Note 179
The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad.
Arab. "Mikra'ah," the dried mid-rib of a date-frond used for many purposes, especially the bastinado.
When the damsel heard this elegy in quatrains she cried out "Alas! Alas!" and rent her raiment, and fell to the ground fainting; and the Caliph saw scars of the palm rod[FN#179] on her back and welts of the whip; and marvelled with exceeding wonder. Then the portress arose and sprinkled water on her and brought her a fresh and very fine dress and put it on her. But when the company beheld these doings their minds were troubled…
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