[279]. Arab. “Sálih,” a devotee; here, a naked Dervish.
[280]. Here Khalif is made a conspicuous figure in Baghdad like Boccaccio’s Calandrino and Co. He approaches in type the old Irishman now extinct, destroyed by the reflux action of Anglo-America (U.S.) upon the miscalled “Emerald Isle.” He blunders into doing and saying funny things whose models are the Hibernian “bulls” and acts purely upon the impulse of the moment, never reflecting till (possibly) after all is over.
[281]. Arab. “Kaylúlah,” explained in vol. i. [51].
[282]. i.e. thy bread lawfully gained. The “Bawwák” (trumpeter) like the “Zammár” (piper of the Mac. Edit.) are discreditable craftsmen, associating with Almahs and loose women and often serving as their panders.
[283]. i.e. he was indecently clad. Man’s “shame” extends from navel to knees. See vol. vi. [30].
[284]. Rashád would be = garden-cresses or stones: Rashíd the heaven-directed.
[285]. Arab. “Uff ’alayka” = fie upon thee! Uff = lit. Sordes Aurium and Tuff (a similar term of disgust) = Sordes unguinum. To the English reader the blows administered to Khalif appear rather hard measure. But a Fellah’s back is thoroughly broken to the treatment and he would take ten times as much punishment for a few piastres.
[286]. Arab. “Zurayk” dim. of Azrak = blue-eyed. See vol. iii. [104].
[287]. Of Baghdad.
[288]. Arab. “Hásil,” i.e. cell in a Khan for storing goods: elsewhere it is called a Makhzan (magazine) with the same sense.