[FN#55] In text "Ya'tadir"--from 'Adr=heavy rain, boldness. But in this MS. the dots are often omitted and the word may be Ya'tazir=find excuse. [FN#56] In the old version the wife is made to disclose the secret of her husband being alive--again a change for the worse. [FN#57] Here "Wayha-v." and before "Wayla-k": see vols. v. 258; vii. 127 and iii. 82. [FN#58] The King, after the fashion of Eastern despots, never blames his own culpable folly and hastiness: this was decreed to him and to his victim by Destiny. [FN#59] The older version reads "Roc" and informs us that "it is a prodigious bird, found in the deserts of Africa: it will bear two hundred pounds weight; and many are of opinion that the idea of this bird is visionary." In Weber ii. 63, this is the device of "Zafagnie," who accompanies her husband to Egypt. [FN#60] This name appears to be a corruption. The sound, however, bears a suspicious resemblance to "Dabshalim" (a name most proper for such a Prince, to wit, meaning in their tongue a mighty King), who appears in chapt. i. of the "Fables of Pilpay" (Bidpai=Bidyapati=Lord of Lore?). "Dabshalímat"=the Dabshalíms, was the dynastic title of the Kings of Somanáth (Somnauth) in Western India. [FN#61] Arab. "Tín"=clay, mud, which would be used with the Tob (adobe, sun-dried brick) forming the walls of Egypt and Assyria. M.G. Maspero, in his excellent booklet "L'Archéologie Egyptienne" (p. 7. Paris, Quantin, 1887), illustrates this ancient industry which endures with all its gear to the present day. The average measured 22 X 11 X 14 cm.; the larger was 38 X 18 X 14 cm., with intermediate sizes. These formed the cores of temple walls, and, being revetted with granite, syenite, alabaster and other stones, made a grand show; but when the outer coat was removed they were presently weathered to the external semblance of mud-piles. Such was mostly the condition of the ruins of grand Bubastis ("Pi-Pasht") hod. Zagázig, where excavations are still being pushed on. [FN#62] The old version has "Masser, Grand Cairo (in the days of the Pharaohs!); so called from having been built by Misraim, the son of Cham." [FN#63] In Chavís, "Abicam, a Chaldæan astrologer;" in Gauttier "Abimacam." [FN#64] In Al-Harírí (p. 409) we read, "Hospitality is three days;" and a Hadís of the Prophet confirms the liberal practice of The Ignorance:--"The entertainment of a guest is three days, and the viaticum ("Jáizah") is a day and a night, and whatso exceedeth is an alms-gift." On the first day is shown largesse and courtesy; on the second and third the stranger is treated after the usual custom of the household, and then he is provided with rations for a day and a night. See Lane: A. Nights, i. 486; also The Nights, vol. i. 3. [FN#65] i.e. Not standing astraddle, or in other such indecorous attitude.