[FN#46] Our Arabian Ulysses had probably left a Penelope or two at home and finds a Calypso in this Ogygia. His modesty at the mention of womankind is notable.
[FN#47] These are the commonplaces of Moslem consolation on such occasions: the artistic part is their contrast with the unfortunate widower’s prospect.
[FN#48] Lit. “a margin of stone, like the curb-stone of a well.”
[FN#49] I am not aware that this vivisepulture of the widower is the custom of any race, but the fable would be readily suggested by the Sati (Suttee)-rite of the Hindus. Simple vivisepulture was and is practised by many people.
[FN#50] Because she was weaker than a man. The Bresl. Edit. however, has “a gugglet of water and five scones.”
[FN#51] The confession is made with true Eastern sang-froid and probably none of the hearers “disapproved” of the murders which saved the speaker’s life.
[FN#52] This tale is evidently taken from the escape of Aristomenes the Messenian from the pit into which he had been thrown, a fox being his guide. The Arabs in an early day were eager students of Greek literature. Hole (p. 140) noted the coincidence.
[FN#53] Bresl. Edit. “Khwájah,” our “Howajee,” meaning a schoolmaster, a man of letters, a gentleman.
[FN#54] And he does repeat at full length what the hearers must have known right well. I abridge.
[FN#55] Island of the Bell (Arab. “Nákús”=a wooden gong used by
Christians but forbidden to Moslems). “Kala” is written “Kela,”
“Kullah” and a variety of ways. Baron Walckenaer places it at
Keydah in the Malay peninsula opposite Sumatra. Renaudot
identifies it with Calabar, “somewhere about the point of
Malabar.”