CHAP. XL.
 
CONTINUATION OF
 
THE STORY OF YEZZEEZ.

YEZZEEZ having thanked his generous preserver, proceeded with lightened heart and renewed ardour. Borrowing swiftness from the breeze, he, as the nightingale at the scent of the rose, redoubled his speed; and travelling all night, arrived by day-break at the skirts of a city, at sight of whose elegant buildings the beholder became all gaze from astonishment, like the eye of the nergus. The environs of it were delightful as the borders of Eden, and its air, like that of paradise, captivated the souls of Rizwaun and the Hoories. On every side flowed deliciously-tasted streams among beds of flowers, as in the gardens of heaven. The boughs of the trees were crouded with rosy-billed birds, melodious as Barbud,* and on the brink of each stream the apple and cocoa-nut, mingled with the cypress and plane, bent under the weight of their fruits, as if offering a treat, to the ground. Emer­ald-winged parrots, like infants at the breast, pierced their beaks into the lus­cious mangoe and the juicy suddafool.* From the clemency of the air, the grape seemed to ferment in the cluster on the branches, as wine in the cask.

VERSE.
The soil was sweet-scented as amber, and the fruits like those of paradise.
The expanse as that of heaven, verdant and extensive, and fruits hung in clusters upon the branches.
The fruit trees bowed in prostration to the earth, as if in grateful thanks for their abundance.
The brilliancy of the plum on the green branch, was as a ruby in a setting of emerald.
The sweetness of the amrood* in sugared smiles mingled with the unnaub.*
The cluster of the grape, placing his cap saucily awry, saw black and white alike under his command.*
The sosun, as a crown for the intoxicated nergus, held an offering of golden spangles in its palm.
The leaves of the nergus were filled with pearls, to rub the stalk of the nusserun as a collyrium.
The sunbul, perfumed by the nafeh of musk, sneezed violently on the kirrunfool.
The muskbede,* resembling amber, some­times diffused ambergris, and sometimes musk.
The argwaun and summun, opposite the bede, exalted their standards of red and white.*

Yezzeez, on beholding this enchant­ing assemblage, remained for some time motionless as a statue; and when recovered, hastened to the city. On his arrival at the gateway, he saw the doors set with valuable jewels, and the way paved with agate, sprinkled over with musk. On his entrance he perceived the bazars arched over, like the eyebrows of the fair, and adorned with paintings fascinating as those of Mani. The paths were clear from soil as the hearts of the virtuous; and the air, like the air of melody, gave relief to the sorrowful heart. The streets, like the fumes of wine, excited chearful­ness; and the houses, as the regular rows of an avenue, afforded sensations of serenity.

While he was meditating and admir­ing these objects, two young men advanced with speed, and each seizing an arm, conducted him to a splendid palace. He was then led to a warm bath, and after washing, being rubbed with per­fumes and essences, was arrayed in royal robes, and a splendid crown set with jewels was placed upon his head. From the bath he was introduced into a sump­tuous hall, and seated upon a gorgeous throne, befitting the state of a powerful monarch. The nobles of the empire and officers of state, like respectful slaves, having made the usual prostrations and kissed the ground, raised the shout of congratulation to the azure skies. Yez­zeez on witnessing this conduct, like a figure in tapestry, or an image on a wall, remained without power to speak, and lost in astonishment and doubt, whether he was in a dream or awake.

At length, a venerable vizier, bow­ing his forehead on the dust of submission, informed him that he was in the city of Laabutbauz, the sovereign of which was just deceased; and, according to the laws of the empire, he, as the first arrived stranger, was his successor in the throne, and to be united in marriage to the beau­tiful daughter of the late monarch; but on condition however, that he must not extend the hand of desire on the stores of honour, or entertain evil designs against the royal haram. Yezzeez, on hearing this speech, was overcome with a joy that cannot be described.