THE CRYSTAL LAKE OF SHALIMAR. 205 



which, although falling to pieces from neglect, are 

 still beautiful. 



We also made frequent excursions upon the lake, 

 which in some parts resembles a luxuriant flower- 

 garden from the innumerable lilies and broad- 

 leaved lotus plants that cover its surface. The 

 floating islands, rich with tropical verdure of every 

 tint and hue contrasting with range upon range 

 of snow-clad mountains in the background and the 

 deep blue Italian sky above, form a scene such as 

 poets only can imagine. Moore thus describes it 

 in " Lalla Rookh : " 



" Oh ! to see it at sunset, when warm o'er the lake, 

 Its splendour at parting a summer eve throws. 

 Like a bride, full of blushes, when ling'ring to take 

 A last look of her mirror at night ere she goes. 



" And what a wilderness of flowers ! 

 It seemed as though from all the bowers, 

 And fairest fields of all the year, 

 The mingled spoil were scattered hei-e. 

 The lake, too, like a garden breathes 

 With the rich buds that o'er it lie. 

 As if a shower of fairy wreaths 

 Had fallen on it from the sky." 



We also frequently visited the Nusseem-bagh, 



