Zuhayr

“ He who continually debases his mind by suffering others to ride over it, and never raises it from so abject a state, will at last repent of his meanness.
52. He who sojourns in foreign countries mistakes his enemy for his friend; and him, who exalts not his own soul, the nation will not exalt. ”

“ But, I added, look, my friend! dost thou not discern a company of maidens seated on camels, and advancing over the high ground above the streams of Jortham?
8. They leave on their right the mountains and rocky plains of Kenaan. Oh, how many of my bitter foes, and how many of my firm allies, does Kenaan contain!
9. They are mounted in carriages covered with costly awnings, and with rose-coloured veils, the linings of which have the hue of crimson andem-wood.
10. They now appear by the valley of Subaan, and now they pass through it: the trappings of all their camels are new and large. ”

“ Hail, illustrious tribe! They fix their tents where faithful allies defend their interests, whenever some cloudy night assails them with sudden adversity.
35. Hail, noble race! among whom neither can the revengeful man wreak his vengeance, nor is the penitent offender left to the mercy of his foes.
36. Like camels were they turned loose to pasture between the times of watering; and then were they led to copious pools, horrid with arms and blood ”

“ He who shields his reputation by generous deeds will augment it; and he who guards not himself from censure will be censured.
56. I am weary of the hard burdens which life imposes; and every man who, like me, has lived fourscore years will assuredly be no less weary. ”

“ He who drives not invaders from his cistern with strong arms will see it demolished; and he who abstains ever so much from injuring others will often himself be injured.
54. He who conciliates not the hearts of men in a variety of transactions will be bitten by their sharp teeth, and trampled on by their pasterns. ”

“ How many men dost thou see whose abundant merit is admired, when they are silent, but whose failings are discovered, as soon as they open their lips!
63. An old man never grows wise after his folly; but when a youth has acted foolishly he may attain wisdom. ”

“ Now, when they have reached the brink of yon blue gushing rivulet, they fix the poles of their tents, like the Arab with a settled mansion.
15. Among them the nice gazer on beauty may find delight, and the curious observant eye may be gratified with charming objects. ”

“ The man who opens for his country a treasure of glory should himself be glorified.
23. They drove to the tents of their appeased foes a herd of young camels, marked for the goodness of their breed, and either inherited from their fathers or the scattered prizes of war. ”

“ He made a fierce attack, nor feared the number of tents, where Death, the mother of vultures, had fixed her mansion;
42. There the warrior stood armed at all points, fierce as a lion with strong muscles, with a flowing mane, with claws never blunted:
43• A bold lion, who, when he is assailed, speedily chastises the assailant ”