The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-11-18
Arab Hunor.
Temple Bar.

ADu NuWhS OuCt, W MS
habit, gone too far, and seriously offended
the Caliph by some impertinent answer. Jaa-
fer, ''the Barmecide," Haroun's vizier and In
separable companion, did his best to make
peace, and finding the monarch one day In
good humor while at the bath, induced him
to send for the culprit. Jaafer good-naturedly
met the wag before he went into his masters
presence and warned him to make the most
of this opportunity for reconciliation and to
be upon his very best behavior. After pros
trating himself upon the ground and suing
for pardon, he took his seat Immediately. ep-
posite the Caliph, the "tlough" or marble
water basin being between them. Haroun
was the first to speak -aZ
"Abu Nuwas," said he, :" used to think
you wit; what made you give such witless
answers 2 Are you an asst
"Oh, no, Prince of the Faithful" was the
reply "there is trough between the ass
and mel"
The monarch could scarcely believe his
own ears; but started up and left the place
place without completing his bath. THIS
time Abu Nuwas's head was very insecurely
attached to his neck, and even Jaafer's elo-
quent appeals In behalf of the graceless wag
were for some time unavailing; nor was the
latter's own ingenious explanation that he
meant nothing more than that asses ate out
of trough, while he himself used dish,"
of any use at all. All the concession which
the prime minister could ultimately obtain
was that the offender should be thrown into
a pit where very savage bear was kept, and
left there for twenty-foar hours. The order
was executed, but as Abu Nuwas had in
duced Jaafer to allow him to take store of
wine, provisions, and candles with him, he
contrived to staye off the too pressing adj
vances of his companion, and when the Ca
liph came to gaze upon the corpse Of his pee
cant jester, he found him drunk and playing
upon the tamborine and endeavoriDg to in
duce the beast 10 dance.
His peccadilloes, as might be expected, Of
ten made him acquainted with the inside Of
a prison, and it was his wont during these
temporary periods of seclusion to soIace him
self with singing to the accompaniment Of
his lutte. On one occasion fellow-prisoner
regarded his performances with so much in
terest and emotion, that the poet said to
him:
"My brother, art thou a connoisseur in
music, or haply poet thyself9 Or art thou
merely a lover separated from his love, that
thou dost listen so attentively, but feelingly
withal ?'
9Nothing of the kind" answered the un-
fortunate prisoner; "but you wagged yeur
head Just like an old goat of mine 1 got at
home"
On this Abu Nuwas began to scream and
thump upon the dungeon door, and behave
in so boisterous q manner that the jailer
came to see what was amiss. Jaafer was
sent for and the poet brought before the Ca
liph, to whom he related the incident.
81 do not mind" he said, excepting COM
pany with your Maiesty's bear-who. by the
way, was so 10th to part with me that ne re-
tanned part of my garments in his teeth as
the servants hauled me up-but to lodge
with such boor will surely be the death Of
mer
For another gross fault the Caliph once
ordered him to be mounted on an ass with
his face to the tall, tricked out in the AMI.
mails trappings, and ridden round the town.
To Jaafer, who met him and asked what had
brought him to this plight, he answered:
81 have presented the CalIph with my best
verses, and his Highness has clad me in his
own best Clothes"
He does not appear to have been remarka-
BILE for courage, unlike most Of the old Arab
| minstrels, who often combined the profess
| siops of the sword aud the Tyre.
It is told of him that he accompanied Ha-
roun Alraschid in one of his numerous raids
against the Byzantine Emperor. But when
he found himself In action FOR the first time
he acted upon the proverb that "discretion Is
the better part of valor," put spurs to his
horse, and rode off to neighboring hillock
whence he could watch the fight in safety.
| As the evening came on the battle ended,
and the two armies returned to their respect
i've camps, and Abu Nuwas also sought his
tent.
The next morning there issued from the
ranks of the enemy doughty champion who
challenged the best man among the Moslems
to single combat, and either killed or took
prisoner every one who accepted his chal-
lenge.
AT length the Calipb, who had been in
formed of Abu Nuwas' cowardice on the day
previous, ordered him to 60 forth and rid
them of the Grecian warrior. The poor
lester in extreme terror, endeavored in vain
| to excuse himself, but obtained permission
to enter the commissariat tent and make .
good meal before he fought. Instead, how.
ever, of eating then and there, he packed ur
and took with him a good supply of edible.
and a flask of WINE, and rode out toward the
fierce champion who had overcome the Ca
liph's brayest soldiers. While still at SAFE
distance he cried out:
so bravest of the warriors Of the age!
have a proposition to make to thee, which
will profit thee much"
.Out with 10 them" said the other.
"First let me ask thee, hast thou BLOOD
feud against me ?"
"No."
aDo owe thee aught ~. continued Alb,
Nuwas.
s.Surely not"
sThen what is the use of our fighting ant
killing each other? Let us come behint
. yonder hillock and breakfast of some capi
tai roast fowls which have brought will
me. Then We will go back, each TO hi
tent; you especially must require rest, and
! am sure you have killed and taken captiv
, knights enough for one day! ]"
Half amused, the champion consented
and after an amiable meal together, the.
parted and slowly rode off 10 their respect
i've campss' .e1g. !
aYour Majesty bade me rid you Of him,
~ A. <na Cal;uh In, sSard