104
Arab. "Kámah," a measure of length, a fathom, also called "Bá'a." Both are omitted in that sadly superficial book, Lane's Modern Egyptians, App. B.
105
Names of her slave-girls which mean (in order), Garden-bloom, Dawn (or Beautiful), Tree o' Pearl (P. N. of Saladin's wife), Light of (right) Direction, Star o' the Morn, Lewdness (=Shahwah, I suppose this is a chaff), Delight, Sweetmeat and Miss Pretty.
106
This mode of disposing of a rival was very common in Harems. But it had its difficulties and on the whole the river was (and is) preferred.
107
An Eastern dislikes nothing more than drinking in a dim dingy place: the brightest lights seem to add to his "drinkitite."
108
He did not sleep with her because he suspected some palace-mystery which suggested prudence, she also had her reasons.
109
This is called in Egypt "Aslah" (Lane M. E. chapt. i.).
110
It would be a broad ribbon-like band upon which the letters could be worked.
111
In the Arab. "
112
Arab. "Maragha" lit. rubbed his face on them like a fawning dog. Ghanim is another "softy" lover, a favourite character in Arab tales; and by way of contrast, the girl is masterful enough.
113
Because the Abbaside Caliphs descend from Al-Abbas paternal uncle of Mohammed. The text means more explicitly, "O descendant of the Prophet's uncle!"
114
The most terrible part of a
115
It is hard to preserve these wretched puns. In the original we have "O spray" (or branch) of capparis-shrub (
116
Apparently the writer forgets that the Abbaside banners and dress were black, originally a badge of mourning for the Imám Ibrahim bin Mohammed put to death by the Ommiade Caliph Al-Marwán. The modern Egyptian mourning, like the old Persian, is indigo-blue of the darkest; but, as before noted, the custom is by no means universal.
117
Koran, chapt. iv. In the East as elsewhere the Devil quotes Scripture.
118
A servant returning from a journey shows his master due honour by appearing before him in travelling suit and uncleaned.
119
The first name means "Rattan"; the second "Willow-wand," from the "Bán" or "Khiláf" the Egyptian willow (
120
Arab. "Ta'ám," which has many meanings: in mod. parlance it would signify millet, holcus-seed.
121
122
The Pen (title of the Koranic chapt. lxviii.) and the Preserved Tablet (before explained).
123
These plunderings were sanctioned by custom. But a few years ago, when the Turkish soldiers mutinied about arrears of pay (often delayed for years) the governing Páshá would set fire to the town and allow the men to loot what they pleased during a stated time. Rochet (
124
Another cenotaph whose use was to enable women to indulge in their pet pastime of weeping and wailing in company.
125
The lodging of pauper travellers, as the chapel in Iceland is of the wealthy. I have often taken benefit of the mosque, but as a rule it is unpleasant, the matting being not only torn but over-populous. Juvenal seems to allude to the Jewish Synagogue similarly used: – "in quâ te quæro proseuchâ"? (iii. 296) and in Acts iii. we find the lame, blind and impotent in the Temple-porch.
126
This foul sort of vermin is supposed to be bred by perspiration. It is an epoch in the civilised traveller's life when he catches his first louse.
127
The Moslem peasant is a kind-hearted man and will make many sacrifices for a sick stranger even of another creed. It is a manner of "pundonor" with the village.
128
Such treatment of innocent women was only too common under the Caliphate and in contemporary Europe.
129
This may also mean, "And Heaven will reward thee;" but camel-men do not usually accept any drafts upon futurity.
130
He felt that he was being treated like a corpse.
131
This hatred of the Hospital extends throughout Southern Europe, even in places where it is not justified.
132
The importance of the pillow (wisádah or makhaddah) to the sick man is often recognised in The Nights. "He took to his pillow" is=took to his bed.
133
134
The reader will notice in The Nights the frequent mention of these physical prognostications, with which mesmerists are familiar.
135
The Pers. name of the planet Saturn in the Seventh Heaven. Arab. "Zuhal"; the Kiun or Chiun of Amos vi. 26.
136
137
A "seduction," a charmer. The double-entendre has before been noticed.
138
This knightly tale, the longest in the Nights (xliv-cxlv.), about one-eighth of the whole, does not appear in the Bres. Edit. Lane, who finds it "objectionable," reduces it to two of its episodes, Aziz-cum-Azízah and Táj al-Mulúk. On the other hand it has been converted into a volume (8vo, pp. 240) "Scharkan, Conte Arabe;" etc. Traduit par M. Asselan Riche, etc. Paris: Dondey-Dupré. 1829. It has its
139
The fifth Ommiade Caliph reign. A.H. 65-86=685-704.
140
This does not merely mean that no one was safe from his wrath: or, could approach him in the heat of fight: it is a reminiscence of the masterful "King Kulayb," who established game-laws in his dominions and would allow no man to approach his camp-fire. Moreover the Jinn lights a fire to decoy travellers; but if his victim be bold enough to brave him, he invites him to take advantage of the heat.
141
China.
142
The Jaxartes and the Bactrus (names very loosely applied).
143
In full "Sharrun kána"