The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-22

my soul might break forth from nv bodv
IN order to follow this moon of lowell
ness. For Allah's love, Ben Tahir since
thou seemst to, know her, tel me her.
name! Hasten, oh, hasten!' The mer-
chant replied, t'She is the favorite of the
Commander Of the Faithful. Her na,na l.
Schamsennahar, She is held by His Maj
esty IN as much. regard as the Lady 70
Delda herself. She has a palace of her
own, where she is sole mistress witbou+
Delng watched by the guards or eunucbs
ioI the sultan reposes absolute confidence
~ -, Her' ana with good reason. since. of
all the ladies of the palace. she ts tbe
most beautiful and the least smoker
about" ponoH
Inc merchant had scarcely finished civ
ing his explanations to his friends when
little female slave appeared. who drove
near ana whispered in the ear to Abul-
nassau, My mistress, the Lady Scham
Sehhahar' desires thee to come, thee and
thy companions On this thu n,ercbsnt
rose, made a sign to Ali Ben-Rekar .nd
closing the door of his shop, they follow.
ed the little slave, who led them directly
TO the gateway~-of the palace of the
KhaIif Inv
In entering All believed himself trans.
ported to the kingdom of The Inns
where all Is beautiful beyond the tongue
Of man to describe But the Ijttle sIoIyo
afforded him no. lime to exnress asto,,1
ishment, for. striking her hands ona
against the other at silver-plated door
a negress appeared with great gold dish
upon her head.loaded with roast meats
and confectionerga and fruits, which she
set down upon an4nlaid stool The smell
alonesof this Tepast was too ravishing to
neglect, and while the visitors 5oyoils1v
partooK the lIeIea aslave waited on them
assiduousiy' ana af the end brought in
basin of gold with perfumed water. and
gave them embroidered towels, pouring
from a ever. sof sfhiseled gold enriched
with rubies afdlsliamonds. and f,1II of
rose water, with which they wiped their
faces, boards and hands. Afterward she
brought them essence of aloe blossom in
a crystal flask with which she perfumed
their garments. This done. she opened
the door. and, praying them to follow
led them into a noble apartment of ex
ouisite design.
1t was indeedaa hall rooted with a dome
sustained by twenty-four pillars of nure
transparent alabaster. the bases and cap
itaiS being carved with most subtle art
The sections of the dome were delicateIy
painted in lively colors on a ground OF
gold. In the vacant spaces stood great
cups and vases cut in jasper, agate and
crystal full of flowers; and this hall
opened by a pavement of pretty mosaic
work like the pattern of carpet into a
garden green, and bright and fragrant
under the blue sky.
And there in the garden Ali and his
friend perceived sitting in circle fen
young girls, with black eyes and rosy
cheeks, each of them holding a stringed
instrument. And at a sign from the little
slave these struck up together a prelude
of such sweetness that tears came into
the eyes of the young poet. Then break
ing off, with voices and strings and Sill
yer tambeuriHes they chanted this strain:
SkyI be gladi The Moon and Sun
Meet within thee, and are one:
Drop thy veif=of cloud. fair Moon!
He thou lowest, rises soon!
Shine hyf.brisEhteSt, golden Sunf
Lest by fPr tAou beest outdone.
And agafn:Ak
Look. delighted eyesi and see
Moon comes IN her briliiancy:
Comes toAgreet the Sun who pavs
Homage to her silver rays
Herewith the poet. VINO proudly heard
himself calle9 The sum-" saw with ec-
stasy twelve Nyodng negresses appro ach.
who bore upon their shoulders a chair of
glitteriRg siNer, draped with velvet,
wherein was Seased a lady, covered with
a black silk yell head to foot. The
black girls, With barred limbs and gold en-
cloths roundA their waists and heads. fur
nished. withAthefr silver chair and the
rose-coiored veil. an effect to dazzle the
beholder.
TIE chair was set down in the garden.
and then white hand parted The Ora
peries and showed the lovely face and
forra OF Seharsenrafla-. She was dressed
in a royal robe Of blue silk, interviewer
with gold and gs ms. At the M n5nt Of
laying aside her mantle the princess com
pieteiy removed her veil and male sri ing
salutatipn to All aud is friend Then she