[FN#455] This was in order to travel as a respectable man; he could also send the girl as a spy into the different Harims to learn news of the lady who had eloped.
[FN#456] A polite form of alluding to their cursing him.
[FN#457] i.e. on account of the King taking offence at his unceremonious departure.
[FN#458] i.e. It will be the worse for him.
[FN#459] I would here remind the reader that "'Arabiyyun" pl. 'Urb is a man of pure Arab race, whether of the Ahl al-Madar (=people of mortar, i.e. citizens) or Ahl al-Wabar (=tents of goat or camel's hair); whereas "A'rбbiyyun" pl. A'rбb is one who dwells in the Desert whether Arab or not. Hence the verse:—
"They name us Al-A'rбb but Al-'Urb is our name."
[FN#460] I would remind the reader that the Dinбr is the golden denarius (or solidus) of Eastern Rome while the Dirham is the silver denarius, whence denier, danaro, dнnheiro, etc., etc. The oldest dinars date from A.H. 91-92 (=714-15) and we find the following description of one struck in A.H. 96 by Al-Walid the VI. Ommiade:—
Obverse:
Area. "There is no ilбh but Allah: He is one: He hath no
partner."
Circle. "Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah who hath sent
him with the true Guidance and Religion that he
manifest it above all other Creeds."
Reverse:
Area. "Allah is one: Allah is Eternal: He begetteth not,
nor is He begot."
Circle. "Bismillah: This Dinar was struck anno 96."
See "'Ilвm-en-Nas" (warnings for Folk) a pleasant little volume by Mr. Godfrey Clarke (London, King and Co., 1873), mostly consisting of the minor tales from The Nights, especially this group between Nights ccxlvii. and cdlxi.; but rendered valuable by the annotations of my old friend, the late Frederick Ayrton.