[222]. For Ummu ’Amrin = mother of ’Amru, so written and pronounced “’Amr,” a fancy name, see vol. v. 118, for the Tale of the Schoolmaster, a well-known “Joe Miller.” [Ummu ’Amrin, like Ummu ’Ámirin, is a slang term for “hyena.” Hence, if Ass and Umm Amr went off together, it is more than likely that neither came back. St.]
[223]. A slang name for Death. “Kash’am” has various sigs. esp. the lion, hence Rabí’at al-Faras (of the horses), one of the four sons of Nizár was surnamed Al-Kash’am from his cœur de lion (Al-Mas’údi iii. 238). Another pleasant term for departing life is Abu Yáhyá = Father of John, which also means “The Living” from Hayy—Death being the lord of all: hence “Yamút” lit. = he dies, is an ill-omened name amongst Arabs. Kash’am is also a hyena, and Umm Kash’am is syn. with Umm ’Ámir (vol. I. 43). It was considered a point of good breeding to use these “Kunyah” for the purpose of varying speech (see Al-Hariri Ass. xix). The phrase in the text = meaning went to hell, as a proverb was first used by Zuhayr, one of the “Suspended Poets.” Umm Kash’am was the P.N. of a runaway camel which, passing by a large fire, shied and flung its riding saddle into the flames. So in Al-Siyúti’s “History of the Caliphs” (p. 447), the text has “And Malak Shah went to where her saddle was thrown by Umm Kash’am,” which Major Jarrett renders “departed to hell-fire.”
[224]. Scott’s “Story of the Bhang-eater and Cauzee,” vi. 126; Gauttier, Histoire du Preneur d’Opium et du Cadi, vi. 268.
[225]. Arab. “Lawwaha” = lit. pointing out, making clear.
[226]. Text “in his belly,” but afterwards in his “Halkah” = throat, throttle, which gives better sense.
[227]. In text “Háyishah” from ✔ “Haysh” = spoiling, etc.
[228]. Arab. “Yauh!” See vols. ii. 321; vi. 235.
[229]. Arab. “Yá Jad’án” (pron. “Gád’án”) more gen. “Yá Jad’a” = mon brave!
[230]. In text “Yá ’Arzád”: prob. a clerical slip for “’Urzát,” plur. of “’Urzah” = a companion, a (low) fellow, a man evil spoken of.
[231]. Easterns love drinking in a bright light: see vol. ii. 59.