laka is addressed to the king of Hirah in defence of his countrymen. At the beginning he expatiates on the injuries which the Becrites had suffered from the tribe of Taglab, and launches out in praise of his own personal innocence and valour. He recounts the various battles in which the Taglabites had been defeated, and reminds Amru of the numerous occasions in which the Becrites had assisted the kings of Hirah. He refers also to the bravery of his tribe in the war between the Arabs of Yaman and the Maadites and descendants of Adnan, and lastly appeals to the Taglabites themselves, who were present, to acknowledge their innocence.[1]
The poet Amru ben Kelthûm was a chief of the tribe of Taglab, and had himself conquered the tribe of Temim, and had made war both on Hanifah and Hirah.[2] He was chosen to advocate the cause of the Taglabites before Amru at Hirah, and there repeated the Moallaka which bears his name. He answers the address of Hareth by celebrating the glory of his own tribe, and comparing their actions with those of the Becrites. He boasts of having assisted the tribe of Nesâr in the invasion of Yaman,[3]
- ↑ Hareth, Moallaca, ed. J. Vullers. 4to. Bon. 1827.
- ↑ Abu'l-farādsch Ali, ap. Kosegarten, in Amrui ben Kelthûm Moallaca, p. 38. He was celebrated as an excellent poet, and composed much.
- ↑ Amru ben Kelthûm, Moallaca, coupl. 68. It has been published by G. L. Kosegarten, Jen. 1819. 4to. and translated by Sir W. Jones.
