e: EDWARD S. HOLDEN]

THE VALOR OF ANTAR

Now Antar was becoming a big boy, and grew up, and used to accompany his
mother, Zebeeba, to the pastures, and he watched the cattle; and this he
continued to do till he increased in stature. He used to walk and run
about to harden himself, till at length his muscles were strengthened,
his frame altogether more robust, his bones more firm and solid, and his
speech correct. His days were passed in roaming about the mountain
sides; and thus he continued till he attained his tenth year.

[He now kills a wolf which had attacked his father's flocks,
and breaks into verse to celebrate his victory:--]

_O thou wolf, eager for death, I have left thee wallowing in dust, and
spoiled of life; thou wouldst have the run of my flocks, but I have left
thee dyed with blood; thou wouldst disperse my sheep, and thou knowest I
am a lion that never fears. This is the way I treat thee, thou dog of
the desert. Hast thou ever before seen battle and wars?_

[His next adventure brought him to the notice of the chief of
the tribe,--King Zoheir. A slave of Prince Shas insulted a
poor, feeble woman who was tending her sheep; on which Antar
"dashed him against the ground. And his length and breadth
were all one mass." This deed won for Antar the hatred of
Prince Shas, the friendship of the gentle Prince Malik, and
the praise of the king, their father. "This valiant fellow,"
said the king, "has defended the honor of women."]

From that day both King Zoheir and his son Malik conceived a great
affection for Antar, and as Antar returned home, the women all collected
around him to ask him what had happened; among them were his aunts and
his cousin, whose name was Ibla. Now Ibla was younger than Antar, and a
merry lass. She was lovely as the moon at its full; and perfectly
beautiful and elegant.... One day he entered the house of his uncle
Malik and found his aunt combing his cousin Ibla's hair, which flowed
down her back, dark as the shades of night. Antar was quite surprised;
he was greatly agitated, and could pay no attention to anything; he was
anxious and thoughtful, and his anguish daily became more oppressive.

[Meeting her at a feast, he addressed her in verse:--]

_The lovely virgin has struck my heart with the arrow of a glance, for
which there is no cure. Sometimes she wishes for a feast in the
sandhills, like a fawn whose eyes are