[FN#477] Lit. “that the sugar was poison.”

[FN#478] In text “Kata’a Judur-ha” (for “hu"). [I refer the pronoun in “Judur-ha” to “Rakabah,” taking the “roots of the neck” to mean the spine.-St.]

[FN#479] In text “Fahata” for “Fahasa” (?) or perhaps a clerical error for “Fataha"=he opened (the ground). ["Fahata,” probably a vulgarisation of “fahatha” (fahasa)=to investigate, is given by Bocthor with the meaning of digging, excavating.  Nevertheless I almost incline to the reading “fataha,” which, however, I would pronounce with Tashdid over the second radical, and translate:  “he recited a ‘Fatihah’ for them,” the usual prayer over the dead before interment.  The dative “la-hum,” generally employed with verbs of prayer, seems to favour this interpretation.  It is true I never met with the word in this meaning, but it would be quite in keeping with the spirit of the language, and in close analogy with such expressions as “kabbara,” he said “Allabu akbar,” “Hallala,” he pronounced the formula of unity, and a host of others.  Here it would, in my opinion, wind up the tale with a neat touch of peasant’s single-mindedness and loyal adherence to the injunctions of religion even under provoking circumstances.- -St.]

[FN#480] In the Ms. we have only “Ending.  And it is also told,” etc.  I again supply the connection.

[FN#481] Scott does not translate this tale, but he has written on the margin (Ms. vi. 101), “A story which bears a strong resemblance to that I have read (when a boy) of the Parson’s maid giving the roasted goose to her Lover and frightening away the guests, lest he should geld them.”

[FN#482] In text “Zakarayn Wizz (ganders) siman”; but afterwards “Wizzatayn"=geese.

[FN#483] These dried fruits to which pistachios are often added, form the favourite “filling” of lamb and other meats prepared in “pulao” (pilaff).

[FN#484] “Anta jaib(un) bas rajul (an) wahid (an)”—­veritable and characteristic peasant’s jargon.

[FN#485] i.e., it is a time when men should cry for thy case.  “La Haula"=there is no Majesty, etc.  An ejaculation of displeasure, disappointments, despair.

[FN#486] In text “Mahashima-k"=good works, merits; in a secondary sense beard and mustachios.  The word yard (etymologically a rod) is medical English, and the young student is often surprised to see, when a patient is told to show his yard, a mere inchlet of shrunken skin. ["Mahashim,” according to Bocthor, is a plural without singular, meaning:  les parties de la generation.  Pedro de Alcala gives “Hashshum,” pl.  “Hashashim,” for the female parts, and both words are derived from the verb “hasham, yahshim,” he put to shame.—­St.]

[FN#487] Characteristic words of abuse, “O thou whose fate is always to fail, O thou whose lot is ever subject to the accidents of Fortune!”

[FN#488] Arab.  “Bayzah"=an egg, a testicle.  See “Bayza’ani,” vol. ii. 55.