it when Noorna appeared to him, was the City of Shagpat, and in the
streets of the city a vast assembly, and a procession passing on, its
front banner surmounted by the Crescent, and bands with curled and curved
instruments playing, and slaves scattering gold and clashing cymbals,
every demonstration and evidence of a great day and a high occasion in
the City of Shagpat! So he peered yet keenlier through the glass, and
behold, the Vizier Feshnavat, father of Noorna, walking in fetters,
subject to the jibes and evil-speaking of the crowds of people, his
turban off, and he in a robe of drab-coloured stuff, in the scorned
condition of an unbeliever. Shibli Bagarag peered yet more earnestly
through the glass eye, and in the centre of the procession, clad
gorgeously in silks and stuffs, woven with gold and gems, a crown upon
his head, and the appanages of supremacy and majesty about him, was
Shagpat. He paced upon a yellow flooring that was unrolled before him
from a mighty roll; and there were slaves that swarmed on all sides of
him, supporting upon gold pans and platters the masses of hair that
spread bushily before and behind, and to the right and left of him.
Truly the gravity of his demeanour exceeded that which is attained by
Sheiks and Dervishes after much drinking of the waters of wisdom, and
fasting, and abnegation of the pleasures that betray us to folly in this
world! Now, when he saw Shagpat, the soul of Shibli Bagarag was
quickened to do his appointed work upon him, shear him, and release the
Vizier Feshnavat. Desire to shave Shagpat was as a salt thirst rageing
in him, as the dream of munching to one that starveth; even as the
impelling of violent tempests to skiffs on the sea; and he hungered to be
at him, crying, as he peered, ''Tis he! even he, Shagpat!'

Then he turned to the Princess Gulrevaz, and said, ''Tis Shagpat, exalted,
clothed with majesty, O thou morning star of Aklis!'