God be judge between us: for He will be just,
And will show who is noble, and who is base.”
As soon as he had said these words, the Emeer Dárim charged upon him. They fought for a whole hour; and at last, El-Gundub′ah pierced the breast of Dárim with his spear; and the point protruded, glittering, from the spine of his back. When Dárim’s sons saw that their father was slain, they all attacked El-Gundub′ah; who received them as the thirsty land receives a drizzling rain: two of them he killed: the rest fled; and acquainted their mother with the events they had just witnessed. With her head uncovered, and her bosom bare, she came weeping to El-Gundub′ah, and thus exclaimed:—
“O Gundub′ah! thy lance hath wrought havoc sore:
Man and youth have perished; and lie in their gore;
And among them, the eldest of all my sons.
They are justly punish’d; but now I implore
That thou pardon the rest: in pity for me
Restrain thy resentment; and slaughter no more.
By my care of thy childhood! and by these breasts