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

24
THE ROMANCE OF ANTAR
the wild and marshy places of the land, in order to attack hand
to hand in their caverns the lions and lionesses and their cubs,
and bear them slain to the tents, in order to provide meat for all
those Avho attended the festival.
Djaida had been informed of this design. She disguised
herself in coat of mail, mounted her horse, and left the tents
as three days of festivities still remained, she hastily followed
Khaled into the desert, and met him face to face in a cavern.
She flung herself upon him with the impetuosity of a wild
beast, and attacked him furiously, crying aloud, " Arab ! dismount
from your horse, take off your coat of mail, and your
armor ; if you hesitate to do so, I will run this lance through
your heart." Khaled was resolved at once to resist her in this
demand. They engaged in furious combat. The struggle
lasted for more than an hour, when the warrior saw in the eyes
of his adversary an expression which alarmed him. He remounted
his horse, and having wheeled round his steed from
the place of combat, exclaimed : " By the faith of an Arab, I
adjure you to tell me what horseman of the desert you are ; for
I feel that your attack and the violence of your blows are irre-
sistible. In fact, you have prevented me from accomplishing
that which I had intended, and all that I had eagerly desired
to do." At these words Djaida raised her visor, thus permit-
ting him to see her face. " Khaled," she cried, " is it neces-
sary for the girl you love to attack wild beasts, in order that the
daughters of Arabia may learn that this is not the exclusive
privilege of a warrior ? " At this cutting rebuke Khaled was
overcome with shame. " By the faith of an Arab," he replied,
' no one but you can overcome me ; but is there anyone in this
country who has challenged you, or are you come hither
merely to prove to me the extent of your valor?" " By the
faith of an Arab," rephed Djaida, " I came into this desert
solely for the purpose of helping you to hunt wild beasts, and
in order that your warriors might not reproach you for choos-
ing me as your wife." At these words Khaled felt thrilled with
surprise and admiration, that such spirit and resolution should
have been exhibited in the conduct of Djaida.
Then both of them dismounted from their horses and en-
tered into a cavern. There Khaled seized two ferocious wild
beasts, and Djaida attacked and carried of? a lion and two
lionesses. After these exploits they exchanged congratula-
;