Pagina 445 di 1116

I drew nearer and saw him sitting on a throne incrusted and

inlaid with pearls and gems; and his robes were of gold-cloth

adorned with jewels of every kind, each one flashing like a star.

Around him stood fifty Mamelukes, white slaves, clothed in silks

of divers sorts holding their drawn swords in their hands; but

when I drew near to them lo! all were black stones. My

understanding was confounded at the sight, but I walked on and

entered the great hall of the Harim,[FN#308] whose walls I found

hung with tapestries of gold striped silk and spread with silken

carpets embroidered with golden cowers. Here I saw the Queen

lying at full length arrayed in robes purfled with fresh

young[FN#309] pearls; on her head was a diadem set with many

sorts of gems each fit for a ring[FN#310] and around her neck

hung collars and necklaces. All her raiment and her ornaments

were in natural state but she had been turned into a black stone

by Allah's wrath.