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

second with martial valour and extreme individual independence; while the sixth breathes a spirit of warlike courage, soldierly faithful service and knightly devotion to the lady of his love.

The third poem is eulogistic, describing the virtues and patriotic services of the chieftain of a tribe. It is, moreover, an ethical poem, heading the category of all poems of that type.

The fourth, the fifth and the seventh poems are patriotic and breathe throughout a spirited feeling of national independence and superiority. The latter two are, moreover, antagonistic and give a vivid picture of two rival champion chiefs, each striving to set off the glories of his own clan against those of the rival tribe.

Notwithstanding these points of difference, all the seven poems in common with all Arabic poems of the class, are distinguished with many prominent and similar features, viz., a deep devotion in love, martial gallantry, national independence, rigorous defence of individual rights, steady promotion of public weal, rigid observance and free exercise of national virtues.

Analysis of the Seven Poems with Critical Remarks.

POEM I.

The poet placing the scene at the ruined abode of his old friends and mistress, and giving a short description of his woeful plight on his separation from their friends, and of the high emotions, roused at the sight of the ruined abode, takes us through a series of gallant love adventures, followed by a lively description of his noble horse, a brisk sylvan chase, a great storm and a rainy night, wherewith the poem concludes.

Here the reader can hardly fail to notice the elevated sentiments, the sublime ideas and the majestic language of a high-spirited prince, tamed down by love and gallantry, but not to the low level of an ordinary lover. His courting is an interest-