9. Translation of one of the Fardiyat or Poems on 
Sport, of Abi Nu*a., the Poet-Jester of the 
Court of Harinu’ r-Rashid 
By Mr. D. Perris and Lieut.-Cotonen D. C. PHILLOT?. 
TRANSLATION. 
On THE GosHawKk-TIERcEc.! 
Grey broke the dawn, as forth betimes I went 
To fly my noble hawk of pure descent 
And without ever wearying in his flight 
Full fifty head he brought to bag that da 
Some quick, some dead, but all my goshawk’s prey : 
A brizht-eyved, fair, unruffled tiercel he, 
From all rude vice, defect and blemish free. 
I, on whose wrist. he sits, will never part 
With one who is the treasure of my heart. 
Great price paid 1, ~my labour was the same 
To fortify his sinews and his frame. 
The lnre and scauty fare were all my school, 
Save when | damped his ardour from the pool; 
Now, though fierce pride sustains his spirit still, 
And ever hastens to my beck and call. 
Oft the quick-rising coot,? black as the night, 
Seeks safety in the swiftness of its flight ; 
Of none «vail the speed that it can show 
Against so crafty and so strong a foe. 
Often my wind-wiuged hawk, with coursge rare, 
Has struck and seized its quarry in mid-air. 
* 
ORIGINAL.® 
Spill ends ls gi! 
JI ve 
© 7 ed wer Ge 
o— aoe wel vine * ee Os gso—iel o—5 
2 - or ? 
o Ger 
"RAS! 
s, 
ae U5 “i iy swear ete 
eee ond a * —weo Ay 1 Sa 
Da | € c ba a8 : 



Ra alse Se Pee en eee 
1 Zurrag, tie male of the bdz or goshawk : arabicised from the Persian 
jurra, 
2 Tuwwal is described in a note as being a “long legged water-bird.” 
8 From the Diwan of Abi Nu*as, p. 226, Cairo Edition of 1898. 
