During his rapid journey, the idea of Gaspar perpetually followed that of Kara Aziek: till this period that dear friend’s image had been almost effaced by intense anxiety for the fate of Aziek, and by ineffectual attempts at regaining her: now, that he had beheld and conversed with his beloved, and was hastening to fields of contest for her sake, he felt proudly secure, and turned with tender solicitude to the remembrance of his distant friend. The nights in Arabia are bright as noon; yet their tranquillity, their freshness, their crystal clearness, are so celestially unlike the relentless fire of their days, that the traveller stretches himself out on the terrace of the house which lodges him, not to sleep, but to gaze on the resplendent Heavens. Those enchanting nights elevate man’s nature; they refresh his body, they purify his soul: their serene influence appears to render sleep unnecessary, and a sublime calm, like that repose which imagination attributes to God’s, pervades his whole being, and alone regenerates his powers. Under such impressions, Sebastian lay thinking of Gaspar: the sacred sentiment of friendship was worthy of the scene. Departing from the luxuriant neighbourhood of Mecca, Sebastian passed over the mountains of Gabel el Ared, toiled through the Arabian desart, crossed the date-shaded Euphrates, and entered Persia: shortly afterwards he knew himself to be approaching Ispahan, by the far-stretching fields of roses, amongst which that famed city was in those days embosomed. Soon its high walls and lofty domes were seen along the horizon, forming but a comparatively diminutive line at the feet of the gigantic mountains of Taurus. How little, how atom-like are all the labours of art, when contrasted with the vast and eternal productions of nature! He approached the town; troops of warriors were pouring from different gates: the trampling of their white steeds, was mixed with the sound of martial music; banners and spears rose above their thick lines, and their leaders clad in magnificent habits, superbly mounted, and completely armed, rode onward with an air of troubled haste. Every thing announced alarm and precipitation; the fate of Persia was then hanging in the balance; a day longer, and she might cease to exist among nations! At the sound of the trumpet, the war-horse long dismissed to pasture, starts, flashes his fiery eyes, tosses his proud neck aloft, strains every sinew, and rushes upon the shock of battle: Sebastian’s limbs shook like his, with a powerful emotion excited by the troops of the Sophi: his heart beat high; it swelled with a sentiment of fraternity towards every soldier before him. His eyes long pursued their hurried march, till distance lessened them, and then turning into one of the gates, he sought impatiently some house where he might obtain information of Sir Anthony Shirley.