he was
melancholy and distressed, and he felt assured his
daughter must escape out of his hands, and that
Antar would be married to her, whether he liked it
or not. So he took his son apart, and told him
his secrets. My opinion, said his son to him, is,
that you send to the tribe of Fazarah, aad acquaint
Rebia and Hadifah that Harith is with us; that he
has demanded our King's assistance, and has confided
himself to Antar: perhaps they will inform
King Numan of this intelligence. On hearing this,
Malik was aware that numerous advantages would
accrue from it; and he immediately sent to Rebia
to complain of his situation, and to inform him of
what he did know, and what he did not know.

When they reached home, they pitched their
tents, and being well established and settled, all the
country and dwellings seemed secure in their inhabitants,
and smiling in the return of its occupiers;

and it was all in confusion with feasts and entertainments,
and convulsed with jollity and merriment.
Antar conducted Harith to his habitations, and
passed most of his time with him, anxiously expecting
his uncle would fulfil his engagements, and on
King Cais he depended for assistance and favour.