Pagina 431 di 1116

So I stood before the chamber aforesaid and, after a moment's

hesitation, opened the door which was plated with red gold, and

entered. I was met by a perfume whose like I had never before

smelt; and so sharp and subtle was the odour that it made my

senses drunken as with strong wine, and I fell to the ground in a

fainting fit which lasted a full hour. When I came to myself I

strengthened my heart and, entering, found myself in a chamber

whose floor was bespread with saffron and blazing with light from

branched candelabra of gold and lamps fed with costly oils, which

diffused the scent of musk and ambergris. I saw there also two

great censers each big as a mazer-bowl,[FN#297] flaming with

lign-aloes, nadd-perfume,[FN#298] ambergris and honied scents;

and the place was full of their fragrance.