1877.] 
life of the poet as given in the Kifah-el-Aghani. 
87 
42 The steady rain poured down, and the flood reached the ridge of her 
[back 
in a night when thick darkness hid away all the stars ; 
43 And she shone in the face of the mirk with a white glimmering light 
like a pearl born in a sea-shell that has dropped from its string. 
44 Until, when the darkness was folded away and morning dawned, 
she stood, her legs slipping in the muddy earth. 
45 She Wandered distracted about all the pools of So‘aid 
for seven nights twinned with seven whole long days, 
46 Until she lost all hope, and her full udders shrunk 
—the udders that had not failed in all the days of her suckling 
[and weaning. 
47 Then she heard the sound of men, and it filled her heart with fear 
—of men from a hidden place : and men, she knew, were her 
[bane. 
48 She rushed blindly along, now thinking the chase before 
and now behind her : each was a place of dread. 
49 Until, when the archers lost hope, they let loose on her 
trained hounds with hanging ears, each with a stiff leather collar 
[on its neck ; 
50 They beset her, and she turned to meet them with her horns 
like to spears of Semhar in their sharpness and their length 
51 To thrust them away : for she knew well, if she drove them not off, 
that the fated day of her death among the fates of beasts had 
[come. 
52 And among them Ivesab was thrust through and slain, and rolled in 
[blood 
lay there, and Sukham was left in the place where he made his 
[onset. 
53 On such a camel, when the glistening sands dance in the hot noon, 
and the skirts of the mirage clothe their rolling hills, 
64 'Will I accomplish my desire—I shall not be turned away from it by 
[blame, 
nor by all the reviling that men may care to heap on me. 
55 And did not Nawar then know that I am one 
who knits where he pleases the knot of love and cuts it where he 
[wills, 
56 Wont to leave when it likes me the places that I care not for 
till the fated doom of Death shall lay hold of a certain soul ? 
57 Nay, verily thou knowest not how many a night 
cool and mild, good for delight and revelry, 
