CHAPTER VIII.
_Bagdad and the Princess_
THE waving of banners, the flourish of trumpets, the neighing of steeds,and the glitter of spears! On the distant horizon they gleam like themorning, when the gloom of the night shivers bright into day. Hark!the tramp of the foemen, like the tide of the ocean, flows onward andonward, and conquers the shore. From the brow of the mountain, like therush of a river, the column defiling melts into the plain.
Warriors of Judah! holy men that battle for the Lord! The land whereinyour fathers wept, and touched their plaintive psalteries; the haughtycity where your sires bewailed their cold and distant hearths; yoursteeds are prancing on its plain, and you shall fill its palaces.Warriors of Judah! holy men that battle for the Lord!
March, onward march, ye valiant tribes, the hour has come, the hour hascome! All the promises of ages, all the signs of sacred sages, meet inthis ravishing hour. Where is now the oppressor's chariot, where yourtyrant's purple robe? The horse and the rider are both overthrown, thehorse and the rider are both overthrown!
Rise, Rachel, from thy wilderness, arise, and weep no more. No more thylonely palm-tree's shade need shroud thy secret sorrowing. The Lordhath heard the widow's sigh, the Lord hath stilled the widow's tear. Becomforted, be comforted, thy children live again!
Yes! yes! upon the bounding plain fleet Asriel glances like a star, andstout Scherirah shakes his spear by stern Jabaster's scimitar. And He isthere, the chosen one, hymned by prophetic harps, whose life is like themorning dew on Zion's holy hill: the chosen one, the chosen one, thatleads his race to victory; warriors of Judah! holy men that battle forthe Lord!
They come, they come, they come!
The ramparts of the city were crowded with the inhabitants, the riversparkled with ten thousand boats, the bazaars were shut, the streetslined with the populace, and the terrace of every house covered withspectators. In the morning, Ithamar had entered with his division andgarrisoned the city. And now the vanguard of the Hebrew army, afterhaving been long distinguished in the distance, approached the walls. Alarge body of cavalry dashed forward at full speed from the mainforce. Upon a milk-white charger, and followed by a glittering train ofwarriors, amid the shouts of the vast multitude, Alroy galloped up tothe gates.
He was received by Ithamar and the members of the deputation, but Honainwas not there. Accompanied by his staff and a strong detachment of theSacred Guard, Alroy was conducted through the principal thoroughfaresof the city, until he arrived at the chief entrance of the serail,or palace, of the caliph. The vast portal conducted him into a largequadrangular court, where he dismounted, and where he was welcomed bythe captain of the eunuch guard. Accompanied by his principal generalsand his immediate attendants, Alroy was then ushered through a suite ofapartments which reminded him of his visit with Honain, until he arrivedat the grand council-chamber of the caliphs.
The conqueror threw himself upon the gorgeous divan of the commander ofthe Faithful.
'An easy seat after a long march,' said Alroy, as he touched with hislips the coffee, which the chief of the eunuchs presented to him in acup of transparent pink porcelain, studded with pearls.[65] 'Itha-mar,now for your report. What is the temper of the city? Where is hisSultanship of Roum?'
'The city, sire, is calm, and I believe content. The sultan and thecaliph are still hovering on the borders of the province.'
'So I supposed. Scherirah will settle that. Let the troops be encampedwithout the walls, the garrison, ten thousand strong, must be changedmonthly. Ithamar, you are governor of the city: Asriel commands theforces. Worthy Jabaster, draw up a report of the civil affairs ofthe capital. Your quarters are the College of the Dervishes. BraveScherirah, I cannot afford you a long rest. In three days you must havecrossed the river with your division. It will be quick work. I foreseethat they will not fight. Meet me all here in council by to-morrow'snoon. Farewell.'
The chieftains retired, the high priest lingered.
'Were it not an intrusion, sire, I would fain entreat a moment'saudience.'
'My own Jabaster, you have but to speak.'
'Sire, I would speak of Abidan, as valiant a warrior as any in thehost. It grieves me much, that by some fatality, his services seem everoverlooked.'
'Abidan! I know him well, a valiant man, but a dreamer, a dreamer.'
'A dreamer, sire! Believe me, a true son of Israel, and one whose faithis deep.'
'Good Jabaster, we are all true sons of Israel. Yet let me havemen about me who see no visions in a mid-day sun. We must beware ofdreamers.'
'Dreams are the oracles of God.'
'When God sends them. Very true, Jabaster. But this Abidan and thecompany with whom he consorts are filled with high-flown notions,caught from old traditions, which, if acted on, would render governmentimpracticable; in a word, they are dangerous men.'
'The very flower of Israel! Some one has poisoned your sacred earagainst them.'
'No one, worthy Jabaster. I have no counsellor except yourself. They maybe the flower of Israel, but they are not the fruit. Good warriors, badsubjects: excellent means, by which we may accomplish greater ends.I'll have no dreamers in authority. I must have practical men aboutme, practical men. See how Abner, Asriel, Ithamar, Medad, see how theseconform to what surrounds them, yet invincible captains, invinciblecaptains. But then they are practical men, Jabaster; they have eyesand use them. They know the difference of times and seasons. But thisAbidan, he has no other thought but the rebuilding of the temple: anarrow-souled bigot, who would sacrifice the essence to the form. Therising temple soon would fall again with such constructors. Why, sir,what think you, this same Abidan preached in the camp against my entryinto what the quaint fanatic chooses to call "Babylon," because he hadseen what he calls a vision.'
'There was a time your Majesty thought not so ill of visions.'
'Am I Abidan, sir? Are other men to mould their conduct or theirthoughts by me? In this world I stand alone, a being of a differentorder from yourselves, incomprehensible even to you. Let this mattercease. I'll hear no more and have heard too much. To-morrow at council.'
The high priest withdrew in silence.
'He is gone; at length I am alone. I cannot bear the presence of thesemen, except in action. Their words, even their looks, disturb the stillcreation of my brooding thought. I am once more alone, and lonelinesshath been the cradle of my empire. Now I do feel inspired. There needsno mummery now to work a marvel.
'The sceptre of Solomon! It may be so. What then? Here's now the sceptreof Alroy. What's that without his mind? The legend said that none shouldfree our people but he who bore the sceptre of great Solomon. The legendknew that none could gain that sceptre, but with a mind to whose supremevolition the fortunes of the world would bow like fate. I gained it; Iconfronted the spectre monarchs in their sepulchre; and the same handthat grasped their shadowy rule hath seized the diadem of the mightycaliphs by the broad rushing of their imperial river.
'The world is mine: and shall I yield the prize, the universal andheroic prize, to realise the dull tradition of some dreaming priest,and consecrate a legend? He conquered Asia, and he built the temple. Arethese my annals? Shall this quick blaze of empire sink to a glimmeringand a twilight sway over some petty province, the decent patriarch of apastoral horde? Is the Lord of Hosts so slight a God, that we must placea barrier to His sovereignty, and fix the boundaries of Omnipotencebetween the Jordan and the Lebanon? It is not thus written; and were itso, I'll pit my inspiration against the prescience of my ancestors.I also am a prophet, and Bagdad shall be my Zion. The daughter ofthe Voice! Well, I am clearly summoned. I am the Lord's servant, notJabaster's. Let me make His worship universal as His power; and where'sthe priest shall dare impugn my faith, because His altars smoke on otherhills than those of Judah?
'I must see Honain. That man has a great mind. He alone can comprehendmy purpose. Universal empire must not be founded on sectarian prejudicesand exclusive rights. Jabaster would massacre the Moslemin like Ama
lek;the Moslemin, the vast majority, and most valuable portion, of mysubjects. He would depopulate my empire, that it might not be said thatIshmael shared the heritage of Israel. Fanatic! I'll send him to conquerJudah. We must conciliate. Something must be done to bind the conqueredto our conquering fortunes. That bold Sultan of Roum: I wish Abner hadopposed him. To run off with the harem! I have half a mind to placemyself at the head of the pursuing force, and---- Passion and policyalike combine: and yet Honain is the man; I might send him on a mission.Could we make terms? I detest treaties. My fancy flies from all othertopics. I must see him. Could I but tell him all I think! This door,whither leads it? Hah! methinks I do remember yon glittering gallery!No one in attendance. The discipline of our palace is somewhat lax.My warriors are no courtiers. What an admirable marshal of the palaceHonain would make! Silence everywhere. So! 'tis well. These saloons Ihave clearly passed through before. Could I but reach the private portalby the river side, unseen or undetected! 'Tis not impossible. Here aremany dresses. I will disguise myself. Trusty scimitar, thou hast donethy duty, rest awhile. 'Tis lucky I am beardless. I shall make a capitaleunuch. So! a handsome robe. One dagger for a pinch, slippers powderedwith pearls,66 a caftan of cloth of gold, a Cachemire girdle, and apelisse of sables. One glance at the mirror. Good! I begin to look likethe conqueror of the world!'
It was twilight: a small and solitary boat, with a single rower, glidedalong the Tigris, and stopped at the archway of a house that descendedinto the river. It stopped, the boatman withdrew the curtains, and hissingle passenger disembarked, and ascended the stairs of the archway.
The stranger reached the landing-place, and unfastening a golden grate,proceeded along a gallery, and entered a beautiful saloon of white andgreen marble, opening into gardens. No one was in the apartment; thestranger threw himself upon a silver couch, placed at the side ofa fountain that rose from the centre of the chamber and fell into aporphyry basin. A soft whisper roused the stranger from his reverie, asoft whisper that faintly uttered the word 'Honain.' The stranger lookedup, a figure, enveloped in a veil, that touched the ground, advancedfrom the gardens.
'Honain!' said the advancing figure, throwing off the veil. 'Honain! Ah!the beautiful mute returned!'
A woman more lovely than the rosy morn, beheld an unexpected guest. Theystood, the lady and the stranger, gazing on each other in silence.A man, with a light, entered the extremity of the hall. Carefullyhe closed the portal, slowly he advanced, with a subdued step; heapproached the lady and the stranger.
'Alroy!' said the astonished Honain, the light fell from his hand.
'Alroy!' exclaimed the lady, with a bewildered air: she turned pale, andleant against a column.
'Daughter of the caliph!' said the leader of Israel; and he advanced,and fell upon his knee, and stole her passive hand. 'I am indeed thatAlroy to whom destiny has delivered the empire of thy sire; but thePrincess Schirene can have nothing to fear from one who values aboveall his victories this memorial of her goodwill;' and he took from hisbreast a rosary of pearls and emeralds, and, rising slowly, left it inher trembling hand.
The princess turned and hid her face in her arm, which reclined againstthe column.
'My kind Honain,' said Alroy, 'you thought me forgetful of the past; youthought me ungrateful. My presence here proves that I am not so. I cometo enquire all your wishes. I come to gratify and to fulfil them, ifthat be in my power.'
'Sire,' replied Honain, who had recovered from the emotion in whichhe rarely indulged, and from the surprise which seldom entrapped him,'Sire, my wishes are slight. You see before you the daughter of mymaster. An interview, for which I fear I shall not easily gain thatlady's pardon, has made you somewhat acquainted with her situation andher sentiments. The Princess Schirene seized the opportunity of thelate convulsions to escape from a mode of life long repugnant to allher feelings, and from a destiny at which she trembled. I was her onlycounsellor, and she may feel assured, a faithful, although perhaps anindiscreet one. The irresistible solicitation of the inhabitants that Ishould become their deputy to their conqueror prevented us from escapingas we had intended. Since then, from the movement of the troops, I havedeemed it more prudent that we should remain at present here, althoughI have circulated the intelligence of my departure. In the kiosk of mygarden, the princess is now a willing prisoner. At twilight shesteals forth for the poor relaxation of my society, to listen to theintelligence which I acquire during the day in disguise. The history,sire, is short and simple. We are in your power: but instead ofdeprecating your interference, I now solicit your protection.'
'Dear Honain, 'tis needless. The Princess Schirene has only to expressa wish that it may be fulfilled. I came to speak with you on weightymatters, Honain, but I retire, for I am an intruder now. Tomorrow, ifit please you, at this hour, and in this disguise, I will again repairhither. In the meantime, this lady may perchance express to you herwishes, and you will bear them to me. If an escort to any country, ifany palace or province for her rule and residence---- But I will notoffer to one who should command. Lady! farewell. Pardon the past!Tomorrow, good Honain! prythee let us meet. Good even!'
'The royal brow was clouded,' said Ithamar to Asriel, as, departing fromthe council, they entered their magnificent barque.
'With thought; he has so much upon his mind, 'tis wondrous how he bearshimself.'
'I have seen him gay on the eve of battle, and lively though calm, withweightier matters than now oppress him. His brow was clouded, but not,me-thinks, with _thought_; one might rather say with _temper_. Mark you,how he rated Jabaster?'
'Roundly! The stern priest writhed under it; and as he signed theordinance, shivered his reed in rage. I never saw a man more pale.'
'Or more silent. He looked like an embodied storm. I tell you what,Asriel, that stern priest loves not us.'
'Have you just discovered that secret, Ithamar? We are not of hisschool. Nor, in good faith, is our ruler. I am glad to see the king isso staunch about Abidan. Were he in council he would support Jabaster.'
'Oh! his mere tool. What think you of Scherirah?'
'I would not trust him. As long as there is fighting, he will meddlewith nothing else; but, mark my words, Ithamar: in quiet times he willsupport the priest.'
'Medad will have a place in council. He is with us.'
'Heart and soul. I would your brother were here, Asriel: he alone couldbalance Jabaster. Alroy loves your brother like himself. Is it true thathe marries the Lady Miriam?'
'So the king wishes. 'Twill be a fine match for Abner.'
'The world is all before us. I wonder who will be viceroy of Syria.'
'When we conquer it. Not Scherirah. Mark my words, Ithamar: he neverwill have a government. You or I perchance. For my own part, I wouldrather remain as I am.'
'Yours is a good post; the best.'
'With the command of the city. It should go with the guard.'
'Well, then, help me in getting Syria, and you can ask for my command.'
'Agreed. Jabaster will have it that, in a Hebrew monarchy, the chiefpriest is in fact the grand vizir.'
'Alroy will be his own minister.'
'I am not so sure of that. He may choose to command the Syrianexpedition in person; he must leave some head at Bagdad. Jabaster is nogeneral.'
'Oh! none at all. Alroy will be glad to leave him at home. The Sultan ofRoum may not be always so merciful.'
'Hah! hah! that was an escape!'
'By heavens! I thought it was all over. You made a fine charge.'
'I shall never forget it. I nearly ran over Jabaster.'
'Would that you had!'
It is the tender twilight hour when maidens in their lonely bower sighsofter than the eve! The languid rose her head upraises, and listens tothe nightingale, while his wild and thrilling praises from his tremblingbosom gush: the languid rose her head upraises, and listens with ablush.
In the clear and rosy air, sparkling with a single star, the sharpand spiry cypress-tree rises like a gloomy though
t, amid the flowof revelry. A singing bird, a single star, a solemn tree, an odorousflower, are dangerous in the tender hour, when maidens in their twilightbower sigh softer than the eve!
The daughter of the caliph comes forth to breathe the air: her lute heronly company. She sits her down by a fountain's side, and gazes on thewaterfall. Her cheek reclines upon her arm, like fruit upon a gracefulbough. Very pensive is the face of that bright and beauteous lady. Shestarts; a warm voluptuous lip presses her soft and idle hand. It is herown gazelle. With his large and lustrous eyes, more eloquent than manya tongue, the fond attendant mutely asks the cause of all herthoughtfulness.
'Ah! bright gazelle! Ah! bright gazelle!' the princess cried, theprincess cried; 'thy lips are softer than the swan, thy lips are softerthan the swan; but his breathed passion when they pressed, my brightgazelle! my bright gazelle!
'Ah! bright gazelle! Ah! bright gazelle!' the princess cried, theprincess cried; 'thine eyes are like the stars of night, thine eyes arelike the stars of night; but his glanced passion when they gazed, mybright gazelle! my bright gazelle!'
She seized her lute, she wildly threw her fingers o'er its thrillingstrings, and, gazing on the rosy sky, to borrow all its poetry, thus,thus she sang--thus, thus she sang:
He rose in beauty like the morn That brightens in bur Syrian skies; Dark passion glittered in his eyes, And Empire sparkled in his form!
My soul! thou art the dusky earth, On which his sunlight fell; The dusky earth, that dim no longer, Now breathes with light, now beams with love!
He rose in beauty, like the morn That brightens in our Syrian skies; Dark passion glittered in his eyes, And Empire sparkled in his form!
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'Once more, once more! Ah! sing that strain once more!'
The princess started and looked round. Before her stood Alroy. She rose,she would have retired; but, advancing, the conqueror stole her hand.
'Fair princess,' said Alroy, 'let it not be said that my presencebanished at once beauty and music.'
'Sire, I doubt not that Honain awaits you. Let me summon him.'
'Lady, it is not with Honain that I would speak.'
He seated himself by her side. His countenance was pale, his hearttrembled.
'This garden,' at length he observed in a low voice, 'this garden, abrief, brief space has glided away since first I wandered within itsbeauteous limits, and yet those days seem like the distant memory ofanother life.'
'It is another life,' said the princess. 'Ourselves, the world, allforms and usages, all feelings and all habits, verily they have changed,as if we had breathed within another sphere.'
''Tis a great change.'
'Since first you visited my bright kiosk. Pretty bauble! I pray it maybe spared.'
'It is sacred, like yourself.'
'You are a courteous conqueror.'
'I am no conqueror, fair Schirene, but a slave more lowly than when Ifirst bowed humbly in your presence.'
'And bore away a token not forgotten. Your rosary is here.'
'Let me claim it. It has been my consolation in much peril, beauteouslady. On the eve of battle I wound it round my heart.'
She held forth the rosary, and turned away her head. Her hand remainedin his; he pressed it to his lips. His right arm retained her hand; hewound the other round her waist, as he fell upon his knee.
'O beautiful! O more than beautiful! for thou to me art like a dreamunbroken,' exclaimed the young leader of Israel, 'let me, let me breathemy adoration. I offer thee not empire: I offer thee not wealth; I offerthee not all the boundless gratification of magnificent fancy,--thesemay be thine, but all these thou hast proved; but, if the passionateaffections of a spirit which never has yielded to the power of woman orthe might of man, if the deep devotion of the soul of Alroy, be deemedan offering meet for the shrine of thy surpassing loveliness, I worshipthee, Schirene. I worship thee, I worship thee!
'Since I first gazed upon thee, since thy beauty first rose upon mypresence like a star bright with my destiny, in the still sanctuaryof my secret love, thy idol has ever rested. Then, then, I was a thingwhose very touch thy creed might count a contumely. I have avenged theinsults of long centuries in the best blood of Asia; I have returned,in glory and in pride, to claim my ancient sceptre; but sweeter far thanvengeance, sweeter far than the quick gathering of my sacred tribes, therush of triumph and the blaze of empire, is this brief moment of adoringlove, wherein I pour the passion of my life!
'O my soul, my life, my very being! thou art silent, but thy silence issweeter than others' speech. Yield, yield thee, dear Schirene, yield tothy suppliant! Thy faith, thy father's faith, thy native customs, these,these shall be respected, beauteous lady! Pharaoh's daughter yielded herdusky beauty to my great ancestor. Thy face is like the bright inspiringday! Let it not be said that the daughter of the Nile shared Israel'scrown, the daughter of the Tigris spurned our sceptre. I am not Solomon,but I am one that, were Schirene the partner of my throne, wouldmake his glowing annals read like a wearisome and misty tale to oursurpassing lustre!'
He ceased, the princess turned her hitherto hidden countenance, andbowed it on his heart. 'O Alroy!' she exclaimed, 'I have no creed, nocountry, no life, but thee!'
'The king is late to-day.'
'Is it true, Asriel, there is an express from Hamadan?'
'Of no moment, Ithamar. I have private letters from Abner. All isquiet.'
''Tis much past the hour. When do you depart, Scherirah?'
'The troops are ready. I wait orders. This morning's council willperchance decide.'
'This morning's council is devoted to the settlement of the civilaffairs of the capital,' remarked Jabaster.
'Indeed!' said Asriel. 'Is your report prepared, Jabaster?'
''Tis here,' replied the high priest. 'The Hebrew legislator requiresbut little musing to shape his order. He has a model which time cannotdestroy, nor thought improve.'
Ithamar and Asriel exchanged significant glances. Scherirah lookedsolemn. There was a pause, which was broken by Asriel.
''Tis a noble city, this Bagdad. I have not yet visited your quarters,Jabaster. You are well placed.'
'As it may be. I hope we shall not tarry here long. The great point isstill not achieved.'
'How far is it to the holy city?' enquired Scherirah.
'A month's march,' replied Jabaster.
'And when you get there?' enquired Ithamar.
'You may fight with the Franks,' replied Asriel.
'Jabaster, how large is Jerusalem?' enquired Ithamar. 'Is it true, asI have sometimes heard, that it is not bigger than the serail here,gardens and all?'
'Its glory hath departed,' replied the high priest; 'the bricks havefallen, but we will rebuild with marble; and Zion, that is now withoutthe Christian walls, shall yet sparkle, as in the olden time, withpalaces and pavilions.'
A flourish of trumpets, the portals flew open, and Alroy entered,leaning on the arm of the Envoy of Bagdad.
'Valiant leaders,' said Alroy to the astonished chieftains, 'in thisnoble stranger, you see one like yourselves entrusted with my unboundedconfidence. Jabaster, behold thy brother!'
'Honain! art _thou_ Honain?' exclaimed the pontiff starting from hisseat. 'I have a thousand messengers after thee.' With a countenancealternately pallid with surprise and burning with affection, Jabasterembraced his brother, and, overpowered with emotion, hid his face on hisshoulder.
'Sire,' at length exclaimed the high priest, in a low and tremulousvoice, 'I must pray your pardon that for an instant in this characterI have indulged in any other thoughts than those that may concern yourwelfare. Tis past: and you, who know all, will forgive me.'
'All that respects Jabaster must concern my welfare. He is the pillar ofmy empire;' and holding forth his hand, Alroy placed the high priest onhis right. 'Scherirah, you depart this eve.'
The rough captain bowed in silence.
'What is this?' continued Alroy, as J
abaster offered him a scroll. 'Ah!your report. "Order of the Tribes," "Service of the Levites," "Princesof the People," "Elders of Israel!" The day may come when this maybe effected. At present, Jabaster, we must be moderate, and contentourselves with arrangements which may ensure that order shall bemaintained, property respected, and justice administered. Is it truethat a gang has rifled a mosque?'
'Sire! of that I would speak. They are no plunderers, but men, perhapstoo zealous, who have read and who have remembered that "Ye shallutterly destroy all the places wherein the nations which ye shallpossess, served their gods upon the high mountains, and upon thehill, and under every green tree. And ye shall overthrow their altars,and----"'
'Jabaster, is this a synagogue? Come I to a council of valiant statesmenor dreaming Rabbis? For a thousand years we have been quoting the lawswe dared not practise. Is it with such aid that we captured Nishapur andcrossed the Tigris? Valiant, wise Jabaster, thou art worthy of betterthings, and capable of all. I entreat thee, urge such matters for thelast time. Are these fellows in custody?'
'They were in custody. I have freed them.'
'Freed them! Hang them! Hang them in the most public grove. Is this theway to make the Moslem a duteous subject? Jabaster! Israel honoursthee; and I, its chief, know that one more true, more valiant, or morelearned, crowds not around our standard; but I see, the caverns of theCaucasus are not a school for empire.'
'Sire, I had humbly deemed the school for empire was the law of Moses.'
'Ay! adapted to these times.'
'Can aught divine be changed?'
'Am I as tall as Adam? If man, the crown, the rose of all this faircreation, the most divine of all divine inventions, if Time have alteredeven this choicest of all godlike works, why shall it spare a law madebut to rule his conduct? Good Jabaster, we must establish the throne ofIsrael, that is my mission, and for the means, no matter how, or where.Asriel, what news of Medad?'
'All is quiet between the Tigris and Euphrates. It would be betterto recall his division, which has been much harassed. I thought ofrelieving him by Abidan.'
'I think so, too. We may as well keep Abidan out of the city. If thetruth were known, I'll wager some of his company plundered the mosque.We must issue a proclamation on that subject. My good Jabaster, we'lltalk over these matters alone. At present I will leave you with yourbrother. Scherirah, sup with me to-night; before you quit Asriel, comewith me to my cabinet.'
'I must see the king!'
'Holy priest, his highness has retired. It is impossible.'
'I must see the king. Worthy Pharez, I take all peril on myself.'
'Indeed his highness' orders are imperative. You cannot see him.'
'Knowest thou who I am?'
'One whom all pious Hebrews reverence.'
'I say I must see the king.'
'Indeed, indeed, holy Jabaster, it cannot be.'
'Shall Israel perish for a menial's place? Go to; I _will_ see him.'
'Nay! if you _will_, I'll struggle for my duty.'
'Touch not the Lord's anointed. Dog, you shall suffer for this!'
So saying, Jabaster threw aside Pharez, and, with the attendant clingingto his robes, rushed into the royal chamber.
'What is all this?' exclaimed Alroy, starting from the divan. 'Jabaster!Pharez, withdraw! How now, is Bagdad in insurrection?'
'Worse, much worse, Israel soon will be.'
'Ay!'
'My fatal brother has told me all, nor would I sleep, until I lifted upmy voice to save thee.'
'Am I in danger?'
'In the wilderness, when the broad desert quivered beneath thy tremblingfeet, and the dark heavens poured down their burning torrents, thou wertless so. In that hour of death, One guarded thee, who never forgets Hisfond and faithful offspring, and now, when He has brought thee out ofthe house of bondage; now, when thy fortunes, like a noble cedar, swellin the air and shadow all the land; thou, the very leader of His people,His chosen one, for whom He hath worked such marvels, thy heart isturned from thy fathers' God, and hankers after strange abominations.'
Through the broad arch that led into the gardens of the serail, themoonlight fell upon the tall figure and the upraised arm of the priest;Alroy stood with folded arms at some distance, watching Jabaster as hespoke, with a calm but searching glance. Suddenly he advanced with aquick step, and, placing his hand upon Jabaster's arm, said, in a low,enquiring tone, 'You are speaking of this marriage?'
'Of that which ruined Solomon.'
'Listen to me, Jabaster,' said Alroy, interrupting him, in a calm butperemptory tone, 'I cannot forget that I am speaking to my master, aswell as to my friend. The Lord, who knoweth all things, hath deemed meworthy of His mission. My fitness for this high and holy office was notadmitted without proof. A lineage, which none else could offer, mysticstudies shared by few, a mind that dared encounter all things, and aframe that could endure most, these were my claims. But no more of this.I have passed the great ordeal; the Lord of Hosts hath found me notunworthy of His charge; I have established His ancient people; Hisaltars blaze with sacrifices; His priests are honoured, bear witnessthou, Jabaster, His omnipotent unity is declared. What wouldst thoumore?'
'All!'
'Then Moses knew you well. It is a stiff-necked people.'
'Sire, bear with me. If I speak in heat, I speak in zeal. You ask mewhat I wish: my answer is, a national existence, which we have not. Youask me what I wish: my answer is, the Land of Promise. You ask me what Iwish: my answer is, Jerusalem. You ask me what I wish: my answer is, theTemple, all we have forfeited, all we have yearned after, all forwhich we have fought, our beauteous country, our holy creed, our simplemanners, and our ancient customs.'
'Manners change with time and circumstances; customs may be observedeverywhere. The ephod on thy breast proves our faith; and, for acountry, is the Tigris less than Siloah, or the Euphrates inferior tothe Jordan?'
'Alas! alas! there was a glorious prime when Israel stood aloof fromother nations, a fair and holy thing that God had hallowed. We werethen a chosen family, a most peculiar people, set apart for God's entireenjoyment. All about us was solemn, deep, and holy. We shunned thestranger as an unclean thing that must defile our solitary sanctity,and, keeping to ourselves and to our God, our lives flowed on in onegreat solemn tide of deep religion, making the meanest of our multitudefeel greater than the kings of other lands. It was a glorious time: Ithought it had returned; but I awake from this, as other dreams.'
'We must leave off dreaming, good Jabaster, we must act. Were I, by anychance, to fall into one of those reveries, with which I have often lostthe golden hours at Hamadan, or in our old cave, I should hear, somefine morning, his Sultanship of Roum rattling at my gates.' Alroy smiledas he spoke; he would willingly have introduced a lighter tone into thedialogue, but the solemn countenance of the priest was not sympatheticwith his levity.
'My heart is full, and yet I cannot speak: the memory of the pastoverpowers my thought. I had vainly deemed that my voice, inspired bythe soul of truth, might yet preserve him; and now I stand here in hispresence, silent and trembling, like a guilty thing. O, my prince! mypupil!' said the priest, advancing, falling on his knee, and seizing therobe of Alroy, 'by thy sacred lineage; by the sweet memory of thy ardentyouth, and our united studies, by all thy zealous thoughts, and solemnmusings, and glorious aspirations after fame; by all thy sufferings, andby all thy triumphs, and chiefly by the name of that great God, whohath elected thee his favoured child; by all the marvels of thy mightymission, I do adjure thee! Arise, Alroy, arise and rouse thyself. Thelure that snared thy fathers may trap thee, this Delilah may shear thymystic locks. Spirits like thee act not by halves. Once fall out fromthe straight course before thee, and, though thou deemest 'tis but tosaunter 'mid the summer trees, soon thou wilt find thyself in the darkdepths of some infernal forest, where none may rescue thee!'
'What if I do inherit the eager blood of my great ancestor, at leastI hold his sceptre. Shall aught of earthly power prevail
against thesupernatural sway of Heaven and Hades?'
'Sire, sire, the legend that came from Sinai is full of highinstruction. But shape thy conduct by its oracles, and all were well. Itsays our people can be established only by him who rules them with therod of Solomon. Sire, when the Lord offered his pleasure to that mightyking, thou knowest his deep discretion. Riches and length of days,empire and vengeance, these were not the choice of one to whom allaccidents were proffered. The legend bears an inward spirit, as wellas an outward meaning. The capture of the prize was a wise test of thyimperial fitness. Thou hast his sceptre, but, without his wisdom, 'tisbut a staff of cedar.'
'Hah! Art thou there? I am glad to see Jabaster politic. Hear me, myfriend. What my feelings be unto this royal lady, but little matters.Let them pass, and let us view this question by the light wherein youhave placed it, the flame of policy and not of passion. I am no traitorto the God of Israel, in whose name I have conquered, and in whose nameI shall rule; but thou art a learned doctor, thou canst inform us.I have heard no mandate to yield my glorious empire for my meanestprovince. I am Lord of Asia, so would I have my long posterity. Ourpeople are but a remnant, a feeble fraction of the teeming millions thatown my sway. What I hold I can defend; but my children may not inheritthe spirit of their sire. The Moslemin will recognise their rule withreadier hearts, when they remember that a daughter of their caliphs gavethem life. You see I too am politic, my good Jabaster!'
'The policy of the son of Kareah[67], 'twas fatal. He preferred Egyptto Judah, and he suffered. Sire, the Lord hath blessed Judah: it isHis land. He would have it filled by His peculiar people, so that Hisworship might ever flourish. For this He has, by many curious rites andcustoms, marked us out from all other nations, so that we cannot, at thesame time, mingle with them and yet be true to Him. We must exist alone.To preserve that loneliness is the great end and essence of our law.What have we to do with Bagdad, or its people, where every instant wemust witness some violation of our statutes? Can we pray with them?Can we eat with them? Alike in the highest duties, and the lowestoccupations of existence, we cannot mingle. From the altar of our God toour domestic boards, we are alike separated from them. Sire, you may beKing of Bagdad, but you cannot, at the same time, be a Jew.'
'I am what I am. I worship the Lord of Hosts. Perhaps, in His mercy, Hewill accept the days of Nishapur and the Tigris as a compensation forsome slight relaxation in the ritual of the baker and the bath.'
'And mark my words: it was by the ritual of the baker and the bath thatAlroy rose, and without it he will fall. The genius of the people, whichhe shared, raised him; and that genius has been formed by the law ofMoses. Based on that law, he might indeed have handed down an empireto his long posterity; and now, though the tree of his fortunes seemsspringing up by the water-side, fed by a thousand springs, and itsbranches covered with dew, there is a gangrene in the sap, and to-morrowhe may shrink like a shrivelled gourd. Alas! alas! for Israel! Wehave long fed on mallows; but to lose the vintage in the very day offruition, 'tis very bitter. Ah! when I raised thy exhausted form inthe cavern of Genthesma, and the star of David beamed brightly in theglowing heavens upon thy high fulfilment, who could have dreamed of anight like this? Farewell, sire.'
'Stop, Jabaster! earliest, dearest friend, prythee, prythee stop!'
The priest slowly turned, the prince hesitated.
'Part not in anger, good Jabaster.'
'In sorrow, sire, only in sorrow; but deep and terrible.'
'Israel is Lord of Asia, my Jabaster. Why should we fear?'
'Solomon built Tadmor in the wilderness, and his fleet brought gold fromOphir; and yet Alroy was born a slave.'
'But did not die one. The sultans of the world have fallen before me.I have no fear. Nay, do not go. At least you will give some credence tothe stars, my learned Cabalist. See, my planet shines as brightly asmy fortunes.' Alroy withdrew the curtain, and with Jabaster stepped outupon the terrace. A beautiful star glittered on high. As they gazed, itscolour changed, and a blood-red meteor burst from its circle, and fellinto space. The conqueror and the priest looked at each other at thesame time. Their countenances were pale, enquiring, and agitated.
'Sire,' said Jabaster, 'march to Judah.'
'It portends war,' replied Alroy, endeavouring to recover himself.'Perchance some troubles in Persia.'
'Troubles at home, no other. The danger is nigh. Look to thyself.'
A wild scream was heard in the gardens. It sounded thrice.
'What is this?' exclaimed Alroy, really agitated. 'Rouse the guard,Jabaster, search the gardens.'
''Tis useless and may do harm. It was a spirit that shrieked.'
'What said it?'
'_Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin!_'
'The old story, the priest against the king,' said Honain to Alroy,when at his morrow's interview, he had listened to the events of thepreceding night. 'My pious brother wishes to lead you back to theTheocracy, and is fearful that, if he prays at Bagdad instead of Zion,he may chance to become only the head of an inferior sect, instead ofrevelling in the universal tithes of a whole nation. As for the meteor,Scherirah must have crossed the river about the same time, and theSultan of Roum may explain the bloody portent. For the shriek, as Ireally have no acquaintance with spirits, I must leave the miraculouscommunication to the favoured ears and initiated intelligences of yourhighness and my brother. It seems that it differed from "the Daughterof the Voice" in more respects than one, since it was not only extremelynoisy, but, as it would appear, quite unintelligible except to theindividual who had an interest in the interpretation, an ingeniousone, I confess. When I enter upon my functions as your highness'schamberlain, I will at least guarantee that your slumbers shall not bedisturbed either by spirits or more unwelcome visitors.'
'Enter upon them at once, good Honain. How fares my Persian rose to-day,my sweet Schirene?'
'Feeding on your image in your absence. She spares no word to me, I doassure your highness.'
'Nay, nay, we know you are a general favourite with the sex, Honain.I'faith I'm jealous.'
'I would your highness had cause,' said Honain, demurely.
The approaching marriage between the King of the Hebrews and thePrincess of Bagdad was published throughout Asia. Preparations were madeon the plain of the Tigris for the great rejoicing. Whole forestswere felled to provide materials for the buildings and fuel for thebanqueting. All the governors of provinces and cities, all the chiefofficers and nobility of both nations, were specially invited, and dailyarrived in state at Bagdad. Among them the Viceroy of the Medes andPersians, and his recent bride, the Princess Miriam, were conspicuous,followed by a train of nearly ten thousand persons.
A throne, ascended by one hundred steps covered with crimson cloth, andcrowned by a golden canopy, was raised in the middle of the plain; oneach side was a throne less elevated, but equally gorgeous. In the frontof these thrones an immense circus was described, formed by onehundred chartaks or amphitheatres, ample room for the admittance of themultitude being left between the buildings. These chartaks were coveredwith bright brocades and showy carpets; on each was hoisted a brilliantbanner. In some of them were bands of choice musicians, in otherscompanies of jugglers, buffoons, and storiers. Five chartaks on eachside of the thrones were allotted for the convenience of the court;the rest were filled by the different trades of the city. In one thefruiterers had formed a beautiful garden, glowing with pomegranates andgourds and watermelons, oranges, almonds, and pistachio-nuts; in anotherthe butchers exhibited their meats carved in fanciful shapes, and theskins of animals formed into ludicrous figures. Here assembled thefurriers, all dressed in masquerade, like leopards, lions, tigers andfoxes; and in another booth mustered the upholsterers, proud of a camelmade of wood, and reeds, and cord, and painted linen, a camel whichwalked about as if alive, though ever and anon a curtain drawn asidediscovered to the marvelling multitude the workman within, performing inhis own piece. Further on might be perceived the cotton manufacturers,whose chartak w
as full of birds of all shapes and plumage, formednevertheless of their curious plant; and, in the centre rose a loftyminaret, constructed of the same material, with the help of reeds,although every one imagined it to be built with bricks and mortar. Itwas covered with embroidered work, and on the top was placed a stork, socunningly devised that the children pelted it with pistachio-nuts. Thesaddlers showed their skill in two litters, open at top, each carried ona dromedary, and in each a beautiful woman, who diverted the spectatorswith light balls of gilt leather, throwing them up both with theirhands and feet. Nor were the mat-makers backward in the proof of theirdexterity, since, instead of a common banner, they exhibited a largestandard of reeds worked with two lines of writing in Kufic, proclaimingthe happy names of Alroy and Schirene.
But indeed in every chartak might be seen some wondrous specimens of thewealth of Bagdad, and of the ingenuity of its unrivalled artisans.
Around this mighty circus, on every side for the space of many miles,the plain was studded with innumerable pavilions. At measured intervalswere tables furnished with every species of provision, and attended byappointed servants; flagons of wine and jars of sherbets, mingledwith infinite baskets of delicious fruits and trays of refreshingconfectionery. Although open to all comers, so great and rapid was thesupply, that these banqueting tables seemed ever laden; and that thejoys of the people might be complete, they were allowed to pursuewhatever pleasures they thought fit without any restraint, byproclamation, in these terms.
'_This is the time of feasting, pleasure, and rejoicing. Let no personreprimand or complain of another: let not the rich insult the poor, orthe strong the weak: let no one ask another, "why have you done this_?"'
Millions of people were collected in this Paradise. They rejoiced, theyfeasted, they frolicked, they danced, they sang. They listened to thetales of the Arabian story-teller, at once enchanted and enchanting,or melted to the strain of the Persian poet as he painted the moon-litforehead of his heroine and the wasting and shadowy form of hislove-sick hero; they beheld with amazement the feats of the juggler ofthe Ganges, or giggled at the practised wit and the practical buffooneryof the Syrian mime. And the most delighted could still spare afascinating glance to the inviting gestures and the voluptuous grace ofthe dancing girls of Egypt.[68] Everywhere reigned melody and merriment,rarity and beauty. For once mankind forgot their cares, and deliveredthemselves up to infinite enjoyment.
'I grow courteous,' said Kisloch the Kourd, assisting a party into oneof the shows.
'And I humane,' said Calidas the Indian. 'Fellow, how dare you violatethe proclamation, by thrashing that child?' He turned to one of thestewards of the table, who was belabouring the unfortunate driver of acamel which had stumbled and in its fall had shivered its burden, twopanniers of porcelain.
'Mind your own business, fellow,' replied the steward, 'and be thankfulthat for once in your life you can dine.'
'Is this the way to speak to an officer?' said Calidas the Indian; 'Ihave half a mind to cut your tongue out.'
'Never mind, little fellow,' said the Guebre, 'here is a dirhem for you.Run away and be merry.'
'A miracle!' grinned the Negro; 'he giveth alms.'
'And you are witty,' rejoined the Guebre. ''Tis a wondrous day.'
'What shall we do?' said Kisloch.
'Let us dine,' proposed the Negro.
'Ay! under this plane-tree,' said Calidas. ''Tis pleasant to be alone. Ihate everybody but ourselves.'
'Here stop, you rascal,' said the Guebre. 'What's your name?'
'I am a Hadgee,' said our old friend Abdallah, the servant of thecharitable merchant Ali, and who was this day one of the officiatingstewards.
'Are you a Jew, you scoundrel?' said the Guebre, 'that is the only thingworth being. Bring some wine, you accursed Giaour!'
'Instantly,' said Kisloch, 'and a pilau.' 'And a gazelle stuffed withalmonds,' said Calidas. 'And some sugar-plums,' said the Negro. 'Quick,you infernal Gentile, or I'll send this javelin in your back,' hallooedthe Guebre.
The servile Abdallah hastened away, and soon bustled back, bearing twoflagons of wine, and followed by four servants, each with a tray coveredwith dainties.
'Where are you going, you accursed scoundrels?' grumbled Kisloch; 'waitupon the true believers.' 'We shall be more free alone,' whisperedCalidas. 'Away, then, dogs,' growled Kisloch. Abdallah and hisattendants hurried off, but were soon summoned back.
'Why did you not bring Schiraz wine?' asked Calidas, with an eye offire.
'The pilau is overdone,' thundered Kisloch. 'You have brought a lambstuffed with pistachio-nuts, instead of a gazelle with almonds,' saidthe Guebre.
'Not half sugar-plums enough,' said the Negro. 'Everything is wrong,'said Kisloch. 'Go, and get us a kabob.'
In time, however, even this unmanageable crew were satisfied; and,seated under their plane-tree, and stuffing themselves with all thedainties of the East, they became more amiable as their appetitesdecreased. 'A bumper, Calidas, and a song,' said Kisloch. ''Tis rarestuff,' said the Guebre; 'come, Cally, it should inspire you.'
'Here goes, then; mind the chorus.'
Drink, drink, deeply drink, Never feel, and never think; What's love? what's fame? a sigh, a smile. Friendship? but a hollow wile. If you've any thought or woe, Drown them in the goblet's flow. Yes! dash them in this brimming cup; Dash them in, and drink them up. Drink, drink, deeply drink, Never feel, and never think.
'Hark, the trumpets! The King and Queen! 'The procession is coming.Let's away.'
'Again! they must be near. Hurry, hurry, for good places.'
'Break all the cups and dishes. Come along!'
The multitude from all quarters hurried to the great circus, amid theclash of ten thousand cymbals and the blast of innumerable trumpets.In the distance, issuing from the gates of Bagdad, might be discerned abrilliant crowd, the advance company of the bridal procession.
There came five hundred maidens crowned with flowers, and beauteous asthe buds that girt their hair. Their flowing robes were whiter than theswan, and each within her hand a palm-branch held. Followed these aband of bright musicians, clothed in golden robes, and sounding silvertrumpets.
Then five hundred youths, brilliant as stars, clad in jackets ofwhite-fox skin, and alternately bearing baskets of fruit or flowers.
Followed these a band of bright musicians, clothed in silver robes, andsounding golden trumpets.
Six choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by an Arabgroom.[69]
The household of Medad, in robes of crimson, lined with sable.
The standard of Medad.
Medad, on a coal-black Arab, followed by three hundred officers of hisdivision, all mounted on steeds of pure race.
Slaves, bearing the bridal present of Medad; six Damascus sabres ofunrivalled temper.[70]
Twelve choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by an Anatoliangroom.
The household of Ithamar, in robes of violet, lined with ermine.
The standard of Ithamar.
Ithamar, on a snow-white Anatolian charger, followed by six hundredofficers of his division, all mounted on steeds of pure race.
Slaves bearing the marriage present of Ithamar; a golden vase of rubiesborne on a violet throne.
One hundred Negroes, their noses bored, and hung with rings ofbrilliants, playing upon wind instruments and kettle-drums.
The standard of the City of Bagdad.
The deputation from the citizens of Bagdad.
Two hundred mules, with caparisons of satin, embroidered with gold,and adorned with small golden bells. These bore the sumptuous wardrobe,presented by the city to their princess. Each mule was attended by agirl, dressed like a Peri, with starry wings, and a man, masked as ahideous Dive.
The standard of Egypt.
The deputation from the Hebrews of Egypt, mounted on dromedaries, withsilver furniture.
Fifty slaves, bearing their present to the princess, with golden cords,a m
ighty bath of jasper, beautifully carved, the sarcophagus of someancient temple, and purchased for an immense sum.
The standard of Syria.
The deputation from the Hebrews of the Holy Land, headed by Rabbi Zimrihimself, each carrying in his hand his offering to the nuptial pair, aprecious vase, containing earth from the Mount of Zion.
The standard of Hamadan.
The deputation from the citizens of Hamadan, headed by the venerableBostenay himself, whose sumptuous charger was led by Caleb.
The present of the city of Hamadan to David Al-roy, offered at his ownsuggestion; the cup in which the Prince of the Captivity carried histribute, now borne full of sand.
Fifty choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by a Median orPersian groom.
The household of Abner and Miriam, in number twelve hundred, clad inchain armour of ivory and gold.
The standard of the Medes and Persians.
Two white elephants, with golden litters, bearing the Viceroy and hisPrincess.
The offering of Abner to Alroy; twelve elephants of state, withfurniture embroidered with jewels, each tended by an Indian clad inchain armour of ivory and gold.
The offering of Miriam to Schirene; fifty plants of roses fromRocnabad;[71] a white shawl of Cachemire fifty feet in length, whichfolded into the handle of a fan; fifty screens, each made of a featherof the roc;[72] and fifty vases of crystal full of exquisite perfumes,and each sealed with a talisman of precious stones.
After these followed the eunuch guard.
Then came the band of the serail, consisting of three hundred dwarfs,hideous indeed to behold, but the most complete musicians in the world.
The steeds of Solomon, in number one hundred, each with a natural starupon its front, uncaparisoned, and led only by a bridle of diamonds.
The household of Alroy and Schirene. Foremost, the Lord Honain ridingupon a chestnut charger, shod with silver; the dress of the rider, pinkwith silver stars. From his rosy turban depended a tremulous aigrette ofbrilliants,73 blazing with a thousand shifting tints.
Two hundred pages followed him; and then servants of both sexes,gorgeously habited, amounting to nearly two thousand, carrying richvases, magnificent caskets, and costly robes. The treasurer and twohundred of his underlings came next, showering golden dirhems on allsides.
The sceptre of Solomon borne by Asriel himself.
A magnificent and lofty car, formed of blue enamel with golden wheels,and axletrees of turquoises and brilliants, and drawn by twelvesnow-white and sacred horses, four abreast; in the car Alroy andSchirene.
Five thousand of the Sacred Guard closed the procession.
Amid the exclamations of the people, this gorgeous procession crossedthe plain, and moved around the mighty circus. The conqueror and hisbride ascended their throne; its steps were covered by the youths andmaidens. On the throne upon their right sat the venerable Bostenay; onthe left, the gallant Viceroy and his Princess. The chartaks on eachside were crowded with the court.
The deputations made their offerings, the chiefs and captains paid theirhomage, the trades of the city moved before the throne in order, andexhibited their various ingenuity. Thrice was the proclamation made,amid the sound of trumpets, and then began the games.
A thousand horsemen dashed into the arena and threw the jerreed. Theygalloped at full speed; they arrested their fiery charges in mid course,and flung their long javelins at the minute but sparkling target, theimitative form of a rare and brilliant bird. The conquerors receivedtheir prizes from the hand of the princess herself, bright shawls, andjewelled daggers, and rosaries of gems. Sometimes the trumpets announceda prize from the vice-queen, sometimes from the venerable Bostenay,sometimes from the victorious generals, or the loyal deputations,sometimes from the united trades, sometimes from the City of Bagdad,sometimes from the City of Hamadan. The hours flew away in gorgeous andceaseless variety.
'I would we were alone, my own Schirene,' said Alroy to his bride.
'I would so too; and yet I love to see all Asia prostrate at the feet ofAlroy.'
'Will the sun never set? Give me thy hand to play with.'
'Hush! See, Miriam smiles.'
'Lovest thou my sister, my own Schirene?'
'None dearer but thyself.'
'Talk not of my sister, but ourselves. Thinkest thou the sun is nearersetting, love?'
'I cannot see; thine eyes they dazzle me, they are so brilliant, sweet!'
'Oh, my soul! I could pour out my passion on thy breast.'
'Thou art very serious.'
'Love is ever so.'
'Nay, sweet! It makes me wild and fanciful. Now I could do such things,but what I know not. I would we had wings, and then we would fly away.'
'See, I must salute this victor in the games. Must I unloose thy hand!Dear hand, farewell! Think of me while I speak, my precious life. 'Tisdone. Give back thy hand, or else methinks I shall die. What's this?'
A horseman, in no holiday dress, but covered with dust, rushed into thecircus, bearing in his hand a tall lance, on which was fixed a scroll.The marshals of the games endeavoured to prevent his advance, but hewould not be stayed. His message was to the king alone. A rumour of newsfrom the army circulated throughout the crowd. And news from the army itwas. Another victory! Scherirah had defeated the Sultan of Roum, who wasnow a suppliant for peace and alliance. Sooth to say, the intelligencehad arrived at dawn of day, but the courtly Honain had contrived that itshould be communicated at a later and more effective moment.
There scarcely needed this additional excitement to this glorious day.But the people cheered, the golden dirhems were scattered with renewedprofusion, and the intelligence was received by all parties as a solemnratification by Jehovah, or by Allah, of the morning ceremony.
The sun set, the court rose, and returned in the same pomp to theserail. The twilight died away, a beacon fired on a distant eminenceannounced the entrance of Alroy and Schirene into the nuptial chamber,and suddenly, as by magic, the mighty city, every mosque, and minaret,and tower, and terrace, and the universal plain, and the numberlesspavilions, and the immense circus, and the vast and winding river,blazed with light. From every spot a lamp, a torch, a lantern, tintedwith every hue, burst forth; enormous cressets of silver radiancy beamedon the top of each chartak, and huge bonfires of ruddy flame started upalong the whole horizon.
For seven days and seven nights this unparalleled scene of rejoicing,though ever various, never ceased. Long, long was remembered the bridalfeast of the Hebrew prince and the caliph's daughter; long, long did thepeasantry on the plains of Tigris sit down by the side of that starryriver, and tell the wondrous tale to their marvelling posterity.
Now what a glorious man was David Alroy, lord of the mightiest empirein the world, and wedded to the most beautiful princess, surrounded bya prosperous and obedient people, guarded by invincible armies, one onwhom Earth showered all its fortune, and Heaven all its favour; and allby the power of his own genius!