"
He prepared to charge, when the ancients 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 as follows: "Kinsmen and allies, in the name of that
harmony 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
enclosed in the dark prison-house of the tomb. Take care, that when your
bodies are separated from life, 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 not 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."

Th