Sacred Texts Islam Index Previous Next
Buy this Book at Amazon.com
Arabian Poetry, by W. A. Clouston, [1881], at sacred-texts.com
Prince Harith, one of Zoheir's sons, while hunting, one day chanced to stray into a valley, at some distance from the land of Shurebah. There he saw a party of women of the tribe of Zohran, and conspicuous among them was the chief's beautiful daughter, Labna. They fell in love with each other at first sight. Shiboob contrived to carry off the damsel to her lover; but her father, breathing vengeance, pursued them, with his warriors. Harith was taken prisoner, but was soon afterwards released by Shiboob, who, however, in his turn, was captured. At this juncture, Antar, returning from Hirah, reached the place, and rescued his brother; and Labna and Harith were restored to each other. The hero then continued his journey home; and as his passion for Abla burst upon him, thus he recited:
Oh! is it the fragrance of musk, or is it itr?
Is it a voice, or the breeze, warbling over the desert, that sings of her?
Is it a flash of lightning? or is it her teeth in the wastes, resembling the full moon when it rises?
Is it the branch of the tamarisk, that sweetly waves in the wilds?
Is it the stem of the spear, or her form?
Is it the narcissus of the gardens, endued with visual powers, or her cheek, like the untouched apple?
I rave through love of her; but let my railers see the torrents of my tears, to which there is no end!
O Abla! my heart for love of thee suffers tortures: this frequent separation and these echoes fill me with grief.
O Abla! fear not thy enemies; for against the destiny of God there is no opposition.