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

love in despair, but hopes to join his beloved travelling on the back of a fast-going and strong she-camel whose pace he compares to that of an ostrich. He then appeals to her to testify to the many virtues and noble deeds she has witnessed, of his boundless liberality, courteous manners and martial prowess displayed on the field of battle. He further solicits her to inquire regarding his exploits from those who were present on the field of battle, and who will surely tell her, among other deeds, how he once triumphantly overcame a hero of established reputation. He again reverts to the sorrow he feels at brooding over the serious obstacles in the way of his love. Complaining of the depreciation of his services by 'Amru, he gives a lively description of a trying battle well fought by him. The poem concludes with earnest wishes on his part for a favourable opportunity to avenge himself on the two sons of Zamzam, who have insulted him and have vowed to kill him for his having killed their father.

This poem pictures a fine combination of a soldier of high martial powers and a passionate lover, labouring heavily under all the evils that attend an unequal match. The poet is a slave of mixed birth, being born of a slave-mother and a free and noble father, while his lady-love belongs to a much higher and a hostile family, with whom he comes to fall in love quite suddenly and inadvertently. He comes to realize his position only when it is too late for him to recede. Disregarding all the insurmountable difficulties that he sees assailing his love, he proceeds on steadfastly with every earnestness, ardour and firmness in his love, though not without now and then giving way to despair. He always depends for the gain of his object on the influence he hopes his uncommon valour will have on her, on a tame submission to her will, and on the repeated and strong assurances of his true love. Among all the Seven Poems this poem stands prominent for its most enthusiastic, most ardent, most pathetic, and most tender descriptions of love, which all