k that Burton accomplished, these are the
only lines that can be pronounced imperishable. Once only--and only
momentarily--did the seraph of the sanctuary touch his lips with the
live coal.

"Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect
applause;
He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his
self-made laws."

and

"All other life is living death, a world where none but
phantoms dwell
A breath, a wind, a sound, a voice, a tinkling of the
camel-bell."

We are also bidden to be noble, genuine and charitable.

"To seek the true, to glad the heart, such is of life the Higher Law."

Neglecting the four really brilliant lines, the principal attraction
of The Kasidah is its redolence of the saffron, immeasurable desert. We
snuff at every turn its invigorating air; and the tinkle of the camel's
bell is its sole and perpetual music.

At first Burton made some attempt to create the impression that there
was actually a Haji Abdu, and that the verses were merely a translation.
Indeed, he quotes him, at the end of his Supplemental Nights, vol. ii.,
and elsewhere, as an independent author. Later, however, the mask
which deceived nobody was removed. Not only was The Kasidah written in
emulation of FitzGerald's Omar, but Burton made no secret that such was
the case. To further this end Mr. Schutz Wilson, who had done so much
for the Rubaiyat, was approached by one of Burton's friends; and the
following letter written to Burton after the interview will be read with
some amusement. "Dear Richard," it runs, "'Wox' made me shudder! If you
give more specimens do be good and be sparing of the 'pights,' 'ceres'
and 'woxes.' I showed the Lay to Schutz Wilson. He seemed absorbed in
the idea of Omar, and said 'Oh! I am the cause of its going through
five editions.' I told him this was even more striking than Omar, but he
didn't seem able to take in the new idea! When you want people's minds
they are always thinking of something else." [336] Although the critics
as a body fell foul of The Kasidah, still there were not wanting
appreciators, and its four great lines have often been quoted.

102. Lisa.

By this time Mrs. Burton had provided herself with another Chico. Chico
the Third (or Chica the Second) was a tall and lank, but well-built
Italian girl, daughter of a baron. Lisa had Khamoor's ungovernable
temper, but to the Burtons she at first exhibited the fa