_Abou Teman Habib_.

[16] Abou Teman is considered the most excellent of all the Arabian
poets. He was born near Damascus A.H. 190, and educated in Egypt;
but the principal part of his life was spent at Bagdad, under the
patronage of the Abasside Caliphs.


TO A FEMALE CUP-BEARER[17]

Come, Leila, fill the goblet up,
Reach round the rosy wine,
Think not that we will take the cup
From any hand but thine.

A draught like this 'twere vain to seek,
No grape can such supply;
It steals its tint from Leila's cheek,
Its brightness from her eye.

_Abd Alsalam Ben Ragban_.

[17] Abd Alsalam was a poet more remarkable for abilities than morality.
We may form an idea of the nature of his compositions from the
nickname he acquired amongst his contemporaries of Cock of the
Evil Genii. He died in the 236th year of the Hegira, aged near
eighty.


MASHDUD ON THE MONKS OF KHABBET[18]