of the homicide are liable to pay with their own blood for the blood shed whose fourth lineal ascendant is at the same time the fourth lineal ascendant of the homicide.[1] … The right of Thâr is never lost; it descends on both sides to the latest generations. It depends upon the next relation of the slain person to accept the price of blood. If he will not agree to the offered price of blood, the homicide and all his relations who are comprised within the Khomse take refuge with some tribe where the arm of vengeance cannot reach them. … A sacred custom allows the fugitives three days and four hours, during which no pursuit after them is made. These exiles are styled djelâwy, and some of them are found in almost every camp. The djelâwys remain in exile till their friends have effected a reconciliation, and prevailed on the nearest relations of the slain to accept the price of blood. Families of djelâwys are known to have been fugitives from one tribe to another (according as these became friendly or hostile to their original tribe) for more than fifty years."
§ 38. It is not difficult to collect examples of Blood-revenge inspiring the early poetry of the Arabs. Thus another poem of the Hamâseh begins—
"Surely shall I wash the blood-stain
With my sword away,
Ay, whatever fate of Allâh
Come across my way!"[2]
In another poem of the same anthology an ideal warrior is described as
"A man who girdeth night on;
Seldom cometh sleep for him; his greatest care
Is vengeance and to break the ranks right on."[3]
