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THE TAKJUMAX AL-ASHWAQ (X X IX ) lO T

XXIX
1. May my father bo tlie ransom of the boughs swaying to
and fro as tliej' bend, bending their tresses towards
Hie cheeks!
2. Loosing plaited locks of hair ; soft in their joints and
bends;
3. Trailing skirts of haughtiness; clad in embroidered
garments of beauty ;
■i. Which from modesty grudge to bestow their loveliness;
which give old heii'looms and new gifts ;
5. Which charm by their laughing and smiling mouths; whose
lijjs are sweet to kiss ;
6. Whose bare limbs are dainty; which have swelling breasts
and offer choice iDresents ;
7. Luring ears and souls, when they converse, by their
wondrous witchery;
8. Co vering their faces for shame, taking captive thereby the
devout and fearing heart;
9. Displaying teeth like peai'ls, healing with, their saliva one
who is feeble and wasted ;
10. Darting from their eyes glances which jiierce a heart
experienced in the wars and used to combat;
11. ilaking rise from their bosoms new moons which sutler
no eclipse on becoming full;
12. Causing tears to flow as from rain-clouds, causing sighs
to be- heard like the crash of thunder.
13. 0 my two comrade.s, may my life-blood be the ran.som
IL She established the harmony of union, for she is our
of a slender girl who bestowed on me favours and
bounties !

princiijlo of iiarmony: she is both Ai'ab and foreign ;
she makes the gno.stic forget.
15. Whenever she gazes, she draws against thee trenchant
swords, and her front teeth show to thee a dazzliiiir
levin.
Ifl- O my comrades, halt beside the guarded pasture of Ilajir !
Halt, halt, 0 my comrades.