Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
“I went to visit the Kahya’s lady, and was met at the door by
two black eunuchs, who led me through a long gallery, between two
ranks of beautiful young girls, with their hair finely platted,
almost hanging to their feet, all dressed in fine light damasks,
brocaded with silver. I was sorry that decency did not permit me to
stop to consider them nearer; but that thought was lost upon my
entrance into a large room, or pavilion, built round with gilded
sashes, which were most of them thrown up; and the trees, planted
near them, gave an agreeable shade, which hindered the sun from
being troublesome. The jessamines and honeysuckles that twisted
round their trunks, shed a soft perfume, increased by a white marble
fountain, playing sweet water in the lower part of the room, which
fell into three or four basons with a pleasing sound. The roof was
painted with all sorts of flowers, falling out of gilded baskets,
that seemed tumbling down. On a sofa, raised three steps, and
covered with fine Persian carpets, sat the Kahya’s lady, leaning
on cushions of while satin embroidered; and at her feet sat two
young girls, about twelve years old, lovely as angels, dressed
perfectly rich, and almost covered with jewels. But they were hardly
seen near the fair Fatima, (for that was her name,) so much her
beauty effaced every thing I have seen, nay, all that has been
called lovely either in England or Germany. I must own, that I never
saw any thing so gloriously beautiful, nor can I recollect a face
that would have been taken notice of near her’s. She stood up to
receive me, saluting me after their fashion, by putting her hand to
her heart with a sweetness full of majesty, that no court breeding
could ever give. She ordered cushions to be given me; and took care
to place me in the corner, which is the place of honor. I confess,
though the Greek lady had before given me a great opinion of her
beauty, I was struck with admiration, that I could not, for some
time, speak to her, being wholly taken up in gazing. That surprising
harmony of features! That charming result of the whole! That lovely
bloom of complexion, unsullied by art! The unutterable enchantment
of her smile!--But her eyes!--Large and black, with all the soft
languishment of the blue! every turn of her face discovering some
new grace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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