登陆注册
3553300000144

第144章

(he rose in the morning) 'Azha'(he spent the forenoon) and 'bata'(he spent the night),are idiomatically used for 'to be in any state,to continue'without specification of time or season.

[268] Lit. 'my liver ;'which viscus,and not the heart,is held the seat of passion,a fancy dating from the oldest days.

Theocritus says of Hercules,'In his liver Love had fixed a wound'(Idyl. xiii.). In the Anthologia 'Cease,Love,to wound my liver and my heart'(lib. vii.). So Horace (Odes,i. 2);his Latin Jecur and the Persian 'Jigar'being evident congeners. The idea was long prevalent and we find in Shakespeare:

Alas,then Love may be called appetite,No motion of the liver but the palate.

[269] A marvellous touch of nature,love ousting affection;

the same trait will appear in the lover and both illustrate the deep Italian saying,'Amor discende,non ascende.'The further it goes down the stronger it becomes as of grandparent for grandchild and vice versa.

[270] This tenet of the universal East is at once fact and unfact. As a generalism asserting that women's passion is ten times greater than man's (Pilgrimage,ii. 282),it is unfact. The world shows that while women have more philoprogenitiveness,men have more amativeness;otherwise the latter would not propose and would nurse the doll and baby. Pact,however,in lowlying lands,like Persian Mazanderan versus the Plateau;Indian Malabar compared with Marathaland;California as opposed to Utah and especially Egypt contrasted with Arabia. In these hot damp climates the venereal requirements and reproductive powers of the female greatly exceed those of the male;and hence the dissoluteness of morals would be phenomenal,were it not obviated by seclusion,the sabre and the revolver. In colddry or hotdry mountainous lands the reverse is the case;hence polygamy there prevails whilst the low countries require polyandry in either form,legal or illegal (i,e. prostitution) I have discussed this curious point of 'geographical morality'(for all morality is,like conscience,both geographical and chronological),a subject so interesting to the lawgiver,the student of ethics and the anthropologist,in 'The City of the Saints 'But strange and unpleasant truths progress slowly,especially in England.

[271] This morning evacuation is considered,in the East,a sine qua non of health;and old AngloIndians are unanimous in their opinion of the 'bard fajar'(as they mispronounce the dawnclearance). The natives of India,Hindus (pagans) and Hindis (Moslems),unlike Europeans,accustom themselves to evacuate twice a day,evening as well as morning. This may,perhaps,partly account for their mildness and effeminacy;for:C'est la constipation qui rend l'homme rigoureux.

The English,since the first invasion of cholera,in October,1831,are a different race from their costive grandparents who could not dine without a 'dinnerpill.'Curious to say the clyster is almost unknown to the people of Hindostan although the barbarous West Africans use it daily to 'wash 'um belly,'as the Bonneymen say. And,as Sonnini notes to propose the process in Egypt under the Beys might have cost a Frankish medico his life.

[272] The Egyptian author cannot refrain from this characteristic polissonnerie;and reading it out is always followed by a roar of laughter. Even serious writers like Al Hariri do not,as I have noted,despise the indecency.

[273] ''Long beard and little wits,'is a saying throughout the East where the Kausaj (= man with thin,short beard) is looked upon as cunning and tricksy. There is a venerable Joe Miller about a schoolmaster who,wishing to singe his long beard short,burnt it off and his face to boot:which reminded him of the saying. A thick beard is defined as one which wholly conceals the skin;and in ceremonial ablution it must be combed out with the fingers till the water reach the roots. The Sunnat,or practice of the Prophet,was to wear the beard not longer than one hand and two fingers' breadth. In Persian 'Kuseh'(thin beard) is an insulting term opposed to 'Khushrish,'a wellbearded man. The Iranian growth is perhaps the finest in the world,often extending to the waist;but it gives infinite trouble,requiring,for instance,a bag when travelling. The Arab beard is often composed of two tufts on the chinsides and straggling hairs upon the cheeks;and this is a severe mortification,especially to Shaykhs and elders,who not only look upon the beard as one of man's characteristics,but attach a religious importance to the appendage. Hence the enormity of Kamar alZaman's behaviour. The Persian festival of the vernal equinox was called Kusehnishin (Thinbeard sitting). An old man with one eye paraded the streets on an ass with a crow in one hand and a scourge and fan in the other,cooling himself,flogging the bystanders and crying heat! heat! (garma! garma!).

For other particulars see Richardson (Dissertation,p. Iii.).

This is the Italian Giorno delle Vecchie,Thursday in Mid Lent,March 12 (1885),celebrating the death of Winter and the birth of Spring.

[274] I quote Torrens (p. 400) as these lines have occurred in Night xxxviii.

[275] Moslems have only two names for week days,Friday,AlJum'ah or meetingday,and AlSabt,Sabbath day,that is Saturday. The others are known by numbers after Quaker fashion with us,the usage of Portugal and Scandinavia.

[276] Our last night.

[277] Arab. 'Tayf'=phantom,the nearest approach to our 'ghost,'that queer remnant of Fetishism imbedded in Christianity;the phantasma,the shade (not the soul) of tile dead. Hence the accurate Niebuhr declares,'apparitions (i.e.,of the departed) are unknown in Arabia.'Haunted houses are there tenanted by Ghuls,Jinns and a host of supernatural creatures;

同类推荐
  • 题濠州钟离寺

    题濠州钟离寺

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Madam How and Lady Why

    Madam How and Lady Why

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • BURNING DAYLIGHT

    BURNING DAYLIGHT

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 释迦牟尼如来像法灭尽之记

    释迦牟尼如来像法灭尽之记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大日经略摄念诵随行法

    大日经略摄念诵随行法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 月涧禅师语录

    月涧禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 曹树莹中短篇小说集

    曹树莹中短篇小说集

    曹树莹现为中国作家协会会员、省作家协会副主席、市作家协会主席、市文化新闻出版局局长。他1972年入伍,军旅生涯长达30年。其作品多次被《人民日报》、《解放军报》、《解放军文艺》、《人民文学》、《诗刊》等报刊采用。著有中篇小说集《人们每天面临的河流》、诗集《无岸之河》、《幽蓝的柔波》等。曾获全国群星奖大奖、甘肃省政府优秀作品奖、《长江文艺》完美文学奖等文学奖项。
  • 重访新批评

    重访新批评

    《重访新批评》由赵毅衡所著,新一代的批评家感叹:“新批评派像哈姆雷特父亲的鬼魂,依然在指挥我们。”出版这本,并且名之曰是因为从二十世纪八十年代初以来,国内不少年轻学者对新批评方法感兴趣,用之于中国文学,做出了出色的文本分析和理论拓宽,他们用批评实践证明了新批评方法,的确有一定的生命力。
  • 情如白初:他的心里住着你

    情如白初:他的心里住着你

    (撩人男神vs学妹编剧)七年等候一人橙小姐和久先生的浪漫爱情,等你翻阅!他想牵着你的手,也想也把这余生的温柔交在你手里。文案一:久迟白:“我觉得,我们可以早点结婚。”他慵懒的目光,温柔中总带着带她的爱,不自觉的撩拨她少女的心。橙初:“原因?”橙小姐忙碌工作,无暇顾及久首席。久迟白:“因为,这样你忘记回家了,我还可以和宝宝在家里等你。”……高中是她追着他跑,连高考前的情书都不敢送,现在守得云开见月明,久先生就像是宝贝似的护着橙小姐。文案二:“你说,我要是生个女儿,她天天粘着你,你是不是就不理我了啊?”橙小姐担心道。他轻轻揽着她的肩,温柔一语,“不会,你才是我的公主。”久先生会一直喜欢橙小姐。
  • 美人寨,少主风流

    美人寨,少主风流

    抽风版简介:二十一世纪黑道少主穿越成山寨娇气二小姐,命运就此逆转。匪首大会上,众人商讨复仇大计与新首席领人选,大门被人从外一脚揣开,玉风流从容而入,将三山首领代表虎头牌拍在桌面上,“从今日开始,这灵狼山就由本小姐负责,没有异议…”一人终于微微回神,“二小姐我觉得…”“觉得什么?”少女眉峰微扬,截然不同的凛冽从眸中迸出,不怒自威,“就算是洞房花烛在上面的也必定是本小姐!父亲的仇,哥的失踪,弟兄们的死,我定会一一讨回。”此话一出,原本就惊呆的众人更是傻眼,目瞪口呆,哑鸦雀无声。灵狼山就此换主,惊掉了所有人的眼睛。❤❤❤❤❤❤❤~鸣金收金计两军,不,两匪军厮杀正酣,打斗中玉风流脸上的面具不慎被打落。看到那脸,男子一怔,随即笑了,那一笑原本正气凛然的脸邪佞尽显,“卿本佳人奈何为匪啊,可惜,可惜了啊…”话未说完,颈间抵上一抹薄凉,耳畔传来女子低柔的声音,“云寨主千万不要小看女人。”语毕,厉声喝道,“收兵!”“是,少主!”❤❤❤❤❤❤❤~灵狼山势力日渐壮大,朝廷再度派兵狡灭,只是这次派了个病娇王爷,一眼看到玉风流骇人的鬼面具便从马上摔了下来,白狼直接将人叼回,其余人顿作鸟兽散,结束,一兵未出。❤❤❤❤❤❤❤~两山结盟议和,男子卧于轿中,派人送出口信,“听闻灵狼山少主姿容俊美,若肯委身于本寨主,一切条件皆可商谈。”此话一出全体哗然,灵狼山众部下尽皆望向自家少主,等待发飙。孰知,玉风流毫无反应,淡淡然开口,“本少主只接受委身,不接受被委身。”“成交!”众人…❤❤❤❤❤❤❤~等等…
  • 医林琐语

    医林琐语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 宫囚将军

    宫囚将军

    单纯的爱与单纯的恨,都不可怕,可怕的爱与恨的纠缠,爱到至深处,恨到至深时,爱与恨,蒙蔽着本来的真心,伤害彼此至最深…她,一个绝色的美女,却有着一个男人的名字,应龙生,她是天龙国的护国侯,掌握全部兵权的兵马大元帅。她睿智,艺高,勇猛,果断,战场上,敌人闻风丧胆,称为“铁血阎罗”。对峙中,没有一个男人敢轻视这个女人,否则一定会付出血的代价…有她这么强势的一个人在,应该能保得天龙国的安宁,可是,那个君王啊,自私,任性,残忍,暴戾,好色…为了一个女人,出无名之师,将她辛苦战来的结果拱手让人…他,滕飞雨,烈炎国的君主,为了换回被那个女将军俘虏的弟弟和五万兵将,只能痛心将自己的心爱的女子送给那个天龙国那个好色的君王。他的爱人,不甘受辱,行刺天龙国君未果,竟被他残忍地强暴后被手下的军士轮奸至死.而他最亲的弟弟,竟也在回朝途中,被那个女人刺杀,他和应龙生,此仇不共戴天。最终,大势已去,就算她有天大的本事,也扭转不了现实,她成了亡国将军,成了他报复的对象.,数万人前的当众奸污,残酷至极的刑罚,挑去手筋脚筋,他将她变成一个连大小便都无法自主的废人…这样的残酷依然打不倒她骨子里的那股倔强与傲气,那么,他就让她的心痛,让她的心碎…然而世事难料,人,不可能掌握所有的一切,爱与恨,情与仇,离与合,生与死,起起伏伏的跌荡下,心呢,在何处…甲胄散,长剑断,羽翼折,望天啸,何时天地由我任逍遥......应龙生:"滕飞雨,你做到了,我爱上你了,你想要的我都可以给你......只要你一句真心话:你是真的爱我吗......"应龙生:"滕飞雨,曾经,我放弃了所有的一切去爱着你......你伤了我的心,绝了我的情......在我不再爱着你的时候,你却跑来告诉我说你爱我......"滕飞雨:”应龙生,我爱你......就算是日月星辰会变,我对你的爱,也不会变......“史樵:”龙儿,我会用我的一生来守护着你的幸福......“一个不一样的女人,一段不一样的恋情,希望带给大家不一样的思忖......-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------推荐自己的完结文《虐爱残情》
  • 伞游诸天

    伞游诸天

    新书横推三千世界已发布,还望书友多多支持银雷降下,造就一把奇异黑伞,持伞人李休于伞开伞合间穿梭诸天见识、参与、那有意思的一切。倚天屠龙中图谋押宝获取九阳神功,功夫之中巧得如来神掌,武至凡极。加勒比海盗中获得海神神力,神奇四侠中身受宇宙射线改造基因,铸就根基。诛仙、斗破、西游…………书友群号:731539188欢迎各位书友进来聊天说话。(^_^)☆
  • 重建中文之美书系领衔

    重建中文之美书系领衔

    栏目中刊发的作家专辑、中篇小说、短篇小说、散文、随笔、纪实文学等作品,汇编成册,总结了近几年中国各类文体的文学创作成就与风貌。在浩如烟海的文学创作中,编者们从作品的价值上反复斟酌,碰撞,判断,从而披沙炼金,把或感人肺腑或引人深思的,现实中受到普遍好评、具有广泛影响的,具有经得住时间考验、富有艺术魅力特质的好作品,评选编辑出来,以不负时代和读者的重托与期望,恪尽对中国当代文学事业的责任。《领衔(开垦荒田的N种方式)》由百花洲杂志社所著,本书将充分展示编选者视野的宽广、包容、博大,体现当下文学的多样性与丰富性,是一部水准较高的集锦之作。
  • 鹰掠九天

    鹰掠九天

    距离高考还剩四个月,渡过除夕和生日这一天后,怀揣翱翔蓝天梦想的周海,突然发现梦想,第一次触手可及。这是一位天之骄子的故事,更是一个苍穹之巅的传奇。睥睨天下的战鹰,凝聚于身的白色音爆云,还有属于那一份人类自古以来的飞行之梦。一切的一切,都从除夕和生日这一天开始。鹰九一群:174543716,已满。鹰九二群:807585024,新建。鹰九三群:805685966,新建2000人大群