The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1 · Richard Francis Burton translation

Note 487
TALE OF NUR AL-DIN AND HIS SON. (continued 2)

Anonymous

Arab. "Hasanta ya Hasan" = Bene detto, Benedetto! the usual word-play vulgarly called "pun": Hasan (not Hassan, as we will write it) meaning "beautiful."

ITS PLACE IN THE BOOK

Quoth the King, "Fair comparison, O Hasan! [FN#487] thou hast spoken excellently well and hast proved thyself accomplished in every accomplishment! Now explain to me how many meanings be there in the Arabic language [FN#488] for the word Khal or mole." He replied, "Allah keep the King! Seven and fifty and some by tradition say fifty." Said the Sultan, "Thou sayest sooth," presently adding, "Hast thou knowledge as to the points…

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Note 487TALE OF NUR AL-DIN AND HIS SON. (continued 2)

Note 487
TALE OF NUR AL-DIN AND HIS SON. (continued 2)