第137章 THE MOCK KHALIF.(10)

[113] Or sectary of Ali. The Shiyaites did not acknowledge the first three Khalifs Abou Bekr，Omar，and Othman，and were wont to write their names upon their heels，in token of contempt. The Sunnites are the orthodox Muslims，who accept the actual order of things.

[114] An open-fronted reception-room，generally on the first floor and giving on the interior court of the house.

[115] Instead of'rank of Amir，'we should perhaps read'knighthood.'

[116] i.e. It is not enough. See Vol. II，p. 74，note. {see Vol. 2，29}

[117] Confessional？

[118] ？500.

[119] The Mohammedans accuse the Jews，as well as the Christians，of falsifying their sacred books，so as to suppress the mention of Mohammed.

[120] A very famous Arab chieftain of the latter part of the sixth century，especially renowned for the extravagance with which he practiced the patriarchal virtues of generosity and hospitality. He died a few years after Mohammeds birth.

[121] Another famous Oriental type of generosity. He was a celebrated soldier and statesman of the eighth century and stood in high favour with the Ommiade Khalifs，as also （after the change of dynasty） with those of the house of Abbas.

[122] Apparently meaning the upper part of the carpet whereon the Amirs chair was set. It is the place of honour and has a peculiar sanctity among the Arabs，it being a breach of good manners to tread upon it （or indeed upon any part of the carpet）

with shodden feet.

[123] Apparently Toledo.

[124] Sixth Khalif of the Ommiade dynasty，A.D. 705-716.

[125] Or perhaps'of that which is due to men of worth.'

[126] It is the invariable custom （and indeed the duty）of every Muslim to salute his co-religionist with the words'Peace be on thee！' upon first accosting him.

[127] He having then returned to his palace.

[128] i.e. of life.

[129] Lit. to dispute about or defend itself，Koran xvi 112.

[130] The Rages of the Apocrypha；a great city of Persia，formerly its capital，but now a mere heap of ruins in the neighbourhood of Teheran.

[131] Ibrahim ben El Mehdi was one of the most celebrated musicians and wits of his day.'He was a man of great merit and a perfect scholar，possessed of an open heart and a generous hand；his like had never before been seen among the sons of the Khalifs，none of whom spoke with more propriety and elegance or composed verses with greater ability.'（Ibn Khellikan.）

[132] Ibrahim of Mosul，the greatest musician of the time，a boon-companion and special favourite of Haroun er Reshid and his son.

[133] Lit. the lord of the blood-revenge，i.e. the person entitled to exact the blood-wit.

[134] His Vizier.

[135] Joseph to his brethren，Koran xii. 92.

[136] Playing upon the literal meaning，'blood-sucker，'of the word kejjam，cupper or barber-surgeon.

[137] The Arabic word is el Medineh，lit. the city. Perhaps the narrator meant to compare the citadel to the actual city of Medina.

[138] A well-known theologian.

[139] Koran lxxxix. 6，7.

[140] According to the Breslau edition，it was the prophet Hond who，being sent of God to exhort Sheddad and his people to embrace the true faith，promised them Paradise in the next world，as a reward，describing it as above. Quoth Sheddad，on hearing this deion，'I will build me in this world the like of this Paradise and I have no need of that thou promisest me.'

[141] i.e. the prophet Houd （Heber）.

[142] Son of Ibrahim el Mausili and still more famous as a musician. He was also an excellent poet and a great favourite with the Khalif Mamoun.

[143] Mamouns own Vizier，a man of great wealth and munificence.

[144] Witout the town.

[145] Medewwerek，lit.'something round.'This word generally means a small round cushion；but，in the present instance，a gong is evidently referred to.

[146] The Prophets uncle，from whom the Abbaside Khalifs were descended.

[147] Lit.'fugleman，'i.e.'leader of the people at prayer，'

a title bestowed upon the Khalifs，in recognition of their spiritual headship.

[148] Dies albo lapide notanda.

[149] Lit. Kaabeh.

[150] Referring to the station in the Temple of Mecca，known as the Mecam or standing-place of Abraham. The wish inferred is that the Khalifs court may be as favourite a place of reverent resort as the station in question.

[151] Or （quaere） a pair of forceps.

[152] See ante，p. 335. {see Vol. 3，139}

[153] i.e. thieves.

[154] See ante，p. 337. {…to Many-Columned Irem，at the …}

[155] A city on the Euphrates，about 40 miles west of Baghdad.

[156] The famous King of Persia.

[157] In Arabia.

[158] Lit.'a thorn-acacia tree.'Quaere，the name of a town in Egypt？