University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XIV.

On the fourth day, said Antar to Malik, Uncle, we
must depart. No, Antar, he replied, I cannot possibly
move from hence on account of the language
of the Zeead family. Let it not be said again, that
Malik fled from Antar the black, and is now returning
to marry his daughter to him against the consent
of every one. Never will I return home if something
be not done to raise my consideration, and
some one of my friends come to conciliate me.
Oblige me in this respect, go you home first, and
send me one of King Zoheir's sons, that he may repair
the evil done to my character. Antar heard
him, and thought him sincere; for he could not
divine the wickedness of his heart. Well then, he
said, I will send you the Princes Shas and Malik;
but I will not stir from you until you make Bostam
and his father King Kais testify for you, that you
have betrothed your daughter Ibla to me; and if
again you have recourse to your vile arts, I will
draw my sword across your neck.

The next day Antar conducted his uncle to King
Kais, and in the presence of his children and his
tribe, related all that had passed between him and
Malik, and made them bear witness to what he had

said: then recommending his uncle and his family
to Bostam and King Kais, he departed. He took
with him Ghayadh and his companions, and when
they were near home, he sent on Shiboob to announce
his arrival. The report was soon spread abroad,
and reached the sons of King Zoheir, who accompanied
their father on horseback to meet Antar,
who dismounted, and prayed for the long life of
King Zoheir. He went to his sons and saluted
them and all the horsemen, to whom he related
what had passed with his uncle among the Shibanians,
and that he would not return home until
some one was sent to conciliate him, and unless his
honour and character were exalted. As the man is
ashamed of what he has done, said Zoheir, we must
of course make it up with him, and grant his wishes.
It was then settled that King Zoheir's son should
depart with Antar for the land of Shiban, and appease
his uncle. For four days they continued
eating and drinking, and just as they were determined
on their journey, lo! a slave arrived from
the land of Shiban: he saluted Antar, and kissing
his hands, My lord, said he, King Kais and his son
salute you, and inform you that your uncle only remained
there one night after your departure, and
on the next day he quitted the country, and since
then we have no tidings of him. Ask not the effects
of Bostam's anger! He desires you to be quiet till
he can inform you where he is. Antar on hearing
this shed torrents of tears; but when King Zoheir
heard what had happened; Cheer up your heart,
said he, and be your brow brightened up, for your
uncle has now no enemy but me, and I alone will
secure the completion of your wishes.

When the people had retired to their tents, and
silence reigned among the family of Carad: How
long will you extend your arm to what it will never
reach? said Oorwah to Antar; the daughters of
Arabia are numerous, incline towards them, and
relinquish those in whose house you were brought
up. These words made a deep impression on Antar,
and he recommended to Shiboob to keep a good look
out after Oorwah. Now Oorwah had a sister called
Selma, who was married in the tribe of Ghiftan, to
a man whose name was Jahjah; and he went to
visit his sister for some days. Shiboob watched
him, and informed his brother Antar of his movements.
As soon as it was dark, Antar sallied forth
to lie in ambush for Oorwah on the road side, concealing
himself in a mountain called Tebeer. But
Oorwah, when he reached the tribe of Ghiftan,
went to his sister Selma, and found her quarrelling
and wrangling with her husband. She no sooner
saw her brother than she wept and complained after
the manner of women. Brother, said she, by that
womb in which you and I moved, you must relieve
me from the state in which I am, and take me to
your home; do not let me die here of rage and
passion. So the next day he put her into her howdah,
and went away with her towards the land of

the Absians; but just as they reached the mountain
where Antar was concealed, behold! ten horsemen
met them, and in front of them was a knight of immense
stature, of the dimensions of an elephant,
who, on seeing the howdah and the camel, advanced
towards Oorwah without delay, roaring out, Who
art thou? what is thy birth and parentage? I am
the son of Wird, he replied, Oorwah is my name;
noble are my father and my grandfather; so begone.
The knight listened: he was much surprised at
this language; but with a smile, he continued, Welcome,
O Ebe-ool-Ebyez, for thou art my object, and
my goal. Knowest thou who I am? Who art thou?
said Oorwah, thou son of a two-thousand horned
cuckold! I am Ghazi, answered he, the son of Kais,
the son of Dibyan; thy slave Antar slew my father,
and I must verily put him to death; thou too
didst slay my brother, and didst plunder my flocks,
and drive away my camels when I was absent from
home; so I have waited patiently till I might have
thee in my power, and now that I have come upon
thee, I will take away thy life from between thy
sides. As soon as he had spoken, he rushed upon
Oorwah, and exhibiting his strength and skill; and
as Ghazi was superior to Oorwah, he charged: after
a furious conflict he threw him on the ground, and
bound him fast. He then seized the bridle of
Selma's camel: she screamed, and invoked assistance,
crying out, O by Abs! is there no one to
aid me?—no one to release me? Antar had marked
Oorwah, and was ready to rush out upon him; but
when Ghazi encountered him, he was better pleased,
saying to himself, He is a lucky man who succeeds
by the means of another. But he no sooner saw
that Oorwah was a prisoner, and heard Selma's exclamations,
than his anger subsided in his heart;
his enmity gave way to his noble pride, and his
soul was softened: so he darted forth from the
defile like a lion in his wrath. Daughter of my
uncle, he cried, rejoice in your rescue from your
enemies, for the God of heaven has requited your
brother; he has had compassion on your sorrows,
and has sent me to your deliverance. Thus saying,
he directed his impetuous course towards the troop,
and poured down upon them with the vehemence
of a torrent; he thus exclaimed:

"Ye dastards, have ye captured Selma, and
Antar, her guardian, is he here in ambush? Her
brother, indeed, was my opponent, but now that
he is sick, I will be his physician. Had she not
cried out, O by Abs! and had not her tears
flowed in sorrow, the rancour I harboured would
not have been subdued, and I should not have
defended the well-shaped, high-bosomed dame.
But now be at ease; mark my deeds when thou
beholdest my antagonist inflicted with my spear.
Oorwah shall return after this, and he shall answer
with submission to my call: were I to
punish him for the family of Zeead, Ibla would
never be mine."

When Ghazi heard Antar's verses, and observed
his motions, he assailed him. They galloped
about—they dashed against each other—they struggled—they
plunged into the combat—they resisted
the thrust and the blow. But Antar fatigued Ghazi,
and having worn him out, struck him with the butt
end of his spear; he hurled him over, and knocked
him off his horse; when his companions hurried to
his relief, crying out, May God blast the tips of
thy fingers! what a noble knight hast thou slain!
Antar also assailed them, and the mountains trembled
at his violence; in less than an hour he slew
those who were destined to die, and the rest were
dispersed among the wastes. Selma rejoiced at her
rescue. She descended from her howdah, and came
forwards to meet Antar. May God bless thee for
a protector, she exclaimed, and in such as thee
noble dames may exult. And as she threw herself
before him kissing his feet, she thus expressed her
thanks:

"May God reward thee with every good from
us—may no evil of fortune afflict thee! for thou
hast rescued us from a base tribe, and converted
fears into security: they saw thee, and bade adieu
to life, when thou didst inflict the blows of thy
dreadful sword; thou didst return, and upon thy
spear were clots of their blood, and upon thy
barb—thou didst fell down their Chief with thy
polished blade; sturdy in the field of battle; for
thou art the lion, the champion of the race of

Abs, and their Chief far and near. May ever
thy foe in every land groan in the anguish of the
strangury! May thy sword be ever drawn against
thy enemy in the tumultuous combat! May thy
glories ever increase in sublimity, even to the sign
of the Lyra and the two Bears."

When Antar heard these verses, his rage was
calmed, and turning towards Oorwah, against whom
he was much provoked, he said, My heart was indeed
wounded at your expressions, and I only came
forth with a view of making you drink of the cup of
death, but things have turned out contrary; for
when I heard Selma's lamentations and sighs, this
violation of her modesty fell heavy on me, so I have
liberated her from the power of these wretches. But
I still turn towards you with an ulcered heart; see
then who can rescue you from me; who will be your
deliverance. O Aboolfawaris, cried Oorwah, your
generous nature will rescue me, the sweetness of
your milk will protect me; all I beg is, that you
will pardon me this once, and make me your friend,
and if you ever see me act foully again by you,
may I not be a legitimate son! may my pedigree
prove false! His sister Selma also intreated Antar,
and threw herself down before him; neither did
she desist till Antar had untied him: and when
Oorwah stood up, he thus said:

"O thou whose face has smiled, mayst thou ever
be the leader in every enterprise! for thou art
far above the world in courage; the universe

may perish, but thy glory can never be extinguished."

He then advanced and embraced him, and swore
he would never betray him again under any circumstances
whatever. After this they set out, and
whilst they were marching on, a wandering Arab
met them, roaming wildly over the plains, and
driving the wild animals before him. As soon as
Antar marked him, he desired Shiboob to bring the
fellow to him. Shiboob went and brought him.
Son of my aunt, said Antar, what is the cause of thy
wandering thus astray? My master Bostam, he
replied, has sent me to you; he salutes you, and
informs you that he has news of your uncle from
the tribe of Kendeh; and he wishes to know whether
you desire him to come to you with a party of Shibanians,
or whether he shall join you in the land of
Kendeh.

Arab, said Antar, salute your lord, and tell him
I am able to do myself justice, with the aid of the
Lord of all power; what I shall do with the tribe of
Kendeh shall be reported to him, for I will encounter
them were they even as numerous as the
sands of the desert; but let not your master, out of
his kindness and generosity, trouble himself about
such matters: let him not quit his own country and
family. May God bless him, and his liberal conduct!
The Arab took his leave, and departed
home. But Antar felt all the fierceness of rage and
indignation. O Aboolfawaris, said Oorwah, will you

not consent that I become one of your servants?
let me take my men and attend upon you. O Oorwah,
said Antar, how can I place any dependance
on you in the day of battle? I have never tried you
on any occasion. Speak not so, said Oorwah; by
the faith of an Arab, were I able this moment to
make my heart a shield to meet the spears of thy
enemy, I would do it, for I can never requite thee.
March on home, said Antar, and tell no one where
I am going. Oorwah drove on Selma's howdah,
and went home; but Antar, who regarded not his
professions, sought the land of Kendeh, and every
difficulty seemed easy to him, as thus he spoke:

"In whatever language the railers shall abuse
me, let them know that I watch while they sleep.
I rave, and I exhibit nothing novel in my love;
for were they to taste of passion, they too would
rave. Can I ever forget my afflictions in my love
for Ibla? are there any means of sheltering
myself from it? They think a moment's meeting
with thee too much, and years and years have
been past in grief and troubles. It would indeed
trouble me, were I not to see the treacheries of
fortune,—the sight of such is natural and constant."

Antar proceeded on his journey, and felt exceedingly
pleased that neither King Zoheir nor his sons
knew where he was, and could not assist him in the
conflict; and as Shiboob directed him on the road
to the tribe of Kendeh, he felt anxious to proceed

unattended and unaided. O thou who seest, and
art not seen, he cried, thou knowest that an expedition
when I am alone is more agreeable to me than
horsemen and troops, be thou only my succour,
O God of those who adore thee! and thus continued
in verse:

"O bird! alas! it grieves me in the groves, and
the hand of fate points out to me my abode.
I stop, and love has engraved its characters with
the pen of my blood in the desolation of my heart.
I question it about Ibla, and the raven answers
me, What have I to do with distracted lovers?
It grieves for its mate, its passionate sorrow tortures
me, plaintive is its note, but not in articulate
words. It grieves for the excess of its passion,
and I answer it with a heart ever throbbing in
regrets! What, O raven! if thou wert my companion,
we would traverse the countries of God in
our circuit, we would wander far away; perhaps
we might see a messenger from the tribe of Abs,
through whatever land or country we might pass.
In the shades of the night the dove calls out
mournfully, complaining of the vicissitudes of
fortune. If thou wert as melancholy as I am,
I cried, thou wouldst weep for me in everstreaming
tears. O Ibla, would thy phantom
visit me, I would be satisfied, and though thou
art absent from my eyes, O daughter of Malik,
thy form ever dwells in my heart. To-morrow
the foe shall lie round thy tents, gnawing their

fingers in dismay. Think not armies shall repulse
me when I charge through their native lands on
my steed. Let Death come in whatever form he
pleases, let him behold my sword blows and my
spear thrusts."

Antar pursued his course till he reached the
waters of the tribe of Nagil; there he turned off,
and wished to alight, when lo! a cloud of dust arose
behind him; he waited to see it, and when it cleared
there appeared an hundred horsemen in armour of
steel, and their chief was a noble of the tribe of Abs
and Adnan, Oorwah, son of Wird, who was coming
after Antar to afford him his assistance. For when
he separated from him, he conducted his sister to
the tribe of Abs, and having assembled his people,
in whom he trusted in difficulties, Know, said he,
that Antar was the most odious of men to me, but
now he is dearer than my life. Then he related all
that had passed; how he preserved his sister's honour,
and had rescued him from death. I am now
resolved to accompany him, and follow him where-ever
he goes, for he is a fortunate man; we shall be
among his abettors, and thus become the prop of
the tribe, and this will be a great additional honour
to us. This is my only reason for having quitted
him, for he is going against the tribe of Kendeh,
and is determined on attacking them alone. With
one who is endued with such fortitude and intrepidity,
we cannot but hold a glorious course, for he
will plunge into the fire of battle, and divide with

us the spoil and plunder. Oorwah continued extolling
the excellencies of Antar's character to his
comrades till they agreed to act as he desired, and
they all swore obedience to Antar; so they immediately
prepared for the expedition, and on the next
day they set out, Oorwah at their head, thus reciting:

"I go to the noble hero to aid him with my
voice, my deeds, and my arm. I will aid him till
he rescue Ibla, and cut down the foe with the Indian
blade. Come on then, my cousins, let us
follow him, for he was indeed my succour in the
evil day; he liberated me when I was in captivity
and disgraced; and he released my person when
I was in chains. He protected my family—he
was the intrepid lion—he destroyed my foe, and
I succeeded in my project—and by this act I am
become, as it were, his slave. How can one deny
a man who has acted thus? By God, with no
man on earth will I associate but him; to please
him shall be my object till I am dead and interred."

They pursued their journey till they all met,
as we stated, and as they neared each other, O
Ebeulebyez, said Antar, my acts towards thee did
not merit such a return as this. Aboolfawaris, exclaimed
Oorwah, we will not die but for thee. And
they proceeded and traversed the roads till they
reached the tribe of Ghaylan, when Antar said to
Oorwah, Do you and your men alight here, whilst

I and my brother Shiboob roam among these sand
hills and rocks. Antar took Shiboob, and leaving
Oorwah and his people there, the two brothers
wandered about till they at last reached a valley
abounding in trees and murmuring streams; and
as they came near to the water, they heard groans
issuing from a sorrowful heart, and some one exclaiming,
May God curse thee, O Malik, how infinite
have been thy frauds and artifices! The moment
that Antar heard these words he dismounted, and
stood listening, when lo! in a voice stronger than
at first, came these verses:

"O mother, relieve my woes with water from the
misery of thirst! Weep for me, all that behold
me, a wretched lover; my woes have destroyed
me, and grief has worn out my frame. Tears
were my relief, but now they are become blood.
I see no one that feels compassion for me, or that
can dissipate my sorrows. Sing to me, dove of
the waste, and favour a victim of love! Watch as
thou wert wont in nights of old. Here are we in
the valley of Hima, all night mourning in absence,
suffering for fidelity to vows that I ever preserved.
If my darling Ibla asks thee after me, say I am
no more; that every day was passed in passion
in this grove. O Ibla! had the enervating sentiment
of love left any power in my body, I would
not thus be grieving in a foreign land, a miserable
unhappy lover. But all that is passed is by the
will of God."

How, son of my mother, exclaimed Antar, do
these words find me awake or dreaming? Or among
the Arabs is there another Ibla and Malik, her
father? or has destiny sent me hither to rescue her
from perils? They advanced, and came to a pool
of water, where they found on its banks a black
woman exceedingly ugly, and before her was a
youth, hard-featured, strong-limbed, and much like
her, sometimes closing his eyes, and sometimes
opening them; and the woman was grieving over
him. Woman! said Antar, as he stood over her
head, who art thou? and who is this youth that is
lying before thee, and what has thus distressed him?
Arab, she replied, this is not his natural condition,
for he is a gallant horseman; but the decrees from
the great God have come upon him, and a cruel
uncle has harassed him. And what is this youth's
name? asked Antar. My lord, she replied, his
name is Antar, son of Shedad, and his mother is
Zebeeba. Our story is curious: his father captured
me among the hordes, and I bore him this son, who
grew up, and God endowed him with force and
strength. He mounted the horses, made much
plunder, and enriched his father and uncles. One
of his uncles had a daughter, with whom he was
brought up—he loved her. At last his father acknowledge
him as his son, and he continually
besought her father to marry her to him, which he
promised, but deceitfully and treacherously, because
his friends and companions abused him. He had also

an enemy called Rebia; his uncle was ever ill-treating
him, and at last he ran away with his daughter
from place to place till he came hither, where a
celebrated warrior and renowned hero encountered
him, called Mozahim, son of Jeyash, the lord of this
valley. When he took up his abode here, he slew
her father, and lusted after her. My son in the
mean time remained wandering over the deserts on
her account, and came to this valley, I also following
him, always crying out to him, till he reached
this spot, and threw himself down in this state as
you see; and it is now three days that we have
been in this condition.

Whilst the woman was speaking, Antar meditated,
and was quite amazed. Woman! said he,
has he a brother called Shiboob? No, she replied,
by the truth of the unseen Knower of all things!
She is like our mother Zebeeba, said he to Shiboob;
and verily, I am quite alarmed at this calamity.
Well, he continued, and does he who has taken
Ibla prisoner—Ibla, the daughter of this youth's uncle, reside in this valley? Yes, she replied, and
we are in the greatest danger, for were he to know
of our situation, our fates would be at hand.

Now this was a renowned warrior—a tyrant—
whom fire could not touch. He was a shedder of
blood, a violater of women, and morning and evening
he practised his iniquities. His sole desire and
object was cattle, that he might plunder—crimes
that he might perpetrate—debaucheries that he

might commit, and a goblet of wine that he might
drink. He listened not to the voice of the railer,
and he never was to be deterred from his villanous
proceedings. It was he who having driven away
the inhabitants of this valley, caught some young
lions, and brought them up till they became huge
animals: he tamed them, and whenever he rode out,
they roamed round him; and when he staid in his
den they guarded him also. On this account the
Arabs called him the Father of Lion-cubs—Aboolcshbal:
and when that damsel fell into his hands,
he dragged her into this valley, and demanded of
her what man desires of woman. But she would
not listen to him, but answered him with abuse; he
smiled at all she said, and gave himself up entirely
to her, and sought by every means to attach her to
him.

Now when Antar came, his abode could not be
discovered on account of the quantity of bushes.
But Abjer smelt out the lionesses, and started
back. Antar doubled his legs to dismount, and
proceeded on foot. He drew forth Dhami, and
rushed in, saying to Shiboob, Hold Abjer whilst I
settle this affair. He soon beheld a spacious dwelling,
and a tent pitched; a horse ready bridled, a
long spear, and a sword suspended. Abooleshbal
was seated in front of his habitation, and before him
was a wild ass; and he was cooking over a fire; and
by his side was a goblet of wine as big as the belly
of a camel ten months gone with young. The damsel

was in tears; How long will you thus persist?
cried she; never will I betray my cousin Antar, no,
not even were you to cast me into this fire. Abooleshbal,
enraged, was about to kill her, when she
cried out, Where are thine eyes, O Antar, that thou
mightest see me thus cruelly, infamously used?

Antar really imagined it was his cousin Ibla: he
almost expired; he gave a howl that made the
mountains rock, and the lions roared. Antar attacked
them with his irresistible scimitar, and his
brother Shiboob followed him with his arrows. God
has hastened vengeance and death on you, cried the
damsel. He sought his lions, and found seven of
them dead; for Shiboob had killed two with his
arrows, and Antar five with his sword. Amongst
them all there was one brute with a long red mane,
with immense talons. It looked at its master, and
sprang upon Antar like the descent of Fate and
Destiny. But Antar met the beast with his Dhami.
The blow came down just between the eyes, and
the sword issued flaming between the thighs.

When Abooleshbal saw the effects of that stroke,
he was aghast; he shouted out to two lions, and let
them loose into the desert. And as he advanced towards
Antar, You know me not, he cried; and they
rushed at once at each other, well matched in the
contest.

Abooleshbal soon said to Antar, Wilt thou wrestle?
Willingly, said Antar. So they threw aside their
swords, and returned to the conflict. He was greatly

rejoiced, but as Antar was afraid of protracting the
contest, he dashed at him with a vast roar. The
mountains echoed back the terrifying sound, and
the lions quaked with fear: he grappled with him,
he grasped him between the thighs with his right
hand, and raising him up above his shoulder, till
the black of his arm-pit appeared, O by Abs! he
cried, I will not be resisted. I am the lover of Ibla;
I will not be controlled; and dashed him on the
ground, and smashed his length into his breadth: he
again took to his sword; he cut him through his jugular
vein, and severed his head from his shoulders.
May your arm be never palsied, exclaimed the girl,
or your wife made captive; and may never any one
harm you! and thus she eulogised him:

"God prosper thee for a noble youth of the thrust
in the day of battle, and the struggle of equals.
O knight of knights! O lion of war! O asylum of
the Adnanian horsemen! O cleaver of heads! O
crown of glory! Thou hast converted my fears
into security! May the pillar of thy sword make
thee a horseman to subdue the kings of Cahtan!
O thou defender of the age, my limbs and my
tongue will sing thy praises. O thou, who
honourest the age with thy existence, and raisest
men to high distinction by thy deeds, mayest thou
be secure, and live under the shadow of happiness
as long as the lightning flashes over Hedjaz!"

Antar thanked her for her compliments, and rejoiced
at this virtuous act. He ordered Shiboob to

collect all the cattle in the valley, and the silk stuffs.
He then went forth, and there found the boy, and
the woman, who was soothing him with her conversation.
As soon as she saw Ibla and Antar, her
heart was near bursting. She instantly jumped up,
and kissed Antar's hands and feet; on which he
dismounted, and seating himself by the head of the
youth, he said to his cousin, Come, and speak to
him; for it is only the disorder of lovers; nothing
can dispel it but the beloved object; that is the only
physician. The damsel approached, and spoke to
him; whilst Antar gently offered him some food.
The youth recovered, and returning to himself, he
exclaimed—

"Alas! for my heart that passion has melted,
by glances cast at me from the edge of a sword.
If I say he is a scimitar—he is a drawn scimitar.
If I say he is a bow—here are the arrows. Thou
hast brought me to life again, O knight of the
land, through whom the hand of fortune has administered
peace to me. Openly will I thank
thee as long as I am able: O thou, my generous
benefactor!"

Antar, on hearing this commendation, thanked
him; but the youth, now that he felt restored to
life, turned towards Antar, saying, My lord, I
anxiously hope you will be so obliging as to take
me with you as one of your assistants, for I cannot
separate myself from you. Take some nourishment,
replied Antar, and go to your cousin, so that

your distresses may be removed, and the flame of
your heart be cooled: as long as you live I will
protect you, but be not called by that name, or you
will meet your death, for I have numerous enemies
among the Arab tribes. Then making him a present
of a string of camels that belonged to Abooleshbal,
he bade him farewell, and quitted him, and
he continued his course, rapt in meditation. But
they had not proceeded, when, lo! a dust arose,
and twenty stout horsemen appeared beneath it;
with them was considerable plunder, and they were
on their way home. As soon as they saw Antar,
they turned towards him. Dismount, said one of
the horsemen from your horse, and surrender. Accursed
be your father, exclaimed Antar, go your
way, and keep what you have already gained. On
hearing this, they laughed at him. I will soon
convert your smiles into tears, he added, and he
instantly attacked the first, and smote him, and
severed his head from his shoulders. As soon as
his companions saw this blow, May God blast your
right hand! cried they, how vigorous are your
blows! Who are you, noble knight? I am Antar,
son of Shedad, he replied. When they recognised
him, they fled into the wastes, fearing the power of
his sword. Antar drove on the camels, and as he
drove them, thus he recited:

"Long has my anxiety and my passion endured;
nought but thee do I wish for, and without thee
I am not comforted. I am going towards thee,

that I may have one look with which my heart
may revive from sorrow and inquietude. I have
seen Abooleshbal in the tumults among lions; he
a lion, red-haired and tough of heart; I charged
among them, and I soon felled them to the ground
in my vigour, my resolution, and my impetuosity.
Abooleshbal too turned upon me, but I cut him
down instantly, hand over head. Armies opposed,
eager to strip me—all patient heroes, hardened
in fight. But I implore relief from my Creator
in thy embraces; O thou the hope of my heart
among the world!"

When Antar had finished, Shiboob urged on the
spoil and plunder, and they traversed the wastes
and wilds till they rejoined Oorwah and his comrades,
who congratulated him on his safety, and to
their inquiries, he informed them about Abooleshbal
and the damsel Ibla, and her cousin Antar. Oorwah
was amazed at his liberal conduct, and was in
the greatest consternation. Antar divided the spoil
with Oorwah and his men, and soon after they resumed
their journey towards the land of Kendeh,
like lions in steel, Antar at their head, and Oorwah
by his side, and thus he spoke:

"Verily I have been oppressed with the calamities
of fortune, and I have been overwhelmed
by it in perils and enemies. How long must I
endure in battles horrors that blind and bewilder
the senses of every youthful hero! Every day I
am engaged in endless contests, that would crush

the bones of lions in the hour of concussion, trials,
meetings, absences, and every intolerable goading
oppression. O Ibla! how many terrible tumults
have I endured for thee among the Arabs and
Persians! How many lion-hearted, princely horsemen
have I slain with the spear and sword,
intrepid heroes in the day of terrors, undaunted
warriors in quest of prey!"

This was their situation; but Malik, Ibla's father,
when he fled from the land of Bostam, son of Kais,
went and demanded protection from the Arab tribes.
He wandered far over the deserts, and whatever
tribe he halted at, when they knew who he was, expelled
him, for they were alarmed at the sword of
Antar. Thus he continued, till he came to the
tribe of Kendeh, and this was an exceedingly powerful
clan. He introduced himself to the King
Amroo, taking his son with him; they kissed his
hands, requesting his protection: he took compassion
on them, and feasted them for three days.
On the fourth day he sent for them, and asked them
who they were, and why they had halted in his
land. O King! they replied, we are of the noble
tribe of Abs. The King, on hearing this, said,
O Malik, could not your cousins protect you?
They are the strongest of the Arab tribes, and their
power the most universal. Upon this he acquainted
him with the story of his nephew Antar, and what
had passed between him and his daughter. As
Amroo listened, he felt assured that Malik was a

man of great dignity and liberality, but he did not
know that he had plotted the destruction of his
country, and its entire annihilation. King Amroo
pitched a tent for him by his own dwelling, and assigned
him servants and handmaidens; and as he
staid with him a long time, he frequently, with his
son, rode out to pay their compliments to the King;
but one day they perceived all the family in confusion,
and the horsemen all mounted. On asking
the reason, they told him that the son of the King's
sister, famed in war, was on his way, and that all
the people had come forth to meet him. Malik
therefore accompanied the horsemen, and was amazed
at the immense concourse of Arabs. Soon appeared
Mas-hil, son of Tarak, and before him marched
seven hundred horsemen in coloured dresses, and
with gold maces. He was a terrific object, but
quite a youth like a brilliant moon, broad-shouldered
and strong-limbed; and as he approached,
all the horsemen crowded round him, eager to kiss
his hand. When Malik saw this, he also followed
the Arab custom, and went up to Mas-hil, and
saluting him, expressed his affection for him. O
Sheikh! said Mas-hil, truly this country is honoured
in your presence, and he continued praising
him till Malik again kissed his hand. And when the
multitude had retired, and the glasses were circling
freely round, and the girls and boys were dancing,
said King Amroo to Mas-hil, What is it that has
brought you hither at this moment? I am come,
said Mas-hil, to demand the daughter of this Absian
in marriage. She has been often mentioned to
me, so I have presented myself here, and I wish
you would assist me. Truly this damsel is well-favoured,
said he, much surprised, and the hand of
God has contributed to her charms; moreover, I
say nothing to you but what is perfectly true. I
am anxious, said Mas-hil, to see her before the contract,
if your wife will but aid me; when the women
come to congratulate her on my arrival, Ibla and
her mother will be of the party. I will put on the
garments of your daughter Najia, and will seat
myself by the side of her mother. When this conversation
was over, he went to his aunt, and told
her all his story, and in the morning she dressed
him in her daughter's clothes, and placed him by
her side, and invited the women in. They all came,
and Ibla and her mother too. But Mas-hil was in
ecstasies; he was quite enraptured, and his pride
and glory were humbled; he was in torture till the
women departed, when he stripped off the clothes,
and felt like a drunken man; he put on his own
garments, and could not account for this revolution
in his feelings. In haste he repaired to his uncle,
and in the greatest agitation. All present stood up.
Mas-hil went towards his uncle, and related all that
had passed. King Amroo turned towards Malik:
Know, O Arab, said he, that the son of my sister
entertains the strongest friendship for you; he was
talking to me last night about it, and he said, O
uncle, I much wish this Sheikh and his son would
go home with me, that I may load them with kindnesses.
Now truly he is a horseman of the universe,
his sword has conquered all from Yemen to
Irak; his commands are strictly obeyed: I told him
your adventures, and the circumstance of the slave
who was educated in your tent. Uncle, said he to
me, were he not a man of noble pride and dignity,
he would not have emigrated into a foreign land.
In addition, he told me he was come to demand
your daughter in marriage, and would give her all
he possessed, and this is what has passed. When
Ibla's father heard this, his joy was great; O King,
said he, the God of heaven knows my intentions,
and has now realised all my expectations. Do as
you please, and make me one of your slaves; here
is my hand as a proof of my sincerity, and in confirmation
of what I say. He made the contract
with Mas-hil, son of Tarak; feasts were prepared,
and the good tidings promulgated, and the slave
girls all shouted in delight. About evening, Ibla's
father returned home, Mas-hil having invested
him with a splendid robe, and made him presents,
and given him some richly-caparisoned steeds, and
instantly told Ibla all that had passed; but when she
heard this news, she beat herself violently, and
screamed aloud, weeping and sighing piteously. As
to Mas-hil, he set out that very night on his journey
home, that he might despatch the marriage donation
and dowry, which consisted of a thousand she-camels
laden with the rarities of Yemen, and a thousand
dinars, and three thousand sheep, and fifty swift
steeds, with their armour and rending spears; and
robes of satin, and ten strings of jewels, and twenty
balls of scented musk. Early in the morning he
sent it all away with his attendants, and fixed on a
certain day for the wedding. In a few days the
marriage presents arrived in the land of Kendeh;
all the multitude were amazed at that quantity of
wealth, saying, No damsel has ever seen the like
that this Absian has beheld, but she deserves it and
as much more. They continued making the preparations
till there only remained three days of the
appointed time, and during that period arrived
Antar. Happening to reach the land by night, he
dispersed Oorwah's people among the mountains,
saying, O Ebeulebyez, I am anxious to know what
is going on with Ibla in this country, for certainly
they will provide her a new husband. I want much
to go among the dwellings, and I will soon return
with intelligence. What would you be about?
cried Shiboob. You, just like a huge bull! I am
the only person for such a project. I fear, said
Antar, that my uncle may recognise you. I will
not let him discover me, said Shiboob, were I even
to stand close to him. And he went to his travelling
bag and took out some women's clothes, which he
put on, and having veiled himself, he slung over his
shoulders a water bag. Antar and Oorwah were
astonished at his contrivance. You are indeed like
one of Shedad's slave girls, said he, and resemble
the young Banah. These are her clothes, said he;
she is my mistress, and I am her lover. And he set
out for the tents of the tribe of Kendeh, and repaired
to the dwellings of King Amroo, moving and
swaggering his shoulders like a woman. He perceived
the tents destitute of horsemen, for they
were gone out to the plain, and the families were
occupied in festivities. The unmarried girls were
playing about and beating the cymbals and musical
instruments, and the slaves were brandishing their
swords and shields, and their countenances appeared
glistening with joy.

When Shiboob saw this, he advanced towards
them, and mixing with them, looked towards a tent,
on the outside of which was a brilliant illumination
of lamps and candles. Being convinced that this
must be the nuptial pavilion, he made a great noise,
and began to play, and mingled with the women
and slave girls, and danced till he attracted the attention
of all present; and they all crowded round
him, staring at him whilst he sang, for he knew his
voice would reach Ibla:

"Fawn of the huntsman, thy captor is come; say
not he is not come; lo! here he is—certain are
all thy hopes. Rejoice in the aid of the sword of
thy hero. Understand the tale I tell thee: how
long wilt thou delay? Joy is now descending on
thy home, and will ever endure summer and
winter."

Now Ibla was at that moment listening to the
music from the tent. She signified her wish to sing
and play with the other damsels, and thus addressed
Shiboob:

"O wanderer of the desert, dancer of the tent—
the lion is the noble animal that affords refuge
after excess of pain—this is indeed a period of my
joy in thee. All my sorrows and griefs have
vanished. My joy depends on thee, O Chief!
Approach, for I am here as one dead!"

When Shiboob heard these words, he pretended
being tired, and sat down near the tent. Just at
that time Ibla also appeared and looked at him, and
as he was dressed in woman's clothes, This damsel
cannot be a Kendeyan maid, she said; she must be
a damsel of Shedad's. Then went pit-a-pat Shiboob's
heart; but he turned towards her; and calmed her
mind, and uncovered his face. She recognised him.
O Shiboob! said she, where is my cousin Antar?
Here he is, replied Shiboob, hard by, and with him
his friend Oorwah, and a hundred horsemen. We
arrived here last night, and I am come to procure
intelligence of you: I shall return and inform him.
Shiboob, said she, there are still three days for the
marriage with Mas-hil, son of Tarak; but let that
rather be the means of separation. Return immediately
and tell him my situation; but let him not
think of assaulting the tribe, he must lie in wait
for me till I set out; then let him rush forth, and
slay all that are with me. Do you seize the bridle

of my camel, and we will return to our native land.
All, all, must taste of death; bid Antar not to spare
even my father.

Shiboob having heard this, returned to Antar,
and related to him all that Ibla had told him.
Antar was in agony for three days; his disquietudes
and anguish were unceasing.

Now Malik, Ibla's father, from the moment he
had betrothed his daughter to Mas-hil, never saw
her but overwhelmed in tears and sorrow; yet he
never rebuked her. But when she learnt this account
of her cousin, her distress vanished, and she
began to eat and drink, and clothe herself in the
rich robes which Mas-hil had sent her. Her father
observed this, and made a thousand useless conjectures
about it. At last, he mentioned the subject
to his son, saying, My son, Ibla appears happy and
pleased; and her sorrow is turned into joy. I am
persuaded she has intelligence of Antar; and I fear
he will encounter us on the road, and mar our fortunes:
this Antar is my horror. So he despatched
a letter to Mas-hil—

"Know, mighty King, that I have been harassed
several times by my nephew, and I fear he will
meet us on the road; and his attack is replete with
death. It would be better that you should come
and receive your bride, and return home with her."

When Malik's letter reached Mas-hil, he smiled
in astonishment. I will go for her, said he; fortunate
if this black should come into the country,

that I may slay him, and darken his existence, and
Malik enjoy all that can give him pleasure. So he
gave directions instantly to his horsemen and his
troops to make preparations for a journey. He himself
mounted with a hundred black horsemen, harsh-featured
fellows; and they pursued their course
eagerly and rapidly till they reached the tribe of
Kendeh. Mas-hil went to his uncle's, and told him
of Malik's letter. What's all this? said Amroo to
Malik. Who is this Antar, that he should venture
into this country and annoy this Knight, who is the
destroyer of horsemen?

Malik returned home, and ordered the slaves and
handmaidens to make the camels kneel down, and
fasten on the baggage. Ibla was elegantly dressed;
he raised her into the howdah. The Kendehan
women came out with her, and before them went
the richly-harnessed horses, and the slaves, brandishing
their swords; all headed by Mas-hil, son
of Tarak, and Malik, Ibla's father. The people
rejoiced at this event, and Ibla pretended to be
overjoyed; whilst every moment she lifted up the
curtain of the howdah, and looked about to the right
and left. Ibla, said her mother, who was by her
side, I could have been persuaded that on such a
day as this you would be drowned in tears; but I
see you all brilliant with joy: what is the meaning
of this? My mother, I was in a distant land, and
despaired of ever returning home, said Ibla; but
now I have beheld this beautiful Knight, all my wits

are captivated by his loveliness and grace, and by
the life of my father's head, this Knight is dearer to
me than any human being; and had I the power
over Antar, I would gnaw his flesh, and drink his
blood, for I am indeed vexed at what I have suffered,
and at having irritated my family. And her
mother was well pleased at the change.

Thus they continued till they reached the defiles
where Antar was concealed. Shiboob was reconnoitring
on some of the sand-hills like a cunning
fox; and he cried out to his brother, O thou black-born,
the howdahs and camels are approaching. The
instant Antar heard this, he sprang on Abjer's back,
and girded on his irresistible Dhami, and his long
spear. Oorwah and his people did the same. Antar
wished to explain to Oorwah his plan for the battle.
O Ebe-ool Ebyez, said he, this is Ibla that is coming,
and the troops protect her. Mas-hil her lover is
behind. Which do you prefer? Will you meet the
enemy with your men? and shall I take the bridle
of Ibla's camel? Or, will you conduct her camel,
and guard her whilst I drive away the troops? O
Aboolfawaris, said Oorwah, let me protect Ibla,
and do you drive away the enemy from us. Antar
smiled, and said Yes; and I am the man to drink
of their cups, I am their slayer, and their destroyer.
When thus I rush out against the party, do you and
your comrades protect Ibla, and away with her to the
valley. Let none of your men attack them till they

see the horsemen close on me, and surrounding me;
then let them make the assault, and aid me.

And forth he issued from the mouth of the valley
like a gust of wind, till coming up to the howdah
of Ibla, he shouted at the slaves, and fell into
the midst of them, plundering their souls; his uncle
was stupefied with fear and terror. The slaves
shrunk from the carnage, whilst he sung from his
saddle, and thus recited:

"This day shalt thou see a day when the battle
will blaze, and lives shall be cut off by the sword;
a day that shall frighten all that witness it. In it
shall be blood, and the sharp-edged swords shall
clash. Brave men shall drink of the cup of fate,
and heroes be hurled from their saddles. Away
with laughter and jest, and mirth. They shall
be in battle, and in the turbulent conflict. Here
shalt thou see me in the field of war, hewing off
heads with the sword, whose edge is pain. I will
abandon warriors on the plain of contest, laid low
and stretched out ghastly with anguish. Heroes
shall be struck down; armour cleft in twain, and
confusion reign in the dust of the conflict."

As soon as Antar had finished these verses, he
shouted to his uncle, Son of an adulteress, whithersoever
thou goest, behind thee comes erasing fate,
and the turbulent lion. Malik was stupefied; he
speedily retired towards Mas-hil, to inform him of
this accident, whilst Antar took the bridle of Ibla's

camel, and said, Health to thee, beloved of my heart!
And art thou alive, and in health? O Aboolfawaris!
replied she. O ornament of every circle! lord of
the bold heart and intrepid soul! hero of the tall
spear! Thus he addressed her:

"O Ibla! daughter of Malik, son of Carad,
love of thee has sunk into my heart. Soon will
I meet them with the tearing thrust of the spear,
till my heart is appeased. I will smite their heads
with the polished scimitar—I will bew off their
skulls, and cut their throats—I will ravage their
cultivations and lands, and will glut the wild
beasts with their carcases. I am Antar, noble
and zealous. He who is nobly born! yes; he
that is strong in battle, shall be called on the day
of carnage a Shedadean!"

Foul wretch! exclaimed her mother, didst thou
not tell me thy cousin was nothing to thee, but
truly I suspected thee when I saw thee turning
about to the right and left. Now the slaves all fled
towards Mas-hil, and told him of the sad event.
His eyeballs turned fiery-red; then galloping towards
his troops: I am the knight of Yemen, and
Irak, he roared. He stopped not till he came up
with Antar at the opening of the valley, and thus
taunted him:

"Has a tender of camels taken my bride captive?
And has he wounded me with the arrow of
separation? Has he seized the fawn that enslaved
my heart with the magic of her eyelashes and

pupil of her eyes? Hopeless were his attempts,
were he even to bear her away on the steeds of
Ootak. I will make her slave drink of the cup
of death with a spear! and I will annihilate
the Absian Chiefs with finely-edged swords. I
will leave their lands whelmed in affliction. Women
shall ever remember the catastrophe! I am
a lion, whose name is known from the land of
Room even to Irak."

Whilst Mas-hil spoke, Antar listened; and instantly
he replied:

"O Mas-hil, instead of embraces and kisses, behold
the thrusts with the well-shapen spear, and
fatal blows from the hand of the nobly-descended
lion, high raised above his fellows. Instead of
Ibla are the cleaving strokes of scimitars and
thrusts of spears, tearing out the eyeballs. I am
the well-known warrior, whose fame is spread
over every region. Behold! how horsemen smite
the breasts of their antagonists, but my thrust is
through the throat and the eye-ball! Cowards
pride themselves on the extent of their wealth,
but my pride is in the steeds of Otak. See!
death is on my javelin's point—See! at one
thrust life is extinct—See! how glory belongs to
me alone, and after me, no higher honour can
wait the most ambitious—See! how I have surpassed
every warrior, and truly my attack has
checked every foe. Now tell the Kendeyans what
thou hast seen, for the hour of thy death and thy

wane is come! Recommend to them all thy
wishes, for if once thou meetest me, thou wilt
never return!"

No sooner had he concluded, than he rushed
upon Mas-hil. They thrust with their spears—
they smote with their swords, and the bird of fate
was flying over them. The dust arose in black
clouds, and Mas-hil perceived in Antar what confounded
his senses; but he concealed his anguish,
braved every thing with patience and perseverance.
Again the thick dust rolled up, when, lo! a troop
overtook Antar from the sides of the plain: he
rushed upon his antagonist like a lion, and thrust
at him the spear of rage and fury; he rent open
his corslet and coat of mail; he tore out his entrails
and his heart, and he hurled him at his full length
upon the ground. Then he assaulted the troop,
and soon brought down disgrace and misery upon
them. Terrified they were as they perceived the
destruction of Mas-hil, the knight of the world;
but they engaged Antar, till despairing of success,
and seeing death was at his command, they dispersed
away from him, and joined their rear. Ibla's
father and brother continued their flight, till they
reached the tribe of Kendeh, and in the fulness of
their agony and distress they exclaimed, O Kendeyans!
misfortune has come upon you; war has
suddenly overwhelmed you! death is nigh at hand.
At this the horsemen advanced thick as a shower of
rain when it pours; King Amroo mounted and

asked the news. They told him what Antar had
done. Overtake, said they, your nephew, before
death descend upon him, and this voracious lion
destroy him. Speak not thus, O Malik, said King
Amroo, for I am under no alarms for the son of my
sister; let your black come, he will never return.
'Tis thy fears that dictate these expressions. He
then hastened to the foe, and the troops behind
closed upon him like the waves of the stormy sea,
when, lo! the troops that had accompanied Mas-hil
hurried towards him, screaming and shouting. Some
of them advanced, and told him what had happened;
his heart was near bursting—he halted: How evil
and inauspicious, he exclaimed, has been the face
of Malik and his daughter to us! To his horsemen
he called out, and they slackened their bridles,
fixed their spears, and sought the summits of the
mounds and sand-hills. Antar, when all had fled,
stood over the carcase of Mas-hil, stretched out
like the mountain side; he smote it with Dhami,
and as he cut it in two, he thus exclaimed:

"Favourite of the songstress! I have left him
dead, a plenteous prey for the spotted serpent's
maw. My hands with a speedy thrust reached
him, and the blood gushed out, and he weltered
in his gore. I rent with the sturdy spear his
heart; however noble may be the hero, the spear
is not to be resisted. I have left him a prey to
wild beasts, that they may feed on him—that
they may gnaw his head and arms. I am one

whose hands, inflamed with wine, would tear the
regal standard from a king. I will urge my steed
into the dust, and he will plunge into it, champing
the bit and snorting; but when he sees that
I mind not his distress, he shows his grinders,
but neighs no more. I have pierced him with the
spear, and have raised him on high on the point
of my sharp-edged Indian scimitar."

Neither did he cease till he saw the desert all
black, and dust extending along the plain, troops
pressing on him, and warriors shouting at him.
Heroes advanced in haste towards him. Horsemen
appeared on all four sides, each exclaiming, By the
faith of an Arab, I will not permit thee to return
home, thou foulest of blacks, for thou hast slain a
warrior whose equal the world cannot boast; and
we must destroy thee to avenge him. As soon as
Antar perceived the sparkling of scimitars and the
glittering of spear-barbs, and the din of shouts and
cries, he shook with rage and fury, so that all
his armour nearly flew off from his body: he was
scarcely sensible to whom he was speaking, or with
whom he was fighting. But as pride and ardour
seized him, he thus exclaimed:

"When I behold the steeds pouring down in
numbers, and snorting, I meet them without a
roar. They call on Antar, and their spears are
like a descent of locusts on a towering sand hill.
They call on Antar, and their studded breastplates
are like the eyes of frogs in a pool of water;

but I dash them down with the bright forehead
star and chest of my steed, till he is all besmeared
with blood. But should he bolt away from the
fall of the spear, I still urge him on; then he
complains to me, and gently neighs. But the
horses are stern and sour-looking, as if their riders
had drunk of the cup of coloquintida."

Anon he rushed upon the advancing troops, his
heart harder than stone, and his mind like the waves
of the sea when it roars. He smote off heads with
his sword, he dealt severing blows, and drove penetrating
thrusts; and when the troops closed upon
him, he shouted in their faces, and they were driven
back upon their rear, tossing the riders from their
backs, till his arms slackened of their vigour, and
he beheld the day like night. Upon this King
Amroo called out to his men, and threw himself on
Antar, steady as the noblest of heroes. Matters
were in this state, when lo! a dust appeared among
the mountains, and there started forth some swarthy-complexioned
horsemen, crying out, O by Abs! O
by Adnan! And when they approached the plain,
they uncovered their heads and cast aside their garments,
and exposed their lives to death; they poured
down like eagles, and thrust at the foremost of the
troops.

Now Oorwah, as soon as Shiboob came up to him
bringing Ibla, stationed ten men to protect her, and
with the remainder he made the attack, when he saw
the Kendehans surround Antar, and attack him

with their spears and falchions. Let us now, my
cousins, attack truly and sincerely, said he to his
comrades, for this is the first time we have ever
fought with Antar. Let us remove from him this
affliction, that he may acknowledge it as long as he
lives. It was the intention of Oorwah by this discourse
to make them behold Antar's exploits, and
teach them firmness for future occasions. When
Oorwah's comrades perceived Antar's unshaken resolution
in assaulting the warriors, their hearts were
like mountains, and they did as Oorwah commanded;
they endured patiently all the horrors of the conflict,
they assaulted with the utmost impetuosity,
and exhibited the firmest courage and determination.
Again Antar's powers expanded: where he thrust,
he slew; where he struck, he cleft; where he attacked
a whole body, he made it retreat. The dust
arose and thickened—the horses feet played with
the skulls as if with balls—and all that were present
on that day wished they had never been born, had
never stirred, and had never moved on the earth.

Antar heard his uncle's shouts, and his voice crying
out to the Kendehans, Assault this black, this
infernal black, who has slain Mas-hil; destroy him
whilst he is engaged in slaughter. Fear not those
who have aided him, for they are only common
fellows. When Antar heard these words, he attacked
him, urged on by his feelings, and overtook
him. Malik endeavoured to fly, but Antar grasped
hold of him, and seized him by his rings, and clung

to his throat, and threw him down behind him.
Shiboob soon bound him fast; his son made an
attempt to defend his father, but lo! an arrow struck
his horse's scrotum, and overthrew him. Shiboob
was on him before he could recover himself, and
bound him also, and away he went into the valley
with them both. The intelligence was soon spread
among the Kendehans, so the horsemen and warriors
came out one after the other. The numbers increased
against the Absians, and the succour brought
against them augmented. Oorwah's men exhibited
all their courage and their zeal, whilst Antar assisted
them as a father assists his son. They were covered
with wounds, and took refuge in the valley and the
defiles, for they were exhausted with striking and
thrusting; and as soon as night clothed the world
in darkness, they were surrounded by infantry and
cavalry.

King Amroo also came down to the entrance of
the passage, and in his heart there was a blazing
fire against Antar. In the evening no less than
seven thousand horsemen crowded round him, and
all were talking of Antar's exploits. My cousins,
even the Bestower of life on the world could not
have done such deeds, cried King Amroo; but if
he quits us alive after such achievements, the Arabs
will be ashamed of us, as long as the seated sit, and
the risen rise; and we shall be considered by them
as mere beasts and savages. Oorwah's men reposed
themselves. Some even expressed their disapprobation,

saying, How can we, fewer even than a hundred,
in this battle pretend to withstand all the
population of Yemen? but as to Antar, he is in
love. Their situation was no secret to Antar, so
he went up to Oorwah and said, O Ebe ool Ebyez,
I am aware your companions repent of what they
have undertaken; it would be better for you to
take them away, and seek safety among these hills,
and leave me alone in these difficulties, for I well
know death never advances or retards. What is
this? said Oorwah. We will never separate from
you, till the enemies' horses trample upon our heads,
and if any one of my companions repents of the enterprise,
let him take the consequences. They ate
a hearty dinner, and laid themselves down to sleep;
but Antar arose and went to Ibla, and saluting her,
kissed her between the eyes, and soothed his passion
with her. And the tribe of Kendeh reposed in
sorrows and distress.

They were in this situation when a messenger advanced
towards them in full speed over the sands:
Noble leaders, he exclaimed, know that the Chief
Bostam has plundered your wives and families, and
has ravaged your country and native land. So the
Kendehans returned to demand the restitution of
their wives and families. Antar, hearing their
shouts, wished to attack them, but Shiboob prevented
him, fearful of some stratagem on the part
of the Kendehans. Shiboob, however, in the course

of the night followed them, and on his return was
communicating to his brother what he had heard of
Bostam, how he had plundered the dwellings and
tents, when a dust appeared, and black columns
arose, beneath which stood forth some swarthy
horsemen, all shouting out, O by Abs! O by Adnan!
This was an army of noble Absians, headed by King
Zoheir's sons, Shas, Malik, Noofil, and Harith, and
with them was the Chief Shedad, and his brother
Zakhmetuljewad, and a thousand illustrious horsemen:
and Oorwah's sister was the cause of their
arrival, for when he had conducted her to the
dwellings, and enjoined her not to mention the subject
to any one, she religiously kept the secret, till
she perceived the great anxiety of the men and
women on account of the absence of Antar and her
brother; upon which, exceedingly alarmed, she told
Shedad that Antar and her brother were gone to
the tribe of Kendeh to rescue Ibla, and she related
all that Antar had done in his liberality and generosity
on their return from the tribe of Ghiftan,
and also the circumstance of the messenger from
Bostam. On hearing this, Shedad went to King
Zoheir and his sons, and in great distress related
the story to them. This narrative brought tears
into the eyes of all present. March! said King
Zoheir, haste away! Take with you one thousand
horsemen, and assist him; and if you wish, I also
will set out. Shas and Malik were greatly pleased;
they selected a thousand men, and marched out
with Shedad and his brother, a flame burning in
their hearts, till they reached the tribe of Kendeh.

As soon as Antar saw King Zoheir's sons, he
made his obeisance, and raised his voice in prayers
for them and their father. O Aboolfawaris, said
Shas, we have indeed to reproach you, for you went
away without telling us, so had any evil happened
to you, all the men and women would have been in
the greatest affliction on your account. O great
prince, exclaimed Antar, I do not wish the Arabs
should say of me, that the chiefs of the tribe of Abs
marched out with their slave, and assisted him in
the violence of his love. My son, said his father,
under the influence of your passion, you daily expose
your life to death; and, moreover, the Arabs
are all your enemies. Then Antar told them all
that had befallen his uncle Malik in the land of
Kendeh, and how he had betrothed Ibla to Mas-hil,
whom he had slain, and made to drink of the cup
of extinction; and how Malik had excited the horsemen
against him. Antar's account filled them with
astonishment; they inquired about Malik and his
son Amroo, and Ibla, and the tribe of Kendeh. As
to Malik and his son, said Antar, they are in my
possession, well secured; the Kendehans have returned
home. And, acquainting them with Bostam's
story, he continued, I was now setting out to
his assistance, had you not arrived.

Amazed at his great success, they departed in

company with him till they reached the field of
battle, where they saw Malik and his son in a deplorable
condition, almost dead under the pressure
of ropes and cords, so tight were they bound down.
Ah! said Shas, his heart pitying him in the presence
of the multitude, in what an unlucky hour didst
thou come into the world! Art thou not ashamed?
Thou art become a fable among the tribes. O nobles
and chiefs, by the faith of an Arab, exclaimed Malik,
I will never deliver my daughter to this black slave
whilst I have a tongue to speak, or a limb to move.
Either then make me drink of the cup of death, or
seize her for him with the hand of power, so that
my justification may be clear to the world, and my
honour unpolluted with ignominy. What induced
you to take my son's property, said Shedad, and
then refuse any return? and marry your daughter
to another man? But now as to this girl, we will
send her back to her country, and she shall not quit
our dwellings till she herself requests of her own
accord to be married; then we will marry her to
whom she pleases, and we shall be free from annoyance
and affliction. Witness for me, cried Antar,
all here, if he returns home and conceals his daughter,
I will make no demand upon him whatever; I
will not even remain near him, but I will do what
he pleases, and live with my sister Merwa in the
tribe of Ghiftan; and on his account I will abandon
family and home, and will wait for time to effect my
purpose. But should he marry her to any human
being, I will requite him as he deserves, and I will
hasten his departure from this world. O Aboolfawaris,
said Shas, no blame can now attach to you,
and it is impossible for any one to object to such
conditions. Well! said Malik, I shall demand of you
this concession and acknowledgment when we have
returned home. But I, said Antar, will not return
to reside with the tribe of Abs, whilst you remain
there, unless you grant me permission to do so.
Upon this Shedad got upon his legs, and releasing
Malik, kissed him between the eyes. King Zoheir's
sons were much astonished at all this, and at his
excessive liberality, and his affection for his family
and tribe; whilst Antar endeavoured to win his
uncle with these verses:

"I have had patience, but in my love patience
is extinct. Tears have flowed till they have become
blood. O ye that depart, in my heart you
dwell—my heart thirsts after ye. What burdens
of anguish have I borne! Were Mount Redwa[9]
to endeavour to support them, Redwa's self would
be crushed by their weight. O thou, daily inflicting
me with grief, the horsemen of olden time
would sink under such burdens. Fear not, that
in my wrath, I will raise thee up on the point of
my cleaving sword; but that thou livest, and that
I have not destroyed all thou hast built up, to me
no thanks are due. But I cannot forbear when

filthy Arabs oppose me, for I will not be disgraced—my
object is high in heaven. I speak
the words of truth in advice—he that exposes
himself unnecessarily to danger is never praised,
even should he escape."

Antar now resolved on going to the assistance of
Bostam; and leaving thirty horsemen with Gheyadh
in the defile, he departed with the thousand newly
arrived warriors; Shiboob preceding, and showing
them the roads over the sand-hills, whilst his brother
Antar rode by the side of Shas.

Now when the messenger whom Bostam had sent
to Antar returned with the news that Antar had set
out against the Kendehans, and that he excused him
from the expedition, I cannot be satisfied, exclaimed
Bostam, with that reason, for it was from me Ibla's
father ran away. So he selected a thousand Shibanian
horse, and having procured his father's permission,
he departed for the land of Kendeh; and
he happened to arrive just at the time when the
marriage of Mas-hil was approaching; so he secreted
himself in the mountains, and despatched a slave to
gain some intelligence of Malik. The slave on his
return stated, that Ibla was actually married, and
that the Kendehans were employed in the marriage
feast, and on the next day were to conduct her to
her husband. Alas! cried Bostam, much distressed,
Ibla has at length slipped through Antar's hands—his anguish will be vain, and his enemies and rivals
will exult. But by the faith of an Arab, I will not

be the harbinger of good news to the Kendehans in
this marriage. I must exert myself to liberate her,
and show that I am the real friend of Antar. Return
to the Kendehans, continued he to the slave;
and do not leave them till you see Ibla set out.
Then hasten back, and I will show you what I will
do. The slave accordingly returned, and reposed
among the shepherds, pretending to be fatigued and
ill. In the morning, when the howdahs were raised
upon the camels, and the men and women departed
with Ibla, Bostam's slave went back and told him
the news; and his heart was near bursting that
Antar should be thus disappointed. He instantly
mounted with his men, and invaded the dwellings
and tents about evening: there he heard the sounds
of grief and lamentation on all sides, and the shrieks
of the girls and women. Cousins, cried Bostam,
what has happened to these people? I could almost
be persuaded my precaution had had some effect,
and that Antar had seized his bride, and had made
the tribe pass an evening of defeat in the death of
Mas-hil, and the dispersion of the Kendehans. So
come on, my cousins, plunder their flocks, capture
their well-shapen maidens, and congratulate yourselves
on this spoil and gain.

At the word they galloped away, and brought
down the descent of Fate and Destiny; dealing
blows among them irresistible and unsparing. All
the men that had been left behind they slew, and
they drove away the cattle and the families, and

they set out on their way home, saying, Now will
the Kendehans leave Antar alone when they hear
this event; and thus it was that the news reached
them about morning as we mentioned.

So they quitted Antar, and sought Bostam, for
their terrors were great. They overtook him at a
spot called Jilgil, and they surrounded him on all
sides.

As King Amroo was the chief of the Kendehan
tribe, he despatched to the habitations a thousand
lion-warriors, fearful for the calamities that might
befal them. As soon as they reached Bostam, they
attacked him and his companions with all their
force. But he rushed into the fight, and aided his
men; and doing the deeds of a nobly-born Arab,
he repulsed the troops away from his people. He
tore their chests with his barbed spear, and fought
like a terrifying lion. But the Kendehans were
greatly superior in numbers to the Shibanians, and
Antar did not come up with them until they were
in extreme peril.

Bostam felt certain of death, so great was the rush
of the horsemen; and he was about to receive on his
chest the force of united spears, when lo! Antar
joined him with all his horsemen, saying, I was indeed
afraid of this, for Aboolyaczan; and he made
the assault with the troops of Abs and Adnan.
The Kendehans were struck with horror; the instant
they saw his terrible form, their bodies shook
with affright, and their complexions changed as they

heard them vociferating, O by Abs! O by Adnan!
Antar at their head, thus exclaiming—

"God protect thee, O Aboolyaczan! I am the
lion—the vanquisher of all antagonists. The lion
of war is come to thee; its lion is at hand, and its
exciter on the plain of opposition; the rapid brandisher
of swords in the achievements of Kings is
come to thee; the destroyer of heroes is at hand.
O Kendeh, a Knight is come against you, who will
uproot all the delights of Cahtan; one who never
waves his sparkling scimitar in the contest, but the
universe begs for quarter. How often have I
forborn! but fortune betrays me, and my enemies
would involve me in disgrace and infamy: but
now dost thou not see that kings fear me, and all
the host of heroes tremble before me? I am the
severer of heads in quest of glory; I am the discomfiter
of warriors and horsemen; Glory is my
glory; the age is my age; the time is my time,
and the station my station."

No sooner had Antar finished his verses, than the
wise men of Kendeh assembled in the presence of
the King. Know, O monarch, said they, this demon
is not alone, but the pride of Abs and Adnan
have come after him, and I fear some of them may
invade our homes, and ravage our possessions, and
capture our women; and should this conjecture be
well-founded, the destruction will be eternal.

You have taken a right view of the business, said
King Amroo; and I fear, if we protect what is of

inferior worth, the more valuable will be plundered
from us; but my idea is, that you should fight and
retreat, but beware! should they put you all to confusion,
Antar will utterly destroy you, and every
trace of ye will be extirpated.

In a short time the report was published abroad
among the Kendehans, and they fought as they retreated;
but as their hearts were anxious about their
wives and children, they could exert themselves but
feebly in the battle.

When Antar perceived their situation, he directed
the spears against their chests, and urged the Absians
on to the contest. The same did Bostam with
his followers. Now the flight of the Kendehans
became general, and they dispersed to the east and
to the west, and none arrived at the dwellings but
those whose deaths were postponed.

As soon as King Amroo reached the tents, he
shouted out to his people that were there, and again
ordered them to the field of battle; and they hastened
eagerly to the assistance of their companions,
and the engagement continued on both sides till the
armies of darkness advanced, and concealed the
print of their footsteps. The Kendehans being
completely routed, retired to their tents, whilst Antar,
being aware that there was not one even to tighten
their girths, ordered his people to plunder their
flocks, but to spare the married women and families.

After this, Antar turned towards Bostam and
said, Truly, thou hast ever shown the excess of

benevolence towards us; and never can we possibly
make you a suitable compensation. He continued
thus eulogising Bostam in these verses:

"O Aboolyaczan! O full moon! O subduer of
the desert and towns! Were the ears of all other
men deafened, may thine alone be opened! O
Bostam! O thou distributer of favours out of
nothing, surpassing all that can be imagined!
Generous men we had of old, we shall never forget
them or their history; endued thou art with
modesty and goodness; a compound of all that
beneficence and nature ever formed! And all that
thou givest will be stored up for thee in eternity!
Thou art the sword of resolution! Were I to
beckon to it, it would rest sheathed in the firm-rooted
mountain!"

Bostam answered him thus:

"Hail! May greetings ever welcome thee, morning
and evening; for thou art the death of the
horseman of the wastes, and the most deserving
of praises and eulogies; for God only created
thee to be a wonder in the battle and hour of
troubles; no lion can cope with thee in the fight;
no cloud can equal thee in bounty; thou hast attained
all that is knowledge, and wit, and modesty,
and patience, in difficulties and relaxations; thou
excellest all in generosity and munificence; and
hast perfected the nobleness of thy ancestors!
Let every one that sees thee admire all that he
beholds of magnanimity and grandeur! O Aboolfawaris,

thou art my succour, noble must he be
who is acquainted with fate! The bounty of thy
hand when it bestows gifts, heals and relieves a
man from the virulence of misfortunes. Thy age
is like thy resolution in action, and thy resolution
is like thy sword in fate. When fire descends on
thee, it is sweet, even as the dew that refreshes
the meads! Live for ever in wealth and eternal
glory, unchangeable and unperishable!"

Bostam imparted to Antar all the anguish he had
endured on the subject of Ibla's marriage to Mashil.
Antar also related all that had happened to
him; how enraged his uncle was against him; and
that he himself had sworn to reside no longer in his
native land. You must then, said Bostam, make
your residence amongst us in Shiban, for I was the
first that gave myself up to your service. No, said
Prince Malik, we cannot possibly permit our cousin
to abandon us, therefore do not make any irrevocable
engagement with him, so that we may arrange
his business, and terminate his affairs in his
favour.

O Prince, said Shedad, verily my son's residence
with Bostam is particularly advisable; let no more
dissensions disperse the tribe, and our lands be no
more devastated. Thus was the matter concluded:
Bostam had determined on dividing the spoil amongst
the Absians, but they all swore they would not take
a halter of it. Let our cousin Antar have it all,
and let him live on it during his stay with you.

Bostam was all astonishment at their liberality and
perfect love. Shedad advanced, and thus took leave
of his son:

"You have formed a favorable opinion of fortune,
when all goes well, and you do not fear the
evil that fate may bring with it. You have escaped
also in night adventures, and you boast of it; but
in the brightness of the night, often misfortunes
occur."