[424]. Arab. “Al-Láwandiyah”; this and the frequent mention of coffee and presently of a watch (sá’ah) show that the tale in its present state, cannot be older than the end of the sixteenth century.
[425]. Arab. “Su’bán,” vol. i. [172].
[426]. The lines have occurred in vol. i. [238]; where I have noted the punning “Sabr” = patience or aloes. I quote Torrens: the Templar, however, utterly abolishes the pun in the last couplet:—
The case is not at my command; but in fair Patience hand ✿ I’m set by Him who order’th all and doth such case command.
“Amr” here = case (circumstance) or command (order) with a suspicion of reference to Murr = myrrh, bitterness. The reader will note the resignation to Fate’s decrees which here and in host of places elevates the tone of the book.
[427]. i.e. as one loathes that which is prohibited, and with a loathing which makes it unlawful for me to cohabit with thee.
[428]. This is quite natural to the sensitive Eastern.
[429]. Hence, according to Moslem and Eastern theory generally her lewd and treasonable conduct. But in Egypt not a few freeborn women and those too of the noblest, would beat her hollow at her own little game. See for instance the booklet attributed to Jalál al-Siyútí and entitled Kitáb al-Ízáh (Book of Explanation) fí ’Ilm al-Nikáh (in the Science of Carnal Copulation). There is a copy of it in the British Museum; and a friend kindly supplied me with a lithograph from Cairo; warning me that there are doubts about the authorship.
[430]. These lines have occurred in vol. iii. [214]: I quote Mr. Payne.
[431]. This ejaculation, as the waw shows, is parenthetic; spoken either by Halimah, by Shahrazad or by the writer.