University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IX.

As we before stated, Antar departed in pursuit of
Ibla, traversing various tribes and hordes, till,
coming nigh to the tribe of Tey, he resolved to
send away Shiboob, to gain information, and to
learn what had happened to Rebia and his brothers.
At that moment a horseman met them,
advancing from the sand-hills, and tearing up the
earth in his speed. Antar accosted him, and lo! it
was Jemeel the Absian. God preserve you, young
man, said Antar. And joy be with you—you, the
protector of our tribe, replied Jemeel, as he flung
himself off his horse on the ground; and, covering
his head with sand, he bewailed his family and
friends. Antar went towards him: he took him
by the hand and quieted his sorrows. He conducted
him to Prince Malik, who questioned him
as to what had befallen him. Know, O Prince, he
replied, that the family of Zeead are in bondage:
noble warriors are slain, and only a few remain out
of the whole party—I left them all either prisoners
or dead. Thus communicating all that had passed,
he added, I have received the protection of Moofrij,
to the exception of my comrades. O Aboolfawaris,
exclaimed the Prince, let us away with all

speed; perhaps we may join our party in the contest,
and rescue them from their terrible situation:
thus let it be known that they are the freedmen
of thy sword and thy intrepidity. I am aware,
O Prince, said Antar, that my honours with respect
to them are entirely useless, were I even to
plant their glories on the backs of the clouds: but
it is your order to join them. There is not one of
them that can brave dangers, and I am sure that
they are at this moment in chains and bondage;
for, as Jemeel remarked, they have neither the
power to breathe nor think. My plan is this: let
us surprise the foe in the dark; let us throw our
troops among the tents; let us convert their joys
into sorrow; let us establish tears and grief in
their land, and rescue Ibla before morning. Upon
this they continued their journey, till, being close
to the tents, they perceived that their lights were
extinguished, and both freemen and slaves were
asleep. Take you the left, my lord, said Antar to
Prince Malik; leave me the right—and mark what
I will do with them, thus taken unawares. So he
left one hundred and fifty with the Prince; and,
with only fifty men, he assaulted on the right, conspicuous
among the tents and the tent-ropes. Malik
attacked on the left like a ferocious lion. They
gave one universal shout, and the whole earth
trembled. The sword spared neither old nor young,
whilst the troops poured down among the tents.
Moofrij was anxiously expecting Ibla; but, as soon
as he heard the uproar, intoxication fled from his
brain, and his consternation and alarm increased.
He hastened to the door of the tent. Bring me
my horse, he exclaimed to his slaves; bring me my
armour of war and cuirass, that I may discover
what means this tumult, and what means this conflict,
that appears like a flame of fire. Peradventure
Fatality and Destiny have driven the Absian slave
to this land, that I may destroy him and hurl down
annihilation upon him; and thus will I exterminate
both him and his friends. Ibla heard Antar, in
the tranquillity of the night, roaring like a peal of
thunder. Her heart was soothed, after all her
agitations. She raised her voice and cried out, Now
am I sure of comfort, after all my miseries: misfortune
is coming upon thee, thou son of infamy
and disgrace: the noble horseman is at hand: the
tribe of Abs will pounce down upon thee like
eagles, and will deliver the fawn of the desert from
thy grasp: this night shall thy mother mourn for
thee. The mother of Moofrij heard this; and,
being in the wildest consternation, she struck her
on the face, crying out, Dost thou dare to abuse us
thus—thou, a captive in our hands? This very
hour thou shalt behold the head of that black.
Dost thou imagine he will be able to aid thee,
fallen as thou art into the clutches of the devouring
eagle? As she turned towards her son, she saw
him mounting his horse, tottering still in intoxication
and the fumes of wine. She was alarmed, and
dissuaded him from the contest of swords and
spears. Now scimitars were at work on all sides:
shouts shook the land: frightful were the blows of
Antar's sword, and deadly were the thrusts of Antar's
spear. Shiboob was casting fire among the
tents and dwellings; and dust arose that was
blacker than the darkness of night. The camels
fled in terror away: the necks of men and women
were trampled on. Thus continued the fray till it
was near morning. The country was involved in
lamentation, and husbands abandoned their tender
wives: death and disgrace were conspicuous. All
sought the plains and the deserts, quitting the tents
and the habitations; whilst Shiboob made his way
to the prisoners in chains and in utter dismay.
Selma, Vachid's mother, no sooner beheld this sad
reverse, than she rushed from the tents, intending
to seek the open country; but perceiving Moofrij's
mother detaining him from the conflict and turning
his horse's head towards the sand-hills, and also
marking his flight under the guidance of a slave,
she mounted a noble steed, and, snatching up a
sword, Never, she cried, will I depart from the
tents till I have eased my heart, and accomplished
my desires on the foe. And she darted towards the
prisoners, and had already wounded many of them,
resolved to slaughter them all, when Shiboob arrived
and roared at her. She fled: her horse was
swift, and she rode off among the fugitives. Shiboob
approached Rebia, and loosened his arms and
those of his comrades, who sprang towards their
friends, whose death they had considered inevitable;
and they released one another, exclaiming, O by
Abs, O by Adnan! and the mountains and the
rocks echoed back the shout. When the day
dawned, not a youth or an old man was found, but
was either dead or a captive. Shiboob in the mean
time was roaming about the tents in search of Ibla,
whom at last he found almost smothered with the
entrails of the dead, groaning like a woman bereft
of her children; and as she listened for the
voice of Antar, she thus exclaimed:

"O my cousin, ease my heart, and lead me
home by the hand, for my body is worn out, and
my strength fails. For the black hero I have
encountered disgrace. My frame—the Zephyr
would overwhelm it, so greatly have they exhausted
me with eternal pains. My resignation
—it is at an end. My foes exult over me, and
I have endured endless horrors. Convey me to
the protection of Antar; no one but the lion can
defend the fawn. Tell him I am in dismay, and
my heart wanders wild in its fears. My eye-lids
—no sleep have they; but they mourn for eternal
sleep. Were a rock to experience a portion
of my sufferings, the rock itself would be cast
down. This eternal banishment will never end:
it is a separation that exceeds the distance of the
planets."

Shiboob heard her lamentations, and his heart

grieved for her distress. He hastened towards her,
and, discovering himself, he bore her away in his
arms, and conveyed her to his brother Antar; who,
the moment he saw her, dismounted, and pressed
her to his bosom, and kissed her between the eyes,
saying, Grievous indeed it is to me that you should
suffer and endure such calamities, and I be alive in
the world. But this is the misfortune of the times,
against which no human being can find refuge.
Take her, he added to Shiboob, take her to the
tent of Moofrij: place her on his throne, and protect
her, whilst I go to Prince Malik, and see what
he is about. Shiboob entered the tent of Moofrij;
and as he found it empty, he searched about, and
opened some chests, in which he saw all Ibla's rich
robes and garments, and strings of jewels. Shiboob
was exceedingly pleased, and delivered them to Ibla.
Thus all her distress and affliction vanished, and
her hopes and wishes were realized. Antar had
departed to the opposite quarter, in quest of Prince
Malik and his associates, to observe how the combat
stood. But Prince Malik and his friends were renowned
horsemen, and had performed the deeds of
heroes that night, destroying the enemy with the
sword, and forcing their way among the tents, and
brandishing their spears and their scimitars: the
Prince ever at their head, like an eagle, or a lion,
when he rushes out from his den. Antar rode up
to him, and kissed his hand, congratulating him on
his safety, and inquiring about the acts of the night.
O Aboolfawaris, he replied, it has been a night
comprising many nights: but by your good fortune
we have succeeded in our attempts. They perceived,
that during that night's contest only three
of Antar's heroes had been killed, and thirty of
Prince Malik's. But disgrace had fallen abundantly
on the adverse party, and a most dreadful example
had been made of them. Fate and destiny had
been let loose upon them. My lord, said Antar,
we must not remain in this land; for we have no
friends, no associates, no allies in it. And as they
were setting out for their own tents, Rebia came
up to Antar, and wept tears of deceit and fraud.
Cousin, said he, we have not the face to meet thee,
on account of our shameful deeds, and thy infinite
kindness towards us. May God render thy favour
towards us eternal; for it is God that has united
thee to Ibla, thy cousin. After him came up Amarah,
crying in excess of jealousy, envy, and regret.
Son of my uncle, exclaimed he, what is done, is
done. It is all the work of human failings: do not
therefore revenge yourself on me for what I have
done: do pardon my transgression, and forgive me.
Antar pitied them; and feeling favourably inclined
towards them on account of his relationship, he
embraced and saluted them; thus congratulating
them on their escape:

"Exult, if ye will — or be just: behold in the

time of battle my exploits. Although I am abused
for being black, my acts are the acts of the noble-born."

As the family of Zeead listened, the passion of
envy burnt in their hearts; and though they thanked
him outwardly, internally their galls were bursting
with rage. They now returned to their tents, and
reposed; and when they had had their wounds
dressed, said Antar to them, Sons of my uncle,
although we shall never be vanquished, and we
have gained a signal victory, yet we are in the land
of Cahtan; and there is not an individual in it but
dreads us, and is our foe. So come away: let us
refresh ourselves, and depart. Prince Malik having
also expressed his approbation, they slaughtered
some of the captured camels and sheep, and prepared
their dinner.

But Moofrij, when he fled and sought the sands,
fearful of death and infamy, turned his eyes back
over the desert; and as he beheld the noble Absians
take possession of his tents, and his own companions
sleeping in death, his soul festered at the sight, and
he hastened his flight over the plains.

The Absians had no sooner finished their repast,
than they set out on their way home. They had
not been long gone when the tribe of Jadeelah
arrived, about five hundred strong, in order to
enjoy the sight of the execution of the Zeead family.
Moofrij joined them, overwhelmed in tears
and sighs, and lamentations, and telling them the

misfortunes he had suffered from the Absians. Let
us pursue them, cried the strangers; let us speedily
annihilate them. Just then arrived also the tribe
of Nibhan, amounting to five thousand warriors,
and headed by Mohelhil, son of Foyadh; and he
was one of the lion-tyrants at that period of ignorance,
most renowned for his courage in the field,
of a most untractable temper, and of harsh manners.
He also came to see the Zeead family hung.
The confusion of Moofrij increased; for these allies
were come at his invitation. But when he had detailed
every particular of the past events, one of the
Nibhanians advanced, Jabir by name—their mighty
champion in the dust of confusion, and their voracious
lion. Disgraced are the tribes of Nibhan and
Tey, he cried; I will not dismount from the back
of this horse till I have slain that slave Antar, son
of Shedad, and destroyed the tribes of Abs and
Zeead. And he instantly galloped away, followed
by the tribes of Jadeelah and Nibhan. Moofrij
collected the remnant of his people, and they set
out, traversing the plains and the rocks—in all
about fifteen thousand men, armed with cuirasses,
and well accoutred for war. Proceeding with great
speed, they overtook the Absians about evening,
just as they were about to halt, and repose for the
night: but as the valiant Teyans drew nigh, the
Absians prepared for battle. What sayest thou, hero
of war and tumults? said Moofrij to Jabir. Shall
we attack the Absians with the riving scimitar?
Shall we convert their joys into sorrows? By no
means, returned Jabir: the Absians form but a
small party, and we are a numerous army. If we
assail them by night, we shall be worsted, and they
will have the advantage of us in the engagement.
Our attack would be too confused, and thus we
may fail. My opinion is this: do you take four
thousand men, and station yourself in the desert,
cutting off their road home: I will remain with the
rest in the rear. As soon as morning dawns, let us
attack them on both sides. Moofrij was convinced
that Jabir was an experienced horseman. (Now
this Jabir was the father of Asedoorrahees, who
had most extraordinary adventures with Antar, and
whose deadly deeds were a warning to the wise.)
According to Jabir's directions, Moofrij went off
with four thousand horsemen, and cut off the communication
from every traveller and passenger.
When the Absians heard the shouts, and saw the
glitter of spears, and the dazzling brightness of scimitars,
they cried out to Antar, Now, indeed, is
confusion let loose upon us. What is your advice
in this crisis, O Aboolfawaris? the Teyans have
overtaken us, and you well know that their hearts
are cauterized on account of our united deeds.
Cousins, replied Antar, this is a conjuncture that
alarms me not; it does not cause me the smallest
uneasiness; neither is it worth a question. If they
assault us by night, disgrace and misery will befal
them, and we shall have the advantage of them;
for a small party is concealed in the shades of the
night, particularly when it is mixed with superior
numbers. I observe that they are formed into two
divisions, which have separated, said Prince Malik.
One division is gone forward, and the other keeps
behind. I will explain this to you, O Prince, said
Antar. They fear that we shall run away in the
night, and seek our own country; for they feel certain
that we must be greatly embarrassed about
their numbers: but I swear by him who infuses
light into the moon, I will not let the morning
dawn before this affair be decided, and the foe be
dispersed over the plains and the sand-hills; for the
Lord of Heaven has aided me. Direct your companions
to prepare their warlike instruments, that
I may show you the dreadful deeds I will execute
upon them this very night. Cousin, said Rebia,
what is your plan? I am resolved, replied Antar,
to let them alone until they alight from their horses,
and feel secure in the obscurity of the night: then
will I charge with you this division in front of us.
But I am aware, that the shouts will also come
down upon our rear, and that the troops will rush
in vast crowds to the scene of carnage. Do you,
however, not be wanting in the engagement, but
attack them in the hour of contest in small bodies,
and dash among them at random. In the onset,
cry out to your associates; but when all are mixed
together, be silent, and mention not "Abs and
Adnan." Dart forwards into the plain, and the
road that leads out of this land, leaving them to
cut up each other with their own swords; and before
the dawn of day your exertions will have succeeded,
and numbers of the enemy will be extirpated.
Rebia greatly approved of Antar's plan,
which he communicated to his people, desiring
every one to prepare for the conflict. O Ebe ool[1]
Ebyez, cried Amarah, addressing himself to Oorwah,
this is indeed an awful night! What terrible
things will happen in the dark during this combat!
My best plan would be to take this opportunity of
slaying Antar myself, and pierce him with this
spear; for he will be off his guard in the attack,
and we will say the Teyans slew him. The project
you suggest, O Amarah, is most infamous, said
Oorwah. Disasters and calamities would be the
consequences of it; for if we kill Antar this night,
the Teyans will not leave one of us alive. My
opinion is, that we should exert ourselves, and
assist him in the slaughter, so that we may depart
in safety out of this land. When they were
ready, Antar advanced with the troops a little, and
then halted till the enemy had alighted, and every
trembling coward felt secure. The night was exceedingly
dark, and many of them being already
asleep, said Antar to Shiboob, I beg that you
will protect Ibla this night. Watch over her in
the hour of battle; for I wish to exhibit before her
exploits, such as ages shall record. Mount her
upon one of the noblest steeds, and clothe her in a
strong breast-plate of steel, such as blades of India
will not penetrate. He then hastened to Prince
Malik; and when they were all assembled, they
made one universal shout, at which the whole
country shook. They pointed the barbs of their
spears: they brandished the blades of their scimitars,
and rushed down, in the obscurity of the night,
upon the four thousand, the division under Moofrij,
stationed to intercept their retreat. They aimed
the blow of the sword, and levelled the penetrating
spear. Now this division, feeling secure in the protection
of the great army in their rear, had dismounted,
and they were asleep; neither did they
recover themselves till the Absians were already
among them, with their falchions. Every one
sprung up from his sleep, and, grasping his sword,
fell upon any one that was near him, fearful of
Antar: and thus they all promiscuously assailed
each other with their sabres. The shouts and the
commotion increased. The obscurity of night overshadowed
them. The confusion and agitation were
general. Warriors were thrown down, singly and
in pairs. Jabir, the Nibhanian, heard the shouts
of the horsemen. Greatly dismayed, he turned
towards Mohelhil, and said, Verily the Absians
have acted like heroes: they have boldly marched
into horrors and calamities. If we attack them, to
aid our friends, we shall unavoidably fail; but if
we abandon them, the Absians will destroy them,
and escape out of our land in safety. Away with
such discourse, exclaimed Mohelhil: assault the foe
with me, that we may annihilate them to the last.
So they all rushed towards the division under
Moofrij, and cut down the foe with their swords.
In a moment all were involved in the black dust.
The tumult redoubled. Skulls were clipped off
from bodies like reeds. Cowards fled: the brave
stood firm. War raged with foot and leg. Heads
and hair turned gray. Shame fell upon the weak-hearted:
the noble in soul were undaunted. Heads
and trunks were heaped up together. The sword
decided the fate of heroes: it was impartial in its
judgments, and never unjust. Blows fell at random.
Warriors were hurled down, and trampled
on. What was once hidden and concealed, now
became public. Lives were torn away promiscuously.
The King of Death grasped souls, and
never failed. But Antar exposed himself to every
peril, for he knew Ibla was looking at him. He
exhibited horrors and wonders. He cut through
the horsemen: he strewed the troops: and thus he
continued till midnight, when he conducted away
the Absians to the open desert; and there the
slaughter was carried on between the two armies
till the dawn of day, and the victors became distinguished
from the vanquished. The Teyans now
looked round, and observed that they were contending
with each other, whilst the Absians were
standing apart in the plain. Now the loss of the
Teyans during that night amounted to nine
thousand, who had drunk of the cup of death: of
the Absians there were only twenty slain. Amarah
had been trodden down under the horses' feet, and
his ribs were broken. Rebia was severely wounded.
They were now about to dismount, when lo! Selma,
the mother of Vachid, appeared on the field of
battle, and exclaimed, Disgraced for ever are the
Teyans by the hand of this black slave. She was
quite frantic. Moofrij rode up to her, having first
changed his horse, and put on his coat of mail and
cuirass. Turn back, my aunt, he cried, I will
accomplish your wishes. I will soon bring you this
Antar, bound as a prisoner. I will destroy the
whole tribe of Abs, and the family of Zeead; for
this day my flame burns fiercer than yours, and my
shame is greater than yours; and if I do not annihilate
them all with the blade of my sword, let the
Arabs blush for me in every land. Thus he induced
Selma to retreat from the scene of engagement;
and driving his own horse among the troops,
galloping and riding about to and fro, he exclaimed,
Never, O Absians, never did there happen between
man and man the like of what has occurred between
you and us these two nights. But the past is past.
It is now the light of day: now shall the dust cover
the plains, and the skill of noble warriors be manifested
in the contest; for it is the custom of Arabs
to act fairly—such is the characteristic of the brave.
Come on then—on to the battle—on to the blow
of the sword and the thrust of the spear, that I may
make ye drink of the cup of death and perdition.
But let no one dare to oppose me, if not of equal
rank; and when the noble horsemen are satisfied
with fighting, then let the vile slaves contend; and
Moofrij intended that Antar should hear him, as
he thus continued:

"If I do not demand my due and debt with the
blow of the sword and the Redeinian lance, may I
never be secure from the nocturnal catastrophes!
May sleep never visit my eyelids! Ye have
known the deeds that have raised this war between
me and you, sons of Adnan; and if I do
not appease myself among you, never may I be
called ennobled in my parents! Here I stand;
and in my hand is a polished-bladed one and a
bloody double-edged one, with which I will exterminate
your horsemen in open fight, when the
coward gnaws his two hands in agony."

Antar heard his address, and well he understood
his views and meaning. And as he was stopping
by the side of Ibla, soothing her heart, and inquiring
how she felt, Cousin, said she, I feel no disquietude
or uneasiness as long as you are alive. At these
words, Antar sprung from his horse on the ground.
He stripped off his armour and steel, so that he
remained in his ordinary dress, with short sleeves,
his head uncovered, and barefoot. Again he vaulted
on the back of Abjer, and bellowed at Moofrij like
the most ferocious lion: Thou coward, wouldst
shame me with thy deceit and artful speech? thou

and all thy race are of the same stamp. Are ye
indeed men of such high dignity and honour? But
mark how numerous ye are, and we how few. We,
however, have committed our lives to the chances
of war and carnage. What is, is. Here are you
and I in the plain of commotion; you clothed in
steel, and I in my simple garments. Exhibit your
prowess to the multitude, and your powers before
these noble warriors. Antar rushed at Moofrij;
and, as he galloped about, he thus addressed him:

"When my adversary charges me with a debt,
I discharge the debt with my Redeinian lance.
The edge of the sword makes us all even, and it
shall justly decide between me and you. I am
exalted by my scimitar and my spear to the sublimity
of the shooting stars and the two Bears.
Wretches! ye are ignorant of my might, but the
inhabitants of the two hemispheres know it. The
hand of time has not annihilated my force, and
the fingers of age have not been extended against
me. How many horsemen, laid low by my sword,
remain with begrimed cheeks, and hands steeped
in gore, whilst the eagles of death hover round
them, and the ravens crowd about them. I humble
the fugitives in terror of my battle, and I
force the tears from both their eyes. How then
shall I sleep unrevenged, whilst my sword is
sharp-pointed, and its double edge is bloody,
with which I will extirpate all your horsemen,
and quench my fury, and gladden my eyes!"

Having concluded, he immediately dashed at
Moofrij, like a wild lion, or an outrageous hyæna.
Moofrij received him, and imagined he had him
within his grasp. The two heroes encountered each
other like two mountains; but after a conflict of
two hours, the powers of Moofrij were enervated
by fatigue: he flagged and failed—disgrace succeeded
to glory; and whilst he was contending
with Antar, he turned towards the Teyans, signifying
to them to fall upon Antar bodily, and rescue
him from death. Antar, perceiving his situation,
pressed upon him: he clung to him, and cut off
all retreat, till stirrup grated stirrup. He at length
grasped Dhami, and aimed at Moofrij between the
eyes. He received the blow on his shield; but the
scimitar hewed it in two, and also his helmet: it
continued its sway till it issued out between his
thighs, through the horse's belly, even to the
ground. The whole mass was thus cleft into four
portions; and as Antar marked the effect of the
blow, he exclaimed, O by Abs, O by Adnan! I am
ever the lover of Ibla. The Absians were perfectly
astounded at the vastness of his strength, and there
was not one but rejoiced and congratulated himself.
But horror struck into the hearts of the Teyans;
and just as they were about to make one united
effort against Antar, Jabir, the Nibhanian leader,
prevented them, saying, Cousins, if ye attack this
dæmon at once, ye will be worsted; for if he be
not slain, all our hopes will be frustrated. He will

infuse terror and consternation into your souls, and
thus will his impetuosity be roused to mightier
deeds. But I have discovered a mode of attacking
that no one else has perceived. I am certain that
I can overwhelm him with evils. Now will I assail
him, and make him quaff the draught of perdition,
and I will make Ibla one of my slave girls. Thus
saying, he sprung forward in quest of Antar, fierce
as the fiercest lion, and completely immersed in
steel, and a well-riveted coat of mail; and as he
approached, he thus addressed him: Come on—
now for my battle! Away—away with thy conceit,
thou foul Arab! base is the tribe that has admitted
thee, and deservedly disgraced. Silence!
cried Antar. May thy mother lose thee! may thy
family forfeit thee! All thou hast uttered about
thyself is false—vain babbling of the tongue, and
absurdity. I acknowledge no rank, no dignity, but
this cleaving scimitar, and this penetrating spear;
and he who boasts, saying, my father was such a
one, my grandfather such a one—all empty words
—all idle nonsense. And if thou hast any doubts
on the subject, invoke thy father and thy progenitors,
that they may all come and deliver thee
from my presence. Antar summed up all in these
verses:

"I am a slave, and low in rank; but my sword
shall gain me honour and respect: a sword—
when I wield it on the days of battle, the necks
of the Arab chieftains bow down to it."

And he fell upon Jabir like a column of clouds.
They commenced the contest with the utmost fury,
forcing down draughts of sudden death, so that
every one present was in utter astonishment. For
two hours they persisted in the frightful combat,
till fatigue fell on Jabir's arms: he slackened in his
efforts, for he perceived in Antar what was not in
himself. Antar, aware of his condition, grasped
him, and clung to him, and cut off all means of
escape. He pierced him through the chest with
his spear, and made the barb issue out at his back.
Jabir fell down dead, weltering in his blood. Come
on against this vile black, make him drink of the
cup of infamy, exclaimed Mohelhil, as he observed
the fate of Moofrij and Jabir. So the Teyans
poured down upon Antar from all quarters. But
Antar, still in his common clothing, met them like
a voracious lion. Prince Malik now joined the conflict.
Horsemen encountered horsemen, and heroes
heroes. The brave were hurled to the ground.
Sword and spear played round heads and bodies:
and there ensued an engagement ages will record.
They continued plundering souls from bodies, until
it was almost dark; when an immense number of
the Teyans and Nibhanians being slain, the rest
took to flight, pursued by Antar and his friends,
till, having driven them out of that land, they
returned for their scattered horses and dispersed
arms: and when they had collected every thing,
they sought their own tents, like the lions of the

forest, preceded by Antar, like the judas-flower.
Ibla rejoiced in his prowess and intrepidity, and
smiled: and, as Antar saw her smile, Daughter of
my uncle, said he, are you smiling at what you saw
me perform this day in the carnage and the combat?
By the faith of an Arab, she replied, my
sight was bewildered at your slaughter among these
wretches. Her words descended into his heart
sweeter than the purest water to the thirsty spirit.
And as he told her all he had done among the
Teyans, he thus added:

"O Ibla, if the shades of the sable battle-dust
conceal from thee my achievements on the day of
conflicts, arise and ask my Abjer if I ever let him
charge but at the armies like the gloomy night.
Ask my sword of me, if I ever smote with it on
the dreadful day but the skulls of Kings. Ask
my lance of me, if ever I thrust with it but at
the panoplied hero between the throat and the
under jaw. I steep my sword, I steep my spear
in streams: I practise patience, and fear not hell
itself. How many of my blows with the sword-edge
have been cleaving blows! How many are
the spear-thrusts of which my saddle-bow and
my hip-bone have complained! And were there
not one at whose power even Kings tremble, I
would make the vault of the firmament the back
of a horse."

Ibla was greatly delighted at this description,
and thanked him for his address and his actions.

The same did Prince Malik and others, except
Malik, Ibla's father, and Rebia and Amarah, and
the family of Zeead, for their galls and their hearts
were bursting with rage. After this they all retired
to their tents, and, having eaten their dinner, their
eyes sought repose. But Antar mounted his horse,
and was about to keep the night-watch. What,
said Prince Malik, will you keep the watch, and
shall we sleep, fatigued as you must be from the
labours of the battle? Let me relieve you; at
least, I will take my turn of duty. No, by the
faith of a noble Arab, cried Antar, masters must
not serve their slaves. When Rebia observed Prince
Malik riding with Antar, he also mounted, and
Malik, son of Carad, and many other warriors,
quitted their tents likewise; but, as they roamed
about, Antar's enemies remained in one party together.
The night was calm: and, as they were
abusing Antar as usual, Sons of my uncle, said
Ibla's father, these imprecations do not ease my
pain; for though this slave is an ignoble wretch,
yet the Lord of Heaven favours him—and he
whom the God of Heaven protects is protected
against all human power. All my exertions and
efforts have failed, and I am melted even as lead is
melted, for I cannot deliver myself from the clutches
of this black slave; all my contrivances for his destruction
revert on myself; his fortitude and eloquence
only increase, and the Lord of Heaven favours
him. For my part, said Amarah, my ears
have no pleasure in Antar's poetry; there is no
harmony whatever in it. Hold! O Amarah, cried
Oorwah, you speak foully and falsely. No one in
the whole tribe of Abs and Adnan will agree with
you on that point; for there is not an individual in
all our tribes, no, not even in the tribes of Cahtan,
more fluent in his discourses than Antar—none
whose heart and spirit are firmer in the field of
battle. I do not speak thus of him from my love
towards him; but let the truth be spoken. Did
you not mark the noble Antar on his return from
the conflict and the carnage, which he described in
such beautiful rhymes, saying, "Were I not afraid
of the power of God, I would make the vault of
the firmament the back of a horse?" Ah! said
Ibla's father, I have not an eye that can bear to
look at that black slave; neither will I dwell in the
land where he dwells. I will wait patiently till we
quit this country and these sand-hills; but, when
we reach home, I will carry away my daughter,
and fly during the night in quest of some one that
may protect me from this vile black: I will be honoured
among strangers, but not live disgraced
among my family and connexions. By God, exclaimed
Rebia, I will not permit you to emigrate;
I will not submit to such a separation: but I will
give you a hint—profit by it, and you will succeed
in your expectations, and all your wishes will be
accomplished; never will you again be annoyed
about Antar nor any one else. Let not your enemies
exult in your emigration and departure, nor
fill their hearts with joy. Oh! do advise me, my
friend Rebia, cried Malik, in this troublesome
affair, that I may not be browbeaten and bullied.
Be quiet, said Rebia, till we reach our own country.
Introduce yourself to Prince Shas, son of King
Zoheir, and demand his protection: tell him all
your grievances, and surrender your daughter to
him, saying, O Prince, my daughter is your handmaiden,
I beg that she may live under your protection;
marry her to whomsoever you please, but
let not that foul slave, Antar, covet her. Thus
will your daughter remain with the illustrious Shas,
secure from every act of violence, whilst we will
deliberate about slaying Antar. We will expose
him to perils, and make him drink of the cup of
dangers: you will not see him return for a length
of time. Thus they continued in conversation till
midnight, when they returned to their tents; and,
having first divided the spoil, they mounted their
horses and departed, traversing plains and deserts
until the day shone over them, when, lo! a dust
arose in their rear and darkened the whole land.
Speedily it advanced, and the wild beasts fled before
it: the black column appeared like a mass of
clouds. Scimitars glittered, the spear-barbs sparkled,
and shouts shook the mountains and the valleys.
These, they cried, are the Teyans; they are
coming upon us from their hordes—horse and foot
have overtaken us. And all were terrified, expecting
death and destruction. Be of good cheer, cried
Antar, observing how their countenances were disfigured
with dismay; fear not their numbers; be
not alarmed at the glittering of swords or the
sparkling of spears; I alone will meet this numerous
host, were they even double their numbers:
do ye only protect my rear. Antar galloped towards
the dust, to learn what occasioned it, followed
by Prince Malik and the tribes of Abs and
Carad; but the horsemen of Zeead stayed behind
with Amarah, Rebia, and Malik, Ibla's father.
This was the Teyan army, headed by King Maljem,
son of Handalah, and his brother the Blood-drinker:
for Moofrij, when he had taken Rebia
and his comrades prisoners, sent to these warriors
to come and assist at the execution of the family
of Zeead; and they no sooner received the glad
tidings, than they assembled their troops and hastened
to take vengeance on the family of Zeead:
but when they reached the country of Moofrij, and
saw nothing but dead bodies strewed about, broken
spears, and shattered scimitars, they halted in the
greatest consternation. Shortly arrived the fugitives,
with Mohelhil, routed and dispersed. King Maljem
having questioned them as to what had happened,
Mohelhil imparted to him all that had occurred
with Antar, who had already slain Moofrij and
Jabir, and scattered their troops over the rocks and
the plains. Indeed! cried Maljem: you have
clothed us with dishonour, and disgraced us in
every quarter of Arabia, by your flight before that
base-born slave. When he had collected the remnant
of the discomfited army, after a halt of two
hours, he mounted, and set out with a force of
twenty thousand horsemen, who travelled with the
utmost speed till they overtook the Absians, as we
have already stated, at a spot which happened to
be the last of the Cahtanian territory and the first
of the land of Adnan; and, as soon as they beheld
the Absians, they encompassed them on every side.
The Absians were terrified at the sight of their vast
numbers, and at the brilliancy of their steel armour
and coats of mail. O Malik, said Oorwah to Ibla's
father, verily we have fallen into a most perilous
situation; Antar is our only resource, in order to
avoid death and perdition. You are right, replied
he, much agitated and in great disorder; take my
advice and fly, otherwise we must drink of the cup
of annihilation. If you resolve on flight, observed
Oorwah, the first captive will be your daughter
Ibla. Let her alone, continued Malik, let her be
captured, provided that vile slave do not possess
her. At any rate, said Rebia, we must wait awhile,
till these horsemen come nearer to us; and, when
the dust arises on all sides, let us give the reins to
our steeds, and cry out, Fly, Absians, fly! and let
us then scatter ourselves over the desert. Those
who join us will be our excuse, and those who remain
behind will be slain and buried in the sand.
No one will ever survive to bring any accusation
against us: we, on the contrary, shall appear to
have fought with our friends, and be secure from
blame and reproach. I am convinced Antar will
never abandon his beloved Ibla or fly, so vast is his
intrepidity and pride—he will fight till the foe
sever his head. Malik, son of King Zoheir, will
not follow us, so that death and destruction must
overwhelm him. To this they all assented; and,
with this vile nefarious project, they resolved on
flight. But Antar received the twenty thousand
as the parched land the first of the rain—his heart
harder than stone, and his soul more impetuous
than the waves of the sea when it roars. He penetrated
the thick dust with blows irresistible and
thrusts more rapid than the twinkling of the eye,
followed by the horsemen of Abs and Carad, under
Prince Malik, who, pouring down vehemently
upon the enemy, exerted every energy in concert
with Antar: they imitated his deeds, and made
the foe drink of the cup of death and perdition.
In less than an hour, Antar checked the progress
of the hostile tribe, and their van was driven back
upon their rear. They roared out at Antar from
a distance, but ventured not to approach the spot
where he fought. Antar cut through them, although
their numbers were great and their force immense.
Ibla screamed out to him in a loud voice, for she
trembled in excess of fear. Shiboob moved round
her, and protected her with his arrows. But as
soon as Antar heard Ibla's voice and cries, in order
to relieve her mind of the foe, he dashed into the
midst of the troops and armies, and plied his whole
force among them. In the mean time Rebia, Amarah,
and the family of Zeead halted till the dust
thickened, when they gave the reins to their steeds
and fled, exclaiming, Fly, Absians, fly! But they
had not proceeded far when a dust arose in front
of them that obscured the whole country. Let us
wheel to the left, cried Oorwah, that we may escape
death and destruction. At the word, they turned
their horses' heads and galloped to the left; but,
before they had advanced any distance, another
dust arose in front. Whither can we now fly?
exclaimed Oorwah: the enemy has cut off every
road and communication in this desert and wild.
They drew up and halted, eagerly staring round
them. At last the dust cleared away, and there appeared
horsemen of a swarthy complexion, mounted
on chargers swifter than antelopes; every one exclaiming,
O by Abs! O by Adnan! At these
shouts their souls revived: they hastened forwards
and saluted them, and related all the horrors they
had endured from the Teyans. Overtake Prince
Malik and Antar, they cried in conclusion, for they
are combating twenty thousand lion-warriors, and
are almost overpowered and destroyed. Upon this
the horsemen rode on at full speed towards the
field of contention, and, rushing upon the Teyans,
they shouted, O by Abs! O by Adnan! Antar
was at that moment nearly exhausted; he was
covered with wounds, and his courage cooled: for
he had rescued Ibla from captivity seven times, and
had overthrown the heroes around her: he had also
driven back the enemy five times from Prince Malik,
now rushing to the right, now to the left, whilst the
Teyans wheeled in whichever direction he moved.
At this critical juncture arrived the Absians, as we
have stated, and attacked the enemy, as we have
described.

When Antar departed to accomplish Ibla's deliverance,
with Prince Malik, King Zoheir was attending
a marriage-feast with the tribe of Fazarah;
and upon his return, three days after, he inquired
for Antar and his son, but was told they had set
out for the land of Tey. Being greatly alarmed
for them both, he instantly sent for his son Shas.
Know, my son, said he, that your brother Malik is
gone with Antar against the Teyans; and I am in
fears about them, being aware of the great power
of King Maljem, son of Handala, and his brother,
the Blood-drinker. I wish that you and your
brother Cais would mount, with two thousand
horsemen, and overtake them. Return not without
them. Shas obeyed his father's orders, and
marched on till he came up with them in the field
of carnage.

Now Antar's powers expanded. He dismounted
from Abjer, who was much fatigued at the dreadful
scenes he had endured. He mounted another,
and assailed the enemy with the impetuosity of a

lion; and in the fury of his assault he overthrew
heroes, and plunged them into misery and disgrace:
he hewed off joints and arms, and cut through the
troops, right and left. The deeds of the Absians
would have turned infants gray. King Maljem
and his brother halted upon a high sand-hill, taking
no part in the contest, but waiting to receive Antar
and the Absians as captives; when lo! they observed
their own army staggering, and the Absians
making their way through them; and blood flowing
over the land, and the steadiest hearts quaking, and
their horses stumbling over carcases, and warriors
hurled to the ground, and the bravest wounded.
Instantly King Maljem and the Blood-drinker
darted forward, and eagerly ordered their troops
to renew the conflict, and to force back the fugitives
to the combat. Thus was Maljem engaged in the
terrors of war, and in the thickest of the fight, when
a bellow, like a peal of thunder, echoed behind him.
He quickly turned round, and behold it was Antar!
Foam issued from the corners of his lips as he overthrew
the heroes, right and left. Maljem was horror-struck
at his yell, and the immensity of his
form: but Antar rushed upon him in this state of
terror, and pierced him with his spear through the
thigh, forcing it even into the ribs of his steed.
Maljem nearly drank of the cup of annihilation;
but, urged by the sweetness of life, he clung to the
neck of his horse, and fled. Antar then roared out
at his brother; and as he was about to pierce him
also, he fled, and followed Maljem. The troops
soon imitated their leaders, and the standards and
ensigns were reversed. Antar and the Absians furiously
pursued them, till they had driven them
out of that land; when they returned for the dispersed
cattle and scattered arms: and having collected
the spoil, they halted, and congratulated each
other on their safety. But Antar searched for his
friend, Prince Malik, whom he at last found, but
covered with wounds. He soothed his anguish, and
calmed his heart with encouraging expressions; and
turning towards Shas and Cais, he complimented
and thanked them for their timely appearance, extolling
them and their father, King Zoheir. Cais
smiled upon him, and felicitated him on his escape;
thus captivating Antar's whole mind and heart.
Shas, on the contrary, received him haughtily, and
with the harshest severity and most overbearing
pride, exclaiming, Welcome, thou son of Zebeeba!
When they had reposed and eaten, Rebia inquired
of Shas the cause of his coming; who gave an explanation
of all that had passed with his father on
the subject. The next day, Shas, Malik, Cais, and
Antar, with the whole army, marched forward,
preceded by their immense plunder, the united property
of three large tribes; and after three days
marching, they approached their own country. As
soon as they halted for the night, Malik, Ibla's
father, and his son Amroo, repaired to the tents of
Prince Shas. Malik cast himself at his feet, and
kissed his hand. What is the matter, O Malik?
said Shas. O my lord, cried Malik, you have indeed
done us the greatest of favours; and you have
exposed yourself to imminent perils on our account:
but now I implore you, my lord, graciously to bestow
on us your protection. Keep off this vile black
from my daughter: take her to your own dwelling
when we reach home, and make her serve you as
your slave; only suffer not this base-born to dishonour
me in my daughter. It is true, my lord,
his reputation is great, and his friends are numerous;
and I am quite worn out by his attentions
and importunities. His object is to espouse my
daughter, and our enemies already exult in my
shame and disgrace. I throw myself on you, my
lord, and I consign my affairs entirely over to you:
for you alone are able to assist me, and protect my
daughter. Tell me whether you will do so or not!
Either take my hand, or I will turn my face to the
wilds and the deserts, and go down to one of the
Arab princes, and demand protection of him; where
I may become at least a respected guest, far from
my own country. Shas pitied his distress: he endeavoured
to soothe and calm him, saying, I will
keep this black slave away from you: verily he
shall be prohibited from any intercourse with your
daughter, or I will make him drink of the cup
of perdition. Thus Shas, having quieted Malik's
mind, and dismissing him, sent for Antar; who no
sooner appeared, than Shas abruptly commenced
by saying, Know, O son of Zebeeba, outrage ever
ends ill; and he who covets what is not his by
right, is an oppressor and a tyrant. Your uncle
Malik was with me just now, and complained to
me of his situation. I have granted to him my
special protection, and his daughter Ibla will henceforward
live in my family, and with my wife. Her
enemies will be mine, and I warn you that you
must no more frequent her society: no more must
you talk of your marriage with her, either in private
or in public; otherwise in no land will you
have a more decided enemy than myself. I have
heard you say a thousand times that you will never
submit to disgrace or infamy; but now you are
wittingly dishonouring yourself by a worldly lust
after women. Do you indeed say, exclaimed Antar,
whilst the tears started into his eyes, and he sighed
from his sorrowing heart, do you indeed say that I
am dishonoured by reason of my worldly desires?
God forbid! Indeed, though love and affection
thus overwhelm me in disgrace, it is my uncle himself
that has excited my passion; for when she is a
prisoner, he urges me to liberate her, and I expose
my life to perils for her sake: but when his daughter
is safe in his tent, he calls me a slave, and the son
of a slave-woman. Antar's eyes flashed fire, and
he quitted the presence of Shas; but he conquered
his feelings till he came to his friend, Prince Malik,
to whom he related all that had lately passed with
Shas. O Aboolfawaris, said he, greatly distressed,
let not your bosom be agitated—let not your
thoughts grieve you: for by him who created man
and things, I will carry off Ibla for you, were I
even to be slain in the attempt. I will accomplish
your wishes. Wait patiently till we reach the presence
of my father, and you shall see what I will
do to your enemies. I will so act that you shall
enjoy supreme authority over them all, high and
low. Antar blessed him, and thanked him. Retiring,
he waited till it was dark; when he said to
his brother Shiboob, Son of a black, walk my horse
Abjer into the open plain, that he may breathe
freely, and recover from the fatigue of battles and
conflicts; for I can no longer remain with this dastardly
tribe. What has happened, asked Shiboob,
that you are going to quit your country and family
in such a hurry? Ay, cried Antar, as soon as we
reach home, Prince Malik is resolved on taking my
part; but Shas will never resign his hatred towards
me. Thus disturbances will arise among the tribe,
and this unhappy business will be productive of
dissensions: so that the noble Arabs will say of me,
that Antar was the cause of troubles and divisions
among the tribe. Now I do not wish to load Prince
Malik with my distresses, which are indeed intolerable;
for he is interested about me in every
trouble and adversity: it is my wish to cure my
own disease with my own medicine, and not let my
enemies triumph over me. I will establish myself
at Mecca, near the holy shrine; and there will I
make my complaints to the Lord of mankind, in
order that his supreme decrees may succour me,
whether death assail me, or fortune relieve me.
Do so, my brother, said Shiboob; wait patiently
for Ibla, and comfort yourself. Yes, continued
Antar; for as long as she resides in the habitation
of her father and mother, my heart is at ease about
her: but should her father listen to the addresses
of any other person, then shall the Arabs learn
what I will do: they shall see who is the most
powerful. I will slay him, were he even in the
chambers of Chosroe, or the Roman Emperor, or
under the protection of the Kings of the tribe of
Asfar. Not a man would I leave alive among
them.

Shiboob followed his directions. He led out
Abjer, and, quitting the tents, walked him about
among the sands and wastes, till the renowned
Antar joined him; and when it was quite dark,
he mounted his steed and departed, preceded by
Shiboob. They traversed plains and deserts; and,
as they travelled on, Antar reflected on the frightful
adventres he had encountered, and the dreadful
scenes he had endured on account of Ibla. Still
his ambitious passion was not assuaged, nor was his
disorder, the result of his love, appeased: and thus
he spoke:

"If, O tear, thou canst not relieve me in my
sorrow, perhaps thou mayst quench the flame
that consumes me. O heart, if thou wilt not wait

patiently for a meeting, die then the death of a
woe-begone, wandering stranger. How long must
I defy the evils of fortune, and encounter the
vicissitudes of night with the Indian blade! I
serve a tribe, whose hearts are the reverse of
what they exhibit in their fondness for me. I
am, in the field, the prince of their tribe; but, the
battle over, I am more despised than a slave.
Oh that I could annihilate this affection of a
lover! How it humiliates me! It agonizes my
heart; it enfeebles my courage. But I will soon
seek the sacred shrine, and complain of my ill-usage
to the Judge against whose decrees there
lies no appeal. I will renounce the days when
my tears deceived me, and I will aid the widowed
and plaintive dove. On thee, O daughter of Malik,
be the peace of God! the blessing of a sorrowing,
heart-grieved lover! I will depart, but
my soul is firm in its love for thee. Have pity,
then, on the cauterized heart of one far away.
Soon will my tribe remember me when the horse
advance—every noble warrior trampling and
stamping over them. Then, O daughter of Malik,
will agony be plainly evident, when the coward
gnaws his hands in death."

Having finished his verses, Antar pursued his
way with Shiboob, travelling day and night, until
they approached the land of Mecca. Ours, my
brother, said Shiboob, is a singular history; equally
so is our journey into this country, for we have seen

no one. Forward, O Ebe Reah, cried Antar, for
hitherto we have never seen any one but that has
brought evil upon us; and truly I am harassed
with encountering disasters, and my heart is disgusted
at fighting. And Antar quoted these two
couplets: "Retire within yourself, and be familiar
with solitude: when you are alone, you are in
the right road. Wild beasts are tamed by gentle
treatment, but men are never to be induced to
abandon their iniquities." He had scarcely finished
these lines, when he distinguished a scream through
the calmness of the night. O Arabs, look! is there
not a human being in this desert who will hearken
to my cry, who will observe the respect due to rank
and noble birth? Will no one deliver my virgin
daughters from the miseries of captivity and infamy?
Alas, O disgrace! Alas, no aid, no succour!
Such was the cry; and thus a voice continued:

"Flow and stream, O eyes, in copious tears for
the damsels, bereft of all assistance, friendless,
dishonoured in the desert. Mounted on tall camels,
they mourn for such iniquitous barbarity in
the lonely waste. The old man, wounded, lies in
the last agony, and his sons have been robbed of
their lives by the calamitous spear. Their mother
in her distress breathes in fire, and in the
madness of her passion calls on instant death.
O ye travellers by night under the veiled darkness,
perhaps there is a hero among ye who can
show himself a lion-warrior, and whose thrust in

the battle-day under the black clouds of dust
may assist us against the foe before the pangs of
death arrive, and thus obtain a noble reward from
the eternal God."

As Antar heard this, the flame in his heart blazed
afresh. Alas, my brother, said he, this must be an
oppressed female. Her enemies have slain her sons,
have made her daughters captive, and have left her
to become a prey to her own anguish. I am resolved
instantly to find out this wronged lady, and
perhaps the God of Heaven will take vengeance on
those who have wronged me. Thus saying, he
slackened his bridle, and galloped over the country
in the direction of the spot whence issued the voice.
O mourner! O woman of tears and woe! he cried,
tell me if any one has injured thee—that I may
come to thy aid. Alas! replied the woman, whilst
she wept from joy that some one had answered to
her cry, By the Lord of Heaven, a horseman of
the desert has insulted me; he has hurled at me
the shafts of sorrow; he has slain my three sons,
taken captive my three daughters, and has wounded
my husband As hath, the son of Obad. It is now
hree days and three nights that I am calling out
in this wide desert, but no one has come to succour
me—no one to intercede for me—no one has even
vouchsafed me an answer, but thou, O Chief of the
Arabs. If thou art a man of noble spirit, deliver
me from this calamity. Of what tribe art thou?
exclaimed Antar. I am of the noble race of Kendeh,

she replied. This year a famine visited our
lands; so we emigrated, in order to go down to the
country of Harith, where we have a daughter married.
It was our intention to settle there: but a
warrior, called Sudam, son of Salheb, attacked us
with forty horsemen of the plundering Arabs in
this wild. They slew my three sons, and my three
daughters they took prisoners, and wounded my
husband As-hath. They are now about to convey
us to the mountains of Toweila, there to sell us as
slaves. Take care of these women, said Antar to
Shiboob; assist them down from the backs of the
camels, whilst I go and look out for those vile
wretches who have done this foul deed. Thus
saying, he urged on Abjer; and it was just at the
first dawning of day, when he distinguished some
horsemen advancing from the centre of the desert,
headed by Sudam, like a ferocious lion, who thus
exclaimed:

"I am Sudam, the assailer of warriors; in me is
a heart harder than mountains. In horror and
fear of me, even the wild beasts of the waste
shrink into the obscurity of caverns: and were
Death a substance, I would steep his right hand
in the blood of his left."

Antar grasped his spear; he slackened the bridle
of his steed, and gave a shout that made the deserts
and the rocks tremble. Frustrated are thy hopes,
he cried; into hopeless misery art thou fallen. As
Sudam cast his eyes on Antar, he rejoiced, and was

glad. Here is a glorious morning! he exclaimed,
addressing his comrades: this booty to begin the
day with will suffice. Assault him, one of ye; let
him not escape: bring me his horse and his spoil.
At the word, one of the forty galloped down upon
Antar, crying out, State thy descent; peradventure
thy connexion may protect thee: otherwise, deliver
up thy horse and thy armour. But Antar deigned
not an answer; and, without a word, he assailed
him like a lion rushing out of his den: he brandished
his lance before him, and, piercing him
through the chest, forced the point out at his back;
and he threw him down dead, weltering in his blood.
Sudam and his associates marked Antar's intrepidity;
they all stood aghast: but though Sudam
was most anxious to engage him, his friends would
not suffer him, and they all fell on Antar at once.
He, however, received them as the parched soil the
first of the rain; and plunging with them into the
thick dust, he soon began to glean off horseman
after horseman; so that the sun had scarcely risen,
before they were all stretched upon the earth.
Sudam was bewildered at such prodigious efforts of
valour; and though he felt alarmed, he knew he
must attack him. Accordingly, he advanced, and
exclaimed, Hold, O Arab: tell me what horseman
thou art, and with what tribe thou art connected;
for thy battle excites my surprise, and thy prowess
is most wonderful. I should be overjoyed in thy
friendship, and I would willingly live with thee.
Let us unite our force and plunder; and, to
begin, I will divide with thee the spoil that is
now in our power. There are three virgins; and
those who were to have shared them with me
thou hast killed. Away, thou son of a cuckold,
replied Antar; away with this absurdity: come on
to the contest! Despair of this booty and these
damsels, for the God on high has delivered them
from bondage and infamy. Sudam was highly indignant
that Antar should presume to thwart him,
or he be disappointed of his prey; so he rushed
upon him, and sought to engage him, conceiving
that he must be like other warriors whom he had
fought. But Antar received him like a ferocious
lion: he gave him no time either to advance or to
retreat, but struck him on the chest with his cleaving
Dhami, and he divided him down to the belt of his
back. Sudam fell down dead, weltering in his blood.
At that moment Shiboob ran towards him, swift as
a blast of wind; and seeing that Antar had slain
the hero, he congratulated him on his safety. And
when they had collected the scattered horses and
dispersed spoil, they repaired to the women; who,
at the sight of this plunder, felt convinced that their
defender had destroyed their enemies. So they
crowded round him, and kissed his hands, thanking
and praising him; but the mother of the damsels
advanced before the others, and thus extolled her
deliverer:

"May thy God grant thee all thou desirest in

thy hopes, and bestow on thy lands the blessings
of plenteous showers! O Knight of the troop!
O thou unrivalled hero in the tumultuous clatter
of spears and the thrusts of the lances! may
every morn thy foes tremble before thee! May
their lives dread the speed of death! May thy
envious enemies feel in every limb their hearts
fried in flames and fire! Mayst thou increase in
glory wherever they insult thee; and may the
sword of thy honour rest on their skulls and
heads! Were people to be impartial in their
language, and tell the truth, no one but thee
would they style a hero: for truly thou standest
alone, unequalled in the universe, matchless in
the mountains and the valleys."

Antar was exceedingly gratified at the old lady's
verses, and greatly admired her eloquence, and the
elegance of her expressions. He requested the
young women to veil themselves; and turning towards
their father, who was lying on the ground,
he dismounted, and bound up his wounds, and
assisted him to sit down to repose himself a little;
congratulating him at the same time on his deliverance
from his enemies. The Sheikh thanked
him, and kissed his hands. Antar also rested himself
awhile after the fatigues of the conflict, and the
old lady brought him something to eat, which she
placed before him, whilst her daughters stood round
him in silent admiration. Now Antar had eaten

nothing since his separation from Ibla, neither had
he slept; so he ate till he was satisfied, and then
asked them whither they were going with their
baggage? We wish, they replied, to proceed on
our journey to the tribe of Harith, for they are our
relations; and with them we intend to remain all
this year, O Aboolfawaris. Upon this, Antar directed
them to mount their camels: so they all
seated themselves in their howdahs, together with
the Sheikh; and they departed, seeking the rocky
deserts. But as Antar accompanied them, the
Sheikh questioned him about his affairs, and his
projects, and his expectations. Antar informed
him of all his adventures with his uncle Malik, and
that he was now going to Mecca and the holy
shrine, there to take up his residence for some time.
O Aboolfawaris, said the Sheikh, my heart is much
interested in your fate: you have made me forget
even the slaughter of my sons; for you have indeed
acted nobly towards me, and done what no
friend ever did for friend before. But I have
nothing with which to recompense you for these
honourable deeds, but these honourable damsels,
whom you liberated with the blade of your sword
and the barb of your spear. Take one of them, I
beseech you: come and live with us, that we may
serve you with all our power—myself, this old
lady, and my daughters, even to our dying day.
How can this be? said Antar. How can I resign
Ibla, my uncle's daughter? and he thus continued
in verse:

"Were my heart mine own, I should desire
nothing beyond you—it would covet nothing but
you. But it loves what tortures it; where no
word, no deed encourages it."

The Sheikh was amazed at Antar's love and
passion: and thus they travelled on till they reached
the land of Harith; and as they were now in safety,
Antar took leave of them; and giving them all the
horses and spoil he had captured, he separated from
them, and, in company with Shiboob, traversed the
plains and the wastes till he arrived at Mecca. He
alighted in the Sacred Valley, and there he resided,
passing his days in hunting, to relieve his sorrows
and afflictions, and his nights with Shiboob, in
talking over old stories and past events.