[193]. Meaning without veil or upper clothing.
[194]. Arab. “Kallakás” the edible African arum before explained. This Colocasia is supposed to bear, unlike the palm, male and female flowers in one spathe.
[195]. See vol. iii. 302. The figs refer to the anus and the pomegranates, like the sycomore, to the female parts. Me nec fæmina nec puer, &c., says Horace in pensive mood.
[196]. It is in accordance to custom that the Shaykh be attended by a half-witted fanatic who would be made furious by seeing gold and silks in the reverend presence so coyly curtained.
[197]. In English, “God damn everything an inch high!”
[198]. Burckhardt notes that the Wali, or chief police officer at Cairo, was exclusively termed Al-Agha and quotes the proverb (No. 156) “One night the whore repented and cried:—What! no Wali (Al-Aghá) to lay whores by the heels?” Some of these Egyptian by-words are most amusing and characteristic; but they require literal translation, not the timid touch of the last generation. I am preparing, for the use of my friend, Bernard Quaritch, a bonâ fide version which awaits only the promised volume of Herr Landberg.
[199]. Lit. for “we leave them for the present”; the formula is much used in this tale, showing another hand, author or copyist.
[200]. Arab. “Uzrah.”
[201]. i.e. “Thou art unjust and violent enough to wrong even the Caliph!”
[202]. I may note that a “donkey-boy” like our “post-boy” can be of any age in Egypt.