'Antar

“ Profusely and copiously it descends; and every evening the stream, which nothing intercepts, gushes rapidly through it.
18. The flies remain in it with incessant buzzing, and their murmurs are like the song of a man exhilarated with wine:
19. Their sound, when they strike their slender legs against each other, is like the sound of a flint, from which the sparks are forced by a man with one arm, intent upon his labour.
20. While thou, fair Abla, reclinest both evening and morning on the lap of a soft couch, I pāss whole nights on the back of a dark-coloured horse well caparisoned:
21. ”

“ Go, ask the warriors, O daughter of Malec, if thou art ignorant of my valour, ask them that which thou knowest not;
45. Ask how I act, when I am constantly fixed to the saddle of an elegant horse, swimming in his course, whom my bold antagonists alternately wound;
46. Yet sometimes he advances alone to the conflict, and sometimes he stands collected in a multitudinous throng of heroes with strong bows:
47. Ask, and whoever has been witness to the combat will inform thee that I am impetuous in battle, but regardless of the spoils. ”

“ HAVE the bards who preceded me left any theme unsung? What, therefore, shall be my subject? Love only must supply my lay. Dost thou then recollect, after long consideration, the mansion of thy beloved?
2. O bower of Abla, in the valley of Jiwaa, give me tidings of my love! O bower of Abla, may the morning rise on thee with prosperity and health!
3. There I stopped my camel, large as a tower, the anguish of my passion having delayed the accomplishment of my bold enterprise,
4. Whilst Abla was dwelling in Jiwaa, and our tribe were stationed in Hazn, and Samaan, and Motathallem. ”