Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/153

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IN ARABIA.
141

of having encamped in Syria at Dzu Tholûch, at Baalbec, and at Damascus, and even at Kâsarûn in Persian Irak, and of having repelled every attempt of his enemies to drive him away.[1] "We severed their heads," he says, "and made them bow their necks;[2] none ever knew us dejected or retreating."[3] The judgment of the king of Hirah was perhaps guided by partiality and interest; but the violent spirit of Amru was incapable of bearing what he considered to be an injury, and he slew the king in his own palace, and hastened with his attendants to the Syrian desert.[4]

Amongst the numerous poets who flourished at this period are recorded the names of Ascha and Nabega.[5] Ascha was a Kadarite, or professor of

  1. Finximus tentoria nostra Dsutholûchi
    Ad Syriam usque, et repulimus minantes coupl. 28.

    Sæpius pocula exhausi Baalbeki,
    Aliaque Damasci et Kâsserûni. coupl. 7.

    Kâsserûni is, according to Meninski, Kasserûn in Persian Irak, or the province of Fars, which is mentioned by Sir W. Ouseley, (Travels, vol. i. p. 271) as a place founded by Kobad, or perhaps earlier. It was noted in the time of the Arabian geographers for the number of its fire temples. Kosegarten, de Mohammede Ebn Batuta, p. 31.

  2. Findimus illis capita agminis findendo,
    Demetunt colla, ita ut succidantur. coupl. 38.

  3. Ohe, non cognoverunt gentes nos
    Abjectos unquam neque torpentes. coupl. 58.

  4. Kosegarten, Amrui Moallac. p. 39. His violence came into a proverb—"Violentior Amruo ben Kelthûm."
  5. A learned Arab being asked who was the best Arabian