Ben Abad, the author of these verses. For thirty-three years he
reigned over Seville and the neighboring districts with considerable
reputation, but being attacked by Joseph, son to the Emperor of
Morocco, at the head of a numerous army of Africans, was defeated,
taken prisoner, and thrown into a dungeon, where he died in the year
488.


SERENADE TO MY SLEEPING MISTRESS[34]

Sure Harut's[B] potent spells were breath'd
Upon that magic sword, thine eye;
For if it wounds us thus while sheath'd,
When drawn, 'tis vain its edge to fly.

How canst thou doom me, cruel fair,
Plung'd in the hell[C] of scorn to groan?
No idol e'er this heart could share,
This heart has worshipp'd thee alone.

_Aly Ben Abd_.

[34] This author was by birth an African; but having passed over to
Spain, he was much patronized by Mohammed, Sultan of Seville. After
the fall of his master, Ben Abd returned to Africa, and died at
Tangier, A.H. 488.

[B] A wicked angel who is permitted to tempt mankind by teaching them
magic; see the legend respecting him in the Koran.