Note 385
In England the man marries and the woman is married: there is no such distinction in Arabia.
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Notes to The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1 — Page 17
698 notes in Richard Francis Burton translation. Follow a thought back to its place in the book.
698 notes
Note 386
"Sultan" (and its corruption "Soldan") etymologically means lord, victorious, ruler, ruling over. In Arabia it is a not uncommon proper name; and as a title it is taken by a host o…
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i.e. he was a "Háfiz," one who commits to memory the whole of the Koran. It is a serious task and must be begun early. I learnt by rote the last "Juzw" (or thirtieth part) and foun…
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Here again the Cairo Edit. repeats the six couplets already given in Night xvii. I take them from Torrens (p. 163).
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This naïve admiration of beauty in either sex characterised our chivalrous times. Now it is mostly confined to "professional beauties" or what is conventionally called the "fair se…
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Arab. "Shásh" (in Pers. urine) a light turband generally of muslin.
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This is a lieu commun of Eastern worldly wisdom. Quite true! Very unadvisable to dive below the surface of one's acquaintances, but such intimacy is like marriage of which Johnson …
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The lines are attributed to the famous Al-Mutanabbi = the claimant to "Prophecy," of whom I have given a few details in my Pilgrimage iii. 60, 62. He led the life of a true poet, s…
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Arab. "Nabíz" = wine of raisins or dates; any fermented liquor; from a root to "press out" in Syriac, like the word "Talmiz" (or Tilmiz says the Kashf al-Ghurrah) a pupil, student.…
Read the noteNote 394
Arab. "Huda" = direction (to the right way), salvation, a word occurring in the Opening Chapter of the Koran. Hence to a Kafir who offers the Salam-salutation many Moslems reply "A…
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These lines have already occurred in The First Kalandar's Story (Night xi.) I quote by way of change and with permission Mr. Payne's version (i. 93).
Read the noteNote 396
Arab. "Farajíyah," a long-sleeved robe worn by the learned (Lane, M.E., chapt. i.).
Read the noteNote 397
Arab. "Sarráf" (vulg. Sayrafi), whence the Anglo-Indian "Shroff," a familiar corruption.
Read the noteNote 398
Arab. "Yahúdi" which is less polite than "Banú Isráil" = Children of Israel. So in Christendom "Israelite" when in favour and "Jew" (with an adjective or a participle) when nothing…
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Also called "Ghilmán" = the beautiful youths appointed to serve the True Believers in Paradise. The Koran says (chapt. lvi. 9 etc.) "Youths, which shall continue in their bloom for…
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Which, by the by, is the age of an oldish old maid in Egypt. I much doubt puberty being there earlier than in England where our grandmothers married at fourteen. But Orientals are …
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This prognostication of destiny by the stars and a host of follies that end in -mancy is an intricate and extensive subject. Those who would study it are referred to chapt. xiv. of…
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Arab. "Bárid," lit. cold: metaph. vain, foolish, insipid.
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Not to "spite thee" but "in spite of thee." The phrase is still used by high and low.
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Arab. "Ahdab," the common hunchback; in classical language the Gobbo in the text would be termed "Ak'as" from "Ka'as," one with protruding back and breast; sometimes used for hollo…
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This is the custom with such gentry, who, when they see a likely man sitting, are allowed by custom to ride astraddle upon his knees with most suggestive movements, till he buys th…
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I need hardly describe the tarbúsh, a corruption of the Per. "Sar-púsh" (headcover) also called "Fez" from its old home; and "tarbrush" by the travelling Briton. In old days it was…
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Arab. "Tár.": the custom still prevails. Lane (M.E., chapt. xviii.) describes and figures this hoop-drum.
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The couch on which she sits while being displayed. It is her throne, for she is the Queen of the occasion, with all the Majesty of Virginity.
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