Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

20 THE ROMANCE OF ANTAR
hurt, and none could say who was the victor. Thus Djaida,
while rousing the admiration of the spectators, saw the annoy-
ance they felt on finding their chief equalled in fight by so skil-
ful an opponent. Khaled ordered his antagonist to be treated
with all the care and honor imaginable, then retired to his tent,
his mind filled with thoughts of his conflict. Djaida remained
three days at her cousin's habitation. Every morning she
presented herself on the ground of combat, and remained
under arms until night. She enjoyed it greatly, still keeping
her incognito, whilst Khaled, on the other hand, made no enquiries,
and asked no questions of her, as to who she was and
to what tribe she might belong.
On the morning of the fourth day, while Khaled, according
to his custom, rode over the plain, and passed close to the
tents reserved for strangers, he saw Djaida mounting her
horse. He saluted her, and she returned his salute. " Noble
Arab," said Khaled, " I should like to ask you one question.
Up to this moment I have failed in courtesy towards you, but,
I now beg of you, in the name of that God who has endowed
you with such great dexterity in arms, tell me, who are you,
and to what noble princes are you allied? For I have never
met your equal among brave cavaliers. Answer me, I beseech
you, for I am dying to learn." Djaida smiled, and raising her
visor, replied : " Khaled, I am a woman, and not a warrior. I
am your cousin Djaida, who offered herself to you, and wished
to give herself to you ; but you refused her—from the pride
you felt in your passion for arms." As she spoke she turned
her horse suddenly, stuck spurs into him, and dashed off at
full gallop towards her own country.
Khaled filled with confusion withdrew to his tent, not knowing
what to do, nor what would be the end of the passionate
love which he suddenly felt rise within him. He was seized
with disgust for all these warlike habits and tastes, which had
reduced him to the melancholy plight in which he found him-
self. His distaste for women was changed into love. He sent
for his mother and related to her all that had occurred. " My
son," she said, " all these circumstances should render Djaida
still dearer to you. Wait patiently a little, until I have been
able to go and ask her of her mother." She straightway
mounted her camel, and started through the desert on the
tracks of Djaida, who immediately on her arrival home had