The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 05 (of 10)

Volume 5 — THE EMIR ALI BIN TAHIR AND THE GIRL MUUNIS.

Richard Francis Burton translation

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

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Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Governor of Egypt, Khorasan, etc. under Al-Maamun.Note 2 · i.e. a companion, a solacer: it is also a man’s name (vol. i. xxiv.)Note 3 · At Baghdad; evidently written by a Baghdad or Mosul man.Note 4 · A blind traditionist of Bassorah (ninth century).