The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.: Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments

Free to read — public domain
About this book

12 illustration(s) from this book
Ornamental Title.--At the foot is the Title in Arabic
Ornamental Title.--At the foot is the Title in Arabic
printer's mark
printer's mark
illustration
Illustration 3
Head-piece to Preface.--The Vase is formed of the Arabic words signifying 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful' (always placed at the head of a Muslim work), written doubly, and contrarily
Head-piece to Preface.--The Vase is formed of the Arabic words signifying 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful' (always placed at the head of a Muslim work), written doubly, and contrarily
Tail-piece to Preface
Tail-piece to Preface
Head-piece to Table of Contents
Head-piece to Table of Contents
Tail-piece to Table of Contents
Tail-piece to Table of Contents
Head-piece to List of Illustrations
Head-piece to List of Illustrations
Shahriyár going out to hunt, and Ornamental Border
Shahriyár going out to hunt, and Ornamental Border
The Wezeer presenting the letter to Sháh-Zemán
The Wezeer presenting the letter to Sháh-Zemán
Sháh-Zemán, after having killed his Wife
Sháh-Zemán, after having killed his Wife
Meeting of Shahriyár and Sháh-Zemán
Meeting of Shahriyár and Sháh-Zemán
NOTE 4. In my usual standard-copy of the original work, as also in that from which the old translation was made, and in the edition of Breslau, this prince is called a king of the dynasty of Sásán; but as he is not so designated in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred nights, I have here omitted, in my translation, what would render the whole work full of anachronisms. NOTE 5. Shahriyár is a Persian word, signifying "Friend of the City." The name of the elder King is thus written in the Calcutta edition above mentioned: in the edition of Cairo (which I generally follow) it is written Shahrabáz, by errors in diacritical marks; and in that of Breslau, Shahrabán. NOTE 6. This name, Sháh-Zemán, is a compound of Persian and Arabic, and signifies "King of the Age." By the omission of a diacritical point, in the Cairo edition, it is written Sháh-Remán. NOTE 7. In the Calcutta edition before mentioned, the elder brother is called King of Samarḳand; and the younger, King of China. NOTE 8.--_On the title and office of_ Wezeer. Wezeer is an Arabic word, and is pronounced by the Arabs as I have written it; but the Turks and Persians pronounce the first letter V. There are three opinions respecting the etymology of this word. Some derive it from "wizr" (a burden); because the Wezeer bears the burdens of the King: others, from "wezer" (a refuge); because the King has recourse to the counsels of his Wezeer, and his knowledge and prudence: others, again, from "azr" (back, or strength); because the King is strengthened by his Wezeer as the human frame is by the back.[40]
PreviousPage 72 of 573
Next