[215]. For the practice of shampooing often alluded to in The Nights, see vol. iii. 17. The king “sleeping on the boys’ knees” means that he dropped off whilst his feet were on the laps of the lads.
[216]. Meaning the honour of his Harem.
[217]. Pardon, lit. = security: the cry for quarter already introduced into English
“Or raise the craven cry Aman.”
It was Mohammed’s express command that this prayer for mercy should be respected even in the fury of fight. See vol. i. 342.
[218]. A saying found in every Eastern language beginning with Hebrew; Proverbs xxvi. 27, “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein.”
[219]. i.e. a domed tomb where prayers and prelections of the Koran could be made. “Kubbah” in Marocco is still the term for a small square building with a low media-naranja cupola under which a Santon lies interred. It is the “little Waly” of our “blind travellers” in the unholy “Holy Land.”
[220]. i.e. to secure her assistance in arousing the king’s wrath.
[221]. i.e. so slow to avenge itself.
[222]. “Story of Sultan Hebriam (!), and his Son” (Chavis and Cazotte). Unless they greatly enlarged upon the text, they had a much fuller copy than that found in the Bresl. Edit.