صفحة 469 من 1116

I am the wone where Mirth shall ever smile; * The home of Joyance

through my lasting while: And 'mid my court a fountain jets and

flows, * Nor tears nor troubles shall that fount defile: The

marge with royal Nu'uman's[FN#334] bloom is dight, * Myrtle,

Narcissus-flower and Chamomile.

Arrived at the gate, before which hung a black curtain, the old

woman knocked and it was opened to us; when we entered and found

a vestibule spread with carpets and hung around with lamps all

alight and wax candles in candelabra adorned with pendants of

precious gems and noble ores. We passed on through this passage

till we entered a saloon, whose like for grandeur and beauty is

not to be found in this world. It was hung and carpeted with

silken stuffs, and was illuminated with branches sconces and

tapers ranged in double row, an avenue abutting on the upper or

noble end of the saloon, where stood a couch of juniper wood

encrusted with pearls and gems and surmounted by a baldaquin with

mosquito curtains of satin looped up with margaritas.