Note 554
A saying not uncommon meaning, let each man do as he seems fit; also = "age quad agis": and at times corresponding with our saw about the cap fitting.
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Notes to The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1 — Page 24
698 notes in Richard Francis Burton translation. Follow a thought back to its place in the book.
698 notes
Note 555
Arab. "Su'úd," an Alpinia with pungent rhizome like ginger; here used as a counter-odour.
Read the noteNote 556
Arab. "Tá'ih" = lost in the "Tíh," a desert wherein man may lose himself, translated in our maps 'The Desert of the Wanderings," scil. of the children of Israel. "Credat Judæus."
Read the noteNote 557
i.e. £125 and £500.
Read the noteNote 558
A large sum was weighed by a professional instead of being counted, the reason being that the coin is mostly old and worn: hence our words "pound" and "pension" (or what is weighed…
Read the noteNote 559
The eunuch is the best possible go-between on account of his almost unlimited power over the Harem.
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i.e., a slave-girl brought up in the house and never sold except for some especial reason, as habitual drunkenness, etc.
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Smuggling men into the Harem is a stock "topic" of eastern tales. "By means of their female attendants, the ladies of the royal harem generally get men into their apartments in the…
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These tears are shed over past separation. So the "Indians" of the New World never meet after long parting without beweeping mutual friends they have lost.
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A most important Jack in office whom one can see with his smooth chin and blubber lips, starting up from his lazy snooze in the shade and delivering his orders more peremptorily th…
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From the Meccan well used by Moslems much like Eau de Lourdes by Christians: the water is saltish, hence the touch of Arab humour (Pilgrimage iii., 201-202).
Read the noteNote 565
Such articles would be sacred from Moslem eyes.
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Physiologically true, but not generally mentioned in describing the emotions.
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Properly "Uta," the different rooms, each "Odalisque," or concubine, having her own.
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Showing that her monthly ailment was over.
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Arab "Muhammarah" = either browned before the fire or artificially reddened.
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The insolence and licence of these palace-girls was (and is) unlimited, especially when, as in the present case, they have to deal with a "softy." On this subject numberless storie…
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i.e., blackened by the fires of Jehannam.
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Arab. "Bi'l-Salámah" = in safety (to avert the evil eye). When visiting the sick it is usual to say something civil; "The Lord heal thee! No evil befall thee!" etc.
Read the noteNote 573
Washing during sickness is held dangerous by Arabs; and "going to the Hammam" is, I have said, equivalent to convalescence.
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Arab. "Máristán" (pronounced Múristan) a corruption of the Pers. "Bímáristán" = place of sickness, a hospital much affected by the old Guebres (Dabistan, i., 165, 166). That of Dam…
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Hence the trite saying "Whoso drinks the water of the Nile will ever long to drink it again." "Light" means easily digested water; and the great test is being able to drink it at n…
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"Níl" in popular parlance is the Nile in flood; although also used for the River as a proper name. Egyptians (modern as well as ancient) have three seasons, Al-Shitá (winter), Al-S…
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These lines are in the Mac. Edit.
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