[13] The family of Barmec was one of the most illustrious in the East. They were descended from the ancient kings of Persia, and possessed immense property in various countries; they derived still more consequence from the favor which they enjoyed at the court of Bagdad, where, for many years, they filled the highest offices of the state with universal approbation.
A pair of right hands and a single dim eye Must form not a man, but a monster, they cry:-- Change a hand to an eye, good Taher, if you can, And a monster perhaps may be chang'd to man.
[14] Taher Ben Hosien was ambidexter and one-eyed and, strange to say, the most celebrated general of his time.
The boatmen shout, "Tis time to part, No longer we can stay"-- 'Twas then Maimnna taught my heart How much a glance could say.
With trembling steps to me she came; "Farewell," she would have cried, But ere her lips the word could frame In half-form'd sounds it died.
Then bending down with looks of love, Her arms she round me flung, And, as the gale hangs on the grove, Upon my breast she hung.
My willing arms embraced the maid, My heart with raptures beat; While she but wept the more and said, "Would we had never met!"
[15] This was sung before the Caliph Wathek, by Abou Mohammed, a musician of Bagdad, as a specimen of his musical talents; and such were its effects upon the Caliph, that he immediately testified his approbation of the performance by throwing his own robe over the shoulders of Abou Mohammed, and ordering him a present of an hundred thousand dirhems.
Ungenerous and mistaken maid, To scorn me thus because I'm poor! Canst thou a liberal hand upbraid For dealing round some worthless ore?
To spare's the wish of little souls, The great but gather to bestow; Yon current down the mountain rolls, And stagnates in the swamp below.
[16] Abou Teman is considered the most excellent of all the Arabian poets. He was born near Damascus A.H. 190, and educated in Egypt; but the principal part of his life was spent at Bagdad, under the patronage of the Abasside Caliphs.
Come, Leila, fill the goblet up, Reach round the rosy wine, Think not that we will take the cup From any hand but thine.
A draught like this 'twere vain to seek, No grape can such supply; It steals its tint from Leila's cheek, Its brightness from her eye.