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Faghestan Comes Before Iskandar

Faghestan Comes Before Iskandar

From D5.10, Nine Sages Return with the Four Wonders. It illustrates D5.10.15–25:

  • D5.10.15
    Faghestan came before the Shah; she boreA crown of black musk through his chamber door.
  • D5.10.16
    Her tresses over glowing cheeks were spread.They veiled, like jowshan, redbud blossoms red.
  • D5.10.17
    A cypress crowned with the round moon ablaze;On such a moon no eye could bear to gaze.
  • D5.10.18
    Her brows were bows above a somber glare;In twisted curls she wound her flowing hair.
  • D5.10.19
    Like Paradise’s two narcissi bright,Her eyes seemed formed of fire in all their light.
  • D5.10.20
    Iskandar gazed upon her stately grace,Her form from head to foot, her hair and face.
  • D5.10.21
    He said: “Behold the Lamp of all the earth!”And inwardly praised Him who gave her birth.
  • D5.10.22
    He praised the Just One, Maker of the skies,Who shaped such form and face before his eyes.
  • D5.10.23
    He called the learned Mobadan well known,From Rum’s great legions to attend the throne.
  • D5.10.24
    The Roman sages sat to see it done,And by their Christian rite the two were one.
  • D5.10.25
    He poured such gold upon her, rich and deep,The Moon could barely walk beneath the heap.

In the picture

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