Notes
bow 腰をかがめる、お辞儀する;
alas [悲嘆・憂慮などを表わして] ああ!, 悲しいかな;
whilt しぼむ、しおれる、元気がなくなる;
wept weepの過去形, (涙を流して)泣く;
melancholy 憂うつな，陰気な，もの悲しい；

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The poet bowed his head and obeyed: “But when the hour of death comes, O my caliph, then alas! thou wilt learn that all thy delights were but a shadow.”
The caliph’s eyes were filled with tears. Emotion choked him. He covered his face and wept.
Then one of the officers, who was sitting near the poet, cried out: “Stop! The caliph wished you to amuse him with pleasant thoughts, and you have filled his mind with melancholy.”
“Let the poet alone,” said Raschid. “He has seen me in my blindness, and is trying to open my eyes.”
Haroun-al-Raschid was the greatest of all the caliphs of Bagdad. In a wonderful book, called “The Arabian Nights,” there are many interesting stories about him. (from the book FIFTY FAMOUS PEOPLE -A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES
BY JAMES BALDWIN)
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NOtes
caliph ハリファ;
Haroun-al-Raschid ハールーン・アッ＝ラシード（アラビア語：هارون الرشيد‎ Hārūn al-Rashīd, 763年3月17日 – 809年3月24日）は、アッバース朝第5代カリフ（在位：786年 – 809年) ;
feast (豪華な)宴会:
glitter ぴかぴか光る;
gem 宝石;
midst さなか、最中;
thy ((古))なんじの，あなたの；
verse (文学形式としての)韻文、(ある作家・時代・国などの)詩歌;
lofty 高尚な、高遠な:
humility 謙遜;

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One day the caliph, Haroun-al-Raschid, made a great feast. The feast was held in the grandest room of the palace. The walls and ceiling glittered with gold and precious gems. The table was decorated with rare and beautiful plants and flowers.

All the noblest men of Persia and Arabia were there. Many wise men and poets and musicians had also been invited.
In the midst of the feast the caliph called upon the poet, Abul Atayah, and said, “Show us thy skill. Describe in verse this glad and glorious feast.”
The poet rose and began: “Live, O caliph and enjoy thyself in the shelter of thy lofty palace.”
“That is a good beginning,” said Raschid. “Let us hear the rest.” The poet went on: “May each morning bring thee some new joy. May each evening see that all thy wishes have been performed.”
“Good! good!” said the caliph, “Go on.” (to be continued)
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