It was a trifle after noon. The trireme and the assemblage of admiring townspeople had disappeared, leaving the bay and its shores to their wonted quiet. The palace, however, nestling in the garden under the promontory1, must be permitted to hold our interest longer.
Aboo-Obeidah had eaten and drunk, for being on a journey, he was within the license2 of the law as respects wine; and now he sat with the Princess alone at the end of the portico3 lately occupied by the Emperor and his suite4. A number of her attendants amused themselves out of hearing of the two, though still within call. She occupied the sedilium; he a seat by the table near her. Save a fine white veil on an arm and a fan which she seldom used, her appearance was as in the morning.
It is to be admitted now that the Princess was finding a pleasure in the society of the Sheik. If aware of the fact, which was doubtful, it is still more doubtful if she could have explained it. We are inclined to think the mystery attaching to the man had as much to do with the circumstance as the man himself. He was polite, engaging, and handsome; the objection to his complexion5, if such there were, was at least offset6 by a very positive faculty7 of entertaining; besides which, the unspeakable something in manner, always baffling disguises, always whispering of other conditions, always exciting suggestions and expectations, was present here.
If she thought him the Bedouin he assumed to be, directly a word changed the opinion; did she see the Governor of the old Castle in his face, an allusion8 or a bit of information dropped by him unaware9 spoke10 of association far beyond such a subordinate; most perplexing, however, where got the man his intelligence? Did learning like his, avoiding cloisters11, academies, and teachers of classical taste, comport12 with camel-driving and tent-life in deserts harried13 by winds and sand?
The mystery, together with the effort to disentangle it, resolved the Princess into an attentive14 auditor15. The advantages in the conversation were consequently with the Sheik; and he availed himself of them to lead as he chose.
"You have heard, O Princess, of the sacred fig-tree of the Hindus?"
"No."
"In one of their poems--the Bhagavad Gita, I think--it is described as having its roots above and its branches downward; thus drawing life from the sky and offering its fruit most conveniently, it is to me the symbol of a good and just king. It rose to my mind when thy kinsman--may Allah be thrice merciful to him!--passed me with his speech of forgiveness, and this gift "--he raised his hand, and looked at the ring on one of the fingers-"in place of which I was more deserving burial in the Bosphorus, as the black-browed Admiral said."
A frown dark as the Admiral's roughened his smooth brow.
"Why so?" she inquired.
"The tales I told were of a kind to be spared a Greek, even one who may not cover his instep with the embroidered16 buskin of an Emperor."
"Nay17, Sheik, they did not ruffle18 him. On the tongue of a Turk, I admit, the traditions had been boastful, but you are not a Turk."
The remark might have been interrogative; wherefore with admirable address, he replied: "An Ottoman would see in me an Arab wholly unrelated to him, except as I am a Moslem19. Let it pass, O Princess--he forgave me. The really great are always generous. When I took the ring, I thought, Now would the young Mahommed have so lightly pardoned the provocation20?"
"Mahommed!" she said.
"Not the Prophet," he answered; "but the son of Amurath."
"Ah, you know him?"
"I have sat with him, O Princess, and at table often helped him to meat and bread. I have been his cupbearer and taster, and as frequently shared his outdoor sports; now hunting with hawk21, and now with hound. Oh, it were worth a year of common days to gallop22 at his right hand, and exult23 with him when the falcon24, from its poise25 right under the sun, drops itself like an arrow upon its enemy! I have discoursed26 with him also on themes holy and profane27, and given and taken views, and telling him tales in prose and verse, have seen the day go out, then come again. In knightly28 practice I have tilted29 with him, and more than once, by his side in battle, loosened rein30 at the same cry and charged. His Sultana mother knows him well; but, by the lions and the eagles who served Solomon, I know him, beginning where her knowledge left off--that is, where the horizon of manhood stretched itself to make room for his enlarging soul."
The awakening31 curiosity of his listener was not lost upon the Sheik.
"You are surprised to hear a kindly32 speech of the son of Amurath," he said.
She flushed slightly.
"I am not a person, Sheik, whose opinions are dangerous to the peace of States, and of whom diplomacy33 is required; yet it would grieve me to give offence to you or your friend, the Prince Mahommed. If now I concede a wish to have some further knowledge of one who is shortly to inherit the most powerful of the Eastern Kingdoms, the circumstance ought not to subject me to harsh judgment34."
"Princess," the Sheik said, "nothing so becomes a woman as care where words may be the occasion of mischief35. As a flower in a garden, such a woman would rank as the sovereign rose; as a bird, she would be the bulbul, the sweetest of singers, and in beauty, a heron with throat of snow, and wings of pink and scarlet36; as a star, she would be the first of the evening, and the last to pale in the morning--nay, she would be a perpetual morning. Of all fates what more nearly justifies37 reproach of Allah than to have one's name and glory at the mercy of a rival or an enemy? I am indeed Mahommed's friend--I know him--I will defend him, where sacred truth permits defence. And then"--his glance fell, and he hesitated.
"And what then?" she asked.
He gave her a grateful look, and answered: "I am going to Adrianople. The Prince will be there, and can I tell him of this audience, and that the Princess Irene regrets the evil reported of him in Constantinople, and is not his enemy, straightway he will number himself of those the most happy and divinely remembered, whose books are to be given them in their right hands."
The Princess looked at the singer, her countenance38 clear, serene39, fair as a child's, and said:
"I am the enemy of no one living. Report me so to him. The Master I follow left a law by which all men and women are neighbors whom I am to love and pray for as I love and pray for myself. Deliver him the very words, O Sheik, and he will not misunderstand me."
A moment after she asked:
"But tell me more of him. He is making the world very anxious."
"Princess," the Sheik began, "Ebn Hanife was a father amongst Dervishes, and he had a saying, 'Ye shall know a plant by its flower, a vine by its fruit, and a man by his acts; what he does being to the man as the flower to the plant, and the fruit to the vine; if he have done nothing, prove him by his tastes and preferences, for what he likes best that he will do when left to himself.' By these tests let us presume to try the Prince Mahommed.... There is nothing which enthralls40 us like the exercise of power--nothing we so nearly carry with us into the tomb to be a motive41 there; for who shall say it has not a part in the promise of resurrection? If so, O Princess, what praise is too great for him who, a young man placed upon a throne by his father, comes down from it at his father's call?"
"Did Mahommed that?"
"Not once, O Princess, but twice."
"In so much at least his balance should be fair."
"To whom is the pleasant life in a lofty garden, its clusters always near at hand--to whom, if not to the just judges of their fellow-men?"
The Sheik saluted43 her twice by carrying his right hand to his beard, then to his forehead.
"Attend again, O Princess," he continued, more warmly than in the outset. "Mahommed is devoted44 to learning. At night in the field when the watches are set, the story-tellers, poets, philosophers, lawyers, preachers, experts in foreign tongues, and especially the inventors of devices, a class by themselves, supposed generally to live on dreams as others on bread--all these, finding welcome in his tent, congregate46 there. His palace in the city is a college, with recitations and lectures and instructive conversations. The objection his father recognized the times he requested him to vacate the throne was that he was a student. His ancestors having been verse makers47, poetry is his delight; and if he does not rival them in the gentle art, he surpasses them in the number of his acquirements. The Arab, the Hebrew, the Greek, the Latin address him and have answers each in his mother's tongue. Knew you ever a scholar, O Princess, whose soul had utterly48 escaped the softening49 influence of thought and study? It is not learning which tames the barbarian50 so much as the diversion of mind from barbaric modes required of him while in the pursuit of learning."
She interrupted him, saying pleasantly: "I see, O Sheik, if to be at the mercy of an enemy is sad, how fortunate where one's picture is intended if the artist be a friend. Where had the Prince his instructors51?"
There was a lurking52 smile in the Sheik's eyes, as he replied: "The sands in my country drink the clouds dry, and leave few fountains except of knowledge. The Arab professors in Cordova, whom the Moorish55 Kaliphs deemed themselves honored in honoring, were not despised by the Bishops56 of Rome. Amurath, wanting teachers for Mahommed, invited the best of them to his court. Ah--if I had the time!"
Observing his sigh had not failed its mark, he continued: "I would speak of some of the books I have seen on the Prince's table; for as a licensed57 friend, I have been in his study. Indeed, but for fear of too greatly recommending myself, I would have told you earlier, O Princess, how he favoured me as one of his teachers."
"Of poetry and story-telling, I suppose?"
"Why not?" he asked. "Our history is kept and taught in such forms. Have we a hero not himself a poet, he keeps one.... Upon the Prince's table, in the central place, objects of his reverence58, the sources to which he most frequently addresses himself when in need of words and happy turns of expression, his standards of comparison for things beautiful in writing and speech, mirrors of the Most Merciful, whispering galleries wherein the voice of the Most Compassionate59 is never silent, are the Koran, with illustrations in gold, and the Bible in Hebrew, copied from torahs of daily use in the Synagogues."
"The Bible in Hebrew! Does he read it?"
"Like a Jewish elder."
"And the Gospels?"
The Sheik's face became reproachful.
"Art thou--even thou, O Princess--of those who believe a Moslem must reject Christ because the Prophet of Islam succeeded him with later teachings?"
Dropping then into the passionless manner, he continued:
"The Koran does not deny Christ or his Gospels. Hear what it says of itself: 'And this Koran is not a forgery60 of one who is no God, but it hath been sent down as a confirmation61 of those books which have been before it, and an explanation of the Scriptures62 from the Lord of the Worlds.' [Footnote: The Koran] ... That verse, O Princess, transcribed63 by the Prince Mahommed himself, lies between the Bible and the Koran; the two being, as I have said, always together upon his table."
"What then is his faith?" she asked, undisguisedly interested.
"Would he were here to declare it himself!"
This was said disconsolately65; then the Sheik broke out:
"The truth now of the son of Amurath! Listen!--He believes in God. He believes in the Scriptures and the Koran, holding them separate wings of the divine Truth by which the world is to attain66 righteousness. He believes there have been three Prophets specially45 in the confidence of God: Moses, the first one; Jesus, who was greater than Moses; Mahomet, the very greatest--not for speaking better or sublimer67 things, but because he was last in their order of coming. Above all, O Princess, he believes worship due to the Most High alone; therefore he prays the prayer of Islam, God is God, and Mahomet is his Prophet--meaning that the Prophet is not to be mistaken for God."
The Sheik raised his dark eyes, and upon meeting them the Princess looked out over the bay. That she was not displeased68 was the most he could read in her face, the youthful light of which was a little shaded by thinking. He waited for her to speak.
"There were other books upon the Prince's table?" she presently asked.
"There were others, O Princess."
"Canst thou name some of them?"
The Sheik bowed profoundly.
"I see the pearls of Ebn Hanife's saying were not wasted. Mahommed is now to be tried by his tastes and preferences. Let it be so.... I saw there, besides dictionaries Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, the Encyclopaedia69 of Sciences, a rare and wonderful volume by a Granadian Moor54, Ibn Abdallah. I saw there the Astronomy and Astronomical70 Tables of Ibn Junis, and with them a silver globe perfected from the calculations of Almamon the Kaliph, which helps us to the geographical71 principle not yet acknowledged in Rome, that the earth is round. I saw there the Book of the Balance of Wisdom by Alhazan, who delved72 into the laws of nature until there is nothing phenomenal left. I saw there the Philosophy of Azazzali the Arab, for which both Christian73 and Moslem should be grateful, since it has given Philosophy its true place by exalting74 it into a handmaiden of Religion. I saw there books treating of trade and commerce, of arms and armor, and machines for the assault and defence of cities, of military engineering, and the conduct of armies in grand campaigns, of engineering not military, dealing75 with surveying, and the construction of highways, aqueducts, and bridges, and the laying out of towns. There, also, because the soul of the student must have rest and diversion, I saw volumes of songs and music loved by lovers in every land, and drawings of mosques76, churches and palaces, masterpieces of Indian and Saracenic genius; and of gardens there was the Zebra, created by Abderrahman for the best loved of his Sultanas. Of poetry, O Princess, I saw many books, the lord of them a copy of Homer in Arabic, executed on ivory from the translation ordered by Haroun Al-Raschid."
During this recital77 the Princess scarcely moved. She was hearing a new version of Mahommed; and the Sheik, like a master satisfied with his premises78, proceeded to conclusions.
"My Lord has a habit of dreaming, and he does not deny it--he believes in it. In his student days, he called it his rest. He used to say, when his brain reeled in overtask dreaming was a pillow of down and lavender; that in moments of despair, dreaming took his spirit in its hands softer than air, and, nurse-like, whispered and sung to it, and presently it was strong again. Not many mornings ago he awoke to find that in a deep sleep some ministrant had come to him, and opened the doors of his heart, and let out its flock of boyish fantasies. He has since known but three visions. Would it please you, O Princess, to hear of them? They may be useful as threads on which to hang the Dervish father's pearls of saying."
She re-settled herself, resting her cheek on her hand, and her elbow on the arm of the chair, and replied:
"I will hear of them."
"The visions have all of them reference to the throne he is soon to ascend79, without which they would be the mere80 jingling81 of a jester's rattle82.
"First Vision.... He will be a hero. If his soul turned from war, he were not his father's son. But unlike his father, he holds war the servant of peace, and peace the condition essential to his other visions.
"Second Vision.... He believes his people have the genius of the Moors83, and he will cultivate it in rivalry84 of that marvellous race."
"Of the Moors, O Sheik?" the Princess said, interrupting him. "Of the Moors? I have always heard of them as pillagers of sacred cities-- infidels sunk in ignorance, who stole the name of God to excuse invasions and the spilling of rivers of blood."
The Sheik lifted his head haughtily85.
"I am an Arab, and the Moors are Arabs translated from the East to the West."
"I crave86 thy pardon," she said, gently.
And calming himself, he rejoined: "If I weary you, O Princess, there are other subjects to which I can turn. My memory is like the box of sandal-wood a lady keeps for her jewelry87. I can open it at will, and always find something to please--better probably because I have it from another."
"No," she returned, artlessly, "a hero in actual life transcends88 the best of fancies--and besides, Sheik, you spoke of a third vision of your friend, the Prince Mahommed."
He dropped his eyes lest she should see the brightness with which they filled.
"War, my Lord says, is a necessity which, as Sultan, he cannot avoid. Were he disposed to content himself with the empire descending89 from his great father, envious90 neighbors would challenge him to the field. He must prove his capacity in defence. That done, he vows91 to tread the path made white and smooth by Abderrahman, the noblest and best of the Western Kaliphs. He will set out by founding a capital somewhere on the Bosphorus. Such, O Princess, is my Lord Mahommed's Third Vision."
"Nay, Sheik--on the Marmora--at Broussa, perhaps."
"I am giving the Vision as he gave it to me, Princess. For where else, he asks, has the spreading earth diviner features than on the Bosphorus? Where bends a softer sky above a friendlier channel by Nature moulded for nobler uses? Where are there seas so bridled92 and reduced? Does not the rose bloom here all the year? Yonder the East, here the West--must they be strangers and enemies forever? His capital, he declares, shall be for their entertainment as elder and younger brother. Within its walls, which he will build strong as a mountain's base, with gates of brass93 invulnerable, and towers to descry94 the clouds below the horizon, he will collect unselfishly whatever is good and beautiful, remembering he serves Allah best who serves his fellow-men."
"All his fellow-men, Sheik?"
"All of them."
Then she glanced over the bay, and said very softly:
"It is well; for 'if ye salute42 your brethren only, what do ye more than others?'"
The Sheik smiled, saying:
"And thus the latest Prophet, O Princess. 'Turn away evil by that which is better; and lo, he between whom and thyself was enmity, shall become as though he were a warm friend.'" [Footnote: Koran]
She answered, "A goodly echo."
"Shall I proceed?" he then asked.
"Yes."
"I was speaking of the Third Vision.... To make his capital the centre of the earth, he will have a harbor where ships from every country, and all at once, can come and lie, oars95 slung96 and sails furled: and near by for trade, a bazaar97 with streets of marble, and roofed with glass, and broad and long enough for a city unto itself; and in the midst a khan for lodging98 the merchants and travellers who have not other houses. And as did Abderrahman, he will build a University of vast enclosure; here temples, there groves99; nor may a study be named without its teacher, and he the most famous; so the votaries100 of Music and Poetry, Philosophy, Science, and the Arts, and the hundred-handed Mechanics shall dwell together like soldiers in a holy league. And comes that way one religious, of him but a question, Believest thou in God? and if he answer yes, then for him a ready welcome. For of what moment is it, my Lord asks, whether God bear this name or that? Or be worshipped with or without form? Or on foot or knee? Or whether the devout101 be called together by voice or bell? Is not Faith everything?"
The picture wrought102 upon the Princess. Her countenance was radiant, and she said half to herself, but so the Sheik heard her:
"It is a noble Vision."
Then the Sheik lowered his voice:
"If, with such schemes, excluding races and religions--hear me again, O Princess!--if with such schemes or visions, as thou wilt103, the Lord Mahommed allows himself one selfish dream, wouldst thou condemn104 him?"
"What is the selfish dream?" she asked.
"He has an open saying, Princess, 'Light is the life of the world, while Love is the light of life.' Didst thou ever hear how Othman wooed and won his Malkatoon?"
"No."
"It is a Turkish tale of love. Mahommed had it from his mother when he was a lad, and he has been haunted ever since with a belief which, to his dreaming, is like the high window in the eastern front of a palace, outwardly the expression-giver, within the principal source of light. The idea is strongest what times the moon is in the full; and then he mounts a horse, and hies him, as did Othman, to some solitary105 place where, with imagination for cup-bearer, he drinks himself into happy drunkenness." The Sheik, bending forward, caught her eyes with his, and held them so not a glance escaped him.
"He thinks--and not all the Genii, the winged and the unwinged, of the wisest of Kings could win him from the thought--that he will sometime meet a woman who will have the mind, the soul of souls, and the beauty of the most beautiful. When she will cross his vision is one of the undelivered scriptories which Time is bringing him; yet he is looking for her, and the more constantly because the first sight of her will be his first lesson in the mystery called love. He will know her, for at seeing her a lamp will light itself in his heart, and by it, not the glare of the sun, his spirit will make sure of her spirit. Therefore in his absoluteness of faith, O Princess, there is a place already provided for her in his promised capital, and even now he calls it this House of Love. Ah, what hours he has spent planning that abode106! He will seat it in the Garden of Perfection, for the glorifying107 which, trees, birds, flowers, summer-houses, water, hill-tops and shaded vales shall be conquered. Has he not studied the Zehra of Abderrahman? And divided it as it was into halls, courts and chambers108, and formed and proportioned each, and set and reset109 its thousand and more columns, and restored the pearls and gold on its walls, and over the wide Alhambran arches hung silken doors sheened like Paradisean birds? And all that when he shall have found her, his Queen, his Malkatoon, his Spirit of Song, his Breath of Flowers, his Lily of Summer, his Pearl of Oman, his Moon of Radjeb, monotony shall never come where she dwells nor shall she sigh except for him absent. Such, O Princess Irene, is the one dream the Prince has builded with the world shut out. Does it seem to you a vanity of wickedness?"
"No," she returned, and covered her face, for the Sheik's look was eager and burning bright.
He knelt then, and kissed the marble at her feet.
"I am Prince Mahommed's ambassador, O Princess," he said, rising to his knees. "Forgive me, if I have dared delay the announcement."
"His ambassador! To what end?"
"I am afraid and trembling."
He kissed the floor again.
"Assure me of pardon--if only to win me back my courage. It is miserable110 to be shaken with fear."
"Thou hast done nothing, Sheik, unless drawing thy master's portrait too partially111 be an offence. Speak out."
"It is not three days, Princess, since you were Mahommed's guest."
"I his guest--Mahommed's!"
She arose from her chair.
"He received you at the White Castle."
"And the Governor?"
"He was the Governor."
She sunk back overcome with astonishment112. The Sheik recalled her directly.
"Prince Mahommed," he said, "arrived at the Castle when the boats were discovered, and hastened to the landing to render assistance if the peril113 required it.... And now, O Princess, my tongue falters114. How can I without offending tell of the excitement into which seeing you plunged115 him? Suffer me to be direct. His first impression was supported by the coincidences--your coming and his, so nearly at the same instant--the place of the meeting so out of the way and strange--the storm seemingly an urgency of Heaven. Beholding116 and hearing you, 'This is she! This is she! My Queen, my Malkatoon!' he cried in his heart. And yesterday"--
"Nay, Sheik, allow the explanation to wait. Bearest thou a message from him to me?"
"He bade me salute thee, Princess Irene, as if thou wert now the Lady of his House of Love in his Garden of Perfection, and to pray if he might come and in person kiss thy hand, and tell thee his hopes, and pour out at thy feet his love in heartfuls larger than ever woman had from man."
While speaking, the Sheik would have given his birthright to have seen her face.
Then, in a low voice, she asked:
"Does he doubt I am a Christian?"
The tone was not of anger; with beatings of heart trebly quickened, he hastened to reply:
"'That she is a Christian'--may God abandon my mouth, if I quote him unfaithfully!--'That she is a Christian, I love her the more. For see you, Sheik'--by the faith of an Arab, Princess, I quote him yet, word for word--'my mother was a Christian.'"
In the morning of this very day we have seen her put to like question by Constantine, and she did not hesitate; now the reply took a time.
"Say to Prince Mahommed," she at length returned, "that his message presents itself honorably, for which it is deserving a soft answer. His fancy has played him false. I cannot be the woman of his dream. She is young; I am old, though not with years. She is gay; I am serious. She is in love with life, hopeful, joyous117; I was born to sorrow, and in sorrow brought up, and the religion which absorbed my youth is now life's hold on me. She will be delighted with the splendors118 he has in store for her; so might I, had not the wise man long since caught my ear and judgment by the awful text, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. While her charms endure she will keep him charmed with the world; I could not so much, for the world to come has possession of me, and the days here are but so many of a journey thither120. Tell him, O Sheik, while he has been dreaming of palaces and gardens in rivalry of Abderrahman the Kaliph, I have been dreaming of a house in splendor119 beyond the conception of architects; and asks he more about it, tell him I know it only as a house not made with hands. Tell him I speak not in denial of possibilities; for by the love I have never failed to accord the good and noble, I might bend my soul to his; to this hour, however, God and His Son the Christ, and the Holy Mother, and the Angels and deserving men and women have taken up my heart and imagination, and in serving them I have not aspired121 to other happiness. A wife I might become, not from temptation of gain or power, or in surrender to love--I speak not in derision of the passion, since, like the admitted virtues122, it is from God--nay, Sheik, in illustration of what may otherwise be of uncertain meaning to him, tell Prince Mahommed I might become his wife could I by so doing save or help the religion I profess53. Then, if I brought him love, the sacrifice would rescue it from every taint123. Canst thou remember all this? And wilt thou deliver it truly?"
The Sheik's demeanor124 when she ended was greatly changed; his head was quite upon his breast; his attitude and whole appearance were disconsolate64 to the last degree.
"Alas125, Princess! How can I carry such speech to him, whose soul is consuming with hunger and thirst for thy favor?"
"Sheik," she said in pity, "no master, I think, had ever a more faithful servant than thou hast proved thyself. Thy delivery of his message, could it be preserved, would be a model for heralds126 in the future."
Thereupon she arose, extended her hand to him, and he kissed it; and as she remained standing127, he arose also.
"Be seated," she then said, and immediately that they were both in their chairs again, she took direction of the interview.
"You asked me, Sheik, if I had heard how Othman wooed and won his Malkatoon, and said it was a Turkish romance. The Othman, I take it, was founder128 of Prince Mahommed's house. Now, if thou art not too weary, tell me the story."
As the recital afforded him the opportunities to give poetic129 expression to his present feeling, he accepted the suggestion gladly, and, being in the right mood, was singularly effective. Half the time listening she was in tears. It was past three o'clock when he finished. The audience then terminated. In no part of it had her manner been more gracious than when she conducted him along the portico, or her loveliness so overwhelming as when she bade him adieu at the head of the steps.
Standing between columns near the sedilium, she saw him gain his boat, take something from the sitting-box, step ashore130 again, and return to her gate, where he remained awhile pounding with a stone. The action was curious, and when he was out of sight rounding the water front of the promontory, she sent Lysander to investigate.
"The infidel has fixed131 a brass plate to the right-hand post of the kiosk," the ancient reported, in bad humor. "It may be a curse." The Princess then called her attendants, and went with them to see the brass plate. There it was, an arm's reach overhead, and affixed132 firmly to the post, the corners turned down to serve the tacking133. Graven on its polished surface was the following:
Wholly unable to decipher it, she sent for a Dervish, long resident in the town, and returned to the portico.
"Princess," the old man said, having viewed the mysterious plate, "he who did the posting was a Turk; and if he were aged134, I should say thou hast entertained unaware the great Amurath, Sultan of Sultans."
"But the man was young."
"Then was he the son of Amurath, Prince Mahommed."
The Princess turned pale.
"How canst thou speak so positively135?" she asked.
"It is a teukra; in the whole world, O Princess, there are but two persons with authority to make use of it."
"And who are they?"
"The Sultan, and Mahommed, next him in the succession."
In the silence which ensued, Lysander officiously proposed to remove the sign. The Dervish interposed.
"Wilt thou hear me, O Princess," he said, with a low reverence, "whether the plate proceeded from Amurath or Mahommed, or by the order of either of them, the leaving it behind signifies more than friendship or favor--it is a safeguard--a proclamation that thou and thy people and property here are under protection of the master of all the Turks. Were war to break out to-morrow, thou mightest continue in thy palace and garden with none to make thee afraid save thine own countrymen. Wherefore consider well before acceding136 to the rancor137 of this ancient madman."
Thus the truth came to the Princess Irene. The Singing Sheik was Prince Mahommed!
Twice he had appeared before her; in the White Castle once, and now in her palace; and having announced himself her lover, and proposed marriage, he intended her to know him, and also that he was not departing in despair. Hence the plate on the gate! The circumstance was novel and surprising. Her present feelings were too vague and uncertain for definition: but she was not angry.
Meantime Mahommed, returning to the old Castle, debated with himself. He loved the Princess Irene with the passion of a soul unused to denial or disappointment, and before he reached the Roumelian Hissar he swore a Moslem oath to conquer Constantinople, less for Islam and glory, than for her. And from that hour the great accomplishment138 took hold of him to the exclusion139 of all else.
At Hissar he ascended140 the mountain, and, standing on the terreplein of the precipice141 in front of what is now Robert College, he marked the narrowness of the Bosphorus below, and thinking of the military necessity for a crossing defended on both shores, he selected a site for a castle on the European side opposite the White Castle in Asia. In due time we will have occasion to notice the creation of the walls and towers of the stupendous fortification yet standing between Bebek and Hissar, a monument to his energy and sagacity more imposing142 than anything left by him in Constantinople.
收听单词发音 |
1
promontory
|
|
| n.海角；岬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
license
|
|
| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
portico
|
|
| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
suite
|
|
| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
offset
|
|
| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
faculty
|
|
| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
allusion
|
|
| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
unaware
|
|
| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
cloisters
|
|
| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
comport
|
|
| vi.相称，适合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
harried
|
|
| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
attentive
|
|
| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
auditor
|
|
| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
ruffle
|
|
| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
Moslem
|
|
| n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
provocation
|
|
| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hawk
|
|
| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
exult
|
|
| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
falcon
|
|
| n.隼，猎鹰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
poise
|
|
| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
discoursed
|
|
| 演说（discourse的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
profane
|
|
| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
knightly
|
|
| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
tilted
|
|
| v. 倾斜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rein
|
|
| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
diplomacy
|
|
| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
justifies
|
|
| 证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
enthralls
|
|
| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的第三人称单数 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
41
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
salute
|
|
| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
specially
|
|
| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
congregate
|
|
| v.(使)集合，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
makers
|
|
| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
softening
|
|
| 变软，软化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
barbarian
|
|
| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
instructors
|
|
| 指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
profess
|
|
| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
moorish
|
|
| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
bishops
|
|
| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
licensed
|
|
| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
compassionate
|
|
| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
forgery
|
|
| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
confirmation
|
|
| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
scriptures
|
|
| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
transcribed
|
|
| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
disconsolate
|
|
| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
disconsolately
|
|
| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
sublimer
|
|
| 使高尚者，纯化器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
68
displeased
|
|
| a.不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
encyclopaedia
|
|
| n.百科全书 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
astronomical
|
|
| adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
geographical
|
|
| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
delved
|
|
| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
exalting
|
|
| a.令人激动的，令人喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
dealing
|
|
| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
mosques
|
|
| 清真寺； 伊斯兰教寺院，清真寺； 清真寺，伊斯兰教寺院( mosque的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
recital
|
|
| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
premises
|
|
| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
jingling
|
|
| 叮当声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
moors
|
|
| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
rivalry
|
|
| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
crave
|
|
| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
jewelry
|
|
| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
transcends
|
|
| 超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的第三人称单数 )； 优于或胜过… | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
envious
|
|
| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
vows
|
|
| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
bridled
|
|
| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
descry
|
|
| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
slung
|
|
| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
bazaar
|
|
| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
lodging
|
|
| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
groves
|
|
| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
votaries
|
|
| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
101
devout
|
|
| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
wrought
|
|
| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
wilt
|
|
| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
glorifying
|
|
| 赞美( glorify的现在分词 )； 颂扬； 美化； 使光荣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
reset
|
|
| v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
falters
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的第三人称单数 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
beholding
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
splendors
|
|
| n.华丽( splendor的名词复数 )；壮丽；光辉；显赫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
splendor
|
|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
aspired
|
|
| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
taint
|
|
| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
demeanor
|
|
| n.行为；风度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
heralds
|
|
| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
Founder
|
|
| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
poetic
|
|
| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
affixed
|
|
| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
tacking
|
|
| （帆船）抢风行驶，定位焊[铆]紧钉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
acceding
|
|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的现在分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
rancor
|
|
| n.深仇，积怨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
exclusion
|
|
| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
precipice
|
|
| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |