ise men and astrologers, summon ye the planets and stars of destiny,
that they may ascertain whether, by this conjunction, aught of evil be
threatened to our celestial person, or to our boundless empire."

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

Where is the star which leaps not in his course with delight to obey the
wishes of the brother of the sun and moon? Where was the planet that
rejoiced not to assist so near a relative? Yes, they all hearkened,
bowing down to the astrolabes of the astrologers, like generous steeds,
who knelt to receive their riders; yet when they all did meet to throw
light upon the required page of destiny, was not their brightness dimmed
when they perceived as they read it that it was full of tears, and that
joy floated but as a bubble? The wise men sighed as the decree of fate
was handed down to them, and with their faces to the earth, thus did
they impart the contents of the revealed page to the magnificent
Youantee.

"The brother of the sun and moon would wed. Beauty shall be laid at the
golden feet, but the pearl beyond price will be found and lost. There
will be joy and there will be sorrow. Joy in life, sorrow both in life
and death; for a black dragon, foe to the celestial empire, threatens
like an overhanging cloud. More the stars dare not reveal."

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

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Here the pacha looked at Mustapha and nodded his head in approbation, as
much as to say, "Now we are coming to the point." Mustapha bowed, and
the Chinese poet continued.

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The golden eyes of the great Youantee were filled with silver tears when
the page of destiny was made known; but the sun of hope rose and bore
away the sacred dew to heaven. Then called he the minister, ever to be
disgraced in story, Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow, and the emperor desired
him to make a progress through the universe, his dominions, to find out
the most beautiful maidens to be brought to the celestial feet at the
coming feast of Lanterns. But before they could be permitted to shoot
up the rays of love through the mist of glory which surrounded the
imperial throne--before their charms were to make the attempt upon the
heart of magnanimity, it was necessary that all their portraits should
be submitted to the great Youantee, in the hail of delight. That is to
say, out of t