[4]. i.e. black like the book of her actions which would be shown to her on Doomsday. (See Night dccclxxi.) The ungodly hold it in the left hand, the right being bound behind their backs and they appear in ten foul forms, apes, swine, etc., for which see Sale sect. iv.
[5]. The “Kunáfah” (vermicelli-cake) is a favourite dish of wheaten flour, worked somewhat finer than our vermicelli, fried with samn (butter melted and clarified) and sweetened with honey or sugar. See Lane M. E. chapt. v. Bees’ honey is opposed to various syrups which are used as sweeteners. See vol. v. [300].
[6]. i.e. Will send us aid. The Shrew’s rejoinder is highly impious in Moslem opinion.
[7]. Arab. Asal Katr; “a fine kind of black honey, treacle” says Lane; but it is afterwards called cane-honey (’Asal Kasab). I have never heard it applied to “the syrup which exudes from ripe dates, when hung up.”
[8]. Arab. “’Aysh,” lit. = that on which man lives: “Khubz” being the more popular term. “Hubz and Joobn” is well known at Malta.
[9]. Insinuating that he had better make peace with his wife by knowing her carnally. It suggests the story of the Irishman who brought over to the holy Catholic Church three several Protestant wives, but failed with the fourth on account of the decline of his “Convarter.”
[10]. Arab. “Asal Kasab,” i.e. Sugar, possibly made from sorgho-stalks Holcus sorghum of which I made syrup in Central Africa.
[11]. For this unpleasant euphemy see vol. iv. [215].
[12]. This is a true picture of the leniency with which women were treated in the Kazi’s court at Cairo; and the effect was simply deplorable. I have noted that matters have grown even worse since the English occupation, for history repeats herself; and the same was the case in Afghanistan and in Sind. We govern too much in these matters, which should be directed not changed, and too little in other things, especially in exacting respect for the conquerors from the conquered.
[13]. Arab. “Báb al-’Áli” = the high gate or Sublime Porte; here used of the Chief Kazi’s court: the phrase is a descendant of the Coptic “Per-ao” whence “Pharaoh.”