Note 280 — ARDASHIR AND HAYAT AL-NUFUS.[261]

Arab. “Kaannahu huwa”; lit. = as he (was) he. This reminds us of the great grammarian, Sibawayh, whose name the Persians derive from “Apple-flavour” (Sib + BA). He was disputing, in presence of Harun al-Rashid with a rival Al-Kiss, and advocated the Bastian form, “Fa-izá huwa hú” (behold, it was he) against the Ku fan, “Fa-izá huwa IA” (behold, it was him). The enemy overcame him by appealing to Badawin, who spoke impurely, whereupon Sibawayh left the court, retired to Khorasan and died, it is said of a broken heart.