On the Description of Strange Occurrences, the Wonders of Seas and Lands, the temperament of Animals and the Facetiousness of Eminent Persons.
D. | G. | Serial. | TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES. |
* | * | Introduction to the Fourth Part: doxology, a short note on his patron under whose auspices the Fourth Part is also completed, plan of the compilation and a list of the headings of the 25 chapters in the Fourth Part. | |
A short introduction to the first chapter. (Missing from all the old Mss., but supplied from H. f219b = G. f325b = L. f448b). | |||
* | * | 1790 | Núshírwán patronizes a baseborn man, and when questioned replies that culture is the excellence of man. |
* | * | 1791 | Two couplets in Arabic illustrating the advantages of the service of kings. |
f4b | f290b | 1792 | The Shaykh Majdu’d-Dín (Sharaf b. al-Mu’ayyad) al-Baghdádí’s advice to Shihábu’d-Dín (Abú Sa‘d b. ‘Umar) al-Khaywaqí about the service of kings in general (but in this case it applies to the service of ‘Alá’ud-Dín Muḥammad Khwárazmsháh), with reference to the advice of Abu’l-Ḥasan Kharaqání to Abú Sa‘íd b. Abi’l-Khayr on a similar occasion. |
” | ” | 1793 | The intercession of Aḥmad b. Abí Dá’úd on behalf of his friend, Abú Dulaf al-‘Ijlí, in the presence of al-Mu‘taṣim, who had handed over Abú Dulaf to Afshín, his deadly enemy. (Translated from at-Tanúkhí’s Faraj, see pt. II, ch. viii, pp. 67—9). |
f5b | f291b | 1794 | The great consideration of the Caliph Hárún for, and his patronage of, the Imám Abú Yúsuf, and the preparation of a special daily dish for him. (Ta’ríkh-i-Bádí or Tází or Báwí as the source (?)). |
f6a | ” | 1795 | Khálid-i-Naṣr, one of the governors appointed by al-Mu‘taṣim in Egypt, is accused of peculation; Aḥmad b. Abí Dá’úd again intercedes on his behalf and releases him. |
” | ” | 1796 | Ibn Harma, the poet, relates an instance of the generosity of ‘Abdu’l-Wáḥid b. Sulaymán b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán in justification of his ode in praise of him. |
f6b | f292a | 1797 | How a capable secretary, who was out of work, sought the patronage and won the favour of ‘Adhudu’d-Dawla. |
f7a | ” | 1798 | The reflections of ‘Abbád, the secretary, after his dismissal, and his regret for the loss of patronage. |
The chapter ends with a eulogy on the Wazír. |