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“ Then came forward Jaafer the Barmecide and kissing the earth, said, “May the wide world of God be the treading of thy feet and may Paradise be thy dwelling-place and the fire the habitation of thine enemies! May no neighbour transgress against thee nor the lights of fire die out for thee, [14] O Khalif of [all] cities and ruler of [all] countries!” ”

“ Then he told him all that had befallen him, whilst the Khalif was like to die of hidden laughter; after which Aboulhusn removed the tray of food and bringing the wine-tray, filled a cup and emptied it out three times, then gave it to the Khalif, saying, “O boon-companion mine, I am thy slave and let not that which I am about to say irk thee, and be thou not vexed, neither do thou vex me.” And he recited these verses:
No good’s in life (to the counsel list of one who’s purpose-whole,) An if thou be not drunken still and gladden not thy soul. ”

“ So he sported and joyance waxed on him and he bestowed dresses of honour on the damsels and gave and bestowed, challenging this one and kissing that and toying with a third, plying one with wine and another with meat, till the night fell down. ”

“ Ibrahim of Mosul, the greatest musician of his day. ↑ i.e. doughty men of war, guards. ↑ The Abbaside Khalifs traced their descent from Abbas, the uncle of Mohammed, and considered themselves, therefore, as belonging to the family of the Prophet. ↑ i.e. May thy dwelling-place never fall into ruin. ↑ i.e. the raised recess situate at the upper end of an Oriental saloon, wherein is the place of honour. ↑ i.e. the necromancers. ↑ Lit. I have not found that thou hast a heel blessed (or propitious) to me. ↑ i.e. O thou who art a calamity to those who have to do with thee! ”