[FN#194] The H. V. adds, “The Magician, when he saw the Lamp, at once knew that it must be the one he sought; for he knew that all things, great and small, appertaining to the palace

[FN#195] In truly Oriental countries the Wazir is expected to know everything, and if he fail in this easy duty he may find himself in sore trouble.

[FN#196] i.e. must he obeyed.

[FN#197] We see that “China” was in those days the normal Oriental “despotism tempered by assassination.”

[FN#198] In the H. V. Alaeddin promises, “if I fail to find and fetch the Princess, I will myself cut off my head and cast it before the throne.”  Hindus are adepts in suicide and this self-decapitation, which sounds absurd further West, is quite possible to them.

[FN#199] In Galland Alaeddin unconsciously rubbed the ring against un petit roc, to which he clung in order to prevent falling into the stream.  In the H. V.  “The bank was high and difficult of descent and the youth would have rolled down headlong had he not struck upon a rock two paces from the bottom and remained hanging over the water.  This mishap was of the happiest for during his fall he struck the stone and rubbed his ring against it,” etc.

[FN#200] In the H. V. he said, “First save me that I fall not into the stream and then tell me where is the pavilion thou builtest for her and who hath removed it.”

[FN#201] Alluding to the preparatory washing, a mere matter of cleanliness which precedes the formal Wuzu-ablution.

[FN#202] In the H. V. the Princess ends with, “I had made this resolve that should he approach me with the design to win his wish perforce, I would destroy my life.  By day and by night I abode in fear of him; but now at the sight of thee my heart is heartened.”

[FN#203] The Fellah had a natural fear of being seen in fine gear, which all would have supposed to be stolen goods; and Alaeddin was justified in taking it perforce, because necessitas non habet legem.  See a similar exchange of dress in Spitta-Bey’s “Contes Arabes Modernes,” p. 91.  In Galland the peasant when pressed consents; and in the H. V. Alaeddin persuades him by a gift of money.

[FN#204] i.e. which would take effect in the shortest time.

[FN#205] Her modesty was startled by the idea of sitting:  at meat with a strange man and allowing him to make love to her.

[FN#206] In the text Kidi, pop. for Ka-zalika.  In the H. V. the Magician replies to the honeyed speech of the Princess, “O my lady, we in Africa have not so gracious customs as the men of China.  This day I have learned of thee a new courtesy which I shall ever keep in mind.”

[FN#207] Galland makes the Princess poison the Maghrabi, which is not gallant.  The H. V. follows suit and describes the powder as a mortal poison.

[FN#208] Contrast this modesty with the usual scene of reunion after severance, as in the case of Kamar al-Zaman and immodest Queen Budur, vol. iii. pp. 302-304.