BAS-RELIEFS. 
665 
of the peace and security near the throne. Under the same 
idea, we find the bow cased that accompanies it; and having 
a handle, which the bearer grasps, I should suppose it to be 
something of a cross-bow. A third person stands behind, on 
the other side of the sort of pillared recess which incloses the 
immediate group round the king. His dress is the Median robe 
and fluted tiara; and he holds a long wand in both hands : it has 
no appearance of ever having been pointed with a spear-head ; 
hence, I suppose him an officer of purely court occupation, and 
probably, from being so near the person of the monarch, of the 
highest rank. Just before the foot of the throne, two gracefully 
shaped vessels present themselves, similar to those which are 
carried by the figure in Plate XLVII., but with the addition of 
connecting chains to their covers. I have no doubt they contain 
burnt perfumes, and their situation between the king and his appli¬ 
cants warrants the idea. A muffled attendant approaches from 
without the pillared frame on that side, bringing a small metal¬ 
like pail, (as seen in the former plate,) which probably contains 
the prepared aromatics to supply them. Immediately behind 
the censers, and in front of the sovereign, appears a man in the 
short tunic and plain bonnet, with his left hand grasping the 
short staff which marks the court-ushers on the great stair-case, 
and his right held to his mouth, to prevent his breath exhaling 
towards the august personage to whom he bends as he addresses 
himself. Lowliness of attitude on approaching superiors, is yet 
sufficiently a mark of good breeding in Persia ; but this personal 
delicacy (so necessary indeed to mutual personal respect) seems 
to have expired with the courtiers of the Kaianian dynasty. 
Beneath the royal group, and divided from it by a long ho¬ 
rizontal border studded with roses, are five ranges of attendants, 
VOL. i. 4 Q 
