The Welcome

To the Grand Vizier the glad news was brought,
And he deemed he had compassed each aim he sought.
He hade proclamation he made, and all
The army of Memphis obeyed the call,
That with full equipment and arms complete,
At the place appointed the hosts should meet.
From head to foot they were bright to behold,
Smothered in jewels, and sheen of gold.
Myriad boys and maidens were there,
With cheeks of the rose, and like full moons fair.
Like a palm-tree of gold in the saddle set,
Showed each youth with his collar and coronet.
And bright in her charms with their sevenfold aid,
Screened in her litter of gold was each maid ;
Loudly in triumph glad voices rang
As sweet-toned singers in unison sang,
The harp of the minstrel was strung anew,
And the music he made was of triumph too.
Of meeting and pleasure the soft flute spoke,
And tender thoughts in each heart awoke,
While sorrow fled far at the merry din
Of the drum, and rebeck, and violin.
Thus in jubilee blithe and gay,
The escort from Memphis pursued its way.
Three stages, as journeys the moon, they passed.
And the sun of beauty was reached at last.
To a smooth and spacious meadow they came,
Studded with thousands of domes of flame,
You had said that the sky had poured down on the plain
Its brightest stars in a golden rain.
There rose a pavilion, girt with a wall
Of chosen sentinels, high over all.
Laughed the Vizier as he saw it gleam,
As the orient laughs with the first sunbeam.
Swift from his steed he alighted and bent
His eager steps to the royal tent.
The harem warders came forth to meet
The noble, and bowed to the earth at his feet.
He asked of their lady, and bade them say,
What of the weather and toil of the way.
Of the princely gifts that, were with id » . 1-lJo.se
That were fairest and best in his sight
Sweet-smiling boys of his own b< mssbAe.
With caps and girdles ablaze with ylb
High-bred horses with golden gear,
Covered with jewels from croup to ear;
Raiment of satin and woven hair,
And pearls from his storehouse most rich and rare
Sugar of Egypt, with care refined,
And sherbet of every colour and kind —
All on the spacious plain were arrayed,
And with courteous words his excuses he made.
He ordered the march at the break of day,
When homeward again he would bend his way.