"Bride of the Sun! and Sister of the Moon!" ('T was thus he spake,) "and Empress of the Earth! Whose frown would put the spheres all out of tune, Whose smile makes all the planets dance with mirth, Your slave brings tidings--he hopes not too soon-- Which your sublime attention may be worth: The Sun himself has sent me like a ray, To hint that he is coming up this way." CXLV. "Is it," exclaimed Gulbeyaz, "as you say? I wish to heaven he would not shine till morning! But bid my women form the milky way. Hence, my old comet! give the stars due warning--[ft] And, Christian! mingle with them as you may, And as you'd have me pardon your past scorning-----" Here they were interrupted by a humming Sound, and then by a cry, "The Sultan's coming!" CXLVI. First came her damsels, a decorous file, And then his Highness' eunuchs, black and white; The train might reach a quarter of a mile: His Majesty was always so polite As to announce his visits a long while Before he came, especially at night; For being the last wife of the Emperor, She was of course the favourite of the four. CXLVII. His Highness was a man of solemn port, Shawled to the nose, and bearded to the eyes, Snatched from a prison to preside at court, His lately bowstrung brother caused his rise; He was as good a sovereign of the sort As any mentioned in the histories Of Cantemir, or Knōllěs, where few shine[fu] Save Solyman, the glory of their line.[313] CXLVIII. He went to mosque in state, and said his prayers With more than "Oriental scrupulosity;"[314] He left to his vizier all state affairs, And showed but little royal curiosity: I know not if he had domestic cares-- No process proved connubial animosity; Four wives and twice five hundred maids, unseen, Were ruled as calmly as a Christian queen.[fv] CXLIX. If now and then there happened a slight slip, Little was heard of criminal or crime; The story scarcely passed a single lip-- The sack and sea had settled all in time, From which the secret nobody could rip: The public knew no more than does this rhyme; No scandals made the daily press a curse-- Morals were better, and the fish no worse.[fw] CL. He saw with his own eyes the moon was round, Was also certain that the earth was square, Because he had journeyed fifty miles, and found No sign that it was circular anywhere;[fx] His empire also was without a bound: 'T is true, a little troubled here and there, By rebel pachas, and encroaching giaours, But then they never came to "the Seven Towers;"[315] CLI.