{"collection":"Islam","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/arp/arp135.htm","path":"isl/arp/arp135.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/isl/arp/arp135.htm","text":"Arabian Poetry, by W. A. Clouston, [1881]\nAntar returned to his tribe, and lived secluded in his tent, sorrowing for the loss of his first and ever steadfast friend. One day Khemisa, Abla's handmaiden, came to him with a message from his darling, who desired him to watch over the safety of herself and her female companions while they passed some time at the lake during the evening. The hero was delighted with the duty, and readily promised Abla his protection against the wanderers of the night.\nThe girls set out for the lake at the hour appointed, and Amarah, disguised in women's clothes, followed them. When they reached the lake he pounced upon Abla like a voracious. vulture. But help was at hand. Antar, concealed behind the sand-hills, heard Abla's screams. He rushed forth like a furious lion, grasped Amarah, and almost heat the life out of him; then he let him go, followed by the taunts and jeers of the girls.\n\"This circumstance with Abla soon spread abroad, and all the women, and men, and girls, and boys, and slaves, and slave-girls joined in the laugh against Amarah, singing these verses, whilst Amarah heard them:\u2014the women and shepherdesses sang them at their spindles; for there was a girl among the Absians who could compose verses; she was very eloquent, so she repeated these verses on Amarah the cuckold, and they were recollected by all the women and girls:\"\nAmarah, leave alone the beautiful, full-hipped damsels;\u2014let alone all disputes about the lovely girls!\nFor thou canst not plunge into the sea of deaths, and thou art no horseman in the day of battle.\nAspire no more to Abla: if thou dost but look at her, thou wilt see horrors from the lion of the forests!\nAs to the thin quivering spear, touch not its strength, nor the cleaving scimitar.\nAbla is a fawn chased by a lion, with eyes that afflict with disorder the stoutest in health.\nLet alone all contest about her, or the unflinching Antar will make thee drink of death.\nThou didst not cease thy obstinacy, till thy foul condition gave evidence against thee!\nAll the girls laughed at thee: thou vast the carrion of the plains and deserts; thou wast the common talk of the merry, and the laughing-stock for every passenger!\nThou camest to us in the robes of dyed silk, thou black greasy kettle!\nAs thou didst meet us, a lion met thee, whom all the lion-heroes acknowledge in the carnage:\nThen fear trembled in thy heart\u2014intoxication quitted thee, and thou wast restored to thy senses. Nothing but contempt remained for thee, when thou didst retire like a dunghill.\nAbla beheld thee laid low, stretched out; and all the beautiful high-hipped damsels with her.\nWe held our noses at thee, as we laughed at thee and quizzed thee.\nThe Antar of Knights, the lion of the cave, came\u2014he, who in generosity is a sea of liberality:\nAnd thou art the vilest of all those that ever crossed a horse\u2014the noblest of those who are tenacious of their lives!\nWe are like the sweetest flowerets, scented like the violets and the camomile; and Abla amongst us is like the branch of the tamarisk: her beauty is the full moon, and the sun of the desert.\nThou wouldst possess her by violence and outrage\u2014thou!\u2014the vilest of all the dogs that bark!\nDie in grief, otherwise live in contempt; for never, never will there be an end of our lampoons upon thee!","title":"Arabian Poetry: The Romance of Antar: Amarah Lampooned by the Girls","type":"page"}