Among the traditional major modes or 'aims' (aghrāḍ) of classical Arabi poetry hijāʾ is the most varied in tone and form. The other modes such as fakhr, 'self-praise mādīḥ', panegyric, encomium, rithāʾ, elegy, lament, nasīb or ghazal, 'love poetry' are far from uniform , of course, throughout the centuries and betwen the countless poets; yet a considerable homogeneity, a general resemblanance in register, diciton and tone, cannot be denied.