Such a phrase as "the place of his dominion" is not suited to ballad composition, nor is the four-line rhyming grateful to the ear, although the measure is all that could be desired. Once more I think I see the hand of Scott in this translation, his 'equestrian' rhythm, his fondness for introducing words intended to assist local colour, as Of gold-wrought robe or turban--nor jewelled tahali, which he must, perforce, explain in a note as 'scimitar.' The young Zegri, we are told, is attired for action, not for the cavalcade or procession. Indeed, his armour and even his horse are camouflaged to assist his passage through an enemy's country without observation. The belt is black, the hilt is dim, but the sheathed blade is bright; They have housen'd his barb in a murky garb, but yet her hoofs are light. And again: In darkness and in swiftness rides every armed knight, The foam on the rein ye may see it plain, but nothing else is white. Lisaro wears on his bonnet a sprig of bay given him by Zayda, his lady. And ever as they rode, he looked upon his lady's boon. "God knows," quoth he, "what fate may be--I may be slaughtered soon." But he lives to win his bride, as we are told in the curt final verse: Young Lisaro was musing so, when onwards on the path He well could see them riding slow; then prick'd he in his wrath. The raging sire, the kinsmen of Zayda's hateful house, Fought well that day, yet in the fray the Zegri won his spouse. The Bridal of Andella "The Bridal of Andella" is brilliant with Oriental colouring: Rise up, rise up, Xarifa, lay the golden cushion down; Rise up, come to the window, and gaze with all the town. From gay guitar and violin the silver notes are flowing, And the lovely lute doth speak between the trumpet's lordly blowing, And banners bright from lattice light are waving everywhere, And the tall, tall plume of our cousin's bridegroom floats proudly in the air: Rise up, rise up, Xarifa, lay the golden cushion down; Rise up, come to the window, and gaze with all the town.