Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 79 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 79: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This is a running prose page (page 53) from what appears to be a poetic narrative or literary work titled "Salaman and Absal." The page presents verse in italics describing a simple Arab who arrives bewildered in Baghdad's crowded chaos. Unable to sleep amid the confusion, he ties a gourd around his ankle as a means of self-identification, then creeps into a corner to sleep. The text concludes with someone overhearing his purpose and secretly approaching to remove the gourd from his sleeping ankle. The passage explores themes of identity and self-recognition through a narrative anecdote.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
If J—this Spirit that inspires me whence ? If Tzov—then what this sensual Impotence ? SALAMAN AND ABSAL. 53 <a | From the solitary Desert Up to Baghdad came a simple Arab ; there amid the rout Grew bewildered of the countless People, hither, thither, running, Coming, going, meeting, parting, Clamour, clatter, and confusion, All about him and about. Travel-wearied, hubbub-dizzy, Would the simple Arab fain Get to sleep— But then, on waking, “ How,” quoth he, ‘* amid so many “ Waking know Myself again ?” So, to make the matter certain, Strung a gourd about his ancle, And, into a corner creeping, Baghdad and Himself and People Soon were blotted from his brain. But one that heard hvm and diwin’d His purpose, slily crept behind ; From the Sleeper's ancle slipping, ¢ HTK COMmIicoooks.conn