[Footnote 16: Kus is a tymbal, or large brass drum, which is beat in the
palaces or camps of Eastern Princes.]
[Footnote 17: It appears throughout the Sháh Námeh that whenever any
army was put in motion, the inhabitants and the country, whether hostile
or friendly, were equally given up to plunder and devastation, and
"Everything in their progress was burnt and destroyed."]
[Footnote 18: Literally, Húmán was not at first aware that Sohráb was
wounded in the LIVER. In this organ, Oriental as well as the Greek and
Roman poets, place the residence of love.]
[Footnote 19: The paper upon which the letters of royal and
distinguished personages in the East are written is usually perfumed,
and covered with curious devices in gold. This was scented with amber.
The degree of embellishment is generally regulated according to the rank
of the party.]
[Footnote 20: Four days were consumed in uninterrupted feasting. This
seems to have been an ancient practice previous to the commencement of
any important undertaking, or at setting out on a journey.]
[Footnote 21: Zúára, it will be remembered, was the brother of Rustem,
and had the immediate superintendence of the Zábul troops.]
[Footnote 22: The original is, "Seize and inflict upon him the
punishment of the dar." According to Burháni-katia, dar is a tree upon
which felons are hanged. But the general acceptation of the term is
breaking or tearing the body upon a stake.]
[Footnote 23: In this speech Rustem recounts the services which he had
performed for Káús. He speaks of his conquests in Egypt, China,
Hámáverán, Rúm, Súk-sar, and Mázinderán. Thus Achilles boasts of his
unrequited achievements in the cause of Greece.
The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung,
I sacked twelve ample cities on the main,
And twelve lay smoking on the Trojan plain.