ncomparable beauty, who being a female is probably not always the
same."

Ali approached the copse, where, through a hole in a wall, he could see
into a beautiful garden, with splendid _jets d'eau_ which fell into
basins of marble. A lovely female form was sitting on the turf, and
many other beautiful girls surrounded her as the paler lights of heaven
surround the evening star. Her youth was in its highest splendour, and
was adorned with those beautiful colours which are otherwise found only
in the most dissimilar objects in nature, and which Lockman had named.
But Ali perceived besides, a grace playing on her lips, and a spirit in
her eyes such as we see neither in the lustre of rubies nor in that of
diamonds. Innocence and infantine serenity animated her countenance;
her movements were natural and easy, like those of a Zephyr; and from
the affability which she showed to her attendants, Ali inferred the
gentleness of her disposition. He stood enraptured in the
contemplation of this beauty, believing that he beheld an angelic
being. A deep red was suddenly suffused over his face, while,
beckoning to his slave, he retired from the wall. He looked in again,
and perceived that her slaves were undressing her. Her long hair
already fell over her bare shoulders, and her white garment floated
loosely round her beautiful bosom. Officious hands loosened the tight
bodice, and from all the preparations it was evident that she was about
to take a refreshing bath in the hour of evening.

"Master," cried Lockman, "in the name of Allah and the prophet, pray
wait and continue watching."

Ali, incensed, took him by the collar and threw him backwards.

"Oh, you are not in your senses," cried the slave, vexed, as he
followed him; "you shut your mouth close that you may not enjoy the
manna in the wilderness which falls from heaven; you will not take a
refreshing draught in the desert when it is offered. You are no
Mussulman. A Mussulman loves sensual pleasure, the prophet has
permitted it to us in this life, and promised it in the next."

"The prophet did not enjoin what he permitted," said Ali. "As the
angel took out of his heart the black drops in which were concealed the
seeds of evil, in the same manner also can the angel purify the heart
of every man."

"You are no true Mussulman," said Lockman, "neither war nor sensual
pleasure delight you."

"No," replied Ali, "they do not; but courage and love do."

"Go to the