—­Arnold.

[1] Oxus.  One of the great rivers of central Asia, forming the boundary between Persia and Turan, or Tartary.

[2] Tartar.  A general name given to the tribes in central Asia east of the Oxus.

[3] Peran-Wisa (Pe’ran-We’sa).  The commander of the Tartar tribes which formed the army of King Afrasiab.

[4] Pamere.  A plateau in central Asia.

[5] King Afrasiab (Afra’-siab).  King of the Tartars.

[6] Samarcand.  A city in Turkestan.

[7] Ader-baijan (Ader-bi’-yan).  A province of Persia.

[8] Seistan (Sa-es-tan’).  A district of eastern Persia.

[9] Perhaps because he is beginning to feel old, or on account of some quarrel with the Persian king.

[10] Kara-Kul.  A district in Persia.

[11] Casbin.  A city in Persia.

[12] Elburz.  A mountain range in northern Persia.

[13] Aralian estuaries.  The mouth of the rivers flowing into the sea of Aral.

[14] frore. frozen.

[15] Bokhara and Khiva.  Districts of central Asia.

[16] The Tartars use an intoxicating liquor called koumiss, made from mare’s or camel’s milk.

[17] Lines 118-134 mention various nomadic tribes; the names are of no great importance.

[18] Attruck and Jaxartes (l. 126).  Names of rivers.

[19] more doubtful service.  Their allegiance was doubtful; they were not bound to follow the army of King Afrasiab.

[20] Kuzzaks.  Cossacks.

[21] Khorassan.  A province of north-eastern Persia.

[22] Cabool.  Cabul, the capital of Afghanistan.  The trade route between Cabul and Hindustan crosses the mountains at a great height.

[23] Iran.  The original came of Persia.

[24] in plain arms.  Without any device on his shield.

[25] fluted spine.  The hollow spike at the top of the helmet, in which the helmet-feather or crest is fitted.

[26] Dight. decked.

[27] Bahrein.  An island.

[28] tale. number.

[29] perus’d. scanned.

[30] tried. experienced.

[31] Be govern’d.  Take my advice.

[32] Chang’d gifts.  Exchanged gifts, as a sign of friendship.

[33] Success is changeable as the wind.

[34] plummet.  The lead used for sounding the depth of the sea.

[35] Hyphasis or Hydaspes.  Two great rivers in northern India.

[36] wrack. ruin, destruction.

[37] that autumn star.  Sirius, the dog star.

[38] minion. darling, or favorite.  The word is generally used to express contempt.

[39] Koords.  The people of Kurdistan.

[40] It will be rumoured, or bruited, abroad.

[41] style. title or name.

[42] According to the original legend, Rustum left an amulet, or charm, with the mother of Sohrab.  Arnold has altered this detail of the story, and substituted a seal for the amulet.