This garden seemed the threshold of the skies.
But fountain and roses and glittering spray,
Ambrosial converse and redolent lay
Saddened and dimmed in the radiant day,
Unbroken the yellow sunbeams streamed,
As ever the flashing jewels gleamed.
But a shadow fell
And a silent spell
In homage of one who was fairer than they.
And who was the despot whose wondrous array