'
Instantly the holy watchers fired the beacons on the mountain top, and
anon a thousand flames blazed round the land. From Caucasus to Lebanon,
on every peak a crown of light.
'Sire! a Tatar has arrived from Hamadan, who will see none but thyself.
I have told him your Highness was engaged, and sent him to the Lord
Honain; but all denial is lost upon him. And as I thought perhaps the
Lady Miriam----'
'From Hamadan? You did well, Pharez. Admit him.'
The Tatar entered.
'Well, Sir; good news, I hope!'
'Sire, pardon me, the worst. I come from the Lord Abner, with orders to
see the Caliph, and none else.'
'Well, Sir, you see the Caliph. Your mission? What of the Viceroy?'
'Sire, he bade me tell thee, that, the moment the beacon that announced
the Feast of the New Moon was fired on Caucasus, the dreaded monarch of
Karasme, the great Alp Arslan, entered thy kingdom, and now overruns all
Persia.'
'Hah! and Abner?'
'Is in the field, and prays for aid.'
'He shall have it. This is indeed great news! When left you Hamadan?'
'Night and day I have journeyed upon the swiftest dromedary. The third
morn sees me at Bagdad.'
'You have done your duty. See this faithful courier be well tended,
Pharez.
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