9. The point of this verse is an untranslatable play upon the double meaning of the word
kheliyeh, which signifies "beehive" and is also the feminine of the word kheliy "empty."
14. This is a poetical exaggeration, not intended to be taken literally, and means merely tall
strong men or "Amalekites," which latter name is often given by the Arabs to a doughty and
large-limbed man of war.
15. It is hardly necessary to remind the reader that the Bedouin idea of wealth is limited to
flocks and cattle. Hence the figure used.
19. So called because it is the result of a graft upon an almond-tree. It s kernel is sweet and it
has a special delicacy of flavour, attributed by the Arabs to the Graft. See Russell's Natural
History of Aleppo, p. 21.
21. Apparently Ctesiphon, the ancient dual capital of the Chosroes, situate on the Tigris
below Baghdad. The place is elsewhere spoken of as "The Cities," a circumstance which
confirms this supposition, Medain or Medain Kisra (the cities of Chosroes) being the Arabic
name of Ctesiphon.
34. A decorated part of the southern portico of the Prophet's Mosque, situate between his
tomb and his pulpit and so called from his saying, "Between my tomb and my pulpit is a garden
of the gardens of Paradise."
35. i.e. descendant of one of those citizens of Medina who succoured the Prophet at the time
of his flight from Mecca.
42. i.e. A repairer of the slips of the noble, an evasive answer meant to put Khuzeimeh off
the scent of his benefactor's identity by making him believe that this was the latter's real name, a
deception easy to practise among the Arabs, whose names all have a manifest meaning.
43. In token of deputation of authority, a ceremony usual on the appointment of a viceroy.
44. The capital of Mesopotamia, a town on the Tigris about midway between Mosul and
Diarbekir.
61. Governor of Medina under Muawiyeh and afterwards [AD 683-4] fourth Khalif of the
Ommiade dynasty.
62. Abou Ali el Hussein surnamed El Khelia [the Wag] on account of his gay and licentious
humour, a well-known poet of the Court of the early Abbaside Khalifs. He was a native of
Bassora and a boon-companion of Abou Nuwas; but his introduction here is an anachronism as
he did not make his appearance at court till the succeeding reign, that of Er Reshid's son El
Amin.
63. Governor of Bassora, but not in El Hussien's time.
77. The colocasia is a kind of edible arum and (like the other species of its family) bears both
male and female flowers on one spathe.
78. See Vol. III. p. 179, notes 2 and 3 {see Vol. 3, FN#52, FN#53}, where sycamore fruit is
referred to, instead of promegranates; but the meaning is the same.
79. The wearing of gold and silk is held reprehensible by the strict Muslim.
80. i.e. on account of his beauty. See Vol. III. p. 255, note. {see Vol. 3, FN#89}
84. Nonsense-words, strung together for the sake of the jangle of rhyme, between the words
sebib (raisins), hebib (beloved) and lebib (man of sense). The water-carrier was apparently
selling nebis or raisin wine, as a flavouring for his water.
86. So as to fix it in the handle and prevent it shutting up, when used to strike with.
87. Apparently because of the fear in which the people of the city held the notorious rascal
and swashbuckler whom Er Reshid had made town-captain of Baghdad.
88. i.e. the sister's son of Zeyneb the Trickstress; see supra, p. 236 {see here.}
89. Emissio seminis, even involuntary, entails total ablution upon a Muslim.
90. i.e. one who gratuitously meddles in matters that concern him not; a popular saying
similar in character to the well-known verses, "They who in quarrels interpose, Must often wipe
a bloody nose."
91. Leben, sic in all the texts; probably a copyist's mistake for tebn (straw).