University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XXXIII.

About that time Hadifah gave a grand feast, at
which Carwash, King Cais's cousin, was present;
and when they had eaten their dinner, and the cups
of wine were circling round, the conversation turned
upon the most famed chieftains of that period, till
having exhausted that topic, they began talking of
their celebrated steeds, and their races in the desert.
O my cousin, said Carwash, there never has appeared
such a horse as my cousin Cais's, Dahis: there
can be no competitor for superiority, for he startles
every one that looks at him; he is the antidote of
grief to every one that beholds him, and he is a
strong tower to any one that mounts him. Thus
he continued to describe him in such glowing terms,
that the hearts of the tribe of Fazarah, and the
minds of the family of Zeead, were in agonies.
Hear him, my brother, said Haml to Hadifah: this
is quite enough, continued he, turning to Carwash,
all that you have said about Dahis is stuff, all nonsense,
for at this day there are not finer horses than
mine or my brother's. Upon this, he ordered the
slaves to parade the horses before Carwash, and
they accordingly exhibited before him the horses
of the family of Beder. Here, Carwash, said Haml,

look at this horse. It is not worth his dried fodder,
said Carwash. They then paraded Hadifah's horses,
amongst which was a mare called Ghabra, and a
stallion called Marik. Look, Carwash, at these
horses then, said Hadifah. They are not worth his
dried fodder, repeated Carwash. Hadifah, very indignant
at these expressions, exclaimed, What! not
even Ghabra? Carwash. No, said Carwash, not
Ghabra; nor all the horses on the face of the earth.
Will you make a match for King Cais? said Hadifah.
Yes, said Carwash, that Dahis will beat all the horses
of the tribe of Fazarah, had he even on his back
whole kintals of stones. They disputed, asserting,
and contradicting each other, till said Hadifah,
Well then, let the winner take as many he and she
camels as he pleases. You will play me false,
Hadifah, said Carwash, and I do not wish to take
you in. I will not bet you more than twenty she
camels, to be paid by the owner of the beaten horse;
and thus the business was settled. Having finished
the day in eating, they reposed that night; but early
next day Carwash rode off, and sought the tribe of
Abs, till coming to King Cais, he told him all about
the bet. You have done wrong, O Carwash, said
Cais. You might have betted with all the world,
but Hadifah, for he is a very obstinate fellow, and
full of shifts and pretexts. But if you have settled
the bet, I must cancel it. Cais only waited till his
company had quitted him, when he mounted his
horse and repaired to the tribe of Fazarah, whom
he found seated in the midst of the dwellings, with
their dinner before them. Cais dismounted; he
bared his arms, and seated himself amongst them,
and began eating their dinner, like a generous Arab.
Cousin, said Hadifah, wishing to quiz him, what
large mouthfuls you take; Heaven defend us from
your voraciousness! I am indeed hungry, cousin,
said Cais, but by Him of hereafter and heretofore, I
am not here merely to eat your dinner, but I am
come to dissolve the wager, which was made between
you and my cousin Carwash. I request you
will break the bargain, for every thing that happens
over the bottle should be annulled and forgotten.
Know then, Cais, said Hadifah, I will not be off the
bet, except that I receive the he and she camels,
and when you have produced them, it will be perfectly
indifferent to me. However, if you wish, I
will seize them by force, or if you like, I will renounce
them by way of grace. Whatever Cais could
say, over and over again, Hadifah still kept to one
side of the question; and as Hadifah's brother only
laughed at him, Cais was in a violent passion, as he
said to Hadifah, (his face all flushed with rage) How
much was the bet between you and my cousin? For
twenty she camels, said Hadifah. As to the first
bet, Hadifah, said Cais, I dissolve it, and I will lay
you another, and let the wager be thirty. Forty,
said Hadifah. Fifty, said Cais. Sixty, said Hadifah;
and they continued rising till they made the
bet a hundred she camels, and consigned the contract
into the hands of a man called Sabic, son of Wahab,
whilst a crowd of old and young collected about them.
What distance shall we run? said Hadifah to Cais.
Forty arrow shots, said Cais, and we have an archer
called Ayas, son of Mansoor, (for there was no Arab
at that day could shoot like him, and the Arabs had
made him quite a proverb). King Cais was anxious
indeed for a longer race, on account of the strength
of his horse's muscles, for the greater distance he
went, the more his spirit and animation increased
in his movements. Determine then, said Cais to
Hadifah, when the match shall take place. Forty
days, I think, said Hadifah, will be required to train
the horses. Very well, said Cais; and the affair was
mutually settled, that the horses should be trained
forty days, and the race-ground should be near the
lake of Zatulirsad; and the horse that should
arrive first should be the winner. Cais having given
his consent, he returned to the tents. Cousins, said
one of the Fazarah horsemen to his neighbours, be
assured dissensions will arise between the tribes of
Abs and Fazarah, in consequence of this race between
Dahis and Ghabra: the two tribes will be
disunited, for King Cais is come in person, and
he is a prince and the son of a prince. He has
endeavoured to annul the bet with Hadifah, who
would not consent, and this will be a business that
will occasion a contention that will last nearly fifty
years, and many will be destroyed in wars and
battles. As to that, said Hadifah, I care not about
it, neither will I follow such advice. I will soon
describe to you, O Hadifah, the end of this, your
obstinacy with King Cais, said Ayas, and thus he
addressed him:

"In thee, O Hadifah, there is no beauty, but in
the purity of Cais there is no stain; how pure is
his advice, and how becoming; but propriety is implanted
in him. Bet then with some one who has
not in his possession even an ass, and whose father
owns not a horse. Give up Cais, for Cais has
wealth, and possessions, and horses, and a fiery
spirit, and moreover, that Dahis, who in the day
of the race is pre-eminent, when he moves or stands
still. He is a horse, when a night of dust sheds
its obscurity, you may see his hoofs like a firebrand."

O Ayas, said Hadifah, thinkst thou I will shrink
from my word? I will have the camels from Cais,
and I will not permit my name to be banded about
as one incapable and beaten; let things have their
course.

When King Cais reached the tents, he first ordered
his slaves to train his horses, but to be most particular
in their attention to Dahis; and then he related to
his brother and his uncle Asyed what had passed
between him and Hadifah. It was on that day
Shiboob arrived, and gave the news of Antar's return,
to the great joy of King Cais. All the tribe of Abs
went out to meet him, and saluted him. King Cais
took him by his side, and received him most honourably,

and conversing with him, asked him what had
occurred during his excursion. Antar related every
circumstance concerning his uncle Malik; how he
had rescued him from punishment, and released him
from the dogs; and, in reply to Antar's inquiry
about the horse-race, Cais repeated what had occurred
between him and Hadifah. O king, said
Antar, calm your heart and brighten your eye, run
the race and fear not; for, by the faith of an Arab,
if Hadifah moves or excites any disturbance, I will
kill him, and I will kill the whole tribe of Fazarah.
Thus they continued, till they reached the tents,
but before Antar would enter the tent of his cousin,
Ibla, he went to look at Dahis, and walked all round
him, and saw that he was the wonder of the world
in qualities that astonished every one; and Antar
having comforted Cais's heart, went home. By the
faith of an Arab, said Harith, it would be better to
renounce this business than to persist in it, (Harith
was related to the tribe of Fazarah, and he was afraid
that Antar would bring down upon them a violent
death.) Antar reposed that night in his tents, but
the next day came Sinan, son of Ebe Harithah,
to King Cais, from King Numan, and the cause
of Sinan's coming was Hadifah's messenger, who
reached Numan, and told him that Harith was with
King Cais and Antar, Who are resolved, said he,
to protect him against you and Chosroe Nushirvan,
and all the inhabitants of the wilds and wastes. I
cannot imagine, said Numan, that my brother-in-law
of the tribe of Abs will protect the murderer of my
son; and he immediately ordered Sinan to repair to
King Cais and Antar, and to demand Harith of
them. Sinan accordingly departed for the land of
Abs and Adnan, and arriving on that day he proceeded
to King Cais, and told him he was come to
demand Harith; For it is reported, said he, that you
have given him an asylum. King Numan has sent
me to you, saying to me, If Harith is with King
Cais, tell him to surrender him to you, and do you
bring him to me. Now I am his surety, and you
know the consequences. Cais was much troubled.
I know, O Sinan, said he, you are an old sheikh, and
many persons submit to your opinions. You have
learnt that Harith has slain my father's murderer,
Khalid, son of Giafer, and for our sakes he has
exposed his life, and when he fell into King Numan's
power, my sister rescued him from death. She sent
him to us, knowing well that we should protect him.
We will not surrender him to any Arab of the wilderness:
had he come to us, when we were sufficiently
secure in our tents, perhaps we had driven
him away from our tribe; but as a consummation of
good fortune, he met our prisoners with the tribe of
Aamir, and rescued them with his sharp sword, and
he has behaved generously towards us, first and last;
we cannot therefore dismiss him from our protection,
were even our heads to fly off before him. The
man is under our protection, and neither King
Numan, nor Chosroe Nushirvan, shall have any
authority over him; not a hair of his head will we
deliver up, till after the blows of the thin-edged
scimitar, or the thrust of the well-proportioned spear;
let Numan be pleased or angry, just as he likes.
They were thus conversing, when lo! Antar came
in, brandishing his sword Dhami, for he had heard
of Sinan's arrival. As he entered, he did not salute
or speak, but turning upon Sinan, Thou despicable
sheikh! he cried, thou artful dog! art thou he that
is come from King Numan? Were I not in the presence
of this king, I would make thee drink of thy
death. Avaunt! begone! away to him who sent
thee! tell him from me that I have protected Harith,
neither will I deliver him to an Arab or a Persian;
and if Numan sends us another messenger, he shall
not return from me but degraded and repentant.
Sinan arose, and was struck with horror; he was
confounded and bewildered; he immediately departed,
and in his heart was an unquenchable flame,
and an unappeasable fire against Antar. In the
meantime, Hadifah had heard of Antar's return,
and that he had encouraged Cais to the race. O
my brother, said Haml, I fear, should Antar fall on
me, or one of the family of Beder, he will kill him,
and we shall be dishonoured. Annual the race, or
we shall be annihilated. Let me go to King Cais,
and I will not quit him, till I persuade him to come
to you to request the bargain may be broken, and his
perverseness be satisfied. Do as you please, said Hadifah.
Accordingly, Haml mounted his horse, and
immediately went to King Cais, without asking any
permission, and there he found his uncle Asyed, who
was a wise and sensible man. Haml saluted him and
kissed his hand, and exhibiting great interest about
Cais, O my cousin, said he, know that my brother
Hadifah is but an ill-conditioned fellow, and full of
intrigue. I have been these three days abusing him,
in order to induce him to abandon the wager. Well,
said he, at last, if Cais again returns to me, and
wishes to be off the bargain, I will annul it; but let
not the Arabs hear that I abandoned the bet in fear
of Antar. Now you know, my cousin, that to forbear
with cousins is the greatest of kindnesses, so I
am come to request that you will go with me to
my brother Hadifah and ask him to give up the
race, before any disturbances arise, and the tribe
be driven away from its native land. At hearing
Haml's discourse, Cais was abashed; for he was
easily persuaded, and was of a noble birth and origin:
he immediately started up, and leaving his uncle
Asyed in his place, he accompanied Haml to the
country of Fazarah, and when they were half-way
between the two hordes, Haml went ahead of Cais,
whom he thus praised; at the same time blaming
his brother Hadifah, in these lines:

"O Cais, be not incensed against Hadifah, for
he is a vile obstinate fellow, and iniquitous in his
deeds. O Cais, if you pertinaciously persist in
this wager, destruction will be its result, and its
consequences will be fatal. I fear that my brother,

for his foul deeds, will suffer what the youth
Kelthoom suffered, who raised his brother to high
honours; but he swerved from propriety, and
became a rebel, and his power was annihilated.
O Cais, both you and Hadifah are high-spirited,
and on that account I am in great affliction for
you. Renounce all private interest, be kind and
generous, before the oppressor becomes the oppressed."

Haml continued abusing his brother, and admiring
Cais, till they reached the tribe of Fazarah by evening,
where they saw Hadifah and the chieftains assembled
together. Cais saluted them, and throwing
his eyes round, saw Sinan seated by Hadifah's side.
He disguised his feelings, and exclaimed, O Sinan,
return, if thou wouldst exert thyself in the cause of
peace and friendship, and the preservation of the
blood of noble horsemen. O King, said Sinan, I am
paralysed on that point; by the faith of an Arab, I
cannot possibly redeem my life from death, for you
know that I am Harith's surety with Numan, and
as I cannot return, I have sent my comrades to acquaint
him with my situation, and in the mean time
I am come hither to seek an asylum till you and
your brother-in-law Numan decide on your future
movements.

Now this speech of Sinan's was all dissimulation
and deceit; and he only came to the tribe of Fazarah
to embroil the two tribes, and to work their mutual
destruction; for when the scene between him

and Antar was over, Sinan rushed out quite stupefied.
Away, said he to his companions, away to
King Numan, and tell him all you have heard from
the black Antar, that contemptible fellow; and desire
him to send intrepid armies against the Absians,
to root out every vestige of them. As to me, I will
repair to the tribe of Fazarah, to plot the death of
Antar, and the Absians, that I may extirpate them,
and knock down their boundary marks.

His companions hastened to King Numan, but
Sinan reached the tribe of Fazarah, and Hadifah
received him with great distinction, asking the cause
of his arrival. I am come, said he, to carry away
Harith from King Cais; but Antar has said to me
so and so: I have therefore sent to Numan to tell
him what Antar has said, and what Cais has done.
In the mean time I am come to you, and I cannot
possibly think of returning home till I have contrived
the destruction of Antar and Cais, and not
left a man of them alive. Hadifah told Sinan all
about the horse-race; and I have just sent Haml,
he added, to King Cais, and it was my intention to
make peace; but now that you have imparted this
to me, I will never give my consent to any accommodation:
and just at that moment arrived Cais and
Haml.

Hadifah, as soon as he saw Cais, resolved to overwhelm
him with shame, as Sinan had recommended.
As to thee, said he to his brother, pray who ordered
thee to go to this man? By the faith of a noble

Arab, were every human being on the face of the
earth to importune me, and should say to me—O
Hadifah, do but relinquish one hair of these camels,
I would not relinquish it till after the sword-blow
that cleaves, and the spear-thrust that penetrates.
Cais blushed, and remounted his horse, reproaching
Haml for his conduct. The night was now advancing,
when Cais, convinced that this affair was
entirely owing to Sinan, thus spoke his rebuke:

"In truth I abhorred the horse-race, fearful of
outrage; but my adversary is stanch to his bargain:
I said gently, Hadifah, abandon it, and
hear what I in my clemency say. But he was
violent; and as he saw me become milder, he became
still more outrageous. Such intemperate
acts are iniquitous: they insulted me when they
saw me gentle, and I am called a great coward.
As to me, by Him to whom belong the pillar, and
the shrine, and Zemzem, and the wall, I have
that resolution in me, that will put to flight the
calamities of fortune, when they are even destined
by fate; and I have heroes that will meet the rush
of death with hearts incorporated in their whole
frames. O family of Bedr, although power consists
in command and prohibition, by my life, it
cannot last long: but he who has advised you this
day has erred, and over him will hover the birds
of death."

King Cais applied the latter lines to Sinan; he
then proceeded till he reached home, where he found

his uncles and brothers sitting in anxious expectation
of him, and in a state of the greatest inquietude. O
my son, said his uncle Asyed as soon as he saw him,
thou hast done a foolish deed, for thou hast degraded
thyself. Had it not been for Sinan, said Cais, I
should have accommodated the business; but now
there is nothing for it but the race and the wager.
He then communicated to them that Sinan had
taken refuge with the tribe of Fazarah, and had engaged
to aid them with his advice and contrivances.
They were amazed, and repented of having let him
escape out of their hands.

King Cais reposed that night, and as he was fixed
in the determination about the race, he trained his
horse for forty entire days. The Arabs of that
country had engaged to each other to come to the
pastures to see the race; and when the forty days
had expired, the horsemen of the two tribes assembled,
and flocked to the lake of Zat-ul-irsad;
and also Ayas the archer was there, who, turning
his back upon the lake, to which the horses were to
run, and moving himself towards the north, shot his
hundred shots with his arrows, till he finished at a
well-known spot. Soon arrived the horsemen of
Ghiftan and Dibyan, for they were of one country,
and between them were kindred and relationship,
and all were called the tribe of Adnan. Cais had
recommended Antar not to be present, he was so
afraid of the occurrence of dissensions. Antar
listened, but he could not stay quiet; and being

alarmed for King Cais on account of those dastardly
Fazareans, who might betray him, he mounted Abjer.
He girded on his sword Dhami, and taking
Shiboob by his side, he joined the multitude in his
fears for King Zoheir's sons; and when they approached,
they saw him like a mailed lion; his sword
was drawn in his hand, and his eyes were throwing
out red burning coals.

As they all halted, they continued to look at him,
till he being in the midst of them, cried out in a
tremendous voice, Eh! noble Arab Chiefs, and illustrious
men here present—ye know, that I am the
favoured man of King Zoheir, father of King Cais,
and that I am the slave of his munificence; it was
he who admitted me to rank and kindred, and caused
me to be numbered amongst the Arab chiefs; but
though he did not survive, that I might repay him
for his kindnesses, and make the kings of the earth
subservient to him, he has left his Absian son as his
heir, whom his other brothers have acknowledged,
and have placed in the seat of his father, on account
of his good sense and uprightness, correct judgment,
and high rank; I am his slave, his property, the
succour of him who loves him, the enemy of him who
opposes him: never shall it be said whilst I am
alive, that I ever saw him debased by a foe. As
to this match, to which he has graciously given
his consent, it is incumbent on us to aid him
in all his wishes; so there is nothing more to
be done but to let the horses go. Victory is from

the Creator of day and night; and I swear by the
sacred Shrine, by Zemzem, and the temple, and the
eternal God, who never neglects his servants, and
who never sleeps, that if Hadifah commits any act
of violence or oppression, I will make him drink of
death and vengeance; I will make the whole tribe
of Fazarah a fable amongst mankind: and, O Arab
Chiefs, if you really desire the race, be impartial;
otherwise, by the eyes of Ibla, I will make the
horses plunge through blood. Antar is right, cried
out the horsemen in every direction.

Upon this, Hadifah selected for his mare Ghabra
a jockey from the tribe of Dibyan, one who had
spent all his life in bringing up horses, and had even
passed the obscurity of night in that occupation.
But Cais chose for his horse, Dahis, from the tribe
of Abs, a jockey more expert and scientific than the
Dibyanian; and when each was mounted on his respective
horse, Cais gave this recommendation to
the Absian jockey:

"Give him not the rein entirely; if the sweat
and moisture burst out on him, wipe him with
your legs, and gently press against his loins; but
if you push him too hard you will distress him."

Hadifah heard what Cais had said, and he also
wished to imitate him, so he gave his recommendation
to his jockey, as follows:

"Give her not the rein entirely; if the sweat
and moisture burst out on her, wipe her with

your legs, and gently press against her loins; but
if you push her too hard you will distress her."

Antar laughed. By the faith of an Arab, said
he, you are beaten. O Ebe Hidjar, expressions in
poetry are not so deficient, and the application of
verses is not so obliterated, that you should speak
just as Cais spoke. Cais, however, is a king, and
the son of a king, and he must always be imitated;
and your following him in your speech is a proof
that your horse will follow his over the desert.

On hearing this, Hadifah's wrath and indignation
were roused, and he swore an oath that he would
not run his horse that day; and would not race till
the morrow by sunrise. Hadifah only desired that
delay, in order that he might in his perfidy contrive
some vile scheme; for when he saw Dahis, he was
amazed at his form, and the beauty of his points.

The judges dismounted, and the Arab horsemen
were about to return home, when lo! Shiboob cried
out in a loud voice, O tribes of Abs, and Adnan,
and Fazarah, and Dibyan, and ye all that are here
present, wait for me a little, and hear words that
shall be recorded from generation to generation.
All the warriors halted: Speak, O Ebe Reah, said
they, what is it? Perhaps there may be some good
in thy words. O illustrious Arabs, said Shiboob,
ye have heard what has passed about the match
between Dahis and Ghabra; and I will stake my
existence that I will beat both the horses, were each

of them to fly with wings, but upon this condition,
if I beat I will take the hundred camels that are
agreed upon; but if I am beaten I will give fifty
camels. On this, one of the Sheikhs of Fazarah exclaimed,
What's this, thou vile slave, that thou
sayest? Why, if thou winnest, shouldst thou take
a hundred camels, and if thou art beaten, shouldst
thou only give fifty? Eh! you he-goat of a fellow,
you dung-born, said Shiboob, I only run on two
legs, and a horse runs on four, and he has a tail to
boot. So all the Arabs laughed, much amazed at
the conditions he made, and as they wished very
much to see him run, they assented to the perilous
undertaking.

But when they had returned to their tents, said
Antar to Shiboob, Eh! thou son of an accursed
mother, how canst thou beat these two horses, for
whom the horsemen of the tribes have assembled,
and say that in this age there are not their equals in
the race, not a bird that can overtake them? By
the truth of Him who produced springs from the
rock, and who knows what is to be before it is, replied
Shiboob, I will outstrip the two horses were
each of them to fly with wings. Ay, thou black
born, and much benefit will come of it, for when the
Arabs hear of this circumstance, they will never
again attempt to follow me when I run away over
the deserts. Antar smiled, for he knew what was
in his mind. Shiboob then returned to King Cais,
and his brothers, and all the spectators, and engaged

on his existence that he would outstrip the two
horses. All present were witnesses to his sayings;
and they then separated in the greatest astonishment
at his determination.

But as to the treacherous, perfidious Hadifah,
when evening came on he sent for one of his slaves,
called Damis, who was a great bully. O Damis, said
Hadifah, you are ever talking of your dexterity,
but hitherto I have never had occasion for you. My
lord, said Damis, say what you want, that I may
exert myself in the execution of your business.
What I want of you is to go to the great defile, said
Hadifah: remain there, and conceal yourself till
morning. Mark well the horses, and see if Dahis
comes by first; if so, bolt at him, strike him over
the face, and make him start back. Let Ghabra
run ahead of him that we may not incur the disgrace
of being beaten; for when I saw Dahis, his
appearance created doubts, and I fear he will beat
my mare Ghabra, and outstrip her in the desert,
and I become a derision among the Arabs. But
how, my lord, shall I distinguish Dahis from Ghabra,
when they both advance beneath the dust? I
will assist you in some measure on their respective
standards, he replied. Hadifah collected a number
of stones, as many as were necessary to make him
comprehend the standards. Take these pebbles,
said he, and as soon as the sun shines begin to
count them, and throw them on the ground in fours;
when you have cast away two-thirds or threefourths

of them it will be Ghabra, for this is her
standard to that spot. If you see her advancing,
let her pass, and do not oppose her; but if you
have only thrown away one-fourth, or one-third, or
less than that, then Dahis will be the first—rush
out, strike him with a stone across the face, and
drive him back on the desert, and let my mare
Ghabra run ahead of him. The slave assented,
and taking the pebbles went to the defile, where he
concealed himself, and Hadifah felt assured of being
the winner.

When the day dawned, the Arabs being collected
from every quarter, were huddled together in one
mass; the judges let go the horses, and their jockeys
gave a loud shout; they started forth like lightning,
when it blasts the sight with its flash, or a gust of
wind, when it becomes a hurricane in its course.
Ghabra shot ahead of Dahis, and left him behind
her over the desert. Thou art thrown out, my
brother of the tribe of Abs, cried the Fazarean, to
the Absian, so comfort thyself in thy grief and distress.
Thou liest, retorted the Absian; in a short
time thou wilt see on whom the disappointment will
fall: wait till we have passed these shingles; mares
work better in such troublesome places than on
plains and level grounds. When they came to the
mead, Dahis launched forward like a giant when he
stretches himself out, and he left his dust behind.
He appeared as if without legs or feet, and in a
twinkling of an eye he was ahead of Ghabra. Then,

cried the Absian to the Fazarean, send a messenger
by me to the family of Bedr, and do you taste of
the bitterness of patience in my rear. Shiboob
all the while kept ahead of Dahis, like the northern
blast, and he skipped along like a fawn, and rushed
with the violence of a male ostrich, till he came nigh
to the defile, where Damis was concealed. Damis
had cast away of the pebbles less than a quarter.
He stretched out his eyes, and saw Dahis advancing.
Damis waited till the horse came up to him, when
he shouted at him, and springing at him, struck
him a severe blow with a stone over the eyes. The
horse started back, and staggered; the rider nearly
fell off; but as soon as Shiboob saw this, and spied
out the subtle slave, he knew that he belonged to
the base-born Hadifah. In the excess of his fury
he rushed at him, and in haste drew his dagger, and
striking the slave Damis, ripped out his entrails, and
exterminated his existence. He then wanted to
return to Dahis and coax him, when lo! up came
Ghabra, like a gust of wind, tearing over the wide
desert. Shiboob was afraid of being beaten, and
that the camels would be taken from him, so he
returned, and playing away with his feet made towards
the lake, where he arrived first by two arrow-shot.
Ghabra came on his heels, and Dahis came
in last, bearing the marks of the blow between his
eyes, and the tears were streaming down his cheeks.
The spectators were amazed at Shiboob's activity,
and the power of his muscles; but as soon as
Ghabra advanced, arose the shouts of the Fazareans,
and when Dahis came up in that state, the jockey
informed the tribe of Abs what the slave had done.
Cais saw the effects of the blow on the face of Dahis,
and heard all the circumstances. Antar bellowed;
he dashed his hand on his resistless Dhami; he
roared out in a tremendous voice; he longed to put
the tribe of Fazarah to death; but the Sheikhs prevented
him—so he had patience—they went to Hadifah,
abusing him and reviling him, for his infamous
transaction. He denied it, and perjured himself
with false oaths, swearing, he knew nothing about
the blow Dahis received, and said, I demand my
due; I will not relinquish my bet; I will not admit
of this paltry excuse. This blow cannot but be of
bad omen to the tribe of Fazarah, said Cais; God
will truly grant us victory and triumph, and we
must positively root out every vestige of them; for
Hadifah only desired the race in order to produce
troubles and dissensions, and that war and commotion
might fall upon the tribes, that men might be
killed, and children be orphaned. The conversation
grew more violent, shouts arose in all directions,
and the polished swords were drawn; the cries of
the warriors were loud, and there only remained the
rush to arms. Upon this, the Sheikhs and the wise
men dismounted, and uncovering their heads, they
penetrated the crowds, and humiliating themselves,
they settled the business in the best possible manner,
That Shiboob should take the hundred camels from
the tribe of Fazarah, the amount of the wager, and
that Hadifah should abandon all further controversy
and dispute; thus endeavouring to extinguish animosity,
and to stop the rising tumults, and to calm
the differences among the tribes. Then the families
retired home, and in their hearts was as much of
rancour as filled their bosoms; but it was Hadifah
whose resentment was the most vehement, and whose
hatred and perfidy were the most virulent, particularly
when he heard of the death of his slave
Damis. As to King Cais, also, his heart was replete
with passion, and rooted grudge, whilst Antar comforted
him, saying, O king, distress not your heart,
for, by the tomb of King Zoheir, I will bring down
infamy and disgrace on Hadifah; it has been on
your account I have hitherto respected him. And
thus they dispersed to their tents. In the meantime,
Shiboob, as soon as day dawned, slaughtered twenty
of the camels he had taken, and distributed them to
the widows and the maimed. Another twenty also
he slew, and made with them a magnificent feast,
and entertained the slaves and handmaidens of the
tribe of Abs. The next day he slaughtered the
remainder, and made a grand dinner at the lake of
Zat-ul-irsad, to which he invited the sons of King
Zoheir, and the noble chieftains. When they finished
eating, the cups of wine went round, and they all
approved Shiboob's conduct. Now what Shiboob
had done soon reached the tribe of Fazarah; how
he had slaughtered the camels, and feasted the
illustrious Absians. So the fools of the tribe assembled
round Hadifah. O Ebe Hijar, said they, we
came in first, and the slave of those impostors has
eaten our camels; send to Cais and demand your due,
and if he sends the camels to you, 'tis well; if not, let
us raise a roaring war against the Absians. Hadifah
raised his head to his son Ebe Firacah: O my son,
said he, instantly ride to Cais, and say to him, My
father says, you must instantly pay him his bet, and
then you will be generous, otherwise he will take it
from you by force, and then you will be overwhelmed
with affliction. At that time, one of the chief Sheikhs
was present, and when he saw Hadifah resolved on
sending his son to Cais, Eh! O Ebe Hijar, said he,
art thou not ashamed to send such a message to the
tribe of Abs? They are thy cousins: is this in
conformity to reason, or the extinction of dissensions?
Never mention such people, but to pardon and to
do good. My opinion is, thou shouldst abstain from
this obstinacy, for it will be repaid by extirpation,
and the dust of war. Cais has been impartial, and
has done no outrage; and as to the horsemen of
Abs, make peace with them; it is more consistent
with thy dignity. Mark thy slave Damis; he struck
Dahis, the horse of King Cais, but how speedily God
punished him, and left him dyed in his black blood.
I have advised thee to listen to wholesome counsel;
act worthily, and renounce such foul proceedings.
After this, thou art aware of thy situation, and now
look after thine own affairs. Hadifah was furious
at these words: Thou despicable Sheikh, thou false
dog, he cried, shall I be afraid of Cais, and all the
whole tribe of Abs? By the faith of an Arab, men
of trust and honour, if Cais send not the camels, I
will not leave him a tent standing. The Sheikh
was greatly vexed, and to alarm him, thus said:

"Outrage is base, O Ebe Hijar, for it springs
unawares, like the watchful night wanderers; beware
of its blows when swords are drawn: be just,
and clothe thyself not in infamy. Ask the well-informed
of Themood, and his tribe, when they
rebelled and committed acts of tyranny, he would
tell thee, how an order from the God on high
destroyed them in one night; he destroyed them
in one night, and in the morning they were laid
low, with their eyes fixed upwards."

Hadifah, totally disregarding the Sheikh, and his
verses, not only cursed him, but ordering his son,
Away to Cais, said he; and thus departed Ebe
Firacah for the land of Abs; and when he arrived,
he entered the dwellings of King Cais, where, not
finding him at home, he asked his wife Modelilah,
Rebia's daughter, about him. What dost thou
want of him? said she. I demand of him our due
and our wager, replied he. Alas! for thee and thy
due! son of Bedr, replied she, dost thou not fear
such perfidy? Were Cais at home, he would despatch
thee to the tombs. Ebe Firacah returned, and
told his father what his wife had said. Hey! thou
foul coward, said Hadifah, hast thou returned, thy

business unfinished, and frightened by the daughter
of Rebia? Go back. It is now evening, said his
son, let this be to-morrow's deed; and he slept that
night in his tents, to take leave of his father and
uncles. As to King Cais, when he came home, his
wife informed him of the arrival of Ebe Firacah to
demand the camels. By the faith of an Arab, said
Cais, had I been present, I would have killed him;
but it is over—let it pass. That night Cais passed
in grief and sorrow, till the day dawned, when
being seated in his pavilion, Antar came to him:
he sprang up, and placing him by his side, told him
all about Hadifah. And he has had the impudence to
demand of us the he and she camels! continued Cais;
but had I been at home, I would have slain him. Cais
had not finished his speech, when Ebe Firacah stood
before him. He neither made any salutation nor previous
address; but said, O Cais, my father desires you
to send him his due, and then you are generous;
otherwise, he will mount against you, and take them
by force from you, and then you will be overwhelmed
with affliction. On hearing such words, the light
became darkness in the eyes of King Cais: he
snatched up a winged javelin; Thou son of a base
cuckold, said he, how is it thou art not more civil
in thy speech, when in the presence of one like me?
and he smote him with the javelin through the chest,
and it issued through his back, and as he was falling
off the horse, Antar caught him, and lashing him
on, he turned the horse's head towards the quarter
of Fazarah, and struck him with his whip over the
flanks. The horse returned to his pastures till he
reached his stable; and he was floating in blood.
The shepherds carried him away to the tents, crying
out, O misery! O woe!

A flame was kindled in the heart of Hadifah; he
smote his bosom, and was in the greatest consternation,
exclaiming, O tribe of Fazarah, to arms! to
arms! So the foolish ones assembled round Hadifah,
and said, Arise with us against the tribe of
Abs; let us retaliate on them. O my cousins, said
he, lay not down this night but under arms. It was
Sinan who urged on the absurd party of the Fazarah
tribe; for it was his purpose to excite dissensions
among the tribes; he also smote his bosom,
and cut himself over the chin, as he cried out to the
tribe of Fazarah, Vengeance! Vengeance on the
tribe of Abs! leave them not a tent to live in.

The tribe of Fazarah reposed that night, having
prepared all their implements of war and battle. By
break of day. Hadifah was mounted; the warriors
were ready, and they left no one in the tents but
the children, and those who had not the force to
fight. Rebia was amongst those left behind, he and
his brothers, saying, I will not war against my
family. I will not be for them or against them. As
to King Cais, after he had put Ebe Firacah to
death, he was aware the Fazarah tribe would seek
him with their warriors; so he also made preparations
for battle: and as it was Antar who arranged

all King Cais's affairs, and put every thing in proper
train; he mounted with the Carad heroes, and
the Absians were immersed in armour and brilliant
coats of mail. They made ready for the contest,
leaving no one in the tents but the women, and those
who were unable to stand. And amongst those left
behind was Harith, who said, I will not engage the
tribe of Fazarah, for they are my relations. This
was a dreadful event for the two parties. They
marched out against each other, and the sun had
not risen when the dust flew on high, and the lightning
of the scimitars flashed, and the whole region
was convulsed; the light of day was obscured.

Antar was resolved to start forth and appease his
heart, when lo! Hadifah came forward arrayed in
sable robes, his heart and soul ulcerated with grief
on account of his son. Son of Zoheir, he cried, it
was not well to slay an infant; but it is well to
issue forth into the scene of battle, that it may be
decided by the contest of spears who deserves dominion,
you or I. At this King Cais was vexed;
he rushed from beneath the standards, resentment
overpowering every feeling; he sprang at Hadifah.
Urged on by the rancour they entertained against
each other, they charged on their noble steeds till
the day became black in their eyes. Cais was
mounted on Dahis, and Hadifah on Ghabra. In
the contest between them there past things unseen
before; each tribe despaired of its master, and they
resolved on the attack to assist them, that the vehemence

of the combat might be diminished. Just
then intense were the shouts; the cries arose on
high; scimitars were drawn; the spears were extended
between the ears of the Arab chargers. Antar
advanced towards Oorwah and his father Shedad;
Attack with me these dastards, said he, and make
to their right with the unsheathed swords, that we
may send it rolling against their left. At that moment
the elders of the two tribes came forward, and
stood in the centre of the plain, their heads uncovered,
their feet bare, and over their shoulders
hung the idols. They presented themselves before
the two armies (the horsemen were alarmed for the
results), and thus they addressed them; O my
cousins, by all the union of kindred between us,
make us not a proverb against the ordinances of
God's slaves: let not our enemies and our enviers
have cause to reproach us; relinquish this controversy
and dissension; widow not the women; orphan
not the children; be satisfied with the blood
that is against you among the Arabs; humble yourselves
to the Absians, your cousins. We ask of you,
how many nations before you has outrage annihilated!
how many tribes have plunged into evils
and calamities, but have soon repented of their impious
deeds! how many men have swerved from
propriety, and have stumbled into the pits of anguish
and regret! Wait then for the destined hour
of death; expect the day of dissolution; for it is at
hand. Ye will be lacerated by the hovering eagles
of destruction, and you will be consigned to the
gloomy recesses of the grave; then let there be no
record but of your virtues when your carcasses become
extinct. The Sheikhs did not desist from their
harangue till that burning flame was quenched, and
the passions of these resolute heroes were tranquillized.
Hadifah retired from the contest; and it was
decided that Cais should pay Ebe Firacah's price of
blood with a great quantity of cattle, and a string
of he and she camels. Neither did the Sheikhs quit
the field of battle till Hadifah embraced Cais, and
acquiesced in this arrangement. Antar roared and
bellowed, O king, said he to Cais, what is this deed?
What! shall the tribe of Fazarah take from us the
price of blood for one slain, and the sword of our
resolution thus brilliant? Shall our prisoners be
ransomed but by the barbs of the spears? Shall the
blood of our dead be shed unrevenged? Hadifah's
rage increased: Eh, thou bastard! said he; thou
son of a foul mother! What is it that honours thee
or disgraces us? Were I not ashamed of these noble
Sheikhs, I should have annihilated thy numbers by
this time: I should have left thy women widows
and thy children orphans. Hadifah's resentment
then being inflamed, By the faith of an Arab, said
he to the Sheikhs, who had exerted themselves in
restoring harmony, I will hear no more of peace,
were the foe even to plunder me with the points of
their spears. Do not so, son of my mother, said
Haml to his brother; ride not over the road of
folly; abandon such loathsome ways; be at peace
with our cousins, for they are the firebrands of the
zealous Arabs; their brilliant stars, and their dazzling
suns. It was but the other day you outraged
them, and ordered your slave to strike their horse,
that it might fail and swerve from the direct road.
As to your son, he was justly slain, for you sent to
demand what was not your due. After this there is
nothing so recommendable as peace; and he who
seeks war is a tyrant and an oppressor. Accept the
compensation and be tranquil, or else you will open
upon us a flame that will burn us in the fire of hell,
and thus he recited:

"By the truth of Him who firmly rooted the
mountains without a foundation, if you do not
accept the compensation of the Absians you are
deceived. They call Hadifah chief; be thou a
chief, and be satisfied with cattle and wealth.
Quit the horse of outrage; ride it not; it will
conduct you to a sea of sorrow and affliction.
Hadifah, renounce violence like a liberal man,
and particularly the battle against the horsemen
of Abs. Make them a strong tower for us when
the foe charges us, in the Absian superiority.
Make them to be of the number of our friends,
for they are of the noblest resolution, and Absians.
And if Cais has acted oppressively, it was you
who taught him treachery a few days ago."

When Haml had concluded, the chiefs of the
tribes thanked him, and Hadifah having agreed to

take the compensation, they restrained him from
acts of violence and hostilities. The warriors returned
home, and every thing was calmed between
them. Cais sent to Hadifah two hundred she
camels, ten slaves, and ten female slaves, ten head
of horse; and after this all was restored to peace,
and the people remained quiet in their country.