II

King Feroz spoke to his Chief Vizier:

“Lo! ere to-morrow's dawn be here,

“Send forth my messengers over the sea,

To seek seven beautiful brides for me;

“Radiant of feature and regal of mien,

Seven handmaids meet for the Persian Queen.”

Seven new moon tides at the Vesper call,

King Feroz led to Queen Gulnaar's hall

A young queen eyed like the morning star:

“I bring thee a rival, O Queen Gulnaar.”

But still she gazed in her mirror and sighed:

“O King, my heart is unsatisfied.”

Seven queens shone round her ivory bed,

Like seven soft gems on a silken thread,

Like seven fair lamps in a royal tower,

Like seven bright petals of Beauty's flower

Queen Gulnaar sighed like a murmuring rose

“Where is my rival, O King Feroz?”