Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/15



ISTER of the famous Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid; who thought so highly of her wit, accomplishments, and beauty, that he lamented he was her brother, believing no other husband could be found worthy of her. To sanction, however, a wish he had of conversing, at the same time, with the two most enlightened people he knew, he married her to Giaffer, his visier, on condition, that they should see each other only in his presence. This law they transgressed; and Abassa had a son, who was privately sent to Mecca. But the fatal secret remained not long unknown to the Caliph, who was so transported with rage, that he ordered, not only the execution of Giaffer, but, that none might remain, who could boast an alliance with the blood of Ali, of his whole family also, the amiable and beneficent Barmecides, whose death was long deplored as a public calamity.

It is uncertain what befel Abassa: some say she was shut up in a dungeon, where she died of grief; others, that she was driven from the palace, and reduced to extreme want. Probability is in favour of the first account. Abassa had a fine poetical genius. F. C. Notes to the Knights of the Swan, by Madame Genlis, &c. ACCA