ntains are wild and
barren; our vales require for their cultivation unceasing toil. We have
no gold or silver, no jewels; neither have we silk. But we have some
beautiful and consoling thoughts, and more than thoughts, which are
shared by all of us and open to all of us, and which only we can value
or comprehend. When Darkush, who dwells at Damascus, and was the servant
of my father, sent to us the ever-faithful messenger, and said that
there were princes who wished to confer with us, he knew well it was
vain to send here men who would talk of the English and the Egyptians,
of the Porte and of the nations of Fran-guestan. These things to us are
like the rind of fruit. Neither do we care for cottons, nor for things
which are sought for in the cities of the plains, and it may be, noble
Emir, cherished also in the mountains of Lebanon. This is not Lebanon,
but the mountains of the Ansarey, who are as they have ever been, before
the name of Turk or English was known in Syria, and who will remain as
they are, unless that happens which may never happen, but which is
too beautiful not to believe may arrive. Therefore I speak to you with
frankness, princes of strange countries: Dar-kush, the servant of my
father, and also mine, told me, by the ever-faithful messenger, that it
was not of these things, which are to us like water spilt on sand, that
you wished to confer, but that there were things to be said which ought
to be uttered. Therefore it is I sent back the faithful messenger,
saying, "Send then these princes to Gindarics, since their talk is not
of things which come and go, making a noise on the coast and in the
cities of the plains, and then passing away." These we infinitely
despise; but the words of truth uttered in the spirit of friendship will
last, if they be grave, and on matters which authorise journeys made by
princes to visit queens.'

Her Majesty ceased, and looked at Keferinis, who bowed profound
approbation. Tancred and Fakre-deen, also exchanged glances, but the
Emir waved his hand, signifying his wish that Tancred should reply,
who, after a moment's hesitation, with an air of great deference, thus
ventured to express himself:

'It seems to me and to my friend, the Prince of the Lebanon, that we
have listened to the words of wisdom. They are in every respect just.
We know not, ourselves, Darkush, but he was rightly informed when he
apprised your Majesty that it was not upon ordinary topics, either
politic