[233]. i.e. King (Arab.) King (Persian): we find also Sultan Malik Shah = King King King.
[234]. Arab. “Aulád-í,” a vulgarism, plural for dual.
[235]. Mr. Payne translates, “so he might take his father’s leavings” i.e. heritage, reading “Ásár” which I hold to be a clerical error for Sár = Vendetta, blood revenge (Bresl. Edit. vi. 310).
[236]. Arab. “Al-’Ásí” the pop. term for one who refuses to obey a constituted authority and syn. with Pers. “Yághí.” “Ant ’Ásí?” Wilt thou not yield thyself? says a policeman to a refractory Fellah.
[237]. i.e. of the Greeks: so in Kor. xxx. 1. “Alif Lam Mim, the Greeks (Al-Roum) have been defeated.” Mr. Rodwell curiously remarks that “the vowel-points for ’defeated’ not being originally written, would make the prophecy true in either event, according as the verb received an active or passive sense in pronunciation.” But in discovering this mare’s nest, a rank piece of humbug like Aio te Aeacida etc., he forgets that all the Prophet’s “Companions,” numbering some 5,000, would pronounce it only in one way and that no man could mistake “ghalabat” (active) for “ghulibat” (passive).
[238]. The text persistently uses “Járiyah” = damsel, slave-girl, for the politer “Sabiyah” = young lady, being written in a rude and uncourtly style.
[239]. So our familiar phrase “Some one to back us.”
[240]. Arab. “’Akkada lahu ráy,” plur. of ráyat, a banner. See vol. iii. 307.
[241]. i.e. “What concern hast thou with the king’s health?” The question is offensively put.
[242]. Arab. “Masalah,” a question; here an enigma.