[54] This author was by birth an African; but having passed over to Spain, he was much patronized by Mohammed, Sultan of Seville. After the fall of his master, Ben Abad returned to Africa, and died at Tangier, A.D. 1087.
[55] A wicked angel who is permitted to tempt mankind by teaching them magic; see the legend respecting him in the Koran.
[56] The poet here alludes to the punishments denounced in the Koran against those who worship a plurality of Gods: "Their couch shall be in hell, and over them shall be coverings of fire."
[57] Written to a lady upon her refusal of a present of melons, and her rejection of the addresses of an admirer.
[58] Gazul is the name of one of the Moorish heroes who figure in the "Historia de las Guerras Civiles de Granada." The ballad is one of very many in which the dexterity of the Moorish cavaliers in the bullfight is described. The reader will observe that the shape, activity, and resolution of the unhappy animal destined to furnish the amusement of the spectators are enlarged upon, just as the qualities of a modern race-horse might be among ourselves: nor is the bull without his name. The day of the Baptist is a festival among the Mussulmans, as well as among Christians.
[59] The reader can not need to be reminded of the fatal effects which were produced by the feuds subsisting between the two great families, or rather races, of the Zegris and the Abencerrages of Granada. This ballad is also from the "Guerras Civiles."
[60] Shahar is the name of the coast-line between Oman and Aden.
[61] The word here used is the old and correct one, Dar-es-sena ("the house of technics"), from which word the present Tersane, i.e., "Arsenal," has originated.
[62] Ashik is now a ruin opposite Samira.
[63] Mowsim Zemani, literally, "the time of the season." From the Arabic word Mowsim the English "monsoon" has originated.