# II explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The speaker addresses a companion, praising the beauty of night as surpassing both dawn and sunset, and as fairer than the deceptive allure of bright days.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion and Reality

The 'blond Illusion and its golden snare' contrasts the deceptive brightness of day with the truer beauty of night.

## Character check-ins

### Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri

Implied speaker addressing a companion, reflecting on the beauty of night.

## Key lines

> O my Companion, Night is passing fair, Fairer than aught the dawn and sundown wear; And fairer, too, than all the gilded days Of blond Illusion and its golden snare.

My friend, the night is exceptionally beautiful, more so than any dawn or sunset, and even more lovely than the deceitful, glittering days.

_The speaker extols the night's beauty over the deceptive brightness of day._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters