by Thomas Moore
184 “The Arabians believe that the ostriches hatch their young by only looking at them.”
185 Oriental Tales.
186 Ferishta. “Or rather,” says Scott, upon the passage of Ferishta, from which this is taken, “small coins, stamped with the figure of a flower. They are still used in India to distribute in charity and on occasion thrown by the purse-bearers of the great among the populace.”
187 The fine road made by the Emperor Jehan-Guire from Agra to Lahore, planted with trees on each side. This road is 250 leagues in length. It has “little pyramids or turrets,” says Bernier, “erected every half league, to mark the ways, and frequent wells to afford drink to passengers, and to water the young trees.”
188 The Baya, or Indian Grosbeak. — Sir W. Jones.
189 “Here is a large pagoda by a tank, on the water of which float multitudes of the beautiful red lotus: the flower is larger than that of the white water-lily, and is the most lovely of the nymphaeas I have seen.” — Mrs. Graham’s Journal of a Residence in India.
190 “Cashmere (says its historian) had its own princes 4000 years before its conquest by Akbar in 1585. Akbar would have found some difficulty to reduce this paradise of the Indies, situated as it is within such a fortress of mountains, but its monarch, Yusef-Khan, was basely betrayed by his Omrahs.” — Pennant.
191 Voltaire tells us that in his tragedy, “Les Guèbres,” he was generally supposed to have alluded to the Jansenists. I should not be surprised if this story of the Fire worshippers were found capable of a similar doubleness of application.
192 The Persian Gulf, sometimes so called, which separates the shores of Persia and Arabia.
193 The present Gombaroon, a town on the Persian side of the Gulf.
194 A Moorish instrument of music.
195 “At Gombaroon and other places in Persia, they have towers for the purpose of catching the wind and cooling the houses. — Le Bruyn.
196 “Iran is the true general name for the empire of Persia. — Asiat. Res. Disc. 5.
197 “On the blades of their scimitars some verse from the Koran is usually inscribed. — Russel.
198 There is a kind of Rhododendros about Trebizond, whose flowers the bee feeds upon, and the honey thence drives people mad;” — Tournefort.
199 Their kings wear plumes of black herons’ feathers, upon the right side, as a badge of sovereignty “ — Hanway.
200 “The Fountain of Youth, by a Mahometan tradition, is situated in some dark region of the East.” — Richardson.
201 Arabia Felix.
202 “In the midst of the garden is the chiosk, that is, a large room, commonly beautified with a fine fountain in the midst of it. It is raised nine or ten steps, and enclosed with gilded lattices, round which vines, jessamines, and honeysuckles, make a sort of green wall; large trees are planted round this place, which is the scene of their greatest pleasures.” — Lady M. W. Montagu.
203 The women of the East are never without their looking-glasses. “In Barbary,” says Shaw, “they are so fond of their looking-glasses, which they hang upon their breasts, that they will not lay them aside, even when after the drudgery of the day they are obliged to go two or three miles with a pitcher or a goat’s skin to fetch water.” — Travels.
204 “They say that if a snake or serpent fix his eyes on the lustre of those stones (emeralds), he immediately becomes blind.” — Ahmed ben Abdalaziz, Treatise on Jewels.
205 “At Gombaroon and the Isle of Ormus, it is sometimes so hot, that the people are obliged to lie all day in the water.” — Marco Polo.
206 This mountain is generally supposed to be inaccessible. Struy says, “I can well assure the reader that their opinion is not true, who suppose this mount to be inaccessible.” He adds, that “the lower part of the mountain is cloudy, misty, and dark, the middlemost part very cold, and like clouds of snow, but the upper regions perfectly calm.” — It was on this mountain that the Ark was supposed to have rested after the Deluge, and part of it, they say, exists there still, which Struy thus gravely accounts for:— “Whereas none can remember that the air on the top of the hill did ever change or was subject either to wind or rain, which is presumed to be the reason that the Ark has endured so long without being rotten.” — See Carreri’s Travels, where the Doctor laughs at this whole account of Mount Ararat.
207 In one of the books of the Shâh Nâmeh, when Zal (a celebrated hero of Persia, remarkable for his white hair,) comes to the terrace of his mistress Rodahver at night, she lets down her long tresses to assist him in his ascent; — he, however, manages it in a less romantic way by fixing his crook in a projecting beam. — See Champion’s Ferdosi.
208 “On the lofty hills of Arabia Petraea, are rock-goats.” — Niebuhr.
209 “They (the Ghebers) lay so much stress on their cushee or girdle, as not to dare to be an instant without it.” — Grose’s Voyage.
210 “They suppose the Throne of the Almighty is seated in the sun, and hence their worship of that luminary.” — Hanway.
211 The Mameluks that were in the other boat, when it was dark used to shoot up a sort of fiery arrows into the air which in some measure resembled lightning or falling stars.” — Baumgarten.
212 “Within the enclosure which surrounds his monument (at Gualior) is a small tomb to the memory of Tan-Sein, a musician of incomparable skill, who flourished at the court of Akbar. The tomb is overshadowed by a tree, concerning which a superstitious notion prevails, that the chewing of its leaves will give an extraordinary melody to the voice.” — Narrative of a Journey from Agra to Ouzein, by W. Hunter, Esq.
213 “It is usual to place a small white triangular flag, fixed to a bamboo staff of ten or twelve feet long, at the place where a tiger has destroyed a man. It is common for the passengers also to throw each a stone or brick near the spot, so that in the course of a little time a pile equal to a good wagon-load is collected. The sight of these flags and piles of stones imparts a certain melancholy, not perhaps altogether void of apprehension.” — Oriental Field Sports, vol. ii.
214 “The Ficus Indica is called the Pagod Tree of Councils; the first, from the idols placed under its shade; the second, because meetings were held under its cool branches. In some places it is believed to be the haunt of spectres, as the ancient spreading oaks of Wales have been of fairies; in others are erected beneath the shade pillars of stone, or posts, elegantly carved, and ornamented with the most beautiful porcelain to supply the use of mirrors.” — Pennant.
215 The Persian Gulf.— “To dive for pearls in the Green Sea, or Persian Gulf.” — Sir W. Jones.
216 Or Selemeh, the genuine name of the headland at the entrance of the Gulf, commonly called Cape Musseldom. “The Indians when they pass the promontory throw cocoa-nuts, fruits, or flowers into the sea to secure a propitious voyage.” — Morier.
217 “The nightingale sings from the pomegranate-groves in the daytime and from the loftiest trees at night.” — Russel’s “Aleppo.”
218 In speaking of the climate of Shiraz, Francklin says, “The dew is of such a pure nature, that if the brightest scimitar should be exposed to it all night, it would not receive the least rust.”
219 The place where the Persians were finally defeated by the Arabs, and their ancient monarchy destroyed.
220 The Talpot or Talipot tree. “This beautiful palm-tree, which grows in the heart of the forests, may be classed among the loftiest trees, and becomes still higher when on the point of bursting forth from its leafy summit. The sheath which then envelopes the flower is very large, and, when it bursts, makes an explosion like the report of a cannon.” — Thunberg.
221 “When the bright scimitars make the eyes of our heroes wink.” — The Moallakat, Poem of Amru.
222 Tahmuras, and other ancient Kings of Persia; whose adventures in Fairy-land among the Peris and Divs may be found in Richardson’s curious Dissertation. The griffin Simoorgh, they say, took some feathers from her breast for Tahmuras, with which h
e adorned his helmet, and transmitted them afterwards to his descendants.
223 This rivulet, says Dandini, is called the Holy River from the “cedar-saints” among which it rises.
224 This mountain is my own creation, as the “stupendous chain,” of which I suppose it a link, does not extend quite so far as the shores of the Persian Gulf.
225 These birds sleep in the air. They are most common about the Cape of Good Hope.
226 “There is an extraordinary hill in this neighborhood, called Kohé Gubr, or the Guebre’s mountain. It rises in the form of a lofty cupola, and on the summit of it, they say, are the remains of an Atush Kudu or Fire Temple. It is superstitiously held to be the residence or Deeves or Sprites, and many marvellous stories are recounted of the injury and witchcraft suffered by those who essayed in former days to ascend or explore it.” — Pottinger’s “Beloochistan.”
227 The Ghebers generally built their temples over subterraneous fires.
228 “At the city of Yezd, in Persia, which is distinguished by the appellation of the Darub Abadut, or Seat of Religion, the Guebres are permitted to have an Atush Kudu or Fire Temple (which, they assert, has had the sacred fire in it since the days of Zoroaster) in their own compartment of the city; but for this indulgence they are indebted to the avarice, not the tolerance of the Persian government, which taxes them at twenty-five rupees each man.” — Pottinger’s “Beloochistan.”
229 Ancient heroes of Persia. “Among the Guebres there are some who boast their descent from Rustam.” — Stephen’s Persia.
230 See Russel’s account of the panther’s attacking travellers in the night on the sea-shore about the roots of Lebanon.
231 “Among other ceremonies the Magi used to place upon the tops of high towers various kinds of rich viands, upon which it was supposed the Peris and the spirits of their departed heroes regaled themselves.” — Richardson.
232 In the ceremonies of the Ghebers round their Fire, as described by Lord, “the Daroo,” he says, “giveth them water to drink, and a pomegranate leaf to chew in the mouth, to cleanse them from inward uncleanness.”
233 “Early in the morning, they (the Parsees or Ghebers at Oulam) go in crowds to pay their devotions to the Sun, to whom upon all the altars there are spheres consecrated, made by magic, resembling the circles of the sun, and when the sun rises, these orbs seem to be inflamed, and to turn round with a great noise. They have every one a censer in their hands, and offer incense to the sun.’ — Rabbi Benjamin.
234 A vivid verdure succeeds the autumnal rains, and the ploughed fields are covered with the Persian lily, of a resplendent yellow color.” — Russel’s “Aleppo.”
235 It is observed, with respect to the Sea of Herkend, that when it is tossed by tempestuous winds it sparkles like fire.” — Travels of Two Mohammedans.
236 A kind of trumpet; — it “was that used by Tamerlane, the sound of which is described as uncommonly dreadful, and so loud as to be heard at a distance of several miles.” — Richardson.
237 “Mohammed had two helmets, an interior and exterior one; the latter of which, called Al Mawashah, the fillet, wreath, or wreathed garland, he wore at the battle of Ohod.” — Universal History.
238 “They say that there are apple-trees upon the sides of this sea, which bear very lovely fruit, but within are all full of ashes.” — Thevenot.
239 “The Suhrab or Water of the Desert is said to be caused by the rarefaction of the atmosphere from extreme heat; and, which augments the delusion, it is most frequent in hollows, where water might be expected to lodge. I have seen bushes and trees reflected in it, with as much accuracy is though it had been the face of a clear and still lake.” — Pottinger.
240 “A wind which prevails in February, called Bidmusk, from a small and odoriferous flower of that name.”— “The wind which blows these flowers commonly lasts till the end of the month.” — Le Bruyn.
241 “The Biajús are of two races: the one is settled on Borneo, and are a rude but warlike and industrious nation, who reckon themselves the original possessors of the island of Borneo. The other is a species of sea-gypsies or itinerant fishermen, who live in small covered boats, and enjoy a perpetual summer on the eastern ocean, shifting to leeward from island to island, with the variations of the monsoon.
242 “The sweet-scented violet is one of the plants most esteemed, particularly for its great use in Sorbet, which they make of violet sugar.” — Hassequist.
243 “Last of all she took a guitar, and sang a pathetic air in the measure called Nava, which is always used to express the lamentations of absent lovers.” — Persian Tales.
244 “The Easterns used to set out on their longer voyages with music.” — Harmer.
245 “The Gate of Tears, the straits or passage into the Red Sea, commonly called Babelmandel. It received this name from the old Arabians, on account of the danger of the navigation and the number of shipwrecks by which it was distinguished; which induced them to consider as dead, and to wear mourning for all who had the boldness to hazard the passage through it into the Ethiopic ocean.” — Richardson.
246 “I have been told that whensoever an animal falls down dead, one or more vultures, unseen before, instantly appears.” — Pennant.
247 “They fasten some writing to the wings of a Bagdat, or Babylonian pigeon.” — Travels of certain Englishmen.
248 “The Empress of Jehan-Guire used to divert herself with feeding tame fish in her canals, some of which were many years afterwards known by fillets of gold, which she caused to be put round them.” — Harris.
249 The meteors that Pliny calls “faces.”
250 “The brilliant Canopus, unseen in European climates.” — Brown.
251 A precious stone of the Indies, called by the ancients, Ceraunium, because it was supposed to be found in places where thunder had fallen. Tertullian says it has a glittering appearance, as if there had fire in it; and the author of the Dissertation of Harris’s Voyages, supposes it to be the opal.
252 “The Guebres are known by a dark yellow color, which the men affect in their clothes.” — Thevenot.
253 “The Kolah, or cap, worn by the Persians, is made of the skin of the sheep of Tartary.” — Waring.
254 A frequent image among the oriental poets. “The nightingales warbled their enchanting notes, and rent the thin veils of the rose-bud, and the rose.” — Jami.
255 “Blossoms of the sorrowful Nyctanthes give a durable color to silk.” — Remarks on the Husbandry of Bengal, . Nilica is one of the Indian names of this flower. — Sir W. Jones. The Persians call it Gul. — Carreri.
256 “In parts of Kerman, whatever dates are shaken from the trees by the wind they do not touch, but leave them for those who have not any, or for travellers. — Ebn Haukal.
257 The two terrible angels, Monkir and Nakir, who are called “the Searchers of the Grave” in the “Creed of the orthodox Mahometans” given by Ockley, vol. ii.
258 “The Arabians call the mandrake ‘the devil’s candle,’ on account of its shining appearance in the night.” — Richardson.
259 For an account of Ishmonie, the petrified city in Upper Egypt, where it is said there are many statues of men, women, etc., to be seen to this day, see Perry’s “Views of the Levant.”
260 Jesus.
261 The Ghebers say that when Abraham, their great Prophet, was thrown into the fire by order of Nimrod, the flame turned instantly into “a bed of roses, where the child sweetly reposed.” — Tavernier.
262 “The shell called Siiankos, common to India, Africa, and the Mediterranean, and still used in many parts as a trumpet for blowing alarms or giving signals: it sends forth a deep and hollow sound.” — Pennant.
263 “The finest ornament for the horses is made of six large flying tassels of long white hair, taken out of the tails of wild oxen, that are to be found in some places of the Indies.” — Thevenot.
264 “The angel Israfll, who has the most melodious voice of all God�
��s creatures.” — Sale.
265 “In this thicket upon the banks of the Jordan several sorts of wild beasts are wont to harbor themselves, whose being washed out of the covert by the overflowings of the river, gave occasion to that allusion of Jeremiah, he shall come up like a lion from the smelling of Jordan.” — Maundrell’s “Aleppo.”
266 “This wind (the Samoor) so softens the strings of lutes, that they can never be tuned while it lasts.” — Stephen’s Persia.
267 “One of the greatest curiosities found in the Persian Gulf is a fish which the English call Star-fish. It is circular, and at night very luminous, resembling the full moon surrounded by rays.” — Mirza Abu Taleb.
268 Some naturalists have imagined that amber is a concretion of the tears of birds. — See Trevoux, Chambers.
269 “The bay Kieselarke, which is otherwise called the Golden Bay, the sand whereof shines as fire.” — Struy.
270 “The application of whips or rods.” — Dubois.
271 Kempfer mentions such an officer among the attendants of the King of Persia, and calls him “formae corporis estimator.” His business was, at stated periods, to measure the ladies of the Haram by a sort of regulation-girdle whose limits it was not thought graceful to exceed. If any of them outgrew this standard of shape, they were reduced by abstinence till they came within proper bounds.
272 “Akbar on his way ordered a fort to be built upon the Nilab, which he called Attock, which means in the Indian language Forbidden; for, by the superstition of the Hindoos, it was held unlawful to cross that river.” — Dow’s Hindostan.
273 “The inhabitants of this country (Zinge) are never afflicted with sadness or melancholy; on this subject the Sheikh Abu-al-Kheir-Azhari has the following distich: —
“‘Who is the man without care or sorrow, (tell) that I may rub my hand to him.
“‘(Behold) the Zingians, without care and sorrow, frolicsome with tipsiness and mirth.’”
274 The star Soheil, or Canopus.
