[110]. Tenth Ommiade A.H. 105–125 (= 724–743), a wise and discreet ruler with an inclination to avarice and asceticism. According to some, the Ommiades produced only three statesmen, Mu’awiyah, Abd al-Malik and Hisham; and the reign of the latter was the end of sage government and wise administration.
[111]. About £1,250, which seems a long price; but in those days Damascus had been enriched with the spoils of the world adjacent.
[112]. Eleventh Ommiade dynasty, A.H. 125–126 (= 743–744). Ibn Sahl (son of ease, i.e. free and easy) was a nickname; he was the son of Yazíd II. and brother of Hishám. He scandalised the lieges by his profligacy, wishing to make the pilgrimage in order to drink upon the Ka’abah-roof; so they attacked the palace and lynched him. His death is supposed to have been brought about (27th of Jamáda al-Akhirah = April 16, 744) by his cousin and successor Yazíd (No. iii.) surnamed the Retrencher. The tale in the text speaks well for him; but generosity amongst the Arabs covers a multitude of sins, and people say, “Better a liberal sinner than a stingy saint.”
HARUN AL-RASHID AND THE ARAB GIRL.
The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was walking one day with Ja’afar the Barmecide, when he espied a company of girls drawing water and went up to them, having a mind to drink. As he drew near, one of them turned to her fellows and improvised these lines:—
Thy phantom bid thou fleet, and fly ✿ Far from the couch whereon I lie;
So I may rest and quench the fire, ✿ Bonfire in bones aye flaming high;
My love-sick form Love’s restless palm ✿ Rolls o’er the rug whereon I sigh:
How ’tis with me thou wottest well ✿ How long, then, union wilt deny?