[105]. Arab. “Mutanakkir,” which may also mean proud or in disguise.
[106]. On appointment as viceroy. See vol. iii., 307.
[107]. The custom with outgoing Governors. It was adopted by the Spaniards and Portuguese especially in America. The generosity of Ikrimah without the slightest regard to justice or common honesty is characteristic of the Arab in story-books.
[108]. The celebrated half-way house between Jaffa and Jerusalem.
[109]. Alias the Kohistan or mountain region, Susiana (Khuzistan) whose capital was Susa; and the head quarters of fire-worship. Azar (fire) was the name of Abraham’s father whom Eusebius calls “Athar” (Pilgrimage iii. 336).
YUNUS THE SCRIBE AND THE CALIPH WALID BIN SAHL.
There lived in the reign of the Caliph Hishám,[[110]] son of Abd al-Malik, a man called Yúnus the Scribe well-known to the general, and he set out one day on a journey to Damascus, having with him a slave-girl of surpassing beauty and loveliness, whom he had taught all that was needful to her and whose price was an hundred thousand dirhams. When they drew near to Damascus, the caravan halted by the side of a lake and Yunus went down to a quiet place with his damsel and took out some victual he had with him and a leather bottle of wine. As he sat at meat, behold, came up a young man of goodly favour and dignified presence, mounted on a sorrel horse and followed by two eunuchs, and said to him, “Wilt thou accept me to guest?” “Yes,” replied Yunus. So the stranger alighted and said, “Give me to drink of thy wine.” Yunus gave him to drink and he said, “If it please thee, sing us a song.” So Yunus sang this couplet extempore:—
She joineth charms were never seen conjoined in mortal dress: ✿ And for her love she makes me love my tears and wakefulness.
At which the stranger rejoiced with exceeding joy and Yunus gave him to drink again and again, till the wine got the better of him and he said, “Bid thy slave-girl sing.” So she improvised this couplet:—
A houri, by whose charms my heart is moved to sore distress: ✿ Nor wand of tree nor sun nor moon her rivals I confess!