They received the
whole retinue with an easy and inviting air. Four of the most amiable
placed the Caliph on a magnificent taktrevan, four others, somewhat less
graceful, took charge of Bababalouk, who capered for joy at the snug
little cabin that fell to his share; the pages that remained waited on
the rest of the train.
When everything masculine was gone out of sight the gate of a large
enclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges and a young female
of a slender form came forth; her light brown hair floated in the hazy
breeze of the twilight; a troop of young maidens, like the Pleiades,
attended her on tip-toe. They hastened to the pavilions that contained
the sultanas, and the young lady, gracefully bending, said to them:
"Charming Princesses, everything is ready; we have prepared beds for your
repose, and strewed your apartments with jasmine; no insects will keep
off slumber from visiting your eyelids, we will dispel them with a
thousand plumes; come then, amiable ladies! refresh your delicate feet
and your ivory limbs in baths of rose water; and, by the light of
perfumed lamps your servants will amuse you with tales.
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