e oppressed by the revolt of
the Turkish and Arabian emirs. The presence of a conqueror was implored
as a blessing; and the transient mischiefs of fire and sword were
excused as the sharp but salutary remedies which alone could restore the
health of the republic. At the head of an irresistible force, the sultan
of Persia marched from Hamadan: the proud were crushed, the prostrate
were spared; the prince of the Bowides disappeared; the heads of the
most obstinate rebels were laid at the feet of Togrul; and he inflicted
a lesson of obedience on the people of Mosul and Bagdad. After the
chastisement of the guilty, and the restoration of peace, the royal
shepherd accepted the reward of his labors; and a solemn comedy
represented the triumph of religious prejudice over Barbarian power.
[23] The Turkish sultan embarked on the Tigris, landed at the gate of
Racca, and made his public entry on horseback. At the palace-gate he
respectfully dismounted, and walked on foot, preceded by his emirs
without arms. The caliph was seated behind his black veil: the black
garment of the Abbassides was cast over his shoulders, and he held in
his hand the staff of the apostle of God. The conqueror of the East
kissed the ground, stood some time in a modest posture, and was led
towards the throne by the vizier and interpreter. After Togrul had
seated himself on another throne, his commission was publicly read,
which declared him the temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet.
He was successively invested with seven robes of honor, and presented
with seven slaves, the natives of the seven climates of the Arabian
empire. His mystic veil was perfumed with musk; two crowns [231] were
placed on his head; two cimeters were girded to his side, as the symbols
of a double reign over the East and West. After this inauguration, the
sultan was prevented from prostrating himself a second time; but he
twice kissed the hand of the commander of the faithful, and his titles
were proclaimed by the voice of heralds and the applause of the Moslems.
In a second visit to Bagdad, the Seljukian prince again rescued the
caliph from his enemies and devoutly, on foot, led the bridle of his
mule from the prison to the palace. Their alliance was cemented by the
marriage of Togrul's sister with the successor of the prophet. Without
reluctance he had introduced a Turkish virgin into his harem; but Cayem
proudly refused his daughter to the sultan, disdained to mingle the
b