[34] Ferdousee's great heroic poem. It is remarkable that the Peries are very rarely spoken of in this poem. They merely appear in it with the birds and beasts among the subjects of the first Iranian monarchs. [35] Chap. xx. translation of Jonathan Scott, 1799. [36] See below, _Shetland_. [37] _i. e._ possessed, insane. It is like the νυμφοληπτος of the Greeks. [38] It must be recollected that the Peries are of both sexes: we have just spoken of Peri _kings_, and of the _brothers_ of Merjân. [39] In the Shâh Nâmeh it is said of Prince Siyawush, that when he was born he was _bright as a Peri_. We find the poets everywhere comparing female beauty to that of superior beings. The Greeks and Romans compared a lovely woman to Venus, Diana, or the nymphs; the Persians to a Peri; the ancient Scandinavians would say she was Frith sem Alfkone, "fair as an Alf-woman;" and an Anglo-Saxon poet says of Judith that she was _Elf-sheen_, or fair as an Elf. In the Lay of Gugemer it is said, Dedenz la Dame unt trovée Ki de biauté resanbloit _Fée_. The same expression occurs in Méon (3, 412); and in the Romant de la Rose we meet, _jure que plus belle est que fée_ (10, 425). In the Pentamerone it is said of a king's son, _lo quale essenno bello comme a no fato_. [40] Mines de l'Orient, vol. iii. p. 40. To make his version completely English, M. von Hammer uses the word Fairies; we have ventured to change it. [41] In Purchas' Pilgrims, vol. i., quoted by Sir W. Ouseley. ARABIAN ROMANCE. The Prophet is the centre round which every thing connected with Arabia revolves. The period preceding his birth is regarded and designated as the times of ignorance, and our knowledge of the ancient Arabian mythology comprises little more than he has been pleased to transmit to us. The Arabs, however, appear at no period of their history to have been a people addicted to fanciful invention. Their minds are acute and logical, and their poetry is that of the heart rather than of the fancy. They dwell with fondness on the joys and pains of love, and with enthusiasm describe the courage and daring deeds of warriors, or in moving strains pour forth the plaintive elegy; but for the description of gorgeous palaces and fragrant gardens, or for the wonders of magic, they are indebted chiefly to their Persian neighbours.[42]