For who lives longest him most ills molest. Then see him, here he lies on bier for bet;— Who will a shroud bestow on stranger dead? A fair measure of the difference between Eastern and Western manners is afforded by such a theme being treated by their gravest writers and the verses being read and heard by the gravest and most worshipful men, whilst amongst us Preston and Chenery do not dare even to translate them. The latter, indeed, had all that immodest modesty for which English professional society is notable in this xixth century. He spoiled by needlessly excluding from a scientific publication (Mem. R.A.S.) all of my Proverbia Communia Syriaca (see Unexplored Sryia, i. 364) and every item which had a shade of double entendre. But Nemesis frequently found him out: during his short and obscure rule in Printing House Square, The Thunderer was distinguished by two of the foulest indecencies that ever appeared in an English paper. The well-known Koranic verse, whereby Allah is introduced into an indecent tale and "Holy Writ" is punned upon. I have noticed (iii. 206) that victory Fat'h lit.=opening everything (as e.g. a maidenhead). [FN#135] Egyptian and Syrian vulgar term for Mawálíyah or Mawáliyah, a short poem on subjects either classical or vulgar. It generally consists of five lines all rhyming except the penultimate. The metre is a species of the Basít which, however, admits of considerable poetical license; this being according to Lane the usual "Weight," / / / . / / / / / / / / / / / / The scheme is distinctly anapćstic and Mr. Lyall (Translations of Ancient Arabic Poetry) compares with a cognate metre, the Tawíl, certain lines in Abt Vogler, e.g. "Ye know why the forms are fair, ye hear how the tale is told." [FN#136] i.e. repeat the chapter of the Koran termed The Opening, and beginning with these words, "Have we not opened thy breast for thee and eased thee of thy burden which galled thy back? *** Verily with the difficulty cometh ease!"—Koran xciv. vol. 1, 5. [FN#137] Lane renders Nur al-Hudŕ (Light of Salvation) by Light of Day which would be Nur al-Hadŕ. [FN#138] In the Bresl. Edit. "Yá Salám"=O safety!—a vulgar ejaculation. [FN#139] A favourite idiom meaning from the mischief which may (or will) come from the Queen. [FN#140] He is not strong-minded but his feminine persistency of purpose, likest to that of a sitting hen, is confirmed by the "Consolations of religion." The character is delicately drawn. [FN#141] In token that she intended to act like a man. [FN#142] This is not rare even in real life: Moslem women often hide and change their names for superstitious reasons, from the husband and his family. [FN#143] Arab. "Sabab" which also means cause. Vol. ii. 14. There is the same metaphorical use of "Habl"= cord and cause.