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

44
THE ROMANCE OF ANTAR
of the two tribes came forth into the middle of the plain, with
heads uncovered, their feet bared, and their idols hung from
their shoulders. Standing between the two armies they spoke
" Kinsmen and allies, in the name of that harmony
as follows :
which has hitherto prevailed among us, let us do nothing that
will make us the byword of our slaves. Let us not furnish our
enemies with ground for reproaching us. Let us forget all
matter of dispute and dissension. Let us not turn wives into
widows and our children into orphans. Satisfy your warlike
ardor by attacking those among the Arabs who are your real
foes; and you, kinsmen of Fazarah, show yourselves more
humble and less haughty, towards your brethren the Absians.
Above all, forget not that insolent wrong has often caused the
destruction of many tribes, which have had sore reason to regret
their impious actions ; in this way many men have been
deprived of their possessions, and a vast number been plunged
into the gulf of despair and regret. Expect the fatal hour of
death, the day of dissolution, for it is upon you. You will be
rent asunder by the threatening eagles of destruction, and en-
closed in the dark prison-house of the tomb. Take care, that
when your bodies are separated from Hfe, men may think about
you without any other memory than that of your virtues."
The sheiks talked together for a long time, and meanwhile
the flame of passion which had been kindled in the soul of the
two heroes, Cais and Hadifah, became quenched. Hadifah
withdrew from the fight, and it was agreed that Cais should
pay as the price of Abou-Firacah's blood a quantity of cattle
and a string of camels. The sheiks did not wish even then to
quit the field of battle until Cais and Hadifah embraced each
other and had agreed to all the arrangements. Antar was
crimson with rage. " O King Cais," he exclaimed, " what
have you done ? What ! while our swords flash in our hands
shall the tribe of Fazarah exact a price for the blood of its dead ?
And we never be able to obtain retaliation excepting with our
spear points ! The blood of our dead is shed, and shall we
n-ot avenge it ? " Hadifah was beside himself on hearing these
words. " And you, vile bastard," said Antar to him, " you
son of a vile mother, must your honor be purchased at the expense
of our disgrace? But for the presence of these noble
sheiks I would annihilate you and all your people this very
instant."