THE EMIR ALI BIN TAHIR AND THE GIRL MUUNIS.
Once on a time was displayed for sale to Ali bin Mohammed bin Abdallah bin Táhir [FN#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." [FN#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. [FN#254] And we are told by Abu al-Ayná [FN#255] a tale of
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