The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-18
Arab Humor.

The Prophets strict temperance
principles lost him many a promising
convert among his contemporaries, and,
as the reader will presently see did not
materially benefit the morals of his fol-
lowers later on. OF course, even in
pagan times the evils of excess would
occasionally manifest themselves, and
instances are recorded of the ancient
Arabs taking the pledge on their own
account. One notable example was
Keys; the son of 'Asim, who was brought
round by q decided attack of the
Jumps One night this warrior an
nounced his intention of pulling down
the moon, and, after several frantic
leaps into the air for the purpose, fell
flat upon his face. Being afterward
told how his features got bruised, he
wisely resolved to give up wine-bib-
bling for the future. The sinners fall
is the saints opportunity; so. as might
be expected, Arab literature is full OF
anecdotes of wise and sober men who
have reproved their dissolute ''betters."
Here is one of the kind: A certain King
went to visit mad-house, and found
there an intelligent looking youth, who.
after replying sensiblv to a number of
questions put to him by the sovereign,
at length addressed the latter, saying:
OQ S~oEACNt AAiC
win now ask you one. At what period
does a sleeper enjoy his sleep mostP'
The King reflected while and said:
''While he is actually sleeping" THAT
cannot be,n said the mailman" for he
has no perception while asleep" ''Then
before he goes to Sleep" said theKing.
..How can one enjoy anything" asked
the mailman, @'before it comesP"
ssThen," said the King, ssafter he has
been asleep'' NAY" said the mad
man. "a man cannot be said to enjoy
a thing that has passed away" So
pleased was the King with the others
wit that he determined to make COM
panion of him, had a table set out in
front of the window of the madhouse,
and his attendants hand cup OF wine
to himself and one to his mad friend,
on drink your cup said the latter,
that you may become like me; but II
l drink mine, whom shall be HkeP''
The King on hearing this speech, threw
away the cup and renamed total abb
stalner foreYermore.
To take a case of less historical vague
ness: The CaIiph Abel Melil, son
of Merwan, had q favorite slave named
Nasip, whom he one day invited to
drink with him. Commander of the
falthful!' replied the slave. 81 am not
related to thee, have no authority over
thee, and have neither rank nor lin
cage. i am but a black slave whose wit
and polteness have earned me thy
favor; how then shall take that which
will rob me of bothp'' Then the Caliph
looked around for another boon COM
panion.
These Oriental despots would stand
q great deal from saint. One celebrat-
ed parsonage of this class name Abu'l
Hussain en- Nuri saw a vessel on the
Tigress with thirty earthenware jars
on board consigned to the Caliph Ell
Mo 'tadid, and being told that they con-
tanned wine, went for them with boat
pole and broke them all but one. The
monarch, enraged at the loss of the
liquor and the slight to himself, sent
for the offender and asked him sternly,
r.Who made thee censorp' He who
made the Caliphr' was the reply, and
the saint was permitted to go about his
business. Saints and madmen are al
lowed more license In the East than