[261]. i.e. “Delight of the Age:” see vol. ii. 81.
[262]. In the text written “Imriyyu ’l-Kays”: for this pre-Islamitic poet see Term. Essay, p. 258. “The Man of Al-Kays” or worshipper of the Priapus-idol was a marking figure in Arabian History. The word occurs, with those of Aera, Dusares (Theos Ares), Martabu, Allat and Manát in the Nabathæan (Arabian) epigraphs brought by Mr. Doughty from Arabia Deserta (vol. i. pp. 180–184).
[263]. In text “Zakka,” which means primarily a bird feeding her young.
[264]. In the text “months and years,” the latter seeming de trop.
[265]. Or “Yathrib” = Al-Madinah; vol. iv. 114.
[266]. Scott (vi. 358 et seqq.) who makes Ali bin Ibrahim, “a faithful eunuch,” renders the passage, “by some accident the eunuch’s turban unfortunately falling off, the precious stones (N.B. the lovers’ gift) which, with a summary of the adventures (!) of Eusuff and Aleefa, and his own embassy to Sind, were wrapped in the folds, tumbled upon the floor.”
[267]. i.e. “Drawer-out of Descriptions.”
[268]. i.e. a Refuser, a Forbidder.
[269]. i.e. both could not be seen at the same time.
[270]. [The MS. has T Kh D H, which the translator reads “takhuz-hu.” I suspect that either the second or eighth form of “ahad” is meant, in the sense that thou comest to an agreement (Ittihád) with him.—St.]