[80]. The usual homage to youth and beauty.
[81]. Alluding to the cup.
[82]. Here Abu Nowas whose name always ushers in some abomination alluded to the “Ghulámiyah” or girl dressed like boy to act cupbearer. Civilisation has everywhere the same devices and the Bordels of London and Paris do not ignore the “she-boy,” who often opens the door.
[83]. Abdallah ibn al-Mu’tazz, son of Al-Mu’tazz bi ’llah, the 13th Abbaside, and great-great-grandson of Harun al-Rashid. He was one of the most renowned poets of the third century (A.H.) and died A.D. 908, strangled by the partisans of his nephew Al-Muktadir bi ’llah, 18th Abbaside.
[84]. Jazírat ibn Omar, an island and town on the Tigris north of Mosul. “Some versions of the poem, from which these verses are quoted, substitute El-Mutireh, a village near Samara (a town on the Tigris, 60 miles north of Baghdad), for El-Jezireh, i.e. Jeziret ibn Omar.” (Payne.)
[85]. The Convent of Abdun on the east bank of the Tigris opposite the Jezirah was so called from a statesman who caused it to be built. For a variant of these lines see Ibn Khallikan, vol. ii. [42]; here we miss “the shady groves of Al-Matírah.”
[86]. Arab. “Ghurrah” the white blaze on a horse’s brow. In Ibn Khallikan the bird is the lark.
[87]. Arab. “Táy’i” = thirsty used with Jáy’i = hungry.
[88]. Lit. “Kohl’d with Ghunj” for which we have no better word than “coquetry.” But see vol. v. [80]. It corresponds with the Latin crissare for women and cevere for men.
[89]. i.e. gold-coloured wine, as the Vino d’Oro.