sherbets were hastily handed round, and after a short prelude on his lute, in the pathetic measure of Nava†, which is always used to express the lamentations of absent lovers, the Poet thus continued: "The sweet-scented violet is one of the plants most esteemed, particularly for its great use in Sorbet, which they make of violet sugar."-Hasselquist. "The sherbet they most esteem, and which is drunk by the Grand Signor himself, is made of violets and sugar."— Tavernier. t "Last of all she took a guitar, and sung a pathetic air in the measure called Nava, which is always used to express the lamentations of absent lovers." — Persian Tales. THE day is lowering - stilly black There's not a cloud in that blue plain Of a young war-horse in the blast ;There, roll'd in masses dark and swelling, As proud to be the thunder's dwelling! While some, already burst and riven, Seem melting down the verge of heaven; As though the infant storm had rent The mighty womb that gave him birth, And, having swept the firmament, Was now in fierce career for earth. On earth 'twas yet all calm around, The diver steer'd for ORMUS' bowers, Nor friends upon the lessening strand Like some ill-destin'd bark that steers In silence through the Gate of Tears. † "The Easterns used to set out on their longer voyages with music."-Harmer. "The Gate of Tears, the straits or passage into the Red Sea, commonly called Babelmandel. It received this name from the old Arabians, on account of the danger of the navigation, and the number of shipwrecks by which it was distinguished; which induced And where was stern AL HASSAN then? One minute for a farewell there? Upon the coming night of blood, With that keen, second-scent of death, By which the vulture snuffs his food In the still warm and living breath!* As a young bird of BABYLON,† Let loose to tell of victory won, them to consider as dead, and to wear mourning for all who had the boldness to hazard the passage through it into the Ethiopic ocean." - Richardson. "I have been told that whensoever an animal falls down dead, one or more vultures, unseen before, instantly appear."-Pennant. "They fasten some writing to the wings of a Bagdat or Babylonian pigeon."-Travels of certain Englishmen. Flies home, with wing, ah! not unstain'd By the red hands that held her chain'd. And does the long-left home she seeks The flowers she nurs'd- the well-known groves, Where oft in dreams her spirit roves Her birds' new plumage to behold, And the gay, gleaming fishes count, She left, all filleted with gold, Shooting around their jasper fount; Her little garden mosque to see, And once again, at evening hour, To tell her ruby rosary † In her own sweet acacia bower. — "The Empress of Jehan-Guire used to divert herself with feeding tame fish in her canals, some of which were many years afterwards known by fillets of gold, which she caused to be put round them."— Harris. "Le Tespih, qui est un chapelet composé de 99 petites boules d'agate, de jaspe, d'ambre, de corail, ou d'autre matière précieuse. |