The ‘Arabian Nights’ contains one tale of the early Arabs,—­the story of Gharib and his brother Ajib,—­which repeats some of the exploits of Antar; a tale far inferior to the romance.  The excellences of the ‘Arabian Nights’ are of another order.  We must look for them in the pompous enchantments of the City of Brass, or in the tender constancy of Aziz and Azizah, or in the tale of Hasan of Bassorah, with its lovely study of the friendship of a foster-sister, and its wonderful presentment of the magic surroundings of the country of the Jann.

To select specimens from ‘Antar’ is like selecting from ’Robinson Crusoe.’  In the romance, Antar’s adventures go on and on, and the character of the hero develops before one’s eyes.  It may be that the leisure of the desert is needed fully to appreciate this master-work.

[Illustration:  Signature:  EDWARD S. HOLDEN]

THE VALOR OF ANTAR

Now Antar was becoming a big boy, and grew up, and used to accompany his mother, Zebeeba, to the pastures, and he watched the cattle; and this he continued to do till he increased in stature.  He used to walk and run about to harden himself, till at length his muscles were strengthened, his frame altogether more robust, his bones more firm and solid, and his speech correct.  His days were passed in roaming about the mountain sides; and thus he continued till he attained his tenth year.

     [He now kills a wolf which had attacked his father’s flocks,
     and breaks into verse to celebrate his victory:—­]

O thou wolf, eager for death, I have left thee wallowing in dust, and spoiled of life; thou wouldst have the run of my flocks, but I have left thee dyed with blood; thou wouldst disperse my sheep, and thou knowest I am a lion that never fears.  This is the way I treat thee, thou dog of the desert.  Hast thou ever before seen battle and wars?

[His next adventure brought him to the notice of the chief of the tribe,—­King Zoheir.  A slave of Prince Shas insulted a poor, feeble woman who was tending her sheep; on which Antar “dashed him against the ground.  And his length and breadth were all one mass.”  This deed won for Antar the hatred of Prince Shas, the friendship of the gentle Prince Malik, and the praise of the king, their father.  “This valiant fellow,” said the king, “has defended the honor of women.”]

From that day both King Zoheir and his son Malik conceived a great affection for Antar, and as Antar returned home, the women all collected around him to ask him what had happened; among them were his aunts and his cousin, whose name was Ibla.  Now Ibla was younger than Antar, and a merry lass.  She was lovely as the moon at its full; and perfectly beautiful and elegant....  One day he entered the house of his uncle Malik and found his aunt combing his cousin Ibla’s hair, which flowed down her back, dark as the shades of night.  Antar was quite surprised; he was greatly agitated, and could pay no attention to anything; he was anxious and thoughtful, and his anguish daily became more oppressive.