[FN#409] The Bactrian or double-humped dromedary.  See vol. iii. 67.  Al-Mas’udi (vii. 169) calls it “Jamal falij,” lit. = the palsy-camel.

[FN#410] i.e.  Stars and planets.

[FN#411] i.e.  Sang in tenor tones which are always in falsetto.

[FN#412] Arab.  Tahzib = reforming morals, amending conduct, chastening style.

[FN#413] i.e. so as to show only the whites, as happens to the “mesmerised.”

[FN#414] i.e. for love of and longing for thy youth.

[FN#415] i.e. leather from Al-Taif:  see vol. viii. 303.  The text has by mistake Talifi.

[FN#416] i.e. she was at her last breath, when cured by the magic of love.

[FN#417] i.e. violateth my private apartment.

[FN#418] The voice (Shazz) is left doubtful:  it may be girl’s, nightingale’s, or dove’s.

[FN#419] Arab.  “Hiba” partly induced by the rhyme.  In desert countries the comparison will be appreciated:  in Sind the fine dust penetrates into a closed book.

[FN#420] i.e. he smuggled it in under his ’Aba-cloak:  perhaps it was a better brand than that made in the monastery.

[FN#421] i.e. the delights of Paradise promised by the Prophet.

[FN#422] Again, “he” for “she,” making the lover’s address more courtly and delicate.

[FN#423] i.e. take refuge with Allah from the evil eye of her charms.

[FN#424] i.e. an thou prank or adorn thyself:  I have translated literally, but the couplet strongly suggests “nonsense verses.”

[FN#425] Arab.  “Santir:”  Lane (M.E., chapt. xviii.) describes it as resembling the Kanun (dulcimer or zither) but with two oblique peg-pieces instead of one and double chords of wire (not treble strings of lamb’s gut) and played upon with two sticks instead of the little plectra.  Dozy also gives Santir from {Greek}, the Fsaltrun of Daniel.

[FN#426] i.e.  That which is ours shall be thine, and that which is incumbent on thee shall be incumbent on us = we will assume thy debts and responsibilities.

[FN#427] This passage is sadly disjointed in the text:  I have followed Mr. Payne’s ordering.

[FN#428] The Arab of noble tribe is always the first to mount his own mare:  he also greatly fears her being put out to full speed by a stranger, holding that this should be reserved for occasions of life and death; and that it can be done to perfection only once during the animal’s life.

[FN#429] The red (Ahmar) dromedary like the white-red (Sabah) were most valued because they are supposed best to bear the heats of noon; and thus “red camels” is proverbially used for wealth.  When the head of Abu Jahl was brought in after the Battle of Bedr, Mahommed exclaimed, “’Tis more acceptable to me than a red camel!”

[FN#430] i.e.  Couriers on dromedaries, the only animals used for sending messages over long distances.