But we must return to the celestial court, and astonish the world with the wonderful events which there took place. The astrologers and wise men had consulted the heavens, and had ascertained that on the thirty-third minute after the thirteenth hour, the marriage procession must set out, or the consummation would not be prosperous. Who can describe the pomp and glory of the spectacle, or give an adequate idea of its splendour? Alas! it would not be possible, even if it were attempted by ten thousand poets, each with ten thousand tongues of silver, singing for ten thousand years. Such, however, was the order of the procession. First walked ten thousand officers of justice, with long bamboos, striking right and left to clear the way, to the cadence of soft music, blending with the plaintive cries of those who limped away and rubbed their shins. Then marching, ten abreast, one hundred thousand lanterns to assist the sun, partially eclipsed by the splendour of the procession. Next appeared, slowly keeping time to a dead march, five thousand decapitated criminals, each carrying his own head by its long tail of hair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Staffir Allah! What is that but a lie?" exclaimed the pacha. "Did you hear what the dog has dared to breathe into our ears, Mustapha?" "Mighty pacha," replied the Chinaman, with humility, "if your wisdom pronounces it to be a lie--a lie it most certainly must be; still it is not the lie of your slave, who but repeats the story as handed down by the immortal eastern poet." "Nevertheless, there appears to be a trifling mistake," observed Mustapha. "Is the procession to proceed, O pacha?" "Yes, yes; but by the Prophet, let the dog tremble, if again he presumes to laugh at our beards." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the decapitated criminals, which your highness objects to, came in procession those criminals with their heads on, who were to suffer for their offences on this day of universal happiness. First came two thousand robbers, sentenced to be hung up by their heels, emblematic of their wish to turn every thing, upside down--so to remain until they were pecked to death by the crows, or torn to pieces by the vultures. The banner of innovation. One of the robber chiefs, ordered to be choked with an abacus, which was suspended round his neck. Another of the robber chiefs. This man, although a follower of the court, and sunned in the celestial presence, had dared to utter vile falsehoods against the celestial dynasty. He was sentenced to have his skin peeled off; and to eat his own words, until he died from the virulent poison which they contained.