“For, by Allah! the elegant structures around me assuredly surpass all other edifices by the happy presage attending their foundation.
“How many delightful prospects I enfold! Prospects, in the contemplation of which a mind enlightened finds the gratification of its desire.
“Look upon this wonderful cupola, at sight of whose perfection all other domes must pale and disappear;
“To which the Constellation of the Twins extends the hand of salutation; and, for communion, the Full Moon deserts her station in the heavens.
“Nay, more; were they to take these aisles for their abiding place, those heavenly bodies would render constant homage to their beauty.
“No wonder, then, if the stars grow pale in their high stations, and if a limit be put to the duration of their light.
“Here also behold the portico, unfolding every beauty. Indeed, had this palace no other ornament, it would still surpass the firmament in splendour:
“For manifold are the gorgeous habilaments in which thou, O Sultán! hast arrayed it, surpassing in brilliancy the lustrous robes of Yemen!
“To look at them, one would imagine them to be planets revolving in their orbits, and throwing into shade the sunburst of morning.
“Here are columns ornamented to absolute perfection; the beauty of which has become glorified: columns