The Shame of the Prodigal. 
71 
satire is concealed ;  but my munshi failed to make 
me see the joke. 
8.  Shahrava was a despot who forced leather 
money into circulation. The passage means accord-
ing to Mahbub that El Qahar will not use a leather 
dildo, but his own stalwart member, upon the po-
dex of Habib ;  but I prefer to think that he simply 
means “ I will not beat thee ” i.e. with leather 
thongs.  In all countries beating is jestingly spoken 
of as “ payment.”  Besides, the whole ode concerns 
active punishment, not mere deprivation of plea-
sure.  (See note to XII.  Ed.)