They the Arabs, or even as the Mahometans in general. hang about their children's necks the figure of an open hand, which the Turks and Moors paint upon their ships and houses, as an antidote and counter-charm to an evil eye; for five is with them an unlucky number; and five (fingers perhaps) in your eyes, is their proverb of cursing and defiance. Those who are grown up, carry always about with them some paragraph or other of their Koran, which, like as the Jews did their phylacteries, they place upon their breast, or sew under their caps, to prevent fascination and witchcraft, and to secure themselves from sickness and misfortunes. The virtue of these charms and scrolls is supposed likewise to be so far universal, that they suspend them upon the necks of their cattle, horses, and other beasts of burden.. Shaw. The hand-spell is still common in Portugal; it is called the figa; and thus probably our vulgar phrase -"a fig for him,” is derived from a Moorish amulet. Their robe of glory, purified of stain, &c. In the Vision of Thurcillus, Adam is described as beholding the events of the world with mingled grief and joy; his original garment of glory gradually recovering its lustre, as the number of the elect increases, till it be fulfilled. Matthew Paris. This is more beautifully conceived than what the Archbishop of Toledo describes in his account of Mahommed's journey to Heaven: "Also in the first heaven I found a venerable man sitting upon a seat, and to him were shewn the souls of the dead; and when he beheld souls that did not please him, he turned away his eyes, saying, Ah! sinful soul, thou hast departed from an unhappy body; and when a soul appeared which pleased him, then he said with applause, O happy Spirit, thou art come from a good body. I asked the Angel concerning a man so excellent, and of such reverence, who he should be; and he said it was Adam, who rejoiced in the good of his generation, but turned away his face from the evil.". Roder. Ximenes. THE SIXTH BOOK. Then did I see a pleasant Paradise, Full of sweet flowers and daintiest delights, Such as on earth man could not more devise With pleasures choice to feed his cheerful sprights; Not that which Merlin by his magic slights Made for the gentle squire to entertain His fair Belphœbe, could this garden stain. THALABA THE DESTROYER. THE SIXTH BOOK. 1 So from the inmost cave The spell of sleep had ceased, And his broad eyes were glaring on the youth: Yet raised he not his arm to bar the way, Fearful to rouse the snakes Now lingering o'er their meal. 2. Oh then, emerging from that dreadful cave, Salute his freshen'd sense! How full of lightsome joy, Thankful to Heaven, he hastens by the verge Of that bitumen-lake, Whose black and heavy fumes, Surge heaving after surge, Roll'd like the billowy and tumultuous sea. |