The King seized his prize and hurried home to examine it. The contents were a letter from Aziek’s friend to her countryman in Persia, and one from Aziek to Sebastian: she conjured him to hasten to Ispahan, where the Sophi held his court, there to seek Sir Anthony Shirley. Perhaps the zeal of that Englishman for a highly-allied countrywoman, would quicken his exertions for the man beloved by her protectress; and by his advice, or through his means, some safe plan for their flight from Syria might be devised.--At all events, she conjured him to couple prudence with enterprise, and to remember, that if her freedom was to be purchased by his death, the blessing would change into a curse. The instructions for his conduct contained in this letter, were so full and satisfactory, that Sebastian lost not a moment in fulfilling them: he calculated justly, that Kara Aziek would scarcely have reached the Basha’s camp, ere he should have entered Ispahan, procured permission to join the Sophi’s army, and perhaps carried that formidable camp sword in hand. He hastened to seek his Jewish host, and having engaged him to procure a trusty Arab as a guide, enjoining him to be ready early on the morrow, he returned to his chamber, where he threw himself on the ground to renovate his strength with sleep, ere he commenced his journey. CHAP. II. The morning sun shone cheeringly over the city, and the long line of varied coast which runs southward towards the straits of Babelmandel: from the groves of citron and the surrounding coffee-grounds, ascended a rich odour which the sea-breezes softened and refreshed. Sebastian paused a moment ere he mounted his horse; he looked back upon the city which contained Kara Aziek and the good Tefza. “Poor old man!” he exclaimed, “you will never see me more.” A tear started in his eye as he spoke, he thought of all Tefza’s past kindness, and his heart melted: but soon recovering, he laid his hand on the horse’s neck, vaulted into his seat, and galloped off after the Arabian guide. The new and fertile country through which they travelled, perpetually awakened the most lively emotions in the breast of a man, amiably susceptible to every charm of nature: its hills, covered with that enchanting jessamine which grows there so profusely, and perfumes the air almost insufferably; its vallies, embalmed with the gentler perfume of the sea-daffodil; the noble verdure which shaded these, composed of cedars, sycamores, and palms; that exquisite union of fruits, flowers, and living green, which the dews bathe and the sun embellishes; the song of birds and the hum of bees, all conspired to touch Sebastian’s heart, and to ravish his senses. His mind, animated by hope, had acquired fresh vigour for the enjoyment of delightful objects: the sentiment of happy love diffused its own sweetness over every sense, and had he not _found_ them beautiful, that sentiment would have made them so.