trance to a magnificent burial vault, he
drew near it. On both sides of the door stood two giants carved in
black stone, with drawn swords in their hands. Just as he was going to
enter, they dropped their swords crosswise before the entrance, and
would undoubtedly have cut him to pieces, had he not started back
immediately. He paused a moment in astonishment, but soon became
himself. He saw that the giants again raised their swords, and that
all was done by skilful mechanism. He, therefore, was careful not to
go straight up to the door, but slipped boldly round one of the giants,
treading on his feet instead of the threshold, and thus by a dexterous
turn found himself suddenly in a curious vault. The knotty walls and
arches were of black granite; here and there blue rays of light fell
through fissures in the rocks, as if from burning saltpetre. In the
centre stood an open silver coffin, in which was the body of a female
stretched out, attired in cloth of silver, and with a crown of diamonds
on her head. One blue ray fell through the ceiling, and illumined her
pale face. Ali shuddered, and was starting back, when at the same
instant he discovered a sparkling serpent moving on the breast of the
corpse, and pointing its sting at her heart. Inspired with a pious
veneration for the dead now before him, and indignant that a creeping
vermin should desecrate an embalmed body, Ali, without hesitation, and
forgetful of his own danger, hastened near, and seized the serpent by
the head to fling it away. But what was his astonishment at perceiving
that what he held in his hand was a talisman composed of precious
stones! He had no sooner removed it than the corpse sighed deeply,
opened her eyes, extended her arms, and rose in the coffin. She looked
around and contemplated Ah, who stood there amazed, with the talisman
in his hand. With her fore-finger on her lips, she seemed collecting
her thoughts; then stepped from the coffin and approached Ali, with the
splendid crown on her head, whilst the silver train of her dress swept
the ground. Ali, shuddering, exclaimed: "Praised be Allah, the most
merciful being!"

"Praised be Allah!" she repeated.

When Ali heard her utter the name of Allah, he took courage, and his
confidence increased when he saw the living red return to her cheeks.
She dropped the stiff silver robe to the ground, and now stood before
him in an azure garment, over which fell a gauze wrought with silver