The attendants now brought to each
basins of gold, and ewers of rock crystal filled with rose water, with
towels of that rare Egyptian linen which can be made only of the cotton
that grows upon the banks of the Nile. While they amused themselves with
eating sugar-plums, and drinking coffee flavoured with cinnamon, the
female slaves danced before them in the most graceful attitudes to the
melody of invisible musicians.
'My enchanting Schirene,' said the Caliph, 'I have dined, thanks to your
attention, very well. These slaves of yours dance admirably, and are
exceedingly beautiful. Your music, too, is beyond all praise; but, for
my own part, I would rather be quite alone, and listening to one of your
songs.'
'I have written a new one to-day. You shall hear it.' So saying, she
clapped her little white hands, and all the attendants immediately
withdrew.
'The stars are stealing forth, and so will I. Sorry sight! to view
Jabaster, with a stealthy step, skulk like a thing dishonoured! Oh! may
the purpose consecrate the deed! the die is cast.'
So saying, the High Priest, muffled up in his robe, emerged from his
palace into the busy streets. It is at night that the vitality of
Oriental life is most impressive.
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