CHAP. XXXI.
 
MARRIAGE OF
 
THE PRINCE OF FUTTUN.

THE acquainted with the customs of the festivities of Jumshede, and informed in the ceremonials of the galas of Feredoon, having spread the carpets of mirth and joy in the royal palace, made ready the preparations for enjoy­ment and delight. The sound of the drums of prosperity reverberated thro’ the azure dome of the firmament, and the shouts of pleasure and rejoicing reached the extremities of the globe. The wine of gladness sparkled in the goblet of congratulation, and the sprightly melody of lively airs from the lute, eased the mind of care. In every apartment they strewed variety of flow­ers and sweetly-scented herbs, and mixed together whole bags of the musk of Azfir and essences of ambergris, to regale the senses of the joyous assembly. Fascinating vocal performers, like the Koomri, chaunted mirthful strains, and magic-sounding musicians, like Venus, drew forth the notes of delight. Jasmine-faced cup-bearers, with ruby-coloured wine, gave zest and brilliancy to the assemblage of pleasure, and sweetly-smiling flower girls with their varied attitudes drew the hearts of beholders into the snares of their platted tresses.

VERSE.
The festival of music and wine was so delightfully arranged, that paradise envied its joys.
Musicians from every region were collected, each a celebrated professor in his art.
The solemn strains of the minstrel were accompanied by the Kanoon, and the poet’s song of congratulation ascended to the skies in lengthened notes.

When the bridegroom illuming the assembly of the world added splendour to the nuptial chamber of the west, the attendants ushered the princess bride in the highest pomp and state royally adorned, to a throne brilliant as the heavens, with the usual rejcoicings. Having invested the prince with shining robes, and brought him in the splendour of Feredoon and magnificence of Keiko­baud to the imperial palace, they enthroned him with the hoori-rivalling bride, and as it were conjoined in one mansion the sun and moon.

Shouts of congratulation now arose from the enjoyers of earthly festivity, and reached the assemblies of the heavens. The sounds of gladness and exultation resounded throughout the world; while so great was the nissar* of jewels and gold, that the cow of the globe bent under the weight, and the courts of the palace, from the scattering of numberless flowers and effusion of perfumes, became the envy of the plains of Khoten. When the nuptial ceremo­nies were concluded, and the company, like the birds of a garden, retired to rest, the nightingale was left to enjoy retire­ment with the beloved rose.

When the golden-robed monarch of the heavens, arising from the embraces of the amber-veiled bride of night, had quitted the chamber of the east, and, after the custom of the liberal, bestow­ing alms of light, scattered gold over the regions of the world, the prince left the apartment of purity; and, according to royal usage, gave splendour to the throne of public audience. Like the sovereign of spring, he diffused riches among the inhabitants of the world, and conferred many-coloured serpas and rich khelauts* on the attendants of the court, making them happy and delighted as the natives of the garden. The old lady, by whose fortunate stratagem the talisman of suspense was removed from the treasure of his desires, in reward for so great a service, he covered with gold and jewels, so as to raise her in her latter years from poverty to extreme wealth, and make her, like a serpent,* the guardian of a vast treasure.

The prince, when the usual time of nuptial festivities had expired, having formed the resolution of return to his own country, communicated his wish of taking leave to the sultaun, who, much against his will, consented. According to the custom of his ancestors, giving rein to the steed of genius in the course of liberality, he bestowed, by way of portion to his daughter, so many thou­sand horses, caskets of jewels, packages of musk, strings of camels male and female, bales of rich manufactures, and the rare productions of the seven regions of the globe, so many sun-resplendent female and ghillim-like* male slaves, that arithmetical skill, nay, arithmetic itself would in calculation feel the perspiration of inability on the fore­head.

VERSE.
From chests of gold, ornaments of rubies and pearls, the backs of many elephants were made treasuries.
Of Tartarian musk were numerous bales; of ood and amber, ass loads.
Crowns set with emeralds and rubies; horses of Arabia shod with steel.
Goblets of emeralds, bowls of cornelian, each of which was filled with jewels.
Male slaves of Abyssinia with rings in their ears; Hindoo slave girls clothed in tissue of gold.
Would any one calculate what was given in his mind, let him know, he gave his all, but still was obliged.

The prince, when with all this favour and bounty, having obtained permission of departure from the sultaun, he was honoured by audience of leave, placing Mherbanou in an houdije,* the canopy of which was set with jewels brilliant as the umbrella of Jumshede, and its koobba* radiant as the orbit of the sun, departed for the metropolis of Futtun, and swift as the moon pursued the stages of his route.