nd a pilau.' 'And a gazelle stuffed with
almonds,' said Calidas. 'And some sugar-plums,' said the Negro. 'Quick,
you infernal Gentile, or I'll send this javelin in your back,' hallooed
the Guebre.

The servile Abdallah hastened away, and soon bustled back, bearing two
flagons of wine, and followed by four servants, each with a tray covered
with dainties.

'Where are you going, you accursed scoundrels?' grumbled Kisloch; 'wait
upon the true believers.' 'We shall be more free alone,' whispered
Calidas. 'Away, then, dogs,' growled Kisloch. Abdallah and his
attendants hurried off, but were soon summoned back.

'Why did you not bring Schiraz wine?' asked Calidas, with an eye of
fire.

'The pilau is overdone,' thundered Kisloch. 'You have brought a lamb
stuffed with pistachio-nuts, instead of a gazelle with almonds,' said
the Guebre.

'Not half sugar-plums enough,' said the Negro. 'Everything is wrong,'
said Kisloch. 'Go, and get us a kabob.'

In time, however, even this unmanageable crew were satisfied; and,
seated under their plane-tree, and stuffing themselves with all the
dainties of the East, they became more amiable as their appetites
decreased. 'A bumper, Calidas, and a song,' said Kisloch. ''Tis rare
stuff,' said the Guebre; 'come, Cally, it should inspire you.'

'Here goes, then; mind the chorus.'

Drink, drink, deeply drink,
Never feel, and never think;
What's love? what's fame? a sigh, a smile.
Friendship? but a hollow wile.
If you've any thought or woe,
Drown them in the goblet's flow.
Yes! dash them in this brimming cup;
Dash them in, and drink them up.
Drink, drink, deeply drink,
Never feel, and never think.

'Hark, the trumpets! The King and Queen! 'The procession is coming.
Let's away.'

'Again! they must be near. Hurry, hurry, for good places.'

'Break all the cups and dishes. Come along!'

The multitude from all quarters hurried to the great circus, amid the
clash of ten thousand cymbals and the blast of innumerable trumpets.
In the distance, issuing from the gates of Bagdad, might be discerned a
brilliant crowd, the advance company of the bridal procession.

There came five hundred maidens crowned with flowers, and beauteous as
the buds that girt their hair. Their flowing robes were whiter than the
swan, and each within her hand a palm-branch held. Followed these a
band of bright musicians, clothed in golden robes, and sounding silver
t