LessonsṬarafah: The She-Camel’s Anatomy, Similes, and Roman Arch (Verses 17–23)Quiz

كَقَنْطَرَةِ الرُّومِيِّ أَقْسَمَ رَبُّهَا
لَتُكْتَنَفَنَّ حَتَّى تُشَادَ بِقَرْمَدِ
It is like a sturdy Roman-built arch whose owner has sworn that it will be enclosed and raised to completion with solid masonry and brickwork.

Qanṭarah is an arched bridge or substantial vaulted construction. Al-rūmiyy associates it with Roman building technique. The poet compares the arch’s well-fitted parts to the integrated strength of the animal’s body.

The words aqsama rabbuhā bring in an owner’s oath as a sign of determination to finish the work. Qarmad refers to hard building brick or related masonry material. The verse culminates the theme of durability and proportion.

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Verse 23: A Roman arch and sound construction

Ṭarafah: The She-Camel’s Anatomy, Similes, and Roman Arch (Verses 17–23)

كَقَنْطَرَةِ الرُّومِيِّ أَقْسَمَ رَبُّهَا
لَتُكْتَنَفَنَّ حَتَّى تُشَادَ بِقَرْمَدِ
It is like a sturdy Roman-built arch whose owner has sworn that it will be enclosed and raised to completion with solid masonry and brickwork.

Qanṭarah is an arched bridge or substantial vaulted construction. Al-rūmiyy associates it with Roman building technique. The poet compares the arch’s well-fitted parts to the integrated strength of the animal’s body.

The words aqsama rabbuhā bring in an owner’s oath as a sign of determination to finish the work. Qarmad refers to hard building brick or related masonry material. The verse culminates the theme of durability and proportion.