THE EMIR ALI BIN TAHIR AND THE GIRL MUUNIS.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
Once on a time was displayed for sale to Ali bin Mohammed bin Abdallah bin Táhir[252] a slave-girl called Muunis who was superior to her fellows in beauty and breeding, and to boot an accomplished poetess; and he asked her of her name. Replied she, “Allah advance the Emir, my name is Muunis.”[253] Now he knew this before; so he bowed his head awhile, then raising his eyes to her, recited this verse:—
What sayest of one by a sickness caught ✿ For the love of thy love till he waxed distraught?
Answered she, “Allah exalt the Emir!” and recited this verse in reply:—
If we saw a lover who pains as he ought, ✿ Wi’ love we would grant him all favours he sought.
She pleased him: so he bought her for seventy thousand dirhams and begat on her Obayd’ Allah bin Mohammed, afterwards minister of Police.[254] And we are told by Abu al-Ayná[255] a tale of
Source notes
252. Governor of Egypt, Khorasan, etc. under Al-Maamun.
253. i.e. a companion, a solacer: it is also a man’s name (vol. i. xxiv.)
254. At Baghdad; evidently written by a Baghdad or Mosul man.
255. A blind traditionist of Bassorah (ninth century).