
The Jewelled Tree Rains Musk over Khosrow
From C2.18, The Pahlevans Feast with Khosrow. It illustrates C2.18.2–13 (to C2.18.17):
- C2.18.2He set the golden crown and throne, the pair,Beneath a rose-strewn bower of scented air.
- C2.18.3He spread the court brocade across the ground,Till lamplight filled the garden all around.
- C2.18.4Above the Shah’s high throne they raised a shade,A jeweled tree whose limbs of gold were made.
- C2.18.5Its trunk was silver, branches made of gold,With clustered jewels wondrous to behold.
- C2.18.6Its leaves were emerald and carnelian red,Its jeweled fruits hung earring-like overhead.
- C2.18.7The fruits were golden quince and citron shells,All hollow, pierced like reeds in fragrant cells.
- C2.18.8They filled each fruit with musk dissolved in wine,So breezes scattered fragrance through the shrine.
- C2.18.9When any kingly guest approached the throne,The musk rained down, its fragrance round him blown.
- C2.18.10Such showers fell when royal Khosrow neared,And took the golden throne the court revered.
- C2.18.11Before the Shah the cupbearers were set,Each brow beneath a jeweled coronet.
- C2.18.12In Chin brocade and Roman robes ornate,They stood before the sepahbod to wait.
- C2.18.13With torques bound on and earrings burning bright,Their robes were sewn with jewels, light on light.
In the picture
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