[283]. As in most hot climates so in Egypt the dead are buried at once despite the risk of vivisepulture. This seems an instinct with the Semitic (Arabian) race teste Abraham, as with the Gypsy. Hence the Moslems have invoked religious aid. The Mishkát al-Masábih (i. 387) makes Mohammed say, “When any one of you dieth you may not keep him in the house but bear him quickly to his grave”; and again, “Be quick in raising up the bier: for if the dead have been a good man, it is good to bear him gravewards without delay; and if bad, it is frowardness ye put from your necks.”
[284]. This biting of the hand in Al-Haríri expresses bitterness of repentance and he uses more than once the Koranic phrase (chapter vii., 148) “Sukita fí aydíhim,” lit. where it (the biting) was fallen upon their hands; i.e. when it repented them; “sukita” being here not a passive verb as it appears, but an impersonal form uncommon in Arabic. The action is instinctive, a survival of the days when man was a snarling and snapping animal (physically) armed only with claws and teeth.
[285]. Arab. “‘Alam,” applied to many things, an “old man” of stones (Kákúr), a sign post with a rag on the top, etc.
[286]. The moon of Ramazan was noticed in Night ix. That of Sha’aban (eighth month) begins the fighting month after the conclusion of the Treuga Dei in Rajab. See Night ccclxxviii.
[287]. These lines have occurred in Night cccxix. I give Mr. Payne’s version for variety.
[288]. i.e. in her prime, at fourteen to fifteen.
[289]. i.e. pale and yellow.
[290]. The word means the wood; but it alludes to a preparation made by levigating it on a stone called in India “Sandlásá.” The gruel-like stuff is applied with the right hand to the right side of the neck, drawing the open fingers from behind forwards so as to leave four distinct streaks, then down to the left side, and so on to other parts of the body.
[291]. Arab. Haykal, the Heb. היכל which included the Porch, the Holy and the Holy of Holies. The word is used as νάος in a wider sense by Josephus A.J. v. v. 3. In Moslem writings it is applied to a Christian Church generally, on account of its images.
[292]. These lines having occurred before, I here quote Mr. Payne.