[195]. I again omit “Saith the Reciter of this marvellous relation,” a formula which occurs with unpleasant reiteration.
[196]. i.e. she cried “Astaghfiru ’llah” (which strangers usually pronounce “Astaffira ’llah”); a pious exclamation, humbling oneself before the Creator, and used in a score of different senses, which are not to be found in the dictionaries.
[197]. In vol. viii. 183, there are two couplets of which the first is here repeated.
[198]. [Here the translator seems to read “Khams Ghaffár,” = five pardoners, where however, grammar requires a plural after “khams.” I take “khams” to be a clerical error for “Khamr” = wine, and read the next word “’ukár,” which is another name for wine, but is also used adjectively together with the former, as in the Breslau Edition iv. 6: “al-Khamr al-’ukár” = choice wine.—St.]
[199]. I understand this as the cupbearer who delights the five senses.
[200]. In the original we have, “Saith the Sayer of this delectable narrative, the strange and seld-seen (and presently we will return to the relation full and complete with its sense suitable and its style admirable), anent what befel and betided of Destinies predestinate and the will of the Lord preordinate which He decreed and determined to His creatures.” I have omitted it for uniformity’s sake.
[201]. Meaning “The easy-tempered.” Scott (vi. 354) writes “Sohul.”
[202]. In text “Litám” = the mouth-band for man: ii. 31, etc. The “Mutalathsimín” in North Africa are the races, like the Tawárik, whose males wear this face-swathe of cloth.
[203]. “Drowned in her blood,” says the text which to us appears hyperbole run mad. So when King Omar (vol. ii. 123) violently rapes the unfortunate Princess Abrízah “the blood runs down the calves of her legs.” This is not ignorance, but that systematic exaggeration which is held necessary to impressionise an Oriental audience.
[204]. For this allusion see vol. v. 191.