By croaking to the left presaged the coming blow.
And Gay (Fable xxxvii.):—
That raven on the left-hand oak,
Curse on his ill-betiding croak!
In some Persian tales two crows seen together are a good omen.
[351]. Vulgar Moslems hold that each man’s fate is written in the sutures of his skull but none can read the lines. See vol. iii. [123].
[352]. i.e. cease not to bemoan her lot whose moon-faced beloved ones are gone.
[353]. Arab. “Rukb” used of a return caravan; and also meaning travellers on camels. The vulgar however apply “Rákib” (a camel-rider) to a man on horseback who is properly Fáris plur. “Khayyálah,” while “Khayyál” is a good rider. Other names are “Fayyál” (elephant-rider), Baghghál (mule-rider) and Hammár (donkey-rider).
[354]. A popular exaggeration. See vol. i. [117].
[355]. Lit. Empty of tent-ropes (Atnáb).