[134]. Arab. “Adab:” see vol. i. 132, etc. In Moslem dialects which borrow more or less from Arabic, “Bí-adabí” = being without Adab, means rudeness, disrespect, “impertinence” (in its modern sense).
[135]. i.e. Isaac of Mosul, the greatest of Arab musicians: see vol. iv. 119.
[136]. The elder brother of Ja’afar, by no means so genial or fitted for a royal frolic. See Terminal Essay.
[137]. Ibn Habíb, a friend of Isaac, and a learned grammarian who lectured at Basrah.
[138]. A suburb of Baghdad, mentioned by Al-Mas’údi.
[139]. Containing the rooms in which the girl or girls were sold. See Pilgrimage i. 87.
[140]. Dozy quotes this passage but cannot explain the word Fawwák.
[141]. “A passage has apparently dropped out here. The Khalif seems to have gone away without buying, leaving Ishac behind, whereupon the latter was accosted by another slave-girl, who came out of a cell in the corridor.” So says Mr. Payne vol. ii. 207. The “raiser of the veil” means a fitting purchaser.
[142]. i.e. “Choice gift of the Fools,” a skit upon the girl’s name “Tohfat al-Kulúb” = Choice gift of the Hearts. Her folly consisted in refusing to be sold at a high price, and this is often seen in real life. It is a Pundonor amongst good Moslems not to buy a girl and not to sleep with her, even when bought, against her will.
[143]. “Every one cannot go to Corinth.” The question makes the assertion emphatic.