Book xxiii.
Baliverso, the basest knight in the Saracen army.—Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, (1516).
Balk or Balkh ("to embrace"), Omurs, surnamed Ghil-Shah ("earth's king"), founder of the Paishdadian dynasty. He travelled abroad to make himself familiar with the laws and customs of other lands. On his return he met his brother, and built on the spot of meeting a city, which he called Balk; and made it the capital of his kingdom.
Balkis, the Arabian name of the queen of Sheba, who went from the south to witness the wisdom and splendor of Solomon. According to the Koran she was a fire-worshipper. It is said that Solomon raised her to his bed and throne. She is also called queen of Saba or Aaziz.—Al Korân, xxvi. (Sale's notes).
She fancied herself already more potent than
Balkis, and pictured to her imagination the genii
falling prostrate at the foot of her throne.—W.
Beckford,
Vathek
.