[12] Belief in judicial astrology—in the influence of the planets over the fortunes of men—prevails throughout the East, as it did in Europe until comparatively recent times; indeed the delusion appears to have its adherents in our own country, even in these “double-distilled” days, if it be true that Zadkiel’s Almanack has a very large circulation. Truly “error dies hard!”—An Asiatic, before setting out on a journey, being married, or beginning any important affair, always consults an astrologer to learn the precise lucky moment. In one of the Játakas, or Buddhist Birth-Stories, a man having missed making a good match for his son, because he had been told by a spiteful astrologer that the day proposed for the nuptials was inauspicious, a wise old fellow shrewdly remarked: “What is the use of luck in the stars? Surely getting the girl is the luck!” and recited this stanza:
While the star-gazing fool is waiting for luck, the luck goes by;
The star of luck is luck, and not any star in the sky.
In the appendix to my edition of the Persian story-book entitled Bakhtyár Náma, pp. 218-223, may be found some rather droll anecdotes of the blunders of astrologers.
[13] This custom is observed by Muslims in compliance with the precept of Muhammed: “Whoever,” said he, “believes in God and the day of resurrection, must respect his guest; and the time of being kind to him is one day and one night; and the period of entertaining him is three days; and after that, if he does it longer, it benefits him more; but it is not right for a guest to stay in the house of his host so long as to incommode him.” In the introduction to the Arabian Nights, King Shahriyár entertains his brother, Shah Zamán, three days, and on the fourth he accompanies him a day’s journey and takes leave of him.
[14] Henna is a preparation made from the leaves of the Egyptian privet (Lawsonia inermis), with which women in the East stain the tips of their fingers, the palms of their hands, etc. It imparts a yellowish red or deep orange colour, which disappears in a fortnight or three weeks, when it has to be renewed.—See Lane’s Modern Egyptians, ch. i.
[15] See note on page [8].—We have in this passage the motif of the romance throughout.
[16] “Hell has no fury like a woman scorned!” Besides, the virtuous youth might not keep the secret of her intended intrigue (for such is evidently to be understood) to himself.
[17] Stories, such as this, of unfaithful wives outwitting their husbands, with similar mischances, are common in Eastern collections; and the present well-told tale would probably have been very eagerly adapted by the early Italian novelists, had they known it, among whom, indeed, it has more than one analogue.
[18] A tomán is a Persian gold coin which has varied much in value at different periods; at present it is worth about 7s. 2d. of our money.