[55]. This is a woman’s oath, not used by men.
[56]. Pronounced “Yá Sín” (chapt. xxxvi.) the “heart of the Koran” much used for edifying recitation. Some pious Moslems in Egypt repeat it as a Wazífah, or religious task, or as masses for the dead, and all educated men know its 83 versets by rote.
[57]. Arab. “Ál Dáúd” = the family of David, i.e. David himself, a popular idiom. The prophet’s recitation of the “Mazámir” (Psalter) worked miracles.
[58]. There is a peculiar thickening of the voice in leprosy which at once betrays the hideous disease.
[59]. These lines have occurred in Night clxxxiii. I quote Mr. Payne (in loco) by way of variety.
[60]. Where the “Juzám” (leprosy, elephantiasis, morbus sacrum, etc. etc.) is supposed first to show: the swelling would alter the shape. Lane (ii. 267) translates “her wrist which was bipartite.”
[61]. Arab. “Zakariyá” (Zacharias): a play upon the term “Zakar” = the sign of “masculinity.” Zacharias mentioned in the Koran as the educator of the Virgin Mary (chapt. iii.) and repeatedly referred to (chapt. xix. etc.), is a well-known personage amongst Moslems and his church is now the great Cathedral-Mosque of Aleppo.
[62]. Arab. “Ark al-Haláwat” = vein of sweetness.
[63]. Arab. “Futúh,” which may also mean openings, has before occurred.
[64]. i.e. four times without withdrawing.