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[ The "Bahalul" of D'Herbelot. This worthy was a half-witted Sage (like the Iourodivi of Russia and the Irish Omadhaun), who occupies his own place in contemporary histories flourished under Harun al-Rashid and still is famous in Persian Story. When the Caliph married him perforce and all the ceremonies were duly performed and he was bedded with the bride, he applied his ear to her privities and forthwith ran away with the utmost speed and alarm. They brought him back and questioned him concerning his conduct when he made answer, " If you had only heard what it said to me you would have done likewise." In the text his conduct is selfish and ignoble as that of Honorius
"Who strove to merit heaven by making earth a hell."
And he shows himself heartless and unhuman as the wretched St. Alexius of the Gesta Romanorum (Tale xv.), a warning of the intense selfishness solemnly and logically inculcated by Christianity. See vol. v. 150.]
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[ Koran, ch. li. v. 17.]
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[ Koran xx. 57: it is the famous "Tá-Há" whose first 14-16 verses are said to have converted the hard-headed Omar. In the text the citation is garbled and imperfect.]
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[ In text "Mas'h.">[