Then he gave Command to build a castle in the wood. And all the workers came, and built it there, With ramparts three. As if by magic then A golden palace rose. The outer gate Was iron, loaded down with arms, and held By demons and by Ethiopians. These were the keepers of the gates, with steeds Untamed. With swords unsheathed they stood alert And waited for the King's commands. Of brass All chiselled was the second gate, supplied With cannons and with powder, guarded safe By beings supernatural. The third Was silver, such as may be seen in far Eirak. The beauty of the castle was Beyond compare! From far it seemed to be As double, like an elephant with two White ivory tusks. Where may its like be found? Three diamonds pure reflected all the light, Big as a melon. Now the castle built, The King a plaisance beautiful desired With gay pavilions, and all kinds of plants. The middle booth nine spacious rooms displayed, One for the royal audiences, adorned And pleasant as a bed of flowers. The King A festival maintained for forty days, With games and sports and dances to divert. And never was such animation seen! All ate and drank to sound of music sweet. They passed the loving-cup and drank to each In turn. For forty days resounded there The gongs and _gendarangs_, and joyous tones Of gay _serouni_ and _nefiri_ glad. "How beautiful is Bidasari!" all Exclaimed; "a thousand times more lovely than The Queen. Thrice happy are the merchant now And his good wife; by marriage they're allied To our great King, though strangers to the land. We count it strange that Bidasari's face In naught is like the merchant nor his wife. Who knoweth but that she, in mortal shape, An angel fair may be? Full many slaves The merchant hath, but never children own." "He found her when a babe, upon the shore," Another said, "and brought her up." The King Heard all their words. He thought: "It is the truth And this I take as proof of her high birth. She certainly is noble or come down From heaven."