[181]. Arab. ’Id (pron. ’Eed) which I have said (vol. i. [42], 317) is applied to the two great annual festivals, the “Fete of Sacrifice,” and the “Break-Fast.” The word denotes restoration to favour and Moslems explain as the day on which Adam (and Eve) who had been expelled from Paradise for disobedience was re-established (U’ída) by the relenting of Allah. But the name doubtless dates amongst Arabs from days long before they had heard of the “Lord Nomenclator.”
[182]. Alluding to Hasan seizing her feather dress and so taking her to wife.
[183]. Arab. “Kharajú” = they (masc.) went forth, a vulgarism for “Kharajna” (fem.)
[184]. Note the notable housewife who, at a moment when youth would forget everything, looks to the main chance.
[185]. Arab. “Al-Malakút” (not “Malkút” as in Freytag) a Sufi term for the world of Spirits (De Lacy Christ, Ar. i. 451). Amongst Eastern Christians it is vulgarly used in the fem. and means the Kingdom of Heaven, also the preaching of the Gospel.
KHALIFAH THE FISHERMAN OF BAGHDAD.
There was once in tides of yore and in ages and times long gone before in the city of Baghdad a fisherman, Khalífah hight, a pauper wight, who had never once been married in all his days.[[186]] It chanced one morning, that he took his net and went with it to the river, as was his wont with the view of fishing before the others came. When he reached the bank, he girt himself and tucked up his skirts; then stepping into the water, he spread his net and cast it a first cast and a second but it brought up naught. He ceased not to throw it, till he had made ten casts, and still naught came up therein; wherefore his breast was straitened and his mind perplexed concerning his case and he said, “I crave pardon of God the Great, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal, and unto Him I repent. There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Whatso He willeth is and whatso He nilleth is not! Upon Allah (to whom belong Honour and Glory!) dependeth daily bread! Whenas He giveth to His servant, none denieth him; and whenas He denieth a servant, none giveth to him.” And of the excess of his distress, he recited these two couplets:—
An Fate afflict thee, with grief manifest, ✿ Prepare thy patience and make broad thy breast;
For of His grace the Lord of all the worlds ✿ Shall send to wait upon unrest sweet Rest.
Then he sat awhile pondering his case, and with his head bowed down recited also these couplets:—