Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/269

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

240

ʾILÂM-EN-NÂS.

HOW ABU-DULÂMAH GAINED ALL HE
WANTED.

IT is related that one day, when the poet Abu-Dulâmah^[1] was standing in the presence of es-Saffâh, the latter said to him, "Ask of me whatever thou desirest."

"I want a sporting dog," he replied.

"Give him one," said es-Saffâh.

"And a horse upon which to hunt," he added.

"Give him a horse," said es-Saffâh.

"And a slave to lead the dog and carry the game," proceeded Abu-Dulâmah.

"Give him a slave," said es-Saffâh.

↑ Abu-Dulâmah-Zand-ibn-el-Jaun was, according to Abu-ʾl-Fáraj, a black slave from Abyssinia. Ibn-Khalikân records many anecdotes of his ready wit, and remarks that he was celebrated for his wit, amusing adventures, acquaintance with general literature, and talent for poetry. He died A.H. 161 (A.D. 777–8), though some say that he lived to the reign of er-Rashîd, who succeeded to the Khalîfate A.H. 170.

[1] Abu-Dulâmah-Zand-ibn-el-Jaun was, according to Abu-ʾl-Fáraj, a black slave from Abyssinia. Ibn-Khalikân records many anecdotes of his ready wit, and remarks that he was celebrated for his wit, amusing adventures, acquaintance with general literature, and talent for poetry. He died A.H. 161 (A.D. 777–8), though some say that he lived to the reign of er-Rashîd, who succeeded to the Khalîfate A.H. 170.

[1]