[430]. Arab. "Shiháb," these meteors being the flying shafts shot at evil spirits who approach too near Heaven. The idea doubtless arose from the showers of August and November meteors (The Perseides and Taurides) which suggest a battle raging in upper air. Christendom also has its superstition concerning them and called those of August the "fiery tears of Saint Lawrence," whose festival was on August 10.
[431]. Arab. "Tákiyah"=Pers. Arak-chin; the calotte worn under the Fez. It is, I have said, now obsolete and the red woollen cap (mostly made in Europe) is worn over the hair; an unclean practice.
[432]. Often the effect of cold air after a heated room.
[433]. i.e. He was not a Eunuch, as the people guessed.
[434]. In Arab, "this night" for the reason before given.
[435]. Meaning especially the drink prepared of the young leaves and florets of Cannabis Sativa. The word literally means "dry grass" or "herbage." This intoxicant was much used by magicians to produce ecstacy and thus to "deify themselves and receive the homage of the genii and spirits of nature."
[436]. Torrens, being an Irishman, translates "and woke in the morning sleeping at Damascus."
[437]. Arab. "Labbayka," the cry technically called "Talbiyah" and used by those entering Meccah (Pilgrimage iii. 125-232). I shall also translate it by "Adsum." The full cry is:—
Here am I, O Allah, here am I!
No partner hast Thou, here am I: