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

THE ABSIANS AND FAZAREANS 35
when the forty days had expired the horsemen of the two
tribes came in a crowd to the banks of lake ZataHrsud. Next
arrived the archer Ayas, who, turning his back to the lake at
the point where the horses were to start, drew his bow as he
walked toward the north a hundred times, and measured out
to the goal the course of a hundred bow-shots. Soon the
horsemen of Ghitfan and Dibyan arrived, for they were of the
same territory, and because of their friendly relations and kinship
were comprised as one tribe under the name of Adnan.
King Cais had begged Antar not to show himself on this occasion,
fearing that his appearance might cause dissension. An-
tar listened to this advice, but was unable to rest quiet in the
tents. The interest he felt in Cais, and the deep distrust with
which the falseness of the Fazareans—who were always ready
for treason—inspired him, induced him to show himself. Gird-
ing on his sword Dhami, and mounting his famous charger,
Abjer, he took with him his brother Shidoub, and reached the
spot fixed upon for the race, in order that he might watch over
the safety of King Zoheir's sons. On his arrival he seemed to
excel all that crowd, like a lion clad in coat of mail. He car-
ried his naked sword, and his eyes flashed like blazing coals,
As soon as he had reached the middle of the crowd, he cried out
with a loud voice, that struck terror to all hearts : " Hearken,
noble Arabian chieftains and men of renown assembled here—
all of you know that I was supported and favored by King Zoheir,
father of King Cais, that I am a slave bound to him, by
his goodness and munificence; that it is he who caused my
parents to acknowledge me, and gave me my rank, making me
to be numbered among Arab chiefs. Although he is no longer
living, I wish to show my gratitude to him, and bring the kings
of the land int6 subjection to- him, even after his death. He
has left a son, whom his brothers have acknowledged, and
have set on the throne of his father. This son is Cais, whom
they have thus distinguished, because of his wisdom, rectitude,
and noble heart. I am the slave of Cais, and am his property ; I
intend to be the supporter of him whom I love, and the enemy
of whosoever resists him. It shall never be said, as long as I
live, that I have suffered an enemy to affront him. As to the
conditions of this wager, it is our duty to see them observed.
The best thing, accordingly, to do is to let the horses race un-
obstructed, for victory comes from the creator of day and night.