_Mohammed Ben Zeid Almotakalam_.

[22] Mohammed Ben Arfa, here called Naphta-Wah, was descended from a
noble family in Khorasan. He applied himself to study with
indefatigable perseverance, and was a very voluminous author in
several branches of literature, but he is chiefly distinguished as
a grammarian. He died in the year of the Hegira 323.


FIRE[23]

_A Riddle_.

The loftiest cedars I can eat,
Yet neither paunch nor mouth have I,
I storm whene'er you give me meat,
Whene'er you give me drink, I die.

[23] This composition seems a fit supplement to the preceding one;
notwithstanding its absurdity, however. It is inserted merely to
show that this mode of trifling was not unknown to the Orientals.
It is taken from the Mostatraf, where a great number of similar
productions on various subjects are preserved.


TO A LADY BLUSHING[24]

Leila, whene'er I gaze on thee
My altered cheek turns pale,