led by a Median or
Persian groom.

The household of Abner and Miriam, in number twelve hundred, clad in
chain armour of ivory and gold.

The standard of the Medes and Persians.

Two white elephants, with golden litters, bearing the Viceroy and his
Princess.

The offering of Abner to Alroy; twelve elephants of state, with
furniture embroidered with jewels, each tended by an Indian clad in
chain armour of ivory and gold.

The offering of Miriam to Schirene; fifty plants of roses from
Rocnabad;[71] a white shawl of Cachemire fifty feet in length, which
folded into the handle of a fan; fifty screens, each made of a feather
of the roc;[72] and fifty vases of crystal full of exquisite perfumes,
and each sealed with a talisman of precious stones.

After these followed the eunuch guard.

Then came the band of the serail, consisting of three hundred dwarfs,
hideous indeed to behold, but the most complete musicians in the world.

The steeds of Solomon, in number one hundred, each with a natural star
upon its front, uncaparisoned, and led only by a bridle of diamonds.

The household of Alroy and Schirene. Foremost, the Lord Honain riding
upon a chestnut charger, shod with silver; the dress of the rider, pink
with silver stars. From his rosy turban depended a tremulous aigrette of
brilliants,73 blazing with a thousand shifting tints.

Two hundred pages followed him; and then servants of both sexes,
gorgeously habited, amounting to nearly two thousand, carrying rich
vases, magnificent caskets, and costly robes. The treasurer and two
hundred of his underlings came next, showering golden dirhems on all
sides.

The sceptre of Solomon borne by Asriel himself.

A magnificent and lofty car, formed of blue enamel with golden wheels,
and axletrees of turquoises and brilliants, and drawn by twelve
snow-white and sacred horses, four abreast; in the car Alroy and
Schirene.

Five thousand of the Sacred Guard closed the procession.

Amid the exclamations of the people, this gorgeous procession crossed
the plain, and moved around the mighty circus. The conqueror and his
bride ascended their throne; its steps were covered by the youths and
maidens. On the throne upon their right sat the venerable Bostenay; on
the left, the gallant Viceroy and his Princess. The chartaks on each
side were crowded with the court.

The deputations made their offerings, the chiefs and captains paid their
homage, the trades of the city moved before