Note [39.] I have omitted the third song of the cateress, and the description of its effects, mentioned in Note 35.
Note [40.] See Note 47 to Chapter II.
Note [41.] It seems to be implied that the lady discovered her guests, notwithstanding their disguise, to be persons of rank.
Note [42.] I read "fuḳaráü aạjám" for "fuḳaráü-l-hojjám:" the former, carelessly written (in Arabic characters), might easily be mistaken for the latter.
Note [43.] This phrase is used to signify "Recover thy senses;" alluding to a person's drawing his hand over his head or face after a sleep or fit.
Note [44.] The burial-grounds of Eastern cities are generally so extensive, that, with the varied structures which they contain, they may aptly be called "Cities of the Dead." It was with difficulty that I recognised the tomb of the lamented Burckhardt, in the great cemetery on the north of Cairo, even after I had carefully noticed its place on a former visit.
Note [45.] I have ventured to make a slight alteration here; but it is one which does not in the least affect the consistency of the tale. Marriage with a foster-sister is as expressly forbidden by the Mohammadan law as that with a natural sister.
Note [46.] "The Truth" is one of the ninety-nine names or epithets of God.
Note [47.] Many an Arab would rather risk the loss of his head than part with his beard; for the latter is regarded by almost all Muslims with a superstitious respect; and to shave it off, at least after it has been suffered to grow for many days, they consider as sinful: this, however, is sometimes done by religious mendicants, as it is also by some of those persons who seek, or enjoy, the reputation of sanctity, and who are, or pretend to be, insane.
Note [48.] By "the seven readings," we are to understand seven slightly different modes of reading the Ḳur-án, seldom differing essentially as to the sense.