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Notes to The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1 — Page 28

698 notes in Richard Francis Burton translation. Follow a thought back to its place in the book.

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The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 650

Arab. "Shayyun li'lláhi," a beggar's formula = per amor di Dio.

The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 651

Noting how sharp-eared the blind become.

The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 652

The blind in Egypt are notorious for insolence and violence, fanaticism and rapacity. Not a few foreigners have suffered from them (Pilgrimage i., 148). In former times many were b…

The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 653

i.e., with kicks and cuffs and blows, as is the custom. (Pilgrimage i., 174.)

The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 654

Arab. Káid (whence "Alcayde") a word still much used in North Western Africa.

The Barber’s Tale of his Third Brother.

Note 655

Arab. "Sullam" = lit. a ladder; a frame-work of sticks, used by way of our triangles or whipping-posts.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fourth Brother.

Note 656

This is one of the feats of Al-Símiyá = white magic; fascinating the eyes. In Europe it has lately taken the name of "Electro-biology."

The Barber’s Tale of his Fourth Brother.

Note 657

again by means of the "Símiyá" or power of fascination possessed by the old scoundrel.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fourth Brother.

Note 658

A formula for averting "Al-Ayn," the evil eye. It is always unlucky to meet a one-eyed man, especially the first thing in the morning and when setting out on any errand. The idea i…

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 659

Al-Nashshár from Nashr = sawing: so the fiddler in Italian is called the "village-saw" (Sega del villaggio). He is the Alnaschar of the Englished Galland and Richardson. The tale i…

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 660

Arab. "Atr" = any perfume, especially oil of roses; whence our word "Ottar,' through the Turkish corruption.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 661

The texts give "dirhams" (100,000 = 5,000 dinars) for "dinars," a clerical error as the sequel shows.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 662

"Young slaves," says Richardson, losing "colour."

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 663

Nothing more calculated to give affront than such a refusal. Richardson (p. 204) who, however, doubts his own version (p. 208), here translates, "and I will not give liberty to my …

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 664

"Whilst she is in astonishment and terror." (Richardson.)

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 665

"Chamber of robes," Richardson, whose text has "Nám" for "Manám."

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 666

"Till I compleat her distress," Richardson, whose text is corrupt.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 667

"Sleep by her side," R. the word "Náma" bearing both senses.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 668

"Will take my hand," R. "takabbal" being also ambiguous.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 669

Arab. "Mu'arras" one who brings about "'Ars," marriages, etc. So the Germ. = "Kupplerinn" a Coupleress. It is one of the many synonyms for a pimp, and a word in general use (Pilgri…

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 670

Of hands and face, etc. See Night cccclxiv.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 671

Arab. "Sadakah" (sincerity), voluntary or superogatory alms, opposed to "Zakát" (purification), legal alms which are indispensable. "Prayer carries us half way to Allah, fasting br…

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 672

A Greek girl.

The Barber’s Tale of his Fifth Brother.

Note 673

This was making himself very easy; and the idea is that the gold in the pouch caused him to be so bold. Lane's explanation (in loco) is all wrong. The pride engendered by sudden po…