AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 
53 
Formerly a feast of tulips was celebrated in the seraglio of 
the Grand Seignior. Long galleries were erected, with raised 
seats, covered with the richest tapestry, presenting the appear¬ 
ance of an amphitheatre. On these were placed an almost 
infinite number of crystal vases, filled with the most beautiful 
tulips the world produced. In the evening the scene was 
splendidly illuminated; the wax tapers, as they gave light, 
emitted the most exquisite odours. To these were added lamps 
of the most brilliant colours, forming on all sides garlands of 
opal, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, and rubies. Innumerable 
singing-birds, in cages of gold, roused by the splendour of the 
scene, mingled their warbling notes with the melodious har¬ 
mony of instruments, whose cords were tuned by invisible 
musicians. Showers of rose-water refreshed the air; and sud¬ 
denly the doors were opened, and a number of young odalisks 
entered to blend the brilliancy of their charms and appearance 
with that of the enchanted scene. 
In the centre of the seraglio a splendid pavilion shaded the 
Grand Seignior, who negligently reclined on costly skins; 
while the lords of his court, habited in their richest attire, were 
seated at his feet to behold the dances of the lovely women of 
the court in all the luxurious display of their light and dazzling 
dresses. These sometimes encircled, and at others glided round 
the vases of tulips, whose beauty they sung. It was not sel¬ 
dom that a cloud rested on the sultan’s brow; then he looked 
upon all around with a stern and severe aspect. What! could 
chagrin then enter the soul of that all-powerful mortal ? Had 
he lost one of his provinces ? Did he fear the revolt of his 
fierce janissaries ? Ah no! two poor slaves alone had troubled 
his heart. He had observed, during the gayeties of the feast, a 
young page presenting a tulip to a beautiful girl who had cap¬ 
tivated him. The sultan was ignorant of their secrets, but a 
vague feeling of inquietude took possession of his heart—jeal¬ 
ousy tormented and beset him. But what is the jealousy of a 
sultan, or what are bolts and bars, against love ? A look and a 
flower are enough for that wicked god to change a horrid seraglio 
into a place of delight, and to avenge beauty outraged by chains. 
