Many strange and complex emotions were at work within him, . . emotions which he could neither control nor analyze,--and though he felt himself fully alive,--alive to his very finger-tips, he was ever and anon aware of a curious sensation like that experienced by a suddenly startled somnambulist, who, just on the point of awaking, hesitates reluctantly on the threshold of dreamland, unwilling to leave one realm of shadows for another more seeming true, yet equally transient. Entangled in perplexed reveries he scarcely noticed the brilliant crowds of people that were flocking hither and thither through the streets, many of whom recognizing Sah-luma waved their hands or shouted some gay word of greeting,--he saw, as it were without seeing. The whirling pageant around him was both real and unreal,--there was always a deep sense of mystery that hung like a cloud over his mind,--a cloud that no resolution of his could lift,--and often he caught himself dimly speculating as to what lay BEHIND that cloud. Something, he felt sure,--something that like the clew to an intricate problem, would explain much that was now altogether incomprehensible,--moreover he remorsefully realized that he had formerly known that clew and had foolishly lost it, but how he could not tell. His gaze wandered from the figure of Sah-luma to that of the attendant harp-bearer who, perched on a narrow foothold on the back of the chariot, held his master's golden instrument aloft as though it were a flag of song,--the signal of a poet's triumph, destined to float above the world forever! Just then the equipage--arrived at the Kings palace. Turning the horses' heads with a sharp jerk so that the mettlesome creatures almost sprang erect on their haunches, Sah-luma drove them swiftly into a spacious courtyard, lined with soldiers in full armor, and brilliantly illuminated, where two gigantic stone Sphinxes, with lit stars ablaze between their enormous brows, guarded a flight of steps that led up to what seemed to be an endless avenue of white marble columns. Here slaves in gorgeous attire rushed forward, and seizing the prancing coursers by the bridle rein, held them fast while the Laureate and his companion alighted. As they did so, a mighty and resounding clash of weapons struck the tesselated pavement,--every soldier flung his drawn sword on the ground and doffed his helmet, and the cry of "HAIL, SAH-LUMA!"