[20]. The name I have said of a quasi historical personage, son of Joktan, the first Arabist and the founder of the Tobbá (“successor”) dynasty in Al-Yaman; while Jurham, his brother, established that of Al-Hijaz. The name is probably chosen because well-known.
[21]. Arab “Hákim”: lit. one who orders; often confounded by the unscientific with Hakím, a doctor, a philosopher. The latter re-appears in the Heb. Khákhám applied in modern days to the Jewish scribe who takes the place of the Rabbi.
[22]. As has been seen, acids have ever been and are still administered as counter-inebriants, while hot spices and sweets greatly increase the effect of Bhang, opium, henbane, datura, &c. The Persians have a most unpleasant form of treating men when dead-drunk with wine or spirits. They hang them up by the heels, as we used to do with the drowned, and stuff their mouths with human ordure which is sure to produce emesis.
[23]. Compare the description of the elephant-faced Vetála (Kathá S.S. Fasc. xi. p. 388).
[24]. The lover’s name Sá’ik = the Striker (with lightning); Najmah, the beloved = the star.
[25]. I have modified the last three lines of the Mac. Edit. which contain a repetition evidently introduced by the carelessness of the copyist.
[26]. The Hindu Charvakas explain the Triad, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, by the sexual organs and upon Vishnu’s having four arms they gloss, “At the time of sexual intercourse, each man and woman has as many.” (Dabistan ii. 202). This is the Eastern view of Rabelais’ “beast with two backs.”
[27]. Arab. “Rabbat-i,” my she Lord, fire (nár) being feminine.
[28]. The prose-rhyme is answerable for this galimatias.
[29]. A common phrase equivalent to our “started from his head.”