[366]. This may be (reading Imraan = man, for Amran = matter) “a masterful man”; but I can hardly accept it.
[367]. Arab. “Bundukí,” the adj. of Bunduk, which the Moslems evidently learned from Slav sources; Venedik being the Dalmatian corruption of Venezia. See Dubrovenedik in vol. ii. 219.
[368]. i.e. the castle’s square.
[369]. In sign of quitting possession. Chess in Europe is rarely played for money, with the exception of public matches: this, however, is not the case amongst Easterns, who are also for the most part as tricky as an old lady at cribbage rightly named.
[370]. i.e. he was as eloquent and courtly as he could be.
[371]. Arab. “Yá Zínat al-Nisá,” which may either be a P.N. or a polite address as Bella fé (Handsome woman) is to any feminine in Southern Italy.
[372]. Arab. “Raas Ghanam”: this form of expressing singularity is common to Arabic and the Eastern languages, which it has influenced.
[373]. This most wearisome form of politeness is common in the Moslem world, where men fondly think that the more you see of them the more you like of them. Yet their Proverbial Philosophy (“the wisdom of many and the wit of one”) strongly protests against the practice: I have already quoted Mohammed’s saying, “Zur ghibban, tazid Hibban”—visits rare keep friendship fair.
[374]. This clause in the text is evidently misplaced (vol. xii. 144.)
[375]. Arab. Dara’ or Dira’ = armour, whether of leather or metal; here the coat worn under the mail.