344 CONQUESTS OF THE SARACENS. 



for silver, the vise of which was better known. 

 The legal fifth was conveyed to Medina, consisting 

 of treasure beyond computation, jewels inestimable, 

 furniture of gold and silver, brocades and cloths of 

 silk, embroidered caparisons of horses, camels, 

 mules, and arms of every description. The victory 

 of Cadesia was followed by other more rapid and 

 extensive conquests. Saad, in the month of No- 

 vember, crossed the Euphrates, and in a single battle 

 reduced the whole Mesopotamian peninsula. With 

 a force augmented to 60,000 horse, he next crossed 

 the deep waters of the Tigris : the terrified Persians 

 had fled without offering the least opposition, and 

 could not forbear exclaiming that an army of demons 

 was coming upon them. These accumulated losses, 

 and a superstitious belief that the last day of their 

 religion and empire was at hand, induced Yezdijird 

 to abandon his capital of Madayn. Having lodged 

 a considerable part of his treasures in boats on the 

 Tigris, he fled to Jelwallah, at the foot of the Median 

 hills, taking with him his family and the more valu- 

 able of his effects. The spiritless troops followed 

 his example, leaving their country at the mercy of 

 the Saracens, who marched onward, shouting in 

 religious transport, as they entered the gates of the 

 deserted metropolis, " This is the white palace of 

 Khoosroo ! This is the promise of the apostle of 

 God !" 



The invaders could not express their mingled 

 sensations of surprise and delight, while surveying 

 in this splendid capital the miracles of architecture 

 and art, the gilded palaces, the strong and stately 

 porticoes, the abundance of victuals in the most ex- 

 quisite variety and profusion, which feasted their 

 senses, and courted their observation on every side. 

 Every street added to their astonishment, every 

 chamber revealed a new treasure ; and the greedy 

 spoilers were suddenly enriched beyond the measure 

 of their hopes or their knowledge. To a people 



