[31] i.e., Jamshyd the «Roi soleil» of early Persian history, and the Kaianian dynasty—Kai Kobad, Kai Kawus, Kai Khosru, etc.
[32] It will be observed that the introduction of Zal in this line was made by FitzGerald in the third edition for metrical effect. The versions in the first edition «Let Rustum lay about him as he will,» and in the second «Let Rustum cry ‹to battle› as he likes» are closer to the phrase in the original «Rustum son of Zal.»
[33] Feridun was the sixth king of the Paish-dadian dynasty. Jamish is evidently an error for Jam-ist. Vide the MS.
[34] See FitzGerald's note to this quatrain.
[35] Literally «a stopper of the last breath.»
[36] Kausar, in Persian mythology, is the head-stream of the Muhammadan Paradise, whence all other rivers are supposed to flow. A whole chapter of the Qur'an is devoted to this miraculous stream, whose Saki is Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad.
[37] This Persian here is a quotation from a famous verse in the Qur'an, XXV. 11, «Blessed is He who, if He pleaseth, will make for thee a better provision than this, namely, gardens under which rivers flow, and he will provide thee palaces.»—E.B.C.
[38] C. reads for «food» and «wine,» «goblet» and «lute,» whence we get «thou beside me singing in the wilderness.»
[39] These two lines refer to the practice in the East of burying treasure to hide it when a night attack (line 1) of dacoits or robbers is anticipated.
[40] See FitzGerald's note upon this hero, and the following quatrain.