Radiant as sun and moon may shine,
But what are all their charms to thine?"
To which the challenged replies:
"The Maker's stores have beauties rare,
But none that can with thee compare,
O pearl, that God's own hand hath made;
Earth, sky and sea,
Compare with thee,
See all their splendors sink in shade."
We have reached the landing place. Again we tread in the streets of Cordova, that had surprised and delighted us so much during our first visit. We have not advanced far, when suddenly there breaks on our ear a voice, loud and mighty, as never heard before. We look in the direction whence the voice comes, and on the graceful balcony around the "minaret"—the "muezzin," who calleth, with a solemn power in his living voice, which neither flag, trumpet, bell nor fire could simulate or rival, the Faithful thus to prayer: