[FN#339] For the “Khaznah” (Khazinah) or 10,000 kis each = œ5, see vols. ii. 84; iii. 278.

[FN#340] A euphuism meaning some disaster.  The text contains a favourite incident in folklore; the first instance, I believe, being that of Polycrates of Samos according to Herodotus (lib. iii. 41-42).  The theory is supported after a fashion by experience amongst all versed in that melancholy wisdom the “knowledge of the world.”  As Syr Cauline the knight philosophically says:—­

          Everye white will have its blacke,
          And everye sweete its sowre:  etc.

[FN#341] Thus making the food impure and unfit for a religious Moslem to eat.  Scott (vi. 378) has “when a huge rat running from his hole leaped into the dish which was placed upon the floor.”  He is probably thinking of the East Indian “bandycoot.”

[FN#342] In text this tale concludes, “It is ended and this (next) is the History of the Barber.”

[FN#343] A dandy, a macaroni, from the Turk.  Chelebi, see vol i 22.  Here the word is thoroughly Arabised.  In old Turk. it means, a Prince of the blood; in mod. times a gentleman, Greek or European.

[FN#344] In the text “ézbasha” or “Uzbasha,” a vile Egyptianism for Yuzbashi-head of a hundred (men) centurion, captain.

[FN#345] Scil. the household, the Harem, etc.  As usual, the masc. is used for the fem.

[FN#346] [Ar.  “Al-Rashakah,” a word is not found in the common lexicons.  In Dozy and “Engelmann’s Glossary of Spanish and Portuguese words derived from the Arabic,” it is said to be a fork with three prongs, here probably a hat-stand in the shape of such a fork.—­St.]

[FN#347] In text “Sha’il” copyist’s error for “Shaghil,” act. part. of “Shughl” = business, affairs. [Here it stands probably for the fuller “Shughl shaghil,” an urgent business.—­St.]

[FN#348] In text “Ya ’Ars, ya Mu’arras”:  vol. i. 338.

[FN#349] In Syria most houses have a rain cistern or tank into which the terrace-roof drains and which looks from above like a well with a cover.  The water must have been low when the lover hid himself in the reservoir.

[FN#350] [In the Ms.  “Min Hakk la-hu Asl an ’and-na huna Rajil,” a thoroughly popular phrase.  “Min Hakk” and “min Hakkan,” where in the adverbial meaning of Hakkan its grammatical form as an accusative is so far forgotten that it allows itself to be governed by the preposition “min,” is rendered by Bocthor “tout de bon,” “serieusement.”  “Asl” = root has here the meaning of foundation in fact.  The literal translation of the passage would therefore be:  “Forsooth, is there any truth in it that a man is here in our house?” “Min Hakk” has occurred page 183, where the text, quoted in the note, may perhaps be translated:  “Of a truth, is this saying soothfast?”—­St.]