her
steps, and, if she sings, make up the chorus. The tunes are
extremely gay and lively, yet with something in them wonderfully
soft. The steps are varied according to the pleasure of her that
leads the dance, but always in exact time, and infinitely more
agreeable than any of our dances, at least in my opinion. I
sometimes make one in the train, but am not skilful enough to lead;
these are the Grecian dances, the Turkish being very different.

I SHOULD have told you, in the first place, that the Eastern manners
give a great light into many scripture-passages, that appear
odd to us, their phrases being commonly what we should call
scripture-language. The vulgar Turk is very different from what is
spoke at court, or amongst the people of figure; who always mix so
much Arabic and Persian in their discourse, that it may very well be
called another language. And 'tis as ridiculous to make use of the
expressions commonly used, in speaking to a great man or lady, as it
would be to speak broad Yorkshire, or Somersetshire, in the drawing
room. Besides this distinction, they have what they call the
_sublime_, that is, a style proper for poetry, and which is the exact
scripture style. I believe you will be pleased to see a genuine
example of this; and I am very glad I have it in my power to satisfy
your curiosity, by sending you a faithful copy of the verses that
Ibrahim Bassa, the reigning favourite, has made for the young
princess, his contracted wife, whom he is not yet permitted to visit
without witnesses, though she is gone home to his house. He is a man
of wit and learning; and whether or no he is capable of writing good
verse, you may be sure, that, on such an occasion, he would not want
the assistance of the best poets in the empire. Thus the verses may
be looked upon as a sample of their finest poetry; and I don't doubt
you'll be of my mind, that it is most wonderfully resembling _The
song of Solomon_, which was also addressed to a royal bride.

TURKISH VERSES addressed to the _Sultana_, eldest daughter of SULTAN
ACHMET III.

STANZA I.

Ver.

1. _THE nightingale now wanders in the vines:
Her passion is to seek roses._

2. _I went down to admire the beauty of the vines:
The sweetness of your charms has ravished my soul._

3. _Your eyes are black and lovely,
But wild and disdainful as those of a stag._

STANZA II.

1. _The wished possession is delayed from day to day;
The cruel