المعلقات السبع (The Seven Suspended Odes — Arabic text with English)

flowing diction of that natural poetry, the pathos and the effect of which, however, they strove to grasp with various but dubious success. They lay claim to no little credit, indeed, for the many improvements they made on the ancient style, diction, ideas and expressions, for the standards they fixed to regulate the imaginative work of poetry, for the canons of criticism they laid down, for the laws of language they enunciated, and for the many beautiful figures they invented. It was, however, mannerism, all in all, a noble imitation, but without the true spirit of real nature.

The progress of the Arabic literature may best be illustrated by comparing it to a gradual and grand ascent up a lofty mountain, richly clad in every variety of beautiful verdure, pleasant vegetation, particoloured and fragrant flowers, verdant meadows, varied trees—all of wild growth; and rife with cooling avenues, refreshing arbours and stately alcoves, resounding with diverse songs of wild birds, whose varieties of notes, colours and hues are objects of deep admiration and devotion to the votaries of nature. The summit was gained only at the appearance of the Korân, which occupied the proud position of a solitary eminence, beyond the reach of all aspirers, who fell short of it. A step further, and the declivity gradually led to a spacious plateau, abounding in fine valleys, laid out with beautiful gardens, charming flower-beds, gliding rills, well trimmed alleys, levelled turfs, and picturesque parks, all combined in beautiful harmony and resounding with the harmonious melodies of trained birds, while art spared nothing to make all as perfect as lay in her power.

It was thus at the time when Arabic literature stood at its highest position, that the celebrated Seven Poems, well known as the Seven Suspended Poems, made their appearance. They stood at the top of the eminence of Arabic literature, exulting with deserving pride at that enviable position and