She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the merchants’ sons went down into the garth they saw therein all the fruits we mentioned and found pears Sinaïtic, Aleppine and Grecian of every hue, which here clustering there single grew, parcel green and parcel yellow to the gazer a marvel-view, as saith of them the poet:—
With thee that Pear agree, whose hue a-morn ✿ Is hue of hapless lover yellow pale;
Like virgin cloistered strait in strong Harím ✿ Whose face like racing steed outstrips the veil.
And Sultani[[395]] peaches of shades varied, yellow and red, whereof saith the poet:—
Like Peach in vergier growing ✿ And sheen of Andam[[396]] showing:
Whose balls of yellow gold, ✿ Are dyed with blood-gouts flowing.
There were also green almonds of passing sweetness, resembling the cabbage[[397]] of the palm-tree, with their kernels within three tunics lurking of the Munificent King’s handiworking, even as is said of them:—
Three coats yon freshest form endue ✿ God’s work of varied shape and hue:
Hardness surrounds it night and day; ✿ Prisoning without a sin to rue.
And as well saith another:—